re: Beautifully produced Follies at Carnegie Hall!
Last Edit: DistantDrumming 12:28 am EDT 06/21/24
Posted by: DistantDrumming 12:23 am EDT 06/21/24
In reply to: re: Beautifully produced Follies at Carnegie Hall! - Likeitlots 12:07 am EDT 06/21/24

I think 'sloppy' might be a bit harsh. Though, I do agree, the tempi was often quite sluggish. I assume it was the MD's choice because it seemed to be the case with more than one number. Was the orchestra of the 2011 revival superior? Yes, certainly, but they of course had the benefit of multiple rehearsals and performances that I assume this group of talented musicians did not.

Did Jennifer Holliday give the most knowing reading of those fabulous Sondheim lyrics? No... but... you don't hire Jennifer Holliday and then not expect her to give you Jennifer Holliday. She was pretty thrilling even though that performance would be a bit out of place in an actual production of the show. On the opposite end of that spectrum was perhaps Michael Berresse giving the most fully realized performance. His 'The Right Girl' was downright thrilling -- a whole One Act play in a single number. You could see his fully formed 'Buddy' already. And, honestly, I always feel that the women's songs are far more compelling than the men's in Follies, so I'm surprised to find that was one of the absolute highlights for me.

Sure, I wouldn't have minded some more Inside Baseball stories from our hosts, but I thought they were an effective and entertaining duo who kept the evening humming along.
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