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By Ligia Fernandez
To access past Entertainers columns, click on the Entertainers archive
link to the left.
Certainty one of Broadway's most recognizable leading ladies,
Marin Mazzie first came to prominence in the 1990s for her Tony-nominated
roles as Clara in Stephen Sondheim's PASSION and as the early 20th-century
housewife, known only as "Mother", who adopts an orphaned African-American
infant in RAGTIME.
She also starred opposite Brian
Stokes Mitchell in the successful Broadway revivals of KISS ME KATE and MAN
ON LA MANCHA. She was seen on Broadway as the Lady In the Lake in SPAMALOT.
In May 2008, she appeared as Guenevere with Gabriel Byrne
as King Arthur in the NY Philharmonic concert version of CAMELOT which was
filmed and broadcast on PBS' "Live From Lincoln Center."
Other TV appearances include the PBS specials MY FAVORITE
BROADWAY: THE LEADING LADIES, MY FAVORITE BROADWAY: THE LOVE SONGS, the
filmed version of PASSION and guest appearances on the series STILL STANDING
and WITHOUT A TRACE.
She and her husband, fellow musical theatre star Jason
Danieley (THE FULL MONTY, CURTAINS), frequently perform together in concert
at venues across the U.S.
Bert Williams has been called the first African-American
superstar, primarily for his headlining performances with the Ziegfeld
Follies.
He began his career in vaudeville as part
of the duo of Walker and Williams. As with many African-American
performers at the time, the duo were required to perform in blackfaced,
stereotypical, often demeaning, roles before white audiences in order to
survive.
He made his Broadway musical debut in 1899 in THE POLICY
PLAYERS, followed by SONS OF HAM, SALLY IN THE ALLEY, IN DAHOMEY, ABYSSINIA,
BANDANNA LAND and MR. LODE OF KOAL.
ABYSSINIA, with a score co-written by Williams, produced
his signature song -- the plaintive ballad "Nobody" ("When
life seems full of clouds and rain...And I am filled with naught but
pain...Who soothes my thumping, bumping brain?...Nobody."). Williams
would continue to write songs for the rest of his career, but none quite as
successful as "Nobody."
He then signed with the Ziegfeld Follies, performing in
nine editions of the popular extravaganza from 1910-19. He was often
the only African-American performer in the show.
Songs authored by Williams were later featured in the
Broadway musicals BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR (1976) and TINTYPES (1980).
