"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
Just a little funny note regarding something I noticed in one of the lovely pictures that are appearing lately. The side by side comparison of Young Ben/Sally and Older Ben/Sally. Ben certainly seems to have grown a bit over the years as Sally is much shorter compared to him than she used to be. Ah but then you notice that Young Sally is not wearing any shoes and Older Sally is wearing 4 inch heels. I didn't realize height could change so much from young adulthood to middle age.
Oh, but I am a little mean, aren't I?
"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
Wow. That was fast. I thought for sure we would have to wait longer for it to be posted. Thanks as always, Jean.
"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
Interesting (to me) that Bernadette put on her glasses during the Q&A from the audience. (Makes me wonder, what does she see from the stage when she is performing?)
From what I've been able to ascertain over the years - Very Little! Though if you are not extremely nearsighted, you can certainly see the people and reactions of the first row or so but if you want anything further back, you need your glasses.
"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
Finally saw Follies this past Tuesday night. God, what a show. I've never seen a production and I tried not to watch too much video on YouTube but I had been keeping tabs on the discussions taking place on the various chat boards.
I can see where people have some quibbles- some choices were maybe not the best but still, it was an amazing production that I'm glad I "broke the bank" to see. The leads were all excellent though I'm inclined to agree with some that Ron Raines acting is a bit stiff. His voice made up for a great deal of it. Jan Maxwell was a wonderful surprise for me. I have been loving her in a lot of things I've seen her in over the last couple of years, particularly The Royal Family in which she was just amazing. I know she was in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but I've tried to block that show from my memory (it's a terrible thing when such a strong memory from your childhood is butchered). But I just didn't realize what a wonderful voice she has that so strongly supports her amazing acting talents. Her Could I Leave You was excellent in it's maniacally build. I didn't find her dancing as problematic as some - though she is clearly not a dancer - but she moves well and has a full commitment to the simple choreography she is given.
And then there was Bernadette - GOD, I don't know where to begin. This character is so devastating. So broken, with all her hopes pinned on one man for 30 years and when she finally has to realize her dream is not reality, she has absolutely nothing left. Her line, "I'm 49 years old, that's all I am" was just so devastating. I am currently obsessed with Too Many Mornings - the song, the performances, the staging were just perfect. And Bernadette's voice was so glorious in this very upper register song and she just nailed it all - bordering on operatic. I loved how the young and old lovers mixed for part of the song but I found it a tad amusing that the young guy playing the young Ben looked a little nervous caressing Bernadette and holding her in his arms. The final portion of the song just blew me away. Losing My Mind was amazing as well. The stillness that Bernadette achieves with her body was a testament since we all know Bernadette likes to move her arms a lot. Her head moved around but I almost got the feeling that Sally was already in a figurative straight jacket at that time - mental breakdown was moments away. I was in the front row, slightly to the side (which had some disadvantages) but I happened to catch a glimpse of the conductor during Losing My Mind and his face was priceless. He was getting so into Bernadette, he almost looked like he was about to cry, his face was all mashed up. Though I'm sure it was the face we were all wearing watching this woman fall apart. Just breathtaking.
A couple of other small notes - I wasn't expecting to like Elaine Paige's "I'm Still Here" and while I do think a certain aspect of the song was missing, I ended up being taken in by her. I was expecting to really like Linda Lavin's Broadway Baby but was ultimately left disappointed by it - Go Figure.
All in all a great experience. I so wish it would transfer to Broadway where maybe some issues can be fixed but more importantly more people can experience the show and Bernadette's amazing interpretation of Sally. I won't hold my breath and therefore am glad I made my way to DC.
"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
1) Don't Look At Me -- the song turns out to be playful, also shows Sally's nervousness, and Bernadette acts/sings it beautifully, with her wonderful timing, and with the great singing of Ron Raines;
2)Too Many Mornings--amazing song, Ben thinking that this is the girl he really wanted, Sally's dreams coming true, but wait..and what notes Bernadette sings!
3)Who's That Woman?--as I said earlier, I don't remember seeing Bernadette dance like this since the 1970s, her Sally really is the dancer of the group (along with the ghosts) and you can't take your eyes off of her;
4)Jewelry-Sally (and Phyllis) do not wear their wedding rings--an oversight? or a message that these women are finished with their marriages?
5)The last few lines that Sally/Bernadette speaks are almost said to herself (rather than to Buddy), very softly, realizing, perhaps, that the last 30 years she has been in a fantasy, and heart-breaking--unusual to see her like this on stage, where she usually plays to the balcony.
Whew! Well I have a few more performances to see, what a great thing to have these wonderful people in my backyard (kind of).
Oh, Jean, just go ahead and rub it in that this production is so close to you and you are able to see multiple performances. And just so my envy can be complete, exactly how many performances have you seen and how many do you still have to see? Has there been anything specific you have noticed has changed througout the run? I'd be very interested in your take on things.
