Follies Bway Transfer Update - Will They Take The St. James?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 7:10am

From everyone's favorite columnist, Michael Riedel.

Weissler and a slew of producers want to transfer the show. The theater in question? The St. James, in between the runs of Producers and Young Frankenstein, depending on whether or not Lane/Broderick close-out the former.

The downside of a summer run? No Donna Murphy, who is committed to LoveMusik.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02142007/entertainment/theater/good_golly__its_a_hit_follies_theater_michael_riedel.htm

[Sing a Song With Me]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 7:30am

I would hate to see Donna or Victoria Clark replaced in the leading roles. My guess is LoveMusik is going to unfortunately be a lackluster production, freeing up Cerveris and Murphy for other things, among them a Follies revival.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 7:34am

LoveMusik, being a non-profit production, is a limited engagement. Lackluster or not, it will more-than-likely play out its run.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 7:50am

I still say three things: (1) It will never happen; (2) It will never happen; and (3) It will never happen.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:16am

well now i know how the RAVINIA people felt who didnt want Patti to do GYPSY again; they wanted it be their own special evening(s) of magick, never to be repeated.

but i honestly believe the magic of the ENCORES! production of FOLLIES *cant* be repeated...i dont think that they would be able to get that kind of cast & crew or that level of audience enthusiasm again.

i'd love to be wrong.

[Julian2]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:23am

I kinda wish instead of pouring all their energy into a possible revival (that some don't think will happen or even repeat the success) they would just record it as is.

[JRybka]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:34am

or video tape and it and then put in on PBS for all us poor folk

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 8:36am

This really seems incerdib;y unlikely. But, if it happens, terrific!

[keen on kean]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:49am

A limited run seems to suggest little or no likelihood of recoupment. Anyone know investors who don't want their money bacK?

[folkyboy]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:52am

well i have to agree with you Julian. gimme the damn cast recording already!

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:52am

If I win big in the lottery, I pledge to use a chunk of my winnings to see Follies staged with the opulence and glamour of the original.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:53am

FOLLIES can't play at the St. James, because Christine Baranski is opening there in MAME. Right after the productions of HAIR and BYE BYE BIRDIE from Encores open.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 12:16pm

Can't they just do a cast recording with the original Encores! cast. The speculated revival wouldn't feature Donna Murphy (every single critic raved about her performance), Victor Garber, Jenny Powers (committed to Grease) et al.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 12:18pm

I was hoping that "70, Girls, 70" would open, starring that strange creature with the body of Olympia Dukakis but with a three-ring binder for a head.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 12:23pm

I completly agree with Ray. Instead of spending the money on a transfer, they should focus on making the cast recording. It would be worth it, much more than the transfer.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 2:21pm

Well, Encores wouldn't be financing the majority of the transfer, the producer(s)/investors would. However, Encores would (along with a record label) finance the recording, so, two different scenarios altogether.

In terms of Donna not being able to do it, Bebe Neuwirth would be a great choice to replace her for a transfer IMO.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 2:41pm

Slip in for a limited run? Makes not financial sense to me.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 3:13pm

As fans, our concern shouldn't be if it makes money. Any production of Follies has a hard time making money. As fans we should be excited to see this wonderful production again, even just for a limited run.

In terms of Donna not being able to do it, Bebe Neuwirth would be a great choice to replace her for a transfer IMO.

- That's what I said. But Michael Bennett shot me down and told me her lisp would get in the way.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 3:16pm

Our concern HAS to be if it makes money or not. That ultimately determines the probability of the production.

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 3:17pm

The thing is, though, one of the things that made this production so special was Murphy's relevatory turn as Phyllis. I can't see Neuwirth's Phyllis being in the same vein as Murphy's. Warmth is not her strong suit.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 3:24pm

Our concern HAS to be if it makes money or not. That ultimately determines the probability of the production.

- But any Follies fan knows it's almost impossible for a production of this show to make money, so it's a useless concern. Wasn't the only version to make money the original London production, which completely revised the show?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 3:26pm

[Obligatory question]: Remembering her past history, can Donna Murphy sustain a Broadway run?


[Obligatory statement]: Too bad the Mark Hellinger is a church now because the show would play great in that theater.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 5:35pm

I agree with Kringas, one of the things that had everyone talking about was Murphy's re-invention of Phyllis. Of course Neuwirth is one of the most obvious choices, but perhaps too obvious, as much as I love her as a performer (I suggested her as Phyllis many times before Murphy was cast), she would play the role as it is typically played, what made Murphy's Phyllis so successful was the inner fragility that was always embedded with her dialogue/songs, if you notice her "Could I Leave You?" was not full of bitchy remarks but full of the pain of loving Benjamin Stone.
As everyone has said it's not gonna happen either way so moot point.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 5:39pm

I guess they believe third time's the charm? Follies has never been a success on Broadway or the West End. And people complained that Les Mis came back so fast? Didn't we just have a Follies Broadway revival??? Good grief!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 5:42pm

I don't think Murphy would be too much of an issue. LoveMusik is scheduled to run through June 17th and the tentative closing date for The Producers is a week later on June 24th. Let's assume a few weeks of rehearsals. It could easily open in mid-late July at the St. James and run for two-three months before closing in time for previews of Young Frankenstein to begin in early October.

Then again I could be grossly underestimating the time needed for rehearsals.