March 14, 2007: It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Patricia Marand and Bob Holiday Together Again!

On March 12, almost 41 years to the day that It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman premiered on Broadway, the original Lois and Clark of the show The New York Times once called "The best musical of the season" reunited to attend a modest revival production by the Opening Doors Theatre Company (ODTC) at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre, in Greenwich Village. After being greeted by fans and well-wishers, Patricia Marand and Bob Holiday and the rest of the audience turned their attention to the stage as a dozen fresh young faces with the kind of singing and acting skills you'd expect to see on Broadway (just a quick uptown taxi-cab ride away) brought this tremendously fun-filled musical comedy to life under the direction of Casey Burden and choreographer Rick Delancy.

Performed in a space barely large enough to hold 100 people (actors included), what the production lacked in size was made up for by the talent and enthusiasm of its well-directed cast. This was, after all, Off-Off Broadway, where spartan production values are the norm. What mattered were energetic performances that provided just the right touch to this lighthearted musical comedy. Superman (played by the mesmerizingly confident Rob Ventre) didn't fly onstage. His costume was a Superman T-shirt and a pair of Clark Kent's dress slacks. Metropolis consisted of a small, black, canvas-backed stage. Musical accompaniment was a single piano adroitly played by Musical Director Steven Bednasz. But who misses elaborate sets and staging when you're having a rollicking, fast, funny, and totally engaging good time? The audience was too busy being entranced by the comic brilliance and singing voice of Sarah Lilley (Lois Lane), the lovably evil crooning of Andrew Cao (Daily Planet gossip columnist Max Mencken), the vampy delights of Suzanne Adams (Mencken's secretary Sydney), and the utterly hilarious Jason B. Schmidt (as the evil and hirsute villain Dr. Abner Sedgwick).

Click "Read More" below to read the complete report by Brian McKernan.

With songs by Broadway supermen Charles Strouse and Lee Adams (Bye Bye Birdie, Applause) and a book by the late David Newman and Robert Benton (Bonnie and Clyde), it's still hard to believe that the original 1966 It's a Bird... didn't have as long a run onstage as Strouse's other comic-strip-inspired musical, Annie (with lyrics by Martin Charnin). Having been a 12-year-old TV addict when It's a Bird... premiered 41 years ago I can attest to what Newman (screenwriter on three of the four Christopher Reeve Superman movies) once said about this musical lasting only 129 performances: "It was a victim of 'cape lash.' " Batman had premiered on ABC in January, and the nation was bat-crazy. People had their fill of caped crusaders on TV two nights a week, and Broadway audiences assumed It's a Bird... was more of the same, which it wasn't.

I digress. It's too bad this ODTC's revival was only three nights long. They should move the show to a larger venue and run it for at least a week. It's solid fun, through and through. It's a Bird... was one of the ODTC's "Closing Notice" concerts, which the program booklet describes as "Loving tributes to 'flop' shows or musicals that had criminally short runs yet fun scores of merit." It's a Bird... is often revived by local theater companies (most recently by the Musical Theater Guild at the Alex Theater, in Glendale CA). If such a revival comes to your town, by all means see it. Let's hope it's as good a production as the ODTC's was.

On a personal note, this reporter was honored to sit at Patricia Marand and Bob Holiday's table during the performance and enjoy their company and that of Mr. Holiday's lovely daughter Kelly and Ms. Marand's gracious husband Irv Salem. It was a great feeling to occasionally steal sidelong glances at Ms. Marand and Mr. Holiday during the show and see the smiles that this performance of It's a Bird... brought to their faces. Their presence at the revival was a delight to the actors and the audience alike. At one point during the show Bob leaned over to me and whispered "You should have seen it on Broadway," and I realized what an incredible show it must have been on a full-size stage with million-dollar production values. I regret not asking my parents to take me, especially since we lived in the Bronx, just a 45-minute subway ride away from the Alvin (now the Neil Simon) Theatre.

The original production of It's a Bird... garnered multiple Tony nominations and rave reviews for the tremendous talents involved. You can find out more about the show in Bob Holiday's book Superman on Broadway and the DVD documentary Holiday in Metropolis, detailing his 2003 appearance at the annual Superman Celebration.

