In some of the most exciting standby casting ever, Tony winner Donna McKechnie is going to be the standby for Tony-winning headliner Chita Rivera in the highly anticipated Broadway musical The Visit. And since it's Thursday, why not #TBT to this celebration of the one-and-only Donna McKechnie?
What’s more American than a turkey on Thanksgiving? That would be shameful amount of “Turkey Lurkey Time” viewings. Each year in November, Broadway fans dust off this Promises, Promises gem [confession, actually we start in August and just don’t stop]. And while there are many “Turkey Lurkey Times” out there, the real deal is the video from the 1969 Tony Awards starring Tony winner Donna McKechnie, Margo Sappington and Baayork Lee as three office secretaries living. their. lives. as the holiday party entertainment committee. And while everyone is fabulous, it’s really Donna’s moment. Below, BroadwayBox highlights 15 times we are truly thankful for the singular sensation Donna McKechnie in this video.
1. The head grab as if to say, “Me? But I am not ready.” Or “Me…well if you insist.”
2. Then the dilemma of what to do with my drink? Hey, we’ve all been there.
3. Those hips swings really set the action (and the holiday season) in motion.
4. The expression as she recalls Loosey Goosey’s time as a gadabout.
5. Please pop the head Cassie!
6. When she is climbing up and bringing down for me, it’s like a Richard Simmons work out fantasy.
7. Now what happens at 1:54 to 2:05, can’t be underestimated. Big arms, big jumps, big head pops, big whatever this move is called.
8. Then BAM! That kick.
9. And just a simple turn to get back in place. [Also included above]
10. This Cassie back bend body slide at the 2:30 mark.
11. Everyone else just cheering her on at 2:42 because really what else can you do at that point?
12. This move right here.
13. Or the pure ecstasy experienced in this moment.
14. And the arms at 3:15 are as important to Thanksgiving as yams or stuffing.
15. Then after that crazy “Jingle Bells” choreography she is giving you a body, head wrap as if to say, this is what I’m serving you. All this. Seconds and thirds.
