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Robert S. Dahdah 1926 - 2016

Robert Sarkis Dahdah was born on March 8, 1926 in Puerto Rico, and had a sister Margaret (Dahdah) Fitzgerald. Robert Dahdah died at age 89 years old on February 6, 2016.

Robert Sarkis Dahdah

March 8, 1926

Puerto Rico

February 6, 2016

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Robert S. Dahdah Robert Dahdah (1926 - 2016)

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Robert Sarkis Dahdah's History: 1926 - 2016

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Introduction

Curley McDimple is a musical with music and lyrics by Robert Dahdah and book by Robert Dahdah and Mary Boylan. The play is a spoof of Depression-era Shirley Temple movies and was presented in a black and white design. This was one of two musicals in which Bernadette Peters appeared that spoofed some aspect of Hollywood—the other was Dames at Sea. "The Meanest Man in Town" is its best-known song. Curley McDimple opened at the Off Broadway Bert Wheeler Theatre, New York City on November 22, 1967, and ran for 931 performances, closing on January 25, 1970. Robert Dahdah directed, musical numbers were staged by Lonnie Evans, and Bernadette Peters was featured as "Alice", a performer. Peters left the production in early 1968 for her next show, George M!. Butterfly McQueen, who was known for her performance in the film Gone with the Wind, joined the cast on May 9, 1968. In a new role written for her, she played a cook at the boarding house. The Colorforms company also made a dress-up doll set based on the title character after Shirley Temple Black refused to grant the company a license. Plot synopsis In the 1930s, Curley (the Shirley Temple-like character) arrives at Sarah's Theatrical Boarding House, a shabby but homey theatrical boarding house in Manhattan, New York City, run by a nice Irish lady, Sarah. Curley is an optimistic eight years old and is looking for parents to adopt her; she settles on Alice and Jimmy. They are performers who are both boarders at the house—they fall in love with each other at first sight. The boarders aid Sarah, who is threatened with losing her house through foreclosure by the banker, Mr. Gillingwater, by putting on a benefit vaudeville show. A mean Social worker, during the rehearsals for the benefit, steals Curley away, taking her to an orphanage in New Jersey. Curley is able to escape and she performs in the show, which is a hit and is picked up by Broadway. Curley finds out that Gillingwater is her grandfather and that he is a former sweetheart of Sarah's, and Jimmy and Alice get married. Characters and original cast Jimmy, a boarder and young song and dance man trying to become a star – Paul Cahill (replaced by Don Emmons) Bill, a "Bill Robinson" type tap dancer – George Hillman Sarah, Irish owner of the boarding house – Helen Blount Miss Hamilton, Social worker, looking like the Wicked Witch – Norma Bigtree Alice, another boarder and performer – Bernadette Peters Mr. Gillingwater, a wealthy banker – Gene Galvin Curley, eight–year old child star – Bayn Johnson Musical numbers Act I Overture A Cup of Coffee – Jimmy I Try – Jimmy and Alice Curley McDimple – Curley, Jimmy, Alice, Sarah, Bill Love is the Loveliest Song – Alice Are There Any More Rosie O'Gradys? – Sarah, Jimmy, Alice, Curley, Bill Dancing in the Rain – Curley, Bill, Company At the Playland Jamboree – Curley, Company I've Got a Little Secret – Jimmy, Curley Act II Stars and Lovers – Alice, Jimmy, Company The Meanest Man in Town – Alice, Jimmy, Company I Try (reprise) – Jimmy, Alice Something Nice Is Going to Happen – Curley Swing-a-Ding-a-Ling – Curley Hi de hi de hi, Hi de hi de ho – Sarah, Alice, Jimmy, Bill, Mr. Gillingwater, Miss Hamilton Swing-a-Ding-a-Ling (Reprise) – Curley, Company Something Nice Is Going To Happen (Reprise) – Miss Hamilton Love is the Loveliest Love Song (reprise) – Jimmy, Company Finale – Jimmy References Sullivan, Dan. "Theater:Good Ship Lollipop Revisited", New York Times, November 23, 1967, p. 59 "Miss McQueen Gets Part", New York Times, p. 52, May 9, 1968 Information from Melbirnkrant.com Information from musicalnotesnmore.com Little Musicals for Little Theatres (2006), Denny Martin Flinn, p. 32, Hal Leonard Corp., ISBN 0-87910-321-3 Article in Life magazine, June 13, 1969 issue. External links Curley McDimple at the Internet Off-Broadway Database Photo of Peters and Johnson in Curley McDimple, 1967
03/8

1926

Birthday

March 8, 1926

Birthdate

Puerto Rico

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Lebanese
Nationality & Locations

Lebanese-American
Early Life & Education

Puerto Rico, then Manhattan, NY. His family was actually Lebanese.
Religious Beliefs

Catholic
Military Service

Proud to serve in World War II. Worked as an entertainer with Mel Brooks in the state of Washington.
Professional Career

