Well, dear readers, I am in a conventional dither, whatever the HELL that is. I do like the sound of it, though, don’t you? In any case, I am in a conventional dither because there is so much to do and I am so in need of a proper day off, but I do not think I will get a proper day off until the weekend. So, I shall remain in a conventional dither and may even graduate to a unconventional dither, just for the HELL of it. Of course, when I am through being in a conventional or unconventional dither, then the question that will be on everyone’s lips is “Whither the dither?” I thought I was going to have a proper day off yesterday, but that turned out not to be the case. I did end up getting a decent night’s sleep, so that was helpful. But, I had to write notes for the Kevin Spirtas CD, then I had to do the credits for that CD package, and then I just went and did some writing on the musical. And that took me right up to the time I had to leave to attend a Lesbian Musical entitled The Breakup Notebook, at the Hudson Theater, although not the Hudson Theater Main Stage, where we did What If. Frankly, I did not know what to expect from a Lesbian Musical, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the show. I have seen so many bad waiver theater musicals (which always seem to garner rave reviews from the LA critics – that should tell you the worth of LA critics), so it was nice to see a professionally staged and choreographed show with a very good company of players. I went because a friend of mine, Amy Reiss, who worked with us at that certain record label, had called me and asked me to see her in the show (she was on for one of the leads – she’s normally in the ensemble). She did a very good job, as did Heidi Godt in the lead role – I’ve met her several times and she’s a very talented gal. It was a full house (there was an erroneous closing notice in the paper yesterday), filled to the brim with actual Lesbians. I, in fact, was seated next to a notable actual Lesbian named Chastity Bono. The score was very melodic and fun, very much in the groove of 80s girl bands, most notably Indigo Girls. Not exactly earth-shattering as theater music, but it fit the show very well. The director kept the show moving right along, and it certainly hit all the right buttons for its target audience. But, it plays fair, and so it’s enjoyable for people who may not be the target audience. After the show, I stopped at Gelson’s, got some foodstuffs, then came home and sat on my couch like so much fish whilst eating the foodstuffs (which did not include fish).
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled No Way Out. This film is part of the Fox Noir DVD line, the only problem being that No Way Out is not in any way, shape or form a film noir. It is a social drama about a racist hood and a Black doctor. It’s a very well-done film, with excellent performances from Richard Widmark as the racist hooligan, and a very young Sidney Potier as the doctor. Stephen McNally is very good, too, as is the beautiful Linda Darnell. In small unbilled roles, Mr. Ossie Davis and Miss Ruby Dee appear as Potier’s family members. I wonder if this is where they met – they soon thereafter married and became a well-known theatrical couple. How they can justify putting this out as a noir title is beyond me – you might as well call All About Eve a noir (same director). Transfer is not as crisp as other Fox noir titles, but it’s decent.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I am in a conventional dither and must get crackin’ on my various and sundried things that must be done, including telling you all about the two new Kritzerland CD releases which are now up for preorder.
For those who may have missed the weekend notes and posts, the new Kritzerland CD releases are up for preorder, and you should hie your butt cheeks over to www.kritzerland.com to read all about them, hear audio samples, and see the cover art. The first CD is SSS – Strouse, Schwartz, and Schwartz: The 16th Annual S.T.A.G.E Benefit (done in the year 2000). It’s a great-sounding live CD and features lots of terrific talent doing terrific songs. The second CD is the live recording of the Kevin Spirtas Night and Days show that I directed and co-conceived. You’ve read all about that show here at haineshisway.com and now you can finally hear it. So, preorder today, and get your CDs at least two weeks ahead of the April 10th official street date – chances are you might even get them three weeks in advance.
Today, I shall be doing some writing for the musical, and also I shall now be going through all the short stories, doing whatever little fixes I find, and checking for typos and grammar stuff (prior to it going to the editors). I must also get my notes together for Tuesday’s musical theater workshop (MTW). I’m still trying to find a pianist who can do some of our classes when Boswell’s out of town.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, drive about in my motor car doing a few errands, and also I must get shipping supplies and start preparing all the orders that have come in so that everything is ready when the CDs arrive. Today’s topic of discussion: What is the first play, movie, or musical when you were really aware of a blatantly gay character – and how was that character presented? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I remain in a conventional dither trying to get everything done.