Musical Theatre: A History
Suggested Web Videos
Edited by John Kenrick
These videos are suggested accompaniments to my book
Musical Theatre A History (2nd Edition 2017).
Because videos posted on the web come and go without notice, I
apologize for any links here that may suddenly lead nowhere. Please let
me know if you encounter any problems and I will update the page.
These pages are under construction and will be completed in January 2017. Thanks for your patience!
- 15. Rodgers & Hammerstein
- 16. After Oklahoma
- 17. Anatomy of a Hit: My Fair Lady
- 18. Career in Profile: Ethel Merman
- 19. Abbott, Robbins, and Fosse
- 20. More Golden Age Musicals
- "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" - Oklahoma replaced the standard opening chorus number with a an intimate encounter; a lone woman churning butter is approached by a cowboy. Hugh Jackman in the 1998 London revival.
- "Surrey With the Fringe on Top" - Oklahoma's opening scene continues, every element enriching character, plot and atmosphere.
- "People Will Say We're in Love" - Oklahoma's refreshing take on a love duet, comic in tone but with the full throated vocals one expected in operetta. Jackman with Josefina Gabrielle.
- "Can't Say No" - Oklahoma native Kirstin Chenoweth is a delightful rendition of Ado Annie's comic lament from Oklahoma.
- "Some Enchanted Evening" - Brian Stokes Mitchell sings this ballad from South Pacific.
- "Shall We Dance" - Yul Brynner and Patricia Morrison in an exquisite scene from The King and I.
- "Do, Re, Mi" - Laura Benanti and the children from the 1998 Broadway revival of The Sound of Music.
- "Impossible/Ten Minutes Ago" - From the handsome 2013 Broadway production of Cinderella.
16. After Oklahoma
- Bloomer Girl - This musical was never filmed for the big screen, but Barbara Cook and Kieth Andes are seen in this 1956 TV version.
- On the Town - The 2015 Broadway revival cast as seen on the Tony Awards.
- "I Can Cook Too" - From the 1998 Broadway revival cast of On the Town, Lea DeLaria and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
- "Anything I Can Do" - Irving Berlin mastered the new musical play with his score for Annie Get Your Gun. Betty Hutton and Howard Keel are seen here in the MGM film version.
- "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love" - In Finian's Rainbow, David Wayne became the first performer in a musical to win a Tony.
- "Old Devil Moon" - From the 2009 Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow, Cheyenne Jackson and Kate Baldwin.
- "Look to the Rainbow" - From the delightful 1968 film version of Finian's Rainbow, Petula Clark and Fred Astaire
- "Wunderbar" - Cole Porter lovingly spoofed operetta is this duet from Kiss Me Kate, seen here in a 2014 BBC concert performance by Ben Davis and Alexandra Silber.
- "Where is the Life That Late I Led?" - Kiss Me Kate's original star Alfred Drake returned to the role of Fred/Petruchio in the 1958 TV production.
- "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" - Porter's ribald Kiss Me Kate showstopper as performed by Michael McCormick and Michael Mulhern (2009 NY Revival cast).
- "I Love Paris/Can Can" - Cole Porter's Can Can featured these songs, sung here in concert by Patti LuPone.
- "I'm Flying" - Mary Martin in the 1954 Broadway production of Peter Pan, recreated for TV in 1960.
- "Hook's Waltz" - Cyril Ritchard's Tony-winning performance from the 1954 Peter Pan.
- "America" - Debbie Allen and the 1980 Broadway revival cast of West Side Story, choreography by Peter Gennaro.
- "Almost Like Being in Love" - Robert Goulet and Sally Ann Howes in the 1966 TV production of Brigadoon.
- If at all possible, treat yourself to watching the full 1964 film version.
- "Why Can't the English" - Rex Harrison in the 1964 film.
- "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" - Julie Andrews, original cast.
- "The Rain in Spain" - from the 1964 film.
- Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison recreate rehearsal moments for a 1960 CBS-TV special.
- "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" - Harrison in the 1964 film. His solos were filmed with a live orchestra on set.
18. Career in Profile: Ethel Merman
- "Everything's Coming Up Roses" - Merman still in top form at one of her final public performances
- Anything Goes medley - For a PBS special, Merman performs "I Get a Kick Out of You," discusses the show, duets with Rock Hudson for "You're the Top," and finishes with the title song -- all only hours after suffering a stroke.
