ROSCOE - The Follies' famous tenor whose golden tones saluted [73] Tom Bosley originally was cast as Dimitri Weismann. Whose Baby? (TV Movie 2004) - IMDb This English-language production, using the full original orchestration, was directed by Olivier Bnzech and conducted by David Charles Abell. With the endless variety of Stephen Sondheims score, a loving and brilliant pastiche of show music from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, and the time-travel trickery of James Goldmans book, Follies is a glamorous and fascinating peek into a bygone era, and a clear-eyed look at the transformation of relationships over time. She shakes loose from the memory and begins to dance with Ben, who is touched by the memory of the Sally he once cast aside. A Survey of Follies Recordings, Part One Original Cast and '80s Concert In preparation for the cast album of the new Broadway production of Follies, here's part one of an overview of the four . [121] The original cast album has always been controversial, because significant portions of the score were cut to fit onto one LP. I'll see you later blues. (Chapin, p.300) In his The New York Times review of the original Broadway production, Clive Barnes wrote: "it is stylish, innovative, it has some of the best lyrics I have ever encountered, and above all it is a serious attempt to deal with the musical form." inspired the operetta kings to produce their lushest Buddy tells her she must be either crazy or drunk, but he's already supported Sally through rehab clinics and mental hospitals and cannot take any more. The music is so beautiful, classical, involved, intricate. I'm Scott Simon. It's like I'm losing my mind. In a shabby yet sparkling atmosphere of bittersweet nostalgia, a wide variety of faded glamour girls -- the famous Follies beauties of years gone by -- laugh, reminisce, brag, boast, express regret, and perform the musical numbers which made them famous, trailed by the ghostly memories of their younger selves. Other notable performers in the original productions were Fifi D'Orsay as Solange LaFitte, Justine Johnston as Heidi Schiller, Mary McCarty as Stella Deems, Arnold Moss as Dimitri Weismann, Ethel Shutta as Hattie Walker, and Marcie Stringer and Charles Welch as Emily and Theodore Whitman. I usually, once I've done it, I've explored it; I stay for a long time in shows. And then the rest of the cast is fantastic, Jan Maxwell and Ron Raines and Danny Burstein. Other cast replacements included Millicent Martin as Phyllis. Former MGM and onetime Broadway star Betty Garrett, best known to younger audiences for her television work, played Hattie. Sally appears next, dressed as a torch singer, singing of her passion for Ben from the past - and her obsession with him now ("Losing My Mind"). HATTIE WALKER - After all these years, still a Broadway Baby. YOUNG PHYLLIS - A showgirl in the chorus of the final edition of A lthough it has legions of admirers, Follies has often seemed a problematic show. HEIDI SCHILLER - A 90-year old Broadway legend, whose ringing soprano Follies review - a stupendous Sondheim revival - The Guardian [18], Goldman continued to revise the book of the musical right up to his death, which occurred shortly before the 1998 Paper Mill Playhouse production. (Chapin, p. xi) Ted Chapin wrote, "Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews Follies received was as rangy as possible." It was directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, with choreography by Bennett, scenic design by Boris Aronson, costumes by Florence Klotz, and lighting by Tharon Musser. That, if I'm good enough for you, you're not good enough SIMON: When did the relationship with Stephen Sondheim begin - looking back on it? These plans also did not work out,[3] and finally Harold Prince, who had worked previously with Sondheim, became the producer and director. What Makes 'Follies' a Classic? 7 Answers and 1 Big Problem. SIMON: Stephen Sondheim wrote "Broadway Baby" in the early 1970s for "Follies," the award-winning musical he created with James Goldman. I hadn't read the script until about a year ago. Ms. PETERS: (as Sally Durant Plummer) (Singing) The sun comes up, I think about you. BENJAMIN STONE - A big man on Wall Street, with a chic Manhattan wife, She's hale and hearty, singing and swinging better than ever. That's a surprise. [72] Hal Linden originally was going to play Ben, but left because he was cast in the Broadway revival of Cabaret as Herr Schultz. From Porn Stars to Shakespeare: David West Read Has Had a Wild Broadway The song was "One More Kiss", and the compromise was that if there was time, it would be recorded, even if Jones couldn't promise it would end up on the album. I am happy to report that since then, Ms Peters has connected with her inner frump, Mr. Raines has found the brittle skeleton within his solid flesh, and Ms. Maxwell and Mr. Burstein have only improved. years ago". Join the StageAgent community And I thought oh, this would be lovely to do. "[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". [54] This production received a full-length recording on two CDs, including not only the entire score as originally written but a lengthy appendix of songs cut from the original production in tryouts. [53] "Ah, but Underneath" was substituted for "The Story of Lucy and Jessie" in order to accommodate non-dancer Hoty. [33] However, director Herbert Ross took some liberties in adapting the book and score for the concert formatdance music was changed, songs were given false endings, the new dialogue was spoken, reprises were added, and Patinkin was allowed to sing "The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues" as a solo instead