The 2001 revival of the hit 1980 musical based upon the 1933 Broadway musical film was much more elaborate than the original, with advertising in the theater district that took up an entire city block of a construction site with the presence of the chorus girls. Audiences initially were intrigued by the first "Follies" revival, but when that proved to be a disappointment, attention switched to this, with the original having closed just over ten years before. The producers of this one added more songs, gave more glitter to the costumes and tripled the energy level. The big winners that year at the Tony's were this and "The Producers", and in the wake of 9/11, the two shows filled the exact spirit that Broadway needed to get going again.
The cast of this TBS production isn't known to most Broadway audiences, but it is based on a British Revival that took audiences by storm just a few years ago and is delightfully lavish and extravagant and filled with charm. Added for this as a production from 2001 and kept over here are "I Only Have Eyes for You" , "With Plenty of Money and You" and Keep Young and Beautiful", which is actually from "Roman Scandals" , the only source that was not from a Warner Brothers movie. Everything else from the original production is there, and the addition of the other songs doesn't lengthen it in any unnecessary way. Having seen the original production on tour and the revival shortly after 9/11, I'd certainly love to visit the show live again with the 20-year hiatus, but having a copy of this production on video will do just fine until Broadway brings it back.
The cast of this TBS production isn't known to most Broadway audiences, but it is based on a British Revival that took audiences by storm just a few years ago and is delightfully lavish and extravagant and filled with charm. Added for this as a production from 2001 and kept over here are "I Only Have Eyes for You" , "With Plenty of Money and You" and Keep Young and Beautiful", which is actually from "Roman Scandals" , the only source that was not from a Warner Brothers movie. Everything else from the original production is there, and the addition of the other songs doesn't lengthen it in any unnecessary way. Having seen the original production on tour and the revival shortly after 9/11, I'd certainly love to visit the show live again with the 20-year hiatus, but having a copy of this production on video will do just fine until Broadway brings it back.