42nd Street (PBS Great Performances)

[@OofusTwillip]

Many years ago, I worked as a lowly usherette, at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. My first night, I had to stay late to do some paperwork in the manager's office. When I was done, the theatre had been closed for the night, and the only way out was through Stage Door, and the only way to get there was to go across the stage. As I did, I thought, "Hold on. I may never get another chance to do this." (And I didn't.) So, I went downstage centre, sang a soaring top-C, did a time-step, and finished with a magnificent curtsy worthy of a prima ballerina. The male ushers who were with me looked at me like I'd escaped from somewhere. But I can truly say that I've performed on that legendary stage.

[@adele6390]

@@OofusTwillip I worked as an usherette at my local theatre and have done this. Never on a West End stage though, that’s awesome. You have to take the opportunity when you can.

[@OofusTwillip]

​@@adele6390 You sure do!

[@scottgray6276]

I dressed the tour of this, about 25 years ago. 22 local dressers, 50 performers, running crew of about 30 more; it was CROWDED, backstage! Plus, the labeling of all those identical shoes had faded to illegibility!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

OMG the shoes!

[@anthonypoole9193]

7:22

[@tommoncrieff1154]

This is one of my favourite West End productions ever. I’m so old I saw the original British production back in the 1980s at the same Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Covent Garden. I worked around the corner. When you went past during rehearsals and matinees the whole street was vibrating with so many tap dancers going at it full pelt.

[@geoffcrisp7225]

So did we with Lulu in the cast, it was brilliant.

[@markdaly1648]

The 1980s production of 42nd street was the longest running musical in the west end. My late mother and brother saw it. The understudy was catherine zeta jones. And my mother knew she was going to be a star

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Oh wow! How exciting to have gotten to see that!

[@valeriebaker9512]

​@@markdaly1648She took the role of Peggy at some point.

[@MrCrowebobby]

Fabulous tap dancing -- so sharp and clear.

[@MrCrowebobby]

1:39:10 "PLENTY OF MONEY". Star got the tap down!!!

[@jamessmithers4456]

This is the fabulous Theatre Royal Drury Lane production!! A thousand times thank you for loading it!!

[@josephcollins6033]

Thank YOU for telling me where it is!!!

[@begonaf1474]

I saw this twice in London and one was with this very same cast. It's one the best musicals ever! Thank you so much for uploading it. You've made my day😊

[@jospenner9503]

Oh how I love Broadway productions. So professional and very entertaining.

[@1pureboy1]

This was from London, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

This is London’s West End, not Broadway. It’s actually the best version ever done, and this wasn’t even the first cast! They finally got it even more perfect than it was back in the 1980s.

[@rtasi2000]

@@tommoncrieff1154 and im sure youve seen all the versions out there ?

[@123malichi]

@@rtasi2000this was spectacular with very large cast

[@mananimal3644]

Great Performances presents 42nd Street. Sponsored by Bayer Aspirin and BOSE isolation ear buds.

[@frilansar]

Absolutely stunning !!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks. We love this show too!

[@AuntieMamie]

Magical! Kudos and thank you for bringing back a stellar musical. Boy do we need it more than ever.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

We agree with that!!!!!

[@adele6390]

This show (and this production/cast especially) makes me so happy.

[@foreignparticle1320]

I remember seeing this production at Drury Lane (though I had Sheena Easton as Dorothy). The final tap sequence was out of this world - every possible ounce of showbiz pizazz you could want, and breathless to behold. A genuinely exciting piece of theatre.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

It is truly a spectacular production!

[@nexussever]

I haved love the original movie since I was a kid. It is so fabulous to see this staged version. What a fantastic upload!!!!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

We love this show too!

[@hernandoplazasperez6876]

What a great and lovely performance of all the team 👏

[@oskaratendido5043]

This is a killer show for choreography. The stamina of the dancers, main characters are phenomenal.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

@@oskaratendido5043 We absolutely agree!

