Shirley Jones's Swan Song in 42nd Street

[The Goat]

Posted: 8/8/04 at 10:47pm

Saw Shirley Jones's last performance as Dorothy Brock in "42nd Street" this afternoon, and she must have been pulling out all her stops for this show, as she was pretty good. Not the abject and painful failure I was expecting from some earlier posts on the show and about her in it. Granted, she is no Christine Ebersole, but I thought she did a credible job of being a tempermental and vain diva. Her singing was a little wobbly and strained on the big, sustained high notes, but she somewhat made up for it with a surprisingly rich lower register. At curtain call her son Patrick Cassidy (who, by the way, is a wonderful Julian Marsh), told the audience that this was his mother's last performance, and how honored he was to have been able to work with her in this, her first Broadway show in about 40 years. They both were crying as the curtain fell. The ensemble dancing remains a treat, but, overall, the show isn't as giddy-making as it was early on with its original cast.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/8/04 at 10:48pm

I wanted to see her! Sounds great though. Its an amazing show!!!!!!!!!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/8/04 at 10:53pm

I am hoping to catch the show before it closes. I saw the tour. Blair Ross was Dorothy Brock (she was great!) and I heard she was going to be Dorothy on Broadway.