Remembering SKYSCRAPER on its 50th Anniversary

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

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.

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

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 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!

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

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

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 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 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?

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.

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.

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

Scarily true!