Come on guys... Follies in high school? This is pretty damn impressive not to mention gutsy. I've seen far worse done to The Music Man in high school. It takes a huge amount of talent and chutzpah to do Sondheim BADLY. This isokay, but it ian't Broadway or the Met either. Give em cred!!!!
Follies is an extremely difficult show to do with professionals. That being said and having produced and directed many shows with high school talent I have to say this looks pretty good and the kids are certainly working hard and giving it a good shot. Personally, I love this show but would not consider it beyond a fantasy. I thought my production of "Bye Bye Birdie" would push me over the top. Sondheim i would have killed me.
I've worked with approx. 15 different schools (in some musical capacity), and watched many, many school productions. This is excellent. Follies IS material for high school! I believe the pupils here will have gained enourmous musical and extramusical benefits from performing this musical.
There seems to be a trend with this high school. These videos show an elaborate, fantastic set, great costumes, and exceptional staging --
But it seems like the director was so preoccupied with the aesthetics that she failed to coach the singing and acting. These kids are on the right path, but for the love of God, FOLLIES is really not material for a high school with only mediocre talent... Even if it DOES have the money to get the glitz of the show.
jjarndyce were you there to quiz the cast on how much they learned from the production? You speck with such balls on what you think is best for a high school cast. What have you done in regard to direction of high school musicals to make such statements? I will mention to the director that he should do Disney's HIgh School Musical next year. I'm sure the kids will learn a lot from the sterotype characters in that script. .
In addition, whoever made the comment on who Ben Stone is supposed to be. Let me remind you, this sequence takes place in Ben's mind. It's a nightmare. Also in the audience of this production was a close friend of Sondheim who praised the production of these HIGH SCHOOL kids. The show also won several HS theatre awards and Ben was nominated for Best Actor by the Paper Mill Playhouse.
You should all be ashamed off yourselves making non constructive comments like "he's too gay". Let me remind your talking about a high school kid 16-17 years old. Also based upon your theory Nathan Lane should never perform on Broadway again.
I can't get past HS kids doing this show. Aside from the levels of difficulty in the fantastic score - tough enough for seasoned pros - c'mon, now. It's a show ABOUT the regrets of age and the past. What kids can convey this? And this Ben...uh...TOO GAY.
This is a remarkable educational outcome. I don't unsderstand why you think you're John Lahr and this is the Colonial theatre. Your review of this is no better than what the Boston Herald said of the original production in previews-what we measure here is what these kids, from acotrs, orchestra, tech and front of house, learned from this Sondheimn/Weidman masterpiece. And the kid who played Ben Stone did a terrific job.
Basically, I have/had one point: the show is way, way too rough for high school kids and I see no point in applauding the little troopers for having the guts to do it. Far better that teens take on something manageable and do it well. I'M NOT INTERESTED in the terrific learning experience it was for the kids. I don't care if Sondheim's grandmother loved it. There is inherently something feeble and embarrassing in teenagers doing Sondheim, and FOLLIES most of all.
@jjarndyce What's so embarrasing about it? This is a professional production! If these kids can do it, could you do the same? Could you play any one of these characters, and get the same recognition, and applause??? Could your highschool put on a professional production like "Follies", and look like a broadway show? Your point is useless. The show is not too rough for kids because...just look at the video!! I did not see any rough spots at all. How heartless can you be?
I don't care how old the kids are, but kids should learn to do this properly. I'm not saying that these kids are bad actors, but videos I have seen of your productions have some performaces acted identically to videos of performaces done by real actors. Debra Monk copied by a kid for your show isn't teaching her how to be original. You could videos for help, but kids need as much range for the director to take a performance and hone it into one clear message that tells YOUR director's vision.
Interesting that you put the comment here, since LLL was totally original. Also, if the actor is instructed to "do" it the director's way, it doesn't mean that the actor even knows it's a copy... So, to the actor, it's original. Remember, you're viewing 5 minutes of a two-hour show. Much "unseen action" is THE director's own vision.
I take offense to your comparing these kids to "real actors." What, they're "fakes?" And, as far as teaching goes, these guys learn a hell-of-a-lot about B'way style acting. This school sets the bar very high.
Yes, more... ehhhh - This school has a reputation to provide a top-notch, B'way caliber production. The audience has come to expect it. Although much of the stuff is original, no claims are made to that affect. It's not a sin to "look" like B'way, in fact - it's encouraged. That's why this HS wins awards up-the-wahzoo. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. Keep those comments coming! ;-}
Nothing wrong with bringing professionalism to HS theatre. There will always be dissenting views on everything. As brilliant as Patti Lupone and Barbra Streisand are, there are still those who say they lack talent. Was your production a close copy of the original staging?
Staging was part original and part original [Get what I mean??]. There isn't a video reference of the original show, so we had to "guess" at what they did, a lot.
Follies is my favorite musical. Yes it is a hard musical to pull off especially when the old characters are the same age as the young ones...but hey, I would have given my eye teeth to do this show when I was in high school. Great Job! It is fun to see that you have the same floor plan as the original broadway set. I just hope this school doesn't try Oh Calcutta!
