Highlights of 1999

ASCAP Board Brought "Stories" to Congress

Maureen was one of the recording artist in Washington last September, when the ASCAP Board of Directors and some top members brought ASCAP's message to Washington about how crucial it is to continue protecting the rights of songwriters, composers, and music publishers.

ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman hosted "The Stories Behind the Songs," a musical performance on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress and their staffs. Five successful ASCAP songwriters from a variety of genres were paired with five recording artists who had major hits with their songs. The performers shared what inspired their songs, how they came to be written, and what combination of art, hard work, and perseverance went into turning their songs into standards.

ASCAP Songwriters included Marilyn and Alan Bergman, as well as ASCAP Board Members Cy Coleman and Hal David, ASCAP Latin Songwriter of the Year Rudy Perez, and ASCAP Board Member Jimmy Webb. They were each paired with hit recording artists Glen Campbell, Jose' Feliciano, Maureen McGovern , Dionne Warwick, and Lillias White.

Five Part Harmony:
Pictured at the "Stories dinner are (l-r) performer and ASCAP Latin Songwriter of the Year Rudy Perez, performer Jose Feliciano, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), performer Glen Campbell and ASCAP Board Member and performer Jimmy Webb.

Dionne Sings It:
Dionne Warwick, near left, sang beautiful versions of two standards with lyrics written by ASCAP Board Members Hal David and music written by Burt Bacharach: "Anyone Who Had A Heart" and "Alfie."

Maureen On My Mind:
At far left, Maureen McGovern's warm tone and wistful delivery brought a new interpretation to "The Windows of Your Mind," with Lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and music by Michel Legrand.

Pictured is Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) and ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman.

Excerpts from Playback Magazine
published by ASCAP

November, December, 1999

December 5th Da Diva taped "Woof! It's A Dog's Life" for PBS at her home. It will air on PBS in April 2000, hosted by trainer Matt Margolis.

December 1st Maureen performed at the LA 4Kids "Tree of Life & Festival of Lights" at California Plaza. The official Los Angeles Tree Lighting took place after the performances. Da Diva sang "Ordinary Miracles,", "The Christmas Song" (with a special remembrance dedicated to Mel Torme) and "Auld Lang Syne." Other performers include: The Radio City Rockettes, Graham Nash, Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz, Joy Enriques from "Anna & The King" and Brandi Chastain of the USA Women's Soccer Team. Rebecca Washington from "The Practice" hosted the program.

On November 21st, Da Diva performed at Madison Square Garden for "Ace for a Cure" Celebrity Tennis Match, benefitting the Carol Baldwin Breast Care Center & Tennis Against Breast Cancer. Maureen sang "Ordinary Miracles" and "The National Anthem" for the start of the tennis finals. Broadway/Cabaret star Karen Mason also performed. Playing Celebrity Tennis were: William Baldwin, David Dinkins, Mario Cantone, Tom Postilio, Jana Novotna, Mary Joe Fernandez, Virginia Wade and Rosie Casals. Kimberly Ann Pressler (Miss USA 1999) was the Host.

October, 1999

September, 1999

JERRY LEWIS OVERCOMES MENINGITIS TO PUSH MDA TELETHON TO $53.1 MILLION RECORD

THE JERRY LEWIS MDA TELETHON to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) continued it's Labor Day tradition with Jerry opening the show. Then, double vision, debilitating head pain and elevated blood pressure caused by the viral meningitis he's been fighting since August forced him to leave the stage after the first three hours.

Jerry returned for the last three hours and was thrilled and grateful for the support of his viewers who pledged a whopping $53.1 million, $2 million more than last year.

Latest News from the Telethon

Maureen, who is chairperson of MDA's Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis Division, appeared for her 19th consecutive year and her sixth year as co-host.

Maureen performed a jazz version of   "I'm Late" from the film "Alice In Wonderland", and Duke Ellington's "Caravan", accompanied by the piano of Lee Musiker and the orchestra. Returning to the stage she sang "Ordinary Miracles" receiving a standing ovation.

DaDiva is donating half of the royalties from her CD "The Music Never Ends," which includes the song "Ordinary Miracles", to MDA.

A LETTER FROM MAUREEN

You too can help MDA with a generous donation.

August, 1999

Maureen hosts THE FOUR FRESHMEN PBS Special!

Maureen hosts THE FOUR FRESHMEN: 50 YEARS FRESH! airing on PBS in August. She joins the current members and an alumni quartet for "Day by Day" and "It Could Happen to You", Please check your local PBS listings for date and time.

The Four Freshmen celebrate their 50th anniversary in show business with a special concert at Walt Disney World's Disney Institute. During the program, the group performs many of their signature songs, including "It's a Blue World," and "Route 66." Original Freshmen make appearances along with the current line-up of Greg Stegeman, Brian Eichenberger, Kevin Stout and Bob Ferreira.

