My Top 5 Showtunes: Simon Green
© Claire Grogan
Simon Green's theatre credits include Mrs Henderson Presents (Toronto), Bernadette in the national tour of Priscilla; Queen of the Desert and Monsieur Andre in the 25th Anniversary Production of The Phantom of the Opera.
He is now starring in Privates on Parade which runs at the Union Theatre until 17 December.
We caught up with Simon and asked him: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five showtunes could you not live without?"
What a question! I’m far too old to have only 5. So here are 5 that have been highlights or cornerstones of my life.
1. "Sunday" from Sunday in the Park With George
In 1985 I made my first trip to New York and my Broadway virginity was broken by sitting second row centre at Lincoln Centre for the Follies concert with Barbara Cook, Elaine Stritch, Mandy Patinkin et al. The next day was a matinee of Sunday in the Park With George. The Act One closer is one of the most perfect marriages of music, lyrics, design and lighting that I have ever seen or will ever see. And then to open Act Two with the same scene but now with the characters trapped in the painting ("It’s Hot Up Here"). What a triumph of the creative imagination. Astonishing. Thank you, Mr S.
2. "Show Me" from My Fair Lady
I often suggest this song from My Fair Lady to young female performers who need an up tempo number. It is character led, she has an agenda and it shows off vocal power and dramatic intention. Perfect. It delivers and it’s short!
3. "Larger Than Life" from My Favourite Year
My dear friend Evan Pappas (we were Young Ben and Young Buddy together in the original West End Follies in 1987) played Benjy Stone on Broadway in My Favorite Year. His performance of this song is passionate, open and brave, just like Evan. It’s also great storytelling.
4. "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls
In 1983 I wore a hole in my vinyl recording of Dreamgirls. This song Jennifer Holliday = enough said.
5. "Time of My Life" from Salad Days
This is a perfect soprano ballad of innocence, hope and joy. An often underestimated composer, Julian Slade wrote this jewel for his whimsical 1954 musical, Salad Days. With a key shift and a soft lyric edit David Shrubsole, my musical director, and I closed my 2014 New York cabaret So, This Then Is Life with this evocative song. We think it worked.