I forgot about all the dancing when I posted above. Yes, Bernadette is very much the leader of the group. Someone on Broadway World, I think, said they had noticed that only Bernadette and Terri White wear tap shoes during Who's That Woman. And I noticed the dance was choreographed with Bernadette almost always in front. Is this due to her being the big name in the production or because she is the strongest dancer? A little of both, I would guess but she certainly shows she has not lost her dancing skills. And I must say I found it absolutely adorable that Bernadette apparantly can not dance without making noise. Watch (or rather listen) when she dances during her Inside the Actors Studio interview and you'll know what I mean.
Jean, I hadn't noticed the jewelry but interesting observation. I'm inclined to believe it was an oversight particularly because I don't think Phyllis shows up that night knowing her marriage will possibly end by the end of the night. Sally, on the other hand, is hoping for it.
Sally is such a departure for Bernadette and I'm so glad she has had the opportunity to play her. I mean she really is technically too old for Sally and Desiree but because of her young looks she wasn't able to play those characters when she was the appropriate age so I'm glad those lucky family genes have enabled her to have the opportunity now when these opportunities are presenting themselves. I just can't imagine not having the opportunity to see Bernadette's Desiree or her Sally. And like I said, I hope I can see her Sally again some day soon.
"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
Well, as far as jewelry goes, at the June 11 matinee Phyllis/Jan was wearing what appeared to be a diamond wedding band.
I haven't really noticed anything dramatically different between the first time I saw the show (May 7) and the latest (June 11). There are a few subtle changes in Bernadette's performance, most of all she is laughing, gesturing, and reacting more. She does not take Ben's arm after the end of his song "The Road You Didn't Take", but rather with her line "I think I loved him once" just leads him off-stage. In the later performances she carries a glass (water I'm sure) and sips from it. Overall, Bernadette's performance has gotten much more emotional, by the final scene she appears to be crying and gasping for breath.
The brief song-and-dance routine "Rain on the Roof" (with the Witmans) has gotten better, hard to say exactly how, maybe just timing. Linda Lavin (Hattie) has toned down her performance of "Broadway Baby" (but still gets sustained applause); she had been waving her arms a lot during the first few performances. Linda points to the conducter at the end of the song, to acknowledge him ( and the orchestra, I suppose), interesting break in the 4th wall). Newly added (probably for the May 21 opening): at the very end of "The Story Of Lucy And Jessie" Phyllis/Jan does a handstand into the group of dancers, rather than being picked up and flipped by the dancers, and stops just before leaving the stage and blows a kiss.
I've seen the show at least 5 times, 2 more to go, including the final show on June 19.
I don't think the 4th wall is broken when the orchestra is acknowledged. I was under the impression they are supposed to be the orchestra at the party, playing all the old songs for the ladies to perform for all the other attendees. Linda Lavin does acknowledge them the most but I think others do too.
I saw the new ending to Lucy and Jessie when I saw it on June 7th. Liked it, Didn't realize it was new.
I noticed Bernadette was crying a lot right before Loveland and right after the transformation when the four leads are walking through the Loveland dancers. She definitely gets herself very upset during the previous scene.
"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
Yes, you're right, the orchestra is supposed to be playing for the party. (It's just more obvous when there is an actual band or small combo playing on the stage.)
A few more things that I have been thinking about:
Buddy/Danny B is doing a fabulous job in showing his character's dilemma of "wanting the Sally he married" and loving "The Wrong Girl". His yearning/unhappiness really come through. Bravo!
Jan has been giving pretty much the same performance from the beginning--cold/angry/sharp/disgusted/elegant/strong. I don't like Phyllis but I love Jan!
Ron is a cool and sophisticated guy, showing more and more confusion/disillusion as the evening goes on; his attempts toseduce Sally, and than Carlotta, show his utter callousness. I don't like Ben, but I am in thrall with Ron's singing and demeanor!
AS a matter of fact, I don't really like any of the main characters (despite some very lovable and charming performers) and for me that is a fatal flaw in Follies.
Article about Follies, with some brief interviews with Bernadette, Jan Maxwell, & Linda Lavin. Also, it addresses the question, will the show move to Broadway? ("Guess!")
"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
Great that New Yorkers (and beyond) get to see this production, great that the performers get to keep on going, and great that Bernadete gets to play Sally on Broadway (is London in her future??). (Not to mention Tony-eligibility and maybe even a recording.)
(And assuming that Bernadette does indeed play Sally on Broadway.)
moljul
Ah but then you notice that Young Sally is not wearing any shoes and Older Sally is wearing 4 inch heels. I didn't realize height could change so much from young adulthood to middle age. 
Jean
Jennifer
