Kennedy Center FOLLIES to Transfer to Broadway's Marquis Theater This Summer!- Page 6

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 6/15/11 at 11:04pm

So the run of Follies would only be limited because the Marquis is booked for the spring...am I the only person in the dark about what will enter the Marquis after Follies closes?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/15/11 at 11:04pm

Alice Playten is an inspired choice, and Nobody Steps on Kafritz!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 6/15/11 at 11:49pm

I mean I'm all for Elaine Strich as Carlotta.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 6/15/11 at 11:59pm

Frankly, if this "takes off" and sells very well, I'd put money on whatever show that's supposed to take the Marquis will find a new theater. Granted, I think Follies has a limited audience and a limited run is best.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 12:05am

Maybe Love Never Dies will go into the Marquis?

[jewishboy]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 12:28am

Pal Joey, I love Alice Playten and she would be perfect. I once saw her do a showstopping rendition of "No Time At All" from Pippin. She started it in a wheel chair and at the time I really didn't know who she was. Well by the second verse, I think, she popped right out of that chair and really sold that song. I'll never forget it.

I've always wanted to hear Carol Channing deliver "Broadway Baby," though I doubt she could make it through 8 performances a week... Then again?

Updated On: 6/16/11 at 12:28 AM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 12:48am

Saw this a few weeks ago in DC..for those going this weeken prepare for an emotional rollar-coaster!

The productions deserves to be on Broadway. Schaffer is an iseal director for a piece this complex an he explores the emotional subtext very effectively.

Agree the Marquis is not the most ideal house...why not the Lyceum (which reportely already has inn house ghosts.)

I believe the show sold so well in DC because it was anmnounced as a limited engagement... New York may well se a similar eresponse with teh best seats selling out well in advance.

As for a new FOLLIES recording: Even if it means losing a few bars of dance musichhere and there, it could be done very effectively on a single CD. The score is too short for 2 full CD's- RCA's set fills in the extra space with the STAVISKY film score and the excellent TVT set based on te Papermill production has all the cut songs (a very welcoem appendix, but not worth repeating.)

Having been at the COMPANY screening tonight I would welcome a HD Cinecast of FOLLIES!

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 12:49am

I know this thread is about the transfer, but I just wanted to ask for clarification on something that was said earlier in the thread about this production being more Sally-centered. I saw the show last night and it absolutely enchanted me. It was my very first Follies experience, however, and I understand that there are many different versions performed. I was wondering how this version is more Sally-centered and if that's a book thing or if it has to do with Bernadette's characterization of Sally. Personally, I thought Jan Maxwell and Danny Burstein (and of course Terri White) were the standouts. Could anyone talk about how this production was more Sally-centered?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 12:51am

Julie Andrews could handle "I'm Still Here", I'm sure.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 12:55am

I was wondering how this version is more Sally-centered and if that's a book thing or if it has to do with Bernadette's characterization of Sally. Personally, I thought Jan Maxwell and Danny Burstein (and of course Terri White) were the standouts. Could anyone talk about how this production was more Sally-centered?

*Spoilers*

Mainly due to her wonderful entrance and exit. No other Sally has ever taken that long to soak in atmosphere when she enters. Sally usually enters and starts her speech right away. Bernadette takes a good minute to take it all in. Her exit is also pretty chilling, she composes herself, takes one last look at the theater, and walks out completely oblivious to Buddy's presence. In the original book, Phyllis and Ben actually leave the theater last.
Also, Sally and Buddy lose the least in this version of the script. Ben and Phyllis lose the most.

Updated On: 6/16/11 at 12:55 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 1:01am

Danny Burstein is like 7 years younger than Jan Maxwell. FYI.

