I'm 70-adjacent and watching this with much different eyes and ears than even 10 years ago. Bittersweet. Deliciously bittersweet but still bittersweet. It's amazing to me the craft of Mr Sondheim's ability to evoke emotions - complex emotions. And made it look easy and made it memorable. Thank Dog for the miracle that is CZcams!
I saw this number, and this production of "Follies", at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Transcendence piled upon transcendence. I've never been so thankful in my life that I had opera glasses with me as I was when Linda Lavin sang "Broadway Baby". A SONG? It was Lavin as a tribune for the entire human race, defiantly proclaiming the splendor and misery of life itself, and hurling her challenge into the face of Death. At intermission, the attractive middle-aged lady on my right and I struck up a conversation. "You really seem into this show", she said. "I enjoy seeing great theater with people who love it as much as I do." I told her that I had driven down from York, Pennsylvania to see "Follies" in production for the first time. She smiled. "I've got you beat. I flew in from Denver."
Ah, the power of Steve, which can draw people in over thousands of miles. It makes me think of the scene in "Bell, Book and Candle", where Kim Novak, as the witch Gillian Holroyd, casts a "summoning spell" that makes Ernie Kovacs travel from Mexico to New York City. As Jimmy Stewart says at the end of the movie: "Who's to say what magic is?"
The best thing about this number for me was the girl playing the young Stella - sitting in the orchestra section I could see the knowing, mischievous way she looked at her older self when they started tapping together, which made the whole thing strange and thrilling.
I felt something similar, as well sitting in the orchestra, watching the young Carlotta watch her older self singing I'm still here. Gave me goosebumps.
You may not realize it, but it was one of the most complex dance numbers in the history of Broadway - that back to back double line was nigh impossible. *Bernadette Peters* was in it and it still took everyone a month just to learn the steps.
I saw her in Barnum in 1980. She was a young woman playing an old woman. Now she's playing an older woman who feels young. When I saw this, at the end of this number, Terri White got a 30 second standing ovation. (This is utterly unheard of on Broadway.) She stood there and smiled until it was clear that it was just not going to end, and she cried. She had more than earned it and it was beautiful.
Very interesting to watch this 2011 version and seeing the National Theatre production of 2017 & 2019. I personally do prefer the 2017 & 2019 version. I do believe it is on here and the full 2017 production is available to watch/stream .
Seriously though. THanks for uploading - LOVE IT! I only have the recording and I don't find it particularly exciting - seeing it really makes it come alive. And Elaine is v funny here!
Hey very nice - also nice work stabilizing the video. I recognize that - I imagine very shaky handheld original, then stabilized perfectly in post, practically looks like it was on a tripod
I, too, was there live. Had seen the earlier revival with Blythe Danner and Co. But this most recent revival--with Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Ron Raines, et al--will become as legendary as the 1971 original. Now if they can just do the movie version without effing it up. Had read a few years ago Aaron Sorkin (TV's "West Wing") was adapting it but he went on to do that so-called "Facebook" movie and haven't heard about a filmed "Follies" since. Anyone know anything?
Thank you so much for these amazing videos!!! I am a huge follies fan and I wish I could have gotten to see this. Is there anyway you can post more videos maybe Ah Paris, Lucy and Jessie, Could I Leave You and the like. Also is there anyway you could send me the entire show. I would so appreciate it. Thank you again
It's called projection. The mics supplement the actors not take the place of projection. It isn't a high school musical. Watching it on this format isn't ideal.
Mike Anderson It's not the format. They did the same thing when PBS aired the revival of "The Women" a few years ago. The last few Broadway shows I saw featured mic'd yelling, as well, with all of the actors sounding hoarse.
![I'm Still Here [Follies ~ Broadway, 2011] - Elaine Paige](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U0aed46yuyA/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm 70-adjacent and watching this with much different eyes and ears than even 10 years ago. Bittersweet. Deliciously bittersweet but still bittersweet. It's amazing to me the craft of Mr Sondheim's ability to evoke emotions - complex emotions. And made it look easy and made it memorable.
Thank Dog for the miracle that is CZcams!
Rest in Peace wonderful Jan Maxwell.
I saw this number, and this production of "Follies", at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Transcendence piled upon transcendence. I've never been so thankful in my life that I had opera glasses with me as I was when Linda Lavin sang "Broadway Baby". A SONG? It was Lavin as a tribune for the entire human race, defiantly proclaiming the splendor and misery of life itself, and hurling her challenge into the face of Death. At intermission, the attractive middle-aged lady on my right and I struck up a conversation. "You really seem into this show", she said. "I enjoy seeing great theater with people who love it as much as I do." I told her that I had driven down from York, Pennsylvania to see "Follies" in production for the first time. She smiled. "I've got you beat. I flew in from Denver."
I came from AZ to see it.
