NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: # 34 – FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

by | Aug 23, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

See the source image
See the source image
GOOD MORNING BROADWAY FANS!! Broadway’s biggest night is just 34 DAYS AWAY. We are talking about The 74th Annual Tony Awards. To also get us in the mood of celebrating Live Theater’s return to the Great Bright Way, we have more of your favorite legendary performances from previous telecasts on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. The legacy and tradition continues.
Speaking of TRADITION, our selection today on the countdown for # 34 is a celebration of all that. We are about to take you to a tiny poor village in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia in 1905 where the local residents, especially the local milkman, are always staying true to their beliefs (almost everyone)… even during the most difficult times. We of course are talking about….. Fiddler on the Roof. Based on Sholem Aleichem’s legendary best-selling book TEVYE & HIS DAUGHTERS, it features a notable score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joseph Stein.
From the 1971 telecast (featuring your favorite Broadway stars at the time reprising their notable performances for one night only), the legendary Zero Mostel as the beloved milkman himself “Tevye”….. One of his notable signature roles….. Performs the musical’s inspirational showstopping song of dreams and possibilities…. IF I WERE A RICH MAN.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF was originally first conceived in 1919 as a dramatic play adaptation of TEVYE AND HIS DAUGHTERS by Sholem Aleichem (following the success of his book of the same name) and was performed by the Yiddish Art Theatre company (before becoming a film in the 30’s). However, it wasn’t turned into a musical till the 50’s. When the show was first being developed, producers and investors were skeptical at the time that the story would be “Too Jewish” to mainstream audiences. Plus the original story had an intense sad ending leaving poor “Tevye” all alone plus seeing his wife and children dead. However, the ending was changed to be even happier as the family was alive, all emigrating to America.
The show officially premiered on Broadway in 1964 at the Imperial Theatre (later transferring to the Majestic Theatre and the Broadway Theatre) for 17 previews and 3,242 performances. Under the direction of the late Hal Prince and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, the cast was led by…
Zero Mostel (later Luther Adler, Hershel Bernardi, Harry Goz, Theodore Bikel, Harry Goz, Jerry Jarrett, Paul Libson, and Jan Peerce) as “Tevye”,
Maria Karnilova (Helen Verbit, Martha Schlamme, Dolores Wilson, Rae Allen, Peg Murray, Mimi Rudoph, and Laura Stewart) as “Golde”,
Beatrice Arthur (later Florence Stanley, and Ruth Jarowslow) as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Joanne Merlin (later Ann Marisse, Bette Midler, Rosalind Harris, Judith Smiley, Mimi Turque, and Felice Carmago) as “Tzeitel”,
Julia Migenes (later Mimi Turque, Adrienne Barbeau, Susan Hufford, and Royce Linnell) as “Hodel”,
Tanya Everett (later Peggy Longo, Peggy Atkitson, and Kelly Wood) as “Chava”,
Marilyn Rogers (later Peggy Longo, Peggy Atkitson, Renee Tertro, Leslie Silvia, and Faye Menken) as “Shprintze”,
Linda Ross (later Pia Zadora, Pamela Greene, Maureen Poyle, and Leslie Silvia) as “Bielke”,
Michael Granger (later Paul Marin, Paul Lipson, and Boris Apolon) as “Lazar Wolf”,
Austin Pendleton (later Leonard Fray, David Garfields, Peter Marklin, and John C. Battle) as “Motel The Tailor”,
Sue Babel (later Jan Myers, Faye Menken, and Anna Perez) as “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Carol Sawyer (later Marta Heflin and Harriet Slaughter) as “Frauma Sarah”,
Gino Conforti (later Sammy Bayes, Marc Scott, and Ken Leroy) as “The Fiddler”,
and more
The original Broadway production was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1965 winning 9 including BEST MUSICAL and BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Zero Mostel). The musical later received a special Tony honor in 1972 as THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW IN BROADWAY HISTORY (at the time).
The show would go on to become a smash hit with productions worldwide including a London company in the West End (led by its future film star Chaim Topol), Australia, and so much more. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF would be revived on the New York Theater stage 5 TIMES!!!
The first revival happened in 1976 at the Winter Garden Theatre for 1 preview and 168 performances. Under the direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins, the cast was led by….
