Is Broadway Buzz Pure Follies?
Is Broadway Buzz Pure Follies?
By virtually every account, last weekend's mounting of Stephen Sondheim's Follies by New York City Center Encores! was a rousing success. I only wish I had been there (ironically, while the event was sponsored by Newman's Own, I was taking in its namesake in Connecticut).
But for those of us who missed the festivities, we can all take heart in Michael Riedel's column in today's New York Post. Seems the show was deemed by many as just too good to let slip by with so few performances. Most tantalizing is the prospect posited by Riedel that a limited engagement of Follies sans Donna Murphy could possibly keep the St. James Theatre warm:
Various scenarios are being spun out this week about moving Follies to Broadway. One depends on whether Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane decide to jump back into The Producers.
If they pass, The Producers is likely to close at the St. James in the spring, and Follies could slip in for a limited run before Young Frankenstein arrives in the fall.
Riedel even suggests that a film version of Follies may even be considered. You can bet I'll be keeping a close eye on developments in the weeks and months ahead.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Encores, Follies, Revival, Stephen Sondheim, The Producers, Young Frankenstein
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, February 14, 2007
4 Comments:
As much as us theatredorks would love it to happen, never. Never gonna happen. Not gonna make any money. Follies was done already in revival. And the Encore's production would have been just as hyped if it had starred the same cast as the very failed Broadway revival.
You're right that the last revival came and went very quickly a mere six years ago, but much of the hype over this production has come from otherwise jaded critics, including BB. I'm not discounting any buzz just yet.
By all accounts thrown MY way, this FOLLIES, sans Murphy, would be pointless.
I was heartbroken to miss my dear friend playing Phyllis (Dangnabit!)--but I had to be in Texas for my mom and dad's fiftieth wedding anniversary. Every single report I got back from New York served her up as a goddess. Not all the comments regarding other cast members were quite as nice, indeed, some were nasty. I will say this, though, everyone...EVERYONE...loved Mimi Hines.
And well they should..
xoste
Appreciate the comments, Ste. I did read quite a few positive things about the other cast members including Christine Baranski, Victor Garber, Mimi Hines and Jo Anne Worley. Time will tell.
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