Great but at the same time sad to see this as it was only the previous year that Oscar Hammerstein had passed away bringing that magical collaboration to an end thanks for posting.
How lucky we are to get to see Martha Wright singing A WONDERFUL GUY after all those years of being known as Mary Martin's replacement in SOUTH PACIFIC. And I've always admired John Reardon's singing but I never had a chance to see him perform. He gives one of the most thrilling performances of I HAVE DREAMED that I've ever heard. And these two singers do full justice to the R&H songs they sing in this telecast. It's interesting to watch Rodgers' reactions at the end of his songs. I think the only time he smiles is after listening to I ENJOY BEING A GIRL. Perhaps, as he's listening, he's remembering craft rather than the experience we have. How wonderful it would have been to have Hammerstein alongside Rodgers to talk about the lyrics - so that Rodgers could have focused more on his music. But that's to take nothing from this wonderful telecast - when people still TALKED to each other on television. I loved hearing CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN as a duet between a female and a male. Boy, do those two sing the Hell out of it!
What a shame that Rodgers' collaberation with Alan Jay Lerner didn't work out! The show they tried, but failed to write together was called *I Picked a Daisy,* and after the Rodgers & Lerner partnership dissolved, it eventually became *On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,* with music by Burton Lane.
With Mr S's departure, the road of joy & truth seems even clearer; give us more to see everyone. .You know who you are.. We await for the "Forever", tomorrow.
I love Mary Martin, even spent some quality time w her during “I Do, I Do,” in 1968, however, Martha Wright is also a fantastic singer, performer!! I really enjoyed her on this program!!! Sad more people don’t know of her as well!! A lovely lady and another terrific talent!! ❤️💐
In the last years of Rodgers' life, he spoke very hoarsely because he'd had surgery to remove his larynx(voicebox) on account of cancer. (He died in 1979.)