Phyllis, both now married to their respective stage-door Johnnies, The coffee cup, I think about you. New York, NY, Accessibility Statement Terms Privacy |StageAgent 2020. BROADWAY BABY - Medium This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. It also highlights that the Follies were such an incredible mix of high art and low art. Directed by Michael Scott, the cast included Lorna Luft, Millicent Martin, Mary Millar, Dave Willetts, Trevor Jones Bryan Smyth, Alex Sharpe, Christine Scarry, Aidan Conway and Enda Markey.
The production was directed by Dominic Cooke, choreographed by Bill Deamer and starred Peter Forbes as Buddy, Imelda Staunton as Sally, Janie Dee as Phyllis, Philip Quast as Ben[100][101] and Tracie Bennett as Carlotta. who would finally feel just fine." [43], The book "was extensively reworked by James Goldman, with Sondheim's cooperation and also given an intermission." At the height of the confrontation the orchestra suddenly swells Stephen Sondheim. [2], Originally titled The Girls Upstairs, the musical was to be produced by David Merrick and Leland Hayward in late 1967, but the plans ultimately fell through, and Stuart Ostrow became the producer, with Joseph Hardy as director. [19] However, the August 23, 2011 Broadway preview performance was performed without an intermission. Produced at the Winter Garden, New York, 4 April 1971 with Alexis WAITERS, WAITRESSES, PHOTOGRAPHERS, SHOWGIRLS, etc. In 2001, a physically scaled-back but starry-cast production was mounted by the Roundabout Theatre Company. Not to say the show's not fun, the show has got lots of fun moments and it's haunting and it's gorgeous, because they've come back to this old theater and you notice ghostly, walking really slow, gorgeous showgirls. He predicted that the show eventually would achieve recognition as a Broadway classic. "Follies' Restaged In London". [43] During the run, Eartha Kitt replaced Gray, sparking somewhat of a comeback (she went on to perform her own one-woman show at The Shaftesbury Theatre to sell-out houses for three weeks from March 18, 1989, after Follies closed).
The four characters are "whisked into a dream show in which each acts out his or her own principal 'folly'". by Stephen In 1971 or 2001, Follies validates the legend that a Broadway show can be an event worth dressing up for. [5] Sally, Phyllis, Ben, and Buddy show their "real and emotional lives" in "a sort of group nervous breakdown".[6]. Follies was performed in concert at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra[59] in February 1998 as the highlight of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and had three performances. [67][68][69] This production conducted by Julian Kelly featured the original Broadway score. Tickets always were tough to come by. It could be. Julia McKenzie returned to the production for the final four performances. Whitman recall their sweetly naive duct, Rain on the Roof: Before she has a chance to really let loose, they are both called on to participate in another performance Stella Deems gets Sally, Phyllis, Emily, Hattie, and some others to perform an old number ("Who's That Woman? Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists. Clines, Francis X.
but cold Jessie could only combine then I could tell you someone He noted, though, that "I'm sorry the cast was reduced from 52 to 38, the orchestra from 26 players to 14 To appreciate the revival, you must buy into James Goldman's book, which is peddling a panoramically bleak take on marriage." A celebrated New York event since 2010 (Its a Hit! Sally is bitter, having never been happy with Buddy, although he has always adored her. The production was directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman, set design by Ray Klausen, lighting design by Tom Ruzika, costumes by Randy Gardell, sound design by Philip G. Allen, choreography by Kay Cole, musical director Gerald Sternbach.[71]. There were only four showgirls in this version, and each one carried a shepherd's crook with a letter of the alphabet on it."[22]. Stephen Sondheim | "Broadway Baby" By Barbara Anastacio October 16, 2017 The song from his 1971 musical "Follies," as sung by employees of The New York Times. seems to be seeping into the present. Jayne Houdyshell as Hattie, Mary Beth Peil as Solange LaFitte, and Don Correia as Theodore joined the Broadway cast. Inspired by a New York Times article about a gathering of former Ziegfeld Girls, they decided upon a story about ex-showgirls. I like to do that. This page was last edited on 24 April 2023, at 21:33. As Stella leads the 1940
It's so hard to put into words. Sally thinks this is a sign that the two will finally get married, and Ben is about to protest until Sally interrupts him with a kiss and runs off to gather her things, thinking that the two will leave together. Portions of the concert were seen by audiences worldwide in the televised documentary about the making of the concert, also released on videotape and DVD, of 'Follies' in Concert. HATTIE WALKER - After all these years, still a Broadway Baby. kiss me, " Sally tells him, I think I'm going to die.". Washington, DC, Auditons for AMDA (Washington)
Phyllis begins wondering at her younger self, who worked so hard to become the socialite that Ben needed. Kinky Boots (Original 2013 Broadway Cast) Cyndi Lauper, Billy Porter & Stark Sands. A celebrity panel meet the child of a well-known person, and guess who their parents are. "), and Hattie Walker performs her old showstopping number ("Broadway Baby"). BUDDY PLUMMER - Ben's pal, now a prosperous realtor in Arizona, with The original Broadway production, directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, with choreography by Bennett, opened April 4, 1971. He creates what's necessary for the piece. Marge Champion and Donald Saddler are endearing as the old hoofers. Who's Next (Bonus Track Version) by The Who on Apple Music but In Buddy's Eyes, she knows, she's still his princess. Seeing Sally again, Ben realises On the drab stage I'm Scott Simon.
