Nathan only has one "song" in Guys
Besides Levene, the veteran Jewish
and Dolls — called "Sue Me," which
comedy actor who couldn't sing, and
he really talks through in a duet with
Kaye, the cast included Robert Alda,
Adelaide.
father of TVs Alan Alda, as handsome
Adding polish to the show was the
gambler Sky Masterson. The elder Alda
choreography of Michael Kidd, as well
had starred as George Gershwin in the
as Jo Mielziner's settings and Alvin
movie biography Rhapsody in Blue.
Colt's costumes.
Vivian Blaine, who played in several
But the driving force behind the
movie musicals for 20th Century Fox
musical was Loesser, who had spent
as a hoped-for successor to pin-up star
many years in Hollywood writing
Betty Grable, got the part of Miss
movie songs, winning an Oscar for
Adelaide, who apparently didn't have a
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" — which he
last name. She is "engaged" to Nathan
originally wrote as a duet for himself
Detroit for 14 years, and her biggest
and his first wife to sing
song is the tric
at a party. He then
"Adelaide's Lament,"
scored big on Broadway
which explains the
with Where's Charley?
psychosomatic cold
("Once in Love With
she's developed as their
Amy"). Later in his
marriage keeps getting
career, he and Burrows
postponed.
won a Pulitzer Prize for
Isabel Bigley was rel-
How To Succeed in
atively unknown, hav-
Business Without Really
ing played nightclubs
Trying.
and the British version
Other Loesser songs
of Oklahoma, before
include "I Wish I Didn't
being cast as Sister
Love You So," "I Don't
Sarah, the "mission
Want To Walk Without
doll" from the Save-A-
Composer/lyricis t Frank
You," "On a Slow Boat
Soul Mission, who
Loesser:
The
dri
ving
force
to China," "Moon of
reforms and marries
behind "Guys a nd Dolls."
Manakoora," "Praise the
Masterson.
Lord and Pass the
Bigley got the role
Ammunition" and the
following an audition
favorite of all beginning piano players,
at 1 a.m. for a sleepy Kaufman —
"Heart and Soul."
directing his first musical — at
Probably his biggest compliment
Kaufman's country home in Bucks
came from renowned critic John
County, Pa., after Burrows got lost
Chapman of the New York Daily News,
while driving her there from New York.
who wrote: "There's only one defect
Bigley probably holds the distinc-
— but a serious one — about Guys
tion of being the only singer ever hit
and Dolls. The big trouble is that a
by a composer. During the previews in
performance of it lasts only one
Philadelphia, Loesser didn't like the
evening, when it ought to last about
way she was singing "If I Were a Bell"
one week."
and slapped her, shocking the cast and
Loesser lasted until 1969, when he
almost causing Bigley to quit. Only
died of lung cancer at age 59. Guys
flowers and an apologetic note the
and Dolls undoubtedly will last for-
next morning saved her.
ever. ❑
Bigley, now 72, is the only surviving
member of the original Guys and Dolls
cast. Married to a retired entertain-
The movie version of Guys and
ment industry executive, she lives in
Dolls, starring Marlon Brando
the New York area and doesn't grant
(Sky Masterson), Jeanne Simmons
interviews.
(Sister Sarah) and Frank Sinatra
Loesser was adamant about having
(Nathan Detroit), with Vivian
his songs sung loud by performers —
Blaine and Stubby Kaye reprising
who didn't wear portable microphones
their Broadway roles as Miss
at that time — and he posted "loud is
Adelaide and Nicely-Nicely
good" signs around the theaters.
Johnson, will be screened 8 p.m.
When auditioning chorus girls, he
Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday,
asked them to scream like they were
Dec. 15-16, at the Redford
being attacked; the loudest usually
Theatre,
17360 Lahser Road at
won the parts.
Grand
River.
Organ overtures
Loesser had written "Travelin' Light"
begin one-half hour prior to
as a solo for Nathan Detroit, but
screenings. $3. (313) 537-2560.
dropped it when he realized that

Levene really couldn't sing. That's why

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