Follies, the Stephen Sondheim musical about to receive its first Broadway revival in spring 2001, will make a one-night stand at Houston's Alley Theatre Jan. 29, returning in the production directed by Paul Hope presented earlier in the year. This benefit performance, featuring three generations of Houston actors, will benefit The Center for AIDS: Hope and Remembrance Project.
Follies recreates the theatrical milieu of magnificently costumed and coiffured girls and the vaudeville dancers and performers, who made up the "follies" shows between the two world wars. At the crumbling Weismann Theatre, ghosts and showgirls from the theatre's legendary past reunite and reflect on their lives. When Follies opened at the Winter Garden on April 4, 1971 the production was directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, with choreography by Bennett. Follies earned seven 1972 Tony Awards and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical.
Among the Houston theatrical "dream team" Alley resident actor Hope put together are Jim Bernhardt, Richard Carlson, Marjorie Carroll, Hilary Fields, Bettye Gardner, William Hardy, Len Jacobs, Charles Krohn, Ty Mayberry, Francie Mendenhall, Mary Shearin McCormick, Joe McHale, Chesley Santoro, Susan Shofner, Marijane Vandivier and Jenny Welch.
A limited amount of $50 VIP tickets with access to the post-performance party will be available. All other seats are $35. For reservations, call (713) 228-8421.
The Center for AIDS: Hope and Remembrance Project was founded in 1995 where it has remained the only AIDS organization in Houston exclusively dedicated to providing treatment and research information for persons living with HIV/AIDS, their caretakers and doctors in the city.
