GENTLEMEN PREFER CAROL: Channing Reads Lorelei’s Diary

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Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! This month, I’ve got a rarity for subscribers who comment below to alert me of their interest: access to a long out-of-print LP from 1962: Carol Channing In Anita Loos’ Original Story GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (“Lorelei’s Diary”). 

No, this isn’t one of the several cast albums Carol Channing recorded of Jule Styne and Leo Robin’s score for the 1949 musical adaptation of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (which she revived in the early ’70s as Lorelei); this is actually a 50-minute record of Channing, in character as Lorelei Lee, reading Anita Loos’ original 1925 text — about one-third of the entire “diary.” It’s a tour de force from Channing, who knows Lorelei better than anyone and gives a sincere, pitch-perfect take on the character in what is esstaitnlly a “straight” dramatic (er, comedic) performance, making it a GREAT supplement to those aforementioned cast albums. Subscribers, let me know if you’re interested. (There may be a few other treats thrown in for good measure, too.) In the meantime, here’s a sample.

 

 

Come back next month for another Musical Theatre rarity! And stay tuned Tuesday for more Will & Grace!

26 thoughts on “GENTLEMEN PREFER CAROL: Channing Reads Lorelei’s Diary”

  3. Dear Ms Channing! I’d adore to hear this, I could listen to her speak for hours, and getting to hear the actual diaries would be an extra treat. Thank you!

  4. Carol recorded several spoken word albums for the same label (her Winnie the Pooh is terrific). I’ve never heard this recording–although I have seen the record enticingly advertised on the paper sleeves of other recordings in my library (where vinyl is still an active component!) I’d be delighted to finally hear the recording itself. Thanks.

  7. I was not aware of this recording, but being a big Channing fan, I certainly would love to hear it. Thanks.

    • Hi, Gary! Thanks for reading and commenting.

      Please subscribe to this blog using your preferred email address and I will send a link your way!

  11. I saw Carol Changing in a performance of Lorelei after she did the first tour of “Hello Dolly” While I was not a part of her high school generation, she was an alumni of Lowell High School. if ever this corona virus pandemic ever ends, the school may
    have a celebration of her life.
    I would like to hear this audio of her Lorelei. Thank you.

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