The operetta BLOSSOM TIME which I was too young to appreciate--I think it was about the composer Franz Schubert and I couldn't understand how the character of Schubert could be on stage if he was really dead.
The first show that I appreciated was the tryout in Philadelphia of FLAHOOLEY starring a young Barbara Cook, in 1951, when I was 10 years old. I loved the marionettes although I missed the satirical look at the evils of capitalism that was at the core of the show.
My first show on Broadway was the magical 1954 PETER PAN with Mary Martin, sitting in the loge of the Winter Garden. I haven't been back to that theatre since the 1980 Gower Champion production of 42nd STREET, before it transferred to the larger Majestic, to make more money for producer David Merrick. And they had just refurbished the Winter Garden for 42nd STREET!
I don't care for the big London musical mega-hits and have never seen CATS or PHANTOM of the OPERA or MAMA MIA. I am definitely not a fan of American Idol on TV.
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
Updated On: 10/22/06 at 11:30 AM
