Mitzi Gaynor first took the concert and nightclub world by storm in 1961 at Las Vegas' fabulous Flamingo Hotel. Her debut was met with overwhelming acclaim -- Life magazine noted "Gaynor started at the top and climbed even higher", The Los Angeles Times called her "The nation's number one female song and dance star" --- and for the next four decades she dominated stages across the United States and Canada, including the major nightclubs of Las Vegas, Miami Beach, Atlantic City and Lake Tahoe, as her television specials delivered her performing magic to the millions of viewers who looked forward to those annual must-see events.
The legendary musical performer began her career at the age of twelve in the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera being featured in productions including Naughty Marietta, Roberta, Jollyana and The Great Waltz in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and on Broadway in the New Century Theatre production of Gypsy Lady. She transitioned from stage to screen at age nineteen with her first film role opposite Betty Grable in My Blue Heaven. She starred in seventeen motion pictures (earning a Golden Globe® nomination for her portrayal of Nellie Forbush in the acclaimed Rodgers and Hammerstein movie musical South Pacific), nine network television specials (garnering seventeen Primetime Emmy® nominations) and returned to live performing with countless concert productions nationwide.
This new production scripted by Ms. Gaynor and conceived and constructed by producers Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, will feature classic elements of her fabled concert performances along with video footage culled from her television, concert and film work in an all new up-to-date setting.
RAZZLE DAZZLE! MY LIFE BEHIND THE SEQUINS will celebrate its world premiere January 10 at San Francisco's Herbst Theater, a nationwide tour will follow with announced stops at the Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora, California (March 22), the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA (March 23), and the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (April 8). Additional cities will be announced shortly.
About Bob Mackie's costume designs for RAZZLE DAZZLE! MY LIFE BEHIND THE SEQUINS.
The sailor costume is for an Act One sequence where Mitzi Gaynor will sing her signature version of Honey Bun from Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific reprising her iconic sailor character from the film.
The magnificent gold pleated gown will be featured in Act Two. This new design echoes Mr. Mackies famous gold "sunshine" gown from Mitzi's Emmy winning 1974 TV special Mitzi...A Salute to the American Housewife.
The all new musical documentary, Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years, is currently airing on PBS stations across the United States (presented by WLIW-New York) and is available on DVD from City Lights Home Entertainment.
For the latest on Mitzi, please visit her website www.missmitzigaynor.com
To read an exclusive BroadwayWorld interview with Mitzi Gaynor click here.
Green Isle, Inc. is a talent management and production company founded by producer Jack Bean. Green Isle originally produced and currently represents the eight Emmy® Award wining television spectaculars starring legendary musical performer Mitzi Gaynor. Green Isle recently co-produced (with City Lights Pictures) an all new musical documentary Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years for broadcast on PBS and DVD release, and is currently in production on Miss Gaynor's one-woman stage show Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins, in addition to her forthcoming autobiography.