[@greggriffin8020]

This is THE show for choreography. I completely agree!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

@@greggriffin8020 The opening sequence is legendary!

[@barbarawinterbourne3736]

Absolutely wonderful. Such great talent.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Such wonderful dancing!

[@Warp0005]

42nd Street is one of my favorite Broadway musical. Fortunate enough to have watched it on Broadway many years ago at the Foxwoods Theater on 43rd St. It was fantastic!!!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Glad you enjoyed it! It is such a great musical!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

First time I saw it was in Sydney Australia!

[@bryangl1]

I've been waiting a lifetime to see this - and it's absolutely worth the wait. Thank you - perfection. This wasn't performed on Broadway. Others have observed this was a British, Drury Lane production, although PBS seem to want to hide this, clearly implying it's from Broadway. Although given away momentarily at 3 spots, the end credits clearly, if briefly, state, "Filmed at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane". So, Broadway in spirit, but British in execution, and the Brits can really show Broadway how things should (can) be done. They did it several years ago with the semi-balletic version of the musical, "An American in Paris".

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Wow, thank you!

[@MrCrowebobby]

But it's a show created for Broadway and first performed there, which is what I assume they meant

[@nondescript2892]

this is basically the same production that I saw on broadway in 2004 at the theatre that is now called the Lyric theatre....same choreographer same director...and while I loved both I must admitt that for this kind of high energy shows the americans have the best performers..the brits sparkle but the americans positively explode in this kind of material... as for " an american in Paris" that show did not originate in London but..in Paris at the theatre du Châtelet

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for the information!

[@mmadeo1]

@@nondescript2892 I saw this production in New York as well. It opened in 2001. I must’ve seen it about 14 times it was phenomenal.

[@luisastetecanal3599]

EXCELENTE y extraordinario video !!!! Felicitaciones por esta joya ARTÍSTICA típica de Norteamérica... una forma mas, de exponer la GRANDIOSIDAD de una sociedad, GRACIAS por permitir que compartamos en el resto del mundo aunque sea un poco tarde, GRACIAS !!!!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thank you!

[@gilbertdaroy6080]

Breathtaking production. Musical direction is seamless.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for the comment. It's very well directed and musical directed!

[@Scathingly]

What a fabulous rendition of 42nd Street performed by dancers and singers who put their all into the production (from the leads right down along the line). Truly amazing in just so many ways. Equally enjoyable for me is that I understood every word that was spoken and every word that was sung--articulation at its finest. Much appreciated from someone who has some difficulty in hearing--alas. It's really unfortunate that whoever was responsible for inserting all the ads too often placed them inappropriately; e.g., somewhere within a number.

[@OofusTwillip]

Bonnie Langford is a legend of British showbiz. She started when she was just a child, playing Baby June in "Gypsy" and the bratty star in the audition scene in movie "Bugsy Malone". She did TV specials with another talented stage kid, Lena Zavaroni. As an adult, she originated the role of Rumpleteazer in the original London production of "Cats", then starred in many more shows.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Wow! What great info!

[@germainesf]

@@STREAMINGMUSICALS And a companion to The Doctor! (Multiple incarnations)

[@TyroneEpps]

This is excellent

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for the comment! We love it too!

[@valeriemcdonald2597]

Watching from Australia absolutely loved it .

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

First time I actually saw 42nd street was in Sydney around 1990

[@nadinesoehnert]

This was on of the best shows ever on West End. This cast is perfect. I love it so much 🥹

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for watching!

GRACIAS PBS ESTO ES UN REGALO PARA LA HUMANIDAD/ Thank you very much PBS This is a gift for the humanity SO NEEDED THIS TROUBLE TIMES. LOVE PEACE AND HOORAY FOR BROADWAY ❤❤

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks so much for watching and glad you enjoyed it. We couldn’t agree more!

[@AngelChris-e7h]

seen it on stage 37 times MY FAVORITE

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

It’s a show you never get tired of!

