From: arndt_w@cubldr.colorado.edu
Subject: Re: I wish I had seen...
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 21:59:32 GMT

> 
>> What are the top ten (if you can name that many) productions (B'way or
>> othewise) you wish you had seen.  And why?  This is not limited to
>> musicals (for those of us who find plays their principal attraction to
>> theatre).  This also isn't limited to recent shows (though maybe we
>> should try to stay within the 20th century?).

For someone born and raised in Colorado, who lived in Philadelphia for 16
years, and who never actually lived in New York, I amazed to have experienced
as much theatre as I have.
> 
> 1.  I, too, would like to have seen the original SHOW BOAT, as well as
> many of the later revivals.  

No, I'm not that old.
> 
> 2.  Ethel Merman in Gypsy.  I've  listened to the cast album, but I
> wish I could have seen it.  Many people say that the role is still
> hers, even though I enjoyed Tyne Daly very much.
> 
> 3.  Pearl Bailey in Hello, Dolly!   There were a couple of these.  I
> would like to have seen her.  (I guess I would have also liked to have
> seen Carol Channing in it, as well.  I've at least heard the cast
> recording with her.)

Saw it!  And it was a special night.  I was visiting New York, 18 years old,
and an acting teacher friend of my parents arranged for me to see DOLLY on a
special Actor's Equity benefit performance.  So the audience was filled with
everyone else on Broadway who had that evening off.  It was an electrifying
evening. AND, I had a seat in the first row -- which is normally not the best
place to see a big musical, but I had seen DOLLY before so I was able to
concentrate on Pearl's performance.  And Cab Calloway was excellent as
Vandergelder.
> 
> 4.  Rex and Julie in My Fair Lady.  (Surely I don't need to give their
> last names in this group, do I?)  I'm a Julie fan, and this has become
> a classic production.

Saw the touring company ca. 1960 in Denver.  The production was the most
beautiful thing I'd ever seen.  There were TWO large turntables.  When they did
the 25th anniversary production, it was touted as a complete recreation of the
original, but it had only one turntable.
> 
> 5.  Angela Lansbury in Mame.  I've never seen a production of it, and
> it would be nice to be in the theater with her performing.

Saw it.  In Philadelphia.
> 
> 6.  A Little Night Music.  I've never seen a production of it, but
> would like to, and I would have liked to have seen Glynis Johns and
> Hermione Gingold.

Saw the original cast about a month after it opened, and again about three
months later.  Also saw it in Philadelphia with Jean Simmons and Margaret
Hamilton, and I think it was as good as the original.
> 
> 7.  Robert Preston in the Music Man.  My favorite musical.  I would
> have liked to have seen him on stage.
> 
> 8.  Harve Presnell in Annie. (Of course, I may get something similar
> soon.) I've never been able to picture him playing Daddy Warbucks.  

I saw Harve Presnell and Tammy Grimes in the original tour of THE UNSINKABLE
MOLLY BROWN in Denver.  Since the show is set in Colorado, there was special
magic in the production.
> 
> 9.  I guess I would have to say the opening of one of the Rodgers and
> Hammerstein musicals.  Which one, I couldn't say, perhaps Flower Drum
> Song.
> 
> 10. Paige O'Hara in Evita.  I'm curious as to how she did in the role. 
> I don't even know if it was a local production or a tour or what.  (and
> I don't have my Show Music issues handy)
> 
Forgot to mention that the same week I saw Pearl Bailey's DOLLY, I saw the
original New York production of ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN, and Leontyne
Price in A MASKED BALL at the Met.  It was almost too much for a stage-struck
18-year-old to assimilate.
> 
> -Scott