WilliamM

I watched an old "Dick Cavett Show" with Fred Astaire on cable television last night. My guess is that Astaire was in his early 70s at the time. His mother was still alive at age 93. I can not say that I have thought much about Astaire, except enjoying some of his films was Ginger Rogers. Astaire received an extremely warm welcome from Cavett's studio audience. Chips from Astaire's films (Funny Face, You Were Never Lovelier) were shown. Fred talked about preparation and guessed that even the most complicated dance scenes were completed in a day and a half or so. Cavett did not ask any controversial questions (Astaire was very conservative politically), so Fred came off as a kind grandfather figure. He had extraordinary talents as a dancer and singer. I did attend one Dick Cavett taping on a night Irish actress Sibborn McKenna and David Merrick were the guests. McKenna was well known in 1971, but did not receive much applause, not even close to what Astaire receive. I wish that Astaire's visit had lasted much longer than 90 minutes.

http://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/11351620_1691360531093175_564808534_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTAzOTc2MjIyODY3NTk1MDE2MA%3D%3D.2

@Benjamin_Nicholas Linda Eder is not giving much meaning to the words in "Don't Rain on My Parade," the only song of the three I heard out of town before Broadway (back in 1964). We seldom disagree, and I realize Ms. Eder would have sung the song differently if she was the original star of "Funny Girl."

Agree if you mean after "Funny Girl" in New York and London on stage.

Tennis star Dominic Thiem

I just finished reading Carol Channing's book "just lucky I guess" (2002). It is understood that appearing on Broadway 8 times a week demands complete attention. But, Carol claims she was totally surprised when Ethel Merman said, "Yeah, I turned that show down," when asked if she had seen "Hello, Dolly." Carol writes, "And I found out years later she did indeed, but I suppose, naturally, nobody ever told me." When Merman finished the "Hello, Dolly" run on Broadway, Ms. Channing claimed that Merman said," Nope, no pictures. Not wit' Carol." It'a very strange book, but I do not want to go beyond the quotes concerning Dolly.

I saw Murphy as Lotte Lenya in the Kurt Weill musical Lovemusik. @nynakedtop, She was wonderful as Lenya. I understand your point about Passion.

Agree completely. And Ms. Earhart writes early in the letter that most of these issues were already discussed. I have read a few biographies about show business marriages of convenience. The respective authors have great difficulty in explaining the marriages even after years of research. And it is not certain that Earhart's situation was a marriage of convenience. See @Moondance's post above.

Dolly Parton is 71 and has never appeared on Broadway. It did not work for Lucille Ball in "Wildcat " in 1960-1961.

It's difficult to "unpack" a letter between people you know well who are about to be married. Even more difficult for people whom you do not know. FreshFluff, this may be the first time we have ever disagreed on this site.

I hope Murphy takes over for Midler. But, the David Merrick method of "bring in a former movie star" is likely. Please let it not be Kim Novak who can not sing and likely would say no immediately anyway. So just kidding.

Twins

Will be taking time off for my birthday. My new avatar is the flag of Monaco. Grace Kelly's dad's business was located in my neighborhood and she stayed near here when she visited the U.S. When she died back in 1982, it was not a big deal to me. But, it's nice for the City of Philadelphia to still fly the flag of Monaco here.