Broadway Games: Name That Show! Hirschfeld: Sondheim Edition

We were so fortunate to be around the theater scene when Broadway caricaturist Al Hirschfeld was alive and working. I remember checking out the Sunday New York Times any time a new show was about to open. His art accompanied many an article about the latest plays and musicals. It always amazed me how a few simple lines could capture not only the actors, but the essence of their performance and the show itself. 

This week's game is in honor of the great Stephen Sondheim.

Broadway Games:

Name That Show! 

Hirschfeld: Sondheim Edition

Here are Hirschfeld prints from several of Stephen Sondheim's shows. Can you name the show being portrayed?

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Best Songs From Best Scores: 1965 - 1966

Imagine a season with this deep a roster of Best Score nominees: Mame, Man of La Mancha, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, and Sweet Charity. When the least of them is a beloved score from a short-run musical that was later a film with one of the world's greatest stars, I'd say it was a terrific year for the musical! Seriously, the other three are, for me, no-skip recordings, and they are each on my list of all-time favorite shows.

Best Songs From Best Scores

1965 - 1966

  

Nominee: Mame

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman

Best Song: Heartbreaking Duet: "My Best Girl"

If you were/are fortunate enough to have an "Auntie Mame" type person in your life (mine was my Nonna), then this whole show probably gives you all the feels. This song in particular makes me cry literally at just the thought of it. I know what that kind of love and devotion first hand.

Best Song:Character Entrance - Production Number: "It's Today"

As much as I love this jazzy number just listening to it, I'll never forget Angela Lansbury sliding down a spiral staircase in a gold pantsuit while playing a bugle. What an entrance! And what a song of making the most out of each moment we are alive!

Best Song: Bitchy Duet: "Bosom Buddies"

An absolute classic. What could I possibly add to the discourse around this number? It is funny, biting and a real tribute to friendship.

  

Nominee: On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

Music by Burton Lane Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner

Best Song: Character Introduction - Solo:  "Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here" - Daisy Gamble

A crazy premise - she can make flowers grow just by singing to them + a sweet delivery of even sweeter sentiments, and you get one heck of a character piece. Barbara Harris was one of a kind.

Best Song: Title Number: "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" - Dr. Mark Bruckner

I'd listen to John Cullum sing the phone book, but this is a great title number, that is warm and even catchy. Talk about an ear worm! It's not exactly a toe-tapper, but it sticks with you long after the song is over...

   

Nominee: Sweet Charity

Music by Cy Coleman and Lyrics by Dorothy Fields

Best Song: Production Number: "Big Spender" The Fan-Dango Girls

I'll bet that as you are reading this, you can hear the opening notes of this classic. What's great about the song is that it works just as well when you can only hear it as when you see what goes with it. And those infectious lyrics... fun, laughs, good time indeed!

Best Song: Title Number:  "Sweet Charity" - Oscar

Ok, so technically, this song isn't one of my favorites in the OBCR, but I love the version of the song from the 1986 revival. It is an unabashed song of adoration. I'd kill to have someone love me enough to sing me a song like this one!

Best Song: Production Number: "Rhythm of Life" Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck and His Worshippers

I love everything about this song - the catchy, infectious tune, the snappy wordplay of the lyrics, the skewering of organized religion. On a no-skip cast recording like this one, how great that it starts act two so that it is easy to play over and over! (60s shows should be played on vinyl...)

WINNER: Man of La Mancha

Music by Mitch Leigh and Lyrics by Joe Darion

Best Song: Character Introduction: "Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)" - Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote de La Mancha

I love how this song is integrated into the story, as the storyteller becomes the story before our very eyes. And the way it builds and builds... no matter who sings it is a thrill ride of a song.

Best Song: Counterpoint Quartet: "I'm Only Thinking of Him" - The Padre, The Housekeeper, Antonia and Dr. Carasco

This song walked so "A Model of Decorum and Tranquility" could run. But seriously, clever counterpoint songs, if done well, develop character and further the plot. This is a gold standard of the sub-genre.

Best Song: Soul Searching Ballad:  "What Does He Want of Me?" - Aldonza

You probably thought the classic ballad, "The Impossible Dream" would make this list, and it is a great song for sure. But for my money, this song that gives us Aldonza at her most vulnerable and confused. Dare she let herself feel love? Dare she let this crazy man in? No one has ever seen her before. What a beautiful song?