[@norafrenken]

Wow, loved this musical. Like to see more of it . I loved musicals since I was a little girl. Watching with my parents I saw lots of them. 🎉❤

[@TomPolum]

Glad you could enjoy it and have a happy memory!

[@TheGadgetPanda]

This was the production that brought me back into regular theatre-going. I went on a whim, fell in love with the show and Halse and really musicals all over again. I went back a bunch of times. One time I noticed all these camera mountings around the theatre. I think they were prepping to film it at the next production.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Wow. - can you remember the approximate date of the show with the cameras?

[@TheGadgetPanda]

@@STREAMINGMUSICALS it’s was definitely late 2018. I have ticket emails for 29/12 and 22/11, so probably within a day or so of those dates.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for that window of time! So nice to put a date to it!

[@russelluk39]

We’re in the money. Utterly breathtaking.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

It is so exciting!

[@greggriffin8020]

This production was sensational.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for watching!

[@Honemmon]

I saw it on Broadway, end 70, begining 80, i can't remember.

[@lutherlutes7568]

Exquisite!!!

[@sugardulce3235]

DELICIOUS! ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Thank you 🙏

[@marylloyd2342]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@phillipleboa5251]

Amazing. Thank You!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

You are so welcome!

[@waynes.1247]

such precision. Perfection from beginning to end

[@NadezhdaNaumenko-o5t]

Amazing, brilliant, thanks ❤

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Glad you like it!

[@erpthompsonqueen9130]

Thank you. Watching from Alaska. 🕊

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Enjoy!

[@rickkeegan5977]

One of the Best Shows on Broadway Ever!!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Completely!!!

[@Gerry1of1]

🤩Wonderful

[@calaf1816]

pure happiness, pure entertainment.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for watching!

[@keavyl2903]

Was on TV this morning but I was late to catch it all. I caught when Bonnies' character was injured and the othe girl took over. so glad to see the whole thing now

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

It's one of those shows you can watch multiple times! Glad you saw the whole thing now.

[@iStorageiStorage]

AMAZING !!!!!

[@torontofutureshop]

Wonderful ‼️👍👍👍😚😚

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@henriettaknight5067]

I bought a new outfit to go this in Anchorage Alaska years ago... it was a shiny red jacket with a blouse! I loved it live but enjoyed this show very much!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Sounds like the right outfit for this show!

[@해피봉쥬르]

무한의 상상력을 멋진 무대연출과 연기자분들에게 찬사를 보냅니다🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janeweinstein3615]

Love lovebthis!

[@PyroOfMalice]

When I was in high school, my sophomore year, we did this production and it was a lot of fun

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Fun! Any pics? Program?

[@kayeats92]

A hoofer’s dream show ❤

[@donaldprice9569]

Worth more than any ticket price!

[@SriRam-n8q]

Wonderful 🎉Thankyou Broadway ❤️ 😊

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

So glad you liked it!

[@paulwebbiweb]

For the existence of the musical, yes, but this was the London show in 2018.

[@lilypeterson4496]

I remember seeing this live in the theater five years ago. I never realized until now that THAT was Bonnie Langford, aka Mel Bush from Doctor Who.

[@haydenharris3059]

She’s just amazing. ❤

[@craigbonney9723]

I remember seeing Catherine Zeta Jones as Peggy Sawyer in "42nd Street" at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane many, Many, MANY moons ago. She was fantastic! God, now I'm showing my age!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

That must have been amazing!

[@craigbonney9723]

It was amazing because this is how she got the role: "In 1987, a seventeen-year-old Zeta-Jones was picked as the second understudy for the lead actress in a West End production of 42nd Street. During one of the performances, both the star and the first understudy were unavailable, and Zeta-Jones was asked to play the role of Peggy Sawyer - a chorus girl who becomes a star". Talk about life imitaing art!!! This current production of "42nd Street" is breathtaking. Much more spectacular than the 1987 version ... although I was pretty knocked out by the production back then. I remember sitting in the theatre mouth agape at the tap numbers.

