Panama Porter

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Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! This month, we’re celebrating the anniversary of Cole Porter’s birth, and accordingly, I’m sharing — with subscribers who comment below to alert me of their private, non-commercial interest — access to an audio recording from a live performance of Musicals at Mufti’s 2019 production of Panama Hattie (1940).

We’ve talked about Panama Hattie several times before — it’s the fourth of five scores that Porter wrote for his iconic muse Ethel Merman, who now got her name above the title, and a chance to introduce top-drawer songs like “Let’s Be Buddies,” “I’ve Still Got My Health,” and “Make It Another Old-Fashioned, Please.” (More here.) For the Mufti production, Merman’s role was played by Klea Blackhurst. Here’s Blackhurst — in a sample — with “You Said It,” a never-officially-recorded number that Merman only sang briefly in the 1954 TV production.

 

 

Come back next month for a new musical rarity! And stay tuned for another Sitcom Tuesday!

34 thoughts on “Panama Porter”

  1. so wonderful thank u for continuing to bring new aspects to the brilliant mr porter and rare productions

  4. Hi, Jackson! I’d like to hear the recording of “Panama Hattie”. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Cole Porter’s songs are so carefully crafted they never get old. I would love a copy of Panama Hattie. I treasure the copy of Jubille you sent me awhile back.

  10. Hi Jackson, you are doing great with Porter postings and I would love to hear the Musicals at Mufti’s Panama Hattie.

  12. I love the Mufti series and would love to hear this recording. I hope they bring back this series in person. The York is now on the UES I think.

  13. Thanks for putting a spotlight on this criminally under-recorded score. Would love to hear the Mufti audio if possible. “You Said It” is such a delightful hidden gem, and I can only imagine what other interesting Porter rarities lie in wait!

  14. Hi Jackson

    Another favorite lyricists-composer’s work to hear, please send access to “Panana Ha

    Thanks for provding the “oldies” that are “newbies” but “goodies” to us “young-uns”.
    Donna

  15. Hello Jackson,

    I’m always ready to hear a great Cole Porter score. Thank you for making it available.

  17. I am always searching for hidden Porter gems and I suspect the full score of Panama Hattie may contain some.
    Craig

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