Broadway's Lost Treasures

Devotees of Broadway's golden age will embrace this collection of musical numbers performed on Tony Awards telecasts between 1967 and 1986, mostly by the original stars (though often in recreations long after the shows had closed). Certainly the ability to see Zero Mostel (“If I Were a Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof), Robert Preston (“Trouble” from The Music Man), Carol Channing (“Before the Parade Passes By” from Hello, Dolly!), Yul Brynner (“Shall We Dance” from The King and I), Angela Lansbury (“The Worst Pies in London” from Sweeney Todd), and Joel Grey (“Willkommen” from Cabaret)--to mention only six of the 22 included here (five more than were shown on the PBS broadcast)--is worth the price of admission. On the other hand, the production quality is variable (some lip-synching certainly is involved), and a few of the pieces seem oddly chosen (Julie Andrews singing “Send in the Clowns,” a medley of Jimmy McHugh songs done by Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller, and an elaborate production number featuring Bonnie Franklin from Applause). Still, one can rejoice that these rarities from Broadway's past have been rescued from obscurity, and they should provide considerable pleasure to aficionados (even with the aforementioned limitations). DVD extras include historical notes on the productions, and a collection of "Playbill" cover art. Recommended. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)