“And for the evening's final number, we got another full circle moment. Peterson, the musical's first Young Ben, became Ben for “Live Laugh Love,” complete with late original cast member John McMartin’s cane from the Broadway production. Especially with a Carnegie Hall-full of Follies fans, the number was an especially poignant way to close an excellent concert. . .a glorious concert.” — Playbill

“Joining him in reminiscences and fun facts was Kurt Peterson, who created the role of Young Ben in its original production. At the end of the long evening, it was time for the final number, Ben’s ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ and as I wasn’t checking the program, I’d run out of who was left to perform this splendid number in my head. Peterson, after speaking of the circumstances of why Ben sings the song at this moment in the show, then got off his stool and said, ‘And I’m going to sing it myself.’ Now silver-haired and having once done a full production of Follies with his three former young counterparts as Buddy, Phyllis, and Sally (Harvey Evans, Virginia Sandifur. and Marti Rolph). That was in Michigan twenty-one years ago, and last night, Peterson launched into the song with more than enough panache to spare. And before doing so, the actual cane the great John McMartin once used for ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ was tossed to him by Chapin, with Peterson fondly saying, ‘it’s on loan out tonight from the love of John’s life, Charlotte Moore.’ It was that kind of evening.” — Ron Fassler

Read Ron’s full report: https://ronfassler.org/post/297247/ON-THE-HAUNTED-GHOSTS-AT-STEPHEN-SONDHEIM-S-FOLLIES-IN-CONCERT

Read the Playbill report: https://playbill.com/article/broadway-baby-go-inside-the-all-star-concert-of-sondheims-follies-made-for-the-super-fans