Lovely Lady! I saw her in Gypsy at the San Diego Starlight production using the costumes & scenery from the Tyne Daly revival; then I worked with her years later & we had lovely chats by the craft service table snacking between shots :)
To hear Karen Morrow singing these songs is a dream come true! Wow! Just like the great Merman, she goes effortlessly between a thrilling belt an a gentle, sweet soprano. THANK YOU!!
Thanks so much for posting this, auroraspiderwoman, and for posting it with the correct info. This video and the audio ripped from it are sometimes incorrectly said to be from the San Diego production of a couple of months later in which Karen Morrow also played Rose.
There’s much, MUCH more to singing than effortlessness. Some of the most effortless singers have failed to connect emotionally/viscerally with the audience-hence, their popularity ended up in the crapper.
I was just reading about Karen Morrow's summer stock days last night. What a treasure this is, thanks so much! Apparently Karen was incredible as Mrs. Lovett in the North Shore Theatre production of Sweeney Todd.
aurora spiderwoman I’d love to see her as Mrs. Lovett! I just love these clips. I’ve been wishing more Karen Morrow in performance and voila! Thanks so much!
Phenomenal voice! What little I've read about Karen Morrow is the Broadway vehicles she starred in just weren't successful. An excellent talent but she just didn't get that moment to launch her as a big musical theater star. First time I heard her name was as the final replacement for Princess Puffer in "Mystery of Edwin Drood" before it closed.
Wow. Ms. Morrow is an under appreciated star. She plays and sings Rose as a flawed human being, not as a human belting voice machine. Her voice shifts between forceful and quiet, effortlessly and naturally. I read somewhere that she was asked why she never had a hit original Broadway show and she kind of dunked on herself - saying she had a big voice but lack that intangible thing that connects a star to the audience. I think she might’ve been a little off - because she certainly connected this audience member with her character.
I pride myself on knowing at least the names of obscure Broadway musicals (at least the older ones). The only title I recognize on your list is “The Grass Harp” - and that’s only because I remember my grandmother having the novel by Truman Capote on her bookshelf.
WHY THIS WOMAN WASNT A MAJOR BROADWAY STAR IS A DISGRACE--UNGODLY....PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE RISEN UP YEARS AGO DEMANDING A TALENT OF THIS STATURE BEING SEEN!!
Yes indeed, she had leading roles in a number of Broadway musicals, but she had more success with musicals in stock, like this performance. She has been teaching in CA for some time.
One of the very best voices to ever grace Broadway, practically operatic. Huge, beautiful tone, massively powerful. She should have had an absolute A list career.
If anything, she relied too much on her vocal technique-the free, musical expression that creates a visceral connection with audiences was lacking in her performances. What we observe in these songs is more of a stiff delivery of vocal training than free, emotional expression with genuine heart.
What an incredible voice. But her old style singing takes away from the character. And who would ever direct the act one finale without Herbie and Louise clutching each other in absolute horror? What is happening between them should be as important as Rose singing because their reaction tells the audience how utterly insane Rose is.
Thank you so much for posting this! Karen Morrow has a spectacular voice in the tradition of the great Susan Johnson.
Susan Johnson was a major inspiration for Karen Morow. And they got to appear together in that Long Beach "Follies" in the early '90s.
Ethel Merman…! Angela Lansbury…! Karen Morrow…puts her remarkable talent to GYPSY…!
Lovely Lady! I saw her in Gypsy at the San Diego Starlight production using the costumes & scenery from the Tyne Daly revival; then I worked with her years later & we had lovely chats by the craft service table snacking between shots :)
To hear Karen Morrow singing these songs is a dream come true! Wow! Just like the great Merman, she goes effortlessly between a thrilling belt an a gentle, sweet soprano. THANK YOU!!
So glad you liked it. Like almost all of the other great Broadway voices, Karen Morrow just had to play Rose.
Thanks so much for posting this, auroraspiderwoman, and for posting it with the correct info. This video and the audio ripped from it are sometimes incorrectly said to be from the San Diego production of a couple of months later in which Karen Morrow also played Rose.
You have the best theater videos, Aurora. You are the very best. Thanks for uploading them all!
Many thanks!
How much do I love this woman!
