When creating a documentary featuring the who's who of Broadway, one can't possibly include everything - that means tough decisions on what to keep and what must unfortunately get cut. Rick McKay had over 300 hours of footage filled with fascinating theatrical stories told by the people that lived them. BroadwayWorld.com is pleased to celebrate Broadway: The Golden Age this week by presenting 6 exclusive featurettes that you won't see anywhere else - including on PBS and on the DVD.
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Today's exclusive video from the vaults of Rick McKay features Carol Burnett. Burnett shot to Broadway stardom as Princess Winnifred in 1959's Once Upon a Mattress, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. She recently was seen in the role of Queen Aggravain in the "Wonderful World of Disney" television musical version of the same show. The winner of a 1969 Special Tony Award and nominated for Moon Over Buffalo, Burnett was also seen on Broadway in Putting It Together, Fade Out-Fade In, and with her daughter, penned Hollywood Arms (based on her own memoirs). Her film and TV credits include "Mad About You," Noises Off and Annie, but the comedy legend is best-known to most as the star of "The Carol Burnett" show, which ran from 1967 to 1978.
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Broadway: The Golden Age, which premiered at the Angelica Theatre in June of 2004, is the most comprehensive film ever made about America's most celebrated indigenous art form. Upon its theatrical release, the film earned rave reviews as well as much support and praise from both Broadway stars and fans alike. Now, the film comes to PBS airing throughout the country for its March pledge drive airing around thecountry throughout the month, and premiering in New York on March 13th. The DVD is also available in stores, and for order at
Amazon.com and other sites.
The award-winning documentary was created by Rick McKay, who traveled across four continents over the couse of five years to discover "whether there had been a golden age of theatre and why it had never been documented, as well as to learn "the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre." He interviewed dozens of Broadway artists, icons and stars, includingCarol Channing, Betty Comden, Barbara Cook, Nanette Fabray, Julie Harris, Uta Hagen, Jerry Herman, Donna McKechnie, Ann Miller, Robert Morse, Jerry Orbach, Harold Prince, Chita Rivera, Steven Sondheim, Elaine Stritch, Leslie Uggams, and Gwen Verdon, whose memories brought to life Broadway's glamorous and glorious heydey. A starry sequel--Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age--is currently filming and is set for a 2007 release date.