"Follies" pics- Page 2

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 1:14am

The harsh critics and those that couldn't connect with it who faulted the show for it.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 1:19am

that, and the fact that the book is kind of problematic in that it's filled with characters constantly complaining and reassessing unhappy situations but being too passive to do anyhting about it.

not saying i dno't LOVE "Follies", i do. just that's why some people don't.

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 1:33am

I think many who truly love musicals could invest in seeing these characters trapped in an unhappy reality that builds into a massive musical catharsis where things become vibrant and beautiful on the surface. It may not be ingeniously crafted and delicately stacked, but when that payoff finally comes, it pulls all the stops out.

[westcoast_wannabe]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 5:19am

Wow those are amazing!!! I’d love to see the costumes that Maria Bjornson designed for the The Shaftesbury Theatre in London. I think she’s a genius, and I’ve no doubt that her designs were immaculate, but the splendor of those originals would be hard to match.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 6:17am

The lover is transported by his rapture,
As ever heavenwards his heart ascends.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 7:42am

jewishboy--I was quoting Buddy's lead-in to "Waiting Around for the Girls Upstairs."

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 8:07am

I saw the London production of FOLLIES and was dazzled by the elegant costumes and opulent sets. I just loved the whole production, which is the only FOLLIES I have seen, starring Diana Rigg, Daniel Massey, Julia McKenzie, and Dennis Healey, all wonderful in their parts. Dolores Gray sang "Im Still Here"; Gray, an American musical theatre actress, was loved by London Theatregoers, having done many American musicals there. Supposedly it was to come to Broadway, but the hugely influential NY Times critic Frank Rich reviewed this London production and gave it a negative review in the Times, thus scaring off the producers who worried that it would not succeed in NYC. This information was told to me by the late Dennis Healey, when I talked to him following his performance at the Roundabout when it was located on 7th Avenue and Forty something street. At that location, it was common practice that the actors would come out to the lobby after the show to mingle with and talk to audience members. I remember meeting Arthur Miller in that setting, after seeing his ALL MY SONS. I am starting to ramble on so will close.

Updated On: 5/28/08 at 08:07 AM

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 9:08am

"And how much do I love Ethel Shutta? "


Preach.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 9:12am

PalJoey- I'm sorry my sarcasm didn't come through (I was just kidding).

[D2]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 9:18am

Gypsy, it's funny how people can have such totally different experiences with the same show. I never saw the original Broadway production of FOLLIES, but I did see it in London - same cast (no replacements) - and I was bored to tears. Diana Rigg seemed as if she'd rather be anywhere else but on that stage, although I did love Julia McKenzie. I wasn't as impressed with the physical production either - it looked cheap and tacky to me, not nearly as opulent as the original, or even as well done as the Encores presentation last year. At least that production, as bare bones as it was, had style.

And that new book! Oy! I understand that it will never be used again, and for that I say HALLELUJAH!

Oh, well. If it worked for you, I'm glad. For me, I was disappointed.

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 9:46am

I didn't see that London FOLLIES, but the recording of the production's ONE MORE KISS is PERFECT.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 10:00am

that, and the fact that the book is kind of problematic in that it's filled with characters constantly complaining and reassessing unhappy situations but being too passive to do anyhting about it.

The book is problematic in many ways, including some really awful dialogue. I've tried time and again to like this show, but I never enjoy it. I don't care about any of the characters. Other than having been Follies girls, I don't think there is anything that interesting about their personal lives that deserve so much attention. Their relationahips really aren't very fascinating. At least, they aren't written that way.

I like about half the score, but have been burned out on the standards sung at every concert, benefit, cabaret, piano bar and gay karaoke night. I will not listen to I'm Still Here again for at least another 10 years. Even if I happen to watch Postcards from the Edge, I will fast-forward over that song. You've been up and down and you're still alive, I GET IT! And apparently, it happens to every woman over 55 and every gay man because they have to SING THAT DAMN SONG! OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. For God's sake, please FIND SOMETHING NEW!

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 10:02am

"but have been burned out on the standards sung at every concert, benefit, cabaret, piano bar and gay karaoke night"

Which is one of the myriad reasons I don't do 'mos and pianos.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 10:06am

Friends don't let friends to do Follies at karaoke.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:12am

Heh...I had to catch a train just after posting these.

Whoever mentioned copyrights, I searched and there was no request not to copy the pics...they seemed like candids by an amateur photog who worked on the production (which is why the out of town pics...hee!)

I know that there are problems with the book, big problems...I never really care about the four main characters...but if well played, each character has such amazing moments.

Unlike most of the rest of the world, my favorite moment is "One Last Kiss" as done by Licia Albanese and Erie Mills, or the gals who did it at Paper Mill.

Anyhoo...I get what you are saying Matty, but I dont hold such venom for the score, because when well played, they still pack a whallop.

When I was in my teens, I discovered Company watching Sylvia Fine Kaye's Musical Comedy Tonite, and Sandy Duncan sang "Another Hundred People", so I bought the album when I saw it...and fell in love. I soaked myself in that recording and then went and found "Follies" and was astounded....simply stunned. I was in love for the first time...it lead to "A Little Night Music", of course, and I fell deeper in love.

I get your point, Matt, about not needing to hear another mediocre version of "Losing My Mind" (except mine, of course ) To me, that doesnt take away from the original recording...I can always listen to Dorothy Collins.

I hate the London recording, except McKenzie...not a bash, just my opinion.

...and, Klotz was a goddess!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 11:29am

And that new book! Oy! I understand that it will never be used again, and for that I say HALLELUJAH!

That London book is just revolting. I know I bitch about the revised original book that's used now, but it still beats that London mess by leaps and bounds.

I've long accepted that when it comes to Follies either people get it or they don't - and that's not a slam on people I think don't "get it." I understand that people have their own personal reactions to material and I also understand that the Follies material is pretty polarizing. To me, though, when done right it's sheer theatrical perfection.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 12:06pm

I wish I could love it as much as some of you guys. I really do. And some of the less popular songs like In Buddy's Eyes, Love Will See Us Through and You're Gonna Love Tomorrow, I really enjoy. I just wish they were in a better show. Who knows, maybe someday someone will get it right.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:27pm

"That London book is just revolting..." JEEZ, and I liked it just fine, not having any other version to compare it with in my theatregoing experience. Excuse me.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:31pm

Did I say YOU were revolting? Jesus, grow a pair.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:38pm

Uh-oh, I'm feeling the need for Loveland to descend...

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:40pm

I'm learning "One More Kiss" in my voice lessons. Gorgeous song, though it definitely sits pretty high tessitura-wise.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:41pm

I may interrupt your jokes.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:43pm

You may.

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:44pm

But the minute we embrace to that old sweet song...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/28/08 at 2:47pm

Dear, that'll see us through till Gypsy says we done him wrong.