Category Archives: Performers

In Memoriam: Camille Saviola

Posted on November 1, 2021 by boz

Musical actress and writer Camille Saviola, whom her friend Harvey Fierstein called the “Italian Godmother of Soul,” died October 28 from heart failure following a brief illness. Born July 16, 1950, in the Bronx, Saviola grew up near Yankee Stadium. … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Melvin Van Peebles

Posted on September 23, 2021 by boz

Tony-nominated writer Melvin Van Peebles died Sep. 21 at his home in Manhattan. Born Aug. 21, 1932 in Chicago, Peebles earned a B.A. in literature from Ohio Wesleyan (1954). While in the Air Force, he married German actress Maria Marx. … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Jane Powell

Posted on September 17, 2021 by boz

Hollywood Golden Age star Jane Powell died September 16 in Wilton, Conn. Born Suzanne Burce on April 1, 1929, in Portland, Ore., she began dance lessons at age 2 and made her local radio debut on Stars of Tomorrow at … Continue reading →

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A Helluva Life

Posted on September 1, 2021 by boz

New York auction house Bonhams will offer items from the estate of Adolph Green (1914-2002) and Phyllis Newman (1933-2019) in A Helluva Life, an online sale from September 2 to 14. Green and his collaborator Betty Comden wrote nearly 30 … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Micki Grant

Posted on August 23, 2021 by boz

Tony-nominated composer Micki Grant died on Sunday. Born Minnie Perkins in Chicago on June 30, 1941, Grant was encouraged in the arts by her parents. She began with the double bass in elementary school, then added piano at 8 and … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Alvin Ing

Posted on August 2, 2021 by boz

Performer and activist Alvin Ing died July 31 at his home in Los Angeles. Born May 26, 1932, in Honolulu, Ing earned his bachelor’s in music education from University of Hawaii, then came to New York for graduate studies at … Continue reading →

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Nick Cordero Tribute

Posted on July 22, 2021 by boz

American Dance Machine for the 21st Century recreated Susan Stroman’s choreography for “T’aint Nobody’s Biz-ness If I Do” (by Porter Grainger and Everett Robbins) from Bullets over Broadway in memory of Nick Cordero, who received a Tony nomination for his portrayal of … Continue reading →

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Broadway Legends: Robert Preston

Posted on June 8, 2021 by boz

Two-time Tony-winning actor Robert Preston was born June 8, 1918, in Newton Highlands, Mass., and grew up in Los Angeles. During high school, he became interested in theater and joined Pasadena Community Playhouse, where a Paramount film scout saw him … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthday: Mary Testa

Posted on June 4, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to three-time Tony nominee Mary Testa, born June 4, 1955, in Philadelphia. Raised in Rhode Island, she studied acting at Univ. of Rhode Island, where she landed her first singing role in William Finn’s Scrambled Eggs. The summer … Continue reading →

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Broadway Birthday: Jonathan Pryce

Posted on June 1, 2021 by boz

Happy Birthday to multiple Tony and Olivier winner Jonathan Pryce, born June 1, 1947, in Carmel, Wales. At 16, he went to art college, before beginning studies at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, England, to become a teacher. While there, … Continue reading →

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