Well, dear readers, I had a lovely first day in New York, New York (last night being a lovely first evening). I slept like a log and woke up quite late, feeling quite refreshed. I got up, showered, made some calls, answered some e-mails, and then left the hotel. I walked around Times Square for a while, visited Colony Records (I always get a kick out of their prices), and then made my way to Primary Stages where the performance of Drat! The Cat! was playing. I met Mr. Ira Levin outside the theater and we had a wonderful time catching up. Milt Schaefer, the composer of the show, then showed up and we had a nice chat, too. Then we sat down and watched the show – Milt, Ira, and me, next to each other in the back of the theater. The musical director was Jim Stenborg, who has the distinction of being the first musical director I ever hired when I began making albums at Varese Sarabande. He did Unsung Sondheim. The production (a concert staging) was hit-and-miss, but the show itself is really pretty terrific, especially the score. I knew that, of course, having produced the studio cast album with Miss Susan Egan and Mr. Jason Graae. The big problems with what I saw all had to do with the cast, who were all perfectly fine, but not really up to the material, which requires real star personalities. It’s a show that I would like to direct sometime, because there are such great possibilities to be clever visually, and for really good laughs. All that said, it was great fun to finally see the show – it’s a show that at least deserves a classy production with a great cast. And who knows what the future may bring.
It was sort of rainy after the show, so I jogged over to Joe Allen and met up with dear reader Iris, who is assisting me on the two recording sessions. My assistant Jonathan also came by, to atone for his recent sins. We accepted his atonement, and he’ll be dropping by the sessions. But the funniest thing was our other visitor. Earlier, whilst walking in Times Square, who should I run into but our very own Mr. Paul Haber, who is spending a few months in New York, New York. He was with some family, and I met his brother and several other nice folks. Paul joined us at Joe Allen for a while, and we all had a very good time. I had a shrimp cocktail, a small Caesar salad, a bacon cheeseburger and baked potato, and the Coconut Custard Pie with whipped cream, all quite yummilicious. I then went back to the hotel and organized what I need with me for tomorrow’s session (plus I’ll be dropping by the After the Ball rehearsal to say hello). Later I ate some Swedish Fish. How does one differentiate between Swedish Fish and Armenian Fish, for example? Why Swedish Fish? Who named them Swedish Fish? How arbitrary. Why not Guatemalan Fish or Chinese Fish? I mean, have these fish seen any Ingmar Bergman films, such as Skammen? I just don’t understand these Swedish Fish, but I eat them anyway. Well, that was quite a few sentences all about Swedish Fish, which is, of course, the sequel to All About Eve.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below so I can tell you all about today.
What is it, Swedish Fish? I’ve got Swedish Fish on the brain, frankly, or even georgely. As I write these here notes, there is some raucous partay going on on my floor of the Doubletree Hotel. Quite loud and obnoxious. I wonder if they’re eating any Swedish Fish? Anyway, I hope the partay quiets down in time for my beauty rest.
Today I shall be recording Miss Kerry Butler’s duet with Mr. Guy Haines. I’m looking forward to it very much, as it will be my first time in the studio with Miss Butler. Afterwards, I’ve been invited to attend the Theatre World Awards, by Mr. Walter Willison. By coincidence, Mr. Richard Valley and his ever-lovin’ Tom will be there, so I’m going to meet up with them and we’ll all sit together. I’ve never been to a Theatre World Awards bash, so I’ll be interested to see what it is like. I’ve been invited to their partay afterwards, but will probably meet up with Vinnie instead, to sup and discuss the session for After the Ball.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must shake, rattle, and roll and do a plethora of things all the livelong day and night. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite “weird” candies and snack foods? I, for example, like Beer Nuts and Swedish Fish, not necessarily in that order. I occasionally like some beef jerky, which is as weird as it gets. Other oddball snacks and candies I like are Abba Zabba, round pretzels with pizza-flavored insides, the wax bottles with gaily-colored liquids inside, and the odd dried pineapple and apricots. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, you dear, dear Swedish Fish out there in the dark. I shall have a full report on my comings and goings and also my goings and comings.