LEGENDS #5 GWEN VERDON

And moving on to 2012, Broadway Cares honored Gwen Verdon with the yearly "Legends" ornament for her standout performance as Charity Valentine  in "Sweet Charity."

A Federico Fellini film, "Nights of Cabiria" from 1957 was the inspiration for this Bob Fosse conceived musical with a book by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields. It received a total of nine Tony nominations in 1966 but only won the best Choreography Award for Mr. Fosse. The other winners that year were "Man of La Mancha" (Best Musical) and Angela Lansbury (Best Actress for "Mame")

Then, Mr. Fosse directed the screen version in 1969 starring Shirley MacLaine which received three minor Oscar nominations, winning none.  ("Midnight Cowboy" won the Best Picture.)

The musical has seen several revivals both on and Off-Broadway.  The stars in those different productions were Debbie Allen, Christina Applegate and Sutton Foster.

And here is the ornament and a publicity shot (touting the show) of Ms. Verdon (Fosse's wife at the time)


Comments

  1. Kurt MannNovember 28, 2018 at 1:47 PM

    I saw Gwen, Debbie and Christina. I also went to the all-star benefit where ever actress who'd played Charity did a scene. The only no-show was Shirley. I guess Gwen didn't feel up to dancing and did the scene in the Italian film star's closet.

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