Profile for Esther Blodgett

If Carol Channing and Mary Martin couldn't get Legends into town, maybe it is not worth doing. I saw it, and the play is weak.

Deathtrap.Total agreement.

What an uninspired idea for a musical.

This may or may not have actually happened. Nevertheless...Waiter to Sylvia Miles: "Would you like anything else? Coffee perhaps."Sylvia Miles: "Coffee..."Waiter: "How would you like your coffee?"Sylvia Miles: "I like my coffee the way I like my men."Waiter (without missing a beat): "I'm sorry Miss Miles, we don't serve gay coffee."

A Little Night Music.Ideally once a year.

I think it was the early 70s and a revue opened Off-Broadway titled "Smile, Smile, Smile". Clive Barnes', writing in the Times, entire review was "I didn't. I didn't, I didn't."The show closed in a week.

Of course, the direct answer to your question is, "With each other".

Oy, talk about in trouble on the road. In addition to losing the leading lady, Thieves said bye-bye to its original director, a man named Michael Bennet (Yes, that Michael Bennett.), and I think Charles Grodin took over. Also lost in the trouble road were the original producers who I cannot remember, but I think Azenberg & Wolsk took over. I've never heard of replacing your producers , but there you have it.The show limped into town and got mixed but not awful reviews. However there was no ad...

Damn Double Post..

One of the basic questions any writer must ask before beginning an adaptation of an existing work is "How can I tell the same story better?" With You Can't Take With You the answer is simple. You can't. The original script is so tight and seamless that any intrusion of song and/or dance would be just that, an intrusion.Note that I have said "better" and not "different". Adding song and dance does not make the story necessarily better because it is different. Prime example, Young Frankenstein ...

Dunaway is notoriously difficult and is a cautionary tale of how far a star can fall because of temperment. She hasn't had a decent starring role in a feature since Mommy Dearest. Producers do not want to hire her. I was surprised when this production was announced with her as star. I also thought of it as a disaster in the making. We shall see.

20+ years ago, a revised version of The Diary of Anne Frank had no call.

Call the Hudson. That is who will know.

Dolly is in her 40s. She is often played by actresses who are well north of that however.The main criticism of Barbra when the film was released was that she was way too young. It was criticism that began when her casting was announced. I also feel that it was justified. Barbra was about 26 when the film was shot. This would make her 19 when she was widowed. What was her age when she married? 12?Dolly had a long successful marriage that ended with Ephraim's death seven years prior to the show.

I think having a tee shirt that reads in large block letters "Friend of Dorothy" is funny. It is also a teaching tool and slightly in your face. I have every intention of buying one and wearing it at my college reunion weekend at the end of May. No one will be surprised.PS: I am, let's say, 60+.

1970 Best Play: Borstal BoyYet "Child's Play" won 5:Best Actor Fritz WeaverFeatured Actor Ken HowardDirector Joseph HardyScenery +Lighting (the first year this category was awarded) both won by Jo Mielziner Go figure.

The exchange about Sebastian went:"Is he homosexual?""Oh, he's beyond that." Also at some point soon after the tour closed Ginger Rodgers did a stock tour (with the original costumes) that played large venues. It did business basically because of her.

On the other hand anything that would cause John Simon and Terry Teachout not to go to the theatre is okay by me.

Of the "old" Broadway houses, I have always read that the largest stage belongs, somewhat oddly, to the Al Hirschfeld.

Jeff in Bells Are RingingNick in Funny Girl; Everyone I have met who has done the show agrees Nick Arnstein is the most thankless role in musical theatre.In some sort of coincidence, both of these roles were originated by Sydney Chaplin.