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Follies 1971

Ages: 10+
Opened: April 4, 1971
Closing: July 01, 1972

Follies - 1971 Broadway History , Info & More


A true theatrical event, this legendary masterpiece is considered by many to be the greatest musical ever created. Surreal, sophisticated, compelling, heart wrenching and epic in scope, Follies by musical theatre legend, Stephen Sondheim, and author, James Goldman, uses the musical theatre as a metaphor for the collapse of American innocence and naivete in the post-Kennedy years.



In Follies, the time is 1971, and theatrical impresario, Dimitri Weissmann, hosts a reunion of ex-Follies performers in his crumbling theatre, setting the stage for a parade of brilliant pastiche numbers, including "Losing My Mind," "I'm Still Here" and "Broadway Baby." Amid the reminiscing, two middle-aged couples confront some unpleasant truths about their past and present, coming face-to-face with the future.


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Games, Books, and Collectables Belonging to Stephen Sondheim Will Be Auctioned in June
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2024


Memorabilia includes his gold record for West Side Story, custom-embroidered asylum coat from Sweeney Todd and more, including antiques of the Victorian and Edwardian as well as early puzzles, games, rebuses, coin-operated machines and more.

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Sells for $3.25 Million
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024


The home of late Broadway icon Stephen Sondheim, which BroadwayWorld previously reported was for sale, has sold for $3.25 million. Learn more!

Over 200 Lots of Stephen Sondheim Memorabilia to be Auctioned Off in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2024


 Doyle will be auctioning the Collection of Stephen Sondheim on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10am. Learn more about the auction and about Stephen Sondheim.

Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga Will Lead STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS in LA and on Broadway
by Joshua Wright - Apr 8, 2024


Center Theatre Group (CTG) announced the North American premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne, playing at the Ahmanson Theatre from February 8—March 9, 2025. 

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan Townhouse Sells To Fan For $7M
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 30, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home has been sold to a Sondheim fan!

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Now For Sale
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 9, 2023


The Connecticut home of the legendary Stephen Sondheim is now for sale. See details about the home of the late Broadway icon.

Photos/Video: Go Inside Stephen Sondheim's $7M Manhattan Townhouse
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 11, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home is now for sale. The 7 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse in East Midtown has been listed by Michael J. Franco at Compass for $7M. 

Trinity Rep Presents SWEENEY TODD
by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2023


Trinity Repertory Company concludes its 2022-23 Season with the award-winning musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler. Directed by Curt Columbus, Sweeney Todd runs at Trinity Rep in the Dowling Theater from May 25 through June 25, 2023.

Merle Dandridge, Michael Hayden, Jodi Long & More to Star in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 2, 2023


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for the 50th anniversary production of A Little Night Music. See who is starring, and how to purchase tickets!

Graham Phillips & Krystina Alabado to Star in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Pasadena Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 12, 2023


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Sunday in the Park with George, the first production of the theater’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim. See performances dates and how to purchase tickets!

Alexandra Billings & Jane Kaczmarek to be Featured in INTO THE WOODS Presented by Pasadena Playhouse & P.U.S.D.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2023


In a landmark partnership, Pasadena Playhouse has been collaborating with all of the high schools of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) over the past 6 months to realize the students’ vision of Into the Woods.

Larry Owens' SONDHEIMIA, Bernadette Peters & More Announced for Pasadena Playhouse's Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2022


Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced the latest news for the theater’s upcoming six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim January 26 through June 11, 2023. 

San Francisco Playhouse Announces Cast For FOLLIES Opening June 30
by A.A. Cristi - May 19, 2022


San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022. Bill English will direct, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer. This marks the first fully staged professional production of Follies in San Francisco.

Pasadena Playhouse Announces 2022/2023 Season Featuring Six-Month Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2022


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the 2022/2023 Season featuring a six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim.  The State Theater of California’s Sondheim Celebration will begin in January 2023 and extend into June.  Find out what shows are included and the full schedule.

Natascia Diaz, Ryan Drummond & More to Star in FOLLIES at San Francisco Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 18, 2022


San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022.

