The Theater Years

The Theater Years

While still filming “Wagon Train,” Bob was preparing for a career in the musical theater by performing in summer stock around the country during the breaks in filming “Wagon Train.” After leaving that series in 1962, Mr. Horton starred on Broadway in “110 in the Shade,” the musical version of “The Rainmaker.” The musical also starred Inga Swenson, Stephen Douglas, Will Greer, and introduced Leslie Ann Warren. Mr. Horton, who has performed in both the play and the musical versions, feels that the play “holds up much better.”

During much of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, Mr. Horton toured throughout the United States performing in musicals and plays, often with his lovely wife Marilynn, whom he met while both were performing in a summer theater production of “Guys and Dolls” in Ohio. In a review of Kismet , for the Sacramento Union,  Richard Simon said, "The most enjoyable thing about the show was the incandescent performance by Robert Horton. Horton showed a fine awareness of the ironic wit of the humble poet, and a certain dash that recalls the vintage of Errol Flynn. Marilynn Horton was both striking and droll as Lalume." Of Mr. Horton's role as Don Quixote, Angela Owen, of the Peninsula Times Tribune wrote, "but above all it was his humanity that tugged at the heartstrings of the audience...Horton is such a compelling dramatic actor..." Both Robert and Marilynn have played the roles of Curly and Laurey in Oklahoma numerous times around the country. The reviews were always glowing. In a  review in The Plain Dealer, Peter Bellamy wrote, "Both Hortons have the quality of fresh, radiant youth. He has a rich baritone voice. Her operatically trained and throbbing voice has great charm. And as a couple truly in love they add extra tenderness to their singing of "People Will Say We're in Love." And in Ohio, reviewer Miriam Hawkins wrote, "Hortons make "Oklahoma" a 'Beautiful Evening' here." She went on to say, "(Robert) Horton's voice registers a depth and power as he sings his way through the two acts. Appearing opposite her husband is Marilynn Horton, a radiant beauty whose main forte is singing but who enacts with charming innocence the part of a pretty farm miss." It was reported in "Variety" that in a mere seven performances of "Oklahoma" at the St. Louis Municipal Light Opera, Robert Horton grossed a record $143,320.75!

Bob's favorite character was Billy Bigelow from “Carousel.”

His most demanding role: John Adams in “1776.”

The most "fun" role to play: Robert Danvers in "There's a Girl in My Soup."

A role he would have liked to have played, but didn't: King Arthur in "Camelot."

 

As an actor, it must be nice to know that your "favorite" role is also one you are supremely good at, and such was the case with Mr. Horton's portrayal of Billy Bigelow in Carousel. A review by Carl Apone, in The Pittsburgh Press said, "To Robert Horton go the bows. His performance not only measured up to the requirements for Bigelow, it went beyond. Horton's 'Soliloquy' was loaded with emotional substance. In fact, the song not only carried the intended conviction, for me it was more impressive than Robert Goulet's version of the same song in the Carousel opener. (Horton's) 'If I Loved You' in the second act was a thing of beauty. Horton's brilliant bombardment of the role from every direction brought power and poignancy to the part."