Walter Willison
Date of Birth: June 24, 1947 (75)
Birth Place: Monterey Park, CA, USA
Latest News on Walter Willison:
Cindy Williams Final TV Project SAMI To Premiere On Amazon Prime Video April 23 (Apr 18, 2023)
Review: No Headline Needed - PIPPIN: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST REUNION CONCERT at 54 Below (Feb 9, 2023)
Lorna Luft, PIPPIN 50th Anniversary Concert, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week (Feb 4, 2023)
Cindy Williams Final TV Project SAMI To Premiere On Amazon Prime Video April 23 (Apr 18, 2023)
Review: No Headline Needed - PIPPIN: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST REUNION CONCERT at 54 Below (Feb 9, 2023)
Lorna Luft, PIPPIN 50th Anniversary Concert, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week (Feb 4, 2023)
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Walter Willison BIO
Additional Performances [not listed above]:
NIGHT OF YOUR NIGHTS: A Celebration of Broadway's Golden Age starring Walter Willison and Heather Mac Rae; Written by Walter Willison; Musical Direction & Arrangements by Jeffrey Silverman; Produced by Jeffrey Silverman & David Kates for BadaBing Entertainment, LA; LA, Phoenix, Mesa and Sunrise, AZ; February 2004
A TRIBUTE TO BOB MERRILL [Guest Star, with Neva Small, Sheila Smith & others]; The Lambs Club Theatre; 2003
13th ANNUAL CABARET CONVENTION: SOME ENCHANTED EVENINGS Produced by Donald Smith; Musical Director Dick Gallagher; starring Walter Willison, Heather Mac Rae, Karen Akers, Bill Hayes, Mary Rodgers, Nancy Dussault, Patricia Morrison, Julie Wilson and others; 2002
WALL TO WALL RICHARD RODGERS at Symphony Space; starring Walter Willison, Mary Rodgers, Judy Kaye, David Green, James Naughton, Sheldon Harnick, Debbie Gravitte, Melissa Erico & others
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE: In Concert as Cookie ["Bluebird Song"] etc.; Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Arthur Laurents; Directed by Herb Ross; All-star Cast featuring Bernadette Peters, Scott Bakula, Angela Lansbury, Chip Zien, Walter Bobbie, Eric Riley, Marin Mazzie, Betsy Joslyn, Madeline Kahn, Walter Willison
& others
FROM BERLIN TO BROADWAY: A Pipe Night Tribute to Wright & Forrest; Music & Lyrics by Robert Wright & George Forrest; Concept & Musical Direction by Jack Lee; Written by Sheila Smith; with Alfred Drake, Jose Ferrer, Karen Akers, Lilianne Montevecci, Walter Willison, Joan Diener, Sheila Smith & others; 1990
A CELEBRATION OF RICHARD RODGERS with Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II & Lorenz Hart; Staged & Directed by Donald Saddler; Musical Direction by Colin Romoff; Produced by Anna Sosenko; Presented by The Museum of the City of New York; starring Mary Martin, Gordon Mac Rae, Jan Clayton, Walter Willison, Tricia O'Neal, Celeste Holm, Agnes DeMille, Gene Nelson, Pam Myers, Benay Venuta, Helen Gallagher, Terry Saunders, John Reardon, Johnny Green, Leonard Bernstein & others
Additional Recordings in release [not listed above]:
WALL TO WALL RICHARD RODGERS [Vocal] Fynsworth Alley; 2002
CYRANO: The Musical & GRAND TOUR with book & lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.; Music by David Shire; Stage Manager, John Badham; Musical Direction by Arthur Rubinstein; Remastered from the original 1958/1959 Recordings and Produced by Walter Willison' with John Cunningham, Dick Cavett, Carrie Nye McGeoy, Bill Hinnant, Austin Pendleton, Gretchen Cryer, Nancy Currie [Ford], Lynne Meadow & others
UNSUNG IRVING BERLIN Produced by Bruce Kimmel;Verese-Serabande; 1995
JUDY KAYE: DIVA BY DIVA [Guest Artist]Produced by Bruce Kimmel; Verese-Serabande; 1995
LOST IN BOSTON III [Performer/Contractor] Produced by Bruce Kimmel; Verese-Serabande; 1995
LOST IN BOSTON II [Performer/Contractor] Produced by Bruce Kimmel; Verese-Serabande; 1994
COLLETTE COLLAGE with Book & Lyrics by Tom Jones; Music by Harvey Schmidt; Produced by Bruce Kimmel; starring Judy Kaye, Judith Blazer, George Lee Andrews, Jonathan Freeman, Rita Gardner, Walter Willison & others
