In the spring Broadway will see a new production of Damn Yankees, the first one in over 30 years, and not only that but the book will be revised to move the 1950s musical into the beginning of the 21st century. I guess that’s to make it more relevant? Whatever. As long as they don’t … Continue reading Those Were the Good Old Days
Musicals
My Fair Ladies
There are several complete performances of the musical My Fair Lady available on YouTube. I’ve sampled the ones that I could find (YouTube’s search function is awful so I can’t promise that I found them all), and I picked three that I think might be worth your attention, assuming you enjoy the musical art form that … Continue reading My Fair Ladies
My Fair Philly – Part 2
Back in the 1950s musicals played a much larger part in popular culture. When My Fair Lady finally opened in New York and the original cast album was released (in monophonic only, as stereo was only beginning to gain traction; a stereo recording was made and released a year or so later), it was the … Continue reading My Fair Philly – Part 2
My Fair Philly – Part 1
Before the original Broadway production of My Fair Lady opened in New York City in 1956, it had a tryout period, first in New Haven and then a four week run in Philadelphia’s Erlanger Theatre. The Erlanger Theatre was located on the northwest corner of 21st and Market Streets where it opened in 1927 as … Continue reading My Fair Philly – Part 1
What’s the Name of This Country?
When I went to elementary school, I remember believing that the name of the country that I lived in was the United States of America. It was right there in the Pledge of Allegiance. It was one of several countries on the continent of North America, and as the continent was called North America, the … Continue reading What’s the Name of This Country?
Butterfingers
[CRASH!!!] Butterfingers, do that again, that’s the end of your career!Don’t you know we try to preserve a romantic atmosphere? Those are the opening words to the song “A Romantic Atmosphere” from She Loves Me, one of my favorite musicals that wasn’t written by Sondheim or Rodgers & Hammerstein. Here’s a performance from the 2016 Broadway … Continue reading Butterfingers
This and That
An update from my sister on yesterday’s post: Besides the, I think 50, jabs on my back, I had injections up and down both arms. I think I was 10 years old and I cried the entire time. Also, I had a sulfa allergy. I had tonsillitis a lot in winter and that was how … Continue reading This and That
The Singing Herod II
According to the Gospel of Luke 23:1-12: 23 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king … Continue reading The Singing Herod II
A Wink and a Wiggle and a Giggle on the Grass
Maria Friedman has gotten a lot of attention in recent years as a director, in particular for her direction of the West End and Broadway productions of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along, which was recently released in a movie version. But before that she was known for her work as an actress … Continue reading A Wink and a Wiggle and a Giggle on the Grass
Elsa and Max
Quote of the day: Middle age is when you go to bed at night and hope you feel better in the morning. Old age is when you go to bed at night and hope you wake up in the morning.—Groucho Marx Having used some excerpts from The Sound of Music in my little Sondheim video, I … Continue reading Elsa and Max