Author Archives: boz

Broadway Birthday: John Travolta

Posted on February 18, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to two-time Oscar nominee John Travolta, born Feb. 18, 1954, in Englewood, N.J. His mother taught high school drama, and most of his five siblings pursued performing careers. By age 12, Travolta was already acting in local troupes. … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthday: Tom Jones

Posted on February 17, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to Tony-nominated writer Tom Jones, born Feb. 17, 1928, in Littlefield, Texas. Jones attended UT Austin, where he met collaborator Harvey Schmidt in the Curtain Club revue Hipsy-Boo, directed by Word Baker. The club produced the first Jones and … Continue reading →

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Broadway Legends: Vera-Ellen

Posted on February 16, 2021 by boz

One of the most versatile dancers on stage and screen, Vera-Ellen Rohe was born Feb. 16, 1921, in Norwood, Ohio, where she began dancing at age 9. Four years later, she won the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, which sent her … Continue reading →

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Today in Musical History: “Hello, Dolly!”

Posted on February 15, 2021 by boz

On Feb. 15, 1964, Louis Armstrong’s cover of the musical title song “Hello, Dolly!” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, one month after the show premiered on Broadway, where Carol Channing had introduced the tune. Armstrong’s recording spent 22 weeks … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthday: J. Robert Spencer

Posted on February 12, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to J. Robert Spencer, born Feb. 12, 1969, in York, Pa., where he attended Central York H.S. His early gigs included voice work for the Japanese anime Amon Saga (1986), Spirit Warrior (1987), The Grave of the Fireflies … Continue reading →

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Today in Musical History: The Big Broadcast of 1938

Posted on February 11, 2021 by boz

On Feb. 11, 1938, Paramount Pictures released The Big Broadcast of 1938, the third (and last) of its Big Broadcast variety anthologies and the only one in the series that has been released on VHS or DVD. The film marked … Continue reading →

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2021 Oscar Best Song Shortlist

Posted on February 10, 2021 by boz

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlists for nine of its Oscar categories, including best song. In most categories, specialists in the specific field take a preliminary vote to create shortlists for consideration. After this … Continue reading →

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Broadway Legends: Jimmy Durante

Posted on February 10, 2021 by boz

Few performers have had as much success in as many media as Jimmy Durante, whose 50-year career spanned from vaudeville to TV. Born in New York’s Lower East Side on Feb. 10, 1893, Durante began working at age 6 in … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthdays: Henry Krieger

Posted on February 9, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to Grammy-winning composer Henry Krieger, born Feb. 9, 1945, in New York City. Growing up in Westchester Co., he attended Scarborough Day School. After a short college career, including studies at American University and Columbia University, he began … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthday: Sherie Rene Scott

Posted on February 8, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to triple Tony nominee Sherie Rene Scott, born Feb. 8, 1967, in Kentucky. When she was 4, her family moved to Kansas, where she graduated from Topeka West High School. From a young age, Scott was active in … Continue reading →

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