FOLLIES performed with no intermission tonight!- Page 4

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 1:28am

Insider2- REALLY? Who cares if he has seen it a lot. I go to shows I love multiple times too. And it doesn't even matter what he is paying as it is his choice and his money. It's not like he was bragging and acting superior to everyone else, he was just sharing his thoughts. I love it when people see things multiple times during previews and post back about the changes firsthand. If I was closer to New York, I would have seen this more than once by now too! I can't believe someone would judge another for choosing to see a Broadway show multiple times on a BROADWAY message board of all places. Give me a break.

Updated On: 8/25/11 at 01:28 AM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 1:38am

There's really no need to comment on Insider's rant, as I'm pretty sure that has been expertly done by others in this thread. But I don't understand his assertion that the lack of an intermission is because the producers lack faith in the audience. The use of an intermission is often an artistic choice, and in the case of Follies, no intermission is used because doing so interrupts the flow of the show. The choice has nothing to do with the expectations of the audience- merely the effectiveness of the production. If anything, the producers of Follies (or whoever made the choice to remove the intermission) should be applauded for honoring the artistic intent of this piece.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 1:45am

I prefer to see a show once (twice on the rare occasion) but what do I care if someone wants to see it a billion times? It's their money. It's their time. And it's not hurting anybody. Get over yourself Insider.

I always wonder how deeply unhappy (and blissfully unaware) someone is when they are upset that much by another person's actions (especially when they have nothing to do with them) to behave with such cruelty.

Focus on fixing yourself Insider. That obviously needs your full attention!

[After Eight]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 2:59am

"if he has seen it 4 times it means he loves the show,"

Not necessarily, since Without a Trace has expressed having seen multiple times shows that he has hated, eg. Pirate Queen.

And that is his right. He can see a show as many times as he pleases, and spend his money however he pleases, and relate it all here as many times as he pleases. Nor does he owe anyone any justifications for how he spends his time and money.

But by the same token, I understand the point that Insider was making. If someone accuses another of bragging, and that was not the poster's intent, then the problem is one of presentation and expression. Those are areas one might work on, if one is concerned about how one comes off.

And there's also the matter of seemliness, also raised by Insider. I think that is also worth considering, rather than dismissing.

But I do think it is great that Without a Trace loves the theatre to the extent that he does, and supports it with the passion he does. Even if I am one of those dregs of the earth he categorized for having liked Rock of Ages. :)
Updated On: 8/25/11 at 02:59 AM

[justoldbill]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 3:27am

This show (like 1776 and MAN OF LA MANCHA) always works better in one act because it was constructed to in ALL departments. I saw the original production several times and I've also seen several productions with an intermission. The momentum is never really recovered after an intermission.

But the original production did more. With its staging and production values, it progressed you deeper and deeper into the whole unreality of the evening (i.e.- the showgirl costumes (even before Loveland) became more grandiose and fantastic (they were changing all evening), the lighting, scenic elements and direction became moodier and moodier, until even "One More Kiss" seemed perfectly in place. "Loveland" was the logical climax, beyond belief and beyond questioning at the same time. Blinding. If this notion sounds somewhat romantic, ask the other survivors.

I haven't seen the production values or direction in this production, nice as it is, to replicate that with or without an intermission.

And I still miss Vincent and Vanessa.

[chrisampm2]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 4:51am

AfterEight, writing something doesn't necessarily make it so. Yes, if one is accused of something one should take the opportunity to see if the comment has any validity. But the problem here isn't necessarily in WAT's "presentation or expression."

[redmustang]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 9:40am

PalJoey - thought you were a little rough on Insider2. He was just expressing his opinion. Why so angry. What was with all the F-bombs? Ya know, words can hurt. And once spoken, or typed, they can't be taken back. Like Insider, I often wonder about posters who see shows many times, but I won't go there. I'd rather not get sworn at and ridiculed this early in the day. Maybe it's because I don't live in NY. I go there once a year on vacation, see a list of shows and, unless I go to TKTS, usually pay full price.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 9:49am

He was just expressing his opinion. Why so angry. What was with all the F-bombs? Ya know, words can hurt.

Like 95% of the words Insider2 used to excoriate WAT, a longtime and very well-liked poster here who couldn't be further from the way he was described? PJ has even more of my eternal respect for what he wrote than he already had.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 9:50am

>>>"Just to set the record straight, I am by no means rich. I make a modest salary, and my monthly expenses are rent, cable/internet and food. I spend ALL of the remainder of my income on going to the theater and purchasing window cards, souvenir programs, cast recordings, and old playbills."<<<


Not to sound like an old crank, but shouldn't you be putting some money away for the proverbial "rainy day"?

[dreaming]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 9:51am

AC-Hear, hear!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 10:04am

Still reeling from last night's outstanding performance! I have been telling everyone in the office to go see it.

Thanks again for the many posters who came to my defense - it is great to have a support group, you guys are the best.

Dollypop, don't worry about my finances - for the moment, I'm doing just fine. I am extremely happy with my life right now and I hope it stays this way for a long time.

Posted: 8/25/11 at 10:33am

WAT... just caught up on all these emails. I stand by you 100% - you are the best!!!