Thanks for the nice comments! Yeah, this show is not the usual laugh-a-minute-riot. It has some depth. I loved working on it, especially watching the complex Sondheim score come to life. When I saw pictures of the original set, I thought, "This is too good to pass-up! I'm going to create my scenic design based upon those crooked platforms." The director always likes "levels." He "paints" such interesting "pictures" using them.
though it is good considering it's a high school production, and I love the fact that a director would choose such a great show. I dislike greatly the idea of having high schoolers do the show. though high school is a great place to do characters out of your age range. this is one show you really have to have actors in the proper age range. but great job.
Thanks for the compliments about this production. I do not, however, care what you think about the age range. No offense, but I've had it up-to-here {hand to forehead} with "should/should not" comments relating to a shows content, etc. If you have a chance, please view this school's other clips, and feel free to comment. {Search: "musical FLHS"}
Yes! I went to this stream to find the professional production of Follies...this is great for a High School Production. Better than some semi-professional productions I've seen. Thanks!
Come on guys... Follies in high school? This is pretty damn impressive not to mention gutsy. I've seen far worse done to The Music Man in high school. It takes a huge amount of talent and chutzpah to do Sondheim BADLY. This isokay, but it ian't Broadway or the Met either. Give em cred!!!!
erniehead 1 year ago
Follies is an extremely difficult show to do with professionals. That being said and having produced and directed many shows with high school talent I have to say this looks pretty good and the kids are certainly working hard and giving it a good shot. Personally, I love this show but would not consider it beyond a fantasy. I thought my production of "Bye Bye Birdie" would push me over the top. Sondheim i would have killed me.
chasedr1 1 year ago
@chasedr1 Are you kidding? You said they gave it a good shot??? This is unbelievable!!!
kenitobaby75 1 year ago
I've worked with approx. 15 different schools (in some musical capacity), and watched many, many school productions. This is excellent. Follies IS material for high school! I believe the pupils here will have gained enourmous musical and extramusical benefits from performing this musical.
Racehazard 2 years ago
There seems to be a trend with this high school. These videos show an elaborate, fantastic set, great costumes, and exceptional staging --
But it seems like the director was so preoccupied with the aesthetics that she failed to coach the singing and acting. These kids are on the right path, but for the love of God, FOLLIES is really not material for a high school with only mediocre talent... Even if it DOES have the money to get the glitz of the show.
AtLastOnTheGround 2 years ago
jjarndyce were you there to quiz the cast on how much they learned from the production? You speck with such balls on what you think is best for a high school cast. What have you done in regard to direction of high school musicals to make such statements? I will mention to the director that he should do Disney's HIgh School Musical next year. I'm sure the kids will learn a lot from the sterotype characters in that script. .
ZB2002 2 years ago
In addition, whoever made the comment on who Ben Stone is supposed to be. Let me remind you, this sequence takes place in Ben's mind. It's a nightmare. Also in the audience of this production was a close friend of Sondheim who praised the production of these HIGH SCHOOL kids. The show also won several HS theatre awards and Ben was nominated for Best Actor by the Paper Mill Playhouse.
ZB2002 2 years ago
You should all be ashamed off yourselves making non constructive comments like "he's too gay". Let me remind your talking about a high school kid 16-17 years old. Also based upon your theory Nathan Lane should never perform on Broadway again.
ZB2002 2 years ago
Jesus Christ, when did Ben Stone become a flaming gay guy?
Pathetic.
mylegsareswollen 2 years ago
I can't get past HS kids doing this show. Aside from the levels of difficulty in the fantastic score - tough enough for seasoned pros - c'mon, now. It's a show ABOUT the regrets of age and the past. What kids can convey this? And this Ben...uh...TOO GAY.
jjarndyce 3 years ago
I think it's that mustache...
exackerly 2 years ago
Comment removed
AtLastOnTheGround 2 years ago
This is a remarkable educational outcome. I don't unsderstand why you think you're John Lahr and this is the Colonial theatre. Your review of this is no better than what the Boston Herald said of the original production in previews-what we measure here is what these kids, from acotrs, orchestra, tech and front of house, learned from this Sondheimn/Weidman masterpiece. And the kid who played Ben Stone did a terrific job.
daveseaman31362 2 years ago
Basically, I have/had one point: the show is way, way too rough for high school kids and I see no point in applauding the little troopers for having the guts to do it. Far better that teens take on something manageable and do it well. I'M NOT INTERESTED in the terrific learning experience it was for the kids. I don't care if Sondheim's grandmother loved it. There is inherently something feeble and embarrassing in teenagers doing Sondheim, and FOLLIES most of all.
jjarndyce 2 years ago
@jjarndyce What's so embarrasing about it? This is a professional production! If these kids can do it, could you do the same? Could you play any one of these characters, and get the same recognition, and applause??? Could your highschool put on a professional production like "Follies", and look like a broadway show? Your point is useless. The show is not too rough for kids because...just look at the video!! I did not see any rough spots at all. How heartless can you be?
kenitobaby75 1 year ago
Wow! This is VERY impressive for a high school production.
