Follies - which version

[pattifan2]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:26pm

Sorry for starting off a brand new 'Follies' thread (really enjoying the Papermill 'Follies' thread). I was just interested on some other opinions. I've seen 3 professional productions of this show - my first was the Cameron Mackintosh production in the West End about 15 years ago and then 2 productions by Paul Kerryson at Leicester Haymarket and the Festival Hall. Kerryson obviously favours the original version as this was the one used in both the productions he was involved in. However, I have to say that I much preferred the revised version at the Shaftesbury. I just thought the book was tighter, it moved the story well and the relationships between the 4 leads and their younger selves were stronger. There were some terrific performances - especially loved Diana Rigg as Phyllis and, of course, Dolores Gray - great performance. I saw that production 4 times. Oh, I thought the set was great, too. I was also reading the comments about the Papermill 'I'm Still Here' and remember that it was staged similarly in the West End. dolores (and latterly Eartha Kitt) started the number by the piano - singing for the party, as it were - and then moved down front to finish the number to the house. I'm really interested to know what you guys think and if you saw the West End version, how you think it compares to others.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:27pm

I have NEVER seen this show on stage and it really irritates me. My favorite recording is the OBC, even if it's only because of the legendary performances and the infamous story behind the entire show.

[magruder]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:42pm

The authors themselves, in retrospect, refer to the Shaftesbury version as "Follies Lite". The revisions to the material, like replacing "Live Laugh Love" with "Make The Most of Your Music," the addition of "Country House" (which sounds somewhat alien to the rest of the score) and the unconscionable cutting of "The Road You Didn't Take" just served up a sunnier, less rich version of the material. It's telling, I think, that to the best of my knowledge, the London version has never been licensed.

As for the recordings, the OBC recording, poor sound, brutal edits and all is an essential, followed closely by the Paper Mill recording, in my opinion. Some people prefer the Lincoln Center concert, but between Mandy Patinkin's over-the-top hijinks in "Buddy's Blues," and "The Right Girl," the transposed keys for "Losing My Mind," the kinda one-note Elaine Stritch rendition of "Broadway Baby" and Carol Burnett's not very interesting "I'm Still Here," PLUS conducting of the Overture at an out-of-control, 'Where's the fire?' clip, I really don't find the concert version very satisfying. It's great as a document of that concert and was wonderful to have at the time, but now, it's gathering dust in my closet.

Updated On: 2/17/05 at 03:42 PM

[keggss23]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:46pm

I am really getting into this show and it sounds amazing from what I have heard. Which album do you guys suggest I buy as a 1st time listener to this show?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:48pm

I still say OBC, although it is of poor quality, the performances are legendary.

I also suggest reading the book EVERYTHING WAS POSSIBLE: THE BIRTH OF THE MUSICAL FOLLIES

It's fantastic.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 3:57pm

The OBC album is indispensible.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 2/17/05 at 4:05pm

Love all three albums, but I must admit, the Follies in Concert set gets played more for Stavisky than for the Follies score.

The OBC is my favorite, and has the best recording of Waiting for the Girls Upstairs I've ever heard.

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 8:09am

pattifan, there were some interesting people in the Kerryson production as I recall, not that I saw it, but weren't Kevin Colson (ASPECTS OF LOVE), Josephine Blake (SWEET CHARITY, THE RINK) and Mary Millar (BEAUTY & THE BEAST) in it? Anyone else of note? (The casting is always so fascinating in FOLLIES).

[suchclumsytime]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 8:13am

I'm rather partial to the Papermill recording, myself, but then again...I'm a Michael Gruber fan, so perhaps I'm biased.

[mme. rose2]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 5:28pm

Of all the Follies recordings I'm tossed up between the original, even with it's abridged version, and the Paper Mill version. The Paper Mill recording is so complete but overall I find the tempi way too slow, especially with I'm Still Here. The staged version in Millburn was much better than the recording. I only wish I could have seen the original version. Jonathan Tunick is a talented orchestrator but a lousy conductor.

