“To Julie Newmar, thanks for everything, Historic Elitch Theatre!”
Ok, that may not be the cleverest play on a title ever, but we are very thankful that the talented (and beautiful!) Julie Newmar is one of our theatre alumna. In 1968 she toured in The Only Game in Town which passed through the Elitch Theatre.
Whether you know her from her appearance in Denver, or what may be her best-known role as Catwoman on the television series Batman, Newmar is always unforgettable. She is often described as statuesque, and perhaps her legendary shape is assisted by her own patented pantyhose and Brassiere. Yes, she holds two US patents! (You go, Julie!)
Newmar won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in the 1958 Broadway production of The Marriage-Go-Round and reprised the role in the 1961 film version.
Newmar’s Bio from the Historic Elitch Theatre Program:
JULIE NEWMAR (Fran Walker)
Julie Newmar began her illustrious career in Hollywood, California, as a concert dancer. At the age of 18 she was a dance director and choreographer at Universal Studios. Her first motion picture was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Since then she has done about half a dozen films.Miss Newmar made her Broadway debut in Marriage-Go-Round for which she won the Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award. She repeated her role in the film version of the comedy hit, and for her performance in that won the International Star of Tomorrow Award.
Television audiences will recognize Miss Newmar for her many appearances on most of the leading national TV shows. She has been on the Perry Como Show, Danny Kaye Show, Beverly Hillbillies, Batman, and has had her own CBS-TV series, aptly entitled My Living Doll.
Her latest movie is MacKenna’s Gold with Gregory Peck, to be released by Columbia.
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1968
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
- 1968 – The Marriage-Go-Round – Fran Walker
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- At the 13th Tony Awards, Newmar won for her performance as Featured Dramatic Actress in The Marriage-Go-Round.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Newmar appeared in the 1963 film, For Love or Money, with Elitch Alumni Mitzi Gaynor and Gig Young.