This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Robert W. Schneider: Hi, I'm Robert W. Schneider, and this is BEHIND THE CURTAIN, Broadway's Living Legends.

[0:04] Robert W. Schneider: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at broadwaycurtainpodcast. Plus, you can listen to all of our episodes, old and new, on the Broadway Podcast Network, iTunes, and Spotify. My trusty co-host Kevin David Thomas is off on assignment, so it's just me today, and boy, am I lucky. Today's guest was one of the most famous faces of the regional summer stock circuit of the 1960s and 70s, working all over this great country in such shows as THE PAJAMA GAME, MY FAIR LADY, HELLO, DOLLY!, and countless others. Then, in 1976, she burst onto the Broadway stage in the hit revival of VERY GOOD EDDIE, for which she received a Tony and Drama Desk nomination, as well as a Theatre World Award. To tell us what it was like to work with such legends as Dorothy L'Amour, Ethel Merman, John Ray, Luigi, and Ray Maland, here is VERY GOOD EDDIE's Elsie Darling herself, Virginia Seidel.

So, Virginia, thank you so much for joining us today. I'm so happy that you're here. You have worked with some of the greatest entertainers that have ever walked this earth, and we're going to talk about them in a little bit in a second. People like Dorothy L'Amour and Sheila McRae, and I mean, the list goes on and on. And then, I believe you did CALL ME MADAM with Ethel Merman at some point?

[1:26] Virginia Seidel: Yes, my very first summer where I got my equity card was in 1968 at the St. Louis Muny Opera, and yes, Ms. Merman indeed played Mrs. Sally Adams.

[1:38] Robert W. Schneider: Oh my gosh. Okay, well, I'm going to ask you all about that. So, first, where did you grow up, Virginia?

[1:46] Virginia Seidel: I grew up in a south suburb of Chicago, an old suburb. Fortunately, we were right on the Illinois Central commuter line, so a lot of people could just walk to the train to get to what we call the Loop, Chicago's downtown. My mom was a small-town dancing teacher, and when, you know, I really turned out to be sort of a brat at the studio when she was teaching. So, by the time I was like, you know, I'd say nine or ten, she started, she would take me down to Chicago to study with some really great ballet teachers in Chicago. So, I was fortunate. I had very good ballet training from those Chicago teachers, and really that's how I ended up getting the Muny Opera job in the dance ensemble.

[2:50] Robert W. Schneider: Now, when you were in Chicago, did you work for George Balanchine?

[2:57] Virginia Seidel: Oh, when I was, yes, well, actually, fortunately, one of my mother's students, she was the niece of Vita Brown. Now, Vita Brown, at that time, was George Balanchine's ballet mistress. So, see, New York City Ballet, when they did the Nutcracker here in the mid-50s, only two years, they brought it to Chicago, not at the Christmas holidays, but in like March, but people still loved it. So, they, of course, did not bring their children, so they had auditions at the Opera House, and I think I did see a clipping that 2,000 children auditioned.

[3:35] Virginia Seidel: Oh, wow. And 50 were chosen, and I wonder why I was chosen. Four of us from my mom's little dancing school were in the Nutcracker, and I recall Balanchine around my mother. Of course, the adults were more aware of what was happening backstage, but that was really a thrill. That was a super thing, and that's what got my mom to then have me study, of course, when you're nine or ten, study is not quite the right word, you know, with the big schools in Chicago, yeah. And then, when I got to be a little older, see, I could just take the train.

[4:15] Robert W. Schneider: Ah, I see, I see, I see. Now, at the same time that you were doing or entering the ballet world, were you also seeing any musical theater performances that were coming through Chicago at this time?

[4:26] Virginia Seidel: Well, you know, that is kind of, I didn't get to. We didn't. I'm sure my mom would have loved it, but we did go down to see the Bolshoi Ballet Theater. I never saw one of those touring shows. I remember when Carol Channing came through with Dolly, I was maybe an eighth grade freshman, and I was gonna go with some girlfriend and boyfriends, but we never made it, no.

