tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post8692504734638387472..comments2023-10-03T08:20:34.774-04:00Comments on Theatre Aficionado at Large: The Mystery of Patricia NewayKevin Dalyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11885446907718013966noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-71397764101510915472021-02-01T18:17:08.648-05:002021-02-01T18:17:08.648-05:00Frances Breeze was the vocal coach for a number of...Frances Breeze was the vocal coach for a number of musicals I was in at William & Mary in the early 80's. I heard the rumor that "she was the original Mother Abbess from The Sound of Music" way back then. This thrilled me because I still had the original cast album that I'd grown up listening to it. So, when I went home on break, I compared the photos and it sure didn't seem like the same person I knew – though I wanted it to be true. I remember thinking it odd that she would not acknowledge that she was THE Patricia Neway while at William & Mary – particularly since she had something of a cult following from students who adored her for her considerable expertise as a teacher. From then on, I assumed it was probably a rumor that had some truth to it... that she was not Patricia Neway but rather, had been an understudy, or someone who had played the Mother Abbess role after Patricia Neway or, perhaps in a touring production or revival. <br /><br />Now, many years later, a discussion of the Sound of Music with a friend led me down the rabbit hole again and I decided to research further. I hadn't realized there was this mystery brewing out there on the internet all these years – despite there being several sources noting that Neway retired to Vermont and then eventually died there in 2012. As I read through the comments above, it occurred to me that, whatever the backstory, it's quite possible that Francis Breeze had been confused with Neway somewhere along the way and Breeze enjoyed the confusion, status and mystery that this mistaken identity provided her. Imagine someone saying, "Wow, your voice sounds exactly Patricia Neway's!" Maybe it did and that was enough for the rumor to stay alive.<br /><br />Finally, reading here, and then confirming elsewhere, I see that Neway was a very imposing 6 feet tall. The Frances Breeze I studied with was most definitely NOT 6 feet tall. She was a shorter woman (probably 5'9" at most), very heavy and used a walker due to a bad back. She was a wonderful person, a terrific teacher and she, no doubt, enjoyed the adulation her students gave her. It is not hard for me to imagine that she also enjoyed being thought of as Patricia Neway but, alas, it is hard for me to reconcile now that she actually was.<br /><br />When we are told someone we know is an acclaimed person from the past, it's quite seductive to believe it. And yet the sober facts as presented here and elsewhere just don't make a convincing argument that Francis Breeze was Patricia Neway, a person that others have most definitively identified as being in Vermont at a time when I know, for a fact, Francis Breeze was in Virginia. <br /><br />Finally, I note that at the College of William & Mary Library, there is a Frances Breeze Collection of her papers, presumably. Among her credentials was a degree from Juillard which Patricia Neway did not have. And yet, even there on the library's website, it is noted in the description of her archives, "Also known as Patricia Neway."<br /><br />Misinformation dies hard. If you'd like to prove me wrong, I suggest you go to the archives at the College and dig up some hard evidence. I doubt that you will find it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10668276769708787179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-29362972118427931712018-10-29T19:38:12.917-04:002018-10-29T19:38:12.917-04:00Patricia Neway was my aunt she was never this othe...Patricia Neway was my aunt she was never this other person I don't understand why this continues Hoping this other person was aunt Pat is stupid and all your crazy ideas should stop.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10034766671513181358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-3062001419886081992015-01-05T06:36:35.868-05:002015-01-05T06:36:35.868-05:00i studied with frances from 1976-1979 ... she had ...i studied with frances from 1976-1979 ... she had the most profound impact on my life and it is mostly due to her that i pursued a career in singing that utlitmately led me to my life here in the chorus of the zurich opera since 1998. i loved her and thrived under her teaching ... i have no idea if the rumours are true, but i am watching sound of music today and i think of her ... rest in peace frances and thanks for eveythingAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13299805273292527119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-12062388460722838392013-01-17T00:13:26.762-05:002013-01-17T00:13:26.762-05:00I realize this is a year late and probably no one ...I realize this is a year late and probably no one is still reading this thread, but just in case...I also studied with Francis Breeze in the 70's before she took the position with William and Mary. We became more that just pupil/teacher and more like collaborators. She performed Amahl in Hampton. I took over as the costumer since the person originally hired vanished. i had 48 hours to costume the entire show, and Francis just told me "I knew you could do it, that's why i recommended you." I had never had that kind of confidence put in me, and I was able to rise above my own abilities and accomplish the impossible. That is the person, Francis Breeze. Her talent, her teaching, were legendary but it was the confidence and power with which she endowed her students, friends and colleagues that set her apart. Was she Patricia Neway. I don't believe anyone will ever be able to answer that question beyond a doubt, but does it matter? She was Francis and I loved her.anton10or@aol.