Zero Mostel reprising his original role of “Tevye”,
Thelma Lee as “Golde”,
Ruth Jarowslow reprising her portrayal as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Elizabeth Hale as “Tzeitel”,
Christopher Callan as “Hodel”,
Nancy Tompkins as “Chava”,
Davia Sacks as “Shprintze”,
Tiffany Bogart as “Bielke”,
Paul Lipson reprising his portrayal of “Lazar Wolf”,
Irwin Pearl as “Motel The Tailor”,
Duane Bodin as “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Joyce Martin as “Frauma Sarah”,
Sammy Bayes reprising his portrayal as “The Fiddler”,
and more
The first revival did not receive any Tony nominations or wins that year.
The 2nd revival happened in 1981 at Lincoln Center for only 53 performances. Once again under the direction and choreography of Jerome Robbins, the cast was led by…
Hershel Bernardi reprising his portrayal of “Tevye”.
Maria Karnilova reprising her original role of “Golde”,
Ruth Jarowslow reprising her portrayal as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Lori Ada Jaroslow as “Tzeitel”,
Donalyn Petrucci as “Hodel”,
Liz Larsen as “Chava”,
Susan Sheppard (later Kathy George) playing BOTH as “Shprintze” and “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Eydie Alyson as “Bielke”,
Paul Lipson reprising his portrayal of “Lazar Wolf”,
Michelan Sisti as “Motel The Tailor”,
Bradford Dunaway as “Frauma Sarah”,
Jay Fox as “The Fiddler”,
and more
This 1981 revival received only 1 Tony nomination that year for Best Leading Actor in a Musical (for Hershel Bernardi) but lost the category.
The 3rd revival happened in 1990 at the Gershwin Theatre for 18 previews and 241 performances. Once again under the direction of Jerome Robbins, this cast was led by….
Chaim Topol reprising his original London and film portrayal as “Tevye”,
Marcia Lewis as “Golde”,
Ruth Jarowslow reprising her portrayal as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Sharon Lawrence as “Tzeitel”,
Tia Riebling as “Hodel”,
Jennifer Prescott as “Chava”,
Kathy St. George reprising her portrayal of BOTH “Shprintze” and “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Judy Dodd as “Bielke”,
Mark Zellar as “Lazar Wolf”,
Jack Kenny as “Motel The Tailor”,
Jeri Zager as “Frauma Sarah”,
Stephen Wright as “The Fiddler”,
and more
The 1990 revival was nominated for 2 Tony Awards in 1991 winning only 1 and the top honor for BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL.
The 4th revival happened in 2004 at the Minskoff Theatre for 816 performances. Under the direction of David Leveauxcast and choreographed by Jonathan Butterell, this cast was led by….
Alfred Molina (later Harvey Fierstein) as “Tevye”.
Randy Graff (later Andrea Martin and Rosie O’Donnell) as “Golde”,
Nancy Opel (later Barbara Barrie) as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Sally Murphy (later Kristin Carbone) as “Tzeitel”,
Laura Michelle Kelly (later Laura Shoop) as “Hodel”,
Tricia Paoluccio as “Chava”,
Lea Michele (later Allison Walla) as “Shprintze”,
Molly Ephrahim (later Betsy Hogg and Hannah DelMonte) as “Bielke”,
David Wohl as “Lazar Wolf”,
John Cariani (later Peter Matthew Smith and Michael Thirrault) as “Motel The Tailor”,
Haviland Stillwell as “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Joy Hermalyn (later Janet Metz) as “Frauma Sarah”,
Nick Danielson (later Christopher Caronda) as “The Fiddler”,
and more
This 2004 revival received 6 Tony Award nominations that year including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL and BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Alfred Molina). However, it lost all the categories.
The 5th and most recent ON Broadway revival happened in 2015 at the Broadway Theatre. This recent revival was to commemorate the musical’s 50th Anniversary of the show’s Broadway debut. It ran for only 464 performances. Under the direction of Bartlett Sher and choreography by Hofesh Shechter, the cast was led by….
Tony nominee again this year Danny Burstein as “Tevye”.
Jessica Hecht (later Judy Kuhn) as “Golde”,
Alix Korey as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Alexandra Silber as “Tzeitel”,
Samantha Massell as “Hodel”,
Melanie Moore as “Chava”,
Jenny Rose Baker as “Shprintze”,
Hayley Feinstein (later Nerghiz Sarki) as “Bielke”,
Adam Dannheisser (later Steven Skybell) as “Lazar Wolf”,
Adam Kantor as “Motel The Tailor”,
Lori Wilner (later Jill Abramovitz) as “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Jessica Vosk (later Dee Roscioli) as “Frauma Sarah”,
Jesse Kovarsky as “The Fiddler”,
and more
The revival was nominated for 3 Tony Awards in 2016 including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL. However, it lost all the categories.
