Memories from Friends, Fans and Family
We welcome any comments, thoughts or memories you have of Dorothy. You may email Melissa@rememberingdorothycollins.com
Please understand that submissions may be edited for length.
Please understand that submissions may be edited for length.
TO DOROTHY'S DAUGHTERS: I often think of dearest Dorothy. Of late, I find myself thinking of her every day as I am working
on a song, "The Road You Didn't Take" from FOLLIES. I'm singing that song for an event celebrating Stephen Sondheim's birthday. I sang it for Dorothy every night at the Winter Garden Theater. I can still see her in the wings in her beautiful dress with her bright eyes and gorgeous smile. She was an absolute joy to work with and to be with. We were good friends before FOLLIES..and better friends after we worked together for so long. And I miss her so much. There is a lyric in our duet which aptly describes those feelings. ."Too many mornings wishing that the room might be filled with you." I send love to you all. ~ John McMartin, co-star and dear friend
"Dorothy had an open door policy, an open smile, and was always open to conversation. Especially during that pivotal time in my life when Follies was in L.A. and Denise went to Israel to do the film Jesus Christ Superstar. Our producer, Ruth Mitchell said, "You're never gonna marry her" and Dorothy ultimately was the one who supported my decision to get on that plane bound for Israel. We have now been married 37 years. "- Steve Boockvor, cast member of Follies
"I can't tell you how many times I think of Sondheim's words in Follies, sung by your mom, in relation to my marriage to Steve: "in Buddy's eyes, I'm young, I'm beautiful...". Great way to keep a marriage going all these years....and our memory of your mom is still alive in both hearts as she sings those insightful words." - Denise Pence Boockvor, cast member of Follies
"I'll never forget the first day of 'Applause' rehearsal in NYC when Dorothy came over to every one of us and warmly introduced herself and shook our hands (like we didn't know who she was!). This was uncommon in my other experiences with star-driven productions. It set a good tone for the whole show and we all loved and admired her work so much.
Though there were many, my favorite memories of our 3 months in 'Applause' were the occasional after-show parties on stage when your dear mom would turn pages for me at the piano as the actors would dig through a pile of sheet music and sing for each other - my 'buddy in crime' and just 'one of the gang'. Between songs we'd talk about her favorite music and voices. (I remember she admired Gladys Knight a lot at the time.) Though she'd just given a bravura and exhausting performance as Margo, she'd join in and sing a few, encouraging everyone else to give it their all on their solos/duets, never hogging the show or playing 'star' - ever. As the evenings would wear on, she was always encouraging me to "play some more!" My long career as a voice coach really started at those parties w/ Dorothy at my side. Still love it now, 35+ yrs. later!"- Clay Causey, cast member of Applause at Candlelight Dinner Theatre
"When we appeared together in Follies, I was very nervous about meeting Dorothy for the first time. After all, I wound up with a position on Your Hit Parade that had been Dorothy's for years. Yet Dorothy never made a single reference to the situation, and she could not have possibly been kinder or sweeter to me. I was not the star of Follies, so I did not rate a car for my personal use, but Dorothy made the one assigned to her available to me at any time. I only hope that I am remembered one day as I remember Dorothy - humble, patient, sweet and so kind.
Follies was a very difficult production to put on in regional theater, and all we had were ten days to prepare. For my big number, I'm Still Here, I had only one rehearsal before dress rehearsal and then going on in front of an audience. On opening night, for only the second time in my entire career, I lost track of the lyrics in the middle and was forced to improvise a line or two. The director made it clear he was not happy with my faux pas, but Dorothy had only comforting words, reminding me that it's something that happens to every performer sooner or later.
Dorothy, co-star Anne Jeffreys and I would hang out together when not at the theater. I recall occasionally hearing Dorothy exercising to music in the room below where I was staying, even though she obviously had no weight problem. She just wanted to keep herself firm. Follies was performed in a theater-in-the-round, and entrances and exits were made via long ramps, often very quickly. I remember being concerned for Dorothy at times because of her chronic asthma.- Jill Corey, co-star in Melody Top production of Follies
"Dorothy was a fantastic performer. She sang "Losing My Mind" like no one else can, or ever will. She made it all look so easy! Because of that I don't think she always got the praise she should have. I think as time went on and other people did "her" part, it was apparent how special she was! She was a consumate performer, and I admired her very much.
As a person, they come no better. She had a white mink that I admired...I was going out somewhere special, and she literally took it off and gave it to me to wear! She was a real friend.
