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Follies Revival

Ages: 10+
Closing: August 31, 2002

Follies - 2002 London Fringe History , Info & More


Royal Festival Hall
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd 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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See Works from Inside SHOWSTOPPERS: THE ART OF STAGE AND SCREEN Exhibition at Helicline Fine Art
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 2, 2026


Helicline Fine Art is now presenting Showstoppers: The Art of Stage and Screen, a dynamic new exhibition celebrating nearly a century of performance as seen through the eyes of some of the most influential artists and designers of the 20th century. On view through May 10, 2026, the exhibition brings together more than three dozen works that capture the spectacle, emotion, and cultural impact of live theatre, film, dance, opera, and popular entertainment.

Feature: SONDHEIM AWARD GALA: Vanessa Williams Tenacity, Talent, and Artistry
by David Friscic - Mar 25, 2026


I have always been tantalized by the triple threat talent of Vanessa Williams. Ever since I sat with my family and saw her on television singing “Happy Days are Here Again” to become the first Miss America of color, she has become an artistic and cultural presence in my life. At pivotal moments of life experience, her recordings, television appearances, stage appearances, and concerts have become an integral part of my artistic consciousness. As a gay person, I instinctively sensed that she would understand me if she ever met me. Little did I know that she would meet me after a concert and pose for a great picture or that I would be writing this feature story on her well-deserved Signature Theatre Sondheim Award at the Sondheim Award Gala in Washington, DC. (held at The Anthem venue on March 16, 2026).

North Coast Repertory Theatre to Host 44th Spotlight Gala Featuring Rita Rudner
by Stephi Wild - Mar 23, 2026


North Coast Repertory Theatre announced its 44th Spotlight Gala, 'An Evening of Laughter with Rita Rudner', set to entertain attendees with a night of comedy.

HAIRSPRAY Original Broadway Cast: Where Are They Now?
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 28, 2026


It’s… Hairspray! BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at what the cast of this beloved musical has been up to since the show first graced the Broadway stage!

John Tartaglia, Karla Puno Garcia and More Set for The Muny Season 108 Productions
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 30, 2026


The Muny has selected the seven teams of directors, choreographers, music directors and lead designers whose creative visions will shape the Tony Award-winning theatre’s 2026 season in Forest Park.

Broadway Meets THE BEAUTY: A Guide to the Stage Stars in the New FX Series
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 26, 2026


From Anthony Ramos to Ben Platt, take a look at all the Broadway stars to look out for when you tune in to Ryan Murphy's new series, The Beauty. All episodes of the series are now streaming on Hulu.

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.

Interview: Kelli O'Hara Talks Boston Concert, Co-Starring with Tom Hanks in his New Play and More
by R. Scott Reedy - Oct 29, 2025


Kelli O’Hara will star alongside Academy Award winner Tom Hanks in the world premiere of This World of Tomorrow, a new play by Hanks and James Glossman based on Hanks’ short stories, about a lonely scientist from the future who travels through time in search of true love.

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.

The Al Hirschfeld Foundation Announces National Events Celebrating HIRSCHFELD'S SONDHEIM
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2025


The Al Hirschfeld Foundation is celebrating the release of Hirschfeld’s Sondheim with nationwide events in New York, California, Pennsylvania, and more. The new poster book, featuring over 50 drawings of Stephen Sondheim’s works, includes essays by Bernadette Peters, Ben Brantley, and David Leopold.

Rita Rudner to Perform At The Harris Center in September
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 15, 2025


Harris Center for The Arts will present entertainment legend Rita Rudner in September. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets to the upcoming performance here!

Daryl Nitz Entertainment Hosts SONDHEIM AT 95: A Birthday Celebration Concert at Skokie Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2025


Chicago's After Dark Award-winning entertainer Daryl Nitz will celebrate one of the musical theater's greatest songwriters Stephen Sondheim on what would be his 95th birthday.

Every Broadway Actor in Season 3 of THE GILDED AGE
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 30, 2025


The Gilded Age is back for Season 3, and with it, a new and returning crop of Broadway talent. The New York-based costume drama is known for its vast array of theater actors, utilizing a total of 163 across its three seasons. Take a look here to see which of your favorite stars appear in the new season!

A History of Pop Music Bio-Musicals
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 29, 2025


Just In Time’s origin story as well as overall conceit has much in common with one of Broadway’s very first jukebox musicals, which was ahead of its time. In 1985, Leader of the Pack, telling the story of pop singer-songwriter Ellie Greenwich, opened at the Ambassador on Broadway. Learn all about pop music bio-musicals here!

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.

Which Shows Have Been Revived the Most in the 21st Century?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 11, 2025


Three of this season’s plays and two of this season’s musicals are already getting revived for the second or third time this century! Twenty-five years into the 21st century and Broadway has already seen multiple revivals of Glengarry Glen Ross, Our Town, Romeo and Juliet, Gypsy, and Sunset Boulevard. 

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...

A History of Nudity on Stage
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Apr 5, 2025


The play Liberation which is currently playing at Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theatre off-Broadway features nudity. How often do plays and musicals feature nudity on stage? We're breaking it down!

How Often Do Musicals Change Their Titles After Broadway?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Mar 15, 2025


This time, the reader question was: How often do Broadway musicals change their titles after Broadway? We're unpacking the history of shows that have been renamed.

Review: OLD FRIENDS at Ahmanson Theatre
by Evan Henerson - Feb 20, 2025


To watch these singers perform these numbers is to dream about entire revivals of Sondheim shows built around some of these actors, maybe even productions that have their genesis at the Ahmanson.

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).

Full Cast and Creative Team Set For OPERATION MINCEMEAT
by Stephi Wild - Feb 3, 2025


Discover the full cast and creative team for Broadway's 'Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical,' premiering February 15 at the Golden Theatre. This award-winning show, directed by Robert Hastie, features original West End performers and a star-studded creative team. Learn more about its journey from London to New York.

Norbert Leo Butz, Donna McKechnie, J. Harrison Ghee And More Come To Legacy Theatre In 2025
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 5, 2024


Branford's Legacy Theatre has announced a star-studden lineup for the 2025 Sunday Broadway Concert Series lineup for the historic theatre's 5th anniversary season.

Interview: Kelli O'Hara Promises Some Surprises in Concert at Groton Hill Music Center
by R. Scott Reedy - Oct 25, 2024


Kelli O’Hara says there’ll be some surprises in store when she plays Groton Hill Music Center on November 2. 'My music director and pianist, Dan Lipton, and I won’t finalize the set list until we get there. We like to arrive at a venue, get a feel for the space, and then set the list. I always include my favorite pieces, but I might change the order or make additions or subtractions based on the feeling I get.'

Nitz Howe Experience Celebrates 25th Anniversary At Elgin's Hemmens In November
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2024


Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Nitz/Howe Experience at Elgin's Hemmens on November 24. Enjoy a night of audience participation, comedy, and music with After Dark Award winners Daryl Nitz and George Howe.

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

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