Follies

This evening I ventured to the Marquis Theatre to view Follies, which originally debuted on Broadway in 1971.  The stage is set as an old dilapidated Broadway theatre that is soon to be demolished to make way for a parking lot where the cast is meeting in a reunion, consisting of past chorus girls and their significant others. It was a star studded cast including Bernadette Peters playing Sally, who the audience was thrilled to see preforming.
The fist act was average in my opinion.  And honestly I wasn't too impressed with Bernadette Peters.  I would have to say my favorites from the show were Sally's husband Buddy played by Danny Burstein and Phyllis played by Jan Maxwell.  The first act delves into the unhappiness of the characters and their draw to the past and what they wish to have changed, as well as describes the characters negative characteristics and how they affect their personal relationships. While the first act does have some well preformed musical numbers and dancing I felt that it lulled at times.
The second act the stage is transformed into "Loveland" which is over the top in terms of scenery which I found fantastic.  In my opinion "Loveland" is the characters realization of what is wrong in their lives/relationships preformed in the most showy, bright, songs with outstanding costumes and choreography. I loved the second act.  It was beautiful and the stage was basically exploding with talent.  The second act basically saved the show for me.