Review: 'The Will Rogers Follies' at Goodspeed Musicals

Pictured above: (from left) David M. Lutken with Brendan Reilly Harris, Ben Stone-Zelman, Riley Briggs, Catherine Walker and Nathan Horne in Goodspeeds The Will Rogers Follies (c) Diane Sobolewski

East Haddam, CT - ‘The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue’ is the production that opens the 2018 season of Goodspeed Musicals. The dance-filled musical which was written by Peter Stone, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, will run at the Goodspeed in East Haddam through June 21.

The only memory I had of this musical was that Keith Carradine played the title role at one point. Turns out that it ran on Broadway in the early 90s, directed and choreographed by the fabulous Tommy Tune; the original cast included Mr. Carradine as Will Rogers and Dee Hoty as Betty Blake. Interesting fact, to me anyway, was that singer/songwriter John Denver was the original choice to play Will Rogers on Broadway. Apparently, Mr. Stone made a comment during a debate about a song lyric that insulted Mr. Denver so much that he left the room and the show, never to return. The multi-talented singer identified strongly with the famed humorist; both were cowboys from the Southwest who loved aviation, and both possessed a folksy charm and affinity for storytelling. How odd that both men eventually perished in a small plane crashed.

This musical focuses on the life and career of Will Rogers, using the Ziegfeld Follies as a backdrop. Mr. Rogers often headlined for Florence Ziegfeld, so the show brings to life many episodes in his life in the form of a big Ziegfeld-style production number, complete with glitz and feathers. Not to worry, the Rogers character also performs rope tricks and shares his folksy wisdom in between the scenes, thereby giving patrons a good idea of the personality of the iconic American humorist. I found it to be a good mix of frothy production numbers and heartfelt biographical details.

From the opening tap number “Let’s Go Flying” to the expected “Never Met a Man,” the musical numbers move along the story with a wink at the audience and a frequent breaking of the fourth wall. “The Wedding” is purposely held off so that it can close the first act, as was the Ziegfeld tradition. Betty’s torch song “No Man Left for Me” is introduced as such. In the second act, I found the transition of the jewel-toned showgirls in “Presents for Mrs. Rogers” to the starkness of the oncoming Depression to be especially effective. Costumes designed by Ilona Somogyi were also most impressive throughout the show.

The offspring of Will and Betty were played by local young actors. Riley Briggs (Beth in ‘A Wonderful Life’ at Goodspeed, understudy for Young Anya in Hartford Stage’s ‘Anastasia’) played young Mary Rogers. Her real-life younger sister Ella Briggs (Zuzu in ‘A Wonderful Life,’ Baby Frances in ‘Chasing Rainbows’) understudies for Mary, James and Freddy in the show. Brendan Reilly Harris (Boy Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Hartford Stage, Michael Banks in ‘Mary Poppins and Young Tommy in ‘The Who’s Tommy’ at the Warner Theatre) played James Rogers. The adorable Nathan Horne made his Goodspeed debut in the role of Freddy Rogers. And what a treat to see Ben Stone-Zelman (Randolph in ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ Tommy Bailey in ‘Wonderful Life’) once again on the Goodspeed stage in the role of Will Rogers, Jr. Mr. Stone-Zelman has also appeared as Boy Scrooge/Fred’s son at Hartford Stage, Dill in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ‘Michael Banks in ‘Mary Poppins,’ Flounder in ‘Little Mermaid,’ all at the Thomaston Opera House.

Dewey Caddell, a NYC actor, concert tenor and comedian, played the aviator Wiley Post with an eye patch. David Garrison (Tony nomination for ‘A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine) was strong in the role of Will Rogers father Clem. Brooke Lacy (a University of Oklahoma graduate) was spot on in the role of Ziegfeld’s Favorite (showgirl) in her Goodspeed debut.

James Naughton could be heard as the voice of Flo Ziegfeld. The talented dancers and singers that had many a quick change included Michael Biren, Aaron Burr, Sarah Fagan, Kaitlyn Frank, Brad Frenette, Emily Jeanne Phillips, Kelly Sheehan, Karilyn Ashley Surratt, Caitlin Wilayto, and Borris York.

David M. Lutken (who appeared on Broadway in ‘The Will Rogers Follies) brought considerable charm to the role of Will Rogers. This actor can tell a tale, sing and dance, as well as read a newspaper with witty remarks. WIth his original show ‘Woody Sez: The Life and Times of Woody Guthrie,’ Mr. Lutken has played 65 cities around the world.

Catherine Walker gave a standout performance in the role of Betty Blake, the wife of Will Rogers, in her Goodspeed debut. This lady has a glorious soprano voice that did not quit and her charm matched that of her leading man. And by the way, she was last seen on Broadway as Phoebe D’Ysquith in ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.’ She was the second Mary in Cameron MacKintosh’s ‘Mary Poppins’ on Broadway for 100 hundred performances and left that to join the cast of the Broadway revival of ‘Ragtime.’

Don Stephenson has directed this production with one eye on the “character” of Florence Ziegfeld, and it works perfectly. Kudos to the choreographer Kelli Barclay for making the fabulous dance moves (sometimes in a seated position) fit upon the tiny stage and set designer Walt Spangler for using a staircase to expand the space. Michael O’Flaherty, in his 27th season with Goodspeed, conducted the orchestra seated under the onstage staircase. Wig and hair design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer complimented perfectly those glorious costumes and Keith Nelson served as Rope Trick Supervisor, because this show needs someone in that position.

The dance-filled musical which was written by Peter Stone, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, will run through June 12 at the Goodspeed in East Haddam. Take a trip over the steel deck bridge to the jewelbox opera house to see this rags-to-riches musical that captures the American spirit.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417