Follies

Ages: 10+
Opened: April 4, 1971
Closing: July 01, 1972

Follies - 1971 - Broadway History , Info & More

Emerson Colonial Theatre
106 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116

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.

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Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Now For Sale
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The Connecticut home of the legendary Stephen Sondheim is now for sale. See details about the home of the late Broadway icon.

Full Cast Announced For BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL At La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 19, 2023

Full casting has been announced for 'BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL' at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Find out who will be bringing Carole King's story to life on stage.

Cast Announced For BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL At La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 18, 2023

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT announce full casting for the second show of its 2023-2024 “Soundtrack of Your Life” season, the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the Tony Award-winning, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL.

Musical Theatre Guild Announces Casting For Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 29, 2023

Musical Theatre Guild, a Southern California theatre institution for over a quarter century, has announced casting for its upcoming production of FOLLIES. Stephen Sondheim's classic 1971 musical reflecting the collapse of American innocence and naivete in the post-Kennedy years, will take place on Sunday, October 1st, 2023 at Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center's Eli and Edythe Broad Stage.

Musical Theatre Guild Reveals The 2023-2024 Season Featuring FOLLIES and THE WEDDING SINGER
by Stephi Wild - Jul 26, 2023

Musical Theatre Guild, a Southern California theatre institution for over a quarter century, proudly announces the season of mainstage one-night-only shows for the 2023-2024 season, and a new home as well.

Photos/Video: Go Inside Stephen Sondheim's $7M Manhattan Townhouse
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 11, 2023

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home is now for sale. The 7 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse in East Midtown has been listed by Michael J. Franco at Compass for $7M. 

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by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2023

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The Girls Upstairs: Stories of 1998's Ill-Fated FOLLIES
by AJ Hunsucker - May 7, 2023

What is it about juicy backstage drama that so intrigues audiences? For decades, people have flocked to films and plays portraying the exciting events that happen behind the curtain. Arguably, the most famous musical on this topic was written by the God of musical theatre: Stephen Sondheim. It’s title: Follies.

Trinity Rep Presents SWEENEY TODD
by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2023

Trinity Repertory Company concludes its 2022-23 Season with the award-winning musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler. Directed by Curt Columbus, Sweeney Todd runs at Trinity Rep in the Dowling Theater from May 25 through June 25, 2023.

A History of Broadway's Lost Theatres
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This month, the reader question was: Which Broadway theaters have been demolished/repurposed and when/why?

Merle Dandridge, Michael Hayden, Jodi Long & More to Star in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 2, 2023

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for the 50th anniversary production of A Little Night Music. See who is starring, and how to purchase tickets!

Video: Full Cast and Creative Team Announced for NEW YORK, NEW YORK; Plus Watch a New Trailer!
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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 12, 2023

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Sunday in the Park with George, the first production of the theater’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim. See performances dates and how to purchase tickets!

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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2023

In a landmark partnership, Pasadena Playhouse has been collaborating with all of the high schools of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) over the past 6 months to realize the students’ vision of Into the Woods.

BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL Comes to Milton Keynes Theatre in January
by Stephi Wild - Dec 23, 2022

Milton Keynes Theatre welcomes brand-new stage adaptation of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to the city 24 - 28 Jan 2023. Hayley Mills (Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, Whistle Down the Wind) Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar, BBC 1's Just Good Friends, Eastenders and Rula Lenska, (ITV's Rock Follies, Coronation Street, Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother will star in this feel-good tale of love, adventure, and starting-over. 

Larry Owens' SONDHEIMIA, Bernadette Peters & More Announced for Pasadena Playhouse's Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2022

Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced the latest news for the theater’s upcoming six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim January 26 through June 11, 2023. 

VIDEO: Kelly Clarkson Covers 'Losing My Mind' From Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES
by Stephi Wild - Sep 13, 2022

Kelly Clarkson took the stage to cover 'Losing My Mind' from Stephen Sondheim's musical, Follies, during a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson show. The performance featured Jaco on the guitar. Check out the video here!