Patricia Marand and Bob Holiday made Superman history in 1966 with their acclaimed performances in It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman, and they made a lasting impression on an audience yet again on March 12, 2007 with their visit to the show's revival. They continue to embody the beauty and gallantry, respectively, that the world has long associated with Lois and Clark/Superman. Thanks to them, the world renown of these great characters continues to inspire and provide a lasting sense of wonder.

Brian McKernan

2007 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News

• January 2, 2007: New “Superman Returns - Man of Steel” Action Figures
• January 12, 2007: Up-Coming Dates to Remember
• January 16, 2007: Children's Treasury of Superman Musical Stories
• January 17, 2007: Theater for the New City Presents “Kryptonite Hearts”
• January 18, 2007: Fossil Releases Superman Rotor Watch
• January 22, 2007: Superman Musical Card Part of New Hallmark Range
• January 22, 2007: DC Skypecast - Featuring Steve and Neal
• January 25, 2007: Superman Rollercoaster Voted Best in the World
• January 27, 2007: New Mattel DC Super Heroes Action Figures
• January 28, 2007: Appearances, Movies and Theatre Notices
• February 1, 2007: Superman Returns to Radio
• February 1, 2007: Superman Returns Videogame Demo in Xbox Magazine
• February 11, 2007: DC News from Toyfair 2007
• February 13, 2007: Alex Ross Art Exhibition in Melbourne
• February 13, 2007: Seven Wonders of Illinois - Nominate the Superman Statue
• February 15, 2007: HeroClix Announces “Legion of Super-Heroes” Game
• February 21, 2007: A Closer Look at Mattel's “Battleague”
• February 21, 2007: Superman Easter Products
• March 2, 2007: Superman and Lois Lane to Reunite After 41 Years
• March 7, 2007: Superman Homepage Does the Wizard World Tour!
• March 7, 2007: Mego 8 inch Super-Heroes: World's Greatest Toys!
• March 14, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World LA!
• March 14, 2007: It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Patricia Marand and Bob Holiday Together Again!
• March 16, 2007: Superman Superstore Massive Blow-Out Sale!
• March 16, 2007: Superman and Brainiac at Collectormania
• March 17, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY ONE (Neal)
• March 17, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY ONE (Jeffrey)
• March 18, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY TWO (Neal)
• March 18, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY TWO (Jeffrey)
• March 19, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: DAY THREE (Jeffrey)
• March 20, 2007: Fossil Superman Rotor Watch Review
• March 23, 2007: Superman Homepage Wizard World LA Report: Closing Report (Neal)
• March 27, 2007: Superman Showbag at Sydney Royal Easter Show
• March 28, 2007: Exclusive First Look! “Last Days of Krypton” Book Cover
• March 28, 2007: Ferrero Justice League Promotion in Mexico
• March 29, 2007: Grand Opening of American Super Heroes Museum
• April 2, 2007: DC Comics Easter Eggs in Brazil
• April 3, 2007: Superman Homepage at the Emerald City Comic Con 2007
• April 12, 2007: “DC HeroClix: Justice League” Coming in August
• April 13, 2007: Photos from the American Super Heroes Museum
• April 23, 2007: Justice League Unlimited at Hardee's and Carl's Jr.
• April 24, 2007: Scientists Unearth Superman's 'Kryptonite'
• April 24, 2007: Superman Fan Animation in 2007 Let's Film Festival
• April 25, 2007: Guests Announced for Superman Celebration in Metropolis Illinois
• April 26, 2007: Scientists Discover Planet Orbiting Red Sun
• April 30, 2007: DC Comics Superheroes at McDonalds Argentina
• May 1, 2007: Superman Musical at UCLA's Freud Playhouse
• May 8, 2007: DC Superheroes Arrive at McDonalds Brazil
• May 9, 2007: Serbians Turn Out to See Kryptonite-like Mineral
