Elaine Paige sings "I'm Still Here" in FOLLIES on Broadway

[lite7761str]

Elaine Paige is a magnificent singer as well as a great performer & stopped the show in "Follies". Stritch can't begin to match EP in any way and can't even sing. I do agree with previous poster that Paige should have had a much larger role in this show but would go to see her in a show if she only sang the phone book for a minute or two.

[jamesteroh]

I was in NYC for New years eve weekend and saw this Friday night. I am a big fan of hers and Bernedettes. I am a fan of EP's and was disappointed this was her only solo number in the show and she didn't have a bigger part. I was disappointed in the show and in her performance. Definitely not her best performance. But I have heard Elaine Stritch sing this song and ES's perforamnce is much better

[poptartbrat]

Damn, there is nothing Elaine Paige can't do!

[clairetm63]

I would not say she's bitter or angry during this piece. It's just one verse anyway.

When I saw this show, I never laughed harder because Elaine Paige is a real life Carlotta! She just has that strong, pushy, yet good-natured quality about her.

I wouldn't say this is the best role she has been in (ahem, Grizabella!), but she definitley has the most interesting interpretation of the role. And I like it! ;)

[Pobcouture]

Grotesque performance. Nobody so angry, charmless and bitter would have survived 10 minutes in showbiz, let alone a lifetime. As for the hideous, self-indulgent and show-off belt at the end; awful. Elaine really doesn't do nuance.

[coffee3able]

@Pobcouture hey if you've got it flaunt it & no one's got it like EP

[bigbadjockt]

Straight to the point: So many reasons to go see this show, Bernadette Peters, the production, the choreography, the actors, the story, Ron Raines, the music........the list goes on. But, even with that said the incomparable Elaine Paige is amazing............she brings down the house with this song...........those 3-4 minutes alone are worth the price of admission

[Somepeople]

For those who talk about her being angry or overacting, this is just one segment of the song. She sings it with a dramatic arch, and in person, her performance of the whole song is AMAZING. I saw her yesterday, and she tore down the roof of that theater. She's one of the few performers to have the charisma required for this character.

[omorado]

I loved Elaine when I saw her doing this on Broadway, a little taken aback, but loved it nonetheless. It is a different interpretation. Cut to me downloading the new cast recording on iTunes, the recording of her song is..... nowhere near full of the emotion from what I saw onstage. Damn it. Let me say though, otherwise the cast recording is fabulous.

[daysfanatic0407]

@MTA1966 Thank you so much for clearing that up for me, that makes more sense now. I was quite shocked to see that her name was not in the Playbill when I went to see it on Veteran's Day weekend since hearing/seeing her name in the advertisements is why I went to see it.

[dvdgaar38]

Hate to say it, but this new revival of Follies is just weak. I'm not a critic, but the 1985 Follies review lays this in the shade. Not being unkind either, but these performers are past their prime and it shows. All the glitter and razzle dazzle in the world can't make up for it...................very disappointing.

[coffee3able]

@dvdgaar38 New York Magazine listed it as one of the best theatrical productions of the year. Real talent lasts from decade to decade and this show & performers are still going strong. Loved it! <3

[daysfanatic0407]

I was really disappointed to find out she is no longer with the show when I saw it a few weeks ago.

[MTA1966]

@daysfanatic0407 .she's still with the show. She was on a weeks break doing a concert in Taipei, which was arranged before she signed before agreeing to do the broadway version of the show. She's back now.

[Clairdal]

No thanks to Elaine page. Why is the character so angry? She's not very likeable and has no sense of humor about what she's singing about - She should be proud, not bitter.

[amazinggarrett1]

Elaine Stritch's version is hilarious - but she sings it as Elaine Stritch. Paige does it in character.

[dlm0702]

I saw EP in DC and then when i saw her in person in NYC, she said "come see it again, it's better" - Well, it was and she was even more amazing in NYC! Love her!!! Such a gracious star!

[rocky091852]

I saw her on Broadway two months ago and her voice, and presence are electrfiying.

She certainly can fill the space ---and she truthfully sang the song------if she has some anger in her interpretation so be it. Why does she have to be a NICE person-----to be still in show business after all these years and survived all the ups and downs often takes grit and toughness--this is theater --if you want nice go see Anything Goes or The Sound of Music

[xxfayerocksxx]

i love her <3 xxxxxxxxx <3 xxxx she's just amazing <3 <3 xxxxxxxx

[williamssandra100]

sweetdreams143,...I flew up to DC to see her and I got to meet her outside the stage door,she was very sweet,,

[alovespellster]

I think her rendition of this song seems a little bitter. I prefer Dolores Gray, or even Shirley Maclaine, whose versions seem stronger and less angry. But she has a great voice nonetheless..

[kevhippo]

@BETTYBOOTHROYD666. Seen her in Chess, Evita, Sunset, Piaf, in Concert, Cats, Anything Goes. My point is this is a poor rendition of this song.

[bettyboothroyd666]

This is quite probably the worst Carlotta I have seen - and I've seen several over the years - Dolores Gray, Diane Langton, Eartha Kitt, Ann Miller.

Carlotta has been through a lot, as the song shows, but she ended up on top. She's philosophical, not this ranting and raving bitter character that is portrayed here. She is a likeable woman, a nice person.

What is likeable about the way in which Elaine Paige spits out this performance?

[dassylarpey]

Elaine Paige totally stole the show with this number. Perfect range for her voice. Her rendition is sublime- spunky and full of spirit. Best version ever existed.

[bnm73me]

She's a talented singer, but I can't say I care for this rendition of a great song. Why wait an extra measure to start singing, only to have to play catchup, especially when you have such great lyrics?

[lcowles]

@bnm73me I agree. Her interpretation in D.C. was much better. She's back-phrasing WAY too much here. It detracts from the song! 

[kevhippo]

Not the best version of this song. She overacts it and this is coming from a big EP fan ha ing seen her in dozens of showx in the West End.

[bettyboothroyd666]

@kevhippo Dozens of shows Kev? Has Elaine actually been in dozens of shows in the West End? There is this great aura about what a fantastic leading lady she is, but her West End cv is not really that extensive. Last seen in the West End in The Drowsy Chaperone, where everybody else on stage was better. The other only time I have seen her live was in Anything Goes and she was great, but that was over twenty years ago now. There are better West End leading ladies now.

[sweetdreams143]

Omgoodness. Elaine has been my idol for so many years, and I FINALLY caught her on stage in Follies. I could not stop my legs from shaking when she first appeared on stage. My idol, the reason I do what I do was right there in front of me. It was a dream come true, and everything I'd hoped it to be. <3

Everyone needs to go see this production of Follies though. It is magnificent, and I even flew my parents to NY to see it. They loved it as well. I walk away with tears every time. Go!!

[joannecarroll1]

@sweetdreams143 I agree with you - I finally got to see Elaine last weekend - and when she came out, I teared. She's been my idol for over 20 yrs. I flew up to NY from Tn. I still have one wish - to see her in concert. I've pre-ordered the cast recording - oh, how I'd love a dvd recording! I can dream - huh!

[macheath2025]

@sweetdreams143 I felt exactly the same when I finally got to see "Follies" AND EP LIVE!!!! Still can't believe it actually happened...OMG! Goosebumps! She's magnificent!!!!

My pre-order is in for the cast CD Album.