Mickey Rooney celebrated his 90th birthday on
September 23, 2010. This special video birthday greeting created at this year's
puppet festival!
Simply
Marvelous!
(November 2009) Two-Time Tony Award Winning
legend Geoffrey Holder joined the Rainbow Puppets for our production of "Amazon
Adventures." Mr. Holder is a true renaissance man. As a director, he's earned
two Tony Awards for his direction of "The Wiz" and costume design for
"Timbuktu!" As a film actor, he's worked on Annie, Live and Let Die, Dr.
Doolittle, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. On television, he
provided his booming voice for Bear in the Big Blue House. And, of
course, he's remembered for his "simply marvelous" work on countless 7-Up
commercials. He is also a noted painter, composer and choreographer. Mr.
Holder is married to dancer Carmen De Lavallade.
"I remember hearing Mr. Holder's voice back
when I was in Middle School. What a booming, powerful, deep voice. I knew that
one day we would find a way to include that voice in one our shows... and we're
certainly grateful to Mr. Holder for working with us," said show creator David
Messick. "How unnerving to hear that terrific voice booming out of a tiny
little tree frog!"
"When we entered the studio, Mr. Holder was
listening to his own project, a musical version of 'Job' which he is currently
revising. As to his work habits, Mr. Holder treats each and every line like a
piece of music... working to find the perfect cadence and rhythm. He
frequently makes marks on his script to notate exactly how to deliver his part
for the ultimate effect. You'll want to hear and feel it in performance! Yes,
his voice really does rumble!"
Mr. Holder was born in Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad and later made his way to New York where he made his stage debut in
1954. A more detailed biography was written by the
National
Visionary Leadership Project.
We recorded Mr. Holder at Phantom Audio in
New York City and thank our friends there for their kindness and excellent work.
Mickey Rooney and Jan Rooney Visit Virginia!
(July 2009) Our friends Mickey and Jan Rooney visited Williamsburg Virginia
for five performances of "Let's Put On a Show!" They performed at the beautiful
and historic Kimball Theater where we premiered our production of "Toyland!" in
2003. That was our first production with Mickey and Jan. Once again, Mickey
and Jan agreed to help us with some upcoming performances and we have quite
number of surprises lined up. Best of all, they recorded parts for "The
Marvelous Land of Oz," a production we started work on in March when we recorded
Meinhardt Raabe, an original movie munchkin, for the program. Below is a shot
of David, Mickey, Jan, and Craig T. Adams. Craig co-starred with Mickey in "A
Pirate Party" and will have a role in the Oz show as well.
Munchkin Joins the Rainbow Puppets
(March 2009) Rainbow founder David Messick and musical producer Steve
Scheffler just visited movie legend Meinhardt Raabe in Florida. You may not
immediately recognize the name but you know his work. Meinhardt was the coroner
munchkin in the 1939 classic MGM movie "The Wizard of Oz." David presented
Meinhardt with an award courtesy of the Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia.
He also presented Meinhardt a copy of Rainbow's "Toyland" CD starring Mickey
Rooney. Mickey was on the set in 1939 while Oz was being filmed. Mickey also
wrote the introduction to Meinhardt's book "Memories of a Munchkin." The book
offers great insight into the film and features many never before seen photos.
Meinhardt has the distinction of the being the last surviving member of the
Oz cast to have a speaking role in the film. At 93 years old, Meinhardt still
shares many great memories of the production and the rest of his fascinating
life. Not one to let his size deter his ambitions, he worked hard to get his
MBA, was a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, and worked for many years as a
spokesperson for Oscar Mayer. During the visit, Rainbow took the opportunity to
have Meinhardt record a few lines for some upcoming productions. How
appropriate to have someone from Oz doing voices for Rainbow Productions!