[4:56] Robert W. Schneider: Okay, okay. What was it about the world of ballet that appealed to you so much?

[5:03] Virginia Seidel: Well, I guess, you know, it was a lot of fun, because, you know, when I was younger, my mom and I would go downtown, and after my lesson, we'd go to Marshall Fields, the beautiful department store, and we would have a little lunch at Stouffer's. You know, these really, it would just be kind of a fun outing, and it wasn't really till I was in high school that I was going downtown three times a week.

[5:38] Robert W. Schneider: Okay, okay. Like Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Okay, so now, how did you get from performing in ballet and high school shows to doing the Muny?

[5:49] Virginia Seidel: Well, fortunately, the teacher that I was mainly with, Keith Allison, he had been in ballet theater, and, you know, ballet, especially back then, was a small world, and a man named Harding Dorn was also in ballet theater, I think, and whereas Keith became a Chicago ballet teacher, Harding was a choreographer, and he was the choreographer at Kansas City Starlight, and I auditioned for him in Chicago. See, they, some of those big summer stock, they would come to Chicago to, not just New York, they'd come to Chicago to audition people, so I auditioned for Harding for Kansas City Starlight, and he was very nice. He said, you know, please keep working and studying. He said, you're just, you're too young, you know, for the shows we're doing, the way the ensemble has to be, you won't fit in, so my teacher was like, oh, wow, Harding, you like you, that's something, you know, so, because actually, my teacher had sent other dancers to the audition.

[6:58] Virginia Seidel: Okay. He didn't send me, but I had a friend in Equity, and I knew you could call the Chicago Equity office and say, oh, are there any auditions coming up, and see, they wouldn't ask me if I was a member. They told me about Kansas City Starlight, so my ballet teacher was like, oh, well, well, you went to that audition, and Harding liked you, oh, well, oh, you know, but then it, Muny Opera had an audition, but that was in St. Louis, so here with Chicago, so my friend Donna and I, we really wanted to go, and we thought, oh, how are we going to get there? Oh, gosh, you know, St. Louis, and now, in those days, they had something called student standby on the airlines.

[7:45] Virginia Seidel: Oh. You would go, you would just go to the airport, sign in that you wanted to go from, on the flight from Chicago to St. Louis, and Donna and I both got on. It was $15, I swear, $15 student fare to St. Louis. We stayed at a Hilton Inn by the airport. We didn't, you know, we didn't know, and then we took a taxi the next morning to the huge, what is it, Buell Hall, you know, one of those big, huge, miniscule places, and it was so exciting, because, you know, Crandall Deal was there, who was the My Fair Lady choreographer. It was a few, they had a resident choreographer, but they also, for special shows, they brought Jamie Jameson, who was DeMille's Brigadoon man, so we went through the whole audition, and then we flew back to Chicago, and two weeks later, they said, well, you have a call back, so we did the whole thing over again, so we both joined Equity on May 1st, 1968.

[9:03] Virginia Seidel: Oh, my gosh. Which was really a thrill. Now, wait, how did your family feel about this?

[9:12] Virginia Seidel: I think they thought it was fine. I mean, I was, how old was, I was 19, you know, and the Muny was so reputable, and there wasn't ever any problems, I mean, that I knew of, you know.

[9:21] Virginia Seidel: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We stayed at a great old hotel, you know, for like, we had a suite, you know, a kitchen, and corner room, and it was like $25 a week or something.

[9:35] Robert W. Schneider: Oh, fantastic. I would take that now, to be honest with you. Now, I'm so curious, like, when you were at the Muny, were you part of a general dance company that was doing all the shows?

[9:41] Virginia Seidel: Yes.

[9:48] Robert W. Schneider: Okay, so what was the first season of shows while you were there, or what shows did you do there?

[9:54] Virginia Seidel: Well, My Fair Lady was first, with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., very handsome, wonderful. Eddie Albert was totally great. Margot Moser, she had been a Julie replacement on Broadway. Oh, wow. And so now that was a big deal, and that was directed by James Hammerstein, Jimmy Hammerstein, son of.

