Photos: End of an era: Fabulous Palm Springs Follies nears big finale

Dance captain Jill Owens stretches in the dressing room before going onstage at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Byron, 65, adjusts his “Dancing Queen” costume before the start of the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Stitcher lead Florinda Solis works on a costume backstage at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dick France, 84, awaits his entrance in the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The dressers and the cast await the start of the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, which is in its last season.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dick France, 84, warms up before his turn onstage at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Follies co-founder and wise-cracking emcee Riff Markowitz, 75, warms up the crowd.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Karrie France, 57, from left, Dick France, 84, and Greta Albritton, 65, perform “Baby Love” during a Follies show.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Greta Albritton, 65, performs in the Follies’ signature number, “Pretty Girl.”  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Suzanne Vitale, 75, performs in the show’s signature number, “Pretty Girl.”  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Joni Naber, 77, a former USO dancer, is seen in “Pretty Girl,” the Follies’ signature number.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Rita Wagner, 55, performs in the show’s signature number, “Pretty Girl.”  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The Follies cast performs the high-spirited “Patriotic Finale,” which closes out each show.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Follies co-founder and emcee Riff Markowitz bids the crowd farewell after a show.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Follies dancer Joni Naber greets the audience after a show, a tradition that each cast member takes part in after every performance.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)