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October 1, 2012:

ENTER OCTOBER

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, has anyone around these here parts noticed that September is over and October has begun? How did that happen? September flew by, like a gazelle in a training bra. So let me begin today’s notes by saying that it is my fervent hope and prayer that October will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful. Certainly September went out with a bang, what with finally starting to shoot season two of Outside The Box, and then premiering Juliana Hansen’s new club act, her first solo cabaret show. Hopefully, October will begin with a bang, continue with a bang, and end with a bang, because we need it to be a bang-up month in terms of good and positive things. Speaking of good and positive things, Juliana’s show went beautifully. When we began our journey I wasn’t really sure I wanted to do the act, for several reasons. But, once I said yes my yes is in stone. There were a few rough times at the beginning, none of which is that interesting, and we got past them. One of the things I insist on when I’m working with people on a show is that the word “no” does not exist in our vocabulary while we’re figuring out the show. Once we’re all on that page, things go much more smoothly. Sometimes knee-jerk reactions to things just preclude interesting discussions and maybe finding something unique. Just because something feels foreign at first, doesn’t mean it’s not worth investigating. Finding her song choices took quite a bit of time. We went from a huge list down to a smaller list that was still fifteen songs too long. But as we had our meetings and discussions about themes and all, it was clear we had way too many of certain kinds of songs and not enough of other kinds of songs. When we finally settled on our first pass, then I listened to her sing all those songs, just off the page. That’s the time I start thinking about the arrangements. Certain songs she’d done in Kritzerland shows, so those were done, but mostly I’m looking for interesting ways in to material. I remember one of us suggesting I Cain’t Say No – probably her, but while I thought her doing the song could be fun, I knew instantly we had to do it in a new way. That was really the first arrangement idea I came up with – to do it slow and sexy and playfully, beginning with just a bass line and then bringing in the accompaniment. That just made it work really well, and it also enabled me to come up with a really fun way to stage it. And that continued with almost all of the numbers, whether coming up with a new vamp or new ending or whatever – that’s my favorite part of the process, actually. She did her first pass at patter, with everything way too long. I cut it down, added some humor and she read through it. She wanted to immediately remove some stuff, but I wouldn’t let her until she learned it and I could hear it in context. I remained strong about certain things and she finally just committed to it and did it. As we’d do our run-throughs, I’d continually adjust the patter, make cuts, make additions. We’re both very opinionated, so sometimes heads butt, but in the end it all leads to a positive place.

And I’m happy to say it all paid off. Several of the things she wasn’t sure about got huge laughs last night, so it was good I remained strong about those. The singing is never an issue – she’s got a gorgeous voice and all I do is finesse the interpretation. She was very nervous, but you would never have known it. In fact, there really was only one thing she continually did that was bothersome – and, of course, it’s something she’s never done before because we haven’t had a big audience before. As she finished the first part of her opening (which is two songs – A Cockeyed Optimist and Much More) she launched into her opening patter, the first line of which is “Hi everybody, I’m Juliana Hansen.” We had huge problems with this – she did not want to do it, and I thought it was very necessary and as soon as she said it she got a huge applause, as I knew she would – a great way to break the ice between performer and audience. But rather than just bask in that she immediately went on with the patter, but they were still applauding and cheering and so her next joke wasn’t even heard and she literally was talking so loud that they finally stopped applauding – you don’t ever EVER want to interrupt applause that early in a show, because it makes the audience not want to applaud for too long for fear of missing something. This she continued to do throughout the show – many lines were missed and by the halfway point, the applause, while still huge, was always shorter because she interrupted them and they just gave up. It’s something that any performer should be sensitive to and just be aware enough of to stop – but it was her first time in solo cabaret and frankly of all the things that could have gone wrong, that was the least problematic. She fumbled a few lines here and there, but overall she just landed all the points and the laughs. Basically, the audience just ate her up and it was great to watch. If we do it again, we’ll smooth out a few things, but for a first time out, it was an amazing evening and I was very proud of her.

Prior to that I’d had a relaxing day relaxing. I answered e-mails, watched a bit of a motion picture on Blu and Ray and relaxed until it was time for sound check. Juliana’s show was completely sold out. There were some grand people in attendance, including my table, which included Doug Haverty and his ever-lovin’ Dorothy, Sarah and Sami Staitman and mom Karen. At the table next to us were the delightful Elizabeth and Richard Sherman. Also seen, Ilene Graff and her ever-lovin’ Ben Lanzarone, Charlene Tilton with beautiful daughter Cherish, the amazing Karen Morrow, and many, many others, including our very own VinTek. We recorded the show, although I’m not at all sure what will be done with the recording. I was adventurous and tried something new – The Federal Burger, which everyone raves about. I thought it was okay, but not nearly as good as what I usually get – I’m very straight-laced about burgers and very particular and I don’t love non-traditional things on my burgers, such as the balsamic vinaigrette they use.

I know Juliana and friends went over to Little Toni’s after the show but I was kind of zonked so I went home, did some work on the computer, and ate some chocolate licorice. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get a good night’s beauty sleep.

Today, I have some errands and whatnot to do, hopefully some packages to get, I’ll have to eat around noon, and then we have our first Kritzerland rehearsal. I’ll also start the casting process for our next two episodes of Outside The Box. After rehearsal, I may or may not go out and do something.

Tomorrow and the rest of the week I have to start some new liner notes, prep our next release, which involves two separate releases, then I have meetings and meals, another Kritzerland rehearsal, I’m attending a little Society of Composers and Lyricists event honoring Richard Sherman, and then we have our stumble-through, then our sound check and our show.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do errands and whatnot, hopefully pick up some packages, eat, rehearse, and then we’ll see what’s up after that. Today’s topic of discussion: We had favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein songs, but what are your favorite Rodgers and Hart songs? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall welcome October with my fervent hope and prayer that October will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful.

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