BWW Reviews: FOLLIES FROM Showtunes at the Moore

Showtunes Theatre Company presented their first concert production in their new home at Seattle's Moore Theatre with the seldom produced, "Follies" from Stephen Sondheim.  But then, that's what Showtunes does and does well.  Take musical theater gems that for one reason or another don't see as much action as they should, and put on wonderful staged concerts of them.  And their outing with "Follies" was no exception.

Centering on the reunion of a group of performers who performed in "The Weissman Follies" (a Ziegfiled Follies type of revue) the night before their old theater is torn down, the show features some favorite Sondheim numbers such as "Broadway Baby", "I'm Still Here" and "Losing My Mind".  But more than just a revue of performers remembering their glory years, the show focuses on two couples who met and married during their days at the Follies.  But now, several years later, secrets and old feelings come out as the couples examine who they were and who they have become.  My biggest problem with this show, as wonderful as the music in it is, is the story, or rather stories.  There has always seemed to me to be two different shows going on here.  There's the reunion and then there's the relationship drama.  And the two don't really mesh until the end when the lines of the two stories blur and the songs in the revue become more about the characters than the revue.  Up to that point there's the relationship drama which is occasionally interrupted by the reunion revue.  The problem being is the revue is more interesting.  But maybe that's one reason this show is not often produced, which is a shame since it has such wonderful numbers in it.

But then, that's why we love Showtunes Theatre Company for bringing these wonderful shows back for us and doing it with some of the most incredible talent Seattle has to offer.  The couples were wonderful.  With Bob DeDea and Anna Lauris Boynton as Buddy and Sally and Michael Mendiola and Beth DeVries as Ben and Phyllis, how can you go wrong?  I was especially happy to see Mendiola back in town.  When he left we lost one of the best male voices I think I've ever heard, EVER.  And it's good to see (and hear) that he's still got it.  And not only the voice but he has the acting range to pull of the diverse levels of Ben.  But there were so many stand outs from the evening.  How could there not be when Showtunes consistently casts a who's who of Seattle musical theater stars.  But I have to point out the incredible turn by the always amazing Bobbi Kotula.  Her rendition of "I'm Still Here" was the text book example of how to sell this number (or really any number).  I always love watching her in anything she is in.  In fact, I think someone needs to write a one woman show for her just so we can have an entire evening of her stunning talent.  Maybe an evening celebrating the work of Madeline Kahn or something.

So all in all it was an incredible evening with some amazing talent, which only makes me look forward to their next offering even more.  In September they will be presenting the Irving Berlin classic, "Call Me Madam".  And if their track record is any indication, that should be another hit, not to miss.

For some reason, Showtunes does not get the audiences it deserves.  It seems to be this secret little gem that only a select few in the know are aware of.  It could be due to the single weekend performance run.  Or if could be due to their off the beaten path performance space (they used to perform at the Kirkland Performing Arts Center).  Whatever the reason, hopefully Seattle theater lovers will soon discover that there's more to musical theater in town than what is offered from the Paramount, The 5^th Avenue or Village Theatres.  Showtunes is here and is ready to give us all that's best in Musical Theater.

For tickets for Showtunes shows or information on upcoming productions, call 1-877-STG-4TIX or visit them online at www.showtunestheatre.org.

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