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BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE Send This Review to a Friend
A treat for any fan of the theater, this meshing of Broadway and a movie documentary by a fan of the stage is packed with nostalgia and fun. “Broadway: The Golden Age,” is what the title implies, a look at the stars and the shows that have characterized the Broadway experience. The perspective is that of Rick McKay, whose love for the theater has prompted him to produce, write, direct and edit this treasure-trove. The time period covered is primarily from the mid-1940s to the present. There’s an earlier period that remains beyond his reach, but what he accomplishes covers plenty.
What makes the film so thoroughly enjoyable is the collection of interviews with so many luminaries who have a way with words when telling of their experiences. As usual, Elaine Stritch is prime. Elizabeth Ashley and Carol Channing are also special. Just look at the roster McKay includes: Bea Arthur, Kaye Ballard, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Barbara Cook, Celeste Holm, Angela Lansbury, Julie Harris, Shirley MacLaine--the list goes on.
There is rare footage captured from important shows. There are interviews from persons no longer with us. McKay doesn’t only cover stars. The voices of many who wrote and staged shows are heard as well, including Betty Comden and the late Adolph Green, lyricist Fred Ebb, producer Cy Feuer, composer-lyricist Jerry Herman and playwright Arthur Laurents.
There are times when the film becomes repetitious or indulges in excessive adulation. But McKay makes no pretense. He is a fan through and through, and that’s why we have this delightful and often informative film that reminds us of the essence of the Broadway theater and the people who have inhabited it front and center or behind the scenes. “Broadway: The Golden Age” is also invaluable for theater archives. A Dada Films release.
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