June 27, 2008 - CAMP Show Queen

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

CAMP Show Queen

Poor Whoopie Goldberg, as host of the recent Tony Awards she didn't have very good material to work with. But then, neither did the Tony voters. Let's turn our thoughts to those golden days of yesteryear when Tonys were Tonys and winners were winners.

1. Barbara Cook, who lavished her talents on so many musicals, actually has received only one Tony. Name the musical Cook won for, the character she played, and the other two actors from that production, and the roles they played.

2. Five women have starred as Momma Rose in Gypsy on Broadway since 1959. Only two won Tonys for their performances in this role, Three lost. Who won and who lost?

3. The late Gregory Hines and the great Nathan Lane tied for Tonys the year that they went up against one another. What shows were they in?

4. Gay icon Jerry Herman found himself carrying two Tonys the night that Hello, Dolly! won. In what categories did they fall?

5. Glamorous Angela Lansbury won two of her four Tonys wearing truly distasteful fright wigs, although in one case the red horror added considerably to the fun. In one of her Tony winning shows, she was made to look shoddy. In only one of her Tony award wining shows was Angela dressed and coiffed in style. In which two shows did poor Angie look horrible, in which was she just plain, and in which show was she dressed like the star she is.

6. This lovely lady was an unforgettable tragic heroine in a film co-starring Marlon Brando. She smiled a lot more on a hit sitcom. She picked up a Tony for Best Supporting actress in a musical. Who is the lady, who recently left us, and what were the titles of the musical, the film, and that TV sitcom?

7. The original South Pacific garnered four Tonys for acting. The current revival won two acting awards. Who were the 4 actors who won in 1949, and what were their roles? Then tell us who won, and for what in 2008.

8. This husband of Elizabeth Taylor (ok, the same guy was her husband twice) won a Tony for his first and only Broadway musical. Name the actor, the show, his role and the haunting romantic ballad he sang (sort of).

9. After a fractious tryout, the glamorous but underutilized leading lady of this elegant, melodic musical was handed a new balladone just right for her low timbre and limited range. The show was a hit, and the song is probably the most popular number ever penned by the prolific composer. Our star walked away with a Tony, as did another brilliant actress in the Best Supporting Actress category. Name the show, the star, the song, the composer, and the woman who won Best Supporting Actress?

10. In a late Cole Porter musical, a young, unknown dancer of great ability had her part cut down by the (now forgotten) star. She did have one fabulous ballet late in the second act. On opening night, the young ballet dancer brought down the house. In spite of the leading lady's machinations, our girl became an authentic overnight star. For the rest of her life, she remained one of Broadway's greatestand most graciousluminaries. Name the show, the dancer, the choreographer (who like his star, won a Tony for his work. What subject did the ballet deal with? Who was the evil leading lady?

Answers

2. Angela Lansbury and this year's laureate Patti Lupone won. The great Ethel Merman, who created the role did not win. Nor did Tyne Daly or Bernadette Peters.

3. Hines was in Jelly's Last Jam, while good ol' reliable Nathan starred in Guys and Dolls.

4. Best Score and Best Musical for "well, well, Hello, Dolly!"

5. In Dear World and Sweeney Todd, Miss Lansbury was made to look just awful, and in Gypsy, her great looks were dimmed. Only in Mame was she dressed like a star.

6. Miyoshi Umeki won the Tony for her work in Rogers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song in which she played Mei Ling. (She repeated her role in the film version.) She broke people's hearts in Sayonara, with Brando, and was seen on The Courtship Of Eddie's Father.

7. In 1949 awards went to Mary Martin (Nellie), Ezio Pinza (Emile), Juanita Hall (Bloody Mary), and Myron McCormack (Billis) Last month Kelly O'Hara won for Nellie and Paolo Zlot won for Emile.

8. Richard Burton, Camelot, King Arthur, "How to Handle a Woman."

9. A Little Night Music, Glynis Johns, "Send in the Clowns," Stephen Sondheim, Patricia Elliott.

10. Can-Can was the show, Gwen Verdon became the overnight star, Michael Kidd choreographed. The theme was the Garden of Eden, Lilo (who?)

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 08 June 27, 2008