FOLLIES "update"

As per ATC. I don't know how reliable it is, but found it interesting:

"Clark, Murphy and McGrath are cast.

There's an offer out to Ben. Not the actor previously rumored. They're aiming bigger.

JoAnn Worley is Stella, as previously rumored.

There's an offer out to Karen Morrow for Hattie.

And Carlotta will be Christine Baranski."

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I'm thrilled for Murphy.

I wonder who they are trying to get for Ben!

But Baranski as Carlotta?

I can't wait for this, but who knows If I'll be able to see in my nosebleed rear gallery seats!

What about Nanette Fabray?

Yes, I was the one who wanted Vanessa Williams, but Donna Murphy was my favortie "traditional" choice. I'm not that excited about Baranski, but she is a great actress and I am intrigued. I would still love to see James Naugton as Ben.

Please, no BSM. He is just too warm and he does not have the right personality for the character. I did love the idea of Stephen Bogardus, too bad.

Maybe Martin Vindovic (sp?), though he is not a big name.

There are 5 performances. It is part of the City Centers Encores! series. It's not a benefit, though.

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Thank GOD for Murphy and Baranski! All the more excited now and satisfied with a (hopefully) great Phyllis

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Bogardus was indeed the previously rumored actor.
I'm not sure I would enjoy Brian Stokes Mitchell as Ben, I believe James Naughton, Brent Barrett, and Marc Kudisch would all be better choices.
Barinski as Carlotta????

Baranski can pull it off.
Am I the only insane person hear who'd like to see Peter Gallagher as Ben? He needs to return to the stage, even if it's for five performances. The OC, although it is getting better, isn't going to last forever.

Did some research at ATC, Karen Morrow turned down the offer to play Hattie; also, as per user Marlo*Manners, Lucine Amara has been cast as Heidi though Solange, Ben, and the young leads have not been cast yet. May I say that Erin Davie would make a great Young Sally?

I am surprised Karen Morrow turned down Hattie. They probably didn't want to pay her so she said "Screw it".

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No surprises:

"Initial principal casting has been announced for the City Center Encores! production of the 1971 Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical Follies, which will run February 8-11. The production will be directed by Tony Award nominee Casey Nicholaw, with music direction by Eric Stern.
Christine Baranski will play Carlotta Campion, Philip Bosco will play Dimitri Weismann, Victoria Clark will play Sally Durant Plummer, Michael McGrath will play Buddy Plummer, Donna Murphy will play Phyllis Rogers Stone, and Joanne Worley will play Stella Deems. Casting for the role of Benjamin Stone, as well as some other parts, will be announced at a later date.

The production will also feature Lucine Amara as Heidi Schiller, Leena Chopra as Young Heidi, Yvonne Constant as Solange Lafitte, Robert Fitch as Theodore Whitman, Diane J. Findlay as Sandra Cranes, Arthur Rubin as Roscoe, Dorothy Stanley as Dee Dee West, and Gerry Vichi as Max Deems.

Nicholaw is the director/choreographer of The Drowsy Chaperone and the choreographer of Monty Python's Spamalot. He has previously worked on the Encores! productions of Can-Can and Bye Bye Birdie. Stern has conducted and arranged more than Broadway musical, and has led such major orchestras as the Boston Pops and the Cleveland Symphony."


http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/9501

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I can't wait to ask Joanne Worley to sign my PRINCE OF CENTRAL PARK playbill!