Yes, Yes, Jeanette!

Posted in on 01/11/2008 02:44 pm by ginnysayre

New England Light Opera Celebrates
Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy
World Premiere of New Operetta Show, Yes, Yes, Jeanette!

TOPSFIELD, MA –New England Light Opera, a professional operetta and musical theater company now in its sixth season, is proud to present the world premiere of Yes, Yes, Jeanette! A Musical Fantasy on Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. This new show, created by NELO Artistic Director Mark Morgan, features scenes and songs from their movies, along with the stories of their lives as told in their own words. The show will be performed Saturday February 2nd 8:00 p.m. and Sunday February 3rd at 3:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Avenue in Needham, and February 9th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday February 10th at 3:00 p.m. at the Emerson Center of the Congregational Church of Topsfield, 9 East Common St in Topsfield. Edward Baron Turk, the author of Hollywood Diva: A Biography of Jeanette MacDonald will present a talkback session with the audience and cast following the performance in Topsfield on February 10th.

Yes, Yes, Jeanette! stars Jean Danton and Sara Ann Mitchell as Jeanette MacDonald, and Mark Morgan as Nelson Eddy. This full production , directed by NELO regular Peter A Carey (The Merry Widow, The New Moon), recreates the Person to Person television interview that took place between Edward R Murrow and Jeanette MacDonald in 1957 to tell the story of her life and career. Additional material is drawn from her unpublished autobiography and other first person sources. The famous scenes and songs from the eight movies that she starred in with Nelson Eddy are recreated for the audience and are accompanied by Joseph Stroup at the piano. Some of the songs included are Indian Love Call, Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life, Sweethearts, and others by Romberg, Friml, Herbert, and Gershwin. The show is supported in part by the New England Biolabs Foundation.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors 65 and older and $5 for children and students. Tickets may be purchased by calling the NELO box office at (978)887-2045. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.newenglandlightopera.org.

PERFORMANCE DATES/TIMES/VENUES:
Saturday, February 2nd at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 3rd at 3:00 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Ave, Needham

Saturday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 10th at 3:00 p.m.
Emerson Center of the Congregational Church of Topsfield
9 East Common St, Topsfield

TICKET PRICES: $28 adults, $25 seniors 65 and older, $5 children and students

FOR TICKETS: Call NELO Box Office (978) 887-2045
Online sales at www.newenglandlightopera.org

 

Out of the Night

Posted in on 11/28/2007 02:32 pm by ginnysayre

Diane Flaherty informs us that Jasmine Records in association with the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society is releasing a two CD-set called “Out of the Night.” The release date will be announced mid-December and the sound quality is stunning with most of the tracks in their debut release.

Night
Out of the Night

Click on the back cover to see a larger view of the track listing.

 

Cambridge Springs

Posted in on 11/28/2007 02:23 pm by ginnysayre

You can now sign up for Cambridge Springs 2008 with the following form:

Registration 2008

For more information about gatherings of the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society, you can visit nelsoneddysociety.org.

 

Nelson Convention 2008

Posted in on 08/30/2007 04:08 pm by Eleanor

Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society Convention
June 2008
Starting a New Tradition?
By Diane P. Flaherty, President

At our June 2007 gathering of the NEAS in Cambridge Springs, PA, a vote was taken and it was decided that members wanted the meetings to continue after the retirement of Dr. John Marsh. It was suggested that a 4-day format be scheduled. The shorter stay was popular because members could still visit with each other, renew friendships and make new friends, and honor Nelson, but costs would be less and maybe more members could afford to attend. Attendees could also decide to arrive earlier and/or stay later if they preferred the 7-day stay. NEAS program would be confined to the 4-day format for 2008.

 

After speaking with Marie Halliday, owner of The Riverside Inn, it was agreed that having NEAS members return would please the Inn and the staff. It was decided that the event must take place in and around Nelson’s birthday.

The tentative dates for the NEAS gathering at The Riverside Inn, 2008 are:

Thursday, June 26 - Monday, June 30, 2008.

The rates for a 4-night package would be as follows:

Single - $525.00
Double (2 in a 2 bedroom unit) $480.00
Double (2 in the same room) $420.00
Triple (3 in a 2 bedroom unit) $400.00
Quad (4 in a 2 bedroom unit) $375.00

*These rates are per person and include:

4 nights lodging
4 breakfasts
3 lunches (may have lunch first/last day)
1 brunch
4 dinners
Wine and cheese reception
Coffee service in meeting room each day
Use of meeting room
Entertainment fee
Baggage handling both ways
All taxes and gratuities

**Additional nights with all meals if same room arrangements:

Single $95.00 per person per night

Double (2/2) $84.00 per person per night

Double (2/same) $69.00 per person per night

Triple $64.00 per person per night
Quad $58.00 per person per night

The package rates are a real entertainment value arranged especially for NEAS members with the prices from 39-50% lower than the usual “rack” rate charged regular customers.