The most recent production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF was performed OFF Broadway and translated entirely into Yiddish (the initial language of the story) – mixing Russian, German, and Hebrew). Originally performed at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, it later transferred to Stage 42 where it ran for over a year. Under the direction of Tony and Oscar winner Joel Grey, the cast was led by….
Steven Skybell as “Tevye”.
Jennifer Babiak Indeglio as “Golde”,
Jackie Hoffman as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Rachel Zatcoff as “Tzeitel”,
Stephanie Lynne Mason as “Hodel”,
Rosie Jo Neddy as “Chava”,
Raquel Nobile as “Sprintze”,
Samantha Hahn as “Bielke”,
Bruce Sabath as “Lazar Wolf”,
Ben Liebert as “Motel The Tailor”,
Lisa Fishman as “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Jodi Snyder as “Frauma Sarah”,
Lauren Jeanne Thomas as the first-female to play “The Fiddler”,
and more
Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish went on to receive the Drama Desk Award for OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF continues to become an iconic musical with productions worldwide and a popular choice for schools, community, and regional theatres.
Along with its success on stage, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has been a hit on screen. The original film version was released in 1971 from United Artists. Under the direction of Norman Jewison, the cast was led by….
Chaim Topol reprising his London performance of “Tevye”.
Norma Crane as “Golde”,
Molly Picon as “Yente The Matchmaker”,
Rosalind Harris reprising her Broadway performance as “Tzeitel”,
Michele Marsh as “Hodel”,
Neva Small as “Chava”,
Elaine Edwards as “Sprintze”,
Candy Bonstein as “Bielke”,
Paul Mann as “Lazar Wolf”,
Leonard Frey as “Motel The Tailor”,
Patience Collier as “Grandma Tzeitel”,
Ruth Madoc as “Frauma Sarah”,
Tutte Lemkow as “The Fiddler”,
And more.
The film version of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF was also nominated for 8 Oscars in 1972. It took home 3 for BEST MUSIC, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, and BEST SOUND. It also won 2 Golden Globes for BEST PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY and BEST ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY (For Topol).
Currently, a movie musical remake of this timeless musical is officially in the works!!! The film will be produced by MGM, directed by Thomas Kail, with Steven Levenson doing the screenplay. No details have been made for the film’s release or casting.
The legacy of a TRADITION still lives on.
How powerful is this musical?!!

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: #35 – GOOD NEWS

by | Aug 22, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

Good News Playbill - Nov 1974
"You're the Cream in My Coffee" from GOOD NEWS – Alice Faye & John Payne
WHAT’S HAPPENING BROADWAY FANS?! We’re celebrating the magic of Live Theater making a triumphant comeback all summer along. In addition, our excitement is giving us vibes as we celebrate Broadway’s biggest night in just 35 DAYS. We of course are talking about The 74th Annual Tony Awards. All of us at New York Broadway Tours continue to serenade you all each morning with the many great performances from past Tony history on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Time for another showstopper.
At # 35 on our countdown, we take you to GOOD OL’ TAIT COLLEGE in the year of 1928. This New England school is all about the talk of Football over academics. However, things are boiling in hot water when the school’s star quarterback flunks a major astronomy exam that prevents him from playing in the big victory game. Everyone is waiting for a little thing called…… GOOD NEWS. This show features a score by Ray Henderson, Lew Brown, and B.G. DeSylva along with a book by DeSylva and Laurence Schwab.
From the 1974 telecast giving a sneak preview of the show’s most recent Broadway revival, Alice Faye as “Professor Kenyon” and John Payne as “Coach Bill Johnson” take a break from all things with school life for a little romance. Here they are performing the classic standard YOU’RE THE CREAM IN MY COFFEE.
The show originally premiered on Broadway in 1927 at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre) where it became a huge smash hit running for 557 performances (one of the few major musicals at the time to surpass 500 shows). Under the direction of Edgar MacGregor and choreographed by Bobby Connolly, the cast was led by….
John Price Jones as “Tom Marlowe”,
Mary Lawlor as “Connie Lane”,
Inez Courtney as “Babe O’Day”,
Gus Shy as “Bobby Randall”,
Edward Emery as “Professor Kenyon”,
Shirley Vernon as “Patricia Bingham”,
Edwin Redding as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
John Sheenan as “Pooch”,
and
John Grant as “Beef Saunders”.
The original production of GOOD NEWS did not receive any Tony Awards nominations that year since the Tonys were not developed till 1947.
