Dark Monday • Nick Adams Sings

Sometimes, I surprise myself. It has been far too long since I have included the handsome and talented Nick Adams on this blog. He is a true triple threat, being an excellent dancer, as well as a strong singer, and an excellent actor. And man, is he gorgeous. In fact, he is so nice to look at, it is easy to forget just how talented he is. So I thought I would start with him singing a classic song, one everyone knows. That would be "On The Street Where You Live" from 'My Fair Lady', written by the great team of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1956, and starred Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews. He has sung it a couple of times, and I just love it. This is Nick Adams singing "On The Street Where You Live".

Nick has an impressive resume, starring on Broadway in the revivals of great musicals like 'Chicago', A Chorus Line', and 'Guys and Dolls'. HE was also a member of the original Broadway cast of 'The Pirate Queen' and 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. He played the role of Adam/Felicia, the younger of the trio who take a bus trip together. He had several numbers in the show, including his version of "Like A Prayer", written by Madonna and Patrick Leonard. The song was, of course, the title cut of her 1989 album, and a big hit. The Broadway version was a bit different, but very special in it's own way. This is Nick Adams singing "Like A Prayer" with the Divas from 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'.

Currently, Nick is on tour with the music 'Wicked', with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Adams is playing Fiyero Tiggular, the prince of the Arjiki tribe. He had a bit of a romance with Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, while at college. There was an attempt on his life, only to be saved by former love. It is through her saving spell that he is transformed into a scarecrow. But before all that happens, he sings "Dancing Through Life". This is a clip of Nick singing the song as part of the National Touring Company.

You can find Nick Adams' music online, as a featured performer on Original Broadway Cast Recording of 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. You can purchase it on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Nick Adams, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. He is still on tour, so you can see when he will be in a town near you. You can check out the schedule at the official 'Wicked' website.

Dark Monday • Camelot

On December 3, 1960, a beautiful and popular musical opened on Broadway with a remarkable cast. With book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Lowe, 'Camelot' set out to tell the story of the love triangle between King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot. With Richard Burton giving life to Arthur, and Julie Andrews to his queen, and Robert Goulet making his Broadway debut as Lancelot, people were intrigued with the show, and just how good it could be. Once it was running, there were no more questions, as it ran for more than three years, keeping audiences enthralled and fascinated by the story. The production won four Tony Awards, including one for star Richard Burton.

As he did win the Tony Award for 'Best Actor in a Musical' for playing King Arthur, I feel as though I should begin with Richard Burton. And I must be honest here, it is not like Burton was a great singer, but he certainly had a rich voice, with wonderful depth to it. He would basically 'talk' through his songs, but do it with great style. You can see that here with this clip of him singing live, even if it was not in costume as King Arthur. I hope you enjoy Richard Burton singing the title song, "Camelot".

It is hard to have a bad word to say about just about anything that Julie Andrews has done in her career, and this was no exception. While she was already a Broadway star, with popular turns in 'The Boy Friend' and 'My Fair Lady', Hollywood felt she wasn't a 'bankable' star, and did not use her in the film versions of the previous two, or 'Camelot'. Interestingly enough, her replacement in 'My Fair Lady', Audry Hepburn, needed Marni Nixon to sing the songs for her, and the film's Guinevere, Vanessa Redgrave, was not known as a singer. But no matter, for Julie was exceptional in the show, her voice a perfect match for Lerner and Lowe, who had also written 'My Fair Lady'. Sadly, I couldn't find a clip of her singing any of her songs live, but you will hear the greatness in Julie Andrews' recording of "Before I Gaze At You Again".

Robert Goulet was born in Massachusetts, but moved to Canada with his Canadian mother after his father passed away when he was just 13 years old. But he came back to the US, and met Lerner and Lowe in 1959, who were having trouble casting the role of Lancelot in their upcoming show. Apparently, he was the answer to their problem, for he made his Broadway debut in in the show. Goulet was a handsome man with a deep, rich voice that had the range needed for Lancelot. He wowed everyone, and it is easy to understand why when you watch this clip of Robert Goulet singing "If Ever I Would Leave You".

Together, it seems as though Andrews and Burton had a great time. In the second act, they had a charming number that can bring smiles whenever I listen to it. After all, you have 'royalty', the King and Queen of England, wondering what it is exactly the common folk did in their spare time. Burton proved to be a strong comedian, with a soft touch, and Andrews certainly kept up with him. This is Julie Andrews and Richard Burton singing "What Do the Simple Folk Do?".

It was said that after the opening of the show, the Original Cast Album became a favorite of President John F. Kennedy in the White House. It helped to add a mythic touch, and soon the Presidency became affiliated with the show, and was often referred to as 'Camelot'. You can find the 'Camelot' Original Broadway Cast album on iTunes and Amazon.