Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! Last week marked 85 years since the original Broadway premiere of Rodgers & Hart’s classic Babes In Arms (1937), which introduced many gems, including “Where Or When,” “I Wish I Were In Love Again,” “Johnny One-Note,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “The Lady Is A Tramp.” There are several great recorded versions of this iconic score (not counting the 1939 film soundtrack) — the 1951 Lehman Engel studio album, the 1990 New World Records CD, and the 1999 Encores! cast recording. I recommend all three.

However, none of them contains the original, lyrical version of “All Dark People (Are Light On Their Feet)” — a racially insensitive number that has no business in modern productions but was originally a showstopper for the prolific Nicholas Brothers. So, in the spirit of historical curiosity, I’m offering a songs-only audio to subscribers — who comment below to alert me of their private, non-commercial interest — of the 1987 Library of Congress concert (conducted by John McGlinn), which contains this song, performed by a young Savion Glover. Ah, heck, I’ll share it with you now — in excerpt of this special audio. Enjoy!

Come back next month for a new musical rarity! And stay tuned tomorrow for more Roseanne!