In 2001, Angela Lansbury performed "We Need A Little Christmas", a song from the musical 'Mame', with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The song helped Lansbury win the first of five Tony Awards in 1966, when she starred as Mame in the Jerry Herman adaptation of Patrick Dennis' 1955 novel 'Auntie Mame'. The song is a celebration of the season, so I thought it only natural to kick off the holiday season here on the blog. This is Angela Lansbury and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "We Need A Little Christmas'.
By the way, I feel like I must mention Dame Lansbury was 76 years old, and sounding fantastic. And at this point, she had only won four Tony Awards, for she picked up her fifth for her turn in the 2009 revival of Noel Coward's 'Blythe Spirit'. It just goes to prove that like a great wine, some talent gets better with age...
Top: Anglea Lansbury in 'Mame'. Bottom, left: Lansbury with Beatrice Arthur. Bottom, right: The cover of the Original Broadway Cast album.
In 1966, a little musical opened on Broadway, and, almost fifty years later, there are still people talking about it. Of course, when that show starred Angela Lansbury and Beatrice Arthur, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, that is something you might expect. The musical was also directed by Gene Saks, a hugely successful director who also happened to be married to Arthur. From all reports, Lansbury and Arthur were good friends throughout their lifetimes, and reunited to perform "Bosom Buddies" on the 1987 Tony Awards. But the real reason I am speaking of 'Mame' tonight is because this holiday season, it is time to celebrate. That is exactly what Jerry Herman had in mind when he wrote "We Need A Little Christmas", the wonderful song Mame sings to her young nephew during the Great Depression. Sometimes, people just need to add a little something extra in your life. This is Angela Lansbury from the original cast album of 'Mame', singing "We Need A Little Christmas".
And while I have featured a clip from the 1987 reunion of Arthur and Lansbury singing "Bosom Buddies", I thought I would add another nugget to the post, and allow Beatrice Arthur to sing her big song from the show, "The Moon Song (The Man on the Moon)". Arthur played Vera, best friend to Lansbury's Mame. Vera was an actress, albeit one who has a fairly big drinking problem. She also had a flair to pick some unusual roles for herself, like that of a lady astronomer. That is why she sings "The Moon Song (The Man on the Moon)", from the original Broadway production of 'Mame'.
Have a great holiday season! And if you "need a little Christmas", you can purchase the Original Broadway Cast Recording of 'Mame' from iTunes and Amazon.
This evening's taste treat comes from Elaine Stritch, The veritable Broadway generator, capable of lighting up any stage with with just the first words of any Sondheim song. Well, a song by any of the great songwriters who have written for the some of the most talented men and women around. Earlier this year, Stritch announced to the world she would be moving out of New York City, to Birmingham, Michigan, to be closer to family. The following clip was at the Royal Variety Performance in 1979, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. Someone was smart enough to ask Elaine to sing "It's Today" from 'Mame', with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman.
Stritch starred in the national touring company of 'Mame' back in the late 1960s. She made her Broadway debut in 1946 in a show 'Loco'. Elaine went on to appear on Broadway in 'Angel in the Wings', 'Pal Joey', 'Bus Stop', Noel Coward's 'Come Sail Away', 'Wonderful Town', 'Company', and many others. In 1972, she moved to London for a decade, returning after the passing of her husband. Upon her return, she slowly lipped back into the New York theater scene, making a big splash in the 1993, appearing in a concert version of Sondheim's 'Company'. This is a clip from the performance, as Elaine sings "The Ladies Who Lunch".
Stritch now lives in Michigan, but has not ruled out returning to Broadway if the right role came along. But if not, there are plenty of ways she can still entertain us all. If you don't have the recording of 'Elaine Stritch At Liberty', her one-woman-show from 2001, you should. The recording is filled with wonderful stories from Elaine's life, both professional and personal. And, of course, some truly amazing performances. You can purchase 'Elaine Stritch At Liberty' from iTunes and Amazon. If you are a fan of the theater, or of this courageous lady, it is worth having. I can tell you I love my copy!
