On the Twentieth Century

I think this is my new obsession. From the magnificent overture to the great chorus at the end, I loved every minute listening to the OBCR. I can't believe that it lost Best Musical to "Ain't Misbehavin'".

Every time I listen to it, I'm left wondering why this show hasn't been revived (I know that that the play version was recently revived). John Cullum's voice was so great, and Madeline Kahn was extremely hilarious and impressive with all of the things she made her voice do. I've seen clips of Judy Kaye (when they had clips) in the role of Judy Garland, and I love her renditions too. Judy Kaye may have had a stronger singing voice, but I love how wild Madeline Kahn gets on the CD. It's also great that the song "Repent" is actually very relevant today. I can imagine the sweet little old lady tricking the audience until they hear what she's singing.

If they do revive today, who do you think should play the parts?

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Updated On: 7/1/07 at 12:21 AM

On the Twentieth Century cracks me up. It is rather shocking how this hillarious musical romp lost to Ain't Misbehavin' and how Liza, who is wonderful, won for The Act over Kahn, no matter how early she left the show. (Or how Hal Prince lost direction. Mr. Prince's homage to George Abbott was better than Abbott's own direction. Granted, I only saw Mr. Abbott's weaker shows.)
It will be revived one day. It will probably be the show from Encores! that transfered instead of Follies. Don't get me wrong, I love Follies and I loved the Encores! Follies, but this show is even less known than Follies and needs to be done again.

Updated On: 7/1/07 at 12:35 AM

Hal Prince and Madeline Kahn had their differences, particularly because she was not a fan of doing eight great performances a week. She was more of a five great performances a week, three so-so performances a week gal. (Merman used to do the same thing though!) Eventually, she grew to dislike giving performances period and started missing them. Judy Kaye, a wonderful actress known now for her strong, powerful roles such as Emma Goldman in Ragtime, was quite wonderful as Lily Garland. Hal fired Madeline and gave Judy the role of a lifetime. (And to Christine Ebersole fans- Christine was Judy's understudy!)
Kaye was nominated and won a Drama Desk (I think she won at least) instead of Kahn. However, the Tony folks decided to give Ms. Kahn the nomination in a category with Eartha Kitt, Francess Sternhagen and Liza Minnelli. Liza also had some performance problems, but not because she didn't want to give them, but because she was too exhausted from partying at Studio 54. However, because she didn't leave her show (the rather pathetic, even for Kander and Ebb, The Act) and was a big star (bigger than Kahn at the time) she won the Tony.
John Cullumn was hysterical though. That one number where he starts giving away his personal items to his two goons still cracks me up on the album. His delivery and the Comden and Green lyrics are a perfect match.
Kevin Kline played the role of Lily Garland's boarish lover to hammy perfection as well and Imogene Cocoa (sp?) the comedy legend from Your Show of Shows was hysterical as the religious zealot. Nell Carter was fabulous, but Imogene should have won that Tony. Kahn should have too. It would have been the first time a musical swept the acting categories since South Pacific, right?

Updated On: 7/1/07 at 12:43 AM

After I saw the video for the Actor's Fund Performance (which I wish had been recorded) on Broadway.com a LONG time ago, I fell in love with this show. I wish it was preformed more, its one of those shows that I think a lot of community theatres out there would find wonderful, but they've never heard of it, so no one does it. Bring this show back!

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Updated On: 7/1/07 at 03:47 AM