Anyone going to the first preview of FOLLIES? - Page 3

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 10:57am

PJ: just call me Sean. That's my real name out there.

And yeah, it's definitely a show that can only be really appreciated after a lifetime of experience. When I saw the original, I was so overwhelmed by the production that all I could do was just sit and watch. In DC, it was a totally different experience. I know people like Phyllis and Ben and Sally and Buddy. I dont see them as angsty, just folks realizing they're nearing the end of the road and they dont have a whole lot to show for it. Not a mid-life crisis, just wanting to turn the clock back and somehow get a do-over. It was a much sadder experience in DC, especially the end: in LA, I thought "Yeah, you guys are gonna pull it together and make it work!" In DC, my impression was, "You're all scrooowed. You're never gonna change."

What a difference forty years makes... LOL

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 12:05pm

Glad to see you agree about Karen Black, AC, but turns out I have to amend part of my post. I thought she had been in the Broadway production of Forum, but it turns out she was replaced out of town.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 12:13pm

I completely forgot that Black was the original Philla out of town. I can't imagine her as an ingenue, even at twenty. You're right that she's certainly inhabited all of the facets that make a good Carlotta, though. I wonder what her singing voice actually sounds like these days.

I wonder if Twiggy could pull off Carlotta.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 1:12pm

I've long been among those who've supported Vanessa Williams as Phyllis, and while I still think she'd be terrific in that role, she would also be a good fit as Carlotta. Ideally, she'd be a bit older, but at 48 shows at the low end of the age range.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 1:29pm

DeCarlo was 49 when she originated Carlotta.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 2:20pm

p.s. Can't believe in this light I didn't mention Polly Bergen, who not only fits my preferred casting profile, but gave a wonderful performance.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 2:20pm

I didn't think Elias was "sneaking." I thought it was more like being called by her ghost. She seems to be "searching." Anyway, she and Leah Horowitz were wonderful (as always) and the audience LOVED them.

Sean, I felt the same as you after seeing this version of FOLLIES (although I do see Phyllis and Buddy as being the "sane" ones, so there's a glimmer of hope for them.) That's one of the reasons I like this production so much. The pain is palpable. I understand. I empathize.

[fiesta1]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 3:01pm

I too was at the first preview (the 9th show in 6 whirlwind days in NYC).

I've loved the music lyrics of 'Follies' since I was in college in the late-70s, but this was the first time I have seen the production performed. I changed my flight home just to be sure I could finally see this missing jewel in my personal Sondheim Canon. And I very glad I did.

First impressions: I loved the environmental scenery as you enter the Marquis. It looks like a very different house and sets a good mood. I thought the opening montage (through 'Beautiful Girls') was magical and breath-taking. When the book scenes started in full, things became more uneven.

Other impressions: Terri White's number (Whose That Woman) nearly brings down the house and was the highlight of Act 1. I feel it received the most extended ovation of the performance. Taking this number to Today, Good Morning America, etc, will sell seats. I also really enjoyed 'One More Kiss'.

Jan Maxwell was phenomenal, and I truly believed her Phyllis throughout the show. I preferred Bernadette's book scenes to some of her songs. She looked great in 'Losing My Mind', but that song (and dress) seemed right of a BC/EFA gala than as Sally Durant in Loveland. All that missing was the red ribbon.

None of the four adult leads are likeable characters, but I've known plenty of Bens and Phyllises from my past life in DC. I find Ben the most intriguing character, and Ron Raines did a very fine job with his acting. Ben just does not have the showier songs. Burstein was a surprise (a good one), and he played well off of Peters.

Disappointments: Something seemed off with Elaine Paige's performance. She forgot the lyrics in 'I'm Still Here' and I did not buy her as a faded anything. She looked great (nice wig, gown, furs), but her Carlotta seemed right out of Cougartown or Dynasty. The young foursome are also a bit bland -- but that is more a fault of the book/director than the four actors.

Conclusion: A strong production of a flawed classic. Maxwell and White were my personal favorites. The rest of the preview time will make the show tighter, and I hope that it runs for man months. The set/costumes/lighting/sound are all very strong and likely Tony contenders (though I too wish there was the ability to silence all cell phones!).

To quote from the show -- I'm So Glad I Came. I hope that many others come too and plunk down their cash. I paid full price for K center orchestra, and it was worth it.

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 5:31pm

I really wish Lucy and Jessie was altered a bit. All that number needs is for Jan Maxwell to show off her legs and be the hottest thing on that stage. As it is, her dancing boys are smoking while she's in the background.
Fix that and she's got it nailed.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 6:19pm

How was the sound/orchestra? It was flawless in DC, I am hoping it will continue to be that way in NY.

