Showstoppers & Rat Pack Golddiggers
Thanks to TV Producer, Lee Hale and The Former Golddiggers for your comments!
What a ride it was to entertain with Legendary Stars in The Golddiggers and then perform the songs and stories of these Super Stars to an eager audience in “Showstoppers.” Of course, during ours show we pay tribute to the ‘King of Cool,’ Dean Martin and the ‘Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra and let’s not forget Bob Hope, Louie Prima and many more …
Throughout the years, many of my talented girlfriends who shared in The Golddiggers sisterhood have joined their performance skills for a reunion in “Showstoppers” to the standing ovation of thousands of appreciative audience members.
A highlight was when The Golddiggers got together to pay tribute to our mentor Lee Hale at the Annual Dancer’s Society in Beverly Hills in 2003. Lee Hale was The Golddiggers musical director and a producer of the Dean Martin TV Comedy Hour. Entertaining as The Golddiggers in the presence of Lee, Greg Garrison, Executive Producer of Dean’s TV shows and a star studded audience, including Dom DeLuise, Mitzie Gaynor, Lainie Kazan … was an extreme pleasure for all who performed.
Lee Hale has been a great support to us over the years. During one of our ‘Showstoppers’ performances Lee sang his original and humorous songs, ‘Prostrate Blues.’ The audience roared with laughter!
Looking back at the times I spent in The Golddiggers within the span of 1973 till 2005 has offered me a wide view of the ‘Power People’ through out show business. What I’ve learned is that fame is temporary but good values endure. I have been blessed with a big family and good friends that keep me grounded and for this I am very grateful.
Wishing you continued blessings,
Maria Lauren – yourpowerfullife
(AKA: Maria Elena Alberici – Riccio)
Alberici Sisters, Maria Lauren and Linda Eichberg wrote a book about the ’Icons of the 20th Century’ with whom they performed like the ‘Rat Pack’ with stories from the who-who’s of retro show biz including the former Dean Martin Golddiggers: BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS: www.BeyondOurWildestDreams.com
See more pictures and videos on Maria Lauren’s Web Site: www.MariaLauren.com
* For personal appearances, entertaining and coaching. Contact: YGTPower@aol.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/maria-lauren-riccio/15/295/285;
www.cdbaby.com/cd/mariannamaria;
www.cdbaby.com/cd/mlaurenaalberici
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18 Responses to "Showstoppers & Rat Pack Golddiggers"
October 25, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Hello my Golddigger “seesters” and hi to anyone else who’s interested. Many of you know that in addition to having performed recently in reunion shows of Maria’s production called, “Showstoppers” that I still perform throughout Southern California, and much of my own show is packed with stories of my Dean Martin Golddigger years. I’m sure it’s due to my long working relationship with Dean that I am still working! As a matter of fact, my business cards say “Dean Martin’s Original Olddigger.”
As others have noted, Dean was full of charm, but one night before a show Dean surprised each of us, “Golddiggers” with an initial gold and diamond charm. I treasure my “P” given by Dean personally; a charm from the greatest charmer of all!
I have so many more memories from my 17 consecutive years in working with Dean I’d like to share, but the more heartfelt is that of attending Dean Paul’s memorial service. Seated among the attendees were Frank and Sammy. As I looked across the lawn I noticed Jerry Lewis coming over with his head down. To my amazement Dean pulled himself together and 10 days later we were back to work in Vegas. Dean received standing ovations. The tabloids all said how Dean fell apart following Dean Paul’s death, but all I recall is Dean’s hard work and dedication to his family and fans – it’s what Dean Paul would have wanted.
In the last years of working with Dean, I once stood in the wings next to Cary Grant (who introduced the Golddiggers at times), and noticed Jeannie (Dean’s wife) and Dean’s children chuckling in the audience as Dean impersonated Cary (who loved it as well). These are just a few of my memories. Let’s keep sharing.
Love,
Peg
October 25, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Peggy, it’s a thrill to still be performing together in “Showstoppers.” You’re a gifted comedian and singer! Yes, our audiences can’t get enough of the stories we tell about Dean and our portrayal of those glamorous days in Vegas and TV. It’s a fun trip down memory lane!