At This Theatre: The Majestic

At This Theatre:

The Majestic

Lately, the Majestic Theatre has been in the news lately. First, after more than three and a half decades, it lost its longest-running tenant, The Phantom of the Opera. Then it was in the headlines after it began a major refurbishment inside and out. Who'd have thought a new marquee, the sanding of exterior paints, and the repainting of its biggest sign from black to its former signature red would make headlines?!

Of course, when a theater has been open for 97 years (it turns 98 on March 28), there have been several headline-making shows there. For several years in the 1930s, the 44th Street theater was home to Gilbert and Sullivan revivals in repertory. Later, it was home to two Rodgers and Hart classics, On Your Toes and Babes in Arms. Perhaps this was the house that should have been re-named the Rodgers, because here was where Rogers and Hammerstein debuted Carousel, Allegro, Me and Juliet and South Pacific. Many of Broadway's greatest musicals played here (and a few legendary flops, too) like The Music Man, A Little Night Music, Golden Boy, Funny Girl, Anyone Can Whistle, Ballroom and the never opened Breakfast at Tiffany's.

    

For the last forty plus years, the Majestic has had just three tenants: a transfer of the original production of 42nd Street, The Phantom of the Opera and now, the hit revival of Gypsy. It's fun to think that many of today's most hardcore theater fans have only known the last two on the marquee in their lifetimes! It says, for better or for worse, a lot about my age that I've seen all three there... 42nd Street was my second Broadway show ever.

The Majestic Refurbished:

  

Number of Shows We've Seen There: 3

42nd Street, The Phantom of the Opera, Gypsy

      

42nd Street (March 30, 1981 - April 5, 1987) As I said, my second Broadway show ever, and it really made an impression. Big dance numbers, huge scenery, lavish costumes and classic songs played by a big orchestra - everything that defined a "musical." Today, I look back on it with nostalgia and respect. It was a living history lesson. My tastes have evolved, but it still remains a prime example of that type of show for me.

The Phantom of the Opera (January 26, 1988 - April 16, 2023) Over its three plus decade run, I saw the show there several times. It was, and still is, a show I respect more than love. The pinnacle of 80s mega musical excess, it sure checks all the boxes for that sub-genre. My favorite Phantom was Howard McGillin, but it was the last time I saw it that I really appreciated is artistry and influence. Turns out it was the final company, headed by Ben Crawford, whose gritty portrayal was actually frightening. What impressed me most was that it was a pristine production, as fresh as if it had opened that week.

Gypsy (December 19, 2024 - still running) Seems that every time I step foot in the Majestic, I'm witnessing history. Not only was the refurbishment a sight to see, but one of Broadway's greatest shows of all time arrived in a stunning, history-making revival headlined by the reigning queen of Broadway, Audra McDonald. Lavish, daring and brilliant as always, it is the perfect show to continue the grand tradition this venerable theater.

Friday 5: 5 Favorite Audra McDonald Performances

5 Favorite Audra McDonald Performances

With only 6 Tony Awards (and a meager 10 nominations), maybe some day Audra McDonald will be a success on the Broadway stage, right? My first memory of her wasn't on Broadway, but on a national tour stop for The Secret Garden, where she played a small, but noticeable role, Ayah. It was the role in which she'd make her Broadway debut - as Audra Ann McDonald. She's been somewhat successful since then... 

Here are our 5 favorite Broadway performances from this incredible actress:

5. Billie Holiday - Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Broadway - 2014): 

Boozy Audra is captivating. We hung on her every word. Billie Holiday would have been so honored.

 

4. Bess - The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Broadway - 2012): 

A classic role for a classic singer! Her pair of duets with co-star Norm Lewis ("Bess, You Is My Woman Now" and "I Loves You, Porgy") were lightning in a bottle, so passionate and moving.

 

3. Carrie Pipperidge - Carousel (Broadway - 1994): 

Mike recalls her earthy take on Carrie frequently and with delight. Surely, this was a unique and lively star-making turn, earning her her first Tony Award!

 

2. Sarah - Ragtime (Broadway - 1998): 

I've often said that Ragtime was kind of disappointing to me as a staged production, at least as compared to the glorious cast recording. But the biggest exception to that assessment was the brilliant, epic (and devastating) performance by Ms. McDonald.

 

1. Rose - Gypsy (Broadway - 2025): 

I admit I was one of those "What?? Another Gypsy?" people when this was announced. Of course, with Audra attached, I still had to see it. I've seen many great Roses over the years, but honestly, watching her tear up that Majestic stage was as jaw-dropping as it was refreshing. It was like a whole new show. I shouldn't be surprised, though. I mean, she is pretty much the gold standard in everything she does. What a privilege to be there to see it.