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.

High style in low company High style in low company

Born on this day in 1888 novelist, playwright and screenwriter Anita Loos.

By on April 25, 2022 at 10:33 AM
38 comments
Like sand on the beach Like sand on the beach

Happy 80th birthday to Ms. Barbra Joan Streisand.

By on April 24, 2022 at 12:15 AM
17 comments
Too high! Too high!

Born on this day in 1928 performer and diplomat Shirley Temple.

By on April 23, 2022 at 8:00 AM
37 comments
“Spare me your anatomy!” “Spare me your anatomy!”

Happy 76th birthday to actor, director, producer, and screenwriter John Waters.

By on April 22, 2022 at 8:00 AM
31 comments
“The theater is a tough place” “The theater is a tough place”

Happy 73rd birthday to Broadway legend Patti LuPone.

By on April 21, 2022 at 12:00 AM
26 comments
Tough broad Tough broad

Born on this day in 1924 actress Nina Foch.

By on April 20, 2022 at 7:15 AM
103 comments
“I will never be satisfied” “I will never be satisfied”

Born on this day in 1933 actress Jayne Mansfield.

By on April 19, 2022 at 1:40 AM
16 comments
Scathingly brilliant Scathingly brilliant

Happy 76th birthday to actress Hayley Mills.

By on April 18, 2022 at 4:07 AM
42 comments
Ooh la la! Ooh la la!

Born on this day in 1904 Canadian-American artiste Fifi D’Orsay.

By on April 16, 2022 at 2:00 AM
12 comments
Bond girl Bond girl

Born on this day in 1947 actress and model Lois chiles.

By on April 15, 2022 at 3:57 AM
49 comments
What’s wrong with Sammy Kaye? What’s wrong with Sammy Kaye?

On this day in 1960 the Charles Strouse-Lee Adams musical Bye Bye Birdie opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre, to run 607 performances.

By on April 14, 2022 at 8:00 AM
7 comments
Jupiter’s darling Jupiter’s darling

Born on this day in 1906 film and stage baritone Howard Keel.

By on April 13, 2022 at 10:55 AM
83 comments
Primitive though it may be Primitive though it may be

Born on this day in 1923 tops in taps terpsichorean Ann Miller.

By on April 12, 2022 at 12:56 AM
118 comments
What an adventure! What an adventure!

Born on this day in 1933 actor Jean-Paul Belmondo.

By on April 09, 2022 at 4:30 AM
137 comments
Steam heat Steam heat

Born on this day in 1931 actor and diplomat John Gavin.

By on April 08, 2022 at 12:49 PM
57 comments
Now, baby, or never Now, baby, or never

Born on this day in 1915 singer and songwriter Billie Holiday.

By on April 07, 2022 at 8:00 AM
28 comments
The Silencer The Silencer

Born on this day in 1929 model, actress and nightclub singer Joi Lansing.

By on April 06, 2022 at 12:08 AM
182 comments
“I will never be below the title” “I will never be below the title”

Born on this day in 1908 Miss Bette Davis.

By on April 05, 2022 at 12:54 AM
65 comments
Won’t you be my neighbor? Won’t you be my neighbor?

Born on this day in 1906 television, radio, and voice actress Bea Benaderet.

By on April 04, 2022 at 1:02 PM
3 comments
Fish gotta swim Fish gotta swim

Happy April Fools Day!

By on April 01, 2022 at 11:52 AM
25 comments
Out of her dreams Out of her dreams

Happy 88th birthday actress and singer Shirley Jones.

By on March 31, 2022 at 8:00 AM
20 comments
Welcome to the musical theater Welcome to the musical theater

On this day in 1970 Lauren Bacall made her dancing and “singing” debut at the Palace Theatre in Applause, a musical version of All About Eve that went on to run 895 performances.

By on March 30, 2022 at 10:18 AM
95 comments
One big heart in all the world One big heart in all the world

Born on this day in 1918 actress and singer Pearl Bailey.

By on March 29, 2022 at 11:36 AM
38 comments
Vagabond shoes Vagabond shoes

Happy 36th birthday singer, songwriter, and actress Lady Gaga.

By on March 28, 2022 at 10:23 AM
33 comments