The audience was standing and cheering on Saturday, May 18, at the North Fork Community Theatre as “Follies,” a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman, opened. With a cast of 31 actors, Director Stephen Ness had his cast poised to deliver a total night of driving live theater. This show has outstanding costumes, lively dancing, both chorus and individual singing, and profound messages within the lines. The musical mesmerized the “sold-out” Mattituck audience who at the end cheered as one. “Follies” runs until June 2nd.
This show cleverly brings to the forefront nostalgia, along with intense life experiences tested and tempered over time. This happens all in the timeframe of the evening before the destruction of the historic but now derelict Weissman Theater. The last night is celebrated by former Follies girls as they gather one last time on the stage. What follows is an evening that will stir emotions on many levels as it did for this reviewer. Difficult songs were sung effortlessly and beautifully, often drawing big-time applause after each number. The costumes were Broadway-worthy, as was the singing.
Kudos to Michaael Lyn Schepps as Sally Durant Plummer, who delivers show-stopping numbers. Mary Caulfield as Phyllis Rogers Stone owns the stage with her grace and elegance and also sang beautifully. I am a fan of Rusty Kransky, who superbly performed as Buddy Plummer. Once again, Rusty displayed his unique talent. A very dignified Stuart Whalen plays a touching and complicated Ben Stone. Julia Cappiello is captivating as Young Sally. Raven Janoski is an effective Young Phyllis.
Andrew Lenahan was a very convincing Young Buddy. Nicholas Mackey provided some huge singing moments as Young Ben. Nancy DiGirolamo was very good as Carlotta Campion. Laura Pearsall, portraying Stella Deems, was another of many crowd favorites, as was Dee Martin playing Hattie Walker. Kathy Pasca had wonderful moments as Emily Whitman, as did Linda Aydinian as Solange La Fitte.
The talented Eileen Trilli was excellent as Heidi Schiller. Stasia Schaum had wonderful scenes as Young Carlotta, as did Jenna Spates as Young Stella, Katrina Lovett as Young Hattie, Veronica Spaeth as Young Emily, Marie Sellers as Young Solange, and Kat Motlenski as Young Heidi.
Accolades go out to Peter Harrington as Roscoe, Kevin Magee as Dimitri Weissman, Michael Horn as Theodore Whitman, Gene O’Brien as Max Deems, and Andy O’Brien as Kevin. The ensemble consisted of Cassidy Mullin, Theresia Hand, Judith Ugalde, Linda Pentz, Liam Glueckert, and Lon Shomer. They were all enthusiastically spellbinding.
No show can happen without the work of the wonderful production folks, such as Music Director Matthew Surico, Choreographer Jenna Spates, Senior Executive Producer Emilie Corey, Co-Producer Kim Cappiello, Co-Producer Liz Liszanckie, Costume Design Katrina Lovett, Costume Assistant Julia Cappiello, Lighting Design Robert Taylor, Sound Design John Lovett, Set Construction Rowland Hautsch, and Stage Manager Addison Heck. They are the backbone of this production.
This was, in fact, Director Stephen Ness’s first attempt at directing at the NFCT, and he is to be congratulated for molding this huge cast into a company that delivered one very successful show worth seeing a few times. It is that enjoyable.
The last performance of “Follies” will be Sunday, June 2, at 2:30. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door or at nfct.com.
