Finished

Among all the videos I've posted, particularly from Broadway musicals, there are a handful of songs that are on my "Dearly hope to find" list.  I've shocked myself finding a few -- like Jacques Brel in L'Homme de La Mancha, Mary Martin onstage in South Pacific, the Broadway production of the flop musical version of Teahouse of the August Moon, called Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen, and a few others.  But most on that "list" remain unfound, and likely to remain so.  Some because they existed before videotaping was common, and some because I figure if they haven't shown up yet, the odds keep getting smaller.

One on the list if the big production number from the musical Seesaw, called "It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish."  The score has lyrics by the wonderful Dorothy Fields, with music by Cy Coleman.  And though I don't love the score, I enjoy it, particularly a few songs.  One of which is the number just mentioned.  The thing is, the reason I've always wanted to see it is not because it's a great song (which I think it is), but because listening to it on the cast album, it's clear that this really is a Big Production Number with a lot going on.  And I've always wanted to see what it is.  It's also famous in Broadway lore for being the number that helped Tommy Tune win his first Tony Award, as Best Supporting Actor in a musicals.  After which he's gone on to win a total of 10 -- for performing, choreography and directing.  (Talk about not where you start, but finish...)  But alas.  

The closest I've come to finding it was in a video I posted a couple years ago, when Tommy Tune gave a terrific commencement address, and he finished it by singing one chorus.  It was fun to see, and great to have, but it  still fell far short of a huge production number on Broadway.   So, alas.

And since Seesaw isn't a show that's been revived, or is likely to (it did fine, but wasn't that big a a success that a revival was called for.  And it also was sort of a show of it's time), that means that there isn't the likelihood of at least seeing a subsequent product.  No, it wouldn't be The Original, nor would it be seeing how 10-Tony-winner Tommy Tune got his start, but at this point, I'd accept most anything.  But alas. 

But...

I just found it.  Even I am boggled.

I don't know what this is from.  From what's said at the opening, it appears to be a telethon, but I don't know. But it's likely the original Broadway cast -- not only because of how involved it is, but also the date is 1973, when the show was being done.  What's also odd is that after this big extravaganza of a number, there's no applause.  Just total silence.  And I have no idea why that is.  Perhaps they pre-recorded it for broadcast, and this is that recording.  I have absolutely  no idea.

I'm just glad that it exists.  And that I found it.

Okay, as a fitting bonus, here's a video of Tommy Tune winning this first Tony Award, for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, at the 1974 Tony's.  
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