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Follies Revival

Ages: 10+
Closing: February 04, 1989

Follies - 1987 West End History , Info & More


Shaftesbury Theatre
Holborn end of Shaftesbury Avenue 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.


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STEEL MAGNOLIAS To Be Presented At Arkansas Repertory Theatre This Summer
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2026


The Arkansas Repertory Theatre will present STEEL MAGNOLIAS by Robert Harling as the first production in its 2026 Golden SummerStage season, with tickets ranging from $25–$70.

Flashback: Stephen Sondheim Sings 'Good Thing Going' from MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
by Gillian Blum - Mar 22, 2026


Jason Robert Brown shared a video of Stephen Sondheim singing 'Good Thing Going' from Merrily We Roll Along at a 2019 event.

Broadway Icon Bernadette Peters Comes To NJPAC In May 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 1, 2025


New Jersey Performing Arts Center will present an evening with three-time award-winning actress, singer, and Broadway icon Bernadette Peters. The performance will take place on Sunday, May 31, at 7:00 p.m..

The Iconic Rock Musical HAIR Shines Anew in a Grand Brazilian Revival
by Claudio Erlichman - Nov 13, 2025


The iconic rock musical Hair is back in a bold new Brazilian production directed by Charles Möeller and Claudio Botelho. Opening at São Paulo’s BTG Pactual Hall, the show celebrates the spirit of the 1960s counterculture — peace, love, and rebellion — through powerful anthems like Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In. With a cast of 30 led by Rodrigo Simas and Eduardo Borelli, this vibrant staging fuses rock, poetry, and raw emotion to explore freedom, identity, and protest in a turbulent era. Nearly six decades after its debut, Hair still pulses with youthful defiance and idealism, inviting audiences to sing, reflect, and feel the rhythm of a revolution that never truly ended.

Friends and Collaborators of Stephen Sondheim Who Appear in His Collection at The Library of Congress
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 16, 2025


During his prolific and storied career, Sondheim collaborated with many other artists, from book writers to directors, from actors to musicians. Seeing Sondheim’s regular collaborators, close friends, one-time associates, mentors, and rare connections make appearances in his collection was both moving and illuminating.

Which Pre-Broadway Tryout Theater Boasts the Most Best Musical Tony Award Winners?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 30, 2025


While different tryout theaters have different relationships to the development of new shows, it’s worth looking at both which commercial rental theaters and which non-profit theaters have had the most Best Musical Tony Award winners come from their stages.

Surprising Celebrities Who Began Their Careers in HAIR
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 24, 2025


Diane Keaton made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of Hair at the age of 22. The landmark musical started out at the Public Theater off-Broadway in 1967 before transferring to the Biltmore Theatre on Broadway in 1968. Keaton joined the cast for the Broadway run, originating her track in the show.

12 Designers Announced as Linbury Prize For Stage Design Recipients
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2025


Twelve emerging designers are announced as recipients of the Linbury Prize for Stage Design 2025. As the UK's leading award for emerging theatre design talent, the prize offers a vital launchpad into the world of professional theatre.

Who Are the Oldest Actors to Star in a Broadway Show?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 30, 2025


June Squibb is a beloved actor with an incredibly long career—but does 96 make her the oldest actor to play Broadway in a regular production with 8 performances a week? According to our research, that is indeed the case! 

Bernadette Peters Sets Australia Concert For October
by Michael Major - Aug 15, 2025


Bernadette Peters will perform a concert in Australia as part of the Melt Festival of Queer Arts and Culture. An Evening With Bernadette Peters is coming to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Who Will Win at the 2025 Tony Awards?
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 2, 2025


Which Best Musical and Best Play nominees will take home the ultimate prize? BroadwayWorld has rounded up the winners of the Tony Awards, the Drama Desk Awards, the Drama League Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the last fifty years to compare winners year by year.

Stephen Sondheim Shows By the Numbers
by Sidney Paterra - May 10, 2025


Which Sondheim show is best? While the answer to that question is entirely subjective, it is perhaps easier to investigate which Sondheim shows have the best track records. We're breaking it down show by show, as they were created chronologically...

