This Day in History May 2, 1924

I was quite pleased to see that this guy is still alive.  Several years ago (when I was still married), I went with my parents to see Thedore Bikel in Dallas, Texas as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.  Immediately, I knew I was seeing an icon.  After all, I am the musical theatre/old Hollywood buff, and I knew that Theodore Bikel originally played Captain von Trapp on Broadway back in the original production of The Sound of Music.  As that is one of my all-time favorite musicals, I was pretty excited to see him.  And on this date in 1924, Theodore Bikel was born in Austria.  I had no idea that he was also in The African Queen.  That is one of the only Humphrey Bogart films I enjoy.  I also learned that he is on his third wife (2008).  Goodness, he sounds like he is still going strong.

For more info:
http://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/theodore-bikel.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Bikel
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000942/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000942/bio

"The Phantom of Opera"--Still My Favorite Musical (Day 6 Ultimate Blog Challenge)

I suppose I have not ever written much about my favorite musical on the face of the planet, so tonight seems like the perfect time.  I have posted a video (that I only saw tonight for the first time) from the 1988 Tony Awards.  I didn't know this musical existed back then.  I was in high school, and I had heard of the story, and I think we may have heard the title song in choir, but that was about it.  I also did not know the stars--Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.  Where shall I begin?

I will begin with my first exposure to Michael Crawford.  It was in the 1969 musical Hello, Dolly! with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau.  He played Cornelius Hackl, and I honestly thought that is all he ever did.  I learned a little about him when I read a biography of Gene Kelly (the director of the movie).  I always enjoyed him, but I didn't know he had a career anywhere else.

I was involved in a show choir my senior year in high school (1991-1992). We got to go to New York for a competition and see a real Broadway show.  And it just so happened we were going to see Phantom.  I remember thinking that I may not like the musical, but I was going to see a real, live musical, so who cared?  Right before the show, we stopped at a little shop that sold musical merchandise.  My partner bought the tape (yes, a cassette) of the highlights from the show.  He proudly showed me, and I asked it they had the full musical version.  Yes, they did, and I bought it.  I wouldn't be able to listen to it until I got back home--no tape recorder.  But I opened the tape, and I was absolutely floored.  Michael Crawford??  Played the Phantom??  This had to be a joke!  Cornelius Hackl as the Phantom?

Do you see why I was so confused?  Compare that picture from Hello, Dolly! wish the video! (If you need to place him, watch the opening scenes of Walle.  That's his voice!)

Needless to say, I became a Phantom and Michael Crawford junkie.  I have seen Phantom three times live--once in New York, twice in Dallas.  I saw him in concert in 1998 in Florida (against my then-husband's wishes).  And I joined the fan club.  I even met my friend from England due to this fan club.  I acted the musical out once a week (at least) while in college.  I sang the title song and another song Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again for my senior recital in college.  I wrote an entire series of plays based on me (masquerading as Jeanette Norris) playing opposite Michael Crawford (and the entire original cast) in Phantom.  In the plays, she marries him.  I have a personal letter from dear old Michael.  I organized a birthday party for members of his fan club.  I even have an autographed copy of his autobiography.

As you can see, Phantom changed my life in many ways.  I have seen the movie.  I don't like it as much, but it has its moments.  After all, I got to go see it the first time my soon-to-be-ex came for visitation.  That's another long story.  I know that currently is 70 (71 on the 19th of this month--had to look it up, I thought it was the 21st).  He did play the part of the Wizard in the 2011 production of Wizard of Oz in London.  While I do not live, sleep, breathe, and eat Phantom as I once did, it is still the musical that leaves me breathless.  My only regret is that I never met Michael Crawford (probably never will), and I never got to sing with him!  I would love to.  

Part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge

This Day in History November 16, 1959

There is no live video of this show--at least from what I can tell--but on this date in 1959, the final Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound of Music" opened on Broadway.  It starred Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel.  I never had the privilege of seeing Mary Martin in anything, but in Texas, I got to see "Fiddler on the Roof" with Theodore Bikel--amazing!