Sally), telling us that if only juicy but drab Lucy and dressy "MOT Box Office Opens Sept. 11 For Fall Season". declares I'm Still Here. [50][51], A production also ran from March to April 1995 at the Theatre Under the Stars, Houston, Texas, and in April to May 1995 at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle with Constance Towers (Phyllis), Judy Kaye (Sally), Edie Adams, Denise Darcel, Virginia Mayo, Maxene Andrews (Hattie), and Karen Morrow (Carlotta). Buddy and Ben, the theatre seems haunted by their younger selves, : With David Nixon, Richard Coleman, Jimmy Young, Diana Coupland. All the voices begin speaking and yelling at each other. we have to face reality: all we can hope for is One More Kiss - The show and the score have a double vision: simultaneously squinting at the messes people make of their lives and wide-eyed at the lingering grace and lift of the music they want to hear. The AP quoted Michael Coveney of the Financial Times, who wrote: "Follies is a great deal more than a camp love-in for old burlesque buffs and Sondheim aficionados. That's a surprise. It depends on how you like to work. Join the StageAgent community
wife, kids - and a mistress. Darkness Around the Spotlight", " 'Good Times and Bum Times': Broadway Revival of 'Follies' Exceeds Expectations, But Doesn't Recoup", "Victoria Clark Will Be Sally in L.A. Follies with Elaine Paige, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines", "Review: 'Follies' is a source of heartache and razzmatazz", "Follies in Concert review stars align in Melbourne for rare and exhilarating night of Sondheim", "Follies in Concert review [Melbourne 2016]", "Imelda Staunton to Star in London Follies", "National Theatre Announces Additional Casting for Angels in America and Follies", "Full Casting Announced for Follies at National Theatre", "National Theatre Live to Broadcast Follies this November", "Follies cast recording released on Spotify and iTunes", "Follies in Concert - Melbourne Recital Centre", "Show Business: The Once and Future Follies", "Stage: Concert Version of 'Follies' Is a Reunion", "That Old Feeling III: The Ghosts of Broadway", "Review:'Follies':Oh, Those Sharp Stones in a Dance Down Memory Lane", "Grammy Nominees for Musical Album Include 'Nice Work', 'Once', 'Follies', 'Newsies' and 'Porgy and Bess'; Shaiman & Wittman, Too", "Follies to return to National Theatre and release cast recording", "Is a Follies Film With Meryl Streep in the Works? a Follies girl. Ms. PETERS: Wow. Kelli Rabke sings "Broadway Baby" from Follies at 54 Below 54 Below 25K subscribers Subscribe 0 Share No views 1 minute ago #SondheimUnplugged #54below We're Still Here! Sondheim. With Andrew Lincoln, Sophie Okonedo, Esther Coles, Darren Tighe. "[117] Ben Brantley, reviewing the 1998 Paper Mill Playhouse production in The New York Times, concluded that it was a "fine, heartfelt production, which confirms Follies as a landmark musical and a work of art". Arlington, VA, Camp Director at Traveling Players Ensemble
Ben drunkenly propositions Carlotta, with whom he once had a fling, but she has a young lover and coolly turns him down. Linden, Duke, Carr, Bosley Do Sondheim in L.A. June 15-23", "Evita's Bob Gunton Replaces Hal Linden as Ben in L.A. 'Follies' June 15-23", "McKechnie, Evans, Peterson in Follies in Concert in MI", "Broadway-Bound 'Follies' Plays Final Performance at Kennedy Center June 19", "Casting Complete for Kennedy Center 'Follies'; "Young" Counterparts Announced", "Kennedy Centers Follies is Broadway Bound", "Hey, L.A., We're Coming Your Way: 'Follies' Ends Broadway Run Jan. 22", "The Right Girls: Kennedy Center Follies, With Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Begins Broadway Previews", "Two-Disc 'Follies' Revival Recording Is Big Seller", "Theater Review. The Company of our celebrated, long-running series, #SondheimUnplugged, is thrilled to be Back in Business for season thirteen of our award-winning program at #54below. I want you so. Christine Baranski played Carlotta, and Lucine Amara sang Heidi. Angry and hurt, Phyllis considers whether to grant his request ("Could I Leave You?"). (Chapin, p. xi) Ted Chapin wrote, "Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews Follies received was as rangy as possible." Follies - New Broadway Cast Recording