WindyCityOperaman

Dan Soda (Windy City Operaman) is a Chicago native whose first visit to opera was at age 17 and Massenet’s Werther with Troyanos and Kraus. Nothing was ever the same. Opera and concert performances, recordings and video are an obsession. He prepares Parterre Box’s daily birthday and anniversary tributes. He also enjoys concerts, live theater and movies.

“I was unbelievably lucky” “I was unbelievably lucky”

Born on this day in 1912 actress Wendy Hiller.

A girl who’s merely me A girl who’s merely me

Born on this day in 1923 actress and comedian Alice Ghostley.

Only one is a wanderer Only one is a wanderer

Born on this day in 1899 producer and director Alfred Hitchcock.

Take good care of yourself Take good care of yourself

Born on this day in 1883 actress Marion Lorne.

“Acting is not rocket science” “Acting is not rocket science”

Happy 57th birthday to actress Viola Davis.

Queen of MGM Queen of MGM

Born on this day in 1902 actress Norma Shearer.

Unrelenting determination Unrelenting determination

On this day in 1975, Liza Minnelli jumped into the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago, the start of a five-week stint filling in for Gwen Verdon, who was recovering from throat surgery.

“Prima donnas in anything are bad” “Prima donnas in anything are bad”

Born on this day in 1910 actress Sylvia Sidney.

Who can I get at this hour? Who can I get at this hour?

Born on this day in 1886 actress and producer Billie Burke.

Give him the ooh-la-la! Give him the ooh-la-la!

Born on this day in 1911 actress Lucille Ball.

“The easiest job in the world” “The easiest job in the world”

Born on this day in 1911 actor Robert Taylor.

The Queens gambit The Queens gambit

Born on this day in 1910 actress Anita Page.

“A woman must be soignée” “A woman must be soignée”

Born on this day in 1904 actress Dolores del Rio.

Women and children first! Women and children first!

Born on this day in 1905 actress Myrna Loy.

“I tried to show that fashion is an art” “I tried to show that fashion is an art”

Born on this day in 1936 fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

“I am a stone” “I am a stone”

Happy 83rd birthday to actress France Nuyen.

Slumber party Slumber party

Happy 66th birthday actress Delta Burke.

‘It’ had to be you ‘It’ had to be you

Born on this day in 1905 actress Clara Bow.

A fat lady and a duck A fat lady and a duck

Born on this day in 1948 actress Georgia Engel.

My heroine My heroine

Born on this day in 1909 actress and singer Vivian Vance.

Up is where to grow Up is where to grow

Born on this day in 1935 actress Barbara Harris.

When my baby smiles at me When my baby smiles at me

Happy 71st birthday to actress, singer and icon Lynda Carter.

American dream American dream

Happy 62nd birthday mezzo-soprano Susan Graham.

Like a spring shower Like a spring shower

Born on this day in 1908 etiquette maven Amy Vanderbilt.