Dark Monday • All That Jazz

Above: The magnificent Bernadette Peters.

In tonight's taste of Broadway experience, I thought I would return to the electrifying Bernadette Peters to bring some magic. So I set off to explore the world of Bernadette on Youtube, and discovered a 1975 appearance on the 'Carol Burnett Show'. One the show, she sang "All That Jazz" from the recently opened 'Chicago', with lyrics by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander. And while I don't remember her ever appearing in a production of the musical, I think she did a stellar job in making the song her own. I wonder why no producers were clever enough to get her somewhere they could sell tickets playing either Velma or Roxy. Enjoy!

Dark Monday • Funny Lady

It seems as though the Thanksgiving holiday left me a bit under the weather, as I lost my voice on Thanksgiving night, and it has yet to return. Since a nagging cough have come around, I am hoping that means the cold is on it's way out. However, far be it from me to keep an ailment from inspiring a post. Tonight I will offer you all two songs from the motion picture soundtrack to 'Funny Lady,' featuring the always brilliant Barbra Streisand.

Once again, she took on the role of Fanny Brice, this time taking a look at her time with theater and music empresario Billy Rose. The soundtrack combined the the music written by Rose and sung by Brice, as well as some new material written by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Than new material included a song I completely identify with at the moment, "I Got A Code In My Doze". This was a perfect fit, a stylized comedic number that helped make Fanny Brice a star on Broadway.

To round out this post, I thought I would also include a song written by Billy Rose, along with Harry Warren and Mort Dixon. In 1931, Fanny Brice opened in a Broadway show produced by Rose, 'Crazy Quilt'. One of the song she sung was "I Found a Million Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store)".

The movie did not have either the commercial nor the critical success of "Funny Girl," although the soundtrack was pretty wonderful. The movie also starred James Caan playing Billy Rose, Roddy McDowall as Brice's best friend Bobby Moore, and Ben Vereen as the great Bert Robbins. There was also a cameo for Omar Sharif as the love of Fanny's life, Nicky Arnstein. The movie was once again produced by Ray Stark, married by Frances Arnstein, the daughter of Brice and Arnstein.

Sunday Chorus - Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles

Raising their voices lout and proud to make a statement about marriage equality, The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles sing Maybe This Time, The Day After That and First You Dream, all written by the legendary songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb.



For more information about the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, check out their official website here. I am sure they would appreciate any support, be it a donation, purchase of a CD or DVD, hat or t-shirt.

Dark Monday - New York New York

In 1977, Martin Scorsese released a true labor of love, his movie musical, New York New York, starring Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli. The soundtrack combined both older songs from the era as well as one written for the movie by the amazing team of John Kander and Fred Ebb. Most of the musical numbers were carried by Minnelli, with an assist from Mary Kay Place and Diahnne Abbott, and a superb group of musicians. It is the story of a musician, played by De Niro, and a singer, played by Minnelli, who meet, fall in love, have a tempestuous relationship, and move on. Liza's version of A Star Is Born, only far more dysfunctional and gritty. This is Liza singing one of my favorite numbers from the movie, And The World Goes 'Round.



The following is the song Happy Endings, which was cut from the movie, sohwing the Broadway success of Minnelli's character, oddly enough discovered as a movie usherette. Although it was cut from the film, the footage was saved and was put back in the film at some point. The 10-minute production number was pretty grand, and just spectacular. Unfortunately, I could only find this 2 minute version of it. Larry Kert costars with Liza in this number. Kert was a major Broadway star - the original Tony in West Side Story - who left us far too soon in 1994, due to complications of AIDS. He was 60 years old.



And, of course, could I post anything from that movie and not run the denouement, the pay-off, Liza singing New York New York, an amazing performance indeed.



You could purchase the 30th Anniversary Edition from Amazon here for just $17.99.