Broadway 2 A Day: 1964 - 1965 (The most boring shows so far, except for Fiddler)

The third month is complete! I have now listened to 121 shows and I feel insane. If you thought my obsession with musical theatre was annoying before this, it's so much worse now.

I went to a record store with my dear friend Carrie (hey, girl) this past weekend and we rifled through literally hundreds of Broadway records in this dimly lit back room and I was shocked at how many of the titles I now recognized. Since this is pretty much my only hobby right now I really don't know what I'm supposed to talk about with my other friends post-pandemic, the weather? 

Anyways this week's shows were pretty mediocre, with Fiddler on the Roof being the only reprieve. As a reminder, you can listen to my favorite song from each show on Spotify HERE. I will also be picking the best show from each decade at the end of the year so you can do an abbreviated listening journey. Let's dive in. 

• Fade Out - Fade in
• Have I heard of it before? No
• Did I enjoy it? No 
• Synopsis: Set in mid-1930s New York and Hollywood, the show concerns a chorus girl who is mistakenly given the starring role in a new movie. The studio executives realize the mistake and refuse to release the movie. However, with the help of the nephew of the studio's president, the movie is released and becomes a hit. (Stage Agent)
• Favorite song: It's Good to Be Back Home
• Fiddler on The Roof
• Have I heard of it before? Yes, I've seen the movie many times and was lucky enough to see this on stage as well. One of my history teachers in middle school had us watch the opening number "Tradition" to learn about Jewish customs and I've been hooked since.
• Did I enjoy it? Sure did, I listened to the 2016 revival since I never listened to that version before and it was great!
• Synopsis: Fiddler on the Roof is the beloved story of the small, tradition-steeped town of Anatevka, Russia, where Jews and Russians live in delicate balance. During the course of the show, the time-honored traditions of Anatevka are both embraced and challenged by Tevye and his colorful community, as they witness his daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava, grow up and fall in love in a time of extraordinary change. (Stage Agent)
• Favorite song: Hard to choose but "Sunrise, Sunset"
• Golden Boy
• Have I heard of it before? Never
• Did I enjoy it? No, call me crazy but boxing musicals just don't work for me (I'm also looking at you 2012 musical production of Rocky)
• Synopsis: Golden Boy is the story of a young African-American man, Joe Wellington, who takes up prizefighting against his father's wishes. Joe ends up becoming a star and various managers and promoters compete for him. Trouble ensues when Joe falls in love with the white girlfriend of his manager, Lorna. After Joe accidentally kills another fighter and Lorna rejects his advances, Joe speeds up his Ferrari and kills himself. (Stage Agent)
• Favorite song: Stick Around
• Ben Franklin in Paris
• Have I heard of it before? No
• Did I enjoy it? This was a bit better than the other shows of the week but to be honest that's not saying much
• Synopsis: Ben Franklin in Paris tells the story of one man's quest to make American a free country. With cunning and grace, Ben manages to gain support from both the French and the Spanish in his fight against the British. (Stage Agent)
• Favorite song: God Bless The Human Elbow (just for the title)
• Bajour
• Have I heard of it before? Nope
• Did I enjoy it? No, this was awful
• Synopsis: Johnny Dembo, King of the Dembeschti wants to find a wife for his handsome young son, Steve. For $9800, payable within 3 weeks, he purchases the beautiful Anyanka from a neighboring gypsy tribe. It turns out that Anyanka's father has already sold her multiple times knowing that the buyer would not be able to pay the full price. However, this time Anyanka falls in love with Steve and swindles an old woman out of her life saving in order to pay the debt “ or so everyone is told. While Anyanka does swindle the old woman out of her money, she leaves her father with a purse filled with worthless paper. Meanwhile, Anyanka and her adopted gypsy tribe run off with the cash. (Stage Agent)
• Favorite song: Must It Be Love?
• I Had A Ball
• Have I heard of it before? No
• Did I enjoy it? I don't remember this at all
• Synopsis: I Had a Ball is a story about finding love on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Various characters include Garside The Great Psychologist, Stan who has just been released from prison, the floozy, Addie, and Jeannie; the ferris-wheel operator. Eventually, Addie and Garside fall in love while Jeannie and Stan become an item as well. (Stage Agent)
• Favorite song: I've Got Everything I Want
• Do I Hear a Waltz?
• Have I heard of it before? Yes, but knew nothing beyond the title
• Did I enjoy it? It was fine
• Synopsis: After years of struggling as a poor New York secretary, Leona Samish has finally begun her dream vacation to Venice, Italy. While in Italy, she stays at the Pensione Fioria, run by the flirtatious Signora Fioria. At the Pensione, she meets two couples, the Yeagers and the McIlhennies. While the McIlhennies enjoy a relatively normal vacation, Eddie Yeager ends up having a brief affair with Signora Fioria. Meanwhile, Leona ends up being wooed by a handsome -- but married -- shopkeeper. The two eventually decide to just be friends. In the end, the Yeagers, the McIlhennies, and Leona all leave the Pensione and a new flock of visitors start their vacations. (Stage Agent)
• Favorite song: Do I Hear A Waltz?
• Half a Sixpence
• Have I heard of it before? Nope
• Did I enjoy it? Also no
• Synopsis: The musical tells the tale of the changing fortunes of Arthur Kipps, an orphan and draper's assistant at Shalford’s Bazaar in Folkestone, Kent at the turn of the twentieth century. Kipps is an easy-going working-class lad, who is happiest with his banjo. However, when he unexpectedly inherits a fortune from an estranged grandfather, he is suddenly propelled him into high society. He catches the eye of Helen Walsingham and her money-grabbing family, who are desperate to restore their family fortune. His childhood sweetheart, Ann Pornick, is forced to watch helplessly as Helen attempts to transform Kipps into perfect husband material. Both young women undoubtedly love Kipps in their own ways but by the time he makes up his mind which one he wants, it may be too late. When he loses his money (thanks to the fraudulent behavior of Helen’s brother, James), Kipps is reminded of his roots and where his heart truly lies.
• Favorite song: Money to Burn