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07644272612428451078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-16699893178575600662012-01-26T19:22:01.407-05:002012-01-26T19:22:01.407-05:00Pat wanted to spend the rest of her life in her lo...Pat wanted to spend the rest of her life in her lovely home by the river, which she did. On January 24, 2012, she died peacefully in her sleep, most likely with her purrbox cat "Lady" close at hand. I remain ever grateful that she was my friend. Amy PeberdyAmy Peberdyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18085577107800414201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-7038227181549243142012-01-02T11:52:55.985-05:002012-01-02T11:52:55.985-05:00I'm glad to hear my late mother's cousin, ...I'm glad to hear my late mother's cousin, Pat Neway, is still alive and well in Vermont. Thank you Brad Learmonth for your post. Despite the speculations in some of the other posts, Pat Neway is not, nor was she ever, the same person as Frances Breeze, and Pat is indeed the one who starred in the Consul and the Sound of Music. I know this to be true because my parents took me to see her in the Sound of Music on Broadway and we went out to dinner afterwards. Again, a sincere thank you to Brad.Mickey Onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292945198784410368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-35856817195272398052011-12-26T10:32:18.573-05:002011-12-26T10:32:18.573-05:00I had a lovely christmas dinner with Patricia Newa...I had a lovely christmas dinner with Patricia Neway last night in Vermont, where she has lived since the mid seventies. She and Francis breeze are not one and the same and pat IS the singer who created the roles in the consul and sound of music. Also, her birthday is September 30, not 20. Alive and reasonay well in Vermont. Brad LearmonthBradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11338519497912032158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-26723610981251362162010-12-02T00:56:29.204-05:002010-12-02T00:56:29.204-05:00I also studied with Frances Breeze between 1981 - ...I also studied with Frances Breeze between 1981 - 1983. The video and voice were unquestionably those of the Frances I knew at W&M. I am not an expert; I have no other evidence than eyes and ears, but for me there is no doubt that she was Patricia Neway.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07595239839800342156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-9945484786863277262010-01-18T00:30:33.310-05:002010-01-18T00:30:33.310-05:00Frances taught me voice in the mid - 1970's (u...Frances taught me voice in the mid - 1970's (until about 1977); her students passed around the rumor that she was Patricia Neway, but she'd never confirm or deny it. I can't imagine she'd take that attitude unless she was, but there was never any proof.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06428863239624856792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-81822432114883668662009-11-26T17:38:13.492-05:002009-11-26T17:38:13.492-05:00When I attended the 50th anniversary celebration f...When I attended the 50th anniversary celebration for The Sound of Music last week, I made it a point to ask original cast members if any of them knew of Patricia Neway's whereabouts. Speaking directly with actresses who were part of the nun's chorus, they informed me that they continue to maintain contact with her and corroborate the posters here that she is living in Vermont, where she and her husband retired after performing.Kevin Dalyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885446907718013966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-53246207238599886162009-11-26T17:08:05.327-05:002009-11-26T17:08:05.327-05:00Wow! I was one of France Breeze's first stude...Wow! I was one of France Breeze's first students. I had had enough training previous to W&M that caused me to seek her out in Hampton (the sole voice teacher at that time was teaching a technique that went against everything that I had learned up to that point.) I went to her home and she told me that she was starting at W&M the next semester, and assured me that I would study with her.<br /><br />She absolutely stated that she was Patricia Neway, and had other names in the music profession, citing the lack of "crossover" that artists were allowed during her career. She told me that she knew Menotti well, and that he had had a very small apartment in the same walkup as she.<br /><br />I had no idea such a mystery existed! However, I can say that the available video sure looks like the Frances I knew.sblakeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11489882189120269366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-4776875481696823912009-10-11T15:13:02.901-04:002009-10-11T15:13:02.901-04:00I was studying voice at W&M at the very end of...I was studying voice at W&M at the very end of Frances' teaching career, and inherited much of her studio music (well, BOUGHT much of it, actually) and even visited St. Croix - and Frances - with my family over Xmas 1.5 years after she retired. Yes, this rumor was flying around when I was there, and it was certainly interesting, but I never put too much credence in it.