Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
#1Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:00pm
Found this great article on theatermania.com where she talks about her approach to Lenya. She actually requested to audition, what a great actress! But what is more interesting is that she talks about returning to FOLLIES if it does transfer although she acknowledges the budget issues. Also love the way she explains how she approached Phyllis.
What Murphy truly deserves an award for was her work in Follies, in which she managed to find both the iciness and warmth in the unhappily married Phyllis. "I read Ted Chapin's book on the original production, and Alexis Smith [who played Phyllis] was quoted as saying that she believed Phyllis was the most hopeful character on that stage, and that helped me enormously. She's the one who keeps fighting for her marriage," says Murphy. "The other keys for me were the people on stage with me. I always saw the vulnerability in Ben when I looked into Victor Garber's eyes, so I believed their marriage could work. And when I watched the wonderful actors who played the younger version of our characters, it was so moving to watch their idealistic selves as well as the seeds of the people they became."
For now, all Murphy has of Follies is her memories and the stunning black Bill Blass dress she wore throughout most of the show. "They also offered to give me the red one I wore in the 'Loveland' sequence -- which was made out of a Bill Blass bathing suit -- but I couldn't imagine where I'd wear it again," she says.
Still, talk persists that the show might end up on Broadway again. "I certainly would be interested in going back if some of the cast came back too. It would be nice to do it for more than six performances. And I had no idea how much I loved Phyllis until I began playing her," she says. "But there was a certain magic to that cast and that setting that could never be repeated. And I really don't know how it's possible to do a show as huge as Follies on Broadway today. Only Disney has budgets that big."
Murphy on LoveMusik,Follies,Awards, and all that jazz
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#2re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:03pmVery true, thanks for the article.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#2re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:08pmI can hear PalJoey saying "Never gonna happen!" as I type this, but I'd still love to see a transfer happen and for Donna to reprise the role again.
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#3re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:11pmShe seems like she has the right idea in approaching the traits the role really calls for with Phyllis, however I just wasn't so enraptured by her as I was with Clark. If ever a transfer I really hope that they can both go head to head as Best Actress, although everything I've just said will never happen. Maybe this time Sally would get it though!
#4re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:17pmAs much as I enjoyed Clark in the role, who was indeed fantastic, I think Murphy gave one of the best performances I've seen. She stole the show, IMO, and made "Could I Leave You" a completely different song that I was used to hearing from Alexis Smith, Lee Remick, Diana Rigg, and Dee Hoty. As Michael Riedel said, I'd give her the Tony even if she showed up for two performances.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#5re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:17pmI did like Clark a lot, but if we could only have one (and there was actually going to be a revival) I'd want Murphy.
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#6re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:19pmluvved it!!!!!
#7re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:31pmFantastic article. It's true, her "Could I Leave You" was just unbelievable.
"Why, I make more money than... than... than Calvin Coolidge! PUT TOGETHER!"
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
#8re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:35pm
I loved Clark too, and if I was captain I would pick Murphy first to be on my Follies soccer team.
Updated On: 5/3/07 at 04:35 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#9re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:36pmeveryone was FANTASTIC, except one, who we wont mention.
#10re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 4:38pm
never again. 
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#11re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/3/07 at 9:35pmbump coz Donna's just that fab!
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#12re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/6/07 at 3:56pm
Again a little late on this (had a LOT of posting to catch up on) but who could imagine THIS above the marquis?
"Disney theatricals presents FOLLIES!"
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#13re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/6/07 at 6:31pm"...with Ashley Brown as Sally, Donnie Osmond as Ben..."
gettinhep
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/9/04
#14re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/6/07 at 6:36pm
"David Hasselhoff as Buddy..."
Ooops, I'm thinking Weisslers.
'Try not to have a good time...this is supposed to be educational.' - Lucy Van Pelt
Updated On: 5/6/07 at 06:36 PM
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#15re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/6/07 at 6:40pmFollies is love. Quasi-nihilistic love, but love nonetheless.
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey
#16re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/6/07 at 10:26pm
I found Murphy a little too warm in the role. To me she didn't have that internal struggle to get back back to her former self or break through to something new.
I didn't see that facade shatter when she burst into her follies number becasue to me she hadn't really started with one.
What great ones do the less will prattle of
winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#17re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 1:56amSee the thing about Follies in my mind is this. It is a great show and I would love a transfer to happen. But, I agree with Murphy that the budget would be an issue. Unless the Wesslers re do their stor of how they got Chicago to broadway I don't think that the show is going to transfer due to lack of budget to make it work. But, I am crossing my fingers.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#18re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 10:16amBFB, I can see what you mean, but I liked that her take on Phyllis was a departure from the normally brittle and hardened version you usually see. I still loved her in the role, but your point about Lucy and Jessie losing some of its edge because of her portrayal is well taken, though.
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey
#19re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 10:46am
I like the idea of Disney getting hold of this... and making it REALLY BIG.
The Disney Follies!
Starring Buddy, Mickey, Sally, Annette, Phyllis, Karen, Cubby, Brittany, Justin, Goofy, Ben, Xtina, Minnie, Carlotta and Pluto.
That's entertainment.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#20re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 1:30pmI'm telling ya, can you imagine an Ursula Stella Deems? She'd probably do so well and totally renew my faith in Disney.
#21re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 1:44pm
"Who's that woman, that cheery, weary woman..."
"Mirror, mirror..."
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Updated On: 5/7/07 at 01:44 PM
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
gettinhep
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/9/04
#22re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 4:15pmOh, there has to be a role for Clarabelle Cow.
'Try not to have a good time...this is supposed to be educational.' - Lucy Van Pelt
#23re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 5:18pm
"The sun comes up... I think about MOO. The coffee cup... I think about MOO..."
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
gettinhep
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/9/04
#24re: Donna Murphy on Follies and the Possibility of a Transfer
Posted: 5/7/07 at 5:19pmPerfect.
'Try not to have a good time...this is supposed to be educational.' - Lucy Van Pelt
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