Love you, my friend,
Maria
October 25, 2009 at 6:04 pm
It was so much fun to sing and dance in The Golddigger reunion performances of ‘Showstoppers.’
Those performances always bring forth fond memories of Dean Martin, a very caring man, who went out of his way to be supportive and friendly.
Once, when I was performing with Dean and the ‘Diggers’ in Las Vegas. I had to have emergency surgery. My mom and my husband Steve flew in to stay with me in Vegas while I recuperated. Dean surprised them by paying for their hotel bills. He was a very kind man, the best.
Lots of Love, Linda
October 25, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Thanks Linda, for sharing your story about Dean Martin’s generosity. What I loved most about Dean was his fun loving nature.
Remember when we opened for Dean in Vegas and he would write something funny to Jerry on his dressing room mirror? Jerry would read it, and write something funny back to him. Dean would chuckle as he let us in on the joke. This was right before their TV reunion on Jerry’s Telethon!
Isn’t it a coincidence that 2009 has given Jerry Lewis the honor of an Oscar Humanitarian Award and Dean Martin with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award? … Their partners again!!
Thinking about it makes me smile!
Maria
October 25, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Singing and dancing along side of Dean Martin with the Golddiggers are some of my fondest memories. I have made lifetime friendships with my stage sisters with whom I am still very close. Marie Halton, Peggy Gohl, Linda Eichberg, Patti Gribow, Robyn Whatley, Joyce Garro and, of course you, Maria Lauren.
How wonderful to work with such talent. As I watched Dean throughout my eight years as one of the Golddiggers I marveled at how he was a mentor, a father, a husband, a crooner, a consummate pro…and the classiest of stars we ever worked with!
I think of Dean and you in the many events that shaped my life both professionally and personally. These will always be treasured memories.
Linda Snook Bott
(Golddiggers-1977-1982 and 1989-1991)
October 25, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Dean was a “class act” for sure! Being a part of Dean’s last shows in Vegas was bittersweet. Entertaining with Dean was so wonderful we never wanted it to end!! That’s why it was so special to get together again in “Showstoppers.” Your rendition of Dean’s song, “Your Nobody till Somebody Loves You” was a real crowd pleaser!
Linda, remember sharing our performance as The Golddiggers in 2003, for a star studded event? Executive Producer of the Dean Martin TV shows, Greg Garrison attended as we honored Lee Hale our musical director. Lee also produced Dean’s TV shows and TV speicals. Lee was such a blessing to us all!!!
Hugs Maria
October 25, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Dear Maria and my ‘Golddigger’ sisters:
One of my favorite memories is when we performed on the “Rat Pack Tour” with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, singing before an audience of 7,000. So exciting with the TV cameras a whirling as it was to be a Greg Garrison /TV special. Dean and I were standing together and Frank walked up. He said how beautiful, talented and professional we Golddiggers were and asked Dean if he could have us as “his” girls. Dean took a moment, and said, “you can look at them, listen to them, but if you take a look at my marquee…it says Dean Martin and the Golddiggers”…. And that’s how it stayed.
I had the pleasure of entertaining over 1,000,000 people on 840+ shows with him in Las Vegas. He was the epitome of debonair, cool, and a legendary performer and craftsman. Dean joked, “It’s in my contract…one drop of sweat and I get to walk”.
I was very blessed to have experienced a truly “golden” time with Dean Martin and The Golddiggers.
Love,
Robyn
October 25, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Yes, Robyn … we were blessed to have shared these “golden” experiences with each other and Dean. By the way, the picture at the top of this page was taken about the same time as our Sinatra & Martin tour!
I remember when my daughter, Marianna was about three years old and she would watch our show from the sidelines in Las Vegas. To my surprise, one day she pointed to Dean’s picture on The Bally’s marquee and said, “Dean Martin!” It was a cute moment.
Time marches on! It was sweet for her to perform in “Showstoppers” with her “Golddigger Auntie’s” encouraging her. Getting together to perform after all these years has been a gift. Robyn, your classical solo was outstanding!
