Original Cast: Geraldine Fitzgerald in ‘Streetsongs’

In 1979 Geraldine Fitzgerald (1913-2005), the revered Broadway and Hollywood actress, did something she had never done before: With director Richard Maltby, Jr., she created her own cabaret act and not only spoke her own commentary but sang 18 songs ranging from “Swanee” to “The White Cliffs of Dover.”

The critics rhapsodized. Wrote Rex Reed: “Leaves audiences screaming with applause.” And in a Sunday piece in The New York Times, John S. Wilson praised “a voice that, fortunately, has not been drained of its rawness. It is a rawness with charm, warm-blooded vitality, humor, sorrow, joy and irony.” This led to a PBS special, a long run at New York’s Roundabout Theatre, an evening at the White House for President Jimmy Carter, and visits to Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Cleveland.

Which is where this live recording was made in 1981—not for a cabaret audience, but in a sold-out theater seating 989.

Track List

1    Opening Theme / Underneath the Arches / "Forget Me Not" Lane (Live)
2    Danny Boy (Live)
3    The Poor People of Paris (Live)
4    She's Leaving Home / Swanee (From "Sinbad") [Live]
5    Kerry Dance (Live)
6    Phil the Fluter's Ball (Live)
7    Four Green Fields (Live)
8    Lily of Laguna (Live)
9    Carrickfergus (Live)
10    The Famous Pig Song / Saturday Night at the Rose & Crown (From "The Girl Who Came to Supper") [Live]
11    Underneath the Street Songs: Who's This Geezer, Hitler? / Smile (From "Modern Times") / Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag / When You're Smiling / (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) the White Cliffs of Dover / Fitzy's Rag [Live]
12    Excerpts from Bill Rudman's 1983 Radio Interview (Live)