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.

Wizard Wizard

Born on this day in day in 1995 1895 composer Herbert Stothart.

By on September 11, 2020 at 12:58 PM
12 comments
Mean girl Mean girl

Born on this day in 1921 actress Alexis Smith.

By on September 08, 2020 at 10:35 AM
12 comments
I’m an ordinary woman I’m an ordinary woman

Happy 83rd birthday actress, singer and comedienne Jo Anne Worley.

By on September 06, 2020 at 11:48 AM
23 comments
Because I’m blonde Because I’m blonde

Happy 60th birthday soprano Karita Mattila.

By on September 05, 2020 at 8:00 AM
30 comments
Dancing is still the hardest profession Dancing is still the hardest profession

Happy 89th birthday actress, singer, and dancer Mitzi Gaynor.

By on September 04, 2020 at 11:38 AM
21 comments
“That was beautiful” “That was beautiful”

Born on this day in 1910 soprano and founder of the Harlem School of the Arts Dorothy Maynor.

By on September 03, 2020 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Will you answer too? Will you answer too?

On this day in 1924, the operetta Rose-Marie opened at the Imperial Theatre, to run 557 performances.

By on September 02, 2020 at 8:00 AM
13 comments
Saloon singer Saloon singer

Born on this day in 1922 actress and singer Yvonne de Carlo.

By on September 01, 2020 at 8:00 AM
8 comments
Change partners Change partners

On this day in 1940 Vivien Leigh married Laurence Olivier.

By on August 31, 2020 at 12:05 PM
14 comments
Actors should be overheard Actors should be overheard

Born on this day in 1898 actress Shirley Booth.

By on August 30, 2020 at 12:58 PM
7 comments
Good health and a bad memory Good health and a bad memory

Born on this day in 1915 actress Ingrid Bergman.

By on August 29, 2020 at 11:21 AM
5 comments
Show stopper Show stopper

Born on this day in 1947 actress and singer Alice Playten.

By on August 28, 2020 at 8:00 AM
28 comments
Practically perfect in every way Practically perfect in every way

On this day in 1964, Mary Poppins premiered in Los Angeles.

By on August 27, 2020 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
Nice work if you can get it Nice work if you can get it

On this day in 1951 the film An American in Paris premiered in London.

By on August 26, 2020 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
Music can name the unnameable Music can name the unnameable

Born on this day in 1918 composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein.

By on August 25, 2020 at 10:58 AM
7 comments
Ubiquitous Ubiquitous

Happy 64th birthday director Francesca Zambello.

By on August 24, 2020 at 10:39 AM
3 comments
The lady in question The lady in question

Happy birthday to actor, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, memoirist, drag legend and cabaret artiste Charles Busch.

By on August 23, 2020 at 12:00 AM
10 comments
I love having written I love having written

Born on this day in 1893 poet, short story writer, critic, and satirist Dorothy Parker.

By on August 22, 2020 at 8:00 AM
15 comments
Literally and figuratively Literally and figuratively

Born on this day in 1918 author and actress Jacqueline Susann.

By on August 20, 2020 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Elegance is refusal Elegance is refusal

Born on this day in 1883 designer Coco Chanel.

By on August 19, 2020 at 8:00 AM
27 comments
Old school Old school

Born on this day in 1750 composer Antonio Salieri.

By on August 18, 2020 at 9:49 AM
6 comments
“I’ve been in more laps than a napkin” “I’ve been in more laps than a napkin”

Born on this day in 1893 actress, playwright and screenwriter Mae West.

By on August 17, 2020 at 8:00 AM
Reply
Sexagenarian Sexagenarian

Happy 62nd birthday Madonna.

By on August 16, 2020 at 11:03 AM
27 comments
It was a magical night It was a magical night

Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Alice Ghostley.

By on August 14, 2020 at 8:00 AM
47 comments