Remembering "Chaplin"

I'm stunned that this video exists, and that I found it.  It helps to know what you're looking for, though I don't even know quite why I was looking for it.  But even still, we return to the original point -- that it exists at all, because this was before cameras in cell phones.

In 1983, I saw a pre-Broadway tryout in Los Angeles at the Music Center of a musical that a friend of mine, Stanley Ralph Ross, co-wrote with Anthony Newley, Chaplin, about the life of you-know-who.  They collaborated on the book, music and lyrics, though I suspect the music was all Newley.  It starred Newley in the title role, and as I recall it featured the rising actress (now, highly-regarded cabaret singer) Andrea Marcovicci in the female lead.

The show was okay.  I don't remember much of it, which to a degree is the point, though it was 32 years ago.  My recollection is that the songs were somewhat enjoyable, but very inconsistent, and the book not as involving as one would hope.  It's true that Chaplin's personal life wasn't fun and roses, though at least for me, that wasn't an issue.

I recall that when the show was in serious trouble, they started calling in some help, and though it didn't get much public attention at the time, one of those un-named script doctors was Newlely's long-time writing partner Leslie Bricusse.  A few others were, as well.

Ultimately, it didn't help.  The show lost a lot of money (I believe I've read $4 million), and it's main producer David Susskin wasn't able to gain the additional financing.  So, though this had been heralded as a magic musical on its way to New York, and Anthony Newley's big return to Broadway, it didn't get there.

But remarkably, here is a video of one of the songs performed on stage by Anthony Newley.  It's somewhat distant, so you don't get much detail, but the quality is respectable.  But...so what?!  That it exists at all is just bizarre.

This is the song, "Remember Me."