Well, dear readers, this week is flying by, like a gazelle in a tuna-canning factory. And may I also point out that this month is just about over? How did that happen? I don’t even remember what happened this month, save for a lot of proofing. But, I’m happy to say that the book is off to the publishers, probably today. We got our second blurb, from Rupert Holmes – for those who may not have seen it in the notes, here it is:
“Just as Frank Sinatra had an additional and invaluable career as the great preservationist and evangelist of the American popular song (with particular focus on the Lost and Found), so author-actor-singer-director Bruce Kimmel has additionally served the cause of Broadway and Hollywood beyond measure, producing some of the most memorable vocalists of our time in recordings that give new life to music that might otherwise be forgotten, while renewing and revitalizing the theatrical canon with his impeccable taste and unerring musicality. In his usual engaging and endearing style, he at last gives us a first-hand view of his process. For this terrific chronicle, and for his immeasurable contribution to musical theatre, we can only give our most inadequate thanks.”
Isn’t that a lovely blurb? So, now we’re fully blurbed, the back cover is done, the flap copy is done, and Grant is now assembling everything into one big folder, which will then be sent to the publisher. So, that’s all very exciting, and I should see a galley within the next couple of weeks.
I had a perfectly nice day yesterday. I got a good night’s sleep, got up, did some work on the computer, and then went and had a sandwich and fries, after which I picked up no packages and did some banking. Then I came home, approved some packaging, and began writing the contextual commentary – I finished half of it and then we had our first Kritzerland rehearsal, which went more smoothly than most of our first rehearsals. Our cast is wonderful – Lauren Leigh Barker (a newcomer I’m giving a chance to – she was in that singing contest), Melody, Damon Kirsche, Jane Noseworthy, and Shannon Warne. The songs are great, of course, and fit the singers very well. And to hear Melody tear into Tchaikowsky (and Other Russians) was beyond delightful. She has it down cold, and for anyone who knows the song, you know just how amazing that is – it’s fifty Russian composer names sung in less than a minute, one after another. This girl knows no fear and can basically do anything.
After rehearsal, I immediately sat on my couch like so much fish and watched the last forty minutes of Stars and Stripes Forever. It’s not a great movie, but I really enjoyed it a lot and the transfer is absolutely stunning and is the poster child for what Technicolor of that era should look like. So, next time you see a Blu and Ray where the reviewers are raving about the Technicolor but what’s on view is suffused with yellow, you will know just how wrong it is, no matter what the amateur pundits are saying. This thing is the real deal.
I then watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Black Swan. Somehow I’d missed seeing it in theaters and then on Blu and Ray. I wish I hadn’t rectified that, however. This is the second Darren Aronofsky movie I’ve seen, and that’s more than enough to last me for another three decades. After Requiem for a Dream I should have known what to expect, but here we get a surprising amount of the same old same old – ugly images, vomiting, lurid fantasies, and more ugly images. Natalie Portman gives an excellent performance, but I just thought the film was yucky and kind of vile. I suppose the transfer replicated the look of the film well.
After that, I did some more work on the computer and had a few telephonic conversations. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get another good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I honestly can’t remember what I’m supposed to do, but I’m sure it will come to me. I do have to write the blurbs for our new releases and get the audio samples to the web guy. I do have to eat (I have a craving for spaghetti and meatballs, so I may do that), hopefully I’ll pick up some packages, I have to write some big ol’ checks for Kritzerland bills, and I must do whatever else I must do.
The rest of the week I have some meetings to have, some meals to have, some rehearsals to have and then on Sunday we do our Kritzerland show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do whatever it is I’m supposed to do, write blurbs and send audio samples and prep our release announcement, eat, hopefully pick up packages, and then perhaps watch a motion picture or three. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite movies about the ballet, and what are your favorite actual ballets? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall do some brilliant ballet dancing in my tu-tu and tights and pantaloons.