DIVA TALK: Saluting Dolores Gray, Into the Woods on Disc, a Cabaret Cavalcade and DIVA news

By Andrew Gans
05 Jul 2002

Hello, diva lovers. I'd like to dedicate this week's column to the late, glamorous stage (and screen) star Dolores Gray, who died June 26, 2002, at the age of 78. I only became aware of Dolores Gray a few years ago when a good friend and loyal diva fan treated me to some vintage TV appearances of the singer-actress whose greatest achievements were on the London stage in productions of Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy and Follies. Another friend then sent me a copy of the Merv Griffin talk show that featured Gray along with three other Broadway and/or film legends, Ethel Merman, Ann Miller and relative newcomer at the time Karen Morrow. Gray took part in the show's delightful opening number (featuring Griffin and all four ladies belting "Everything's Coming Up Roses") and also offered a solo on "Here's That Rainy Day," a song she debuted in the short lived musical Carnival in Flanders. From just these few television appearances, it was evident how striking a stage presence she must have been, possessing the talent, self-confidence and aura of a true star. Gray had a dark, rich voice that she poured out with remarkable control, one of those distinct sounds that was simply a joy to hear. For those who have never heard Gray's velvety tones, you should check out the original Broadway cast recording of Destry Rides Again, which was recently re-released on the Decca Broadway label. That recording features Gray's luscious singing on such tracks as "Ladies," "I Hate Him," "Fair Warning," "Are You Ready, Gyp Watson," "That Ring on Her Finger" and the gorgeous ballad, "I Say Hello." Gray can also be heard on the most recent London cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which boasts her thrilling rendition of the survivor anthem, "I'm Still Here." Dolores Gray's complete Broadway credits follow:

Hello, diva lovers. I'd like to dedicate this week's column to the late, glamorous stage (and screen) star Dolores Gray, who died June 26, 2002, at the age of 78. I only became aware of Dolores Gray a few years ago when a good friend and loyal diva fan treated me to some vintage TV appearances of the singer-actress whose greatest achievements were on the London stage in productions of Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy and Follies. Another friend then sent me a copy of the Merv Griffin talk show that featured Gray along with three other Broadway and/or film legends, Ethel Merman, Ann Miller and relative newcomer at the time Karen Morrow. Gray took part in the show's delightful opening number (featuring Griffin and all four ladies belting "Everything's Coming Up Roses") and also offered a solo on "Here's That Rainy Day," a song she debuted in the short lived musical Carnival in Flanders. From just these few television appearances, it was evident how striking a stage presence she must have been, possessing the talent, self-confidence and aura of a true star. Gray had a dark, rich voice that she poured out with remarkable control, one of those distinct sounds that was simply a joy to hear. For those who have never heard Gray's velvety tones, you should check out the original Broadway cast recording of Destry Rides Again, which was recently re-released on the Decca Broadway label. That recording features Gray's luscious singing on such tracks as "Ladies," "I Hate Him," "Fair Warning," "Are You Ready, Gyp Watson," "That Ring on Her Finger" and the gorgeous ballad, "I Say Hello." Gray can also be heard on the most recent London cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which boasts her thrilling rendition of the survivor anthem, "I'm Still Here." Dolores Gray's complete Broadway credits follow:

Seven Lively Arts 1944
Are You With It? 1945
Two on the Aisle 1951
Carnival in Flanders 1953
Destry Rides Again 1959
Sherry! 1967
42nd Street 1980

FOR THE RECORD Into the Woods

The original production of Into the Woods opened on Broadway on Nov. 5, 1987. I was a freshman in college at the time, and I remember coming home for vacation to catch a performance of the at-the-time newest Sondheim/Lapine musical. I enjoyed the show, especially Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason's performances, finding the first act — at times — hilarious and the second act quite moving. After only one hearing, however, I have to admit that I felt the score seemed a bit repetitive, the only standout melody "Stay With Me." It was the same season that brought Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera to New York, a musical I also admired and whose melodic score I was already familiar with from the London cast recording. So, I was surprised when, a few days later, I was walking down the street humming a melody, not from Phantom but Into the Woods. It wasn't until the original cast recording of Into the Woods was released a few months later that I truly became aware of the riches of the Stephen Sondheim score, as brilliant melodically as it is lyrically. And, now, 15 years later, comes another recording of the Woods music, from the cast of the 2002 Tony-winning Best Musical Revival at the Broadhurst Theatre.

How much you enjoy the new recording of Into the Woods (Nonesuch Records) may depend on how familiar you are with the original Broadway cast recording (RCA Victor). That original cast, of course, boasted such Broadway heavyweights as Peters and Gleason, not to mention Chip Zien, Tom Aldredge and Robert Westenberg, all billed above the title. Both vocally and acting wise, that recording could hardly be bettered. Peters, in top form, offered thrilling versions of her two solos, "Stay with Me" and "Last Midnight," and was thoroughly hilarious in the "Witch's Rap" and throughout the first act. Her 2002 counterpart, Vanessa Williams, though a striking figure in the City Center Encores! presentation of St. Louis Woman, is somewhat lackluster on the new recording, her voice missing the power and vocal shading that Peters brought to the role of the Witch. Others, however, fare better, most notably Laura Benanti, whose lush soprano sounds glorious singing "On the Steps of the Palace" in the first act and the show's anthem, "No One Is Alone," in the second. Also offering fine performances are Gregg Edelman and Christopher Sieber as the Princes, who describe the "Agony" of love — I especially enjoy their full-voiced climax of the song, which was originally performed using a lighter falsetto. Stephen DeRosa also does well, offering a touching rendition of "No More," and if Kerry O'Malley doesn't possess the charm of Joanna Gleason, she is a powerful singer (with a rangier belt) and sounds terrific on her Act II solo, "Moments in the Woods."

Sondheim fans will certainly want to add the recording to their collection, as it preserves "Our Little World" — the duet between the Witch and Rapunzel, which was added to the London mounting of the musical (it's on that RCA Victor recording, too) — the new ending to "On the Steps of the Palace" as well as minor changes made to several of the lyrics. The new 21-track recording also boasts a complete book of lyrics, which includes several color production photos.

THE CABARET SCENE
In conjunction with the upcoming Town Hall Cabaret Convention, New York's Algonquin Hotel will present a 2002 "Cavalcade of Cabaret" from Oct. 21 through Oct. 27. Reservations can be made by calling the Algonquin (59 W. 44th Street) at (212) 419-9331. The complete line-up of performers follows:

Oct. 21 Jeff Harnar (9:30 PM)
Oct. 22 Georga Osborne (9:30 PM)
Oct. 23 Mark Nadler (9:30 PM)
Oct. 24 Klea Blackhurst (9:30 PM)
Oct. 25 Sandy Stewart and Bill Charlap (11:30 PM)
Oct. 26 Wesla Whitfield (9:30 and 11:30 PM)
Oct. 27 Christine Andreas (9:30 PM) Continued...