Top: Ron Raines and Bernadette Peters (and their ghostly counterparts) in the Broadway production of “Follies.” (Photo © Joan Marcus)
Bottom: Susan Moniz and Robert Petkoff in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Follies.” (Photo: Peter Bosy)
The challenge: To see two productions of Follies within four days of each other and determine which production is the winner.
The background: I’m traveling to New York the week of October 3 for work stuff, and staying through the weekend to see friends and shows. And of course I’m seeing the Broadway revival of Follies on October 8. I’d be stupid not to. Not only is it one of my favorite musicals, but it’ll be my first time seeing theatre icon Bernadette Peters onstage. (I know, right?)
But then, four days later on October 12, I’m seeing Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s highly anticipated production of Follies directed by Gary Griffin. While we don’t get powerhouse names like Peters, we get some classy Chicago actresses like Susan Moniz (in the Peters role) and Hollis Resnik (in the role West End musical diva Elaine Paige is playing on Broadway) along with international actress Caroline O’Connor as Phyllis (who’s played on Broadway by Jane Maxwell).
The Great ‘Follies’ Smack-down of 2011: We all like categorizing things as “losers” and “winners” right? It’s how society functions. So, following both productions, I think a blog post pitting the two productions together is in order, don’t you? Potential categories include:
“Most Emotionally Needy Sally”
“Bitchiest ‘Could I Leave You'”
“Best Ben Emotional Breakdown”
“Fiercest Mirror Number”
“Most Eye-popping Loveland Transition”
The production leading in the most categories will be declared the WINNER of The Great ‘Follies’ Smack-down of 2011! And therefore, another production is, well, the loser. (But, really: any chance to see a well-realized production of Follies is a winning opportunity in my book.)
Other NYC show recommendations? Per the recommendation of a friend who’s threatened to never speak to me again if I didn’t get a ticket, I’m seeing Arias with a Twist. It looks amazing and scary. Anything else I should be adding to my NYC theatre-going list? Comment away!
Chicago Theatre Addict 
I would think “Book of Mormon” if there are tickets, no? Though it’s opening in Chicago next year.
Thanks for the suggestion, Ali. Yes, the fact BOM is coming to Chicago lowers the “must-see” quotient.
I’ve heard good things about “How to Succeed.”
Thanks, Diane. For big, broadway musicals, I was considering that and Anything Goes.
Robert. If you don’t take this chance to see Spider-Man, I will never speak to you again. The end.
(Also, this post made me realize how incredibly out of touch with NYC theatre I am right now. Spider-Man is still running, right?)
If there are tickets under $100, I’ll consider it. :)
Btw, I’m seeing the Chicago Follies on Oct. 8, so maybe we can arrange a mind meld.
Fantastic! I’d love to!
War Horse is a MUST see. Totally uniique theatre. Go to Lincoln Center box office….you can usually get a single.
I did see Follies in NYC and am coming to Chicago to rehearse A CHRISTMAS STORY so will see the Chicago Follies with my fave Brent Barrett.
[…] productions of this rarely produced Sondheim masterpiece in less than a week. Tune in for “The Great Follies Smack-down of 2011,” where I’ll rank each production in a number of key criteria to determine the victor! […]