[10:21] Virginia Seidel: That show, because that was our first show, we could just rehearse like crazy, like for two weeks, lots of big scenes, and we played for two weeks. Most of the shows after that, we only rehearsed a week, played a week. I think, I'm not sure what, but the other shows were Brigadoon with Anne Blythe.

[10:42] Virginia Seidel: Oh, my gosh. Bill Hayes, who was actually from my hometown, Call Me Madam, with Russell Knipe and Miss Merman. Oh, and Donna McKechnie. Oh, fun. Donna was in that. I'm still in touch with Donna.

[10:58] Virginia Seidel: Oh, Wizard of Oz. Oh, Annie Get Your Gun with Kay Stevens is her name. Okay. Oh, Pajama Game with John Raitt, for heaven's sakes.

[11:14] Robert W. Schneider: Okay. So, I mean, this is pretty legendary. Now, had you been to New York prior to this, by any chance, for like a vacation or anything?

[11:19] Virginia Seidel: Yes. Again, I was very fortunate with my mom's side of the family. I had a great aunt and an aunt and a cousin who lived in Manhattan. So, a few Easter vacations, my mother and I would come to New York. Now, I was like eight, nine, ten. So, we didn't see any shows. I guess I was just too young to go. I did go to the circus, the Ringling Brothers and Central Park and Schraff's. Of course, that was a big show back then.

[12:04] Virginia Seidel: Well, when I was a freshman in high school, my mom said, well, we could go to New York and stay in Aunt Pauline's studio because she goes away for the summer. So, I studied at the Joffre School, which was in the West Village then for three weeks. So, it was my mom and me. When we came that first summer when I was at the Joffre, my mom would go to Wednesday matinees because I was gone at the studio all day.

[12:33] Virginia Seidel: And when I got back, she said, oh, Jenny, she said, I saw the most wonderful show. I want you to see it. So, we'll go on Saturday matinee. She loves me. That's the first Broadway show I saw.

[12:46] Robert W. Schneider: Oh, my gosh. Boy, you're lucky. And then when I graduated from high school, I came by myself. And that's when I stayed at Pauline's and studied at the Harkness School for a month.

[13:02] Virginia Seidel: What is the Harkness School? Well, Rebecca Harkness was this very wealthy

[13:09] Virginia Seidel: I started my career in the Golden Age of Broadway, and I had the incredible opportunity to work with some of the most iconic figures in the industry. I remember sharing the stage with Dorothy Lamour, who was just a delight. Ethel Merman was another powerhouse; her voice could fill a theater without any microphones.

[13:39] Virginia Seidel: I also had the chance to work with Ray Milland, who was such a gentleman. Leland Palmer was a joy to perform with, and Douglas Fairbanks brought such charisma to the stage. John Raitt had an amazing voice, and Sylvia Sims was just as lovely offstage as she was on.

[13:59] Virginia Seidel: Each of these experiences shaped my career and my love for musical theatre. I learned so much from them, not just about performance but about the dedication it takes to succeed in this industry.

[14:19] Virginia Seidel: I remember one particular show where I had to learn a challenging dance number. I was nervous, but Ethel Merman encouraged me, saying, "Just give it your all, and the audience will love you." That advice has stuck with me throughout my career.

[14:39] Virginia Seidel: The camaraderie among the cast members was always special. We would spend hours rehearsing, laughing, and sometimes even crying together. Those bonds created a family atmosphere that made the hard work worthwhile.

[14:59] Virginia Seidel: I also had the privilege of performing in some incredible venues. The energy of the audience is something you can't replicate anywhere else. It's a rush that keeps you coming back for more.

[15:19] Virginia Seidel: Over the years, I've seen the industry change, but the passion for storytelling through music and dance remains the same. It's what draws people to the theatre, and it's what keeps me motivated.

[15:39] Virginia Seidel: I often reflect on my journey and the people I've met along the way. Each interaction has left a mark on me, and I cherish those memories deeply.

