Profile for broadwaydanwi

Member Name: broadwaydanwi
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Web Site: http://www.memoriesofmelodytop.com
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Birthday: 6 - 8
Gender: Male
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Occupation: Designer


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There is always LITTLE ME...  May 11 2018, 10:02:28 AM

You are welcome! Almost 1,000 people have visited this page, which makes me very happy.

Just a word about Penny Singleton. I saw her perform in the 1983 production of LITTLE ME, and it was fun seeing a movie star from the 1930s and 1940s on stage. She did struggle to project her voice in this semi-outdoor setting, and the musical's title song (late in the second act) was cut. I'm not sure if it was cut because the show was running too long or because Penny just didn't have


There is always LITTLE ME...  May 10 2018, 07:32:45 PM

As Carolyn Leigh wrote for the title song in her 1962 musical comedy, "There is always Little Me! Old Reliable!" LITTLE ME turned out to be a very reliable hit at Milwaukee's Melody Top Theater on three separate occasions: 1964, 1972 and 1983. Below is a link to a page with lots of information and photographs from these productions. On a more somber note, I have dedicated this page to my friend (and frequent contributor to this message board) Christine Plath, who unexpectedly pa

Kiss Of The Spider Woman 25th Anniversary  May 4 2018, 11:41:54 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN in its original staging. I saw Carol Lawrence in the title role, when she briefly replaced Chita Rivera during the tour's first stop in Chicago. I also saw Sandra Guida in a bus-and-truck tour that played Madison, Wisconsin. Sandra was amazing! For a revival of the musical, I always dreamed of seeing Ute Lemper as Aurora/Spider Woman, kind of in the tradition of Marlene Dietrich.



PRETTY WOMAN in Chicago  Mar 10 2018, 06:35:00 PM

I don't have much of an interest in seeing PRETTY WOMAN in Chicago, but I managed to snap this photo last weekend when I was there to see LOVE NEVER DIES...

Pretty Woman in Chicago



LOVE NEVER DIES - US Tour  Feb 28 2018, 08:36:39 PM

dmwnc1959 said: "broadwaydanwi said: "So, any idea of what's for sale at the souvenir stand? I'm seeing LOVE NEVER DIES this weekend in Chicago, and I'm curious what will be for sale. I'm looking for a program and a poster. I appreciate your help!"

Here’s a picture I took of the souvenir stand while it was playing in Pittsburgh in early January,and the window card and program I bought:


THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

LOVE NEVER DIES - US Tour  Feb 28 2018, 03:11:35 PM

So, any idea of what's for sale at the souvenir stand? I'm seeing LOVE NEVER DIES this weekend in Chicago, and I'm curious what will be for sale. I'm looking for a program and a poster. I appreciate your help!



Rest in Peace, Nanette Fabray  Feb 25 2018, 09:01:19 AM

markypoo said: "Thanks for the pic.
In this production, she spoke over the phone not with Harry Truman, but with Jimmy Carter; presenting all the fellow diplomats with gifts of bags of peanuts. One of the senators was costumed to resemble Bella Abzug.
"

Thanks! I knew the show was updated to reflect the political scene of 1979, but I didn't know Bella made an appearance in this production. Producer Guy Little told me he really enjoyed taking Nanette to the Wi


Rest in Peace, Nanette Fabray  Feb 24 2018, 08:20:47 PM

markypoo said: "Fortunately, I saw her on stage in Milwaukee in 1979; in Call Me Madam."

Awesome! Then you might enjoy this image...



 



HIGH BUTTON SHOES  Jan 25 2018, 04:25:34 PM

markypoo said: "At the curtain call following the performance I saw, Monty Hall gestured toward Anne Jeffreys and adlibbed: "How'd you like to find HER behind Door Number Three?"
To which she replied: "I'll make a deal with this man anytime."
"

Ah, yes! The "third act" act Melody Top was always memorable. I loved it when the stars stayed on stage and talked to the audience. I've heard that Van Johnson always ended his lit


HIGH BUTTON SHOES  Jan 25 2018, 09:16:47 AM

Dollypop said: "As I recall, "Papa Won't You Dance With Me?" was a big dance number, too!"

