I actually hope not. I always liked the original one-act version; it's far better written than people think -- especially when you view it next to the many attempts at inserting an intermission that just never seem to work.
"TK: You know, at this point, I think I've recorded all but about six of Steve's shows, but the answer is Follies. If you'd asked me twelve years ago, when I'd recorded none of his shows, it would still have been Follies."
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I think the problem with "Country House" is that it doesnt really fit anywhere. It's there to give Phyllis a song. Maybe the production team will revisit that and finally find a place for it.
But Country House is not new material and Sondheim wrote on Finishing the Hat the only song written for the London production he found useful is Ah, But Underneath.
The book has been tweaked 8 million times. And James Goldman is gone now. As long as they don't use that ATROCITY of a ending (known as the Roundabout ending) - I'll be thrilled.
I would be really surprised if the production featured any of the material from the London production. Sondheim, who has said often that he loves playing with his work and allowing the opportunity for re-examination, also seems to feel that the new material created for the UK production should largely not be revisited.
I imagine the musical changes made for this production will be minor. I wouldn't expect any new songs at least.
"Country House" is hardly a good song and it sticks out like a sore thumb. I would love for Phyllis to have more singing in the show, but not if it comes in the form of "Country House" which is simply subpar to what is an incredibly beautiful score.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
I was at Sondheim/Kushner on Monday evening, and he didn't say that there would be new material, exactly. He said that every production of Follies has not been the same as the one that has preceded it, and that the Washington production would be revised. I take that to mean they'll be working with the already existing material from the previous productions. That said, it would be WONDERFUL to get any new work from the man. :)
I would be really surprised if the production featured any of the material from the London production. Sondheim, who has said often that he loves playing with his work and allowing the opportunity for re-examination, also seems to feel that the new material created for the UK production should largely not be revisited
Well I wish the same could said for the book. It's tragic that the Roundabout book uses the London ending (most of it). There's no reason why it should be used. But we've already had a thread about this. :-p