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 Production Staff |
Awards | Synopsis
The Will Rogers Follies opened at
the Palace Theatre in New York City on May 1, 1991.
Production Staff
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Produced by
Pierre Cossette, Martin Richards,
Sam Crothers, James M. Nederlander,
Stewart F. Lane, Max Weitzenhoffer, and William E. Simon
Book by
Peter Stone
Music composed and arranged by:
Cy Coleman
Lyrics by
Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Settings Design Tony Walton
Costume Design
Willa Kim
Lighting Design Jules Fischer
Sound Design Peter Fitzgerald
Projection Design Wendall K. Harrington
Wig Design Howard Leonard
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Orchestrations Billy Byers
Musical Direction Eric Stern
Musical Contractor John Miller
General Management Marvin A. Krauss Associates, Inc.
General Press Representative Richard Kornberg & Associates
Casting by Julie Hughes and Barry Moss, CSA
Production Stage Manager Peter Von Mayrhauser
Associate Director Phillip Oesterman
Associate Choreographer Jeff Calhoun
Directed and Choreographed by
Tommy Tune
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Awards
(1990-91):
6 Tony Awards for Musical, Score, Director,
Choreography,
Costume Design and Lighting Design
3 Drama Desk Awards for Musical, Music (tie) and Choreography
The New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical
Synopsis
Will Rogers is
famous for saying "I never met a man I didn't like," and anyone who has ever
seen or performed in WILL ROGERS FOLLIES will agree that there has never been a man-or
woman-who did not like it.
Subtitled "A Life In Revue," WILL ROGERS stands
out among musicals because of the magic of its protagonist. Rare is the man who transcends
decades and rises to the level of legend. Will Rogers does this not only because of his
accomplishments, but because of his philosophy, which espouses respect and confidence in
the goodness of his fellowman.
The curtain rises on a Follies-style tribute to the man
whose daily newspaper column sent America on its way each morning with a smile on its
face. In fact Will was a multimedia sensation, performing a weekly radio talk show as well
as starring in motion pictures.
Between rope tricks which entertain the audience while the
show girls are changing their costumes for The Follies, Will soothes us with his
old-fashioned common sense. The songs Never Met a Man I Didn't Like and Give a
Man Enough Rope are parables set to music.
Now it's time to get to know Will, his friends and family.
Will introduces us to the aviator Wiley Post, to his six sisters, and to his father Clem.
Born to parents who were part Cherokee, Will learned early on to be proud of his heritage.
When Will turned nineteen, he set off, despite his father's
protests, to be a cowboy down in Argentina. It was at the train depot that Will first laid
eyes on Betty Blake, the woman who would become his wife. But how theatrical is that? Not
enough, apparently, because Mr. Ziegfeld quickly rewrites history and lowers Betty
romantically from the Moon to recreate her first meeting with Will!
Once married Will tours the country performing his routine
until the day his big break arrives, and he is offered a part in Florenz Ziegfeld's
Follies. After six fabulous seasons, Will is called to Hollywood to perform on the silver
screen
After much success and a run for President in 1928, Will
assesses his life. It is time to spend more time at home. Nonetheless, Will is called on
to soothe the nation's jitters after the stock market crash. It seems that his straight
talk and simple truths create quite an impact on the nation. You will find that your
audience responds in much the same way.
When Wiley Post and Will lose their lives during a flying
adventure in Alaska, the nation mourns its lost friend. The musical version, however, is
an upbeat celebration of this folk hero who made the world "a whole lot better
place" than it was before he entered it.
Other delightful musical numbers include Will-a-Mania,
It's a Boy, My Unknown Someone, Presents for Mrs. Rogers and Let's Go Flying.
Will Rogers and Wiley Post
Photos from "The Will Rogers Follies"
Rockville Musical Theatre, November 2002
Click a photo to enlarge
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Will Rogers