Follies was a magical time for me, and part of that magic was because of Dorothy." - Mary Jane Houdina, assistant to Michael Bennett and cast member of Follies
"Dorothy was the nicest lady I ever met in show business, kinder and more generous to everyone around her than anyone could ever hope to meet- and totally unaffected by her success. I never heard her utter an unkind word about anyone nor heard an unkind word spoken about her; she was close to an angel. She could also be disarmingly candid. When we were working together, she once told me that I was her husband's favorite singer. I said, 'You mean second favorite singer.' She said, 'No, you are his favorite singer.' I must confess that I was very jealous of Dorothy while I was working with her a few months before the birth of her first daughter. I so wanted children of my own at the time." -Peggy King, 50s singer/actress
"Oh, so many memories! I remember the first time I met you (Melissa) as an 8 or 9 year old...Dorothy was so anxious for you to arrive in St. Louis. That was the first tour of "Broadway Hit Parade". I did two of them. Ten weeks on the road...the last one was 59 cities, in 38 states, Vermont to Washington, then California back to New York...and a chance to play for Dorothy singing "Losing My Mind" all over the USA. Then that year of touring "I Do, I Do"...three different productions, different directors...what a trip that was. Then my favorite....the month she did "An Evening of Sondheim" at Michael's Pub in NYC...the room packed with celebrities...the cheering....those were some of the most magical moments in my life. Thank you so much for putting this together."-Sand Lawn, Dorothy's long-time accompanist
"Dorothy's greatest show.....Thats the show she gave on ward C at Balboa Naval Hospital in 1967 to an audience of severely wounded Vietnam Marines. She gave it her all and was as vibrant as ever. I was in that audience and, through her family, I want to say thank you Dorothy! I've never forgotten that day." -A Marine Vietnam veteran
"When I was living in New York I attended a preview of Follies. I went backstage to see a friend who was in the show when Dorothy walked by me and she said, "Do you think it will be a hit?" I said "Definitely!" We introduced ourselves and thus began a long friendship. After that, I was a regular in the audience. I took my family from Chicago, friends and other out-of-town guests. And Dorothy would always insist that I bring them backstage to meet her. Once she said to me, "Bob, I think I've met your whole family!" She was such a loyal friend to me. When she opened in Los Angeles in Follies, I flew out just to see her performance and hear her sing Losing My Mind. Later, I visited her when she played places like Michael's Pub, and when she starred in Hello Dolly! We had many nice conversations and I'm proud to call her my friend." -Bob Isoz
"Dear Melissa---I was looking at a website on Stephen Sondheim and on a link, saw your mother singing the incredible "Losing My Mind." I was reminded of the past...I remember so well your mother Dorothy. I was an apprentice, about 19 years old, at The Falmouth Playhouse in Falmouth, Cape Cod back in 1979. She was doing a show called "Ballroom." They had a roster of shows, "Ballroom," "The Voice of the Turtle," "Once A Catholic," and several others I can't remember. But there were a roster of stars during the summer, Dorothy Collins, David Cassidy, Geraldine Page, Darren McGavin, Sandy Dennis and others...
I was just a kid and was a stage struck apprentice--but I remember meeting your mother and seeing her often during the run of the show and she was so sweet to me. We all loved her in the production. She was fantastic. We (the apprentices) tried to find a recording of it because we all thought she was better than Dorothy Louden in the New York production. But we couldn't seem to find one. If you know of any, please let me know.
