I saw a production of 1776 that was presented by the Marriott Theater (in the round) in Lincolnshire, Illinois during the summer of 2002. Yes, the piece is a challenge to stage in an arena-type environment because there is a long stretch in the book that has no singing and no dancing. In my humble opinion, performers on stage in the round always need to keep moving, even ever so slightly, to keep an audience's full attention. That's not easy to do when given a long book scene wit
Thank you so much! After spending hours by myself preparing the page for publication, it's great to get some encouraging feedback. Have a wonderful holiday, nealb1!
Hello from Milwaukee! I just finished publishing a new page on my "Memories of Melody Top" website about a 1976 production of 1776 that starred Ross Martin as John Adams and Stubby Kaye as Benjamin Franklin. This production gave a final performance on America's Bicentennial -- July 4, 1976. I'm wondering if anyone here has knowledge of other companies that produced 1776 during the summer of 1976. Please let me know. And have a happy Fourth of July holiday, too!
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
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
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.
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...
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:
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!
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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:
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
