Give My Regards To Broadway/George M.Cohan/

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 At the end of 1980 David Cassidy had enough of waiting for good tv or film roles. They wouldn't come. No one was going to give  him anything. If he wanted to survive he had to fight. David told his agent that he would take anything. He wanted to work and would do whatever. Whatever was better than nothing.

And he finally got a proposition which was like getting the chance to start everything once again, return to the roots, to the theatre. It was an offer for a title role in one of the most iconic American musicals 'Little Johnny Jones' . Written by the father of American musical comedy, George M.Cohan ,in 1904, the musical was inspired by the adventures of Tod Sloan, a famous American jockey, who had gone to London in 1903 to ride in the English Derby. In the 40s was made a famous film version called 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' with James Cagney. It was a huge challenge for David , everybody knew the film, but it was also an enormous chance for a fresh start , he wanted to return on Broadway. Let's watch the advert first

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=630P2N0BOU8

He had been working very hard with the choreographer, having tap lessons (James Cagney  was a professional tap dancer) and sessions with a vocal coach. Before the premiere DC fractured  his toe (on April 22nd), but was determined against doctor's advice to perform as nothing had happened. The premiere was on May the 1st 1981 at Los Angeles Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.Let's watch David singing the most famous song from that musical on Merv Griffin Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWb3aMFvdpE

Critics didn't like the play, and didn't forget David's past. A former teen idol..Sure, he could sing, but..Scott Fosdick : It's just dull. David Cassidy is pleasant enough in the title role.(August 15th). DC didn't end up going to New York with the show (someone else replaced him), but he spent six months on the road from May to October..and  was working and travelling with a dear, old , the most loyal friend, Sam Hyman. Sam who couldn't watch DC's self destructing years and moved out in 1976,  also in 1981 had a difficult time, no money, no job. He became David's wardrobe assistant. And it wasn't an easy task, there were eight shows a week, and Sam said that one thing didn't change a bit since the 60s, when they'd rented a house at Laurel Canyon together..David still had problems with getting up in the morning.. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjkga1gZxT0

He really could sing everything...

From this time there is a story which has been told by a fan who went to see David in 'Little Johnny Jones'. She was with 3 other girls and after the show they went to the bar opposite the theatre, DC also came there with Sam and some other actors. Girls started talking with David and when it became really late, DC insisted that because the guards at the underground car park already had gone home, he and Sam would walk them to their car. And they did it ,and  waited until they saw them in the car, and was sure that they drove out safely. He was tired, a huge , even at the time a former star, but we know from many, many stories that he always cared for his fans..

There is no more videos from Little Johnny Jones but I like finish my posts with a song. Something from the early 70s , from' 'Rock Me Baby 'album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE_jPTv3bmE



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Dorothy_Chandler_Pavilion-1.jpg




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