Well, dear readers, just when you thought we were partied out they pull us back in. Yes, you heard it hear, dear readers, there is more partying to be done and by gum and by golly we are going to do it. So, pick up those pointy party hats, wash those colored tights and pantaloons and put them back on, get out a fresh supply of cheese slices and ham chunks and most importantly birthday cake – because today we have two count them two birthdays to celebrate here at haineshisway.com. Yes, Virginia, we shall be eating cake until the cows come home and let me tell you that’s a long long time because those fershluganah cows have been gone for months. So, let us dance the pudding dance in honor of our very own Susan Gordon and our very own Lolita. Our very own Lolita, as a matter of fact, will have to change her name because she is now no longer in Lolita territory, having turned eighteen this very day. We wish them both the happiest birthdays ever wished and we do hope they will be celebrating and dancing the Hora and perhaps even the Locomotion.
Last night I went to see my friend Grant Geissman’s daughter in Annie (in a version called Annie Jr. or Annie Lite) at her school. It was charming, but very truncated. Most of the songs were there, but the juniorized it even more by removing most of the book scenes and adding narration to tell the story. That actually worked just fine. They had to make one other series of changes because, being part of a summer program, only one boy auditioned. He played the role of Drake, the servent, so I think you know what they had to do. Yes, Virginia, the other male roles were played by females. They changed Daddy Oliver Warbucks to Olivia Warbucks, and that is who Grant’s daughter, Greer played. She was very good – and this was the first real role that she’s ever played (she was in the chorus of Bye Bye Birdie). There was one little pipsqueak girl in the chorus who was so cute and so charming and so precocious that I will say she could have done any production of Annie anywhere, including Broadway. She sang, she danced and she was hilarious. Anyway, we all had a marvelous time.
Speaking of Bye Bye Birdie, tonight I’m going to the Alex Theater with my friend Nick Redman. They are showing the film on their big Alex screen – but the best part is that there was a young boy who was in the film (in Birdie’s big first number) and his mother apparently took home movies on the set and they’re going to show those for the very first time. They shot those big numbers on the Universal lot (it was a Columbia film) and she has footage of a visit from Gregory Peck and Alfred Hitchcock, as well as Ann-Margret’s 21st birthday party. This series of films is to honor gypsies in film, and I’m told that quite a few gypsies from film show up – I’ll have a full report for you tomorrow.
Well, it’s cleaning lady day, so I must hurry, hurry, hurry (that is three hurrys) and get out before she starts giving me the evil eye, so let’s all click on the Unseemly Button below so we can be like Kermit and movin’ right along.
Well, today is our handy-dandy Unseemly Trivia Contest and I have had no time to come up with something truly clever – but I like this question so I’ll ask it:
These three actors have one very specific thing in common
Stanley Rushton, Robin Mayfield and Liam McNulty
What is it?
Clue: They once all appeared in the same play.
Remember, DO NOT POST YOUR ANSWERS TO THE SITE. Send them to me via e-mail at bruce@haineshisway.com or simply use the Ask BK Button. Good luck to one and all and also all and one.
Late last night a new visitor posted something that was designed to provoke a reaction. In the post he inferred how he found this site in a very specific way that is impossible. Let us ignore such things – because had our regulars here seen this post (it posted after most of our posters were off galavanting or sleeping) there would have been lots of responses, but as Minnie Kritzer would say, I would prefer to let sleeping dogs lie for the time being. What is most amusing about this sort of thing is that it is so transparent. I suppose the poster could have been referring to something else, or making an honest query, but the way in which it was worded (including the inference of how he found the site) would lead any reasonably bright person to suspect otherwise.
Intrigue, drama, suspense, we have it all here at haineshisway.com, and if I hadn’t called attention to it my feeling is, for various reasons, it would have increased over the next few days. I have now called attention to it, so please honor my wishes and do not rise to the bait. Have you ever called attention to “it”? Did “it” warrant the attention?
Well, I am now officially being given the evil eye, dear readers, so it is time to for me to take the day, to amscray, to take a hike, to hit the road, Jack, but I will be back and I will have more to say. Let’s not let this be one of those dullsville weekends where everybody goes and does things – we simply can’t have that. Do check in every now and then. Don’t forget, tomorrow Donald will be putting up a brand spanking new radio show, the first of our dear reader listener’s picks of favorite show tunes – and it features a conversation with our very own Mr. Craig Brockman – Mr. Brockman is especially good at getting to the root of Intrigue, Drama and Suspense, if you get my drift. Today’s topic of discussion: What books are you currently reading? I must confess, I’m currently not reading, as I’m currently writing, so I like to hear about the things others are reading. So, what are you reading and do you like it? Post away, my pretties.