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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCHANNING, Carol(b 31 Jan. '21, Seattle WA) Singer, actress: can upstage anybody with vivacious, wide-eyed wackiness. High school in San Francisco, college in Bennington VT; went on stage. Impact as the Gladiola Girl in Lend An Ear '47 on Broadway, stardom as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes '48 (stopping show with 'Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend'). Then Wonderful Town '54 (replacing Rosalind Russell), The Vamp '55; teamed with George Burns playing Las Vegas and nightclub circuit; after Show Girl '61 she stole Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly! '63 as Dolly Levi (did 'Hello, Lyndon' for anyone who'd listen during '64 presidential campaign). Channing played in Lorelei '73 (sequel to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), then revived Dolly on tour for eleven months, eventually taking it back to Broadway '74 for 320 performances. Because of food allergies, takes organic food, bottled water wherever she goes. Films incl. Paid In Full '50, The First Travelling Salesgirl '56, wonderfully zany Thoroughly Modern Millie '67, Skidoo '69 (music by Harry Nilsson), cameo in Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band '78. She sings Gerard Allessandrini's 'Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery' on Vol. 3 of his Forbidden Broadway parodies; and her album Jazz Baby is on the same label, DRG. |