Tonight there is a special post for Dark Monday, the post I dedicate to the Broadway and movie musicals on a night when, in the days of yore, when Broadway took the night off. When they did this, it was the only day of the week the nights were turned off, hence the title 'Dark Monday'. Through the years there have been several Christmas-themed songs from the stage and screen, and I am going to offer up just a couple. I will begin with what might be the most obvious choice of the post. When 'Mame' opened on Broadway in 1966, it certainly had some great talents contributing. The musical was based on the book and Broadway play 'Auntie Mame', which eventually became a movie starring Broadway star Rosalind Russell. The lead character is a charismatic and combustible character,based on novelist's Patrick Dennis' real life aunt. The musical was brought to life with a stellar case, including Angela Lansbury. Here is Angela singing "We Need A Little Christmas" off the original cast album.
Back in 1978, a little-known show opened on Broadway, telling the story of the Chicken Ranch, a legal brothel in Texas. With music and lyrics by Carol Hall, 'Best Little Whorehouse In Texas' was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Henderson Forsythe and Carlin Glynn, respectively. There is a moment in the show when the house madame sing a beautiful ballad, which went on to be one of the long-lasting impressions from the show. Enjoy this version of "Hard Candy Christmas" sung by the star of the movie version, Dolly Parton.
The next show features Music by Charles Strouse amd Lyrics by Martin Charnin. The musical 'Annie came to the Broadway stage in 1977, telling the story of a young orphan girl at the time of the Great Depression. While it gave us the ultimate Broadway song in "Tomorrow" and one of the most delicious character in Mrs. Hannigan. Here is "A New Deal From Christmas" being performed as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.
While it took decades before the Broadway musical to be made inspired from the Paramount Pictures holiday classic, White Christmas. That 1954 film was, in fact, inspire by the 1942 Paramount musical, 'Holiday Inn'. Both films featured the music of the great Irving Berlin, and much of the scores were included in the 2004 Broadway version running for the holiday season. But in this clip, we see Bing Crosby sing the song, which I think appeared in the 1942 film. Nonetheless, enjoy "White Christmas"!
The Denver Gay Men's Chorus performed the "Christmas On Broadway" medley, a delightful selection of songs that could be found in the score of any Broadway show. Well, in fact from several different Broadway shows. The song list includes "God Bless Us Everyone" from the 1994 musical version of 'A Christmas Carol', "My Favorite Things" from 'Sound of Music', "It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas" was cut from the score of Meredith Willson's 'Here's Love', "Pine Cones And Holly Berries" from 'Here's Love', "We Need A Little Christmas" from 'Mame', "Toyland" from 'Babes In Toyland' and "March Of The Toys", also from 'Babes In Toyland'. Enjoy!
While I couldn't find any music from the Denver Gay Men's Chorus on iTunes, or anywhere for download, you can find out more about the group at their official website. You can also purchase physical CDs at their online store.
Because sometimes you need the Brady family to realize who wonderful the season can be. So here is a clip of the Brady kids and Alice give their thoughts on the holiday, before the clip uses a version of "Need A Little Christmas" from the Broadway musical 'Mame'.
Mitzi Gaynor performs Jerry Herman's We Need a Little Christmas from the Broadway musical Mame on The Mitzi Gaynor Christmas Show, her seasonal television special in 1967. Gaynor was best known for roles in such great movie musicals as South Pacific in 1958, There's No Business Like Show Business and Anything Goes, both in 1956, and My Blue Heaven in 1950.
Pictured: Jerry Herman, Angela Lansbury, Bea Arthur, John Barrowman, Michael Feinstein, and Carol Channing.
Jerry Herman was born on July 10, 1931, so he is celebrating his 80th today. He made his career writing some amazing songs through the years, as well as some iconic roles for some of the greatest leading ladies musical theater has known. He is at least in part responsible for the magical creations of Dolly Levi, Mame Dennis, and Zaza, who offstage was known as Albin. He wrote about love in every form, be it the love of an aunt for a nephew, two best friends, a widow and a widower, or two men who run a drag bar.
But he also made sure all of his leads were strong. They didn't bend to the winds blowing from the society at large, as you can tell when Zaza stands up to tell everyone, I Am What I Am from the 1983 show, La Cage Aux Folles. This is John Barrowman performing it when he starred in a recent London revival of the show.
