Today is the birthday of a giant in both straight Broadway plays and musical theatre as well. Pictured here is the legend known as George Abbott. He is directing the original production of "The Pajama Game in this photo. George Abbott was born in 1887 and lived (and worked) until the ripe old age of 107 years old. He was known as an actor, playwright, producer and "show doctor" Whenever a musical was in trouble in either previews or tryout, the legendary George Abbott was called in to fix the problems: tighten the structure, eliminate unnecessary songs, cut dialogue and whip performers into shape. He was very astute in this arena and had a reputation for being "absolutely ruthless". He first appeared on Broadway in "The Misleading Lady way back in 1913. He went on to work in Hollywood as a writer and director while continuing his theatre work. His most notable directorial efforts included The Rodgers and Hart shows "Jumbo", "On Your Toes" and "Pal Joey". He is most noted for directing "The Pajama Game" (which gave Bob Fosse his big break) "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The forum" and of course the amazing musical "Damn Yankees" He supervised the revival of this classic starring Jerry Lewis as Applegate (the devil, himself) in 1994. When he was escorted down the aisle of the premiere of the "Damn Yankees" revival he received a standing ovation to which he quipped to his wife "There must be somebody important in here!" A week and a half before his death at age 107, George Abbott was dictating revisions to the second act of "Pajama Game" with a revival in mind. As I was preparing for what to write here this day, I decided to do a re-write to a musical I've been trying to get finally finished and produced since 1989. You know how they say that a play isn't just written-- it's always re-written? Well that can be said for "Once More With Spirit". This musical in various forms and scripts has been around my desk since 1984. Basically its a very neat story. The musical is the story of Parker O' Day, the greatest vaudevillian actor- performer and dancer of all times. The story starts in 1966 when Parker dies and goes to the "Pearly Gates" only to discover that he is not good enough to go to heaven and not bad enough to go to hell. Saint Genesius, the patron saint of all entertainers decides to give "The Old Smoothie" a second chance. Parker has twenty years to fix up the three lives that he ignored and screwed up while he lived on Earth. If he succeeds, he will become an angel in the League of Saint Genesius. If he fails, he will go to "Section 86" in hell-- where one would find the show business ruthless-- lawyers, promoters, agents, bookies etc. The trouble happens when O' Day is given a female guardian angel named McDuff who arrives announcing strict rules for this second chance to be possible.McDuff had expected herself to be assigned to royalty or somebody really important. There is conflict immediately because O' Day was never good with rules. O' Day wants three miracles to change the lives in question. Mcduff tries to explain that she couldn't give him three miracles if she tried. They argue and O' Day tells McDuff to scram: he'll earn his redemption his own way. Nineteen and a half years pass and McDuff realizes that if she fails, she will never get the assignment she wants and longs for if she fails with Mister O' Day.She changes strategy, tricks O'Day into thinking he's got those three miracles afterall and O' Day gets to begin changing the three lives in question. Of course these "miracles" are nothing more than grand good luck for angel McDuff. The life changing begins to work! But when the Majestic Theatre is threatened and O' Day takes matters back into his own hands, Saint Genesius intervenes and all looks lost for the classic entertainer. Only a last minute plea from the "Old Smoothie" saves his hide and saves Broadway. I guess you might sum it all up as "The Ghost Who Saves Broadway" I did a revision last night and changed the opening which shows how O' Day wins the reprieve from the kindly saint. I think now it is much stronger. I thought about Mr. Abbott during that re-write. Nothing is in stone. Even classic musicals (like the current revival of "The Pajama Game") needs re-vision and updating-- all for the better-- all for the good of the show! That's it for today. Rest in Peace, Mr. Abbott-- Broadway would not have been the same without you!