Tag: Chita Rivera
Doug and Chita Rivera-Merlin Stage Door Photo
As everyone knows right now, things have been a little crazy around the world. In times such as these, it’s important to tend to our own loved ones and personal health. However, when possible I feel it’s important to post when I can. Hopefully, Doug’s perpetual positivity can shine a little love and light onto…
Merv Griffin Show- Chita Rivera Performing “Merlin”
Finding existing performance clips of “Merlin” is a lot like finding Sasquatch or seeing a UFO. They tend to be very fleeting, and you have to look hard. Well, as luck would have it I recently came across this excerpt from the “Merv Griffin Show” where Chita Rivera performs “I Can Make it Happen.” As…
Doug Henning’s World of Instagram: Unseen Chita Rivera Photo
The above photo comes from the National Portrait Gallery’s Instagram account (@smitsoniannpg). It goes without saying that this photo features Chita Rivera in her role as the evil Queen in “Merlin.” Taken in a dressing room, this picture really showcases the beautiful and detailed costuming that was prevalent in the production as a whole. Even in…
Doug’s Henning’s World of Instagram: Merlin Marquee
The world wide web isn’t the only place to uncover rare Doug treasures. Instagram also has some nuggets waiting quietly to be discovered. The above picture comes from @bygonebroadway, and show’s the original “Merlin” marquee in all its glory. I personally had never seen this photo before, and was struck by how thirty-seven years its…
ebay Week: Rarely seen Doug and Chita Rivera “Merlin” Photo
Now we’ve all seen pictures of Doug and Chita Rivera in their “Merlin” costumes. However, I gravitated to this one because of its natural and over all congenial tone between the two stars. I’m guessing this was taken at the premiere of “Merlin” (correct me if I’m wrong), and it shows a bit of a…
Chita Rivera on Merlin Mishaps
As I sit looking out my window on a rainy day in LA, what better time to have a laugh than Chita Rivera recounting a very unintentional and comic moment from”Merlin?” You don’t really hear Chita Rivera talking about “Merlin” much these days. So ,it’s nice to hear this anecdote and see some rare pictures…
Doug, Chita Rivera, and Mary Martin!
Special Thanks to Ken McCreedy for this rare “meeting of the minds”picture that not many people have probably seen from the time of “Merlin!” Be sure to donate to my Indiegogo campaign for my feature length documentary “Doug Henning’s Magical World.” To view the trailer and contribute please visit: https://bit.ly/2zqM9eY
Original Merlin Playbill
Today’s entry comes courtesy of Nancy Henning, and is the original “Playbill” for “Merlin.” A few weeks back, I was fortunate enough to post the more elaborate commemorative program for the show, and it’s interesting to compare and contrast the two. However, in addition to being signed by Doug himself, this “Playbill” also is a…
Merlin Commemorative Program: Part 3
A fun fact that some people may or may not know, is that nestled in the production bios are the writers of “Merlin” Richard Levinson and William Link. Now these names might not mean much to you, but their creations certainly will. Link and Levinson were the creators of the popular mystery shows “Columbo” and…
Merlin Commemorative Program: Part 2
Yes, you guessed it, another “To Be Continued”
Merlin Commemorative Program
So, it’s not often that you’re able to present something as great as this! As it turns out, during the original production of “Merlin” a special and commemorative program was offered for sale. This was in addition to the standard Playbill that everyone received as they entered the theater. So, as the program itself is…
NY Times 1983 “Merlin” Interview: Part 2
FOR HIM, MAGIC IS MORE THAN TRICKS By GLENN COLLINS Published: February 13, 1983 Some of the ”Merlin” magic, like the horse and rider that vanish in midair, or the monster robot that mysteriously comes to life on stage, is new. Other illusions are updated variants of necromantic classics, like the elegant disappearing-duck stunt, based…
People Magazine Interview: Part One
In doing some online research I came across this fascinating article from the December 20, 1982 issue of “People” magazine. The interview is notable for two reasons. For one it was written as “Merlin” was just about to open on Broadway, and the other being that it delves into Doug’s new marriage to Debby Douillard (Henning) and the…
Merlin Mania!
What you are about to see are two very rough, but very cool commercials for the original production of “Merlin! As mentioned before, Merlin was Doug’s 1982 follow-up to “The Magic Show.” Directed by his old college mate Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Stripes, Twins), the show boasted huge production values and illusions. Starring in the title role, Doug led…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 