You can hear him now in this summer's production,
"Amazon Adventures." Plus he
will be making an appearance in another upcoming production... but you'll have
to wait to hear the details! Below is an interview David
Messick and Steve Scheffler did with Meinhardt:
Big Mouth Puppet Making with Laura Huff
(February 28, 2009) She has created amazing characters for
the Rainbow Puppets, including life-like foam impressions of the Wright
Brothers, Abraham Lincoln and Patrick Henry.She’s created a
clever Mickey Rooney character for “Toyland.”She has
created impressive animal puppets including the dinosaurs pictured above.On February 28, 2009, she taught a dozen folks how to construct big mouth
puppets at First United Methodist of Hilton.
On the right is an example constructed by Ann "Tuttles"
Saunders of Toano. Great job Laura! Great job Ann!
And thank you to Jerry and Martha Dodson for opening up their church for this
event.
Carol
Channing joins the Rainbow Puppets!
(August 2007) Carol Channing has just joined the Rainbow Puppets, adding her
voice to the long-anticipated follow up to "The Amazing Adventures of Chessie
the Manatee." Above, she is seen at the end of the recording session with show
creator David Messick, musical director John Wyatt, and engineer Frank Imbessi.
Carol sang a new song for the show and recorded all the dialogue. As a special
treat, her character will "crash in" on Mickey Rooney's new Pirate show to plug
her own performance. Mickey and Carol appeared on film together in the 1960's
and were in productions of "Sugar Babies in the 1980's. We'll share more later!
Mickey
and Jan Rooney Return to the Rainbow Puppets for a Pirate Party
(June 2007) Movie legend Mickey Rooney and his wife Jan
have just added their voices to the brand new Rainbow Puppet Production musical
“A Pirate Party” that premiered at the Blackbeard Pirate Festival on June 2,
2007.
Mickey Rooney is fresh off the success of his role in the
December blockbuster “A Night at the Museum” starring Ben Stiller.Rainbow Puppet Productions caught up with Mickey and his wife in Winston
Salem, North Carolina where they are filming a new movie.
This is not the first time Mickey and Jan have worked with
Rainbow Puppets.They starred in the company’s 100th
Anniversary Production of “Toyland!”According to show
creator David Messick, “I called Mickey and his wife the day ‘Museum’ opened to
tell them how much we enjoyed it.We then discussed future
projects and they agreed to participate.We recorded their
part for ‘A Pirate Party’ and for two more projects that will come out in the
future.”
“Mickey plays Captain Mick and joyously pokes fun at his
image as a multi-award winning legend.His wife Jan plays
Polly the Parrott who even more joyously eggs Mickey on.
Mickey and Jan own two parrots and Jan told a wonderful story of how Mickey will
be downstairs while she’s upstairs.Mickey calls, ‘Hey,
Jan!” and the parrot replies, ‘What do you want?’Jan, of
course, never hearing Mickey and Mickey trying to carry on a conversation with
the parrot!”
The show is a happy salute to beach movies of the 1960’s.There are villains (this time pirates), surfer boys, a beautiful mermaid,
a talking octopus, and a legendary movie star.It doesn’t
make a lot of sense but it will be a lot of fun with the audience joining in on
a pirate shout-out contest and a big dance at the finale.
Additional voices are provided by longtime Dr. Madblood
cast member Craig T. Adams, anime vocal artist Kara Dennison and Rainbow vocal
artists Tim Tharrington and Steve Scheffler.Scheffler also
served as audio producer for the show, leaving for the Rooney session with about
five minute’s notice.
Settings are created by Rainbow Puppeteer Kathie Davis.The highlight is four-foot high talking Blackbeard head that tells the
story of one of history’s most infamous pirates.Puppets are
by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Jill Harrington and the Prince Puppets.She has created a surfer and mermaid puppet that will swim into the
audience as part of the performance.The be-jeweled octopus
puppet is by Hampton Master Puppet Maker Laura Huff.
Costumes are by Regina Smith.
