Theatre Register

Helena Bliss

Shows · Helena Bliss

Actor 1917–2014 On stage 1939–1954

Helena Bliss (December 31, 1917 – April 19, 2014) was an American actress and singer. A talented soprano, she actively performed in musicals, operettas, and operas in the United States, both on stage and on television and radio, from the 1930s through the 1950s. She is best known for her portrayal of Nina Hagerup in the original Broadway production of Robert Wright and George Forrest's Song of Norway. She also appeared successfully in a few productions on London's West End.

On stage 4 productions, 15 years

1939 Very Warm for May Alvin Theatre · Original · directed by Vincente Minnelli, Oscar Hammerstein II 59 perf.
1944 Song of Norway Imperial Theatre · Original · directed by Edwin Lester, Charles K. Freeman 860 perf.
1946 Gypsy Lady Century Theatre · Original · directed by Edgar MacGregor 79 perf.
1954 Show Boat City Center · Revival · directed by William Hammerstein 15 perf.

Each row is a staging this name appears in the cast list of, read from the production record rather than from the person record. The person record names works instead, and a work cannot say which run somebody was in — that is how Elaine Stritch ends up filed under Show Boat 1927 when she was in the 1994 revival. No row here says what part was played, because no cast list records it.

Worked with more than once3 names

Stanley Wolfe 2 productions
Kaye Connor 2 productions
Doreen Wilson 2 productions

Both names in the same cast list, more than once. It is not evidence of a partnership — a long-running company puts the same forty people together every night — but it is where one would start looking. 3 of these names are not links because we hold no record behind them; the name is set from the identifier and its punctuation may be wrong.

In the literature4 passages

  • Act Two: “At the Fair” (Sightseers, Barkers); “Why Do I Love You?” (Laurel Hurley, Robert Rounseville); Polka (Marjorie Gateson, Burl Ives); “Bill” (Helena Bliss); “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” (reprise) (Laurel Hurley); “Service and Scene Music, St. Agatha’s Convent” (Orchestra); “Only Make Believe” (reprise) (Robert Rounseville); “Goodbye…ebooks/Dietz, Dan/Complete Book of 1950s Broadway Musicals, The - Dan Dietz.txt
  • Cast : Richard Wentworth (Captain Andy), Jean Handzlik (Parthy Ann Hawkes), Laurel Hurley (Magnolia), Robert Rounseville (Gaylord), Helena Bliss (Julie), Robert Gallagher (Steve), Betty Allen (Queenie), Lawrence Winters (Joe), Jack Blair (Frank), Marian Niles (Ellie), Michael Pollock (Jim, Pete), Arthur Newman (Windy McLain, Backwoods Man…ebooks/Dietz, Dan/Complete Book of 1950s Broadway Musicals, The - Dan Dietz.txt
  • Cast: Irra Petina, Lawrence Brooks, Robert Shafer, Helena Bliss, Sig Arno, Alexandra Danilova, Maria Tallchief, Ruthanna Borisebooks/Green, Stanley/Broadway Musicals, Show By Show - Seventh Edition - Stanley Green & Cary Ginell.txt
  • PC: Musetta : Helena Bliss; Boris : Melville Cooper; Andre : Eric Starling; The Great Alvardo : John Tyers; Sandor : George Britton; Fresco : Eddie Kelland Espinosa; Valerie : Jane Farrarebooks/Wright, Adrian/West End Broadway_ The Golden Age of the American Musical in London - Adrian Wright.txt

Passages naming this person, found by keyword across 178 books. A keyword match is not a biography, and a common name will pull in the wrong one.

What this page does not know

  • What this person played. No cast list we hold records a character against a performer.
  • Which of the credits above the roles on this record — actor — apply to. The roles sit on the person and never on a credit, so a director who also acted looks the same here as one who did not.

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