Dorothy Loudon

[broadwaysong]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:05pm

This evening I paid my respects to Dorothy Loudon at the Frank Campbell funeral home in Manhattan.

It was a beautiful setting. Closed casket, covered with incredibly fragrant white roses; each end had an equally beautiful large bouquet of white flowers. I was greeted by her long time friend/manager Lionel Larner.

There was a beautiful, big grinned, black and white photo of Dorothy behind it in the center.

It really is sad that such a great talent is lost.

I have two great memories of her. First was her knock-out rendition of "Broadway Baby", yelling , "KEY CHANGE", half-way through it, on the Tony telecast. Second is her live album at the Blue Angel. What a talent she was/is, and will always continue to be for all of us.

God Bless This Beautiful & Wonderfully Multi-talented performer.


Joseph L
Manhattan

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:46pm

Yes. From what I hear, she was an amazing lady. Death is such a happy thing, yet so sad...

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/20/03 at 2:05am

Thank you for taking the time to regester and give us this lovely post. I am sorry for Ms. Loudon's passing, but I can still hear her singing BROADWAY BABY,too. And she was a Broadway Baby.

Posted: 11/20/03 at 10:35pm

At Dorothy's memorial service Thursday morning...

Opened with her audition songs played by Peter Howard
What did Dorothy use?
My Romance
It Had To Be You
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
He Was Too Good To Me
It All Depends On You
You Made Me Love You
Moon River

These were followed by brief scripture readings and prayers led by Father Frew of Cathedral of St. John Divine.

Other tributes were given by:
Marian Seldes on behalf of the theater community
Andrea McCardle
Chita Rivera
Lionel Larner, closed with personal reminiscences of his 40+ year friendship and business association with Dorothy. "But, Lionel," she said to him, "if there's a memorial service no one will come."

Paying tribute to Dororthy:
John Kander
Fred Ebb
Elaine Stritch
Michael Frazier
Martin Charnin
Thomas Meehan
Charles Strouse, among many others.

Dorothy recorded a new album not long ago with a New Orleans jazz band. A track of that album was played and all were laughing and crying at Dorothy's unique sass and personality.

A special moment of the service was the recollection of Dorothy's final moments with the great love of her life, Norman Paris. Marian Seldes read aloud Elizabeth Barrett Browning's How Do I Love Thee?, the poem which Dorothy put in Norman's hand as he lay dying. The poem, as many of you may know, ends "And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."

A heartfelt tribute to a true Broadway Baby.




Updated On: 11/21/03 at 10:35 PM

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 11/21/03 at 7:25am

What did Stritch have to say, BB?

Because she & Louden had surprisingly similar career arcs.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/21/03 at 10:03am

You will continue to live in the hearts of those who loved you, precious lady:)