Just saw the Will Rogers Follies...2 questions. — Page 2

Justme2 ~ If LeAnn was in the original then she would know Mr. Tune's original choreography. To my knowledge he has absolutely nothing to do with this tour and I really can't imagine that he would be involved.

lildogs ~ On that note, are they using original choreography? I will find out what she thinks and let you know. Once again, thanks for all the info!

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I have heard nothing about Tommy Tune being involved. Though I must say, when they were doing "Grease" Jim Jacobs made more than one appearance at the show.

I also would imagine that LeAnn will use alot of origianl choreo and maybe just switch hands or feet or something like that. Not exactly the most ethical or creative method, but that would be my guess.

Final Note: If LeAnn can remember the original choreo, she should get a Tony--that was a VERY long time ago to try to recall!

I think you would find the choreo was the same in spirit and concept, but the moves may be slightly different...

I had a feeling audiences would be sparse for this one...i felt the company would have profited more with something geared more for kids or Christmas or religious folks....they are playing mostly one-nighters in small venues...just my opinion...

The 1991 Tony win was not unexpected. Some of the pundits (whoever they are) predicted WRF as the winner but no one thought it was the best of the 4 nominess.

MISS SAIGON came in with plenty of negative publicity (over the British cast. When Equity refused to allow them to perform, Cam Mackintosh announced he was pulling the show. Suddenly all the people who supported Equity started doing an about face and accusing the union of blocking jobs for American performers in subsequent casts, tours and even supporing roles. The union backed down but there was grumbling that the tail was wagging the dog. Well, we have heard that one before.) The reviews were mixed but favourable. Business was sensational. Tony voters however had grown weary of all the British specatcles (LES MIZ, PHNATOM and CATS) and felt that it was time to reward home grown product that seemed to need the support. One for WRF!

SECRET GARDEN opened to less than favourable reviews and after the opening the authors went to work and trimmed 20 minutes. As it stood at Tony time the show was overlong and tedious. (It never quite got over that, although the trims helped a lot.) So, it won Best Book and Daisy Egan won for best SUPPORTING actress (and her tearful speech was a highlight of the telecast) but really, she should have been up as Best Actress! Also, SECRET GARDEN is one of those shows that take a while to warm to, and it was just too new whne the awards were given out. There is a downside to opening the week before the deadline. Score Two for WRF.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND was probably the most original of the nominees but it was considered an off-Broadway transfer and in 1991 it was not something the Tonys endorsed much. Score Three for WRF.

In the end though it was not the best musical or the best score, WRF won by default but it was a good season. All 4 shows were popular successes, 3 of the 4 made money (GARDEN did not by the time it closed but so what? It has remained popular with regionals and community groups.) And the awards seemed more evenly split up over the shows.

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Here Here

The show was recorded for Japanese TV but it was never released commercially like Victor Victoria was

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Hello,
New here to posting, but have enjoyed reading for some time now. Thought I could add to this thread so here goes...The current Will Rogers Tour is using the original Broadway choreography as well as the original Broadway/tour sets and costumes - so, it should be pretty darn close to the original. The original production had 16 girls in the ensemble, but most productions now cut that number down to 10 or 12. The smaller number of "Follies Girls" works O.K., but with the original 16 the TT choreography is breathtaking. Also, lots of productions cut the dog act and the Will's four kids. So, count the girls, look for kids and dogs, and you'll know how close it is to the original.
Also, It was my understanding that the current tour is choreographed by an original cast member named Eileen and her assistant Kirsten. Eileen has staged first class productions of "Will" everywhere.

There were indeed....three living and one deceased child. He "wanted to be in the show too" so he was kind of ghostly painted.

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Guess I was wrong about LeAnn choreographing anything in the show--but she was in the national tour of the show and she is maried to one of the producers...easy mistake...

Why do I get the feeling StandingO has something to do with Will Rogers Follies?

"Frontrowcenter - "In the end though it was not the best musical or the best score, WRF won by default but it was a good season"

That may be YOUR assessment, but many others thought it was a great show and KNOW it won fair and square. The score is beautiful and it's some of Coleman's and Comden and Green's best work.

Oh, having recently seen two community theatre groups perform it I realize that the razzle dazzle of the Tommy Tune staging covered up a slim book and an even slimmer score.

For Comden and Green, I don't see it as their best or even near the top of their form. ON THE 20TH CENTURY, BELLS ARE RINGING, ON THE TOWN, WONDERFUL TOWN and even their contributions to PETER PAN or SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING are better. Coleman's scores for CITY OF ANGELS, SWEET CHARITY and even I LOVE MY WIFE are (IMO) far better. Tommy Tune's direction of NINE and GRAND HOTEL - THE MUSICAL is far more inventive. In short, WRF was a fun show but not one of the top musicals to come along.

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Sure you don't--you just signed on the same day the thread was posted.

Hit here frontrowcenter!

Yeah...I see your point about some of the music for Comden and Green's other shows being more popular; although I still feel (IMO) that this was some of their best work.

I agree with your assessment of Coleman's work on City of Angels,as well (never seen a production of I love my wife, though).

I can't comment on Tune's other work you named, as I never got to see a production of Tune's Nine or Grand Hotel...

I guess I just have a soft spot for Will Rogers Follies...it was the first "broadway" show I had seen, and it still holds a place dear in my heart! It seems to be one of those "ignored gems", as well. Everyone I talk to loved it, but rarely does anyone list it in one of the many "list threads" that are always on here.

Having said that, though...I still don't believe it robbed any other show out of "rightfully" winning that year.

and one more thing...lildogs, I joined this site last year specifically to answer a poster asking if anyone had seen White Christmas in SF. Does that make me a shill? I did like the show...

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