Civic Theatre of Allentown Presents Sondheim's FOLLIES in Concert This Weekend

Civic Theatre of Allentown continues its tradition of performing in-concert productions of storied musicals, when it produces Stephen Sondheim's "Follies" in concert in two special benefit performances, at 7:30 pm tonight, June 26 and tomorrow, June 27 at Civic's historic 19th Street Theatre.

The two evenings commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Civic's critically acclaimed production of "Follies," which the theatre produced on the same stage in the fall of 1994. Several actors who appeared in Civic's original production are returning to play the same roles. The concerts also cap off a highly successful 2014-2015 season that marked increases in attendance at Civic's live theatre productions and art house films. The Civic Theatre production will include a live onstage orchestra of 26 musicians and a large cast of actors and singers who are donating their talents to raise funds for the Civic Theatre operating fund.

"When I decided to do Sondheim's seminal musical "Follies" as a concert this year I actually had no idea that it had been 20 years this past autumn when we produced it on our main stage," says Civic Theatre Artistic Director William Sanders. "It had been a dream of mine to do this musical since I was hired full time at Civic in 1991. It was a wild ride and an extraordinarily well received production with an exemplary cast. When I began casting the concert this spring I decided that anyone who auditioned that wanted to play the same role would in fact most likely do so."

Of the cast of 30 members of the 2015 cast, six are returning to the roles played in the 1994 production.

"'Follies' is about returning to where it all began, one is rarely afforded this opportunity," says Sanders. "I am thrilled to be able to have this chance ... thrilled to have this cast ... and thrilled to have a 26-piece professional orchestra under the direction of the ever generous and exceptional Steve Reisteter."

Pat Birnbaum, who regularly appeared on Civic's stage until relocating to North Carolina last year, is returning in the lead role of Phyllis Stone.

"There are so many emotions swirling about coming back to Civic," says Birnbaum. "In 'Follies', Phyllis tells Ben, "...I needed to come back. One last look at where it all began." Those lines ring more true for me, returning to Civic ... having done the show twenty years ago. It is truly life imitating art."

Don Swan, who is returning to the role of Dimitri Weismann noted that the show seems more current now than it was in 1995.

"The twenty years since Civic's first production gives me greater admiration of Sondheim's keen understanding of the chronology of life and human relationships," says Swan. "The characters and relationships are as real today as they were in 1995. The returning cast has slipped seamlessly from the younger generation roles into the older generation. I was shocked, however, when one of our current showgirls mentioned at rehearsal that she wasn't even born when we performed the 1995 production!"

For some, returning to the "Follies," means a return to the stage after a long absence. Jim Johnson, who didn't appear in the "Follies" but who was a lead in Sanders' first production at Civic, "Guys and Dolls," is coming back to Civic after nearly 25 years. Susan McDermott, who is playing Stella Deems, has decided to return to "Follies," after not performing for two decades.

"For some reason, labor, delivery and raising five children were all less nerve-wracking and daunting than auditioning for 'Follies' after having been away from performing for 20 years. But the lure of potentially working with many from the original cast, original director at the same theatre was so strong I couldn't stay away."

In general, cast members talk about the reunion themes in the show and their parallel to their lives at Civic - and speak fondly of both the 1994 production and Civic's 2015 concert revisit.

"Twenty years ago a group of people came together and created a wonderful show under the direction of William Sanders. Now 20 years later some of us have the opportunity to recreate that same magic with new people," says Susan Glover, who is revisiting the role of Heidi Schiller. "I feel so privileged to be able to do this show again and recreate that same magic."

The cast includes: Kate Varley as Sally, Jim Johnson as Buddy, Pat Birnbaum as Phyllis and Tom Onushco as Ben. Also in the cast of 30 are Allie Sacher (Young Dee Dee), Andrea Cartagena (Christine Donovan), Aubree Williams (Showgirl), August Fegley (Sally in Buddy's Blues), Christa Maxwell (Young Hattie), Cindi Surovi (Alexis Collins), Daniel Youngelman (Young Buddy), Deena Linn (Emily), Donald M. Swan Jr. (Weismann), Elizabeth Boehm (Young Emily), Elizabeth Marsh-Gilkeson (Young Heidi), Erin McGowan (Showgirl), Gabrielle Rhoads (Young Alexis), JoAnn W. Basist (Solange), Kathy Hontz (Meredith Lane), Kelsea Hagstrom (Young Stella), Kevin J. Rizzo (Young Roscoe), Laura Sweeney Riker (Dee Dee West), Marie Ann Sutera (Hattie), McKenzie Custin (Young Sally), Meagan Gombos (Showgirl), Nina Elias (Young Phyllis), Olivia Perry (Young Christine), Pamela Westphal (Young Meredith), Robert Torres (Roscoe), Sarah Nekich (Margie in "Buddy's Blues"), Susan Glover (Heidi), Susan McDermott (Stella), Thomas Riley (Young Ben), and Tracy Ceschin (Carlotta).

"Follies" is directed and choreographed by Civic's Artistic Director William Sanders. The musical will feature a live onstage orchestra under the musical direction of Steve Reisteter. Will Morris serves as costume coordinator and lighting designer. Emily Heller is production stage manager.

Civic's Box Office number is 610-432-8943 and the shows will be produced at Civic's 19th Street Theatre, 527 N. 19th Street, Allentown, PA. Free parking for the shows is available along Liberty and Allen Streets near 19th Street and in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot at 19th and Liberty (after the bank is closed).

Ticket prices are $28-$31. Special discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. Both performances are at 7:30 pm. More information is available on the Civic Theatre website.

Civic Theatre of Allentown is a 501c3 non-profit organization that professionally produces live community theatre, is the Lehigh Valley's longest running year-round art house cinema, and the home of the Lehigh Valley's oldest continually operated children's theatre school. More information on Civic Theatre of Allentown can be found at www.civictheatre.com.

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