Despite the pedigree of star Julie Harris (in her only musical role) and a score by hitmakers Jimmy Van Heusen & Sammy Cahn the show failed to attain the success one would expect.
The score is wonderful though, and gets steady playing for me. The overture is one of the best of that era, and the songs go from lilting ballad to fun uptempo comedy numbers and there’s scarcely a bad one amongst them.
The production seems to have been verrrry 60’s, and featured many ensemble dance numbers done by Michael Kidd.
Production Photos:
Some cool rehearsal shots highlighting Kidd's dances and of course the star:
Great photos. I've been a fan of the score for a long time, especially the ballad "I'll Only Miss Her When I Think of Her" and fun numbers "Haute Couture," "Delicatessen" and "Just the Crust."
Bonus: When I see Charles Nelson Reilly and a "skyscraper," I automatically think of his hilarious turn as the snobby architect "Velvil," so re-named by Molly Picon, in a classic episode of "Car 54, Where Are You?"
Quite an amusing connection, perhaps they got the idea for this show from that classic episode! Such a great old show with so many Broadway actors and guest stars.
Mr Nowack, you've done it again! What a great set of pics from the Golden Age of musical theater (although this one was not very golden). Love the production shots with Victor Spinetti (I believe hot off Oh! What a Lovely War) who was replaced out of town by Charles Nelson Reilly.
Can't say I champion the score as much as you. Lots of clunkers in there, IMNO.
Thank you for the pics! I love the OBCR and also listen to it often. Just the Crust cracks me up every single time I hear it. I worship CNR's delivery.
I agree that that I'll Miss Her When I Think of Her is terrific and think More Than One Way is just as good.
And camp, floperoo numbers don't get any better than Haute Couture! Ta-ta Ta-ta Ta!
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Fun score, great overture. But I always skip Harris' numbers - her voice sounds (to me) almost like nails on a blackboard; thin, unsupported, and with what sounds like the widest break any woman has ever had.
Now I don't think Harris' voice is that bad! She's no Barbara Cook (she's not even a Barbara Harris) but she manages alright and honestly doesn't really sing that much.
Anyone interesting in hearing the score, it's available on YouTube in full thanks to the Various Artists Topic channel:
Mr. Nowack, you've done it again. Thanks as always for the amazing trips down memory lane. You have inspired me to dig out the cast album, which I have to admit is buried in the "B"-row behind the ones that I play most often.
StageStruckLad said: "Mr. Nowack, you've done it again. Thanks as always for the amazing trips down memory lane. You have inspired me to dig out the cast album, which I have to admit is buried in the "B"-row behind the ones that I play most often."
Skyscraper is the show that columnist Dorothy Kilgallen jumped the gun and reviewed a preview after the show delayed its opening. Kilgallen panned it and was raked over the coals by just about everybody.
I suppose she also would have reviewed the opening except that she died between the publication of her preview review and the opening. She died of a toxic mixture of liquor and pills. Valium and vodka can do that to you.
Interesting idea for an Encores presentation since that is the original mandate of the series--to present musicals that are not performed often or are forgotten.
What a coincidence with this posting - listened to the OBCR this morning on the way in to work! Saw the show way back and II remember thoroughly enjoying it.
I do. It's reserved for real stinkers like the Kiri Te Kanawa "My Fair Lady" or the Placido Domingo "Man of La Mancha," which features Mandy Patinkin using a deranged "Frito Bandito" accent to play Sancho.
It is a shame Charles Nelson Reilly left Broadway for La La Land and a steady paycheck on game shows .In a way, you cannot blame him but it was the theater goers loss