“Follies” takes the stage at The Studebaker Theater

Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave.
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Goldman
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Musical Staging by Brenda Didier

With a cast made up of some of Chicago’s finest legends of stage as well as some of the rising stars, we were brought into the world of backstage love, loss, and of great importance years and what they brought to the actors, or took away. This all takes place in a theater, about to be demolished. A reunion of the performers wo were a part of Weismann Follies”, as they unite to say their farewells.

Dazzling numbers that are typical Sondheim, “To Many Mornings”, “Losing My Mind”, “Could I Leave You” and one of my favorites ( a show stopper), “I’m Still Here” ( Susie Mcmonacle belts this out with style). The wordsmith ( Sondheim) sure knows how to make the words work!

It was great to see many of those I have reviewed over the years on our local stages, some old, some new and of course the main four characters played in reality and in flashback ( YOUNG- Anastasia Arnold, Teacan Early,  Will Koski, and John Marshall, Jr./Old- Anthony Rapp, Stephen Wallem, Angela Ingersoll, and Michelle Duffy- wow!

It was also great seeing Dennis Zacek as Weismann, along with Honey West, Felicia B. Fields, James Harms, Sybl Walker, Lauren Miller, Cecilia Hole, Beck Hokanson, John Cardone and John Concepcion. Bravo-

This was called a staged reading, but the actors needed no scripts, and if they had one, it was for support- they never had to use it.

When you see Porchlight doing another of these special productions, knowing just how great they rae, I suggest, ordering your tickets immediately. You will thank me later!