Follies

Rating:
Summary: A disappointing revision
Review: First, it's important to clarify what this book is, since a couple of the reviewers below seem to think it's the piano-vocal score for "Follies." There is no music in this book. This is the script of "Follies": the book, lyrics, and stage directions.

I believe that the original version of "Follies" is one of the two or three greatest American musicals ever written. Unfortunately, that is not what is in this book.

For some reason, James Goldman, author of the book, became convinced that his brilliant (if controversial) original book needed to be revised. I believe that his revisions consistently weakened the show.

What is printed here is not even Goldman's final revision. Instead, it is the text used in the 2001 production of the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York. Goldman had died in 1998, having revised the text several times but never having decided on a definitive version. The people putting together the Roundabout production prepared a version working from several of his revisions.

This version notably weakens the character of Ben. Goldman's original book was very terse and almost underwritten. The deletions of some of Ben's dialogue end up reducing clarity. Also, since Ben's breakdown is the climax of the show, anything that weakens his character harms the entire show. Goldman also made changes to the breakdown itself, taking something that was strange and allusive and making it into something banal.

It's not just changes to Ben, though. Some of the dialogue for the other main characters was also revised, making them less interesting.

In addition, this version added some awfully silly stuff for the subsidiary characters. These characters were originally there mostly for atmosphere and to provide thematic complexity and texture. The additions throw the focus where it doesn't belong at a crucial moment, adding nothing of real emotional value and reducing the original's uncompromising quality.

Some of the changes work to make the script more naturalistic than the original was. They also make the show less interesting, and frequently simply don't fit with the rest of the script and the score.

I only hope that someday the original version of the script, which was published by Random House, returns to print. This version will not help you completely understand why this show is so remarkable.

Rating:
Summary: A disappointing revision
Review: First, it's important to clarify what this book is, since a couple of the reviewers below seem to think it's the piano-vocal score for "Follies." There is no music in this book. This is the script of "Follies": the book, lyrics, and stage directions.

I believe that the original version of "Follies" is one of the two or three greatest American musicals ever written. Unfortunately, that is not what is in this book.

For some reason, James Goldman, author of the book, became convinced that his brilliant (if controversial) original book needed to be revised. I believe that his revisions consistently weakened the show.

What is printed here is not even Goldman's final revision. Instead, it is the text used in the 2001 production of the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York. Goldman had died in 1998, having revised the text several times but never having decided on a definitive version. The people putting together the Roundabout production prepared a version working from several of his revisions.

This version notably weakens the character of Ben. Goldman's original book was very terse and almost underwritten. The deletions of some of Ben's dialogue end up reducing clarity. Also, since Ben's breakdown is the climax of the show, anything that weakens his character harms the entire show. Goldman also made changes to the breakdown itself, taking something that was strange and allusive and making it into something banal.

It's not just changes to Ben, though. Some of the dialogue for the other main characters was also revised, making them less interesting.

In addition, this version added some awfully silly stuff for the subsidiary characters. These characters were originally there mostly for atmosphere and to provide thematic complexity and texture. The additions throw the focus where it doesn't belong at a crucial moment, adding nothing of real emotional value and reducing the original's uncompromising quality.

Some of the changes work to make the script more naturalistic than the original was. They also make the show less interesting, and frequently simply don't fit with the rest of the script and the score.

I only hope that someday the original version of the script, which was published by Random House, returns to print. This version will not help you completely understand why this show is so remarkable.

Rating:
Summary: great help for sondheim lovers
Review: It is really nice to be able to get a hold of some of the songs from follies that aren't available somwhere else. Many a time I wanted to go on an audtioned armed with Buddy's Blues from follies, but alas, it was nt available in it's entirety until this book! Follies is one of Sondheim's best and it contains songs for every type of singer and actor from the comic to the chanteuse. Not to mention some of the best songs ever written for the theater. Of note: "Losing My Mind", "Buddy's Blues", and the classics "I'm still here" and "Broadway Baby". This book is also great for the non singing musician, the arrangements are quite nice and quite challenging. enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Quite possibly the greatest musical ever, this musical is both tragic and comical. It's the only piece of theatre I've ever seen where audience members were moved to tears in the first ten minutes. It's truly a relevation for anyone who sees it or reads it. I can not recommend this brilliant and innovative piece of theatre highly enough.

Rating:
Summary: A special piece of Music. A Masterwork of art.
Review: Stephen Sondheim is one of the greatest composers in our time and it is a pleasure to play and read his music. Follies is a great musical and the score is simply perfect. The interesting sound and the incredible musicality is more than perfect. This piece of music should be very important for every lover of musicals. Thank you, Stephen.