VIDEO: Cynthia Erivo, Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt & Leslie Odom Jr. Sing Sondheim For the GRAMMYs In Memoriam
by Michael Major - Apr 4, 2022


Cynthia Erivo, Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt, and Leslie Odom Jr. took to the stage at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards to sing the music of Stephen Sondheim for the In Memoriam. The medley performance included 'Not a Day Goes By,' 'Send in the Clowns,' and 'Somewhere.' Watch the complete performance now!

Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler Will Honor Stephen Sondheim at the Grammys
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2022


A special tribute to Stephen Sondheim will take place during this year's Grammy Awards, Variety reports. Sung by Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler, the performance will be part of the show's traditional In Memoriam segment, which honors those we have lost in the past year.

VIDEO: Remembering Stephen Sondheim and Celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber on Their Shared Birthday
by Stephi Wild - Mar 22, 2022


Today, BroadwayWorld is remembering Stephen Sondheim, and celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber, both of whom share March 22nd as their birthday!

WATCH: Library of Congress Releases Unseen Stephen Sondheim Interviews
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 2, 2022


The Library of Congress has released hours of previously unseen interviews with late composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim discusses Into the Woods, Assassins,  Sunday in the Park With George, Sweeney Todd and more. 

MOMENTS A Musical Celebration of Stephen Sondheim Announced at Trinity Street Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 20, 2022


City Theatre Austin presents a special one-weekend performance event honoring Stephen Sondheim - the giant, the genius, who revolutionized musical theatre as its most influential writer and composer.

Ellen's Stardust Diner to Honor Stephen Sondheim
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 20, 2022


Ellen’s Stardust Diner will honor the late Broadway legend, composer Stephen Sondheim, with Monday in the Diner with Sondheim on January 24th, from 7-11pm.

NY1's ON STAGE to Honor Stephen Sondheim With Nathan Lane, Donna Murphy & More
by Michael Major - Dec 3, 2021


On Stage will take a look back at the incredible life and career of legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, including tributes from members of the Broadway community such as Nathan Lane, Josh Groban, Mandy Patinkin, Donna Murphy, Laura Benanti, Joanna Gleason, Lonny Price, Raul Esparza and Michael Cerveris.

Social Roundup: 31 Most Meaningful Sondheim Lyrics
by Taylor Brethauer-Hamling - Dec 3, 2021


The theater community around the world is mourning the loss of legend Stephen Sondheim after his passing on November 26, 2021. We asked our readers which Sondheim lyric meant the most to them and why. Read their answers here.

What We Know So Far (and What We Don't) About Stephen Sondheim's New Musical
by Team BWW - Sep 17, 2021


Broadway lovers had reason to rejoice this week when the industry's most beloved composer, Stephen Sondheim, announced that he has a new musical in the works. What do we know so far about Stephen Sondheim's new project? Let's review!

VIDEO: Stephen Sondheim Talks New Musical and Reveals the Title on THE LATE SHOW
by Stephi Wild - Sep 16, 2021


Stephen Sondheim appeared as a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night! Sondheim and Colbert have history, as Colbert starred in the 2011 production of Sondheim's musical, Company.

Follies History

Other Productions of Follies

1971   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1972   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1976   Off-Broadway Equity Library Theatre Revival
Off-Broadway
1983   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1985   Off-Broadway New York Concert
Off-Broadway
1987   West End London Revival
West End
1988   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1990   Los Angeles Los Angeles Revival
Los Angeles
1995   Regional (US) Regional Revival
Regional (US)
1996   West End London Concert
West End
1998   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2001   Broadway Roundabout Revival
Broadway
2002   London Fringe London Revival
London Fringe
2007   Off-Broadway Encores! Concert
Off-Broadway
2011   Washington, DC (Regional) Kennedy Center Revival
Washington, DC (Regional)
2011   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2017   West End National Theatre Premiere
West End
2019   West End London Return Engagement
West End

Follies - 1971 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1972 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Stephen Sondheim
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Choreography Michael Bennett
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design Florence Klotz
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director Harold Prince
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director Michael Bennett
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lyrics Stephen Sondheim
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Stephen Sondheim
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Performance Alexis Smith
1971 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design Boris Aronson
1971 Outer Critics Circle Awards Best Production 0

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