of a trio with two chorus girls. YOUNG HEIDI - The celebrated soprano in her heyday. YOUNG BEN - Ben thirty years earlier, in 1940, when he was dating Kiss Me, Kate! Like you have Linda Lavin singing "Broadway Baby," and you have Elaine Paige bringing down the house singing "I'm Still Here," and Regine bringing all her history. If you don't Broadway Baby Broadway Baby Follies Hattie Walker See more songs from James Goldman Stephen Sondheim Overview KEY INFORMATION Song Title Broadway Baby Show Follies Character Hattie Walker Gender Female Age Range Mature Adult, Elderly Vocal Part (s) Alto High Note B4 Low Note G3 Style Uptempo, Comedic, Belt Tags [81] The cast starred Bernadette Peters as Sally, Jan Maxwell as Phyllis, Elaine Paige as Carlotta, Linda Lavin as Hattie, Ron Raines as Ben and Danny Burstein as Buddy. It is 1971, and the iconic Weismann Theater, now a crumbling shell of its former glory, is about to be demolished to provide precious New York City parking space. The youthful ghosts of the four leads are winning portrayed by Erin Dilly, Richard Roland, Joey Sorge and Lauren Ward. "[116], Frank Rich, in reviewing the 1985 concert in The New York Times, wrote: "Friday's performance made the case that this Broadway musical can take its place among our musical theater's very finest achievements. "), as they are mirrored by their younger selves. Read is the book writer, writing a new ending to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, alongside a score comprising the pop music of Grammy . Follies Stage production February 20, 1971 Comments Sung by character "Hattie Walker" . are gleefully dusting off their old acts: Theodore and Emily indestructibly, a Broadway Baby. Songs cut before the Broadway premiere include "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (used in the prologue), "Can That Boy Foxtrot! [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). Join StageAgent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. Tysons, VA, Accessibility Statement Terms Privacy |StageAgent 2020. The cast included Anne Rogers, Jo Anne Worley and Philip Bosco. What follows is a series of musical numbers performed by the principal characters, each exploring their biggest desires. This production has taken on the glint of crystalline sharpness. The Who's fifth studio effort is an exhilarating rock 'n' roll masterpiece stacked with killer songs that made it a staple of '70s rock radio. But when. Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists, See more songs from Similarly, ghosts of the Twenties shows slip through the evening as the characters try desperately to regain their youth through re-creations of their performances and inane theatre sentiments of their past. Stephen Sondheim, Hattie Walker is a retired star of the Weismann Follies, an iconic. Seeing Sally again, Ben realises Host Scott Simon speaks with Peters about Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical. I dare you not to fall in love with Betty Garrett's understated "Broadway Baby" you just want to pick her up and hug her. Follies (Musical) Plot & Characters | StageAgent reduced to mother r6Ies, but still hanging in there. [78][79] This production used the original text, and the "Loveland" lyrics performed in the 1987 London production. Copyright 2011 NPR. "[14] "Follies contains two scores: the Follies pastiche numbers and the book numbers. As the guests reminisce, the stories of Ben, Phyllis, Buddy, and Sally unfold. wife, kids - and a mistress. Dolores Gray was praised as Carlotta, continuing to perform after breaking her ankle, although in a reduced version of the part. the Weismann Follies. And, in the haze of nostalgia, the past A recording of the National Theatre production was released on January 18, 2019.[104]. Washington, DC, Auditons for AMDA (Washington) Produced at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, Sally is awed by Ben's apparently glamorous life, but Ben wonders if he made the right choices and considers how things might have been ("The Road You Didn't Take"). [89], The Broadway production won the Drama League Award, Distinguished Production of a Musical Revival for 2011-2012[90] and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Burstein) and Outstanding Costume Design (Barnes). THEODORE WHITMAN - Emily's husband. Follies set, a fabulous wedding cake reaching for the stars, an In a jazzy dance number, accompanied by a squadron of chorus boys, Phyllis reflects on the two sides of her personality, one naive and passionate and the other jaded and sophisticated and her desire to combine them ("The Story of Lucy and Jessie"). And then as a teenager, I started singing soprano and I went, well, I can sing soprano. Casting a 'Follies' of the Future, With Beyonc and Ben Platt who would finally feel just fine." Follies - Everything Sondheim Synopsis. the theatre is demolished to make way for a parking lot. Ben denies this, but still wants Phyllis out of his life. a Follies girl. Janie Dee and Peter Forbes returned as Phyllis and Buddy, while Joanna Riding and Alexander Hanson replaced Staunton and Quast as Sally and Ben. According to an article in The Hollywood Reporter, "almost every performance of the show played to a full house, more often than not to standing-room-only. According to Variety, the production was a "total financial failure, with a cumulative loss of $792,000. Performance: Broadway Baby by Ethel Shutta | SecondHandSongs The cast starred Julia McKenzie (Sally), Donna McKechnie (Phyllis), Denis Quilley (Ben) and Ron Moody (Buddy). 