Live recording excerpts from my collection of old Broadway shows. Visit my new site goldstonemreggroll.weebly.com and become a subscriber for access to full live recordings for historical research purposes only.
I think the reason it never found an audience is because its plot’s not very relatable. Nor is it escapism. Plus none of the characters is very likable, except maybe for Charlie. Plus this must before they miked the actors. Hard to hear-the words. Plus one of them sounds alot like Ethel Mertz. Plus
It was also due to the cast being young actors and that the stage was set on a high school gymnasium and having the students tell the story of Franklin so while the concept was interesting it was never really used to it's full potential.
Wonderful Recording! Wonderful Song! I was born in the late fall of 1978. I portrayed Charlie Brown in my Elementary School Play Production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brwon!
This is great. Reminds me of Gilbert and Sullivan. And that role was just perfect for Bert Lahr's unique talents. Too bad David Merrick let "Foxy" flop; he was too invested in "Hello Dolly" to care. Thanks for bringing back this rarity!
Very reminiscent of The Fantastiks! I never knew there was a musical of Our Town! I read they are staging a revival of Our Town on Broadway in the coming year or so. I will never forget the first time I saw it on TV as a child. Robby Benson was in it and Sada Thompson. Other stars too, I’m sure, but those two remain in my memory. 😊
There was a TV musical version of OUR TOWN in 1955 that starred Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint. The song "Love and Marriage" (aka theme song from the TV show "Married ... with Children") came from that musical.
This is a beautiful song! It is so Jones and Schmidt, so ethereal, so delicate, so full of magic. Even with this small orchestration the song comes alive in pure beauty. Is there are recording of this entire production? There just has to be a ay for the world to hear this score. If only Mary Martin had lived long enough to bring this play into prominence. I hope that the estates settle their differences soon so that there can at least be a professional recording made of the score.
This is amazing! At last I've caught a glimpse of the unfortunately lost FOXY. I have to find one of those audio recordings!!! THANK YOU (as always)!!!
I saw this musical with my father when I was 10-years old. I knew the play, as my father gave me the recording with Gingold. I don't remember anything about this production except this song, and Mercouri in a white dress, center stage raising her hands up during this beautiful song.
Pat doesn’t look and act lesbian enough! No doubt some of you will disagree and ask ‘what does it look like to be lesbian’? 🙂 In those days they looked more masculine!
I have loved this song ever since I heard it on the original cast album. And now, to hear it live is an absolute treat. I know this play did not get good reviews but form listening to it on the original cast recording, how I wish I had seen it. I love hearing the birding dialogue. I notice that the tempo is increased in this version, And how cool is it hear Howard Keel joining in with the fun. I hope that you release more live recordings of this score because the sonics are wonderful! THANK YOU!!!
Great actress of much talent. Like Lugosi she became immortalized for playing an iconic villain. I know how much she respected this role & Ursula. Both bigger than life characters.
I remember seeing MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG in the first week of its preview and then one of the last performances. Despite the original show's many problems, this number moved me deeply. I love the cast of the current revival. Andrew listening to Walton, Morrison, and Price doing this song, live, I have a new appreciation for what the three of them achieved.
I was there with my dear "old friend" of now almost 55 years. Unforgettable. Goldstone Eggroll, if you have the Overture, I recall that - speaking of applause - we started clapping around the point when Rich and Happy segued into "Best thing that ever could have happened" and didn't stop until Paul Geminiani finally gave the downbeat to start the show. Do I remember right?
I directed a production of this at the end of 2023 - the audiences ate it up - every performance sold out. I was allowed to do a few things to the show, including one hugely important fix and all the changes really helped. We're hoping that the changes will be put into the licensed version.
I saw the original production twice, the second time at the closing performance. I was in high school at the time. I adored it and thought, with all due respect, that the premise landed just fine. One of my favorite Kander and Ebb scores. Thank you for all the treasures you share!
Thanks for posting this! I heard a radio broadcast recording with an ad that made this sound interesting. The ad was spooky-sounding. I have been curious for years!
I can't believe someone thought to bootleg this show back in 1981. Based on the date, it's one of the (Corrected - Main performances) after Jim Walton replaced James Weissenbach, It's too bad the show bombed, but after re-writes, Merrily came back better than ever!
This was filmed on November 25th, which was during the show's regular run (the show officially opened after two postponements on November 16th), and was three days before the closing on November 28th.
Thanks for sharing this audio clip! Howard Keel was signed to star in MAN OF LA MANCHA at Milwaukee's Melody Top Theatre during the summer of 1972. When plans were announced to bring AMBASSADOR to Broadway, Keel bought out his summer stock contract with $5,000. Melody Top management used the money to add five toilets to the women's restroom. According to a friend who used them, along with a newspaper article, the additional stools were known as the "Howard Keel Memorial Toilets."
