a fresh look at THE PAST
Follies
directed by brianHilligoss
music and lyrics by stephenSondheim
book by jamesGoldman
jan 8-11 , 2009
8pm Th-Sat, 2 pm Sun
lydia mendelssohn theatre
synopsis
This richly nostalgic tribute to the Golden Age of musical theater finds cast members of the original Weisman Follies reuniting on the eve of the demolition of their beloved theater. Beautiful music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim make Follies one of the best musicals in American theater.
staff
production staff
Director: Brian Hilligoss
Producer: Doug Harris
Assistant Director: Melissa Lindholm
Music Director: Brian Buckner
Choreographer: Colette Kenville
Stage Manager: Cathy Cassar
Set Designer: Cathy Cassar
Set Builder: Mark Batell
Sound Designer: Bob Skon
Lighting Designer: Thom Johnson
Props: Tina Mayer
Costume Designer: Nancy Rydzewski
cast
WOMEN:
SALLY DURANT PLUMMER: (late 40s – early 50s) Flighty, unstable, sweet, Sally is married to Buddy, but has loved and longed for Ben all her adult life. Numerous songs, including “Losing my Mind,” “In Buddy’s Eyes,” “Too Many Mornings,” among others.
PHYLLIS ROGERS STONE: (late 40s – early 50s) Elegant, schooled, polished and controlled, Phyllis is married to Ben. She long ago buried her naïve, “downtown” upbringing in order to fit into the urbane, “uptown” world of Ben, but the Follies reunion brings her face to face with the cost of that transformation. Several songs, including the solos “Could I Leave You?” and “Lucy and Jessie.”
CARLOTTA CAMPION: (late 40s – 50s) Seen-it-all aging movie actress, currently with a TV program of her own, she was once a Follies chorine. Solo “I’m Still Here.”
YOUNG SALLY: (19 – early 20s) Gay, bubbly, pert, a little silly, Young Sally is a Follies chorine and the ghost/memory of Sally. She is in love with Young Ben. Several songs, including “Love Will See Us Through” duet with Young Buddy.
YOUNG PHYLLIS: (19 – early 20s) Open, vulnerable, and eager to impress Young Ben, she is a Follies chorine and the ghost/memory of Phyllis. Several songs, including “You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow” duet with Young Ben.
STELLA DEEMS: (late 40s – 50s) Heavy-set onetime showgirl with a happy-go-lucky attitude. She is married to Max. Solo: “Who’s That Woman?”
HATTIE WALKER: (70s) Steely, tough singer and former Follies chorine. Solo: “Broadway Baby.”
SOLANGE LA FITTE: (60s) French, fashionable former Follies performer. Solo: “Ah, Paris!”
HEIDI SCHILLER: (80s) Queenly Soprano, was one of the greats. Her ringing soprano inspired the operetta kings to produce their lushest waltzes. Song: “One More Kiss.”
EMILY WHITMAN: (70s) cheerful and graceful, the wife and former dance partner of Theodore. Song: “Listen to the Rain on the Roof” duet with Theodore.
VANESSA: (50s – 70s) Vincent's former dance partner. She dances "Bolero D'Amour" with Vincent.
CHRISTINE DONOVAN: (late 40s – 50s) Former chorine. Chorus singing.
MEREDITH LANE: (late 40s – 50s) Former chorine. Chorus singing.
DEE DEE WEST: (late 40s – 50s) Former chorine. Chorus singing.
YOUNG VANESSA: (20s – 30s) A dancer, the intense ghost/memory of Vanessa. Also in ensemble.
YOUNG STELLA: (early 20s) Ghost/memory of Stella. Also in ensemble.
YOUNG HEIDI SCHILLER: (20s – 30s) Lacy, lovely, angelic ghost/memory of Heidi, also in ensemble.
FRANCESCA: a young waitress, also in the ensemble.
ENSEMBLE SINGERS/DANCERS: There will be several young women needed for singing and dancing in the ensemble as the younger ghost/memories of various characters.
MEN:
BENJAMIN STONE: (late 40s – early 50s) Worldly, wealthy, suave, Ben is a former diplomat and current Wall Street tycoon. Although he has always been attracted to Sally and once had an affair with her, he does not love her. Numerous songs, including “The Road You Didn’t Take,” “Too Many Mornings,” and “Live, Laugh, Love.”
BUDDY PLUMMER: (late 40s – early 50s) Salesman, exhausted, middle-class. His love for his wife, Sally, has never been fully requited, and he has turned to other women for consolation. Several Songs, including “The Right Girl” and “The God Why Don’t You Love Me Blues.”
YOUNG BEN: (early 20s) Frustrated, not self-assured, he is the ghost/memory of Ben. He looks to the future and dreams of success and wealth. He has an affair with Young Sally but chooses to marry Young Phyllis. Sings “You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow” duet with Young Phyllis. May play in ensemble in other dance numbers.
YOUNG BUDDY: (early 20s) Youthful, simple, hopeful ghost/memory of Buddy. Sings “Love Will See Us Through” duet with Young Sally. May play in ensemble in other dance numbers.
ROSCOE: (50s – 70s) The man with the gorgeous tenor voice who used to introduce the Weissman Follies. Solo: “Beautiful Girls.”
VINCENT: (50s – 70s) Elderly tango dancer, he dances "Bolero D'Amour" with Vanessa.
DIMITRI WEISSMAN: (70s – 80s) Aging impresario of the Follies. Ensemble singing.
THEODORE WHITMAN: (70s) Husband and former dance partner of Emily. Song: “Listen to the Rain on the Roof” duet with Emily.
YOUNG VINCENT: (20s – 30s) Handsome ghost/memory of Vincent. Also a member of the ensemble.
MAX DEEMS: (50s – 70s) Husband of Stella. Also a member of the ensemble.
MAJOR-DOMO: (20s – 40s) Head waiter, also member of the ensemble.
WILLY WHEELER: (50s – 70s) Former acrobat, now portly. Also a member of the ensemble.
CHAUFFEUR: (20s – 60s) Heidi’s chauffeur and escort for the party. Also a member of the ensemble.
KEVIN: A young, care-free waiter with a “nice face”. Also a member of the ensemble.
MALE PARTY GUESTS: (40s-60s) Ensemble singing.
extras
listen to tracks from Rhapsody
Disc 1
Play Track
4. Waiting For The Girls Upstairs
6. Ah, Paris!
10. In Buddy's Eyes
12. I'm Still Here
Disc 2
PlayTrack
4. Loveland
5. You're Gonna Love Tomorrow / Love Will See Us Through
9. Finale
10. The Story Of Lucy And Jessie