Well, dear readers, it is fashionable these days to knock the plays of Neil Simon. It’s like people have just forgotten how brilliantly funny most of his plays were and think they’re oh so hip putting them down. Well, sorry Charlie, but I will not knock Neil Simon. Why? Because I, like millions of people anywhere, appreciate someone who can write funny – who can concoct great lines for interesting characters and have audiences bellowing with laughter. I suppose that hundreds upon hundreds of badly done productions or poor revivals with actors who simply don’t know how to play that kind of humor anymore has tarnished his reputation – but then shouldn’t it also tarnish the reputations of every playwright? Barefoot In The Park is one of the most delightful comedies ever – loaded with laughs and heart and wonderfully drawn characters. People today say, “Oh, The Odd Couple really isn’t that funny.” Say what? Plaza Suite and The Prisoner of Second Avenue and his books for Little Me and Promises, Promises, right onto Chapter Two and his Eugene Jerome trilogy – there was a time that every new Simon play was an event and a major one. And even his works that aren’t major are filled with funny things. Yes, like all playwrights, he’s had his ups and downs, but he sure had an amazing run of ups. His ear for comic rhythm is unfailing, even the jokes you can predict have a sort of comfort to them. Ten years from now it will probably turn around again – it’s all cyclical and Mr. Simon’s plays, for the most part, are timeless. I say all this having seen Neil Simon’s Rumors last evening. Is it a classic? No. Was this a brilliant production? No. But did I laugh? Of course. Simon’s plays, especially one labeled “A Farce” need to be played at breakneck speed by actors well-schooled in that sort of playing. I don’t remember what sort of run this had on Broadway, but my guess is that while it was running audiences were probably howling with laughter, especially with such excellent farceurs as Ron Liebman, Jessica Walter, Joyce Van Patten, Christine Baranski, and the rest. There’s a sequence in act two where two policemen arrive that is just classic Simon – this sequence culminates in a breathtaking comic monologue. So, I guess I shan’t be fashionable (except for my smoking jacket, leopard-spotted dickie and bunny slippers) and just say I adore Neil Simon.
I attended the play with Mr. Barry Pearl, who’s ever-lovin’ Cindy was playing the Baranski role. She was delightful and seemed to “get” the Simon rhythms. But I just had such a good time listening and watching the construction of the dialogue and plot. Right off the bat we find out that an off-stage character has shot himself in the earlobe and is bleeding on the rug. “Why do people decorate in white?” says a character, and you just know you’re in the good, safe comic hands of a master comedy writer. Sitting in front of us were Barry’s friends, Lloyd Cooper and his lovely wife Barbara. I had great fun talking to them – Lloyd is a musical director and pianist and did Happy Days out at Cabrillo. Barbara is a singer and actress. Of course, I invited them to the site, and also to the Annual Christmas Eve Do, so I Do hope they’ll attend. One amusing thing – they have a new dog by the name of Sugar. It turns out they play the title song from the musical for the dog. So, I’ll be giving them our new Sugar CD, as I’m sure the dog would like to hear the new and improved mix.
The rest of yesterday was absolutely okay. I got up around ten, did stuff on the computer, had a couple of telephonic calls, and then took a drive in the motor car and did some errands and whatnot, including a visit to my favorite bookshop, Mystery and Imagination. I picked up no packages and the important envelope. I was grateful for no real annoyances, as the little annoyance of yesterday was enough to last me the rest of the year which, if you hadn’t noticed, isn’t that far off. I had a sandwich for lunch, along with two Muffies, which is what they’ve now dubbed the muffin tops at Panera. I rather like them and I’m rather hooked on them at the moment – yes, I’ve got a muffie on my back. Muffie On My Back – that’s the title of my next novel. Speaking of my latest book, for those that didn’t see, it got a really nice mention in Peter Filichia’s theatermania.com gift giving column. And I can also recommend Peter’s latest book, which is a delight.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because it is late and these here notes should already be posted and yet aren’t, as I’m still writing them.
Today, I shall not be lunching with dear reader Jeanne, as she has gone to Jeanneland as is occasionally her wont. So, I’ll stay home, write my contextual commentary for the Gardenia show, and relax as much as I can. I’ll try to eat something amusing at some point. I’ll watch a motion picture or two in the evening hours. Yesterday, I did manage to watch Mr. Buster Keaton’s first full-length screen comedy, Three Ages, made one year before his masterpiece, Sherlock, Jr. It’s nowhere near as funny, but still there are some great gags, and a couple of stunts where you just sit with your mouth agape, knowing that Keaton did his own stunts. And again, great shots of LA in the 1920s. Each film in the set has a little extra that tells you where the locations are and what’s there now. Those are really fun.
Tomorrow, I have a lot of stuff to do during the day, and then we have our second rehearsal for the Gardenia show – this cast is so good, and it’s just so much fun to hear these voices do these songs. I know we have some LA dear lurkers here, so why don’t you get off your complacent LA butt cheeks and come on down and see our little show? Tell them Bruce-O sent you.
Tuesday is our one and only stumble-through, and then Wednesday is show time. The rest of the week I have meetings and meals and work sessions, and also it will be a little month we like to call December.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, write my contextual commentary, maybe do a jog if the weather permits (it rained last night), eat something amusing, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which you dear readers get to make with the topics and we all get to post about them. So, let’s have loads of lovely topics and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland singing the praises of Neil Simon.