Well, dear readers, may I first call your attention to the fact that it is now February. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, somehow January flew by, like a gazelle reading a Sidney Sheldon novel, and now it is February. And might I just say that it is my fervent hope and prayer that February will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful. I must say that January’s last moments had some high drama in them, but happily just before January was through all worked out fine. One of our cast members e-mailed and said she’d come down with something – it started in her chest but had immediately moved to her throat. She was willing to come to rehearsal and croak, but none of us thought that was a good idea, especially if she’s contagious. She also thought she’d probably be okay by show day, but we really couldn’t take the chance that she wouldn’t be or wouldn’t be strong for the stumble-through, so we told her to get well and released her from the show. Adryan Russ and I then set about finding a solution at this late hour. Happily, we found it quickly in Chelsea Emma Franko, who was a delight in our Alan Jay Lerner show. She knew The Wizard and I and didn’t think she’d have a problem learning Lion Tamer. The other song was a duet with Dan Callaway, but since Dan had two duets in the show, we’ve simply asked him to either do the duet he was doing as a solo (it would work fine that way), or he knows several other Stephen Schwartz ballads that could replace it. So, all is well and well is all.
Prior to the drama, I’d have a day sans any drama. I got up at nine, but stayed in bed till almost ten, just answering e-mails on Ye Olde iPad. Once up, I did some stuff on the computer, then moseyed on over to get a haircut from my beloved Teddy. He looks great and it’s always a fun gabfest when I’m there. He told me he loved the caramels I gave him for Christmas. I also noticed that he had a Macbook Air – so Teddy has finally got e-mail and is on the Internet. He’s on Twitter, he’s on Facebook, he is HAPPENING, baby. He did his usual brilliant haircut. The last few haircuts have been so good that I have literally not used a hairdryer once in over a year, which is a first since the early 1970s. After that, I came right back to the San Fernando Valley and came home, did a few things here, then went and had a quesadilla and two small potato pancakes – you’ve heard of Tex-Mex, this was Jew-Mex. I proofed several chapters of the new book whilst sitting there. Then I picked up some packages, after which I came back home and proofed some more chapters. I think I did five today, so that’s good. I think there’s only six or seven left. So far, other than fixing typos and smoothing out some stuff, I’m very happy with it. After that, I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled The Naked Face, from the novel by Sidney Sheldon, starring Mr. Roger Moore, Mr. Rod Steiger, and Mr. Elliot Gould. I’m sure I saw this back in the day, but I had little memory of it. It is truly a terrible motion picture. The adaptation and direction by Bryan Forbes is completely uninteresting and frequently laughable. Roger Moore is okay, but Rod Steiger leaves no scenery unchewed – he screams, he berates, he’s intense, and so over the top that it’s a foot long ham sandwich with all the fixin’s. I read the book back in 1970, I think, and I remember enjoying it. I can’t remember who the culprit was but I’d be surprised if it is as lame as it is in the movie version. Of course, one knows what one is in for as soon as one realizes they are viewing a Golan and Globus Cannon film. The transfer on this region B Blu and Ray certainly looks better than the theatrical prints would have.
After that, I was relaxing when we got the replacing the singer news, so I spent the rest of the evening dealing with that drama, which happily had a happy ending. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get a good night’s beauty sleep.
Today, I shall proof more chapters, hopefully pick up a package or two, and then we have our second Kritzerland rehearsal. Chelsea will be here early to run her two songs. After rehearsal, I’m definitely going out for a nice meal. I’ll try not to eat before then.
Tomorrow is proofing, and then I’m going to the opening night of a local production of And The World Goes ‘Round, the Kander and Ebb revue. Sunday is, of course, our stumble-through, and I’m sure some of us will have an early meal afterwards. Also, the season finale of Outside the Box will be up that evening. Monday is video and sound check and then the show. It will be the first Kritzerland show my darling daughter has attended, so that will be fun and I’ll probably embarrass her and tell how we used to do the opening number of Pippin together. The rest of the week is filled with proofing, entering corrections and then getting the manuscript to my two editors for their comments, and also meetings and meals.
Let’s all put on our pointy party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and the ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora or the rhumba because today we’ve got us two count them two birthdays to celebrate. The first birthday to celebrate belongs to our very own disc jockey, Mr. Donald Feltham, who has been with this here site from the beginning with his amazing radio show. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own disc jockey, Mr. Donald Feltham. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN DISC JOCKEY, MR. DONALD FELTHAM!!!
Our second birthday belongs to our very own dear reader Kerry. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own dear reader Kerry. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN DEAR READER KERRY!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, proof, hopefully pick up some packages, have a rehearsal, and have a nice meal. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, Kritzerland stuff. Blu and Ray, next up is My Name Is Nobody, starring Mr. Henry Fonda. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, looking forward to a fab February – and, of course, it is my fervent hope and prayer that February will be a month filled with health, wealth, happiness, creativity, and all things bright and beautiful.