Yes, I agree that "Papa" is more of a full-blown production number instead of a solo turn for Mama Longstreet. The song is so catchy that I'm able to image it going on for a long time with lots of dancers.



HIGH BUTTON SHOES  Jan 24 2018, 04:34:54 PM

Thanks for the comments! Melody Top included "The Things We Did Last Summer," by Styne and Cahn, in their HIGH BUTTON SHOES for the characters of Papa and Mama Longstreet. And as for dance, there is more in the musical than the Bathing Beauty/Keystone Kops ballet. A comic tango, the "Lulu Fadoo," takes place in the first act for young Stevie and Nancy (the maid). And at the end of the second act is a rousing number called the "Castle Walk." I couldn't think o

The Visit Previews  Jan 24 2018, 12:08:44 PM

I, too, miss this musical. I was there for one of the very first performances at the Goodman in Chicago. I was so blown away by it that I returned for a second viewing. Chita was perfection, but it was also thrilling to see the late, great John McMartin. I wish this musical would get more regional productions.



HIGH BUTTON SHOES  Jan 24 2018, 11:38:47 AM

For those who want to learn more about a somewhat forgotten musical comedy, I have posted a new page on "Memories of Melody Top" about a 1978 production of HIGH BUTTON that starred Monty Hall and Anne Jeffreys (both of whom passed away in September of 2017). Click on the link below to see some very rare color photos from this production. I have hoped for years that Encores! would stage a new HIGH BUTTON SHOES so that the entire score is finally recorded.



The EGOT winner who once played Miss Adelaide is...  Sep 23 2017, 07:45:13 AM

Thanks to everyone -- almost 900 of you -- who visited the page!



The EGOT winner who once played Miss Adelaide is...  Sep 21 2017, 07:39:03 PM

...Rita Moreno!

For those who are interested in Ms. Moreno's appearance in a summer stock production of GUYS AND DOLLS back in 1974, please visit this link:

Memories of Melody Top

She performed at Melody Top with George Chakiris, her costar from the movie version of WEST SIDE STORY. Here they are outside the tent on Good Hope Road in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:



Jo Anne Worley in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS  Jan 12 2017, 06:14:42 PM

Hello from Milwaukee! I just finished posting a new page on "Memories of Melody Top" about a 1974 production of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS starring Jo Anne Worley. She was a favorite performer at that fabled venue, often appearing in roles created by Ethel Merman: Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES, Annie Oakley in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and Madame Rose in GYPSY. She also played Dolly Levi in HELLO, DOLLY!, after standing by for Carol Channing in the original Broadway production. Please click on t

Remembering a forgotten production of GYPSY...  Jun 5 2016, 06:29:36 AM

Thank you, beaemma and Wilmington, in addition to the 620 others who visited my page about GYPSY on the first day it was published. According to Margaret Whiting's daughter, the late singer loved performing the role of ROSE and I'm thrilled we were able to acknowledge her contribution to the long history of this classic Broadway musical.



Remembering a forgotten production of GYPSY...  Jun 1 2016, 08:19:06 PM

It will never be considered a forgotten musical, I hope, but GYPSY does have a number of somewhat forgotten productions. I recently added a page to "Memories of Melody Top" about a 1975 staging of GYPSY in Milwaukee that starred Margaret Whiting (Rose), Dave Madden (Herbie) and Linda Kaye Henning (Louise/Gypsy). A number of excellent photographs from that show were shared with me by Margaret's daughter Debbi, and I hope all of you enjoy seeing them online at this direct link:

GOTTA DANCE Pre-Broadway in Chicago Thread  Dec 28 2015, 06:34:20 AM

Thanks. I purchased a mug and an ornament. I wish they had window cards, so keep me posted.

FYI: At the performance I attended, Saturday evening, December 26, Jane Lynch was in the audience. I saw her in the lobby during intermission.



GOTTA DANCE Pre-Broadway in Chicago Thread  Dec 25 2015, 05:43:11 PM

Does anyone here know what souvenirs they are selling for this show in Chicago? I'm looking for a window card or any other type of poster. Thanks!



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