I think almost everyone finds that remakes and redos of things they've seen the originals of are lacking in various ways.
I've never been satisfied with any recording of "Follies" other than the original. I had the score LP with me on my first overseas tour of duty. When I bought my first component stereo system, it was "Follies" that was played on it the first time.
I cannot imagine ever being satisfied with any performance that doesn't equal or surpass what I can hear on that cast recording.
That said, I don't think any of the screaming, cheering fans at revivals/revisals deserve rebuke or disdain. They've never seen the original. That they are listeing to and loving a Sondheim score performed live should be more reason for celebration rather than censure.
Most people never get to see the original Broadway production of anything. If one were to insist upon equal/better treatment of the material, no revival/revisal would "ever" be done. And that would be tragic.
