WALTER WILLISON sings" YOUNGER THAN SPRINTIME" in Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC

[barbra271]

Wondeful video and beautiful performance Walter!!

[BroadwayGoldnAge]

@barbra271 -- Thank you, Barbara. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. -- Best, WW

[janeypabc]

Hello, Walter, this is a voice from the past. The last time I say you in South Pacific was as the Professor in the San Bernardino Civic Light Opera production with Ruta Lee! I am so glad to see how well your career has gone--you are an exceptional talent! I so admired you back then and still do. It's been nice for me to see your clips on You Tube and reminisce.

Love, Jane (from your West Covina days)

PS I've found my Bali Ha'i on CA's central coast

[BroadwayGoldnAge]

@janeypabc -- WOW! That was a long time ago! I was practically a babe in arms! Jerry Lanning, Cable in that production, and I now share the same agent; saw Ruta at an event in LA a short while ago, looking as fantastic as back in the day; and am still in touch with a couple of others from that cast. Glad you are enjoying the videos. I'm having a good time creating and sharing them. And Happy to know you found your own Bali Ha'i, you are indeed among the lucky few. Happiest Holidays!

Best, WW

[MyChewbacca]

Walter, I feel so blessed to have discovered your videos and your channel. I have always loved Broadway musicals, especially those of the earlier decades, and you have provided a window for all of us to look back and see what great performances we missed. Bless you and Merry Christmas!

[BroadwayGoldnAge]

@MyChewbacca -- Thanks so much. And May You Have The Merriest Christmas Ever! -- Best, WW

[showtunestarpower]

What a great video. It is heartbreaking. I can imagine how wonderful this production must have been. Thank you, Dad Willison, for filming your son in his youth - and thank you Walter Willison for continuing to sing so gloriously. This is beautifully put together.

[BroadwayGoldnAge]

@showtunestarpower -- Again you flatter me. I am deeply touched. And it's do nice to also know you appreciate the effort that went into creating this one, as you can guess it is a very special one to me for so many reasons.

Best, WW

[rumsonu]

What a joy to trawl through your archives! Thank you for this!

[BroadwayGoldnAge]

@rumsonu -- Thank you for trawling. It makes sharing these rare performances feel most worthwhile, especially with those who appreciate them, like yourself.

Best, WW

[txquis]

Now, this is fabulous! What a rare treat! I love the moment in the clips where you are actually singing the song....it syncs up just great!. I honestly did not know (or forgot) that Mary Travers ever did theater. When I think of her as Nellie it seems like offbeat, but perfect casting.

[BroadwayGoldnAge]

@txquis -- So happy to know you liked and appreciated it -- especially that tricky bit of synching. This was, in fact, Mary's only foray into musical theatre. Very challenging for a folk singer who had stage fright to begin with to carry an entire musical in such a demanding role. She told me when we closed that she's never do it again, and she stayed true to that statement. I loved her as a person, and loved working with her. She was so vulnerable and a joy to be on stage with.

Best, WW

[MyChewbacca]

Love this Walter- in my opinion much better performance than anyone in the recent revival!

[BroadwayGoldnAge]

@MyChewbacca -- Wow! What can I say but Thank You for your kind and most generous words.

Best, WW