Need I tell you that I am partial to musicals, this musical, and Rodgers and Hammerstein?  Oh, I'm also a fan of Maria von Trapp, and I remember in high school finding out that she had died.  The movie version with Julie Andrews is one of those musicals I have seen so many times that I can say the script nearly verbatim.  I love it, love it, love it!

For more information, please check out:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-sound-of-music-premieres-on-broadway
http://www.broadwaymusicalhome.com/shows/soundofmusic.htm
http://famousdaily.com/history/sound-of-music-opens-on-broadway.html

Wicked Romances Giveaway Hop (Ends 10/27) U.S.

  Sharing My Favorite Read Giveaway Hop was organized by Reading Romances!

Now, I do my best to only giveaway "clean" romances.  But I think "Wicked" can have multiple meanings.  When I think of something "wicked" in relation to romances, it can be very passionate and almost  "guilty pleasure" type.  

My post is going to be a little bit different.  I have been giving away so many books that I decided to celebrate romances that I love on Broadway.  Let's talk "Wicked Romance," shall we? 

This is probably the first "Wicked" romance I ever saw. I saw it on Broadway, and I was so sure I wouldn't like it.  But I loved it, and it quickly became  my favorite musical!  Wicked--a disfigured genius, a beautiful opera singer, kidnapping, unusual happenings



I saw this in London, and I absolutely loved it!  I already had the soundtrack memorized, but let's talk  "wicked."  One daughter, one  mother, and three possible fathers?  Don't forget about a wedding amongst other things.



Need I elaborate?  I have seen  Wicked in Texas and Washington state.  This is the real story of the Wicked Witch of Oz, and the tortured lovers are truly "wicked"!



I love this recording of this musical, and let's talk "wicked."  A polygamist, Siamese king who is in love with a young English widow?  How do you get more wicked than that?

I am linking to the movie version of this, but Barbra Streisand originally created this role on Broadway.  The musical is based on the life of Fanny Brice, and it is, by far, Barbra Streisand at her greatest.  I am not a huge Streisand fan, but honestly, this is amazing!  And the story is truly wicked!




This is the last one  I am featuring  here, and yes, this is a movie musical.  This is, by far, Judy Garland's greatest!  And, of all things, James Mason is in it, and the story is completely tragic!  She almost won an Oscar for her performance, and I think she would have had she not turned so many studio executives against her.

So, there are a few selections, and now to my giveaway.  You may pick any of the above musical  soundtracks or another "wicked" musical soundtrack $10 or under.  This giveaway is only open to U.S.  So enter my giveaway below, and then hop on to the other blogs for the chance to win even more giveaways!

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This Day in History October 7, 1982

I have seen this musical live twice (not on Broadway, but fantastic just the same), and it is the most unusual musical I have ever seen.  On this date in 1982, Cats opened on Broadway.  It ran for a total of 7485 performances, and for a long time, it was the longest-running musical in Broadway history (until Phantom of the Opera surpassed it).  Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the music, and the lyrics are mainly provided by T.S. Eliot and his Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.  There was over six million of advance ticket sales in anticipation of this opening night.  It had already received great acclaim in London.  Had Lloyd Webber not been given the unpublished poetry from Eliot's widow (which introduced Grizabella to the world), he may have not had such a big hit.  The song Memory was what really struck a chord with people and was the big hit from the musical.

The premise of the musical sounds really strange.  When I first heard about it, I didn't figure I would even want to see it.  A bunch of people dressed at cats singing and dancing?  And there is truly no cohesive storyline.  But let me tell you.  My daughter was three and five or six when she saw it with me (she saw it twice, too).  She was mesmerized, and I think she still remembers it to this date.  Give the musical a chance, and you just might find that you like it after all.

For more information, please check out:
http://famousdaily.com/history/andrew-lloyd-webber-cats-broadway.html
http://www.broadwaymusicalhome.com/shows/cats.htm

This Day in History September 12, 1888

By William Morris Agency (management). (eBay item photo front photo back) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

So have you ever seen this person pictured above?  I have, and I have even seen some of his movies.  His name is Maurice Chevalier, and he was born on this date in 1888, in Paris, France.  Before his musical comedy fame, he did several odd jobs including painting, carpentry, and more.  In 1901, he began his career in theatre, and he became quite well-known in France.

