Turkey lurkey

Many happy returns today to the theatrical singer, dancer and actress Miss Donna McKechnie - the original "Cassie" in A Chorus Line and long-time stalwart of the Broadway stage, working with the likes of Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Stephen Sondheim, and her one-time husband the late Michael Bennett.

She's a powerhouse of dancing talent - as this little celebratory double-bill proves...

Donna McKechnie, Baayork Lee, Margo Sappington - Turkey Lurkey Time [Promises, Promises]

Gwen Verdon, Donna McKechnie, Paula Kelly, Helen Gallagher - Dance Medley

That's knackered me out, just watching those moves...

Some day I'll be in Diva bliss!

It's a Bank Holiday here, and the weather is still beautiful - the hottest Easter Monday on record, apparently! - which is utterly amazing for the UK. I have (needless to say) been out in it from morning till dusk; loads of grotty old plant pots have been washed ready for more flowers, and I've been moving pots and troughs around into their (possibly) permanent positions ready for summer.

Enough of all that - it is still a Tacky Music Monday, and this week's showbiz extravaganza comes courtesy of this remarkable opening routine for the 1998 Tony Awards; featuring Rosie O'Donnell, Patti LuPone [yesterday's birthday girl - she's 70 years old!], Jennifer Holliday and Betty Buckley:

Tony Awards 1998

Faboo!

Have a good week, my sweeties.

Papa won't you dance with me?

It's Stefanie Powers' birthday today - and what better company to keep as we try and cheer ourselves up as we head back to work in the dark and gloom?

So this Tacky Music Monday, we have a suitably cheesy intro from the lovely Miss Powers, promoting her (inevitable) keep-fit video...

Stefanie Powers - The Broadway Workout

...and a musical number from the lady herself, with Dick van Dyke, at the Tony Awards way back in 1985:

Stefanie Powers and Dick Van Dyke - Papa, Won't You Dance With Me?

Stefanie Powers (born Stefanie Zofya Paul, 2nd November 1942)

When I take a little nip, I begin to slip

Had she lived, the marvellous Dorothy Loudon (most famous as the original Broadway "Miss Hannigan" in Annie) would have been ninety years old today.


[A bizarre line-up of Piaf impersonator Juliette Koka, Grace Jones, Melba Moore, Broadway actress and dancer Gretchen Wyler and Dorothy Loudon]

Facts:

• Miss Loudon started off as a nightclub act before landing slots on top US television shows hosted by Perry Como and Ed Sullivan.
• She replaced Carol Burnett on The Gary Moore Show, but when two of her top stage roles ("Miss Hannigan" and "Dolly Otley" in Noises Off) were filmed, it was Miss Burnett who was cast.
• She succeeded Dame Angela Lansbury - what an act to follow - in Sweeney Todd.
• For several years, she was the chosen host/performer at the annual Tony Awards.

... and it is from one of those very galas that this magnificent paean to alcohol comes - it's Vodka:

Dorothy Loudon - Vodka

Of all concoctions alcoholical
I know but one that's diabolical
I simply thrive on old Champagne and sparkling Burgundy
Whiskey, Cointreau, Moselle
Or Eau de Vie are just like tea
But, vodka, don't give me vodka,
For when I take a little drink
I forget to think
What a little drink can do to me

Vodka, don't give me vodka,
For when I take a little nip, I begin to slip
And I start romancing with the man that I am dancing with
For vodka, makes me feel oddka
I go and grab a six foot two, anyone will do
If he's only wise enough to see
I'll not scream should he kiss me
Couldn't if I would, wouldn't if I could
Vodka, you ruin me!

I prefer gin myself, but I forgive her!

Dorothy Loudon (17th September 1925 – 14th November 2003)

So let's create the biggest spectacle we know!

Time for something sparkling to finish off the weekend, methinks!

Broadway's Tony Awards ceremony is never broadcast on British telly - we have The Olivier Awards for theatre in the UK. However, the Yanks always have the edge when it comes to sheer razzmatazz, mainly courtesy of the hyper-talented, hyper-energetic and extremely cute host Neil Patrick Harris!

Here's his amazing opening number from last Sunday's event, Bigger:

Neil Patrick Harris - Bigger (2013 Tony Awards)

Truly breathtaking...

Tony Awards round-up in The Independent

One of the Girls Who's One of the Boys

It's Monday again. So soon..?!! Bleurgh!

Time to cheer ourselves up with some (more) of the wonderful Betty Bacall - on this Tacky Music Monday, she is One of the Girls Who Is One of the Boys - and we love her for it!

Lauren Bacall - One of the Girls Who Is One of the Boys (Woman of the Year)

Have a good week!

You already know how magical theatre can be

I must confess I have never watched the Tony Awards (as it's all about Broadway productions, I'm not even sure they show it in the UK). I usually find the back-slapping false-smile, false-tits, false-everything aura of such affairs as the Oscars and the Brits too excruciating to sit through, if truth be told.

However this must be one of the campest awards presentation ceremony opening numbers I have seen in a long time...

Neil Patrick Harris - It's Not Just For Gays Anymore

Neil Patrick Harris - whatever it is you are famous for (apart from being an "A-Gay"), I think I love you!

[Thanks, Lionel]