Tony-Nominated Actor Tony Roberts Dies At Age 85
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 7, 2025


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of stage and screen actor Tony Roberts. He was 85 years old. His stage resume also included appearances in Promises, Promises (1968), They’re Playing Our Song (1979), and Victor/Victoria (1995) alongside Julie Andrews. His other notable Broadway credits include Cabaret (1987 revival), and Xanadu (2007).

Coffeehouse Chronicles #178: DANCENOISE Comes To La MaMa This Weekend
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2025


La MaMa will present Coffeehouse Chronicles #178: Dancenoise taking place on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 3PM at Ellen Stewart Theatre @ La MaMa (66 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003).

Stage and Screen Star Linda Lavin Dies at 87
by Stephi Wild - Dec 30, 2024


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Broadway veteran Linda Lavin has died at age 87, following complications from lung cancer. Read Linda Lavin's obituary here.

Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES Announced At Victorian Opera
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 19, 2024


Victorian Opera has announced the cast for their upcoming production of FOLLIES, featuring renowned theatre figures.

Review: INTO THE WOODS at Great Lakes Theater
by Roy Berko - Sep 29, 2024


What did our critic think of INTO THE WOODS at Great Lakes Theater?

KEEPIN' IT REAL & More Set for Illusion Theatre 50th Anniversary 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 9, 2024


ILLUSION THEATER celebrates its 50th anniversary with a season of new plays and special performances, honoring its legacy of producing transformative theater on pressing social issues.

Are We In a Sondheim Renaissance?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jul 6, 2024


This time, the reader question was: Have there been a lot of Sondheim productions in New York City since the legendary composer and lyricist passed away?

Which Broadway Theaters are the Biggest/Smallest?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 29, 2024


This time, the reader question was: Which Broadway theaters are the largest and which are the smallest and our expert, Jennifer Ashley Tepper has done a deep dive on the sizes of Broadway theatres both past and present!

Who Will Win at the 2024 Tony Awards?
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 14, 2024


BroadwayWorld has rounded up the winners of the Tony Awards, the Drama Desk Awards, the Drama League Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the last fifty years to compare winners year by year.

THE COLORS OF MY LIFE: A CY COLEMAN SONGBOOK to be Released in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2024


CLUB44 RECORDS' The Colors of My Life: A Cy Coleman Songbook – the new album from ten-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Janis Siegel and internationally recognized pianist, arranger, and composer Yaron Gershovsky – will be released on CD and streaming and digital formats on Friday, June 7.

The North/South Chamber Orchestra Pays Tribute To Composer Christopher James In June
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2024


The North/South Chamber Orchestra, led by Max Lifchitz, will perform works by composer Christopher James on June 11 at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music in NYC. Featuring violinist Tyler Duncan and pianists Erika Switzer and Marc Peloquin.

Buck Creek Playhouse to Present INTO THE WOODS in June
by Blair Ingenthron - May 25, 2024


Buck Creek Players will present the final show of our 50th season with this musical on our mainstage. Join us for the eight live in-person performances at the playhouse starting Friday, June 14th and running through Sunday, June 23rd. 

Games, Books, and Collectables Belonging to Stephen Sondheim Will Be Auctioned in June
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2024


Memorabilia includes his gold record for West Side Story, custom-embroidered asylum coat from Sweeney Todd and more, including antiques of the Victorian and Edwardian as well as early puzzles, games, rebuses, coin-operated machines and more.

Follies History

Other Productions of Follies

1971   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1972   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1976   Off-Broadway Equity Library Theatre Revival
Off-Broadway
1983   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1985   Off-Broadway New York Concert
Off-Broadway
1987   West End London Revival
West End
1988   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1990   Los Angeles Los Angeles Revival
Los Angeles
1995   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1996   West End London Concert
West End
1998   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2001   Broadway Roundabout Revival
Broadway
2002   London Fringe London Revival
London Fringe
2007   Off-Broadway Encores! Concert
Off-Broadway
2011   Washington, DC (Regional) Kennedy Center Revival
Washington, DC (Regional)
2011   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2017   West End National Theatre Premiere
West End
2019   West End London Return Engagement
West End

Follies - 1987 West End Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
Follies — awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1987 Evening Standard Awards Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical 0
1987 Evening Standard Awards Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical 0
1987 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year James Goldman
1987 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Stephen Sondheim
1987 Olivier Awards Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical Julia McKenzie

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