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March 20, 2008:

THE BROUHAHA

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, what was good news has turned into iffy news and I am none too happy about it. The reasons for this can be found elsewhere, but I spent a most frustrating day yesterday trying to understand why things got mucked up and trying to see if there was any way I could unmuck them. I have my own suspicions as to what the cause was, but it really doesn’t matter – a monkey wrench has been thrown into the works and I have no idea how this will shake out. So, I apologize for the rollercoaster ride and the soap opera and I’ll just have to see where it all heads. I suspect we will either go forward or not and I simply want to know sooner than later. If it’s not, then I’ll figure out what I want to do at that point. Otherwise, yesterday was actually a not bad day, so that was at least an upside. For example, I got up. That was an upside. I then got the first e-mail that keyed me into the fact that trouble might be a’brewin’. But I had to run off to a work session with Mr. Kevin Spirtas, Mr. Sean McDermott, and Mr. Shelly Markham, to hear an arrangement of As Time Goes By. I liked it very much, and just had three little suggestions, which the folks thought were good, and then a few performance suggestions. The session lasted about an hour and then I hurried home to see what the brouhaha was about and let me tell you when I read the e-mail that was waiting for me there was no haha in the brou. Frustratingly, the author of the e-mail was in meetings for the rest of the day, so I wasn’t able to even have a conversation. I did send a rather long e-mail explaining my position and what I felt about things, and it was very even-keeled and positive. I did a couple of quick errands, and then I had to hie myself to the Heim of Ana for a blocking rehearsal. We ate at a local eatery called Knollwood, that has been there for fifty years. There are wonderful photos of the jernt when it was first open in 1958, sitting all along among miles of orange groves. It’s still sitting there, just not alone, and the orange groves have been replaced by incredibly ugly buildings and businesses. I had a bacon cheeseburger and fries, both excellent, and the price was right, so I’ll be eating there often, I think.

Rehearsal was for The Brain, Zubrick, Yoni, Donna, Rod, and Joyce and we blocked quite a lot and also reviewed some stuff from the other day. Some fun things are happening as we run the scenes, and we’ve already found some new bits because each of the actors is starting to find his or her way in their role and as they do I’m able to see ways to improve on things we’ve already done, or even totally change bits or adjust things to better suit these actors. Mark Rothman is so different a Brain than we’ve had heretofore, and his delivery is quite droll and always makes me laugh. Our Zubrick and Yoni are very different, but I really like them and the energy they’re bringing – they’re really good together and every time we run a scene they just get better and better. The Donna is so damn cute and very talented. The Rod is also completely different than anyone who’s done the part and I just really like what he’s doing – I haven’t said two words to him yet because his instincts are so good. Joyce and Fred both have terrific timing and both are bringing wonderful things to the roles. The Narrator/Professor Leder brings a new take to both characters and I really like him a lot. I haven’t worked with our General Mills yet, but I’m sure he’ll be terrific. And I really like our mighty ensemble – really cute, great personalities and fun to be around. And that’s the rehearsal report.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’m totally exhausted from yesterday’s brouhaha minus the haha.

Today, I shall be trying not to hurl myself in front of a passing automobile. That should make for a fun day. I do have some work to do, but I’m going to try and relax, too. I have a couple of packages to ship – I tried to ship them yesterday but there was a line out to the street. Two o’clock used to be the time when you could go and not have anyone in line – now it’s the worst time, so I’ll try to ship in the morning.

I’m currently listening to Rod McKuen’s soundtrack to the film Joanna, a CD I’ve been looking for for a really long time and which I found on eBay a few weeks ago. It’s my favorite Rod McKuen work (I run hot and cold on him), and contains his wonderful song I’ll Catch The Sun. The CD is really fun and I’ve had it on constant repeat.

Now wait just a darned minute. Let’s all put on our pointy party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora and the tango, for today is the birthday of the completely errant and truant dear reader Rodzinski. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to the completely errant and truant dear reader Rodzinski. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO THE COMPLETELY ERRANT AND TRUANT DEAR READER RODZINSKI!!!

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, try not to hurl myself in front of a passing automobile, I must do a little work, do an errand or three, and then attend another blocking rehearsal. Today’s topic of discussion: When you’re in a miserable mood, what foodstuff will make you instantly feel better? What piece of music will instantly cheer you up? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I try to see if the brouhaha can have a happy ending with some haha.

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