Well, dear readers, it was another long, exhausting day in New York, New York. But I am absolutely loving this trip – it was just what the doctor ordered, and it’s been filled with fun and surprises thus far. Yesterday, I got up at nine, did some work on the computer, and then toddled over to the gym, where I did sixty minutes on the treadmill. I did a brisk three mile run, then did a brisk one mile walk, then did another semi-brisk run of one mile. Because doing the treadmill uses a completely different set of muscles than a street jog, my upper legs were and are incredibly sore, so sore, in fact, that I may not be able to do the treadmill today, although I’ll give it the old college try. I then walked back to the apartment, shaved and showered, and then hurried to Junior’s for a lunch with Mr. Kevin Spirtas (we were going to go to the Edison Café but it was closed for electrical problems). We had a fun lunch (I had just a lettuce wedge with some 1000 Island dressing), and he told me he was going to be an above the line credited producer on the revival of Finian’s Rainbow, since he was able to find some investor money the show needed. How fun – we now have two of our very own folks working on the show, Kevin and elmore. We discussed the schedule for the Kevin/Linda Purl show, and there’s a lot of work to be done in that regard, some in September and some in October. I then went directly to the rehearsal with Crista and Alex. I had a very specific plan for the day, and we stuck to it, and it was a really productive session. We started out by reviewing a couple of things we’d done yesterday, and then we chose our final two songs. Then I had Crista run for me exactly what she’s been doing up to now, which included all of what I’d helped her with last year. As she was running it, I was furiously writing notes about everything, but also figuring out where all our new material would go and how it all would fit together. At the end of it, I gave them my proposed order, which, for a first try, actually felt great. Then I had her sing through everything (sans patter) from start to finish with the new order, and with one exception it worked really well – so we just moved one song to an earlier position, and I think we now have a solid order from which to build the show, which we’ll start doing today – putting it together, bit by bit.
I then had to hurry over to the east side to see our very own Skip Kennon’s short musical. It was quite a walk, I must say, especially with very sore legs. I saw quite a few people I knew, including Scott and Barbara Siegel, Peter Filichia, Stephen Cole, and Alex Rybeck also showed up. The evening consisted of four one-act shows, only one of which was a musical. The first show was more of a monologue than a play, but it was funny and the actress (who wrote it) was excellent. The second play felt more like a play – it was a comedy and it moved right along. Then there was an intermission, and then act two began with a short play by Neil LaBute. It was a terrific and short piece directed by actor Andrew McCarthy, and starring Magaret Colin and Victor Slezak. I knew Miss Colin’s work, but Mr. Slezak was new to me. Both gave absolutely wonderful performances, filled with nuance, good timing, and understanding of Mr. LaBute’s very theatrical dialogue. Even thought the play was short, it said everything it needed to say and I really liked it a whole lot. Then came Skip’s musical (for which he provided music and lyrics – the book was by Bill Connington). The premise of the show was very simple, and the cast did a very good job with Skip’s music and words, which were, as always, haunting and pretty and to the point, which is what you want in a seventeen-minute musical. It was very enjoyable and ended the evening on a nice note (Bb).
I then had to walk all the way back to Joe Allen, where I met up with Walter Willison. Just what up was doing with Walter Willison is anyone’s guess. We had a nice supper and chat – and I was thrilled that they had the pulled pork sandwich, which I love. It was great, and I had some fries with it (very small amount, though). For dessert, we split the cobbler, which was great. There weren’t many people there, and I only recognized one actor, Edward Hibbert. On our way out, Walter recognized two young people at the bar, and it turned out they were soap stars from One Life To Live – we talked to them for fifteen minutes or so, and they knew that I’d done Kevin’s show, and since the gal had been on Days Of Our Lives for years, she was interested to know I’d directed Matt Ashford in my play.
After that, I walked back to the hotel where I immediately sat down like so much fish. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because today is going to be another long, exhausting day and I must be ready and alert and filled with vim and vigor, not necessarily in that order, for we shall continue putting it together, bit by bit.
Today, I shall try to go to the gym, but it will wholly be dependent on how sore my legs are. But I think I’ll try to do at least two miles, just to do it. I have several telephonic calls to make in the morning, and then it will be time for rehearsal. I told Alex to come at four-thirty as I want to use the first two hours to block the show and figure out how we go from one thing to the next, put in some Kimmelography, and just talk through everything slowly, so she can write it all down and have it notated. Then Alex will arrive, and we’ll slowly start going through it all, piecing everything together.
After rehearsal, I’m supposed to dine with Merrill Grant, although I haven’t heard a peep from her, so who knows if it’s on or not. If not, I’ll find someone else to sup with, and maybe even go somewhere different.
Well, why don’t we all put on two pointy party hats and two pairs of colored tights and pantaloons, why don’t we all break out the big cheese slices and ham chunks, why don’t we all dance the Hora and the Hokey Pokey, because today we’ve got us two count them two birthdays to celebrate – our very own Jose and our very own Jrand. So, first, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own beloved and talented dear reader Jose. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN BELOVED AND TALENTED DEAR READER JOSE!!!
And now let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own beloved and talented Jrand. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN BELOVED AND TALENTED JRAND!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, try to do the treadmill, rehearse, sup with someone, and have another long, exhausting day. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I continue putting it together, bit by bit.