Audio Flashback & 'Lovely' Memories of A FUNNY THING... Original Star Preshy Marker

Candid memories of a "lovely" Broadway original!

Original A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM star Preshy Marker is fondly remembered in a revealing new interview with her daughter, Kristin Reyna.

Of note, Marker passed away on June 18 at the age of 82.

Marker, born Esther Stomne Reyna, is warmly celebrated by her daughter, Kristin, who shares of the original George Abbott-directed production of the musical comedy classic, "She would talk about how crazy it was sometimes ... running to the backstage area, changing costumes [in a hurry] and just running the whole thing."

Additionally, Reyna adds of the original performer of Stephen Sondheim's celebrated comedy song "Lovely", performed opposite Brian Davies, "She got to meet a lot of interesting people. She met Lauren Bacall once because she came to the production."

Additionally, Marker participated in "That'll Show Him" from the celebrated musical comedy score, as well.

As for why she ultimately worked less in her later life, Reyna offers, "She didn't think she could have children as far as I understand it ... but she was very happy when she found out she was pregnant. After that, she wanted to devote herself to being a mother because she thought it was an opportunity she wouldn't have."

Check out the original article on the matter here.

Also, in regards to her unique moniker, The New York Times reported in a column that ran on June 3, 1962 the following information: "It seems that Preshy is a nickname. 'When I was little, they called me Esther Nellie. Then they started calling me Precious, but that stopped after I began walking and talking. Precious became Preshy.' And it was Preshy all through school, which included Vassar, where she received an A.B. Her first job in show business was with Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians. 'He didn't like the name of Preshy Stomne, so he introduced me as Precious Stone, which sounds like something out of burlesque. Then I got married to a man named Marker.'"

In addition to starring in the original production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and 1955's short-lived musical revue HEAR! HEAR!, Preshy Marker appeared alongside band leader Fred Waring as part of The Pennsylvanians and also Hugh Martin in the line-up of The Martins, where she famously sang modern classics such as "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "The Trolley Song", "The Boy Next Door" and many more.

To listen to Preshy Marker perform "Lovely" from A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, click here, and sample "That'll Show Him" here.

Photo Credit: BlueGobo