Follies at Kennedy Center

[fossefun22]

Posted: 5/16/11 at 3:09pm

Saw Follies at Kennedy Center this past weekend. Very glad I did as I have always wanted to see it on stage being very familiar with it's music and history. If one can go see it, do! Just a couple of personal notes. Bernadette lives up to expectation in singing and acting though the naivety and disillusionment of Sally seems to be lost in a melancholy sadness. Jan Maxwell's Phyllis in acting, and even singing was great! Simply beautiful in stature but her dancing needed more and dress was not the most flattering. Speaking of dresses, did not particularly like the red "Fancy" dress of Sally, liked the idea of a housewife, found old prom dress" idea depicted in earlier productions better. Ron Raines, awesome voice and command of stage! Danny Burstein seemed a bit too young for the part and "The Right Girl" was lacking but made up in the great "Buddy's Blues" which he and the girls got dead on! Miss the frumpy old woman to sing "Broadway Baby". Linda Lavin seemed a bit too young or just simply too beautiful from what I would have liked to see. Give me an Elaine Stritch anyday. Elaine Page hit "I'm Still Here" dead on, no flubs in lyrics though can understand how she could. Great Job. Missed the ghosts in the Montage of "Rain, Broadway, and Pariee" and Regine looked drunk or simply lost doing "Ah, Pariee." Loved the chance to see Broadway legend Susan Watson, the original Kim in "Bye Bye Birdie" and Nanette in the hit revival of "No NO Nannette." A real treat. Costumes, espeicailly the ghosts, fantastic and loved them lingering during intermission staring out to the audience or to the infinite. Too small a space than I would prefer for such a show. Terri White, fantastically funny and talented with "Who's That Woman" though miss the original choreography which made the supposed highlight of the evening for me, a downer. It is simply the small stage that doesnt lend to the mirror number executed well. All in all, enjoyed it and hope it finds life outside of DC. Best of luck to all!