<br /><br />Anyway, a much quieter part of the rumor, as I recall it, was that Patricia Neway and Frances had been roommates in NYC - Patricia Neway did indeed exist, and was not the same person as Frances Breeze - but, here's the tricky part - that it was actually Frances Breeze who was on-stage as Magda Sorel, and Mother Abess, etc. during those B'way years. Needless to say, I have absolutely no idea why this would be - no possible explanation, but that was the rumor. Frances was completely moot on the point - completely - which explains why W&M never honored her in any way as "Patricia Neway." In any event, I missed an incredible opportunity to delve into this mystery while I was still in college, because the summer before my senior year I was assistant stage manager for Menotti's "Juana La Loca" at the Spoleto Festival in Charleson SC, directed by Menotti himself. It never ocurred to me to ask him directly about it - and maybe I wouldn't have gotten a direct answer anyway. A couple year later he popped in to "stage direct" (in one afternoon) a performance of Amahl at the Kennedy Center that I was in the chorus of - he didn't recognize me from Juana, and I'd have been surprised if he had. And of course I didn't ask him. Anyway - 2 opportunities missed. <br /><br />The only thing that ever made me think there might be some truth to this bizarre story - while I was still at W&M - was a recording of Patricia Neway singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" from - is it Carousel? I had spent quite a lot of time in Frances Breeze's studio during those two years, and when I heard Patricia approach the high note at the end of that song in a very particular way, it strongly reminded me of Frances. Sounded just like her.<br /><br />But nothing had the effect on me that this video had. That's Frances alright - don't have to pick apart tiny moments of some old recording. That's Frances's head and face and body as Magda Sorel. It's freaky. After all these years....there it is.<br /><br />What, indeed, can be the real story behind all this?????? Patricia Neway must know. (Are the two women twins or something? Because if that woman playing Magda was NOT Frances, it was her twin sister.)<br /><br />[I'm going to forward this thread to last year's Glimmerglass concert-mistress, who is also a chum]Oslovianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14071219058142105989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-42567469145184229782009-09-04T18:19:09.351-04:002009-09-04T18:19:09.351-04:00P.S.:
Here are some photos from her last performa...P.S.:<br /><br />Here are some photos from her last performance: Patricia Neway aka Frances Breeze as the mom and Duke Rightious as Amahl. Frances also sang opera under the stage names of Frances Palmer and Francesca Palmeretti. I have the recording as well and might get the whole thing uploaded to YouTube - we'll see...<br /><br />http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx286/PatriciaNeway/AmahlTouchedUp1.jpg<br /><br />http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx286/PatriciaNeway/AmahlTouchedUp2.jpg<br /><br />http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx286/PatriciaNeway/AmahlTouchedUp3.jpgDuke Rightioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473920224716219216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-4960234201140350032009-09-04T18:03:59.809-04:002009-09-04T18:03:59.809-04:00Here are two articles from The Daily Press/Times H...Here are two articles from The Daily Press/Times Herald of Hampton/Newport News, VA that I hope will help some people to see the bridge here...<br /><br />When I was growing up (we had an instant kinship since I met her at age eleven) everyone "in the know" knew exactly who Frances Breeze was - she actually moved down here before she was finished with "The Sound of Music" on Broadway; they would fly her up in a hotel for five days and then she would fly back to Hampton for her two days off.<br /><br />The pressure of being a singer as she aged was replaced with wanting to be recognized as a teacher. I remember when "the guys from William and Mary" came calling. I was heartbroken, because I would stay at her house on the weekends, and she was moving into a small apartment. As with most singers, she wanted to go out on top, which she did if you look at the articles I posted. Although I was not there when they met with her, Frances told me that William and Mary was going to give her an honorary doctorate and list only her contributions and abilities as a voice teacher for her hire and not from her performance past...<br /><br />Hope this helps anyone who wants to know... I have a great many "Pat Neway" stories to tell...<br /><br />PS Frances was adopted. Her first date of birth is her birth date and the second is her day of adoption. She was "discovered" as a teenager on the Author Godfrey talent hour and was awarded voice lessons as the winner of that show...