Michael Crawford Makes Surprise Appearance at Gene Kelly - A Life in Music

Patricia Ward Kelly, wife and biographer of the late Hollywood legend Gene Kelly brought her acclaimed show, Gene Kelly - A Life in Music to Auckland, New Zealand this week for a special show with the Auckland Philharmonia orchestra. Audiences were treated to an additional surprise when international star Michael Crawford made a surprise appearance. Long before he created the lead role of The Phantom of the Opera, Crawford was directed as Cornelius Hackl, by Gene Kelly in the film adaptation of the musical Hello, Dolly!, opposite Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau. 

Kelly writes: "You know how I often say that magic happens when you show up? Well, this happened at the show on Saturday— dear friend Michael Crawford came to our show along with his wife @dancingchefnatasha , another dear friend and fabulous chef/author. I said that Gene always acknowledged the people who influenced him and appreciated when younger people acknowledged his influence on them. I introduced Michael as one who always graciously nods to Gene. He then got up and told a beautiful story about the day he recorded “It Only Takes a Moment” for Hello, Dolly! The audience gasped and then broke into thunderous applause. It was one of the finest moments of live theater I’ve ever experienced. I am grateful for Michael’s generosity in sharing his affection and admiration for Gene and for his friendship. Magic indeed."

Gene Kelly – A Life in Music is a symphonic cinema tribute to the life and work of legendary dancer, director and choreographer Gene Kelly. Blending beautiful film clips from well-known MGM musicals with less-known pieces, including rarely seen television specials, the show is woven together with captivating, behind-the-scenes stories about the making of these magical works, shared by Kelly’s wife and official biographer Patricia Kelly. This very personal journey into the unique landscape of music and dance was capped by the presence of Auckland Philharmonia, whose magnificent orchestra played live to Kelly’s dancing on screen.

Gene Kelly (1912–1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer. One of the greatest movie stars in Hollywood history, he’s best known for his starring roles in film musicals, most famously Singin’ in the Rain (1952). He married Patricia Kelly in 1990. Gene Kelly: A Life in Music premiered with The Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2018. Created and hosted by Patricia Kelly, the show features her husband’s personal stories, rare memorabilia and restored film clips, which have been ‘scrubbed’ of their music for live orchestration, but retain Kelly’s singing voice, dialogue and dance taps — all digitally enhanced through special audio technology.

Michael Crawford created the role of 'The Phantom' in the hit musical earning him an astonishing catalogue of critical recognition including Broadway's Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Los Angeles Dramalogue Award and Drama Critics Award. After opening in Phantom on October 9, 1986, he was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen, as well as receiving his second Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He played the part for three and a half years as the toast of London, New York, and Los Angeles. In 2014, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for charitable and philanthropic services, particularly to children's charities. Most recently, he again returned to the West End stage, starring in the new musical The Go-Between, which played to rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences for a limited run at the Apollo Shaftesbury Theater.

Photo: Lyndon Katene