July, 1999

On July 27th Our "Golden" Diva Celebrated
The Big Five-Oh,
looking more beautiful than ever.

Maureen is featured on "The Big Five-Oh" page in the July-August 1999 issue of AARP's Modern Maturity magazine. .

The caption reads:

Singing hit theme songs from disaster movies (The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno) thrust her into the spotlight, but her vocal versatility and commanding stage presence have kept her there.

Happy Birthday Maureen! May you have many more to come. You are a special person who has touched many people with your glorious voice, and warm heart.
God Bless You!

From July 15 to July 29, Maureen lead the cast of
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the beguiling romantic tale of Genevieve and Guy destined to be brought together and then sundered by war.

Maureen stars as Madame Emery, Genevieve's well-intentioned, yet meddlesome mother. The 1999 Sundance Theater audience will be the first to witness this visually arresting musical play in over twenty years.

Interviewed in the Salt Lake City Tribune,article 'CHERBOURG', A Show Worth Waiting For, director Damien Gray, states that he is relishing having a master lyricist like Sheldon Harnick and a performer like Maureen as part of his "Cherbourg" production.

"Maureen McGovern can do things with her voice that you can't imagine a person doing, from sounding like instruments to hitting the highest note," Gray said. "I think it will be sung better than it's ever been sung."

Britany Bateman, T.J. Young and
Maureen are featured in
"Umbrellas of Cherbourg" cast.
Mark Finch Hendengren

Read more about how "Umbrellas" was brought to Sundance in
The 'Umbrellas' of Sundance

.

Our Multitalented Diva Maureen, opened the PBS's telecast of A Capitol Fourth 1999 with the song "This is a Great Country".

Accompanied by the piano of Lee Musiker and the National Symphony Orchestra, Maureen sang a medley of Hoagy Carmichael's most popular compositions, including "Heart and Soul," "Georgia on my Mind," & "Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening."

She dedicated "Stardust" to the memory of her dear friend Mel Torme, whom she considers, "the greatest singer who ever graced the planet."

With fireworks exploding behind her, Da Diva closed the show with a rousing rendition of "God Bless America". She was joined by the cast and the audience.

The 90-minute special was broadcast live on PBS from the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, July 4, 1999

April-May, 1999

Civic Theater of Central Florida had a gem in Maureen
as she was the artist-in-residence.

In April and May, Maureen premiered her Bengal Tiger's Ball and conducted a children's workshop. Her show closed the season. The play is aimed at parents and children. Ellen Jones, one of Civic's producing artistic directors, worked on developing the show with Maureen, who also performed this spring in a series of concerts for Civic.

"THE BENGAL TIGER'S BALL" is a children's magical musical about finding the courage to make your dreams come true. Music by Maureen McGovern and lyrics by Mary Grace Dembeck and Judy Barron.

Pictured (above, l-r) Susan Egan,Jeffrey Katzenberg, Bergman, Schwartz, Maureen, Lofrumento and Brian Stokes Mitchell. (Photo by Lester Cohen)

And the nominees are.... Maureen was once again recognized for her fabulous recording "The Pleasure of His Company," this time by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and clubs (MAC). Maureen has been nominated alongside Rosemary Clooney and Marcia Lewis for Major Recording of the Year!!!! Congratulations once again to our Diva and best wishes!

PBS aired GEORGE GERSHWIN--- S'WONDERFUL" during March 1999. The reviews are in and Maureen is the STAR of this show! Some of your local PBS stations have been airing this wonderful special at different times across the country. Keep checking to see if your local PBS station will run the show in the future. In some areas it is scheduled to run at 8:00 pm on July 28th.

"In October of 1998, an international cast of performers gathered at the London Palladium to celebrate the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin's birth. This special event is captured in GEORGE GERSHWIN - 'S WONDERFUL, airing on PBS as part of the March 1999 pledge drive (check local listings). The talent includes Broadway star Maureen McGovern and violinist Joshua Bell, as well as Brian Conley, Kim Criswell, Tim Flavin, Helen Hobson, Jasna Ivir, Julia Migenes, Cliff Richard and Sally Ann Triplett and the Gershwin Singers and Dancers. Paul Gemignani, musical supervisor, conducts the London Gershwin Orchestra."

January, 1999

This CD is dedicated to Mel Torme: "Mel Torme has always been my idol and for most of my career, my mentor. In 1981, he introduced me to his pianist, Mike Renzi - saying 'Quite Simply, he's the best!'"

And now, you can order this CD right now from this website! By special arrangement of Maureen McGovern, this CD, as well as others, are available for purchase. Click CD SALES for instructions.

Thanks to everyone who has written and left guestbook entries!

Always for Da Diva,

Brian (Buddy) Daher

For previous news about Maureen, please click on Previous Latest News

Update7/24/00