Follies, 1971 "Lucy and Jessie"

Alexis Smith and Cast

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People & Blogs

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• F71L&J2

[fledee]

Alexis Smith was 49 at the time of this video.

[MikeyG0901]

I'm pretty sure if there is a heaven, it's just a theater where we watch Alexis Smith perform this number over and over again.

[ah123abc]

Is there any shame in staging Follies by recreating the original down to every sequin and set? Why mess with genius when no one can since surpass it?

[scottishphotographer]

@ah123abc No shame at all. Michael Bennet was a genius. But who could afford to stage it?

[spn1007]

Where did you find this?? Thanks so much!

[pudgeuncle]

@llcooljay1887 Juliet Prowse....Lord she was divine!

[llcooljay1887]

@jjarndyce I 1000% agree. Jan Maxwell just looks awkward when she dances. I actually prefer Juliet Prowse. There was more movement in the LA revival. The original isn't my favorite (which is weird cuz i idolize Michael Bennett) but it sure is a hell of a lot better than the revival that is playing right now.

[RImusclebear1]

Dam for 62 years old Alexis is dam fine!!!!!

[BabyDillGerkin]

I WILL NEVER TIRE OF SEEING THIS. ALEXIS.  HEAVEN.

[Marcatissimo]

God yes.

[yelanates]

Wow! What a treat!

To those that point out that no one since has recreated Bennet's staging, I would say that if they had not only would they get flak for simply doing that, they wouldn't have done it as well. Think of West Side Story and how every production has someone "recreating" Robbins' original choreography.

[onirannam]

@Merkin4pres64 I agree. What made this choreography so unique and fantastic was that the dozen or more dancers never turned and faced the audience. The focus was entirely on Alexis and she was dazzling. You'll notice none of the other clips of this number in various revivals duplicate Michael Bennett's genius.

[onirannam]

I'm in heaven!! Never thought I'd get to see the fabulous Alexis Smith in Follies again. Having seen it twice at the Winter Garden in 1971 with the original cast, it was then and still is my most memorable musical theater experience. What a show. And this was without doubt, the hottest number in it.

[jjarndyce]

PS What MikeyG said.

[jjarndyce]

THANK YOU. To me, this is the show, and not because it's the original, really. The new version is amateur-night, in terms of choreography and staging, compared to this, because Bennett and Prince knew how a STAR should move. It also doesn't hurt, that Smith has a class and voltage no one can touch.

[Merkin4pres64]

Everyone talks about the amazing the choreography on "Who's That Woman," and rightfully so, but starting at 2:39, Michael Bennett outdid himself. This is truly amazing footage and being able to see the integration of music and dance here is absolutely stunning. I love "Who's That Woman," but this is even better.

[tmlupone]

No wonder she won the Tony Award.

[BernadettePetersx3]

Thanks for posting; I love Jan Maxwell's cersion and I wanted to watch what earlier people do [: They should've given Jan good choreography like this, but still love both. <333

[sallydurant]

Thank you!!! Fantastic job of synching and thanks for the early generation video. I've never seen it looking so great. Now if they'd just give Jan Maxwell such great choreography.

[philiperic66]

this is freakin awesome!! Go Alexis Go!

[jemb2000]

Wow, wow, WOW! Thanks so much for posting!

[bajost]

Wonderful, thanks!