For try outs, The National Theatre in Washington D.C. as well as the Kennedy Center are pretty popular places to see shows. I was able to see the last performance of MEAN GIRLS at The National and will be doing the same later this year with BEETLEJUICE. And GIGI played the Kennedy Center before it transferred to NY. I regretted LITTLE DANCER didn't go any further yet I noticed it's playing in Los Angeles this coming March.
I've only seen a performer lose their voice twice during a performance. Once was Patti Lupone's last performance in Los Angeles prior to Broadway. By "A New Argentina" she couldn't shout out the lyrics much less sing them. She was replaced for the second act.
But the most interesting evening I had was seeing Barbara Harris in THE APPLE TREE. I enjoyed her performance so much that I returned a second time however it was evident she was in vocal distress from the st
I loved her two Miranda mermaid movies as a kid. There was a NY TV station that use to show them on afternoon television a lot. She was especially attractive in "Mad About Men."
I missed MAME but saw her in CHICAGO and FOLLIES. She was a true triple threat and always lit up the stage. Her dancing as Phyllis was the best I've seen. And as Roxie, Prowse had a great Velma in a very young Bebe Neuwirth. I regret I never saw her in IRMA LA DOUCE. She was wonderful in every thing she did.
Curious here. Has Ariana Grande ever taken Patti LuPone's Master Class in Enunciation? When I watch her perform on TV, I always have to turn on the close captioning feature. She makes Patti sound like Professor Higgins.
Back in her EVITA days I saw at least four different actresses play the title role in the pre-Broadway run in Los Angeles. LuPone by far was the best Eva and got more out of the role than anyone else. Why? Because she had no problem being understood and found more humor in her line readings than anyone else. I'm not sure if she got lazy in her enunciation over the years but at one time she was spot on.
Roland von Berlin wrote: "Sue Me, from Guys and Dolls. It was originally sung by Isbel Bigley, who could sing, and Sam Levene, who couldn't. It was carefully written not to expose him much."
It was Vivian Blaine as Adelaide who sang it with Levene's Nathan Detroit as their big Act II duet. My favorite recording of SUE ME is the revival cast with Faith Prince and Nathan Lane. However Lane fully sings it and brought the house down each night with Prince
It's no longer available on CD at Arkivmusic where I purchased my copy years ago. However CD Universe offers it as a MP3 download for $9.99. You can also hear a sampling of the tracks.
I always enjoyed Jack Cassidy's rendition of "My Fortune Is My Face" from FADE OUT- FADE IN. And though truly funny and overdramatic its lyricists gave it a satirical spin clearly depicting the expiration date of an aging matinee idol.
Certainly no prude here but hoping no one lists "Paris Makes Me Horny " from VICTOR/VICTORIA. Going by the song's title and listening to the original cast recording one might think it was hilarious on stage but trust me.
Ah, the old Williams and Williams duo! Better than Michele and Rumor. Seriously, I'm thrilled about this news. Just hope they keep it truthful. I think it could be a very bittersweet love story. I never recall either one throwing shade on the other unless I'm mistaken. IIRC, they never divorced.
SUNSET BOULEVARD with Streisand.....twenty years ago. I'm having trouble casting it with a current actress in her fifties who could act and sing the hell out of the role.
That's much too high. There's one on Amazon right now for a fraction of the asking price. A bargain at $49.99 and listed in excellent condition. There's also a lot of souvenir books from the production featuring Streisand floating around at reasonable prices. Realize a seller can list theater memorabilia at any price they choose but that doesn't mean it will sell for that. Prices on Amazon especially are all over the place.
I recently picked up a copy of the GLEE live concert movie at a used music store for a couple of bucks (and it was in 3D no less). More than once her singing gave me chills. I first saw her as a child in RAGTIME and she impressed me as a truly professional Broadway actor and I still enjoy her work. As for her personal life, who cares? It's like that old anti-Ann Hathaway buzz that went around a while back. If the trolls enjoy it then let them.I also still enjoy seeing Hathaway&n
But which sucks/sucked more is the question of the season. BUM SUMMER or ESCAPE TO PINA COLADA VILLE? And soooo many new show titles to be added to the list shortly.
It can play in repertoire with that super hit HAZEL. Come on now. What's next? "Leave It To Beaver", "Dennis The Menace", "Hogan's Heroes", "F Troop." Or maybe I'll save up for a premium seat for "Petticoat Junction."
Remember Martin and Merman were singing a full catalog of original songs associated with their careers. And there were lots of them. For me it would be difficult to name a dozen original songs performed on stage by any of the names mentioned above (excluding revivals). It's not the same Broadway that existed in the mid fifties.
