Photo Coverage: Mitzi Gaynor Live at WLIW

"Mitzi Gaynor:Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years" aired last night October 11th on New York Public Television WLIW (Channel 21).  It was part of the station's fund raising programming and featured Mitzi live and in person between "acts" of the airing of her documentary. The addition of her live comentary made the already exciting evening a must see event and BroadwayWorld.com was there, as always, to bring you exclusive photo coverage of the special event!

Available on November 18, 2008, "Mitzi Gaynor - Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years" provides a reflective and entertaining glimpse into television variety at its zenith and takes a nostalgic trip through Gaynor's special television years in a look at the groundbreaking performances, extraordinary costumes and triple threat talent of Mitzi Gaynor in a wealth of digitally remastered clips, rare photos and footage from Gaynor's personal archive which illuminate the behind-the-scenes stories and impact of these landmark television events."Mitzi Gaynor - Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years" features numbers choreographed by some of film and theatrical dance world's most influential choreographers, includingPeter Gennaro (Tony-winner for Annie, and co-choreographer with Jerome Robbins for West Side Story), Danny Daniels (Tony-winner, The Tap Dance Kid), Robert Sidney (The Dean Martin Show) and Tony Charmoli (Woman of the Year).

In addition to the highlights of Gaynor's classic performances are new interviews with Gaynor herself, world renowned Emmy® winning costume designer Bob Mackie, Tony-winner Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies), director/choreographer Tony Charmoli, dancers Alton Ruff andRandy Doney (who performed with Mitzi on the road and in her TV specials), Nine-time Emmy® Award winning comedy legend Carl Reiner, best-selling author and critic Rex Reed, and Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara, currently starring on Broadway as "Nellie Forbush" in the 2008 Tony Award® winning version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, the role made famous by Mitzi Gaynor in the 1958 film version.

At the 1967 Academy Awards® Mitzi Gaynor made a dazzling appearance before 65 million viewers, becoming one of the most sought after performers in television.  Her first television special, Mitzi, was broadcast a year later in October, 1968; critical reaction was universally over-the-moon in praise.  During the next decade she continued to deliver her unique brand of performing magic to the millions of viewers who looked forward to her annual television events.  

Mitzi Gaynor continues to be a vital force in the performing arts.  She is the president of the Professional Dancer's Society which helps both active and inactive dancers and she works with the Actors Fund of America to provide low income housing, retirement and nursing facilities for entertainment professionals.  

For more information, please go to www.missmitzigaynor.com   

For a BWW feature article on "Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years",click here!

To see some wonderful photos from the Mitzi Gaynor Specials, click here.   

You can read an exclusive BWW interview with Ms. Gaynor by clicking here, and to find photo coverage of Mitzi Gaynor visiting The cast of the current Tony Award winning revival of South Pacific, click here.

Photo Credit:Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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Mitzi Gaynor

Mitzi Gaynor

Mark Simone and Mitzi Gaynor

Mark Simone and Mitzi Gaynor

Laura Savini (VP WLIW) and Mitzi Gaynor

Laura Savini, Jimmy Webb and Mitzi Gaynor

Laura Savini and Mitzi Gaynor

Laura Savini and Mitzi Gaynor

Joseph F. Panarello and Mitzi Gaynor