Well, dear readers, I must be up in about four count them four hours, so I’d just better keep these here notes short and sweet and also sweet and short. So, without further ado, the short and sweet notes. I got up. As you may remember, I had to change rooms at three in the morning because the building next door was emitting a relentless noise that sounded like a huge truck idling. I fell asleep pretty quickly and got up at nine-thirty. I did do the treadmill, which was actually a little easier than it’s been. I then did as much packing as I could, answered e-mails, and then headed over to Times Square. The first thing I decided to do, since I had some time to kill, was go to the Brooklyn Diner and have an appetizer of Coconut Cake – it was even better than the other day. Then I met FJL and elmore at John’s Pizza and we got a yummilicious pizza, which we all split. I’m happy to say I didn’t spill any Diet Coke on myself. Then Walter Willison joined us and he gave me some lovely gifts, including a rather incredible Harvey Schmidt-designed poster for the production of Grover’s Corners that never was – the one meant to star Mary Martin. It was signed to me by Tom Jones, and I’ll send it along to Harvey for him to sign. Then FJL and I headed over to see Next To Normal, starring our very own Tony-nominee, Alice Ripley.
Last night, I saw a musical entitled Next To Normal, starring our very own Tony-nominee, Alice Ripley. I was actually sort of dreading the show, but I ended up really liking it. It’s not a perfect musical, no, but it works really well, and I think I can say pretty strongly that no one will be taking this award away from Alice – and I told her that, and that I’m never wrong about these things. She gives a brilliant performance – fierce, funny, sad, scary – it’s a tour de force like Broadway hasn’t seen in ages in an original musical. I really didn’t like Rent, so I was worried that I wouldn’t like the direction here (by Rent’s Michael Grief), but he did a really terrific job. We saw the husband cover, Michael Berry, and I simply can’t imagine anyone giving a better performance – he was terrific, and the rest of the cast was, too. In fact, it was such a pleasure to see real, honest acting in a musical. And best of all, there wasn’t one performer on that stage whose mic was showing – you could not see it, and it’s amazing what a difference that makes in keeping you in the show. Bravo to whoever’s decision that was. One of the most off-putting things about West Side Story were the mics – Maria and Anita had huge mics that ran down the sides of their faces – and worst of all they were BLACK and looked like leeches had been attached to their faces. Lt. Shrank had a mic (flesh-colored, at least) that ran all the way to his mouth – why? What nincompoop allowed that? Well, I think we know what nincompoop allowed that – talk about being taken out of the show. Terrible. In any case, I don’t think Next To Normal is going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but the evening moved quickly, the orchestrations were interesting, the songs were fine, and it had characters to care about.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’ve got to hit the road to dreamland and be up in about four hours, at which time I will send out the Tom Jones eBlast and post the release on the film score message board. In fact, we should be “live” at some point this evening.
Today, I shall be taking a very early flight and shall be on my way back home to LA. Please send lots of excellent vibes and xylophones for an on-time and safe flight home.
When I get home, I shall box up the House Of Flowers CDs and get them all shipped out. Once that’s done, I intend to eat a really nice meal and then conk out.
I have very few plans for this week, other than really buckling down Winsocki and casting the two Nudie Musical leads. That’s my focus and I’m hoping to have it locked by Friday.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, get up early, send an eBlast and post an announcement, go to the Newark airport, fly back to LA, and then ship CDs. Today’s topic of discussion: I’m too tired to think of a topic, so I’m going to ask the first person who finishes today’s notes to be the one to post a topic. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and don’t forget the excellent vibes and xylophones for an on-time and safe flight and good weather.