LISA KIRK ,AMERICAN ACTRESS AND SINGER BORN 1925 FEBRUARY 25 - NOVEMBER 11,1990

 

LISA KIRK ,AMERICAN ACTRESS AND SINGER

BORN 1925 FEBRUARY 25 - NOVEMBER 11,1990

Lisa Kirk (born Elsie Kirk, February 25, 1925 – November 11, 1990) was an American actress and singer noted for her comic talents and rich contralto (her voice was called a husky alto).^[1]

Career[edit]

Born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, she was raised in Roscoe, Pennsylvania. Her Roscoe home later became the Hotel Roscoe. She enrolled as a law student at the University of Pittsburgh but abandoned her studies when she was offered a spot in the chorus line at the Versailles nightclub in Manhattan.^[2]

She studied theatre at HB Studio^[3] in New York City and made her Broadway debut in Allegro in 1947.^[4] In 1948, she gained critical acclaim for her performance as Lois Lane/Bianca in Kiss Me, Kate.^[4][5] for which Kirk recounted learning the songs (from Cole Porter) and performing them for investors before performing them in the theatre.^[6] The reviewer for Cast Album wrote: "As Lois/Bianca, Lisa Kirk acts and sings her numbers impeccably; her performance of "Why Can't You Behave?" is unsurpassed as her sultry voice pours over great lines such as, "There I'll care for you forever / Well, at least till you dig my grave."^[7]

In Mack and Mabel (1974), she played an older actress who becomes a star tap dancer, and was noted by Clive Barnes to be "particularly fine".^[8] Additional Broadway credits include Here's Love (1963),^[9] Me Jack, You Jill (closed during previews in 1976),^[10][11] and a 1984 revival of Noël Coward's Design for Living.^[12]

Kirk's only feature film work was done behind-the-scenes, dubbing all of Rosalind Russell's singing in Gypsy (except for ""Mr. Goldstone" and the first half of "Rose's Turn").^[13][14][15] It was rumored that she had also dubbed Lucille Ball's singing voice in Mame,^[16] but Ball denied this on The Merv Griffin Show, saying, "She's not dubbing my voice because no one can." ^[17][18]

Kirk was active in the early days of television, appearing in such anthology series as Studio One, Kraft Television Theatre, The Colgate Comedy Hour, and General Electric Theater. In later years she guested on Bewitched and The Courtship of Eddie's Father, as well as variety series like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Hollywood Palace, and The Dean Martin Show.^{[19][better source needed]}

Kirk frequently appeared at the Persian Room in the Plaza Hotel.^[2] She also appeared at the Rainbow and Stars, New York, nightclub. In a review of her act at Rainbow and Stars in April 1989, The New York Times critic John S. Wilson wrote that Kirk's "long career has given her polish, presence and a solid foundation of songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter and Jerry Herman with which she is associated. She has maintained such a trim structure that she can do justice to a song called Is That Really Her Figure?" And although her voice may not be as full-bodied as it once was, she has a warm, easy projection that gives sensitivity and color to her songs."^[20]

In addition to her appearances on original cast albums and compilations of Broadway performances, she recorded a number of solo recordings, including I Feel A Song Comin' On^[21] and Lisa Kirk Sings At The Plaza (1959).^[22][23]

Kirk may be best known for her role in the original Broadway production of Cole Porter's musical, Kiss Me, Kate.^[6] Bloom and Vlastnik wrote in their compendium titled Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time that Kirk "hit the jackpot again", introducing "Why Can't You Behave" and "Always True to You (in My Fashion)".^[24] Another popular number was the upbeat "Tom, Dick or Harry", performed with Harold Lang as Lucentio, Edwin Clay as Gremio and Charles Wood as Hortensio (suitors to Kirk's "Bianca"). Lewis Nichols writes: "Having startled the town last season by singing 'The Gentleman is a Dope' as though she meant it, Miss Kirk is captivating ... this year as a fully accredited hoyden with a sense of humor."^[25]

Marriage[edit]

She was married to sketch artist and famed songwriter Robert Wells (1922–1998) from 1949 until her death in 1990.^[2] They had no children. Wells co-wrote "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" with Mel Torme.^[4][26]

Death[edit]

Despite having been a non-smoker, Lisa Kirk died of lung cancer in New York City.^[2][4]

Lisa Kirk had been a law student at the University of Pittsburgh before she quit and joined the chorus line at Versailles, a celebrated nightclub in New York. In 1947, she made her Broadway debut as Emily in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, Allegro. In the following year, Kirk played Lois Lane and Bianca in Kiss Me Kate, Cole Porter’s hit musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. 

