| In 1982, I saw a preview of Little Johnny Jones on Broadway starring Donny Osmond. I was not very familiar with his TV career, but I could tell he had star power. His delivery of the George M. Cohan classics was electric. Donny's re-enactment of James Cagney's rendition of the race scene was thrilling. Though my friends and I had a great time that night, the show, unfortunately, was a legendary flop -- closing on opening night. Frank Rich excoriated it in the Times. But Walter Kerr, the retired Times critic, wrote a few days later, "I should also confess to finding myself somewhat more entertained by the proceedings than my churlish colleagues were." I felt vindicated. |
