"Keep The Best Of You, Do The Rest Of You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                Darlings, I am telling you, they are just dropping like flies!!!!!!!!!!!  Now, the first female Original Cast member of "A Chorus Line" has passed on.  That is Pamela Blair, who originated the role of Val, pictured above, who scored a big success with the song "Dance: Ten, Looks: Three."

                                 The song was based on Blair's life of growing up in Vermont (Bennington) and wanting to be a Rockette.  The part about Val augmenting her body parts was based on dancer Mitzi Hamilton, whom I saw perform Val later in the run, and who staged the 2012 production out at the Paper Mill Playhouse, which David and I saw.

                                 Pamela also went on, in 1978, to originate the role of Amber, one of Madame Mona's girls in the original production of "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas."  She led the company in one of the show's most famous songs, "Hard Candy Christmas."

                                                                

                  She was one of the so-called "Big Six" of "A Chorus Line," the ones with the larger and more affecting roles. Sadly, she was the only one not to be TONY nominated!  With Pamela gone, half of this group is gone, the other two being Sammy Williams and Robert LuPone.  Those still alive here are Donna McKechnie, Kelly Bishop, and Priscilla Lopez.

                     Pamela Blair was more than a Legend Of The American Musical Stage."  As one of the Original Cast members of what is arguably the most entertaining and artistic musical to emerge from twentieth century culture, she was also an icon.  And shall remain so.

                       Rest In Peace, Pamela.  You were a singular sensation.

                          Here is Pamela Blair doing what made her famous!  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!