Cast Announced for FOLLIES at Kennedy Center!

[Rob]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:08am

Click Here to Read Cast Announced for FOLLIES at Kennedy Center! Updated On: 10/27/10 at 11:08 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:11am

Where are the men???

I didn't see Maxwell coming Hmmm. Was kind of hoping for a name. But I know she's an incredible actress.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:15am

Its an interesting cast, disappointing I suppose if we were expecting a star driven production of the show, though all of these people are wonderful performers - so perhaps this production of FOLLIES will really focus on the story at hand rather then the occassion for seeing a lot of stars on one stage.

[jon2]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:16am

This is shaping up as yet another disappointing Follies cast. What is it with this show?

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:17am

^ Agreed, MB.

But why don't we know Ben yet??? This is frustrating! And why won't they just announce Burstein? Even Linda Lavin confirmed his casting.

Updated On: 10/27/10 at 11:17 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:23am

Jon -- I think its important to remember that as much fun as we all have dreaming up the biggest starry eyed production of FOLLIES in existance - that's not really what the show is about. The original production featured a cast mostly of old, ecclectic performers that an average audiences in 1972 wouldn't have had much familiarity with either.

I think you could just as well argue that the disappointing productions of FOLLIES from the last ten years could at least partly be based on an ever driving belief (probably due to the 1985 Concert version) you need to have an 'all-star' line up in the roles.

Certainly the story will be more balanced on the four leads without a Debbie Reynolds or Chita Rivera in small supporting roles...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:25am

I guess I understand the disappointment if one wanted 'all-star.'

But there is absolutely NOTHING disapointing about the talent level of that cast. It's spectacular. Jan Maxwell???? She will be, without question, extraordinary. Terri White will sing it better than anyone ever has. EVER. And Susan F*CKing Watson??? And though I'm not exactly sure she's right for the role, Paige will sing the hell out of I'm Still Here.

Come ON, people.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:26am

Is nobody else shltting their pants over Jan Maxwell?!?!?!
The theatrical event of the decade!!!!!!!!!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:26am

I'd LOVE to see Jan Maxwell tackle Phyllis. I never even thought of her for the role, but I think she'll be extraordinary.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:32am

The obsticles in my mind against Paige have been her British background for an All American deconstruction and her height. But there is no doubting her talent, her glamour or her ability to pull over a song. And as I said in another thread, since the entire cast of women are under 5'5, her height isn't going to be that big a deal. And I'm thrilled they cast the role age-appropriately.

I'm assuming the men havent been announced because they haven't been officially cast. Even Burstein might be on hold in case WOMEN miraculously extends... Updated On: 10/27/10 at 11:32 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:34am

Wait. Jan Maxwell is under 5'5 too?
Updated On: 10/27/10 at 11:34 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:38am

Elaine Paige will sing well, but she's not really Carlotta.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:38am

Eh..I know we're supposed to be ecstatic about Maxwell, but sue me, I was expecting someone of at least the same level of stardom as Peters. Yes, Maxwell will probably be great in the role, but there's something about seeing some great theatre/film stars tackle the main four roles, especially Phyllis which is written for a non-singer and lends itself to star casting more than Sally.
I won't even get started about how wrong Elaine Paige is for this, I'd even prefer Christine Baranski who was the weak link of the Encores! FOLLIES to her and that's saying something.
Not sure I'll be doing the impossible to go to DC this summer as I was willing to do before the cast was announced, back when Kim Cattrall, Sigourney Weaver, etc were viable options for the cast.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:40am

Jan Maxwell!!!!!!!!!

Holy crap.

As if I wasn't already excited enough to see this, now you add quite possibly the most talented actress in NY and give her a leading role.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:41am

I feel like the entire thing was cast to keep Bernadette the true star of the production.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:42am

Jan Maxwell might be a little taller than 5'5, but not by much - she's definitely not an amazon.

I think Ray the surmising about those names was all heresay on chat boards -- I dont know that any of them were at all in talks beyond perhaps inquiries of interest.

Paige will be WAY superior to Baranski if in only that she can actually handle the range of the song.

I doubt that Ljay - my guess it had to do with budget, availability etc. I personally would rather see a production of FOLLIES in which the 5 million dollar budget is going towards production elements than to pay Kim Catrall's salary.
Updated On: 10/27/10 at 11:42 AM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:45am

Someone's going to have to explain something to me.

Elaine Paige has played Evita Person, Grizabella, Edith Piaf, Norma Desmond and Reno Sweeney.

Exactly what is she lacking in order to play Carlotta?

[Brick]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:47am

"The original production featured a cast mostly of old, ecclectic performers that an average audiences in 1972 wouldn't have had much familiarity with either. "

Very true and something very easy to forget.

I will say Paige disappoints me...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:51am

Although, it could be argued that the belief that the actor must have some real life connection to the role they play actually came from the way the original production was cast.

Frankly, I'm underwhelmed (which is good, because I'm fairly certain I'm not going to be able to make it out to DC to see it) but until the City Center concert I was underwhelmed at the thought of Donna Murphy as Phyllis, so what do I know?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:55am

Regine?
Wow, I used to go to her club, I gotta look up her age...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:56am

"Although, it could be argued that the belief that the actor must have some real life connection to the role they play actually came from the way the original production was cast."

I totally get that, though I'm not exactly sure in this day and age it's something that can be truly recreated. This production seems to be eschewing that for a roster of incredibly talented actress-singers. I think, if you're not going to cast the whole thing 'all-star' that this is probably the right way to go. I think the book and, especially, the score will be very well served by this production.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 11:59am

Now I'm just really hoping for an exciting Ben.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 12:02pm

I imagine Ben will be in line with everyone else announced so far - a respected, relatively non-name Broadway actor.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 12:05pm

^ So like a Brent Barrett?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/10 at 12:09pm

Maybe! Probably someone not so tall