Welcome to a new Wildcard Wednesday! This week, we celebrate the birth of Lucie Arnaz, who was born on this date in 1951 — just about seven weeks before her parents started production on a little known show called I Love Lucy! Although this talented lady, with her mother’s comic chops and her father’s musical gift, has a body of television work from which I could have sourced an appropriate rarity to share with you here, I’ve decided that, since her true love is the theatre, that I provide something from that world instead…
So, how’s about a rare untracked audio of Arnaz playing Rosie, the Chita Rivera role, in a June 1977 production of Bye Bye Birdie at the Melody Top Theatre in Milwaukee, alongside Michael Callan (you remember him from Occasional Wife) and Anthony Crivello? For you curious entertainment lovers with a scholarly, non-commercial interest in this material, kindly comment below and let know if you’d like access. In the meantime, here’s a sample — Arnaz’s “Spanish Rose,” which includes an in-joke reference to “Babalu.” (Mother Lucy herself came to Wisconsin just to see this production — wonder what she thought!) Enjoy.
And happy birthday, Lucie!
Come back next week for another Wildcard post! And stay tuned Tuesday for more King Of Queens!
Hi Jackson! I’m so glad you are spotlighting Lucie. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lucie’s Bye, Bye Birdie! I’m thrilled you have this! Thank you!
Hi, Jimmy! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Two bits of additional trivia: Tommy Tune was originally supposed to play Albert in this production. Lucie was the original choice for Rizzo in the film version of Grease. She was told she had the part, but she said she needed it in writing since she had this production of Bye, Bye Birdie scheduled. Lucie would have had to pay $5,000 to buy her way out of Bye, Bye Birdie. The Grease producers said they couldn’t put it in writing, so without the firm guarantee of the movie job, Lucie kept her commitment with the Melody Top Theatre. Stockard Channing and Lucie costarred together in the Los Angeles production of Vanities a few months before this.
Thanks for sharing that here — I remember your informative post about it on the LucyLounge.
I’ve heard Lucie sing & she has a pleasant singing voice. Please send the link so I can see her in Bye Bye Birdie. Thanks so much.
Hi, Kim! Thanks for reading and commenting.
It’s just an audio, but I have emailed you at your stokesvideo address.
Would love to hear Lucie in Birdie. Thanks for sharing. Bob K.
Hi, Bob! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Aargh, “Video unavailable”!!
Hi, bobster427! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Good catch — I forgot to move the video from “private” to “unlisted” — thanks!
The audio quality of the “Spanish Rose” clip is excellent! I’m way behind on my listening and watching, but I can’t resist. I’d love to hear the full recording, Jackson. I must admit I don’t know “Occassional Wife” from Adam, but I surely know Michael Callan from countless listenings of the Original Broadway Cast album of “West Side Story” over the years.
Hi, Greg! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your earthlink address.
See my thoughts on (and an episode of) OCCASIONAL WIFE here: https://jacksonupperco.com/2017/12/06/high-concept-swingin-60s-demo-targeting-a-look-at-occasional-wife/
Another treasure! Please send a copy. A friend of mine in Nashville wrote a song about
Lucille Ball called The Day Lucy Died. He got to meet Lucie and Desi Jr., The first
words of the song are “I Love Lucy…” and Lucie would not give him permission to
publish the song. But I do have a copy of it if you would like, I’ll send you a copy.
Thanks for all you do, Jackson!
Hi, Michael! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your AT&T address.
Hi there! I would love the Lucie audio. I was away and just saw the post. :-)
Hi, Kal! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.