Glad you liked this and great to hear from you
God, I adore Karen!
Probably one of the best singers to ever play this role. Her singing is effortless.
There’s much, MUCH more to singing than effortlessness. Some of the most effortless singers have failed to connect emotionally/viscerally with the audience-hence, their popularity ended up in the crapper.
I was just reading about Karen Morrow's summer stock days last night. What a treasure this is, thanks so much! Apparently Karen was incredible as Mrs. Lovett in the North Shore Theatre production of Sweeney Todd.
I've always imagined that she would make a good Mrs. Lovett.
aurora spiderwoman I’d love to see her as Mrs. Lovett! I just love these clips. I’ve been wishing more Karen Morrow in performance and voila! Thanks so much!
She was a great Mrs. Lovett, her Sweeney was David Canary, but Karen's performance was outstanding.
when was this??? karen morrow is simply wonderful. a national treasure!!!!!!
Terrific performance. Thanks for posting. Would love to have seen Karen Morrow do Hello, Dolly!
Thank you ! (keeping fingers crossed there's a clip of "Rose's Turn)
Phenomenal voice! What little I've read about Karen Morrow is the Broadway vehicles she starred in just weren't successful. An excellent talent but she just didn't get that moment to launch her as a big musical theater star. First time I heard her name was as the final replacement for Princess Puffer in "Mystery of Edwin Drood" before it closed.
Exactly right about Karen Morrow's career.
She sounds terrific.
All this appreciation of KM's singing here makes me very happy and reassured.
Spectacular! Thanks so much.
Wow.
Ms. Morrow is an under appreciated star.
She plays and sings Rose as a flawed human being, not as a human belting voice machine.
Her voice shifts between forceful and quiet, effortlessly and naturally.
I read somewhere that she was asked why she never had a hit original Broadway show and she kind of dunked on herself - saying she had a big voice but lack that intangible thing that connects a star to the audience. I think she might’ve been a little off - because she certainly connected this audience member with her character.
Luck is also a major factor here: Morrow's Broadway shows include "I Had a Ball," "The Grass Harp," "I'm Solomon," and "A Joyful Noise," all flops.
I pride myself on knowing at least the names of obscure Broadway musicals (at least the older ones).
The only title I recognize on your list is “The Grass Harp” - and that’s only because I remember my grandmother having the novel by Truman Capote on her bookshelf.
you got it/shameful that she wasn't the belle of broadway
Wonderful!!! Thank you
Glad you liked it.
She’s perfect in this role. Is that Darcie as Louise?
Yes, that's Darcie Roberts, a major talent who should have had a major stage career.
WHY THIS WOMAN WASNT A MAJOR BROADWAY STAR IS A DISGRACE--UNGODLY....PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE RISEN UP YEARS AGO DEMANDING A TALENT OF THIS STATURE BEING SEEN!!
wow this is 26 years old
She is spectacular! Is she a professional theater actress? Does she still perform?
Yes indeed, she had leading roles in a number of Broadway musicals, but she had more success with musicals in stock, like this performance. She has been teaching in CA for some time.
She’s in her 80s now
Paul Ainsley is Herbie.......What a great person.
Thanks for that information.
Now post her Carnegie Hall concert!
Hi Ben---I'm afraid that's audio only.
aurora spiderwoman better than nothin! Just put a photo of her on Merv Griffin or Facebook or something.
I just want to mention that that great concert was at Carnegie Recital Hall, now Weill Recital Hall, not Carnegie Hall.
It does not get better than this. Move over Ethel
DEAR LORD I can't breathe!
One of the very best voices to ever grace Broadway, practically operatic. Huge, beautiful tone, massively powerful. She should have had an absolute A list career.
If anything, she relied too much on her vocal technique-the free, musical expression that creates a visceral connection with audiences was lacking in her performances. What we observe in these songs is more of a stiff delivery of vocal training than free, emotional expression with genuine heart.
God knows she’s got the pipes. However, her phrasing is stiff, and she is awkward and uncomfortable in her movements on stage.
What an incredible voice. But her old style singing takes away from the character. And who would ever direct the act one finale without Herbie and Louise clutching each other in absolute horror? What is happening between them should be as important as Rose singing because their reaction tells the audience how utterly insane Rose is.