FOLLIES at the Kennedy Center in 2011?

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:49am

I was on MTI's site, and I was looking at the FOLLIES page. Under forthcoming productions it lists the Kennedy Center in 2011.

KENNEDY CENTER
WASHINGTON, DC US From 05/07/2011 Until 06/19/2011
http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?id=000037

I know that's a LONG time from now, but maybe the requested the rights already? It would be great to see a full scale production of FOLLIES. I know the Kennedy Center has done some very good Sondheim productions.

Hmmmm.
Updated On: 8/18/08 at 01:49 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:55am

Sure looks that way to me.

Just make sure you go to the KC production and not the "Arlington Players" version!!!

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:56am

thas' hawt.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 1:59am

It would also be long enough from the 2001 disaster of a revival, in case it was good enough of a transfer. I would hope the KC production would be full scale in the style of the original!
Updated On: 8/18/08 at 01:59 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:02am

If it's as good as their productions of PASSION and COMPANY, we'll be in for a treat.

I pray it's not as awful as the 2001 Broadway revival though. That would be tragic. (I bet even the Arlington Players's production will be better than that one!)

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:04am

It's a shame the 2001 revival was such a disaster! From what I've seen and heard from that revival, it seems the only moment worthy of praise was Judith Ivey's insanely haunting "Losing My Mind."
Updated On: 8/18/08 at 02:04 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:08am

Oh, you didn't see it? There were actually some good performances, but not from any of the leads. Judith Ivey's "Losing My Mind" can't be too haunting; I don't remember anything about it! Blythe Danner was horrible.

A few of the secondary characters were good. Polly Bergen and Marge Champion stand out in my memory. But overall, the show was meandering and unpleasant. I was grossly disappointed.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:10am

If only the Paper Mill production could have transferred.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:14am

Ivey's "Losing My Mind" can be seen on Youtube. Her acting is incredible. Ivey actually shows the character losing her mind in the song, opposed to performing it as the 30's torch singer like all previous productions. I love it, though it kind of contradicts the whole point of the "Loveland" sequence.
Updated On: 8/18/08 at 02:14 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 2:22am

The Paper Mill production was supposed to be the one that transfered. SO sad it didn't. The CD is fabulous!

[philcrosby]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 8:15am

If the Kennedy Center does it, it will be first-class all the way ... WITH the original orchestrations!!!

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 9:25am

I'm really looking forward to this. The Kennedy Center has done a great job with Sondheim's work in the past. The DC area's been very fortunate in having Eric Schaeffer put on great productions of Sondheim at Signature. Since he was the artistic director for the Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration, I hope he's involved with this production of Follies.

[Hiram]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 9:45am

I loved Judith Ivey's "Losing My Mind" too. I actually loved her interpretation of Sally throughout. Great Actress.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 9:52am

Her Losing My Mind did not look as good in context of the rest of the production, which was wrongheaded in every way.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 9:55am

I think Judith Ivey was the only saving grace for that production. Oh, and maybe Betty Garrett's "Broadway Baby". Blythe Danner looked the part but just couldn't produce the goods. And I really couldn't get into Polly Bergen's Carlotta. I just don't see her as being someone a person would want to have an affair with.

I guess the question for Kennedy Center is do they go with stars or do they go with unknowns? (It's not too late to get Tina Turner as Carlotta. Her "I'm Still Here" will guarantee a hit on the pop charts).

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 10:13am

I didn't hate the Roundabout production... until they got to Loveland, and that pink thing appeared.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 10:37am

Lately Carlotta seems to be cast a generation older than written. She is described as "fifty and looks terrific". Talented though they may be, the ladies playing her have been in their 70s. That's a stretch for a 26 year old boyfriend.

I would just hope that it will be a full staging and not a cut-down or concert staging. One of the things that made the original definitive was the huge production with that unbelievable set, stunning costumes, effective lighting and 65 people on stage.

Speaking of a concert staging, the Shaw Festival in Ontario but near Buffalo, is presenting four of these type of performances of Follies this month and next. The first is August 29th and I'm there.

[myshikobit]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:23am

Hmm...2011. Maybe I can audition for Young Buddy or something. I effing love Follies: you know how w. alot of Sondheim's work it takes a few listens to hit you: It really hit me about last month. And then with the scene in Camp where they're on the bus singing "Losing My Mind"- that's like heaven. I really hope this production happens.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:35am

This is amazing news! I hope it comes to fruition! I've never had a chance to see this done professionally. But WHY so far away?????

[jennyish]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 11:42am

If any production was to transfer, my vote would have gone to Encores!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 12:09pm

Encores! should have transferred indeed, but oh well, that ship has sailed.
Perhaps this production will come out around the same time as the proposed film???
And I've seen clips from the '01 revival and there is nothing redeeming about it. Ugh.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 12:14pm

I think the ENCORES version should have only transferred if they were going to give the show a full scale set and costumes. But they wouldn't have. So a minimalistic FOLLIES on Broadway again right after 2001 would have just sucked. The cast was amazing though for Encores.

Anyone think it would be possible for KC to produce the original staging and choreography? Imagine that.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 12:21pm

I don't want to get too excited, but Carol Channing for Hattie!!

BTW, I didn't have a problem with most of the acting in the 2001 revival, I thought everyone was pretty strong on that aspect all around, but when it came to singing and getting into the songs, only Polly Bergen was really able to do anything with hers. And it is needless to say that the direction/concept was totally off.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 6:40pm

Oh how exciting. I would absolutely love it if they were able to get Donna Murphy & Victoria Clark for this production just like at Encores. They were absolutely brilliant, I'd kill to see them again in those roles.

If this happens I'll definitely be making the trip, no place I wouldnt go to see a top flight production of Follies

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 8/18/08 at 7:06pm

I couldn't move after I heard Vicotria Clark sing "Losing My Mind." Please tell me it was that powerful when seen and heard.