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March 24, 2011:

MY NIGHT AT THE THEATER

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, it is late and I therefore must write these here notes in a hurry because I must be up early to do many things that need doing. Therefore, I will first tell you about my night at the theater. I’d been invited to see a woman named Alexandra Billings – the person doing the inviting has been talking to me about Alexandra for quite some time on Facebook, and finally this seemed like a good time to mosey on down to the Celebration Theater to see her in something called Katie’s Corner. I had no idea what it was, I only knew that Alexandra had been in shows in LA and had won a bunch of cabaret awards. The show turned out to be quite a fun evening – not perfect, as the show is mostly if not all improvised. Billings plays Katie Hepburn, and the beginning is just her talking to the audience and talking to various people, and she was very funny can has the whole voice and demeanor down perfectly. I always appreciate someone who actually understands comedy timing – how to time a laugh, how to make the laugh grow by doing something else, how to get a laugh on top of the laugh – it’s an art, and not one that a lot of so-called comedy people understand at all. The audience was made up of people who’d either seen some videos or who’d been there, so they were all rarin’ to go and whoop it up. But I soon joined in, because Miss Billings is genuinely talented. Then the show brought on a few guest stars and that’s where it began to falter for me. It became unfocused and, as improv tends to be, too hit and miss, with too much dependence on everyone else, when the attraction here is Miss Billings. Yes, there were some solid laughs during this section, but too much of it fell flat and some kind of structured thing would be better than the hit and miss of what they’re doing, I think. The show ran about ninety-five minutes sans intermission. I’m glad I saw it, but would rather see Katie’s Corner evolve into more of a showcase for Miss Billings than it already is – either better guests, or having a stronger structure, rather like the Dame Edna evenings. There was one audience participation bit that didn’t quite come off because the fellow they picked was too hammy – the best “marks” are those who will be totally uncomfortable and embarrassed, and this guy was too “on.”

Alexandra Billings started life as Scott Billings, and there is a very interesting thirty-minute documentary about Scott’s transition to female that aired on Chicago’s local PBS station – if you Google From Schoolboy to Showgirl and Billings you’ll find it and can view it. It’s a fascinating look at Miss Billings’ life.

Prior to the show, I’d had an uneventful day – nothing bad, nothing especially great. I got up after a decent night’s sleep, I answered e-mails, I did some errands and whatnot, I returned tapes to the vault, I had a sandwich and onion rings for lunch, I picked up no packages and no mail, and then I came back home. I had a few important telephonic conversations and then spent some time trying to make our rehearsal schedule for next week work – there were way too many conflicts for my taste, but we eventually got it all worked out. I then wrote the blurb for our new release, I proofed the packaging (really fun for this one), and then it was time to see the show. While walking to the theater, which is located directly across the street from the Gardenia, the front door of the Gardenia opened and Nicole, the wonderful gal who runs the room, saw me and said hello. I asked her how full the club was for that night’s show, some evening of comedy – and she said it was completely empty, just as it has been for the past two weeks. So, they simply cancel the show. I should think they would stop booking whoever this is, because it’s awful to have the room empty, but call in the chefs and staff only to have to send them home.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must get my beauty rest after my night at the theater.

Today, I have to be here during a ten to two window for some people who are coming to take something away (they’re not taking ME away). Once that happens, then I shall have to run and do errands and whatnot, hopefully pick up some overdue packages, and then I believe Miss Juliana Hansen is coming and we shall dine and then watch The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which I’ve been wanting to watch again and which she really wants to see.

Tomorrow, I have a lot of stuff to do, and I can’t remember if anything is going on during the evening – I think I may be having lunch with pal Lauren Rubin, but I’m not sure I’m remembering that correctly. Saturday should be a ME day and I may be supportive and go see Karen Morrow’s students at the Gardenia. Sunday I have a book signing at the paperback show in Mission Hills. If any of our LA dear readers and lurkers want to stop by I’d love it. I sign at eleven.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, stay home until the picker uppers come, I must do errands and whatnot and hopefully pick up a package or three, I must sup, and I must watch a motion picture. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Lionel Bart songs, I being a huge fan of Mr. Bart. And your favorite Newley and Bricusse songs, I being a huge fan of Newley and Bricusse. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland for what I hope will be an excellent night’s sleep after my night at the theater.

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