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Follies in Concert

  • Episode aired Mar 14, 1986
  • TV-G
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
188
YOUR RATING
Follies in Concert (1986)
MusicMusical

Film of the legendary 1985 concert performance presented by the New York Philharmonic of Stephen Sondheim's classic musical at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. The plot of the musical ce... Read allFilm of the legendary 1985 concert performance presented by the New York Philharmonic of Stephen Sondheim's classic musical at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. The plot of the musical centers around a reunion of showgirls who appeared in an annual Follies extravaganza when it... Read allFilm of the legendary 1985 concert performance presented by the New York Philharmonic of Stephen Sondheim's classic musical at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. The plot of the musical centers around a reunion of showgirls who appeared in an annual Follies extravaganza when it was staged between the wars. Sally and Phyllis are two of these former showgirls, now mid... Read all

  • Director
    • Michael Houldey
  • Writer
    • James Goldman
  • Stars
    • Andre Gregory
    • Stephen Sondheim
    • Arthur Rubin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    188
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Houldey
    • Writer
      • James Goldman
    • Stars
      • Andre Gregory
      • Stephen Sondheim
      • Arthur Rubin
    • 5User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

    Follies in Concert (1986)
    Follies in Concert (1986)
    Follies in Concert (1986)
    Follies in Concert (1986)
    Great Performances (1971)

    Top cast

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    Andre Gregory
    Andre Gregory
    • Dimitri Weismann
    Stephen Sondheim
    Stephen Sondheim
    • Self - Composer
    Arthur Rubin
    • Roscoe
    Barbara Cook
    Barbara Cook
    • Sally Durant Plummer
    George Hearn
    George Hearn
    • Benjamin Stone
    Herbert Ross
    Herbert Ross
    • Self - Concert Director
    Jim Walton
    • Young Buddy
    Paul Gemignani
    • Self - conducting Philharmonic
    Howard McGillin
    Howard McGillin
    • Young Ben
    Mandy Patinkin
    Mandy Patinkin
    • Buddy Plummer
    Lee Remick
    Lee Remick
    • Phyllis Rogers Stone
    Liz Callaway
    Liz Callaway
    • Young Sally
    Daisy Prince
    • Young Phyllis
    Betty Comden
    Betty Comden
    • Emily Whitman
    Adolph Green
    Adolph Green
    • Theordore Whitman
    Liliane Montevecchi
    Liliane Montevecchi
    • Solange Lafitte
    Elaine Stritch
    Elaine Stritch
    • Hattie Walker
    Phyllis Newman
    Phyllis Newman
    • Stella Deems
    • Director
      • Michael Houldey
    • Writer
      • James Goldman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The original Broadway production of "Follies" opened at the Winter Garden Theater in New York on April 4, 1971, ran for 522 performances and was nominated for the 1972 Tony Awards for the Best Musical, Book and Score.
    • Quotes

      [as the cast continues a dream Follies number, Ben forgets his lyrics and tries to get out]

      Ben: Look at me! I'm nobody! Can't you see that I'm a fraud? You couldn't love me! no one could! All I'd do is hurt you, tell you lies! Her zipper stuck, and you kept saying "I love you! I love you!" I only wanted her 'till I had her! After that, it didn't matter! I got a job, and it was easy! But they'll never know! I'm too smart for them! You hear me? They'll never catch me! I'm too smart! I'm too... smart... NO!

    • Connections
      Version of Follies

    User reviews5

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Essential for Sondheim devotees - but alas not definitive
    "Follies" is Sondheim at the very peak of his songwriting prowess. It's a virtuoso turn with a series of pastiche songs relating to musical theater numbers in a variety of styles. His later works became less reliant on individual songs moving towards an operatic style, which he achieved so beautifully in both "Sweeney Todd" and "Passion". Song for song, you would be hard pressed to come up with a musical as impeccably written as "Follies".

    It's a great shame that there is no existing video, or even complete recording of the original Broadway production. It's one of those magical occurrences where it call comes together. There certainly have been bigger stars than Alexis Smith, Dorothy Collins or Yvonne de Carlo and yet the performances of the 1971 production, almost inexplicably, remain distinctly definitive.

    From the start "Follies in Concert" was intended by all concerned to become the definitive "Follies", with an all star cast backed by no less than the New York Philharmonic. This was in fact the motivating factor for the event being staged at all. The concert was most certainly a terrific theatrical event. The stars did not disappoint and the orchestra sounded great. But despite this, it widely failed in its quest to become the definitive version. Once again, this is not easily explained. There simply wasn't the legendary magic with which the original production was blessed. You cannot make magic in the theater by employing the very best; it either happens or it doesn't.

    The documentary section of this film is of great interest. The musical theater stars such as Barbara Cook, Elaine Stritch, Phylis Newman as well as film stars Lee Remick and Carol Burnett all come across with a rarely seen naturalness. It's as if they are truly humbled by the material itself.

    The performance segments are too short for my liking. It's a treat watching these professionals at work, singing such glorious music.

    But when all is said and done, this is no match all for the much loved 1971 Original Broadway production.
    helpful•5
    2
    • grahamclarke
    • Jun 22, 2004

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 14, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts - Columbus Avenue & 61st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Ellen M. Krass Productions
      • KQED
      • Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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