Julie Wilson - Has The Last Laugh

JULIE HAS THE LAST LAUGH!!!
"Just a gal from Nebraska" and actor (Holt McCallany)'s mom, at 87, "Queen of Cabaret", Julie Wilson still tosses her famed "Red Boa" around like "nobody's business". This clip, from her Cabaret Show, was filmed at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, in New York City. Undoubtedly "a knockout" in her teens, Julie won the "Miss Omaha Pageant". Unfortunately she was forced to return her crown when the mother of her runner-up researched the County birth records and found that "little Julia" was 3 months shy of the "pageant age requirement". She's been, "A Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad Woman', ever since.

Julie headed to New York City during World War II and found work in two of Manhattan's leading nightclubs, the Latin Quarter and the Copacabana. She made her Broadway debut in the 1946 revue "Three to Make Ready". In 1951, she moved to London to star in the West End production of "Kiss Me, Kate" and remained there for four years, appearing in shows such as "South Pacific" and "Bells Are Ringing" while studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. She returned to New York to replace Joan Diener in "Kismet". Additional Broadway credits include "The Pajama Game" (1954), "Jimmy" (1969), "Park" (1970), and "Legs Diamond" (1988), for which she received a Tony Award nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She also toured in "Show Boat", "Panama Hattie", "Silk Stockings", "Follies", "Company", and "A Little Night Music". Wilson's television credits include regular roles on the Australian series "The Young Doctors" and the American daytime soap opera "The Secret Storm". She also appeared in a Hallmark Hall of Fame telecast of "Kiss Me, Kate" and numerous episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show. In 1983, she found her niche and forged her reputation as a cabaret performer, known primarily for her dramatic delivery of torch songs and show tunes. Her recordings include My Old Flame, Live From the Russian Tea Room, Julie Wilson At the St. Regis, and collections devoted to the songbooks of Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen, Cy Coleman, Stephen Sondheim, and George and Ira Gershwin.

I FIRST MET JULIE IN 1973 at her vocal coach's (Keith Davis) midtown apartment. I was there to audition some of my songs for her. She chose several and began to use one or two at a club she was playing then called Brothers and Sisters. I was playing very regularly at a hot new club called Reno Sweeney's. I opened it with Barry Manilow. We split sets before the owner, Lewis Friedman, had his liquor license. One evening at Reno's I was showcasing songs using singers who were performing my songs around town (among them were Thelma Carpenter and Brandy Lee). Julie agreed to be part of the evening and perform "It's Tough To Be Poor." The deal... I get her a gardenia for the event.
I have loved her ever since.

Sincerely,
Richard Currier

"Bravo!" - Liz Smith

Producer/Director: Richard Currier (Excerpt drom: "Put Your Hands Together")
©2008 richard currier

Discover Julie @: http://www.citycabaret.com/jwilson/

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[akamissrubytuesday]

I hope if I get to be 85... this is the kind of life I will be living... still dressing up... wearing make-up & getting in some laughs. ;-D

[nettiebach100]

Love It! How any men do you know that helps a lady get out of boa? None that I Know of. The ending is priceless!

Hugs

[yarnover]

She is such a good and kind and beautiful person... just in the short time I got to be around her.

[zappaelcrappa]

Love the comment at the end LOL!

[IceShrapnel]

...?

[mknight323]

She is beautiful! Nice!!!