70, Girls, 70
70, Girls, 70
#070, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 12:28pm
I know this show was plagued with book problems, but I have been listening to the score so much lately, and find it so warm, fun, and lovely. Any favorites?
Also, why hasn't Encores snatched this show up yet, it would be a perfect fit, and allow a lot of the Golden Age ladies to have a triumph again (Stritch in the Natwick part would be perfection).
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#1re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 12:44pm
The York Theatre did it as part of their Musicals in Mufti series in 2000 with a fabulous cast including Jane Powell as Ida, Mimi Hines as Fritzi, Charlotte Rae as Melba, Jane Connell and Robert Fitch as Eunice and Harry, Helen Gallagher as Gert, George S. Irving as Walter, and Danny Carroll, Don Percassi and Marilyn Cooper in other roles. Didn't see it, but that cast list alone got me over-excited.
I LOVE the score, and the London cast album has a couple of extra numbers including one that was originally written for a Fred Astaire/Gene Kelly TV special many years ago.
#2re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 12:45pmI just have the OBC, I should get the London cast too.
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#3re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 12:55pmIt's not a patch on the Broadway cast; the smaller orchestrations make it sound a bit tinny and a couple of songs were cut, like "The Elephant Song". I don't think Mr. Ebb was at all pleased with the production, but it does have some nice performances.
#4re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 12:58pmI like what I heard from the Amazon.com clips, especially the 2 songs put in for the London production. Natwick is pretty perfect on the OBC though.
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#5re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 1:02pm
She was quite unique, wasn't she? In everything from THE COURT JESTER to BAREFOOT IN THE PARK.
I was interested to read that she turned down the part of Mrs. Primrose in ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY because she thought the "Repent" number was too vulgar.
Updated On: 4/23/05 at 01:02 PM
#6re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 1:17pmI read that too Wildcat, about Natwick turning down the role for that reason. Interesting...She would have been perfect for the part, not that Imogene wasn't perection (at least on the cast recording). Didn't Betty Comden cover for a vacationing Coca?
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#7re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 1:35pmShe did, and I heard she had trouble remembering her own lyrics, poor darling.
Amneris
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
Kim_Norway
Swing Joined: 4/15/05
#9re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 5:47pmI only have the London cast CD, but I think it's wonderful. The orchestrations make it sound a bit unfinished, but also make it sound charming. "Coffee..." is a blast, and so is the title song. It's nice to hear I'm not the only one who enjoys listening to a recording of this show!
#10re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 6:27pmWhy do Wicked threads about Idina Menzel's cat and hair conditioner get a million posts, and 70. Girls, 70 threads gets so few. Hehe. What is the world coming to!!!
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#11re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 6:42pm"I Can't Do That Anymore" was actually writen for Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra - for the TV special "Old Blue Eyes is Back".
wildcat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
#12re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 6:48pm
Thank you, I knew it was Gene but couldn't remember the other 'legend'!!
And "70 GIRLS 70" is also the show that killed David Burns (DOLLY, FORUM) who was playing Walter out of town. He sang "Go Visit Your Grandmother" then collapsed. I read that he got a big laugh, which is a nice way to go out...
#13re: 70, Girls, 70
Posted: 4/23/05 at 7:05pmI thought Burns sang "The Caper". Isn't "Go visit..." between an older lady and the bellhop?
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