Fire Island Celebrity history- Carol Channing
As a good friend to Broadway composer Jerry Herman actress Carol Channing had special access to Fire Island. From her early visits in the 1960’s to her last to Cherry Grove in 2013 she made herself at home here.
Broadway composer Jerry Herman owned several homes in the Pines where actress Carol Channing would visit many times.
Carol Channing's
earlier roles on Broadway included Proof Thro' the Night and Lend an Ear, but she became well-known after starring in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1949. The performer, known for her smile and raspy voice, won a Tony Award for Hello, Dolly! and a Golden Globe for her role in Thoroughly Modern Millie. She continued to star in stage and screen projects over the decades.
In 2013 after many years she returned to be part of an evening with Justin Vivian Bond a transgender singer-songwriter, author, painter, performance artist, actor, activist, and everything else at the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove produced by Daniel Nardicio.
She happily posed for photo’s with many community members and even performed “Before the parade passes by” from Hello Dolly.
Justin Vivian Bond, Carol Channing & Daniel Nardicio
Carol Channing
As part of nightlife impresario Daniel Nardicio’s ICON series she arrives in Cherry Grove.
The show was a sellout!
