The Reprise! group in Los Angeles stages short-run, stripped-down, no-frills (i.e., minimal sets and costumes) versions of great Broadway musicals — usually three a year at the Freud Playhouse up at U.C.L.A. and one slightly-bigger production at the Wadsworth Theater over on the grounds of the Veterans Administration. I am just back from the sixth of eleven performances of this year's "slightly-bigger" event at the Wadsworth — Follies, book by James Goldman, songs by Stephen Sondheim.
Yes, Follies again. It was not so long ago that I saw the recent New York production done by Manhattan's Roundabout Theater Company. That one was criticized by some for not being lavish enough in its art direction and staging. The Reprise! version offers even less and, in some ways, less is more. Take away the staging tricks and glitter and all you have left are the skills of the performers and their very formidable personal histories. That is more than enough to make for a very enjoyable event.
For those who don't know: Follies in the story of the closing of a great theater and a last reunion therein of the showgirls who once paraded across its stage. It is often cast with lead performers who have rich show biz histories themselves, making it a showpiece for the great ladies of the stage who have been around a while. The cast for this Reprise! incarnation is most impressive and includes Carol Lawrence, Carole Cook, Amanda McBroom, Stella Stevens, Mary Jo Catlett, Justine Johnson (who was in the original Broadway production in '71), Liz Torres and Donna McKechnie. The male leads are Bob Gunton and Harry Groener — both of whom are incredible — while the two main female roles are filled by Patty Duke and Vikki Carr.
The latter two choices were deemed controversial when announced — Ms. Duke because it was felt she couldn't sing; Ms. Carr, because folks wondered if she could act. Apparently, the early performances were a bit awkward (these shows are always woefully under-rehearsed) but tonight, both ladies proved the skeptics wrong. Patty Duke is still a helluvan actress and that makes up for any slight deficiencies in her singing. Vikki Carr is still an amazing singer and I thought she was wonderful in the difficult role of Sally. And I have to say just one more time how good the men were, especially Harry Groener. You want to know what a good song-and-dance man looks like on stage? He looks like Harry Groener.
A tiny minority of folks left at intermission. There are rough edges in this kind of production — bobbled lines, missed notes — and it seemed like a few people let that kind of thing get to them. Those of us who remained jumped to our feet at the end to applaud a truly memorable, emotional production of a truly memorable, emotional show.
Although I almost wish a few more had left. The folks sitting directly behind us seemed unable to grasp that all their favorite musical performers weren't up on the stage there. One man kept paging through his program book, asking over and over which of those ladies on stage was Lainie Kazan (answer: none of them). His wife was equally certain that at least one of those women had to be Connie Francis or maybe Connie Stevens. But maybe such mistakes add to the charm. Follies is about fantasy and nostalgia. Maybe it's appropriate to let one's imagination run rampant at such an event.