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.

Where words cease to play a part Where words cease to play a part

Born on this day in 1902 film director Max Ophüls.

By May 07, 2022 at 11:21 AM
29 comments
Delight in the Piazza Delight in the Piazza

Born on this day in 1920 media-friendly diva Marguerite Piazza.

By May 06, 2022 at 9:01 AM
24 comments
Come on along! Come on along!

Born on this day 20th Century Fox stalwarts Tyrone Power (1914) and Alice Faye (1915).

By May 05, 2022 at 12:36 PM
26 comments
Suppose we just leave my bones alone Suppose we just leave my bones alone

Born on this day in 1929 actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn.

By May 04, 2022 at 9:57 AM
28 comments
One of those tornados you hear about One of those tornados you hear about

Born on this day in 1906 actress Mary Astor.

By May 03, 2022 at 10:33 AM
36 comments
Laughter rings fortissimo Laughter rings fortissimo

Happy 70th birthday actress and singer Christine Baranski.

By May 02, 2022 at 9:44 AM
19 comments
“I think you can tell a fashion victim by their handbag” “I think you can tell a fashion victim by their handbag”

Happy 76th birthday to actress, author and activist Dame Joanna Lumley.

By May 01, 2022 at 7:56 AM
108 comments
If it’s funny, I’ll do anything If it’s funny, I’ll do anything

Born on this day in 1926 actress Cloris Leachman.

By April 30, 2022 at 8:54 AM
10 comments
Plumes des oiseaux! Plumes des oiseaux!

Born on this day in 1924 artiste Zizi Jeanmaire.

By April 29, 2022 at 8:44 AM
9 comments
“I just want to make people feel” “I just want to make people feel”

Born on this day in 1941 triple threat Ann-Margret.

By April 28, 2022 at 12:58 AM
20 comments
“Sock it to me!” “Sock it to me!”

Born on this day in 1939 actress and comedian Judy Carne.

By April 27, 2022 at 10:34 AM
24 comments
“Comedy is tragedy – plus time” “Comedy is tragedy – plus time”

Happy 89th birthday to funny lady Carol Burnett.

By April 26, 2022 at 8:49 AM
21 comments
High style in low company High style in low company

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

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

Born on this day in 1924 actress Nina Foch.

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

Happy 76th birthday to actress Hayley Mills.

By 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 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 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 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 April 13, 2022 at 10:55 AM
83 comments