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Follies

Ages: 10+
Closing: May 30, 1976

Follies - 1976 Off-Broadway History , Info & More


Master Theatre
Address Unknown New York, NY

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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Who Will Win at the 2026 Tony Awards?
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 3, 2026


The 79th Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday, June 7, 2026. It's the biggest awards show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long awards season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. Which Best Musical and Best Play nominees will take home the ultimate prize?

Danny Burstein, Jessica Hecht, and Jeremy Shamos Will Lead AWAKE AND SING! Broadway Revival
by Stephi Wild - Jun 1, 2026


Manhattan Theatre Club will produce a new production of Clifford Odets’ landmark 1935 drama Awake and Sing!, led by Danny Burstein, Jessica Hecht, and Jeremy Shamos. Learn more here!

Porchlight Music Theatre Names New Executive Director and Artistic Director
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026


Porchlight Music Theatre announced Klaus Peter Schuller as its new executive director and Michael Weber as The Elaine Cohen and Arlen Rubin Artistic Director, with Schuller set to join the Chicago company later this year.

See Works from Inside SHOWSTOPPERS: THE ART OF STAGE AND SCREEN Exhibition at Helicline Fine Art
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 2, 2026


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


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Review: Aimee Doherty Hits Homer with PENELOPE
by R. Scott Reedy - Feb 24, 2026


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


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Did You Know These Broadway Revivals Started As Flops?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jan 11, 2026


It wasn’t until later on in theatre history that revivals began including shows that weren’t initially well received or financially successful in their initial engagements. As musical theatre continued to evolve, and more shows entered the canon, a consensus began to grow about shows being worthy of additional exploration even if they hadn’t been hits the first time around. What about musicals that had been ahead of their time, musicals that had fallen prey to circumstances, early works by writers who became successful later on, and of course, shows that found an audience after closing via their cast recordings?

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.

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by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 30, 2025


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Bob Mackie's Showgirls: From Bernadette Peters to Taylor Swift
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Bernadette Peters Sets Australia Concert For October
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by F.H. Kekoa - Jul 22, 2025


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


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


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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.

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).

Breaking Down the Different Stephen Sondheim Revues
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 2, 2025


This time, the reader question was: Other than Old Friends, what are the other Sondheim revues and what makes them different? This marks the theatre world’s fifth major Sondheim revue and the first since the theatre legend passed away in 2021. 

Isabella Esler, Jake Epstein, Chilina Kennedy & More Will Star in LIFE AFTER in Toronto
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 4, 2024


The full cast and creative team for the new musical LIFE AFTER at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre has just been announced. The new musical will play a limited engagement from Wednesday, April 16 – Sunday, May 4, 2025 as part of the 2024/25 Off-Mirvish Season. Check out who is joining the cast here!

Jon Jon Briones and Gedde Watanabe Lead PACIFIC OVERTURES At East West Players
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 1, 2024


East West Players announced the cast for the upcoming production of PACIFIC OVERTURES, set to return to the stage. The production will feature a talented ensemble bringing this classic musical to life.

Willem Dafoe Named Artistic Director of the Theatre Department of La Biennale di Venezia
by Stephi Wild - Jul 8, 2024


Willem Dafoe has been named the new Artistic Director of the Theatre Department of La Biennale di Venezia for the two-year term 2025-2026.

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


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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

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