Since Dr. Marsh is retired, I will need extra help in making this new format a success. I have gotten volunteers for playing piano, running the movies, miscellaneous help with all the various aspects of making this event so pleasurable and successful. I have also received assurances that some ‘big-named’ entertainment will try to pencil in our event.

Since there will be no tutorial lectures before the movies, I am asking member volunteers to pick their favorite Nelson movie and tell the group why it was picked, and why it is important to you. We will then watch the ENTIRE movie.

We plan to have more visiting time between movies since the dining room is often noisy and visiting can be difficult. We will definitely include some “veranda” time. I have discussed with Marie the fact that the meals are SO plentiful and most of us feel as though we are wasting food. We are considering having the soup, salad, sandwich bar for lunches so that we all have a healthy appetite for dinner.

Members voted that they still want to continue our NEAS Family Reunions, so try to put these dates on your 2008 calendar. It will not be the same as in the past 21 years under the leadership of Dr. Marsh, but we can all work together to make it a new NEAS tradition!

So members, lets give this new format a try. The future could still hold more formal meetings in big cities like Philadelphia and Los Angeles, but much help would be required on site and the costs would be much greater and logistics more complicated. More information and registration forms will be forthcoming in future Golden Star issues. Turn out in 2008 will determine the future of NEAS meetings at The Riverside Inn.

 

 

 

GREAT Book Review from Classic Images!

Posted in on 08/26/2007 10:23 pm by ginnysayre

Classic Images
September, 2007, page 38
“Book Points” by Laura Wagner

The Films of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy by Eleanor Knowles ($40.95, 646 pp., hardcover) is an over 600-page revision of Knowles’ earlier 1976 volume. Every film MacDonald and Eddy made, together and separately, is covered extensively with synopses, cast/crew credits, reviews, song listings, and a list of recordings they made of the songs. There are over 500 photos, many rare, all nicely reproduced.

The appeal of the Jeanette MacDonald (1903-1965) and Nelson Eddy (1901-1967) singing romantic team still lingers on with many movie fans. Naughty Marietta, Rose Marie, Maytime, The Girl of the Golden West (my personal favorite)t, New Moon, Bitter Sweet and I Married an Angel. Jeanette also had a good classic screen relationship (if on another level) with Maurice Chevalier: The Love Parade, One Hour with You, Love Me Tonight and The Merry Widow. It’s good to see that these Jeanette films as well as other non-Eddy ones (San Francisco, The Firefly, Smilin’ Through, Cairo, etc.) are given the same amount of treatment as the MacDonald-Eddy films. By the same token, Nelson’s solo films, among them Rosalie, Let Freedom Ring, Balalaika, The Chocolate Soldier, Phantom of the Opera, and Knickerbocker Holiday are also discussed at great length. Ms. Knowles, thank goodness, is no crazed fan who can’t stand the sight of the two separated. Fair treatment is given to all films, making this substantial volume all the more important.

This is head and shoulders above the usual “Films of” volumes. The reason is simply that it is beautifully written by someone who is an acknowledged expert on not only MacDonald and Eddy, but also on musical films in general. Ms. Knowles knows her stuff and her “historical overviews” are outstanding and well informed, giving us a vivid view of what was happening in cinema at the time. The author really impressed me with her grasp of the musical as a whole. The individual biographical sections on MacDonald and Eddy are wonderfully detailed and comprehensive and

The book reads easily, and at over 600 pages that’s a remarkable achievement. You .learn about MacDonald and Eddy as well as the development of the screen musical, and you are never bored. Ms. Knowles also did something quite stunning: She wrote long, detailed plots that had me reading, not skimming. She did what others fail to do: she made the plot recaps entertaining. She puts behind-the-scenes data within the plots, making it all the more interesting. I loved the way she handled these sections. I felt that if I missed even one word, I’d miss something of value.

Happily, Ms. Knowles resists the temptation to write as a fan. Even though it’s clear she is enthusiastic about them, she is objective when it comes to their work. She contributes solid criticism about their films that is most enjoyable.

