The Sondheim Sensation: Follies


The Renaissance

MANSFIELD, OHIO. When a legendary theatre falls into disrepair, a group of former performers joins together to say a tearful goodbye. Follies takes audiences on the journey of reflecting on the golden age and all the memories it holds. Performed with audiences onstage along with the cast, this intimate performance is one you do not want to miss coming to the Renaissance stage on April 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

The plot takes place in a crumbling Broadway theater, now scheduled for demolition, previously home to a musical revue, The Weismann Follies. (Based upon the famous Ziegfeld Follies.) The evening follows a reunion of the Weismann Girls, often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves. Legendary composer/lyricist, Stephen Sondheim uses traditional conventions of the musical theatre genre to reveal the hollowness and falsity of our early hopes and dreams - and the delusion we employ to deal with the disappointments we all encounter. The emotional high generated by the reunion of the Follies girls ultimately gives way to anger, disappointment, and weary resignation to reality. From the very first note of the Prologue, ghosts of Follies showgirls stalk the stage, mythic giants in winged, feathered, black-and-white opulence, as the main characters try desperately to regain their youth through re-creations of their performances of their past.        

Enjoy a night of beautiful music and entertainment at the Renaissance Theatre. Follies Premieres Friday, April 14th at 8:00 pm with additional performances Saturday, April 15th at 8:00 pm, Sunday, April 16th at 2:30 pm, Friday, April 21st at 8:00 pm, Saturday, April 22nd at 8:00 pm, and closes Sunday, April 23rd at 2:30 pm at the Renaissance Theatre, 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, OH. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Renaissance box office, by phone at 419-522-2726, or by visiting the Ren’s website: rentickets.org.