Summer Stock Memories from 1968 to 1976

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 8/3/24 at 11:57am

I couldn’t let this summer pass without sharing some new content on my “Memories of Melody Top” website. In collaboration with Wisconsin native Tracy (Borger) Friedman, who was associated with the Top from 1968 to 1976, I’m sharing 80 photographs from her personal scrapbooks: 55 rehearsal and backstage snapshots, 7 color images of the full stage from BRIGADOON in 1973, 9 portraits of costumes created by a talented group of artists, and 9 black-and-white production pictures by professional photographers. Tracy, who started the third phase of her career in 1988 as a Los Angeles-based writer for television, authored a personal essay about her time performing in the ensemble and a few supporting roles at the much-missed tent on Milwaukee’s Good Hope Road. If you take some time to browse the galleries, you will see that Melody Top’s team attracted quite a few performing arts stalwarts from both the East and West Coasts for their shows: Ulysses Dove, Barbara Williams, Michael Misita, Travis Hudson, David Britton, Elaine Cancilla, Ralston Hill, Candace Tovar, Zale Kessler, and Margaret Travolta. For those of you who are star watchers, I have posted candid shots of Rita Moreno, Gretchen Wyler, and Arte Johnson on the Top’s grounds. Here is a direct link:

Tracy Friedman at Memories of Melody Top Theatre

[markypoo]

Posted: 8/4/24 at 8:00pm

Two things:

I so very much share your enthusiasm for this long gone but inordinately high quality summer stock venue.

I also appreciate your painstakingly constant research and regular updates.

Anyone who missed attending a show there over the years, sadly missed out.

And, of course, I have my personal favorites.

Carlsberg forever!