Exclusive to Melbourne and for three performances only, Follies in Concert will play at the Melbourne Recital Centre: 24 – 25 May 2016.
Set at a reunion of the soon-to-be demolished Weismann Theatre, once the home of the Weismann Follies. Before the wrecking ball demolishes the fated building to make way for a parking lot, the former stars of the follies gather to relive their past experiences, renew old friendships… and lie about themselves a little.
Under the direction of Tyran Parke, an outstanding Australian cast has been assembled including: David Hobson (Buddy), Lisa McCune (Sally), Nancye Hayes (Hattie), Philip Quast (Ben), Anne Wood (Phyllis), Debra Byrne (Carlotta), Bert Newton (Theodore Whitman), Patti Newton (Emily Whitman), Queenie van de Zandt (Stella), David Rogers Smith (Roscoe), Cheryl Barker (Heidi), Robert Grubb (Dimitri), Jenni Little (Young Phyllis), Madeleine Featherby (Young Heidi), Natali Gamsu (Solange), Rowan Witt (Young Buddy), Sophie Wright (Young Sally), Katie Kermond (Dee Dee) and Lachlan Graham (Young Ben).
They will be supported by ensemble members: Daniel Assetta, Katrina Bickerton, Zoe Coppinger, Ashleigh Marie Hauschild, Matt Holly, Nicholas Kyriacou, Imogen Moore, Monica Swayne and Caleb Vines.
Originally produced on Broadway in 1971, directed by Harold Prince (The Phantom of the Opera) and Michael Bennett (A Chorus Line), Follies was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning seven including Best Score, and features the songs: Beautiful Girls, Broadway Baby, In Buddy’s Eyes, I’m Still Here, Losing My Mind, Waiting for the Girls Upstairs and You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow – just to name a few…
With 23 musicians playing the full and original Broadway orchestrations, this presentation of the celebrated Broadway musical, with book by James Goldman and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, will be an evening long remembered.
Director: Tyran Parke Musical Director: Stephen Gray Choreographer: Kelly Akers Set & Costume Designer: Anna Gardiner Lighting Designers: Robert Cuddon & Neil Mclean
Follies in Concert
Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank Boulevard, Southbank
Performances: 24 & 25 May 2016
Information and bookings: www.melbournerecital.com.au