#billie smith

[dance-world]

Frederick Ashton with Maxwell Baird, Floyd Miller, and Billie Smith - photo by George Platt Lynes

[alex-iltempo]

[musical-dreamcasts]

Mean Girls - Lauren Nicole Chapman as Karen Smith, requested by anon

Birthday: September 2, 1991 (age 29)

Birth Place: Michigan

Theatre credits include: Ensemble/Understudy Anna (Frozen), Ensemble/Understudy Lauren (Kinky Boots), Serena (Legally Blonde), Ensemble/Understudy Cindy (A Sign of the Times), Doralee Rhodes (9 to 5), Billie Smith (Babes in Arms)

(Pictured on the right is Jonalyn Saxer, who is currently playing the role in the first US national tour production)

[thethirdbear]

[singeratlarge]

SATURDAY MUSIC VIDEO MATINEE: “My Funny Valentine”—This ironic love song is from the comedy-musical BABES IN ARMS, a Rodgers & Hart musical that premiered this weekend in 1937. It’s the story of a group of small-town Long Island teenagers who put on a show to avoid being sent to a work farm by the town sheriff—the original 1937 version of the musical had political overtones with subplots about Communism and racism. A character named Billie Smith sings “My Funny Valentine” to a man named Valentine "Val" LaMar. Billie describes Valentine's characteristics in unflattering terms (at one point Billie describes Valentine's looks as "laughable," in keeping with the title), but ultimately affirms that he makes her smile and that she doesn't want him to change. The description of Valentine was consistent with lyricist Lorenz Hart's own insecurities and belief that he was too short and ugly to be loved. Hart, with Richard Rodgers,composed the musical, which included “Johnny One Note,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Where or When” and other songs that are now in The Great American Songbook.

Ella Fitzgerald’s remake of “My Funny Valentine” inspired me to do it, and I’m familiar with signature versions by Chet Baker, Elvis Costello (whose version I heard first), and Miles Davis. I do it in D minor and it’s one of my favorites to sing out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-wdP-twkU

#Valentine #ValentinesDay #babesinarms #longisland #teenagers #myfunnyvalentine #billiesmith #valentinelamar #rodgersandhart #richardrodgers #lorenzhart #whereorwhen #greatamericansongbook #musical #ellafitzgerald #chetbaker #elviscostello #milesdavis #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #williamsportpa #bullfrogbrewery #jeremiahs

[themotherofdinos]

[themotherofdinos]

[dgsafdmd]

TV AT IT’S BEST, 2015 │#9 └ Billy & Billie