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 suspect you’re a treasure I suspect you’re a treasure

Born on this day in 1910 comic actress Mary Wickes.

By on June 13, 2022 at 6:44 AM
23 comments
Intention Intention

Born on this day in 1919 handmaiden of Melpomene Uta Hagen.

By on June 12, 2022 at 3:45 AM
17 comments
Sing happy Sing happy

On this day in 1965, LIza Minnelli made her Broadway debut at the age of 19 in Flora, the Red Menace.

By on June 11, 2022 at 7:24 AM
23 comments
Right when I arrive I really come alive Right when I arrive I really come alive

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Miss Show Business.

By on June 10, 2022 at 7:00 AM
16 comments
Yours till I die Yours till I die

Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.

By on June 09, 2022 at 4:30 AM
38 comments
Nancy with the laughing face Nancy with the laughing face

Happy 82nd birthday singer and actress Nancy Sinatra.

By on June 08, 2022 at 6:02 AM
14 comments
An old-fangled tango An old-fangled tango

Happy 59th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna.

By on June 07, 2022 at 2:00 AM
34 comments
Welcome to the sixties! Welcome to the sixties!

Happy 68th birthday to playwright and actor Harvey Fierstein.

By on June 06, 2022 at 4:47 AM
20 comments
Transcontinental Transcontinental

On this day in 1883, the Orient Express departed on its maiden journey, from Paris to Vienna.

By on June 05, 2022 at 1:08 AM
43 comments
Roz the great and powerful Roz the great and powerful

Born on this day in 1907 actress Rosalind Russell.

By on June 04, 2022 at 1:13 AM
9 comments
Creole goddess Creole goddess

Born on this day in 1906 actress, singer, dancer and Résistance operative Josephine Baker.

By on June 03, 2022 at 3:15 AM
46 comments
Back to life, back to sense Back to life, back to sense

Happy 72nd birthday actress and singer Joanna Gleason.

By on June 02, 2022 at 1:38 AM
20 comments
She certainly can can-can She certainly can can-can

Born on this day in 1926 actress Marilyn Monroe.

By on June 01, 2022 at 2:15 AM
49 comments
The wanton contessa The wanton contessa

Born on this day in 1921 actress Alida Valli.

By on May 31, 2022 at 2:20 AM
54 comments
We went as we were We went as we were

Born on this day in 1894 actress and singer Beatrice Lillie.

By on May 29, 2022 at 1:52 AM
36 comments
Where does that heat come from? Where does that heat come from?

On this day in 1940 Louisiana Purchase (a musical comedy with the unlikely subject matter of political corruption under the administration of Governor Huey Long) opened at the Imperial Theatre, to run 444 performances.

By on May 28, 2022 at 2:39 AM
74 comments
“Art is love times love” “Art is love times love”

Born on this day in 1911 actor and bon vivant Vincent Price.

By on May 27, 2022 at 2:45 AM
104 comments
I light up when you call my name I light up when you call my name

Born on this day singer and songwriter Peggy Lee.

By on May 26, 2022 at 4:00 AM
56 comments
Clap your hands, baby! Clap your hands, baby!

Happy 79th birthday to songstress and actress Leslie Uggams.

By on May 25, 2022 at 8:00 AM
65 comments
This very minute has history in it This very minute has history in it

On this day in 1966 Jerry Herman‘s Mame opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, to run 1,508 performances.

By on May 24, 2022 at 4:26 AM
19 comments
The most dangerous dame The most dangerous dame

Happy birthday Dame Joan Collins, who is 89 years young today.

By on May 23, 2022 at 12:20 AM
24 comments
The girl with the million dollar face The girl with the million dollar face

Happy 80th birthday to actress, photographer and activist Barbara Parkins.

By on May 22, 2022 at 12:50 AM
17 comments
There wouldn’t be signs big enough There wouldn’t be signs big enough

On this day in 1959, Ethel Merman bellowed “Sing out, Louise!” into a Broadway theater for the first of 702 times, as the world’s greatest musical (per La Cieca) sprang forth.

By on May 21, 2022 at 1:11 AM
11 comments
Goddess of Pop Goddess of Pop

Happy 76th birthday to mean, moody, mononymous Cher.

By on May 20, 2022 at 3:29 AM
7 comments