I spent about a decade developing my exposure to and appreciation of Sondheim. One of my last challenges was Follies. Not only because of its fabled past, but because there was no filmed version, a criminally butchered OCR, and misbegotten attempts since. And staging and casting requirements (ghosts) that almost guaranteed no chance, ever, of a profitable production,
When it was staged in DC, I booked tickets. Before seeing the show, both my husband and I read the excellent "Everything Was Possible" behind the scenes tale of the show and I delved into the many recordings (including the London songs from the OLCR and the Papermill recordings of the early ones). We had front row center seats.
I was overcome. I had never expected that a full production could be mounted. And it was just there. So many layers. Bernadette practically cried into my lap. All that color, all that light. I was overwhelmed. I had never felt such fullness of satisfaction, akin to being sated by the best feast ever.
I look forward to the NT Live broadcast reprise in a few weeks.
Updated On: 11/26/17 at 02:14 AM
