MORE ON APPLAUSE

I've noticed lots of bloggers and critics commenting on this weekend's Encores! production of Applause. Just about everyone seems very pleased by Christine Ebersole's star turn and at least a little disappointed by other aspects of the show.

One of the common criticisms has to do with a medley grafted onto the title song. Drawn from many previous Encores! productions, it charmed me and my group (frequent Encores! attendees) but struck others as very inappropriate. Yet it's not so different in spirit from how it was originally done. Here's Bonnie Franklin and company, from the original 1970 production.



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And here's Applause original Penny Fuller performing the schizoid "One Hallowe'en."



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As for Lauren Bacall singing "But Alive," click here.

Oh—and here's the original New York Times review by Clive Barnes...in PDF form.