Anyone going to the first preview of FOLLIES? - Page 9

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 12:55am

The ghost does close the door at the end, if I remember correctly.

And I saw it on discount and am seeing it on discount again.

[indytallguy]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 2:23am

I'm an infrequent poster here but an active lurker, particularly on Sondheim-related threads. I'm 47, so young compared to some and most definitely old compared to others.

For me, it doesn't matter when you were born or what iterations of a show you got to see. I appreciate the insights of anyone who love theatre and has experienced the magic it can generate.

What I do find wearisome is when individuals seem to feel the need to stress the superiority of one production over another to the exclusion of what others find valuable about other stagings. I don't think theatre is an either/or proposition: Bernadette or Patti as Gypsy, Lansbury or Stritch as Armfeldt. It's an AND. We get to experience all the pros and cons of individual productions, individual performances, and individual interpretations. I just don't see the value in trying to win what is most definitely not a head to head competition.

One of my first Broadway experiences was seeing Sunday in the Park with George (what a way to begin, huh?). It was magical and at the time felt like pure perfection, something that no longer holds true when I watch it on DVD. I've seen multiple productions since, including the most recent revival, the Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration, and community theatre productions done on a shoestring. Yes I make comparisons and debate the artistic merits of choices made in each production, but not to assert any one of them as the definitive version for all time. Quite honestly, I'm deeply appreciative anytime that great works of art get performed and I'm blessed enough to see them live. Even a terrible production can't completely obliterate the genius in some of our favorite works.

One of my favorite quotes (which I try to keep in mind when reading these discussions) comes form the author Margaret Wheatley: "We do no have to let go of what we believe, but we do need to be curious about what someone else believes." So here's to less strident defense of any individual opinion as universal truth and to more inquiry into others who see things differently from us and what we might learn from what they appreciate.
Updated On: 8/20/11 at 02:23 AM

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 4:02am

I saw the current production and thought it was amazing. I don't know if the original production was better and quite frankly, I couldn't give any less of a sh*t - I saw Bernadette live for the first time in my life. I saw a great production of a great show. I had a grand theatrical experience. For me, that's all that matters.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 8:44am

Hats off to you, sir. Blunt and to the point. have a blue ribbon.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 8:55am

Please tell me, justoldbill, what difference it makes if we purchased tix at a discount? How does that in any way invalidate our thoughts? I'm smart enough to take advantage of the theater's offer but not smart enough to formulate thoughts?


There is a difference between having a discussion and needing to prove you are right.

And why can't a ghost close a door? Isn't that part of the whole haunted house issue -- doors closing without reason? objects falling on thier own?

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 5:07pm

Re Ghostly door-closing: I believe the upstage door that everyone enters through, does not go right out to the street, because, based on McLane's set design, that's the back wall of the stage and they were headed to an exit, but the upstage door was not the street entrance or stage door.

If you really want to get down to the minute details, Ron Raines points offstage right, and sings "That's where the keys hung/and that's where you picked up your mail" which is usually, right next to the performer's entrance/stage door.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 5:17pm

Why is there a door in the middle of the back wall?

I think ghosts can move things, and do other things too.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 5:31pm

There is a difference between having a discussion and needing to prove you are right.

Ah. The secret to life is understanding this difference.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 5:41pm

"Why is there a door in the middle of the back wall?"

For the record, the set of Curtains had such a door, as well. I've never been on a Broadway stage that was unoccupied by set pieces, but I wouldn't put it past an older theatre to have a door there.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 5:47pm

My theater has a door in that spot...it leads to the set shop and props room.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 6:19pm

But not onto the street! Thank you, mama!

I loved the effect of the ghost permanently confining the younger foursome to the bowels of the soon-to-be-demolished theatre.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 8:07pm

Rumors are circulating that there will indeed be a cast recording.
Let's hope Mrs. Goldman doesn't ban dialogue this time. Updated On: 8/20/11 at 08:07 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 8:13pm

And let's hope for something complete.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 9:39pm

*crosses fingers* Loveland, Loveland, Loveland, Loveland, LOVELAND!!!

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 10:08pm

Speaking of Loveland...have they restored the first couple bars (the fanfare) to Loveland? I've always loved that and I know it was cut in DC.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 10:26pm

Nope. Same as DC.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 10:31am

Totally random, but something I noticed about Elaine Paige's accent--which, overall, I think is excellent. But why do British people using an American accent never seem to be able to pronounce the word "goddamn" in the correct, idiomatic American way? Paige's Carlotta says "I had a follies number once, a solo--they cut the gahdam thing in Philadelphia." I noticed that Brian Cox pronounced the same word in the same way in the recent THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON revival. Americans pronounce it with the emphasis on the first syllable; Brits seem to make it a one-syllable word with a long-A sound.

Totally random, as I said, but something I've noticed many times listening to Paige.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 2:33pm

I'm sorry to say that I thought EP's American dialect was...what?...spotty. She sound like, well, a Brit doing an American dialect. The short a vowel as in "all" is not her strong suit.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 6:24pm

I won't give an extended opinion, because I can't read another on Follies. Not even my own.

But I wanted to say that I'm impressed at how someone like Peters can take such acting risks at this point of her career, whether they work or not. She could easily go onstage and scream "You'll see me playing me in Follies. You're welcome!" I can't think of another Broadway legend that can go so far from her comfort zone to explore a character - again, whether it works or not, that was the most impressive thing for me.

On the other hand, I found Maxwell giving the audience a calculated performance, she gave them what they were asking for. It worked in the moment, but my jaw literally dropped at the 60+ legend who still explores her craft. Amazing.

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 6:37pm

"I saw the current production and thought it was amazing. I don't know if the original production was better and quite frankly, I couldn't give any less of a sh*t - I saw Bernadette live for the first time in my life. I saw a great production of a great show. I had a grand theatrical experience. For me, that's all that matters."

Sums up exactly how I feel.

[binau]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 6:52pm

Has anyone noticed any changes during previews? The preview period seems so long considering the D.C. run...

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 9:52pm

On the other hand, I found Maxwell giving the audience a calculated performance, she gave them what they were asking for. It worked in the moment, but my jaw literally dropped at the 60+ legend who still explores her craft. Amazing.

I totally agree! It's thrilling to watch Bernadette explore the dark aspects of this complex character.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 11:42pm

I think Sally is the more complex, interesting character.
Phyllis is the bitch, she has many levels but her zingers make her the audience favorite.
I wonder how the LOVELAND sequence would work with LOSING MY MIND as th last folly. It would certainly alter the last final exit, and complete the Sall cycle.
Updated On: 8/22/11 at 11:42 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/21/11 at 11:55pm

Interesting idea. Have it go Buddy, Phyllis, Ben, Sally.

You wouldn't need the unsatisfying chaos-dissolve of Loveland back to the theater in the morning. Sally song could end and dawn could come up.

Would you have Ben still break down in the middle of "Live, Laugh, Love"? Or would you ask Mr. Sondheim to complete the unfinished song?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/22/11 at 12:17am

No, I would ask Steve to make the chaos of Ben's musical breakdown be larger and more crazy and than leave Sally alone with a tattered Loveland set and sing that song.