Kennedy Center FOLLIES to Transfer to Broadway's Marquis Theater This Summer!- Page 10

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 6/19/11 at 10:56pm

Today's performances were sterling. The Mirror Number got a standing ovation. Bernadette found and delivered Sally. Only Regine slipped up (forgetting the entire last half of her song. But kind of making up for it by going, "SH*T!" as she exited.)

I so truly hope the 4 leads all transfer as well as Paige, Elias, White and Watson. And the "Youngsters." And the women who play Sally and Margie in "Buddy's Blues." And everyone in the ensemble.

It was just spectacular today. Can't wait to see it next time!

[binau]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 1:25am

Ron Raines ALSO posted it on his twitter..and it wasn't a copy/paste from Facebook i.e. it is unlikely that it was an accidental slip up of the month.

ATC posts that Jan's show starts at 12pm on the 31st. Although it is extremely tight, it is plausible that they can work out..i.e. she races to FOLLIES

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Updated On: 6/20/11 at 01:25 AM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 2:01am

Saw the show Saturday night, and loved it. News of the transfer had people buzzing, and the audience was wildly enthusiastic.

(PS, I'm almost positive I overheard at the stagedoor Jan say she is transferring with it. I'm not 100% sure of this, but based on what I heard, it seems like that's what she was saying. Take it for what it's worth.)

[Katia2]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 2:02am

They pretty much have to get Jan for this, the only other person who seems a possibility for doing Phyllis is Donna Murphy and after all of Murphy's talking about missing her kid and tearing up in interviews and such and talking about going on vacation and family time in the summer, it doesn't look like Murphy's going to be doing any shows until at least fall.
Production's ****ed without Maxwell, I'm sure they're scrambling to make this work. Personally not that worried, they'll make it happen-- production needs Maxwell, Maxwell needs this production.

[FrauleinKost]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 9:25am

I agree. Yesterday's performance was magical. I was in the front row, house right, and it was just perfect. Very, very emotional. Can't wait to see it again! Jan's "Could I Leave You" was gut wrenching and gave me chills; one of the best performances of a song I've ever seen.

Bernadette shines. She IS Sally. Seeing it up close (previous viewings I was further away) and seeing all of her facial expressions and nuances, I really understood her Sally. Even at the end of "Waiting For the Girls Upstairs", with Phyllis, Ben and Buddy smiling while thinking of the past, you can tell that for Sally it's all bittersweet, that it was the happiest time of her life, and she would give anything to bring that back. She's on the verge of tears as the others smile.

Loved every minute of it.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 10:15am

Finally got there for Sat. nite's performance. LOVED the production, but did have some problems with the cast.

Regine should've been fired. She couldnt have cared less about delivering that song. We got la la's for the whole second verse. I've forgotten lyrics onstage like every other performer, but what the eff does she do all day? Clearly she's got better things to do than learn her damn lines.

Paige just didnt get Carlotta. She played the whole song as a vamp and it was just terrible. I loved both Ann Miller and Polly Bergen who had very different takes on the song/role. I was disappointed because I liked her voice for it...and she did cover her english accent pretty well. I'm hopeful she will not bother following this production into NYC.

Raines was good, and in glorious voice...but a bit too wooden. That would've been okay as a character choice, if he actually broke down during Loveland, but he didnt seem to get it right for me.

I adored Lavin, and was so pleasantly surprised. I've never liked her as a singer, but she was just terrific and sexy. White was stunning as Stella. She can MOVE! I loved, loved, loved her...and the number is one of my favorites. It was a bit idiotic that she handed out shoes from an old box..."Here Sally, these seem like your size!"

Loved the four younger selves, especially Lora Lee Gayer as Young Sally.

"One Last Kiss", one of my favorite moments in the whole show, was delicious! I told my hubby, "Young Heidi better hit the high note at the end!" as I always do. What was lovely is that Leah Horowitz didnt oversing it at all! That note was stunning! They blended beautifully...and the costume was great! Her entrance and exit....LOVE!

Peters was very good as Sally, though I'm not sure if it was her or is it just that I dont like Sally. I think the character is the biggest problem in the book. She's such a simpering fool I have no patience for her. Peters did her best and she looked great! I just dont think it was a great performance and I didnt care for the music changes in "Losing My Mind".

The show belongs to Maxwell and Burstein. They were both perfect. I cant say more than what everyone else has said.

We were in the box seats and had a great view...during the overture I immediately shushed a whole family in the box next to us. At intermission, someone from our box went to the "dad" next door and thanked "the senator" for all of his good work, LOL. Just because you're a senator doesnt mean you can yap during the overture around me!

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 11:48am

and I didnt care for the music changes in "Losing My Mind".

What music changes??