<br /><br />http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx286/PatriciaNeway/?action=view&current=FrancesReview.jpg<br /><br />and<br /><br />http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx286/PatriciaNeway/?action=view&current=AmahlAd111.jpgDuke Rightioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473920224716219216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-14215430853605264762009-09-04T09:56:37.619-04:002009-09-04T09:56:37.619-04:00Many of Frances Breeze's former voice students...Many of Frances Breeze's former voice students are now commenting on your post on Facebook. It was a "common knowledge" rumor at William and Mary that she was Patricia Neway; while none of the commentators ever heard her claim this outright, she'd often talk of opening shows on Broadway. The physical and vocal resemblence between Ms. Breeze and Ms. Neway is quite stunning (granted, this is filtered through a 25-year memory). That being said, it's interesting that W&M has never identified her as Patricia Neway, even though you know a college would jump on that opportunity in an instant. And all the conflicting information about dates of birth (and Ms. Breeze's death in 2003) seem to lead us to the conclusion that they weren't the same.<br /><br />For DukeRightious, can you confirm Ms. Breeze died in 2003? And, if they are the same person, why the coyness about her identity?<br /><br />None of this changes our feelings for Ms. Breeze, who was beloved by her students. We're still chatting and I'll send any further information if it pops up. After all these years, we're still curious too!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10582331159775740941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-19476290716307718032009-09-03T22:33:31.120-04:002009-09-03T22:33:31.120-04:00I knew her well... Take a look at my video "R...I knew her well... Take a look at my video "Rightious Revealed" and you'll see pics of her in her last stage production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" in which I played "Amahl". Frances Breeze and Patricia Neway were indeed the same person. I'm the one who posted her performances on YouTube.Duke Rightioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473920224716219216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-8607956741173078632009-08-19T12:51:07.240-04:002009-08-19T12:51:07.240-04:00Patricia Neway is very much alive and living, as m...Patricia Neway is very much alive and living, as mentioned before, in VT. Her husband, the late John Francis Byrne, died late last year. He was my great-uncle. I know that she is being cared for full-time, as mentioned before and that other than physical ailments, she is alert and very well.<br /><br />Pat leads a very private life now and I haven't seen her in quiet some time but my father lives nearby and sees her quite regularly.nosferaustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10514435258885391338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-55717896410960391282009-08-05T12:05:48.706-04:002009-08-05T12:05:48.706-04:00Florence Kopleff reported to me that she spoke by ...Florence Kopleff reported to me that she spoke by telephone with Patricia Neway on 8/5/09. Miss Neway is living at home in Vermont. She is disabled by arthritis to the extent that she requires full-time assistance, but is otherwise well and alert.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-51530707071926907192009-07-08T18:02:40.409-04:002009-07-08T18:02:40.409-04:00There is a Patricia Neway currently living in NY. ...There is a Patricia Neway currently living in NY. I can't imagine that there are many people with that name floating around.<br /><br />It will be intriguing to figure out where the Neway-Breeze connection was made...Kevin Dalyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885446907718013966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-45949492962596591032009-07-08T18:00:40.898-04:002009-07-08T18:00:40.898-04:00this is fascinating.this is fascinating.Joseph Gomezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12503312301993517963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-82121416220488179972009-07-07T20:35:22.463-04:002009-07-07T20:35:22.463-04:00Sarah - I would love to see it live with either Ra...Sarah - I would love to see it live with either Racette or Clark. But would give the piece the impassioned performance it deserves. Going to see if Glimmerglass is in the cards this summer.<br /><br />Ted - Thanks so much. I felt it was rather odd facts that don't add up. Census records are incredibly fascinating. I am curious how the two became synonymous for this person.<br /><br />Will the real Patricia Neway please stand up? (Especially if she's still with us, I'd like to toast her 90th birthday this September).Kevin Dalyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885446907718013966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-5047368972882519442009-07-07T19:00:06.152-04:002009-07-07T19:00:06.152-04:00Well I did some digging and Patricia Neway was sti...Well I did some digging and Patricia Neway was still living in NYC as late as 1990. I think someone has confused the two women. That Frances P. Breeze was born on September 25, 1920 and the 1920 census gives Neway's age as 3 months in January 1920, so she had to be born in 1919 as most sources claim. I suspect she's probably still alive somewhere in NYC. There's no indication she ever married.Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07559179169547621246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054015418191023896.post-86966981026098055552009-07-07T17:38:23.564-04:002009-07-07T17:38:23.564-04:00I DREAM of a revival at the Vivian Beaumont - Patr...I DREAM of a revival at the Vivian Beaumont - Patricia Racette is the ideal, but I think Victoria Clark could handle it.Sarah B. Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01515476679981650807noreply@blogger.com