Remembering FANNY (Take 2)

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 2:18am

(The glitchiness of the board ruined the first attempt so here is another)



Opening on Broadway in 1954, this show with a score by Harold Rome was a hit, popular enough to run a little over two years.

Joshua Logan not only directed, but also collaborated on the book and co-produced with David Merrick. He reunited his SOUTH PACIFIC leading men Ezio Pinza and William Tabbert, along with Walter Slezak and a young Florence Henderson as Fanny. The show was set in Marseille, based on a trilogy of works by Pagnol, and had a French-flavored score as was very popular at the time on Broadway.

I've been really getting into the cast album lately, especially the title song, soes anyone have any memories of this show? Nobody is likely old enough to remember the original production, but the cast album has remained largely in print and it was done at Encores! in 2010.

Publicity shot of composer Harold Rome and Director/Producer/Book Writer Joshua Logan:



 

Production Publicity Photos:

















 

In the recording studio:







 

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 2:20am

TV Appearances on the Eddie Fisher Show:

 

 

James Snyder singing the title song at Encores!:

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 2:21am

I was born the year this show opened, but I have the OBC recording and I agree: it is indeed charming.

[Fan123]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 5:36am

I only know the cast recording, but I really like the song 'I Have To Tell You' (seen in the first clip posted above) and its dramatic reprise, aka 'The Thought of You'. You can hear a few seconds of Elena Shaddow singing 'I Have To Tell You' in rehearsal for Encores at the very end of this video:

 

 

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 8:48am

Caught the Encores! production and truly loved it. The obcr. Doesn't capture the beauty of the score or the sweeping orchestrations.

Praying for a studio recording with James Snyder a. Marius

[markypoo]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 9:13am

I was fortunate enough to see a production at the Milwaukee Melody Top in August 1982 with John Raitt as Cesar.  It would prove to be my last time seeing Mr.Raitt on stage.

 

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/29/17 at 9:26am

The Encores production was one of the best things they've done in recent years--great adaptation and production, every role cast from strength, and the gorgeous score played beautifully by a full orchestra. I wish it had been recorded.

[markypoo]

Posted: 8/28/18 at 8:01pm

The Marius in the Milwaukee production referenced above was a glorious young man with a sonorous voice named Keith Rice.
He later was part of the ensemble of the first Les Miserables company to play Chicago in June 1989.
After that, I lost trace.
Sigh.
Whatever happened to...