LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Show Queen |
by Kenn Harris |
Standards! Who Doesn't Have Any?
Once upon a time, musicals were filled with songs that caught the collective ear of the public. These songs were not only played in the theatre, but on radio and television and in supper clubs. In short, they became part of the popular culture. Alas, the current musical theatre has produced few such songs (when was the last time you heard something from Xanadu while riding in an elevator?) Some are not heard too often today, but all were extraordinarily popular for years. I'll supply a description, you give the answer. And I will add a little background... 1. In this song, the survivors of a failing vaudeville act try to cheer one another up with this determinedly bouncy song about how intertwined their lives are. Can you name the song, the show, the composer and lyricist, and the three artists who introduced the number? 2. In this understated but ecstatic ballad, a worldly woman describes the feeling a woman gets when she meets the right man (and she's had such feelings a lot). Please name the show, composer; lyricist, and the star who introduced this fabulous song. 3. In this magical scene, a beautiful young country girl tells her workmates that she will know that she has found true love when any annoying little critter falls asleep in the palm of her hand. 4. This paean to being born with estrogen in one's veins was, probably, surprisingly to the composer, as popular with the boys as with the girls. As a lad, I was forbidden to play the record or sing the words. Too bad, Big Momma! Your plot didn't work! What was the song, show, who was the composer, lyricist and singer? For bonus points, do you recall the troupe which sang this at Follies for a Gold Barbie? 5. This wily seductress, in truth, about as much of a vampire as Lucille Ball, was a brilliant dancer-comedienne and her husband choreographed this number for her first starring role on Broadway. No one has ever done it better, and if you don't believe me, rent the video. Do please name the song, the show, the creators, the choreographer, and, as bonus, the incredibly gorgeous young man who just played the romantic lead in the City Center Encores revival of this show. 6. Comic songs don't often become standards, but audiences roared nightly at this feisty, no holds barred defense of females sung by a woman. Although this shrewish maiden soon received a vigorous comeuppance onstage, audiences roared at this comic reversal of fortune. Name the song, show, composer/lyricist and the artist. 7. This hardboiled show, filled with raucous music and humor was halted in its tracks each night by a love duet that sprang out of nowhere, seeming nearly operatic in style and fervently expressing the true feelings of this ill-matched New York couple. Name the song, show composer/lyricist and artists. 8. I hate children. On stage. Some years ago a prepubescent little girl had the lead in a Broadway show, playing against a well-loved comedienne. The brat stopped the show with a number that still ruins elevator rides for me. Name the song; show, creators, and the actress who sang the song, totally eclipsing the grown-up's performance. ANSWERS 1. "Together, Wherever We Go"; Gypsy, music by Jule Styne, words by Master Stephen Sondheim, sung by Ethel Agnes Zimmermann (aka Merman), Jack Klugman, and Sandra Church. 2. "That's Him!" One Touch Of Venus; music by Kurt Weill; Lyrics by Ogden Nash (his only Broadway show), and Mary Martin, returning to Broadway after a fruitless sojourn in Hollywood. 3. "A Sleepin' Bee," House Of Flowers, music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Truman Capote. The singer was a lovely young girl who went a few places, Miss Diahann Caroll. Like so many of Arlen's musicals, it failed, largely due to a dreadful book, this one by the future author of In Cold Blood, but it has a wonderful score. Try to get a copy of the CD. 4. "I enjoy being a Girl," Flower Drum Song, music by Rodgers, lyrics by Hammerstein. The vivacious young singer was Pat Suzuki, who is very much still with us and sings jazz in small clubs on the West coast. A Golden Barbie was won at CAMP Rehoboth Follies by the gals for their "drag" rendition of the number. 5. "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets", Damn Yankees, Richard Adler and Jerry Ross (they claimed to write songs together), Bob Fosse; He is Cheyenne Jackson. 6. "I Hate Men!," Kiss Me Kate, Cole Porter; Patricia Morison. Incidentally, Pat Morrison is a generous, gracious lady who couldn't be less like her most famous character if she worked at such a task. Pat, I love you! 7. "I've never been in Love Before"; Guys and Dolls; Written by Frank Loesser, Starring Robert Alda (Alan's Dad) and Isobel Bigley. This is one of the most gorgeous songs ever to come out of a Broadway show, perfectly capturing the conflicting emotions of Evangelist Sarah Brown and cynical gambler Sky Masterson. At a rehearsal Loesser felt that Bigley wasn't trying hard enough and he slapped her face in front of the company. It was 1950, so she forgave him.8. "Tomorrow," from Annie, Lee Adams and Charles Strouse wrote it and Andrea McCardle overshadowed Dorothy Loudon. Did you know that Sara Jessica Parker opened in Annie as one of the orphans and eventually inherited the title role? I saw Mme. Parker in both roles. I never would have predicted that she'd star in a summer stock Oklahoma! let alone "You Know What in the City." Well, as the stripper says in Gypsy, "The first thing a girl needs is no talent!" Kenn Harris is a NYC theatre and music critic, and author. Contact him at kharris106@nyc.rr.com. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 12 August 22, 2008 |