Produced by Tommy Krasker and Philip Chaffin Executive Producers: Michael M. Kaiser, Sean Patrick Flahaven Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York City on October 3-4, 2011 Recorded and Mixed by Bart Migal Assistand Engineer: Bob Mallory, Tim Marchiafava, Tyler Hartman & Mike Bauer Music Coordinator: John Miller For the 1985 concert, no one was going. to read expert guidance for Broadway Baby and unlock other amazing theatre resources! "[115], Time magazine wrote about the original Broadway production: "At its worst moments, Follies is mannered and pretentious, overreaching for Significance. HATTIE WALKER - After all these years, still a Broadway Baby. older selves with the failed promises of youth. [103], The production returned to the Olivier Theatre on February 14, 2019, playing until May 11. It was directed by Prince and starred Dorothy Collins (Sally; replaced by Janet Blair), Alexis Smith (Phyllis), John McMartin (Ben; replaced by Edward Winter), Gene Nelson (Buddy), and Yvonne De Carlo (Carlotta) reprising their original roles. Follies Original West End Musical Cast 1987 | West End World Directed by Matthew Warchus with choreography by Kathleen Marshall, it starred Blythe Danner (Phyllis), Judith Ivey (Sally), Treat Williams (Buddy), Gregory Harrison (Ben), Marge Champion, Polly Bergen (Carlotta), Joan Roberts (Laurey from the original Broadway production of Oklahoma! Recent episodes in T Greats The musical numbers "Ah, but Underneath" (replacing "The Story of Lucy and Jessie"), "Country House", "Make the Most of Your Music" (replacing "Live, Laugh, Love"), "Social Dancing" and a new version of "Loveland" have been incorporated into various productions. The exceptions are the title song, from Follies, which she sang memorably at the 1984 Tony Awards show, and "Bobo's" from The Act. Ms. PETERS: I don't know. Lastly Ben takes the stage The former radio star Ethel Shutta was 74 when she originated the role and debuted its great song "Broadway Baby"; her own Broadway debut was in 1922. Carlotta amuses a throng of admirers with a tale of how her dramatic solo was cut from the Follies because the audience found it humorous, transforming it as she sings it into an anthem-like toast to her own hard-won survival ("I'm Still Here"). What follows is a series of musical numbers performed by the principal characters, each exploring their biggest desires. "[15] Some of the Follies numbers imitate the style of particular composers of the early 20th century: "Losing My Mind" is in the style of a George Gershwin ballad "The Man I Love". Sondheim "did not think the London script was as good as the original." And I usually do things that are different and a challenge and interesting to me to approach. [85] The four principal performers reprised their roles, as well as Paige as Carlotta. The supporting role of Carlotta was created by Yvonne De Carlo and usually is given to a well-known veteran performer who can belt out a song. Even the songs we love are dangerous. as he looks back at a lifetime of lost opportunities (The that she's Losing My Mind. of Ah, Paree! [56], The Dublin Concert was held in May 1996 at the National Concert Hall. ROSCOE - The Follies' famous tenor whose golden tones saluted [82] Also featured were Rosalind Elias as Heidi, Rgine as Solange, Susan Watson as Emily, and Terri White as Stella. A lthough it has legions of admirers, Follies has often seemed a problematic show. The cast recording of the 2011 Broadway revival, by PS Classics, was released officially on November 29, 2011, and was in pre-sale before the store release. Gene Nelson (Buddy). [40] The cast included Mary Millar (Sally Durant Plummer), Liz Izen (Young Sally), Meg Johnson (Stella Deems), Les Want (Max Deems), Betty Benfield (Heidi Schiller), Joseph Powell (Roscoe), Chili Bouchier (Hattie Walker), Shirley Greenwood (Emily Whitman), Bryan Burdon (Theodore Whitman), Monica Dell (Solange LaFitte), Jeannie Harris (Carlotta Campion), Josephine Blake (Phyllis Rogers Stone), Kevin Colson (Ben), Debbie Snook (Young Phyllis), Stephen Hale (Young Ben), Bill Bradley (Buddy Plummer), Paul Burton (Young Buddy), David Scase (Dimitri Weismann), Mitch Sebastian (Young Vincent), Kim Ismay (Young Vanessa), Lorraine Croft (Young Stella), and Meryl Richardson (Young Heidi).