Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway- Page 2
Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
#25Ann 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
#26Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/9/13 at 6:58amI 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).
#27Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/9/13 at 8:49amNot 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!
#28Ann 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!"
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#29Ann 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.
#30Ann 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
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#31Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/9/13 at 12:29pmOkay. The idea of Ann Miller as Mrs. Lovett doing a "Pointillist Tap Ballet" in a John Doyle Sweeney Todd is FUNNY.
#32Ann 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.)
#33Ann 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.
#34Ann 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!'
#35Ann 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.
raker
Stand-by Joined: 12/27/08
#36Ann 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
nmartin
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
#37Ann 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!"
#38Ann 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
#39Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/11/13 at 3:52pm^^^^ Shocking! Obviously, she went to pieces after I worked with her. (kidding)
#40Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/11/13 at 4:33pmShe went without the wig a lot in later years (1990s). I really like her in this interview. Thanks so much for posting it, D2!
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#41Ann 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
#42Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/11/13 at 4:52pmThe oldest and most troubling problem known to man - what to do when you find the perfect sassy wig and it's already been sold?
#43Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/11/13 at 5:41pm
Answer:
Open a new window, open a new door!
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#44Ann 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.
#45Ann 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
OperaBwayLover
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/07
#47Ann 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
#48Ann Miller in Mame on Broadway
Posted: 7/11/13 at 7:33pmWhen 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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