My biggest wish for the Kenendy Center's FOLLIES...

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 4:26pm

*** SPOILERS BELOW***

My biggest wish is that they use Goldman's original book. Mainly because the revised Roundabout ending is an absolute travesty. There are also many wonderful original lines that were cut for the revised version.

My question is: Will we get the original book as it is the official book licensed by MTI? or will Mrs. Goldman demand the Roundabout version?

Now about the ending. Phyllis' and Ben's final dialogue is somewhat similar in the revised ending, but Phyllis' "Hope doesn't grow on trees" lines should absolutely NOT be cut. That line needs to be there. It is very much needed. And where is Phyllis' "Bet your ass"... ?

Onto Buddy and Sally. The Roundabout exchange between the two characters absolutely sucks. The original dialogue is extremely chilling.... and yes pretty depressing.
Here is their full original exchange:

BUDDY: Sally? Are you all right? Come on, kid. Hey, it's me.
SALLY: I left the dishes in the sink, I left them there, I was in such a hurry and there is no Ben for me , not ever, any place.
BUDDY: There never was, and that's the truth. Come on, I'll take you home.
SALLY: I can't stand up.
BUDDY: I'll help you.
SALLY: I should of died the first time.
BUDDY: Cut that out.
SALLY: I should of been dead all these years.
BUDDY: Don't talk that way. You got a lot to live for: friends, a home, some money. Go on, say it after me, out loud. You say it. Friends....
SALLY: Friends...
BUDDY: Home....
SALLY: Home....
BUDDY: We're gonna go home and get some rest...and then we're gonna make plans for tomorrow.
SALLY: For tomorrow.....oh dear God, it is tomorrow.

Ok yes, it's a huge downer and pretty hopeless. But I think it carries so much power. Especially for Sally's character.

There is no reason why the supporting character should come back on stage during the finale. It really takes away the focus from the two couples who just had a nervous break down. I believe the London version brought the supporting characters out, and it was kept for the Rondabout version. It is just so unnecessary.
It is also highly unnecessary to have the two couples try to make amends with each other before they leave. The whole "We'll write!" Come on, really???

In conclusion, the Roundabout ending is a travesty and should not be used. It takes away the power of the piece and the original ending. The original book really needs to be used for this production. I understand a lot of this has to do with Mrs. Goldman. it's so annoying to see that the original book is the official licensed version, but that woman might demand the revisal. If the Kennedy Center production is so set on replicating the original production, it really needs the original book to do so.

Thank you for reading my random scatterbrained rant.





Updated On: 9/19/10 at 04:26 PM

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 4:49pm

which supporting character came on in the end? (I didn't see the show)


What did the 1998 Papermill use? Was that the original book or a revised version?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 4:53pm

I can't find my Roundabout script. But based on audio, it sounds like Carlotta, Hattie, Solange, and Heidi. There might be others.

I'm not sure about Papermill. I think it was one of Goldman's revisals, but it was still much closer to the original book than Roundabout's.
Updated On: 9/19/10 at 04:53 PM

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 5:13pm

who revised the Roundabout? Mrs. Goldman?

were these like the London production, or was that a different revisal? How many versions of Follies are there?!?!

[binau]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 5:15pm

"who revised the Roundabout? Mrs. Goldman? "

I also wonder this....

Why didn't the Papermill transfer to Broadway again? (Was it to do with the script?)

[JOak]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 5:18pm

There are 4 versions (original, London, Papermill and Roundabout revival).

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 5:19pm

I think Papermill hoped/planned to transfer but Mrs Goldman is a bitch and said no. thats why theres no dialogue on the CD for Papermill.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 5:23pm

Can someone explain who Mrs. Goldman is(James Goldman's wife?) and why she was able to do revisions?

Updated On: 9/19/10 at 05:23 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 5:26pm

Mrs. Goldman is James' widow.

I doubt she revised the book herself. Calling PalJoey, PRS, MichaelBennett, Smaxie????
They will know.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 7:32pm

Didn't Sondheim himself rewrite some of the book for that revival?

[jv92]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 8:18pm

Doubt it. He liked Goldman's original book. But who knows?

[chewy5000]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 8:32pm

And what about the 'book' for the '85 concert. That was different yet again.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 11:06pm

I can still hear the croak in Dorothy Collins's voice when she said, "Oh, dear God, it IS tomorrow."

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 11:18pm

I can hear it too thanks to the glorious soundboard.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 11:20pm

I can still hear the croak in Dorothy Collins's voice when she said, "Oh, dear God, it IS tomorrow."

It is so chilling. I listen it to over and over again on the soundboard audio. The original script describes Sally as dead in voice, and boy does Dorothy sound that way when she says "I can't stand up. I should of died the first time. I should of been dead all these years." I feel like that line is so important. It needs to be heard.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 11:33pm

You won't believe me but I have never listened to the soundboard. I much prefer watching blurry videos to the listening to a soundboard without any of those glorious visuals. (But god bless soundboards and those who save them!)

So if what can be heard in her voice on that line can genuinely be described as a "croak," I am remembering it from experiencing it six times nearly 30 years ago and not from listening to it on a soundboard recording.

Which, in itself, is somewhat Follies-like.

When I think of the production (which is probably frequent enough to be labeled some sort of mental disorder), I hear Gene Nelson's line about seeing it all, like a movie that plays in my head. And it isn't only the bad parts I remember--it's the whole damn show.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 11:39pm

Sometimes I shut off the lights and sit on the dark with my eyes closed and listen to that recording. Even though I wasn't born until a few years after it happened, I can see it clear as day in my mind.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 9/19/10 at 11:49pm

I prefer to stand in the middle of the floor

[binau]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 12:27am

Sometimes I lock my bedroom door, get undressed and dim the lights. I light a scented candle and slowly caress the original libretto with my soft hands. My knees get weak and my heart starts to pound. I turn on the soundboard. When it finishes I wipe the tears from my eyes with a tissue and thank god for what he has given me. In the corner of my eye the roundabout cover stares like I am a dirty whore, but I know in my heart what I do is right and nothing can keep us apart.

Updated On: 9/20/10 at 12:27 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 12:28am

Ok back to the original topic: Who else agrees that the Kennedy Center should use the original book?

[binau]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 12:44am

What did they use at Encores? I mean maybe it is more in line with what you'd get.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 12:50am

It was another amalgamation of Goldman's work put together by Encores! script editor. They basically used the original ending but cut the best parts of Sally and Buddy's exchange (Sally wishing she died, etc). Thank the SWEET LORD they didn't bring out the supporting characters.
Updated On: 9/20/10 at 12:50 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 12:54am

I just pray for a good "Who's That Woman"...

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 1:00am

^ Did you like Casey Nicholaw's Who's That Woman?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/20/10 at 1:25am

I almost had to be physically restrained after the Roundabout's.

It was the worst case of Flop Rage any of my friends had witnessed since Bring Back Birdie.