FOLLIES original Production Showstopper

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 2:10pm

FOLLIES has become such a classic via the Lincoln Center concert and the many recordings of it. I saw the original production from the first row and like most folks, found the show tedious and dull. This is why it failed and this is why the revival failed.

The score produced theater classics such as Broadway Baby, I'm Still Here, Who's That Woman? HOWEVER,,,,,,,,,there was only one number that TRULY stopped the show when I saw it.

Gene Nelson (who received a richly deserved Tony nomination) performing THE RIGHT GIRL, ala Gene Kelly, leaping to different platforms and twirling around poles............His athletic, startling performance brought very long applause...........I vividly remember him at the end of the number on his one knees,,,,,sweating, breathing heavily, and.............the conductor waited for the cheering and applause to subside before proceeding with the show............FOLLIES has produced many classic songs and the word "showstopper" is often misused. When I saw the original production of FOLLIES, the show was indeed stopped, only once, and it was for Mr. Nelson's singing and athletic dancing to THE RIGHT GIRL.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 2:21pm

Wow, thanks for that info. You learn something new everyday.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 2:26pm

Thanks for the opportunity to bring this book back to the attention of those who missed it when it came out. It is a must-read...
Everything Was Possible

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 2:32pm

Sueleen, that is a great book! Ironically, my last birthday, I got two copies of it! I gave one to a friend. I had been telling "my other half" that I wanted the book............But I wound up finding a great sale online and bought it myself............Just to show you how attentive my "other half" is, I spent a week or so reading the book, lying next to him and about a week later he purchased the same book for me.......Oh well:)

Posted: 3/10/05 at 2:35pm

Tony- is that a picture of you? Wow, you look great for someone who should be in, at least, their 40's had you seen the original production of Follies!!

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 2:41pm

Deena, I was indeed very young at FOLLIES and the pic is indeed not a current one