This book is a must for not only Jeanette MacDonald/Nelson Eddy (separately and together), but also movie musical fans. Eleanor Knowles has written a definitive , authoritative book. It’s really essential. Order from Amazon (www.amazon.com)  

 

April lectures at Metropolitan Museum, NYC

Posted in on 03/29/2007 06:39 pm by Eleanor

TWO Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald Lectures
Chaired by: 

Nimet Habachy
Joanne Woodward
 

The legendary Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald made eight movies together and sang their way into the hearts of generations of Americans.  With film clips and recordings, Joanne Woodward and Nimet Habachy will explore the Hollywood that fostered the two icons and their music that so well suited an America in turmoil.
 

April 17, 2007  The Real World and Operetta
April 24, 2007  Hollywood and Other Options
2 Tuesdays at 2:30: $45


 This series is supported by the Mrs. Donald Oenslager Fund.
Call 212-570-3949 for tickets and a complete brochure of concerts and lectures.
Go to metmuseum.org

 

New CD from Jasmine Records

Posted in on 01/19/2007 10:12 am by ginnysayre

Available for $20 from the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society.

jasmineflyer.jpg

Add Item To Cart

 

NEW DVD - Let’s Tour Twin Gables, Home of Jeanette

Posted in on 09/29/2006 02:28 am by ginnysayre

NEW DVD - Let’s Tour Twin Gables, Home of Jeanette

$40 AUS, created and offered by NEAS Australian representative Fay La Galle

High in the hills of Bel Air, along a winding road, is the house that Gene Raymond bought for his bride-to-be, Jeanette MacDonald—Twin Gables. It was purchased in secrecy as a gift to his bride eight months before their wedding on June 16, 1937. Gene, with the help of their publicist Helen Ferguson, remodeled and refurbished the English Tudor-style home and presented it to Jeanette on their wedding night. It was the home that she had dreamed of. Gene had fitted it out with her favourite furnishings, furniture, colours, and fabrics, right down to her clothes in the wardrobe and her hairbrush on the dressing table. And all this without her knowledge—or even that of the Hollywood press!

Twin Gables has always held a special fascination for me, and I recently came across some vintage audio which described the house, its interior and grounds, as it was when Jeanette and Gene lived there. This led me to the photos that were presented in the Golden Comet, Jeanette’s International Fan Club magazine, around 1961 and which I have matched to the commentary.

So, with almost 300 photos, commentary, and music, I have put together a DVD Slideshow of a Tour of Twin Gables, possibly one of the most photographed homes in Hollywood. The photos are from 1937, through the 1940s and 1950s, and until 1962, the year before the estate was sold when Jeanette and Gene moved to an apartment on Wilshire Boulevard, only down the road from their honeymoon home.

This is the story of a House with a Heart. The decorated DVD comes in a plastic cover with insert and a 10 page glossy booklet with numerous photos, telling the story of Twin Gables, something very special.

Payment: $AUS40.00 each DVD which includes airmail postage. With each purchase you will receive a complimentary Twin Gables Bookmark. Payment can be made with either Paypal or Western Union Money Order.
To order, email me on fay@ivds.com.au or write to: Fay La Galle,

PO Box 460, Blackburn, 3130, Victoria, Australia.

 

Available for Pre-Order

Posted in on 07/22/2006 12:27 am by ginnysayre

The Films of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy available for pre-order new 2006 edition

- NOW AVAILABLE

The Films of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy,

by Eleanor Knowles (Dugan). 646 pages, 591 photos. $40.95 plus shipping. Revised, updated, and enlarged from the 1976 edition.

You are invited to meet Jeanette and Nelson for the first time, or to learn more about their incredible careers. You’ll find:

· detailed film credits, plots, and backgrounds for their 41 films
· complete music lists for each film
· biographies of the two stars
· a complete discography

You’ll also find an invitation to fall in love all over again—in love with the music, laughter, romance, and the heightened awareness of life’s joys that is generated and personified by these two unique artists.

ORDER BY INTERNET: www.amazon.com. Cost $40.95 with FREE shipping in the U.S. Overseas shipping by sea or air also available.

If you have any difficulty obtaining a copy, please contact me: Eleanor Knowles Dugan, 1024 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94108-2003. Email: duganek@aol.com

 

Nelson Eddy Convention - 2007

Posted in on 07/17/2006 12:25 am by ginnysayre

The 2006 Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society annual convention is now history, and already plans are being made for 2007.

The dates will be June 24-30, 2007 at the Riverside Inn, Cambridge Springs, PA. Guests will include Tom Netherton, the baritone from the Lawrence Welk Show. As always, it will be a week of films, lectures, music, fun, and fabulous food and fellowship. Contact Dr. John Marsh for more information: jmarsh1@san.rr.com

A report of this year’s convention can be seen on the N.E.A.S. site: http://www.neas.name/wordpress/?p=49

 
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