FOLLIES at Carnegie Hall- Page 7

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/23/24 at 5:23pm

binau said: "I know this sounds like ridiculous fan fiction but I would not be too surprised if we see abartlett sher follies at LCT with Kelli and Laura Benanti in the next few years. Would not be surprised to see Patti as Carlotta and Bernadette as Hattie. Or even Danny B reprise as Buddy. Raul Esparza Ben."


I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I think Kelli as Sally will happen. Would love Norbert in the cast as well.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/23/24 at 6:09pm

I don’t think Patti would ever take Carlotta, she’s been clear in the past she doesn’t want to be billed in a box or as an “and.”

I do think somebody like Vanessa Williams would be a feasible Carlotta. She’s got the right glamour for the role. 
 

While Benanti would be a perfect Phyllis, I don’t think we’ll be seeing another revival with four white leads. Heather Headley would knock Phyllis out of the park. 

Updated On: 6/23/24 at 06:09 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/23/24 at 6:39pm

ljay889 said: "I don’t think Patti would ever take Carlotta, she’s been clear in the past she doesn’t want to be billed in a box or as an “and.”

I do think somebody like Vanessa Williams would be a feasible Carlotta. She’s got the right glamour for the role.


While Benanti would be a perfect Phyllis, I don’t think we’ll be seeing another revival with four white leads. Heather Headley would knock Phyllis out of the park."


Patti would do a huge revival at Lincoln Center.


Can we stop suggesting Vanessa Williams for musicals? Her voice is so painfully mediocre and is simply not good enough, especially with complicated Sondheim scores.

Benanti would be a good Phyllis but could she dance it and do it justice? That’s the one hang up I had about Jan Maxwell who was fantastic in a disappointing production.

I’d see Heather Headley in anything.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 6/23/24 at 6:52pm

Heather Headley as Phyllis is INSPIRED.

Her and Kelli O'Hara as Sally would be an absolute dream.

[Jesse St. James]

Posted: 6/23/24 at 6:57pm

I would love to see Rachel Bay Jones as Sally and Donna Murphy Phyllis, I don't care that she's already done it. Especially after we missed Rachel singing Losing My Mind at the concert. 

[Listener]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 3:12am

I just heard the Holliday version of ISH and wow, did the slower tempo really help her. She milked it beautifully, even at 9 minutes long. So nice!

Ebersole was good with IBE but there's a weird tempo change in the song that she and the orchestra didn't quite manage well. Still, her tone is great. She doesn't seem fragile enough for Sally though.

Updated On: 6/24/24 at 03:12 AM

[sng]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 7:21am

Someone point me to the right direction to some goodies please??

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 1:10pm

TotallyEffed said: "binau said: "I know this sounds like ridiculous fan fiction but I would not be too surprised if we see abartlett sher follies at LCT with Kelli and Laura Benanti in the next few years. Would not be surprised to see Patti as Carlotta and Bernadette as Hattie. Or even Danny B reprise as Buddy. Raul Esparza Ben."


I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I think Kelli as Sally will happen. Would love Norbertin the cast as well."

Why do you people think Kelli, as wonderful as she can be in some roles, is chameleon enough of an actress to sell Sally?  She is too, well, elegant isn't exactly the right word, but in that direction, for Sally.  Her Babe in Pajama Game and  Nellie in South Pacific didn't completely work because of of this.  Annaleigh has proven to be a brilliant Sondheim interpreter and has the mousey, desperate sense about her that you can imagine the poor bi-polar creature camping out on her estranged sons' porches.  That is not Kelli...

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 1:28pm

Owen22 said: "TotallyEffed said: "binau said: "I know this sounds like ridiculous fan fiction but I would not be too surprised if we see abartlett sher follies at LCT with Kelli and Laura Benanti in the next few years. Would not be surprised to see Patti as Carlotta and Bernadette as Hattie. Or even Danny B reprise as Buddy. Raul Esparza Ben."


I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I think Kelli as Sally will happen. Would love Norbertin the cast as well."

Why do you people think Kelli, as wonderful as she can be in some roles, is chameleon enough of an actress to sell Sally? She is too, well, elegant isn't exactly the right word, but in that direction, for Sally. Her Babe in Pajama Game and Nellie in South Pacific didn't completely work because of of this. Annaleigh has proven to be a brilliant Sondheim interpreter and has the mousey, desperate sense about her that you can imagine the poor bi-polar creature camping out on her estranged sons' porches. That is not Kelli..."

