FOLLIES
Book by James Goldman
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Patty Granville and David Tinney
Music Director Scott A Eckert
Orchestra
Scott A Eckert, Ben Barker, Joe Fekdstein, Chad Ostermiller, Alan Pollard
Choreography by Kelly McCain
Set Design by David Tinney
Lighting Design by Hank Baldree
Costume Design by Kerra Sims
Asst Music Director Ben Barker
Stage Manager Cheryl Pellett
Asst Stage Manager Lydia Sims
Garland Civic Theatre presents Follies starring Andi Allen, BJ Austin, Barbara Doubt, Evelyn Dumeer, Caroline Engelstadt, Doug Fowler, Whitney Golin, Steve Golin, Patty Granville, Bonnie Grugle, Mark Hawkins, Devin Johnson, DonnaMarie Knight, Allison Larrea, Brooke Matthews, Caitlin Miles, Bryson Morlan, Ken O’Reilly, Christine Phelan, Nancy Pistilli, Ryan Ramirez, Dan Servetnick, Francine Simpson, AnnaGrace Smith, Sally Soldo, Andrea Fernandez Tom, Emma Triana, Robbie Voigt
My thoughts on Follies at Garland Civic Theatre or…believing in yesterday.
When I first heard that there was going to be a local production of Follies, I was a bit more than skeptical of the outcome. Follies is a challenging show to stage and perform. It constantly intertwines the past and present, has a demanding score, challenging dance numbers, and a huge cast.
I am happy to report that my skepticism proved to be unfounded. Directors Patty Granville and David Tinney, along with Music Director Scott A Eckert and his excellent orchestra, and Choreographer Kelly McCain have fashioned a fine Follies filled with some of the best talent in the Metroplex.
Yes, it’s scaled way down. The set designed by David Tinney is a dark half staircase with a platform at the top. Tables and chairs are scattered about, and a silver tinsel curtain appears. The glitz and glamour in this production come from Kerra Sims’ wonderful costumes and from the dazzlingly talented cast of 29, some of whom have been performing for decades.
It’s 1971 and Dimitri Weissman played by the dashing Doug Fowler is hosting a reunion of his former Follies girls as the Weissman Theater where they all performed is being torn down. Women from many years past show up in their finery for one last look. The central characters of Sally Durant Plummer (Christine Phelan) and Phyllis Rogers Stone (Whitney Golin) attend with their spouses Buddy Plummer (Steve Golin) and Ben Stone (Dan Servetnick). Phyllis and Ben are well to do New Yorkers while Sally and Buddy are middle class people living in Phoenix. Sally has had a thing for Ben since her showgirl days and still does even though he is married to her friend and former roommate Phyllis.
Over the course of the evening the drama of the two couples plays out with their younger selves. Young Sally (DonnaMarie Knight) and Young Phyllis (Brooke Matthews) with Young Buddy (Robbie Voigt) and Young Ben (Bryson Morlan) become sort of ghost couples to their current selves. “Ghosts” abound in Follies as all of the reuniting showgirls are recalling their youthful days in the doomed theater. I know this sounds a bit confusing, but Granville and Tinney have staged it all well and the plot becomes easy to follow.
There are almost as many great songs as there are cast members in this show. The fabulous voice of Ken O’Reilly as Roscoe introduces us to all those “Beautiful Girls.” And can those beautiful girls ever sing! Andi Allen as Solange works her boa, struts the stage, and makes “Ah, Paris!” her own. Patty Granville has a great talk/sing take on “I’m Still Here” in which she recounts her showbiz journey. Francine Simpson is bold, brassy, and sassy as Stella as she faces aging in “Who’s That Woman?” which turns into one of Kelly McCain’s dynamite dance numbers (you won’t believe those tappers!). Barbara Doudt as Heidi and Evelyn Dumeer as Young Heidi deliver a beautiful and moving “One More Kiss.” As Carlotta Campion, the magnificent Sally Soldo delivers all the goods singing “Broadway Baby.” This is a “Broadway Baby” that would bring a Broadway crowd to its feet. I’d get in the car and drive to Garland again right now to see her do it again.
The leads and their “ghosts” are all also uber talented. The young men, Robbie Voight and Bryson Morelan, capture all the youthful male exuberance and bring great vocals. DonnaMarie Knight as Young Sally and Brooke Matthews as Young Phyllis are not only supremely good vocalists, but dynamic actors as well. They are leading actors who act and sing these supporting roles out of the park.
The lead males, Steve Golin as Buddy and Dan Servetnick as Ben are both powerhouse vocalists and performers. Both Buddy and Ben are in unhappy marriages and Buddy reveals his infidelity in “The Right Girl.” Golin makes Buddy so relatable and sympathetic that we do not judge him. Quite to the contrary, it is obvious that Ben is now and has always been quite the Lothario. Servetnick’s Ben is strong and self-confident, but ultimately we have pity for him as he breaks down in “Live, Laugh, Love” as Servetnick displays not only his vocal skills, but brings his amazing acting skills as well. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Servetnick perform for all of my six years in DFW and he is proof of the adage about fine wine.
The female leads, Christine Phelan as Sally and Whitney Golin as Phyllis, get some of Sondheim’s best songs and do they ever do them justice. Christine Phelan is perfect as the delusional Sally, who has spent her life loving a man who never loved her. Phelan’s vocal prowess is on display in “In Buddy Eyes,” and “Losing My Mind.” Phelan’s is a heartfelt, touching performance. In contrast to Sally, Golin’s Phyllis is accepting of her not so bad lot in life and deals with it head on. Watching Golin’s Phyllis taunt Servetnick’s Ben with “Could I Leave You” is pure musical theater magic and her brilliant “Story of Lucy and Jessie” is an excellent comic explanation of what Follies is all about.
Follies is not a happy show. It’s a wistful look at lost youth and the roads we didn’t take. I know that doesn’t sound like fun, but this Follies brings so much talent and great music and dancing to the table, you will be thrilled. There’s so much more than I have revealed here. This Follies is one reunion you don’t want to miss. And you don’t even have to dress up or lose weight.
