From Agnes Gooch to Miss Hannigan...

[broadwaydanwi]

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 (A Star to Be). Scroll to the bottom of this page (link below) to find the very first clip. Additional clips will be released on Fridays throughout the month of December, hopefully around noontime. Be sure to visit the site again to hear "Tomorrow," "Easy Street" and "Little Girls." A decade of "Memories of Melody Top" online was reached last month, and I wish to thank everyone who has supported the celebration of my city's gone-but-not-forgotten musical theater tent. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity of sharing memories about the golden age of summer stock. Happy Holidays!

ANNIE at "Memories of Melody Top"

 

[nealb1]

Thanks so much for the updated info on your FANTASTIC site for Melody Top.  I found the site and number of years ago and just love it so much. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Yes, thank you! Evety time you update us I take a long visit to the website. Such a great archive.

[John Adams]

I love, Love, LOVE your site!! It brings back so many memories of my early career in theater. ...and of Guy Little, Jr.

He was the artistic connection between my Chicago upbringing, and my college/post college years in central Illinois (Sullivan's Little Theater on the Square).

So very many happy memories via your site!

[broadwaydanwi]

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.

[markypoo]

The summer of '83 I didn't see Annie, but did see George M! with Eddie Mekka, Promises, Promises with Desi Arnaz, and Little Me with the late Arte Johnson and Penny Singleton.

[inception]

Wow! How was Desi Arnaz? Wad this Desi Senior? Or Junior?

[broadwaydanwi]

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."

Anthony Crivello as Conrad Birdie in BYE BYE BIRDIE

[markypoo]

That production of Promises just rolled right along - a mesh of extremely competent casting and direction.

[broadwaydanwi]

The second audio clip -- "Easy Street" -- is now available for listening on my website!

[broadwaydanwi]

The third audio clip -- "Tomorrow" -- is now online! Please visit my site to hear it.