Re: Great performers, lesser roles (Re: JENNIE)

ElBob-O@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (robert=A0armstrong) 
Did you know that co-star George Wallace was also Commando Cody in old
movie serials? 

I have questions about (the musical) Jennie. It's supposedly a bio of
Laurette Taylor so I guess "Jennie" is a fictional Laurette. Mary turned
down Funny Girl because she had just come off a long run onstage, yet
suddenly she's doing Jennie -- a biography of a famous stage performer! 
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From what I understand, the show departed more and more from its
original bio concept as it evolved. Arnold Schulman (A HOLE IN THE HEAD)
was not the original librettist. 

Maybe Mary saw herself more suited to playing a Laurette than a Fanny.
Speaking of which-- FANNY in its early concept was intended for Mary.
And she's credited as recommending Florence Henerson when the role
emerged as essentially a sup****ting one. 

George Wallace (sometimes George D.) was in the Chakiris National Tour
of COMPANY with his wife, Jane A. Johnston, as well as with Bernie
McInerny-- who directed me in DEATH OF A SALESMAN.

And George was not the original leading man in JENNIE.