Haines Logo Text
Column Archive
October 22, 2005:

THE SWEDISH NOTES

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, daar readers, I must write these notes in a hurry as she of the Evil Eye will be here bright and early or, at the very least, early and bright. Well, “daar” readers??? What am I, Swedish all of a sudden? Perhapska I should writeska the noteska in Swedish. What do you think? That way I could say, what is it, Swedish fish? But enough about me. Yes, I feel that these shall be The Swedish Notes. Have you ever heard of The Swedish Notes? I have – they’re C# E G# and A. Where was I? Oh, yes, daar readers, I must hurry and write the notes. Yesterday, for example, I had quite a Swedish day. I, for example, was awakened by the sound of Swedish men talking whilst working on the cable line at 5:30 in the morning. I do not like being awakened by the sound of Swedish men talking whilst working on the cable line at 5:30 in the morning. I managed to go back to sleep and then was awakened by a phone call from a Swedish woman named Janofsky. I then had to get my butt cheeks in gear for the long day ahead of me. I had to ship out some very important packages, then I had to have luncheon with our very own Mr. Mark Rothman. Then I had to pick up some very important packages, then I had to hie myself to rehearsal with Mr. Kevin Spirtas. Unfortunately, Mr. Kevin Spirtas was so consumed with some good news he got, that he completely forgot that our pianist wasn’t with us today – that would have been fine, but he left his practice CD at home. So, he had to go get it and we lost an hour of time, but we managed to have a really good run-through of Act One. Kevin’s good news is that he’s been cast in the Las Vegas production of Hairspray, playing Corny Collins. Which means, we’ll probably be doing his one-man show up there a few times. Which means I’ll get to go to Vegas a couple of times. I then had to hurry home and shower and dress for opening night at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Last night, I attended the opening night at the Pasadena Playhouse. Surprisingly, there were many Swedish people in attendance. The play is called Open Window, and is by Stephen Sachs. It’s about hearing impaired people, and Mr. Sachs’ goal in writing the play was to write complex leading characters who were deaf. That he has done, and there are actors who speak what they’re saying. I find signing to be poetic and beautiful and I enjoyed that part of the play. And the actors were all very good. Unfortunately, there’s just not much play there, good intentions aside. It’s very clichéd at times, is confusing, isn’t about what you really think it’s going to be about, and is just too slight. There’s a good idea for a play stuck in the mish-mash, but this isn’t that play. The faults of the play are only compounded by the artsy, pretentious, pompous direction, filled with David Lynchesque sound effects, and unnecessary projections, and weird lighting cues. And every time the cast turns and starts with the Greek chorus bit (unfortunately it’s the first thing in the play) I just wanted to scream, “You’re out of college, fellas, knock it off!” The playwright is also a director, but he didn’t direct this. But I have the feeling that had he directed it it would be just as artsy and pompous, because that seems to be his thing. He runs a very well thought of theater company called The Fountain Theater, here in LA. I’m probably responsible for his artsy ways. You see, the playwright was in the ensemble of Stages at LACC. He was probably so mortified to be in a show that so pleased its audiences, and got such nice laughs, and was so entertaining, that it forever colored his sensibilities. Or, maybe he’s just an artiste. In any case, I didn’t care for the play at all, but would like to reiterate how good most of the cast were (there is one very weak performance, but the others are fine).

What am I, Ben Brantley all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I hear tell that there are some Swedish tidbits in the next section.

What are Swedish tidbits anyway? What are tidbits anyway? That is just a strange word, any way you look at it. I am sorry that I don’t have time to do an Unseemly Swedish Trivia Contest question again this week, but damn it all, next week we will have a doozy, I promise you that.

Today I must do many Swedish things. For example, I must hie myself out of the home environment until she of the Evil Eye is finished. I must also attend a rehearsal with Mr. Kevin Spirtas who, of course, is as Swedish as they get. And don’t forget, tomorrow the very Swedish Mr. Donald Feltham will have a brand spanking new radio show up and that show features Miss Linden Waddell and my very own Swedish self talking about the Stages CD – we really had fun, and we hope you will, too.

I just realized, of course, that we have our very own Swedish Chef right here at haineshisway.com – daar reader Sandra. Perhaps she will post a photograph or three of her authentic Swedish Chef hat.

Well, daar readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must write, I must rehearse, I must dine, and I must sit on my couch like so much Swedish fish and watch as many DVDs as I can possibly stomach. Today’s topic of discussion: I love two character plays – what are your favorite two character plays (and there have even been some two character movies, too), and what are your favorite two character musicals? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and then let’s all have a group Swedish massage.

Search BK's Notes Archive:
 
© 2001 - 2024 by Bruce Kimmel. All Rights Reserved