 THE WILL ROGERS' FOLLIES
A musical in 2 acts, a Prelude and 12 Scenes. Book by Peter Stone -
Inspired by the words of Will & Betty Rogers
Music Composed & Arranged by Cy Coleman : Lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph
Green : Original New York Production Directed
& Choreographed by Tommy Tune
Palace Theatre, New York - 1 May, 1991 (983 perfs)
SYNOPSIS
Will Rogers is famous for saying I never met a man I didn't like,
and anyone who has ever seen or performed in WILL ROGERS FOLLIES will
agree that there has never been a man - or woman - who did not like
Will ROGERS FOLLIES.
Subtitled A Life In Revue, WILL ROGERS stands out among musicals because
of the magic of its protagonist. Rare is the man who transcends decades
and rises to the level of legend. Will Rogers does this, not only because
of his accomplishments, but because of his philosophy, which espouses
respect and confidence in the goodness of his fellowman.
The curtain rises on a Follies-style tribute to the man whose daily
newspaper column sent America on its way each morning with a smile on
its face. In fact, Will was a multimedia sensation, performing a weekly
radio talk show as well as starring in motion pictures. Between rope
tricks which entertain the audience while the show girls are changing
their costumes for The Follies, Will soothes us with his old-fashioned
common sense. The songs Never Met A Man and Give A Man Enough Rope are
parables set to music.
Now it's time to get to know Will, his friends, and family. Will introduces
us to the aviator Wiley Post, to his six sisters, and to his father Clem.
Born to parents who were part Cherokee, Will learned early on to be proud
of his heritage. When Will turned nineteen, he set off, despite his father's
protests, to be a cowboy down in Argentina. It was at the train depot
that Will first laid eyes on Betty Blake, the woman who would become
his wife. But how theatrical is that? Not enough, apparently, because
Mr. Ziegfeld quickly rewrites history and lowers Betty romantically from
the Moon to recreate her first meeting with Will!
Once married, Will tours the country performing his routine until the
day his big break arrives, and he is offered a part in Florenz Ziegfeld's
Follies. After six fabulous seasons, Will is called to Hollywood to perform
on the silver screen. After much success and a run for President in 1928,
Will assesses his life. It is time to spend more time at home. Nonetheless,
Will is called on to soothe the nation's jitters after the stock market
crash. It seems that his straight talk and simple truths create quite
an impact on the nation. You will find that your audience responds in
much the same way.
When Wiley Post and Will lose their lives during a fatal flying adventure
in Alaska, the nation mourns its lost friend. The musical version, however,
is an upbeat celebration of this folk hero who made the world a whole
lot better place than it was before he entered it.
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