Now that summer is drawing to a close, I thought I would share one more page on my "Memories of Melody Top" website. Exactly 40 years ago tonight, on Tuesday, August 26, 1980, the Top mounted a brand-new production of THE STUDENT PRINCE, the beloved operetta by Sigmund Romberg and Dorothy V. Donnelly. Jack Gilford received star billing for his comedic role of Lutz, a "gentleman's gentleman" to Prince Karl Franz at university in Heidelberg. Gilford last appeared in Milwaukee 39 years before his Melody Top debut, when he performed on the bill with Paul Whiteman and his orchestra at the Riverside Theater during July of 1941. Keith Rice and Sarah Rice, who are not related, beautifully sang the leads of Karl and Kathie. Sarah came to Milwaukee after leaving her role as Johanna in SWEENEY TODD on Broadway. Jonathan Freeman, who would find great success during the 1990s as a voice actor for Disney films and television shows, was cast as Hubert. Click on the link in this post to see over a dozen rare photos from this production. I've also shared four audio clips made from a live recording at Melody Top!
THE STUDENT PRINCE (1980) at Milwaukee's Melody Top
Love your Melody Top posts!
So... Where are they now? Specifically, the two leads, Sarah Rice and Keith Rice?
Keith: https://www.facebook.com/chandinnertheatres/videos/2689051324702261/
Sarah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU52wlM-wrA
Thank you so much!
According to this article, Keith has been performing at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Minnesota. Judging by the photo of him wearing a t-shirt, he is in great shape, too!
https://www.minnesotagoodage.com/living/features/2017/01/stage-presence/
Videos