UNSUNG SONDHEIM [Performer/Contractor] Produced by Bruce Kimmel; with Walter Willison, Kaye Ballard, Davis Gaines, Marilyn Cooper, Judy Kuhn, Harry Groener, Lynette Perry, Niki Harris, Rebecca Luker, Jason Graae, Judy Kaye, Debbie Shapiro Gravitte, Kaye Ballard, Sally Mayes, Christa Moore, Michael Rupert, Liz Calloway
TWO BY TWO [as Japheth] with Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Book by Peter Stone; Directed by Joe Layton; starring Danny Kaye, Walter Willison, Joan Copeland, Tricia O'Neil, Michael Karm, Harry Goz, Marilyn Cooper, Madeline Kahn; Originally recorded in 1971; Digitally Remastered CD released in 1993
GRAND HOTEL: The Musical with Music & Lyrics by Robert Wright & George Forrest; Book by Luther Davis; Additional Songs by Maury Yeston; Musical Direction by Jack Lee; Directed by Tommy Tune; starring David Carroll, Brent Barrett, Lilianne Montevecci, Karen Akers, Jane Krakowski, Timothy Jerome, Kathi Moss & others
THE ANASTASIA AFFAIRE [Original version, remastered as ANASTASIA: The Musical, See Above] Bay Cities; 1992
Additional Produced Plays [not listed above]:
HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN: The New 1940s Musical; Adapted & Directed by Walter Willison; Choreographed by Kay Cole; Musical Arrangements by Jeffrey Silverman & David Kates; Various Composers; BadaBing Entertainment, LA; LA & Phoenix, AZ Tour 2004
WONDERFUL LIFE!: The Musical with Book by Douglas Holmes; Lyrics by Walter Willison; Music by John Kroner; based on Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life"; World Premiere at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis, 1989; Produced annually at various venues around the US.
OPTIONS: a musical choice; Lyrics by Walter Willison; Music by Jeffrey Silverman; Concept & Direction by Michael Shawn; Circle Repertory Theatre, NYC; with Julie Budd, JoAnna Rush, Walter Willison & Jeffrey Silverman; 1983
FRONT STREET GAIETIES: Dodge City's Hottest Revue with Book & Lyrics by Walter Willison; Music by Jeffrey Silverman; Directed by Walter Willison; Choreographed by Wade Collings; Produced by Willison, Barbara Custer & Collings; starring Susan Watson, Charles Ward, Carol Swarbrick, Walter Willison & others; The Mayfair Theatre, Santa Monica, CA; 1980-81
Additional Director Credits [not listed above]:
ROBERT ANDERSON: GENTLEMAN PLAYWRIGHT [starring Robert Anderson, Shirley Knight, Walter Willison, Kate Hopkins & others] Written & Directed by Walter Willison; Musical Direction by Jeffrey Silverman; The 3rd William Inge Festival, Independence, KS, 1985
WILLIAM GIBSON: A Seesaw Life [starring William Gibson, Shirley Knight, Walter Willison, Kate Hopkins & others; Musical Direction by Jeffrey Silverman; The 2nd Annual William Inge Festival, Independence, KS; 1984
JEROME LAWRENCE: A Celebration of Lawrence & Lee [with Jerome Lawrence, Martha Scott, Walter Willison & Jeffrey Silverman]; Written by Jerome Lawrence; Directed by Jerome Lawrence & Walter Willison; Musical Direction by Jeffrey Silverman; The 1st Annual William Inge Festival, Independence, KS; 1983
THE GRASS HARP [West Coast Premiere] with Susan Watson, Chris Costello, Leonard Conner, Claudia West, Christina Applegate & others; American Theatre of Actors, LA; 1979-80
YOUR OWN THING directed by Walter Willison; The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA
BOOKS:
Associate Editor of John Willis' THEATRE WORLD, Volume #42
Associate Editor of John Willis' THEATRE WORLD, Volume #43
Associate Editor of John Willis' THEATRE WORLD, Volume #44
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #37
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #38
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #39
Associate Editor of John Willis' SCREEN WORLD, Volume #40
Walter Willison Photos
