Broadway 2 A Day: 1970 - 1972 (Follies, Charlie Brown, Superstar)

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Welcome back friends, if you're still here I know you truly love me, so thanks for that. This will be an incredibly short post because the last post was incredibly long and I am not good at planning these out. 

However, these shows actually have something to offer (unlike many we discussed last week) - so things are looking up!

In other musical theatre news, last week I watched both Dreamgirls (rent on Prime) and Once Upon A Mattress (free on Disney Plus) for the first time and really enjoyed both movies! Gotta keep up my movie musical knowledge too!

Plus, several Broadway shows are re-opening on my birthday - it's got to be some kind of sign.

Anyway. Let's dive in. 
  • Follies
    • Have I heard of it before? Yes
    • Did I enjoy it? Yes! I knew about a third of the songs prior to this but after a full listen I'm a true fan. 
    • Synopsis: It is 1971, and the iconic Weismann Theater, now a crumbling shell of its former glory, is about to be demolished to provide precious New York City parking space. Broadway impresario Dimitri Weismann arranges a reunion of the actors, singers, dancers, and personalities who peopled his famous Follies in the years between the World Wars, as a farewell tribute to the doomed building. In a shabby yet sparkling atmosphere of bittersweet nostalgia, a wide variety of faded glamour girls -- the famous Follies beauties of years gone by -- laugh, reminisce, brag, boast, express regret, and perform the musical numbers which made them famous, trailed by the ghostly memories of their younger selves. (Stage Agent)
    • Favorite song: Losing My Mind
  • 70, Girls, 70
    • Have I heard of it before? Nope
    • Did I enjoy it? This was forgettable overall but I didn't want to turn it off either. I think I would need to see a full production. 
    • Synopsis: The show concerns a group of senior citizens living on New York's Upper West Side who learn that the long-term hotel they live in will be sold off to developers - making the seniors homeless. To save the hotel, the seniors form a ring of unlikely thieves, wreaking havoc in stores from Sadies' Second Hand Furs to Bloomingdales. In the process, they regain their zest for life. (Stage Agent)
    • Favorite song: Old Folks
  • You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
    • Have I heard of it before? Yes, but only because Kristin Chenoweth was in the revival
    • Did I enjoy it? It was cute but it was too close to legitimate children's theatre to me, I hate watching adults play kids. 
    • Synopsis: The whole gang is here: bossy Lucy is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder who doesn’t give her the time of day, perfectionist Sally is still mocking blanket-toting Linus, Snoopy is in the doghouse, and “blockhead,” himself, Charlie Brown, is in rare form. Brief vignettes span the months from Valentine’s Day to Beethoven Day, from wild optimism to utter despair. (Stage Agent)
    • Favorite song: My New Philosophy (technically only in the revival but I don't care, Kristin kills it)
  • Jesus Christ Superstar
    • Have I heard of it before? Oh yeah, this is in the rotation all year -  but Easter Week - it's on repeat. The 2012 filmed arena tour is a family favorite. 
    • Did I enjoy it? Always, I even bought the cast recording on vinyl so I listened to that this week :)
    • Synopsis: Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of biblical Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion. Need I say more?
    • Favorite song: Heaven on Their Minds (in an alternate universe where I am a Broadway star and asked to perform at Miscast - I will be singing this, or Stars from Les Mis)

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