 

I have absolutely zero interest in seeing Annaleigh Ashford's "zany, quirky" take on Sally which will be her usual totally unhinged, nonsensical performance she gives in every single show. I started out as a fan but as the years have gone on she's become so incredibly predictable and one note. Quite frankly I feel for her costars- she's a very selfish performer and sucks up all the air in the room with her relentless scenery chewing. Her Lovett was a humiliation.

Kelli is a master at subtly and subtext and that is what is needed for Sally. For the first half of the show, Sally is lying. She is lying about her life, her feelings, her fantasies, and her yearning. She has a girl next door quality that would suit the role beautifully. We've seen her desperate and hysterical side in Piazza and Wine and Roses. She is an absolutely terrific actress. And obviously she would sing the hell out of it.

Updated On: 6/24/24 at 01:28 PM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 1:53pm

TotallyEffed said: "Benanti would be a good Phyllis but could she dance it and do it justice? That’s the one hang up I had about Jan Maxwell who was fantastic in a disappointing production."

This is going to be utter heresy (especially for someone who curates, writes and hosts a monthly Sondheim show), but I hate 'Lucy and Jessie' with a passion that burns with the fire of 10,000 suns. I prefer Ah, But Underneath but still think the absolute best song ever written for this spot is Uptown/Downtown and Michael Bennett was utterly insane for asking it to be cut. I will always and forever advocate trying this song in a major revival. (Also...Mary Me a Little is the positively wrong for the finale of act 1 of Company...but Happily Ever After would be perfect for its symmetry to Being Alive at the end). 

 

[wiggum2]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 3:30pm

SonofRobbieJ said: "TotallyEffed said: "Benanti would be a good Phyllis but could she dance it and do it justice? That’s the one hang up I had about Jan Maxwell who was fantastic in a disappointing production."

This is going to be utter heresy (especially for someone who curates, writes and hosts a monthly Sondheim show), but I hate 'Lucy and Jessie' with a passion that burns with the fire of 10,000 suns. I prefer Ah, But Underneath but still think the absolute best song ever written for this spot is Uptown/Downtown and Michael Bennett was utterly insane for asking it to be cut. I will always and forever advocate trying this song in a major revival. (Also...Mary Me a Little is the positively wrong for the finale of act 1 of Company...but Happily Ever After would be perfect for its symmetry to Being Alive at the end).

"

I thought Michael Bennett wanted Uptown/downtown,  something about the lyrics gave his choreography something to land on... I don't have the Sondheim book with me to find the exact quote

 

I love all 3 songs BTW... one of my favorite "bad" lyric of Sondheim is from Uptown/Downtown

But with a Schlitz in her mitts down in Fitzroy's Bar
She thinks of the Ritz. Oh, it's so schizo
 

Updated On: 6/24/24 at 03:30 PM

[binau]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 3:37pm

The fact that someone is defending Ashford for Sally would embarrass Ashford of all people. She is 10-15 years too young and probably doesn’t have the voice. But Kelli DOES have the voice, is practically or will soon be age appropriate and can act. It’s not even a question. I don’t think anyone would seriously think otherwise. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 3:43pm

TotallyEffed said: "Kelli is a master at subtly and subtext and that is what is needed for Sally. For the first half of the show, Sally is lying. She is lying about her life, her feelings, her fantasies, and her yearning. She has a girl next door quality that would suit the role beautifully. We've seen her desperate and hysterical side in Piazza and Wine and Roses. She is an absolutelyterrific actress. And obviously she would sing the hell out of it."

Sally isn't and never was the girl-next-door.  She was the good time girl f*cking her best friend's boyfriend.

Kelli's persona worked marvelously for Kirsten. Kirsten's downfall was made more acute because of Kelli's "elegant" aura.

Kelli sang the hell out of Clara.  But if you wanted an actress who completely understood the role, look to Katie Rose Clark in the video version.

Oh. And I blame Kelli for robbing us of a Sutton Foster Nellie Forbush.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 3:45pm

Kelli was perfection in South Pacific. Clearly we have very different tastes. Agree to disagree!

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 4:30pm

binau said: "The fact that someone is defending Ashford for Sally would embarrass Ashford of all people. She is 10-15 years too young and probably doesn’t have the voice. But Kelli DOES have the voice, is practically or will soon be age appropriate and can act. It’s not even a question. I don’t think anyone would seriously think otherwise."