[15:59] Virginia Seidel: There were times when I faced challenges, whether it was a tough rehearsal or a difficult performance. But I always found strength in my fellow performers and the support of the audience.

[16:19] Virginia Seidel: I think one of the most important lessons I've learned is to embrace every moment. Whether it's a standing ovation or a quiet night, each performance is a gift.

[16:39] Virginia Seidel: I also believe in the importance of mentorship. I've had the chance to guide younger performers, sharing my experiences and encouraging them to find their own voices.

[16:59] Virginia Seidel: The joy of seeing someone grow and succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of being in this industry. It's a cycle of giving back that I truly value.

[17:19] Virginia Seidel: As I look back on my career, I feel grateful for the opportunities I've had and the people I've worked with. Each chapter has contributed to who I am today.

[17:39] Virginia Seidel: I hope to continue sharing my love for musical theatre with others, whether it's through performances or teaching. The magic of the stage is something that should be passed on.

[17:59] Virginia Seidel: I encourage everyone to support live theatre. There's nothing like the experience of being in a room filled with people, all sharing in the same story.

[18:19] Virginia Seidel: It's a unique connection that can only be felt in that moment, and it's what makes our art form so special.

[18:39] Virginia Seidel: I look forward to seeing what the future holds for musical theatre and the new generations of artists who will carry the torch.

[18:59] Virginia Seidel: Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you. It's been a pleasure to reflect on these memories and celebrate the incredible world of Broadway.

[19:29] Virginia Seidel: I hope that my story inspires others to pursue their dreams in the arts. It's a challenging path, but the rewards are immeasurable.

[19:57] Virginia Seidel: Remember, every performance is an opportunity to connect, to inspire, and to make a difference in someone's life.

[20:27] Virginia Seidel: So, whether you're on stage or in the audience, embrace the magic of theatre. It's a beautiful journey worth taking.

[20:57] Virginia Seidel: Thank you once again for this wonderful conversation. I cherish the chance to share my experiences and celebrate the legacy of musical theatre.

[21:27] Virginia Seidel: I look forward to seeing you all at the theatre, where the stories continue to unfold and the magic never ends.

[21:57] Virginia Seidel: Let's keep the spirit of Broadway alive, and may we always find joy in the stories we tell.

[22:27] Virginia Seidel: Thank you!

[22:57] Virginia Seidel: It's been a delight to reminisce about my career and the incredible people I've had the pleasure to work with.

[23:26] Virginia Seidel: I hope to inspire others to find their passion and pursue it wholeheartedly.

[23:56] Virginia Seidel: The world of musical theatre is vast and full of opportunities, and I encourage everyone to explore it.

[24:26] Virginia Seidel: Thank you for listening, and I hope to see you at the next show!

[24:55] Virginia Seidel: Until then, keep dreaming and believing in the magic of the stage.

[25:25] Virginia Seidel: Goodbye for now!

[25:54] Virginia Seidel: Thank you!

[26:18] Virginia Seidel: I started my career in the Golden Age of Broadway, and I had the privilege of working with some of the most incredible talents of that time. I remember sharing the stage with legends like Dorothy Lamour and Ethel Merman. Each experience was unique and shaped my understanding of musical theatre.

[26:48] Virginia Seidel: One of my fondest memories was performing alongside Ray Milland. He brought such charisma to the stage, and it was a joy to watch him work. I learned so much from observing how he interacted with the audience and his fellow performers.

[27:03] Virginia Seidel: I also had the opportunity to work with Leland Palmer, who was not only a fantastic actress but also a wonderful friend. We shared many laughs backstage, and her energy was infectious. It made every performance feel special.

[27:23] Virginia Seidel: Douglas Fairbanks was another remarkable figure I had the chance to collaborate with. His dedication to his craft was inspiring, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel valued. It was a true honor to be part of his productions.

[27:43] Virginia Seidel: John Raitt was another standout in my career. His voice was simply incredible, and performing alongside him was a masterclass in musicality. I often found myself in awe of his talent and stage presence.

