I’d be remiss in not mentioning that the poster artist David Edward Byrd passed away on February 3rd. In his career, Byrd was responsible for such legendary theater and concert posters as “Godspell,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Follies,” “Jefferson Airplane,” and “The Jimi Hendrix Experience,” to name a very small few. However, it is his…
Category: Broadway
Doug Henning Tribute at “The Magic Castle
I’d be extremely remiss in not mentioning something, well, magical happening this week in Los Angeles. Brandy LaPlante and friends are currently performing a one week tribute to “The Magic Show” at the “Magic Castle.” In honor of the show’s 50th anniversary, a 45 minute version featuring magic and musical highlights is being presented at…
50 Years of “The Magic Show”
I’d be very remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that today, May 28th, is the fiftieth anniversary of the premiere of “The Magic Show.” This little Broadway show that could, has a long and storied history. It’s a story of Doug Henning’s dream to bring modern magic to the masses, and in the process changing the…
Chita Rivera (1933-2024)
Right up against the 24th anniversary of Doug’s passing this week, I wanted to acknowledge the recent death of theater titan, Chita Rivera. While, “Merlin” may have been a footnote in Rivera’s illustrious career. It is a production she still spoke about fondly, and, of course, her time with Doug. As the evil Queen, Rivera…
Nathan Lane: Fergus’ Dilemma (Audience Footage)
Hello Everyone, and welcome to 2024! I just wanted to apologize for the long gap since my last post. Life, the holidays, and a 1 1/2 year old make things a bit hectic sometimes. But, moving forward I’ll be more regular in my posts. First up, this clip appeared very recently on You Tube, and…
Original “Magic Show” Actress Annie McGreevey Reflects
I recently had the pleasure of asking original “Magic Show” cast member Annie McGreevey to reflect on her time with the show. Playing Donna, part of club Top Hat’s rock group “Donna & Dina, Annie was more than happy to oblige. I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. Within the first year…
“Merlin” Closing Anniversary
And I’m back… I just wanted to briefly note that today, August 7th, marks the 40th anniversary of “Merlin” closing. While, commemorating closing anniversaries isn’t as popular as openings, “Merlin” is in a class all its own, and any date is worth a mention. The trials and tribulations of the show are well documented, and the…
Ivan Reitman Directing Doug Photo
The above photo is unique in the sense that it’s not very common to find photos of Doug being directed, let alone by Ivan Reitman. Standing on the far left is designer and author extraordinaire Jim Steinmeyer. A unique and rare photo of three creative giants of their fields to be sure! Special Thanks to…
“The Magic Show’s” 49th Anniversary
I’d be remiss in not mentioning that today is the 49th anniversary of the premiere of “The Magic Show.” It goes without saying that the show itself continues to live in the hearts and minds of Doug and magic fans everywhere. It’s a special show indeed, and one that is worthy of a revival. Whether that…
“Merlin” Opening Night Photo
The above marquee photo is from the opening night of “Merlin” which “officially” occurred on February 13, 1983. I say officially because the show had 69 previews before this “official” opening night…which was postponed 3 times by the way. All of this was unheard of at the time. Not least of which was never formally…
Nathan Lane Discussing “Merlin” on Playbill.com
This newly filmed video for Playbill.com is a must for Doug fans. At the 1:33 mark, Lane reminisces about his time on the “Merlin,” and hints at the drama that ensued during its production. Other than a few jokes in other interviews, I’ve never heard Lane talk about the show so much. It’s fascinating getting…
The Co-Stars of “The Magic Show:” Part 3
“Anita Morris” Copyright: New York Public Library’s Billy Rose Theater Division Copyright: New York Public Library’s Billy Rose Theater Division Copyright: New York Public Library’s Billy Rose Theater Division “Annie McGreevey ” Copyright: New York Public Library’s Billy Rose Theater Division Copyright: New York Public Library’s Billy Rose Theater Division “David Ogden Stiers and Co.”…
The Co-Stars of “The Magic Show”
Over the last five and a half years, I have posted a lot of photos of Doug in “The Magic Show.” Probably in the hundreds, and that’s understandable. It was Doug’s show after all! However, I wanted to give the co-stars of the production a just due. A few years back, I posted some of…
1977 “Magic Show” Abbreviated TV Commercial
The above late 70s commercial is a real rarity, and features a more abbreviated version of a longer one that aired around the same time. As you can probably make out, Doug had left the production by this point, and Joe Abaldo had taken over the lead role. More than likely, the production team wanted…