GOOD NEWS itself was revived on Broadway only once. That first and recent revival debuted in 1974. For this particular revival, it was known for being fully stunt casted using a lineup of some of the biggest names in the Movie Musical era that producer Harry Rigby used in the past (including for Irene and No No Nanette). The script was also updated. The principal role of “Professor Kenyon” was gender-swapped from a male to a female (making the “Kenyon” & “Coach Johnson” story romantic) along with 6 classic standards from Ray Henderson added into the script including BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT, YOU’RE THE CREAM IN MY COFFEE, TOGETHER, and KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP. The production was a smash for a year touring before arriving at Broadway’s St. James Theatre becoming a huge flop running for only 51 previews and 16 regular performances.
Under the direction of Abe Burrows and choreographed by Donald Saddler, the cast was led by…..
Scott Stevenson as “Tom Marlowe”,
Marti Rolph as “Connie Lane”,
Barbara Lail as “Babe O’Day”,
Wayne Bryan as “Bobby Randall”,
Alice Faye as “Professor Kenyon”,
Jana Robbins as “Patricia Bingham”,
John Payne as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Stubby Kaye as “Pooch”,
and
Joseph Burke as “Beef Saunders”.
The revival did not receive any Tony Award nominations. Despite it being a flop, it only received a Drama Desk nomination for OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY.
Later on, the show was performed as a strictly week-long run engagement in 2005 part of the former Musical Tonight series in Manhattan at the 45th Street Theatre (formerly the no longer existing The Davenport Theatre). For that version, the company performed the full original 1927 script.
Later on GOOD NEWS was in the midst of being revived again in the 90’s. A brand new production debuted in Wichita, Kansas at the Music Theatre Wichita in 1993. For this particular version, the show’s score & book was updated again by Mark Madama and Wayne Bryan (who played “Bobby Randall” in that short-lived 1974 revival). For the script, they paid tribute using elements from both versions (the original 1927 production and the 1974 revival). In addition, this version also added the 1931 standard LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES (written by Henderson and initially for George White’s 1931 edition of SCANDALS & made famous by Ethel Merman).
Even though this version did not make it to New York City, a PREMIERE CAST RECORDING of GOOD NEWS was made featuring this company & accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of Mark Madama and choreographed by Linda Goodrich, the cast featured…..
Michael Gruper as “Tom Marlowe”,
Kim Huber as “Connie Lane”,
Ann Morrison as “Babe O’Day”,
Scott Schaffer as “Bobby Randall”,
Linda Michele as “Professor Kenyon”,
Timothy W. Robu as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Michael McCormick as “Pooch”,
and
Edward Staudenmayer as “Beef Saunders”.
Today, the 1993 edition of the show is being performed in schools, community, and Regional Theaters everywhere. Music Theatre International currently holds the rights for it.
Along with its success on stage, GOOD NEWS was captured on film both for MGM twice. The original movie was released in 1930. Under the direction of Nick Grinde, it was filmed entirely in black and white & starred….
Stanley Smith as “Tom Marlowe”,
Mary Lawlor reprising her Broadway performance as “Connie Lane”,
Bessie Love as “Babe O’Day”,
Guy Shy reprising his Broadway performance as “Bobby Randall”,
Frank McGlynn Sr as “Professor Kenyon”,
Lola Lane as “Patricia Bingham”,
Thomas E. Jackson as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Cliff Edwards as “Pooch”,
and
Delmer Daves as “Beef Saunders”.
Despite the original film having mixed reviews, it was well received by audiences.
The most recent film version of GOOD NEWS from MGM would later be released in 1947. For this particular version, the movie was shot in technicolor along with updates to the story including “Tom” studying French instead of Astronomy. There were also some last name changes to some of the characters. In addition, several new songs written by Roger Edens, Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. Several songs included THE FRENCH LESSON & the toe-tapping PASS THAT PEACE PIPE. Under the direction of Charles Walters, the cast was led by….
Peter Lawford as “Tom Marlowe”,
June Allyson as “Connie Lane”,
Joan McCracken as “Babe Doolittle” (in place of “O’Day”),
Ray McDonald as “Bobby Turner” (in place of “Randall”),
Clinton Sundberg as “Professor Kenyon”,
Patricia Marshall as “Pat McClellan” (in place of “Bingham”),
Donald MacBride as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Tom Dugan as “Pooch”,
and
Loren Tindall as “Beef Saunders”.
Despite the film being a big Box Office flop, the song PASS THAT PEACE PIPE would go on to receive an Oscar nomination for BEST ORIGINAL SONG that same year.
