The Designer Who Rocks the Frocks in Cygnet’s Follies

 By Lonnie Burstein Hewitt

The new Cygnet Theatre takes a new look at 1970’s Follies. 
(Karli Cadel Photography)

This month there’s a great event at Liberty Station: the grand opening of “The Joan”, Cygnet Theatre’s  brand-new 32,000-sq.ft. Performing Arts Center named in honor of the late arts patron/philanthropist Joan Jacobs and built on the spot where the old Naval Exchange used to be.

In 1997, when the Naval Training Center (NTC) was decommissioned, nobody knew what to do with this space, so it remained empty until last year when Cygnet Theatre, formerly based in Old Town, decided to turn it into its new home--The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center…a major undertaking.

They wanted to open with what Artistic Director Sean Murray called “a statement piece” so they chose Follies, a musical with book by James Goldman and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim that premiered in NYC in 1971 and won many awards, including a Tony for Sondheim’s musical score and a Tony for Best Direction of a Musical for Harold Prince and Michael Bennett.

Sean Murray begins Cygnet’s exciting new phase by directing this show about a group of showgirls from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s who get together for a reunion in a crumbling old theater where they all once performed. They and the producer/director of their Ziegfeld-like Follies plus some of their attending husbands and sometime-lovers appear onstage …along with the young ghosts of their former selves.

“It’s a memory play, very interesting and beautiful, with people remembering what their lives used to be, and the ghosts of their pasts are present,” said Costume Designer Elisa Benzoni, when we interviewed her in her Costume Shop a few weeks before Follies opened.

 

In the Costume Shop with Elisa Benzoni. (Maurice Hewitt)

“This is my home,” she said, as she showed us some of her works-in-process, most of which were not yet ready for photo ops. 

She’d been doing extensive research on the styles of the periods involved and loved having a chance to play with feathers and beads and glitter and sparkle, but anytime she felt historical accuracy overwhelmed the storytelling, she went with the storytelling.

“The characters come to this reunion presenting their best selves, so there are bright colors and patterns, but the play soon shows what’s happening underneath,” she said.  “My hope is that the costumes help clarify the moments in the present along with the moments we dive inside their minds.”

A character side by side with her former self. (Karli Cadel Photography)

Another character alongside her former self. (Karli Cadel Photography)

This is what you might call a bittersweet musical, with everyone’s follies exposed, and many late-life regrets. But a high point in Follies is “I’m Still Here,” the show’s most memorable song sung by well-known performer Leigh Scarrett, wearing one of our favorite Elisa Benzoni designs.

Leigh Scarrett, looking great in her costume and singing her heart out.

Elisa’s Confession: The most challenging part of the show is the last 40 minutes, when there are six costume changes for each of the 27 characters! 

About the Designer:  Elisa Benzoni was born in Milano, Italy, moved to Southern California at age 10, and ended up with a Master’s Degree in Costume Design from UC San Diego. She was happy to discover a vibrant theater scene here and has become a significant part of it. She’s been with Cygnet for two years now and is the mother of a two-month-old baby boy. “I wear the baby with me for all my fittings!” she said.

Follies
Cygnet Theatre
Just extended through October 12, 2025
2880 Roosevelt Rd. San Diego, CA 92106
Tickets and info: 619-337-1525.

 

Lonnie Burstein Hewitt is an award-winning author/lyricist/playwright who has been writing about arts and lifestyles in San Diego County for over a dozen years. You can reach her at hew2@sbcglobal.net