Monday, March 5, 2007
3/05 In Musical Theater History
On this day in 1954 opening at the Mark Hellenger Theater is Sigmund Romberg’s (and his last) musical “The Girl In Pink Tights” (115p) starring French singer/actress Jeanmaire. With lyrics(and unaccredited musical additions) by Leo Robin and a book by Jerome Chodorov and Joseph Fields this look at...
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Sunday, March 4, 2007
3/04 In Musical History
On this day in 1922 Comedian and song-writer Bert Williams passes away in New York. Along with George Walker they formed a popular vaudeville team in 1895. In 1902, Williams wrote and produced In Dahomey, the first full-length Broadway musical written and performed by African Americans. After Walker...
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Saturday, March 3, 2007
3/03 In Musical History
Opening on this day in 1794 at the John Street Theater is “Tammany/The Agreeable Surprise” (4p). Widely regarded as the first native American opera the James Hewett work will be the starting point for what will become the Broadway Theater scene in New York. On this day in 1875 Georges Bizet’s opera...
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Friday, March 2, 2007
Broadway Trivia Time
Taking a short break from our daily list here's a bit of Broadway Trivia: Richard Rodgers is the only American Composer to win all 6 major Entertainment Awards.Tony,Emmy,Oscar,Grammy,Pulitzer and Peabody They are in order: Pulitzer: Special award for "Oklahoma!" (1944) also Best Drama "South...
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Thursday, March 1, 2007
2/16 In Musical Theater History
On this day in 1919 while on tour with “Sinbad” Al Jolson adds George Gershwin’s “Swanee” to the show establishing the composer on Broadway. On this day in 1964 David Merrick presents the musical “Foxy” (72p) opening at the Ziegfeld Theater. Burt Lahr makes his last Broadway appearance in a musical...
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2/15 In Musical Theater History
On this day in 1886 Russian composer Alexander Borodin passes away in St. Petersburg with his opera “Prince Igor” unfinished. Almost 60 years later his work, including music from “Igor”, will win a Tony award for “Kismet” On this day in 1906 after protests from Civil War veteran groups, still very...
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Wednesday, February 14, 2007
2/14 In Musical Theater History
Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Opening at the Winter Garden Theater on this day in 1918 is the Al Jolson musical Sinbad (164p). It's a typical Jolson piece about his blackface character Gus in Long Island society and 16th Baghdad; though Sigmund Romberg is the composer, it’s Gus Edwards’ song, Rock-a-Bye...
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2/13 In Musical Theater History
On this day in 1934, according to Richard Rodgers' autobiography, he spots an article in Variety entitled “What ever happened to Rodgers and Hart?” The songwriting team has been under contract to MGM,but has spent 4 unproductive years writing minor films in Hollywood (with the exception of Love Me...
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Tuesday, February 13, 2007
2/12 In Musical Theater History
On this date in 1812, Abraham Lincoln - the sixteenth President of the United States and arguably the most famous theatergoer of the 19th century (at least to American citizens) - is born in Kentucky. He becomes a member of the plot of several musicals including Shirley Jones' Maggie Flynn (1968)...
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2/11 In Musical Theater History
On this day in 1921, the Ambassador Theater opens on West 49th St. with the musical The Rose Girl (99p) by William C. Duncan. Architecht Herbert J. Krapp maximizes the use of space by designing the stage to run diagonally across the space. This is the first of six theaters the Shuberts will build on...
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