WALKING HAPPY – opening in 1966

Presented by Rob Morrison on 27th October 2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 27th October will feature a 60th anniversary tribute to the James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn musical Walking Happy (based on the play Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse), from the 1966 original Broadway cast recording starring Norman Wisdom, Louise Troy and George Rose, with Ed Bakey, Gordon Dilworth, Emma Trekman, Gretchen Van Aken and Sharon Dierking.

The programme will conclude with selections from the 1964 film soundtrack recording of the James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn movie musical Robin and the 7 Hoods starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and Sammy Davis Jr., with Peter Falk.

HAPPY HUNTING – back in 1956

Presented by Rob Morrison on 20th October 2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 20th October will feature a 70th anniversary tribute to the Harold Karr and Matt Dubey musical Happy Hunting, from the 1956 original Broadway cast recording starring Ethel Merman and Fernando Lamas, with Virginia Gibson, Gordon Polk, Mary Finney, Seth Riggs, Gene Wesson and Leon Belasco.

This will be preceded by an introduction by New York-based theatre critic, Internet columnist and author – Peter Filichia (recorded in 2016.)

The programme will conclude with selections from the 1956 album Ethel Merman – A Musical Autobiography.

SWEET BYE AND BYE – turned out to be a flop

Presented by Rob Morrison on 13th October 2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 13th October will feature an 80th anniversary tribute to Vernon Duke and Ogden Nash’s 1946 musical “flop” Sweet Bye and Bye from the 2011 New York studio cast recording featuring Marin Mazzie, Philip Chaffin, Danny Burstein, Jim Stanek, Heidi Blickenstaff, Graham Rowat, Michele Ragusa, Telly Leung and Sara Jean Ford.

The programme will conclude with selections from the 1999 CD album Dawn Upshaw sings Vernon Duke.

PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT IS 20

Presented by Rob Morrison on 6th October 2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 6th October will feature a 20th anniversary tribute to the “jukebox musical” Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (based on the motion picture screenplay by Stephan Elliott), from the 2006 original Australian cast recording starring Tony Sheldon, Jeremy Stanford, Daniel Scott and Michael Caton, with Sophie Carter, Amelia Cormack, Christina O’Neill, Genevieve Lemon, Marney McQueen, Lena Cruz, Trevor Ashley and Joshua Arkey.

This will be preceded by an interview with the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated original cast member – Tony Sheldon recalling the respective Australian, West End and Broadway productions in which he starred.