FOLLIES at the Kennedy Center to feature some new material?- Page 2

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 12/1/10 at 2:06pm

Heck, new material, old material, this song, that song -- hell, it's FOLLIES. Good 'nuff for me.

[redmustang]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 3:48am

Am ashamed to say I have never seen a production of Follies. Have the OBC CD (it's in my top 5) and Follies in Concert DVD. Would open a vein in order to see this upcoming show.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 5:09pm

Here you go Ljay - an interview in which Schaeffer says they are using the 'original New York version' - though I think he means in terms of the songs (no London interpolations) but I think he should be held to his word about the actual script :)

Schaeffer on FOLLIES in DC Updated On: 12/2/10 at 05:09 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 8:37pm

^ Ha! I love how he specifically said "No Country House." Did he read this thread? lol.

I really wish he had said something about the book. I will jump up and down like a child if they use the original book.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 8:46pm

According to ATC, the book will apparently be a mix of the original and the Roundabout book. I think that was expected. But there was still always the fear that they'd just use the Roundabout book.

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1925643

This makes me feel somewhat hopeful. Hopefully some of those great original lines and something that resembles the original ending will return. I guess I can live without Sally's suicide lines, but please don't give me the Roundabout ending.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 9:04pm

Either that, or he's as much of a Follies nerd as the people in this thread.

Sorry to be that person, but does anyone know about the rush policy? Kennedy Center used to have $25 tickets on sale at the box office, but it's been awhile since I've wanted to see something multiple times to make rush tickets worthwhile. Do they just have the Attend program for students now? I'll be 26 and ineligible by the time Follies starts.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 9:05pm

The only thing I'd want them to use from Roundabout is the opening: the night guard with the flashlight. It was the only truly inventive moment in the whole damn show.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 9:09pm

I've only heard the Roundabout production. The only thing I can say I like is the underscoring for the lead-in to Loveland. I think it adds even more tension. I know this is probably not a popular opinion with other Follies addicts.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 9:11pm

Is the general consensus that the original production was better song-wise as well? I know you all think the book was better, but do you prefer "Lucy and Jessie" to "Ah, But Underneath"?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 9:48pm

From someone involved in the production- the final script hasn't been locked down and will likely involve some new changes. The end result may be closer to what was scene at Encores. Those believing this to production to be using the roundabout script may be basing that upon the KC cast breakdown. This production is indeed using the reduced Roundabout cast size but I guess not the exact same script ...

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 9:50pm

^ Did this person say anything about what the ending will be like? I can deal with the Encores! version. But PLEASE bring back the the hilarious Phyllis and Christine exchange in act 1.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 10:09pm

Well I don't think Christine is still in thre sho- I imagine that exchange may be gone but overall I can live with the cscript as it was mostly presented at Encores

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 10:11pm

Well I don't see why they can't give the exchange to Sandra Crane.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 10:34pm

Who is Sandra Crane in Follies? (I know Florence Lacey is playing her, but what's the character? Does she sing anything?)

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 10:36pm

She doesn't sing anything. She might have a line or two in the Roundabout book. Otherwise, I think her main purpose is to be part of "Who's That Woman?"

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/2/10 at 11:41pm

ljay--If they fail to include it, you and I will simply have to perform the hilarious Phyllis and Christine exchange ourselves, after each show, in the Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center, next to the JFK Bust.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/3/10 at 12:20am

Sounds like a plan!

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/3/10 at 12:53am

BTW, Florence Lacey wil indeed be understudying Bernadette Peters.

"That's why Eric called me," Lacey explains, "and said he hated to do this to me but would I mind standing by for Bernadette? I said, 'Oh, my God! I'll be so honored. I'll get to brag about it. Are you kidding?' As long as she never gets sick!"
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/145448-DIVA-TALK-Catching-up-with-Sunset-Boulevard-Star-Florence-Lacey/pg2

[Scripps2]

Posted: 12/3/10 at 2:09pm

"Ijay--If they fail to include it, you and I will simply have to perform the hilarious Phyllis and Christine exchange ourselves"

No!!

I want to be Christine.

[raker]

Posted: 12/3/10 at 4:23pm

In the original production of Follies, was the lack of an intermission thought to be detrimental? The show seems like an awfully big feast for the senses to be taken in without a breather.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/3/10 at 4:27pm

They played around with an intermission during previews of the original Broadway production but Prince preferred how the show ran without it, though it did make for a long evening.

[JOak]

Posted: 12/15/10 at 7:44pm

Eric Schaeffer read this thread
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW_EXCLUSIVE_Eric_Schaeffer_Talks_FOLLIES_SUNSET_BLVD_Next_Shows_A_Career_Retrospective_20101215