Well, dear readers, it’s already Friday, and it’s already almost the end of October. How did that happen? Last I remembered, October had just begun. Well, why dwell on such things – it is the way it is. Time speeds along, like a gazelle doing a triple lutz. Speaking of a triple lutz, yesterday was another day when there was no time to stop and smell the roses or the coffee or the smoked brie. I got up extra early so I could do an early morning jog, which I did, even though it was colder than a witch’s you-know-what. After that, I had to hie myself to the second casting session – the turnout was better than the day before, but still well short of the number of folks that were supposed to be there. There were some fun people there, though, and we did a lot of dancing, and then put people into different groupings to see how they read together and to see what the chemistry was. I’d say that we’re happy with two of the three guys, but still need to see others for the one remaining guy and the girl. We do have a couple of candidates for the girl, but they’re older than I think is good for the show. After the session, we all grabbed a sandwich (not the same sandwich). I had a rather yummilicious chicken salad sandwich. I then had to hie myself to rehearsal at LACC, where we worked Kevin and Lauren’s solos and duets – what a splendidly splendid thing to hear my songs sung by such wonderful singers. The rehearsal ended early, and I was able to get back home before the traffic got too terrible. I then headed over to Mr. Grant Geissman, and I laid down a piano track to the tune I wrote for the LACC show that’s opening next week – so, that’s done and they should be good to go. After that, Grant and I went to Mel’s Diner where I had – wait for it – another chicken salad sandwich. We also split some chili cheese fries. I’ve actually never had that concoction before, and I must say it was quite tasty. So, it was really a chicken salad sort of day and evening yesterday – a chicken salad theme, as it were. After that, I had to stop at Vinnie’s to pick up rough CDs of the Emily and Alice concert, so I can make editing notes regarding the patter, prior to us mixing. After that, I finally came home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I did manage to watch a motion picture on DVD, which is why these here notes are going up a bit late. I watched a motion picture entitled Body Heat, the new Special Edition DVD. I saw Body Heat the day it opened – we were editing The Creature Wasn’t Nice, and we all played hooky for a couple of hours and went up to Westwood to catch the first show. I really liked the film a lot back then, and it has only grown in my estimation since. It’s a clever script and an auspicious directorial debut for Lawrence Kasdan. Every role in the film is beautifully cast and played, and the picture just moves along at a steady clip and its ending is terrific. Today, of course, that’s all they’d talk about – as if it were the whole reason for the film – back then, it was just a good ending. Mr. William Hurt has never been better than in this film. Some of his scenes are really breathtaking in their subtleties. Miss Kathleen Turner has also never been better – and it was, I believe, her film debut. Ted Danson is unique and very charming and funny as a DA, and Mickey Rourke is memorable in what I believe is his film debut. And, of course, there is the John Barry score – it became an instant classic, with its sultry main theme wafting its way into the pantheon of great main themes. The new transfer is quite excellent – the prints of the film shown during the film’s original release were overly grainy as most prints were back then (it was not the best time for positive film stock and/or internegatives). I haven’t watched the special features, but will do so before going to bed this evening.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below before I eat another chicken salad sandwich.
Today, the morning hours will be taken up with having to do a little shipping, and a few little errands, and then I have a full-cast rehearsal this afternoon. We’ll also have a rehearsal tomorrow, just to keep drilling the music prior to starting staging on Monday.
Tonight, I don’t think I have much to do and I’m rather happy about that fact. Tomorrow night I’ll be attending a Halloween partay at Vinnie’s home environment (I got a preview of the décor, and it was SCARRRRY). Sunday, I’m going to try to visit friend and cohort David Wechter, who had his big surgery last week and it seems the news is very good and that they got everything out they were supposed to get. He’s still in a bit of pain, but he seems in very good spirits. We’re about to embark on the beginnings of a new writing project, an idea we’ve had for a year and that we’re just going to do as a spec script.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, ship, rehearse, do errands, and eat no chicken salad. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, Richard Rodney Bennett’s brilliant soundtrack score to Lady Caroline Lamb, on an import CD from Angel, which also includes his wonderful score to Murder On The Orient Express. DVD, next up will be The Last Voyage. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we whilst we ponder what sort of food theme today will bring.