We liked her so much, that, being stage struck kids--we went to their next stop after Falmouth, the North Shore Music Circus in Beverly, MA. I got some flowers and went to your mother's dressing room after the show. I sheepishly approached her and presented the flowers and she said, "Oh, what a sweet boy." And she gave me a big hug. I'll never forget it. I was dancing around for days--"Dorothy Collins gave me a hug!" It was a big thrill for me at the time. I never forget that summer in Falmouth. Your mother inspired me to go into show business--(which I'm not sure was the greatest idea)--because I've definitely had my "up's and downs" sort of like "Broadway Baby." But what a wonderful, wonderful warm, sweet lady. I'll always remember Dorothy."~Bruce Rodgers
on a song, "The Road You Didn't Take" from FOLLIES. I'm singing that song for an event celebrating Stephen Sondheim's birthday. I sang it for Dorothy every night at the Winter Garden Theater. I can still see her in the wings in her beautiful dress with her bright eyes and gorgeous smile. She was an absolute joy to work with and to be with. We were good friends before FOLLIES..and better friends after we worked together for so long. And I miss her so much. There is a lyric in our duet which aptly describes those feelings. ."Too many mornings wishing that the room might be filled with you." I send love to you all. ~ John McMartin, co-star and dear friend
"Dorothy had an open door policy, an open smile, and was always open to conversation. Especially during that pivotal time in my life when Follies was in L.A. and Denise went to Israel to do the film Jesus Christ Superstar. Our producer, Ruth Mitchell said, "You're never gonna marry her" and Dorothy ultimately was the one who supported my decision to get on that plane bound for Israel. We have now been married 37 years. "- Steve Boockvor, cast member of Follies
"I can't tell you how many times I think of Sondheim's words in Follies, sung by your mom, in relation to my marriage to Steve: "in Buddy's eyes, I'm young, I'm beautiful...". Great way to keep a marriage going all these years....and our memory of your mom is still alive in both hearts as she sings those insightful words." - Denise Pence Boockvor, cast member of Follies
"I'll never forget the first day of 'Applause' rehearsal in NYC when Dorothy came over to every one of us and warmly introduced herself and shook our hands (like we didn't know who she was!). This was uncommon in my other experiences with star-driven productions. It set a good tone for the whole show and we all loved and admired her work so much.
Though there were many, my favorite memories of our 3 months in 'Applause' were the occasional after-show parties on stage when your dear mom would turn pages for me at the piano as the actors would dig through a pile of sheet music and sing for each other - my 'buddy in crime' and just 'one of the gang'. Between songs we'd talk about her favorite music and voices. (I remember she admired Gladys Knight a lot at the time.) Though she'd just given a bravura and exhausting performance as Margo, she'd join in and sing a few, encouraging everyone else to give it their all on their solos/duets, never hogging the show or playing 'star' - ever. As the evenings would wear on, she was always encouraging me to "play some more!" My long career as a voice coach really started at those parties w/ Dorothy at my side. Still love it now, 35+ yrs. later!"- Clay Causey, cast member of Applause at Candlelight Dinner Theatre
"When we appeared together in Follies, I was very nervous about meeting Dorothy for the first time. After all, I wound up with a position on Your Hit Parade that had been Dorothy's for years. Yet Dorothy never made a single reference to the situation, and she could not have possibly been kinder or sweeter to me. I was not the star of Follies, so I did not rate a car for my personal use, but Dorothy made the one assigned to her available to me at any time. I only hope that I am remembered one day as I remember Dorothy - humble, patient, sweet and so kind.
Follies was a very difficult production to put on in regional theater, and all we had were ten days to prepare. For my big number, I'm Still Here, I had only one rehearsal before dress rehearsal and then going on in front of an audience. On opening night, for only the second time in my entire career, I lost track of the lyrics in the middle and was forced to improvise a line or two. The director made it clear he was not happy with my faux pas, but Dorothy had only comforting words, reminding me that it's something that happens to every performer sooner or later.
Dorothy, co-star Anne Jeffreys and I would hang out together when not at the theater. I recall occasionally hearing Dorothy exercising to music in the room below where I was staying, even though she obviously had no weight problem. She just wanted to keep herself firm. Follies was performed in a theater-in-the-round, and entrances and exits were made via long ramps, often very quickly. I remember being concerned for Dorothy at times because of her chronic asthma.- Jill Corey, co-star in Melody Top production of Follies
"Dorothy was a fantastic performer. She sang "Losing My Mind" like no one else can, or ever will. She made it all look so easy! Because of that I don't think she always got the praise she should have. I think as time went on and other people did "her" part, it was apparent how special she was! She was a consumate performer, and I admired her very much.
As a person, they come no better. She had a white mink that I admired...I was going out somewhere special, and she literally took it off and gave it to me to wear! She was a real friend.
