Go west
On this day in 2020 a restudied production of West Side Story opened on Broadway.
On This Day
To love and be loved
Born on this day in 1911 or so actress Merle Oberon.
Grandeur
Born on this day in 1926 mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr.
“Growls, shouts, groans, laughter, giggling”
On this day in 1904 Puccini’s Madama Butterfly had its disastrous premiere in Milan. Three years later, though…
Lucky star
Born on this day in 1908 ur-belter Ethel Merman.
Golden wings
On this day in 588 BC Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah’s reign.
Only one is a wanderer
Happy 88th birthday to actress Kim Novak.
“It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian!”
On this day in 1947 Christian Dior launched the so-called “New Look,” re-establishing Paris as the center of fashion.
A touch of the poet
Born on this day in 1925 actress Kim Stanley.
“Who I am is the best I can be”
Happy 94th birthday soprano Leontyne Price.
Bananas is her business
Born on this day in 1909 samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star Carmen Miranda.
Radiant wonder
Happy 34th birthday to soprano Lise Davidsen!
Debutante
On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimì.
The hero with no vices
Born on this day in 1899 actor Ramon Novarro.
“Sex and I have a lot in common”
On this day in 1949 the legendary Mae West revived her 1928 play Diamond Lil at the Coronet Theatre, playing (ça va sans dire) the title role.
The hard way
Born on this day in 1918 actress, director and producer Ida Lupino.
Half indoors and half out of doors
Born on this day in 1887 poet and expatriate Gertrude Stein.
Celestial voice
Happy 84th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.
On the side of the angels
Born on this day in 1922 soprano Renata Tebaldi.
Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star
On this day in 1936 Billie Burke presented Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 with (among others) Fanny Brice, Bob Hope, Josephine Baker, Eve Arden, Judy Canova, Harriet Hoctor, Gertrude Niesen and The Nicholas Brothers. (Did I mention that the choreographer was George Balanchine and the sets and costumes were designed by Vincente Minnelli?)
L’amour, l’amour!
Born on this day in 1882 actress Mary Boland.
Blonde rage
On this day in 1974 Carol Channing opened on Broadway in Lorelei, a revision of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, in which she had headlined a quarter of a century earlier.