When I took a Broadway performance class at Sierra College we were required to audition for the spring musical, which was to be A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum. I had no interest in being in the show whatsoever but I wanted my grade so I signed up. Anyone who has ever … Continue reading Stage To Screen: Flower Drum Song
Page To Screen: The Three Musketeers
It's been a long time since we've looked at a literary leviathan, adapted countless times for the large and small screen, part of our cultural lexicon, and something we can't imagine life without. The 1844 Alexandre Dumas classic is an absolute titan in that regard, right up there with Robin Hood, King Arthur and Romeo and … Continue reading Page To Screen: The Three Musketeers
During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
Between 1941 and 1942 America's military went from approximately 1.8 million to almost four million, and by the end of the war around twelve million Americans were in the Armed Forces. The popular myth about the United States in the period immediately following Pearl Harbor is that recruitment offices were jammed with volunteers, but according … Continue reading During World War Two: You’re In the Armed Forces Now
Stage To Screen: Pal Joey
OK, so I know I said I was going to do a Stage To Screen about The Sign of The Cross, but once I started researching everything I decided to scrap it and write about Rodgers and Hart's Pal Joey instead. This decision was made for two reasons. First of all, there's not enough verified information … Continue reading Stage To Screen: Pal Joey
Seven Reasons To See “Singin’ In the Rain”
I have seen 1952's Singin' In the Rain more times than I can count. I grew up on this movie. However, as blogging would have it, I never thought I would review it because everyone and their brother reviews it. Yet here I am. It's been a lonnnnng time since I've watched the film, and I … Continue reading Seven Reasons To See “Singin’ In the Rain”
Stage To Screen: On the Town
"New York, New York, it's a {insert adjective here} town..." Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green's story of three sailors on leave in New York City is probably one of the most famous musicals of the World War Two period. It was both satire and commentary, as it came from a time when relationships … Continue reading Stage To Screen: On the Town
My Five Favorite 50s Films
Happy National Classic Movie Day! Every year, Rick of Rick's Film and TV Cafe poses a question to the blogging world, and it's always a good surprise. Usually, but not exclusively, the number five figures into things somewhere, and this is one of those times. This year, Rick wants to know which films of the … Continue reading My Five Favorite 50s Films
No Business Like Show Business
Miss Showbiz has made yet another comeback, people. We in the twenty-first century have no firsthand knowledge of vaudeville in its heyday. The family show of a century ago, vaudeville featured song-and-dance people, skits, comedy, magic acts, animal acts, and basically anything respectable that could be done before an audience. Perfomers would travel circuits according … Continue reading No Business Like Show Business
La Vie Gershwin
Curtain... Confession time: I have a teeny bit of dance training. For two years I studied tap, ballet, and jazz with the late, great Betty Gentry. I also got a crash course in hip-hop and swing dancing before my tour with the Continental Singers. Four to six hours of just choreography a day, in addition … Continue reading La Vie Gershwin
Taking Up Room 