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Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies
by
Ted Chapin,
Frank Rich
(Applause Books). In 1971, college student Ted Chapin found himself front row center as a production assistant at the creation of one of the greatest Broadway musicals, Follies . Needing college credit to graduate on time, he kept a journal of everything he saw and heard and thus was able to document in unprecedented detail how a musical is actually created. Now, more than...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
March 1st 2005
by Applause Theatre & Cinema Book Publishers
(first published 2003)
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It's time to come clean. I know this will come as a shock to all of you out there in "Goodreadsland" who look to me, Rolls Andre, as a paragon of virility and male potency; but, I must step out of the shadows of my secret shame and say unequivocally that I am absolutely mad about the musical theater. I'll scream my undying devotion from every rooftop in this dirty old town ‘til my voice is as shredded and worn out as Elaine Stritch's. I am a sucker for show tunes. There I've said it. Now the hea...more
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I saw FOLLIES on April 14, 1971 (the Wednesday matinee), during the second week of its original Broadway run: The Winter Garden Theater, Orchestra, Row C, Seat 13. Yes, I still have my ticket-stub! I thought then - at fourteen years old - that it was the greatest show I'd ever seen on Broadway (and I had seen quite a few by then).
Thirty-nine years later, my opinion hasn't changed.
This is actually my second reading of Ted Chapin's excellent account of the creation of FOLLIES, from rehearsals to O...more
Thirty-nine years later, my opinion hasn't changed.
This is actually my second reading of Ted Chapin's excellent account of the creation of FOLLIES, from rehearsals to O...more
Last week I saw a production of Follies at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. The direction and ensemble was excellent with a few standout numbers and only minor flaws (the sound system). The performance so excited and intrigued me that I picked up this book at the Chicago Public Library. If you love musical theater you will not be disappointed reading it for Ted Chapin provides unique insights into the creation of a what is now, forty years later, a classic musical. Stephen Sondheim (music &...more
Brilliant!! Go out and buy this book IMMEDIATELY!! At full price!!
Ted Chapin either had unique access to many levels of a Broadway show in development, or he fills in the gaps very gracefully. Either way, he produced a marvelous and rather unusual book. And no matter what you think of it (some love it, some find it disjointed, others say too depressing), I think you have to admit that Follies is an important show, one worthy of this kind of attention.
The story that emerges is a great depiction of all the kinds of late changes that happen when a show is out of...more
The story that emerges is a great depiction of all the kinds of late changes that happen when a show is out of...more
Nov 11, 2010
Sammy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of theatre, Stephen Sondheim fans
Shelves:
non-fiction,
theatre
Ah, what a joy to read! "Follies" was a landmark musical upon release in 1971, coming hot on the heels of - and besting - Sondheim's first great work, "Company". Done well, it's a haunting examination of ageing, the demise of 'classic' culture, and how our nostalgia conflicts with a culture obsessed with modernity and youth.
By stroke of good luck, Ted Chapin was able to witness the creation of this musical from first rehearsal to opening night. This book possesses a wealth of vignettes which are...more
By stroke of good luck, Ted Chapin was able to witness the creation of this musical from first rehearsal to opening night. This book possesses a wealth of vignettes which are...more
Complete engrossing read. The level of detail is often is almsot exhaustive. What's particularly impressive is the author's objectiveness. He gives us lots of facts, lots of background and lots of personalites and weighs in with an opinion rather than reporting from a prejudiced point of view. This makes the reader really feel like we're in on something since we can form our own opinions rather than having them handed to us. He's respectful but not worshipful. He also doesn't let anyone's future...more
I did not finish this book. I tried so hard to get into it for it had all the potential of me loving it but sadly it wasn't meant to be. I love, LOVE the concept and idea of having someone go through the motions on how a award winning Broadway develops from start to finish. It was great to see how honest and real backstage theatre really is and how much hardwork goes into it with just a short period of time to use. Maybe if it was a more recent production or even a theatre performance that I kne...more
This incredibly detailed history of the Sondheim musical FOLLIES is really for musical theater fans only... but if you're part of that group, it's an intriguing glimpse into the details of what it took pre-personal computer to create a Broadway show. In particular, it examines one of the great polarizing musicals - a dark & difficult show about memories & regrets that nevertheless has some stunning musical & lyrical moments.
