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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