DAZZLING...EPIC...MAJESTIC...INCREDIBLE...SONDHEIM.
The Tony Award winning Musical is Coming to Las Vegas
About FOLLIES
FOLLIES is a masterpiece Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods, Company, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along), book by James Goldman (The Lion in Winter), orchestrations by EGOT-winner Jonathan Tunick (Sweeney Todd, Company, A Chorus Line), co-direction by Hal Prince (Phantom of the Opera) and Michael Bennett (A Chorus Line), and choreography by Mr. Bennett. It premiered on Broadway in 1971 and won seven Tony Awards®, including Best Original Musical Score.
While the musical’s plot revolves around glamorous showgirls, talented entertainers and the oft bittersweet realization that – like so many things in Las Vegas – all good things must come to an end, these performances mark the Las Vegas premiere of FOLLIES, over 50 years after it made its triumphant Broadway arrival.
THE PLOT
FOLLIES, which features one of Stephen Sondheim’s most brilliant scores, tells the story of a famous impresario – (i.e., Florenz Ziegfeld, or in Las Vegas, Donn Arden or Jerry Jackson) who holds one last reunion of the casts of his annual FOLLIES productions before the theatre bearing his name is to be torn down to make room for a parking garage.
On the stage of the old theatre, the performers gather for one more look back at their glory days, the grand music, lavish spectacles, the baggy pants comedians and beautiful showgirls. The theatre is also haunted by ghosts of the past who reappear to watch as these past FOLLIES performers bring the theatre to life again – even if just for this one last night.
FOLLIES brings back the glory days of an earlier time through a cornucopia of thrilling music, dazzling costumes and electrifying performances.
Included in the incredible score for FOLLIES are theatre classics such as I'm Still Here, Broadway Baby, Losing My Mind, and Beautiful Girls, among others.
FOLLIES LAS VEGAS WILL DAZZLE
The Lead Performers
A Dozen Legendary Las Vegas Showgirls
Featured Iconic Entertainers
Four of the most incredible voices ever to grace the Las Vegas stages will head up the team of lead performers for FOLLIES. Included are Las Vegas' "First Lady of Jazz" Michelle Johnson, Les Miserables performance record-holder Randal Keith, and Las Vegas favorites Christine Shebeck and Sam Holder.
Featured Iconic Entertainers
A Dozen Legendary Las Vegas Showgirls
Featured Iconic Entertainers
This Las Vegas Premiere of FOLLIES is packed full of legendary performers, including Tony nominee Andrea McArdle (Broadway's first Annie) - pictured, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson icon Pete Barbutti, Grammy nominee Clint Holmes and his multi-talented wife Kelly Clinton-Holmes, four-time Grammy winner (and first Pip) Merald "Bubba" Knight, and opera sensation Frederica von Stade, among others.
A Dozen Legendary Las Vegas Showgirls
A Dozen Legendary Las Vegas Showgirls
A Dozen Legendary Las Vegas Showgirls
A dozen legendary Las Vegas Showgirls will take to the stage once again in FOLLIES. With careers at The Dunes, The Riviera, The Stardust, MGM Grand and countless other Vegas showrooms, they will take your breath away with the beauty, grace and poise they still possess. Included among the 12 is Anna Bailey, the very first African American Showgirl on the Strip...now a young and spry 96 years old.
FOLLIES LAS VEGAS WILL DAZZLE
A FOLLIES Legend Comes Full Circle: Ted Chapin
Making Musical Magic: The 30-Piece JOI Jazz Orchestra
Making Musical Magic: The 30-Piece JOI Jazz Orchestra
In 1971 at the ripe young age of 20, Ted Chapin (pictured) - who went on to lead the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization internationally for over 40 years - was the Production Assistant on the original Broadway production of FOLLIES. Now, 53 years later, Mr. Chapin - a member of the American Theatre Wing and a Tony Award voter - will take
In 1971 at the ripe young age of 20, Ted Chapin (pictured) - who went on to lead the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization internationally for over 40 years - was the Production Assistant on the original Broadway production of FOLLIES. Now, 53 years later, Mr. Chapin - a member of the American Theatre Wing and a Tony Award voter - will take center stage in the show he has loved - and helped create - for the very first time.
Making Musical Magic: The 30-Piece JOI Jazz Orchestra
Making Musical Magic: The 30-Piece JOI Jazz Orchestra
Making Musical Magic: The 30-Piece JOI Jazz Orchestra
FOLLIES is honored to have the JOI Jazz Orchestra with Strings as the official orchestra for the Las Vegas premiere of FOLLIES. Comprised of some of the best musicians in Las Vegas or beyond - including Celine Dion's Musical Director and arists who play regularly for Lady Gaga - the JOI Jazz Orchestra will bring Stephen Sondheim's incred
FOLLIES is honored to have the JOI Jazz Orchestra with Strings as the official orchestra for the Las Vegas premiere of FOLLIES. Comprised of some of the best musicians in Las Vegas or beyond - including Celine Dion's Musical Director and arists who play regularly for Lady Gaga - the JOI Jazz Orchestra will bring Stephen Sondheim's incredible score to life in dazzling fashion, including I'm Still Here, Broadway Baby, Losing My Mind and Beautiful Girls.
Even More Beloved Las Vegas Entertainers
Making Musical Magic: The 30-Piece JOI Jazz Orchestra
Even More Beloved Las Vegas Entertainers
A cast of over 45 dazzling performers will help to bring the Las Vegas premiere of FOLLIES to life. Included are incredible and beloved talents from the Strip and Beyond, including the sensational Clint Holmes (pictured), the incomparable Skye Dee Miles, Broadway's Nicolas King, Judy Garland tribute artist Denise Rose, cabaret great Seth Sikes, jazz artist Linda Woodson and dozens more.
FOLLIES LAS VEGAS WILL DAZZLE
An Extraordinary Production Team
Honoring Las Vegas Musical Legend Bill Fayne
An Extraordinary Production Team
The Creative Team for FOLLIES is second to none in terms of experience and credentials. Directed by David James Robinson - a close compatriot of Stephen Sondheim - the team also includes tech professionals with decades of experience on The Strip and across the United States, whether with an expertise in costumes, lighting, sound, set design or other theatre arts.
FOLLIES Producing Partners
Honoring Las Vegas Musical Legend Bill Fayne
An Extraordinary Production Team
FOLLIES is thrilled to be partnering with four incredible organizations whose missions interweave with this production. They are The Neon Museum (Historical Advisor), The JOI Jazz Orchestra, The Showgirl Legacy Foundation, the UNLV College of Fine Arts, and The Liberace Mansion. Each brings a unique and important facet to the creation of this production.
Honoring Las Vegas Musical Legend Bill Fayne
Honoring Las Vegas Musical Legend Bill Fayne
Honoring Las Vegas Musical Legend Bill Fayne
Las Vegas music legend Bill Fayne was beloved by performers and audience members alike. Connected at the hip with the amazing Clint Holmes since college, Bill helped hundreds of young performers get their start here in Las Vegas. He was also a huge fan of Stephen Sondheim, and before his death in early 2023, Bill was instrumental in hel
Las Vegas music legend Bill Fayne was beloved by performers and audience members alike. Connected at the hip with the amazing Clint Holmes since college, Bill helped hundreds of young performers get their start here in Las Vegas. He was also a huge fan of Stephen Sondheim, and before his death in early 2023, Bill was instrumental in helping bring this project to life. We know that Bill will be there in spirit for each and every moment of the creation and showcasing of this production of FOLLIES.