Musical Review - Follies

About the show: 

Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies", a musical revue (based on the Ziegfeld Follies), that played in that theatre between the World Wars. It focuses on two couples, Buddy and Sally Durant Plummer and Benjamin and Phyllis Rogers Stone, who are attending the reunion. Sally and Phyllis were showgirls in the Follies. Both couples are deeply unhappy with their marriages. Buddy, a traveling salesman, is having an affair with a girl on the road; Sally is still as much in love with Ben as she was years ago; and Ben is so self-absorbed that Phyllis feels emotionally abandoned. Several of the former showgirls perform their old numbers, sometimes accompanied by the ghosts of their former selves. The musical numbers in the show have been interpreted as pastiches of the styles of the leading Broadway composers of the 1920s ands '30s, and sometimes as parodies of specific songs.

The Broadway production opened on April 4, 1971, directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, and with choreography by Bennett. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The original production, the most costly performed on Broadway to that date, ran for over 500 performances but ultimately lost its entire investment. The musical has had a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including "Broadway Baby", "I'm Still Here", "Too Many Mornings", "Could I Leave You?", and "Losing My Mind".

More information about the show: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follies

My opinion: 

Another Sondheim musical with wonderful songs. Sadly this production didn’t really

impress me. 

It hard to explain why, but here we go. 

We watched it at the National Theatre and I really liked the stage and the stage design. However, it didn’t really work in the performance. The orchestra played behind the stage and somehow the sound got blocked and didn’t really come through. It didn’t really match with the singing (sound wise, not timing wise). 

Most actors and actresses were always on stage, I didn’t really know where to look. I also felt like some characters weren’t very well cast. 

Some others were perfect for their roles and did a wonderful job. I also liked how they did some of the songs.

The spark just didn’t fly for this show. Maybe I expected too much, but something was definitely missing for me.

My Top 17 Musical Songs

By now you probably all know about my obsession with musicals, so I thought I'd share my fave Musical songs. Be prepared, there might be a lot of Les Misérables. 
DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING - Les Miserables

Les Misérables is one of my fave musicals and there are so many great songs in it. This own builds up in this fab crescendo and the reprise in the end is the finale at the same time. All dead people sing with every one, I have to cry every single time. 

ON MY OWN - Les Miserables

What an emotional song!!! So powerful and strong, and of course beautiful!

ONE DAY MORE - Les Miserables

All the characters come together and sing about their feelings. I LOVE THIS SONG!
HELLO - The Book of Mormon

This one is just funny and fab to see on stage. The melody is very catchy and shows the vibe of the musical!
DEFYING GRAVITY - Wicked

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME - Oliver!

Powerful song sung by a great woman! The melody is fab!
AS LONG AS YOU'RE MINE - Wicked

Awwwww! The perfect love song. 
SEASONS OF LOVE - Rent

This one always makes me think of Glee first, but the song is just beautiful anyway. 
NO ONE IS ALONE - Into the Woods

Stephen Sondheim is a brilliant musical theatre composer. Into The Woods is one of his bist musicals and this is one of many great songs from it. 
WHO WILL BUY - Oliver!

Just gorgeous and beautiful. 
DO RE MI - The Sound of Music

Just cute, adorable and always puts a smile on your face :)
TELL ME IT'S NOT TRUE - Blood Brothers

Emotional, touching and so much more!
WHEN I GROW UP - Matilda

Matilda is such a fabulous musical, so much fun and the kids are brilliant! This song is everything!
CLOSE EVERY DOOR - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat

Great song, especially when you see Gareth gates singing it ;)
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM - Jesus Christ Superstar

Beautiful!
LILY'S EYES - The Secret Garden

We are doing The Secret Garden this November and the music is just so wonderful. This song is one of my faves!
I KNOW HIM SO WELL - Chess

We did Chess two years ago and this song is fab! Also the perfect addition song to sing with someone else ;) 

I didn't take songs from bands like Abba or Queen into consideration. It was hard enough like this ;). 

Sky’s Musical Corner – Musicals Based on Books

There are lot of musicals out there, who are based on books. So here is a selection of these shows. Have you read any of these books?! Or seen the shows?!

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Based on one of my favorite books of all time, the 1862 classic by Victor Hugo, in 2006, "Les Miserables" officially became the longest running musical in London's West End history. The original French version of the musical opened in 1980, but soon closed because of budget shortages, even though audiences loved it. In 1985, the Royal Shakespeare Company put on the first English production. Revolving around the themes of revolution and redemption, "Les Miserables" has been seen worldwide in dozens of languages.

