Musical Mondays - Katharine Hepburn in "Coco"

I have always admired the work of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. She was the first designer to truly liberate women and single-handedly shaped the look of the 1920s. So many of the things we consider "staples" in our wardrobes came from her. She was an amazing designer and an amazing woman to boot.

If ever a woman gave fewer f@%*s, I don't know of her.

I have also always enjoyed discovering new and obscure musicals and plays.

Look up the Broadway cast on Youtube. You will love it.

What I enjoy more than both of those things is finding a way to combine two things that I enjoy. Clearly, what I'm getting at is a combination of an obscure musical and Coco Chanel, right? Right.

"What's that, you say? The person writing this article
must be some sort of huge gay nerd, you say?"

The story itself isn't phenomenal. It's a largely fictionalized take on Chanel's comeback in 1953, as Chanel gets involved in the love life of one of her young workers and inevitably flashbacks on her own love life (again, largely fictionalized)... Basically if you took the Lifetime Chanel movie and "Coco Before Chanel" and added music, you'd have this. Normally I wouldn't even be bothered to look up something with a plot that mediocre, but there was the tiny detail of Katharine Hepburn playing the title character.

*gasp*

Both Katharine and I were ambivalent about the idea. The part had originally been imagined for Rosalind Russell, who is most famously known for *ahem* squawk-blocking Ethel Merman out of a part in the movie version.

Pictured: mixed feelings.

I say "squawk" because that's about all Russell could do, especially compared to a voice such as Ethel Merman's, but a bout of arthritis made it impossible for Russell to continue, so the producers went with yet another actress who is not known for her signing, Katharine Hepburn. It was a fair choice and she does a marvelous job, but what really struck audiences was the production design: A complex reproduction of Chanel's mirrored staircase, rotating backdrops and hidden entrances. The show won the Tony for Costume Design but not much else.

Really though, if you don't at least get a nomination you'd
 have to question your abilities as a costume designer.

All of this rigmarole is really just an excuse to show you a bunch of pretty dresses. Remember that Tony I mentioned? Well, the finale of the show is a lengthy lament by the designer about forsaking love for her work (groan) but the number features a procession of Chanel repros from 1918-1959. Check it out - you can always skip to 4:20 to get right to the dresses:

Impressive, eh? What do you think of the whole thing? Should they have gone with a different actress for the lead role? Tell me in the comments below.

Music Mondays - Barbra Streisand "Sleepin' Bee"

Just a quick little post for this week's Music Monday. This is a little gem of a song I discovered while on one of my famous Wikipedia binges. More and more often I find myself on vicious cycles of clicking article after related article just to satiate my undying curiosity. On this occasion I happened to be reading about Barbra Streisand's career and I read that her first television appearance was on "The Tonight Show" in 1961, and she sang this beautiful song:




Anyway, I've fallen in love with Ms. Streisand over and over as I discover new and different parts of her career. She is probably the epitome of the musical diva we know today. Just for fun let's watch some other songs from some of her many television appearances and specials:











The last one is my favorite because of the fashion tie-in. Those hats she tries on drive me up the wall with envy... (Especially the one at 4:56). Anyway that's that for this week's Music Monday.


Hope your week starts out well,

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

True, this is technically not a version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", but I really enjoy this parody and thought it would appropriate enough in the spirit of things.

Today is the last day of Christmas, which makes tonight Twelfth Night. Yes, just like the Shakespeare play!

A still from the 1996 film version starring (among others) Helena Bonham Carter.

I'm going to be moving in the next few days, so I won't be posting again until I find my new apartment in San Francisco! I hope you've had a lovely new year and have at least been amused by my little plan.

Thanks for reading,
Nostalgically Yours

Cast of Sound of Music to Appear on Oprah TOMORROW!

For those of you who don't consistently watch Oprah (myself included), I do want to announce to you musical theater fans that the cast of The Sound of Music will be the special guests on her show tomorrow! After the trip to Australia, this is likely my favorite part of Oprah's final season.

Andrews fawns over Plummer from afar... Who wouldn't? Rawr!

Of course, you may be thinking, Big woop! What's so special about that? I'll tell you what: for the first time since 1965, the children will perform as they did in the film! I'm not sure if Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews will sing - after all Andrews hasn't been able to really sing since her voice node surgery fiasco back in '97... Anyway, I just thought you musical theater/film aficionados would be interested to hear that! Don't miss it! I shan't.

If Julie Andrews can't make you smile, you're made of stone.

Interesting story about Julie Andrews and this movie: "The Sound of Music" and "My Fair Lady" both came out in the same award season. Andrews played Eliza Doolittle on Broadway opposite Rex Harrison. She was ousted in favor of Hepburn for God knows what reason. "My Fair Lady" stole most of the Oscars that year, including best picture. Audrey Hepburn received a big fat nothing. On the other hand, Andrews (who in turn replaced Broadway's Mary Martin in the role of Maria) was nominated for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe in the same category. I'm not trying to pick sides here, both ladies are practically perfect in their own right, but nothing good comes from trying to switch out genres between actresses like this. [Thanks to TJ at the The TJ Times for reminding me that it was "Mary Poppins" that came out in the same year as "My Fair Lady" and for which Andrews won the Oscar for Best Actress, not the "Sound of Music", as I stated above.]