"Lord knows at least I was there. And I'm here. I'm still here. Look who's here!" (insane applause.) Sadly, I was not there when the original production of Follies marked the end of what many consider the Golden Age of the Broadway musical. I recoil at such dramatic declarations, and yet...there is some truth to them. Ted Chapin was lucky enough to be a gofer/production assistant and "observer" during the rehearsal process of Follies, and thirty years later he offers this classy but juicy memoir...more
It was amazing to read how the genius of Sondheim, Prince and Bennett worked together creating this musical. I loved all the tidbits of the good, the bad and the ugly along with all the changes and trials that got this show on it's feet. I'm seeing the show for the first time at the Kennedy Center next month and really can't wait to see it since reading this book.
Aug 16, 2007
Joseph
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Connor, any Sondheim or theater history fan
Mr. Chapin, an unabashed fan of all things show biz that work, went back to the diaries he kept when he was an assistant to the producer/intern (all sorts of go-fer) for the original production of Follies in 1970.
His account of the rehearsal period shows how the "inevitable" look and feel of a Broadway show often are a result of lucky accidents or "JUST DO SOMETHING!" desperation. ("I'm Still Here", one of Sondheim's best, quickly replaced a song that never worked in the Boston tryouts.) He's gr...more
His account of the rehearsal period shows how the "inevitable" look and feel of a Broadway show often are a result of lucky accidents or "JUST DO SOMETHING!" desperation. ("I'm Still Here", one of Sondheim's best, quickly replaced a song that never worked in the Boston tryouts.) He's gr...more
This is arguably the best book about musical theater. Ted Chapin worked as a gopher on Follies and wrote this book based on his experiences of the production. The book really captures the collaborative nature of theater and all of the struggles a production must go through to make it to Broadway. And of course, this production involved Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince and Michael Bennett. If you like theater this book is a must read.
On a side note,Chapin, now the president of the Rodgers & Hamme...more
On a side note,Chapin, now the president of the Rodgers & Hamme...more
Any Sondeheim nut will love this book. I have seen so many reincarnations of this show and this book lends itself as to why that happens. I enjoy all books about backstage Broadway.
Even though I enjoyed this book greatly, I would only recommend it if you REALLY like Sondheim. REALLY like, as in you care about the original cast members of his shows & deleted songs & staging, and you know enough about Broadway history to be able to contextualize all of the drama swirling around the original production of Follies. Also, if you haven't actually seen a production of Follies and only know it from the sadly abbreviated cast recording, then the action of the show may be di...more
Fun to read but also disconcerting how much of the show was an absolute disaster up until the last possible second. Sometimes brilliance happens through trial and error.
Finally read this brilliant book by my cousin - a detailed description of the creation of a Bway musical from start to finish. Go out and buy it immediately!!!!
Hardcover
Even though Chapin was there, there are too many missing periods of time in depth. Nonetheless, some great not heretofore public info.
Even though Chapin was there, there are too many missing periods of time in depth. Nonetheless, some great not heretofore public info.
This is like a dream of working on a Sondheim musical, only it was real! The ultimate wish fulfilment book for Broadway mavens.
As a Follies enthusiast, I particularly liked this book and all of the wonderful stories of this musical's progress.
Fascinating behind the scenes look at the original production of "Follies" through the eyes of a production assistant.
Best 'show business' book EVER. About the making of Sondheim's FOLLIES.
A must for anyone who loves Broadway and/or Stephen Sondheim!
I don't know why I didn't finish this - I was really enjoying it!
Love! Love! Love! I wish I could live in this book!
Jun 21, 2011
Wilsonpark
marked it as to-read
NPR pop culture happy hour
... Wonderful.
This was an amazing book, both from a standpoint of writing skill and from the stories it shares. I had no idea how much work truly went into making a show, and am that much more impressed by Broadway now that I do. I'm especially in awe of Follies, which is a beautiful show and I hope to see it again before it closes!
This was a fascinating book. I loved learning what it took to bring one of Sondheim's musicals to Broadway. Anyone who has ever been involved in a show, whether it be as an actor, director, choreographer, etc., will be able to relate to the frustrations and joys that live theatre can bring.
I loved this! A chronicle of the development of Sondheim and Goldman's FOLLIES...from prior to the first rehearsal through the opening. Based on production assistant Ted Chapin's diaries, this is a fascinating glimpse inside everything from production meetings to the orchestra pit.
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President of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization in New York.
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