Broadway By The Year 1930

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 12:23am

My fav moments:

Doug Ladnier's "Body & Soul"
Sean Martin Hingston & Shannon Lewis' "Serenade of Love"
Nancy Anderson's "10 Cents A Dance
Michael Winther's "Who Cares"

Ross Patterson & his Little Big Band out did themselves. The violin was a terrific addition.

Next is BBTY 1956!

Milla

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 12:35am

I'm bummed that I missed this one. 1956 is full of some of my very favorite musicals...can't wait. Anyone know any casting? I would love to hear me some Rebecca Luker, Kelli O'Hara, Jennifer Hope Wills, Laura Benanti, Brent Barrett, Howard McGillan and Brian Stokes singing that music. I realize some of those people on my list are high rollers, but a guy can dream can't he.

[do_re_milla]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 12:38am

I don't remember the entire 1956 cast, but I do remember Brent Barrett.

BTW Doug is bringing his cabaret show to Danny's for 2 months of Tuesdays in April & May. All Shows at 9:30 pm. Cover & min $12. Double Yummy Bariton! & verrrry easy on the eyes...

Milla

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 12:40am

Excellent...I love him and only wish that he would get more work here on Broadway.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 9:22am

Brent, Christine Andreas, Marc Kudisch, Emily Skinner and John Treacy Egan have confirmed (and Emily is directing)...so ALREADY it's a fantastic lineup!

Overall, BROADWAY MUSICALS of 1930 was one of the strongest BBTY concerts I've attended - all the performers (some new to the series) and selections - from standards to rediscovered gems - were top-notch (even the screwy novelty songs). The great chorography was by Andy Blankenbuehler. I really hope this one is recorded.

In addition to the other numbers Milla mentioned, other highlights were Emily Skinner's silken "But Not For Me", Michael Winther & Celia Keenan-Bolger's delightful "Embracable You", Mary Testa's scorching "He Came Along" from SMILES and director Kudisch's marvelously rueful "Right At The Start Of It", a Schwartz-Dietz rarity from THREES A CROWD.

"Who Cares?" (not the Gershwin classic, but a song by the mega-obscure Haydn Wood, Joe Tunbridge, Jack Waller & Dion Titheradge from ARTISTS & MODELS) was the find of the evening, delivered by an unmiked Michael Winther (who described it perfectly afterwards as "A 1930 version of Kander & Ebb or Michael John").

And kudos as usual to Scott Siegel whose between song patter remains funny and jucily informative - my favorite tidbit was how Ruth Etting went from introducing both "Get Happy" in the 9:15 REVUE and "Ten Cents A Dance" in SIMPLE SIMON within the space of a week.

Here's a complete list compiled by Matthew Murray:

Act I
Overture - Ross Patterson's Little Big Band
"I Got Rhythm" (Girl Crazy) - Full Company
"Take Me Back to Manhattan" (The New Yorkers) - Deven May (unamplified)
"Embraceable You" (Girl Crazy) - Michael Winther and Celia Keenan-Bolger
"On the Sunny Side of the Street" (The International Revue) - Miles Phillips
"He Came Along" (Smiles) - Mary Testa
"Soon" (Strike Up the Band) - Emily Skinner and Douglas Ladnier
"Memories of You" (Blackbirds of 1930) - Michael Winther
"Exactly Like You" (The International Revue) - Sean Martin Hingston
"If I Were You, Love, I'd Jump Right in the Lake" (Smiles) - Deven May
"I've Got a Bug in My Head" (The International Revue) - Celia Keenan-Bolger
"But Not For Me" (Girl Crazy) - Nancy Anderson
"Strike Up the Band" (Strike Up the Band) - Miles Phillips, Douglas Ladnier, Michael Winther, Sean Martin Hingston, Deven May
"I Happen to Like New York" (The New Yorkers) - Mary Testa

Act II
Entracte: "Let's Go Eat Worms in the Garden" (Fine & Dandy - Ross Patterson's Little Big Band
"Right From the Start of It" (Three's a Crowd) - Marc Kudisch
"Time On My Hands" (Smiles) - Deven May, with Shannon Lewis
"My First Love--My Last Love" (Nina Rosa) - Mary Testa
"Body & Soul" (Three's a Crowd) - Douglas Ladnier
"Barbary Coast" (Girl Crazy) - Jennifer Simard
"He Was Too Good to Me" (Simple Simon) - Celia Keenan-Bolger
"Ten Cents a Dance" (Simple Simon) - Nancy Anderson
"Serenade of Love" (Nina Rosa) - Sean Martin Hingston and Shannon Lewis
"Who Cares?" (Who Cares?) - Michael Winther (unamplified)
"Love For Sale" (The New Yorkers) - Celia Keenan-Bolger, Nancy Anderson, and Emily Skinner (unamplified)
"I've Got a Crush on You" (Girl Crazy) - Emily Skinner
"Get Happy" (The 9:15 Revue) - Full Company

Updated On: 3/7/06 at 09:22 AM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 9:38am

I agree with Master that this BBTY is the strongest they've ever done (and I've seen them all). Skinner's sublime "But Not For Me" was worth the price of admission. Another highlight was when she teamed up with Nancy Anderson and Celia KB for "Love For Sale". Mary Testa was brilliant, as always. Can't wait for the next one.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 10:36am

What an amazing amazing night! Mary Testa was such a superstar last night especially in "I happen to like New York". Just brillant. The rest of the performers were wonderful (especially Celia) but just a great night! Other highlights include "I Got Rhythm" (Girl Crazy) - Full Company and "get happy". Just a perfect night!

[ShineOn]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 7:45pm

I thought Nancy sang "But Not For Me"?

I heard Skinner was underused- and why is it that she is never in any of the photos of BBTY concerts? I heard she looked stunning last night.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 9:54pm

Yes, ShineOn - I got it wrong earlier - Nancy did sing "But Not For Me" while Emily sang "I've Got A Crush on You".

Diffrent songs, diffrent singers -- same goosebumps.