DUNSINANE, GODDES & More! More Lead San Francisco's September Top Picks
by BWW Staff - Sep 6, 2022

San Francisco is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Coming up in September are Dunsinane, Goddess, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and more.

Listen: Jonathan Groff Narrates Ted Chapin's FOLLIES Memoir 'Everything Was Possible'
by Stephi Wild - Aug 31, 2022

Jonathan Groff serves as narrator for the audiobook of Everything Was Possible, a memoir by Ted Chapin, chronicling the birth of the musical Follies.

VIDEO: First Look at the Trailer for FOLLIES at San Francisco Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 26, 2022

San Francisco Playhouse is now presenting Follies, through September 10. Follies features a book by James Goldman, with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Get a first look at the trailer here!

Porchlight Music Theatre Presents The Cast of NEW FACES SING BROADWAY
by Grace Cutler - Jul 23, 2022

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the cast of New Faces for the  final performances of the sixth season of the popular New Faces Sing Broadway series and the conclusion of its 27th season with New Faces Sing Broadway 1971.

VIDEO: First Look at Natascia Diaz & More in FOLLIES at San Francisco Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jul 21, 2022

San Francisco Playhouse is now presenting Follies, starring Natascia Diaz, through September 10.  Get a first look at all new video footage from the production here!

Photos: First Look at Natascia Diaz & More in FOLLIES at San Francisco Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 20, 2022

San Francisco Playhouse is presenting Follies, Book by James Goldman, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, through September 10. The cast features Natascia Diaz as Sally Durant Plummer; Samantha Rose Cárdenas as Young Sally and Ensemble; Maureen McVerry as of Phyllis Rogers Stone and more. Get a first look at photos here!

Porchlight Music Theatre Announces The Final Performance in Its 27th Season - New Faces Sing Broadway 1971.
by Grace Cutler - Jul 9, 2022

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the final performances of the sixth season of the popular New Faces Sing Broadway series and the conclusion of its 27th season with New Faces Sing Broadway 1971.

Rula Lenska Joins Hayley Mills & Paul Nicholas Led THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL UK Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 27, 2022

Another of the UK’s best-loved actors, Rula Lenska, (ITV’s Rock Follies, Coronation Street, Channel 4’s Celebrity Big Brother) is the latest cast member to be confirmed for the upcoming tour of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Follies FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Beautiful Girls
Don't Look at Me
Waiting for the Girls Upstairs
Listen to the Rain on the Roof
Ah, Paris!
Broadway Baby
The Road You Didn't Take
Bolero d'Amour
In Buddy's Eyes
Who's That Woman?
I'm Still Here
Too Many Mornings
The Right Girl
One More Kiss
Could I Leave You?
Loveland [i]
You're Gonna Love Tomorrow
Love Will See Us Through
The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me-Blues
Losing My Mind
The Story of Lucy and Jessie
Live, Laugh, Love
Opening Montage
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Bring on the Girls
Can That Boy Fox Trot!
It Wasn't Meant to Happen
Pleasant Little Kingdom
That Old Piano Roll
The World's Full of Boys/The World's Full of Girls
In Someone's Eyes
Uptown, Downtown
Little White House
Who Could Be Blue?
Country House
Social Dancing
Loveland [ii]
Ah, But Underneath
Make the Most of Your Music
Overture
Don't Look At Me
Waiting For The Girls Upstairs
Ah, Paris!
The Road You Didn't Take
In Buddy's Eyes
Who's That Woman?
I'm Still Here
Too Many Mornings
The Right Girl
One More Kiss
Could I Leave You?
You're Gonna Love Tomorrow
Buddy's Blues
Losing My Mind
Lucy And Jessie
Live, Laugh, Love
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.
Follies has been nominated for several awards. It was nominated for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, Boris Aronson was nominated for Scenic Design at The Hewes Awards.
Follies has won several awards, including Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, Boris Aronson won the Scenic Design award at The Hewes Awards for his work on Follies.

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