It’s a beautiful, sunshiny weekend, and many of us will be headed out to the beach or swimming pools, so, in that spirit, today’s Sunday Showstopper snippet will take you out to the beach! “My One and Only” seemed to have been destined to death on the road in its out-of-town tryout. Days before opening in Boston, the director was fired, and, days after, the musical director, book writer, and set designer were looking for jobs too. Fortunately, the cast saved the show! Frequently credited (or, in the opinion of many, DIScredited) with the ushering out of the voluptuous pin-up girl and in with the skin-and-bones curveless clothes-hanger, 5’7″ English model and Broadway newcomer, Twiggy, was cast as the female lead opposite figuratively and literally Broadway ‘giant,’ 6’6.5″ (although, if you ask Tommy, he’ll coyly say that he’s 5’18.5″ tall!) Tommy Tune. When Tune agreed to step-in, temporarily, as Director and Choreographer of the beleaguered production, the magic began! Although the NYT theatre critics were less than impressed with anything in the show other than the Hockneyesque sets and Tommy Tune’s choreography, as is, frequently, the case, the audiences did not agree. “My One and Only” ran for 2 years and 2 days on Broadway, then toured extensively with Tommy for years after (Twiggy stepped down after Broadway, but her tap shoes were handed off to some wonderful performers – Sandy Duncan, Lucie Arnaz and Stephanie Zimbalist). Twiggy was nominated for a Best Actress Tony. Tommy Tune won for Best Actor AND Best Choreographer.
So, without further ado, put on some sunscreen and enjoy “‘S Wonderful” from “My One and Only!”
