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| Author | Topic: Follies cast album |
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PATTY
Registered User
Registered:
3/1/2003
From:
tonawanda,n.y. | posted: 12/19/2011 at 4:30:58 PM ET
What a cast album!I listened to the whole show last night following the enclosed libretto and realized I had missed several lines during the show.Before you listen to it, read the wonderful documentary by Patrick Pacheo in the first few pages.I wish I could have read this before I'd seen the show.His one explanation is that the " songs are so pyschologically complex and layered that their full impact can hardly be taken in at one sitting." His analysis is so helpful, and one appreciates the genius of Sondheim in writing this incredible story.Also, I see "Bernadette/Sally in a new light! This is not an easy role to play...and I wish I could see the show again with this enlightened understanding; I feel people would have liked the show better if they had better insight into the characters'inner thoughts and emotions...I sure do now!
To the loveliest lady of song!
You will keep on giving me joy forever...
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 Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 12/19/2011 at 4:47:28 PM ET
Yeah, it's a very good recording, I've listened to it a few times, it's so good that I actually can get an image in my mind of what's going on on the stage (dangerous while driving!).
And while we're at it, let's give thanks to James Goldman who wrote the book for the musical.
a nice article on Follies on Wikipedia
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 Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 12/19/2011 at 5:27:55 PM ET
Patty
I know exactly what you mean about seeing the Sally character in a new light. I saw the show twice and after listening to the cast recording a few times it finally hit me. I've already written what I've thought so I won't go over it again, but I finally got it. I think the character is complex and extremely layered there is a lot going on with the Sally character.
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 AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 12/19/2011 at 5:54:11 PM ET
I agree with you, Patty. I think a lot of people go into the show without having done even the least bit of research on it, and then they're disappointed because they can't figure out what's going on. The show is very complex and seems it would be difficult to go into without knowing a little something about the characters and plot.
Like Jennifer, I have also seen the show twice. I discovered things the second time around that I didn't catch the first time. It really allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the characters.
Yes, the cast recording is stunning! I'm so glad they included dialogue; it really does help to prepare the listener for the next song, and to get a mental image of the show, as Jean said.
I'm really, really hoping this revival will be preserved on film and become commercially available. It's just too good!
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ripley123
Registered User
Registered:
11/8/2011 | posted: 12/20/2011 at 8:56:33 AM ET
I loved the talk that all of them did a few weeks into the D.C. run where they were discussing how they prepared their roles, and Jan Maxwell was saying that at the read-song-through she kept asking her Young Phyllis, "What in the hell is going on?" and she would say, "It's a read-sing-through for Follies." The part where he asks Elaine Paige about how Carlotta being based on Joan Crawford impacted her, and after some meandering Elaine realizes she has been talking about some completely different actress and then she says, "Oh, I guess I missed that bit of research!" Another cute part, he asks the whole cast a general question about preparation and Bernadette just started answering, and he said, "We'll start with you, Bernadette." and she was kind of embarrassed for a second and laughed.
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AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 12/20/2011 at 9:30:32 AM ET
The FOLLIES cast discussion at the Kennedy Center really is terrific! Everyone offers a lot of great insight into their characters.
Here is the link for those who haven't seen it (the video is about an hour long):
Theater Look-in: FOLLIES
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Anonymous
Anonymous Poster
From Internet Network:
24.20.212.x | posted: 12/20/2011 at 10:24:04 AM ET
quote:
I loved the talk that all of them did a few weeks into the D.C. run where they were discussing how they prepared their roles, and Jan Maxwell was saying that at the read-song-through she kept asking her Young Phyllis, "What in the hell is going on?" and she would say, "It's a read-sing-through for Follies." The part where he asks Elaine Paige about how Carlotta being based on Joan Crawford impacted her, and after some meandering Elaine realizes she has been talking about some completely different actress and then she says, "Oh, I guess I missed that bit of research!" Another cute part, he asks the whole cast a general question about preparation and Bernadette just started answering, and he said, "We'll start with you, Bernadette." and she was kind of embarrassed for a second and laughed.
I loved this too! Bernadette's laugh after the Jan Maxwell bit is fantastic. I replayed it several times!
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Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 12/20/2011 at 12:46:15 PM ET
http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/videos/?id=a73857
at 10:30
When Bernadette starts describing Sally that's exactly how I see the character.
I love Elaine's laugh.
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AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 12/20/2011 at 8:17:34 PM ET
Elaine's laugh is so infectious!
I like how Bernadette describes her character. I do think of Sally as being very sad and disappointed, but I also see her as being desperate and a bit mentally unstable, just as Bernadette alluded to.
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Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 12/20/2011 at 10:32:56 PM ET
If by desperate you mean she has lost all hope for her and Ben to be together, then yes she is in despair.
But not really mentally unstable more "horribly depressed and looking for happiness".
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ripley123
Registered User
Registered:
11/8/2011 | posted: 12/21/2011 at 12:09:56 AM ET
i want to see it again now that it has evolved. SS said at something (approvingly) recently that Bernadette was playing Sally "crazy". I didn't get that in August...I want to see the full-on crazy!
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Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 12/21/2011 at 1:06:07 PM ET
I saw it back in Oct and it is absolutely heartbreaking to watch.
I don't know if it has evolved since then.
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AMH
Registered User
Registered:
11/7/2011
From:
North Carolina | posted: 12/21/2011 at 8:06:27 PM ET
I saw the show in November and December, and got the "crazy" vibe from Sally both times. I know this is where you and I differ, Jennifer, but that's how Bernadette's performance comes across to me. Sally's expectation that she and Ben will pick up where they left off 30 years ago is indicative of her mental instability, in my opinion.
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Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 12/26/2011 at 2:00:58 PM ET
I think it is the word "crazy". That I have an issue with. The word has to many meanings.
When I think crazy "beggar woman" from "Sweeney Todd" immediately comes to mind. I can see why she is crazy too.
"Crazy in Love" Beyonce or "Crazy" Patsy Cline
I don't think that Sally expects they will pick up from where they left off. Sally just wants to know if Ben regrets picking Phyllis.
When I saw the show and Sally starts singing "Losing My Mind". It was difficult for me to think of it as Sally the character singing the song and not as Bernadette singing the song and breaking down as she sang it. Bernadette is amazing the emotion is so real it is almost uncomfortable to watch someone breaking down like she does.
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BroadwayBabyGal
Registered User
Registered:
5/8/2003 | posted: 12/26/2011 at 3:46:20 PM ET
Sally is completely delusional, in my opinion. Bernadette really plays up that aspect now. At the end, her delusion crumbles and she realizes she has nothing (from her point of view).
Jessica
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Jennifer
Registered User
Registered:
7/12/2010
From:
CA | posted: 12/26/2011 at 4:23:57 PM ET
I think I would consider Sally completely delusional, if Ben never sang TOO MANY MORNINGS to her. When Ben sings this to her it gives her hope and looks to me like he wants to go back with Sally. I wouldn't say her delusion crumbles, more like her hope that she and Ben will be together is gone at the end.
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