By Ligia Fernandez
Return to Main Entertainers
Archive Page
August 2006
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Source:
maurice-abravanel.com
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Gertrude Lawrence
(1898 - 1952)
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British musical theatre legend Gertrude Lawrence was one of
the brightest lights on both the London and New York musical theatre scene
during the 1920-40s. She began her career in various London music hall
productions, most notably the revues of Andre Charlot where she introduced
such songs as Limehouse Blues, Poor Little Rich Girl and A Cup of
Coffee, A Sandwich and You.
She was introduced to New York audiences in Charlot's LONDON REVUE OF
1924 starring Beatrice Lillie and Jack Buchanan. But it was her starring
role in the Gershwins' OH, KAY! (1926) that established her popularity on
Broadway.
A muse of British actor/composer Noel Coward, Lawrence appeared along
side him in many of his plays and musicals including PRIVATE LIVES, TONIGHT
AT 8:30 and WORDS AND MUSIC.
In 1949, she persuaded to Rodgers & Hammerstein to write a musical based
on Margaret Landon's book, "Anna and the King of Siam" as a vehicle for her.
THE KING & I opened on Broadway in 1951 and is considered by many to be her
greatest success. Sadly, she died shortly after the show opened. It is said
that one of her last requests was that her co-star, Yul Brynner, be billed
above the title on all posters and playbills (she was the only one that had
star billing up till then) for the duration of the run. |
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George Hearn as the Wizard in WICKED
Source: broadwayworld.com
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George Hearn
(1934 -) |
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George Hearn is one of the those musical performers that
always make an indelible impression, whether he is originating the role or
not. He made his Broadway musical debut in the flop A TIME FOR SINGING
(1966). Stardom came when he replaced Len Cariou in SWEENEY TODD opposite
Angela Lansbury, winning him an Emmy Award for the Showtime cable version of
the show.
In 1984, he won his first Tony award as Albin in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and a
second portraying Norma Desmond's devoted manservant Max Von Mayerling in
SUNSET BLVD (1995). He has also received Tony noms for the plays WATCH ON
THE RHINE (1984) and A DOLL'S LIFE (1983) and the musical revue PUTTING IT
TOGETHER (2000).
In 2003, he joined the Broadway company of WICKED and played the Wizard
through February 2006. |
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