I have a second hand Ann Miller in Mame story. Years ago I was in a community theater production of Dolly and our music director had not too long before performed in Mame with Miller in a regional or summer stock production in Atlanta.
She said Miller had a big tap solo during the title number at the end of which she tapped backwards into the wings, fell backwards into the arms of an assistant while someone else slapped an oxygen mask on her face and the dancers took over onstage. After a short time, the oxygen was removed, her assistant shoved her upright and then physically pushed her back onstage where she lead the conclusion of the number. Every performance.
Janie always told this story admiringly with the comment "Annie was a trouper."
I don't know how common it was/is, but Ann Miller was the first person I ever saw put cold cream on her teeth before a performance. She claimed it made them gleam (and, for all I know, it did).
Not on Broadway, but Ann Miller did Mame with the Kenley Players in Ohio -- and yes "That's How Young I Feel" was a big tap number. But more interesting was Ann Miller doing Can Can, with a tap dance number ON the judge's bench at the end -- I kid you not! I'll never forget it! I swear if she did Sweeney Todd, Lovett would be tapping on top of the ovens!
Years ago, during our flighty youths, a friend of mine and I saw Ann Miller in HELLO, DOLLY! in summer stock. And, yes, she tapped her way through "So Long, Dearie" to a fare-thee-well. And when the two of us showed up back-stage with cans of Great American Soup for her to autograph, not only did she do so with humor and grace, she sang the whole commercial for us. (After over 40 years, my friend still has his can of soup; mine got lost in a move, along with Chita Rivera's autographed banana, which is another story entirely.)
According to her autobiography, the oxygen story is true.
Also, Miller writes that it was Louis B Mayer who told her she must always look like a star. She went on to say she never left the house without full make-up and looking like a movie star. It's what her public expected of her, and she always delivered. One can only wonder what she'd think of today's 'stars', who are photographed in public in various stages of dishevelment.
Jerry Herman writes in his autobiography, 'Showtune', about intimate dinners at his townhouse with just himself, Ethel Merman, and Ann Miller. I'll bet that once the wine flowed (Herman is a non-drinker), those two gals could get quite salty.
And in his wonderful book 'Diary of a Mad Playwright', James Kirkwood chronicles the out-of-town tribulations of his play LEGENDS!, starring Mary Martin and Carol Channing. As the end of Martin's contract drew near, word got out that the show was looking for an actress to replace her (Channing was willing to re-sign). One day Kirkwood's phone rang and it was Ann Miller on the other end, suggesting herself as a replacement for Mary Martin. As she told Kirkwood 'What you need up there are a couple of real C**TS!'
'Our whole family shouts. It comes from us livin' so close to the railroad tracks'
For the record, I saw her a few times without THE WIG (never in public and not even in rehearsal). She actually had beautiful, black (probably died at that point) and straight-as-an-arrow hair that she wore tied at the back of her neck.
It may not have read "S T A R!", but she was actually better looking without THE WIG.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
When I was a kid, the family went to see SUGAR BABIES. Mickey Rooney came out before curtain and announced that Ann would be out that night and if anyone wanted their money back they were welcome to it. Everyone stayed, but I do regret having missed seeing her live.