As we wind down to the big guns of the Holiday Season, musically, let us pause with a little heralded Broadway classic--the "Be A Santa" number, from "Subways Are For Sleeping."
This show, while not a hit, has quite a history. It opened on December 27, 1961, at the St. James Theatre. It got so so reviews, but lasted long enough for Phyllis Newman to win a TONY Award for her performance, and, in the chorus of the 'Santa;' number, which was staged by Michael Kidd as a ballet, was another young man named Michael--Bennett!!!!!!!!!!! Is he in this photo????????? And how about Baayork????????????
But the real story behind this show was David Merrick's Revenge. He was peeved with the negative reviews, so he tracked down a group of folk matching the names of the critics, brought them in to see the show, then posted THEIR notices on a poster--which were raves!!!!!!!!!! One of the greatest publicity stunts of all time!!!!!!!!!!!
So, before the heavy guns, let us remember this Broadway classic!!!!!!!!!!!
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