Tony Nominee Joan Rivers Shares Her Cherished Theatregoing Experiences

Favorite Things Tony Nominee Joan Rivers Shares Her Cherished Theatregoing Experiences

Jan 26, 2012

Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share ten of the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience. This week we spotlight the choices of Joan Rivers, the Tony-nominated actress (Sally Marr...and Her Escorts), writer, comedienne, TV host and reality star (WEtv's "Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best").

Ray Bolger in Where's Charley?


	"My first Broadway show! I was stagestruck, and on matinee days, Ray Bolger invited children to come backstage. I have never gotten over it."

Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady.


	"Total perfection! The ultimate musical - then and now!"

Julie Harris in The Lark.


	"Julie Harris was so convincing as Joan of Arc, I began to hear voices."

The Lunts in The Visit.


	"America’s greatest acting couple may not have been spring chickens, but on stage they were surprisingly sexy."

Laurence Olivier


	"...in everything... especially Othello and The Entertainer. It wasn’t on a whim when he was hailed the greatest English speaking actor of the twentieth century."

Joan Rivers in Sally Marr... and Her Escorts.


	"This was my Tony-nominated performance, but unfortunately, they gave the award to some uptight British lady who pretended to be Medea."

Angela Lansbury


	"...in everything and, especially, Mame. Angie can do anything – brilliantly! And, Jerry Herman truly keeps America singing."

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife.


	"Charles Busch’s writing is riotously funny, bravura comedy on the highest level."

The Normal Heart (2011 revival).


	"Heartbreaking and such a vivid reminder of a nightmare we should never forget!"

Elaine Stritch at Liberty and Hugh Jackman, Back On Broadway.


	"The best one-woman and one-man shows I have ever seen. Broadway’s answer to Jay-Z and Kanye West! What a team they’d make!"

BONUS: Follies (The original and the revival).


	"Sorry, I have to give you my top 11 since I love Broadway so much. Early Sondheim –ANY SONDHEIM–blows me away."

Tony Nominee Joan Rivers Shares Her Cherished Theatregoing Experiences

Playbill Sites

Contact Playbill

Follow Playbill Now