Who saw FOLLIES in 2001?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:32pm

This is probably one of the Sondheim revivals I am so upset that I missed.

Having the chance to see Polly Bergen sing "I'm Still Here" and seeing Blythe Danner and Judithy Ivey on stage would have been an amazing experience.

I recall Bergen's TONY performance vaguely but, sadly, that was the one year I didn't tape the awards show.

Who saw this? What was your opinion? Any ideas on why it didn't last very long?

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:35pm

I didn't see it, but it was reportedly dreadful. I do LOVE Polly Bergen's "I'm Still Here" though.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:35pm

It was an uninspired production. Danner and Ivey were fairly good and Bergen stopped the show with "I'm Still Here" but the set was dull, the costumes were obviously done on a budget and the direction was bland.

Updated On: 10/10/05 at 07:35 PM

[notabb]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:38pm

A cheap production.The orchestra wasn't nearly large enough to do the score justice.The sets sere tacky.It was big letdown.

[justme2]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:38pm

I wish they had been able to transfer the Paper Mill version to Broadway. I remember the whole drama around it; something to do with rights or agreements or something.

I am grateful the recording of the PMP exists.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:42pm

It didn't run longer because it was simply too expensive to have a run on Broadway (even though many complained the Roundabout production looked cheap). The size of the cast and the elaborate costumes and sets it requires means the show will never be financially successful on Broadway (plus it's not exactly a big crowd pleaser due to the book's attitude towards marriage which is rather pessimistic). Once they ran out of subscribers and had to switch from the LORT A contract Roundabout works under for the initial part of any Broadway run (12 weeks) to the Standard Production Agreement, it couldn't sustain itself any longer (losing LOTS of money weekly) and had to close.

There were some excellent performances and I enjoyed it much of it. I was underwhelmed by the choreography of "Who's That Woman" and "The Right Girl," but the solo numbers from Bergen, Ivey, Joan Roberts, Jane White and a few others were terrific. I recall at the time, most of those who had seen the original Michael Bennett/Hal Prince production really detested this one (some found it drab-looking and badly staged), but without that point of reference I really enjoyed it.

Updated On: 10/12/05 at 07:42 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:46pm

And yes, the Papermill production was superior and should have transferred, despite all of the drama behind the scenes.

Updated On: 10/10/05 at 07:46 PM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:47pm

I wonder if a minimalistic production of this show would work (a la CABARET and CHICAGO)?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:50pm

Are you talking about a new production where the ghosts play musical instruments when they're not on stage?

Updated On: 10/10/05 at 07:50 PM

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:51pm

Saw it in London in 1988 and saw the Roundabout 2001 production.
I adored the 2001 Roundabout version.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 7:55pm

No. There could be an orchestra on stage...but I wouldn't have actors playing the instruments. The orchestra would work on stage, the show taking place at a party and all.

I think it would work in the vein like CHICAGO operates.

If CHICAGO were a full blown production with huge sets and lavish costumes...it would have closed a LONG time ago.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 8:14pm

I was very disappointed in the revival. The production failed, I think, mostly because of the casting of the four leads. Each one of them was inadequate in their own way--Ms. Ivey and Ms. Danner in their singing, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Williams in almost everything (Williams was also just plain wrong for the role). It's a great score and an inspired story--I'd love to see the show again under better circumstances.

[alterego]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 8:40pm

What was the 'drama" associated with the Papermill revival?

[justme2]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 8:43pm

I don't know the whole story...I'm sure Margo can fill you in better than I can. I only remember snippets of rumors about the widow of someone not allowing the show to open on Broadway.

[amperage]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 8:45pm

I saw the 2001 production. It was the first time I had seen the show, so I went in with a very open mind. I really enjoyed the show, but it is not my favortie Sondheim piece. I appreciated it, but found it to be very dated. Great performances, and it was overall a very enjoyable evening.

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 8:50pm

I particularly loved the dancing couple with the ghosts of their youth dancing through chairs and such.

Edit - in 2001 Roundabout

Updated On: 10/10/05 at 08:50 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 9:03pm

I saw the 2001 revival. Blythe Danner was excellent as Phyllis and Judith Ivey was quite good as Sally. The men were all wrong, though. And, as was said before, it was a totally uninspired production.

I would love to see the production that I saw this past summer at BSC on Broadway one day.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 9:43pm

I saw the 2001 production very late in its run. By then the leads had pretty well grown into their roles and were fairly good.

My favorite actor in this show was Marge Champion. Yes, it was a tiny role, but she was marvelous in it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 9:43pm

The Papermill production was one of the best things I've ever seen performed on a stage. The 2001 revival, while definately not perfect, I didn't find nearly as bad as some. It's such a tough show to stage. Either the production clicks or it doesn't. I really don't think there's any middle ground with it.

But I agree with whoever said that it will never have a successful run. It's one of the most famous, well respected shows in history that will never really find an audience.

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 9:47pm

Roundabout was far more enjoyable for me than the lavish London version.

[Mamie]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 9:51pm

I agree completely with MEF. The male leads were weak but the women - ALL of them - were incredible.

I went to the show on a friend's recommendation. I was not a Sondheim fan (you can line up with the stones and rotten tomatoes now) and I really didn't want to spend my one night in NY going to a Sondheim musical that I knew nothing about. But he encouraged me and I was absolutely mesmerized. I've been haunted by it since. The music, the sets, the story, the ghosts, all of it. It might not have been as good as other productions but I didn't see those others and for me it was great.

(And it did turn me into a Sondheim fan. I even bought a subscription for the whole Sondheim festival at the Kennedy Center. So put the rocks and tomatoes down.)

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 9:52pm

I love your story Mamie. :)

[bta212]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 10:00pm

Glebbie--I thought you and I would never part ways, but the time has come.

The London Follies was that magic moment for me. From the moment I saw those ghosts parading around on the upper tiers of the stage in that eerie light (were they behind a scrim? In my mind they are sepia-toned) I was absolutely hooked, and by the end of the show I was devastated. I went to Roundabout looking to re-create that moment and....nothing. Now, I know you can only lose your virginity once (well, perhaps twice, depending on how you count...) but I felt none of the magic from Roundabout.

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 10:04pm

Sorry bta212. London with all of it's money and Julia, Delores and even Diana just didn't click for me. I liked Act I much better than Act II.
Roundabout held such subtle beauty all the way through for me. It was how I envisioned it after so many years of only listening (before London).

Don't let this get in the way of our love.

[bta212]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 10:10pm

Disagreeing about a favorite production of "Follies"? That doesn't get in the way of our love, honey, that makes me want to choose a china pattern. Anyone who cares enough to fight about Sondheim moves to the head of the line...

Oh, and you are SO wrong about Roundabout. (But Act I was superior to Act II.)