The Official Kennedy Center FOLLIES Thread- Page 18

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:11pm

Do you guys think that Follies pillow would go good with my Spider-Man blanket or would that be borderline blasphemous to associate the two?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:12pm

Brantley is up. Well he raves about act two!

http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/theater/reviews/follies-at-kennedy-center-review.html?ref=theater&pagewanted=1

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:16pm

I actually don't think those that saw the original are stressing here that all revivals must duplicate the original - especially in performances. Many who saw the original have stated high praise for this cast in particular.

I think what many of us (who saw the original or not) do wish is that Schaffer had adopted a concept more similar to what Prince/Bennett devised - i.e. less realistic, more metaphoric, better use of the ghosts etc. That's not the same as being closed to new interpretations, but speaking from a perspective of feeling that this particular concept (similar to that devised for the Roundabout) robs the piece of some of its layers and full potential.

EDIT: A sentiment apparently shared by Ben, who's review is fairly accurate I'd say. He liked the Loveland sequence a little more than I did (and I can't believe anyone would actually cheer Maxwell's awkward moves in Lucy and Jessie) but I definitely agree with him about the conceptual issues early in the show.


Updated On: 5/22/11 at 10:16 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 10:49pm

I can only guarantee that if you're trying to recapture your original Follies experience, you will be disappointed.

Actually, Mamie, I couldn't agree with you more.

Learning that if one tries to recapture one's original experience one will be disappointed is exactly Sally's lesson in the show. I learned it long ago, when I went to see that 1973 tour with Vivian Blaine and Jane Kean.

But I will never stop hoping. As Phyllis says, we make our own, and it's the hardest thing we'll ever do.

(And I'm delighted about the reviews!)

Updated On: 5/22/11 at 10:49 PM

[sondheimfan2]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:15pm

PJ - Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoyed the event.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:19pm

These reviews bode well for a transfer, it seems.

And I'm very glad that I'll be able to see this, perfect or not.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:24pm

I think a transfer looks somewhat likely. Act one can be fixed. There is definitely room for improvement. But the cast is excellent, and Bernadette ain't doing regional theater for nothing.

If it does make the move, let's hope they don't make the mistake of transferring in the fall/winter. Updated On: 5/22/11 at 11:24 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:28pm

^

Who would produce it? I don't see Follies being successful outside one of the Broadway not-for-profits with the built in subscribers and even then it was unsuccessful the last time.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:31pm

But I'm assuming that the Roundabout production was as ill-receieved critically as is remembered to have been on this board. And, in that case, that certainly must not've helped. If this production improves from an already pretty good start, it stands a chance of doing decently for a limited run.

[AlwaysTheAssistantMD]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:45pm

...And if it were to transfer to Broadway - and, alas, I don't really think it would happen - I just hope that they retain the full orchestra. And I wonder who they would get to replace Régine?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:52pm

If it transfers, it would seem that a limited 3-6 month run would be the way to go.

This is not the sort of show that tourists and out of towners will be clamoring to see (and that's not a knock against the show, just the fact of demographics).

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:53pm

I think it would be funny to see a Solange who spoke the dialogue with an American accent and sang the song with a French one.

I mean, is any Frenchwoman's name really "Solange LaFitte"? She could be a fake--and everyone at the Follies could always have been in on it.

Updated On: 5/23/11 at 11:53 PM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:54pm

Unless they get someone very famous to replace one of the four leads. Which, with the initial rumoured casting of Kim Cattrall as Phyllis, has obviously crossed their minds. Not that I'm saying it would happen, but it worked to get people clamoring to see Zeta-Jones in Night Music...

[AlwaysTheAssistantMD]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:54pm

I wonder if a "limited run" transfer - like the one that was strongly rumored for the Encores! version - would be possible? However, even if all the tickets were priced à la the New York Philharmonic's "Company" and sold (out), with that cast, that orchestra, those costumes and that set, I seriously doubt it could turn a profit for any potential investors.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:56pm

There's no way they will replace Maxwell at this point. I could see them getting a name for Ben and/or Carlotta. Though I quite liked Paige in the role.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:57pm

Ousting Maxwell is definitely out, since she got the reviews.

But with Raines' reception, I think it's feasible that they'd replace him...

[AlwaysTheAssistantMD]

Posted: 5/22/11 at 11:58pm

CATSNYrevival - As for your "decor" question, well... The primary colors of the "Spider-Man" artwork just don't complement the washed out, almost watercolor-like pastels of the "Follies" artwork. And vice versa. Crass v. Clash

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 12:00am

Raines sings the score gloriously. I like his vocals and his breakdown, but overall, the other three leads are better. That's just my opinion!

Updated On: 5/23/11 at 12:00 AM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 12:10am

That seemed to be the consensus when the leads were cast. And, for the record, I have "heard" this even though I haven't seen it yet, and it sounds pretty wonderful all around. Paige's "I'm Still Here" might be the best I've ever heard. Though, almost all of the criticism on this thread has to do with things that aren't vocal, but visual. So I have to wait until June to see for myself.

[AlwaysTheAssistantMD]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 12:37am

One interesting thing to point out regarding the generally positive reception to the "Loveland" sequence in this production - at least in the Major reviews I've read so far: There is no dialogue, no blocking in the "Loveland" sequence. It's primarily "choreographed". Not "directed". -Something to think about.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 12:48am

The actress who played Solange in London was British. There's really no reason she has to be played by an authentic "French" performer (which, as PJ pointed out, Fifi D'Orsay was not, but, rather, French-Canadian, which is whole different animal.)

And...while Brantley may have been somewhat bored by Act 1, he does allude to the somewhat flat characters snapping back to life in Act II...as if it may even be "intentional."

Be that as it may, his accolades are some of his most effusive prose. It reminds me of his review of ANYTHING GOES and his declaration of love for Sutton Foster. Except this time, he has willingly surrendered his heart to the temptress that is FOLLIES. It's nice to read a review of Brantley's in which he lets us know that he actually has some affection for musicals rather than the disdain he often expresses.

Then again, it IS the one and only...

FOLLIES!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 1:13am

Does Tainia Elg still perform?

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 1:58am

bway fan, what do you mean by Ron Raines's reputation?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 2:09am

Leslie Caron?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/23/11 at 8:05am

Oh dear God, it IS tomorrow.