Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

ent001125-021

Image

File
Download ent001125-021.tif (image/tiff; 103.44 MB)

Information

Digital ID

ent001125-021
    Details

    Publisher

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    FjlOMiPRESS DEFT., WILtlAM MORRIS AGENC?, INC. page 2 Benjamin Brittenfs "Rape of Lucretia" was to be produced on Broadway she grabbed the chance to play the part of the flirtatious maid, thinking it would bring her to the attention of a wider circle than City Center affieioiiados, and help hasten the day when she would sing at the Met. The play received thumbs down from the critics when it opened, but Marguerite was singled out for Special praise, OlSn Downes of the NY T'mes wrote, "l&ssfiLaaasa played, sang and .. frolicked through the role with sheer virtuosity." After this Marguerite returned to City Center for another season, Actor-direct or Burgess Meredith, however, had seen her in "The Rape of Lucretia" and when he was casting his production of f? Happy as Larry," he remembered the beautiful girl with the clear soprano. He engaged her for the "Merry Widow" in this play-with-music. "Hr\ppy as Larry," made some sort of show-business history as a resounding flop * which lasted all of 2 nights. But it catapulted Marguerite into overnight prom nence. Th Is had been the first time the drama critics had a view of her and they had not confin ed themselves to raves about her acting and singing, but had dwelt llngeringly and with pleasure on her physical attributes, TV producer Max Liebman, then in the throes of building the format for his "Show of Showsi! hnd been in the opening night audience?╟≤ Within a matter of days Marguerite was signed as the singing star on the program. She was with nYour Show of Shows'* until it went off the air. In that 5 year period too, she make her debut at the Metropolitan Opera, did nationwide concert tours, headed her own radio show, "Encore", and appeared frequently in opera and operetta all over the country. (more)