MALTBY & SHIRE

A fascinating program

by Gregg Culling

Maltby and Shire opened by singing the first commercial song that they had published "I'd Rather Be Rich," from the 1964 movie of the same name (it starred Sandra Dee, Maurice Chevalier, Andy Williams, Robert Goulet and Hermione Gingold, among others).  Apparently it was not a very successful film, but the song is kind of fun (I have a 45 rpm of Goulet singing it).  Shire sat at the piano and Maltby stood at the mic and did most of the singing.

Maltby next introduced the song they both wrote for their fathers (Maltby's father was a famous orchestral arranger and Shire's was a piano teacher).  This tribure to their fathers was the beautiful song IF I SING that was included in their show CLOSER THAN EVER.  How memorable to have them sing it together here (Richard Muenz had sung it in the show).

Nest up, one of the stars of CTE, Lynn Wintersteller, sang I'M NOT COMPLAINING, one of the great songs from that score.  She sounded absolutely wonderful, even better than during the run or on the recording (it ran at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 1989).  Truly one of the better story songs, and she totally owns it.  She also sang a couple of songs from their upcoming show TAKE FLIGHT which is about the invention of the airplane and is to have its premier in Charlotte (appropriately, since it is the "birthplace" of flying & it will celebrate the 100th anniversary of flight).  The show is devoted to Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, and the Wright Brothers.  Obviously, Lynn's song was one of Earhart's songs, and was entitled THROW IT TO THE WIND. Flying is meant to be a metaphor for taking risks in our lives, and the show is non-linear, i.e. plotless (for now, says Maltby).  Quite a beautiful and soaring piece.  She next sang THE SKY AND YOU which shows the conflict Amelia felt after George Putnam, who helped sponsor her flight, proposed marriage to her.

Maltby then had fun with MISS BYRD, the song Sally Mayes did so memorably in CTE.  He's not a professional singer, obviously, but what a treat to hear him do it.

Their big "production number" was ONE STEP which was a lot of fun, with all three donning top hats, and Maltby attempting a dance or two.  He then sang STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW probably one of their more familiar songs.  Of course, my memory of it is through Streisand.  Shire had been in the pit of FUNNY GIRL so that is how the song got to her.  But here is something interesting: the song was actually written for Robert Goulet, in a bossa nova rhythm, personally, I don't get it (!) but Shire said he was amazed (and we assume pleased) at Don Costa's "Wagnerian" arrangement for Babs!  Also, another of Bab's songs (WHAT ABOUT TODAY?) had originally been written for Peter, Paul & Mary (Shire happened to be dating Mary at the time), Shire & Maltby met at Yale in 1959.  Maltby had been writing shows at Exeter and was considered a "theatre snob" while Shire, as he admits, was a brown shoe from Buffalo.

Although they seem identified with each other, it seems most of their "commercial successes" have come from writing with others: Shire with Norman Gimble, Ed Kleban and the Bergmans, among others, and Maltby with Murray Horowitz, Charles Strouse and the "French guys" from MISS SAIGON.  Shire mentioned that the origins of their show BABY came from a suggestion of his then-wife Talia's brother (Francis Ford Coppola) who suggested a small musical on a subject that was an emotional highpoint for him, and he said that was the birth of his son.  He said the show really was about the development of relationships and what babies do to alter their lives.  Peter Howard, who was the MD of BABY, was also present, but did not speak.  There is talk of a revival of BABY, he said, and he felt the show had been a little ahead of its time.

Lastly, Maltby tackled THE STORY GOES ON from that show which Lizzie sings when she is 5 months pregnant and feels the baby kick for the first time, but has no one to tell it to.

Quite a neat way to spend a Saturday afternoon in New York City.