front row: Ann Harada, Janice Hall, host William V Madison, Hanna Burke, Joan Copeland. Back: Rosa Betancourt, Minda Larsen, Lawrence Leritz, Julie Feltman, Adam B. Shapiro, Walter Willison. Not pictured but also in the cast: Sarah Rice, Steve Ross and Mi
Date:
09/16/2015
From:Â Photo Flash Exclusive: Inside the Madeline Kahn Tribute at The Metropolitan Room
Foreground: Maddie Corman (co-star, ''Mr. President''), Lee Roy Reams (', ''Hello, Dolly!''). Standing: Jonathan Lynn (writer/', ''Clue''), Robert Klein (co-star, ''Sisters Rosensweig), Walter Willison (co-star, ''Two by Two''), Carol J. Baw
Date:
06/15/2015
From:Â Photo Flash: Robert Klein, Martin Charnin & More Celebrate Madeline Kahn at Drama Book Shop
Walter Willison STAGE CREDITS
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1989
Gunther Gustafsson
Felix Von Gaigern [Replacement]
Felix Von Gaigern (Standby) [Replacement]
Writing
Adaptation
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Conceiver/Lyrics
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Walter Willison Awards and Nominations
Theatre World Awards - 1971 - Performance
Walter Willison, Two by Two
Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Walter Willison , Two by Two
Walter Willison Videos
BWW TV Exclusive: Original Casts of GREASE, NINE & GRAND HOTEL Reunite for RAMA-LAMA-DING DONG Concert!
by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 16, 2013
Walter Willison News
Cindy Williams Final TV Project SAMI To Premiere On Amazon Prime Video April 23
Producer Bruce Kimmel has announced that Cindy Williams' final TV project, 'Sami,' is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on April 23. Kerry O'Malley ('Why Women Kill', 'Snowpiercer') and newcomer Sami Staitman also star in the 10-episode short form comedy/musical series.
Review: No Headline Needed - PIPPIN: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST REUNION CONCERT at 54 Below
To say that this was a one-of-a-kind event is an understatement.
Lorna Luft, PIPPIN 50th Anniversary Concert, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week
Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 
See Jennifer Holliday, the Original Broadway Cast of PIPPIN & More Next Month at 54 Below
Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See February's lineup and learn how to purchase tickets!
Original Broadway Cast of PIPPIN To Reunite For 50th Anniversary Concert At 54 Below
Pippin: The 50th Anniversary Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert will stream live on February 7th at 7:00pm ET. In addition to the live- streamed option, there will also be four in-person performances on February 6th and 7th at 7:00pm and 9:30pm.
Dates Added for PIPPIN 50th Anniversary Concert at 54 Below
54 BELOW will welcome the original Broadway cast of Pippin to celebrate the beloved musical’s 50th anniversary. Due to extreme popular demand, Pippin has added two performances on February 7 at 7pm & 9:30pm, in addition to its previously announced performances on February 6 at 7pm & 9:30pm, for a total of four shows.
John Rubenstein Celebrates Pippin's 50th Anniversary On MUSICAL THEATRE MELODIES Next Week
The next broadcast of Rob Morrison's Musical Theatre Melodies will pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Steven Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson's Tony Award winning musical PIPPIN, featuring interviews with Tony Award winner John Rubenstein and songs from the original Broadway cast recording with special narration by Tony Award nominee Walter Willison.
Musical Theater Melodies Celebrates 120th Birthday of Legendary Composer Richard Rodgers with Broadcast and Streaming Premiere
Tuesday June 28th, 2022, marks the 120th Anniversary of the birth of legendary Broadway composer Richard Rodgers, Rob Morrison's Musical Theatre Melodies will commemorate the occasion with the broadcast and streaming premiere of the Museum of the City of New York's A CELEBRATION OF RICHARD RODGERS, recorded live at The Imperial Theatre, New York City, on March 26th, 1972.
