Rest in Peace, Nanette Fabray

[BroadwayConcierge]

An amazing life.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/obituaries/nanette-fabray-star-of-tv-and-stage-comedies-dies-at-97.html

[markypoo]

Fortunately, I saw her on stage in Milwaukee in 1979; in Call Me Madam.

[uncageg]

Never saw her onstage but on tv a lot. Loved her. May she rest in peace.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

R.I.P..Nanette Fabray defined spunky!

[fredric47]

I loved Nanette Fabray. As a child of the Fifties, I grew accustomed to seeing her often on television. She could do it all. She was a brilliant comedienne, a wonderful singer, and a moving actress. I am so glad that she was involved in many of my favorite situation comedies. I had the pleasure of seeing her once perform some of the songs she introduced in her Tony Award winning role in the Kurt Weill- Alan Jay Lerner musical, "Love Life," in the Centennial celebration of Kurt Weill's birthday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2000.

In all of the obituaries that I have read about Nanette, no one mentioned that she was Gower Champion's original choice to portray Dolly Gallagher Levi in "Hello, Dolly!" How exceptional she would have been in that role! Does anyone know whether she actually ever played the part of Dolly in regional theatre? I don't know the reason why Carol Channing was ultimately chosen over Nanette Fabray. I would be curious to know this as well if any readers actually know the reason rather than can speculate why the role was given to Carol rather than Nanette.

 

[BrodyFosse123]

With all due respect, HELLO, DOLLY! was conceived as a vehicle for Ethel Merman. Not a rumor but known fact by the entire creative team always saying this. She famously declined the offer to do the show wanting to take a break from the stage after doing 2 years on Broadway and on the road with GYPSY. Champion then approached Nanette Fabray, who basically told him to go **ck himself when he asked her to audition for the role. It is then that Champion and his wife Marge saw Carol Channing in a regional show which prompted her legendary association with HELLO, DOLLY!

[broadwaydanwi]

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

Awesome! Then you might enjoy this image...



 

[markypoo]

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.

[ggersten]

I saw Ms. Fabray in Wonderful Town at LA CLO back in the 70s.  She and the show were wonderful.  

[broadwaydanwi]

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 Wisconsin State Fair during the run of CALL ME MADAM. 

 

[sabrelady]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIZaZwUtoKk

her hit Pappa Won't You Dance With Me Ia at about the 1:52 mark

RIP MS Fabray