Would a Michael Bennett "variety" or "highlight" show work? — Page 2

Not only that (re Who's That Woman?) but I seem to recall - and can't bring myself to check the video on youtube to make sure - that they were calling out to each other and commenting just how idiotic they looked. And then when the young girls come in didn't the older women just stand upstage with their backs to the audience and sway their arms? Woods isn't a bad Stella, I'll give you that. There were a handful of performances in that show that deserved a better production, but for the most part, blech!

As for Judith Ivey ... I think she was just totally wrong for the part. And while I'm not one who thinks that every performer in a musical has to have a stellar voice, her complete lack of a voice just doesn't work with that role. I remember a review saying something about she had a lower register and and upper register that had never been introduced to each other.

Judith Ivey, like Christine Baranski in the Encores production, is a brillant and talented actress who was defeated by Follies.

Very well said.

Every time I think of the way Judith Ivey bleated out "Ta-da!" before the first "Don't Look at Me" I just dissolve into giggles.

I think he was just being hyperbolic for effect, because of his close attachment to the show. I don't think you are sick or sad. Just crazy! Kidding (sort of).

Look, someone I'm close with and who is knowledgeable about theatre told me a year or so ago the Roundabout production was the only production he's ever seen that he liked and I forgave him eventually.

The Roundabout Follies was to me, a Follies set in hell. Ugly, depressing, miscast and just completely and utterly off the mark in almost every respect. When the men in this show outshine the women, there's a big problem.

Since PJ brought up Baranski, I just have to talk about THAT train wreck for a second, even though we've know gone so far off the subject of this thread. I had heard some rumblings that she just couldn't figure out how to make that character work. For me, it wasn't just that the final notes of "I'm Still Here" were so ugly and bad and wrong that I audibly gasped during the show, it was that her Carlotta was miserable and bitchy and rather sexless, I though. I'm always someone who bitches when they cast Carlotta too old, but even though Baranski was age apppriorate, I'd have preferred seeing what Betty White might have brought the table instead. Not only was she defeated, but she could have sunk that whole production.

Not in the least.

We're talking Follies here.

In the production I was just in, I was practically in tears fighting with the musical director, because a couple of lyrics were written wrong the music. I won one battle, but I lost one, too.

Thank god, although I'm glad it didn't transferred. I didn't want a stripped, down Chicago-style Follies playing, even though I did love almost everything about that concert.

Cybill Shepherd isn't a bad choice at all, and I would never have even thought of her. On my way home from work I had a thought about who would make an usual, but possibly brilliant, choice for Carlotta, and now I can't freaking remember it at all.

Debbie Reynolds as Carlotta- I love this idea!

"The trouble is that there isn't enough recognisable material for Joe Public to sit up and take notice.Most casual theatregoers really wouldn't be interested in seeing "Highlights of A Chorus Line and Dreamgirls" and that is how such a project would be sold."

This made me think of possible venues for such a project. Could anyone see it at the Mitzi Newhouse? (...with a necessary transfer to the Vivian Beaumont of course...?)

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I mentioned this on another thread, but I'd love to see Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia in In The Heights) as Stella in Follies.

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For a movie, I'd pick Kathy Bates as Stella.

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Agree in spirit about Vanessa Williams, but I do care about the rest of the cast...

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I love Judith's "Losing My Mind." But didn't her version go against the entire point of Loveland? She sang it in the present, as if she were still at the party.
But out of context, her version is pretty powerful, in my opinion.

Updated On: 7/24/09 at 01:50 PM

Vanessa Williams as Phyllis is absolutely inspired casting.

I have no idea what her vocal ability is like, but in terms of type, Laura Linney is a dream candidate for Sally.

Does anyone know what's going on with the film adaptation Aaron Sorkin is supposed to be writing for Sam Mendes to direct?

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Updated On: 7/24/09 at 01:59 PM

If The Rink is to be revived, I'd like to see Patti LuPone and Leigh Ann Larkin.

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