We’re going through the decades today through the Tomatoes time machine. Starting in the ‘60s with Steve Lawrence and Edyie Gorme, ABBA in the ‘70s, Liza Minnnelli in the 80s, and Broadway performers in 2019.

Hollywood Palace

So the Tomatoes time machine takes us back to baby boomers’ glory days of the 1960’s! Pure delicious entertainment nostalgia.

From 1967: ABC-TV’s Hollywood Palace, starring what some called the greatest act in show business….Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, with guests, legendary comedians Tim Conway and Corbett Monica… the broadcast includes commercials…but you won’t leave the room, as that’s how good they were!  

Sidebar: The late composer/lyricist Ervin Drake shared this anecdote with me: When Steve Lawrence starred in Ervin’s Broadway musical, “What Makes Sammy Run”, Steve was having an affair with his leading lady..The show played the old 54th Street Theater, and somehow during intermission, they got Locked in the dressing room (it was much stronger than just a door in that theater)… The fire department had to be called to rescue them….. (probably in a locked embrace! LOL)… Then Act II resumed!

Sad sidebar: Steve Lawrence is currently battling Alzheimer’s disease… He was such a vital and delightful man.

An Evening with Liza Minnelli

From 1980, a classic performance by one of the greatest show-women to grace the stage.. a true tomato treat… Here’s Liza at her best, in her prime, looking beautiful and in total control of herself and her audience, giving a magical performance… she was a world class entertainer, as we know… and this HBO special demonstrates that..

Sidebar: Liza and I shared someone in common since the 1960’s till his death…composer Marvin Hamlisch.

When I was at Camp Geneva, an all girls camp in the Poconos, Marvin was the camp’s music director… One day I was hanging out with him in the social hall and asked him to play some of his original songs, which didn’t take much coaxing LOL… He played “The Traveling Life”… I immediately fell in love with the song and told Marvin, “I want that song, and would love to have a copy of it”..He said:”No, you can’t have that song…. it’s for a girl named Liza Minnelli… And I immediately asked:“Who’s she??” !!! 

Sidebar, too: Many years later, my musical director pal, Michael Lavine, got me a copy of the never published song…When I produced an event at the Friars Club with Marvin, I told him, “I want you to know, I now sing “The Traveling Life”…. and I sing it better than anyone…Marvin looked at me as if about to question me…I then blurted out, “And you want to know why? Because no one else sings it!” (Actually it was on Liza’s first album and in the concert with her mother, “Judy and Liza at the Paladium”).

Broadway’s Best

From May, 2019,Broadway’s Best Perform for The Times has some of Broadway’s brightest stars, including: Tony Award nominees and winners Stephanie J. Block, Mary Testa, Sarah Stiles, Brooks Ashmanskas.. Hosted by NY Times theater reporter Michael Paulson, this took place days after the 2019 Tony nominee announcements.

A delightful behind the scenes look at some of the top shows of that season, as well as some outstanding performances… Something Tomatoes will truly enjoy!

ABBA

From 1993, “A is for ABBA,” a fabulous BBC documentary about Sweden’s leading songwriters and performers, the group ABBA traces their beginnings to the end of their performing partnership. And who doesn’t like their songs?  Such uplifting songs including : “Dancing Queen,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Thank You For The Music”, amongst many other legendary hits.. And of course, their songs form the basis for legendary musical, “Mamma Mia” which ran on Broadway and all over the world for years, before becoming a successful movie, starring Meryl Streep, along with a sequel film. Watch all three parts below.