Well, dear readers, here I am, high in the sky on my way to the city that never sleeps. I am sitting next to two elderly women who are quite obsessed with the Weather Channel, discussing the weather in each and every state. This is very exciting for them. I, on the other hand, have been playing games on the iPhone and relaxing. I have had a small bag of mixed Dorito snacks and a small bag of cashew nuts, along with a Diet Coke. The Bank of Bur airport was quite empty this morning at five-thirty when I arrived. I got through security quite quickly, got on the plane quite quickly and we were in the air quite quickly. And that is my report thus far. I shall resume these here notes later this evening.
I shall now resume the notes. The flight was very fast and comfortable and we got into the city in about forty-five minutes. The cab let me off at the hotel and I knew instantly I’d not booked the hotel I thought I’d booked – instead I’d booked a hotel I’d stayed at a few times ago, one I wasn’t that crazy about. The one I thought I’d booked is two blocks north of here, the Hilton Garden Inn Fashion District. That was a great hotel. But what was done was done. And it’s fine – the room is smaller than I like but the Internet works and it’s got a big bed.
The Singer and I then moseyed on over to the rehearsal studio where Ron Abel was waiting for us. We ran the show, which was a little rusty, so I gave lots of little notes and we worked on quite a few things and it should all be back to normal for show time. The Singer sounded great – the notes were all about energy and intention, which sometimes happens when you have a fairly long hiatus between shows. Plus Ron is still getting used to tempos and arrangements.
Then we walked over to Joe Allen, where we met elmore and Mr. Barry Pearl. Barry is in great spirits and having a blast being back on Broadway. The conversation was sparkling, the food was, as always, great – I had a pulled pork sandwich and fries, and three of us split the hot fudge pudding cake. I’m hoping that the three-plus miles we walked will have worked some of that off. Joe Allen was really hoppin’ last night. Some older gals sitting at the table next to us chatted Barry up when they heard him mention our pal Barbara Minkus, who they knew. These gals used to be in the show business – one was in the original production of Can-Can and told us she used to date Ben Blue. The other used to date Ray Bolger. Then Barry told me our mutual friend Kay Cole was in town directing a show so I told him to please say hey for me. He didn’t have to because the next thing we knew she was walking by our table with Baayork Lee. We all had a great chat and then they left. Later, a roly-poly, slightly weird-looking older fellow came in, and he kept staring at the table and especially me – I thought maybe it was a dear lurker or just someone trying to overhear the dish we were dishing. He finally came over to the table and said, “Are you Bruce?” The minute I heard the voice I knew who it was – Bud Cort, whom I hadn’t really seen since doing a play with him back in 1973 at the Mark Taper Forum. He chatted with us all, we reminisced, then exchanged numbers and info – we’ll go have lunch when we’re back in LA and I’ll give him my book, which he appears in. As we were thinking about getting ready to leave, in waltzed Miss Joan Collins and her sister Jackie. Who would have thought? A bit later, Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan arrived, along with our friend Bob Garrett. Then we left. And that was my first night in the city that never sleeps.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because while the city never sleeps, I really must get my beauty sleep.
Today, I shall hopefully sleep till at least ten, then I have a little meeting, after which I’ll come back to the hotel. Then we have our sound check at four, then I’ll come back, get ready, and return to the club at six. Show time is seven o’clock. If any of our New York contingent wants to come, just show up, use my name and you’ll be my guest. It’s quite a fun show. After the show, we’ll go out to dine, probably back to Joe Allen.
Tomorrow, I have the recording session with Skip, then dinner with Barry Pearl, then seeing his show, after which I’ll probably meet with friends for a little light something or other. Then it’s back to LA on Thursday.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sleep, have a meeting, have a sound check, see The Singer do her act, then sup. Today’s topic of discussion: Let’s do an oldie but goodie – if you could take the haineshisway.com Time Machine and go back in time to see one Broadway opening night, what one musical would it be and what one straight play? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland here in the city that never sleeps.