Like you choice for the men. I don't think EP could sing Sally and isn't quite right anyway. You need an actress with vulnerability, which isn't something I get from EP.Dame Julie couldn't sing I'm Still Here sadly. Even if she could she would be miscast.She would have been a good Phyllis in her day.
Personally, I'd like to see Tracie Bennett's take on Phyllis, though she's probably still a bit too young.
I think you have to have an even cast for the four principles: you can't put name-above-the-title stars like EP and RL in as Sally and Buddy, but not get other name-above-the-title stars for Phyllis and Ben.
I don't want stars in this at all: I want to see respected West End names. Follies becomes distorted when it's a star vehicle.
Don't agree with that. The original Broadway and the original West End productions had stars and were not distorted in my view. I have seen production with no stars which were very good but so were the ones with stars. I just want good people whether they are names or not.
Well that is your view. I have never viewed Follies like that.As I said I don't really need stars, just the best performers for the role, some of whom might be well known.