The score by David Messick includes new song “A Pirate
Party” and several “lost” songs from his 30 years of writing children’s
musicals.There’s “The Pirate Song” that features a Victor
Herbert melody that’s over 100 years old with all- new lyrics.The song was intended for “Toyland” but was not included in the final
performance.There are two beach songs from a 1985 project
he co-wrote with Larry Barker.
(December 2006) Tiffany Haas (Miss Muffet in "Toyland!")
appeared on Goodmorning America Christmas day 2006. She was there between
performances of "Wicked" on
Broadway. Congratulations Tiffany!
Mickey
Rooney and Pearl Bailey Re-unite (Sort of!)
On December 14, 2006, Rainbow puppets presented
"Toyland! starring Mickey
Rooney" at the Pearl Bailey Library in Newport News, Virginia. Mickey and
Pearl co-starred together in the movie "The Fox and the Hound" for Walt Disney.
The film has just been re-released in a special 25th Anniversary edition. So
check it out while you can.
Pearl was born in Newport News, Virginia and later starred on
Broadway and in feature films. She is featured in Rainbow's new production,
"From the Sea to the Sky."
Gene
Simmons and Tiffany Haas?
(December 2006) Here's something you probably weren't expecting
on the Rainbow Puppets site! Gene Simmons with our friend and voice artist
Tiffany Haas. They met backstage at the Barbara Streisand concert and enjoyed
the show together. Tiffany's uncle, Bill McManus designed the lighting and
effects for the original Kiss tours in the 1970's and 80's. We actually learned
a few tricks from their most recent tour and use those effects in "Toyland."
Bruce
Hornsby joins the Rainbow Puppets
(December 2006) The Virginia Peninsula's own Bruce Hornsby
joined the Rainbow Puppets in telling the story of the Virginia Peninsula. At
the end of a tour promoting his new CD Box set "Intersections," Bruce recorded
narration for us at his home studio. The audio was engineered by his long time
co-producer Wayne Pooley. "Song H" from the new box set has just been nominated
for a Grammy... and it's worth the entire cost of the set! You can get an
autographed copy, along with some other great stuff from
Bruce's website.
Rainbow's program,
"From the Sea to
the Sky," opened on December 9 and is now touring schools, libraries and
theaters across the state.
Tiffany Haas is on Broadway!
Tiffany Haas, the voice of Little Miss Muffet in Rainbow
Productions "Toyland!" joined the Broadway cast of "Wicked" in early December of
2005. Tiffany grew up in Yorktown, Virginia. Her parents own and operate the
Academy of Dance studios in Hampton and Newport News, Virginia (where Rainbow
frequently rehearses). Tiffany was a student at Cincinnati Conservatory. She
has appeared on a PBS musical special with Denyce Graves, Tom Wopat, and John
Schneider. She won the Miss Ohio pageant and later competed in the Miss
America contest. During that time, she caught the eye of legendary musical
composer and conductor Marvin Hamlish. In Wicked, Tiffany is appearing onstage
with legendary performer Ben Vereen.
Mickey
Rooney Joins the Rainbow Team!
(July 2003) In Rainbow's production of "Chessie the Manatee,"
Seemore the Seagull sings a song where he dreams of putting on "a musical show
like Mickey Rooney." Who would have ever guessed that six years later, the
Rainbow team would put on a musical show WITH Mickey
Rooney? Well, it really happened!
Mickey Rooney will star as the Master Toymaker in Rainbow
Puppet's 100th anniversary production of Victor Herbert's "Babes in Toyland."
Mr. Rooney recorded his part in June while on tour with his wife. As an added
treat, his wife Jan agreed to appear as Mother Goose! They're pictured above,
after the session with engineer Steve Scheffler and show director David
Messick.
Mickey has starred in so many classic MGM movies, many with his
good friend Judy Garland. He won a juvenile Oscar in 1939 and more recently
received a lifetime achievement Oscar. He won an Emmy as "Bill" and starred
with Ann Miller in Broadway's "Sugar Babies."
