Life is a Cabaret

When I need a shot in the arm for some self-confidence, I can always count on revisiting RuPaul's Drag Race.  

RuPaul on How to Live Your Best Life brought tears to my eyes.

Bless her, Dakota Schiffer in S4 admits that she doesn't like musicals, which is typically my line in life.  Yet, one musical that I have always loved is Cabaret. I know why I like it as an adult but am still a little baffled why I liked it as a child and why I was allowed to even watch it.   

Of course, Liza was the star but Joel Grey (11 April 1932, Cleveland, Ohio) was mesmerizing as the Master of Ceremonies.  He won a Tony and an Oscar for his portrayal.

Grey's recent essay in The New York Times entitled 'I Starred in Cabaret.  We Need to Heed Its Warning'  

Performing 'If You Could See Her'

Fabulous article in The Guardian that references his childhood start in Cleveland

'Willkommen' on The Muppet Show

“Stick with it, be who you are. It’s going to be tough.But it’s also going to be beautiful.” - Joel Grey

For fellow SC fans:  Schitts Creek - The Making of Cabaret

Doris Von Kappelhoff: A Little piece of Ohio in Hackney, London

Albums displayed in case at V&A Museum of Childhood, May 2011

During my visit of the V&A Museum of Childhood last week, which was either prompted by my homesickness or my feeling a bit old lately, I was surprised to stumble upon at least two Ohio-related items.  One was part of a display that had interview snippets from Hackney residents about their family and childhood.  A resident mentioned that some of her happiest childhood memories was listening to the radio and to singers like Doris Day.

Doris Day was born 'Doris Mary Ann Von Kappelhoff' on April 3, 1924 in Evanston, Ohio (neighborhood of  Cincinnati).  Little Doris aspired to be a professional ballerina but an automobile accident dashed that dream by crushing her leg.  Fortunately, this setback led to the discovery of her gift for singing and after some lessons she began singing professionally at the age of 15 with the Les Brown Band.  After a screen test with Warner Bros (more Ohioans), she would become America's sweetheart and star in over 39 films in the 50s and 60s with the likes of Clark Gable (another Ohioan) and Rock Hudson. She is currently staging a musical comeback at the age of 87.

Talking about homesickness:  Doris Day singing 'Ohio'
Fun Doris Day Trivia

‎"I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source." -- Doris Day

The King of Cool

While driving from Schio (my comment on its similar spelling to Ohio greatly amused my friend Ilaria) to Vicenza to catch a train to Venice, my compatriots played American music such as CCR (I think to keep me comfortable) and old Italian ballads. One song that resulted in the whole car singing was Volare, which my friend's father (with his customary good-natured wicked little smile) said that all visitors to Italy must learn. I apparently experienced a moment of amnesia and didn't mention that it was an Ohioan that made this song popular in America. Evidently the song was originally named "Nel blu dipinto di blu" ("In the blue, painted blue"), was the signature song of Domenico Modugno and is the only foreign-language song to have been awarded Record and Song of the Year Grammys. Yet, most Americans are most familiar with the version sung by the King of Cool, Dean Martin. Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti (June 7th, 1917) in Steubenville, Ohio to Italian immigrant parents. Little Dino only spoke Italian until he went to school, which he left in the 10th grade because he thought he was smarter than the teacher. Before becoming the world renowned crooner, comedian and Rat Packer that we know, he delivered bootleg liquor, was a speakeasy croupier, blackjack dealer, steelworker and welterweight boxer. For anyone who knows anything about the history of Ohio, none of those vocations should be a surprise.

I've never given the man a fair shake though due to his associations to a couple of my least favorite entertainers (Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis) but have been happily surprised recently by the wry humor displayed in his popular celebrity roasts and find it oddly satisfying that 'The King of Cool' hails from my home state.

Biography from All Movie Guide

Groovy Dean Martin website

Dean Martin's Volare

Dino and fellow Ohioan, Doris Day, singing 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'

Dean Martin Fan Center (Steubenville, Ohio)

Dean Martin Festival

Orson Welles roasting Dean Martin (with other Ohioans Bob Hope and Paul Lynde)

Say Goodnight, Gracie

One of the most famously happy partnerships was made legally binding in Ohio. After performing together in vaudeville for three years, George Burns and Gracie Allen were married in Cleveland on January 7, 1926.

From George Burns' Gracie: A Love Story:

"We decided to get married in Cleveland at the end of January. But first we were going to break in Lamb Chops. We were both very nervous; getting married was one thing, but breaking in a new act was serious business...

As soon as Izzy and Mary arrive, we hopped into a cab and drove to the justice of the peace. The justice of the peace was ready to leave on a fishing trip when we got there, and he wasn't interesting in spending time marrying folks... He spoke so fast I didn't know if Gracie and I had gotten married or had bought land in Florida. All I remember is he asked, "Do you?" I said, "I do." He said, "Good--I'm going fishing."

Our cab was waiting for us. The entire ceremony had cost twenty cents on the meter."

Burns & Allen Marriage License

'St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture' entry

Notable American Women: Gracie Allen