Bernadette Peters as Sally in FOLLIES??- Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 11:01am

People have been suggesting Williams as Phyllis forever. She looks great, but frankly I truly doubt she is really the actress to pull off the vision people have in their heads about her in the part. She's a good comedic television actress ...

I'm not sure how you could compare Peters or anybody else to someone else who has already played the role without seeing their actual performance first, don't you think?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 1:18pm

Some people see dead people. I see people playing parts.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 1:28pm

I would love to see Bernadette play Sally. I think she'd be simply wonderful in the part.
Phyllis, as I've told you before, I'm really hoping (or rather I'm sure) that Williams will sing songs from FOLLIES in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. That might be the closest we get to see her in FOLLIES.
I'd love to see Donna Murphy reprise Phyllis, but not opposite Peters. Love the idea of Sigourney Weaver in the part, I mean, she's somewhat of a safe choice, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't be incredibly great in the role. I definitely see her working better than Blythe Danner (whom I adore, but not necessarily as Phyllis).

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 1:50pm

So, if we have a 61 year old Sally, can we just ignore everyone's ages and have a 84 year old Elaine Stritch play Carlotta? Completely inappropriate? Yeah, but we all know she'd be brilliant.

[madbrian]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 1:59pm

My next suggestion for a Phyllis to play opposite Peters as Sally: Lucie Arnaz

[binau]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 2:49pm

"The only way it wouldnt work is to cast Peters opposite people like, yes, Donna Murphy."

Is this because Murphy apparently looks significantly younger than Bernadette? (Or is it also not fitting 'presences'/'stage personas' etc..?)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 2:56pm

Golb, I think its more a mental perception thing. No matter how great Peters looks, if you surround her with people ten years younger than her, its going to affect people's criticisms.

Blythe Danner was older than the other principals in the last revival of FOLLIES - and even though they all looked to be contemporaries, she got some flack for being "too old" in comparison.

[binau]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 3:39pm

Mm I guess.

For those wondering when this production is meant to take place, (someone on another forum pointed this out to me), the Kennedy Center have licensed Follies from MTI From 05/07/2011 Until 06/19/2011
http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000037

AGES away...

Updated On: 11/11/09 at 03:39 PM

[Pgenre]

Posted: 11/11/09 at 6:30pm

James Goldman's description of Sally in the original libretto of FOLLIES:
"She is blonde, petite, pert, sweet-faced and, at forty-nine, still remarkably like the girl she was thirty years ago."

If that isn't Bernadette (strawberry blonde, ) who is?

P

[morosco]

Posted: 11/21/09 at 1:33pm

How about Sandy Duncan as Sally?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/21/09 at 1:37pm

I know Sandy Duncan auditioned for the Roundabout production. She does on paper seem good casting - though arguably, like Peters, too old if you are being a stickler for that.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/21/09 at 1:38pm

Are there dates scheduled for this yet? I can't seem to find any info on the Kennedy Center site.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/21/09 at 1:41pm

According to MTI'S site


KENNEDY CENTER
WASHINGTON, DC US
From 05/07/2011
Until 06/19/2011

[morosco]

Posted: 11/21/09 at 1:52pm

I would love it if Tommy Tune took a stab at FOLLIES. I guess his GRAND HOTEL is as close as we'll ever get to a Tommy Tune FOLLIES in terms of style and atmosphere.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/21/09 at 1:57pm

According to ATC, Eric Schaeffer will direct it.

[morosco]

Posted: 11/21/09 at 2:06pm

Uh-oh. I find his shows to be hit or miss.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 8:53pm

I have a feeling this will happen. I wouldn't be shocked if she's playing Desiree for the chance to play Sally in return. Sondheim is VERY good to his ladies. Updated On: 7/21/10 at 08:53 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 9:03pm

Peters has said repeatedly that the opportunity to play Desiree came up while she was talking to Sondheim about "something else." FOLLIES may very well have been it.

I know for a fact she met with Eric Schaeffer a few months ago to discuss the possibility of playing Sally, but I heard nothing beyond that initial discussion.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/21/10 at 9:08pm

Yep, I can see it happening. She can obviously pull off playing 49 years old. I just wonder if she can handle the entire score? It requires quite a range.
Updated On: 7/21/10 at 09:08 PM

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 10:33am

In my mind, Bernadette Peters can pull off anything. She has incredible range and versatility. I would love to see her tackle Sally and I'm sure her interpretation would be mindblowing, even if it differs from past Sallys. If the performance runs next May-June, does anybody have any idea when we could expect casting news?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 10:53am

Peters is talented, yes, and I think she'd make a fine Sally, but I'm not sure about this incredible range and versatility. Could you imagine her as Phyllis? I can't. THAT would be a role that would allow her to play against type.

Sally is a good role for her, because it's a role that would allow her to play to her strong points. I don't imagine her performance will be THAT different from other Sallys (save for Judith Ivey, a Sally that should be scrubbed a la Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind from everyone's minds).

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 12:49pm

The scheduled dates are May 7 through June 5 http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=TLTSD

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 1:38pm

After what she's pulled off in NIGHT MUSIC, I can't imagine how they would deny her this role if she really wanted to go to DC and play it.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 2:03pm

Agreed Michael Bennett--It was very big of her to agree to replace CZJ in a show after only originating roles for over 20 years. She deserves a shot at Sally. Not only does she have the talent and charisma, but she did Night Music a huge favor by signing on and keeping it open.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 2:13pm

Absolutely, Barbie, but lets not forget that NIGHT MUSIC has been a VERY good thing for her too - here is a role that despite early skeptics has proven to be a perfect fit (perhaps even definitive) and one for which she will probably receive some of the best reviews of her career. After alot of the naysers who questioned her suitability for ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and GYPSY - this is a major, major triumph.

But its only fitting in a way that it should be a Sondheim role that puts her back on top. FOLLIES could be the nice cherry on top (t (I can't help but compare it to LuPone's recent double triumph in GYPSY and SWEENEY TODD).