Broadway Puzzler #108

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 12:29pm

Which actress has the unfortunate distinction of playing the leading role in the most successful musical of the 1970's, and being fired from a leading role in another successful musical of the 1970s?

(Hint: She was fired twice in the 1970s. The first time she was fired, she was replaced by Loni Ackerman, who was the daughter of the producer of the show. The second time around she was replaced by Patti LuPone in a Stephen Schwartz musical.).

And for bonus points, name all three musicals. Updated On: 11/14/04 at 12:29 PM

Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:02pm

Carol Demas

Starred as "Sandy" in GREASE

She was fired by David Merrick from THE BAKER'S WIFE and was first replaced by Loni Ackerman, then later by Patti Lupone.

Loni's mother was the Producer Cyma Rubin who produced NO, NO, NANETTE, one of the biggest hits of the early 70's, and started the revival craze (in my opinion).

Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:05pm

I'll take that cee-gar, now, please.

Along with a bottle of Cliquot.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:10pm

Congratulations, Jose!

And you get extra bonus points for naming Cyma Rubin.

[broadwaybound3]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:13pm

darn! i knew that one too...

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:23pm

Jose,

Was Carol Demas replaced by Loni Ackerman TWICE? I had forgotten that Ackerman did the interim BAKERS WIFE stint. But I fear my question may have been wrong, because I'm not sure that Loni replaced Carol in NO, NO, NANETTE. I know that Susan Watson was involved there, somehow, but my brain is fuzzy on the details (and I don't have a copy of Davis' book anymore). I know Loni ended up in the cast of NANETTE, but was she Carol's replacement? If so, how horrible for Carol.

On a related note, whatever happened to Loni Ackerman? I know she went on to STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW, and then replaced LuPone in EVITA (another bizarre coincidence), but what's she up to these days? Updated On: 11/14/04 at 01:23 PM

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:42pm

My gosh, how do you guys know stuff like that?

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 2:11pm

LOL, brdwaybaby17.

It is a little ridiculous to be obsessing about the career trajectory of a relatively unknown performer like Loni Ackerman.

I guess I'm just an obsessive fan of musical theatre. And I hate the format of the "other" board, so I don't post there. I know that these boards tend to attract younger WICKED fans, but hey, I like WICKED too. And I love Broadway musicals. And I enjoy reading everyone's comments here.

Trust me, the older you get, the more useless information you have blitzing around in your brain. Mine happens to be full of crap about Loni Ackerman and Carol Demas today, for reasons I cannot begin to fathom.