Ruth Leon recommends… Bells Are Ringing – Kelli O’Hara and Will Chase
Ruth Leon recommendsBells Are Ringing – Kelli O’Hara and Will Chase
I once asked a famous violinist why he wouldn’t allow anyone to watch his rehearsals. He looked horrified at the question. “That would be like inviting dinner guests into the kitchen to taste an uncooked dinner,” he expostulated.
Fortunately for us, not all artists agree. My friend Adele has unearthed this delightful rehearsal footage from Bells Are Ringing. No, not the original production of Comden and Green and Jule Styne’s glorious 1956 show which starred Judy Holliday, but the next best thing, Kelli O’Hara and Will Chase rehearsing the 2010 Encores production at City Center.
The show’s plot revolves around something that doesn’t exist any more – a telephone answering service with live operators, which is why it would be difficult to revive today. But here’s a taste of that gorgeous score with two favourite Broadway singers.
Also a great movie with Holliday and Dean Martin from 1960. Wonderful!
Anything that Kelli O’Hara does is worth seeing / listening to. Not sure if Days of Wine and Roses is still playing on Broadway, but if it does and you live around NY, do not miss it.