Shecky Greene ((born Fred Sheldon Greenfield) is known for his nightclub
performances in Las Vegas as a headliner for more than thirty years. His
first gig in Vegas was in 1953. He has appeared in several films, including
History of the World, Part l (1981) and Splash (1984). He also made guest
appearances on TV shows such as Mad About You, Laverne & Shirley,
Love American Style, and Combat.
Marlon Brando, Jr. (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004)
Bando is considered to be one of the most important actors in modern
American Cinema and was one of only three professional actors, along
with Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe, named by Time magazine as
one of its 100 Persons of the Century in 1999.
Marlon Brando became a screen star during the 1950s, winning his
first Academy Award for his performance as Terry Malloy in the 1954
film On the Waterfront. His second Academy Award came in 1972
for his role as Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s The
Godfather.
Brando in The Godfather
Marlon Brando as Col. Walter Kurtz in Apocalypse Now (1970)
Hans Christian Andersen (April 2, 1805 – August 4, 1875)
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer,and
poet noted for his children’s stories such as “The Little Mermaid”,
”Thumbelina”, and “The Ugly Duckling”. His works have been
translated into more than 150 languages and inspired many
animated films, plays, and ballets.
Statue of Hans Christian Andersen and "The Ugly Duckling” in New York’s Central Park.
Jane Powell was born Suzanne Lorraine Burce in Portland, Oregon. She
began dance lessons at the age of two and appeared on the KGW radio
talent show Stars of Tomorrow at age five.She had attended Beaumont
Grade School and Grant High School in Portland. Powell signed with
Metro-Goldyn-Mayer while still in her teens. She was loaned out to
United Artists where she made her first film in 1944, a musical
comedy titled Song of the Open Road. Powell continues to act
and perform today.
Cast members Alfred Drake as Curly and Betty Garde as Aunt Eller from
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! is the first musical written by the team of Richard Rogers and Oscar
Hammerstein ll. The original Broadway production opened at the St. James Theater
in New York City. It ran for 2,212 performances, finally closing on May 29, 1948, a Broadway record that would not be broken until My Fair Lady in 1956. A special
Pulitzer Prize was awarded to Rodgers and Hammerstein for Oklahoma! in the
category of "Special Awards And Citations – Letters" in 1944.
The two kings of musicals, Richard Rogers and Oscar
Hammerstein ll
