Topic Follies on Broadway from the General Chit-Chat forum.
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| Author | Topic: Follies on Broadway |
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 Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 1/22/2012 at 6:45:51 PM ET
Thank you so much for the report. Donna Barnett is Terri's wife name.
|  AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 1/22/2012 at 7:38:02 PM ET
Someone on ATC just posted a closing night picture.
Here's the link.
| AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 1/22/2012 at 11:24:37 PM ET
Any more closing night details to report?
(Thank you for the greatly appreciated intermission report, Moljul!)
| AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 1/22/2012 at 11:37:56 PM ET
Just found this on Playbill.com about the performance.
|  moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 1/23/2012 at 11:37:18 PM ET
Finally back for a follow-up report. The cast didn't get nearly as emotional as I thought they would. I blame it on the damn intermission - it does suck the momentum out of the show. Rosalind Elias's "Last Kiss" was so magical and received a huge response. She ends the song with her arms held up as if to heaven and she held that pose while we cheered, closed her eyes and just seems to stand there taking in the moment. It was like she was trying to hold the memory in her mind for all eternity. Just beautiful. Bernadette's Losing My Mind was very emotional as it always is but I don't know if she was getting caught up in the "last night" feelings or if she was just feeling it this way but she was even more overcome than usual. When she starts to "lose it", she often turns to the side but she actually turned all the way upstage leaving her back to the audience for several moments, then turned back toward us and finished the song. Her last scene before leaving the theater is always an emotional one. She didn't seem to take as long as other times getting through but was a Sally-mess at the end and as reported on ATC, Danny put his arm around her and kept it there (almost supporting her) as they walked out. I couldn't tell if it was Buddy supporting Sally or Danny supporting Bernadette. A little of both, I suspect. I have always loved that after the curtain call Danny and Bernadette always walked off the stage in an embrace. I always figured after 2 and a half hours of being so angry with each other, this was their way of coming together again as friends.
I noticed Lora Lee Gayer was wiping tears away during the last moment of the show when the four younger selves do their final scene - the final scene of the show, in fact. And Jane Houdyshell was very teary eyed at the curtain call. Bernadette gave a wonderful speech thanking everyone who worked so hard on the production, pointing out the quality of the production (41 cast members, 28 piece orchestra) and then thanking New York several times throughout the speech for embracing the production.
Oh and I forgot to mention that right before Who's That Woman when the women are getting their tap shoes on, I saw Bernadette and Elaine hug - probably emotional over starting the amazing number for the last time. Of course they never could have guessed the audience reaction would be so strong as I previously reported. That was probably the most magical moment of the night. But I must admit, whenever I've seen the show every time I see Bernadette and Elaine's characters talking in the background, I imagine Elaine telling Bernadette a dirty joke as was discussed in a recent newspaper article. 
"Particular mention must be made of Bernadette Peters, who turns up briefly in a sort of sparkly Glinda the Good costume. She's the reluctant muse sent to help Alice with her writing. The muse is dressed like Oz, sounds like Queens and behaves like a bored student adviser." Alice Film Review, The New York Times, December 25, 1990
"I'm one star away from Dolly Parton ... and Raymond Massey is between us. I hope we don't suffocate him." Bernadette Peters receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, April 24, 1987
| kao132
Registered User
Registered:
9/17/2011 | posted: 1/23/2012 at 11:44:42 PM ET
You guys! The final performance of FOLLIES yesterday was so amazing. The energy in the theatre was absolutely electric and the love for the show and the performers was palpable. What a show! I'm probably going to end up repeating what others have said, so forgive me! Sondheim was there, as was Jonathan Tunick, Michael Kasier, Eric Shaeffer, Greg Barnes, Regine, Rebecca Luker and I'm sure others that are important but I didn't know! Patty Saccente was a few rows over and I was 2 rows in front of Rich Lindy (who had some beautiful flowers for Bernadette, BTW!).
The applause were enthusiastic for all of the ladies as they made their entrances through the door and everyone looked especially radiant. I was sitting in the 2nd row and am so glad I spent the extra $$ for such a great seat. "Who's That Woman?" blew the roof off of the house...I mean people where on their feet mid-show, applauding for minutes! It was just so special to see Bernadette and all of the ladies up there tapping away and dancing their hearts out. It's definitely been one of my favorite numbers all along but last night was just so special. Terri White was in tears and I think that when they realized that we weren't going to stop clapping anytime soon they just stood there and took it all in. Bernadette gave Terri a big hug and a few moments later they all converged in a semi-circle, arms around each other and facing the audience. It was so great. Finally we stopped applauding and let them get back to the show! I also noticed that just before the number, when Bernadette and Elaine sat on the chairs towards the back of the stage to put their tap shoes on, Elaine reached over and gave BP a big hug
"Buddy's Eyes" and "Too Many Mornings" were both beautiful and Bernadette was in great voice, but I will say that I wish they had done the show without an intermission (as has been done in the past). Having the break after Too Many Mornings when Ben is kissing Sally is just such an awkward place and definitely effects the momentum of the show....but I digress!
Act II was a knock-out, per usual. "One More Kiss" with Rosalind Elias and Leah Horowitz was simply breathtaking. They received one of the longest ovations and you could see Ms. Elias was so emotional, standing there with her eyes closed and arms open...almost as if she were embracing the audience. Imagine making your b'way debut at 80-something! What a special moment to see her sing that song one last time. Jan Maxwell really nails "Could I Leave You?" and the Loveland sequence is so brilliant, with all four leads sounding wonderful. "Losing My Mind" was incredible yesterday...just the perfect balance of crazy and keeping it together found by Bernadette. And she looks so stunning in that dress!
Lots of tears for the cast during the curtain call, especially Jayne Houdyshell, Colleen Fitzpatrick and Rosalind Elias. Bernadette was clearly moved and before she started he short and sweet speech she just said "Oh wow," took a deep breath, and then said "Hi everyone!"...so cute. She gave a lovely speech, thanking Sondheim and the dir., producer, etc. and reminded everyone that "it's not dead yet...the rest of the cast is going to LA to do the show there for a little while." She said that she and the entire cast felt incredibly honored to be part of such a wonderful piece and thanked NY for embracing them so warmly. Then she blew a kiss and off they went!
I want to play it over in my head again and again and again!
| AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 1/24/2012 at 1:04:07 AM ET
Thank you, moljul and kao, for your reports! They're both very much appreciated.
Sounds like it was an amazing night! I'm so glad everyone in the cast received thunderous applause from the audience. And I'm happy Buddy finally put his arm around Sally.
A standing ovation for "Who's That Woman?" was certainly well-deserved. Terri White was absolutely fantastic, and the ladies always danced so beautifully.
But I must admit, whenever I've seen the show every time I see Bernadette and Elaine's characters talking in the background, I imagine Elaine telling Bernadette a dirty joke as was discussed in a recent newspaper article.
LOL! Ever since I read that article, moljul, I've been thinking the same thing, too.
| Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 1/24/2012 at 12:20:19 PM ET
Thank you so much for the reports on that amazing night!
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