Well, dear readers, it is quite late and the notes should have been up thirty count them thirty minutes ago, and yet here I am just beginning them. Therefore I cannot tarry or dally or even dally or tarry, I must be quick and fleet of keyboard. I must write like the wind, I must make haste without making waste. In short, the notes. Yesterday, for example was a day in which I got up way too early. Once up I could not go back to sleep, despite the old college try, not that I have a clew as to what the old college try is. I mean, I tried to back to sleep but I didn’t try to use an old college to do so. I don’t just keep old colleges around, you know. Where was I? Oh, yes, overtired. Where was I? You see what happens? In any case, I did some work on the computer and then I picked up some tapes for a couple of upcoming projects, which were then picked up from me by the transfer guy, who took them to transfer. I then went to my lunch meeting at Barney’s Beanery, where I had my beloved foot-long hot dog with chili, cheese, and onions. It was quite yummilicious. The meeting was fun and I was given some homemade peanut butter and jelly cheesecake to take home with me (one slice), about which more momentarily. Then I came back to the San Fernando Valley, picked up a few packages and some mail, and then came home.
I then proceeded to write the first set of liner notes and all the track information and got that sent off to the designer, so that was good. That took quite a while, and then I tried to relax and gave it the old college try to little avail. Then it was time to mosey on over to the Alex Theater to see Little Me, starring our very own Jason Graae.
Whilst hanging out in the forecourt I ran into our very own Dan Callaway, who’s done five of the Kritzerland shows, I think. I told him I hadn’t been able to find our final guy and he jumped at the chance to do it, so we’re now finally fully cast. I didn’t think he’d want to jump right into another one, but he did. Later, I found out Juliana Hansen wasn’t thrilled that she wasn’t in this show, but again, after four in a row I thought she probably could use a break. We have an excellent cast, I think, including Dan Callaway, Melissa Mitchell (I saw her do Annie and Cinderella – she’s really talented), Kevin Symons (he did the Berlin show), Alet Taylor, and Shannon Warne. Plus, of course, young Melody Hollis, and two other little girls doing an Annie section. We’re not quite sure of our guest star yet, but will be soon.
I then saw a musical entitled Little Me. I have a little history with the show, as I produced the revival cast album with Martin Short and Faith Prince, directed by Rob Marshall. That was, in some respects, a terrific production (mostly having to do with the brilliantly funny Short), and not so terrific in other respects. But the Neil Simon book is absolutely hilarious, with one great laugh after another, and the leading role is a tour de force for any great comic actor. But the show is not easy – it has to be done by people who really understand its comedy and the pacing it need. The MTG shows are done in 29 hours so you can’t really judge them by normal standards. The audiences there come to love them and they always whoop and holler even though occasionally the whooping and hollering is not really called for. But even the worst of what I’ve seen there has gotten the whooping and hollering and standing ovations. So, all I will really say is that it was a VERY long evening – the show ran close to three hours and it really shouldn’t – it should run about two-and-a-half hours tops. Jason did a great job with not very much rehearsal – some of it was really funny, and some he just hadn’t had enough time with to really find a couple of the characters. This kind of show needs its rehearsal time to let the comic find each nuance of each character. But Jason’s a pro and got lots of laughs. Everyone else in the show was fine. One truly irritating thing is that they go to the expense of having a nine-piece band. They are clearly miked. However, no band sound came out of the speakers ever, so eight of the players may as well have gone home because you didn’t even hear them. They really need to address that issue. There were some interesting people in the audience although I can’t remember who at the moment, even though I just gave it the old college try. I went backstage after, said hi to Jason and a few others, and then came home, tired and a bit hungry.
I ate the peanut butter and jelly cheesecake slice and it was really good. But I was still hungry, so I had one matzo and a slice of low-cal cheese. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must to bed so I can get some semblance of beauty sleep, or at least give it the old college try.
Today, I have to write the second set of liner notes, I have several errands and whatnot to do, I have a work session with our musical director, Mr. Shelly Markham, and now that I know Dan Callaway is doing the show, I have to choose his third number and make him a CDR. Then I’m attending a sedar in honor of Passover. I intend to cast out a whole slew of plagues, baby. I’m told there will be gefilte fish, charoses, matzo, and other such Jewish things.
The rest of the week is busy with meetings, jogging, meals, and prepping our two releases for announcement next week. I think there’s stuff happening on the weekend, too, and I hope to heaven I’ve written it down somewhere. I especially think something is happening on Sunday.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do more liner notes, jog, do errands and whatnot, and attend a sedar. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Cy Coleman songs? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, or at least give it the old college try.