Dark Monday • Rich Man's Frug

Released on April Fool's Day in 1969, 'Sweet Charity' was a film adaptation of the Broadway hit musical that debuted in 1966. The show had lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by the great Cy Coleman, and both earned Tony and Academy Award nominations. Both the stage and screen versions were directed and choreographed by the late Bob Fosse, something that hardly needs mention after checking out a single musical number. From the score, three great songs entered the Pop Culture zeitgeist, when "(Hey) Big Spender", "If They Could See Me Now" and "Where Am I Going" were heard and instantly recorded by others.

While those songs might have been recorded everywhere, there was another number in the film that never fails to catch my eye. During one scene in the club, the dancers and others at the club performing the 'latest dance craze'. I love watching "Rich Man's Frug", directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. Again, just a glance will easily allow you to identify the choreographer, so distinctive are the movements. So please enjoy "Rich Man's Frug" from the film 'Sweet Charity'.

Dark Monday • Gwen Verdon in 'Sweet Charity'

When you think about Broadway royalty, when you find a show with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and a book by Neil Simon, that is a damn good start. Add in that the direction and choreography would be by Bob Fosse, and the leading lady played by Gwen Verdon, and I don't think you could go wrong. Well, that was the lineup for the 1966 Broadway production of 'Sweet Charity'. The production, which ran for over 600 performances, was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning one for Fosse's choreography. Here is a wonderful clip of the delicious Gwen Verdon singing "If My Friends Could See Me Now" on the Ed Sullivan show.

You can find the Sweet Charity Original Broadway Cast Album on both iTunes and Amazon.

Happy Birthday, Chita Rivera!

On January 23, 1933, Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero was born in Washington, DC. The beautiful young girl, known affectionately as Chita, grew up with a desire to perform, and in 1952 made her Broadway debut in Call Me Madam. That was followed by roles in Guys And Dolls and Can-Can, before landing the role that established her as the Broadway superstar she remains. In 1957, she appeared in a show with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Arthur Laurents, and choreography by Jerome Robbins. Chita played Anita in West Side Story, and shined like the star she was. However, once it was being filmed in Hollywood, Anita was played by Rita Moreno. In 1960, she starred as Rosie Alvarez in the new Broadway music Bye-Bye Birdie, to much acclaim. However, when the movie was released in 1963, it was Janet Leigh how played the role of Rosie DeLeon.



In some ways, Chita's performance in the 1969 film Sweet Charity was groundbreaking. There you have two women of color, a Latina and an African American, in major roles in a studio motion picture. Sweet Charity was directed by the brilliant Bob Fosse, who also did the choreography. Of course, that is unmistakable in the musical number, Hey, Big Spender!



In 1975, Chita was in another Broadway hit, Chicago. It was directed and choreographed by the great Bob Fosse. In the following clip, Chita and costar Gwen Verdon perform Nowadays and Honey Pot Rag from Chicago with a guest spot for Hal Linden. This was on the Mike Douglas Show, a talk show I remember well from my youth. Keep in mind that when Chicago opened on Broadway, Miss Verdon was 50, and Miss Rivera was 42. And, oh, could they dance. And after the number, they chat with the host.



Chita appeared on The Judy Garland Show in early 1964. She duets with Judy on I Believe In You, and does a solo turn with I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'. There is so much creamy goodness going on here, I just gotta shut up and let you watch.



In 1984, Chita starred in the Broadway musical The Rink with Liza Minnelli, playing her mother. The music was written by the dynamic duo of John Kander and Fred Ebb, winning her first Tony Award. This is a song from the show, The Apple Doesn't Fall (Very Far From The Tree). Of course, we all know who the character of Liza's mother might be based on...



In 1993, the sixty-year-old Rivera returned to Broadway in the smash hit Kiss Of The Spider Woman. In her role of Aurora, she stole the show night after night. For the greatness, she was awarded the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical once again. This is a clip of the cast singing Where You Are on the Tony Awards broadcast.



So, Chita Rivera, for all this you deserve a great big cake and the huge chorus of Happy Birthday!

Dame Shirley Bassey Sings Broadway

Earlier this week, the amazing Dame Shirley Bassey celebrated a birthday. She was born on January 8, 1937, and found fame in the 1950s, singing with a beautiful instrument. By the 1960s, she was best known for singing some of the great movie theme songs out there, from the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979). The supple and rich tone of her voice, coupled with a true exuberance, was often amazing, and never disappointing.



She has often been referred to as the most successful female vocalist in the UK for the 20th century, and some would argue she was the tops for all times. And it would be hard to argue with that, as she has sustained a career for over six decades, and shows no signs of of lessening the glow of her talent. "For services to entertainment", Bassey was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) on 31 December 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II. She was awarded France's top honor, the Legion d'Honneur, to signify her popularity and importance in the culture of France.

But all that can take a back seat to what brought such accolades, the voice. Here is a collection of songs Bassey has performed that had their start in a Broadway musical, starting with a little number from a Broadway musical I first saw while on a trip the London back in the 1970s. A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975 to much acclaim. And a great deal of that was given to Marvin Hamlisch, who composed the music with lyricist Edward Kleban. Here is Dame Shirley singing Kiss Today Goodbye from A Chorus Line.



