Some of the original Broadway cast of this spectacular musical comedy got the chance to recreate their roles for this production, filmed live and broadcast on Japanese TV. Fortunately, copies made their way into the hands of American audiences and collectors, and what a treat it is to see again. A few years prior to the original airing, I got to see the touring production at the now gone Shubert Theater in L. A., with at least one of the cast members here (Carole Cook), and if the production isn't as lavish as the 2001 revival and the recent British production (also filmed for TV) , it is a spectacular record of the first stage version of a hit classic movie musical to be a hit Broadway musical.
Clare Leach is Peggy Sawyer, the vulnerable and ambitious hoofer from Allentown who goes out there a youngster and comes back a star, taking over for leading lady Elizabeth Allen in "Pretty Lady", certainly much more age-appropriate with that fresh and dewey quality that the character needs, unlike Allen as Dorothy Brock, while glamorous but now temperamental, being kept by the wealthy Iggie Wolfington while seeing another man on the side. Producer Julian Marsh (Jamie Ross) must make threats to keep her in line, and when Brock has an accident, it's up to young Peggy to save the day. Simple, much repeated plot, but surrounded by the great songs of Warren and Dubin that are still sung today.
There's also an original cast member Lee Roy Reems as the eternal juvenile who becomes Peggy's love interest, and Carole Cook as the show's writer, Maggie Jones who takes Peggy under her wings. Songs such as "Shuffle off to Buffalo" , "Young and Healthy", "Dames", "We're in the Money" and "Lullaby of Broadway" may not move the story along but they are elaborate and timeless, and I couldn't imagine the show without them. Later revivals would add more songs from the Warren and Dubin songbook, but this production certainly is well worth seeking out.
Clare Leach is Peggy Sawyer, the vulnerable and ambitious hoofer from Allentown who goes out there a youngster and comes back a star, taking over for leading lady Elizabeth Allen in "Pretty Lady", certainly much more age-appropriate with that fresh and dewey quality that the character needs, unlike Allen as Dorothy Brock, while glamorous but now temperamental, being kept by the wealthy Iggie Wolfington while seeing another man on the side. Producer Julian Marsh (Jamie Ross) must make threats to keep her in line, and when Brock has an accident, it's up to young Peggy to save the day. Simple, much repeated plot, but surrounded by the great songs of Warren and Dubin that are still sung today.
There's also an original cast member Lee Roy Reems as the eternal juvenile who becomes Peggy's love interest, and Carole Cook as the show's writer, Maggie Jones who takes Peggy under her wings. Songs such as "Shuffle off to Buffalo" , "Young and Healthy", "Dames", "We're in the Money" and "Lullaby of Broadway" may not move the story along but they are elaborate and timeless, and I couldn't imagine the show without them. Later revivals would add more songs from the Warren and Dubin songbook, but this production certainly is well worth seeking out.
