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- More Than "Guys & Dolls"-Frank Loesser
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- Amber Edwards
Run this story next time time a production of "Guys & Dolls" is mounted near you. It's an evergreen profile of the show's composer/lyricist Frank Loesser, featuring Loesser's widow,his daughter, historian Robert Kimball, and Broadway legend Jerry Herman. This segment aired originally on WBGO in May 2004.
SUGGESTED LEAD:
“Guys & Dolls”, that enduring musical fable of gamblers and missionaries set in Damon Runyon’s world of wise-cracking crapshooters and con men, is hands down the most frequently performed musical ever written. The current production at ________ is just one of some 700 productions licensed every year. The show immortalized Sky Masterson, Nathan Detroit (based on a real bootlegger by the name of Meyer Boston,) Miss Adelaide; and its composer/lyricist, Frank Loesser–-by all accounts a very Runyonesque character himself. But there was much more to Loesser’s life and career than “Guys and Dolls”, as Amber Edwards explains....
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Piece Description
Run this story next time time a production of "Guys & Dolls" is mounted near you. It's an evergreen profile of the show's composer/lyricist Frank Loesser, featuring Loesser's widow,his daughter, historian Robert Kimball, and Broadway legend Jerry Herman. This segment aired originally on WBGO in May 2004. SUGGESTED LEAD: “Guys & Dolls”, that enduring musical fable of gamblers and missionaries set in Damon Runyon’s world of wise-cracking crapshooters and con men, is hands down the most frequently performed musical ever written. The current production at ________ is just one of some 700 productions licensed every year. The show immortalized Sky Masterson, Nathan Detroit (based on a real bootlegger by the name of Meyer Boston,) Miss Adelaide; and its composer/lyricist, Frank Loesser–-by all accounts a very Runyonesque character himself. But there was much more to Loesser’s life and career than “Guys and Dolls”, as Amber Edwards explains....
Broadcast History
Aired on the WBGO Journal May 2004.
Timing and Cues
Self contained segment, required studio intro, suggested outro would include information about local production.
Musical Works
1) Fugue for Tinhorns, from "Guys & Doll", 1992 Broadway Cast recording, RCA, 25 seconds
2) "Guys & Dolls" from Guys & Dolls, 1992 Broadway cast recording, RCA, 9 seconds and 31 seconds
3) "Once in Love With Amy" from Where's Charley, original cast album, 7 seconds
4) "Slow Boat to China", Dinah Shore, 6 seconds
5) "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year", Anita O'Day, 1962, Verve, 10 seconds
6) "Baby It's Cold Outside", Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney, 1955, 8 seconds
7) "I Wish That I Were Twins", Fats Waller, from "A Career Perspective 1922 - 1943, 12 seconds
8) "Praise the Lord & Pass the Ammunition", Kay Kyser, 1942, 38 seconds
9) "Rosabella", from The Most Happy Fella cast album, 1956, RCA, 22 seconds
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Emon Hassan
Posted on May 24, 2005 at 06:24 PM | Permalink
Review of More Than "Guys & Dolls"-Frank Loesser
Referred to as 'the kid' by Irving Berlin, Loesser is an amalgam of the great composers/lyricists who came before him. Not only was he a great student of music, but he picked up business lessons from them as well. Listeners may learn a few unknown facts about Loesser whose collaboration with other musicians tallied up will give you a head spin. If you're a Loesser fan, you shouldn't miss this piece. If you don't know who Loesser is, then your listen to your research paper right here on PRX. It won't make you a better person, but it might make you a Loesser fan.