Reading Rainbow - Loni Ackerman applies CATS make up

[HouseOnSunset]

Poor Loni... Looks so lovely here, but did anyone see her recently in "Sunset Boulevard?" She hasn't aged well... AT ALL!

[noodle0912]

@HouseOnSunset What? Where is it playing?!

[HouseOnSunset]

@noodle0912 Relax, LOL, you already missed it. It was in Bellport, NY at the Gateway Playhouse, but it was an awful production (though it looked like a high end opera production at the Met compared to that abortion they staged at the Barn Theatre in California around the same time.)

[noodle0912]

@HouseOnSunset Dammit. Been dying to see ANY production of it!

What a shame that it was bad, though.

[HouseOnSunset]

@noodle0912 Keep a lookout for announcements. There are new regional productions popping up left and right. I'd be strongly wary of any summer stock productions, as most of them are quite awful. But I did see the show last theatre season in Denver and Salt Lake City and those were fantastic productions. I might also sneak to Arizona to see it in April if I have time or money.

[noodle0912]

@HouseOnSunset Yes, there is certainly a lot to see out there. And, yes, I only pay to see good quality companies. We have plenty of wonderful companies near and in the Los Angeles area. Thanks for the info.

[HouseOnSunset]

@noodle0912 In that case, skip the current California production. It's a national embarrassment to the world of theatre.

[noodle0912]

@HouseOnSunset Is it in Northern CA or Southern?

[HouseOnSunset]

@noodle0912 Not sure. Look up Barn Theatre.

[musicaltheatergeek79]

I remember watching this particular episode as a kid. I didn't know anything about Broadway or theater or even CATS at the time, so I didn't know what the hell was going on. But I was intrigued and entranced as she applied her makeup.

[sanQ]

Where is Candace Carell now?

[dht23]

That cat in the beginnig is like the bigger version of mine. When IK watch the musical Cats my cat always watches and during the 10 minute dance interlude she gets in fron of the tv and rolls around in front of it. lol

[LoadedDreidel]

she held that note a long time. Her normal voice is alot different then her singing voice. I want to know what the plot of the show is. I really want to see it! That cat on her picture was cute. I wish I were a cat sometimes!!

[MewWolf5]

@LoadedDreidel "Cats" doesn't have much of a plot, but basically it's about a bunch of cats that are having a gathering. There's lots of great characters and great songs.

[dht23]

@LoadedDreidel There is a movie version, which I highly recommend, of the show.

[musicaltheatergeek79]

"I want to know what the plot of the show is"

@LoadedDreidel Once a year the cats have a gathering at the junkyard where they all compete to see who gets to go to the Heaviside Layer (kitty heaven). Grizabella tries to join in, but the others shun her 'cause she used to be vain but is now old and haggard. Old Deuteronomy (the sage leader) has the last say and forgives her. Grizabella then sings "Memory" and gets on a tire and is whisked to heaven where she'll be reborn as a beautiful kitten.

[LoadedDreidel]

did you see that guys beard at 3:20 - 3:23!

[MossclawHarryPotter]

Im going to be doing this play in summer.

[littlesongbird1]

@MossclawHarryPotter Have fun. Post clips if you can.

[MossclawHarryPotter]

@littlesongbird1 I probably cant post clips but ill try

[erracht]

I saw this as a kid, actually, this is maybe the last thing I saw of Reading Rainbow, a show I only saw a few episodes of.

[broadwaymike92]

If this was still on Broadway, Idina Menzel would have been an incredible Grizabella!!!

[inuyashaslvr]

thats quite a voice

[noodle0912]

My goodness. She is just as good as Betty Buckley. I am thoroughly impressed with her performance.

[prowresler]

i wish more women be dress up like a cat be

[silenthillmaster755]

wow i didnt see that voice coming.

[JellicleKat]

I never get tired of watching this clip, especially this older clip since the newer version shows less of her doing her makeup and more of the actors on stage.

[jelliclechristine]

LOVE IT!!!!

[kachinababe]

I saw Cats on Broadway when I was just 7 years old. I loved it then and I still do!

[Spectre426]

kitty!!

[BroadwayBaby98]

i remember seeing this in like kindergarten!!!!

[wiisalute]

I liked Betty Buckly better

[blugreen123]

this was one of my fave eps. of this show ever.

[antoniowolff1]

the bitch can't sing though...

[idkmybffroserox]

@snowgirl1052 John Napier, who designed the set, designed the makeup and costumes for both london and broadway.

[1986Sheri]

@idkmybffroserox

is John Napier still alive?

[Rufriben]

@idkmybffroserox Candace Carell designed and holds the copyright for the make up for "Cats".

[olivegree]

I LOVE Cats!!!!! (The musical).

[prowresler]

@olivegree i loved when she hissed

[Lavener1]

yes, in musicals the actors and actresses do their own makeup. Even when plays and musicals were just starting out

[christytina81]

Aww. Cute cat at beginning!

[snowgirl1052]

I wonder who the makeup artist was who designed the makeup for cats, anyone know?

[prowresler]

i want to know who was setch artist

[Rufriben]

@snowgirl1052 Candace Carell.

