FOLLIES Reviews- Page 7
FOLLIES Reviews
#150FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/14/11 at 3:32pm
There's an article in the latest Sondheim Review that quotes Hal Prince at the (1971) Follies opening night party castigating "a morning newspaper drama critic who should go back to England."
Imagine the eternal shame of being Clive Barnes and having written "The cinematic music is a mixture of this and that, chiefly that. I doubt whether anyone will be parodying it in 30 or 40 years' time."
Updated On: 9/14/11 at 03:32 PM
SondheimFan5
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/10
Gaveston2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/11
#152FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/14/11 at 10:23pm
Clive ("After HAIR all Broadway musicals will have rock scores.") Barnes wrote so many stupid things during his career, I think he has his own rung in Hell. There his stupid predictions play endlessly on a loop.
At least I hope so.
#153FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/14/11 at 10:28pm
Imagine the eternal shame of simply having BEEN Clive Barnes.
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#155FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/15/11 at 2:16am
^ Kind of a snotty review.
It amazes me how different people's opinions of Bernadette's performance is. Some think she's playing it too mad and some think not crazy enough. It's truly interesting how people can see two different things.
Updated On: 9/15/11 at 02:16 AM
logan0215
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/05
#156FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/15/11 at 1:51pm
The thing I've always struggled to comprehend with Sally is that both in Bernadette's and Victoria Clark's portrayals Sally seems like this sweet middle-aged woman just longing for the past until Buddy starts telling Phyllis about how horrible she is at home and how combative she is with their children. It's a little jarring considering how waif-like and meager she seems during the opening scenes and her first act songs.
I feel Bernadette's was a little more manic and desperate throughout whereas Clark was more successful in creating layers by being sweet and naive with Ben then sharp and cutting with Buddy.
#164FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/17/11 at 12:27pm
Five stars from Hadley Freeman in the Guardian (though why she's reviewing is anyone's guess - possibly because she just happened to by in NYC at the time).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/sep/15/follies-review
SondheimFan5
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/10
#165FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 1:53am
*be prepared for word vomit, I'm not feeling very articulate*
I just saw it tonight. Not gonna lie, had a little bit of a rocky start. Just felt a little discombobulated. Bernadette was sniffling, Ron's mike came up a second late, there was 1 trumpet squeak in the pit. The applause for everyone entering (even Bernie and Elaine) was polite but hesitant, no applause for many ppl).
"Beautiful Girls" was great.
Things seemed 'ok' from there. Just OK.
Then came the Montage...and from then on, it was smooth sailing.
Sans the first 15 minutes, the show was truly one of the best things I've seen on stage. I loved the DC production, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. But this was at a completely different level. Absolutely sublime. Bernadette's voice sounded perfect after "Girls Upstairs". Ron Raines's performance beautiful - close to tears on Road You Didn't Take (and then for Buddy's Eyes). And his breakdown at the end!! Supporting cast is superb - wow, Elaine Paige rocks it! Really new, interesting, fresh take on Carlotta.
If I had no preconceived notions about Maxwell and her dancing ability before this, I would have said she is a great dancer. Really, the number WORKS. I don't know what it is, but it was smooth and energetic -- everything that number should be.
The only thing that was really better in DC was the sound quality. The Marquis is just a dead space. Marvin Laird was also on as conductor tonight.
I like the differences in the set (the stairs moving) and the dialogue that they added.
Overall great night. "I'm so glad I came."
Note: Elaine also changed the line before I'm Still Here tonight - has she done this before? She said "and 1800 people laughed their a**es off" as opposed to "and 1800 people fell apart."
#166FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 2:13am
^ Yes, that line was changed for Broadway. A few other lines were changed/added for the transfer.
Updated On: 9/18/11 at 02:13 AM
ravnquest1
Stand-by Joined: 7/8/09
jsg03jd
Broadway Star Joined: 11/24/04
#168FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 2:35amOn Friday night, right before the big finish for "I'm Still Here," the spotlight completely went out on Elaine Paige as did her mic for about 10 seconds or so. They were both restored just in time for the number to finish. Tech fail big time!
ravnquest1
Stand-by Joined: 7/8/09
jsg03jd
Broadway Star Joined: 11/24/04
#170FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 2:54am
"If you want to complain about missed pickups or something that was actually preventable human error, fine. But don't assume you know what happened and who caused it."
Do you work on the show? Because you are taking my "Tech fail big time!" comment a little too seriously and personally, so just chillax, ravnquest1. I enjoyed the show even with the power surge. But now that you bring that up, I wonder if such power surge affected Bernadette Peters's singing voice...
#171FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 6:35pmWhat do you think of the current state of BP's voice :P? (And have you heard her sing recently in this show or another? - only because I think there are some people who find it unpleasant even when it is 'strong' I think).
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#172FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 6:49pmBP just makes her sound like she's going to have an oil spill any minute.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
BroadwayFan12
Broadway Star Joined: 4/17/10
#173FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 7:49pmHer voice is fine. Not as strong as it once was, but that happens to everyone as they age.
SondheimFan5
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/10
#174FOLLIES Reviews
Posted: 9/18/11 at 7:57pmqolbinau, her voice seemed off in the beginning (both speaking and singing). Overly shrill and squeaky. However, once it got to Buddy's Eyes all was good. It was really beautiful from then on. I personally hated her "Losing My Mind" in D.C. but last night it was absolutely wonderful. Now, maybe this was an acquired taste and I'm just used to it, but I think she did some things differently that I really really loved. It worked. And the audience loved it.
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