What about an all black version of FOLLIES?

[Paulyd]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 2:21am

I remember being taken to see an all black version of Joseph in the UK when i was about 10 and absolutely loved it. I've seen versions since then and no production has ever matched the raw energy that i witnessed way back then.

With that in mind i wonder who Follies would look like with an all black cast.Has it ever been done? I think it would be amazing to see a familiar show with a slightly different perspective.

Come on Sondheim, sort it out

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 2:22am

I truly mean no offense, but how would an all black version make it any different?

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 2:25am

A black man singing Too Many Mornings would sound just as gorgeous as any other version, I'd love for an all black cast-

Under the one condition that Carol Woods is brought back to tear up "Who's That Woman" again!

[Paulyd]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 2:30am

I just thought it might be an interesting concept to see it from a different angle, maybe even threads from different aspects of early black theatrical history.

Just a thought. People may disagree, but hey thats what these boards are for.

[Paulyd]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 2:33am

I believe she is pretty ill, but i would love to see Lena Horne performing 'I'm Still Here'

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 2:50am

I love this idea (even if it would mean Donna Murphy would be out of the game...is black face out of the question? It would just be for the role of Phyllis).
My dream cast would be:
Phyllis - Tonya Pinkins or Vanessa Williams
Ben - Brian Stokes Mitchell
Sally - Audra McDonald (is she too young for the role?)
Buddy - Not sure, Gregory Hines would have been great.
Solange - Eartha Kitt
Stella - Loretta Devine
Hattie - Chandra Wilson
Carlotta - Tonya Pinkins

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:09am

Can you still get away with "all black productions" the way you could in the 60s and 70s?

E

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:25am

Why not? 99% of productions on Broadway get away with all-white productions and no one complains.
Plus, the idea of Tonya Pinkins in FOLLIES makes me salivate.

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:29am

Couldn't some of the roles be played by blacks anyway--and not merely if it were "color blind" casting? The Ziegfeld Follies did have some key black performers no?

I dunno I do see your point about most productions on Broadway being all white (though if I was picking a fight I'd point out that was just cuz the characters written about were white--) but the idea of "an all black production" kinda makes me uncomfortable I admit--even if it's not rational.

E

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:31am

Tonya would be an incredible Phyllis I feel. Audra, give her 10 years and she will knock Sally out of the park- and you know that is so true. I wonder who will get to her once the clamor begins to grab her up first.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:45am

Eric, I definitely see your point. Since I'm Latino I feel that there is an under-representation of most ethnic groups on Broadway, so an all-black, all-Latino, all-Asian, all-Middle Eastern (or any combination of those) FOLLIES would be welcome by me.
C for Company, after seeing Audra in 110 IN THE SHADE this past weekend I am convinced that at one point she would be able to make a showstopping Sally.

[scott68]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:46am

It would certainly be interesting, in terms of giving roles to people who ordinarily might not be considered for them, but as people have said, I'm not sure what the reason would be for the production, or what "different angle" it might show things from.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 3:55am

Love the idea, here is my cast.

Sally: Pamela Isaacs or Phylicia Rashad
Phyllis: Vanessa Williams (Pinkins is good, but Williams is just so right for this role, all black or not all black)

Ben: Brian Stokes Mitchell
Buddy: Hinton Battle
Carlotta: Lillias White or Fredi Walker
Solange: Eartha Kitt
Stella: Mary Bond Davis (she has to be in this somewhere)
Hattie: Jennifer Holliday? Or Leslie Uggams
Roscoe: Chuck Cooper (it would be different, but I love him)

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 4:02am

You're trying too hard.



I would know.

Posted: 6/21/07 at 5:51am

Ray I appreciate that--I'm kinda mixed on the subject (and it's been debated in other threads) but I see an all black production of something almost as the same as, say, an all white Porgy and Bess (OK yes there are tons of holes in my logic but...)

I do think *most* of the roles in Follies coul dbe played by people of different ethnicities and there'd be no real historical problems (depending on the years Ziegfeld welcomed stars of all races--didn't he? and that's the model) except perhaps if it made some characters interacial relationships (so the four leads...)--this is if they still didn't make it colour blind iI mean--if they did than all that's a moot point

Eartha Kitt did end up playing Carlotta for a lot of the run of the 1987 Follies.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 6:25am

While the cast that you listed seems ideal, couldn't you have an integrated cast considering the history of follies shows back in the 20's and 30's? While the people in the cast weren't inegrated (with separate exits and entrances from what I understand), the shows certainly were.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 6:26am

How about an all white version of "The Color Purple"?

Posted: 6/21/07 at 7:22am

Exactly Gypsy--I don't think it would be much of an issue except for--possibly--the exception of the four main characters just because interacial relationships were hardly accepted back then...

E

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 7:26am

right, I would agree with you Eric. That would be my only hesitation.

[Kringas]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:12am

I love the idea of Vanessa Williams as Phyllis.

[Glebb]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:32am

Me too, me too.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:38am

The only issue I have with Vanessa Williams playing Phyllis is that I'm not sure she could knock Could I Leave You? out of the water like it should be. It needs to be very specific and I'd kind of like to hear a power belt in that role. AND she's only 44. That's still a hint young according to Sondheim.


Ya know there should be a point to draw the line. Everyone always talks about history and interracial relationships. "It's the 20's it wasn't accepted", "It's the 50's it wasn't accepted".

Accepted is a lot different than actually happened. While there weren't a ton of relationships cropping up, it did happen sometimes. There've been tons of "high-yellow" black people walking around throughout the entire 20th century...and they ALL weren't products of rape. Truth is much stranger than fiction so I don't think it's a huge stretch to think that maybe ONE couple who were a performers (which wasn't the most prestigious career) could have been interracial. It was the artist that were and still are going against the norm and pushing social limits.
Updated On: 6/21/07 at 09:38 AM

[Kringas]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:46am

I think Williams has a better voice than a lot of women who have played Phyllis to great acclaim, including the original Phyllis, Alexis Smith. "Could I Leave You?" has always seemed more like an actor's song than a singer's song to me.

Updated On: 6/21/07 at 09:46 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 9:54am

I think an all black version would be very interesting. The premise would be that they are returning for the demolition of something like The Cotton Club.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 10:27am

"I think Williams has a better voice than a lot of women who have played Phyllis to great acclaim, including the original Phyllis, Alexis Smith. "Could I Leave You?" has always seemed more like an actor's song than a singer's song to me."

This may be true, but it's clearly a belter's song. Vanessa's got such a light voice. Ideally it'd be someone who could do both VERY well...Just give it to Donna.