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’m certainly not a prude” “I’m certainly not a prude”

Born on this day in 1956 actress Kim Cattrall.

By on August 21, 2021 at 11:06 AM
3 comments
The first prima donna The first prima donna

Born on this day in 1843 soprano Christine Nilsson.

By on August 20, 2021 at 7:54 AM
29 comments
“Acting is glamour but writing is hard work” “Acting is glamour but writing is hard work”

Born on this day in 1918 author Jacqueline Susann.

By on August 19, 2021 at 8:53 AM
17 comments
What was the decisive factor? What was the decisive factor?

Born on this day in 1920 actress Shelley Winters.

By on August 18, 2021 at 8:00 AM
49 comments
When women go wrong, men go right after them When women go wrong, men go right after them

Born on this day in 1893 stage and film actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer and sex symbol Mae West.

By on August 17, 2021 at 8:24 AM
8 comments
Fair and warmer Fair and warmer

Happy 88th birthday to actress, dancer and singer Julie Newmar.

By on August 16, 2021 at 7:51 AM
32 comments
A portrait of Ethel A portrait of Ethel

Born on this day in 1879 First Lady of the American Theatre Ethel Barrymore.

By on August 15, 2021 at 4:25 AM
20 comments
Only a baritone can chop a tree Only a baritone can chop a tree

Born on this day in 1895 comic and actor Bert Lahr.

By on August 13, 2021 at 8:00 AM
9 comments
A star is barn A star is barn

Born on this day in 1915 dancer and choreographer Michael Kidd.

By on August 12, 2021 at 7:02 AM
5 comments
“Too much rouge is a sign of despair” “Too much rouge is a sign of despair”

Happy 96th birthday actress Arlene Dahl.

By on August 11, 2021 at 7:10 AM
29 comments
First lady of MGM First lady of MGM

Born on this day in 1902 actress Norma Shearer.

By on August 10, 2021 at 3:03 AM
59 comments
I’m older than I ever intended to be I’m older than I ever intended to be

Happy 64th birthday actress Melanie Griffith.

By on August 09, 2021 at 7:24 AM
41 comments
Never trust the living Never trust the living

Born on this day in 1910 actress Sylvia Sidney.

By on August 08, 2021 at 4:56 AM
23 comments
Provocative entertainment Provocative entertainment

Born on this day in 1911 film director Nicholas Ray.

By on August 07, 2021 at 6:55 AM
6 comments
Midcentury modern Midcentury modern

Born on this day two 20th century icons: Lucille Ball (1911) and Andy Warhol (1928.)

By on August 06, 2021 at 6:59 AM
18 comments
Leap of faith Leap of faith

Happy 64th birthday today or possibly tomorrow to actress and singer Faith Prince.

By on August 05, 2021 at 8:32 AM
6 comments
That’s my weakness now That’s my weakness now

Born on this day in 1904 songstress Helen Kane.

By on August 04, 2021 at 1:00 AM
15 comments
Orchid in the moonlight Orchid in the moonlight

Born on this day in 1904 actress Dolores del Rio.

By on August 03, 2021 at 1:08 AM
10 comments
Say, what’s that man doing in my drawers? Say, what’s that man doing in my drawers?

Born on this day in 1905 actress Myrna Loy.

By on August 02, 2021 at 12:03 AM
31 comments
Fashions fade, style is eternal Fashions fade, style is eternal

Born on this day in 1936 designer Yves Saint Laurent.

By on August 01, 2021 at 2:18 AM
17 comments
You’ll hear a tuneful story You’ll hear a tuneful story

On this day in July 31 Judy Garland was At Home at the Palace for a four-week run.

By on July 31, 2021 at 8:00 AM
5 comments
“I’m a curiosity in Hollywood” “I’m a curiosity in Hollywood”

Born on this day in 1905 actress Clara Bow.

By on July 29, 2021 at 1:30 AM
25 comments
That voodoo that you do so well That voodoo that you do so well

On this day in 1932 the film White Zombie was released.

By on July 28, 2021 at 10:39 AM
6 comments
Larynxes are dropping Larynxes are dropping

Happy 69th birthday soprano Carol Vaness.

By on July 27, 2021 at 8:00 AM
38 comments