[@arickett68]

I saw this production in Toronto probably about 5 years ago - I recognise some of the leads.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

@@arickett68 wow! Didn’t know it toured after UK

[@arickett68]

@@STREAMINGMUSICALS Ed Mirvish, theatre owner here always brings the Broadway or London performances here - he owns about 4 theatres in downtown Toronto.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

@@arickett68 Ed is theatre royalty!

[@arickett68]

@@STREAMINGMUSICALS just went back into my calendar - saw the show 20 Dec 2023

[@arickett68]

@@STREAMINGMUSICALS he certainly is in Toronto!

[@Pww642]

This is so so good! One qualm -- I think the cast is terrific, but Peggy didn't bowl me over. A 100 percent competent and good performance, and she's an absolutely amazing dancer, but when it came to raw acting power and character interpretation, it just didn't have the same spark for me as Julian or Dorothy or even the supporting cast.

[@g.r.bryant2258]

Ditto! Weak voice, too short, and she mumbles imo. The heavy lady also mumbles.

[@markcraven8386]

It's a mystery to me why there is so little of this type of content on KZbin.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

@@markcraven8386 we hope to bring more!

[@carlosalbertolopez4926]

Amazing

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@markcraven8386]

Max's "QUIET" !!! First thing I thought of was Candide ! LOL Dames ? Dame straight !!!

[@MaureenSmith-d6u]

Tom Lister was an actor on the Emmerdale soap years ago,thought he looked familiar

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

That's him! Soaps used to be such a big industry. How times have changed!

[@KarenEastman-y6e]

Wow!!:-😀A Jersey Boys song is in a Musical???Cool.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Haha! Fun!

[@123malichi]

Bonnie Langford is amazing

[@konori_inu]

Sooooooo LOVELY ♥♥♥

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks! It’s a great production!

[@DRWolf850]

great tap and those arms.....every time they sing the arms open....when they come on stage....open the arms and here I am.....number starts with opening the arms......pointing at a cast member 1st open arms and point.....new dress on, open arms and turn.....say hello when you come on stage with open arms....new scenery...open arms to let the audience know we have arrived........open arms to thank everyone. open open open arms all around.........hahaha

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

In a cast of 50 you do anything you can to get attention!!

[@lauragraham1122]

EXCELLENT !!!!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for watching!

[@mariaconstanza9002]

❤❤❤ desde Colombia.🇨🇴👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Rosa1852]

Fabuloso. Que buenos artistas

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thank you!

[@kbye2321]

44:05 :- "Dames" 46:01 :- "Keep Young and Beautiful"

[@lynnderks2011]

0:03:20 Audition 0:44:00 Dames 1:05:44 We're In The Money 1:21:30 Lullaby of Broadway 1:57:24 Stair dance 2:07:00 Finale

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Truly exciting moments!!

[@jackjamesgodsell9586]

1:39:19 With plenty of Money it's on my favourite song and tap dancing!😊❤

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

It's an amazing sequence! Thanks for watching!

[@jackjamesgodsell9586]

@STREAMINGMUSICALS You're welcome!

[@g.r.bryant2258]

I would like to see this with Jerry Orbach, Carole Cook, Cristine Ebersole, and Ruby Keeler.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

So would I! I think there is a youtube clip of Jerry at the Tony Awards doing Lullaby of Broadway.) This is it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbRqYidg8aVfpo

[@johncubbidge2237]

This is live from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. Not Broadway! This is how the English put on a show, and it is magnificent.

[@MrCrowebobby]

But it's a show created for Broadway and first performed there, which is what I assume they meant.

