Today is the birthday of a great name in musical theatre: Florenz Ziegfeld: entrepreneur, showman, producer and the guy who introduced a lot of stars to the world incluing the late great Ed Wynn and cowboy humorist Will Rogers. Today also marks the day in 1927 that he held a show on the roof of the Broadway Theatre in New York City to garner publicity for his new "Follies" show. Of course we know the connection between Mr. Zegfeld and the legendary Fanny Bryce, the story of which is told in the musicals "Funny Girl" and the movie "Funny Lady" But you have to hand it to the old boy-- that roof idea was pretty clever! The only thing that really did in Mr. Zegfeld's shows was the depression, itself. His greatest accomplishment was producing one of the greatest musicals of all time- "Showboat!" With a score by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hamerstein that one musical alone broke ground for so many future musicals to come. Not much today more. Another really hot day here. The weatherman claims it will reach 106 degrees here in the valley-- Good Lord, I hope not! Well until next time!