Follies 1996 - Articles Page 18

Ages: 10+
Opened: December 8, 1996
Closing: December 08, 1996

Follies - 1996 - West End History , Info & More

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Catherine Street London WC2B 5JB London

A true theatrical event, this legendary masterpiece is considered by many to be the greatest musical ever created.brbrThe time is 1971, and theatrical impresario Dimitri Weissmann (famous for his garish Weissmann Follies of yesteryear) hosts a reunion of ex-Follies performers in his crumbling theatre, setting the stage for a parade of brilliant '20s, '30s and '40s pastiche numbers that have become every bit as famous as their models: "Losing My Mind," "I'm Still Here" and "Broadway Baby," to name a few. Amid the reminiscing, two middle-aged couples confront some unpleasant truths about their past and present and come face to face with the future.brbrSurreal, sophisticated, compelling, heart-wrenching and epic in scope, "Follies" uses the musical theatre as a metaphor for the collapse of American innocence and naivete in the post-Kennedy years. It is a showcase for powerful dramatic actors, featuring a large cast rich in character, which provides opportunities for seasoned older performers.

Follies - 1996 - West End Cast

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Follies - 1996 - West End Articles Page 18

Signature Theatre Announces 3 New Musical Commissions & 2 Awards; Recipients Include Guettel, Foley, Michelson, Miller & Richards
by Charlie Piane - Jul 20, 2009


Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of the Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre, today announced that Signature Theatre is expanding its American Musical Voices Project (AMVP) for a fourth year with the commission and production of a new musical by Adam Guettel for its 2011-2012 season. Also announced as part of The Next Generation segment of the AMVP were two additional musical commissions awarded to Peter Foley and Marisa Michelson as well as honoree grants given to Chris Miller and Scott Davenport Richards for the development of future musical ideas. Signature, with the support of The Shen Family Foundation, has awarded $595,000 to artists in honors and commissions in the past three years. The American Musical Voices Project is the largest single musical theater commissioning and producing initiative at any non-profit theater in America.

Roundabout's Stamos and Gershon Led BYE BYE BIRDIE Announces Full Casting
by Eddie Varley - Jul 13, 2009


After a 48 year absence, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents the first new Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie as the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) beginning Thursday, September 10th, 2009 with an official opening on Thursday, October 15th, 2009. This will be a limited engagement through January 10th, 2010.

Photo Flash: Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2009 Rising Star Award Winners
by Eddie Varley - Jun 18, 2009


Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) The Rising Star Awards are modeled after the Tony® Awards and Paper Mill's program serves the entire state of New Jersey with 100 entered productions from high schools. The 2009 Rising Star Award ceremony was held at Paper Mill Playhouse on Tuesday, June 16th in which the nominees performed and the award recipients were presented with a crystal award from Rising Star Award partner Tiffany's & Co. Investors Savings Bank Foundation is the title sponsor of the 2009 Rising Star Awards.

Paper Mill Playhouse Announces Rising Star Award Winners
by Reynard Loki - Jun 16, 2009


Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) The Rising Star Awards are modeled after the Tony® Awards and Paper Mill?s program serves the entire state of New Jersey with 100 entered productions from high schools. The 2009 Rising Star Award ceremony was held at Paper Mill Playhouse on Tuesday, June 16th in which the nominees performed and the award recipients were presented with a crystal award from Rising Star Award partner Tiffany?s & Co. Investors Savings Bank Foundation is the title sponsor of the 2009 Rising Star Awards.

Aaron, Boatman, Cobey, Fellner Cast In TIN PAN ALLEY RAG, Begins 6/12
by BWW News Desk - Jun 12, 2009


Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for the New York premiere of the new musical The Tin Pan Alley Rag, written by Mark Saltzman, with Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin, directed by Stafford Arima.

La Mirada Theatre Presents RING OF FIRE 6/5 - 6/21
by BWW News Desk - Jun 5, 2009


La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are thrilled to present the fifth and final production of La Mirada Theatre?s 2008-2009 season of shows, the West Coast Premiere of a new and completely revised production of Ring of Fire, created by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby, choreography by Jane Lanier and directed by and starring one of the original cast members from the Broadway production, Jason Edwards. Ring of Fire will begin performances on Friday, June 5 and will run through Sunday, June 21 at La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue.

RING OF FIRE Closes Out The 2009-2009 Season At La Mirada Theatre, Opens 6/5
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jun 1, 2009


La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are thrilled to present the fifth and final production of La Mirada Theatre?s 2008-2009 season of shows, the West Coast Premiere of a new and completely revised production of RING OF FIRE, created by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby, choreography by Jane Lanier and directed by and starring one of the original cast members from the Broadway production, Jason Edwards.

