Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway — Page 2

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#26

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 12:49am

I have a second hand Ann Miller in Mame story. Years ago I was in a community theater production of Dolly and our music director had not too long before performed in Mame with Miller in a regional or summer stock production in Atlanta.

She said Miller had a big tap solo during the title number at the end of which she tapped backwards into the wings, fell backwards into the arms of an assistant while someone else slapped an oxygen mask on her face and the dancers took over onstage. After a short time, the oxygen was removed, her assistant shoved her upright and then physically pushed her back onstage where she lead the conclusion of the number. Every performance.

Janie always told this story admiringly with the comment "Annie was a trouper."

Updated On: 7/9/13 at 12:49 AM

#27

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 6:58am

I don't know how common it was/is, but Ann Miller was the first person I ever saw put cold cream on her teeth before a performance. She claimed it made them gleam (and, for all I know, it did).

#28

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 8:49am

Not on Broadway, but Ann Miller did Mame with the Kenley Players in Ohio -- and yes "That's How Young I Feel" was a big tap number. But more interesting was Ann Miller doing Can Can, with a tap dance number ON the judge's bench at the end -- I kid you not! I'll never forget it! I swear if she did Sweeney Todd, Lovett would be tapping on top of the ovens!

#29

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 9:18am

If LuPone's Lovett can play the tuba, then Miller's Lovett can tap all the hell she wants.

And I would love to see her selling meat pies in London, telling her patrons what she's got "on tap."

"Hit it fellas!"

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#30

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 9:49am

Ann Miller IS Dot in Sunday in the Park with George! Put paint on her tap shoes and watch her tap out the whole painting.

#31

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 10:02am

Brilliant!

Red red red red
Red red orange
Red red orange
Orange pick up blue
Pick up red
Pick up orange ...

Hit it, Dot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l60fw3m3eB0

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#32

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 12:29pm

Okay. The idea of Ann Miller as Mrs. Lovett doing a "Pointillist Tap Ballet" in a John Doyle Sweeney Todd is FUNNY.

#33

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 10:22pm

Years ago, during our flighty youths, a friend of mine and I saw Ann Miller in HELLO, DOLLY! in summer stock. And, yes, she tapped her way through "So Long, Dearie" to a fare-thee-well. And when the two of us showed up back-stage with cans of Great American Soup for her to autograph, not only did she do so with humor and grace, she sang the whole commercial for us. (After over 40 years, my friend still has his can of soup; mine got lost in a move, along with Chita Rivera's autographed banana, which is another story entirely.)

Well-well-well-what-do-you-think-of-that-I-have-nothing-here-to-pay-my-train-fare-with-only-large-bills-fives-and-sevens....

Updated On: 7/9/13 at 10:22 PM

#34

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/9/13 at 11:35pm

^^^^^ If Ann Miller was ever unkind to a fan, I would be very surprised.

#35

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/10/13 at 9:25pm

According to her autobiography, the oxygen story is true.

Also, Miller writes that it was Louis B Mayer who told her she must always look like a star. She went on to say she never left the house without full make-up and looking like a movie star. It's what her public expected of her, and she always delivered. One can only wonder what she'd think of today's 'stars', who are photographed in public in various stages of dishevelment.

Jerry Herman writes in his autobiography, 'Showtune', about intimate dinners at his townhouse with just himself, Ethel Merman, and Ann Miller. I'll bet that once the wine flowed (Herman is a non-drinker), those two gals could get quite salty.

And in his wonderful book 'Diary of a Mad Playwright', James Kirkwood chronicles the out-of-town tribulations of his play LEGENDS!, starring Mary Martin and Carol Channing. As the end of Martin's contract drew near, word got out that the show was looking for an actress to replace her (Channing was willing to re-sign). One day Kirkwood's phone rang and it was Ann Miller on the other end, suggesting herself as a replacement for Mary Martin. As she told Kirkwood 'What you need up there are a couple of real C**TS!'

'Our whole family shouts. It comes from us livin' so close to the railroad tracks'

#36

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/10/13 at 10:47pm

For the record, I saw her a few times without THE WIG (never in public and not even in rehearsal). She actually had beautiful, black (probably died at that point) and straight-as-an-arrow hair that she wore tied at the back of her neck.

It may not have read "S T A R!", but she was actually better looking without THE WIG.

#37

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/10/13 at 11:10pm

Ann Miller tapping up a storm in the Great American Soup commercial is one of my all-time favorite things.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jU2pl7bqKg

#38

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 2:15pm

To see Ann without her wig, watch Mulholland Drive directed by David Lynch. Miller is great as Coco!

"Wilkins! Wilkins! If that damn dog craps in the courtyard one more time, I'm just gonna bake his little butt for breakfast!"

#39

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 3:37pm

Here she is in an interview in 1996, without the wig:
Ann Miller Sans Wig

Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)

#40

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 3:52pm

^^^^ Shocking! Obviously, she went to pieces after I worked with her. (kidding)

#41

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 4:33pm

She went without the wig a lot in later years (1990s). I really like her in this interview. Thanks so much for posting it, D2!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#42

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 4:45pm

Daggone it! I missed the auction for Ann Miller's MAME wigs!
ANN MILLER WIGS FROM

#43

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 4:52pm

The oldest and most troubling problem known to man - what to do when you find the perfect sassy wig and it's already been sold?

"...ah, gays and their wit. Hell must be a laugh a minute!" -Evie Harris

#44

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 5:41pm

Answer:

Open a new window, open a new door!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#45

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 5:45pm

"The oldest and most troubling problem known to man - what to do when you find the perfect sassy wig and it's already been sold?"

You find the bitch who bought it and rip it off her damn head.

#46

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 6:04pm

I do love a good wig snatching.

Edit - damn girl. no one likes a sour bitch, well, except for maybe Jim Colyer.

Miss Gay Brazil falls victim to reckless wig snatching

"...ah, gays and their wit. Hell must be a laugh a minute!" -Evie Harris

Updated On: 7/11/13 at 06:04 PM

#47

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 6:10pm

I love this thread.

#48

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 6:55pm

Back to Ann - here she is dancing up a storm on The Hollywood Palace - 3.11.67. How can I describe this number?

Early luscious Ann Miller, dancer boys, costume changes, and a Grizabella lift to close it. Kate Smith steps out to show her approval.

PS - I think she's wearing a Mame wig!
Ann Miller is Trapped in the Web Of Love

"...ah, gays and their wit. Hell must be a laugh a minute!" -Evie Harris

#49

Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway

Posted: 7/11/13 at 7:33pm

When I was a kid, the family went to see SUGAR BABIES. Mickey Rooney came out before curtain and announced that Ann would be out that night and if anyone wanted their money back they were welcome to it. Everyone stayed, but I do regret having missed seeing her live.

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