Today is the the birthday of Neva Small, who became a Legend Of The Musical Stage, with her heartrending rendition of "I Wonder How It Is," from the 1967 musical, "Henry, Sweet Henry." That's Neva, just a little girl, at 14, when she appeared with Don Ameche, in that show! Today, Miss Small turns 61, and her voice and form are still radiant!
Why don't we hear more from Neva? Every time we do, it is an event! From "Henry, Sweet Henry," to Bob Merrill's "The Prince Of Grand Street," Neva's voice makes headlines, and brings folks to attention!!!!!!!!!!!! And still she is simply remembered for playing Chava in the film version of "Fiddler On The Roof," As if this were the only thing she had done!
I still recall her poignant rendition of "Buy Cigarettes" from the Yiddish musical, "The Golden Land." But, that was over 25 years ago!
Now, I could not find a rendering of Neva doing her legendary song from 'Henry,', but I did, by accident, come across this wonderful trailer for a production that Steven McCasland's company, "Beautiful Soup, was supposed to do, but I am not sure they ever did! Because I would have been there!
Steve, darling, why don't you go 'Henry'?????? I am ready to play Gil or Kafritz!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Neva, and many more! Now, why don't you come back?????????
We Theater Queens need our musical theater icons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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