• May 9, 2007: Metropolis Comic/Collectors Show - June 9-10
• May 11, 2007: Superman Musical on Stage in Illinois
• May 13, 2007: The Gospel According to Comic Books
• May 14, 2007: Technology Matching Comic Book Super Powers
• May 16, 2007: York Theatre Company Presents Superman Musical
• May 24, 2007: Free DC Comics Who's Who Mystery Box for Superman Homepage Readers!!!
• May 24, 2007: Exclusive Danny Fingeroth Interview
• May 26, 2007: Batter Up, Up and Away at the Metropolis Superman Celebration!
• JuneÊ7,Ê2007: Crocs Licensed to Produce Characters Superman & Batman
• June 10, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World Philly!
• June 13, 2007: Review - Superman Musical at Drury Lane Theatre
• June 13, 2007: Metropolis Illinois 2007 Superman Celebration Report
• June 15, 2007: Report - 29th Annual Superman Celebration - 2007 Metropolis Illinois
• June 16, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - DAY ONE
• June 19, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - DAY TWO & THREE
• June 19, 2007: Review - Superman Musical by York Theatre Company
• June 20, 2007: Wizard World Philadelphia - PHOTOS
• June 22, 2007: Girl Badly Injured on Superman Ride
• June 25, 2007: Superman Homepage in Prism Comics 2007 Edition
• June 28, 2007: Superman Ride Accident Victim Stable
• June 29, 2007: DC Comics Inks Deal with Mattel
• July 1, 2007: Superman Homepage Logo Change
• July 1, 2007: Superman Homepage 2007 Survey Results
• July 1, 2007: “Legion of Doom” Show at Six Flags
• July 25, 2007: “New Adventures of Superman” DVD Contest Winners
• August 5, 2007: Legion of Super Heroes at McDonalds
• August 7, 2007: Audio Interview with Kevin J. Anderson
• August 7, 2007: Superman Video Trailers and Themes Available on Xbox 360
• August 8, 2007: It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a baby, 4Real!
• August 9, 2007: Historical Superman Documents For Sale
• August 10, 2007: Superman Homepage at Wizard World Chicago 2007, Day 1 - Friday
• August 15, 2007: Mattel Recalls Millions of Toys
• August 16, 2007: Superboy Court Ruling and Legal Analysis
• August 29, 2007: Robert Sanchez and Steve Younis on Krypton Fan Podcast
• September 6, 2007: HeroClix “Justice League” Now Available
• September 6, 2007: Superman Rollercoast Wins Best Steel Coaster Award
• September 8, 2007: Warner Bros. to Unveil T-Works Online Experience
• September 14, 2007: Superman Potato Chips in Italy
• September 18, 2007: Animated Short - “Superman vs The Lava Monster”
• September 21, 2007: Superman-like Figure Spotted Flying Over Romania
• September 23, 2007: Superman/Superboy Court Hearings Set for Early 2008
• September 24, 2007: “Superman on Film, Television, Radio & Broadway” Book Launch
• September 25, 2007: WB and Salvage Debut Superhero Apparel
• October 9, 2007: “Superman vs. Hollywood” - New Book Exposes Truth
• October 10, 2007: Superman on Stage in Williamsburg, Virginia
• October 11, 2007: AirHeads Out of Control with Superman
• October 12, 2007: Hallmark Release Two Superman Christmas Tree Ornaments
• October 19, 2007: Superman Homepage Launches “Speeding Bulletin” News Videos
• October 20, 2007: Get Your Fathead Superman Today!
• October 22, 2007: Bruce Scivally Talks Superman on KGO Radio
• October 25, 2007: Superman Jewish Museum Exhibition
• October 30, 2007: Two New “Superman Returns” Figures From Hot Toys
• November 30, 2007: Superman Ride at Kentucky Kingdom to be Torn Down
• December 3, 2007: 2007 SHIELD Awards Results
• December 12, 2007: Heroes Alliance - Help Kids for the Holidays!
• December 13, 2007: Fossil Releases Two New Superman Watches
• December 20, 2007: Will Cleveland Finally Recognize Superman?
• December 21, 2007: WizKids Superman & Batman Duo Figure

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