General Foods 25th Anniversary Show: A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein

Of a role she played over a thousand times, the only thing that survives are these Nellie Forbush scenes from "South Pacific." Martin's Nellie was the one-and-only, a memorable experience for all who saw her.

She went on to yet another triumph as Maria von Trapp in "The Sound of Music." Even though she was perhaps a trifle mature for the part, no one cared; she was completely beguiling, and audiences loved her.

In Entertainment Tonight's bio on Martin, it was stated that many audience members felt a loss when the curtain fell. It was a though they couldn't bear to leave her, as she had bonded with them.

In this program, Martin is joined by Opera Basso Ezio Pinza, and what unexpected chemistry occurred between them. This is a delight page from Musical Theatre's Scrapbook.

On stage she was indomitable. On screen was another story. When the camera moved in for a closeup, something was revealed that went otherwise unnoticed: a rather bulbous nose tip. The more one focuses on this feature, the more prominent it seems to become. This is a case which really justified cosmetic surgery, for the sake of her film career. Yet Martin, for some reason, chose to undergo this procedure. The results was a curtailed film catalog.

For thousands who saw her on the stage, however, this is a moot point. The pleasure she gave her audience over many years remains with them forever.

This show also features other notable Broadway performers in scenes from great R&H musicals. Fully enjoyable.