Well, dear readers, I can barely believe it and yet I must believe it for it is true – today is the final day of March and tomorrow is the first day of April. And they say we don’t provide up to the minute, useful information. Pish tosh, I say, and then I also say tosh pish, just because I can. I’m hoping for a good night’s sleep and a pleasantly pleasant last day of March, which I hope will bring some nice news this way, or at least bring some nice news on the first day of a new month. Either way, we just hope it will come. March has been an odd month, so I’m looking forward to April, which I hope will be bountiful and beautiful and bring happiness for one and all and also all and one. As we enter the new month, we’ll be going into our final three weeks of rehearsals prior to our tech week, and I’m sure it will be quite a busy month. Speaking of quite a busy month, yesterday was the second to last day of March. I had another early rehearsal. Thankfully, the ride there was, once again, traffic-free and a breeze. We began with a music review, and then we did our first stumble through from the top of the show to the end. It was quite peculiar doing it, since a few of the big musical numbers remain unstaged – for those, we just had everyone come on and stand and sing. Given the fact that it was our first attempt at stumbling through and assembling the show, and the fact that several members of our lovely cast were trying it off book for the first time, it was rough, but we got through it and everyone did a good job. This week I’ll be going through each and every scene and doing detail work, making sure the blocking is exact, and working on the characterizations. I haven’t really been doing much of that, but that work really begins now. One can already tell that the cast is going to be terrific. After rehearsal, I had a traffic-free ride home, had to do some important things, had a spot of lunch, did more important things, and made a quick trip to the annual paperback book fair so I could say hello to some dealer friends. I love going to the show and just looking at those wonderful old paperback covers. Everything is usually too pricey and I never buy anything, but it’s fun to just shmooze and check things out. Finally, I came home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a few more episodes of The Rookies on DVD, which I’m continuing to enjoy, especially the ones with location shots. The guest stars really are good, and one of the best was Percy Rodrigues as a bitter cop. One peculiar episode’s leading lady was Susan Sennett, who I enjoyed in Big Bad Mama. Oddly, her entire performance was dubbed by another actress and she received no billing whatsoever. One wonders that that was all about. The transfers seem to be ranging from very good to muddy. I must say that the best episodes all seem to be directed by TV veteran Leonard Horn. One episode was directed by Follies star Gene Nelson – not too good.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because, after all, it’s the last day of March and we must not only welcome in a new month but a new section. How do you like them egg rolls, Mr. Goldstone?
Speaking of Mr. Goldstone and his egg rolls, the new (yet again) revival of Gypsy has opened, starring Miss Patti LuPone. It has garnered mostly incredible, fawning raves, and I would very much like to see it, even though I understand in advance that I will not like the stuffed Chowsie and the lamb puppet. But, here’s a little known factoid for you dear readers – one of our very own favorites is in the show and stands by for Miss Laura Benanti – Miss Jessica Rush, who sang a wonderful duet with our very own Mr. Guy Haines entitled Past My Prime. I’d love to see both Miss Benanti and Jessica do the role. How do you like them egg rolls, Mr. Goldstone?
Today, I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s sleep, I will do a few early errands, attend to some business, and pray for a few good e-mails. Then I will leave for the Heim of Ana at three-thirty sharp. I may dine again at Chili’s or maybe try the jernt across from it, Mimi’s. Tonight’s rehearsal will be working scenes and songs (the ones I’ve blocked) and running them each several times. My plan is that in two weeks we will be ready to rock and roll and run the show without stopping – full run-throughs at full energy for a week prior to tech.
Tomorrow will, of course, be April 1st, which means we all get to act extremely foolish, but in a good way, I hope.
In the better late than never department – let’s all put on our pointy party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, le’t all have some cheese slices and ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora and the Boogaloo, for today is the birthday of occasional dear reader Ann, wife of occasional dear reader Jed. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to occasional dear reader Ann, wife of occasional dear reader Jed. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OCCASIONAL DEAR READER ANN, WIFE OF OCCASIONAL DEAR READER JED!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do errands and whatnot, work on Nudie Musical, and attend a rehearsal. Today’s topic of discussion: TV series have always had great guest stars – what are your most vivid memories of great guest shots on various and sundried TV series – the ones that were unforgettable, where you really took notice of who it was, and also who do you feel you discovered via a guest shot who then went on to stardom? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as we bid a fond farewell to March, and bid and even fonder hello and how do you do to April. How do you like them egg rolls Mr. Goldstone?