We’re just a few days away from the musical Follies taking the stage in Huntington - and we have another interview with a member of the cast!
Today let hear from the amazingly talented Nora Ankrom:
Q: What is Follies about?
Nora: Follies is about a group of former Follies performers who have come together for one last reunion before their theater is torn down. The story focuses on two couples - Ben and Phyllis, Buddy and Sally - and their complicated relationship histories. As the evening unfolds and the party-goers reminisce, the ghosts and shadows of their former selves appear and replay the drama of their younger days.
Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?
Nora: Sondheim’s music and lyrics are complicated and challenging - in story, orchestrations, harmonies, and rhythm. In this show in particular, while the set is fairly basic (an old theater), the costumes are completely glamorous. It’s a treat for a performer.
Q: Tell us about the character you play.
Nora: I play the ghost of a former showgirl. So I get to sing and dance to beautiful music and wear about a hundred different fabulous costumes and headpieces covered in sequins and feathers.
Q: What's your background in theatre?
Nora: I’ve been involved in community theatre for the last seven years. I was primarily involved with ARTS, but I’ve also performed with the Alban Arts Center and Appalachian Artists Collective. I’m a founding member and Vice President of Alchemy Theatre Troupe. In our first two years we produced three cabarets, four contemporary plays, and two Shakespearean comedies in partnership with the West Virginia Shakespeare Festival. Follies kicks off our third season of shows and is our first musical, of which I’m very proud.
Q: What’s more challenging in this show, the singing or the dancing?
Nora: I’ll always argue that Sondheim’s music and lyrics are the most challenging of any composer, but as a showgirl ghost, I have a lot more dancing than singing in this one. Our choreographer Amy Browning has created a lot of fun, challenging material.
Q: Do you have a favorite number in the show?
Nora: Jane Modlin’s “Could I Leave You?” is so awesome and powerful and comes as a big surprise at that point in the show.
Jinnie Knight’s “Losing My Mind” is haunting, beautiful, and so very honest. It breaks my heart every time.
Robert Jackson’s incredible performance in the show’s final number “Live, Laugh, Love” is equal parts spectacular and gut-wrenching.
John Campbell’s “The Right Girl” is so creative and indicative of the internal struggle of his character, displaying his skill as both a singer and an actor.
Todd Green and Becky McClelland are just the most adorable little couple in their sweet song “Rain on the Roof.”
Rebekah Sword’s powerful soprano has such a lovely and fun display in “Ah, Paris.”
Sheila Redling will absolutely bring down the house every night with her hilarious, fantastic version of the iconic “Broadway Baby.”
Hilary Brewster is a complete powerhouse as she belts while tapping in “Who’s That Woman?”
Mary Olson is just perfect and makes me laugh and cry in her beautiful rendition of “I’m Still Here.”
Linda Dobbs and Laura Campbell will blow away audiences with their soaring, gorgeous duet “One More Kiss.”
Carl Taylor’s incredible, jaw-dropping tenor opens the show with the fantastic “Beautiful Girls.”
Kathleen Aluise, Madasyn Warnock, Shane Lloyd, and Colt Sowards are sweet and adorable and handle so well one of Sondheim’s very complicated arrangements, “You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow/ Love Will See Us Through.”
And I love performing as a showgirl ghost with Alyssa Poindexter, Kristen Rucker, Natasha Allen, and Joanna Murdock in all our songs, but my favorite is “Buddy’s Blues.“
Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Nora: In addition to all the amazing songs above, this show also features Kennie Bass as Mr. Weismann, the reunion’s host and MC and debuts Aaron Hale in his very first stage performance.
Choreographer Amy Browning has created beautiful dances and pictures throughout the show that both challenge and showcase the cast.
Music Director TK Lombardo masterfully conducts the cast and orchestra through some very complicated music.
Artistic Director and Producer Mike Murdock has handled all the technical, behind-the-scenes aspects you can think of (and many you probably wouldn’t think of) beautifully.
And our Director Bil Neal fearlessly leads our entire cast so well. He creates a welcoming environment where everyone from seasoned stage veterans to complete newbies feels comfortable and has a great time.
I can’t think of a reason NOT to see this show.
Thanks, Nora!
Follies - the musical will be presented by Alchemy Theatre on March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and March 8 at 2 p.m. at The Janice Chandler Auditorium (The Cabell County Board of Education Building) at 2850 5th Avenue in Huntington. Tickets are $15 each.
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