I love her. I met her just before she left NYC for Company in London. We were star struck college kids who saw Company lots of times in NYC. We brought her flowers on her last week, we ran into her on the street before the show and she invited us backstage after the show. She took us on the set. I will never forget that!
Stritch even said herself that Mermen was never off the stage for any health reasons, certainly not concerning her voice. The woman was invincible, simply because she lived by this rule
Well, she's right. And so was Merman. I don't know about Broadway, but most opera singers live like hermits because they have to protect their voices. The public wants to see a great performance, they don't give a shit if you were out partying.
Dave, you're exactly spot-on! I'm a vocal coach at the university here in town and these youngsters today have NO idea what living like a hermit means! They think because they're young they can go out partying all night and then come to class and do a good job, well, they soon find out just had much all the partying ruins all the hard work I put in to TRYING to make them great! I record them after a night of partying, and play it back, and 99% of the time, they're mortified at the horrible sound coming out of their mouths, especially the sopranos! The basses and baritones, not so much, but, the girls studying to be coloraturas are absolutely mortified and for the MOST part they straighten up and fly right the rest of the time they're under my tutelage.
@@ChrisStockslager So you party all night? So much for hopes of being Merrill, MacNeil, Milner, Warren. Well okay, his last name didn’t begin with “M” anymore than your does. BUT DON’T PARTY!! Just occasional drugs!
I recently had a conversation with a young man about to complete medical school who was up for a job at a major New York City hospital and asked me about the possibility of dating, and possibly marrying, a Broadway actress. I tried to explain that when they were in a play running on Broadway, they only can date on Monday night because the other 6 evenings of the week they would be on stage performing. The only time available for social events and mundane things like grocery shopping, doing laundry, etc. other that Monday was in the afternoon on Tuesday, Thursday Friday or Saturday, since Wednesday and Sunday afternoons were the matinee performances. Further, regardless of who they themselves might be professionally, if she became a success and well-known, he would be treated by most people when they were in public together as if he were the "Invisible Man" (unless he too was a well known actor). "Aunt" Elaine Stritch was a life-long family friend but if we were in public and she was recognized, in the eyes of those who recognized her, I practically disappeared. People would literally push me away from her so that they could get a Selfie picture with her, or look at me and ask me "Are you anybody?".
good ol elaine stritch.....a real broad's broad....i remember watching one of the emmy after broadcasts on E n this women was drunk as a skunk on live tv being interviewed and the reporter interviewing her did not knw she was so drunk when she approached her it was hysterical...
Elaine Stritch! True theatrical stalwart. My late great Mother was a fan and although they never met, referred to her simply as Elaine. This question is ironic as Ms. Stritch was the matinee alternate Martha for Uta Hagen for "Virginia Woolf " cuz an 8 show week was deemed 2 demanding for the evening cast.
@@fkd1963 true. The part was written for Bea Arthur, but she was holding out. Once Bea decided to take the part, Elaine never had a chance...well, that and her infamous audition.
That's why it's always better to party and vacation when you finish your run on a show. After taling a well deserved break and fun, you go back and find new jobs
What a load of CRAP! She partied her ASS off for YEARS!!! Up late boozing it up night after night! Too funny...God bless her, but boy these interviewers knew it too...
She did in the early days but not so much once she got sober and wised up. This was after she became a diabetic and had to give up drinking cause it made her diabetes worse. Shes not speaking from being a goody two shoes, she's speaking from someone who learned the hard way.
And Merman and her ilk used to do it, singing in cavernous Broadway theaters, over the orchestra, without microphones--just belting it out....(as opera singers still do)
What’s she griping about? She’s saying if you want to do the job properly, then you need to take it seriously and commit yourself to it fully. That’s ensuring audience get what they have paid for. None of that is griping, in any way.
I met Elaine when we were in "Sail Away" in 1961 (I played one of the obnoxious children on the cruise and she was the activities director). Even before we closed, she had become "Aunt Elaine" to me and remained so until she passed. Yes, she would use the occasional dirty word/curse word at times - but only to make a point. If you are offended - YOU have a problem.
I love her. I met her just before she left NYC for Company in London. We were star struck college kids who saw Company lots of times in NYC. We brought her flowers on her last week, we ran into her on the street before the show and she invited us backstage after the show. She took us on the set. I will never forget that!
Peter Alfano: What a wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing it.
@@theatertalk the joys of New York, right? Love to us all......
That is so magical ❤
*starstruck
Stritch even said herself that Mermen was never off the stage for any health reasons, certainly not concerning her voice. The woman was invincible, simply because she lived by this rule
Well, with the exception she burst a blood vessel during "Rose's Turn".
BroadwayOverRoblox Theatre Company She did that?
*Merman
Stritch was a Great Lady and a Great Performer. Like Merman.. Channing.. Lansbury.... No one else quite like her!
Well, she's right. And so was Merman. I don't know about Broadway, but most opera singers live like hermits because they have to protect their voices. The public wants to see a great performance, they don't give a shit if you were out partying.
Dave, you're exactly spot-on! I'm a vocal coach at the university here in town and these youngsters today have NO idea what living like a hermit means! They think because they're young they can go out partying all night and then come to class and do a good job, well, they soon find out just had much all the partying ruins all the hard work I put in to TRYING to make them great! I record them after a night of partying, and play it back, and 99% of the time, they're mortified at the horrible sound coming out of their mouths, especially the sopranos! The basses and baritones, not so much, but, the girls studying to be coloraturas are absolutely mortified and for the MOST part they straighten up and fly right the rest of the time they're under my tutelage.
kerryincolumbus Thank God I’m a baritone. 😜
@@ChrisStockslager So you party all night? So much for hopes of being Merrill, MacNeil, Milner, Warren. Well okay, his last name didn’t begin with “M” anymore than your does. BUT DON’T PARTY!! Just occasional drugs!
