Remembering SKYSCRAPER on its 50th Anniversary

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 12:37am

It opened 50 years ago today, November 10th 1965. 

 

Despite the pedigree of star Julie Harris (in her only musical role) and a score by hitmakers  Jimmy Van Heusen & Sammy Cahn the show failed to attain the success one would expect.

 

The score is wonderful though, and gets steady playing for me. The overture is one of the best of that era, and the songs go from lilting ballad to fun uptempo comedy numbers and there’s scarcely a bad one amongst them.

 

The production seems to have been verrrry 60’s, and featured many ensemble dance numbers done by Michael Kidd.

 

Production Photos:

 

Some cool rehearsal shots highlighting Kidd's dances and of course the star:

 

Did anyone see it 50 years back?

Updated On: 11/10/15 at 12:37 AM

[mamaleh]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 1:24am

Great photos.  I've been a fan of the score for a long time, especially the ballad  "I'll Only Miss Her When I Think of Her" and fun numbers "Haute Couture,"  "Delicatessen" and "Just the Crust." 

Bonus: When I see Charles Nelson Reilly and a "skyscraper," I automatically think of his hilarious turn as the snobby architect "Velvil," so re-named by Molly Picon, in a classic episode of "Car 54, Where Are You?"

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 9:46am

Quite an amusing connection, perhaps they got the idea for this show from that classic episode! Such a great old show with so many Broadway actors and guest stars.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 9:53am

Really weird subject for a musical, but I am in love with that poster art! 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 9:55am

Is Peter L. Marshall "THE" Peter Marshall of HOLLYWOOD SQUARES fame? 

[JayG 2]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 10:24am

Mr Nowack, you've done it again! What a great set of pics from the Golden Age of musical theater (although this one was not very golden). Love the production shots with Victor Spinetti (I believe hot off Oh! What a Lovely War) who was replaced out of town by Charles Nelson Reilly.

Can't say I champion the score as much as you. Lots of clunkers in there, IMNO.

 

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 10:26am

The musical was based on Elmer Rice's play, Dream Girl.   That's Dream Girl, two words, singular.  Not to be confused with you-know-what.

 

And yes, it's the same Peter Marshall.  He's also very good on the London cast recording of Bye Bye Birdie, if you've never heard it.  

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 10:31am

Smaxie said: "The musical was based on Elmer Rice's play, Dream Girl.   That's Dream Girl, two words, singular.  Not to be confused with you-know-what.

 

 

 

And yes, it's the same Peter Marshall.  He's also very good on the London cast recording of Bye Bye Birdie, if you've never heard it. "

 

 

Thank you smaxie for the information. Yes, I have the OLC of BBB with Cheets and Peter. He is very good.

 

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 10:44am

Thank you for the pics! I love the OBCR and also listen to it often. Just the Crust cracks me up every single time I hear it. I worship CNR's delivery. 

 

I agree that that I'll Miss Her When I Think of Her is terrific and think More Than One Way is just as good.

 

And camp, floperoo numbers don't get any better than Haute Couture! Ta-ta Ta-ta Ta! 

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 10:49am

A set that Michael grief would love!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 10:56am

OFF TOPIC: Whizzer what the hell happened to the rest of your user name?!?!?! 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 11:24am

 

I love these pictures of Julie Harris being a musical-comedy gal.

 

(And wasn't Michael Kidd yummy?)

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 11:40am

Here is an interesting write up on SKYSCRAPER written by Diane Bertolini.

 

I am now interested in listening to this score. I am a fan of Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen's work.

 

 

 

Updated On: 11/10/15 at 11:40 AM

[newintown]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 12:06pm

Fun score, great overture. But I always skip Harris' numbers - her voice sounds (to me) almost like nails on a blackboard; thin, unsupported, and with what sounds like the widest break any woman has ever had.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 4:01pm

Now I don't think Harris' voice is that bad! She's no Barbara Cook (she's not even a Barbara Harris) but she manages alright and honestly doesn't really sing that much.

 

Anyone interesting in hearing the score, it's available on YouTube in full thanks to the Various Artists Topic channel:

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUSRfoOcUe4ZfeqUhW3zHuJl3Iz2DfJA8

Updated On: 11/10/15 at 04:01 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 5:00pm

Could this be a candidate for Encores?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 5:10pm

Mr Roxy said: "Could this be a candidate for Encores?"

It could but it's so obscure I don't believe they would take a chance on it.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 5:16pm

Mr. Nowack, you've done it again. Thanks as always for the amazing trips down memory lane. You have inspired me to dig out the cast album, which I have to admit is buried in the "B"-row behind the ones that I play most often.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 5:20pm

StageStruckLad said: "Mr. Nowack, you've done it again. Thanks as always for the amazing trips down memory lane. You have inspired me to dig out the cast album, which I have to admit is buried in the "B"-row behind the ones that I play most often."

 

Do you have. "C" row?

[Esther Blodgett]

Posted: 11/10/15 at 8:04pm

Skyscraper is the show that columnist Dorothy Kilgallen jumped the gun and reviewed a preview after the show delayed its opening. Kilgallen panned it and was raked over the coals by just about everybody. 

 

I suppose she also would have reviewed the opening except that she died between the publication of her preview review and the opening. She died of a toxic mixture of liquor and pills. Valium and vodka can do that to you.

 

Interesting idea for an Encores presentation since that is the original mandate of the series--to present musicals that are not performed often or are forgotten.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/11/15 at 2:04am

I would love to have it seen at Encores. It's certainly no more out of the realm than some of their recent shows.

 

That Kilgallan story always fascinated me, it's played up considerably in the CD booklet I believe.

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 11/11/15 at 6:09am

What a coincidence with this posting - listened to the OBCR this morning on the way in to work!  Saw the show way back and II remember thoroughly enjoying it.  

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 11/11/15 at 9:20am

CarlosAlberto: Do you have a "C" row?

I do. It's reserved for real stinkers like the Kiri Te Kanawa "My Fair Lady" or the Placido Domingo "Man of La Mancha," which features Mandy Patinkin using a deranged "Frito Bandito" accent to play Sancho.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/11/15 at 9:42am

It is a shame Charles Nelson Reilly left Broadway for La La Land and a steady paycheck on game shows .In a way, you cannot blame him but it was the theater goers loss

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/11/15 at 5:14pm

StageStruckLad said: "the Placido Domingo "Man of La Mancha," which features Mandy Patinkin using a deranged "Frito Bandito" accent to play Sancho."

 

Scarily true!