On the Scene Broadway.com Video: Follies Kicks Off New Season at Encores!

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 10:44pm

Video here:-) Updated On: 2/14/07 at 10:44 PM

[mike L G]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:23pm

The video look's and sound's so terrific the singing is so
impressive. I really don't see why they sould even worry about
who they may be compared to,

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:35pm

I have nothing to compare to, and know little about the show, so I'm not sure if this is what the character is suppose to be, but Christine B. just seems like she doesn't know what she's doing up there. I don't mean in terms of staging, but it feels like she doesn't know how she wants to play the part, and it comes off as confused.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:41pm

WOW, thank you Broadway.com

[ahmelie]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:42pm

Oh! I looove Donna Murphy way more than I expected! And I loved Victoria Clark much less. Hm...

Looks great all around though!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:47pm

Baranski's "I'm Still Here" was lackluster but she did nail all her book scenes.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:48pm

And the respect level I have for Broadway.com went WAY up. THANK YOU!!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:04am

i am so grateful for the video!!!!!

& i love that it kicked off with Mimi Hines!!!

[B3TA07]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:11am

Great! I hope there's a Word Of Mouth video too!!!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:33am

Didn't Murphy look astonishing on that red dress?
I loved this video, especially seeing Sondheim mingling on the background. It was also nice to see Clark's facial expressions during "Losing My Mind" from upclose.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:41am

I wasn't a fan of Clark's "Losing My Mind". But other then that it was excellent.

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:19am

Man, that was nifty. It reminded me how much I loved "You're Gonna Love Tomorrow/Love Will See Us Through" when I saw it. I love that little moment with Young Ben and Young Sally staring at each other.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:46am

So call me Debbie Downer - I'm not impressed. Very over the top. I guess you had to be there.

[BwayLover]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:46am

WOW. What an absolute treat, especially for those unfortunate souls (like me) who didn't get to see it live.

Murphy is GORGEOUS. Was so thrilled to see her!!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 2:18am

Kringas, I couldn't agree more about the Folly of Youth sequence. I think I gasped when I noticed that split second in which Young Sally and Young Ben stare at each other. I think that detailed moment was one of Nicholaw's most triumphant moments during the show.
I'm glad I have at least that short recording of Murphy's "Could I Leave You?"

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 2:32am

So amazing!


There's also a shorter segment from NY1 on the forbidden site.

[jv92]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 7:14am

After watching this video, as lovely a lady as she is and as fabulous as her book scenes were, I know realize that I was not wrong when I called Baranski's I'm Still Here Patinkin-esque. Oh no. I was right. And no one can pull of Mandy except Mandy.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 7:25am

when Baranski came out, i thought she was a drag qween.
& i mean that as a good thing; i thought, "oh how progressive! they've cast a drag qween!"

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:04am

Murphy's "Could I Leave You" was just fantastic!

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 9:06am

I don't have any idea what Baranski is doing...besides ruining a song that has been done very well in past productions.
Mimi Hines is adorable.
I wish they had shown some of Joanne Worley's solo parts in Who's That Woman.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:25am

If you weren't there it's really not fair to pass judgment based on a cheap video.

Baranski had some trouble with I'M SITLL HERE, but she was outstanding in her book scenes. She hardly ruined ISH though.

And in the theatre it HARDLY came off as over the top. If it does transfer, I hope those of you who missed it, get a chance to catch it. It was truly a thrilling event.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:32am

I'm sure that's right ljay -- and no doubt some of the problems with the Encores production (characterization marred by paraphrasing of the dialogue) would be helped with more rehearsal time.

But with some of the unavoidable recasting (Murphy) Its hard to imagine they wouldn't actually want to recast Baranski-- just one more complication to add to the brew. Baranski would certainly make a better Phyllis than Carlotta.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:38am

^ That's an interesting point. I never really thought of Baranski Phyllis. I think it could work, and I wonder if they would consider bumping her up to Phyllis, if it did transfer. While I enjoyed Baranski, I did miss the ending of I'm Still Here belted powerfully. Her voice just made the ending, it seemed like it was a big stretch for her.

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:40am

I know I'm in the minority, but I liked nothing about Baranski's performance. I thought her "I'm Still Here" was hostile (and painful) and I thought she was way too brittle and cold in the book scenes.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 10:43am

Well, its clear from her interview too that she admittedly couldn't find an angle on the song that worked. Its a very difficult song to sustain - to act - and to sing. The singing is probably just beyond her abilities.

And she really isn't right for the part. Baranski would never have been a "sloe eyed vamp." The name mentioned when they were casting who really does most fit the Carlotta starlett-turned to B movie camp queen is Adrienne Barbeau.

I know people want to see "theatre legends" play the role - but again thats not what the character is about.