Where Are They Now?: Michael Crawford
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Cornelius Hackl in "Hello, Dolly!"
"Listen, Kid. What we need is an attractive idiot. My wife
thinks you're attractive, and I think you're an idiot," said
director Gene Kelly to Michael Crawford during auditions for
Hello, Dolly! at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
Michael Crawford was modestly known in the US before Kelly cast
him as Cornelius Hackl opposite Barbra Streisand in the film
version of the smash Broadway hit musical. Known primarily as a
musical performer back in his native England, Crawford was given
several musical performances in Dolly, including an
on-screen dancing and singing duet with Barbra that delighted
audiences. Crawford made up part of a supporting quartet that
also included Danny Lockin, Maryann McAndrew and EJ Peaker,
providing much of the film's comic relief. Though he had already
appeared in several motion pictures, it can be said, arguably,
that his role in Dolly was Michael Crawford's breakout
performance. His film career, however, never matched the success
he would eventually enjoy on the stage and in concert venues.
But it wasn't until 1986 when Michael Crawford became a bona
fine international star.
 Crawford's
lead in The Phantom of the Opera put him on the map for
good. Cast opposite the wonderful Sarah Brightman , the show
opened in London to thunderous acclaim. Overnight, Crawford had
become one of the world's biggest stars of musical theatre, and
was shortly thereafter knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Phantom earned Crawford a slew of awards, including the
Tony, the British Olivier, the Outer Critics Circle, the Drama
Desk, and the LA Drama Critics Circle. Crawford played in
Phantom for over three and a half years, before moving on to
a very successful concert career.
Michael Crawford
has released several successful solo albums. And after Barbra
saw his performance in Phantom on Broadway in 1988, it
didn't take long for the two of them work together, once again.
They recorded a dynamic duet version of "The Music of the Night"
from Phantom that is a highlight of both Barbra's Back
to Broadway and Crawford's A Touch of Music in the Night
albums.
Michael Crawford
recently appeared for a brief time in the West End production of
Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White. These days,
Crawford continues to tour the world with his concert
performances.
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The Mutual Admiration Society
May 17, 1988 - Barbra attended "The Phantom of the
Opera" in NYC
September 20, 2000 - Michael Crawford attended
"Timeless" in LA |
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