Gretchen Wyler as SWEET CHARITY, with dances by Tommy Tune

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 4/8/13 at 7:34pm

Happy spring from Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

I just finished publishing a new page on "Memories of Melody Top" about the 1967 season opener, SWEET CHARITY starring Gretchen Wyler.

All of the photos on this page were supplied by Betty-Ann (Carlton) Weiss, who performed at both Melody Top locations in the 1960s. The pictures of Gretchen and Tommy Tune rehearsing SWEET CHARITY are priceless! They show the multi-level set on Melody Top's round stage, the lighting grid and the brand-new tent made from yellow and green canvas.

Please take a look at both photo galleries, in addition to the color photographs of Betty-Ann and Tommy Tune backstage.




SWEET CHARITY at Melody Top Theatre Updated On: 4/8/13 at 07:34 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/8/13 at 9:25pm

Wow! I'd have loved to see a Tommy Tune-choreographed SWEET CHARITY. Those pics look great.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 4/8/13 at 11:51pm

Saw Gretchen do this at Westbury Music Fair. Not very good. Gwen Verdon didn't have to lose any sleep over this one.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 4/9/13 at 10:08am

In all fairness to the late, great Ms. Wyler, she played Charity a lot in the late 1960s (all with different directors and choreographers). And it was probably the best training for her to take over the role from Juliet Prowse in the original London production. I was told she did struggle learning the dances from both Tune and Fosse, but she nailed both styles with a lot of hard work and determination.

[wildcat]

Posted: 4/9/13 at 1:14pm

Young Kurt Peterson at the top right? A few years before DEAR WORLD and FOLLIES.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 4/9/13 at 1:33pm

Yes, that's a very young Kurt Peterson. Mr. Peterson was raised in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and some of his first professional work was at Milwaukee's Melody Top Theatre. Everyone on this board will be glad to know he's a very nice guy.

[beaemma]

Posted: 4/10/13 at 1:12pm

I saw SWEET CHARITY with Gwen Verdon in New York, Chita Rivera in Chicago, and Gretchen Wyler at Melody Top and in London. All were great in the role. I suppose Verdon was my favorite, which is understandable since it was written for her. Still, Wyler and Rivera did terrific work. If Wyler was weak when she first did the show, she had certainly nailed it by the times I saw her.