“Edelweiss, Edelweiss every Morning you Greet Me…”

The 20^th Century logo appears, the famous theme song plays, a few birds chirp, the alps appear, and suddenly Mary Poppins is singing. I hope you’ve guessed our next musical. The Sound of Music is known to many as a classic film that everyone must see. Mary Poppins, or Julie Andrews, played Maria Rainer while Christopher Plummer played the intimidating Captain von Trapp. In addition to those famous actors, another actress may be familiar. Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music was actually played by Marni Nixon, Audrey’s Hepburn’s singing voice in the movie version of My Fair Lady.

j             The Sound of Music is based on the true story of a young postulant struggling in the convent. She is sent to be the governess for Captain von Trapp’s seven children who have scared away dozens of governesses. Through music, love, and laughter, Maria brings the house back to life and eventually falls in love with the Captain right before the Nazi’s invade Austria. This courageous and caring woman actually existed. Most people are unaware of the true story of Maria. While she was in the process of becoming a nun, she was chosen to teach one of the ten von Trapp children. Eventually, she taught the children music and fell in love with all of them. Even though she married Georg, the Captain, she admits to not loving him.

            Another interesting fact about this movie is that Broadway is where the show originated. The musical Broadway version of this show starred Mary Martin as Maria Rainer and Theodore Bikel as Captain Georg von Trapp. The Broadway version had additional numbers that did not make the cut in the movie, such as "How Can Love Survive?" and "No Way to Stop it". The show aired on November 16, 1959 and ran over 1,000 times. The show did well until the movie premiered. The stage could not compete with real mountains, beautiful architecture, and intimacy created with lighting and camera angles. Mary Martin was not cast as Maria in the movie because the producers wanted a box office name. Luckily for Julie Andrews, she had just produced Mary Poppins and the initial casting fell through. Audrey Hepburn, or Eliza Doolittle, was offered the role but declined. In my opinion, no actress besides Julie Andrews will ever be Maria. Her perfect pitch leaves every listener satisfied and always takes me back to my childhood.

            In the near future, Carrie Underwood will be played Maria von Trapp in a special television version of The Sound of Music. I am quite skeptical about a country artist playing a nun in Salzburg, Austria. Maybe she will prove me wrong. Thanks for reading and as always, “It’s a grand night for singing!”

           

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“I’ll Be Wearing Ribbons Down My Back This Summer”

As you know, Barbra Streisand is my favorite actress and singer. So naturally, I chose to incorporate her into my next post. Only one year after the fabulous Funny Girl, Streisand appeared in Hello Dolly! as Mrs. Dolly Levi, a widow who believes every matter should be left to her, especially matchmaking. Mr. Horace Vandergelder, played by Walter Matthau, is the local store owner with two hardworking employees: Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker. Interestingly enough, Cornelius Hackl was played by Michael Crawford, who starred in a musical we will talk about in an upcoming entry, The Phantom of the Opera. The plot of Hello Dolly! is to find love, which happens to all of the characters. The audience may be misled by songs like “Love is Only Love,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” and my personal favorite, “Goodbye,” which give the audience the impression that love will never be found. That may have been the intention of director Gene Kelly, who was the lead in the cheerful musical Singin’ in the Rain.

Like most musical films, the story originated on the stage. Hello Dolly! was actually a musical on Broadway with the longest show run for a short time. After it opened on January 16, 1964 and closed on December 27, 1970, it lost the title of longest running musical to shows like Les Miserable and Phantom of the Opera, the longest running musical to date. The actress who played Dolly Levi was none other than Carol Channing, an actress known for her character in Thoroughly Modern Millie and her booming tenor-like voice. After the show closed with Channing in the lead, other actresses, like Ethyl Merman, brought the show back as a revival. Again, you know my not-so-warm feelings for Merman. I believe Streisand was the right choice for the movie as Channing and Merman were both too old and sang too low. Even though the Broadway version did not receive much recognition, the movie was very popular. This was due in part to the stellar cast, which also included Louis Armstrong, who played himself. The musicality of this show and many others that include Barbra Streisand, remind me that it’s always “A Grand Night for Singing!”

“I got 36 Expressions, Sweet as Pie to Tough as Leather…”

Have you ever heard of the show Ziegfeld Follies? If you have not, I can bet you have heard of one of Ziegfeld’s girls, Lucille Ball. The connection this show has with our next musical is the owner, Mr. Ziegfeld. On March 26, 1964, Fanny Brice became a Ziegfeld girl in the wonderfully funny and enchanting Funny Girl. This musical, my all-time favorite, starred Barbra Streisand, my all-time favorite actress.

            The show begins with a young Jewish girl, Fanny Brice, aspiring to be on the stage. Her dreams come true when “Nicky” Arnstein (her pet name for him) discovers her in a no-name theatre and introduces her to Florenz Ziegfeld, the owner of the Ziegfeld follies. The audience watches Fanny Brice’s rise to stardom, her marriage to “Nicky” Arnstein, and eventual divorce from him. In the Broadway version, Sydney Chaplin played the dashing Nick Arnstein.

