Well, dear readers, did you ever have one of those days when you get up and start the day with petty annoyances? That’s what happened yesterday – I began the day with petty annoyances, two back-to-back telephonic calls. I don’t even remember what they were about, really, just that they were annoying. I do not like starting off a day on a low note (G below middle C), but soon I was tripping the light fantastic. The light fantastic fell down after I tripped it, but got right up. I then began thinking about the album I’d remembered and whether I should add it to the book. I’d already flagged a place where it would fit. So, I just sit down and wrote a page about it – as it turned out, the little story tied up one loose end, so that was a good thing. I then had to make three tiny adjustments a few pages later and the story was added and everything worked. I then took a break for lunch – I had a bacon cheeseburger and no fries or onion rings. Then I picked up one little package and an important envelope, after which I did some banking.
I came home, and the Termite Man came and banged on various and sundried walls both outside and in. He told me his initial feeling was that the house would not have to be tented and I hope that remains because it’s a big ol’ pain in the butt cheeks if they have to tent. So, send excellent vibes and xylophones for no tenting of the home environment. Then I talked to muse Margaret and read her the new material, which, I’m happy to say, she absolutely loved. Then I sent the adjusted manuscript to Grant. Then singers began arriving and all but one now have their CDRs and sheet music. We’re still light one cast member and I am truly getting bored of it being this much trouble. If it continues, then I think I’m just going to put an end to these shows. They have to be easy or I just don’t want to do them anymore. Everyone pleads to do them, then when we call they’re busy with this or that or that or this – it never fails. Hopefully, we’ll have someone by the end of today. After all that, I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched The Phantom of the Opera at Albert Hall on Blu and Ray. I’ve seen the show several times and I’ve always liked it but never quite got to love. I did admire Harold Prince’s great work and the great work of the design team, and I had no real issues with the score, other than I felt that the faux opera sequences just went on way too long. I first saw the show here at the Ahmanson with Michael Crawford. I’ve subsequently seen it with any number of Phantoms and while they’re all good, they’re all the same. Mr. Crawford, however, was the real deal – he just made something special out of the part – it was his creation and every Phantom since has been in that mold, or at least tried. So, I approached this concert version with some trepidation. But I needn’t have because it’s terrific. First of all, it’s fully staged and completely based on the Hal Prince and Gillian Lynne staging. Obviously they don’t have the big sets, which are done via digital projection – all that works fine. For this concert, they have a HUGE orchestra, so the music sounds lush and, well, huge. I quite liked the fellow who played the Phantom and Sierra Boggess was excellent as Christine. The supporting cast was all fine. For whatever reasons, I was quite drawn in to this presentation and, for me, it was the best the show has ever worked. I know it’s fun to make light of Mr. Lloyd Webber and this show, but everyone forgets what a sensation this show was when it opened twenty-five years ago. It was, in fact, more than a sensation, it was the must-see show for years. The direction for video was good, just too much cutting for my taste. Sound was very loud, very processed, just like all theatre sound today – none of it sounds real.
At the end, Lord Andrew came out – what an odd man he is. Then Cameron Mackintosh came out. Ditto. Then Sarah Brightman came out. Ditto, but female. She then sang the title song with four Phantoms – I only recognized Colm Wilkinson, but I think one was Anthony Warlow. Anyway, it was all very enjoyable and I’m glad I took a chance on it.
After that, I saw a rough preliminary sketch for the cover of the new book – it’s really going to be fun. Even in the rough he’s kind of captured my “look.” It’s got good energy and joy, which is what I asked for. He’s going to try a couple of variations on the pose he has me in – I’m sitting – that will remain, but in this first rough he has my arms crossed – I like it, but he’s going to maybe have me holding some CDs or some other pose. It’s not bad to have options, but I’d be fine with the pose he has and I’ve told him so.
So, after a rocky start, the day ended on a high-note (A). And all because I tripped the fershluganah light fantastic. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must get a good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I shall hopefully get up after a good night’s beauty sleep. Then I’ll jog, do some errands and whatnot, and then I don’t really have any other plans, unless something comes up. I do have the other two sets of liner notes to do, so I’ll probably work on those. And hopefully I’ll pick up some packages.
Tomorrow, I’m hoping to spend a few hours with Mr. Grant Geissman, working on the book. If not, I’m hoping we can get to it on one of the weeknights. Tomorrow would be better, though, so that’s my hope. Next week, I have to begin prepping the next Kritzerland Blu and Ray release, so I’ll have a few meetings at the authoring facility. I also have a meeting to begin discussions about a memorial for Norman Mennes, one of my LACC teachers, who passed away last week – he was in his nineties.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, do some errands and whatnot, hopefully pick up some packages, eat something light but amusing, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber songs? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland where I shall try to trip the light fantastic once again.