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.

The mighty monarch of all melodramas The mighty monarch of all melodramas

On this day in 1933 the film King Kong premiered simultaneously at Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy.

By on March 02, 2022 at 10:10 AM
65 comments
But the work waits! But the work waits!

On this day in 1979 Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler‘s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opened at the Uris Theatre.

By on March 01, 2022 at 10:03 AM
71 comments
Broadway baby Broadway baby

Born on this day in 1948 actress and singer Bernadette Peters.

By on February 28, 2022 at 11:03 AM
14 comments
Shine on you crazy diamond Shine on you crazy diamond

Born on this day in 1932 actress and humanitarian Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

By on February 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM
55 comments
Incendiary Blonde Incendiary Blonde

Born on this day in 1921 actress, comedian, dancer, and singer Betty Hutton.

By on February 26, 2022 at 8:56 AM
30 comments
One, two, three, kick! One, two, three, kick!

On this day in 1953, Wonderful Town, a collaboration between Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Leonard Bernstein, opened at the Winter Garden Theater. Rosalind Russell starred as aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood.

By on February 25, 2022 at 10:05 AM
57 comments
I can see clearly now I can see clearly now

Happy 88th Birthday soprano, director and teacher Renata Scotto.

By on February 24, 2022 at 8:16 AM
103 comments
Drama queen Drama queen

Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.

By on February 23, 2022 at 4:42 AM
35 comments
“Loneliness is a heavy burden” “Loneliness is a heavy burden”

Born on this day in 1921 actress Giulietta Masina.

By on February 22, 2022 at 1:22 AM
32 comments
I couldn’t aspire to anything higher I couldn’t aspire to anything higher

Born on this day in 1934 actress Rue McClanahan.

By on February 21, 2022 at 5:29 AM
55 comments
Guess who I saw today Guess who I saw today

Born on this day in 1937 singer and actress Nancy Wilson.

By on February 20, 2022 at 1:54 AM
16 comments
Queenie Queenie

Born on this day in 1911 actress Merle Oberon.

By on February 19, 2022 at 3:16 AM
25 comments
Poetess Poetess

Born on this day in 1926 mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr.

By on February 18, 2022 at 7:03 AM
86 comments
“Hello, possums!” “Hello, possums!”

Happy 88th birthday to comedian Barry (“Dame Edna”) Humphries.

By on February 17, 2022 at 8:08 AM
60 comments
Happy Go Lovely Happy Go Lovely

Born on this day in 1921 dancer Vera-Ellen.

By on February 16, 2022 at 7:30 AM
63 comments
Music doesn’t argue, discuss, or quarrel Music doesn’t argue, discuss, or quarrel

Born on this day in 1905 composer Harold Arlen.

By on February 15, 2022 at 11:18 AM
35 comments
I have designed flower women I have designed flower women

On this day in 1947 Christian Dior unveiled the “New Look.”

By on February 12, 2022 at 4:00 AM
22 comments
It’s Time for Tina It’s Time for Tina

Happy 88th birthday to actress and singer Tina Louise.

By on February 11, 2022 at 3:24 PM
7 comments
Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!

Happy 95th birthday soprano Leontyne Price.

By on February 10, 2022 at 12:00 AM
136 comments
“I say money, money, money, and I say hot dog!” “I say money, money, money, and I say hot dog!”

Born on this day in 1909 actress, singer, and dancer Carmen Miranda.

By on February 09, 2022 at 4:39 PM
26 comments
Woman’s work is never done Woman’s work is never done

Born on this day in 1922 actress Audrey Meadows.

By on February 08, 2022 at 8:00 AM
34 comments
Say yes Say yes

Born on this day in 1923 actress Dora Bryan.

By on February 07, 2022 at 8:00 AM
27 comments
After all, she was only a woman After all, she was only a woman

Born on this day circa 1917 actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor.

By on February 06, 2022 at 12:22 PM
41 comments
What’s the matter with me? What’s the matter with me?

Born on this day in 1918 actress and director Ida Lupino.

By on February 04, 2022 at 10:25 AM
31 comments