Anyone seeing FOLLIES in LA tonight?- Page 17

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/24/12 at 1:25pm

"I agree that the Ahmanson ushers usually look the other way when people move down, especially when several rows in a particular section are empty."

Yes, just ask first. And ask the people who are sitting next to the seats you want to move to, if any one is sitting there, or else you will have someone like me coming back after intermission and removing you from my seat.

[bestfreakinshoes]

Posted: 5/24/12 at 1:47pm

Saw the show on Friday, after seeing it in both D.C. and New York. I was never impressed with Bernadette's portrayal of Sally (she was great in A Little Night Music, but that doesn't mean she should be in every Sondheim musical), but I was starting to think it was the character of Sally I just didn't like. But Victoria Clark simply blew me away.

I'm awed that the four principals only got a day of rehearsals together, because I thought Clark's chemistry with everyone was pitch perfect. She and Jan Maxwell really acted as if they'd been friends for years, almost like sisters in "The Girls Upstairs". Mostly, I was glad I didn't cringe through "Losing My Mind".

After seeing Victoria Clark, I think both she and Bernadette were trying to play Sally as being a very childish character, but I never understood that was what Bernadette was trying to do until I saw Clark's portrayal. Needless to say, Clark made it much more clear. I actually felt emotionally connected to Sally for the first time....granted, she's not a very likeable character in the first place (imo), so it didn't come until really the end of the show, when she has her breakdown. The way Clark and Burstein played that scene was just perfection.

Jan Maxwell's always been a favorite of mine, but her performance gets more raw and real every time I see it. It seemed she was even more emotional on Friday. I can't say enough good things about her.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 5/24/12 at 3:27pm

My ATC review was quoted earlier in this thread. I've seen the show a few times since then.

Vicki Clark is amazing. I think now she's better than Peters. Her Too Many Mornings with Ron Raines (who I think was holding back with Peters) is absolutely thrilling.

Sammy Williams (who wasn't great on the first day) is now wonderful.

I think the most improved since Broadway is Ron Raines. He has really clicked with Clark.

And of course, Maxwell and Teri White and Elaine Paige are all still terrific. I LOVE watching with the LA audience. They are so demonstrative!

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:33pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=379066

Did Sondheim change a lyric in IN BUDDY'S EYES? Here, Clark sings "all I ever wished I'd be...." The lyric is "All I ever dreamed I'd be...."

?

[HorseTears]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 1:45pm

Hopefully not. Steviepoo, if you're reading this. Stop tinkering around with decades old lyrics and get back to your new show with David Ives, please.

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 3:47pm

Yes he changed it.

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 7:04pm

Actually it seems he didn't change it. My bad.

[indytallguy]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 7:08pm

"she was great in A Little Night Music, but that doesn't mean she should be in every Sondheim musical"

She isn't, and you might never have had the chance to see this Sondheim musical had she not been a part of it in DC and NYC.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:12pm

I'm on seat B-28 in the Orchestra. the seat next to it said limited view...but my seat didn't say it. Hopefully I will get to see it all!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/26/12 at 3:59pm

Kindly refrain from calling him "Steviepoo."

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/26/12 at 4:01pm

Does anyone have a picture of the pre-set for the show? I want to see how the Ahmanson was draped and converted into a run down theatre.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/26/12 at 4:03pm

MTV,

Your seat is right next to the seat I sat in. You don't miss much at all.


Eh basically covered the entire interior of the theatre in black fabric....

Updated On: 5/26/12 at 04:03 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/26/12 at 8:46pm

Sounds like they want the whole audience to sit shiva.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 2:22am

Exactly the same as in NY.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 12:18pm

Thanks!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 1:17pm

I am seeing it next week. So looking forward to it!

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 6:12pm

just bought a near center front row mezzine seat- how it the view from there? Generally the view is great but i can't remember how this theatre is designed.....

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 6:25pm

From my perspective, the only really problematic seats are in the very rear orchestra. The sound gets a bit muffled, and the overhead Mezzanine somewhat annoys me.

I think those seats will be fine.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 6:51pm

darreyl, I sat front row mezzanine, audience left, and the view and sound were great.

I think you'll be fine. (I have third row center mezzanine seats for next week.)

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 7:28pm

Thanks for the info! i am super excited, having seen the show in D.C and NY, I look forward to seeing it here too!!

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 9:00pm

^^^I can't compare, except to the album (which I like very much); but I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[SoCalDirector]

Posted: 5/27/12 at 9:29pm

I saw Follies yesterday. Interestingly- there was a program insert saying that Obba Babatundé was now playing Max Deems and an announcement saying an understudy was going on as Max.

