Carol Channing in the National Tour of SUGAR BABIES

[WithoutATrace]

Were any of you able to catch La Channing in SUGAR BABIES? According to Carol in her interview with Larry King a few years ago, it was her favorite show to do (including DOLLY and BLONDES).

How was Carol in this show? Were she and Robert Morse appropriately cast?

Did any of you see both the tour and the Broadway production? Were there a lot of changes made between the two?

Thanks so much!

[philcrosby]

I know that the tour only played a few stops before it shuttered, so there probably some good dirt in there somewhere. Morse and Channing should have a perfect combo for the show. There is a great Hilary Knight poster from it as well.

[DottieD'Luscia]

I wonder if Dollypop saw it?

[WOSQ]

Sugar Babies failed on the road because it didn't star Mickey Rooney. He had gotten all of the publicity when the show opened and without him, it didn't draw.

I have always heard that the show was retooled for Bobby and Carol's specific talents, but without the magical Rooney name, the show didn't make expenses. This is one reason why Mickey got 5-6 years' work from the show. It had a long tryout tour, 3 solid years in NY and about 3 more on the road.

There was a bus-and-truck that was successful and toured for a season, maybe more. It starred Mimi Hines and Phil Ford.

[morosco]

Didn't Rip Taylor tour for a while? Was it Carol Lawrence who co-starred?

[brdlwyr]

I saw Sugar Babies with Ann Miller, Mickey Rooney and our own KMF NYC in the early 80's!

[WOSQ]

Yes, them too, now that you say it. I do think it was more bus-and-truck dates however.

[Buscee]

I don't think Rip Taylor toured with it, but he replaced Mickey Rooney on Broadway a few times when Mickey went on vacations. Mickey was also replaced with Joey Bishop a couple of times. It was said that Rip tried to break up Ann Miller by coming out wearing one of her wigs.

[Buscee]

I also think Carol Lawrence was rumored to have toured with Sugar Babies II with Jerry Lewis, but that production never materialized.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Was KMF NYC really in Sugar Babies?

If you listen to the complete recordings SUGAR BABIES with Rooney and Miller and then Channing and Morse you can spot the differences in the show really easy. I never saw Channing and Morse in the tour but I saw Rooney and Miller twice on Broadway and I saw Rooney *without* Miller on the tour.It was definitely not the same show without Miller. Jane Summerhays replaced Miller and the show was a severe disappointment because of that.

[Garland Grrrl]

i saw it. la channing had birdie legs with knees the size of jumbo texas grapefruit. it gave me nightmares.
i wish i had been of an age where i could give you a critique.

[brdlwyr]

Dottie, yes and I saw him. Now, that was 20 years ago and believe it or not - there was no internet. We used to post via telegraph.

[best12bars]

brdlwyr--LOL!

I did the show with the original sketch director Rudy Tronto (who was also Mickey's stand-by and "co-Tony-nominated" with Ernie Flatt for Best Director).

I'll bet KMF NYC and I could swap some interesting "Rudy" stories!

This show gets laughs like no other I've ever been in. I swear, we had to "hold" for up to a full minute for certain lines/gags. I've never experienced anything like that, before or since.

[DottieD'Luscia]

I auditioned for a production of this show at Darien Dinner Theatre. Rudy Tronto was starring in and directing the production. I just got a big, cold "thank you" after I sang.

Was KMF in the Broadway production or national tour?

[broadwaybaby692]

Would this show work without a "name" actor like Channing or Miller or Morris or Morse or Rooney? It is a funny CD but would it work otherwise?

[Dollypop]

Sadly, I didn't see the Goddess Carol Channing in SUGAR BABIES. I did sit through twpo performances of FOUR ON A GARDEN, though.

[DottieD'Luscia]

From reading other threads at ATC, the tour with Channing and Morse unfortunately was not a success. After seeing the original Broadway production, it's hard to imagine anyone besides Rooney and Miller in this show.

Dollypop, at the time the show toured, were you aware that Carol was in it? I saw her on the road in Jerry's Girls in 1985.

[Dollypop]

Yes. I was aware that she was heading the tour.

[best12bars]

Dottie---I knew several people in that Darien production, and I even went out to see them in it.

Sorry he was "cold" to you at the audition.

He was great to work with on our show. Very talented, and such great stories!

[HelloDanny2]

Only four stops on the Channing / Morse Tour…

Sep 25, 1980 - Nov 1, 1980 Emerson Colonial Theatre Boston, MA

Sep 9, 1980 - Sep 21, 1980 Atlanta Civic Center Theater Atlanta, GA

Aug 26, 1980 - Sep 7, 1980 The Muny St. Louis, MO

Aug 12, 1980 - Aug 23, 1980 Music Hall At Fair Park Dallas, TX

 

[WithoutATrace]

Wow. Thanks for the information!

I can't believe that I started this thread 13 years ago! RIP, La Channing. We miss you.

[bowtie7]

Pulling the program from the St Louis engagement:

Carol Channing was billed alone over the title, Robert Morse just under the title with the "and" credit going to "Gene Detroy and the Marquis Chimps" with 14 "Sugar Babies" (I think same number as Broadway)

Carol lead the opening a Memory of Burlesque (Micky did on Broadway)

Robert Morse was first featured in Meet Me Round the Corner

Ann Miller's Travelin' section was omited

Some of the sketches were different (not sure exactly how, as the show seemed to occasionally change during the Broadway/Tour with Mickey and Ann (see the cast recording notes for items cut and added).

The first act concluded with the Special Added Attraction: Madame Rentz and Her All Female Minstrels (just like the original production).

Carol sang I'm In the Mood for Love in the greek garden section.

The McHugh Medley for Mickey and Ann was dropped and Carol (and only Carol) performed Early Sophie (a Tribute to the Great Tucker) which included I'm the Last of the Red Hot Mamas, Papa Don't Go Out Tonight, and Some of These Days.

Show concluded with the Old Glory finale (same as Broadway)

 

[markypoo]

Eddie Bracken also subbed for Rooney in the Summer of '82.
Helen Gallagher filled in for Miller in 1981/82 sometime.
Saw the show only once: Pre-B'way in Chicago - Friday, July 13th, 1979; Arie Crown Theatre.
Sublime.
I have a window card from the engagement with the pink glitter pasted on!

[HelloDanny]

Channing Window Card Show Poster

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2cWKffDYaZQDMsZ6A