BROADWAY RECALL: Thank You, Bradshaw Smith

Welcome to BROADWAY RECALL, a bi-monthly column where BroadwayWorld.com's Chief Theatre Critic, Michael Dale, delves into the archives and explores the stories behind the well-known and the not so well-known videos and photographs of Broadway's past. Look for BROADWAY RECALL every other Saturday.

I never knew videographer Bradshaw Smith personally, but I sure did benefit from his work.  BroadwayWorld’s archives are filled with videos shot by Smith, who for many years was a familiar face in New York’s theatre scene, shooting opening night arrivals, rehearsal interviews, special events and, with host Richard Ridge, creating Broadway Beat.

He was an award-winning cabaret artist and his company, Applause Video, has always been a generous supporter of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The news of his recent passing from a stroke greatly saddened the Broadway community.  Since this column is dedicated to BroadwayWorld’s video archives, it’s appropriate that this week we admire the work of Bradshaw Smith.  Below are a few selections from our Priceless Moments series that included some of Broadway Beat’s classic interviews.

Here’s Harold Prince talking about his memories of Lotte Lenya, and of directing Donna Murphy to recreate her persona in LoveMusik. (Click on the picture below to play the video.)

Norbert Leo Butz discussing the brilliance of Mark Twain on opening night of Is He Dead?

Christine Ebersole reveals how she gets into character for Grey Gardens.

Photo of Richard Ridge, Kerry Butler and Bradshaw Smith in the Xanadu cast recording studio by Ben Strothmann.

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