Ocean State Follies: Holiday Parties 2006

December is our busiest month of the year - and for good reason. Everyone wants to celebrate the holidays with friends, co-workers, and family. Many just go out for a nice dinner. That's okay for some, but why not spice it up with an award-winning comedy cabaret?! We even make YOU part of the show. Every year the Follies come up with a new holiday theme ... you can bet there'll be lots of new spoofs based on the results of the elections!

Most details have been worked out for menus and prices, so take a look. Below is a list of venues we have booked for our HOLIDAY SHOWS. Prices go up a bit each year due to higher food and energy costs. The prices per person include dinner, show, tax and tip. Arrival is usually at 6:30, dinner at 7:00 and show follows right after. We do, however, have a matinee planned at Chelo's for those who prefer the daytime. You can reserve on the phone with a credit card, online with Pay Pal, or send a check. Cash can work too as long as we have a credit card to hold the reservations.

You, of course, will be sitting at the same tables as your friends - that's what this time of year is all about - sharing with the people you love (and your co-workers). Say you have a party of 19 - we'll put a nine and a ten right next to each other. If someone has an eight, we might have a lonely twosome join them. This is the fun of dinner theater. Most venues have big rounds seating 10, some might have the longer rectangles but either way don't worry no parties are split up and spread all around the room! So call us as soon as you get a group togedda! The earlier reservations get the seats closest to the stage. To get the snowball rolling, click here to download a flyer that you hang by the water cooler to inspire participation ... (you'll have to write in the specific info yourself). Payment info is way down at the bottom of this page.

This year we are happy to spend the two prime Saturdays, December 9th and 16th at the beautiful Sheraton Airport Hotel on Post Road in Warwick! You can even get a room if you start feeling too much 'spirit.'

Most dinner show reservations go through the Follies reservation line at (401) 353-3330. You can also email at charliehall@cox.net or use the PayPal buttons below for some of the venues. Some restaurants will take their own reservations like our home venue, LUIGI'S in Johnston (861-3850), and SPIRITO'S in Silver Lake.

GIFT CERTIFICATES! This year, why not give the gift of laughter? Although the Follies appear all around the state, we suggest buying a gift certificate at Luigi's in Johnston, our home venue. We appear there monthly so it can be used at whichever show is more convenient for the giftee. Please call them directly at 861-3850 or stop by if you're in the area.

PAYMENT: The preferred way to reserve is to CALL US at 353-3330 to put your group on ONE credit card, Visa, Mastercard, or American Express only. We will accept checks if received at least 7 days in advance to clear - but again we prefer ONE check as opposed to a bunch of smaller ones. ( Make checks payable to Charlie Hall, 10-B Cutters Green, North Providence, RI 02904) Cash can be tricky but we could certainly arrange for it if that's your preference.

We need a general count when you first call us and a credit card to hold it or a promise to send a deposit check ASAP. A final count is due at least 5 days before the show. If someone shows up at the last minute, we can add them in; however YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR NO-SHOWS unless you call in advance. (I mean, c'mon- we coulda sold those seats to others on the waiting list!) We will try to accommodate changes right up until the last minute...but there is ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE that the restaurant will allow us to cancel meals - in fact they seldom allow it. Best seating (closeness to stage area) depends on how soon you reserve! (But no seat is really THAT bad!).

We now have PAY PAL which allows you to pay online - either as a group or individually. Just make sure you let us know what group/party you are from in the message box of Pay Pal so we know where to put you and your money! Paying online does NOT serve as a reservation - you or your group leader must CALL to confirm your reservation.

SNOW POLICY - Despite the bribes we pay to Gary Ley and Tony Petrarca each winter, there is always a chance that snow and bad weather will put a damper on an evening. Most Rhode Islanders will see 6 flakes of snow and make a bee line for the milk and bread. We all have different views on what "bad weather" is, and how much snow we will drive in. If you don't want to drive in 4 inches of slush, fine - but the venue has already ordered and prepared your dinner - and they're charging the Follies for it 'weather' you come or not! SO UNLESS IT'S AN INCREDIBLY HEAVY/STATE OF EMERGENCY SNOWFALL, THE SHOW WILL GO ON! THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS! You may call 353-3330 for any weather updates if snow is predicted.

FOLLIES GIFT CERTIFICATES make perfect gifts...and they can be good for any show this year or next! Combine them with one of Charlie Hall's cartoon books, or his wonderful print of the Providence skyline and you have an extra special and unique present for that someone special. Call us for more info...353-3330.

Call Charlie Hall at 353-3330 or email him at charliehall@cox.net.