Cast Announced for FOLLIES at Kennedy Center! — Page 4

And I like UPTOWN, DOWNTOWN better than both! But I know I'm not getting my wish with that.

This casting does seem to be going in the direction of serving the show, instead of our star lust and petting-zoo-like desire to see decrepit 'divas' trotted out for our amusement.

Donna McKechnie is not what she used to be as a dancer, much of it due to the rheumatoid arthritis--she struggled with dances when she played Lucille in a Boston production of No No Nanette 2 years ago in Boston and often sat out in rehearsals, so a friend who was in the show tells me. I think she is in a lot of pain when she dances.

McKechnie is also 70 now. (not sure how that compares to the ages of other castmembers, how old are Terri, Linda, Elaine, and Susan?)

Why are (some) people disappointed in this cast? This cast is loaded with extraordinary talent! Take one look at adamgreer's list and you'll see the talent that involved. To be honest, a true theatergoer, someone who loves theater and KNOWS theater wouldn't be quibbling over the choices or questioning any of these ladies abilities to do this show.

And I third the SUSAN F*CKING WATSON! The ORIGINAL "Kim McAfee" in Bye Bye Birdie, The Original ORIGINAL "Louisa" in THE FANTASTICKS, way before it hit the Sullivan St. Playhouse, a role which she got to reprise in a television version with John Davidson, Ray Bolger and Ricardo Montalban. She was "Nanette" in the hit '70s revival of No, No Nanette.

So yeah, SUSAN F*CKING WATSON!!!

Some of you just have NO CLUE!

Updated On: 10/28/10 at 03:25 PM

UPTOWN, DOWNTOWN delights me in ways the other two simply cannot. I actually think the wordplay of LUCY AND JESSIE is little strained. A bit too cutsey. UPTOWN, DOWNTOWN is heaven (esp. the 'She sits at the Ritz...' section).

I think AH, BUT UNDERNEATH fundamentally changes the dilemma facing Phyllis. I also don't buy the line 'sometimes when the wrappings fall, there's nothing underneath at all.' I don't believe that Phyllis is a chocolate easter bunny (all shell, hollow inside). I think the idea that she's supressed who she naturally is for a life of wealth and importance is a stronger thing to play.

And, on a purely visceral level, I don't like thinking of anyone as 'Juicy'. Even someone named Lucy.

Anyone who tries to convert you to AH BUT UNDERNEATH is a wreckless, dangerous dilettante who should cease going to musicals and take up scrapbooking.

Phyllis isn't soulless. She's trying to reconcile how she has gotten to this point in her life, which anyone in 1st year acting class will tell you is far more playable.

I didn't know I cared so much about this issues. What I need...is a drink.