Mame
This was Jerry Herman's 1966 follow-up to his history-makingHello, Dolly!, and just as the latter had generously borrowed Thornton Wilder'sThe Matchmakeras its source, this one used Lawrence & Lee'sAuntie Mamealmost verbatim. LikeDolly, this produced hits--Louis Armstrong recorded the title song--and standards, including a Christmas tune, and was Herman's last Broadway sensation untilLa Cage Aux Follesmore than a decade later. Other people would play Patrick Dennis's eccentric, ultra-liberal aunt, but this was Angela Lansbury's most famous role before she became a murder-solving sleuth; Bea Arthur's terrific turn as the Marlene Dietrich-based Vera Charles (recreated in the horrible Lucille Ball film version) was her most famous before becoming TV's Maude. A '60s classic that bombed during a mid-'80s revival attempt.--Bill Holdship