With music by the immortal Jule Styne, and lyrics by the brilliant Bob Merrill, how could a show go wrong? Based on the life and love of singer/comedienne Fanny Brice, Funny Girl opened to rave reviews in 1964. Oh, yes, it had a little-known performer playing Fanny, a Miss Barbra Streisand. And here is Dame Shirley to sing People from Funny Girl.



Well, what can be said about any show that has music and lyrics by the incomparable Stephen Sondheim? Other than to say this song seems just perfect for Bassey, sitting in a luscious spot in her register, and her history certainly adding a layer or two of depth and pain. Dame Shirley sings Send In The Clowns from A Little Night Music.



Bassey can do more than just nail a ballad, that is for sure. In 1966, a little music with musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon, opened on Broadway to stellar reviews. It was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, and starred Fosse's wife, Gwen Verdon. The show about working girls in Times Square offers Dame Shirley an opportunity to have a bit of fun when she sings the delicious Hey Big Spender from Sweet Charity.

GLEE Redux - The Purple Piano Project

Honestly, I missed the Season 3 Premiere as I was at a high school soccer match, but just finished watching it, and thought I'd continue to do my coverage of the show, in my own special way. I use the original artists when possible of the songs from the show, but in relationship to the GLEE storyline. Hope you enjoy.

The show opens with intrepid reporter/blogger Jacob Ben Israel vlogging with a vengeance, hitting the kids one by one to establish who are seniors and who are not, and that while Sam and Mercedes dated, he is gone now. It has Finn questioning himself and his future, until a rainbow slushie-facial brings him back to life as a gleek.

We also see Mr. Shuester waking up with Miss Pillsbury, and the inherent sexual tension/frustration in that relationship. Sue is running for political office, and looking for a sure-fire policy to garner votes. Lauren Zizes has dropped Puck and Glee club, cause both were hurting her 'cool factor.' Kurt tries to convince Blaine to join him at McKinley High, cause he misses his boy-toy. Quinn is MIA, only to be found with pink hair, a nose ring and a cigarette firmly in hand, a member of the Skanks. Quinn rebuffs attempts by Santana, Brittany and Rachel to return to Glee.

Mr. Shue gets a donation of some pianos, which he promptly paints purple and plans to place around the school to get the kids singing, and drumming up auditions for the three spots left vacant by Zizes, Quinn, and Sam. Sue is not impressed, and attacks a piano played by Mike & Tina, and insults the kids as well. This inspires her in her political life, and she takes a stand to eliminate all Arts programs in public schools. Mr. Shue is infuriated by Sue's stance. He plans to fight her, and she wants none of it, if it should interfere with her campaign.

The kids are afraid to play the piano in the lunch room, until Finn and Rachel talk them into getting up to sing The Go-Gos' We Got The Beat.



After the joyous performance, a food fight kicks off, and spaghetti flies. The kids are dejected, realizing that failure at the national championships last year has weakened their fragile positions at the school. While they are cleaning up the mess, Sugar Motta, whose daddy donated the pianos, comes in to audition for Glee, saying she was inspired because she was so much better than the kids. She sings Hey Big Spender from the music Sweet Charity.



Not surprisingly, she is terrible. Shue wants to honor the policy that all who apply are in Glee, but the kids want none of it. They have winning on their mins, and she won't make that happen. Shue has lunch with the amazing Coach Beiste, who offers to rough up Sue for him. Shue realizes he has to fight this one himself. "If Sue wants to declare war on the Arts, then General Shuester is about to launch a counter-offensive." Miss Pillsbury is turned on!

Rachel and Kurt, with plans to move to New York and pursue careers in musical theater, get together to prepare for a 'mixer' for a respected Musical Theater school that is nearby. They sing a nice jazz version of Ding-Dong, The Witch Is Dead from The Wizard of Oz.



Cheerio Co-captains Santana and Becky assist Sue at auditions for the cheering squad. Shue and Miss Pillbury show up, and he Glitterbombs Sue while Emma videos it before they take off. Blaine stops by to see Kurt, and soon announces he is transferring to McKinley to be with the man he loves. He sings a very special and sexy version of It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones.



While Santana and cheerleaders dance with Blaine, they are spraying lighter fluid on the piano. As the song ends, Quinn tosses a cigarette on the piano, and it bursts into flames. Kurt and Rachel go to the NYADA mixer, and discover a room full of, well, themselves. Divas and Gay boys explode on them, and are soon performing a number, Anything Goes from the Cole Porter musical, complete with dancing.



The duo are devastated, and are crying in the car in the parking lot. Finally, Kurt shakes himself off and brings Rachel out of her misery. She smiles, and makes him smile too. They will help one another get into NYADA.

Shue is dreading telling Sugar Motta she wasn't a good singer, and can't be in Glee. Miss Pillbury offers her thoughts, including how his strength is making her hot! He tells Sugar, and Sue catches up with him, to say the video of the glitter-bombing added 7 points to her campaign. He goes to Glee, and Blaine joins the group. Finn is upset, cause he thinks Blaine set the piano on fire, but Santana points out it was her and the Cheerios who did that. Shue says it is true, and kicks her out of Glee, and tells her not to come back until she can be loyal to the group. She leaves. Mr. Shue tells the kids he needs their loyalty for them to win Nationals. Rachel announces they will mount a production of West Side Story, and Kurt is running for class president. And like the pianos, who are beaten and worn, the kids might be bruised, but they can still make beautiful music. Rachel gets up to sing You Can't Stop The Beat from Hairspray!: The Musical and is soon joined by all the kids.



Till next week...