Gwen's Charity

#1

Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 3:46am

I just want to start a Gwen loving thread. Basically I got out my CD of the Original Cast Recording (which has always been a huge favorite of mine) and fell in love it... for like the 1000th time...

What I wouldn't give to be able to go back into a time machine and see Gwen perform Bob Fosse's moves. Now that is something I wish I could've seen (well if I had been... like alive then anyway).

Sorry for the rumble, just want to share my love. There is no other Charity but Gwen (though I am dying for the re-release of Debbie's version just so I can actually hear it).

#2

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 7:10am

okay....this is that magical point where ljay is supposed to share his passionate love for Gwen...right...NOW!

Okay....right....NOW!

...

While we're waiting for him, I shall share my love for Gwen.

I agree, Gwen is awesome. I love listening to her version of 'Whatever Lola Wants'. I would also like a some sort of a time machine to bring me to the era where Fosse/Verdon power was at its peak.

---

"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve

#3

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 7:56am

LOL hypertruffle! I was thinking the exact same thing. I was hoping ljay was logged on to chime in on this.

:: Joining in the Gwen-love ::

#4

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 12:13pm

Hey my loves.

We all know Gwen is amazing.

The woman has had a big impact on me.

I really wish I had the chance to see her live, but sadly I never will.

Gwen's Charity is indeed amazing, and will never be topped.

#5

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 12:16pm

You can see a little Gwen on the Ed Sullivan Bway shows....

I'm a HUGE fan...I just love her voice...every time I think of Cocoon, all i hear is "Art! Art!" in that trademark rasp.

Or watching her and Bob do "Who's Got the Pain?"

#6

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 12:18pm

Gwen's Charity is amazing. Period.

#7

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 4:37pm

I read that Gwen Verdon's performance is not half as good in the Ed Sullivan DVD as it was on stage, and yet I loved her on the DVD so I can only imagine the magic she had on stage. My sophomore year in college, I had a professor that had actually seen the original cast of Chicago and Sweet Charity and I envied her soo much, can you imagine seeing Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon on the same night dancing together? Now, that's good old-fashioned Broadway magic!

---

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#8

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 7:37pm

How wonderful...I was just listening to her album THE GIRL I LEFT HOME FOR today on my iPod...Love Gwen!

#9

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 7:42pm

Gwen: The Original Charlotte d'Amboise

#10

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 8:02pm

Hah. I was in the middle of Spanish class when I originally replied to this thread.

I love Gwen's rare solo album THE GIRL I LEFT TOWN FOR, she really sounded glorious on it. Full voice, lots of head voice, and some belt.


Charlotte has played a lot of Gwen roles. Lola, Roxie, Charity, and Claudine. But I still feel Ann Reinking is more like Gwen, and really true to the Gwen style. From the raspy voice to the incredible dance skills.

#11

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 8:16pm

Can't beat Gwen! Not only was she amazingly talented! But one classy lady was well!

#12

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 9:10pm

Whoa. I've never seen this Ann as Charity pic before.


*right click view image if it dosen't work



Now those are the two best Fosse girls of all time.

Updated On: 10/7/05 at 09:10 PM

#13

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 9:44pm

Thank God we get to see her on film as Lola in "Damn Yankees." Loved her, too, in a non-musical role as Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton's aunt in "Marvin's Room" movie. Shoulda got an Oscar nom for that.

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It's too early for noches.

#14

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/7/05 at 9:57pm

As I've said many times in many Gwen threads, she is the best. I get chills when I see her Charity excerpts on the Ed Sullivan Show and her dancing in Damn Yankees (the film) is better than excellent by today's standards.
I treasure my Damn Yankees DVD and cherish my memories of meeting her.

---

" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."

#15

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 8:01am

*shameless bump*

I will not let the Gwen love die!

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"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve

#16

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 12:03pm

Does any footage exist for Gwen in Charity? I know of the sound interviews and such (have them), but the only video footage I know of is from Gwen's other projects.

*hugs "Damn Yankees" tight*

Actually if I think about it, if I could go back in time and only see one show, I don't know what I'd choose. Charity, Chicago...

Actually I might choose "Redhead". Now that would of been a hell of a show to watch Gwen dance in.

#17

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 12:24pm

I was blessed to see Gwen perform CHARITY. I was sitting so close to the stage that i got splashed shen she fell into the pond.

It was a stunning performance.

---

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#18

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 12:34pm

Dolly, would you happen to remember what songs she cut the night you saw it?

I believe I read she would sometimes cut "Where Am I Going?" (among others as we know), I can't imagine the show without that song. But with Gwen's vocal problems at that point, I can't really blame her for having to cut a certain number at a certain performance.

Updated On: 10/8/05 at 12:34 PM

#19

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 12:43pm

I started a Gwen thread a while ago, and will chime in everytime I see another one. There was (and never will be) anyone that typified Fosse better. She was one of a kind.

---

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." -- Author Unknown

#20

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 12:55pm

"Where Am I Going?" was missing when I saw the show. I do recall the story of a man who wrote to Gwen complaining about the missing song. She calculated the playing time of the song and the ticket price and sent the guy a personal check for 37 cents.

---

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#21

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 1:02pm

Lol, Dollypop. Great story. I hope it's true.

#22

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/8/05 at 6:04pm

Dollypop that's a fascinating story about Gwen, but I'd have complained just because it'd have been greta to see her performing the song. Honestly, I think I'd have rather seen her doing Charity instead of Chicago because I've heard Gwen Verdon was Charity herself.

---

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#23

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/9/05 at 4:04am

dollypop, so very very jealous!

#24

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/9/05 at 9:11am

""Where Am I Going?" was missing when I saw the show. I do recall the story of a man who wrote to Gwen complaining about the missing song. She calculated the playing time of the song and the ticket price and sent the guy a personal check for 37 cents. "

i heard that too! well, that person who wrote her must have some nerve- writing a mean letter to a broadway legend! how can they even wake up in the morning knowing what they have done! :)

gwen must have been so amazing at charity!!! when did she die anyway?

#25

re: Gwen's Charity

Posted: 10/9/05 at 9:14am

Gwen was known for dropping songs if she was too tired to perform them or just didn't feel like performing them.