Lee Roy Reams: Behind the Scenes of 42nd Street

  • Post author:
  • Post published:
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Lee Roy Reams

Behind the Scenes of 42nd Street

54 Below, NYC, November 18, 2025

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

Lee Roy Reams
Photo by Maryann Lopinto

I’ve tried to come up with the name of an entertainer who was a charming dancer, singer, storyteller, comedian, and all-round raconteur, and the only one who came to mind was Bob Hope. Lee Roy Reams proved himself to be Hope’s only rival in that category. On this night at 54 Below, the audience full of former castmates and Broadway royalty would likely agree.

Reams, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the original production of 42nd Street (score by Harry Warren and Al Dubin), began his show by playing a video of one of the iconic dance numbers from that show that were created by its director Gower Champion. With Alex Rybeck at the piano, Reams performed many of the songs from the show and peppered in more videos and anecdotes galore, and the gossipy nature of which delighted the audience. In many ways, this show was a tutorial for anyone who aspires to entertain in a cabaret setting. It was varied, with stunning videos and photographs of his career, and just enough stories to leave you wanting more. Delivering all this entertainment was the master himself, perfectly paced and eager to share his story.

It wasn’t all hilarity, however. Reams opened his heart and told the story of Champion’s death on the day of the show’s opening night. He also described in vivid detail Champion’s commitment to 42nd Street in the most moving way. Stories about producer David Merrick and Jerry Orbach were inevitable, and he told them succinctly and memorably. His backstage tales were eye-opening, and many were too scandalous to reprint here. A side-splitting tale included his imitation of Tammy Grimes saying the word “enchilada” over and over. How he managed to get her facial expressions and her voice down so perfectly is one of his many gifts.

The show ended with a montage of photos of all the celebrities who came to 42nd Street during its long run. It was like a trip down memory lane to see so many familiar faces who in their time had brought joy to the world: Doris Day, Ruby Keeler, Lucille Ball, and Cary Grant—all looking stunning in their finery. The final picture showed Reams with Barbara Stanwyck; it seemed curious that chose her to be in that spot, particularly when there was such a trove to choose from. Then he told us the story of how he walked her to the backstage door, complimented her with the usual platitudes, and then she kissed him good-bye. You’ll have to see Lee Roy Reams the next time he appears to discover why Barbara had that coveted slot.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.