Val is based on the combination of life stories of Pamela Blair (original Val) and Mitzi Hamilton.
Val is sexy, sassy, funny, foul-mouthed, but ultimately a winner. She is refreshing in that she beat the system--she didn't have the looks for the biz, so she bought what she needed to match her
talent.
Val is primarily based on Pam Blair, except the plastic surgery, which was inspired by Mitzi Hamilton. Michael Bennett based the ambitious, angelic-looking, yet foul-mouthed persona on his experiences with Pam. Val does not have the same type of nervous energy that many of the other characters need in the show, she is more brazen. But she is still likeable and desparate to get the job.
Although I don't have much background info on Pam, I do know that she originally related a much longer and amusing story of all her years of dance training. In addition, she also related stories of having to work in a strip joint after her surgery (this may have
been fictionalized, but regardless, she recreated her routine during Dance:Ten)
Mitzi Hamilton was born in Chicago, where her grandma used to whisper to her "You're going to be a ballerina" Her mom thought it was a cute idea, so she sent her to class to take everything from tumbling to baton twirling. When she was 8, a 17 year old neighbor used to drive her to class sometimes. "He
seduced me into going down on him, giving him a handjob, that sort of thing. I didn't dare tell anyone, because I was afraid. To this day, I'm turned on by a trumpet!"
She got her first jobs when she was 16, although her dad was not happy about it. He wanted her to get married and settle down. She is really grateful to her mom for helping protect her. She moved at 19 and eventually wound up in New York. She did some revues
and tours, and also a Burlesque show. "We weren't topless, but we wore pretty scanty costumes. I didn't care--it was a job."
Around this time she changed her name from Carole Patricie (I had mistakenly accredited this to Michon Peacock/Bebe earlier) to Carol Petri to Mitzi Hamilton. "I read about Marilyn Monroe having her chin done, and I thought 'Well if she can do it, why can't I?'" So, she had her chin and nose done, then added her breasts. "I did it for myself. I
always felt like a very sensual person. I thought 'How dare I not have gotten tits?' Really, I've got this one life, I wanna have tits!" When Michael saw her new breasts, he went right up to her, put his hands on her chest, and said "they're
beautiful!"
Val has been around for 5 or 6 years, so she is fairly
experienced. She has a clearly defined relationship with Sheila. She has special relationship with Mark as well, since she takes him under her wing. She probably recognizes a little of herself in him when she first came to NY. In the original production, she pinches his butt at the end of her number. (My personal theory is that they have an affair after the show until she dumps him for some producer!) See Mark's entry for some other details, their end pose, for example. She would know some of the other dancers as well, probably, Mike, Maggie, and Richie, for example.
Other details: Val is fourth from Left. She wears light trunks, a tight pastel tee, and socks and tennis shoes. Her hair is typically worn in those high bunches, but she lets it down for the Finale. Val has a lot of lines, as well as a full monologue,
a song, and several "moments" during the Montage, mostly variations on the 'Tits' theme. (During the "Mother" verse, she is directed to sing sweetly and wistfully about not having tits!) Val is usually one of the favorite auditioners, as long as people can get past her swearing. The swearing was toned down for the movie, and I've heard of people changing the song to "This and That."
Hideous, if you consider the truth of the character!! Anyway, like Diana, she is not afraid of the truth.
Pam Blair has continued acting, I think she won a drama desk award for "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" I got to met her once in Chicago (She was in a tour of "How to Succeed" as Heddy LaRue) and she was really nice!
Mitzi Hamilton eventually played the role of Val on Broadway, and has segued into directing. She travels around alot staging various productions of ACL, as a matter of fact. Key words for Val are fun, sexy, direct, and an attention-seeker.
