Golden Rainbow was a long running commercial failure, just like Steve Lawrence's previous Broadway vehicle, What Makes Sammy Run? Theatre historians like Steven Suskin and William Goldman generally lay the blame on Lawrence's ego, immaturity, and overall lack of professionalism.
Eydie Gorme was undoubtedly one of the greatest pop vocalists of her generation. Her renditions of "What Did I Have That I Don't Have", "If He Walked into My Life", and countless others are simply superb. However, she couldn't act and apparently lacked the ambition or discipline to learn.
Golden Rainbow had an enjoyable score but Steve and Eydie played the show like a Broadway version of their nightclub act. It ran nearly a year, was mostly panned by the critics, and lost money. After the show closed, Lawrence and Gorme never returned to Broadway, but had a very long, successful career in nightclubs and as guest performers on TV variety and game shows.
Golden Rainbow's Broadway cast recording remains one of my favorite guilty pleasures. I love Steve and Eydie's solos and duets. |