- "They Say It's Wonderful" - Merman in 1975.
- "The Hostess with the Mostess" - Merman in the 1952 film version of Call Me Madam.
- "Just in Love" - Merman and Donald O'Connor in the 1952 film version of Call Me Madam.
- Judy Garland, Barbara Striesand and Ethel Merman on an episode of Judy Garland's 1964 CBS-TV variety series.
- "I've Got the Sun in the Morning" - Merman and the 1965 NY revival cast.
- Airplane - Merman spoofed herself in this scene from the hit 1980 film.
- Alexander's Ragtime Band - Merman in the version she recorded for her 1979 disco album.
19. Abbott, Robbins, and Fosse
- Once Upon a Mattress 1 - George Abbott's comic direction is in evidence in this production which helped cement stardom for Carol Burnett.
- Once Upon a Mattress 2 - Burnett's bed scene remains a comic masterpiece.
- "Tonight" - West Side Story's original stars, Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence.
- Jerome Robbins' Broadway - highlights from many of Robbins' shows lead to a recreation of "Dance at the Gym" from West Side Story.
- "Steam Heat" - Original star Carol Haney recreates Bob Fosse's iconic choreography in the 1957 film version of Pajama Game
- "Heart" - Fosse's simple staging still works in the 1958 film version of Damn Yankees.
- "Whatever Lola Wants" - Original star Gwen Verdon in the film version of Damn Yankees.
- "Who's Got the Pain" - Choreographer Bob Fosse partners with wife Gwen Verdon in the 1958 film.
- "Hey Big Spender"- Bob Fosse's raunchy Sweet Charity showstopper as it was recreated in the acclaimed revue Fosse.
- "If They Could See Me Now" - Fosse choreographed this number, performed by original star Gwen Verdon on the Ed Sullivan Show.
- Pippin TV ad - With this ad for the original 1974 production, Fosse made TV advertising essential for Broadway musicals.
- "Mein Herr" - Fosse staged this new number for Liza Minnelli in the 1974 film version of Cabaret.
- "America/All That Jazz" - Not the original choreography, but Chita Rivera is sensational in this exciting medley from her nightclub act.
20. More Golden Age Musicals
- "Adelaide's Lament" - Guys and Dolls included this comic gem performed here by Broadway's original Adelaide, Vivian Blaine.
- "Brotherhood of Man" - Daniel Radcliffe leads the 2011 revival cast in this rousing audience favorite from How to Succeed.
- "Trouble" - Original Broadway star Robert Preston in the 1960 film version of The Music Man.
- "Till There Was You/Lida Rose" - From the original Broadway cast, Barbara Cook and the Buffalo Bills perform these songs from The Music Man.
- "Try to Remember" - Original "El Gallo" Jerry Orbach sings this song which he introduced in The Fantasticks.
- "I'd Do Anything" - The original Broadway cast of Oliver, featuring future Monkee Davy Jones (The Artful Dodger) and Georgia Brown (Nancy).
- "As Long As He Needs Me" - Georgia Brown, London and New York's original Nancy in Oliver, sings "As Long As He Needs Me."
- "Kids" - At the 1974 Tony Awards, Paul Lynde revisited this song from Bye Bye Birdie.
- "The Shriner's Ballet" - Chita Rivera and The American Dance Machine recreate Gower Champion's sensational choreography from Bye Bye Birdie.
- "Before the Parade Passes By" - as performed by Broadway's origingal Dolly, Carol Channing.
- "Hello Dolly" - Gower Champion's choreography, Channing and the 1994 Broadway revival cast.
- "Hello Dolly" special - For Broadway's 2010 Gypsy of the Year event, waiters from various productions accompanied Channing in an emotional performance of her showstopper.
- "Bosom Buddies" - Mame's original stars Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur repeated their Tony-winning performances.
- "Wilkommen" - Joel Grey and the original Broadway cast of Cabaret in the thrilling (and ultimately chilling) opening number.
- "Wilkommen" special - Alan Cumming and Joel Grey at the 1998 Kennedy Center Honors tribute to songwriters Kander & Ebb.
- "I Want to Hold Your Hand" - On the same night the Ed Sullivan show featured the original cast of Oliver, the Beatles made their American TV debut -- and popular music would never be the same.
21. The 1960s:
The Parade Passes By
These pages are under construction and will be completed by the first week in October 2017. Thanks for your patience!