Follies (Dress Rehersal)

City Center Encores. We are seeing it again on Sunday, so here is the first review of this amazing show.
The girls win in this production.
Victoria Clark as Sally: 10 Powerful voice. In Buddy's Eyes made me cry. An interesting, film noir version of "Losing My Mind". The duet "Too Many Mornings", she sweeps the floor with Victor Garber. He had no chance.
Donna Murphy as Phyllis: 9.5 Incredible version of "Leave You". Her gangly legs and only passable dancing is the reason she looses a half point from "Lucy and Jesse."
Victor Garber as Ben: 2 Zzzzzzzzzzzz! No voice, terribly miscast. This needs a powerhouse voice. He doesnt have it AT ALL.
Michael McGrath as Buddy: 4 Weak, not comic, but a decent dancer. In "Buddy's Folly", the two girls save the number. They were terrific.
Christine Baranski as Carlotta: 4 Mis-cast. "I'm Still Here" has been performed to death, and there are so many great choices for an actress/singer. She made poor ones. Hopefully it will be better Sunday because I love her. Once she put down the glass, it was a different song. Lose the glass, save the first half of the number.
Anne Rogers and Robert Fitch: 3 "Rain on the Roof" is such a tough song. Too bad they didn't rehearse it better. Sloppy
Yvonne Constant as Solange: 0 Get her off the stage
Mimi Hines as Hattie: 8 What a great lady. It must be hard to put a new spin on "Broadway Baby" but she does it and makes it her own. Funny stuff
JoAnne Worley as Stella: 8 Even though she cant really dance, she plays it up in a terrific version of "Who's That Woman". Love her.
The Folly Youth: 9.5 Young, talented and a perfect version of "You're gonna Love Tomorrow".
The costumes: 9.5 For Encores, excellent
This almost perfect show has so much to love. If a number falls flat, don't worry, the next one is terrific. Can't wait to see it again Sunday. We will see if it changes.

Roland, thanks for the last minute tickets. A thrill.