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 ain’t no machine I ain’t no machine

Happy 71st birthday to Broadway goddess Lillias White.

You better take my advice You better take my advice

Born on this day in 1924 chanteuse Lola Albright.

I’m gonna miss you, baby I’m gonna miss you, baby

On this day in 1951, Dolores Gray, Bert Lahr and a flock of other talent invaded the Mark Hellinger Theatre for the revue Two on the Aisle.

“I will never fail” “I will never fail”

Born on this day in 1908 actress, dancer and singer Lupe Vélez.

I want your sax I want your sax

Born on this day in 1917 actress, comedian and voice artist Phyllis Diller.

Humming a different tune Humming a different tune

Born on this day in 1911 triple threat (at least) Ginger Rogers.

Gee but it’s nice to see you again Gee but it’s nice to see you again

Happy 76th birthday to singer and songwriter Linda Ronstadt.

He’ll look at me and smile He’ll look at me and smile

Born on this day in 1930 actress and singer Polly Bergen.

Mother, forgive the delay Mother, forgive the delay

On this day in 2010 Rialto divas Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch went into a revival of A Little Night Music at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

Star-surrounded, high above Star-surrounded, high above

Born on this day in 1895 soprano Kirsten Flagstad.

“People believe what they want to believe” “People believe what they want to believe”

Born on this day in 1931 actor Tab Hunter.

Tears of a clown Tears of a clown

Happy 53rd birthday tenor Jonas Kaufmann.

“Forever is a very long time” “Forever is a very long time”

Born on this day in 1901 authoress Barbara Cartland.

“Beautiful things comfort” “Beautiful things comfort”

Happy 71st birthday actress, director and producer Anjelica Huston.

“I was a stage-struck kid” “I was a stage-struck kid”

Born on this day in 1899 film director George Cukor.

Serenade Serenade

Born on this day in 1931 chanteuse and actress Della Reese.

Learning to be human Learning to be human

Born on this day in 1936 actress Shirley Knight.

My epiglottis filled him with glee My epiglottis filled him with glee

Born on this day in 1898, vastly talented actress and singer Gertrude Lawrence.

“Riches, the dumb god” “Riches, the dumb god”

On this day in 1964, the legendary Bert Lahr opened in a new musical, Foxy, which sadly ran only 72 performances.

Troubles fly away Troubles fly away

Born on this day in 1917 actress Susan Hayward.

“I’m usually told how happy I am” “I’m usually told how happy I am”

On this day in 1956 actress Marilyn Monroe married playwright Arthur Miller.

“I was never an ingenue” “I was never an ingenue”

Happy 74th birthday to actress and occasional songstress Kathy Bates.

La Bellissima La Bellissima

Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.

Horse whisperer Horse whisperer

Born on this day in 1922 actress Eleanor Parker.