[@kfor47]

1:57:57 I'm glad the staircase was up & running. I always keep my fingers crossed. Hahaha! Last time I saw this production live (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, 2018) the staircase did not appear. There was a technical malfunction or a safety issue. I never asked which one. The moment I saw the flat floor I knew they were going to follow Plan B. The plan is to keep dancing and pretend nothing happened. "Staircase? What staircase? We don't need no stinking staircase. Just watch THIS!" Believe me when I say, the grand finale was quite impressive even when performed on flat stage. The dancers knew they were safe (standing on solid floor, no risk of falling down the stairs) so they danced like crazy. 😝

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Great story! The magic of live theatre!

[@ecologia_interior]

This is absolutely outstanding, what a display of talent! BUT I couldn't stop thinking about the lack of representation in this cast: very few people of color, and diverse body types. 2024, casting directors, come on.

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Well, it was made in a time before everything shifted. I must say I noticed it too, but have to just realize it was a different time when they made this recording.

[@ecologia_interior]

@@STREAMINGMUSICALS I'm glad you noticed it as well. I understand that the original musical is from 1981, but from what I've read online, this particular production is from 2017, so not so long ago. I appreciate that we have these resources available to enjoy such talent, and also reflect on how much still needs to change. Have a lovely day :)

[@jws1128]

Oi just the cost for sequins LOL

[@TheatreLover-c3r]

This is such an underrated musical? Does anyone else agree?

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Most people don't realize how complex the choreography is and what talent it takes to take it on!

[@DorisDearNY]

Underrated? Hardly... The 1980 Broadway production won the Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Choreography and it became a long-running hit. The London production in 1984 won the Olivier Award for Best Musical and its 2001 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival.

[@TheatreLover-c3r]

@ I meant it isn’t mentioned or talked about as much now compared to other musicals like Wicked.

[@jobatridente2638]

..., MaravilhosOH!!! ..., Delícia de EspetáculOH!!! ..., GratíssimOH!!!!

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks!

[@chocolatesouljah]

1:24:20 - is it just me or did he gradually find the pitch on the word "day?"

[@АидаНевская-я2г]

✴️ AMAZING INCREDIBLE ACTING GRATEFUL 🙏🏻 💜💙🩵💚💛🧡❤️

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

THANK YOU!

[@TX1961]

What is the year of this production?

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

We believe it’s 2001

[@markiecamden]

@@STREAMINGMUSICALS It was actually 2017

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

Thanks for the correction!

[@kfor47]

The production opened in 2017. This performance was filmed in 2018. I don't know the exact day but I believe it was November. By the time I left London (early December 2018) the filming was already done. Or so they said. You may have to kidnap the stage manager and torture him to get the juicy details. 😆

[@KarenEastman-y6e]

What's it about ?Why did she want to leave New York/Broadway??

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

@@KarenEastman-y6e Probably the age old story of “it’s so tough and I’m from a small town and can’t do all this” but of course she’s a star!

[@ziontjordansr-eo8gv]

excuse me, Um, Can You Put Charlie And the Chocolate factory (PBS Great Performances) On Your KZbin Channel, Please?

[@ziontjordansr-eo8gv]

It Was Directed By Sam Mendes

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

I’m not aware that it was filmed for PBS?

[@javiervaccca5102]

Are british actors doing american accent? 😮😮

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

The British actors are really good at doing american accents, yes!

[@MrRraoulof]

Who is the choreographer?

[@STREAMINGMUSICALS]

This is the original Gower Champion choreography recreated here

[@OofusTwillip]

With new choreography by Randy Skinner. Famously, Gower Champion died just a few hours before opening night of the original 1980s Broadway production. Its producer, the infamous David Merrick kept the news secret until he revealed it in his onstage speech after that night's final curtain, devastating everyone in the production and the audience. Particularly Gower's girlfriend, the actress playing Peggy.

[@voulafisentzidis8830]

Marge and Gower Champion dances are available on KZbin. They were wonderful. It was sad when they divorced but the talent remains.

[@BalletBabyBoy]

What a fabulous show this was...I have friends from the original cast...Lee Roy Reams! MAGNIFICENT!