| Shannon Bolin | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1917 Spencer, South Dakota USA |
| Occupation | actress and singer |
| Years active | 1943–present |
| Spouse | Milton Kaye (1946- Kaye's death in 2006) |
Shannon Bolin (born January 1, 1917) is an American actress and singer. She was born in Spencer, South Dakota. Bolin portrayed Meg Boyd in both the stage and screen adaptations of Damn Yankees.[1] She also appeared in a series of television commercials in the 1980s and 1990s for Denny's restaurants in which she mispronounced the chain's name as Lenny's.
Bolin’s stage career also includes: “The Golden Apple” [Mrs. Juniper]; “Only in America” [Kate Golden]; ”The Student Gypsy” [Zampa Allescu];[2] “Take Me Along” [Lily]; “Xmas in Las Vegas”[3] [Eleanor Wellspot]; “Helen Goes to Troy,” for which she used the name Anne Bolin. She was also in “Promenade” [mother] in 1976.
Bolin's work includes radio work in New York City for The Theatre Guild of the Air production of “Allegro.” She also sang Brahms lieder on WQXR for the Stromberg-Carlson series. She appeared on television in the NBC Opera Theatre production of “Suor Angelica,”[4] in which she played the Princess, and the Jackie Gleason Show, a special titled “The Christmas List” in which she was Gleason's wife.[5]
Shannon Bolin worked with Marc Blitzstein in the opera based on "The Little Foxes."[6] She played the alternate lead when the work debuted on Broadway. Bolin also appeared in a concert version of the opera “Barbara Allen” by David Broekman, conducted by Maurice Levine. She also appeared in a concert version of Morton Gould’s opera “Desire Under the Elms,” based on the Eugene O'Neil play.
Among the venues in which she sang was Café Society Uptown. She recorded an album, “Rare Wine,” with her husband, pianist and conductor Milton Kaye.
Shannon Bolin married Milton Kaye in October 1946. Bolin and Kaye appeared together in a De Beers diamond commercial which ran from 2002-2006.[7]