Truly one of the most underrated musicals ever that is overdue for a Broadway revival!!
How toe-tapping was that?!!

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: # 36 – KISS ME KATE

by | Aug 21, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

See the source image
See the source image
WHAT’S UP BROADWAY FANS?! Broadway’s biggest night is right around the corner and just 36 DAYS AWAY. However, to keep us entertained till The 74th Annual Tony Awards and celebrating Live Theater’s return, we at New York Broadway Tours are continuing to serenade you every morning with more of your favorite iconic toe tapping performances from previous telecasts on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Are you ready for another Broadway showstopper?
At # 36 on our countdown, we take you on and off stage at a Theater in Baltimore back in the year 1948. There, craziness is happening behind the scenes at a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s THE TAMING OF THE SHREW including the show’s narcissistic director and leading man forced to work with his former temperamental movie star ex-wife. This is the madap play-within-a-play musical comedy KISS ME KATE. The show features a score by *Cole Porter* along with a book co-written by Samuel and Bella Spewack.
From the most recent 2019 telecast (prior before COVID-19), Corbin Bleu as “Bill Calhoun” and the cast of that year’s recent Roundabout Theatre Company revival perform the Act 2 showstopper TOO DARN HOT. We are obsessed and can’t stop RAVING over the choreography from this performance.
KISS ME KATE was first conceived by rising Broadway producer Arnold Saint-Subber who witnessed the crazy on and off stage fights of real life husband-and-wife actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne during a 1935 production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. He asked book writers Samuel and Bella Spewacks (undergoing their own marital woes at the time) to write the script. Bella in turn enlisted Cole Porter to do the music and lyrics.
Following a 3 1/2 week tryout in Philadelphia, the original production opened on Broadway at the New Century Theatre in 1948 running for 1,077 performances. Under the direction of John C. Wilson and choreography by Hanya Holm, the cast starred….
Alfred Drake (later Keith Andes, Ted Scott, and Robert Wright) as “Fred Graham”,
Patricia Morison (later Anne Jeffreys and Holly Harris) as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Harold Lang (later Danny Daniels and Marc Platt) as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Lisa Kirk (later Betty Anne Groove) as “Lois Lane”.
The show won all 5 of it’s 1949 Tony Awards including becoming the first Broadway show ever to win for the big category that today we all look forward to each year….. BEST MUSICAL.
Following the success of the original production, the show went on to make audiences laugh in London’s West End, Australia, and around the world becoming an instant hit. The show would late be revived twice on Broadway.
The first Broadway revival happened in 1952 playing just 8 performances at the Broadway Theatre. Under the direction of John C. Wilson and choreography by Hanya Holm once again, the cast was led by….
Robert Wright as “Fred Graham”,
Holly Harris as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Frank Derbas as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Marilyn Day as “Lois Lane”.
The production did not receive any Tony Awards that year.
The 3rd Broadway revival happened in 1999 at the Martin Beck Theatre (currently the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) running for a total of 28 previews and 881 regular performances. Under the direction of Michael Blakemore and choreographed by both Kathleen Marshall and Rob Ashford, the cast was led by…
Brian Stokes Mitchell (later Merwin Foard and Burke Moses) as “Fred Graham”,
the late Marin Mazzie (later Carolee Carmello) as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Michael Berresse (later Kevin Neil McCready and David Elder) as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Amy Spanger (later Janine LaManna and Joann M Hunter) as “Lois Lane”.
This revival was nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 2000 winning 5 including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL and BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Brian Stokes Mitchell).
Most recently in 2019, KISS ME KATE returned to Broadway for a critically acclaimed production by Roundabout Theatre Company. It ran for a strictly limited engagement of 30 previews and 125 regular performances at Studio 54. Under the direction of Scott Ellis and choreography by Warren Carlyle, that recent production was led by…
Will Chase as “Fred Graham”,
Kelli O’Hara as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Corbin Bleu as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Stephanie Styles as “Lois Lane”.
The Roundabout revival was nominated for 4 Tony Awards including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL. However, it lost all the categories.
In addition to its triumph on stage, KISS ME KATE was a smash hit on the big screen numerous times.
The original film version of KISS ME KATE was released in 1953 from MGM. Under the direction of George Sidney, the cast featured…
Howard Keel as “Fred Graham”,
Kathryn Grayson as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Tommy Rall as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Ann Miller as “Lois Lane”.
