FOLLIES "One More Kiss" Original Heidi Justine Johnston

[@barbarachiofalo2474]

Hi everyone, this is actually me playing Young Heidi in 2003 for Reprise Theater Company in LA. Thank you so much, it was an HONOR to work with Ms. Johnston, the original Young Heidi, playing older Heidi!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Hi Barbara! Great to hear from you, and glad I got your name right in the caption. This is a lovely performance and I'm sure you enjoyed singing this number with the original Heidi.

[@barbarachiofalo2474]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 THANK YOU for posting! What a beautiful way to Honor Justine and what a beautiful memory or me, where did you run across this? Youre a GEM!

[@loutimmons3099]

Ummm, you do realize Justine Johnston was the original Heidi in 1971 (not young Heidi - that was Victoria Mallory). But Justine was barely 50 in the original Follies - now she is, what, 80? And still sings beautifully. She passed in 2006.

[@barbarachiofalo2474]

@@loutimmons3099 Yep! She was originally the Young Heidi, and then I was blessed to play Young Heidi when Reprise! Broadways Best put her as the older Heidi to honor the memory of the original production, by attempting to keep its original cast member. I think it was her last performance. She was such a lovely person.

[@jarrodc7984]

@@barbarachiofalo2474Victoria Mallory was the original Young Heidi. Miss Johnson was the original Heidi. Which is even more remarkable as she sounds almost the same 30 years later.

[@JohnGriffin0928]

I absolutely love the way Young Heidi helps her offstage at the end.

[@barbarachiofalo2474]

That was a beautiful touch by director Arthur Allan Seidelman. All Class.

[@MikeA15206]

Young Heidi is amazing.

[@barbarachiofalo2474]

Wow, what an honor, thank you!

[@lamontrussell1524]

I’m not crying, you are. So beautiful.

[@barbarachiofalo2474]

[@alansikes2903]

Ms. Johnston's performance captures the melancholy of nostalgia for youth, better than any other versions of this song on KZbin. Just my opinion, but c'mon....

[@SweatyOracle]

I don't know how I just stumbled upon this video. I've been really fixated on "One More Kiss" after Sondheim's passing. For some reason, it has been the song that has summed it all up for me. This video made me weep.

[@bernieappugliese2029]

The way Young Heidi extends her hand and leads her off the stage. So symbolic.

[@FolliesFan-yu8mf]

I don't know how I'm only seeing this now - but what a fantastic treat! She brings on a whole new layer of pathos singing this song 30 years on. And interestingly, hers is the only number that was largely forgotten of the original production, and also the only one that wasn't captured on film in some form or another. (By the way, it's Justine Johnston with a T)

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

The fact that no one ever corrected the spelling of Ms. Johnston's name in the three years this has been up goes to show how relatively neglected this clip has been. Thanks much for the correction. I too thought this was of particular interest for the reason you state: This performance was not a part of any of the films documenting the original production.

[@mjmacmtenor]

For years the only version available with Johnston was from a Sondheim tribute benefit concert in 1972/3 that was recorded. I still have that LP. Eventually the recording made for (but not included in) the OC recording was included when that re-released on CD. The original young Heidi was Victoria Mallory, wha was starring in A Little Night Music at the time of the tribute recording. I was in a production of The Most Happy Fella with her in 1976.

[@bella8flowers]

barbara chiofalo is my teacher!

[@sloubser01]

Ms Johnston definitely played the older Heidi in the original, although she was young for the part. this is truly a precious clip to watch. thank you.

[@flanplan5903]

Yeah it’s definitely interesting to watch here now that she is the proper age for Heidi…

[@babka22]

heartbreaking

[@chocolatesouljah]

I was just about to write that" Heartnreaking!

[@peteralfano4278]

Oh wow. Saw this original 3 times. This was always a beautiful moment. Thanks for another gem.

[@nornsnornsnorns]

Oh this is absolutely wonderful. So moving

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Glad you liked it, thank you. If I'm not mistaken, this is the only time an original 1971 "Follies" cast principal many years later recreated the role they originated.

[@fergusmurray1828]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 Dorothy Collins returned to the role of Sally regionally in ‘78, Michigan I think (could be wrong on that)?

[@terryhammond1253]

A divine interpretation. I wept. Viva Sondheim!

[@dianaaljadeff2983]

The young Heidi is the late soprano Victoria Mallory who was also in Little night with music.

[@martindooley6380]

That's Victoria Mallory as Young Heidi? Really?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

No, as the caption says, it's Barbara Chiofalo. Johnston was the original '71 Broadway Heidi, but this clip has her recreating the role in 2002.

[@sjcohen4444]

For years I thought that she was the original Cousin Nettie in Carousel (You'll Never Wake Alone, June Is Bustin' Out All Over) but it turns out that was Christine Johnson!

[@martindooley6380]

Poignant X 10.

[@Raysers1]

Thanks. Do you have any musical numbers by Vikki Carr who played an excellent Sally Durant in this production?

[@barbarachiofalo2474]

OH MY GOSH SHE WAS AAA MAZING. I WISH I HAD RECORDED FROM OFFSTAGE!! If I find any, I'll post!

[@Raysers1]

@@barbarachiofalo2474 Cool! That would be great!