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He wrote the score to the musical that spoke to me personally, as it did to countless others. He wrote "The Way We Were." Darlings, if that and "A Chorus Line" were the only things Marvin Hamlisch EVER did, they would have been enough to assure him a place in music immortality.
But he did not stop there. There were his scores for award-calibre movies--"The Sting," "Ordinary People," and "Sophie's Choice," among others. He made countless concert appearances, almost right up till his death on August 6, at the age of 68. He not only worked closely with BARBRA, it was the fact that he COULD!!!!!!!!!!! And don't forget "They're Playing Our Song!" The man seemed indefatigable.
Way before writing the 1975 classic above, (where I still try to execute that Donna McKechnie move each morning, darlings!!!!!) he had served as music arranger (or was it vocal or dance arranger???) on one of my favorite scores--"Henry, Sweet Henry," on which he and Michael Bennett first worked together.
And now, in a way, they are again. From Julliard, where he studied, to Broadway and Hollywood, Marvin Hamlisch scaled the heights.
His work seemed so effortless it was sometimes hard for me to believe he had written it. I recall it took me about twenty years to accept that he had written "A Chorus Line." Today, it seems like no one else could.
How ironic that the October season opener at the Paper Mill Playhouse will be "A Chorus Line." In the wake of Marvin's passing, I cannot think of a more fitting tribute than to visit (or revisit) this iconic classic. You know I have my tickets, darling, for October 7. It will be a special viewing.
Were I technical enough to go out on an audio note, it would be the opening vamp of "One." Rest In Peace, Marvin Hamlisch. There is no question you were a Singular Sensation!!!!!!!!!
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