In WWI, he was wounded, and he was also a prisoner of war for two years.  It was during that time that he learned English.  After his release, he went to England, and even though he was still singing in French, he found success.

Following the war, he found a degree of success in American movies. He made a few pictures with Jeanette MacDonald (she rejected his advances which made things quite tense).  He continued to find success in Hollywood, and whenever he spoke English on film, it was always with a heavy French accent.  Amazingly, his real English sounded much more American.  

During WWII, he was accused of conspiring with the Nazis, and he did not return to Hollywood until the 1950's after his acquittal.  He made the film Gigi (that's where I first saw him), and he received an Honorary Academy Award for it.

His final contribution to the film industry was the singing of the title song in the Disney film The Aristocats.  He died in Paris January 1, 1972.

For more information, please check out:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002001/bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Chevalier
http://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/maurice-chevalier.html

This Day in History September 4, 1931

See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It is possible that you have never heard of this person before.  Again, I am a student of Old Hollywood--especially musicals.  And I was surprised to discover that this lady is still alive and celebrating her 81st birthday!  On this date in 1931, Mitzi Gaynor was born.  Her birth name was Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, and she was born in Chicago to a dancer and musician.

She had trained as a ballerina, and by the time she was thirteen, she was working as chorus girl.  Her family had moved to Hollywood when she was eleven.  At age 17, she signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox.  By this time, she was going by the name Mitzi Gerber, and the studio decided they needed to change her last name because they thought it sounded like a delicatessen.

She starred in several musicals such as There's No Business Like Show Business and South Pacific.  She also did a series of television specials during the 1960's and 1970's.  In the 1990's, she became a columnist for the newspaper The Hollywood Reporter.  Amazingly, she was married for 52 years to the same person, and he died of pneumonia at the age of 84 in 2006.

She actually had a one-woman show in 2009 and 2010 that received great acclaim.  Indeed the lady does not quit!  I first saw her South Pacific and was shocked to see that she was a dancer--in fact, she known more for a dancer than anything else.  I have enjoyed her in everything of hers that I have ever seen, so pleas enjoy the following video clips.

From Anything Goes:

From South Pacific:

For more information, check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitzi_Gaynor

http://www.biography.com/people/mitzi-gaynor-9542409

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0310989/

http://missmitzigaynor.com/bio.htm

This Day in History August 25, 1910

By produced by Warner Bros. and supplied to CINE MUNDIAL magazine [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I am one of those "weird" people who loves old movies and musicals.  I was a student of those movies as I grew up.  I let modern movies pass me by in exchange for movies from the 1930's-1960's.  Kind of strange when I was growing up in the '80's, eh?  I remember the first time I heard about today's featured person.  I was watching a documentary about how the history of movie musicals, and she was in the movie that saved the movie musical.  And all I could think was, "Are you serious?"  I remember watching that movie and really marveling at that fact, but enough rambling.

On this date in 1910, Ruby Keeler (pictured above) was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (I had no idea she was Canadian!).  Ethel Hilda Keeler was her birth name, and she was one of six children in the family.  When she was three, the family moved to Yorkville (east side of New York City) so her father could get a higher-paying job--he was an ice truck driver. 

She took dance lessons in spite of her family inability to pay.  When she was thirteen, she got a job as a chorus girl (she lied about her age--she was supposed to be sixteen).  She worked on Broadway until she was brought to Hollywood to appear in the 1933 musical Forty-Second Street opposite Dick Powell.  The film was so well received that she continued to appear in a string of films opposite him.  

Her personal life was in shambles.  She had a turbulent marriage with Al Jolson who was 24 years her senior until it ended in 1940.  Then she found the love of her life and went into retirement.  After a long battle with cancer, she died February 28, 1993.

For more information, please check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Keeler http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0444528/bio http://www.hollywoodsgoldenage.com/actors/ruby_keeler.html

Music Monday--Les Miserables the Movie!