More tomorrow!
Nostalgically Yours

Beyoncé and Fosse

What do and international R&B superstar and the deceased Broadway Director/Choreographer have in common? Quite a lot, actually. Aside from the fact that they are both often referred to using one name, Beyoncé has been inspired more than once by the work of this iconic Broadway master.

Just another reason why the past is always relevant - it's an unparalleled source of inspiration!






If you haven't seen the video to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies", I've included it above (where were you in 2008, exactly?). Anyway, here is the video of the Bob Fosse dance that inspired the choreography for the "Single Ladies" video. You can watch it with or without the sound; it isn't the original soundtrack.
Update, MAY 2012: This is the original soundtrack but has humorous subtitles added:

Unfortunately, the video with the original audio does not exist on Youtube - if you appreciate good music, for the love of all that is good and holy DON'T CLICK ON ANYTHING WITH "Walk it out" IN THE TITLE. It's some fool parody of the video that has taken off enough to have a group of three women actually remake the "Walk it Out" version of the dance. If you have any self-respect you won't waste your time by giving them any more views. Update MAY 2012: The original soundtrack exists, but only in the subtitled version.

Anyway, Beyoncé has admitted to using this Fosse choreography in her "Single Ladies" video, and has exalted Fosse for the genius that he was. However, I, being the insufferable theater/film/Broadway nerd that I am, spotted some moves in "There's Gotta be Something Better Than This" from "Sweet Charity" that are clearly used in "Single Ladies":

Take that as your Lagniappe courtesy of Nostalgically Yours!

Here is Beyoncé's lesser-known "Get me Bodied": Anyone who's seen "Sweet Charity" recently will probably notice the similarities to the "Rich Man's Frug" sequence and to "Think Pink", the opening number of the classic film "Funny Face". Both are featured below:

(This version of the number doesn't include the "Who is it" sequence referenced in "Get Me Bodied". You'll have to rent the movie to see that, but it's worth it!)





I'm (pardon the expression) tickled pink that Beyoncé is doing this! She and artists like her are making the past relevant again, even if teenager don't fully appreciate that it's happening.


You'll definitely be hearing more about this!

Nostalgically Yours

For more on Beyoncé, see this post.

The Tony Awards - Best Dressed

I know it's long overdue, but I thought you might like to know what I thought of the Tony gowns. Before I do, I would like to share with you a picture you will find hilarious if you follow theater news:

I did not create this image, nor do I own it. All credit goes to the original author

Anyway, back to business. I'll start out by saying that Sean Hayes did an incredible job hosting. The highlight of the evening was, of course, his and Kristin Chenoweth's big kiss. According to Us Magazine, the kiss came in response to claims from Newsweek that Hayes couldn't convincingly play Chenoweth's husband in their Broadway hit "Promises, Promises" because he was openly gay.

Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

And here I thought they were just playing off the string of same-sex kisses at awards shows we've seen recently!

Moving on to the best dressed. These are not listed in any particular order, just some of my favorite gowns, who wore them, and why I thought they were fabulous.

Catherine Zeta-Jones




The "Little Night Music" star really knows what colors suit her. Pastels look lovely on her dark complexion. The form-flattering bodice is beautifully detailed with piping and ruching, and the light, airy skirt hits her hip just right. She opted for a simple pair of earrings which compliment the complexity of the bodice, without distracting from it.



Cate Blanchett




I always admire risk in award show dress, and Blanchett really put herself out there in this silver pant suit. She looked spectacular, and she dealt with the question of "What blouse can I wear with a metallic suit?" very well! Simple make-up, hair, and accessories made sure the look didn't go overboard. Kudos!



Idina Menzel




The former "Wicked" star shows off her raven hair in a matching princess line gown with a white embroidered floral motif radiating from the waist. Another great example of how detail work can really make what might otherwise be a simple gown really special. Again, no jewelry (I smell a trend) and simple makeup and hair round out the look quite nicely.



Scarlett Johansson




I have to say that I was unimpressed with this gown until I saw a photo of it online. I had no idea it was green! Up close the rows of sequins and/or embroidered jewels are actually visible. The detail work on this gown is amazing, and I very much like the extra straps. Yet again, only earrings and a great pompadour complete the outfit, and if it weren't for the awful color of her nails, this would be a perfect ten.



Viola Davis




I've seen this color green in many stores, in fact my mother owns a dress in exactly this color, however I rarely see it worn by women. Here is a great example of how risk-taking in fashion can really pay off. Color can be especially dangerous because of its dependence on the light source. Colors onstage can look drastically different to color in a photograph or in natural lighting. I have yet to see a bad picture of this dress. Stunning.



Photo credits go to CBS and Huffington Post

Some honorable mentions include: Helen Mirren (but really, when doesn't she look fabulous?), Laura Bell Bundy, Lea Michelle, Paula Abdul, Bebe Neworth, and Bernadette Peters. Though I adore Kristin Chenoweth, I felt that she and Jada Pinkett Smith looked a bit out of place in their super-trendy, super-short dresses.

Nostalgically Yours