Younger audience members will recognize him as the voice of
Santa in "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with Fred Astaire and for his starring
role in "Pete's Dragon." He most recently appeared in "The Phantom of the
Megaplex" for the Disney Channel and provided a voice in Disney's "The Lady and
the Tramp 2."
His wife is a truly gifted singer who has appeared with him on
"Love Boat" and now costars with him in their two person, "One Man, One Wife"
show. Earlier in her career, she was an artist for the Hanna Barbera animation
studio.
Rainbow's connection to "Toyland" goes back almost 30 years.
Company founder David Messick was a principal dancer in "Babes in Toyland" back
in the 1970's. He soon graduated to choreographer and later director of several
productions. His last edition was produced in 1983 and featured a cast of 100!
"I promised myself that I'd produce another tour on the 100th
anniversary of the show. It's scary how quickly the 20 years have passed."
"I still can't believe Mr. Rooney said yes," says Messick.
"The two happiest memories I have in the theater are seeing Mickey in 'Sugar
Babies' and later in the tour of 'The Wizard of Oz.' He IS the Master
Toymaker!"
"Babes in Toyland" opened at the Kimball Theater in Williamsburg
on December 22, 2003.
Rainbow
Returns to the Grand Opera!
In May of 2002, a T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and a team of other
Dinosaurs took over the historic Grand Opera stage in Wilmington, Delaware for
two sold out performances. Rainbow will now return to the Grand Opera with
their "Creatures Great and Small" program. In a new twist for the Grand Opera
performance, David Messick will perform the role of Grandpa live onstage. He's
been providing the voice for Grandpa in shows dating back to 1977, but this is
the first time he'll perform the role live. "It's such a huge facility, we
decided having Grandpa perform live would add a lot to the production," says
Messick. "Now if I can remember all of the lyrics to all of the songs! You'd
think the guy who wrote the songs would remember the words!"
"Without
a doubt, the Grand Opera is one of the most beautiful performance spaces in the
country... certainly a high point for Rainbow Puppets. Our thanks to everyone
who came to see us. We hope to visit again!" Don't believe it? Take a look at
their web site: www.grandopera.org.
There's a virtual tour that that takes you throughout the facility.
Here's
the Rainbow team outside the Opera house after our second and final performance
last year. It's "Dino Days" in Delaware and there were decorated dinosaurs
throughout the downtown area. Look closely and you'll see one beside Jason and
Stan Stegosaurus.
Rainbow At Virginia Zoo Grand Opening
(May
2002) Rainbow Puppets were featured performers at the grand opening of the new
Africa section of the Virginia Zoo. The storm clouds held off just long
enough for us to perform "Chessie and Manatee" and "Wanda." Thanks to those of
you who joined us.
Simply
Marvelous!
Carol
Channing joins the Rainbow Puppets!
M
Tiffany
Haas on Goodmorning America
Mickey
Rooney and Pearl Bailey Re-unite (Sort of!)
Gene
Simmons and Tiffany Haas?
Bruce
Hornsby joins the Rainbow Puppets
Mickey
Rooney Joins the Rainbow Team!
Rainbow
Returns to the Grand Opera!
"Without
a doubt, the Grand Opera is one of the most beautiful performance spaces in the
country... certainly a high point for Rainbow Puppets. Our thanks to everyone
who came to see us. We hope to visit again!" Don't believe it? Take a look at
their web site: 
Here's
the Rainbow team outside the Opera house after our second and final performance
last year. It's "Dino Days" in Delaware and there were decorated dinosaurs
throughout the downtown area. Look closely and you'll see one beside Jason and
Stan Stegosaurus.
(May
2002) Rainbow Puppets were featured performers at the grand opening of the new
Africa section of the Virginia Zoo. The storm clouds held off just long
enough for us to perform "Chessie and Manatee" and "Wanda." Thanks to those of
you who joined us.