Profile for PennClassic

WILDCAT.....Since I am a big fan of Lucille Ball and I love the cast recording. The score has bright, bouncy songs and a great overture. The cast recording was nominated for the Grammy Award as Best Cast Show Album and it spent 26 weeks on the Billboard Chart for Best Selling Albums, peaking at #6.

I have seen four ladies play Mama Rose on stage: Tyne Daly, Jo Anne Worley, Kim Zimmer and Kathy Halenda. They were all great. I was especially surprised by Kim Zimmer's powerful performance since I knew her only from daytime television dramas.

ACL2006 said: "PennClassic said: "Since the play seems to be relying on "name" performers, perhaps they should have hired two "name" performers as Stand-Bys to fill inwhen something like this happens. For instance, Marsha Mason, as AssociateDirector,could have been a Stand-By for Mia and be prepared with the script already memorized."It would be insane to think any production would get "names" as a standby."I know that Donna McKechnie was the official Standby for Chita Rivera in THE VISIT and...

I always felt that 8 performances per week was very difficult to maintain with consistency, especially with a star-driven production. It would be better if the schedule for Broadway shows could be reduced to 6 performances per week. It may take longer to recoup investments but it would help performers to better preserve their energy level and perhaps there would be a significant reduction in absences.

The title song from APPLAUSE performed by Bonnie Franklin who was nominated for a Tony Award.

1979: Robert Klein and Lucie Arnaz performing "They're Playing Our Song"....a fun and entertaining number.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "RIP to a wonderful singerand a rare remaining star of Broadway in the 1950s (along with Chita, Julie, and a few others).His one Broadway appearance was ME AND JULIET, and also headlined the tours of BYE BYE BIRDIE and ON A CLEAR DAY, and appeared in TV adaptations of MATTRESS and KISS ME KATE.In summer stock, he appeared in musicals like The Fantasticks, On The Town, and She Loves Me.More notably, he sang the chart-topping "Ballad of Davy Crockett" and appeared ...

The plantation scene and the lyrics in the title song are problematic. Perhaps Mame could meet a wealthy western rancher and be a "fish out of water" in a ranch setting and the lyrics of the title song could be changed to fit that setting. Not sure if changes like these would be allowed by the estate of Jerry Herman.

As a fan of Alice Faye, I was thrilled when she was signed to do the revival of GOOD NEWS. It toured successfully for almost a year but ran for only 16 performances on Broadway (12/23/74 to 1/4/75).SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS with Debby Boone had a well-received 18 month tour prior to opening on Broadway where it had a 5 performance run (7/8/82 to 7/11/82).

Lucie Arnaz not being nominated for THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG.VICTOR/VICTORIA not receiving nominations for Rachel York, Scenic Design and Lighting Design. I guess the show itself was considered disappointing but nominations for CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD (32 Performances) and SWINGING ON A STAR (96 Performances) as Best Musical were puzzling to me.

In 2002, there was a musical stage version of WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? with Millicent Martin as Jane Hudson in Houston. I don't believe it played anywhere else. I saw a Youtube video of Ms. Martin performing one of the songs from the show.

Seb28 said: "PennClassic said: "PATTI LUPONE: She may be very talented and an acclaimed performer but there is an intensity and sharpness about her persona that is unappealing to me and, therefore, I have not been a fan."For me it's the complete opposite. I like her because of her persona. She is honest and sincere, which is rare in showbusiness. A breath of fresh air if you ask me. Unfortunately many people can't handle realness and rather live in a world full of insincerity.I am not a fan o...

I know that the Kennedy Center includes people from various performing arts each year but sometimes the selections and omissions are quite puzzling. I read that one of my favorites, Doris Day, had always turned down the honor. I do agree with those who feel that Glenn Close and Liza Minnelli are deserving. When looking at all the past honorees, I was surprised that Mary Tyler Moore was never chosen. Just like other awards, I guess the choices will always be open to scrutiny.

Pearl Bailey receiving a special Tony Award and performing "So Long, Dearie" in 1968.Robert Klein and Lucie Arnaz performing "They're Playing Our Song" in 1979.

Check out this video from the BROADWAY SHOW LEAGUE SOFTBALL GAME in April 1961. It features Julie Andrews, Lucille Ball, Robert Goulet and Joe E. Brown. Fun to see!

WAIT UNTIL DARK NIGHT WATCH

I saw VICTOR/VICTORIA in Chicago during its tryout run. I enjoyed the show very much plus I was delighted to see Julie Andrews perform in person. She was wonderful. It did go through various changes prior to Broadway, which is typical during a tryout period. I remember being impressed with the overall look of the show (sets, lighting, costumes) and was surprised that they were ignored by the Tony voters. I also thought that Rachel York did a great job. She may have been considered "over-the-t...

My choices for this posting are as follows:THE BOOK OF MORMON and CATS: They just didn't live up to my expectations or all the hype and awards (as others have mentioned). The productions that I saw had wonderful performers but the actual shows left me disappointed.PATTI LUPONE: She may be very talented and an acclaimed performer but there is an intensity and sharpness about her persona that is unappealing to me and, therefore, I have not been a fan.ETHEL MERMAN: I never saw her perform in per...

I would be delighted to see Estelle Parsons receive a Lifetime Achievement Tony. She is 95 and has had a long and productive theatre career. She has been in numerous stage productions (Broadway; Off-Broadway; Regional) and has also directed shows. She has received 5 Tony nominations and was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. I think she definitely qualifies for the award.