ROBERT DAHDAH Director - Librettist – Composer 433 West 46th Street • New York, NY 10036 (212) 586-7954 [Office] • (212) 568-0453 [Home] THEATRE EXPERIENCE 1999 “Happy Journey” by Thornton Wilder Director Ivan Shapiro House, NYC 1999 “White Dwarfs” by Jerry Kaufman Director Theatre Studio, NYC 1999 “OTB” by Gene Ruffini Director Newspaper Guild, NYC 1999 “Role Play” by Sid Theil Director Theatre Studio, NYC 1998 “Dames at Sea” by Wise & Haimsohn Director Columbia Center Arts, Longview, WA 1998 “Bridge Jumpers” by Bob Quinn Director St. Clement’s Theatre, NYC 1998 “Frame Up” by Bob Siegel Director John Harm’s Theatre, Englewood, NJ 1997 “Irish Ghost Stories” Irish Theatre Director St. Clement’s Theatre, NYC 1997 “Sic Gloria Tantra” by Gene Ruffini Director Trilogy Theatre, NYC 1997 “Common Princess” Director Regina Laudis Abbey, Bethlehem, CT 1996 “Watch Your Step” by Irving Berlin Adaptor/Director Theatre for the New City, NYC 1995 Shows for the Regina Laudis Abbey Director Bethlehem, CT 1994 “Irving Berlin’s Ragtime Revue” Author/Director Theatre for the New City, NYC 1994 “You Can’t Have Everything” Bob Quinn Director Bethlehem, CT 1993 “Curley McDimple” Co-author-Lyricist-Composer Jan McCart Dinner Theatre, Miami, FL 1993 “La Roca” by Sean Brown Director Theatre for the New City, NYC 1993 “Gloria Gloriosa” by Gual-Rexach Director St. Clement’s Theatre, NYC In addition to film and stage work as an actor, he has been for fifty years one of the most respected directors in New York's Off-Off Broadway theatre world. He has directed plays by Lanford Wilson, Robert Patrick (III), and Bob Heide, as well as the original Caffe Cino production of "Dames at Sea," and many other award-winning works. On May 25, 2007, he was presented with an award as "The Father of Off-Off Broadway.". He after in four films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Midnight Cowboy (1969), The French Connection (1971), The Godfather (1972) and Raging Bull (1980). With the exception of the last film, all the other three films are winners in the category.
Personal Life & Family

Robert Dahdah was one of the most gifted men I have ever met. He was also extremely funny and a good friend. His criticism was also brilliant, and if he didn't like something, he turned it into a joke. "Does it have to be "as sweet as apple pie?" After hearing this 20 times I sang, "You're as cute as Christmas, As sweet as candy cane. Just thinking 'bout you, Baby, I gets me giddy like champagne." "Wow! That's great!"
02/6