RedheadedGnomeGirl 3 years ago
Yeah it's not as bad as I would have expected.
exackerly 2 years ago
Hahahaha woww. [:
This guy is amazing.
My highschool will be preforming this for our 2009 musical. [:
Fantastic job, whoever you are! :D
HeartLessRocKEr628 3 years ago
A high school doing Follies?
This is great. Especially Ben - it's so hard for high schools to handle this show, and I'm really impressed by this.
Mizzie 4 years ago
i am impressed w/ the dancing though
zalop5 4 years ago
they guy singing 4 ben (the main character) sucks
zalop5 4 years ago
Thanks SOOO much for sharing that thought! You're English is superb.
leojrevlis 3 years ago
no prob.
btw-its called a typo
SuptheDup 3 years ago
my god.......what a profesional standard......very VERY impressed!
kevstarr 4 years ago
I don't care how old the kids are, but kids should learn to do this properly. I'm not saying that these kids are bad actors, but videos I have seen of your productions have some performaces acted identically to videos of performaces done by real actors. Debra Monk copied by a kid for your show isn't teaching her how to be original. You could videos for help, but kids need as much range for the director to take a performance and hone it into one clear message that tells YOUR director's vision.
ludicrous101 4 years ago
Interesting that you put the comment here, since LLL was totally original. Also, if the actor is instructed to "do" it the director's way, it doesn't mean that the actor even knows it's a copy... So, to the actor, it's original. Remember, you're viewing 5 minutes of a two-hour show. Much "unseen action" is THE director's own vision.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
I take offense to your comparing these kids to "real actors." What, they're "fakes?" And, as far as teaching goes, these guys learn a hell-of-a-lot about B'way style acting. This school sets the bar very high.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Yes, more... ehhhh - This school has a reputation to provide a top-notch, B'way caliber production. The audience has come to expect it. Although much of the stuff is original, no claims are made to that affect. It's not a sin to "look" like B'way, in fact - it's encouraged. That's why this HS wins awards up-the-wahzoo. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. Keep those comments coming! ;-}
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Nothing wrong with bringing professionalism to HS theatre. There will always be dissenting views on everything. As brilliant as Patti Lupone and Barbra Streisand are, there are still those who say they lack talent. Was your production a close copy of the original staging?
gabsylv 4 years ago
Staging was part original and part original [Get what I mean??]. There isn't a video reference of the original show, so we had to "guess" at what they did, a lot.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Well, I'm only 1 minute into it and already it's better than the Roundabout production.
ajt141 4 years ago
That's very kind of you to say. I'll make sure that the director reads your words.
leojrevlis 4 years ago
Kafer "SOME BREAK THEIR ASSES" hilarious
gsparkway324 4 years ago
Hey, it's not like he ad-libbed. It WAS scripted. Still, I get a kick of of his whiny-screaming the line. It's soooo Kafer-ish!
leojrevlis 4 years ago
I knew it was scripted, I was in the pit for this show.
gsparkway324 4 years ago
@leojrevlis Kafer was excited about the line, especially because it was one he considered "vulgar"
gsparkway324 9 months ago
this is really great for a high school production. Like... the ensemble actually doesn't suck. which is really impressive.
this was actually just as good as a professional production I saw of this in the summer.
xxmusicofthenightxx 5 years ago
Follies is my favorite musical. Yes it is a hard musical to pull off especially when the old characters are the same age as the young ones...but hey, I would have given my eye teeth to do this show when I was in high school. Great Job! It is fun to see that you have the same floor plan as the original broadway set. I just hope this school doesn't try Oh Calcutta!
JJLaLo 5 years ago
Thanks for the nice comments! Yeah, this show is not the usual laugh-a-minute-riot. It has some depth. I loved working on it, especially watching the complex Sondheim score come to life. When I saw pictures of the original set, I thought, "This is too good to pass-up! I'm going to create my scenic design based upon those crooked platforms." The director always likes "levels." He "paints" such interesting "pictures" using them.
leojrevlis 5 years ago
though it is good considering it's a high school production, and I love the fact that a director would choose such a great show. I dislike greatly the idea of having high schoolers do the show. though high school is a great place to do characters out of your age range. this is one show you really have to have actors in the proper age range. but great job.
bassman462 5 years ago
Thanks for the compliments about this production. I do not, however, care what you think about the age range. No offense, but I've had it up-to-here {hand to forehead} with "should/should not" comments relating to a shows content, etc. If you have a chance, please view this school's other clips, and feel free to comment. {Search: "musical FLHS"}
leojrevlis 5 years ago
will do.
bassman462 5 years ago
Yes! I went to this stream to find the professional production of Follies...this is great for a High School Production. Better than some semi-professional productions I've seen. Thanks!
johntlewis 5 years ago
Great job!
morosco 5 years ago