Phyllis Rogers News

1971, New York. There's a party on the stage of the Weismann Theatre. Tomorrow the iconic building will be demolished. Thirty years after their final performance, the Follies girls gather to have a few drinks, sing a few songs and lie about themselves.

FOLLIES - IN CONCERT, opens on February 10 at Garden Grove's historic GEM THEATRE presented by the award-winning One More Productions - one of Southern California's leading musical theater companies.

FOLLIES - IN CONCERT, opens on February 10 at Garden Grove's historic GEM THEATRE presented by the award-winning One More Productions - one of Southern California's leading musical theater companies.

New work by Inua Ellams, Ya?l Farber, DC Moore, Lindsey Ferrentino and Nina Raine is announced today by Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre. Four world premieres and two European premieres are further announced as forthcoming productions for the National Theatre in 2017.  

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Seattle and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include FOLLIES in St. Louis, THE LAST SHIP in Salt Lake City, and PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES in Seattle, just to name a few.

While I was watching FOLLIES, I was reminded of our own beloved Fox Theatre, and how it had tread a similar path during the 1970's. Like the fictional Weismann Theatre where this story's action takes place, it had been fallen on hard times, reduced to screening Kung-Fu and exploitation film fare before being renovated and reopened. But there is no restoration in the cards for the Weismann, and the people that come to it for one final celebrated glimpse may be nearing the point of being past reclamation themselves. This is superior Sondheim, and though it's not revived as often as some of his other works, it's full of the kind of interweaving melodies and motifs that this master composer is so adept at creating. Find out for yourself just how compelling and engaging this musical is by seeing The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' stunning production that opens their 50th season.

Actress Louise Plowright, perhaps best known for her role as Madame Morrible in WICKED, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer this week at the age of 59.

Get a backstage look at the new star-studded UK FOLLIES!

Betty Buckley, Lorna Luft, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson and Jos Slovick complete the cast of Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, alongside ensemble members Sarah Bakker, CJ Field, Jennifer Davison, Emily Warner, Lucy James and Luke Fetherstone.

Get a backstage look at rehearsals for the new star-studded UK FOLLIES!

Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde, 2 Broke Girls), Alexander Hanson (Stephen Ward the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music) and Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E) with Alistair Brammer (Miss Saigon, War Horse, LES MISERABLES) and Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound Of Music, Marry Me A Little, The Light Princess) join Christine Baranski (Into The Woods, The Good Wife, Mamma Mia), Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Chicago) Anita Harris (Carry On Doctor & Follow That Camel, Cats), Ruthie Henshall (original Roxy in Chicago, Les Misérables), Roy Hudd (Fagan in Oliver!, Coronation Street, Good Old Days) and Russell Watson (the UK's best selling classical artist ever; winner of four Classical BRIT awards), in Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

Opening on April 17th 2015, The Milburn Stone Theatre presents Follies, the first and last reunion of the Weismann Follies. Follies, is interspersed with ex-showgirls reprising their old big numbers. Check out photos of the production below!

Betty Buckley, Lorna Luft, Charlotte Page, Peter Polycarpou, Amy Ellen Richardson and Jos Slovick complete the cast of Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, alongside ensemble members Sarah Bakker, CJ Field,Jennifer Davison, Emily Warner, Lucy James and Luke Fetherstone.

Ruthie Henshall previews her upcoming FOLLIES turn!

The star-studded FOLLIES of event of the year just got starrier!

The Arizona premiere of FOLLIES opened on the Gyder Stage at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts on February 20, 2015. The music and lyrics of the dazzling FOLLIES score are by Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. The book is by Academy Award winner James Goldman, also known for The Lion in Winter. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

A first look at the most spectacular FOLLIES of event of the year!

Theater Works announces the Arizona premiere of FOLLIES. FOLLIES is a theatrical event which is attracting some of the finest talent in the Valley. It will open on the Gyder Stage at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts tonight, February 20, 2015.

Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde, 2 Broke Girls), Alexander Hanson (Stephen Ward the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music) and Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E) with Alistair Brammer (Miss Saigon, War Horse, Les Misérables) and Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound Of Music, Marry Me A Little, The Light Princess) join the previously announced Christine Baranski (Into The Woods, The Good Wife, Mamma Mia), Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Chicago) Anita Harris (Carry On Doctor & Follow That Camel, Cats), Ruthie Henshall (original Roxy in Chicago, Les Misérables), Roy Hudd (Fagan in Oliver!, Coronation Street, Good Old Days) and Russell Watson (the UK's best selling classical artist ever; winner of four Classical BRIT awards), in Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde, 2 Broke Girls), Alexander Hanson (Stephen Ward the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Little Night Music) and Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E) with Alistair Brammer (Miss Saigon, War Horse, Les Misérables) and Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound Of Music, Marry Me A Little, The Light Princess) join the previously announced Christine Baranski (Into The Woods, The Good Wife, Mamma Mia), Anita Dobson (EastEnders, Chicago) Anita Harris (Carry On Doctor & Follow That Camel, Cats), Ruthie Henshall (original Roxy in Chicago, Les Misérables), Roy Hudd (Fagan in Oliver!, Coronation Street, Good Old Days) and Russell Watson (the UK's best selling classical artist ever; winner of four Classical BRIT awards), in Follies in Concert, with The City of London Philharmonic Orchestra, at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.