Broadway Babe’s Picks: Follies, Little Shop of Horrors and More
Our Broadway Babe, Randie Levine-Miller has come up with a plethora of riches: A not to be missed star studded concert of “Follies”; Alan Menken performing with his cast of “Little Shop of Horrors”; Sammy Davis, Jr. in concert; and Marilyn Maye appearing on the Harry Connick TV show.
Sammy Davis Jr. – Stop the World, I Want to Get Off! Medley
12 minutes of a stellar performance by the late legendary uber-talented Sammy Davis, Jr. —often considered the best entertainer of his generation or possibly any generation. Sammy sings songs from Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse’s “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off!”. He always wanted to do this musical and had several hit recordings from the score. The show was retooled by the creators for Sammy. He did the show in 1978 on tour and on Broadway. This video was part of a concert on his closing night in Melbourne.
Marilyn Maye, Harry Connick—Here’s to Life
From 2018: Veteran entertainer and jazz singer, Marilyn Maye (At that time she was 90) guested on the Harry Connick TV show. She sat down for an interview and shared the fact that Ella Fitzgerald was a fan of hers. They knew each other from their days on the road performing. What makes this TV appearance so special is that this program had a very young studio audience and they were totally enthralled by Marilyn’s stories and singing. She sang Artie Butler’s classic, “Here’s To Life,” with Tedd Firth accompanying her on piano. Marilyn is such a super-star that audiences of all ages truly appreciate her as seen in this 8 minute video.
Sondheim’s Follies In Concert
Theater aficionados will agree that this is truly one of the greatest and most exciting concerts of all time. A true theatrical treasure, “Sondheim’s Follies In Concert” (1985), is a combination documentary/concert that was filmed live at Lincoln Center. It features an extraordinary cast: Lee Remick, Barbara Cook, Mandy Patinkin, George Hearn, Carol Burnett, Elaine Stritch, Liz Callaway, Howard McGillan, Jim Walton, Liliane Montevecchi, Phyllis Newman, Betty Comden and Adolf Green, with Paul Gemigiani Musical Directing the New York Philharmonic. Elaine Stritch asks her sister performers after the show in her dressing room, “Has there ever been a night like this??” Personally, I can’t imagine another concert being this magical.
Little Shop Tiny Desk
From 2022, NPR Music presents Tiny Desk Concerts featuring the cast, as well as its delightful composer, Alan Menken performing 5 songs from the current hit off-Broadway revival of “Little Shop of Horrors.” It is a joyful 21 minutes with Alan hosting, telling behind-the-scenes stories of his legendary musical which was written with his much adored and admired late genius collaborator, lyricist Howard Ashman. Alan regales us with anecdotes, and also plays piano and sings from the score. The current revival won Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Drama League Awards for best musical revival. I first fell in love with this show when it was done at a very small theater off-Broadway 45 years ago. Who knew then that this would become such a classic history making show? It is so well-deserved as it’s a total audience pleaser! It’s a perfect antidote to watching TV news and is playing at the Westside Theatre in New York City.
Randie Levine Miller is Director of Special Events for The Three Tomatoes, and co-produces and hosts the annual Tomatoes Got Talent show. Known around NYC as a modern day “hostess with the mostess, she has performed in and hosted benefits for the Actors Fund, the Actors Temple, Multiple Sclerosis, and Prostate Cancer Research. Randie’s performance venues have included: The Triad, The Metropolitan Room, the Laurie Beechman Theater, and the Friars Club. For many years, she was special events director for the Drama Desk Awards. Randie also had a successful 30-year career as a public relations consultant and handled several major health and medical technology clients.
