Paul Rosson

Paul Rosson Stage Credits Performances Caesar and Cleopatra [Broadway] 1977 Major Domo Theodotus (Understudy) Pothinus (Understudy) Arsenic and Old Lace Henry Rosenberg Henry Rosenberg, a.k.a. Paul Rosson, was born in Baltimore, MD on March 26, 1932 to Ida and Max Rosenberg. At this same time his sisters, Jean and Bernice, welcomed another bundle of joy, Henry’s twin brother Sidney. The family of 4 had expanded to six! ENTER LAUGHING-Revival of Joseph Stein's comedy of the 60s, based on Carl Reiner's novel, directed by and with Elisa Loti; with David Hamilton, Paul Rosson. Thurs.-Sat. at 8, Sun. Henry was always a caring Uncle to Byra, Jay, Leslie, and Ellen! In adult years this carried over to their respective families too. Throughout the years he nurtured each of his immediate family relationships differently and in ways that were meaningful to each person. Every family member has his or her own stories to tell. Henry always demonstrated a uniqueness, sensitivity, and independence. His interests varied… He demonstrated a talent in art and studied at the Maryland Institute of Art. In contrast he was also a Veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean War. In 1958 he moved to New York City where he spent the rest of his adult life. This is where he blossomed as an actor and expanded his skills in the various areas of art. His connection with family in NYC existed via his beloved Kassel family cousins. They were an important part of his life to the end. As an adult living in NYC, Henry was especially attentive to his mother, Ida. He enjoyed when she and his father came to NY to visit him or when he came to Baltimore to see them. Henry was always giving his mom some sort of thoughtful gift. While she didn’t want him to spend the money, she clearly enjoyed and proudly received the gifts. As a young man Henry worked almost every summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts drawing and/or painting portraits. He later did the same on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. He used to be one of the official portrait artists for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Henry believed in life long learning… He was always taking workshops, attending self-improvement groups, and learning a new aspect of the arts or acting. He even took collage classes and discovered he was a darn good writer. First and foremost his love and professions were as an actor and artist. He was a member of Actors’ Equity Association (the Labor Union representing American Actors and Stage Managers in theater) and the Screen Actors Guild ("SAG”, representing film and TV, etc.). Both unions are very difficult to join and require a lot of paid acting work. He studied with the famous acting teacher, Stella Adler. She thought Henry was a very talented student (compared him to Marlon Brando) and put him on scholarship in 1958. He was in dozens of Broadway and national plays including "Caesar and Cleopatra" with Rex Harrison, "Rehearsal for Murder", "Three Penny Opera", "Enter Laughing", “Twelfth Night", “Trifles", "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Jean Stapleton and Polly Holiday, "West Side Story" (He toured Germany, Belgium and France with this musical) among others. He sang in the musicals. He also had significant parts in the films "The Rare Breed", "The Verdict", Cotton Club", "Two of a Kind", "Once Upon a Time in America", "Death Mask", "Falling in Love", "Sweet Loraine" and many more. Henry also wrote plays. One is called "Postcards from America". He received a CEITA grant to write this one. Henry collected hundreds of books on drawing techniques, famous artists, and art history to fully study and engage in his passion. He also made and performed with puppets and marionettes; drew children's book illustrations; and made ceramic art. He spoke and understood Yiddish and some German. During the Christmas Holidays he sang at senior centers. He was an active member of several Senior Citizen Centers in NYC. Henry thrived on being productive and active. He engaged with anyone, sang on the streets, and willing shared his talents and knowledge. All who met Henry had a fondness for him! He was a beloved character! Funeral services and interment are private.

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