I have actually read the book a while ago, but I must say, I prefer the musical version. I guess it’s just easier to understand and I’m a big musical lover, so I like hearing the lyrics, seeing the acting on stage, it’s another way of telling the story. Les Mis is one of my all time favourite musicals, the songs are amazing and it’s full of emotions.

Matilda – by Roald Dahl

Matilda the Musical is a stage musical based on the children's novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. It was adapted by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The musical's narrative centres on Matilda, a precocious 5-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. After a twelve-week trial run staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon from November 2010 to January 2011, it received its West End premiere on 24 November 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre and its Broadway premiere on 11 April 2013 at the Shubert Theatre.

Matilda is such a great book, I love Roald Dahl. The musical is even better!!! Seeing all these kids on stage, performing, having fun and so talented, it’s amazing!!!

The Phantom Of The Opera by Gaston Leroux

The Phantom of the Opera is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart with additions from Richard Stilgoe. Lloyd Webber and Stilgoe also wrote the musical's book together. Based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux, its central plot revolves around a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius.

The musical opened in London's West End in 1986, and on Broadway in 1988.

I have finally seen this show last year and loved it! I have seen to movie before and I love the music, so it was a must see!

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Oliver! is an English musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

It premiered in the West End in 1960, enjoying a long run, and successful long runs on Broadway, tours and revivals, after being brought to the US by producer David Merrick in 1963. It was made into a musical film in 1968.

This one has a very special place in my heart. I read the book in high school and then we did the show ourselves a few years later. I remember constantly rehearsing, but also watching the films and reading the book again. The musical is a bit different than the book when it comes to storyline, but it’s still a FAB show!!!

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

"Wicked," "the untold story of the witches of Oz," is based upon the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, which parallels L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz." The story follows the friendship of Glinda, the good witch, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and what transpired before Dorothy dropped in and started causing trouble. In 2003, "Wicked" opened in New York and quickly became a favorite among Broadway buffs, winning three Tony awards. Success birthed tours across the U.S. and productions worldwide. More than three million people have seen this play that imagines the lives of two "misunderstood" characters.

This is an example, where I didn’t know the book before, I just went to see Wicked on the West End and fell in love with the musical. The effects, the songs, the costumes, the story and so much more. This is also one of my all time faves.

Here is a list of more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Musicals_based_on_novels

Of course I could have talked about more oft hem, but these five I have actually seen on the West End and they have a special place in my heart. 

Sky's Musical Corner - Musical Q&A with Katey Lovell

1.  What’s your favourite musical ever?

This is a tricky one for me as I love most musicals, but if I have to choose just one I’ll say Grease.  I first saw the film when I was nine or ten and I wouldn’t like to hazard a guess how many times I’ve watched it since!  I also love the stage show and have seen it twice – Ray Quinn was in it the first time I saw it and was a surprisingly good Danny!

2.  What comes to mind when you hear the word Musical?

A magical combination of theatre, dance and music.

3.  Have you ever seen a Musical on the West End or Broadway?

I’ve been fortunate to see a few.  Mostly I see touring productions when they come to my adopted city of Sheffield, but I’ve seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Grease, Billy Elliot, Les Miserables and All The Fun of the Fair in the West End.  I’ve also seen Chicago and Matilda on Broadway, so I’m a very lucky theatre-goer!

4.  What’s the next musical you want to see?

I’m hoping to see The Girls next year when it opens in London and can’t wait for the Take That musical!

5.  Which musicals have you seen live?

I’m bound to miss some out, but off the top of my head, besides the ones mentioned above – The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cats, Top Hat, High Society, West Side Story, The Lion King, Singing in the Rain, Let It Be, Summer Holiday...

6.  What’s your favourite song out of a musical?

Again, there are so many but I adore America from West Side Story. 

7.  Who’s your favourite Musical actress?

I’ve seen Carrie Hope Fletcher a few times and she’s brilliant, a total all-round performer who commands the stage and demands attention. 

8.  Who’s your favourite Musical actor?

It’s hard for me to pick a favourite, but Lee Mead is incredible!

9.  Best Musical movie you have ever seen?

I’ve watched so many recently as research for The Singalong Society for Singletons, but my one ultimate favourite would have to be Grease.  The humour, the songs, the costumes...I don’t think I’d ever tire of watching it.

10. Which book would you turn into a musical?

I’d love to see a tragic romance made into a musical, so maybe The Fault in our Stars?  Or Songs About a Girl by Chris Russell would be fantastic, as it’s about a fictional boyband.

11. Which Musical made/makes you cry?

I cry easily so pretty much all of them!  However, when I took my Mum to see The Sound of Music for her 70th birthday we were both sobbing into our tissues by the end.  Let’s just say it was an emotional day!

Katey on Twitter: @Katey5678