TERRY AND THE MUSIC

Terry Moore co-starred with Robert Q. Lewis (as Hines, not the leading man) in a production of "The Pajama Game" at the Meadowbrook Dinner Theater.  I had a small role and was the assistant stage manager.

Ms. Moore was a sweet child-like woman who traveled with her mother in tow.   I had seen her in many movies and was a bit star struck.  (She had been Oscar nominated for Supporting Actress in "Peyton Place.")  And now, she was doing a musical, live, on stage.   She was a friendly out-going type who loved to chat and told me early on, that doing our musical was a real challenge for her as she didn't think she possessed much musical talent.  I reminded her that she had played "Beautiful Dreamer" on the piano in the film, "Mighty Joe Young." while being held aloft by her friendly ape.   She laughed and said, "Oh, that.  They chose "Beautiful Dreamer" because it was the only song I could play."
Midway in rehearsals we knew we had a problem.  While Terry had a nice enough singing voice, she was not big in the rhythm department.   There is a song in the show called "There Once Was a Man," wherein, the two singers (Ms. Moore and her leading man) sing in counterpoint. one starting ant then the other joining in, a bit later.   Poor Terry, try as she might, she always came in too late or too early.  Finally, it was decided that the leading man would squeeze her hand when it was time for her to start.   And it worked.  It was never perfect, but close enough to get by.   She was one of the kindest, gentlest people that I ever worked with and innocent to the core, even though the core was not very musical.

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