Jerry Herman's Broadway (1993) - Star of the month... Angela Lansbury

'Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl' is a 1993 filmed recording of a special concert paying tribute to the great musical legacy of composer Jerry Herman. The concert event features performances by Bea Arthur, Carol Channing, Michael Feinstein, Davis Gaines, George Hearn, Florence Lacey, Lorna Lift, Rita Moreno, Karen Morrow, Lee Roy Reams & Leslie Uggams. Special video messages from Angela Lansbury, Liza Minnelli & Paul and Linda McCartney are also featured.

After a filmed introduction message from Liza Minnelli & a hilarious opening address by the great Carol Channing, the opening number is "It's Today" from Mame, performed by Leslie Uggams.

Other musical highlights include:

• "Movies Were Movies" (from 'Mack & Mabel') - George Hearn
• "Put On Your Sunday Clothes / Before the Parade Passes By" (from 'Hello Dolly') - Lee Roy Reams
• "Wherever He Ain't" (from 'Mack & Mabel') - Lorna Luft, Karen Morrow & Florence Lacey
• "Take It All Off" (from 'Jerry's Girls') - Lorna Luft & chorus... Lorna wears a burlesque fat suit
• "We Need a Little Xmas" (from 'Mame') - Karen Morrow
• "If He Walked Into My Life" (from 'Mame') - Leslie Uggams
• "Hello Dolly (Medley)" (from 'Hello Dolly) is the Act I finale featuring:
• impressions of Carol Channing, Sammy Davis Jr, Ethel Merman & Louis Armstrong
• Leslie Uggams "Deli Taste"
• Lorna Luft singing it
• international ballet (Brazilian, Chinese, Viking woman, French can can
• finally the original & best Dolly Levi, Miss Carol Channing
• An appearance from Bea Arthur, who made her debut as Vera in 'Mame', and she sings "The Man in the Moon" from 'Mame'
• "Bosom Buddies" (from 'Mame') - Rita Moreno & Leslie Uggams
• "Time Heals Everything" (from 'Mack & Mabel') - Lorna Luft (I got goosebumps during this performance as it is obvious Lorna is singing this about her mother, Judy Garland)
• A video message from Angela Lansbury in Ireland taking about 'Mame'
• An instrumental of the song "Mame" with a photo montage of Angela Lansbury on broadway & Lucille ball In the movie
• "I Won't Send Roses" (from 'Mack & Mabel') - Michael Feinstein
• "Tap Your Troubles Away" (from 'Mack & Mabel') - Rita Moreno (showing us she's still got it)
• "Kiss Her Now" - Leslie Uggams & Florence Lacey
• "I Am What I Am" (from 'La Cage aux Folles') - George Hearn
• "The Best of Times" (from 'La Cage aux Folles') - Jerry Herman and the entire cast

Singin in the Rain (1952) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'Singin' in the Rain' is a 1952 MGM musical comedy directed by Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen, and starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds with Jean Hagen, Rita Moreno,  All musical numbers were choreographed by Gene Kelly.

The film is a satire on the awkward transition of silent to sound films and is most remembered for featuring Gene Kelly's signature song and dance routine 'Singin in the Rain'.

Musical program

• "Singin' in the Rain" (Intro) - Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor & Debbie Reynolds
• "Fit as a Fiddle" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor
• "Temptation" (Instrumental)
• "Dreaming Of You" - Debbie Reynolds
• "Singin' in the Rain" - Gene Kelly
• "Make 'Em Laugh" - Donald O'Connor
• "Beautiful Girl Montage" (also features "I Got A Feeling You're Feeling", "The Wedding of the Painted Doll" and "Should I?"
• "You Were Meant For Me" - Gene Kelly (with Debbie Reynolds)
• "Moses Supposes" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor
• "Good Morning" - Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor & Debbie Reynolds
• "Would You" - Debbie Reynolds
• "Broadway Melody Ballet" (also features "Broadway Rhythm") - Gene Kelly
• "You Are My Lucky Star" - Gene Kelly (with Debbie Reynolds)

Deleted songs:

• In an early draft of the script, "Singin' in the Rain" was to be sung by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor & Debbie Reynolds on their way back from the flop preview of 'The Dueling Cavalier'
• In an early draft of the script Gene Kelly was to sing "Dreaming Of You", instead of "You Were Meant For Me"
• Debbie Reynolds originally sang "You Are My Lucky Star" to a billboard showing an image of Don Lockwood - the footage has survived and is included on the DVD release
• Rita Moreno was originally meant to sing "I Got A Feelin' You're Foolin'"

Song: "Singin' in the Rain" - Gene Kelly

Song: "Dreaming Of You" - Debbie Reynolds

Song: "Good Morning" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Connor

Song: "Make 'Em Laugh" - Donald O'Connor

Song: "Fit As a Fiddle" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor

Song: "Singin' in the Rain" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Connor

Clip from 'The Broadway Ballet' - Gene Kelly & Cyd Charisse

Clip from 'The Broadway Ballet' - Gene Kelly & Cyd Charisse

"Moses Supposes" - Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor

Outtake musical number: "You Are My Lucky Star" - Debbie Reynolds (deleted from the final film)

Song: "Would You?" - Debbie Reynolds

Song: "You Were Meant For Me" - Gene Kelly (with Debbie Reynolds)

Song: "Singin' in the Rain (in E-Flat)" / "You Are My Lucky Star" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O'Connor (with Jean Hagen)

Did you know...

• This was Debbie Reynold's first starring role
• Debbie Reynolds once said the two hardest things she has ever done is childbirth and 'Singin in the Rain'
• Arthur Freed gave Betty Comden and Adolph Green a mandate to write a film called "Singin' in the Rain", which was to feature as many of his songs as possible

Closing remarks

Although the film was only a moderate success on it's initial release, it is now considered to be one of the greatest musical films of all time, and even one of the best films ever made.