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 11:42am

Wow should I even mention that I say Starlight Express in Vegas 42 times in 6 months. (I know I know.. don't judge me. We all have our vices) What will our happy poster think of that. Am I boasting no, but I think there are certain shows that on some deep visceral level. At the hight of my Starlight Express mania I had flown to see the show in Japan, drove to Mexico City. been to London AND Germany so here was a way to get my fix state side. I was going to both shows a day sitting in the same seat for a week at a time. One performance would end and I could just not wait for the next one to start. I think this is what it's like for most people that "get' Follies. (Truth be told I've never gotten it but hey that's ok) They would, given half a chance, see the show on marathon. I don't think it's irresponsible of them if they no they can do it more power to them and believe me they are much happier seeing the show they deeply love 4, 8,10,20 times then lying on any beach or eating at any high end place. Plus one must remember that shows come and go so it's not like one is going to get to see the show even a year from now so get it while the going is good.

[jv92]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 12:11pm

Insider-- At least he's spending his extra money on a great theatrical experience. Stop being an ass. Thanks. :)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 12:27pm

That Insider2 rant is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. He bitches about the pretentiousness of "bragging" how many times one has seen a show (yet I saw no evidence of bragging), yet has the audacity to judge how someone else should spend their money (knowing nothing about them or their finances). Such hilarious hyprocrisy is usually only found on Fox News. And he says "Let the flaming begin". LOL That's a keeper. Methinks Insider2 has a bit of a crush. Such passion regarding something so personal comes from the heart, no? Love is in the air...

What a lovely decision the producers have made. A total lack in an audience's faith to be able to be able to remember where we left off fifteen minutes ago.

If that's the reason you think there is no intermission, then your ignorance about this thread in general only solidifies your point in the lack of producer's faith in audience attention spans.

metropolis - No worries. I caught Starlight Express in the first national tour, Vegas and London. I'm still hoping to see the German production.

Updated On: 8/25/11 at 12:27 PM

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 12:54pm

Nice to see there are still crazies around here telling us all how to live our lives and spend our money. I guess they're the financial advisors of BWW. What would we do without them?


I am looking forward to seeing this production without an intermission. It makes more sense this way.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 1:05pm

" Such hilarious hyprocrisy is usually only found on Fox News."

Amen Mister Matt!

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 1:40pm

WithoutATrace is a very, very dear and close friend and in all of our years of friendship he's never, EVER bragged about seeing this show so many times, and that show so many times, etc. He's not that kind of person. He's very passionate about seeing Broadway shows, and when we have seen shows together, we always have a great time.

How is going to the theatre - doing something that you clearly enjoy, and spending money during a bad economy, a bad thing?

Insider2, when you say everyone was complaining that there was no intermission. Do you mean everyone.........every single person in the entire theatre - Orch, Mezz, Cast, Crew & Orchestra? So because a total stranger said that the show has no intermission, the producers don't know what they are doing?

Who cares if someone said something about that? What difference does it make? You had a choice - either stay or go.




Updated On: 8/25/11 at 01:40 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 3:48pm

People always complain about intermissionless shows. It makes absolutely no difference what show it is. They also complain about shows with intermissions. Especially women who never make it to the inside of a restroom stall. Complaints are human nature and plentiful. Now, when there is a mass exodus because the curtain speech announces that Jennifer Holliday will not being appearing in tonight's performance of Dreamgirls, that's a different situation entirely (and one I have witnessed personally).

Not to mention that a lack of intermission means the producers lack faith in the audience. Quite the reverse, actually. They're banking on the fact that the audience won't want to leave their seats and be engrossed in the show from start to finish.

Updated On: 8/25/11 at 03:48 PM

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 5:42pm

If Bertolt Brecht were alive today, he would no doubt make an argument that ALL commercial theater--certainly everything on Broadway--is bourgeois indulgence that not only wastes economic resources but tranquilizes the viewer into a stupor that blinds him to way the elites "game" the system and defraud the rest of us.

I took a graduate seminar from Oskar Eustis, current head of the Public Theater and a key influence on my view of theater. I don't know if he's changed his mind now that he's producing commerical production of Hair, but 20 years ago when I was pursuing my MFA (and Oskar was at the Taper), Oskar's argument were much the same as Brecht's.

And they have a point. But on that basis, we should close this board, boycott Broadway and write Lehrstücke to be performed by farm collectives. Probably not going to happen (especially since Brecht himself decided the Lehrstücke didn't work).

I think what set people off here was singling out WithoutATrace, who was not bragging but illustrating his enthusiasm for a particular show by telling us he has seen it four times. I took his point to be that he was willing to sacrifice for repeat viewings of Follies, not that he was rich and ticket prices didn't matter.

Right now I can't afford to fly to New York and see Follies once, much less multiple times. But damn if I wouldn't if I could!

I think there is a conversation to be had about rich people spending $240 dollars for tickets because they can't plan in advance or sit in the back. That's strikes me as a sort of "Gilded Age" obscenity. But that isn't what WithoutATrace said he was doing.

I hope WAT gets to see Follies four more times and reports back after each performance.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 6:18pm

Don't worry. He will ;-}

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 6:39pm

^^^^

Swell! I think it's obvious I am living vicariously through the poor guy.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 7:47pm

Anyway....can we get back on topic???? Anyone seeing the show tonight, or know if it's still one act? Sondheim was in today coaching the actors.

[Producer2]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 8:17pm

We are here to discuss our Broadway experiences. I think if Withoutatrace wants to share his experiences seeing the same show again and again, we should graciously listen. I'm sure each time was a different experience since Follies continues to change. If he wants to spend his money on Broadway, it's none of our business. It's his passion like it's ours. It's people like him that keep the shows open. He wasn't bragging, he was excited and sharing. I hope we hear more from him.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/25/11 at 9:30pm

An oddly and surprisingly near-perfect flawless rendition of "I'm Still Here"...sung by drag artist Randy Roberts:

http://youtu.be/NkBhNdPB9T0

No, seriously. It's not just good. It's kind of...great.