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.
Born on this day in 1923 tops in taps terpsichorean Ann Miller.
Born on this day in 1933 actor Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Born on this day in 1931 actor and diplomat John Gavin.
Born on this day in 1915 singer and songwriter Billie Holiday.
Born on this day in 1929 model, actress and nightclub singer Joi Lansing.
Born on this day in 1908 Miss Bette Davis.
Born on this day in 1906 television, radio, and voice actress Bea Benaderet.
Happy April Fools Day!
Happy 88th birthday actress and singer Shirley Jones.
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.
Born on this day in 1918 actress and singer Pearl Bailey.
Happy 36th birthday singer, songwriter, and actress Lady Gaga.
Born on this day in 1899 film diva and entrepreneuse Gloria Swanson.
Born on this day in 1921 actress Simone Signoret.
Born on this day in 1940 designer Bob Mackie.
Born on this day in 1904(!) actress Joan Crawford.
Happy 72nd birthday actress, director and screenwriter Fanny Ardant.
Born on this day in 1942 actress Françoise Dorléac.
Born on this day in 1917 English songstress Dame Vera Lynn.
Happy 86th birthday actress Ursula Andress.
Happy 58th birthday to actress and singer Vanessa Williams.
Born on this day in 1906 actress Brigitte Helm.
On this day in 1914 female impersonator Julian Eltinge opened in The Crinoline Girl at the Knickerbocker Theatre.
Born on this day in 1907 controversial actress and singer Zarah Leander.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
