Lee Roy Reams and Wanda Richert in 42nd STREET (1980, Broadway)

In honour of Lee Roy Reams' birthday (August 23):
The 42nd Street ballet performed live on television in 1980, with Wanda Richert as Peggy Sawyer, and Mr Reams as Billy Lawlor.

[@fundifferent1]

amazing, amazing choreography!!!

[@jeffkoons001]

Lee Roy Reams, if you are reading this -- YOU KILLED IT!!!!!!

[@AuntieMamie]

Mr Reams is the epitome of charisma, panache and talent. An understatement.

[@AtheneNumphe]

Who else is here because of HONY?

[@Jjaaqquuee]

🙋🏻‍♀️

[@geaj]

This show WAS Broadway! Spectacular!

[@alwaysblake148]

No subsequent production ever matched the original. There was electricity throughout the show. Wanda Richert and Lee Roy Reams smolder and dance to perfection.

[@stevenvoorhees3107]

Totally agree. I saw it at the Winter Garden on B'way in Jan. 1981. W/its orig. cast. The choreography in this climatic number is brilliant! You know its opening night in Aug. 1980 is probably the most famous (or infamous) in B'way history. At the curtain call, producer David Merrick came out on stage to announce Gower Champion had died that morning.

[@jimueljohnpay-an9304]

For those who don't know where it's held: It was held at the Minskoff Theatre in NYC to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Miss Universe Pageant (1981). Where Irene Saéz Conde of Venezuela won

[@martinsorenson1055]

Good god, the chemistry between Reams and Richert is amazing - intense, seductive ; they elevate the already brilliant choreography into realms that can't possibly be reached.

[@sheila8809]

Forever grateful to have shared the stage with Wanda Richert, flawless voice every performance - the original Peggy. Auditioning for Lee Roy is a cherished memory........The Originals..........❤

[@kentgash7686]

GOWER CHAMPION at his finest and inspired by BUSBY BERKELY! In Washington DC in tryouts this was ALL BLACK and WHITE, even more homage to the film and the only color was one pair of RED GLOVES... really terrific. And JERRY ORBACH... Others may be wonderful but this original was extraordinary and unforgettable!

[@clemgolberger1407]

No one better...ever!! XOXO, Clem

[@moniquecostabanos3628]

Vu àLondres il ya 4 ans environ féerique MAGNIFIQUE.J 'ai ADORÉ

[@tynielsen]

She was nominated for the Tony for Featured Actress in a Musical and I wish she won! She was spectacular.

[@richardmayora1289]

She was robbed. And she should have been in the Best Actress Category, unlike Linda Ronstadt who had six lines and two songs. Reams also should have won. I forgot Hinton Battle's performance the second the curtain came down.

[@patbulfin5459]

Marilyn cooper, who won, only had about 10 minutes in Woman of the year.

[@beaellie9766]

@@patbulfin5459 Yeah but those 10 minutes were unforgettable and no one else could have done it.

[@fundifferent1]

So was he!

[@JorgeAl]

This is iconic! 👏👏👏

[@chocolatesouljah]

This is a gem! I could only watch a few minutes but I'll be back for more. I saw the alert and could resist. I don't think I've seen this much footage of Wanda Richert ever! And I am such a fan of Lee Roy Reams. ArGh!! 1971FolliesFan! U are da bestest!

[@FolliesFan-yu8mf]

Isn't he one of the best? I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. And thank you for such a wonderful compliment!

[@chocolatesouljah]

@@FolliesFan-yu8mf You're welcome. And I'm back for more!

[@chocolatesouljah]

@@FolliesFan-yu8mf And yes, Lee Roy Reams is such a rare and unique talent. Imagine my glee as a San Francisco Bay Area local, when I opened up my Broadway tour program of "The Producers" and Mr. Reams played Roger de Bris/Der Fuhrer. What a knockout!

[@beaellie9766]

There's a video on here of Wanda during tech for A Chorus Line as Cassie....exceptional.

[@chocolatesouljah]

@@beaellie9766 oh my! I will look that up right now!

[@kallen868]

Got to see this on a college tour to see the broadcast museum...and the SNL studios in rehearsal!

[@george-nm9ol]

I can't tell what theatre it's in, but great clip! I've always loved this dance from the show and the way it builds to the climax you can't do anything but burst into applause. Thanks for posting. Love your videos ♥️

[@FolliesFan-yu8mf]

You're right, I always find the end hauntingly hypnotic. Thank !

[@Jonathanbroder]

I wonder if the person who posted this knew that they did it on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the opening of 42nd Street at the Winter Garden Theatre in NYC. It opened August 25, 1980. I've been a huge fan ever since then.

[@francisalanbeattie4458]

Smooth/stylish

[@brianobrien7983]

8 performances a week!!!

[@stagedoorJohnny99]

Was that Bob Barker doing the intro??

[@beaellie9766]

Wanda was very good but I have to give a shout out to Lisa Brown, her replacement. Lisa had a naivete and small town girl ("Allentown") quality that made her more endearing than Wanda. Both were excellent and the show, overall, was spectacular. Even the tour was incredible.