Walter Willison

Birth Place: Monterey Park, CA, USA

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Walter Willison BIO

Additional Performances [not listed above]:

NIGHT OF YOUR NIGHTS: A Celebration of Broadway's Golden Age starring Walter Willison and Heather Mac Rae; Written by Walter Willison; Musical Direction & Arrangements by Jeffrey Silverman; Produced by Jeffrey Silverman & David Kates for BadaBing Entertainment, LA; LA, Phoenix, Mesa and Sunrise, AZ; February 2004

A TRIBUTE TO BOB MERRILL [Guest Star, with Neva Small, Sheila Smith & others]; The Lambs Club Theatre; 2003

13th ANNUAL CABARET CONVENTION: SOME ENCHANTED EVENINGS Produced by Donald Smith; Musical Director Dick Gallagher; starring Walter Willison, Heather Mac Rae, Karen Akers, Bill Hayes, Mary Rodgers, Nancy Dussault, Patricia Morrison, Julie Wilson and others; 2002

WALL TO WALL RICHARD RODGERS at Symphony Space; starring Walter Willison, Mary Rodgers, Judy Kaye, David Green, James Naughton, Sheldon Harnick, Debbie Gravitte, Melissa Erico & others

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE: In Concert as Cookie ["Bluebird Song"] etc.; Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Arthur Laurents; Directed by Herb Ross; All-star Cast featuring Bernadette Peters, Scott Bakula, Angela Lansbury, Chip Zien, Walter Bobbie, Eric Riley, Marin Mazzie, Betsy Joslyn, Madeline Kahn, Walter Willison
& others

FROM BERLIN TO BROADWAY: A Pipe Night Tribute to Wright & Forrest; Music & Lyrics by Robert Wright & George Forrest; Concept & Musical Direction by Jack Lee; Written by Sheila Smith; with Alfred Drake, Jose Ferrer, Karen Akers, Lilianne Montevecci, Walter Willison, Joan Diener, Sheila Smith & others; 1990

A CELEBRATION OF RICHARD RODGERS with Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II & Lorenz Hart; Staged & Directed by Donald Saddler; Musical Direction by Colin Romoff; Produced by Anna Sosenko; Presented by The Museum of the City of New York; starring Mary Martin, Gordon Mac Rae, Jan Clayton, Walter Willison, Tricia O'Neal, Celeste Holm, Agnes DeMille, Gene Nelson, Pam Myers, Benay Venuta, Helen Gallagher, Terry Saunders, John Reardon, Johnny Green, Leonard Bernstein & others

Additional Recordings in release [not listed above]:
WALL TO WALL RICHARD RODGERS [Vocal] Fynsworth Alley; 2002
CYRANO: The Musical & GRAND TOUR with book & lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.; Music by David Shire; Stage Manager, John Badham; Musical Direction by Arthur Rubinstein; Remastered from the original 1958/1959 Recordings and Produced by Walter Willison' with John Cunningham, Dick Cavett, Carrie Nye McGeoy, Bill Hinnant, Austin Pendleton, Gretchen Cryer, Nancy Currie [Ford], Lynne Meadow & others
UNSUNG IRVING BERLIN Produced by Bruce Kimmel;Verese-Serabande; 1995
JUDY KAYE: DIVA BY DIVA [Guest Artist]Produced by Bruce Kimmel; Verese-Serabande; 1995
LOST IN BOSTON III [Performer/Contractor] Produced by Bruce Kimmel; Verese-Serabande; 1995
LOST IN BOSTON II [Performer/Contractor] Produced by Bruce Kimmel; Verese-Serabande; 1994
COLLETTE COLLAGE with Book & Lyrics by Tom Jones; Music by Harvey Schmidt; Produced by Bruce Kimmel; starring Judy Kaye, Judith Blazer, George Lee Andrews, Jonathan Freeman, Rita Gardner, Walter Willison & others
UNSUNG SONDHEIM [Performer/Contractor] Produced by Bruce Kimmel; with Walter Willison, Kaye Ballard, Davis Gaines, Marilyn Cooper, Judy Kuhn, Harry Groener, Lynette Perry, Niki Harris, Rebecca Luker, Jason Graae, Judy Kaye, Debbie Shapiro Gravitte, Kaye Ballard, Sally Mayes, Christa Moore, Michael Rupert, Liz Calloway
TWO BY TWO [as Japheth] with Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Book by Peter Stone; Directed by Joe Layton; starring Danny Kaye, Walter Willison, Joan Copeland, Tricia O'Neil, Michael Karm, Harry Goz, Marilyn Cooper, Madeline Kahn; Originally recorded in 1971; Digitally Remastered CD released in 1993
GRAND HOTEL: The Musical with Music & Lyrics by Robert Wright & George Forrest; Book by Luther Davis; Additional Songs by Maury Yeston; Musical Direction by Jack Lee; Directed by Tommy Tune; starring David Carroll, Brent Barrett, Lilianne Montevecci, Karen Akers, Jane Krakowski, Timothy Jerome, Kathi Moss & others
THE ANASTASIA AFFAIRE [Original version, remastered as ANASTASIA: The Musical, See Above] Bay Cities; 1992