Photos: AMERICAN POPULAR SONG SOCIETY TRIBUTE TO LEE ROY REAMS at The Cutting Room by Bowie Dunwoody
The American Popular Song Society recently hosted a gala benefit honoring Tony Award nominee Lee Roy Reams and guest photographer Bowie Dunwoody captured it all in their camera's lens.
American Popular Song Society To Honor Lee Roy Reams In Star-studded Benefit Concert At Cutting Room
The American Popular Song Society will honor Lee Roy Reams in a star-studded benefit concert celebrating the art and legacy of the American popular song, at The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, on Sunday June 12, at 5pm.Â
A 10 Year Anniversary Celebration & More to Take Place This Week at Feinstein's/54 Below
This week, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.
Ahrens & Flaherty, Joe Iconis & More Join Feinstein's/54 Below 10th Anniversary Celebration
From reviving the jewels of the canon to concerts celebrating Broadway’s theatres, Feinstein’s/54 Below audiences have taken countless trips down a magical memory lane. Now, to celebrate their tenth year in operation, Feinstein’s/54 Below will be celebrating these wonderful musical moments that appeared on their stage.
Musical Theatre Melodies to Celebrate Robert Wright & George Forrest's KEAN 60th Anniversary This Week
The next Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast, hosted by Rob Morrison on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, November 2 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Robert Wright and George Forrest musical KEAN (from a play by Jean-Paul Sartre and the comedy by Alexandre Dumas).
Musical Theatre Melodies Will Broadcast THE GRASS HARP
The next Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast, hosted by Rob Morrison on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, August 31st will mark the 50th anniversary of Claibe Richardson and Kenward Elmslie's THE GRASS HARP (based on the novel and play by Truman Capote), the 1971 Broadway musical which starred Barbara Cook, Karen Morrow, Carol Brice, Russ Thacker, Ruth Ford and Max Showalter.
BWW Interview: Kritzerland's Multi-Talented Bruce Kimmel â€" A Man Wearing Many Hats
Kritzerland will resume its LIVE presentations at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s with KRITZERLAND’s 114th July 28, 2021. Bruce Kimmel, the mastermind behind (and front center) of Kritzerland made some time available between his creative multi-taskings to talk about Kritzerland and his various other accomplishments.
Kritzerland to Present Final Online Show MAY IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER in Two Weeks
Kritzerland will present a free concert via Facebook and YouTube, called 'May is Busting Out All Over.'
Dave Konig and Elliot Finkel Return to Don't Tell Mama
In celebration of New York opening up again, Dave Konig, with Elliot Finkel, is bringing real LIVE entertainment back for two special nights. After a long year of quiet stages, they decided to bring their intimate show to the historic cabaret theatre, Don't Tell Mama, to give audiences a chance to celebrate life - and comedy - returning to NYC!
Karen Ziemba, Walter Willison and More Star in TWO BY TWO: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL CONCERT
Tony Award nominee Walter Willison and Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba will star in Two By Two: The 50th Anniversary Virtual Concert to benefit The Actors Fund. The virtual holiday event will premiere at 2:00 PM on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25 through Monday, December 28.
Virtual Theatre This Weekend: May 16-17- with Tony Shalhoub, Andrew Barth Feldman and More!
This weekend (May 16-17) in live streaming: 54 Sings Grand Hotel, Chita returns to Stars in the House, and so much more!
WATCH: 54 Sings Grand Hotel on #54BelowAtHome at 6:30pm!
Feinstein's/54 Below continues their #54BelowAtHome series tonight with 54 Sings Grand Hotel: The 25th Anniversary Concert!
Walter Willison FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Walter Willison has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.
Walter Willison has not appeared in the West End
Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Two by Two and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Two by Two .
Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Two by Two.
Walter Willison has written 4 shows including Front Street Gaieties (Conceiver/Lyrics), Broadway Scandals of 1928 (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Options (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Betting on Bertie (Adaptation).
Videos
Video: Ben Heats It Up with Choreo from SOME LIKE IT HOT
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