The Times Leader from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 13

The Times leader Friday, October 19, 990 9 mifni is I SS' 1 I nannormicltf fiinnv r-nr n.r Special premiere 3 Americana The London Sessions, hosted by Herbie Hancock (left), presents the musical talents of Pete Townshend (center) and Mick Hucknali Monday at 1 1 p.m. on Showtime. starring Joan Plowright and Armin Mueller-Stahl, opens at movie theaters in the area For more info, see The Guide, page 2B. The Scranton Public Theatre opens its production of Neil Simon's 'Prisoner of Second Avenue' this weekend. For more info, see the Guide, page 2B.

I I Guide2D Film3D ClubsCD 3ul Lf7Ui UZUNiMlfbN Loessefs legacy Northeast Philharmonic celebrates a legendary Broadway composer By JOB BUTKIEWICZ in 1 950 and "The Most Happy Fella" in 1 956. While casting that show, Loesser was Introduced to young Jo Sullivan, who was up for the lead part of Rosabella, the mall-order bride of an Italian wine grower. Sullivan, originally from Illinois, arrived In New York City In the late 1 940s, where she struggled for parts as a singer and actress. She eventually won parts In Broadway productions and touring revivals of "Carousel" and "Showboat." As legend has It, when Loesser heard Sullivan audition, he exclaimed, "My God, that kid sings loud." Loud enough to win the part, and in 1959 Sullivan and Loesser were married. They later had two children, Emily and Hannah, step-sisters to John Loesser.

After the composer died in 1969, Jo Sullivan was forced into the role of businesswoman, managing Frank Music Company, After seven years, the family sold the publishing company to CBS Records, which in turn sold It to Paul McCartney. And In 1977, Sullivan began performing again, In Broadway shows, revues, nightclub cabarets, off -Broadway, road shows and concerts much like the performances here on Friday and Saturday. Singer Margaret Whiting has had similar experiences; she was born In Detroit, into a show-business family. As a teenager at home, she sang for visiting guests such as Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, Harold Arlen and Frank Loesser. Her first record was of her father's ballad, "My Ideal," and later she made what became her signature recording of "Moonlight In Vermont." Whiting has performed on stage In both musical and non-musical roles, with performances In nightclubs, theaters, on radio and overseas for U.S.

armed forces. The two singers will be joined by Don Stevenson, Colin Romoff Arthur Ruben and, for the Scranton performance, by Emily Loesser, the composer's daughter, with Jo Sullivan. See LOESSER, Page 4B Times Leader Staff Writer he featured performers for this weekend's pops 1 1 concert by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic will be Jo Sullivan and Margaret Whiting. But the star that the audience will be listening to will be the late Frank Loesser, whose popular songs, Broadway and film music and lyrics will be In the spotlight. "A Musical Tribute to Frank Loesser" will feature selections from "Guys and Dolls," "Most Happy Fella," "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," "Where's Charley?" and other stage musicals with music and lyrics written by Loesser.

Audiences can also expect to hear such enduring tunes as "I've Never Been in Love," "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year" and "Heart and Soul." The Philharmonic performance will be at the Masonic Temple in Scranton this evening and at the Kirby Center In Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. In addition to the orchestra and conductor Hugh Keelan, the performances will feature the Philharmonic Chorus, conducted by Stephen Barton and featured performers Jo Sullivan (the late composer's second wife) and singer Margaret Whiting (herself the daughter of composer Richard Whiting). "One of the nice aspects of a concert like this Is you're taking the world's greatest experts on Frank Loesser and putting them Into one show," said John Loesser, executive director of the Kirby Center and the composer's son. "You'll never see a more accomplished representation of his music." Frank Loesser was born in New York City In 1 9 1 0.

He moved to Hollywood in 1936, where he wrote lyrics for motion picture musicals. He had some early successes there, but In the 1 940s he began writing both music and lyrics and penned such songs as "On a Slow Boat to China" and "Spring Will be a Little Late This Year" Loesser wrote his first musical comedy, "Where's Charley?" In 1948. He followed with "Guys and Dolls" Frank Loesser fl Born: New York City, 1910 Moved: New York City to Hollywood in 1936, where he wrote lyrics for musicals. Early 1940's: Loesser began writing both music and lyrics, onsuch songs as 'On a Slow Boat to China' and 'Spring Will Be a Little Late This First musical comedy: 'Where's in 1948. Won Academy Award: For the song, 'Baby, It's Cold in 1949.

Won Pulitzer Prize: With playwright Abe Burrows, for 'How to in 1962. Died: 1969 Johnny Gill 'My, My, Gill's love letter went platinum NEW YORK (AP) In the credits of Johnny Gill's new album, underneath all the thanks to creators, producers, friends and family, you'll find a "Low Key Dedication" to: "A special person, hopefully one day I can show you how special you are to me." Gill isn't Just being clever or Liner notes have long been treated as if they were trees in which to carve initials, but this dedication has a story behind It. In fact, most of the album is like a personal ad set to music, a platinum love letter as low-key as proposing marriage on national television. "Oh boy. we're going to start something here," Gill said with a nervous laugh during an interview at Motown's Manhattan offices.

"It's so weird, to like someone for such a long time and it never goes away. You think that it's a crush, but when you find it lingering for years, six, seven, eight years, then you know maybe there is something there." Skip past the seductive album cover of "Johnny Gill" and the assurance of the first single, "Rub You the Right Way." On "My. My. My," "Lady DuJour" and others. Gill is crying for help, with none of the cockiness of the guy who performed teen duets with Stacy Lattis-law and dance songs with New Edition.

Encouraged by two of the hottest production teams, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and L.A. and Babyface, Gill holds nothing back. Listen to the way he turns "My, my, my" into "Mine! Mine! Mine!" or growls on the word "never" as if he's about to tear off a piece with his teeth and spit it on the ground. "I had met her a few times, but the New Edition tour two years ago is when I really got to know her," said Gill, naming no names. "We talk off and on.

You can always feel that vibe that's there. I think even without getting to know her. I've always had something in my heart. It's been that way for a long time. "It's so funny, you always feel that way and you really get to talk to the person and know them and they axe exactly as you expect them to be.

That's what freaks you out." "Lady DuJour" sounds like an old-fashioned dance song. A guy calls up a girl and invites her out for the evening. "Girl, I don't mind waiting, Just anticipating," he sings. But by the end of the song, he's still waiting, calling out her name, and you wonder if she'll ever arrive. "The success of the album makes me really happy," Gill said of the album's platinum status.

"I don't do drugs or anything. I'm Just a happy-go-lucky person all the way around. Everything's going great for me. "There's one thing missing in my life, that special someone. I'm kind of in a situation where there's someone who I do like but I'm not one of those into breaking up a happy home.

I do know this person feels the same way." Gill grew up in Washington, and began singing at age 8 with the Gill Special, a gospel quartet with his three brothers. He was a natural, never taking voice lessons and learning to play guitar, drums and keyboards by ear. Lattlslaw was one of his childhood friends and helped him get a deal with Atlantic Records in the early 1980s. 3h jt '-r'Wm At nwnnvnt 111 fin ft 310 JrJty Kh(y i i tk. ns i Mmmm I 1 'W J0 Ativan rck I WW.

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