Follies was a magical time for me, and part of that magic was because of Dorothy." - Mary Jane Houdina, assistant to Michael Bennett and cast member of Follies
"Dorothy was the nicest lady I ever met in show business, kinder and more generous to everyone around her than anyone could ever hope to meet- and totally unaffected by her success. I never heard her utter an unkind word about anyone nor heard an unkind word spoken about her; she was close to an angel. She could also be disarmingly candid. When we were working together, she once told me that I was her husband's favorite singer. I said, 'You mean second favorite singer.' She said, 'No, you are his favorite singer.' I must confess that I was very jealous of Dorothy while I was working with her a few months before the birth of her first daughter. I so wanted children of my own at the time." -Peggy King, 50s singer/actress
"Oh, so many memories! I remember the first time I met you (Melissa) as an 8 or 9 year old...Dorothy was so anxious for you to arrive in St. Louis. That was the first tour of "Broadway Hit Parade". I did two of them. Ten weeks on the road...the last one was 59 cities, in 38 states, Vermont to Washington, then California back to New York...and a chance to play for Dorothy singing "Losing My Mind" all over the USA. Then that year of touring "I Do, I Do"...three different productions, different directors...what a trip that was. Then my favorite....the month she did "An Evening of Sondheim" at Michael's Pub in NYC...the room packed with celebrities...the cheering....those were some of the most magical moments in my life. Thank you so much for putting this together."-Sand Lawn, Dorothy's long-time accompanist
"Dorothy's greatest show.....Thats the show she gave on ward C at Balboa Naval Hospital in 1967 to an audience of severely wounded Vietnam Marines. She gave it her all and was as vibrant as ever. I was in that audience and, through her family, I want to say thank you Dorothy! I've never forgotten that day." -A Marine Vietnam veteran
"When I was living in New York I attended a preview of Follies. I went backstage to see a friend who was in the show when Dorothy walked by me and she said, "Do you think it will be a hit?" I said "Definitely!" We introduced ourselves and thus began a long friendship. After that, I was a regular in the audience. I took my family from Chicago, friends and other out-of-town guests. And Dorothy would always insist that I bring them backstage to meet her. Once she said to me, "Bob, I think I've met your whole family!" She was such a loyal friend to me. When she opened in Los Angeles in Follies, I flew out just to see her performance and hear her sing Losing My Mind. Later, I visited her when she played places like Michael's Pub, and when she starred in Hello Dolly! We had many nice conversations and I'm proud to call her my friend." -Bob Isoz
"Dear Melissa---I was looking at a website on Stephen Sondheim and on a link, saw your mother singing the incredible "Losing My Mind." I was reminded of the past...I remember so well your mother Dorothy. I was an apprentice, about 19 years old, at The Falmouth Playhouse in Falmouth, Cape Cod back in 1979. She was doing a show called "Ballroom." They had a roster of shows, "Ballroom," "The Voice of the Turtle," "Once A Catholic," and several others I can't remember. But there were a roster of stars during the summer, Dorothy Collins, David Cassidy, Geraldine Page, Darren McGavin, Sandy Dennis and others...
I was just a kid and was a stage struck apprentice--but I remember meeting your mother and seeing her often during the run of the show and she was so sweet to me. We all loved her in the production. She was fantastic. We (the apprentices) tried to find a recording of it because we all thought she was better than Dorothy Louden in the New York production. But we couldn't seem to find one. If you know of any, please let me know.
We liked her so much, that, being stage struck kids--we went to their next stop after Falmouth, the North Shore Music Circus in Beverly, MA. I got some flowers and went to your mother's dressing room after the show. I sheepishly approached her and presented the flowers and she said, "Oh, what a sweet boy." And she gave me a big hug. I'll never forget it. I was dancing around for days--"Dorothy Collins gave me a hug!" It was a big thrill for me at the time. I never forget that summer in Falmouth. Your mother inspired me to go into show business--(which I'm not sure was the greatest idea)--because I've definitely had my "up's and downs" sort of like "Broadway Baby." But what a wonderful, wonderful warm, sweet lady. I'll always remember Dorothy."~Bruce Rodgers
"I remember Dorothy Collins indeed! I was a boy watching, I think, "Your Hit Parade." It was love at first sight, head over heels. Then the years went by, CDs appeared, the Internet and YouTube emerged, Amazon beckoned, and, best of all, while watching your mother sing "Answer Me", I found all those feelings returning as fresh as they were at that long ago moment. Your mother remained beautiful, kind, and forever young--someone who my friend Pamela remarked was 'Quite a woman!' Many Thanks, Constantine (Connie) Evans
"I thought it appropriate to bring my thoughts of Dorothy Collins to a full circle on her birthday.
What prompted this entire voyage into the distant past was reading your and your sisters’ tribute statements in “Dorothy Collins: Get Happy”: I discovered to my joy that each in its own way gave voice to my unformed thoughts and feelings about your mom.
Why am I so fond of a person who I never met and only briefly saw on TV? Simple: Your mom instantly and inevitably became the image of all that one’s better Self values. In a word, some people, a few, are in every sense beautiful.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding in letting me share these thoughts with you." ~Constantine (Connie) Evans