Taking the stage is daunting enough, I imagine. Following a self—and otherwise—proclaimed "icon" certainly has to steepen the hill. Still dozens of performers brought highly decorated faces to the 2006 Follies competing for audience approval against the highly anticipated antics of Christopher Peterson.

Renowned starlet (read female impersonator) Peterson was stunning as the mistress of ceremonies. Playing "herself" to a the big crowd, Peterson ran the show but also rested her assorted high end high heels in between acts to watch as others shined with great wit delivered through song, script and stellar costumes.

None of the performances were to be discounted as the 5th annual Follies reigned down on the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center July 22.

Holy Bouncing Ballerinas, you just know it is going to be interesting when the prop list reads: one big, pink wand, two butterfly nets, three large magnifying glasses, and a $1,000 feather boa.

At the conclusion of the eclectic evening, judges were challenged to decide on the best acts—bestowing Gold Barbie, Silver Barbie and the Bronze Barbie trophies—to their top choices; And as anyone in attendance will agree, the Follies brought an enormous amount of talent and humor to Rehoboth Beach and the winners should be proud. However, some of the best lines were uttered off-stage.

In pursuit of the coveted Barbie awards one act incorporated a life sized Barbie, Follies producer/stage manager Murray Archibald is still laughing at a sincere question asked by the sound man during a dress rehearsal, "He called to me, ‘When is that Barbie-cue again,’ We both just laughed and felt hungry!" said Archibald.

A sense of humor is a requirement when assembling a production this dazzling and let’s face it silly.

Sandra Skidmore, a dedicated CAMP Rehoboth volunteer who participated in two skits, said, "I have more ham in me than Smithfield, Virginia so I was happy to be a part of Follies," she said. "It is great fun for a great cause."

Skidmore, who can be counted as one of the growing group of "straight girls" like me who support CAMP’s commitment to our community took on hilarious roles in takeoffs of "Brokeback Mountain" and "Gidget" "I said you need me to be a horse’s ass, I’ll be a horse’s ass—but in the second skit I did make sure Gidget got a guy!!" Proceeds from Follies—which features an auction, cash bar, and special sponsorship seating opportunities—benefit all of CAMP Rehoboth’s programs including education, outreach, and continued progress with their Baltimore Avenue based Community Center.

Another good line came offstage from official judge and Follies "virgin" Steve Twilley who said,"Comedy is strange. Sometimes a joke that soars among friends falls flat to an audience. Nothing fell flat at Follies, in fact I’d have to say there were lots of curves," he laughed in references to often anatomically embellished cast. Twilley, who serves as executive director of Sussex County AIDS Council, added that his favorite line came from the non-competing opening act featuring a motley crew in black tops and frilly pink cotton candy colored tutus. I loved the line, "Some use muscle-bound boys, to keep your eyes on them. But it’s a fact that basic black hides a multitude of sins!"

CAMP Executive Director Steve Elkins—who donned the aforementioned and appropriate black T with his fluttery tutu—had yet another amusing, offstage quote, "The guys dressed as sheep were probably the funniest scene of the night. None of them wanted to do it beforehand, and afterwards, none of them wanted to give up their costumes," he laughed.

Host Peterson, infamous for his portrayals of Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, Tina Turner and Lucille Ball is currently performing his Eyecons show at Atlantic Sands and everyone hopes he’ll return to Follies for a frolicking good time next year.

So the evening began with the theme from Night Rider, but definitely was not Mission Impossible and when Follies 2007 rolls around don’t forget, "How does a skit become a hit? With plenty of laughter and a dash of wit."

See you at Sundance!