During the 1950s, Kirk devoted herself largely to television work, providing the singing voice for Rosalind Russell in the 1962 film adaptation of Sondheim and Styne’s Gypsy. She returned to Broadway in 1963 as the replacement for the lead character, Doris Walker, in Meredith Willson’s musical, Here’s Love.

After another extended period in television, Lisa Kirk made her last musical appearance on Broadway in the short-lived Jerry Herman musical, Mack & Mabel, in 1975, opposite Robert Preston and the ingénue Bernadette Peters.

 It's unlikely there are many performers who ever took a better picture than Lisa Kirk. These photos evidence that she must have been a stunning presence. Born in 1925 in Charleroi PA (*a press kit I have reported Charleroi as the birthpace, but I have since been informed she was born in Brownsville, PA) , she attended high school in Lisa Kirka town called Roscoe, outside of Pittsburgh. Ms. Kirk had enrolled as a law student at the University of Pittsburgh when during a trip to New York and a stay at the Rehearsal Club, she abandoned Blackstone for the Versailles chorus line. It wasn't long before Lisa was starring in such Broadway musicals as "Allegro" and the 1948 production of "Kiss Me Kate."

An e-mail correspondent sent me a recording of her Plaza performance. Perhaps the very performance reviewed below. I was surprised to hear how powerfully she sang. Sort of with a Sofie Tucker-ish delivery. More of a "belter." You know... a stage performer. Although Ms. Kirk recorded albums, her style seemed best suited for live performances, which is why she was in such demand in the NYC club scene.

Tips on Tables - By Robert W. Dana - September 18, 1958

Lisa Kirk Captivates Plaza's Persian Room

In her eighth return engagement last night in the Plaza's Persian Room, Lisa Kirk captivated everybody with the dramatis scope of her personality, illuminated by song, costumes, lighting, writing, musical direction and staging. Lisa was magnificent, opening with the froth of Robert Well's special number, " I Travel Light," and concluding with a colorfully contrived musically apt journey to "Far Away Places."

Nobody has ever accused Miss Kirk of having designs on opera or the concert stage. Yet, last night, her full-spirited voice was as pretty to the ear as any notes I've ever heard in many a moon. Her acting, confined to cafes and the musical stage in some successful Broadway appearances, was as thorough as a theatergoer, certainly a cafegoer, would wish.

In trying to come up with something new these days, cafe entertainers are inclined to stretch their act to the point of burlesque. When I heard that Miss Kirk would have four singing and dancing boys with her this time, I had grave fears. These proved groundless, as Jim Brooks, Jimmy Harris, Jerry Rush and Scooter Teague demonstrated.

Harem Skit Gown.

As Lisa traveled light in a glamorous, bell-shaped harem skirt gown of white satin organdy, its bodice exquisitely beaded in pearls and rhinestones, the boys waved her hatbag with the telephone in it and brandished suitcases with champagne and a TV set.

She next was "Sitting on Top of the World," almost floating as her skirt concealed the strong arms of her bearers. Then the boys disappeared, and Lisa removed the skirt to reveal a strapless sheath glittering in jeweled embroidery. Her musical director, Peter Matz, leading Ted Straeter's orchestra, gave the nod for "Anything Goes" and Lisa was alone.

Alone, in a change of mood, with tender, romantic lisalighting, she sang "HI Lili" which was so utterly delightful it was astounding to realize she could be just as delightful in another way with her telephone number, "Too Marvelous For Words"; "Why Can't You Behave" and Bob Wells' special number, "Good Little Girls."

Staged By Charmoli.

Staged by Tony Charmoli, with original music by David Saxon, Miss Kirk's performance, fascinating as it is throughout, probably will be remembered best for its finale/ "Far Away Places," in which she visits the Riviera in a brilliant yellow satin evening wrap with matching fox, goes Spanish with serio-comic overtones in a Spanish flamenco gown and concludes with an exciting interpretation of "Limehouse Blues."

The boys join her in this finale, always embellishing the act, never cluttering it up. They say Miss Kirk loves her work so much she never takes a vacation. If this be so' let nobody gainsay her this privilege, for her performance in the Plaza's Persian Room is one that must be recorded among the greats of our time.

Ms. Kirk was married to sketch artist Robert Wells. Although she didn't smoke, she died in 1990 from lung cancer. Her funeral was in New York City.

