Well, dear readers, it’s quite late and I’m quite late with these here notes and since lateness doesn’t become me, I shall write these here notes apace and get them posted for one and all and also all and one. Of course, lateness has become me in the past, but I’ve told lateness that one me is more than enough, and frankly lateness tended to agree with me and now lateness becomes other people and is much happier. What the HELL am I talking about? This is what happens when you write the notes after midnight. Speaking of after midnight, yesterday was quite an odd day in many ways, and quite an okay day in many ways. For example, I got up. That was okay. I then had a long two-hour meeting with a publicist about our upcoming fundraiser show in November. That was both odd and okay. I then came home and just had one telephonic call after another. I hired a general manager for the NYMF show, and then found out that the “participation fee” for NYMF wasn’t the amount I though – well, it was the amount I thought with one more zero added, and it threw me into a tizzy, frankly. It is always throwing me into a tizzy and one of these fine days I shall throw a tizzy into it. So, I now have to find this additional money, and one of our dear readers came up with the odd and okay suggestion of hainsies/kimlets buying shares for between $50 and $100, and if, for example, we sold fifty shares at $100 we’d have the dough. So far, ten people have made pledges, and the deal is that anyone who buys a share will get their money back out of box-office receipts. I was and am very touched at the show of support. If any dear reader or even dear lurker is interested, just drop me a line at kritzerland@aol.com. No one has to do anything just yet – we’ll see how many we get and then decide how to proceed. The day just flew by, like a gazelle singing the score to Whoop Up, and then it was time to go to the Dena of Pasa for some supper and then the opening night of the Pasadena Playhouse production of Cole Porter’s Can Can.
Last night, I saw a musical comedy entitled Can Can. This production has a revamped book by David Lee and Joel Fields, and it’s directed by Mr. Lee. I must admit that I don’t know the original book of Can Can at all, but Mr. Lee was given the blessing of Jim Burrows, the son of Abe, and a fine director in his own right (in my acting days, I worked with Mr. Burrows several times). So, I have nothing to compare this production to (as most of you know, I find the film of Can Can, or, as I like to call it, Can Can’t, almost impossible to watch). So, taking it on its own merits, I’m happy to report that this Can Can can and does frequently. This is Mr. Lee’s most assured production – it moves right along, his direction is clean and witty, and his company of players are all on the same page and have lots of energy. The new book has many very funny moments, and the audience was most appreciative throughout. The fun starts with the cell phone announcement, and continues with a clever overture conducted by my pal, Steve Orich, who also did a fine job with the arrangements and orchestrations. Patti Columbo’s choreography, especially the very long title number, is big, loud, and sassy. The cast does fine, and I always like to single out Mr. David Engel, who I like a lot. I continue to be fascinated by the current trend of lighting designers to button every musical number with a light change. I noticed this trend starting about a year ago, and it’s really taken hold. The set is simple and works well, and while this new Can Can isn’t going to take the musical theater in new directions, I, for one, don’t want my musical theater in new directions, and sometimes it’s just fun to be reminded how much FUN musical theater can be.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because frankly lateness doesn’t become me and it’s late and I need my beauty sleep.
Today, I have a long work session with Mr. David Wechter – we’re going to go through The Brain and make some adjustments and see what we feel needs beefing up. We’ll also work on another idea we’re trying to bring to fruition, but most of the day will be Brain work.
I think I’ll probably stay home tonight, but there’s a small chance I might try to see a production of Merrily We Roll Along that our very own Richard Berent is conducting. Otherwise, I’ll just stay home and sit on my couch like so much fish and watch a few motion pictures on DVD.
Next week is a big DVD week, and, as I’ve mentioned, one of my all-time favorite Fritz Lang movies comes out – The Woman In The Window. Also there’s a big Joan Collins box. Well, let me rephrase that – there’s a big box set of Joan Collins films coming.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, work with David Wechter, sup, and either see a show or see a motion picture on DVD. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your all-time favorite films starring one of my favorite actors, Mr. Edward G. Robinson? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and let’s just hope that lateness doesn’t become me ever again.