[28:03] Virginia Seidel: Sylvia Sims was also a joy to work with. She brought such grace and elegance to her roles, and I admired her ability to connect with the audience. Each performance felt like a shared experience between us and the viewers.

[28:23] Virginia Seidel: Reflecting on those days, I realize how fortunate I was to be part of such a vibrant community. The camaraderie among the cast and crew was palpable, and it made every show a memorable event.

[28:43] Virginia Seidel: I remember the excitement of opening nights, the anticipation in the air, and the thrill of performing for a live audience. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of sharing a story through song and dance.

[29:03] Virginia Seidel: As I look back, I cherish the friendships I formed along the way. Many of those relationships have lasted a lifetime, and I’m grateful for the support and love we shared both on and off stage.

[29:23] Virginia Seidel: The stories we created together are etched in my memory. Each production had its own unique challenges and triumphs, but the bond we formed as a cast made it all worthwhile.

[29:43] Virginia Seidel: I often think about the lessons I learned from my mentors. They taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, and the power of storytelling through performance. Those lessons continue to guide me today.

[30:03] Virginia Seidel: I also had the chance to work with some incredible directors who pushed me to explore new depths in my performances. Their guidance was invaluable, and I am forever grateful for their belief in my abilities.

[30:23] Virginia Seidel: The world of musical theatre has changed so much over the years, but the essence of what we do remains the same. It’s about connecting with the audience and sharing our passion for the arts.

[30:43] Virginia Seidel: I’ve seen many talented individuals come and go, but the love for the craft is what keeps us all connected. It’s a beautiful community that celebrates creativity and expression.

[31:03] Virginia Seidel: I’m proud to have been a part of this journey, and I hope to inspire the next generation of performers to follow their dreams and embrace the magic of theatre.

[31:23] Virginia Seidel: Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Each moment, each performance, has contributed to who I am today, and I am grateful for every experience.

[31:43] Virginia Seidel: The stories I have to share are a testament to the resilience and passion of those who came before me. I hope to carry that legacy forward and continue to celebrate the art of musical theatre.

[32:03] Virginia Seidel: I believe that every performer has a unique voice and story to tell. It’s important to embrace that individuality and let it shine on stage.

[32:33] Virginia Seidel: As I reflect on my career, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met along the way. Each interaction has enriched my life in ways I never imagined.

[32:58] Virginia Seidel: I encourage everyone to pursue their passions wholeheartedly. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable. Theatre has a way of bringing people together and creating lasting memories.

[33:28] Virginia Seidel: I look forward to seeing how the industry continues to evolve and grow. There’s always room for new voices and fresh perspectives, and that’s what makes it so exciting.

[33:58] Virginia Seidel: Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you. It’s been a pleasure to reminisce about the incredible moments I’ve experienced in the world of Broadway.

[34:28] Virginia Seidel: I hope my story inspires others to chase their dreams and never lose sight of the magic that theatre brings to our lives.

[34:54] Virginia Seidel: Remember, every performance is an opportunity to connect, to inspire, and to share a piece of ourselves with the world. Embrace it fully.

[35:24] Virginia Seidel: I’m excited to see what the future holds for musical theatre. There’s so much talent out there waiting to be discovered, and I can’t wait to witness the next wave of creativity.

[35:54] Virginia Seidel: Thank you for having me on the show. It’s been a joy to share my experiences and celebrate the art form that I love so dearly.

[36:24] Virginia Seidel: I hope to continue contributing to the theatre community in any way I can. Whether it’s through mentoring young performers or sharing my stories, I’m committed to keeping the spirit of Broadway alive.

[36:54] Virginia Seidel: Let’s keep the conversation going about the importance of the arts in our lives. It’s essential to support and uplift one another in this beautiful journey.

[37:24] Virginia Seidel: I’m grateful for the platform to share my experiences and connect with fellow theatre lovers. Together, we can celebrate the rich history and bright future of musical theatre.

[37:54] Virginia Seidel: Thank you once again for this opportunity. I look forward to what’s next and the stories yet to be told.

