“I was born in Flint in 1955, still have family in the area, attended Potter, Pierce, Whittier and Central, and Mott Community College, but haven't lived there since the mid seventies. (I went to Ann Arbor in 1977, then moved to California on graduation in 1980.)
“I was wondering about a couple things. One was the Musical Tent. Do you have any recollections of it? It might have been a little before your time, but it was a tent that was raised in the summer out on Dort Highway, most of the way to Clio (or even beyond toward Birch Run?) where they produced Broadway-style musicals.
“The other is the Fall and Spring AC Concerts, which were held in the IMA Auditorium in the sixties. The latter is of particular interest to me, because my father was an executive at AC, and he produced them. They had big-name stars in them (e.g., Florence Henderson, Edie Adams, Anita Bryant, in her pre-orange juice, gay bashing days, etc.), combined with the AC men’s and women's chorus and local talent.”
Friday, April 18, 2008
Musical Tent
Flint Expatriate Rand Simberg, who writes the Transterrestrial Musings blog, checks in with a request for information on the dearly departed Musical Tent and the AC concerts.
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OK, I'm just going through old posts, from before I found this blog. Of course I remember the Musical Tent, having grown up in Clio. I don't remember where exactly it was, except I'm sure it was between Flint and Clio. I think I saw "Gigi" there one summer. It had multi-colored stripes, right? If you're still there, reading posts from months ago ... !
ReplyDeleteI was an intern at the Musical Tent in the 60's and then was cast in several productions. I have many pictures and even a few playbills. The most famous actor I was priviledged to work with was Emmy award winner Michael Zaslow and I have a great picture of him in "How to succeed in business". This was one of the greatest times in my life and I will always cherish those days.
ReplyDeletePam Barley Seltzer
Anita Bryant and AC?
ReplyDeleteShe did television commericals for AC Spark Plug in 1965. I used to watch them in a video bar in Chicago in the late 80's. They added footage to the end of the spot showing a car careening off a cliff and bursting into flame.
I know that I am posting this two years after the original post, but I too have great memories like Pam about the Musical Tent (which was in Clio). I was in many productions there (as a child actor) back in 1966. It was the most memorable summer of my life.
ReplyDeleteWe would work in the "rehearsal hall" all day long and on "dark days" would work into the evening too. I remember always having to put on Off" because the mosquitoes were so bad.
When we did "The King and I", they ran out of makeup that they used to make us look darker, so they melted chocolate bars from the concession stand and mixed it with something and smeared it all over us (as we were using full body makeup). We all went on stage smelling like a chocolate factory.
I remember working with Georgia Engel (later she was on The Mary Tyler Moore Show)that year. She was only 18 years old at the time.
I'm still in the entertainment industry. I'm a business manager in Hollywood for celebrity clients. Have been gone from Flint for over 30 years.
I grew up in the Civic Park area and took my kids back there a few years ago to visit. Boy - was that depressing. Most of the block I grew up on on Chevrolet Ave is really in bad shape and many houses have actually disappeared altogether.
But it's great to have the memories. Thanks for your work in keeping this site going!
I remember the Musical Tent being near Pine Run (Dort and Vienna) east of Clio. I was only there once or twice though.
ReplyDeleteOh I loved The Musical Tent.............it was magical. I grew up on a farm in Indiantown.....so it was a slice of culture I am so thankful my mom privileged my twin sister and I with! I remember returning home from seeing South Pacific.....I would create " I'm going wash that man right out of my hair"......belting out the words under my own makeshift theater, our giant willow tree in our yard. I'd gather the leafy branches wrap them over my head and shoulders and pretend to wash away............I was own one woman theater.......such joys the Musical Tent provided......Damn Yankees, Camelot, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Princess and the Pea........West Side Story........How to Succeed in Business........
ReplyDeleteI was an intern in 1969...it was a great summer. Like Pam I was close to Michael Pam I was very close to Michael Zazlow...and lived in the same bldg in NYC...we met at The Tent....anyone remember Denny from Gr Blanc?
ReplyDeleteI remember the musical tent in the 1950's. My dad was an investor in the tent and we had tickets to all the shows. Once Tex Ritter came to our house to visit and see the German short haired pointer puppies we had. I must have been around seven or eight and Tex kissed me on my cheek. I was thrilled.
ReplyDeleteWe have nothing from the tent but a picture of my sister changing the sign. I keep looking for playbills at estate sales. Hopefully one will turn up.
Hey, feel free to send me a few digital photos via email if they turn up. I'd love to post them.
ReplyDelete