Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! This month, I’m offering (to subscribers) a digital copy of a live 1962 audio recording taken from the National Tour of Meredith Willson’s The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1960), which first premiered on the Great White Way 57 years ago this month. Both Tammy Grimes and Harve Presnell play the roles they originated on Broadway. As always, subscribe — if you haven’t already — and comment below for access to this rarity.
Molly Brown is one of those shows that’s better remembered by its 1964 film adaptation (starring Debbie Reynolds), which took, ahem, liberties with the original work — most of them, arguably, not for the better (like axing the score’s most melodic number, “Dolce Far Niente”). The Broadway production, despite having a perhaps limited number of delights in comparison to Willson’s earlier effort, seems a much more satisfying entity, thanks mostly to the Tony-winning Grimes. Sample her charm in this excerpt of the audio — here’s “I Ain’t Down Yet.”
And just for fun, from the May 28, 1961 broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show, here’s Grimes and Mitchell Gregg with the score’s richest piece, the aforementioned “Dolce Far Niente” — one of my favorite Golden Age songs. So romantic!
Come back next month for another Musical Theatre rarity. And tune in tomorrow for more Wings!
Saw this show on Broadway. It was great. Have the album. Would love to hear the show again. Thanks Bob K.
Hi, Bob! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I’d love a copy of this! And as always, thanks again for another great article!
Hi, Ethan! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Absolutely, Jackson! Molly Brown is one of my favorite shows of all time! Can’t wait to hear!
Hi, Michael! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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That moved me to the point of articulation, Jackson. So small feat! I got a little thrill just now listening to the audience burst into applause 3/4 of the way through. I saw Tammy Grimes in 42nd Street, and she was truly wonderful on stage. I’d love to hear the complete Molly Brown recording.
Hi, Greg! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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You always find the most interesting things to share here! I’d very much appreciate the opportunity to hear and enjoy this rare recording and thanks for your generosity!
Hi, Harlan! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Jackson, would love to hear the entire recording of Molly Brown. I’ve always been a fan of Miss Grimes. Thx.
Hi, Roland! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Sounds like I need to buy a used LP so I can hear what the truly original 1960 Broadway cast sounded like, as opposed to the available CDs of the original casts from 2008 or 1993. Until then, I’d love to hear the first National Tour.
Hi, Kim! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I would love to hear this recording. I recently got a copy of the script and would like to hear the full show to go along with it. Thank you ever so much.
Hi, Fin! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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