In addition, there were 5 TV productions of the musical. The first version was released in 1958 from Hallmark. Under the direction of George Schafer, the cast featured…
Alfred Drake reprising his original Broadway role of “Fred Graham”,
Patricia Morrison reprising her original Broadway performance as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Bill Hayes as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Julie Wilson as “Lois Lane”.
In 1964, a 2nd live TV presentation was made for BBC. Under the direction of David Askey, the cast featured…
Howard Keel reprising his film role of “Fred Graham”,
Patricia Morrison reprising her original Broadway performance once again as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Irving Davies as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Millicent Martin as “Lois Lane”.
The 3rd TV production was released for ABC in 1968. Under the direction of Paul Bogart, this cast was led by…
ROBERT GOULET as “Fred Graham”,
Carol Lawrence as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Michael Callan as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Jessica Walter as “Lois Lane”.
In 2003, PBS‘ Award winning series Great Performances released a filmed performance of the London company of the 1999 Broadway revival which is still available today on DVD and Blu-Ray. Under the direction of Michael Blakemore and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and Rob Ashford, the cast was led by…
Brent Barrett as “Fred Graham”,
Rachel Yorke as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Michael Berresse reprising his 1999 Broadway performance off “Bill “Calhoun”,
and
Nancy Anderson as “Lois Lane”.
The most recent filmed presentation of KISS ME KATE happened in 2014 for BBC. This version was a filmed performance of a concert adaptation of the show for the PROMS series at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Under the direction of Shaun Kerrison, the cast featured…
Ben Davis as “Fred Graham”,
Alexandra Silber as “Lilli Vanessi”,
Tony Yazbeck as “Bill Calhoun”,
and
Louise Dearman as “Lois Lane”.
KISS ME KATE is now a popular show today still performed in Schools, Community Theaters, Regional Theaters, and even Opera houses.
Isn’t this such a WUNDERBAR of a show?

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: # 37 – BIG RIVER

by | Aug 20, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

See the source image
BIG RIVER 1985 Tony Awards
RISE & SHINE BROADWAY FANS!! The 74th Annual Tony Awards is just 37 DAYS AWAY. We continue to celebrate the return of the Great Bright Way leading up to Broadway’s biggest night on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. We have so many more iconic performances from previous telecasts coming up. All of this truly celebrates what makes Broadway the place that it is.
Our selection at # 37 on our countdown today takes us to Missouri during its era prior before the Civil War. It follows the journey of a rebellious teenager and a runaway slave encountering a group of conmen, an orphaned family, and tons of prejudice. This is a tale from the BIG RIVER…… or known as THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN. Based on Mark Twain’s best selling classic 1884 novel, this musical features an unbelievable blend of bluegrass and country in its score written by Roger Miller. The book is by William Hauptman.
From the 1985 telecast, Daniel Jenkins as “Huckleberry Finn”, Ron Richardson as “Jim”, and the cast perform a medley of MUDDY WATER and RIVER IN THE RAIN.
BIG RIVER was developed and first performed in 1984 at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA. It later played at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA.
With the success of its premiere productions, the show transferred to Broadway the following year of 1985 playing the Eugene O’Neill Theatre for 22 previews and 1,005 regular performances. Under the direction of Des McAnuff and choreography by Janet Watson, the cast was led by….
Daniel Jenkins (later Martin Moran and Brian Lane Green) as “Huckleberry Finn”,
Ron Richardson (later Larry Riley and George Robert Merritt) as “Jim”,
Rene Auberjonis (later Russell Leib, Brent Spiner, Ken Jenkins, and Stephen Mellor) as “The Duke”,
Bob Gunton (later Michael McCarthy) as “The King”,
Patti Cohenhour (later Karla DeVito and the Broadway debut of the late Marin Mazzie) as “Mary Jane Wilkes”
John Short as “Tom Sawyer”,
Gordon Connell as “Mark Twain” and others,
And more.
The original production became one of the few successful American musicals in the mid 1980’s to be performed amongst the time of shows that were coming to Broadway from the UK. It was nominated that same year for 11 Tony Awards winning 7 including BEST MUSICAL. BEST SCORE (for Roger Miller), BEST BOOK (for William Hauptman), and BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Ron Richardson). It also won 8 Drama Desk Awards and a special Theatre World Award (for Patti Cohenhour).
BIG RIVER would later be revived on Broadway 18 years later. That recent revival in 2003 was a transfer of a successful production produced by California’s Deaf West Theatre. It featured a mix of deaf actors using sign language as the characters and hearing actors doing all the acting & singing for the signing actors. See, all of this is very Powerful accessible theater for everyone. In association with the Roundabout Theatre Company, this production played Broadway’s American Airlines Theatre for a limited engagement of 28 previews and 67 regular performances. Under the direction and choreography by Jeff Calhoun, the cast was led by…..
