For International Women’s Week: My Favorite Broadway: Leading Ladies

Originally presented at Carnegie Hall September 1998 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids

Until we have Broadway back, sit back and enjoy a cornucopia of women who memorably tread the boards. Some reprise songs they debuted, others were second cast or toured, several were already legends, a few were on the rise.

The show opens with “Beauty That Drives a Man Mad” (Marc Shaiman/Scott Whitman, Some Like It Hot) as performed in full drag by Robert Morse and Tony Roberts. “What looks we get from cabbies and truckers/When we walk by, the whole world puckers…” Lyrics are occasionally flubbed, but enthusiasm and ham hold fast.

Other memorable moments:

Karen Ziemba looks and sounds terrific, performing several numbers. She and Bebe Neuwirth sing and dance an insinuating, slo-mo “Nowadays,” all pelvis and legs, followed by an instrumental in which they both shimmy up a storm (John Kander/ Fred Ebb, Chicago). Later, fresh and wide-eyed, Ziemba presents “I Wanna Be a Rockette” (Tom Eyen/Alan Menken, Kicks), surrounded by the dance troupe itself.

Faith Price is great with both “A Person Can Develop a Cold” – accent, attitude, growl and whine pitch perfect (Frank Loesser, Guys and Dolls) and an evocative “I’m Going Back” (Betty Comden and Adolph Green/Jule Styne, Bells Are Ringing). The multi-talented Audra McDonald captivates with two ballads: Stephen Sondheim’s “I Never Said I Love You” (Dear World) and “Love Changes Everything” (Andrew Lloyd Weber/Charles Hart and Don Black, Aspects of Love.) She also delivers a wrong-headed, angry medley titled “Down With Love.” We forgive her.

Priscilla Lopez reprises “Nothing,” the song she originated as Diana Morales in 1975’s A Chorus Line (Marvin Hamlisch/Edward Kleban). Her vocal is more mature, but the bobsled whoosh! brings back memories. Years later, out of context, songs are often presented with different coloration. Jennifer Holiday’s contributions are more self consciously performed. “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” the song with which the vocalist’s raw Effie stopped Dreamgirls (Henry Krieger/Tom Eyen) every night, arrives without sincerity.

Dorothy Loudon, on the other hand, performs “Fifty Per Cent,” the song she originated as Bea in 1978’s Ballroom as if it was 20 years before. It’s heartbreaking (Billy Goldenberg/ Alan and Marilyn Bergman). And 28 years after the opening of Stephen Sondheim’s Company, war horse Elaine Stritch reprises Joanne’s “Ladies Who Lunch” with perhaps a bit more bitterness, but just as much bite.

Two bright lights who tragically passed within the last two years, Marin Mazzie and Rebecca Luker, showcase talent that always graced Broadway. Mazzie’s “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” imbues the beautifully rendered interpretation with a touch of pathos. Her voice is warm and full (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart, Pal Joey). Luker’s “Falling in Love with Love” is simply gorgeous, overflowing with infectious joy (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart, The Boys From Syracuse).

The show closes with a stage filled by all the leading women on Broadway at the time, sashaying in little black dresses.

My Favorite Broadway: Leading Ladies
Host Julie Andrews
Paul Gemignani, the American Theatre Orchestra
Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids