The Will Rogers Follies

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The Will Rogers Follies

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  2w, 2m, 1girl(s), 3boy(s)

Book by Peter Stone
Music Composed and Arranged by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green

Original New York Production Directed and Choreographed by Tommy Tune
Inspired by the words of Will and Betty Rogers
Originally produced on Broadway by Pierre Cossette, Martin Richards, Sam Crothers, James M. Nederlander, Stewart F. Lane and Max Weitzenhofer in association with Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc.

Presented in the style of a Ziegfeld Follies revue, The Will Rogers Follies chronicles the life of the beloved American entertainer through snappy tunes, elaborate production numbers, and comic sketches.

Image: Sam Norkin

The Will Rogers Follies

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m, 1girl(s), 3boy(s)
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Six 1991 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score
    Winner! Three 1991 Drama Desk Awards, for Musical, Music and Choreography
    Winner! 1991 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical
The Will Rogers Follies

Details

Summary

"The Will Rogers Follies is a show about Will Rogers — a unique American, who, though he died in 1935, remains a beloved figure remembered for his humor, his wisdom, and his just plain common sense. At the heart of his populist philosophy was his most famous statement: ‘I never met a man I didn't like.’ Rogers became the biggest, most popular, and highest paid star of every existing medium of his time — stage, screen, radio, newspapers, and public appearances. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that he was the greatest star this country has ever produced." — Peter Stone, 1994. The show's buoyant score by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Comden & Green, includes “Will-a-Mania,” “Our Favorite Son,” “My Unknown Someone” and “Give A Man Enough Rope.”

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History
The Will Rogers Follies opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on May 1, 1991, starring Keith Carradine, Cady Huffman, Dee Hoty and Dick Latessa. The production, under the direction of Tommy Tune, ran for 981 performances.
Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 1920s
  • Setting Time: The Present. Place: This Theatre.
  • Features Elaborate/High-Volume Costumes, Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

Videos

  • Highlights from Goodspeed's The Will Rogers Follies youtube thumbnail

    Highlights from Goodspeed's The Will Rogers Follies

Photos

  • The Will Rogers Follies

    Image: Sam Norkin

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Peter Stone

Peter Stone

Peter Stone (1930-2003) was the first writer to win the Tony, the Oscar and the Emmy. With 15 Broadway productions to his credit, he received Tony Awards for his books to 1776, Woman Of The Year, The Will Rogers Follies and Titanic (all four also winning the Tony for Best Mus ...

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Cy Coleman

Cy Coleman

Cy Coleman (1929–2004) was born Seymour Kaufman in New York City to Eastern European Jewish parents, and was raised in the Bronx. A child prodigy, Coleman gave piano recitals at Steinway Hall, Town Hall and Carnegie Hall between the ages of six and nine. His educational backg ...

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Betty Comden

Betty Comden

Betty Comden (1917-2006) was an award-winning screenwriter, librettist and lyricist, co-writing with her longtime creative partner, Adolph Green. Comden and Green had a groundbreaking partnership of over 60 years, winning Tony Awards for their lyrics and/or librettos for Appl ...

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Adolph Green

Adolph Green

Adolph Green (1914-2002) was an award-winning screenwriter, librettist and lyricist, co-writing with his longtime creative partner, Betty Comden. Comden and Green had a groundbreaking partnership of over 60 years, winning Tony Awards for their lyrics and/or librettos for Appl ...

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Author

Will Rogers

Author

Betty Rogers

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