Upcoming "Follies" concert — Page 5

#101

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 3:49pm

"I know these aren't really the names people on message boards get excited about"

Maybe not a lot of people, but they excite me. At least Warren and Barbeau, anyway. I do think Cybill might actually do well in that part, even if I haven't loved a lot of her singing in the past, but I'm not sure.

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"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

#102

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 3:50pm

Of all the versions and performances of "I'm Still Here," DeCarlo's is the one that remains the ultimate version, at least for me. I think she's perfection in the role.

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"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#103

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 3:51pm

Miller was really way too old for the role (She could have done it in the original production) though you certainly felt she knew what the lyrics to the song were about. Vocally, she was good for an 80-something, but I wouldn't exactly call her a great singer by the point she did the part.

Vocally, my favorite version of the song is Millicent Martin's on the SIDE BY SIDE recording.

Updated On: 10/18/06 at 03:51 PM

#104

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 3:53pm

Miller had a pretty great belt though for someone 1 year away from death lol. (sorry that was mean)

#105

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 3:53pm

Who the hell are they gonna find that lived through Edgar and J Edgar Hoover? =)

#106

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 3:53pm

Ann Miller, in her prime, was a great singer. I've heard recordings of her in MAME and they are far and away the best vocals I've ever heard in the part.

Well, the show takes place in 1971. That is what you have to remember. I think that is one reason why people, perhaps not realizing it, cast women who are way too old for the role. They think they have to cast somebody who actually lived through those things. Perhaps that problem will be solved in a few years when there will be NOBODY left who could have been a follies girl in the early 40s.

Updated On: 10/18/06 at 03:53 PM

#107

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 3:57pm

I do like the idea of Fabray and Whorley. I imagine both would be good in their roles.

By the way, what's Helen Gallagher up to these days? I think I remember hearing she was doing a solo show downtown a couple of years ago and that she was teaching. Isn't she also on a soap? Assuming she can still sing (she used to be a true triple threat), I'm surprised her name doesn't come up more often in these Follies casting discussions.

And what about Inga Swenson?

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#108

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 4:05pm

Helen was Mrs. Ryan on "Ryans Hope". I loved that show!

#109

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 4:09pm

I have a feeling Inga Swenson couldn't sing Heidi anymore, though I certainly love the idea of it.

Joanne Worley is a pretty boring choice for Stella, though she is right for it.

#110

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 4:43pm

OK now do you think Donna will show up? Sorry had to.

#111

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 4:45pm

only 4 performances, she better show up!

#112

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 4:48pm

Great casting, I love the idea of Cybill. Hellen Gallagher is going to be preforming in Town Hall's Broadway Originals on Sunday at 3:00. Stephen will be perfect.

#113

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 4:55pm

I love DeCarlo (sorry, I adore most of the OBC I can't really get over it) but I'm now dying to hear Chita, I definitely think she could pull it off. I almost feel that whoever plays Carlotta should have the kind of debateable voice. She shouldn't have a voice that makes everyone go "Oh, that's pretty..."

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Theatre is a safe place to do the unsafe things that need to be done. -John Patrick Shanley

#114

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 5:17pm

Please no more jokes about Donna Murphy's attendance. They're of such bad taste.
Hellen Gallagher would indeed be a fine choice for this show. She'd make a fine Carlotta in my opinion. I'm a bit disappointed they would not let Liliane Montevecchi play Solange (for a third time) but I also appreciate that they're avoiding people who have played these roles in the past.
Any word on who is singing "Rain on the Roof"? I doubt the casting of Betty Comdem and Adolph Green in the 1985 concert will ever be improved on.
I can't wait to listen to Murphy's "Story of Jesse and Lucy."
This concert should definitely be filmed for commercial release.

#115

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 5:23pm

Helen Gallagher was on One Life To Live, but I have no idea if she's still in it or not, as I haven't followed it in ages.

Speaking of which, Suzanne Rogers from the original cast has been on Days of Our Lives FOREVER -- throw that girl a bone sometime!

#116

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 6:19pm

What the hell? No Elaine Stritch. I know she's sang Follies more time than Sondheim himself has, but she should at least do something. How about taking tickets for christsake?
I think that we really need to see some more legends. Rivera, Lansbury, Stritch and the rest of the broads. It'd feel much more like a celebration of the great traditions of musical theatre.

#117

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 6:21pm

Please no more jokes about Donna Murphy's attendance. They're of such bad taste.

Hey! I saw her in "Wonderful Town" thought she was brilliant. Then tried THREE additional times to see it with friends to show her off and she was a no show!

I was kidding but there were a lot of pissed off people.

#118

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/18/06 at 6:26pm

Nothing too exciting on that list.. besides Donna ofcourse.

Hopefully there's still a chance of Chita as Solange.

#119

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/19/06 at 2:45pm

OMG... love the casting so far!

As long as they don't cast Cybill, I think it's a wonderful cast.

Donna Murphy will be a GREAT Phyllis!

And as for Stephen Bogardus... WOOT! I can just imagine him and Victoria Clark singing "Too Many Mornings"... and Stephen singing "The Road You Didn't Take"... be still my heart!

I'm THERE.

#120

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/19/06 at 4:44pm

If Nanette Fabray is cast in this show, I will be the happiest man alive! I love her on the recordings of MAKE A WISH and MR. PRESIDENT (two other shows that Encores needs to do).

#121

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/19/06 at 10:21pm

I agree that some of the choices are boring but at the same time some are quite ideal. I wish they took more chances though, try to get people who would be interesting rather than predictable in their roles. I thought Carole Bishop would've made a great Stella (well, she is probably tied up with the TV show).

#122

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/19/06 at 10:24pm

Supposedly, Donna Murphy was shocked today to get dozens of calls and emails from well wishers congratulating her on signing on for the Encores! FOLLIES. Apparently, her casting is news to her...

Updated On: 10/19/06 at 10:24 PM

#123

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/19/06 at 10:42pm

I had the strangest feeling that all this was a bunch of bull.

It seemed too good to be true with Donna, considering the majority of online fans have been mentioning her for the role.

#124

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/19/06 at 10:43pm

OK, along with the Helena Boham Carter news this is one of the most disappointing theater-related news I've heard in a long long time.

#125

re: Upcoming 'Follies' concert

Posted: 10/20/06 at 1:57am

Oh, MB, you really burst that bubble. I was all ready to do a happy dance, too.

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'Try not to have a good time...this is supposed to be educational.' - Lucy Van Pelt