[snowgirl1052]

Do Broadway actors have to do their own makeup?

[christytina81]

That's what I'm wondering too........=/

[MrJohanfromSweden]

The man in the beginning with the cat, isnt that good old Levar Button or is my bad voice memory playing with me? Johan.

[gbpdrum45]

YES_READING RAINBOW WIT LEVAR BURTON

[snh47]

I first "met' Ackerman in the Maltby/Shire review, "Starting Here, Starting Now" back in the 70s. She blew me away. I didn't realize she'd done Cats. Good for her!

[prowresler]

good to watch reading rainbow l love this espiode

[MrJohanfromSweden]

Thaught you had to be older to play Griz^^ But this is a really fun vid to watch. Johan.

[BarnabasFrid]

Yikes-- Loni Ackerman can't sing worth a damn.

[jelliclechristine]

that video was so cool!!!!

[broadwaymike92]

PHANTOM is at the top and i miss CATS. I watch the video of the show all the time

[skimbles1]

3:18 well i'll be. . .SKIMBLESHANKS!!!

[commenterboi]

I have no idea why this didn't last on broadway!

21 years of cats just wasn't enough!

[littlesongbird1]

it was not 21 years...It was 18

[humannature1993]

this was alway my fav part 4:18

[TheOriginalDredslake]

lmao at 2:25

[Elfendied11]

Loni's a beautiful grizabella. But i never hear anything about her, she just kind of disappeared after this.

[Jennennett]

it is not

[10Gr1fterbang]

creepy goth

[miratime]

I watched this as a kid! Thanks for uploading!

[Bobovich001]

an AMAZING transformation.........

haha cheesy

[izabela670]

OOWWOOO

[Bobo411]

i didn't know these guys did their own makeup too...respect

[lubbyqam]

the thort of a talking cat is kinda scary.

[cajunboi2468]

this used 2 scare the hell out of me as a kid lol

[disgrl4]

Wow I remember watching this episode

[WildHoneyPie4]

Ackerman did a great job belting...but her vibrato was a bit too strong...other than that she looked amazing and sounded great!! CATS now and forever!!

[prowresler]

what year was she on boadway cause i dont rember her

[oneworldguy]

We are talking 80's if you're talking about when she first hit front page news. Not only did she play this role, but she also was a replacement for an earlier Eva Peron in EVITA after Patti LuPone left the show.

[tggold]

Except...if there wasn't vibrato she would be doing something wrong, and she wouldn't have been able to do 8 shows a week. Any time you don't hear vibrato in a note, it should set off a red flag that somebody's vocal health is in danger.

[cpper22008]

One of my favorites! I miss this show. Does anyone know if the episode about ufo's is on youtube?

[slashnyaoi]

didnt realize she was so young...

[Charr3169]

i totally remember this episode..

it's great looking back, and going "oh wow, its mungojerrie, oh look, it's victoria," et cetera.

[ThomasMillwood]

I think she did a decent job in her singing for this role. It is known that she does some cabaret singing, yet I'm not sure if I like her use of the vocal technique in her cabaret singing for her portrayal of Grizabella. I don't seem to care much for her saying "Look," either, but it was her interpretation of the character. At least she gives a nice performance in this video.

I remember seeing this as a kid on Reading Rainbow. Thanks for the memories by putting this up, asterism. =)

[iheartmyshroom]

shes okay, but i hate the way she said "look" during memory. lol it was like eew, look. but this is awesome i totally remember watching this when i was little!!! i love cats!

[Norina1982]

This is the episide that I watched as a child which inspired me to become involved in theater - both onstage and as a makeup artist. Thanks for posting it, asterism!

And thanks to Loni Ackerman and LeVar Burton...

I <3 Reading Rainbow!!! :-)

[jessieclee]

yeah i kinda don't like her protrayal... I like a little more break from the transcripted rhythms... but hey, we'll save more of those criticisms for when I hear that same kind of applause for myself.

[gibraltarrr]

thank you for posting! i remember watching this as a child on pbs. :)

[teababe9]

I like the orginal grissabella

[jemimabub]

I laughed at 02:25 when she hissed.

[thedorkinabubble]

@jemimabub Always scared me as a kid when she did that XD

[JellicleKat]

This is the old one (Ducan and Doloras) where they showed her doing more makeup. The new one (When Aunt Lita Did the Rumba) shows more of the danceing than the makeup.

I've got this on video but I can't make DVDs so I'd never thought of looking for it here. I'm glad someone had the right mind to do it. Thank you.

[wickedistheshiz]

I REMEMBER THIS SERIES!!!

[Rhio2k]

Old Deuteronomy's kinda buff there...

[BARBARAVS]

muy genialllllllll

[peete18]

I don't like her!

[Bealzabub]

Oh! I remember seeing this when I was little!

[broadwayjoe123]

I'm performing this show right now using my original Broadway cast recording tapes! I'm playing Munkustrap,Rum Tum Tugger,Gus/Growltiger,Skimbles­hanks,and Macavity!

[shellyelly]

thanks for puting this on