James Goldman News

Get a backstage look at the new star-studded UK FOLLIES!

Betty Buckley, Lorna Luft, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson and Jos Slovick complete the cast of Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, alongside ensemble members Sarah Bakker, CJ Field, Jennifer Davison, Emily Warner, Lucy James and Luke Fetherstone.

Get a backstage look at rehearsals for the new star-studded UK FOLLIES!

Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde, 2 Broke Girls), Alexander Hanson (Stephen Ward the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music) and Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E) with Alistair Brammer (Miss Saigon, War Horse, LES MISERABLES) and Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound Of Music, Marry Me A Little, The Light Princess) join Christine Baranski (Into The Woods, The Good Wife, Mamma Mia), Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Chicago) Anita Harris (Carry On Doctor & Follow That Camel, Cats), Ruthie Henshall (original Roxy in Chicago, Les Misérables), Roy Hudd (Fagan in Oliver!, Coronation Street, Good Old Days) and Russell Watson (the UK's best selling classical artist ever; winner of four Classical BRIT awards), in Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

George Cukor's 1940 film version of Philip Barry's THE PHILADELPHIA STORY was Katharine Hepburn's return to glory after the actress had been labeled 'box office poison' after the failure of several films. 021The savvy Hepburn was able to bend MGM to her will when it wanted to film Barry's play, and the end result rewarded everyone involved: Hepburn, her old RKO co-star Cary Grant, and the up and coming James Stewart. Not only were Oscar nominations and wins in store, but at the center of it all was Hepburn in all her patrician, high cheek-boned elegance. She may have given greater performances as the tragic, dope-addicted 'Mary Tyrone' in the film version of Eugene O'Neill's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT or as the caustic, sparring 'Eleanor of Aquitaine' in James Goldman's THE LION IN WINTER, but for those who want to see Hepburn at the height of her unusual beauty and comedic gifts, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is a must. Having seen the film numerous times, I was wary of Theatre Memphis' staging of Barry's work. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, once seen, leaves such an impression that it's rather like tackling a remake of THE WIZARD OF OZ or GONE WITH THE WIND or THE GODFATHER. Director Jason Spitzer has taken the dare, and he and his cast have mostly succeeded in the satiny, stylized production currently playing at Theatre Memphis.

On the red carpet for LIVING ON LOVE's opening night on Broadway, Rob Marshall (whose Tony-winning sister, Kathleen Marshall, directs the production) confirms a film adaptation of FOLLIES could be on the horizon.

Betty Buckley, Christine Baranski, Lorna Luft, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson and Jos Slovick complete the cast of Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 28th April, alongside ensemble members Sarah Bakker, CJ Field, Jennifer Davison, Emily Warner, Lucy James and Luke Fetherstone. Below, check out a look inside rehearsal, featuring Baranski and more!

Today we are shining a spotlight on some rarely discussed and unusual connections between the world of William Shakespeare and theatrical pop culture at large. Given the wide breadth of material contained within the canon of the Bard, it is certainly no understatement to claim that the connections are virtually endless between many modern tropes, terms, themes and ideas that derive in his classic plays - whether they be tragedies, comedies, histories or latter plays - yet the intriguing aspects of many of the lesser-known theatrical connections between Shakespeare and modern theatre are illuminating and fascinating to unearth. Ranging from the influence of Shakespeare on some of our greatest musical theatre masters - Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and William Finn included - through to the inspiration behind both Broadway's most lucrative production in history (THE LION KING) and the longest-running show in NYC to date (THE FANTASTICKS), the impact of Shakespeare on Broadway is impossible to accurately calculate - and, now, with the lovable and hilarious Shakespeare paean SOMETHING ROTTEN! poised to open later this month, the Bard is about to get a fresh jolt of electricity, buzz and excitement from the theatre community at large. Fear no more, indeed.

Firehouse Theater Company presents James Goldman's masterpiece 'The Lion in Winter' tonight, April 4 through May 2 at the John Hand Theater/Colorado Free University, 7653 East First Place in Lowry.

Today in 1971, Follies opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 522 performances. 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. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The piece has enjoyed 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'.

Betty Buckley, Lorna Luft, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson and Jos Slovick complete the cast of Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, alongside ensemble members Sarah Bakker, CJ Field,Jennifer Davison, Emily Warner, Lucy James and Luke Fetherstone.

Ruthie Henshall previews her upcoming FOLLIES turn!

The star-studded FOLLIES of event of the year just got starrier!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) is proud to announce its 2015-2016 season of performances on the Mainstage, as well as the three productions to be performed by its Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC). The three productions to be included in the Studio Theatre season will be announced in July.

The Vagabond Players have announced its historic 100th consecutive season for 2015-16. The centennial season is made up of revivals of past successful Vagabond productions. The Vagabonds first opened in 1916 as a part of the Little Theatre Movement that was sweeping the country at the time. Whereas most of those theatres eventually closed or went dark for several seasons, The Vagabonds has produced a season for 100 consecutive years earning it the title:

Firehouse Theater Company presents James Goldman's masterpiece "The Lion in Winter" April 4 through May 2 at the John Hand Theater/Colorado Free University, 7653 East First Place in Lowry.

FOLLIES arrives on DVD at long last!

Look back at FOLLIES with somebody who was there!

Theatre Memphis has made its play selections for the 2015-16 season and they include a variety of entertainment that touches many bases. Featuring musicals, comedy, drama, classics and new work, the season offers options to Memphis patrons.

Today we are journeying back to February 20, 1971, and the very first performance of legendary musical FOLLIES.