Well, dear readers, it is Thanksgiving and therefore we should all be Giving Thanks for all the positive things we have in our lives and telling all the negative things to go take a long walk off a short pier. Yes, it is the day of turkey and stuffing and getting stuffed with cranberries and yams and mashed potatoes and whatever other goodies can be crammed onto one’s plate. And do remember that Tom Turkey ran away but he just came home, and therefore it’s Turkey Lurkey Time. So, wishing everyone a cozy, safe and loving Thanksgiving.
Yesterday was the day before Thanksgiving and a long day it was. It began early when I took my motor car in for servicing. It was a minor servicing but we redid the front brakes rather than wait until they went even further astray – it was quite cheap actually and now all is well. We also replaced the battery as what was in there wasn’t all that and I didn’t want any surprises in the next two months. That all took about two-and-a-half hours. Whilst I waited, I took a nice walk and looked at various things, and then I found a little coffee shop called Foxy’s and I went in there and had some bacon and eggs and one pancake. Then I picked up the car and came home. I had no intention of doing any work and I didn’t even pick up the telephonic device when it rung. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Yesterday, I watched two more episodes of the new Downton Abbey season – many new goings on, some lighthearted, some extremely dramatic, and some interesting new characters. Both episodes were excellent. Then I watched the first forty minutes of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, a good but weird Eyetalian movie. I also watched a good deal more of The Best Years of Our Lives, which is a miracle of a motion picture. I’ll finish both today, as well as one or two more Downton Abbey episodes. After that, I had a long telephonic conversation with the producer of the revue I created and directed, mostly about the set, lighting and costumes. Then it was time to mosey on over to the Pasadena Playhouse to see Twelve Angry Men.
Last night, I saw Twelve Angry Men, the sequel to Four Happy Women and Seven Happy Giraffes. I’m mostly familiar with Twelve Angry Men the movie, which I love and which I think is perfectly cast. The only time up until last night that I’d seen it on stage was a couple of years ago at the Ahmanson Theater in a production I found so-so. Of course, our very own Mr. Barry Pearl was in last night’s production as Juror 7, the part Jack Warden played in the movie. It was a fine cast and they did a fine job with the play. Director Sheldon Epps had a concept, concept being that half the jurors were white and half black. That does introduce a certain tension in the piece, but there were times when it just felt a little contrived. Still, good work by all and it moved along at a steady clip. They had an intermission, but since the play really only runs about 105 minutes, I think it would work well without one (I don’t think the Ahmanson had one). After the show, Barry and his ever-lovin’ Cindy (with whom I sat) and I were supposed to dine. Barry had a place in mind so I drove Cindy there. Barry loves to schmooze so he didn’t show up until about twenty-five minutes later. And with about ten people in tow – fellow cast mates and some friends. By the time he got there, I’d already finished eating (I was starving and had to get food in me) – I split a grilled artichoke with Cindy and had what was one of the smallest sandwiches ever – a pulled pork and brie sandwich – it was great, but teeny-tiny. This jernt was one of those food and ale places that young loud people love to frequent and it was so full that Cindy and I barely got a seat. It was obnoxiously loud and I got a headache just sitting there. There was no place inside for Barry and all those people, so they sat outside near a heater. I couldn’t be out in the cold, heater or not, so I simply took my leave. On the way home I filled the motor car with gas.
Today, I shall sleep in, then it will be motion pictures, Downton Abbey, and then Thanksgiving Dinner with Barry and Cindy and a handful of others. I’m looking forward to a warm and cozy time. After that, I’ll come home and relax some more and maybe even do some writing.
Tomorrow morning I see Teddy to get coifed. After that, I’ll eat (maybe Astroburger or something fun on that side of the hill), then I’ll come home, hopefully pick up some packages, and finish some liner notes. Saturday, I will definitely jog, and then we have our stumble-through, after which I’m sure some of us will grab a bite to eat. Sunday is our sound check and then show, and I will, of course, have a full report. Next week is insanely busy again – meetings, meals, two rehearsals during which we’ll do some adjusted staging and try out both one-act and two-act versions to see how they feel, and make sure the slightly adjusted order works to my satisfaction. Then Thursday and Friday are our final two previews – I think we’ll do the two-act version one night and the one-act the next and then I’ll decide which we’ll use for opening night on Saturday. And then I turn a brand new age.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, relax, watch stuff, maybe write, maybe jog and then have a lovely Thanksgiving Dinner with friends. Today’s topic of discussion: What was your most memorable Thanksgiving? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland where I shall be Giving Thanks for all the wonderful things and people in my life.