Well, dear readers, the clock is ticking. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, the clock is ticking. Tomorrow night we premiere our cabaret series at LACC. I’m happy to say that we had a rather large jump in ticket sales for both of Susan Egan’s shows – I’ve been saying for some time that LA audiences hate to book in advance, and that certainly has proven to be the case with our series. I’m predicting that both of Susan’s shows will either be sold out or close to it. Jason Graae continues to fill up and that show is four weeks away. The others will hopefully fill up closer to show time. Speaking of show time, it’s almost show time for the Ray Courts Hollywood Collector’s Show – I’m down to the wire trying to get my Nudie Musical DVDs here in time for the show. I’m keeping all digits crossed that they’ll get here today or tomorrow. Speaking of today or tomorrow, yesterday was the first day in ages where everything just went along smoothly and pleasantly with absolutely not one annoyance the entire day, except some idiot drivers. I got up at eight, jogged at nine-thirty, answered e-mails and telephonic calls, worked on the final song for PennyO’s show (it’s basically finished, but I’m still finessing the music for the very end of it – it’s called The Name Of The Game), and then I toddled off to a luncheon meeting with a very nice fellow who has a very good idea for a – well, I can’t really say, oh, no, I cannot say at this time. He picked my brain and I gave him some suggestions – I could end up being involved with it or not – I have some reading to do and then it will require a bit of discussion. After that, I did some errands, then came home and wrote a little bit – I’m still feeling my way in these early pages (I’m to page thirteen now) and shortly I really have to introduce certain key plot elements which will kick the story into gear. After that, I finished a DVD, then met a friend for a late-night snackerooni at Du-Pars. Whilst sitting there, who should walk in but Miss Betty Garrett with a whole slew of folks.
Last night I finished watching a motion picture on DVD entitled Grand Prix. I liked the film well enough to see it about five times on its initial release, but I find some of its plotting a bit turgid these days. However, the racing scenes are incredible – no CGI, no BS – they couldn’t do it today – they simply wouldn’t know how without their stupid computer screens in front of their faces. The cast is excellent, and how beautiful is Eva Marie Saint. Yves Montand, James Garner, Antonio Sabato, Francoise Hardy, Toshiro Mifune (even though he is clearly speaking English, his performance is dubbed), Jessica Walter, and many others. The transfer is really top-notch in every way – sharp, excellent color, and robust sound. They don’t make ’em like this anymore, so if you’re a fan of Mr. Frankenheimer or big roadshow movies, it’s sort of a must-have.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button because whilst we are clicking the clock will be ticking.
Today I am intent on having another stress-free day. My only plans today are to write, finish songs, and perhaps have a visit from PennyO so she can hear the latest couple of songs. I’m also going to try to organize everything for the signing this weekend, so that it’s all here in the house, boxed up and ready to go Saturday morning (if I’m to jog on Saturday, I’m going to have to do so at around eight in the morning – if I miss, it will be the first day in over two months). I’m also going to try and watch at least two DVDs tonight, as the stack is quite large. I’ve actually already started watching The Loved One, which I’ll have a lot to say about in tomorrow’s notes.
Apparently, Kevin Spirtas’ episode of Soaptalk aired yesterday, because we had an upswing in CD orders, although not DVD orders. We’re just about down to the last four or five signed copies of Deceit and I predict those will be gone by the end of the weekend. I’ve been having very nice conversations with new old friend Jeanne, but she’s going to get bitch-slapped from here to eternity and hell and back if she doesn’t post soon. And speaking of posting, just where in tarnation is dear reader Jane?
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, write, sit at the piano, do an errand or three, and watch a DVD or three. Today’s topic of discussion: I think we all have collected autographs at one time or another – who are your most prized autographs? Are they on paper, photo, or what? I’ll start – I have a wonderful piece of sheet music from The Court Jester signed to me (with a typewritten note right on the sheet music cover) by Sammy Cahn. I have all of Ira Levin’s novels signed to me with nice inscriptions (especially Rosemary’s Baby). I have many wonderful things signed by my dear friend Harvey Schmidt. I have a whole archive of notes (probably over two hundred) from my close personal friend, Mr. Stephen Sondheim. I have a nice note from Jonathan Larson asking me to listen to some songs, including a couple from a show he was working on called Rent. I have a wonderful signed photo of Miss Ann-Margret from when I recorded Best Little Whorehouse, and a wonderful signed Commando Cody photograph of George Wallace. Those are a few of my favorite autographs. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst the ticking clock ticks away toward the debut of our cabaret series.