Remodeled James Earl Jones (Cort) Theatre Interior
As mentioned a couple weeks back, the venerable “Cort Theatre,” home of “The Magic Show,” was undergoing a renaming and extensive refurbishment. Well, yesterday it was official when the “Cort” became the “James Earl Jones.” A video at the event was shown showing Jones looking over the renovated theater. From the looks of it, the…
New York Post “Magic Show” Review-May 29, 1974
Special Thanks to Richard Wiseman richardwiseman.wordpress.com
Sept. 12th Cort Theatre Renaming
As mentioned back in March, the Cort Theatre is about to enter a new era. As of Monday, September 12th, the theater will be renamed after venerable actor and Sith Lord himself, James Earl Jones. The theater itself has been undergoing extensive renovations during COVID, and when I saw it last November you could barely…
Updated 2021 MTA Broadway Subway Ad
Recently, I was going through photos of my trip to New York City last November, and came across this photo I had long forgotten about. At the time, the city was trying to reignite Broadway audiences long dormant during COVID and fearful of subways. To do this, the MTA looked to the past to influence…
“We Haven’t Fought a Battle in Years”-Nathan Lane in “Merlin”
The above song was featured in Doug’s great, lost musical, “Merlin.” Sung by Nathan Lane, the audio quality of the recording is lacking, but gives you a taste of the comical and fun nature that the show had. Lane, over the years, hasn’t been very kind on his time spent on the show. In fact,…
“Merlin” Times Square Billboard
“Join the Crowds who are Cheering!” So started this billboard that hung above Times Square in the early 80s. If it wasn’t evident already, “Merlin” was heavily promoted during its relatively short run on Broadway. There was a lot on the line and at stake for Doug’s second appearance on Broadway, and the producers weren’t…
Magic Magazine Magic Show 40th Anniversary Issue: Part 3
Today’s is the final part of Magic Magazine’s 40th Anniversary “Magic Show” Retrospective. Yes I know, it’s been a blast! But, they could only spare so many pages to this memorable show. This last part by Alan Howard, focuses on the various iterations of the show that performed to masses after its initial Broadway success. …
Magic Magazine Magic Show 40th Anniversary Issue: Part 2
After a brief hiccup, we are back with Magic Magazine’s “Magic Show 40th Anniversary” issue. In this edition, you’ll get to read more excerpts from John Harrison’s brilliant biography of Doug “Spellbound.” If that weren’t enough, David Charvet sits down with composer Stephen Schwartz about the genesis of the show’s music. All this,”Right Before Your…
Unseen Magic Show Publicity Photo: Part 4
Photographed by Martha Swope Cort Theater Marquee Photo by Brian Lumley
Cort Theater Renovation and Expansion
Some good news out of New York City is that Broadway’s Cort Theater is scheduled for a full renovation and expansion. Known for being one of the theater district’s smaller venues, the theater already has the hearts and minds of magic fans as being the original home of “The Magic Show” from 1974-1978. To read…
Original “Magic Show” Marquee Photo
Well, hello again everyone, and welcome to 2021! I apologize for the long delay in posts, but I had been recovering from a very painful pinched nerve in my shoulder and arm. However, I was able to recover 100% over the holidays, and am looking forward to more Henning magic and wonder over the coming…
Doug Henning on Broadway-Annie Slide Illusion
It’s two Annie actresses for the price of one in this clip from 1982’s “Doug Henning: Magic on Broadway!” Taped during the Merlin era, the special’s slide illusion features the original Annie Andrea McArdle transforming into the then current Annie Allison Smith. Did the Sun really come out tomorrow with this illusion? Well, that’s for…
Doug on the “Today Show” with Bryant Gumbel (1984)
(ED. Note: Due to legal reasons this video was apparently removed by You Tube. Sorry about that) This 1984 “Today Show” appearance comes from when Doug returned to Broadway with his “World of Magic” show. After the perceived failure of “Merlin,” Doug was able to cleanse the palettes of many critics with this, by all…
Derren Brown “Doug” Name Check!
Mentalist Derren Brown, whose current Broadway show “Secret” is smashing records, was recently interviewed by “Long Island Weekly.” In it, Derren discusses the show’s history, and a certain other magician is mentioned regarding their time on Broadway. “Recently, breaking the record as the longest-running magician on Broadway, Brown made his U.S. debut with Secret, which…
Unseen Merlin Production Publicity Photos: Part Two
Special thanks to Michelle Ainsworth These photos are from the collection of Michelle Ainsworth. Any unauthorized usage of them for profit or personal promotion is in violation of copyright laws.
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 