Sure, Vera might have had a tendency to drink a bit more than most and Mame might have marched to the beat of a different drummer, but when push came to shove, the ladies were inseparable. Here Angela Lansbury & Bea Arthur sing Bosom Buddies from Mame.
Mame celebrated her unconventional nature, something her nephew Patrick loved when he was young, and seemed to be uncomfortable, and even embarrassed about later. But when Patrick was having a tough time because of the passing of his parents, she was right there, singing We Need A Little Christmas from Mame. This is a clip of Angela Lansbury singing it for a Christmas special.
In 1974, Herman wrote a special show called Mack & Mabel. The story revolved around Hollywood legend Mack Sennett and his rocky relationship with Mabel Normand, who went on to be a big star in the movies. The original production was not a big success, closing after 8 weeks. But it grew in cult status, and subsequent revivals garnered some great reviews. Here is Michael Feinstein singing I Won't Send Roses from the show.
Everyone knows the story behind Hello Dolly!, which first opened on Broadway in 1964. Countless woman have played the role, from Carol Channing to Ginger Rogers to Martha Raye to Betty Grable to Pearl Bailey. Here is the original Dolly Levi, Carol Channing, singing the number that closed the first act, Before The Parade Passes By.
Of course, if you mention Hello Dolly!, you can't ignore the title song, can you? Especially if it is sung in the movies by a young Barbra Streisand and the great Louis Armstrong. Here they are, singing Hello Dolly.
Happy Birthday, Jerry! May you celebrate many more!
As this is Christmas week, I thought I would offer up a a few of the ways you could celebrate the holidays, Broadway Style! There are a couple of shows that have really focused on the holiday in one form or another. Of course, there is one that is all about it, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. first opened on Broadway two years ago, having a limited engagement to capitalize on the holiday traffic in New York City. Based on the 1954 film, which itself was based on the 1942 film Holiday Inn (starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale and Marjorie Reynolds), White Christmas starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney, but most of all, the delightful music of the great Irving Berlin. While I might prefer the original film, I have never made it to see the stage musical. But with Irving Berlin's music involved, I don't see how it can go too wrong.
And how about the truly beautiful I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm?
In 1933, Radio City Music Hall produced the very first Christmas Spectacular, a lush and lavish stage show celebrating the season and featuring the world famous Radio City Rockettes. The very first production was designed by Vincent Minnelli, Liza's pop. This season is no different as there is a 2010 edition.
And here's a bit of the 1986 version, showing they take spectacular seriously, and always deliver. I mean, come on, those are live animals, including the camels!
Does it get any more classic than the Jerry Herman musical, Mame? Not the movie, with the disappointing performance of Lucille Ball, but the Broadway show that allowed the amazing Angela Lansbury to light up the stage. Mame opened on Broadway in 1966, starring Lansbury and Bea Arthur, a smashing hit that went on to win eight Tony Awards, including ones for Lansbury, Arthur, Herman and Best Musical. In keeping with the festive timing, here is Angela singing We Need A Little Christmas, a song about bringing the holiday spirit into your life any time of the year you need it.
Then there is the classic song, Bosom Buddies, performed by Lansbury and Arthur. The song celebrates the love and competitive nature of a friendship between two women.
Christmas on Broadway, always something to remember and cherish!
I needed to think about this one, as I wanted a classic of musical theater, but one that celebrates the holidays. Well, does it get any more classic than the Jerry Herman musical, Mame? Not the movie, with the disappointing performance of Lucille Ball, but the Broadway show that allowed the amazing Angela Lansbury to light up the stage. Mame opened on Broadway in 1966, starring Lansbury and Bea Arthur, a smashing hit that went on to win eight Tony Awards, including ones for Lansbury, Arthur, Herman and Best Musical.
In keeping with the festive timing, here is Angela singing We Need A Little Christmas, a song about bringing the holiday spirit into your life any time of the year you need it.
Then there is the classic song, Bosom Buddies, performed by Lansbury and Arthur. The song celebrates the love and competitive nature of a friendship between two women.
Mame believes in living in the moment, celebrating and loving what is happening now. That is what she means as she sings the show-stopping It's Today.
