Those who follow the antics on here will no doubt recall that I was not exactly blown away by the current Broadway revival of 'How To Succeed'. And it was frustrating, because I SO wanted to be. After almost a week, I was still feeling this malaise, so I pulled out my copy of the Original Cast (1961) recording, which I had not listened to in ages, and sat back!!!!!!
Oh, my God!!!!! The Overture was sharper; I swear they did something to the orchestrations in the revival. And don't you mess with orchestrations!!!!! Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee were as brilliant as remembered, not to mention Charles Nelson Reilly. But, in the small but important role of Smitty, who worked in personnel, the great Claudette Sutherland made show stoppers of her two songs, "Been A Long Day," and the production number, "Cinderella, Darling!!!" The American Indian rhythms as Claudette begins, "You're a real live fairy tale/A symbol DIVINE", singing in a clarion voice that should have steered her to a major career on Broadway. Instead, for Theater Queens, this is what Claudette is remembered for. I was not even sure she was still alive. I mean, she would have to be getting into her 80's!!!!!!
Well, girls, guess what????? Claudette is alive and well, and living in L.A. which is what many New York actors did, who wanted to make a go of things. She has worked steadily in television, playing minor parts, but always getting work. But her star turn NOW is at the West Coast division of AMDA, where she teachers creative writing!!!! I want to fly out right now, and study with Claudette!!!! Wonder what she would think of this blog????
And I wonder if she could be coaxed again into singing "Cinderella, Darling????" I bet she could still do it!!!!! Her rendition taught a lot of us about projection!!!!!!!
Once a legend, always a legend, loves!!!!! And the legendary Claudette is STILL alive!!!!!!
No wonder I have been singing "Cinderella, Darling" all day!!!!!!!!!!!
Words cannot describe how relieved I was when I got up this morning and found this post. To say it made my day is an understatement. Made my decade. Not only did I find out that I'm alive, but indeed, I'm a legend.
ReplyDeleteAll that without leaving the house. You are impossibly outrageous and I know you take that as a compliment, darling! I am posting this on FB with pleasure. So many folks will be as relieved as am I! Hahahahahahahahaha!
Miss S--
ReplyDeleteA friend, and reader, alerted me to your very appreciated comments yesterday. Yes, I pride myself on outrageousness; being so on here compensates for when I cannot elsewhere.
Sometimes, at day's end, I sing "Been A Long Day!" I love the lyric "service for two--three fifty eight!" You won't see that in Manhattan NOW, I can tell you!
You made MY day, as well! Keep up your great work!!!