Well, dear readers, it’s already mid-week if you can believe it. Such is the nature of the holiday weekend. Yesterday, I had quite a busy day, even though my meeting was canceled. I had to deal with a lot of e-mails and phone calls, then I had to do some research work on one of the two projects I’m hoping will be the next Kritzerland release. Speaking of Kritzerland, I got an “annoyed” e-mail from a customer asking where his CDs were, given that his credit card was charged. I wrote him back, trying to nicely say that it is clearly stated on both item pages what the street date is, that these are “preorders” and that copies purchased via the site will ship a week earlier than street date. I don’t know how to say it more clearly. And, paypal doesn’t operate like amazon or other big online companies – they charge the card at the time of the order. But, I wonder what the deal is – why someone would get so antsy when they’d just ordered a week ago. In any case, I hope the response makes the customer more comfortable. Where was I? Oh, yes, I then spent two hours rehearsing with Mr. Kevin Spirtas, and we’re having a lot of fun. We didn’t start actually staging until the second hour, but we got the first three numbers done and we’re moving right along. We should be able to finish the first act tomorrow, and we should be able to rough in the second act on Thursday. I think it’s going to be quite a nice show – good song selection, and Kevin is very personable and has a terrific voice. I then rushed home, shaved, showered and headed off to Pasadena to attend the opening night of Purlie at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Tammy looked cute-as-a-button, and I saw a few people I knew in the courtyard, including the show’s director, Mr. Sheldon Epps. It was a completely sold out house. Now, here is an amusing story: I knew the talkinbroadway.com “reviewer” was going to be there last night (she posted that she was). I knew she was on the young side, and I also have, from her postings, known that she really does think of herself as a critic who matters (despite the fact that she performs this service for free, and despite the fact that not all that many people actually read the reviews on that site). I told Tammy I wanted to figure out who she was. So, we looked around, but I didn’t see anyone who I felt fit the bill. Then this young woman arrived, dressed in a skirt and cotton socks. I took one look at her and pegged her as the “reviewer.” Guess what? I was right. We heard her being introduced to someone. Isn’t that funny? The opening nights at the Pasadena Playhouse are a bit frustrating, as the show invariably starts fifteen to twenty minutes late, which was, again, the case last night. I don’t know how long Purlie normally runs, but the first act was a whopping ninety-two minutes (the second act was shorter). I’ve never seen Purlie on stage. I’ve seen parts of the video with Melba Moore, but have never seen it all. As a show, I found it a bit clunky. Half the score serves the show really well, and the other half sort of stops it dead in its tracks (although every number got screams and shouts from the friendly opening night crowd). Interestingly, most of the book is just lifted verbatim from Ossie Davis’ original play, Purlie Victorious, and, in the second act, there’s a long section where the show just stops being a musical and is just Purlie Victorious. I like Mr. Epps a lot, and some of the production works really well. The opening is a real rouser, and I rather liked the choreography of Kenneth Lee Robinson. Most of the cast does a terrific job, with special kudos to Harrison White, who’s great as Jitlow, E. Faye Butler as Idella, and the powerhouse Loretta Devine as Missy Judson. I wasn’t as thrilled with the actors playing Purlie and Lutiebelle, neither of whom really commanded the stage with real star power, which is what those roles require. They’re fine, but the show needs more than fine. The band is excellent, but the synth horns don’t cut the mustard or the mayonnaise – they just sound like synth horns. This is one show that really needs its brass players. But, if you can’t have them, I’d just make do without the synth brass – just let the rhythm section and the organ keyboards really cook. Sets were fluid, lighting was a bit off, I thought. It’s an enjoyable evening, though, and I think it will do just fine, caveats aside.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below, because I’ve got to get these here notes posted, and then I must to bed for my beauty sleep. In the words of Eddie Foy, Jr. – That is correct, turn the page.
This morning I shall be on my way to Mr. Grant Geissman’s to enter what will hopefully be the final set of corrections to the galley. That will be a big load off my mind.
I shall then be on my way to rehearse with Mr. Kevin Spirtas. After that, I shall be on my way home, where I shall eat, and perhaps watch a DVD or two.
I’d write more, but I simply must get these here notes posted before the cows come home. In the words of Eddie Foy, Jr. – That is correct, turn the page.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must have a very busy day, I must hopefully pick up packages which are long overdue, I must stage a show, and I must find a little time to write. Today’s topic of discussion: We haven’t had an Ask BK Day in months, so let’s do one for old time’s sake – feel free to ask me or any other dear reader any old question you like, and we will give any old answer we like. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we? In the words of Eddie Foy, Jr. – That is correct, turn the page.