Who are the understudies, same as in DC? I wouldn't be surprised if Mary Beth Piel was an understudy for Heidi.

and, just confirming, the set has not changed at all? (aside from the material on the walls and ceiling.)

What color is Paige's dress and wig? And what about Maxwell's dress for Lucy and Jesse? and Houdyshell's outfit (and wig?)?

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 6:53pm

>> As it is, her dancing boys are smoking while she's in the background.

I think that might be intentional, actually.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 6:55pm

Houdyshell is much more "Ethel Shutta-like" than Linda Lavin was. Orthopedic shoes, uncoiffed grey hair, boring brown suit. Not the "sexy grandma" of DC.

Jan Maxwell's dress for Lucy/Jessie is different from the one she wore in DC. It has sleeves for one thing. The choreography is somewhat tamed. She doesn't offer up a lot of jerky movements like the Washington number.

Paige is still wearing a blue gown, but now it has fur on it and it's more tapered. Her hair is now "done up." It looks like a hairstyle that a TV star in the 70s would have. She definitely looks more like a "celebrity" now.

BTW, Mary Beth Piel wears a tight-fitting black gown and doesn't have a feather sticking out of her head like Solange in DC. Her dialogue is also very different--and much extended--from Regine's. (And she got through the entire song without a hitch. )

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 6:57pm

Oh yes, and the orchestra was wonderful...but you're never going to have it sound the way it does at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theatre.

[ComingUpRoses2]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 6:59pm

Karen Black as Carlotta? I LOVE it! I'd kill to see her in that role! She'd be sublime! I always loved her voice and wish she had the opportunity to sing more. I saw the production in D.C. and Elaine was merely decent. Not horrible, but just sort of...there.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 7:07pm

I too saw the first preview and was looking extremely forward to the experience. Having loved the music for many years and never having seen a fully staged production I went in with the youthful excitement of a child.

I was pleasantly surprised by the makeover of the Marquis and was enthralled by all of the "ghosts". I thought Jan Maxwell, Ron Raines and Danny Burstein all nailed their roles, however it felt like the whole show had the distinct quality of a electric power station during a brown-out. What started off with the potential of being a moving and exhilarating piece of musical theatre instead turned into a sleepy dreamlike siren that almost was the best nap I ever paid for.

The performers are all there but the lack of directorial choices was almost laughable. It seemed that there was in fact a plan in mind for every ballad (and there are a lot of them) and that is to stand whomever is singing stage center and don't let them move. This motif could've worked for "Losing my mind" if it hadn't have been done for EVERY song prior.

The most exciting piece in the whole show was "Who's That Woman" and it was a shame that the rest of the show wasn't given this treatment.

I found Bernadette bland, lackluster and quite frankly annoying as Sally.

There are so many great performers in this show it is a shame to see them wasted. I hope they fix some of these problems soon... but with opening a month away hopefully it will be a great show by then.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 7:36pm

I'm sorry, but how the F0CK is EP still going up on "I'm Still Here"?

[jv92]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 7:43pm

Yvonne DeCarlo did the whole run in the 70s. It's a mouthful. I just didn't get her weird tantrum at the end.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 7:48pm

Does Paige's up-do make her look taller?
I also wonder why she is having lyric trouble,
is this typical of her?
Steve can't be happy about this....

[RagtimeRay]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 8:06pm

How is the lighting for FOLLIES at the Marquis? That was my biggest disappointment about the production in DC. They have all those beautiful costumes - especially for the ghosts - and they were hard to see in the dim light at the Kennedy Center.

[After Eight]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:17pm

^

Same problem with the lighting in NY.

The show as a whole looks too drab.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:22pm

It's not as drab as that awful Roundabout production.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:54pm

Random thoughts:

I am amazed that Jayne Houdyshell is actually younger than Bernadette Peters. I can't believe some of us were worried at first that Bernadette would be too old for this role. She is completely believable as a 49-year-old. Jayne was fantastic, and certainly pulled off late 60s.
Updated On: 8/8/11 at 09:54 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:56pm

Houdyshell is just one of those actresses who excels at playing older. I mean, she's only seven years older than Lisa Kron but when you saw them together in Well, they WERE mother and daughter. It's definitely a strength that keeps her working.

[musikman]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:57pm

"Does Paige's up-do make her look taller?
I also wonder why she is having lyric trouble,
is this typical of her?
Steve can't be happy about this...."

I saw her twice in the City Opera production of Sweeney Todd and both times she flubbed/mixed up lines during By the Sea. Maybe she just has bad luck with Sondheim?

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/8/11 at 9:58pm

LuPone also had consistent problems with both "By the Sea" and "God That's Good". Sondheim ain't easy.