We’re celebrating the career of Broadway leading lady Judy Kuhn on this week’s Dress Circle (10/20 7:00 p.m.) with songs from a variety of shows and recordings in which she was featured.
Her first Broadway appearance was as an ensemble member in the original cast of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” but she was soon cast in featured and leading roles. Ted wanted to begin with his favorite Judy Kuhn performance, and that was as Bella in the ill-fated Strouse and Schwartz musical “Rags.” We both consider her rendition of the title song to be one of the best musical theatre pieces.
From there, we’ll turn to her performance as Cosette in the original American cast of “Les Miserables.” You’ll also hear Kuhn’s powerful voice in songs from her other Broadway and off-Broadway appearances in “Chess,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Fun Home,” and the off-Broadway revival of “Passion.”
From London, we’ve included a song from the musical version of Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis” in which she played Maria & Futura and was extremely effective.
We’re also including a few recordings including a concert, a studio cast recording, a compilation, and an animated film score through songs from “King David,” “As Thousands Cheer,” Unsung Sondheim, and Disney’s “Pocahantas.”
If you don’t know Kuhn’s work, please tune in and join us in our appreciation of her remarkable talent.
