Weisslers Interested in Bringing Encores! FOLLIES to Broadway

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:34pm

....in the same style of Chicago (and, of course, the recent Encores! staging).

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/14/theater/14follies.html?_r=1&ref=theater&oref=slogin
Updated On: 2/13/07 at 06:34 PM

[wickedfan]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:36pm

Intriguing.....

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:37pm

...I don't understand the point?

The reason the Encores! mounting is being raved about is the cast, and the Weisslers won't be able to get any of the principle players in a transfer production any time soon (Murphy is going into "LoveMusik," Garber has a pilot in LA, Clark is vying for the "South Pacific" revival next year, etc.)

Unless they can get more A-list talent, I think a Broadway transfer would be a waste of time.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:37pm

I'd be thrilled! They did an amazing job transfering Chicago and WT, though WT couldn't find its audience.

I'd think they'd wait until Murphy is free. Isn't that why they took so long transfering WT? Updated On: 2/13/07 at 06:37 PM

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:40pm

All I need is for this to be official and get a recording from it and I won't be complaining!

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:45pm

Wasn't there a tiff between the Weisslers and DM in Wonderful Town anyway?

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:45pm

Don't taunt me with even a modicum of hope!

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:47pm

the flop revival meant nothing....

[Julian2]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:49pm

How cruel, so much teasing! I just wish someone would record this.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:50pm

So the sets and costumes will be cheap! Great!

[wickedfan]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:52pm

At least this way it won't cost nearly as much as it would to mount a fully scaled production. It's intriguing because I'd love to see this cast do what is being considered the best production of Follies in a long time. I just wonder how much staying power it would have. Plus, can we really count on Murphy to show up 8 times a week? Hell, 5 times a week?

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:57pm

I thought the costumes were beautiful. Especially Clark's gown in LOSING MY MIND.

I think they would enhance the show girl costumes more if it transfered. Otherwise I was very pleased with the costumes and wigs. Very elegant.

And I don't even want to get my hopes up for a recording!

I think they will definitely keep Victoria Clark, if Donna was replaced, I would be upset. But maybe they can work it out. I can see them replacing Garber. And I can somehow see Clark choosing Follies over South Pacific. She has said multiple times she had waited a long time to play this role, and it's very special to her.

[winston89]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:59pm

The big reasons why they were able to bring the Encores production of Chicago to broadway was because they were not only able to get the full cast in tatct. They also had a story and music that people actually liked. As far as this production of follies is conserned all that it has going for it is the cast and none of them are able to go to broadway with this if it does transfer.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:00pm

Sweet Charity looks like it cost a buck ten to produce.

A Broadway run of this show, though great on paper, makes no financial sense.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:01pm

They also had a story and music that people actually liked. As far as this production of follies is conserned all that it has going for it is the cast and none of them are able to go to broadway with this if it does transfer.

- What are you talking about? The score of FOLLIES is considered one of the all time greatest scores, and it is argued over and over that Follies may be the greatest musical of all time. It has a huge cult following. Would annoying tourists like the show? no. But the Broadway community adores Follies.
Updated On: 2/13/07 at 07:01 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:05pm

But annoying tourists = $

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:09pm

If you're a producer and you're going to put Follies back on Broadway you go whole hog. Do it right, or don't do it at all. And don't expect to make a dime. But you'll be a hero. For what it's worth.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:13pm

"Ohhhh... Helga. When you polish the floor, you have to move the tree. If you can't do something right, don't do it at all."

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:16pm

While the prospect sounds great, I can't imagine it without Donna, Victoria and Victor. It just wouldn't be the same...

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:20pm

^ I don't think many would miss Garber.

I'd definitely want Murphy, Clark, and even McGrath to transfer.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:24pm

If I had ten dollars for every Encores production the Weisslers expressed interest in bringing to Broadway, I could buy a pair of underwear at Bergdorf.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:25pm

I'd definitely miss Garber and I'm sure he has some kind of box office draw (at least bigger than Clark, Murphy or McGrath). Either way Garber has said many times that he loves Encores! because he goes in, learns his material, does the show for the weekend, and then moves on. I think they should try to keep the cast as intact as possible. I thought the Weisslers were not a big fan of Murphy anymore so she'd probably be replaced as well, I think what made the concert work so well was its almost flawless cast. But hey, it's a Follies revival, can't complain.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:32pm

I am reading a lot on here that the Weisslers do not like DM anymore...why?..what happen?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:32pm

Murphy would never agree to work with the Weisslers again. I think Barry's "no comment" to this story says it all about the likelihood of a transfer happening.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:45pm

Murphy would never agree to work with the Weisslers again.

- The same was said for Bebe Neuwirth, and we know how long that lasted.

I know it's been said before, but Bebe would make a great Phyllis. She is the ultimate ice queen.
Updated On: 2/13/07 at 07:45 PM