*hypnotized* Yes, Hugh Jackman in 2004, anything you say ... Courtesy Tumblr.
I fell behind with Notable Opening Nights. The gap is once again two weeks. I will catch up again. One way or another.
Notable Oct. 16 debuts include:
Jack O'Lantern, which opened in 1917 at what is now the Lunt-Fontanne. Less than six months after the death of his longtime peformance partner, David C. Montgomery, Fred Stone headlined on his own in this musical extravaganza. "Mr. Stone's versatility is in evidence to an extraordinary degree, and he is more than usually generous with songs, eccentric dances, and general comicalities," The New York Times declared. "There are a number of surprising feats which he accomplishes with his accustomed ability." Stone remainred a star for about another quarter-century.
The Shame Woman, which opened in 1923 at the now-demolished Greenwich Village Theatre. Actually, it should probably be The Shame Women. Lula Vollmer's tragedy was the story of Lize Burns (Florence Rittenhouse), whose life and reputation was ruined after Craig Anson (Edward Pawley) told everyone about their fooling around. Twenty years later, Lize lives with her adopted daughter Lily (Thelma Paige), who's been seeing a man of her own. Lize, trying to prevent Lily from her own shameful experience, shares the story of her past. The young lady responds by running off and committing suicide. Lize learns that Lily was seeing Craig, and avenges her daughter (and herself?) by killing Craig.
The Man Who Came to Dinner, which opened in 1939 at the Music Box. Monty Woolley starred in this George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart comedy, and its 1942 film adaptation, about a radio personality who is forced to convalesce at a small town Ohio home. Kaufman and Hart based Sheridan Whiteside on their friend, Alexander Woolcott, who could admittedly be a little too much to handle.
Courtesy YouTube.
The Red Mill, which was revived in 1945 at the now-demolished Ziegfeld before spending most of its run at what is now the Richard Rodgers and then closing in January 1947 at the Shubert. Nearly 40 years after its original Broadway run, which happened to have starred Stone & Montgomery, The Red Mill ran for nearly twice as long. It's an operetta about an American vaudeville team who solve the romantic problems for several Dutch folks.
Courtesy YouTube.
Judy Garland at the Palace: "Two-A-Day", which opened at the Palace in 1951. Judy received a special Tony for this engagement, produced by her eventual third husband, Sid Luft.
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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, which opened in 1967 at what is now the Neil Simon before closing just over a year later at the Eugene O'Neill. Tom Stoppard made his Broadway debut with this Tony winner that put a fresh spin on Hamlet. I'm surprised we haven't had more productions like it. How's about an inversion of The Man Who Came to Dinner entitled I, Miss Preen? Anyway, I should really give R&G another read. It's been so long.
Courtesy YouTube.
Zorba, which was revived in 1983 at the Broadway. Nearly 20 years after Zorba the Greek, Anthony Quinn and Lila Kedrova finally starred in Kander & Ebb's musical version. Quinn had been touring with Zorba since January 1983 and minus a few months off, would continue with the show until August 1986.
Courtesy YouTube.
Side Show, which opened in 1997 at the Richard Rodgers. While not a long-runner, Side Show deserves a mention for being one of the more unique musicals. It's the story of conjoined twin entertainers Daisy and Violet Hilton, originally played by Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley. In a unique move, Skinner and Ripley shared a nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. They lost to Natasha Richardson in Cabaret.
Courtesy YouTube.
The Boy From Oz, which opened in 2003 at the Imperial. Hugh Jackman won the Tony for playing Peter Allen in this biomusical that also had some good songs for Isabel Keating (as Judy Garland), Stephanie J. Block (as Liza Minnelli), and Beth Fowler (as Marion Bryden, Peter's mother).
Courtesy YouTube.
On the Town, which was adapted in 2014 at the Lyric. If this production had lasted about two more months, it would have surpassed Town's original 1944-46 run. Alas, it also went zero for four at the Tonys.
Courtesy YouTube.
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