Town Players of New Canaan Gear Up For Friday's Premiere

Stephen Sondheim fans will wish to make their reservations early for the Town Players of New Canaan's summer show, the concert version of Sondheim's Follies. "Concert version" means a staged, shortened version of the original Broadway production with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Goldman.

Follies producer Patrick Kiley says, "This is going to be a terrific show.  The voices and acting talent are tops." Throwing down the gauntlet, Kiley continued, "If up until now lukewarm or negative define your opinion of Sondheim, be an adventurer! Come hear Sondheim's melodies, harmonics, rhythms and lyrics with new ears. You just might find a piece of yourself."

Follies won seven Tony awards in 1972.  The show takes place at a 1970s reunion; Weismann Follies' showgirls and the men in their lives gather at the old Weismann Theatre the night before it is razed to become a parking lot. As occurs in reunions, the characters ruminate on their present and past lives. 

The musical's title is a play on words, the foibles of the human condition and the lives of theatre people when troupes like Broadway's Ziegfeld Follies were the superstars in that bygone era before talking movies, radio, television and YouTube. The show contains songs poignant, witty, gorgeous and complex. Several now are standards including "Broadway Baby," "I'm Still Here," "Too Many Mornings," and "Could I Leave You?"  For someone not thought of as romantic, Sondheim in his homage to the courage of the human spirit and Broadway performers created an act of love—and many show stopping numbers.

Sondheim apprenticed with Oscar Hammerstein and a lot of what he does is rooted in classic Broadway music.  Town Players' music director Stan Wietrzychowski says, "West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum are more a semblance of a normal musical.  The longer Sondheim wrote and the older he became, more uniqueness came through.  Sondheim, like many composers, was born with two melody lines and spent the rest of his life re-writing.  Think Beethoven, think Rodgers & Hammerstein, think Sondheim.  You recognize his music as Sondheim.  His intricate melody lines are very tonal, and then he gets involved with harmonics and rhythms. Sondheim, the cleverest composer of his generation, is on a par with Cole Porter."

Director Michael Day, who staged The Fantasticks two summers ago, says, "I am very happy with the cast, Goldman's book and the gorgeous songs.  The show will be a real treat for audiences.  This is a redemptive musical about botched up relationships. No one is a hero, but each is a survivor and does his best."  Choreographer Beth Green-Schwartz has created dance movement that wafts the essence, the flavor, an intimation of Follies dancers. 

The cast includes Marta Backman, Jody Bayer, Laura Blackwell, Marcia Cummings Vinci, Bob Filipowich, Ryan Frostig, Beth Green-Schwartz, James Hisey II, Betty McCready, Anastasia Raleigh, David Shimchick, David A. Sylvia, Nancy Thode, and Valerie Torphy.

 Follies will be performed at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny Park, New Canaan (3/10 mile to the left off Merritt Parkway Exit 37) on Fri. and Sat., July 23, 24, 30, 31, August 6 & 7 at 8:00PM.  Sunday matinees are on July 25 and Aug. 1 at 2:30 PM.  The Powerhouse is handicapped accessible and air-conditioned. Tickets are $25 and $20 for students and seniors (age 62 and up). To reserve seats for Follies, please call (203) 966-7371.  

The Town Players are conducting a food drive for the New Canaan Food Bank, which provides provisions for 600 people every two weeks.  Donations can be put in the basket by the box office window and the Town Players will deliver them the Monday after each weekend's performances.