Democrats' Folly - Er, `Follies'

Contrary to conventional wisdom, Democrats can get organized. The Metropolitan Democratic Club is reviving its traditional political spoof, "The M.D.C. Follies," this time with expert help.

Laura Drake, formerly with "Star Trek" and "L.A. Law," has volunteered to direct a cast of 70 Democrats in "Who's to Blame?," a musical satire that will be staged at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Scottish Rite Temple. (For tickets, $30 in advance, call 322-7953.)

Attorney Pete Francis will play President Clinton; attorney Mary Virginia Wilson, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Lauren Tyers will perform as their tap-dancing daughter, getting an act together called "Sherry Bockwinkel and the Denturists."

Microsoft counsel Bill Neukom will play his boss, Bill Gates, singing "Microsoft" to the tune of "Camelot." Other performers include U.S. Senate candidate Ron Sims, state Attorney General Christine Gregoire, Seattle Librarian Liz Stroup and former County Executive Randy Revelle.

Co-producer Carole Glickfeld says several performers show promise. One standout is state Treasurer Dan Grimm, who sings "Hey, Big Investor" to the tune of "Hey, Big Spender."

On the other hand, directing Democrats could be compared to trying to herd cats. One cast member has been overheard complaining, "They actually expect us to rehearse."

Gender bender: It probably doesn't matter now that City Light Superintendent Roberta Palm Bradley has resigned (effective Oct. 31). But the incident still seems odd to a Queen Anne Hill man.

After he moved into his new digs, he received a form letter welcoming him to City Light. The letter is signed "Roberta Palm Bradley." The printed letterhead, however, apparently escaped proofreading. The superintendent - who before Bradley was always a guy - is listed as "Robert Palm Bradley."

I do, I do: Weddings are in the air. KIRO-AM afternoon anchor Val Stouffer was in the newsroom talking about how she and her fiance, Eric Zytowski, a buyer for the Swallows' Nest, were planning - no hassles, please - to go to the courthouse to wed.

Rick Enloe, fun-loving morning host on sister station KIRO-FM, overheard the conversation. Enloe said, "Hey, I'm an ordained minister."

So Stouffer and Zytowski are going to tie the knot on Enloe's show at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Giving the bride away is the job of Stouffer's on-air partner, Gregg Hersholt. (That's right: Gregg with three G's. Last week, I spelled it with only two. Apologies to the G-man.)

Truth in medicine: Marketing consultant Jan Wilder was chauffeuring an out-of-town guest past the Northgate Theatre, which adjoins the Northgate Medical building. The visitor, noting that the theater was showing "Clear and Present Danger," asked, "What kind of message is THAT?"

Name game: Add to your list of aptronyms (appropriate names for the job) the names of two of Lynnwood's finest: police Officers Ray Bacon and P.C. Watkins. (Hint: In police jargon, P.C. doesn't stand for "politically correct" - it means "probable cause.")

Vanity fare: Spotted recently in the Shoreline area was a purple Porsche with the license plate: C8L LAW.

Jean Godden's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Local News section of The Times. Her phone is 464-8300.