Mann, Carmello, Chamberlin, Hoffman, James and More Join Lane and Neuwirth in THE ADDAMS FAMILY
by Robert Diamond - May 11, 2009


Two-time Tony Award winners NATHAN LANE (The Producers, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) and BEBE NEUWIRTH (Chicago, Sweet Charity) will star as Gomez and Morticia in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. Produced by Stuart Oken, Roy Furman, Michael Leavitt and Five Cent Productions, by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical, THE ADDAMS FAMILY will open on Broadway Thursday, April 8, 2010 at a Nederlander theatre to be announced. Previews will begin Thursday, March 4, 2010 following a pre-Broadway engagement at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre in Chicago that begins November 13.

La Mirada Theatre Presents RING OF FIRE 6/5 - 6/21
by Reynard Loki - May 7, 2009


La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are thrilled to present the fifth and final production of La Mirada Theatre?s 2008-2009 season of shows, the West Coast Premiere of a new and completely revised production of Ring of Fire, created by Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby, choreography by Jane Lanier and directed by and starring one of the original cast members from the Broadway production, Jason Edwards. Ring of Fire will begin performances on Friday, June 5 and will run through Sunday, June 21 at La Mirada Theatre For the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada, near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue.

Baryshnikov, Sondheim, Lang Lang Headline Harris Theater's 2009-2010 Season
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 6, 2009


The Harris Theater for Music and Dance today announced its Harris Theater Presents 2009-2010 season. The schedule of Harris Theater Presents events features nine programs, a remarkable thirteen Chicago premieres and includes an impressive and diverse selection of music, dance and conversation by internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles. Highlights of the Harris Theater Presents 2009-2010 season include a rare opportunity to see Mikhail Baryshnikov in a solo dance performance, an evening of insight with the 'Master of the Musical,' Stephen Sondheim, the Harris debut of Lang Lang under the baton of his mentor Maestro Christoph Eschenbach, the Chicago premiere of Orquestra de São Paulo with virtuoso percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, Kathleen Battle's unusual program of holiday spirituals, and much more.

Aaron, Boatman, Cobey, Fellner Cast In TIN PAN ALLEY RAG, Begins 6/12
by Gabrielle Sierra - Apr 27, 2009


Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for the New York premiere of the new musical The Tin Pan Alley Rag, written by Mark Saltzman, with Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin, directed by Stafford Arima.

Signature Theatre to Honor Sondheim April 27th
by BWW News Desk - Apr 27, 2009


Eric Schaeffer, the Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, tonight announced that Signature will honor Stephen Sondheim at a Gala Benefit in April and establish an annual award as a tribute to America's most influential contemporary musical theater composer. Signature will salute Mr. Sondheim at a black-tie Gala Celebration on Monday, April 27, 2009, in Washington, DC highlighted by a musical tribute, festive dinner, and dancing and inaugurate an annual honor to be known in future years as The Sondheim Award.

Tharon Musser, Legendary Lighting Designer, Dead at 84
by Eddie Varley - Apr 19, 2009


Tharon Musser was universally considered the 'Dean of American Lighting Designers'. She graduated from Berea College in 1946 and attended Yale University before moving to New York City to begin her career. Her first Broadway lighting work was Jose Quintero's staging of Eugene O'Neill's Long Days Journey into Night (1956) at the original Helen Hayes Theatre.

Goodspeed Musicals Announces Cast of 42ND STREET, Opens 4/17
by BWW News Desk - Apr 17, 2009


Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce the cast of 42nd Street. From the team that brought you Singin' in the Rain, Goodspeed's dazzling Broadway song and dance extravaganza will run from April 17 - June 28 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. This production will be sponsored by Webster Bank.

Country Music Star Joe Nichols Cast As Lead In New Musical PURE COUNTRY
by Charlie Piane - Apr 9, 2009


Country music star, CMA Winner, ACM Winner and four-time Grammy Nominee Joe Nichols has been offered the role made famous by George Strait in the Broadway production of the hit movie, Pure Country. According to producer Randall L. Wreghitt, the musical is in the process of securing the remainder of its financing and casting, and plans to open in early 2010.

MARY POPPINS Celebrates 1000th Performance on Bdwy 4/9
by BWW News Desk - Apr 9, 2009


Award-winning musical MARY POPPINS celebrates its 1000th performance at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Thursday, April 9 becoming one of a rare few musicals in Broadway's history to achieve this milestone. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher for Disney Theatrical Productions, the Broadway production has grossed over $ 132 million to date, recouped its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere and has been seen by over 1.6 million theatergoers.

