Jonathan Pearson

Yesterday was a wonderful day! My copy of the 2011 cast recording of Follies came early in the mail! If you haven't had the chance to see it on Broadway, the album is sure to please any musical theatre afficiando! The music, the dancing, the acting! It's all so sublime! This is definitely one of Stephen Sondheim's masterpieces!

I decided to post some video from its out of town tryout at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., to give you all a preview of what a marvelous spectacle this show is! Here is the opening portion of the show when all the former showgirls arrive at their old theatre for one last reunion before it is torn down to make room for a parking lot. (Note: I did not take these video clips. I'm just sharing them from the person who did!)

Here the ladies decide to recreate their old tap routine with the song, "Who's That Woman?" Notice the younger girls who play their former selves dancing behind them. Very magical!

Elaine Paige does a marvelous version of "I'm Still Here," one of Broadway's most iconic songs. There was a full length on YouTube, but the person who originally posted it took it down. Here's a preview clip from the show's YouTube page.

Rosalind Elias and Leah Horowitz do an incredible job on the "One More Kiss" duet between Heidi and Young Heidi. Elias is an opera legend in her 80s who is making her debut on Broadway. It goes to show you're never too old to make it in a Broadway show!

I definitely want to see the show again before it finishes its limited run in January. They certainly don't make musicals like this anymore! In fact, it's one of the only shows on Broadway now that uses a full orchestra! Most musicals now use less than 15 musicians. Follies has a 28-piece orchestra! Click here if you'd like to order a copy direct from PS Classics! Its street date isn't until November 29, but the company is shipping now! You can also listen to other clips. Have a great weekend everyone!