Anon

Anyone seen Follies yet? Suggestions for after-Friday-night-play dinner/ snack? It is at the Belasco on 44th. Is Jo Allen still a good spot?

Bob

I assume we're talking New York?

Anon

Sorry, yes. (I forget that although there is a subject listed in post, it does not appear. Any advise or suggestions are appreciated.

rqf

Saw Follies a week ago. It was an enjoyable show but a little slow during the first act after the opening number.
Good second act. Think an older person would enjoy the show since they can relate to some of the popular actresses from the past - Marge Champion, Polly Bergen, Betty Garrett and a few others. Belasco is on W. 44th, north side of the street midway between Broadway and 6th Avnue.

Patrick

I'm looking forward to Follies in May. One of the basic problems with the show was that it was always considered a little "slow" for a musical.
I always do Joe Allen one night after theatre, more for the buzz and atmosphere than the food, although it is certainly very good for the price, and they pour a nice drink. Be sure to call exactly one week ahead to book, or you'll probably never get it. They will know what time to book you when you tell them what show you are seeing.

Anon

Thanks, Patrick. Any suggestions for shopping with a new high school graduate?
How about fun place before/after Sunday matinee (Producers on 44th)?

Howard

I hope you all saw the very interesting articles about Follies in last Sunday's Times.

Patrick

For Sunday before matinee I'd suggest Virgil's Real Bar B Q, which is a fun place and very reasonable. Or maybe Carmine's if there is a group of you and you like to eat a lot of Italian, family style (although I'm not positive they are open at noon on Sunday). I've never been to Mars 2112 on Broadway at 51st, but friends tell me it is the most "fun" place in the theatre district. Also Ruby Foo's is a lot of fun--some sort of offbeat Chinese food to share.
I'm not much of a shopper so can't help you there.

Caitlin

I assume you're talking clothes shopping (I also assume your high school graduate is female, but these suggestions are for places that cater to both sexes). Just-iniNYC places with fun, hip, affordable clothes geared toward the young: H&M, on 34th @ 6th Ave or on 5th Ave @ 50th St.; Canal Jean Co. on Broadway below Canal (in Soho); Broadway from 14th St. down to Prince has many shops (some chains, some good vintage places, etc.) geared toward that market (NYU is right there); Urban Outfitters has several locations including that stretch of Broadway. Fun for makeup and beauty products: Sephora, 5th Ave near Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave near 20th St, Soho; Ricky's, Broadway near W. 4th St., Broadway between Houston and Mercer, and 8th St. just west of Broadway.

Anon

Thanks for suggestions. And, yes, the teen is a female model wannabe, so only the hip shops will be appreciated.

Howard

Sorry to report that Follies got mixed reviews from the NY critics, including a somwhat negative one from the Times. (Patrick says that the Times didn't like Cabaret either, so I'm still optimistic!) We still look forward to seeing it!

maggi

USA Today gave "Follies" a great review this week. I envy you guys, wish I could go too. What a cast! With Blythe Danner, Treat Williams, Judith Ivey and Polly Bergen, how can you go wrong. Not to mention Sondheim. His are the thinking person's musicals. Not as easy to follow as, say, "The Sound of Music." My suggestion is to familiarize yourself with the words and music before you go.

bill b.

USA Today is crazy. Follies has to be one of the worst productions I've seen in 10 years. And it's miscast, not because some of the actors aren't good but because this is a musical and *they can't sing*! Save your money.

Bill B.

Parrot Mom

Saw the original Follies with Polly Bergen, Yvonne DeCarlo, Dorothy Collins, etc. years ago.. It is not done often as is Sondheim's Assasains (what was he thinking when he wrote that), but I would see it again in a heart beat..there are scenes that still stick in my mind like the "mirror dance". In my opinion as a musical theatre fan Stephen Sondheim is the best there is..he is brilliant and your right..he is a man who writes plays you must think about...they are character driven and out of context don't seem to make sense..but so beautiful. His mentor was Oscar Hammerstein who had the heart of a true poet.

Howard

Ah, Parrot Mom, your comments brought back some fond memories. I, too, saw the original Follies, and it was a wonderful experience. (Parrot Mom, your memory played tricks on you. It was Alexis Smith, not Polly Bergen!) Being huge fans of the show, we also saw the revival at the Paper Mill Playhouse a couple years ago, with an all-star cast headed by Donna McKechnie and Ann Miller.