Daniel Jenkins reprising his performance from the original production as “Huckleberry Finn” but providing the vocals with Tyrone Giordano signing as the role. Jenkins also played “Mark Twain” in this production,
Michael McElroy doing the signing, acting, and singing as “Jim”,
Walter Charles providing the voice and Troy Kotsur signing as “The Duke” and others,
Lyle Kanouce doing the signing, acting, and singing as “The King” and others,
Melissa Van Der Schyff doing the signing, acting, and singing as “Mary Jane Wilkes” and others,
Michael Arden in his Broadway debut doing the signing, acting, and singing as “Tom Sawyer”,
And more.
This revival of BIG RIVER was a huge smash hit. It went on to receive a special Tony Award Honor in 2004 for EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE. It also got nominated for BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL and BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Michael McElroy) but lost those categories. It also was nominated for 4 Drama Desks that same year but lost too.
Today, BIG RIVER has continued to be a smash hit musical around the world. It has been performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
How uplifting is this musical?!!

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: #38 – CABARET

by | Aug 19, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

See the source image
See the source image
HEY THERE, BROADWAY FANS!! We are only 38 DAYS AWAY from celebrating The Great Bright Way’s return with Broadway’s Biggest Night of the Year….. The 74th Annual Tony Awards. We got more of your favorite Broadway showstopping performances from previous telecasts coming your way on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Are you ready for more?!!!
At # 38 today on our countdown, we take a trip to an iconic nightclub in 1930’s Berlin (led by an authentic flamboyant Master of Ceremonies) with the only thing that you do is LEAVE YOUR TROUBLES OUTSIDE. Not only do you experience the acts in this club, we discover the stories of some of its patrons including the club’s headlining star attraction and her romance to an American writer. You also see a doomed-romance between a German Boarding house owner and her Jewish fruit vendoring elderly suitor. All of this is happening during World War II at the time of the Nazis’ rise to power. We are talking about the legendary Cabaret. Based on Christopher Isherwood‘s 1939 short novel GOODBYE TO BERLIN) and John Van Druten’s 1951 play I AM A CAMERA, the musical features a score by John Kander & Fred Ebb along with a book by Joe Masteroff.
From the 1967 telecast, the iconic Joel Grey in his legendary Tony and Oscar winning performance as “The Emcee” performs a medley of the show’s signature opening number WILLKOMMEN.
CABARET was initially first conceived in the 1950’s. Originally the musical was technically supposed to be a straight play with music. Composer and book writer Sandy Lewis was already working on a musical adaptation of the novel GOODBYE TO BERLIN. One day, he discovered that producer David Black’s option on both GOODBYE TO BERLIN and its source material from the original novel I AM A CAMERA was invalid and was bought by acclaimed director and fellow producer Hal Prince. With Joe Masteroff on board to work on the book, they both agreed that Wilson’s score failed to capture the essence of late-1920s Berlin. They fired Wilson and got John Kander and Fred Ebb on board. In addition came choreographer Bob Fosse. While going through the writing of music for the play, Kander and Ebb realized that the score would actually fit better as a book musical. New dialogue and characters were written and initial music that was being written for the play were cut now incorporating songs that would fit the plot. In addition, the top of the show began very differently than a traditional musical people knew today. Instead of an Overture, the show now famously begins with a drumroll.
Following a tough out of town tryout in Boston, CABARET officially arrived on Broadway in 1966 at the Broadhurst Theatre (and later transferred twice to the Imperial and the Broadway Theatre) where it played a total of 1,186 performances. Under the direction of Hal Prince and choreographed by Bob Fosse, the show starred…
Joel Grey (and later Martin Ross) as “The Emcee”,
Jill Haworth (and later Anita Gillette and Melissa Hart) as the iconic TOAST OF MAYFAIR herself “Fraulein Sally Bowles”,
Bert Convy as “Clifford Bradshaw”,
Lotte Lenya as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Jack Gilford as “Herr Shultz”
and
Peg Murray (later Mara Landi and Rhonda Gemignani) as “Fraulein Kost”.
The original production was nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 1967 winning 8 including BEST MUSICAL and BEST PERFORMING BY A LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Joel Grey).
Following the success of the original production on Broadway, CABARET went on to become a huge smash in London’s West End and around the world. The show would later be revived three times on Broadway.
