Barbara Harris (musical comedy)

Subject: Barbara Harris (1935 - 2018
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Apr 19 - 02:07 PM

It was before my time, but on Broadway,
Barbara Harris was the stuff of legends, light and shadow both.
Second City in Chicago.
The hit musical that was written just for her.
The Tony award. The breakdown during a performance,
and leaving Broadway shows never to return.

Actor Alan Alda never forgot her,
and saw that she was offered a role in at least one of his films.
She loved the work and the craft, and despised being famous.

It's been less than a year since she died of cancer,
in Arizona where she had more or less retired.

There is little trace remaining of her performance in
On a Clear Day You can See Forever, which was written for her.

This staged Bell Telephone Hour highlights presentation
goes badly out of sync,
with the visual behind the soundtrack,
before Barbara Harris sings
"What did I have that I don't have now?"

But I listened to it anyhow because people rave about her performance,
and they are right --
this is the kind of performance you study, and commit to heart,
even when the only documentation you have
is as shoddy as this.

"What Did I Have" starts at about 10:30

Subject: RE: Barbara Harris (musical comedy)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 Apr 19 - 08:22 PM

I had the Broadway album and wore out its grooves. Yes, it was on vinyl. I sang most songs at the top of my lungs.

Subject: RE: Barbara Harris (musical comedy)
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Apr 19 - 01:48 PM

Barbara Harris was married to Paul Sills who founded Second City. He is a stage director, taught at Yale and is the son of the mother of improvisation, Viola Spolin.

Barbara was turned off by Hollywood. Having lived in that town for too long I certainly understand why. Generally it takes great talent into its fold and renders it mediocre.
Look what happened to Richard Burton who was destined to become a classic actor but never achieved the stature of an Olivier or others from the Old Vic.

Or Dick Powell who had a beautiful tenor voice and was shoehorned into corny private detective Noir flix. Or great stories which were butchered by studio heads.

Barbara was great in the Second City and with her rival Elaine May.