[choitoy]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 4:08am

I saw the Sunday evening show tonight. Dee dee was out, Jennifer Foote ("Buddy Blues Sally") went in and I think Sara Edwards went in

Some quick initial thoughts before I turn in for the night to catch a plane in the morning (I saw the show twice in DC almost a year ago):

It was nice to see someone sing "Ah Paree" who remembered all the lyrics.
Victoria Clark was refreshingly different. Not quite as unhinged as Bernadette. Her breakdown into delusion was more of a slow buildu, unlike Bernadette where you see it coming sooner.
I don't see why Obba Banatunde needed to be cast in such a minuscule role, but oh well.
Jane Hodyshell was xcellent, and more how I imagined Hattie over Linda lavin.
I love jan Maxwell, but felt at times she overplayed it more than she should. She bent over laughing three times during the mirror number alone. Her constant bending over was getting distracting.
Biggest hand of the night went to Terri White after the mirror number (my friend who has never seen or heard anything from the show before wanted to give a standing O after that number
I don't know if I completely like having young Sally pair up with young Ben and young Phyllis pair up with young buddy at the end of their folly number
I like Victoria Clark, but "Losing My Mind" didn't quite hit me as much as Bernadette's version did. Maybe it was the hand on the hip pose she does.
I liked the new choreography for Jan for "Lucy &Jessie", but I didn't like TE redesigned costume (and new wig?)
I missed Kiira as "Margie" (new gal can't to the "my hero" bit as smoothly as she did)
The final scene was different. I missed Bernadette's almost catatonic state at the end, but the way Vicki played it made it seem more hopeful.


That's it for now. All in all, it was still a wonderful production, and I'm glad I came down to LA to revisit it a year later.

[keb2]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 9:21am

SoCalDirector, based on the wording in the program insert, I'm under the impression that Babatunde will be playing Max Deems for the entire LA run, but they'd printed the programs before the other guy stepped out and he stepped in? He was in on opening night, as well. Perhaps Mr. Strother couldn't commit to being across the country for that long? Or is doing another show in DC?

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 2:31pm

I saw the Sunday evening show tonight. Dee dee was out, Jennifer Foote ("Buddy Blues Sally") went in and I think Sara Edwards went in

I was at the matinee, my 3rd visit for the show, and those listed above were also in my performance. Didn't really notice Jennifer Foote as Dee Dee at all, but enjoyed Sara Edwards as "Buddy Blues Sally". Always fun to see someone different in a role.


Victoria Clark was refreshingly different. Not quite as unhinged as Bernadette. Her breakdown into delusion was more of a slow buildup, unlike Bernadette where you see it coming sooner.

Perfect description of how she plays the role. Enjoyed her again but not as much as the other two shows. She got no entrance applause and at curtain call got the least of anyone. Poor Elaine Paige she almost fell coming out for curtain call at my show. Also flubbed some lines in "I'm Still Here" and even hit a sour note, but she belted the Hell out of the ending :)


I don't see why Obba Banatunde needed to be cast in such a minuscule role, but oh well.

Ditto!


I love jan Maxwell, but felt at times she overplayed it more than she should. She bent over laughing three times during the mirror number alone. Her constant bending over was getting distracting.

She did that for my show too which I don't remember her doing in the previous two shows. Curtain call ovation was thunderous for her with Terri White receiving the second loudest. I too love Jan Maxwell and will be very unhappy if she doesn't win the Tony.


Biggest hand of the night went to Terri White after the mirror number (my friend who has never seen or heard anything from the show before wanted to give a standing O after that number.

Was the same at my show and my niece who had never seen the show before absolutely loved it.


I don't know if I completely like having young Sally pair up with young Ben and young Phyllis pair up with young buddy at the end of their folly number

I'm presuming they didn't do this in DC; did they on Broadway?


I like Victoria Clark, but "Losing My Mind" didn't quite hit me as much as Bernadette's version did. Maybe it was the hand on the hip pose she does.

I wasn't fond of her performance at the matinee yesterday at all and it didn't get thunderous applause which ended quickly and her exit off stage took forever.


The final scene was different. I missed Bernadette's almost catatonic state at the end, but the way Vicki played it made it seem more hopeful.

At least Buddy does pull his arm away from her as they walk off.


At the matinee Danny Burstein tossed the chair and missed getting it to land on the stack of chairs. It fell to the floor right in front of the back exit/entrance and stayed there for a very long time. Wondered when it would be picked up and by whom; it was Jan Maxwell who finally did just before someone had to make an entrance. Wonder how many times he's missed while performing this role?


Enjoyed seeing it again with two "Follies" virgins--they loved it!--but definitely my least favorite of the 3 that I've seen. One more time for me which will be the last performance at the Ahmanson on June 9th!