Anyway...while I have always been a huge Stritch fan, I have to say that she practically ruined ALNM for me. I think it would be disastrous were Stritchie to play Carlotta. I'd rather see Regine in the role! (lol)

Speaking of Regine, I have recently had a sort of change of heart about her. I had no idea she's 82! That really altered my opinion of her performance. Granted, the other women on stage who are "up there" give sterling performances, but, my gawd, let's give poor Regine a little break. When I'm 82, I'll be happy if I can even get TO a theatre to be an audience member.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 1:06am

Thanks, ljay. I knew one of our greatest Follies experts around here could help me out. Her entrance was stunning. This production was such a visual feast for me that I can't wait to see it many more times when it gets to New York so I can concentrate on different things each time. Truly magical.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 1:07am

ljay, what version do you have?
In the Random House of the Broadway version, it goes:
(Buddy helps Sally to her feet. She can barely stand, and he supports her as they turn and slowly starts upstage. As they turn, Ben holds out his hand to Phyliss. She looks at him, then takes it.
As the two couples move away from us toward the morning light, their young selves drift down slowly, then turn. They all stand silohoutted, motionless, Then, softly and faint, as if it were spoken years ago, we hear)
"Hey, up there....."

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 1:09am

I was summing up the Kennedy Center finale.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 1:11am

Oh, I see what you mean! I should have said Phyllis and Ben have the final dialogue exchange in the original.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 1:38am

I think what makes the KC production more about Sally, is that it is Bernadette. Of the four leads (and they are all leads) Bernadette is the biggest "Star". The other three actors are all accomplished, wonderful performers doing great work here.
Sally's entrance is first and should grab our attention:
(Far from us, in the midst of this, SALLY DURANT PLUMMER comes running breathlessly onstage. She is blonde, petit, pert, sweetfaced and at 49, still remarkably like the girl she was thiry years ago.)
Flushed, terribly excited to be there, she looks around.

SALLY: Oh Lord, don't tell me I'm the first.

The main crux of the story is Sally and Ben's affair, they do have the love songs, but the roles of Buddy and Phyliss, when played successfully,(as they are here) turn out to be just as important. Awards and such seperate performances, but the four leads working as a team can make FOLLIES more intense and exciting. One thing the KC production does is strip a lot away and push these stories down front. But I missed the subtext that the entire party and memories have on their stories.

Updated On: 6/16/11 at 01:38 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 1:42am

Great I will be back in New York late fall, this with BOM just went to the top of my list. All I need now is Ms Lansbury back on stage in the rumored play and I will be one very happy Aussie homo!

[Tony2600]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 2:21am

Would love to see Jane Powell doing "Broadway Baby".

[Kevn520]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 2:24am

I'm glad Lavin can't reprise her role. Someone else said that she seemed too 'put together' to play the role of Hattie, and I absolutely agree. I love her as an actress, but I didn't feel she was right for the role.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 2:29am

Rosscoe, please let me know when you'll be in NYC so we can catch a drink or something.

On the subject of Sally...she is the only one in the first act who has a number in which she "presents" herself to all in attendance: "Now folks we bring you direct from Phoenix, live and in person SALLY DURANT!" She's front and center from the get-go and then some.

But I completely agree with CPD. The four characters are ALL leads, and the KC production really makes that clear.

I love this production. I'll be at the final performance on Sunday...and again (and again) in NYC, I'm sure.

Oh, and ljay is so right about Bernadette's being "heartbreaking." She makes us think, "My, she's one unstable gal!" while also feeling utter compassion and sadness for her.

Anyway, once again, YAY!

[Will42]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 4:47am

Dame Julie is filming her new movie in England this summer.
I wouldn't mind to see Debbie Reynolds as Carlotta Campion.
Also how about Megan Mullally?
Updated On: 6/16/11 at 04:47 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 5:35am

I saw the announcement earlier and actually squealed. VERY excited.

Count me in to the group of folk hoping it will be ready for an audience the first week of August!

VERY exciting.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 8:01am

I would be very interested to see Patty Duke as Carlotta.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 8:21am

Anyone think Patti might be interested in Carlotta? I am assuming she and Bernadette don't get along - just a hunch - and she probably wouldn't wana take a supporting role with Peters as the star...though ya never know...she's available and would likely be a hell of a lot better than Elaine Paige...BUT, depending on how the season goes, it could mean her Tony #3.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 6/16/11 at 8:22am

"I hope Jan Maxwell's agent is negotiating a demand that Lucy/Jessie be re-choreographed so that she looks good."

PalJoey I totally agree with you! The guys going on and off from the wings of LoveLand were a complete distraction. I was paying more attention to how many of them were on and off and which direction they were entering from then what Jan Maxwell was doing!