For those familiar with Stevie Holland’s work or even Linda Lee Thomas and of course Cole Porter’s music, will no doubt enjoy this 70 minute stage performance. I truly enjoyed it!
Click here to purchase this DVD on Amazon
TITLE: Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter – The Filmed Presentation of Stevie Holland’s Acclaimed Stage Performance
YEAR OF STAGE PERFORMANCE: 2021
DURATION: 70 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Color
COMPANY: 150 Music
RATED: Not Rated
RELEASED: December 1, 2021
Book by Steve Holland with Garry William Friedman
Music by Cole Porter
Arrangements and Additional Music by Gary William Friedman
Director of Photography: Robert Learner
Produced by Lyle Saunders and Stevie Holland
Executive Producer: Lyle Saunders
Director for the Stage by Richard Maltby, Jr.
Starring:
Stevie Holland as Linda Lee Thomas
LOVE, LINDA: THE LIFE OF MRS. COLE PORTER, is the one-woman musical journey about Linda Lee Thomas, the Southern beauty who was the driving force behind legendary songwriter Cole Porter. Though Porter was gay, their companionship and love lasted through 35 years of marriage and together they lived a spectacular, glamour-filled life. Created by acclaimed jazz vocalist Stevie Holland and award-winning composer Gary William Friedman, Porter’s timeless songs, with innovative arrangements by Friedman, weave through the compelling narrative, celebrating the deep love they shared, while examining the darker sides of their life. LOVE, LINDA enjoyed a successful Off-Broadway Premiere at the York Theatre 2013-2014, starring co-creator Stevie Holland, and direction by TONY-Winner Richard Maltby, Jr.
For those who are familiar with American composer and songwriter Cole Porter’s music and musicals such as “Kiss Me, Kate”, “Anything Goes”, “Can-Can”, to name a few and hit songs such as “Night and Day”, “Begin the Beguine”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “You’re the Top”, may not be familiar with the legendary composer’s life and the wife that gave him the support to become even better.
Back in the 1910s -1930s, Cole Porter established himself as successful Broadway composer who wrote the lyrics and music for his songs, but he also lived a life of extravagance.
In fact, Porter’s songs can be seen about extravagance, as the two lived a life of traveling the world, being part of high society and
It is known now that Cole Porter was bisexual and had what one would see as a wild lifestyle. Because of the times, while he may have had friends that were gay or were trans and he himself had written letters of his love for certain men, the lifestyle was not accepted back then and for someone of his stature, it was common for gay men to be with women. But while Cole Porter would marry Linda Lee Thomas, they were a loving couple.
While Linda knew of Cole’s lifestyle, they both had mutual admiration towards each other, they enjoyed life together, they tried to have a child, but they were each other’s rock. They loved and supported each other but both would eventually face hardships when Cole Porter fell off a horse and horse fell and crushed his legs which would affect him throughout his later years. While Linda, who loved her smoking habits with Cole, would eventually die of emphysema in 1954 at the age of 70.
But after Porter’s accident where he lost all his will to write, Linda would be there for him until she passed.
The story of Linda Lee Thomas and her husband, Cole Porter have been featured on the big screen in the 1946 film “Night and Day” and the 2004 film “De-Lovely”. But one Off-Broadway show at the York Theater would captivate many audiences and that was “Love, Linda – The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter” starring Stevie Holland.
Stevie Holland is an American jazz and cabaret singer, playwright and actress who won awards and has had well-reviewed music albums, but her role as Linda Lee Thomas which she had played from 2009-2018 was well-loved and appreciated.
And while the stage performance is no more, fortunately, Stevie Holland and crew did a filmed presentation of Stevie Holland’s acclaimed stage performance of “Love, Linda – The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter” and now it’s available on DVD.
This one-woman show features Linda Lee Thomas as she talks about meeting Cole Porter, the love she had for Cole Porter, the glamorous life they have lived and of course, discovering things about her husband and the 35 years of marriage to her death.
Featuring performances by Holland of well-known Cole Porter music featuring wonderful arrangements, the stage performance is no doubt a magnificent tribute to Linda Lee Thomas.
For those familiar with Stevie Holland’s work or even Linda Lee Thomas and of course Cole Porter’s music, will no doubt enjoy this 70 minute stage performance. I truly enjoyed it!
Recommended!
Click here to purchase this DVD on Amazon