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May 12, 2007:

EARTHY, SPICY NOTES

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry because I am home late and there is no time to tarry or dally or even tarry or dally or even tally or darry. I must proceed without further ado (oda, spelled backwards). Speaking of backwards, yesterday went so fast it made even my head spin. For example, I got up. That made my head spin, since it was so fershluganah early. I then had to hie myself to a nine o’clock rehearsal. I had a lot of trouble finding a place to park, and for my trouble I got a big ol’ screw in my tire. Luckily, I didn’t pull the big ol’ screw out, and so my tire had air when I finished rehearsal. I hurried to my gas station of choice and they removed the screw and plugged the tire. I then had to hurry home, where I met Mr. Cason Murphy and Miss Joanna Erdos, and we folded, stamped, and stuffed envelopes for close to three hours. After that, I had to ready myself for an opening night. I went to Hugo’s for an early dinner. I had my usual macaroni and cheese. Whilst waiting for the arrival of the food, I noticed that there was a full, unopened bottle of wine on every table. So, I read the label to kill time. And here is what said label said: “Dark and concentrated and loaded with earthy, spicy notes.” Say what? Have even wine companies been coming to haineshisway.com? I mean, we have had earthy, spicy notes for many years here at haineshisway.com. I’m so tired of these people ripping off our site. What’s next – Marie Callender’s Gazelle Pie? Where was I? Oh, yes, then I toddled off to the Actor’s Co-op Theater in Hollywood, California, USA, to attend an opening night.

Last night, I attended an opening night of a “new” musical entitled Tales of Tinseltown. I was invited by the show’s book writer and lyricist, Mr. Michael Colby, who I’ve corresponded with many times over the years. I’d never been to this theater, and it was a lovely space, and one thing I really liked about it was that even though it’s a ninety-nine seat theater, the seats are assigned. I met Mr. Colby before the show – otherwise, I didn’t really know anyone in the crowd, at least not until intermission when I ran into actor Henry Polic, who recognized me and who I had a lovely chat with. Tales of Tinseltown has been kicking around for many years (the artistic director of Actor’s Co-op had done a production back in 1990). Our very own elmore is, in fact, credited in the program with original orchestrations, along with Larry Hochman and David Krane, although there were no orchestrations in this production, which just used piano and drums. It’s a cute show, and the cast works very hard. The leading lady was very good indeed, and an Ethel Merman type was an audience favorite. It’s not really my kind of musical, but I had a good time.

What am I, Ben Brantley all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below so we can have more earthy, spicy notes.

I had occasion to listen to both the original Broadway cast album and London cast album of Cabaret yesterday, and I must say I think it’s one of the greatest theater scores ever written. I’m not talking about the revival, thank you very much, I’m talking about the original production, both here and London. The Broadway album is wonderful-sounding, with great performances from Mr. Joel Grey, Mr. Jack Gilford, Miss Jill Haworth, Mr. Bert Convy, and most especially Miss Lotte Lenya, who is just nothing short of brilliant. The London album is a favorite of mine, because you can hear a lot of the orchestrations subtleties better than the Broadway album (listen to the end of Wilkommen with that brilliant descending trumpet line – it’s almost non-existent in the mix on the Broadway album, whereas it’s very in your face on the London). Judi Dench makes a wonderful Sally, but Barry Dennen sounds very odd as the Emcee. Lila Kedrova is cutesy instead of the real article, like Lenya. But that score – every song is a gem, and that includes Why Should I Wake Up, which is always cut these days. Every time I hear it I marvel at what a perfect theater song So What is, especially as sung by Lenya.

Today, I have to go to storage and find some stuff, or at least try to find some stuff. And tonight, I’ll be attending the new show at LACC. I think I have something to do Sunday afternoon – oh, yes, a meeting with The Party Animals folks.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, go to storage, do errands and attend a new show. Today’s topic of discussion: What, for you, are the most perfect theater songs you know – the ones that just do it all – great melody and lyrics, reveal character or inform a scene – whatever. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and let’s make sure they’re earthy and spicy like the notes.

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