Well, dear readers, whither the weather? Every day here in the Angeles of Los we have weather that defies credulity, and if you’ve ever defied credulity you know how annoyed credulity can get – even more than gravity. I’ll give you an example: For the last few days, I have arisen rather early for the reasons readers of these here notes know all too well and well too all. Each day has been dank and gray and, on two of the days, even drizzly. That lasts until about one or two o’clock, at which point the sun comes out and it’s suddenly ninety degrees. And then, in the early evening it gets gray and chilly again. This is mutant weather, if you ask me. I wish the weather would make up its silly mind and do one thing or the other because not knowing whither the weather is very annoying. The weather, like certain people I know, cannot seem to make up its mind. The days continue to be long – always interesting, but long. Yesterday, I got up at the crack of dawn to send out the Kritzerland eBlast and get the new limited edition of God’s Little Acre up on the various boards. Orders began coming in instantly and nine hours later we were sold out. There are still copies available at various online stores, but I have a feeling they won’t be around long. I had several errands and whatnot to do, and I did them, then I picked up some mail from the mail place, and then I came home to deal with various and sundried Nudie Musical issues. We have to replace one of our female ensemble members, who will be filming dance re-shoots for the film Nine. She’s recommended someone, but it’s not a done deal yet. And it needs to be a done deal, what with starting on Monday and all. The good news is that we are indeed rehearsing at LACC the entire week, which saves me a lot of dough. We finally have a Dick Davis – at least I think we do – I didn’t hear a final confirmation, but was told the actor really wanted to do it, so I’m assuming that’s a go. But, then we had another problem present itself – Sharon McNight is dropping out due to some health issues with her foot and also having a gig on the Saturday when we’re doing run-throughs. So, I have to recast that role today, if possible. It just never ends with these readings. Next time, I just want it to be a regular paying production, because money rules and the people take it seriously – most of the actors in the reading are, in fact, very committed to doing the show. But having these last minute dramas really irks me. Hopefully by the end of this day, we’ll be all set and we can prepare for our Monday start.
The rest of the day and evening was devoted to Kritzerland’s new website – trying to get the paypal stuff put in, which is supposedly easy, but involves a lot of work. I’m hoping by Monday all that stuff is in and ready, so that we can begin an intense couple of days of final tests before we go live – perhaps on Friday, although I may decide to wait until the Nudie Musical reading is done. I must say, the two performances are now two-thirds full, although I’ve learned my lesson from the LACCTAA events and I doubt all those people will show, so we’re going to overbook. The theater has the ability to put in about twenty more seats anyway, so even if everyone shows we can still accommodate another twenty people or so. We have some really fun and interesting people coming.
I did manage to sit on my couch like so much fish and begin a motion picture on Blu-Ray entitled Every Which Way But Loose. It’s not my favorite Clint Eastwood movie, but some of it is very amusing, and Clyde, the orangutan, is nothing short of brilliant. I’m also a big fan of Geoffrey Lewis, who is wonderful in the film. The transfer looks excellent and a lot of the film was shot near Warner Bros. in Burbank and Toluca Lake. I’ll finish it this night. I’ve also been watching a Star Trek episode on Blu-Ray every night before bed. I’m on the fourth or fifth one, I think. I hate to admit it, but I had actually never seen an episode of Star Trek all the way through – I’d only seen snippets. I’ve been enjoying them, but even by episode four or five (whichever I’m on) it’s clear they’re still feeling their way through the show, and clarifying the characters. We finally met Scotty in the third episode (or the fourth – depending on which I’m actually watching now). Shatner and Nimoy are wonderful, as is DeForest Kelly, and there are good guest stars – so far we’ve had Gary Lockwood (in the best episode so far), Sally Kellerman, Robert Walker, Jr. (who has a wrestling scene with he and Shatner in tights – seeing Shatner in ALL his glory – or non-glory – is rather shocking and how the network allowed it to air is a mystery), and various and sundried others. Another thing that makes the show stand out are the musical scores – so far we’ve only had two composers, Alexander Courage and Fred Steiner, but both have provided terrific music, and I know that upcoming episodes feature music by George Duning and Jerry Fielding. I’ve been watching with the new spruced-up effects, which are beautifully done – the original cheesy effect probably suit the show better, but I really like the look of the new stuff. The transfers are nothing less than amazing on Blu-Ray.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below whilst we all ask whither the weather.
Today will be another day devoted to the Kritzerland site and most specifically getting all the paypal stuff done. Once that’s all done, then it’s really fast forward from there. I also have a few errands and whatnot to do and a meal to eat, and then I’m just watching movies for the rest of the evening.
Tomorrow and Sunday will be devoted to getting ready for our rehearsals. There are scripts to be printed, sheet music to be printed, details to be thought about, and I’m hoping to see our choreographer Adam Cates before we actually start. But I’ve also left some free time for relaxation, which I’ll definitely need. And, of course, Sunday night is our annual Tony Awards Do and I Do hope you’ll all be there for the merriment and mirth and laughter and legs.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do the long jog (if I’m up to it), do Kritzerland stuff, do errands and whatnot, eat something reasonable yet amusing, and then watch motion pictures on Blu-Ray. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your DVD/Blu-Ray/video player and your CD player? I’ll start – Blu-Ray, more Star Trek episodes, and then, since I’m in a John Woo frame of mind, Broken Arrow with John Travolta, followed by Monsters, Inc. CD, God’s Little Acre and various and sundried other soundtrack type things. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and let us hope the the weather gets it together.