Back in 2008, I choreographed a production of HELLO, DOLLY! at Houston’s Theater Under The Stars starring Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams and directed by Lee Roy Reams.
I came across this audio recording today and tons of very happy memories came flooding back.
I thought fans of Broadway musicals might be interested not only in Leslie’s amazing vocal performance, but how a “cut” song from a Broadway show found its way back to the stage.
Jerry Herman wanted us to add the song “Love, Look In My Window” for Leslie near the end of Act One. The song was originally written for Ethel Merman, but was cut from the show when she turned down the role (which eventually went to Carol Channing, who triumphed in the role).
Jerry loved Leslie’s rendition of “If He Walked Into My Life” from MAME, and wanted her to have a big vocal moment like that.
The song was put back into the show when Merman came in to close the original Broadway production in 1970. But there was no documentation of where it went. No one, not even Jerry, remembered how the song fit into the dialogue.
After long conference calls with Jerry, Lee Roy, Leslie, and me, we made it work this way.
The song begins right after the short scene with Mrs. Rose. Leslie begins the “Ephraim” speech near the end of the song before delivering a spectacular ending.
After the song (and tumultuous applause), Leslie continued, “And so I have decided to rejoin the human race. And Ephraim, I want you to give me away.” And that led us into “Before the Parade Passes By.”
Related: Leslie Uggams On ‘June Is Busting Out All Over’
I recorded this on my phone from the audience on opening night. And yes, Leslie was an absolute DREAM to work with. What an incredible talent.
Backstage with Leslie Uggams starring in HELLO, DOLLY!Discover more from The Randy Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.