2016

Death

February 6, 2016

Death date

Heart Failure

Cause of death

Unknown
Death location

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Obituary

Robert Dahdah, 89, early Off Broadway writer/director February 25, 2016 | Filed under: News,People,Obituaries | Posted by: The Villager Robert Dahdah. BY MAGIE DOMINIC | Robert (Bob) Dahdah, a prolific writer and director who was a major contributor to the creation of Off Off Broadway theater in the 1960s, and continued writing and directing for more than 50 years, died Feb. 6 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, where he was under hospice care. He was 89. Dahdah was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 8, 1926, to Lebanese parents. The family moved to New York City when he was a child and lived in Washington Heights. By the very early 1960s, Dahdah was writing and directing plays in venues in New York City, particularly, Off Off Broadway. In 1966 he directed what would become an iconic Off Off Broadway musical, and one that would be forever famous for starring a very young Bernadette Peters in her first New York musical, “Dames at Sea.” “Dames at Sea” was first presented at the Caffe Cino on Cornelia St. A tiny cafe theater operated by Joe Cino, The Caffe Cino is considered the birthplace of Off Off Broadway and lasted from 1958 to 1968. Dahdah wrote and directed and starred in several productions there. “Dames at Sea” was about 40 minutes long and was a takeoff on everything pure and innocent. It ran for three months to over-packed houses. The room was officially full when two people were seated on top of the cigarette machine. It was the longest running show in Caffe Cino’s history and probably the longest running show in the history of Off Off Broadway at that time. Peters told Broadway.com, regarding Dahdah’s passing and his production of “Dames at Sea,” “He was a terrific director and basically got the show on at the Cino and imbued it with love that transported over the little postage-sized stage right into the audience’s hearts.” Earlier, in a July 15, 2006, interview for Legends of Broadway, Peters said, “My first summer away from home, I did summer stock in Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, and I met a choreographer there who worked at the Caffe Cino. When I got back to the city, he called me and said, ‘We’re doing this show at the Caffe Cino, and I think there’s a role you’d be right for. Will you come in?’ I remember thinking that I had to find the Caffe Cino. Because it was on Cornelia St., which is one block long, and I had to find that. When I got there, Helen Hanft was on the stage doing [Tom Eyen’s play] ‘Why Hanna’s Skirt Won’t Stay Down’ for her relatives who were in town that afternoon. That’s where I met the director, Bob Dahdah, and everybody else. I don’t remember if I sang — I must have. Anyway, I took on the role, and I had the best time in my whole life. The audience was so great I couldn’t wait to change and get back onstage to say my lines.” The following year, Dahdah collaborated with the writer and actress Mary Boylan, with whom he frequently collaborated, and together they wrote the book and score for the musical “Curley McDimple,” a spoof of Shirley Temple movies. Dahdah also directed the production. “Curley McDimple” was produced Off Broadway in 1967, and Peters starred in the production. It ran for more than 900 performances. Dahdah directed plays by several New York playwrights, including early works by Lanford Wilson, Robert Patrick and Robert Heide. “I was very close to Robert Dahdah,” Heide said. “He directed my play ‘The Bed,’ which was a big thing at Caffe Cino. That was a year before he discovered Bernadette Peters. “He lived in Hell’s Kitchen, but he was always down here,” Heide said of Dahdah. “He worked at La MaMa. He was ‘Mr. Off Broadway.’ ” Magie Dominic, a writer who was part of the 1960s Off Broadway theater scene, said, “I have many personal memories of my friend Bob Dahdah. But my most cherished memory is that he was forever a courteous and supportive friend, and an honorable and true gentleman in a business where those traits are not always a given.” Similar to Heide, she said, “Bob’s apartment was on 46th St., but he spent his every waking hour on Cornelia St., or at La Mama or Theater for the New City.” In addition to writing and directing, Dahdah was also an actor and appeared in small roles in a number of major films, including “The Godfather” and “Three Days of the Condor.” Dahdah was a World War II veteran. He is survived by a nephew, Robert Dahdah, a niece, Rea McKay, and an extended family of friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret, and two brothers, Raymond and William.

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24 Memories, Stories & Photos about Robert

Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

09/28/2023

Mel brooks and Anne Bancroft

Mel and Bob traded gags in the Army during WWII.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

01/03/2023

Robert Dahdah and Amanda Stevenson.

Bob and Sandy at Times Square.
Amanda S. Stevenson
It was during WORLD WAR II. My friend Bob was gay and although he didn't want to get killed, he joined the Army. His gay friends said, "Say you are a great typist and they will stick you in the typing pool with the other gay guys."
Bob was actually a lousy typist but he practiced banging the keys quickly. And he would just hide those pages and slowly do a perfect job. He also volunteered for ENTERTAINMENT. They asked if he would like to be stationed in Washington (A short trip from Manhattan by train). He got on the train and a week later ended up on the West Coast in Washington. He was told to report to Melvin Kaminsky. He was in an actor's Heaven. His boss was a funny Jewish guy from New York who was impressed with the exceptionally witty Lebanese Catholic from Washington Heights. So Bob spent some time writing gags and doing skits with Mel Brooks!

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

10/20/2018

Robert Dahdah and Amanda S. Stevenson

A photo of Robert Dahdah and Amanda on Broadway.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

10/20/2018

I was his publicist for two years during the run of Curley McDimple and have a big scrapbook of the press I got for him. From 1965 until March 2016 I was his very close friend and confidant. I was at his birthday bash too.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

12/22/2022

JOHN ELLIS - ACTOR and DIRECTOR

John Ellis
Amanda S. Stevenson, Bob was so sweet. He wanted to cast me in a play by my friend Jerry Kaufman, but I told him it was the wrong part. I was too old for the cuteness of it - instead I headed him toward a Neighborhood Playhouse student who was dead right.
Julie Van Lith and I got a great compliment from him, we did Noel Coward's own Cockney sendup of "Private Lives" from a revue, in the ARTC workshop group he had joined with us. Now it was just briefly rehearsed but we had learned the lines and gave it full staging which ended with Floss about to kick my balls off (I was Fred). So in the 'feedback' they ripped us right and left - and ripped Coward too - and after Bob said to me, "If I was staging a revue in the Village I would hire both of you to do it that way right now."

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Amanda S. Stevenson

16.8k+ favorites

01/03/2023

Love the story. I made actor and director resumes for Bob. I told him to put some in an envelope and bring them and his business cards every where. One night he called me. "YOU GOT ME A JOB! I was at a party and a guy asked me if I had a resume and I said no. Then I said, Oh, I forgot, I have my resume and business card with me. So i grabbed the envelope and handed him my new resume and business card. He sat down and read my resume and said he would be honored if I would direct his play. I jokingly asked, "Is there any money in it?" And he said, "Would a thousand dollars be enough?" And I said, "Oh yes. That would be a very nice honorarium." "Just like you taught me, Sandy!"

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