Sonoma Arts Live opens its 2026/27 season with Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, an odd musical that lives somewhere between a traditional Broadway musical and a cult classic. The Patrick Nims-directed production runs on the Rotary Stage at the Sonoma Community Center through Sept. 27.
In a condemned, haunted theater, a reunion of the “Weismann Girls” (think Ziegfeld Follies) is taking place. Sally (Brandy Noveh) is there, hoping to run into her old flame, Ben (Sean O’Brien), who married her old roommate, Phyllis (Beth Ellen Ethridge). Sally’s husband and Ben’s ex-best friend, Buddy (Tim Setzer), is there, trying to keep Sally by his side. All the while, the ghosts of their younger selves dance across the stage until the past and present collide.
Noveh’s Sally is heartbreaking and exasperating, and she handles the difficult Sondheim songs with powerful sincerity. It is a masterful performance. It’s refreshing to see Setzer in a serious role that really highlights his range. O’Brien’s Ben is sympathetic despite being so deeply flawed. Ethridge’s Phyllis can come off as cold, but that is how the character is written. It’s a remarkable piece of acting from Etheridge to make Phyllis a likable character for whom we can root.
Their younger selves were no slouches either, especially Alexis Bueno’s endearing young Sally.
This show was written to display talent in a way that few others are. As such, there were many opportunities for artists known in the community for their powerful voices and stage presence to display those talents. Of special note is Alexis Lane Jensen’s Carlotta and her rendition of the classically defiant “I’m Still Here.” Also, if one wants to see some top-tier tap dancing, this show hits that spot.
The biggest issue with this production was a technical one. On opening night, a snafu meant most of the song “LoveLand” was performed without its accompanying projections. Once the projections did switch on, it became clear that the performance was better without the blurry and distracting visuals. Perhaps the blurriness was intentional, but it looked from the audience’s perspective that they were just not sized correctly for the stage.
And the fact that this was the only real flaw in a show of this complexity is actually a tribute to the talent and care given this production.
One should take a trip out to Sonoma to see this strangely beautiful show.
Missing it would be a huge folly.
Sonoma Arts Live presents ‘Follies’ through Sept. 27 on the Rotary Stage at Andrews Hall in the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Thurs–Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $27–$44. 707.484.4874. sonomaartslive.org.
