Anyone who saw this live at the Broadway Theater would never forget this number when Viv let’s it all go with her dance. Shame the timecode blocks it, but seeing it again is enough!
Wonderful glimpse of the Leigh that many people are unfamiliar with--despite the drama and illness that was such a big part of her life, she had great humor and grace. This role shows that. Considering her state of health at that time, it's amazing that she was able to continue in the show for so many months. Anyone know what became of Byron Mitchell?
Ok, for those who don't know - Wilkes-Barre was a prime stop during the vaudeville era. George Burns/Gracie Allen, Abbott & Costello - all the great vaudevillians came to the Polis Theatre on S. Main St.. The saying was "If you can't make it in Wilkes-Barre you can't make it anywhere. Tough crowd." George & Gracie mentioned it in their TV show. So did Lucille Ball. The coal barons loved it!
This was too funny.... a part of it's history. I went to grade school and high school in Wilkes-Barre when the railroad station at the bottom of 'the Heights' was fully active. You could hear and smell the two breweries that were running at full capacity next to the train station; Stegmaier and Gibbons breweries. We played in the streets and Coal Street field without any concerns and could walk to the Woolworths in the city square where you would pick a balloon that you could pop to see what you would pay for the sundae that you ordered on a slip of paper inside the balloon. Never imagined it had a song on Broadway; crazy.
Alas she would dramatically leave the production in early October, having a breakdown on stage and not recognizing her co-sat Jean Pierre Aumont. Her replacement on October 21st was Eva Gabor, the show lasted 2 more weeks and closed. The show, and its score, are rarely if ever performed.
Leigh did win the Tony Award for her role as, Grand Duchess Tatiana Petrovna Romanov. Leigh and Olivier were always huge supporters and loyal advocates of the theatrical stage throughout their careers, way more so than cinema. Leigh did 37 plays in total, twice as many feature films (19), and really should've won more than awards than she did. Many people don't know what a big brain she really was. Leigh and Olivier would perform two sometimes, three separate Shakespeare plays in a single theater run, alternating plays each night.
LaDonnaization it’s a once great city that by the 50s was on the decline. And has been just a beating since. Today the most depressed city in Pennsylvania
Yes, good question. He's the epitome of a '60s B'way song-and-dance ingenue. Absolutely terrific. Would've been an ideal "Billy Lawlor" in 42nd STREET had that show been created around this time.
Anyone who saw this live at the Broadway Theater would never forget this number when Viv let’s it all go with her dance. Shame the timecode blocks it, but seeing it again is enough!
Wonderful glimpse of the Leigh that many people are unfamiliar with--despite the drama and illness that was such a big part of her life, she had great humor and grace. This role shows that. Considering her state of health at that time, it's amazing that she was able to continue in the show for so many months. Anyone know what became of Byron Mitchell?
Ok, for those who don't know - Wilkes-Barre was a prime stop during the vaudeville era. George Burns/Gracie Allen, Abbott & Costello - all the great vaudevillians came to the Polis Theatre on S. Main St.. The saying was "If you can't make it in Wilkes-Barre you can't make it anywhere. Tough crowd." George & Gracie mentioned it in their TV show. So did Lucille Ball. The coal barons loved it!
Great Herbert Ross choreography from before he became a movie direcgtor. Thanks for posting!
HERBERT ROSS!
It's always thrilling to have a cast album come to life, even if it's only one number. Thanks, Ed Sullivan!
This was too funny.... a part of it's history. I went to grade school and high school in Wilkes-Barre when the railroad station at the bottom of 'the Heights' was fully active. You could hear and smell the two breweries that were running at full capacity next to the train station; Stegmaier and Gibbons breweries. We played in the streets and Coal Street field without any concerns and could walk to the Woolworths in the city square where you would pick a balloon that you could pop to see what you would pay for the sundae that you ordered on a slip of paper inside the balloon. Never imagined it had a song on Broadway; crazy.
Who would have “thunk I?” Memorable performance by Vivien .
❤❤❤genial
Alas she would dramatically leave the production in early October, having a breakdown on stage and not recognizing her co-sat Jean Pierre Aumont. Her replacement on October 21st was Eva Gabor, the show lasted 2 more weeks and closed. The show, and its score, are rarely if ever performed.
Leigh did win the Tony Award for her role as, Grand Duchess Tatiana Petrovna Romanov. Leigh and Olivier were always huge supporters and loyal advocates of the theatrical stage throughout their careers, way more so than cinema. Leigh did 37 plays in total, twice as many feature films (19), and really should've won more than awards than she did. Many people don't know what a big brain she really was. Leigh and Olivier would perform two sometimes, three separate Shakespeare plays in a single theater run, alternating plays each night.
why was Sullivan telling her to say hello to Lunt and Fontaine? They weren't in that production.
The show was playing at the Lunt Fontaine Theatre. It's still there, thank God.
She was working it!
Does anyone know how the title came about "Wilkes Barre, Pa.?
pure satire
LaDonnaization it’s a once great city that by the 50s was on the decline. And has been just a beating since. Today the most depressed city in Pennsylvania
@@mattsmocs3281 We're doing ok in 2022
I wonder whatever happened to Byron Mitchell. He seems to shave vanished from the face of the earth since the late sixties!
Yes, good question. He's the epitome of a '60s B'way song-and-dance ingenue. Absolutely terrific. Would've been an ideal "Billy Lawlor" in 42nd STREET had that show been created around this time.
"Wilkes-BARR" ?!
Really Ed, you should have known better!
byrdsmaniac. There are at least four different pronounciations of that city's name (particularly the "Barre part).
NEPA Buses
Issac Barre Wilkes-Barre and Barre Vermont. Named after same person. Wilkes was John Wilkes.