Did they take away Ellen Harvey's Solo in Brotherhood of Man?

On the past two T.V programs they have performed it on, everyone sings it now? Is that reflected in the show?

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PiraguaGuy, I totally agree. It took me right out of the scene. I think it has something to do with the fact that she leaves the stage and only comes back for her solo, so I was like, "WHOA!" when the solo began. And not in a good way.

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I love the recording of the song with Lillias, but I've always had a problem with her casting as Miss Jones. I've only seen the movie, but isn't the fact that this meek secretary comes out and sings this big, brassy, belty solo the big joke of the moment? That seems kind of ruined when the role is played by a well known former Effie White...

It would be fine if she didn't always end up half a tone sharp at the end of the number. Every time I've heard it performed, it's painful, shrill, and unattractive.

Give me the 95' Lillias White version any day.

How to Succeed is a musical comedy and white people trying to sing gospel is funny. That was the original concept of the number with Ruth Kobart's dour battle ax Miss Jones suddenly chirping away in decidedly unhip fashion as she gets the spirit. In the previous revival, Lilias White pretty much fumbled the comedy of the character all night long, until she got to sing the sh!t out of "Brotherhood of Man". They delivered a showstopper, but lost a lot of the character's comedy along the way. I have other issues with the current revival, but I was thankful that they got Miss Jones right.

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I found Harvey a shining brightspot in this dull production. I do agree that out of context, her version of the solo is a bit surprising, but, in the context of the show, it's just another great addition to a thrilling number that is much appreciated after a couple hour of, for me, total boredom.

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Her solo is still in the show. I think they just cut it for the sake of time on all the morning and late night show appearances.

"In the previous revival, Lilias White pretty much fumbled the comedy of the character all night long, until she got to sing the sh!t out of "Brotherhood of Man". They delivered a showstopper, but lost a lot of the character's comedy along the way."

Smaxie---that's exactly how I remember it. She was less than memorable until that number, and then she completely stopped the show with her "scat" and gospel-ese riffing.

I agree with your assessment of Miss Jones, too. Ruth Kobart, who originated the role on stage and film, was a legitimate opera singer as well as a musical comedy performer. Her interpretation of the role and the Brotherhood solo is still my favorite.

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