I am a regular listener to Sirius, Channel 72, playing Broadway music, and while I have never recorded and sent in an answer to this question that they regularly ask, I often smile when I think of my first experience. I was about five years old and my grandmother took me to see Peter Pan with Veronica Lake. When I recently mentioned that to Murray, he joyfully shared that was also the first Broadway show he saw. We both remember sitting in very good seats at the Old Nixon Theater in Pittsburgh when the production toured back in the late 40’s. It was a glorious experience for me and started my love of live theater. Of course, it was not the musical we are all familiar with but rather the original drama of 1904, written by J.M. Barrie.
Photographer unknown.
In 1954 the musical version of Peter Pan premiered on Broadway with Mary Martin and Cyril Richards, featuring the wonderful music of Mark Charlap with some additional music by Jules Styne. Lyrics were by Carolyn Leigh with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. And of course there was the wonderful direction and choreography of Jerome Robbins. The television audience was first introduced to Mary Martin and Cyril Richards recreating their roles in 1955 on NBC and again in 1956, live in color. The 1955 TV program had the largest TV audience ever, with 65 million viewers.
In 1960 they videotaped a slightly longer version in color and this was rebroadcast often, first by NBC and then by the Disney Channel. I saw the TV version many times and at some point, probably in the 80’s, we videotaped it. When our first grandchild, Jessica, was about 2 we introduced her to the taped version of Peter Pan and it was one of her favorites when she came to visit.
Photographer unknown.
Then in 1999 when the production with Cathy Rigby was playing on Broadway, three generations went together. Jessica, her Aunt Julie, and I (Grandma) were caught up in the magic created on Broadway. Since Aunt Julie (our daughter) is a casting director we had perfect seats and she had arranged a backstage tour for us.
The Broadway cast was used to children coming backstage and had designed a perfect way to introduce the new theatergoers to the magic of Broadway. Jessica was given a small cup with fairy dust in it and cautioned in its use. We then met the actor who had played Captain Hook. When Jessica took a step away from him, he reassured her that in real life he was really a very nice person. I am sure that I had as much fun as Jessica.
Many times since then Jessica has attended Broadway shows and the last show that we attended together, along with her Mom and Aunt Julie was Finding Neverland with Matthew Morrison. When I knew we would be in New York City at the same time, I asked what Broadway show Jessica wanted to see. With no hesitation she suggested Finding Neverland with Matthew Morrison, as she was a big fan of his from the television show Glee. I hadn’t even heard of the show, or of Morrison. We got tickets and I loved the show. Of course, Julie arranged for us to go backstage and meet Morrison. Here’s a fun picture of us all together with Morrison.
Finding Neverland in 2015.
I end by asking if you remember your first Broadway show or musical and whether it made you a fan of later Broadway productions?
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Big news! A second set of twins are expected in my family. The parents of these twins are Rabbi Josh Fixler and his wife Annie, who live in Houston. The first set of twins are Anat and Avram Friedman, the twin children of my daughter, Rabbi Dayle Friedman. Both of these older twins are in college — Avi at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and Anat at Georgetown in DC.
Wow.. thanks so much for sharing. It was especially fun to learn that you were able to go backstage and meet her. Indeed unforgettable.
Thanksgiving will be quiet for us but we are seeing one of our daughters the week before and the other the week after! Enjoy your time in the garden with family!
Love,
JoAnne
Hi, JoAnne,
I know you and Murray will enjoy being with your daughters for Thanksgiving! It’s one of my favorite holidays, and I am looking forward to experiencing it again in the beautiful L.A. backyard of my son Glen and his wife Elizabeth.
On another very happy note, I will become a great grandmother for the second time when my grandson, Rabbi Josh Fixler, and his wife Annie will have twin baby girls in Houston! Their first child, Ella, is just two years old. The whole family is so excited about this second pair of twins in our family. The other two are the children of my daughter Rabbi Dayle Friedman. Avram (called Avi), and his sister Anat are both are in college — Anat at Georgetown in DC and Avram at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
I just wish I lived closer to these very interesting children!
I send love to you both,
Audrey
Hi, JoAnn,
When I was in my early teens, I used to go into NY from Trenton with my mom to see my grandparents. After a while, I would always get bored with the conver-sation, and my mother sent me across the street to the Natural History Museum. When I was abut 16, they ordered a cab to take me to a show, and I remember my favorite was “Member of the Wedding.” Thus I got hooked on the theatre at a very young age, and later acted in high school plays, and even spent a summer at a summer theatre program for college students in Vermont..
Hope you and Murray and the rest of your family are fine. Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
Fondly,
Audrey Marcus
Thank you for sharing. Do you remember if Julie Harris was in the “Member of the Wedding?” And how neat that you acted in high school plays and went to a summer theatre program. Thanks for your thanksgiving wishes and wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving for you and your family.
Fondly,
JoAnne
Hi, again, JoAnne. Yes, I saw Julie Harris in “Member of the Wedding”
by myself in NY when I was about 16. I was so stage struck in those
days that I went backstage all by myself. A stagehand asked me if he
could help me, and I said “Yes, I’d like to see Miss Harris,” and he
actually took me to her dressing room, which was quite an experience
for a kid. She was still in costume with dirt on her knees, and was very
sweet to me, which was quite unforgettable!
Hope all is well with you and your family and that you have a nice
Thanksgiving. As usual, dinner will be with my son Glen and his wife
in L.A. with Dayle and David and other family members and friends
in their lovely garden.
Love,
Audrey