Follies at the Marquis

Tell me, how could I leave when I left long ago?

I went to see Follies at the Marquis Theater.  I've always known I don't know shit about critiquing musicals since I don't really know the technicalities, the songs and it was all I could do to keep up with the storyline.  My co-workers were asking me how I liked it, all I could say was that I loved it, which wasn't exactly true.  I read up on this particular show before I went to see it but I'd much rather see joyful, funny musicals.

It's a story about two couples undergoing some mid-life crises, regrets, past loves, past lives, past glamour.  It was a heartrending seeing older people on stage wistfully reminiscing about their past lives as Weissman showgirls.  As usual, I'll only mention my favorite musical number.

My favorite was Phyllis' (gorgeously played by Jan Maxwell) number "Could I Leave You?" where she and Ben confronted each other about divorce.  All the while I was thinking, "Exactly!"  I've been through signing out, zoning out, mentally and emotionally preparing myself to leave, days spent in different parts of the room, ignoring each other, not seeing each other.  The torture of a passionless and comfortable relationship is like bleeding to death by paper cuts.