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 11:52am

I didnt care for Peters' vocal choices at the end of the song.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 11:56am

Ooooh. I like it. Julia McKenzie, Donna McKechnie (live), and Maria Friedman all sang the higher ending note. But Bernadette is the first I've heard to do the slide down on MYYYYY and then the higher note.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 12:06pm

That's cool, but I just find it gimicky, especially since she went down for the myyyy then to falsetto. It wasnt natural to me.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 2:38pm

Saw the show Saturday and I must say I was generally impressed. Having only seen the Encores! production, I went in with my expectations set very high. I was not dissapointed. In particular, the four leads were stunning with Jan Maxwell being the standout. Sitting fourth row, Maxwell's expressions toward Ben and Sally were penetrating. I did find her "The Story of Lucy and Jessie" a little wanting in the choreography department. Personally, Donna Murphy's version of the song is still tops, however, Maxwell's overall performance is one for the books.

I for one loved Peters' rendition of "Losing My Mind"...I almost lost control over my tear ducts! That said, I feel she needs a bit more time to find the character. Her performance felt only half-way complete and often inappropriately mercurial. Burstein and Raines seem to completely undertstand and perfectly represent Buddy and Ben, respectively.

I agree with many on this board that Paige along with Lavin should be replaced. Both left me completely underwhelmed performing vintage Sondheim. As for Régine forgetting the lyrics to “Ah, Paris!" for the second to last performance was inexcusable. More positively, Rosalind Elias' "One More Kiss" was emotionally devastating while Terri White's "Who's That Woman" was roof raising.

In one word, the production is suitably and wonderfully elegiac. Aside for some character development/swaps, I would be perfectly satisfied with a complete transfer as is.


Like many of you, I will be living at the Marquis for the next few months.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 2:45pm

Maxwell's best moment for me, I forgot to mention, was her exit, struggling to figure out how to say goodbye and realizing she simply cant...so she looks at Ben and they wander out.

[binau]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 1:21am

Some tweeted Ron Raines' tweet about July 31st, and he replied: "Just wait till it's official. Nothing's set.".

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 2:32am

I assume that we'll get an official announcement sometime this week.

[chatter]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 2:42am

i just can't wait....

[binau]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 2:52am

/Random but I remember walking past the Marquis theatre on Times Square and having no idea where the entrance was....where is it??

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 2:54am

You have to enter through the hotel and take the escalator/elevator to the second floor.
Updated On: 6/21/11 at 02:54 AM

[BwayTday]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 2:54am

You go into the hotel and take the elevator or escalator to the third floor. I think it's the third floor.

Never mind. ljay beat me to it. 2nd Floor. Updated On: 6/21/11 at 02:54 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 2:57am

Well I think it's considered the second floor! Could be wrong.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 3:54am

I think the consensus is, you walk in to the hotel then stumble around until you find the theatre. Or a bar.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 8:57am

Officially, though, it's on the third floor (at least that's the button you hit for the elevator) but I don't think the second floor of the hotel really has anything on it.

[FrauleinKost]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 9:55am

One moment I liked in this production is during "Waiting Around for the Girls Upstairs", when the youngsters are doing the "I thought you said tonight would be Tony's/This joint is just as grand etc" part, their older counterparts and standing stage right and softly mouthing the words as they're spoken, clearly recalling the moment.

Was this done in previous productions? I've only seen Roundabout, but don't recall it.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:03am

Was this done in previous productions?

It was done better in the original production.

Unfortunately, Bennett stops them in this rehearsal clip just as the younger quartet is starting, but It gives you a little idea:

http://youtu.be/8SSCV420MJk

Updated On: 6/21/11 at 10:03 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 10:50am

Looks like Regine is being replaced.

According to ATC, an audtion went out for Solange, Hattie, Heidi, and Theodore Whitman. It says other roles might be added on 6/21, which leads me to think they are still negotiating with a few people.

The following roles are available. Other roles may be added on 6/21; check Breakdown again.


SOLANGE LA FITTE: (late 60’s to early 70’s) A star of the Follies who turned herself and her Frenchness into a brand, she’s a perfume maven. Everything about her is a little bit too much, including her style and her accent. Sings “Ah, Paris”. In good shape, must move well. A character. Strong character belt with solid low range.

HATTIE WALKER: (60s) Once and always a Broadway Baby. She lives life to its fullest. Married five times, a grandmother who has spent a lifetime in the theater and still knows how to land a number as well as a husband. Sings “Broadway Baby”. Strong, brassy belt voice with very solid low range.

HEIDI SCHILLER: (70s) German, once a great soprano for whom famous composers wrote, aging and lost in memory. Sings “One More Kiss”. Legit soprano to an F.

THEODORE WHITMAN: (60s) With wife Emily, once a part of a Follies song-and-dance team, now the owner of a dance school. Sings “Rain on the Roof” - Must be an excellent partner dancer. Light, charming Baritone.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 11:06am

Any chance we could see Marni Nixon as Heidi?