I miss you, my friend,
Maria
October 25, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Dear Maria,
I so enjoyed viewing the video clip (You Tube) of your May 13, 2007 Mother’s Day production of “Showstoppers” at the Palmdale Playhouse. The clip brought back great memories of the performance that featured Dean Martin’s Golddiggers which included you, your sister Linda and Peggy Gohl. Steve Apple as Dean Martin was also great fun. The addition of your daughter Marianna’s great singing and dancing was a perfect fit. I know the performance was a special treat for your mother who was in the audience. I hope you do a similar show soon.
Dean
October 25, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Dean, it’s nice to hear from you. Like Dean Martin, you’re also a great man in your own line of work … a college professor! Thank you for your encouraging words of praise for my daughter’s, guest performances in “Showstoppers.”
Since then, Marianna has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater at California State University, Northridge. Presently, she enjoys writing songs for recording and TV artists.
My mom has just turned 80 years old! Singing keeps her young.
God bless you,
Maria
October 25, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Your ‘Showstoppers’ performance was well received and was the best show we have had at The New York Club. It had class, excellent singing, interspersed with humor. We look forward to seeing you again.
Sincerely,
Shirley & Walt Greenes
October 25, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Thanks! Your club was a great audience! Linda Eichberg, Peggy Gohl and I were happy to perform for you. We enjoyed having former Golddigger Marie Peck, join us for the audience participation too!
I love bringing back the kind of entertainment that was part of The Rat Pack era. I’m glad we could bring the glamour of Vegas to you.
God bless,
Maria Lauren
December 1, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Hello, Maria. Just discovered your blog tonight, and I remember sending an email to you when I was searching for Golddiggers. I printed your brief reply but misplaced it since then. All’s not lost, tho…your fellow Golddiggers are here with their own letters, and I’ll take this moment to invite all of you – plus Shirley and Dean, too! – to visit my own WordPress blog titled “Wanted – The Dean Martin Show!”. It’s approx. 1/3rd complete but growing in bits at a time. ‘Showstoppers’ is in the pipeline, coming after New Year’s Day.
At http://draaiorgelfan.wordpress.com we’re hoping to get The Dean Martin show out of Garrison’s vaults and into the public domain. P.S., on ‘About Me’ I’ll have a better photo on Christmas Day. Thanks and cheers from Ralph Baker!
December 5, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Welcome Ralph! It’s always a pleasure to hear from a fan of Dean Martin and The Golddiggers. Since you are dedicating your Blog to that history, I’ve included some trivia about the ladies who have answered my Blog and left messages on the link entitled, Dean Martin: Memories of The Golddiggers, found at the top of the page. These amazing ladies have performed with me in The Golddiggers within three decades, which spanned within the years 1973 till 2003. Did you know? …
• Some of these talented ladies have performed with me in The Golddiggers on countless episodes of the Dean Martin TV Comedy Hour and Dean Martin TV Specials.
• Performing as Dean’s opening act, starting at the grand opening of the MGM in Las Vegas in the 70’s until the Bally’s years through the 80’s was the best time ever!
• Many of us have never stopped performing as soloists and as a group. Our group continues to perform today, paying tribute to the legends that we co-starred with in “Showstoppers” starring former Dean Martin Golddiggers.
• There were three sisters, the Alberici Sisters (my maiden name) who were a part of The Golddiggers during the late 70’s.
You can find out more information and pictures on my Site at: http://www.marialauren.com/
Have a Blessed Holiday season!
Maria
November 3, 2010 at 5:02 pm
And may you, your sisters and The Showstoppers ALSO have a blessed Holiday Season.
With Thanksgiving + Christmas + New Year 2011 on the horizon, let’s all hope for the best.
Cheers from Ralph!
November 4, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Thanks Ralph and the same to you. We still have many blessings to look forward too!
October 25, 2009 at 6:03 pm
LOVED the videos and thank you so much for your special remarks about me, of all people. Such good times we all had. Weren’t rehearsals fun? I always loved putting a new number together, seeing what I put on a music sheet come to life – teaching the music to you and then watching the choreographer stage it all. I used to come home VERY satisfied with myself – and all of you!
Thanks again.
Lee
October 25, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Dear Lee:
Thank you for the gift of your creative genuis! You were, and still are, our mentor.
I always looked forward to your musical innovations and considered it a privilege to perform them both on stage and TV. Thank you for making ‘The Golddiggers’ into the ‘Showstoppers’ we are today!
With Love and Respect,
Maria