I got a postcard from the Lyric this week with a discount offer (LIGHT for 20% off select seats) and I scored a front-row spot for this Saturday night. I am excited to see this production, even if it is flawed. The Lyric was advertising it a lot when I was in Chicago during September, including a ticket giveaway at a Walgreens on State and Randolph. Here is a picture of that Walgreens window...
I really loved the short national tour of THE BOY FRIEND that was directed by Julie Andrews and went out for about a dozen dates from the end of 2005 to early 2006. It was sweet and simple -- a pleasure from start to finish. I wish it would have been recorded and/or filmed. I doubt if we will ever see that musical go out on a national tour again.
I saw Desi, Jr. in PROMISES, PROMISES. He was good. He definitely inherited his father's musical genes. And speaking of his famous parents, they both traveled to Milwaukee -- on separate dates -- to see him in the show. His sister Lucie also performed at Melody Top in 1977 as Rose in BYE BYE BIRDIE. Anthony Crivello, a Milwaukee native, played Conrad Birdie in that production. Here is an audio clip of Anthony singing "A Love of Livin' To Do."
Thank you very much! Working on a website can be a lonely endeavor, so I truly appreciate your positive feedback. I have three more audio clips from ANNIE ready to be shared on my site. Be sure to visit it again on Friday around noon to hear more from ANNIE back in 1983.
Just in time for the holidays so wonderfully celebrated in ANNIE, I have published a new page on my "Memories of Melody Top" site about a 1983 production of the musical that starred Peggy Cass as Miss Hannigan. As a gift to my followers, I am offering four audio clips from a live recording of ANNIE made through the theater's sound system. The first clip is "N.Y.C." featuring Philip K. Courington (Warbucks), Ann Arvia (Grace), Tara Kennedy (Annie) and Patricia Lupo
Thanks, everyone on this board, for visiting my page! I agree that Tozzi's tribute to Mostel was (and still is) very touching. I especially like how Tozzi admitted to knowing Mostel had problems in his life but that those problems didn't prevent him from finding joy. And by the way, Cris Groenendaal -- whose name I have become good at spelling and typing -- did a couple of seasons of summer stock at Melody Top. The same summer as FIDDLER -- 1977 -- he played an excellent Tin Man in TH
...his role of Tevye the Dairyman was being performed by opera star Giorgio Tozzi at Milwaukee's Melody Top Theatre. I just published a new page on my "Memories of Melody Top" website about that production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, including two audio clips: "If I Were a Rich Man" and Tozzi's "curtain call" speech to the audience during which he announced the news of Mostel's unexpected passing. This production is notable because it cut "Tevye'
Thanks to all those on this board who visited my page. I logged 500 visitors in the first 24 hours. I hope you enjoyed the photos, review, interview and audio clip from Melody Top's HELLO, DOLLY!
Yes, it really happened! On Thursday, July 17, 1980, the surprise appearance of a baby skunk stopped a performance of HELLO, DOLLY! with Jo Anne Worley at Milwaukee's Melody Top Theatre. Learn more about that crazy night -- and also enjoy hearing a rare audio clip of Worley singing "Before the Parade Passes By" -- by visiting my Melody Top website. Click on this link:
The third -- and final -- video clip has been posted on my site. "Bouboulina" was first performed by John Raitt and Barbara Baxley in the 1969-1970 national tour of ZORBA. Enjoy -- and thanks for visiting "Memories of Melody Top."
I, too, saw the post-Broadway tour of ZORBA. While I agree that Anthony Quinn's talents were not suited for the musical stage, I did love the heartbreaking performance of Lila Kedrova as Madame Hortense and the powerful vocals of Donna Theodore as the Leader. Those two performances were worth the ticket price!
Giorgio Tozzi, who sang countless roles at both La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera, played ZORBA at Milwaukee's Melody Top Theater from August 5 to 17, 1975. Mostly known by musical theater aficionados for singing the role of Emile de Becque in the 1958 movie version of SOUTH PACIFIC, he also played the same part opposite both Mary Martin (Los Angeles Civic Light Opera) and Florence Henderson (Music Theater of Lincoln Center). His other stage credits include MAN OF LA MANCHA, FANNY, MILK
Whatever became of performers like Kevin Daly and Valerie Lee?"
2019 marks the ten-year anniversary of my "Memories of Melody Top" website. I am constantly surprised by the career paths of so many extremely talented theater artists. One singer and one dancer from Melody Top gave up the theater for successful careers in the medical profession. I know many ex-performers who have ventured into the world of a
Thank you very much, markypoo! It's great to know the date and time of Lynn's visit to Melody Top. I'm glad you posted a message to corroborate my story. How I wish I had a copy of the photo Guy Little took with Lynn Fontanne!
