The documentary, which features interviews with dozens and dozens of Broadway stars, begins its New York run at the Angelica Film Center and City Cinemas Sutton. The unrated film has a running time of 114 minutes and explores the fabled Golden Age of Broadway. Among the stars who were interviewed for McKay's film are Elaine Stritch, Shirley MacLaine, Ann Miller, Kim Hunter, Jeremy Irons, Tommy Tune, Angela Lansbury, Carol Burnett, Patricia Neal and Stephen Sondheim. McKay — a native of Beach Grove, Indiana — arrived in New York in 1981 and was disappointed to realize that the Broadway of his boyhood dreams had been replaced by rock operas and musicals that celebrated felines over humans. With no crew, no budget and one digital camera, McKay’s search to determine whether a Golden Age ever really existed brought the former actor-singer to four continents. That five-year journey featuring interviews with over 100 theatrical legends is captured in "Broadway: The Golden Age."
Among the film's highlights: Shirley MacLaine recalls her star-making performance in The Pajama Game when she filled in for the injured Carol Haney. Lainie Kazan remembers the despair of being replaced out-of town in Seesaw by a young Michele Lee. Robert Goulet remembers his audition for and co-star Richard Harris' reaction to his reading for the role of Camelot’s Lancelot. Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince and Chita Rivera all relate stories about the groundbreaking musical West Side Story. And, Angela Lansbury explains nabbing the only role that she ever desperately wanted: Mame in Jerry Herman's Tony-winning musical.
The Angela Film Center is located in Manhattan at 18 West Houston Street; City Cinemas Sutton 1 & 2 can be found at 205 East 57th Street. Visit www.broadwaythemovie.com for more information.
