Medford is probably best know for her role as Rose Brice (mother of Fanny Brice) in the Broadway musical Funny Girl, and the film adaptation of the same name, both with Barbra Streisand. She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress respectively.
In the summer of 1970 she appeared at the Elitch Theatre in the play, Light Up the Sky.
Light Up the Sky was written by the talented Moss Hart. The play opened on Broadway on November 18, 1948, with the lead role of Irene Livingston played by Virginia Fields. The play had originally been written for Kitty Carlisle, Harts wife. In the Elitch presentation, Miss Carlisle played the lead role.
[Borrillo, Theodore A. Denver’s Historic Elitch Theatre: A nostalgic journey, 2012. p. 282]
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1970
Productions/Roles:
- Light Up the Sky
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- Rose Brice, mother of Fanny Brice, in both the Broadway production and the film of Funny Girl.
- Medford was the original Mae Peterson (Albert’s mother) in Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway.
- Nominated for a 1964 Tony Award for Featured Actress (Musical).
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Appeared with fellow Elitch-alum, Walter Pidgeon, where he played Florenz Ziegfeld in Funny Girl (1968).
- In the film, Face in the Crowd, she appeared with Elitch alumni, Patricia Neal and Paul McGrath.
Wikipedia Link:
