Alexis Smith sings "Could I Leave You" from FOLLIES

Follies opened on Broadway on April 4, 1971 at the Winter Garden Theatre, directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, with choreography by Bennett. It starred Alexis Smith (Phyllis), John McMartin (Benjamin), Dorothy Collins (Sally), Gene Nelson (Buddy), and Yvonne De Carlo, along with several veterans of the Broadway and vaudeville stage. Even though the production ran for well over a year (522 performances), it was not considered a success, and lost money. This was due partly to the rather bleak nature of the show itself, particularly Goldman's book. Frank Rich, for many years The New York Times's chief drama critic, wrote on the occasion of the 1985 concert performance that audiences at the original production were baffled and restless.[2] Goldman subsequently revised his work right up to his death, which occurred shortly before the 1998 Paper Mill production. Sondheim too has added and removed songs that he judged to be problematic in various productions.

The plum supporting role of Carlotta Campion, the seen-it-all ex-Follies girl who sings the showstopping "I'm Still Here," was created by Yvonne De Carlo in 1971, and has subsequently been given often to a celebrated veteran performer.

For commercial reasons, the cast album was cut from two LPs to one early in production. Most songs were therefore heavily abridged and several were left entirely unrecorded. ("One More Kiss" was omitted from the final release for time reasons, but was restored for CD release.)

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• follies
• sondheim
• broadway
• alexis
• smith
• leave
• you

[exackerly]

She's still the best Phyllis that I've heard so far. Although this performance isn't up to the cast recording.

[dnash27]

Alexis's performance rules. Great timing, gestures, looks, and dress.

[darthgiggitygoo]

my fav version of this song - Donna Murphy!

[lilgirl4000765]

haha i got here from searching my name Alexis Smith thats my name lol

[dassylarpey]

there is no performance in this rendition. She delivered the lines without putting much emotions. I feel sorry for the audience having to applaud to such unprofessional effort.

[KJPhillipsEsq]

Jan Maxwell has taken over the first place as Phyllis.  I've seen them all, except Diana Rigg. And she can act, but sing? dance? Go see the current production. NOW!

[TheArgile]

This is tremendous. Carol Burnett has managed to produce an exceptionaly emotional performance of this song. But this is excellent. To see how it began, and how it has evolved between the actress'. Simply beautiful.

[less01]

I prefer Donna murphy version.. this is very stoic and emotionless

[tracer740]

This very tall and stunning beauty graced motion picturescreens when I was a boy and never would I have guessed she could eventually become this magnificent character in musical theater 30 years later.

[boynamedalexxx]

@Shahrdad I agree about Collins and the role of Sally. She's a much more complex, though ultimately richer role. Usually, people tend to just go on and on about Phyllis. Hopefully, with Bernadette Peters as Sally, the new revival will cause audiences and critics to take notice of the tragic beauty in the Sally character.

[OfficialAlexisSmith]

ooohh oooohhh ! THAT'S MY NAME(:!

[Eyllek2]

I still think Lee Remick's version is the best.