“Conga!” from Bernstein’s musical Wonderful Town, with Bea Arthur, June Anderson, Debbie Shapiro Gravitte, Howard McGillin, Jason Graae and George Dvorsky, John Williams conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1991

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Bea Arthur + Wonderful Town is a perfect match.

itsdlevy:

I was listening to Lucky Stiff today and thought “I wonder if Donald has heard this Debbie Gravitte performance?” and also “Gee, I bet her French accent will horrify Benjamin,” so naturally I had to post it.

But first I had to spend 20 minutes searching Tumblr to see if I (or anyone else) already had, which is hard given the various versions of Debbie’s name that could be tagged. 

WOW.  Just a few days ago I was talking to Kevin about how bizarre it is that Lucky Stiff is being made into a movie, and how I had never heard a single song from the score, despite the fact that my darling DSG was in the cast.  So now I can cross that off my bucket list!  

But seriously though, why is this being made into a movie?

“That Man is Doing His Worst to Make Good” as heard on Unsung Musicals II (1995)

music Jimmy Van Heusen lyric Johnny Burke

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitate

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This song is originally from Carnival in Flanders, which is apparently not a very good musical, despite what this song might indicate.  However, Dolores Grey sang this in the 6 performance run of original Broadway run and took home a Tony award, giving her the distinction of shortest-lived Tony-winning performance.   

DSG, a broad where a broad should be broad, gives a perfect amount of sass and brass. 

“Hero” as heard on Unsung Musicals Vol 3 (1997)

music Alan Menken lyric Howard Ashman

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

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This was written for Babe—a musical that never really materialized—which was about the baseball player (as opposed to the pig).  

itsdlevy:

OMG DONALD!

i don’t know why i tried to play it cool when it happened.  Maybe because it took her 30 days to see and retweet (and FAVORITE, I’ll have you know), so I didn’t want to look desperate or anything.  

but

(a) i’m glad other people noticed and

(b)  ERHMAHGERD DERBY SHERPERER GERVERT

“Wherever He Ain’t” as heard in a Jerry Herman Gala (23-Sep 2007)

music/lyric Jerry Herman

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

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This is one of those perfect pairings of performer and material 

youregonnalovetomorrow:

Debbie Shapiro Gravitte sings “Broadway Baby” in A Gala Concert For Hal Prince.

“My Funny Valentine” from Babes in Arms (1985 Concert)

music Richard Rogers lyric Lorenz Hart

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

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A Valentine to all of you beautiful people (whose chins are strong and figures are MORE than Greek).

GUISE.

tuvasadorerdemain:

Debbie Shapiro-Gravitte sings “42nd Street” on the album Songs of New York.

“Surrey With a Fringe on Top” from Debbie Shapiro Gravitte at 54 Below

music Richard Rogers lyric Oscar Hammerstein II

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

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Now back to our regularly scheduled, non-holiday related programming.  

PS: During one of her scat bits she asks someone “Can you do that?”.  And that someone is fair young Thomas.

— Me2ism MP3 Advent Calendar: 9-Dec —

“Don’t Forget the Pepper” from The Odd Potato: The Broadway Album

music Gail C. Bluestone lyric Eileen Bluestone Sherman

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

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It’s Chanukah time!  And no, the song title isn’t a metaphor.  It actually is about remembering to add pepper.  To latkes, natch.  But—most importantly—it’s sung by DSG.  So….

An iconic image was cut into 25 pieces.  Each piece will be a post’s album image.  I will entertain all guesses as to what the image might be! 

Though I, unfortunately, cannot make it, I’m glad playbill.com’s banner ads know me this well.

“Turkey Lurkey Time” as heard on A Broadway Christmas

music Burt Bacharach (though only kinda) lyric Hal David

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

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A bizarre, disorienting, and unexpected arrangement.  What is this even?

Thanksgiving!

(ps: expect posts from basically this whole album come December)

“If He Walked into My Life” from Debbie Shapiro Gravitte at 54 Below

music/lyric Jerry Herman

performance Debbie Shapiro Gravitte

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This was the moment when I pretty much decided the entire concert was created exclusively for my benefit.