Broadway: The Golden Age: Exclusive Video From The Vault Featuring Jerry Orbach

When creating a documentary featuring the who's who of Broadway, one can't possibly include everything - that means tough decisions on what to keep and what must unfortunately get cut.  Rick McKay had over 300 hours of footage filled with fascinating theatrical stories told by the people that lived them. BroadwayWorld.com is pleased to celebrate Broadway: The Golden Age this week by presenting 6 exclusive featurettes that you won't see anywhere else - including on PBS and on the DVD.

Today's exclusive video from the vaults of Rick McKay features Jerry Orbach.  While best known to TV audiences for his longtime role as Detective Lennie Briscoe on "Law and Order," Jerry Orbach was a beloved Broadway leading man who originated roles in Carnival, Promises, Promises, 42nd Street, and Chicago. He also appeared on Broadway in Threepenny Opera, The Natural Look, the 1966 revival of Annie Get Your Gun, and the 1965 revival of Guys and Dolls, among others. His many other film and TV credits included "Murder, She Wrote," Crimes and Misdemeanors, Last Exit to Brooklyn and Brewster's Millions. Orbach passed away on December 28th, 2004.  

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Broadway: The Golden Age, which premiered at the Angelica Theatre in June of 2004, is the most comprehensive film ever made about America's most celebrated indigenous art form. Upon its theatrical release, the film earned rave reviews as well as much support and praise from both Broadway stars and fans alike. Now, the film comes to PBS airing throughout the country for its March pledge drive airing around thecountry throughout the month, and premiering in New York on March 13th. The DVD is also available in stores, and for order at Amazon.com and other sites.

The award-winning documentary was created by Rick McKay, who traveled across four continents over the couse of five years to discover "whether there had been a golden age of theatre and why it had never been documented, as well as to learn "the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre." He interviewed dozens of Broadway artists, icons and stars, includingCarol Channing, Betty Comden, Barbara Cook, Nanette Fabray, Julie Harris, Uta Hagen, Jerry Herman, Donna McKechnie, Ann Miller, Robert Morse, Jerry Orbach, Harold Prince, Chita Rivera, Steven Sondheim, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Uggams, and Gwen Verdon, whose memories brought to life Broadway's glamorous and glorious heydey. A starry sequel--Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age--is currently filming and is set for a 2007 release date.