Life Is a Cabaret in London, Too
By Peter Filichia — “Judi sings her way to a hit!” So said the critic for the London Daily Mirror on Leap Year Day, 1968. The Judi in question, as I don’t have to inform any musical theater fan, was not Judy Garland; while the quotation would fit the legend, the first name is off […]
That Controversial Cabaret Lyric Change
By Peter Filichia — At one point during my listening to the terrific reissue of the 1968 original London cast album of Cabaret, I suddenly thought of Gladys Troupin. She was the pianist at the hotel at which I worked in 1966. In October of that year, I urged her — as well as everyone […]
Sweet Seventeen
By Peter Filichia — When friends start discussing musical theater “charm songs” — and believe me, in my circle, we do — the usual masterpieces are mentioned. “Getting to Know You” from The King and I and “Happy to Make Your Acquaintance” from The Most Happy Fella often head the list. But I always mention […]
Getting Pumped for Pump Boys
By Peter Filichia — What a delightful surprise! Pump Boys and Dinettes is returning to Broadway next spring – 31 years after the original production’s debut. Doesn’t that number of years suggest that the opening night party should be held at Baskin-Robbins? Don’t laugh. Such a modest venue would be in keeping with the 1982 […]
A Holly Jolly Christmas Story
By Peter Filichia — Although we still have a few weeks before the holidays, no time is too early to begin listening to Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s A Christmas Story. Today, any young songwriting team is amazingly fortunate to get a musical produced off-Broadway – let alone on Broadway. But Pasek and Paul must […]