MARY POPPINS Celebrates 1000th Performance on Bdwy 4/9
by Eddie Varley - Apr 8, 2009


Award-winning musical MARY POPPINS celebrates its 1000th performance at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Thursday, April 9 becoming one of a rare few musicals in Broadway's history to achieve this milestone. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher for Disney Theatrical Productions, the Broadway production has grossed over $ 132 million to date, recouped its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere and has been seen by over 1.6 million theatergoers.

Goodspeed Musicals Announces Cast of 42ND STREET, Opens 4/17
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 11, 2009


Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is proud to announce the cast of 42nd Street. From the team that brought you Singin' in the Rain, Goodspeed's dazzling Broadway song and dance extravaganza will run from April 17 - June 28 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. This production will be sponsored by Webster Bank.

Cameron Mackintosh Honored At The South Bank Show Awards
by Reynard Loki - Jan 20, 2009


Cameron Mackintosh has been honoured for his contribution to musical theatre at this year's South Bank Show awards. The Awards other big winners included: Film This Is England Comedy Gavin and Stacey (BBC Three) TV Drama The Mark of Cain (Channel 4) Theatre Saint Joan at the National Theatre Pop Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare Literature Mohsin Hamid: The Reluctant Fundamentalist Classical Music Traced Overhead: The Musical World of Thomas Ades at the Barbican Visual Arts Andy Goldsworthy at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park Opera The Turn of The Screw at the ENO Dance Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company: Programmes 1 and 2 at Sadler's Wells Literature Mohsin Hamid: The Reluctant Fundamentalist Arts Council England - decibel Award Daljit Nagra: Look We Have Coming To Dover Outstanding Achievement Award JK Rowling

Donna Murphy Lands Recurring Role on TNT's TRUST ME
by Robert Diamond - Jan 14, 2009


Variety is reporting that two-time Tony Winner Donna Murphy has landed a recurring role on the TNT series TRUST ME. In 1994, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Fosca in Stephen Sondheim's and James Lapine's Passion. In 1996, she appeared as Anna Leonowens in the Broadway revival of The King and I alongside Lou Diamond Philips. The role earned her another Tony for Best Actress in a Musical.She also appeared in a revival of Wonderful Town (from 2003 to 2005) and in Lovemusik (2007) as Lotte Lenya, opposite fellow Tony winner Michael Cerveris as Kurt Weill. She also appeared in the recent presentation of Follies by Encores and in the BC/EFA Benefit concert of Pamela's First Musical. Murphy's recent film roles include The Nanny Diaries as Scarlett Johansson's mother and Spider-Man 2 as Rosalie Octavius, wife of Dr. Otto Octavius, the movie's villain. Murphy is perhaps best known to film viewers for her role as Anij in Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) as the love interest of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

MARY POPPINS to Premiere in Holland in April 2010
by Faetra Petillo - Nov 10, 2008


Disney and Cameron Mackintosh are pleased to announce an open-ended run of MARY POPPINS which will take residence at the Circus Theatre in Scheveningen, Holland, outside of Amsterdam.

GYPSY OF THE MONTH: Spencer Liff of 'Equus'...Yes, 'Equus'!
by Adrienne Onofri - Nov 3, 2008


The former child performer and reigning 'best dancer on Broadway' takes a dramatic non-human role.

WEST SIDE STORY Cast Announced! Cavenaugh, Olivo, Green, Akram and More
by Robert Diamond - Oct 29, 2008


The producers of WEST SIDE STORY have confirmed full casting for the new Broadway production.

Signature Theatre to Honor Sondheim in April 2009 Creating Annual Award in His Name
by Faetra Petillo - Oct 6, 2008


Eric Schaeffer, the Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, tonight announced that Signature will honor Stephen Sondheim at a Gala Benefit in April and establish an annual award as a tribute to America's most influential contemporary musical theater composer. Signature will salute Mr. Sondheim at a black-tie Gala Celebration on Monday, April 27, 2009, in Washington, DC highlighted by a musical tribute, festive dinner, and dancing and inaugurate an annual honor to be known in future years as The Sondheim Award.

Jacoby and Hoty To Star In Walnut Street's 'State Fair'
by BWW News Desk - Sep 2, 2008


The Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 200th anniversary season with STATE FAIR.

Follies FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Follies have there been?
Follies has had 20 productions including Broadway which opened in 1971, Broadway which opened in 1971, US Tour which opened in 1972, Off-Broadway which opened in 1976, Regional (US) which opened in 1983, Off-Broadway which opened in 1985, West End which opened in 1987, Regional (US) which opened in 1988, Los Angeles which opened in 1990, Regional (US) which opened in 1995, West End which opened in 1996, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1998, Broadway which opened in 2001, Broadway which opened in 2001, London Fringe which opened in 2002, Off-Broadway which opened in 2007, Washington, DC (Regional) which opened in 2011, Broadway which opened in 2011, West End which opened in 2017 and West End which opened in 2019.

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