[magruder]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 5:36pm

The tempi for the Paper Mill recording are exactly what Sondheim wanted. He allowed "I'm Still Here" to be faster in performance for Ann Miller, but wanted it slowed down to its usual speed for the recording. And Tunick set every tempo with a metronome to exactly the speed Sondheim wished. The original recording is on the fast side to try to fit even more on one disc, and the Lincoln Center concert is often way too fast, particularly the Overture, which is completely out of control.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 5:39pm

my favorite is the concert cast

[mme. rose2]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 5:46pm

I know Tunick used a metronome throughout the recording...that doesn't make it musical, it just makes it precise.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 5:53pm

Stritch is still bitter that Burnett got "I'm Still Here".

What bugs me about Burnett's "I'm Still Here" is her at times comedic take on it. "When you've been through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoo-woo-ver". That extra punch was too schtick for the song.

Who can resist the real life irony of Yvonne (Lily Munster) DeCarlo on the original: first you're another sloe-eyed vamp, then someone's mother, then your camp.

Updated On: 3/10/05 at 05:53 PM

[magruder]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 6:03pm

Yeah, well, 'precise' beats the "Where's the fire?" breakneck speed of the concert.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 6:20pm

The original & I am old enough that I actually saw it

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/10/05 at 8:16pm

Unfortunately, I was only 1 when the original "Follies" premiered, so I only know that version from the lovely cast album, which is worth buying if for no other reason than to hear Dorothy Collins' heartbreaking "Losing My Mind." I did see the Paper Mill version and the 2001 Broadway revival (which wasn't very good and doesn't have a cast album.) I would say get both versions.

[riv]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 1:38pm

The original cast recording is always the one to pick up first if you have no recordings of a show. There are certain exceptions, such as The King And I, but generally go with the first album.

In the case of Follies, the original Broadway cast recording won't ever be challenged. Yes it's truncated, but it still clocks in with an hour of the score and the performances can't be beat. It's also as cheap as hell. Don't miss it.

[cliffarico]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 3:27pm

The Patty Duke version. Too bad is was not recorded

[oldfashionedboy]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 3:58pm

Is this a two part question?
Which is the best recording? and which is the best production?
I am also old enough to have seen the original in 1971. I can still vividly picture the incredible set and the cinematic style of the staging.
It was especially poignant to see Alexis Smith, Gene Nelson, and Yvonne DeCarlo as each had careers which had peaked years earlier.
Many of us who were present at the 1985 FOLLIES IN CONCERT fantasized for years about a full-scale revival with this cast (except for the lamentable Carol Burnett).
It was not to be. I foolishly skipped the Paper Mill production, but am a huge fan of the recording.
Going to the 2001 Roundabout production was an even bigger mistake.
What did they think they were doing?
All four leads were terrible. However, I wouldn't have missed Polly Bergen for anything.
Sondheim's score for FOLLIES is arguably the greatest score that has ever been written for a musical.
I hope that in his lifetime we can be treated to a well-cast, well-sung, and ELABORATE Broadway revival.
In the meantime, you could do a lot worse than to buy the DVD of FOLLIES IN CONCERT.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 5:10pm

i like the Papermill recording best myself..it's got the full recording plus some bonus songs..i really like the cast in it as well.

[BroadwayNick]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 5:41pm

Where is the Papermill Follies thread?
Thank you!

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 5:43pm

u really need two. The original cast, of course and the Lincoln Center concert. The Lincoln center concert has the glorious performances of Barbara Cook, George Hearn and Elaine Stritch. You should have that recording simply for their performances, alone.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 5:43pm

I saw the original 5 times on Broadway and once on tour, so I'm partial to it but I say: LISTEN TO 'EM ALL AND CATALOG THE DIFFERENCES!

I did.

But no one will ever be as glamorous as Alexis Smith, as heartbreaking as Dorothy Collins or as authentic as all those fabulous old broads. Ethel Shutta, Mary McCarty and Ethel Barrymore Colt...

[mme. rose2]

Posted: 3/11/05 at 6:37pm

Pal, you have the most correct answer of all. I pick and choose from the original, the Lincoln Center and the Paper Mill version.

During a talk-back at one of Manhattan's larger bookstores, Phyllis Newman quoted Sondheim saying that no one, except for him, could sing Leave You better than Dee Hoty!