Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

BWW TV: The Best of Bradshaw Smith - 25 Years of Performances; Chita, WICKED, Broadway Bares, Liza, Julie, Bernadette, FOLLIES & Much More!

For over twenty-five years, the late Bradshaw Smith (Founder & Executive Producer of "Broadway Beat" and Applause Video) was the theater world's preeminent videographer, capturing over 1,000 performances on Broadway, off-Broadway, in cabaret halls and beyond that now, because of him, live on today.  Bradshaw Smith died on January 16, 2012, at age 57, following a sudden and severe stroke.

To celebrate his life and all that he gave to the performing arts community, yesterday, July 9, friends and family gathered at the New Signature Theatre space to honor the former cabaret star and beloved videographer's memory. Acclaimed performers and speakers who came out to show their respects included Jared Bortz, Mario Cantone, Dan Daly, Jamie deRoy, Julie Halston, Jeff Harnar, Linda Harris, Karen Mason, Susie Mosher, Sidney Myer, Lee Roy Reams, Richard Ridge, Steven Skeels and Todd Stockman

To conclude the intimate memorial, Bradshaw's longtime friend and editor, Jonathan Frank, compiled the best of Bradshaw's work as a video artist. Featured are exclusive interview and performance clips of Chita Rivera, Gwen Verdon and Hildegard, Alexis Smith performing Follies at the 1988 Remy Martin Broadway Showstoppers, Lea SalongaAngela Lansbury, Martha Plimpton, Cyndi Lauper, Nancy Lamott performing at the 1995 Easter Bonnet Competition, The declaration of 'Carol Channing Day' in celebration of her 4,500 performance in Hello Dolly! in 1996, Julie Andrews declining her 1995 Victor/Victoria Tony nominaton, Rosemary Clooney at Rainbow and Stars, Bernadette Peters in concert, Eartha Kitt at the Ballroom, and b-roll of Liza Minnelli in Liza's At The Palace..., Will Ferrell in You're Welcome America, Alec Baldwin in Macbeth, Idina Menzel in Wicked, Chicago featuring Bebe Neuwirth, Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens, Fiddler On The Roof featuring Harvey Fierstein, Frank Langella in Man And Boy, Al Pacino in Macbeth, Robin Williams in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Michael Feinstein and Dame Edna in All About Me, Jeremy Piven and Raul Esparza in Speed-The-Plow, Antonio Banderas in Nine, Katie Holmes and Patrick Stewart in All My Sons, Harry Connick Jr. in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Will Swenson in Rock Of Ages, The Phantom Of The Opera, Spamalot, Xanadu, Hairspray, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, Bye Bye Birdie, Broadway Bares and much more. For a look back at your favorite performances nearly three decades long, all captured through Bradshaw's lens, click below! 

A native of Ansonia, CT, Brad moved to New York City in the mid 70's. As a cabaret performer he won the first Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) Award for Best Male Vocalist and later also won a Back Stage Bistro Award. In 1990, he received the MAC Board of Directors Award for his cable television show Cabaret Beat.

Applause Video was one of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) first and longtime major donors. The company's table at the annual Broadway Flea Market was always a top earner. Bradshaw's brother, RoBert Smith, stated that donations in Bradshaw Smith's name may be sent to Broadway Cares in his brother's honor. The address for BC/EFA is 165 West 46th Street, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10036.

Video edited by Jonathan Frank.  For more, visit www.reeltimevideoproduction.com


Click Here to Play the Video!play



Related Stories
Review Roundup: Eric Bogosians DRINKING IN AMERICA Photo
Audible Theater is presenting Drinking in America, written by three-time Obie Award winner Eric Bogosian, starring Andre Royo ('The Wire'), and directed by Mark Armstrong.

City Center to Launch Ann Reinking Encores! Choreography Fellowship Photo
New York City Center has announced the Ann Reinking Encores! Choreography Fellowship, launching as part of the upcoming 2023 – 2024 season.

Zegler, Cooper, Mulvaney & More Join MISCAST23 Photo
MCC Theater has announced additional performers for Miscast23, which will take place on Monday April 3 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. See who is starring!

THE WANDERERS Enters Final Two Weeks of Performances Photo
Roundabout Theatre Company will conclude the New York premiere of The Wanderers by Anna Ziegler, directed by Barry Edelstein on Sunday, April 2.


From This Author - BroadwayWorld TV


Video: Watch Jinkx Monsoon and Kristin Chenoweth Chat Queen to Queen at CHICAGOVideo: Watch Jinkx Monsoon and Kristin Chenoweth Chat Queen to Queen at CHICAGO
March 20, 2023

On Friday, March 17th, Chicago presented QUEEN TO QUEEN with Jinkx Monsoon & Kristin Chenoweth, a 'jazzy' post-show event at the Ambassador Theatre following the evening performance of Chicago, and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the event!

Video: Watch HADESTOWN Celebrate 1000th Performance with Curtain Call SongVideo: Watch HADESTOWN Celebrate 1000th Performance with Curtain Call Song
March 20, 2023

Hadestown, the Tony® and Grammy Award®-winning Best Musical, celebrated both tomorrow’s first day of Spring and the beloved show recently achieving a milestone 1,000 performances at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) with a surprise appearance by songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin. Watch the full video!

Video: Company of NEW YORK, NEW YORK Serenades John Kander for His 96th Birthday!Video: Company of NEW YORK, NEW YORK Serenades John Kander for His 96th Birthday!
March 17, 2023

Watch Susan Stroman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Colton Ryan, Anna Uzele and the cast and creative team of NEW YORK, NEW YORK surprise John Kander with a Big-Apple-sized rendition of “Happy Birthday'!

Video: First Look at DESCRIBE THE NIGHT at Steppenwolf TheatreVideo: First Look at DESCRIBE THE NIGHT at Steppenwolf Theatre
March 16, 2023

Get a first look at footage of the Chicago premiere of Describe the Night at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Video: Emma Hatton Sings 'Secrets and Lies' From BERLUSCONI A NEW MUSICALVideo: Emma Hatton Sings 'Secrets and Lies' From BERLUSCONI A NEW MUSICAL
March 15, 2023

Watch Emma Hatton sing 'Secrets and Lies' from the world premiere of BERLUSCONI A NEW MUSICAL,.