Memories from Friends, Fans and Family
"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 in FOLLIES and dear friend of Dorothy's
"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
"Picnic" by Dorothy Collins ca. 1957