The first Broadway revival happened in 1987 where Hal Prince recreated his original staging back on the Great White Way. In addition, some of the dialogue and new songs were included for this engagement. It played Broadway’s Imperial Theatre (and later transferred to the Minskoff Theatre) for 261 performances. This remounting of Prince and Fosse’s original staging starred…
Joel Grey reprising the role of “The Emcee”,
Alyson Reed (later Mary Munger) as “Fraulein Sally Bowles”,
Greg Edelman as “Clifford Bradshaw”,
Regina Resnik (Iater Peg Murray as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Werner Klemperer as “Herr Shultz”,
and
Laura Mae Lyng as “Fraulein Kost”,
That first Broadway revival was nominated for 3 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. It lost all the categories.
Later in 1998, a new production of CABARET (that originally came from London’s Donmar Warehouse in 1993) was produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company playing Broadway’s Henry Miller Theatre (now the Stephen Sondheim Theatre). 6 months into the run, a construction hoist collapsed which blocked access to the Theater. To keep the show going, Roundabout moved the production reopening (and making history as the first Broadway show produced) at Studio 54 for the remainder of its run. Under the direction of Sam Mendes and choreography by Rob Marshall, this 1998 revival ran for a complete total of 2,377 performances. This production was well known for its intimate staging turning the entire auditorium into a real-life working KIT KAT CLUB in Berlin (featuring table seating). In addition, this production featured the cast doubling up as the orchestra. The cast starred…
The late Natasha Richardson (later Jennifer Jason Leigh, Susan Egan, Joely Fisher, Gina Gershon, Debbie Gibson, Katie Finneran, Teri Hatcher, Melina Kanakaredes, Jane Leeves, Molly Ringwald, Brooke Shields, and Lea Thompson) as “Fraulein Sally Bowles”
John Benjamin Hickey (later Rick Holmes, Matthew Greer, Michael Hayden, and Boyd Gaines) as “Clifford Bradshaw”,
Mary Louise Wilson (later Alma Cuervo, Polly Bergen, Carole Shelley, and Blair Brown) as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Ron Rifkin (later Scott Robertson, Tom Bosley, Hal Linden, and Dick Latessa) as “Herr Schultz”,
and
Michelle Pawk (later Candy Buckley and Victoria Clark) as “Fraulein Kost”.
That revival was nominated for 10 Tony Awards that same year in 1998 winning 4 including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL and BEST PERFORMING BY A LEADING ACTOR & ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson).
Most recently in 2014, Roundabout brought back that acclaimed 1998 revival of CABARET (as seen in this video) for a limited engagement at Studio 54 that ran for 423 performances. The remounting of Mendes and Marshall’s acclaimed revival was led by…
Alan Cumming reprising the role of “The Emcee”,
Golden Globe-winner Michelle Williams (later Emma Stone. and Sienna Miller) as “Fraulein Sally Bowles”,
Linda Emond as “Fraulein Schneider”,
Tony nominee Danny Burnstein as “Herr Schultz”,
Bill Heck as “Clifford Bradshaw”,
and
Gayle Rankin (later Hani Furstenberg) as “Fraulein Kost”.
This revival was nominated for 2 Tony Awards for BEST FEATURED ACTOR & ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Danny Burstein and Linda Emond), but lost in all of its categories.
Not only did CABARET do well on stage but it was also a huge smash on the big screen. The legendary film was released in 1972. The film was well known for incorporating some of the new songs that would now be used in all the stage productions including MEIN HERR, MAYBE THIS TIME and THE MONEY SONG. The film was also met with a little controversy due to its themes of corruption, sexual ambiguity, false dreams and Nazism. In addition, one of the scenes in the film TOMORROW BELONGS TO ME caused confusion to audiences, thinking it was an anthem of the Nazis. All of this caused a whole lot of backlash to composers Kander & Ebb getting accused of anti-Semitism. Under the direction and choreography by Bob Fosse, the cast starred…
Joel Grey reprising his Broadway performance of “The Emcee”,
Liza Minnelli as “Fraulein Sally Bowles”,
Michael York as “Brian Roberts” (formerly “Clifford Bradshaw”),
Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel as “Fräulein Schneider”,
and
Helen Vita as Fräulein Kost.
The film went on to be nominated for 10 Oscars that same year, winning 8 including Best Actress in a Leading Role (for Liza Minnelli) and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (for Joel Grey). Joel Grey made history as one of the few actors ever to win the Oscar, the Golden Globe, and the Tony for the same role.
CABARET today continues to be performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.
Doesn’t this show remind you that every day LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL?!!