re: Jerry's Girls- Page 2

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 8:05pm

Dottie - yes, it was the Valentine's Day concert.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 8:06pm

I was not aware Chita had the accident during the run of this show (I was six in '86) and I'd have never thought Uggams was the star of the show, especially with Loudon being part of the trio (I can imagine her "Bossom Buddies" must've been magnificent). I wish I had been able to see this show, if only to see how the revue was live, on recording a lot is lost IMO. I'd have loved to see Kim Crosby sing one of Chita's solos though, I imagine she went straight from the ensemble of this show to Into the Woods.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 8:38pm

"I'd have never thought Uggams was the star of the show, especially with Loudon being part of the trio."

Yeah, me too! It was a big surprise. I had seen Uggams on TV variety shows, and Roots, etc. She was good, sure.

But when she sang "I Don't Want to Know" from Dear World, it gave me chills to hear that voice "live." She had about three songs that she completely knocked out of the park. And Dorothy was funny... but that night belonged to Miss Uggams.

It might have been a completely different situation had I seen Chita in the mix, as well. Who knows?

[anyanka1933]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 5:40pm

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 6:06pm

anyanka1933--Thanks for posting these!

A trip down Memory Lane for me.

[anyanka1933]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 7:20pm

Found another one. Sorry about the size but I think if I reduce it, it might be difficult to read.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 7:25pm

These are pretty fantastic, especially the program. It is nice to see what song each actress was assigned. If only a Broadway cast recording was made in addition to the touring cast. It'd have been great to have a recording of Loudon and Rivera performing some of those songs.

[Julian2]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 7:28pm

I would have loved to hear "Have A Nice Day" from La Cage Aux Folles. Too bad it wasn't recorded.

[anyanka1933]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 7:33pm

I saw it and Dorothy Loudon was very funny. I can't remember the details but it had to do with a female preacher character like Aimee Semple McPhearson. I think. This was 20+ years ago.

Ok. One more and then I promise to stop.


Updated On: 12/29/06 at 07:33 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 7:49pm

Oh, my GOD... '80s hair!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 7:55pm

You don't have to stop, these are just fabulous.
Kim Crosby looks so young and beautiful in that picture!
Wow, what I'd give to hear Dorothy Loudon singing "Time Heals Everything."

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 8:04pm

I saw it pre-injury. Chita did an AMAZING combination to La Cage Aux Folles.I marvelled at her execution particlarly for a woman in her 50's.She stopped the show. Dorothy Loudon had an ongoing piano bar sketch where she played an accompinist and sang a hysterical version of (what I believe was) Put it Back On. Leslie Uggams was truly exciting live. Her vibrato may not be everyone's cup of tea but the voice was pure and powerful. I really enjoyed the show.
Updated On: 12/29/06 at 08:04 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 8:10pm

It's interesting that I recall Leslie singing "I Don't Want to Know," and how it was a highlight of the show for me. Her voice was so electrifying on that song!

Apparently, it was Chita's song (in the Playbill) but since she was out when I saw it, Miss Uggams must have said THAT ONE'S MINE, when they were handing out Chita's numbers to the rest of the "girls."

I wish I'd seen Chita in this show... but I also have a wonderful memory of seeing a very unique situation on Broadway... a bunch of chorus girls getting a chance to "solo" on the Great White Way. That's why I love live theatre... you may not see what you thought you were going to... but it's a unique experience, and you can take the memories with you for life.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 11:04pm

Oh, Chita Rivera must have done a great job with "I Don't Want to Know" though, that is my favorite song from Dear World and while it is hard to imagine anyone else but Ms.Lansbury singing it, it's easy to see how someone like Leslie Uggams or Chita could've performed a great rendition of the song.
I wonder who would be cast in this show if it ever were to be revived (it probably never will, it's still fun to imagine potential performers).

[Terri Olsen]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:27am

I was one of the gals that went on for Chita when she broke her leg - it was such a thill! It was a bad situation and we all did our best to try to make it better. Chita is such a talent and great person on top of that. It was an honor to be on the stage with her. I'm so glad she healed and went on to create more Broadway history.

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:33am

I saw Channing-Uggams-McArdle on the road. I also saw Loudon-Rivera-Uggams on B'way.
The songs were mostly the same but the stagings were very different.
Highlight tour: The Tea Party from Dear World
Highlight B'way: Loudon singing Time Heals Everything
Hightlight Both Times: Uggams singing If He Walked Into My Life.
Edited because I wanted to mention I Don't Want to Know by Uggams on tour. Rivera did it on B'way and it was not nearly as good as Leslie on the road. Updated On: 2/9/08 at 08:33 AM

[Terri Olsen]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:43am

Every night Dorothy made me cry when she sang "Time Heals Everything". Absolutely wonderful - very moving. She was awesome and is greatly missed.

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/9/08 at 8:47am

Amen, Terri. I loved Loudon every time I saw her. I also loved her singing her first number in Jerry's Girls, Just Leave Everything to Me.

[dream on]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 4:39am

I saw this show with Chita Rivera before her accident. I went with friends to support Joni Masella. She was a wonderfully talented dancer and choreographer. I believe Wayne Cilento was the choreographer and gave Joni the job. She really deserved the break- she didnt have your typical dancers body. But boy did she have Charisma when she danced. I was fortunate enough to take dance lessons from her. She was my idol back then.

Chita Rivera, to me, was the STAR of that show.

I felt it was a very weak show - and it closed shortly after Chita broke her leg. Nobody could replace her. She is one of a kind.

I also felt it was one of the weaker shows I have seen on Broadway despite the talent. It just didn't work for me.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 4:47am

I was at the opening night on Broadway. I have few memories of the show itself, except that I was seeing three terrific women who utterly dominated the stage. What I DO remember was that I was sitting next to Rex Reed, who spent a great deal of the show whispering to his young friend throughout the show. I wanted to tell him to STFU but it was Rex Reed for God's sake.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 7:06am

I saw both the tour and the Broadway production. I loved the songs that Andrea sang and enjoy listening to her on the CD.

Dorothy Loudon was a hoot!! They gave her a lot of funny bits, but unfortunately when she went so sing a ballad, everyone thought she was going to be funny and her meer presence made them laugh.

I liked the Broadway production better, and I believe there were all women in the pit as well (including the conductor - maybe Terri Olsen can confirm that for me). By the way, Terri, welcome.

Updated On: 2/10/08 at 07:06 AM

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:06am

Does anyone else remember Loudon singing My Type in a piano bar setting in the show? It was great.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:31am

nmartin, is this the "sketch" where she came out repeatedly behind a piano? I think this was what I was referring to, when she made people laugh.

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:49am

That's it. She slapped a fishbowl on top of the piano and on it was written Kitty. There was some bit about her playing, I think, Hello, Dolly and saying, "I hate this song." Then she sang My Type, which was priceless.

Edit: Is anybody else getting the first page of this thread in a Jenny Craig version?
Updated On: 2/10/08 at 08:49 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/10/08 at 9:09am

nmartin, no, you're not the only one getting the Jenny Craig version of the first page.

The piano bit with Dorothy is what made people laugh every time she appeared. That's when she was set to sing a ballad, that everyone laughed, because they expected something funny.