Thoughts on The Will Rogers' Follies?

I've never seen the show myself, but i'm curious what you all think of it?

Also, I've heard totally conflicting things about it. Some say it was brilliant while others say it was a piece of crap.

I've never really been able to understand the whole concept of the show, or why Will Rogers is interesting enough to mount a huge scale broadway follies show about him.

I find it's Tony sweep (of sorts) to be particularly interesting as I view it as a firm stance against the British invasion (Miss Saigon).

Right, as stated it was a concept show. Will Rogers had been a star in various Ziegfeld Follies--so they attempted to tell his life in the format of a Ziegfeld Follies show, with all the standard acts (ie there's a dog act, various production numbers, etc).

I'm extremely mixed on the show. I think the actual material is often mediocre--it's not Coleman (or Comden/Green's) best work, and Peter Stone's libretto is pretty pat, although there are a few good songs. The reason it works is because of Tommy Tune's spectacular staging--I rarely, if ever, play the cast album, but the original Broadway production was filmed for Japanese TV and it's often thrilling to watch, even on video. I assume most productions largely are based on Tune's--but I wouldn't really have any interest in seeing the show otherwise. The original cast, led by Keith Carradine, Dee Hoty and Cady Huffman was also very appealing.

Here's Our Favorite Son from the Japanese broadcast (so with subtitles...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9-1XutZfPYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9-1XutZfPY

The fantastic full opening (which, unfortunately, I think, aside from Son, the show never really peaks again from) http://www.bluegobo.com/production/2882237/video/10314

The Act I finale (based on the typical wedding scenes the Ziegfeld Follies would have) http://www.bluegobo.com/production/2882237/video/10326

And a performance of Give a Man Enough Rope at the Macy's Parade http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9-1XutZfPYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9-1XutZfPY

Those should give you a good idea of the show. If anything my problem is I personally find it a bit exhausting to watch all of--the music often starts to kinda blend together, etc, though it does have some touching moments.

I loved THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES which I saw on suitably festive New Year's Eve. The star playing Will Rogers was Keith Caradine and he was excellent. The show was filled with production numbers, as has been pointed out. I thought the score was quite good and instantly likable. I would have enjoyed seeing it a second time. Incidentally, the Palace looked great after its refurbishment. I enjoyed sitting in an Orchestra level box with excellent views of the stage.

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I was not a fan of the show. A couple of great numbers but was bored. My partner on the other hand loved it.

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I LOVED Will Rogers Follies! And why a musical about Will Rogers? Why not? He led an amazing life- in addition to a huge career in Vaudeville (as a trick roper and then as a sort of sardonic stand-up comedian) he was the highest paid movie star, one of the top newspaper columnists, a political commentator who ran a joke campaign for the presidency that caught fire, a full-blooded Cherokee who died while on a daredevil flight with an outlaw aviator- Imagine Jon Stewart, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga all rolled into one, then imagine that person dies in their prime in a space shuttle crash.

I thought the way they told the story was wonderful- I still chuckle at the bankruptcy in the midst of the lavish Diamonds For Mrs. Rogers number.

Updated On: 5/16/12 at 11:28 AM

Although I felt it soared- for about 20 minutes out of the entire production, I felt Miss Saigon was robbed. In fact, while smoking outside at intermission, I witnessed a very bored Jerry Orbach and his wife walk out and jump into a cab. Sorry, I just didn't 'get it' either!

I didn't think I liked it that much as I watched it, then Carradine sang "I Never Met a Man I Didn't Like" and somehow I'm sobbing into my Playbill..

I had a great time at this show. It reminded me of the americana that used to be in display in the early days of Disney World. And Keith Carradine was so charming in it. I still have not gotten my hands on the televised version for Japan. I guess I will look into it. Shame they never officially released it.

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What do people make of the Tony wins?

Backlash against the British. May have also been guilt for overlooking original American musicals in favour of British (and French) ones.

Almost worth sitting through just to see the great fun number, Favorite Son. Otherwise? Yawn.

Still 1990-1991 was a great season for musicals: Will Rogers Follies, Miss Saigon, Once on this Island, The Secret Garden- a rare year where you could make a case for any of the nominees winning Best Musical. Also that was the year the craptastic Shogun: The Musical opened.