Dude. Read my entire post about WHEN I'm imagining this production.Plus. She was a friggin' Glinda, of course Annaleigh has the voice. Singularly the greatest Lovett I've ever witnessed (and I've seen a lot of 'em) and the greatest Marie in Sunday I've ever seen (there will probably never be a better Dot than Bernadette however...).

[binau]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 5:01pm

I agree that she was a good Lovett and Marie. And I take your point about her voice. 

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 5:52pm

wiggum2 said: "I thought Michael Bennett wanted Uptown/downtown, something about the lyrics gave his choreography something to land on... I don't have the Sondheim book with me to find the exact quote

I love all 3 songs BTW... one of my favorite "bad" lyric of Sondheimis from Uptown/Downtown

But with a Schlitz in her mitts down in Fitzroy's Bar
She thinks of the Ritz. Oh, it's so schizo"

My memory is that Bennett initially liked the imagery of Uptown/Downtown but then, without much explanation, turned against the song and asked for something different. I've entered my dotage so I may be wrong. 

And if that lyric is "bad," I never want to be good. That whole section is my favorite Sondheim lyric that isn't 

I chose and my world was shaken. So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, the choosing was not.
You have to move on. 

[Kad]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 6:18pm

“Lucy and Jessie” is probably my least favorite of those 3 songs, as well, but I think “Ah, But Underneath” doesn’t fit neatly into that slot. It’s a bit slower and I think having a higher energy dance number there makes more sense in a contrast with “Losing My Mind 

But I love “Uptown/Downtown” and think it’s generally underrated (probably because the only recording that would be representative of how it would sound in the show is from the Papermill album, which is hard to come by these days and I don’t believe is on the major streaming platforms)

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 6/24/24 at 6:34pm

"Why do you people think Kelli, as wonderful as she can be in some roles, is chameleon enough of an actress to sell Sally? She is too, well, elegant isn't exactly the right word, but in that direction, for Sally. Her Babe in Pajama Game and Nellie in South Pacific didn't completely work because of of this. "

I so agree about Kelli's Babe and Nellie. The roles were sung beautifully, of course, but she was too reserved and, well, stiff. It wasn't until "Far From Heaven" that I fell in love with her and I've loved her ever since.

 

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/25/24 at 10:43am

SisterGeorge said: ""I so agree about Kelli's Babe and Nellie. The roles were sung beautifully, of course, but she was too reserved and, well, stiff. Itwasn't until "Far From Heaven" that I fell in love with her and I've loved her ever since."

Yes! That is exactly the show where I finally fell in love with her myself!!

[justoldbill]

Posted: 6/25/24 at 1:06pm

Mary Jane Houdina around and they didn't do the BOLERO?  Too bad!  Look for it in the Michigan video-  it's a stand-out.  THAT was the choreographic highlight of the original production, with WHO'S THAT WOMAN a close second.

[wiggum2]

Posted: 6/25/24 at 2:08pm

I found my book and the Michael Bennet info

https://ibb.co/bzzLgFC

Updated On: 6/25/24 at 02:08 PM

[joevitus]

Posted: 6/25/24 at 3:23pm

wiggum2 said: "I found my book and the Michael Bennet info

https://ibb.co/bzzLgFC"

Bennet says one thing, Sondheim another. Choose whomever you trust.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 6/25/24 at 3:46pm

joevitus said: "wiggum2 said: "I found my book and the Michael Bennet info

https://ibb.co/bzzLgFC"

Bennet says one thing, Sondheim another. Choose whomever you trust."

I need to go dig through my books to see what I (and you, joevitus) are thinking of. I wonder if it's in Everything Was Possible. I would (probably) trust Ted Chapin to be the ref on this. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 6/25/24 at 4:05pm

Owen22 said: "SisterGeorge said: ""I so agree about Kelli's Babe and Nellie. The roles were sung beautifully, of course, but she was too reserved and, well, stiff. Itwasn't until "Far From Heaven" that I fell in love with her and I've loved her ever since."

Yes! That is exactly the show where I finally fell in love with her myself!!"

I have to admit that I always have felt that she is a little stiff, although I did not see some of her more recent outings, e.g., KMK (which I have never liked) and Days.  I also did not see Days, but saw pretty much everything else.  She is attractive, a fine actress, and she has a beautiful voice, but I think she lacks charisma.