I heard about this a few weeks ago, and then our power went out, and then I wasn't sure if I wanted to post it, and then...you get the idea.  Welcome to Music Monday.  I am finally back, and I plan to do this every Monday again if I can.

Have you heard that Les Miserables is coming to the big screen?  I have only ever seen the televised concert version.  The only time that I could have seen it, I happened to have the opportunity to go to England instead (where I saw Mamma Mia--not bad, eh?).

The plans are to begin filming the production officially next month, and it is scheduled to be out on December 7 of this year.  Evidently, this event has been 25 years in the making.  Tom Hooper (the director of The King's Speech--I loved that film!) is assembling a star-studded cast, so hopefully the stars will bring in the crowds.  If you know anything about modern movie musicals, they do not traditionally do very well.

Broadway.com has done a fantastic job of covering this event and featuring the musical experience of each star.  I will do that briefly here.

Hugh Jackman is slated to plan Jean Valjean, the main role.  He is not known for musicals in this country, but I was surprised to find that he has quite a bit of music theater experience:


Russell Crowe is supposed to play Javert, the somewhat villain.  He does not have to sing as well as Valjean, but he has to be very dramatic.  I will link you to the video because I am not sure it is entirely appropriate for my blog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2Jr6yIpaM&feature=player_embedded

Anne Hathaway is one of my favorite actresses though I do not like everything she stars in.  I did not know she could sing--she is not known for such.  But judge for yourself.  She is supposed to play Fantine, and here is a parody she sang:


My personal favorite, Taylor Swift.  She will be playing Eponine, and I have to admit I am not sold yet.


For the rest of the cast, check out the post here.

The real question is--will I go?  Of course!  Even if it proves to be horrid in the extreme.  The question the studio has is, of course, will the people come?  I hope so!

This Day in History November 26, 1933

I suppose I am in a minority in this, but this singer whose birthday would have been today was one I really enjoyed--even though his time in the spotlight was already past by the time I heard of him.  Anyone recognize him?  It is none other than Robert Goulet, and on this date in 1933, he was born Lawrence, Massachusetts.  While he was initially interested in singing, stage fright paralyzed him when he was very young.  It was his father's words as his father lay dying that inspired Robert Goulet to resume singing.

He was originally known (in this country) for creating the role on Broadway of Sir Lancelot in the musical Camelot alongside Richard Burton and Julie Andrews (1961).  It was this recording that introduced his magnificent voice to me.  In fact, I struggle to watch the movie version because no one can sing If Ever I Would Leave You like he could.  I had not realized that he won and Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award--that is pretty impressive.

While he died on October 30, 2007, his recordings and memories will not be forgotten.  He is still remembered as one of the greatest baritones of recent times.  His voice does indeed evoke feelings of romance and a time long-forgotten.  He was a trained singer unlike the majority of the singers we have now.  I'm not trying to put down our pop singers of today, but it is true that the vast majority of them are not nearly as versatile in this day and age.

If you would like to read a biography of him and get more information on his career, check out these links:
http://www.robertgoulet.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0332587/
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/arts/music/30cnd-goulet.html



I think this is great!  I am a Judy Garland fan as well!

This Day in History September 25, 1979

This brings back old memories since I am telling you about music history today.  On this date in 1979, the musical Evita opened on Broadway.  This musical was the third and final collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.  Their previous works included Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I never have seen this musical live, but I saw the movie version with Madonna and Antonio Banderras.

This musical is the story of Eva Peron, the former first lady of Argentina who died of cancer back in the 1940's.  This is a musical that Argentina refuses to acknowledge claiming that it is not a true representation of the life of the revered Eva.  I have not researched the story of her life enough to make a judgment call, but I would say that there has to be some truth to the story.  The musical is a rock opera--told almost entirely through song and dance.  Patti LuPone was the original Broadway Eva Peron. I had no idea of this when I watched her short-lived TV show Life Goes On about a boy with Down's Syndrome (I absolutely loved that show and wished it had not ended so soon!).