I recently had a conversation with a young man about to complete medical school who was up for a job at a major New York City hospital and asked me about the possibility of dating, and possibly marrying, a Broadway actress. I tried to explain that when they were in a play running on Broadway, they only can date on Monday night because the other 6 evenings of the week they would be on stage performing.
The only time available for social events and mundane things like grocery shopping, doing laundry, etc. other that Monday was in the afternoon on Tuesday, Thursday Friday or Saturday, since Wednesday and Sunday afternoons were the matinee performances.
Further, regardless of who they themselves might be professionally, if she became a success and well-known, he would be treated by most people when they were in public together as if he were the "Invisible Man" (unless he too was a well known actor).
"Aunt" Elaine Stritch was a life-long family friend but if we were in public and she was recognized, in the eyes of those who recognized her, I practically disappeared. People would literally push me away from her so that they could get a Selfie picture with her, or look at me and ask me "Are you anybody?".
So true, Richard.
good ol elaine stritch.....a real broad's broad....i remember watching one of the emmy after broadcasts on E n this women was drunk as a skunk on live tv being interviewed and the reporter interviewing her did not knw she was so drunk when she approached her it was hysterical...
My favorite Merman anecdote, this one about WW2. "I know there's a war going on. I read Variety."
R.I.P. Elaine Stritch
Elaine Stritch! True theatrical stalwart. My late great Mother was a fan and although they never met, referred to her simply as Elaine. This question is ironic as Ms. Stritch was the matinee alternate Martha for Uta Hagen for "Virginia Woolf " cuz an 8 show week was deemed 2 demanding for the evening cast.
Thanks for❤ Theater talk archive! It was fun to revisit this clip and see Dame Stritch shining! 🙌🏾
Yup!!
(I'd comment more, but saving my voice)
😄
She’s so right!
A young green Mike Reidal who is now a radio talk show assistant to NY sports media icon, Len Berman.
She and Merman are right, all partying will ruin your biggest asset, your vocal chords.
Drinking and/or smoking.
Elaine was the original idea for Dorothy on the Golden Girls. You know Hollywood at the last minute though....
That was a white lie. Dorothy was written for Bea Arthur.
@@fkd1963 Yes. E. Strich might have been a good story teller, but not an accurate one.
@@fkd1963 true. The part was written for Bea Arthur, but she was holding out. Once Bea decided to take the part, Elaine never had a chance...well, that and her infamous audition.
@@fkd1963 Nope it's the truth.
@@johnfd0210 No Bea was the inaccurate one.
Katharine Hepburn called playing a role in the theater a prison sentence because of the strict regime that had to be kept.
A lot of truth in that, I suspect
Have u watched elaine stritch at "liberty"????!! Apparently not ....gawd
That's why it's always better to party and vacation when you finish your run on a show. After taling a well deserved break and fun, you go back and find new jobs
*After taking a well-deserved break and having fun,
That's the exact recipe for having optimum physical health, energy, quality of life, and not aging prematurely.
This isn’t the Stritch who drank Judy Garland under the table in their pub crawling days!
A f*king nun? I suppose this is an oxymoron! Or maybe not. Who knows?
What a load of CRAP! She partied her ASS off for YEARS!!! Up late boozing it up night after night! Too funny...God bless her, but boy these interviewers knew it too...
She did in the early days but not so much once she got sober and wised up. This was after she became a diabetic and had to give up drinking cause it made her diabetes worse. Shes not speaking from being a goody two shoes, she's speaking from someone who learned the hard way.
I had no idea she was a diabetic! I became a diabetic after too many years of boozing too! Can't do it anymore though.. wore out my liver
spide429 she knows that , what she’s saying is that Merman said this . It’s the best advice and she followed that after she got sober .
And Merman and her ilk used to do it, singing in cavernous Broadway theaters, over the orchestra, without microphones--just belting it out....(as opera singers still do)
Just because she struggled w alcoholism doesnt mea SHES NOT CORRECT ABOUT THIS... Jesus H
Aw, hush. Try working for a living.
Notice the limp wrist on that fairy, Miss Riedel.
Such a Mary
I have that same wrist. I like it.
Uh no elaine blew the interview she's changed lines & inserted profanity THATS why she didnt get the "Dorothy" role!!!!!!!
*She changed the lines
Gripe, gripe gripe. If you don't like, go pick vegetables in a hot field for twelves hours, earning less than minimum wage.
What’s she griping about? She’s saying if you want to do the job properly, then you need to take it seriously and commit yourself to it fully. That’s ensuring audience get what they have paid for. None of that is griping, in any way.
What would you do if you werent in YT comments trolling a dead woman whos worked harder than you ever had to
Wish Elaine would not swear
Well, she's dead now and still doesn't care about your opinion.
And it was a quote. Ethel Merman swore.
She asked to say a four letter word, she said a seven letter word. Also, Ethel Merman hated her.
People who have such immature issues with language are dreary
I met Elaine when we were in "Sail Away" in 1961 (I played one of the obnoxious children on the cruise and she was the activities director). Even before we closed, she had become "Aunt Elaine" to me and remained so until she passed. Yes, she would use the occasional dirty word/curse word at times - but only to make a point. If you are offended - YOU have a problem.