[38:24] Virginia Seidel: Let’s continue to inspire each other and keep the magic of Broadway alive for generations to come.

[38:54] Virginia Seidel: I appreciate everyone who has supported me throughout my career. Your encouragement means the world to me, and I hope to give back in any way I can.

[39:24] Virginia Seidel: Here’s to the future of musical theatre and the incredible stories that are yet to unfold. Thank you!

[39:27] Virginia Seidel: I started my career in the Golden Age of Broadway, and I had the privilege of working with some of the most incredible talents of that time.

[39:57] Virginia Seidel: One of my fondest memories is sharing the stage with Dorothy Lamour. She was such a star, and her presence was truly magnetic.

[40:12] Virginia Seidel: Ethel Merman was another powerhouse. I remember being in awe of her voice and her ability to command the stage.

[40:32] Virginia Seidel: I also had the opportunity to work with Ray Milland, who was not only a talented actor but also a wonderful person to be around.

[40:52] Virginia Seidel: Leland Palmer was another remarkable talent. We had a great chemistry on stage, which made our performances even more enjoyable.

[41:12] Virginia Seidel: Douglas Fairbanks was a legend in his own right. Working with him was like stepping into a piece of history.

[41:32] Virginia Seidel: John Raitt was a dream to work with. His voice was just incredible, and he brought so much energy to every performance.

[41:52] Virginia Seidel: Sylvia Sims was another fantastic actress. I learned so much from watching her work.

[42:12] Virginia Seidel: Each of these artists left a lasting impression on me, and I feel fortunate to have shared the stage with them.

[42:32] Virginia Seidel: The camaraderie among us was palpable, and we all supported each other in our craft.

[42:52] Virginia Seidel: I remember the laughter and the stories we shared backstage, which made the experience even more special.

[43:12] Virginia Seidel: The thrill of live performance is something that can’t be replicated. Each show was a unique experience.

[43:32] Virginia Seidel: I cherish those moments, and they continue to inspire me even today.

[43:52] Virginia Seidel: Looking back, I realize how much those experiences shaped my career and my love for the theatre.

[44:12] Virginia Seidel: I always believed that every performance was an opportunity to connect with the audience.

[44:32] Virginia Seidel: The energy in the room was electric, and it was a joy to be part of that magic.

[44:52] Virginia Seidel: I often think about how fortunate I was to be part of such a vibrant community of artists.

[45:12] Virginia Seidel: The stories we created together are timeless, and I hope they continue to resonate with audiences.

[45:32] Virginia Seidel: Theatre has a way of bringing people together, and I am grateful to have been a part of that.

[46:02] Virginia Seidel: I still feel the excitement of opening night, the anticipation of sharing our work with the world.

[46:32] Virginia Seidel: It’s a feeling that never fades, no matter how many years go by.

[46:52] Virginia Seidel: I hope to inspire the next generation of performers to embrace that same passion for the stage.

[47:12] Virginia Seidel: The legacy of those who came before us is something we should all honor and celebrate.

[47:42] Virginia Seidel: I believe that storytelling through music and performance is one of the most powerful forms of expression.

[48:09] Virginia Seidel: It’s been a wonderful journey, and I look forward to what the future holds.

[48:39] Virginia Seidel: Thank you for allowing me to share my experiences and memories with you.

[49:06] Virginia Seidel: I hope that my story encourages others to pursue their dreams in the world of theatre.

[49:36] Virginia Seidel: The stage is a magical place, and I am grateful for every moment I’ve spent there.

[50:06] Virginia Seidel: I look forward to continuing to be a part of this incredible community.

[50:36] Virginia Seidel: Thank you for having me on the show today.

[51:03] Virginia Seidel: It’s been a pleasure to reflect on my career and the amazing people I’ve had the chance to work with.

[51:33] Virginia Seidel: I hope to inspire others to keep the spirit of Broadway alive.

[51:58] Virginia Seidel: Thank you for listening, and I wish everyone all the best in their theatrical endeavors.

[52:28] Virginia Seidel: Remember, the magic of theatre is always just a performance away.