In total, the show ran 1567 performances ending June 26, 1983.  While I know that it does deal with adult themes and has some language issues, I don't see either as being something that keeps me from watching it.  The language is very mild, and thankfully there are no sex scenes. If you ever get a chance to see the movie, I would recommend it.  I am not a Madonna fan, but I liked her in this film.

For more information, check out these sites:
http://www.rnh.com/show/34/Evita
http://broadwayworld.com/bwidb/productions/Evita_4426/



And my favorite:

Well-Spoken Wednesday--I Miss the Old Movies!

First of all, I am sorry I did not post last night.  It has been a busy week, and I was busy making the necessary tweaks to my giveaway!  I considered not posting tonight, but I got inspired.

Well, it has been neat to be doing my music challenge.  I am currently listening to a CD from old Hollywood musicals.  In my younger years (when I was a preteen and teen), I was an absolute Hollywood musical buff!  Seriously!!  I read books on my favorites:  Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelley, Danny Kaye, Debbie Reynolds, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny (okay, he was not an old-time musical star!), Marilyn Monroe--and the list goes one.  I was somewhat obsessed.  I can still tell you to this day some useless facts about certain movies and actors/actresses.

For example, did you know that Gene Kelley was a terrible perfectionist and brought poor Debbie Reynolds to tears several times during the making of Singin' in the Rain?  She took hours of dance lessons every day, and it was Fred Astaire who encouraged her.  And yet he was nice to Judy Garland (who had her share of troubles) and saw her almost as a sister!  Julie Andrews was terribly overlooked for the movie My Fair Lady, and poor Audrey Hepburn got the worst of it.  She lost out to Julie Andrews for an Oscar that year because people felt that Audrey Hepburn had "stolen" the movie from her and Julie Andrews should have been in the film  since she was the original London and Broadway star.  I mean, come on!  Julie Andrews won and Oscar for best actress for her role in Mary Poppins???

I have to admit that my mom and I love to sit and watch Turner Classic Movies when no one else is around.  My favorite film is probably still The Sound of Music.  I have probably seen it 50 times at least, and I have had it memorized since I was very young.  In fact, when we first got a VCR, we used to go to the local library every week and check out The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady because they were the only ones we could get on a regular basis!  I used to do all my homework  (and I was an A student) while watching classic musicals and films I had seen countless  times.  I used to record all the good films--they were always on late at night.

When I look at the films they make now, it is really sad that they don't have the truly romantic films and musicals like they once did.  Everything now is about special effects and dealing with social issues.  Romantic comedies have people jumping in and out of beds right and left.  It is rare for people to get married in films any more.  Why get married when you can live together?

Okay, so maybe the old films had affairs, but they didn't show everything!  Goodness, a woman and man couldn't even be filmed in bed together!  Even Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (who were married in real life!) couldn't be filmed in bed together!

That reminds me of a film  that Bob Hope and Lucille Ball made together.  I had to look it up!!  In the film, Bob Hope and Lucille Ball are happily married to other people.  Their families go on vacation together, and it ends up that their spouses are sick.  So Hope and Ball end up vacationing together.  And they fall in love!  They begin to meet each other after the vacation, and they are even planning on running away together.  It is all set up.  But they discover at the last minute that there are things that really bug them about the other person.  They decide to remain faithful to their current spouses, and the "affair" is broken off.  It is really a good movie, and if you get a chance to see it, check it out!  My dad was highly offended by the family, but I think it dealt with the subject of marriage and divorce in a really good way.  Isn't it true that the grass is always greener in someone else's yard until you get there and see it up close!!

So what is my purpose in this post?  Don't overlook the old films!  If I were  to list some of my all-time favorite films, I would mainly list films that were made many years ago.  I love the old films--Gone With the Wind, White Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life, Singin' in the Rain, Camelot, It Happened One Night, Topper, Show Boat, Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Kiss Me Kate, I could list so many!  I guess I'm old-fashioned at heart!  These movies will always hold a special place in my heart.  If you haven't seen an old film  recently, go check one out.  Relive the old times!  Relive those times when some things were considered sacred and morals were at least a part of our culture.