A Question for all the Old-Timers (Golden Age Broadway) — Page 2

JoeKv99, according to the idbd, Merman beats Peters, though admittedly not by much. But of course all but one of Merman's Broadway credits are starring roles, and that is not the case with Peters.

When it comes to triple threats..

Broadway will NEVER see another dancer like Gwen Verdon. Plain and simple.

I'm not an old timer, but I'm sure they would agree with that.

Every generation believes that one of the stars of a past generation will never be seen the likes of again.

But they will.

Gregory Hines.

Never be another like him.

Yes there will.

He came to stardom in a generation that said "there'll never be another Fred Astaire."

And there was. There was Gregory Hines

I really, truly believe that, somewhere out there in Omaha or Sacramento of Cedar Rapids, or, yes Allentown, there's some kid in some dance studio or rehearsal hall, practicing in front of a mirror tonight who, in my lifetime will blow the roof off a theatre and I'll mutter "they'll never see his/her likes again."

I couldn't live if I didn't have hope......

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Sorry Phil you are correct-- Merman 16, Peters 15. I would hazard a guess that she might land two more shows before Merman does, however.

It's a shame there's so much loathing for her. While I've seen her "walk through" a show, when she's good, she's very very good.

You are correct Margo-- I was going to add that Merman was the one performer I could think of who could turn a flop into a hit by virtue of her appearance. I hav eno desire to diminish her talents-- she was and is, the greatest ever I think.

I would have loved to see her on stage!

I believe that this has to do with a number of things: the time, the material, and distance.

We are now in a completely different era where most things are digital. We can send these posts to each other all over the world in seconds, and all of our communication as a community is through a computer, not in person. Whereas twenty years ago, any Broadway related chatter would have to be done in person, we are now rerouted to a completely impersonal and distant form of communication and expression. Sure, no problem for us theatre lovers, but what about those who aren't so keen on a jazz-square? They have a hard time grasping and connecting with the concept of actors and actresses, in the same room--emoting with them. With the cinema screen and iPod comes a virtual and electronic distance which allows the story to be told, but also for the audience to be completely comfortable. Theatre, once one of the most revered and respected art forms, forces the audience (along with the actors) to go on a journey together--one which may be very uncomfortable. Because of the distance we now have with electronic modes of communication, young people have a harder time grasping it, and their strange and obsessive notion of celebrity in cinema and music diminish the work of theatre actors.

Also, material isn't being composed as it was in those days, and the music, now, lacks some of the crossover appeal as it did then. Cole Porter was a distinguished artist both in and out of the theatre community, so when he wrote a song for a musical the audience would make it a number one hit. The amount of Broadway material today is grossly scant compared to what was being done then. Sure there are young composers writing good material, like young Michigan boys Pasek and Paul and Jeff Blumenkratz, but no producer is willing to shell out the millions of dollars to produce a show that might be a hit. The stakes are too high. And the prices. (That's another story.)

With the popularity of the electronic age, most needs are met simply by staying home and enjoying a movie there. This overload of media diminishes the electricity of theatre, because it cheapens that art form into a spectacle of turntables, light, and smoke. Most people would rather stay home, and enjoy these shows in the comfort of their pajamas and lazyboy.

It's sad, really.

Although not a musical star, I believe Cherry Jones is a true Broadway Star. Although in a number of movies, theater seems to be her home.
I'd also like to mention Jerry Orbach, who, if I'm not mistaken, holds a record for the most time spent on a New York stage.

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double post

Updated On: 1/4/07 at 01:19 AM

I think it's difficult to compare the talents of the Golden age to the talents of the current age because the entire industry is different. If a Merman or Channing came along now they would most likely not be cast because producers, directors, etc... will not hire such idiosyncratic talents. With a few exceptions (Mary Testa, Lea Delaria, Debra Monk) even the comic rolls (female) now are cast with "pretty" people. You don't see character types like you used to. It's not quite as bad in the theatre as it is on television and movies but the more distinctive women do not get cast.

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Thanks D2--now everyone can ignore what I said because of my mispelling.

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