Additional Produced Plays [not listed above]:

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN: The New 1940s Musical; Adapted & Directed by Walter Willison; Choreographed by Kay Cole; Musical Arrangements by Jeffrey Silverman & David Kates; Various Composers; BadaBing Entertainment, LA; LA & Phoenix, AZ Tour 2004

WONDERFUL LIFE!: The Musical with Book by Douglas Holmes; Lyrics by Walter Willison; Music by John Kroner; based on Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life"; World Premiere at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis, 1989; Produced annually at various venues around the US.

OPTIONS: a musical choice; Lyrics by Walter Willison; Music by Jeffrey Silverman; Concept & Direction by Michael Shawn; Circle Repertory Theatre, NYC; with Julie Budd, JoAnna Rush, Walter Willison & Jeffrey Silverman; 1983

FRONT STREET GAIETIES: Dodge City's Hottest Revue with Book & Lyrics by Walter Willison; Music by Jeffrey Silverman; Directed by Walter Willison; Choreographed by Wade Collings; Produced by Willison, Barbara Custer & Collings; starring Susan Watson, Charles Ward, Carol Swarbrick, Walter Willison & others; The Mayfair Theatre, Santa Monica, CA; 1980-81

Additional Director Credits [not listed above]:

ROBERT ANDERSON: GENTLEMAN PLAYWRIGHT [starring Robert Anderson, Shirley Knight, Walter Willison, Kate Hopkins & others] Written & Directed by Walter Willison; Musical Direction by Jeffrey Silverman; The 3rd William Inge Festival, Independence, KS, 1985
WILLIAM GIBSON: A Seesaw Life [starring William Gibson, Shirley Knight, Walter Willison, Kate Hopkins & others; Musical Direction by Jeffrey Silverman; The 2nd Annual William Inge Festival, Independence, KS; 1984

JEROME LAWRENCE: A Celebration of Lawrence & Lee [with Jerome Lawrence, Martha Scott, Walter Willison & Jeffrey Silverman]; Written by Jerome Lawrence; Directed by Jerome Lawrence & Walter Willison; Musical Direction by Jeffrey Silverman; The 1st Annual William Inge Festival, Independence, KS; 1983

THE GRASS HARP [West Coast Premiere] with Susan Watson, Chris Costello, Leonard Conner, Claudia West, Christina Applegate & others; American Theatre of Actors, LA; 1979-80
YOUR OWN THING directed by Walter Willison; The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA

BOOKS:
Associate Editor of John Willis' THEATRE WORLD, Volume #42
Associate Editor of John Willis' THEATRE WORLD, Volume #43
Associate Editor of John Willis' THEATRE WORLD, Volume #44
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #37
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #38
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #39
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #40

Walter Willison Photos

Walter Willison STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Musicals in Mufti Concert, 2000
Edmund Kean

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1994
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1989
Gunther Gustafsson

Felix Von Gaigern [Replacement]

Felix Von Gaigern (Standby) [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Performer

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1980
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Pippin (Standby)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1971
Charlie

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1970
Japheth

[Broadway]
1970
Garson Hobart

Writing

Bookwriter/Lyricist
Conceiver/Lyrics
Bookwriter/Lyricist

Walter Willison Awards and Nominations

Theatre World Awards - 1971 - Performance

Walter Willison, Two by Two

Walter Willison Videos

Walter Willison News


Liz Callaway, Billy Stritch & More Nominated for 2024 MAC Awards - See the Full List!

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets has revealed the 2024 MAC Award nominees. See who was nominated!

Review: GRAND HOTEL: THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST REUNION CONCERT at 54 Below Was Incredible

The intimate cabaret space at 54 Below was transformed into Berlin’s Grand Hotel on Monday night. The kick-off performance of GRAND HOTEL: THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST REUNION CONCERT on February 26th was exuberant, with much of the star-studded original cast reviving their roles.

Exclusive: Go Inside Rehearsals for the GRAND HOTEL 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert

Get a look inside rehearsals for Grand Hotel: The 35th Anniversary Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert at 54 Below in the video here!

GRAND HOTEL 35TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION, Alysha Umphress, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. Learn more about the performances here!

