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The hit of the season was the ever-popular SHOW BOAT with the beloved Margaret Hamilton playing Parthy and supported by a talented cast including Terrence Monk, Betsy Norden, Robert Mosley, Birdie M. Little, Jr.'s guidance, Gretchen Wyler returned to The Top for the first time in five years as MAME, and Howard Keel returned for the first time since 1964 as the impressive star of PAINT YOUR WAGON. (Click on the programs above to learn more about these productions.) 1979 – Season Seventeen
ANNE FRANCIS AND ORSON BEAN HOW TO
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GUYS AND DOLLS: George Chakiris & Rita Moreno.NO, NO, NANETTE: Penny Singleton & Arthur Lake.She remains active on the musical stage, having appeared on Broadway in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and on tour as Madame Morrible in the smash hit WICKED. When audiences were asked which stars they wanted to return in future productions, Ms. Jo Anne Worley made a great hit with audiences as Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and returned to The Top in later seasons as the star of ANYTHING GOES, HELLO, DOLLY!, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and GYPSY. (Click on the program from SOUTH PACIFIC to learn more about this production.) 1974 – Season Twelve Wyler's commitment to the role was a testament to her strong work ethic. Slight modifications to the staging of APPLAUSE were made because of her injury. Nine weeks before arriving in Milwaukee to star in APPLAUSE, Gretchen Wyler fractured her left ankle in two places. Van Johnson’s THE MUSIC MAN and Orson Bean’s PROMISES, PROMISES sold out, while WONDERFUL TOWN registered the lowest attendance in many seasons. (Click on the programs above to learn more about these productions.) 1973 – Season Eleven PLAIN AND FANCY: Margaret Whiting & Carl Betz.FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: Earl Wrightson & Lois Hunt.
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Van Johnson’s trademark red socks were ideal for playing the Devil in DAMN YANKEES. LOUIS (an exclusive summer stock production, as the show did not arrive on Broadway until 1989).
ANNE FRANCIS AND ORSON BEAN TV
Popular Broadway and TV star Ed Evanko made his Top debut in DAMN YANKEES and returned opposite Jane Powell in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS had the largest attendance of the 1971 season. (Click on the program from LI'L ABNER to learn more about this production.) 1971 – Season NineįIDDLER ON THE ROOF and MEET ME IN ST.
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in CABARET, and Elaine Cancilla (who would later marry Jerry Orbach) was Sally Bowles. Peter Palmer recreated his Broadway and film role of LI’L ABNER.
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