We flew from Mexico city
Ah, the power of Steve, which can draw people in over thousands of miles. It makes me think of the scene in "Bell, Book and Candle", where Kim Novak, as the witch Gillian Holroyd, casts a "summoning spell" that makes Ernie Kovacs travel from Mexico to New York City. As Jimmy Stewart says at the end of the movie: "Who's to say what magic is?"
God, Terri White is such a gift.
She was absolutely robbed of a Tony nomination for Supporting actress imo
I wish, I Wish, I WISH they'd do an official video of this show!
The best thing about this number for me was the girl playing the young Stella - sitting in the orchestra section I could see the knowing, mischievous way she looked at her older self when they started tapping together, which made the whole thing strange and thrilling.
I felt something similar, as well sitting in the orchestra, watching the young Carlotta watch her older self singing I'm still here. Gave me goosebumps.
I was there! It was amazing live
This was such a great number.
You may not realize it, but it was one of the most complex dance numbers in the history of Broadway - that back to back double line was nigh impossible. *Bernadette Peters* was in it and it still took everyone a month just to learn the steps.
Love Follies & Terri White!
I saw her in Barnum in 1980. She was a young woman playing an old woman. Now she's playing an older woman who feels young.
When I saw this, at the end of this number, Terri White got a 30 second standing ovation. (This is utterly unheard of on Broadway.) She stood there and smiled until it was clear that it was just not going to end, and she cried. She had more than earned it and it was beautiful.
First row there! Unforgettable
I had a *stroke* a couple years ago and I still remember this show like I'm there. Utterly indelible.
I wish I could experience watching this for the first time again
I come back to this video often wishing I could go right back to the theatre the night I saw this performance for the first time. It was magical.
lol the lady in the white looking dress at the 6:00 mark is dancing like shes at the club in 2019 lmfao look at that hand go
Love the business with Carlotta bumping into the pros arch! Fab!
Very interesting to watch this 2011 version and seeing the National Theatre production of 2017 & 2019. I personally do prefer the 2017 & 2019 version. I do believe it is on here and the full 2017 production is available to watch/stream .
Well hopefully Bernadette will get an Emmy nomination for Smash!
Double, Double. Hilarious!
this is amazing! please post more!!!
Seriously though. THanks for uploading - LOVE IT! I only have the recording and I don't find it particularly exciting - seeing it really makes it come alive. And Elaine is v funny here!
Hey very nice - also nice work stabilizing the video. I recognize that - I imagine very shaky handheld original, then stabilized perfectly in post, practically looks like it was on a tripod
I love this but did anyone else see elaine's dancer slip at 5:10?! lmao
Meowwww!!!
Thanks so much Kate Bush D!! If you get chance please could you post "Beautiful Girls" ? Thank you in advance :-)
God bless bootleggers.
I, too, was there live. Had seen the earlier revival with Blythe Danner and Co. But this most recent revival--with Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Ron Raines, et al--will become as legendary as the 1971 original. Now if they can just do the movie version without effing it up. Had read a few years ago Aaron Sorkin (TV's "West Wing") was adapting it but he went on to do that so-called "Facebook" movie and haven't heard about a filmed "Follies" since. Anyone know anything?
This is like a drug injected straight into the veins
does anyone know if i can find the full show?
Thank you so much for these amazing videos!!! I am a huge follies fan and I wish I could have gotten to see this. Is there anyway you can post more videos maybe Ah Paris, Lucy and Jessie, Could I Leave You and the like. Also is there anyway you could send me the entire show. I would so appreciate it. Thank you again
I agree, good comments.🙏👍 The 1987 follies will always be my ultimate favourite cast and second favourite musical behind The Phantom of the Opera. 🎭
Would it be possible for you to download Loveland?
Do you have the finale of the show?
What a bummer Bernadette wasn't nominated for a Tony!
I liked it, but I really wish they would have made a cast recording of the 2001 cast. Carol Woods sung the hell out of this song
Yea but Terri White danced the hell out of it. That was actually more exciting for me.
that woman is Sister Hubert OMG she got out of that habit. look up "Nunsense" if you have no clue what im talking about
Not even a platform for the "ghosts"? Kind of spoils the last third of the number.
Not a patch on the original...even with Bernadette Peters.
Definitive.
I don't understand something. Why, if they're all mic'd, do they still yell onstage?
It's called projection. The mics supplement the actors not take the place of projection. It isn't a high school musical. Watching it on this format isn't ideal.
Mike Anderson
It's not the format.
They did the same thing when PBS aired the revival of "The Women" a few years ago. The last few Broadway shows I saw featured mic'd yelling, as well, with all of the actors sounding hoarse.
+Mike Anderson I would guess to get the tone of their voices right
It's about connection through energy. not just volume- this isn't film.
In other words, you've no idea.
Can I marry you, I love you!
How impertinent! - the person who shot this has cut off Elaine Paige most of the time! GRRRRRR!
Someone needs to take a chill pill.
Great to see that... one small irritant was that Elaine Page held the hand of her 'ghost' I wold feel there should be no physical contact....
i prefer the 2007 encores
Better than Bernadette Peters in my opinion more style and energy