 

Here's a email from Donald Pippin who was nice enough to let me reprint it here for all to read:"Update for Lisa Kirk. I took over as musical director in 1958 from Peter Matz (now deceased). Pete had opened Lisa's act at the Plaza Hotel. I ended the run with Liza and the 4 Saints and then toured with her to Huston, Dallas, San Francisco, New Orleans. Las Vegas, London and others. She was a true cabaret star. It was in her blood and she could do not wrong. She gave 150% to every performance. The four Saints and myself had many evening of fun after the performances. Lisa loved to plan surprise parties. Especially if it was someone's birthday. She did this to me in Las Vegas. She was clever. Her act was such a success that MGM records signed her to record it. I was the musical director for "Lisa Kirk at the Plaza" with the four saints. It was a studio recording, but Bob Wells, her husband, wanted a "live" feeling so friends were invited for reactions and applause. Nothing was canned. This album is a collector's recording today. The mono version was reissued in the UK in the early 60's. The stereo version was issued only in the USA. I have found copies on E/bay on occasion. Lisa's last recording was with me in a live performance in London of Cole Porter's, "Nymph Errant" in concert. She sang the delicious "The Physician". Tho' she was unknown in London, Julie Wilson had done her role in "Kiss Me Kate", Lisa stopped the show with her unique comic performance of "The Physician". The rest is history. They don't make 'em like Lisa Kirk any more. R.I.P. , Lisa. Love ya always, Don Pippin".

flyer

Click the image below to watch a video of Lisa Kirk singing about her Oldsmobile!

THE REVIEWS

Andrews Sisters - Latin Quarter 1957

Desi Arnaz - w/Diosa Costello 1948

Count Basie - Lincoln 1943

Tony Bennett - Copacabana 1958

Milton Berle - Latin Quarter 1948

Joey Bishop - w/Andy Williams 1959

Ray Bolger - Wizard of Oz Scarecrow, Empire Room 1956

Cab Calloway - Greenwich Inn 1949

Diahann Carroll - Persian Room 1961

Betty Clooney - Waldorf Astoria 1954

Nat King Cole - Copacabana 1958

Perry Como - Versailles 1944

Copacabana - famous night club restaurant is reviewed 1953

Crosby Brothers - Latin Quarter 1961

Xavier Cugat - Waldorf Astoria 1951

Vic Damone - Riviera 1953

Billy Daniels - Copacabana 1952

Sammy Davis Jr. - Copacabana 1959

Phyllis Diller - w/Bobby Short 1958

Nancy Donovan - Copacabana 1952

Jimmy Durante - Copacabana 1951

Billy Eckstine - Copacabana 1951

Duke Ellington - Basin St. East 1961

Eddie Fisher - Empire Room 1959

Judy Garland -Town & Country 1958

Jackie Gleason - La Vie en Rose 1953

Benny Goodman - Empire Room 1956

Dolores Gray - Waldorf Astoria 1954

Buddy Hackett - Copacabana 1956

Connie Haines - Terrace Room 1951

Dick Haymes - Versailles 1956

Horace Heidt - 30th Anniversary 1954

Florence Henderson w/Bill Hayes 1958

Hildegarde - Pierre 1953

Celeste Holm - Plaza 1958

Eddy Howard - Roosevelt 1955

Burl Ives w/Wally Cox - Persian Room

Lisa Kirk - Persion Room 1958

Frankie Laine - Latin Quarter 1955

Julius La Rosa - Romanian 1958

Peggy Lee - Copacabana 1958

Jerry Lewis - Town & Country 1957

Joe E. Lewis - Copacabana 1945

Ted Lewis - Latin Quarter 1953

Liberace - Persian Room 1947

Guy Lombardo - Roosevelt 1957

Vincent Lopez - Grill Room 1954

Tony Martin - Riviera 1953

Martin and Lewis - Copacabana 1950

Ray McKinley - Glenn Miller Band 1957

Mills Brothers - Latin Quarter 1956

Vaughn Monroe - Astor 1955

Constance Moore - St. Regis 1958

Johnnie Ray - Copacabana 1953

Rowan & Martin - Latin Quarter 1961

Della Reese - Copacabana 1961

Sugar Ray Robinson - French Casino

Dorothy Shay - St. Regis 1961

Frank Sinatra - Wedgewood 1943

Danny Thomas - Copacabana 1949

Sophie Tucker - Latin Quarter 1950

Mae West - Latin Quarter 1956

Julie Wilson - Persian Room 1954

EDITORIALS

Dean Martin - thoughts on Mr. Sauve

Peter Lawford - retrospective

Rise & Fall of the big bands

INTERVIEWS

K Baggelaar- Copacabana author

Don Dellair - cabaret performer

Denny Farrell - big band disc jockey

Hal Turner - Performer/Conductor

B Zickafoose - played in WWII Europe

ASSORTED

Bernie Bierman bio

Sammy Kaye - Roosevelt 1957

Dinah Shore - press release and autograph from the 50's

A Letter about a WWII song

Harbers & Dale - Dance Team