Musical Theatre Melodies Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Carol Channing in LORELEI With Lee Roy Reams

Musical Theatre Melodies, hosted by Rob Morrison, will mark the 50th anniversary of the Broadway premiere of Carol Channing in Lorelei (based on Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) by Jule Styne, Leo Robin, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, featuring an interview with original cast member, Tony Award nominee Lee Roy Reams, on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, January 30th,

Cabaret Photographers: Bobby Patrick

Broadway World Cabaret gets photographic content from some of the best shutterbugs in the business. Here's a look at some of the captures they've shared with us.

Charles Mandracchia Will Show New Project at The Chelsea International Film Festival

Broadway actor and EMMY Film & TV Director Charles Mandracchia will be showcasing his new project at the renowned Chelsea International Film Festival. Learn more about this 4-day international event and Mandracchia's film, The Jazztime Project.

GRAND HOTEL Original Broadway Cast to Celebrate the Show's 35th Anniversary at 54 Below

54 BELOW will reunite the original Broadway cast of the Tony Award® winning musical Grand Hotel in honor of Tommy Tune’s 85th birthday on February 26 & 27 at 7pm & 9pm.

Cindy Williams Final TV Project SAMI To Premiere On Amazon Prime Video April 23

Producer Bruce Kimmel has announced that Cindy Williams' final TV project, 'Sami,' is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on April 23. Kerry O'Malley ('Why Women Kill', 'Snowpiercer') and newcomer Sami Staitman also star in the 10-episode short form comedy/musical series.

Lorna Luft, PIPPIN 50th Anniversary Concert, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 

See Jennifer Holliday, the Original Broadway Cast of PIPPIN & More Next Month at 54 Below

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See February's lineup and learn how to purchase tickets!

Original Broadway Cast of PIPPIN To Reunite For 50th Anniversary Concert At 54 Below

Pippin: The 50th Anniversary Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert will stream live on February 7th at 7:00pm ET. In addition to the live- streamed option, there will also be four in-person performances on February 6th and 7th at 7:00pm and 9:30pm.

Dates Added for PIPPIN 50th Anniversary Concert at 54 Below

54 BELOW will welcome the original Broadway cast of Pippin to celebrate the beloved musical’s 50th anniversary. Due to extreme popular demand, Pippin has added two performances on February 7 at 7pm & 9:30pm, in addition to its previously announced performances on February 6 at 7pm & 9:30pm, for a total of four shows.

John Rubenstein Celebrates Pippin's 50th Anniversary On MUSICAL THEATRE MELODIES Next Week

The next broadcast of Rob Morrison's Musical Theatre Melodies will pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Steven Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson's Tony Award winning musical PIPPIN, featuring interviews with Tony Award winner John Rubenstein and songs from the original Broadway cast recording with special narration by Tony Award nominee Walter Willison.

Musical Theater Melodies Celebrates 120th Birthday of Legendary Composer Richard Rodgers with Broadcast and Streaming Premiere

Tuesday June 28th, 2022, marks the 120th Anniversary of the birth of legendary Broadway composer Richard Rodgers, Rob Morrison's Musical Theatre Melodies will commemorate the occasion with the broadcast and streaming premiere of the Museum of the City of New York's A CELEBRATION OF RICHARD RODGERS, recorded live at The Imperial Theatre, New York City, on March 26th, 1972.

Photos: AMERICAN POPULAR SONG SOCIETY TRIBUTE TO LEE ROY REAMS at The Cutting Room by Bowie Dunwoody

The American Popular Song Society recently hosted a gala benefit honoring Tony Award nominee Lee Roy Reams and guest photographer Bowie Dunwoody captured it all in their camera's lens.

American Popular Song Society To Honor Lee Roy Reams In Star-studded Benefit Concert At Cutting Room

The American Popular Song Society will honor Lee Roy Reams in a star-studded benefit concert celebrating the art and legacy of the American popular song, at The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, on Sunday June 12, at 5pm. 

A 10 Year Anniversary Celebration & More to Take Place This Week at Feinstein's/54 Below

This week, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Ahrens & Flaherty, Joe Iconis & More Join Feinstein's/54 Below 10th Anniversary Celebration

From reviving the jewels of the canon to concerts celebrating Broadway’s theatres, Feinstein’s/54 Below audiences have taken countless trips down a magical memory lane. Now, to celebrate their tenth year in operation, Feinstein’s/54 Below will be celebrating these wonderful musical moments that appeared on their stage.

Walter Willison FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Walter Willison has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

Walter Willison has not appeared in the West End.

Walter Willison has been nominated for the Performance (Theatre World Awards) for "Two by Two" and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Two by Two".

Walter Willison has won a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for his work in Two by Two.

Walter Willison has written 4 shows including Front Street Gaieties (Conceiver/Lyrics), Broadway Scandals of 1928 (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Options (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Betting on Bertie (Adaptation).

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