            A few of the famous songs from this spectacular show include “If a Girl Isn’t Pretty”, “His Love Makes Me Beautiful”, “People”, and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” This show was based on the true story of the real Fanny Brice, who was an actress, singer, radio voice, and part of the Ziegfeld follies. The show opening was postponed five times due to “artistic differences” among the two directors. One director furiously left because of the initiative the newer director took. No one thought the show would take off, but it became one of the most well-known and loved musicals because of Barbra Streisand’s show-stopping performance.

            When the show moved to the big screen, Streisand played Fanny Brice once again because of her history with the role. She was the only Fanny Brice in the Broadway show; she was never replaced. In addition to Streisand, another cast member appeared in the movie. Kay Medford, returned to play Mrs. Brice in the movie. Nicky Arnstein was replaced by the handsome Omar Shariff. Many songs were cut or altered for the movie, which ultimately helped the show. There is one part of every Streisand that is unforgettable; her extreme breath control. This, and her wonderful acting, led her to win her first Oscar for “Best Actress.” She went on to make dozens of records and movies while becoming one of the most successful and most-loved actresses in the world. She inspired me to sing, and reminds me that it’s always “A Grand Night for Singing!”

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“I Could Have Danced All Night”

            Have you ever had a night that you wished could last forever? I have. I truly could have danced all night long after my senior prom. I moved across my room in my long flowing dress singing “I could have danced all night” from the Broadway show, My Fair Lady. In that moment, I felt like Eliza Doolittle, the young London girl, chosen by Professor Henry Higgins for a linguistics experiment in My Fair Lady. Higgins bets a friend he can transform Eliza into an eloquent lady in time for the Embassy Ball. While frustrated at first, Higgins eventually finds Eliza to be delightful company. But, does he accomplish the task at hand?

          

Even if you have never heard of this musical, I bet you know the actress who played the Broadway Eliza Doolittle. She’s known as Mary Poppins, Maria von Trapp, The Queen of Genovia, and many other aliases. Julie Andrews played Eliza Doolittle when My Fair Lady first appeared on the Broadway stage on March 15, 1956.  This show appeared almost ten years before The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, so Julie Andrews was not yet popular. Luckily for her, she had a well-known costar that enticed viewers. His name was Rex Harrison. Not only did he play Professor Higgins in the Broadway play, he also played the same role in the movie version almost ten years later.

            The movie version of My Fair Lady aired around the same time as Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, but My Fair Lady came first. If the casting crew had chosen Julie Andrews, we wouldn't know her as Mary Poppins or Maria von Trapp. Fortunately for us, Julie Andrews was passed over for the role. The actress who was cast was the beloved Audrey Hepburn. She played Eliza Doolittle with as much poise and grace as her predecessor. Although she lacked the vocal skills of Julie Andrews, she redeemed herself with her acting and gorgeous physique. Even though she vocally prepared for the role, Audrey Hepburn did not sing a majority of the show. Marni Nixon, a famous Broadway name, sang most of Hepburn’s songs. Her first screen appearance was as Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music. My Fair Lady was a hit and collected many awards. Unfortunately, Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music quickly followed and surpassed My Fair Lady in the box office and in the audiences’ hearts. Even so, My Fair Lady will always be remembered for the memorable songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly”, “The Rain in Spain”, and “I Could Have Danced All Night.” Thanks for reading, and as always, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing!” 

“It’s Delightful, It’s Delicious, It’s De-lovely!”

“It’s Delightful, It’s Delicious, It’s De-lovely!”

Have you ever wondered what singing and dancing would look like on a ship? Well, Cole Porter had the same thought and brought that idea to the Broadway stage. Anything Goes is a lively and entertaining Broadway show that originally opened on November 21, 1934. Cole Porter wrote and composed many of the infamous songs like “Anything Goes”, “Blow Gabriel Blow”, “You're the Top”, and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” The creative lyrics rhyme frequently and always leave you guessing for the next phrase. The catchy lyrics and tunes stay with the audience for days after a show. The voice behind those songs was none other than Ethel Merman. Even though the Sirius XM Broadway channel always praises her talent, I cannot stand her booming voice with an overkill vibrato. Thankfully, the show starring Ethel Merman closed a year later. 

Unfortunately, the show opened again with a successor with a voice similar to Merman’s.  Patti LuPone played Reno Sweeney for two years and nearly doubled the number of shows. Critics had the same opinion of her as I have now. Many disliked her portrayal of Reno because of her lack of diction and lack of dance skills. The beautiful lyrics were all jumbled together – which is a theatre no-no. Even though she went on to play other leads, like Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd”, she was never loved for her portrayal of Reno Sweeney. Once again, the show closed and didn’t return to Broadway for two decades. 

Finally, the show returned in 2011 for its final revival (as of right now). In my opinion, this show had the “dream cast” which is a phrase coined by the fabulous musical “Les Miserables.” Sutton Foster captured Reno Sweeney with more grace and talent than anyone before her. Having seen her on the New York stage, I can say she truly inspired my love of this musical. Her dancing was absolutely flawless and her singing was superb. Her cast mates also made the experience unforgettable. Her most famous costar was Joel Grey as Moonface Martin. I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw his name on the playbill because he originated the role as the Wizard of Oz in my all-time favorite musical, “Wicked.” 
Even thought the show had stellar casts, Anything Goes seemed to open and close for no reason. This musical is a money maker and always seems to be revived when Broadway needs a pick-me-up. The final note I’d like to leave you with is this: it’s always a “grand night for singing!"

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