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. Join the StageAgent community (Who's That Woman), shadowy wraiths of their younger selves in a revised version, 21 July 1987 with Diana Rigg, Daniel Massey, The production starred Bob Gunton (Ben), Warren Berlinger (Dimitri Weismann), Patty Duke (Phyllis), Vikki Carr (Sally), Harry Groener (Buddy), Carole Cook (Hattie), Carol Lawrence (Vanessa), Ken Page (Roscoe), Liz Torres (Stella), Amanda McBroom (Solange), Grover Dale (Vincent), Donna McKechnie (Carlotta), Carole Swarbrick (Christine), Stella Stevens (Dee Dee), Mary Jo Catlett (Emily), Justine Johnston (Heidi), Jean Louisa Kelly (Young Sally), Austin Miller (Young Buddy), Tia Riebling (Young Phyllis), Kevin Earley (Young Ben), Abby Feldman (Young Stella), Barbara Chiofalo (Young Heidi), Trevor Brackney (Young Vincent), Melissa Driscoll (Young Vanessa), Stephen Reed (Kevin), and Billy Barnes (Theodore). Stephen Sondheim. However, it is clear that Sally is still in love with Ben even though their affair ended badly when Ben decided to marry Phyllis. Ms. PETERS: Oh, definitely, because I was really a kid. It also highlights that the Follies were such an incredible mix of high art and low art. The director and choreographer was Casey Nicholaw. 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. Sally tells Ben about her life with And this is a very interesting character, probably unlike any other character I've ever played really. "[66], A production was mounted at London's Royal Festival Hall in a limited engagement. Phyllis Rogers Stone, a stylish and elegant woman,[4] arrives with her husband Ben, a renowned philanthropist and politician. Broadway Baby, Learning how to sing and dance, Waiting for that one big chance To be in a show.Oh.Gee.' I'd like to be On some marquee, All twinkling lights, You know, I'll do it for, like, at least a year and then beyond that. [92], The 2011 Broadway and Kennedy Center production transferred to the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, California, in a limited engagement, from May 3, 2012, through June 9. The Paper Mill Playhouse production used some elements from London but stayed close to the original. SIMON: And you were talking like this or something? Oh, you do? [83], Reviews were mixed, with Ben Brantley of The New York Times writing "It wasn't until the second act that I fell in love all over again with Follies". The good news is that it also features some of the most exciting musical moments Broadway has seen in several seasons. SIMON: When did you first realize that you could sing? "Sondheim's 'Follies' closes despite packed performances; Run of the show ends with the expiration of special Equity deal". wife, while poor miserable Sally moans in a smouldering torch number Stephen Sondheim Songs from Musicals Follies the Musical - Broadway Baby Lyrics I'm just a Broadway Baby. '"[10] Martin Gottfried wrote: "The concept behind Follies is theatre nostalgia, representing the rose-colored glasses through which we face the fact of age the show is conceived in ghostliness. Facts never interest her; what matters is the song! A Broadway revival opened at the Belasco Theatre on April 5, 2001, and closed on July 14, 2001, after 117 performances and 32 previews. Sondheim "did not think the London script was as good as the original." ; and Hattie proclaims again that she's, It's so hard to put into words. A few years after the fling that led to his unknown fatherhood, the man has settled into a new life, but the establishing of his paternity makes him determined to . NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. "Follies' Restaged In London". The 2017 production was nominated for 10 Laurence Olivier Awards and won 2 for Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design (by Vicki Mortimer). I like the run and I like to keep going deeper and deeper and see what I can learn and experience about life. "Great American Musicals in Concert" series featured Follies as its 40th production for six performances in February 2007 in a sold out semi-staged concert. OTHER GUESTS and PERFORMERS, STAGE MANAGER, Once the party gets under way it isn't long before the regulars You know, when I went to see "A Little Night Music," before I was even knew I was going to be in it, the music started and I went: Oh my God, I can't believe the person that wrote all those other things also wrote this. 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. Finally, Weismann enters to greet his guests. big-shots from the UN. Buddy and Ben, the theatre seems haunted by their younger selves, That new jukebox musical is the new Broadway smash & Juliet. Several of the former showgirls perform their old numbers, often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves. Follies Original West End Musical Cast 1987 | West End World In 1971 or 2001, Follies validates the legend that a Broadway show can be an event worth dressing up for. She's crazy. [52] The 1998 Paper Mill Playhouse production (Millburn, New Jersey) was directed by Robert Johanson with choreography by Jerry Mitchell and starred Donna McKechnie (Sally), Dee Hoty (Phyllis), Laurence Guittard (Ben), Tony Roberts (Buddy), Kaye Ballard (Hattie ), Eddie Bracken (Weismann), and Ann Miller (Carlotta). 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! That, long as you ignore me, you're the only thing that matters, feeling. The principal cast included Kim Crosby (Sally), Leslie Denniston (Phyllis), Jeff McCarthy (Ben), Lara Teeter (Buddy), Joy Franz (Solange), Marni Nixon (Heidi), and Donna McKechnie (Carlotta). "[19][84], The production transferred to Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in a limited engagement starting previews on August 7, 2011, with the official opening on September 12, and closing on January 22, 2012, after 151 performances and 38 previews.
