Re: Forgotten Musicals: "A Mother's Kisses"

Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2003 12:37:17 -0400 (EDT)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.theatre.musicals
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The writers were (?) Bruce Jay Friedman (SCUBA DUBA, STEAMBATH.)
and??????????
Forgotten Musicals: "A Mother's Kisses"
Group: rec.arts.theatre.musicals Date: Sun, Apr 13, 2003, 9:11am (EDT-3)
From: email-address-deleted (buzz=A0hauser)
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Ken M writes about this in his NSC book as being too brash and tough for
1968 audiences who were looking for more 'Mame' - ish musicals.
Especially with Beatrice Arthur playing it in the style in which she
later played Maude and Dorothy (Golden Girls). She must have been
extremely funny. I wonder if it would be more tolerable now. Anyone see
it and like it? I do know someone who saw it and Hated it. I've heard
the 'live' performance recordings from both New Haven and Baltimore
(both poor sound quality but still listenable for the fanatics). The
score isn't Too bad but I'd really like the chance to hear it up close
and personal.
A previous poster wrote: >> which asked for the name of the musical in
which Bernadette Peters' role was written out (A fact to which Ms.
Peters had alluded in an interview). I answered that the show was the
out-of-town flop, A MOTHER'S KISSES, starring Beatrice Arthur.>>
One of those recordings I heard seemed to have Ms. Peters on it in a
duet with Bill Callaway, who played the son. At least it sounded an
awful lot like her. Perhaps a rehearsal recording added to a live
recording? Ken M also states that, if this show had been a hit, Bea
would have gone on to stardom as a Broadway Musical Diva. TV's gain was
Broadway's loss. Too bad. A very funny comedienne with perfect timing.
Thoughts?
Buzz
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