Leland Palmer (born Linda Posner, June 16, 1940, in Port Washington, New York) is an American actress, dancer, and singer who has appeared on stage, in motion pictures, and on television. She appeared on Broadway in Bajour (1964),Bajour Playbill (vault), retrieved April 18, 2019 A Joyful Noise (1966)A Joyful Noise Playbill (vault), retrieved April 18, 2019 Hello, Dolly! (1967 replacement Minnie Fay),Hello Dolly! Playbill (vault), retrieved April 18, 2019 Applause (1970 replacement), and Pippin (1972). Palmer received two Tony Award nominations: in 1967 for featured actress in a musical (Miss Jimmie in A Joyful Noise),"Leland Palmer" Playbill (vault), retrieved April 18, 2019 and in 1973 for actress in a musical (Fastrada in Pippin).
Career Palmer appeared as Viola in the rock musical Your Own Thing during a highly regarded run at the Huntington Hartford Theater in Los Angeles in August 1968, in the role that she originated in the original Off-Broadway production in 1968.' Your Own Thing Off-Broadway" lortel.org, retrieved April 18, 2019 She appeared in Dames at Sea which opened in September 1970 at the theater at Plaza 9 in New York City. She played the role of Ruby, with The New York Times reviewer writing: "Ruby... is played like a virtuous, squeaking mouse by a girl named Leland Palmer, who is delicious in a mildly frightening way."Thompson, Howard. " 'Dames at Sea' Docks At Plaza 9 Music Hall" The New York Times, September 24, 1970 She appeared in the musical Double Feature at the Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, Connecticut, which opened in November 1979. The show had music by Jeff Moss and was directed by Mike Nichols.Dietz, Dan. "Number 406, Double Feature", Off Broadway Musicals, 1910-2007: Casts, Credits, Songs, Critical Reception and Performance Data of More Than 1,800 Shows, McFarland, 2010, , p. 121"A New Play Retitled" The New York Times, November 11, 1979
Her U.S. television appearances include guest roles on Love, American Style; Laverne & Shirley; and Rhoda. She was also a regular on Dinah Shore's summer variety television show, Dinah and Her New Best Friends in 1976. She played Aŕlene in the 1976 NBC television movie James Dean.James Dean tcm.com, retrieved April 19, 2019 Palmer is known for Bob Fosse's All That Jazz (1979),Seklir, Kate. "Where Are They Now: The Original Broadway Cast of 'Pippin'" Playbill, October 1, 2018 in which she played Audrey Paris, a character believed to be modeled on Fosse's wife, Gwen Verdon.Canby, Vincent. "The Screen: Roy Scheider Stars in 'All That Jazz':Peter Pan Syndrome" The New York Times, December 20, 1979
Palmer is known now as Linda Posner. She was born Linda Palmer, and discovered many years later that the family name was really "Posner." Although she no longer performs, she works with theaters in California. She taught acting classes at Mendocino Community College and was the artistic director, Director, Teacher, and Consultant for the Willits Community Theater (Willits, California)."Learn From the Masters. Linda Posner. April 2014" willitstheatre.org, retrieved April 19, 2019 Pearl Marill, Posner's daughter who heads a dance company, presented a one-time event "My Mother on Broadway" in October 2014 in San Francisco."My Mother on Broadway" sfstation.com, retrieved April 19, 2019 She served as choreographer of the 42nd Street Moon, San Francisco production of Irma La Douce in 2008.Gans, Andrew. "42nd Street Moon Season Will Include 'Irma La Douce', 'Baker's Wife', 'Wildcat' and More" Playbill, August 8, 2008
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1966 Step Out of Your Mind Stacey 1977 Valentino Marjorie Tain 1979 All That Jazz Audrey Paris
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