Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry because it is very late and I’m sure there’s a horde of people – that would be one horde – waiting for them to be posted. I love when there’s a horde, don’t you? I feel we don’t have nearly enough hordes these days. Where was I? Oh, yes, notes in a hurry.
Let me jump to the end and go backwards, just for the halibut. Last night, I saw one of those “youth” things, a production of Bye Bye Birdie, in a sixty-seat theater in the Bank of Bur. I was invited by the mother of two girls in the show, one of them playing the lead. I’ve gotten to know this family over the past year and they’re very nice. The mom, I think, would like me to help the daughter who was the lead, as she feels she has musical theatre potential. This is the first time I’ve actually seen her live, her sister, too. These youth productions are occasionally baffling to me. I love the idea of them and think they are at heart wonderful things. I won’t dwell on it, but the one area where they need help is the adults who put on the show – not the kids – the kids are there to give their all and it just doesn’t matter to me if they’re great or just giving their all. But the adults frequently fail them – not always, but a lot of the ones I’ve seen. These wonderful kids deserve the best, a director who can guide them, teach them to be professional, and make sure they’re giving their absolute best in a production that is as professional as the kids are expected to be. Alas. This was an odd Bye Bye Birdie – several songs cut, the movie title song added, and many of the movie arrangements used (all tracks – no live music). So, given the cuts the show shouldn’t have really run close to three hours (that included the intermission). Much of that running time was given over to pointless “set” changes that lasted way too long. There was no need for any of it as there was no set. It was just some signs, tables and chairs, and props. If you can’t afford a real set, then embrace it and be clever. There is no scenario where the audience should be left sitting for a minute or two while a table is brought on and a sign is hung.
But enough about all that because it’s secondary to the kids. And they did give it their all and they were fun to watch. Alexa, the Rosie, acquitted herself very well. There’s nothing harder than being tied to a track – very difficult to come in on time and to have to be led by the track, which is not the way it’s supposed to be. Alexa’s sister Mia was cute as Gloria Rasputin. Several of the youngest (seven years old) were completely adorable and charming – but everyone got out there and did it, and had it been two hours in and out, it would have been a fun evening. It was fun even at its over length, and it certainly isn’t the kids fault. Our very own Doug Haverty was there with me. And I must say, I really do love the score of Bye Bye Birdie.
After, Doug, me, and the girls and their mom (and one of the girls’ friends) all went to the Coral Café. We got some of their good nachos for the table and I had a chicken salad sandwich, too. It was a lot of fun.
Prior to all that, I’d gotten a decent night’s sleep, then decided to get two chocolate peanut butter things from K’s Donuts, only to find them completely sold out of them at eleven-fifteen. Why? Because some kid came in there at ten and bought all thirty of them. How obnoxious is that? I understand buying a few, but ALL – like they don’t have other kinds of donuts for a little mix and match? Like maybe having the courtesy to leave a few of that type for others? Not in today’s entitled world, I’m afraid. It’s happened enough that I’m through taking chances there and will take dear reader Jane’s advice and call first – and if they’ll hold me two then I’ll go and if they won’t, they’ve lost my business forever. Instead, I had a quick ham and Swiss on rye, then came right home.
Grant Geissman came by and hung my two recent award certificates. After that, I answered e-mails, got the musical director all the sheet music I’ve gathered, and also sent the singers the last of the sheet music – we’re just waiting on one thing now and also I still have one more song to choose. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Yesterday I watched another three episodes of Bridge II – I just love this series. As with series one of Bridge, by the midway point, they do have a tendency to end the episodes with a great cliffhanger, and then occasionally the cliffhanger proves to be nothing more than a red herring, which is, I suppose, better than a gray herring or a green herring. Other than that little nitpick, the players are just wonderful and it never drags or feels repetitious, unlike the later House of Cards second season episodes. I do wish I’d know that this had been released on Blu-ray in the UK – I’m watching on a US DVD because I thought that was the only way it came – I also saw the series one on DVD – since both series are in one Blu-ray package, I may just get them so that if I ever want to watch it again, which I know I will, then I’ll at least have optimal quality. So, I think I have three or four episodes left.
Then it was seeing the show and eating the food.
Today, I don’t have much of anything planned and that’s a good thing. I’ll send out an e-mail blast for the Kritzerland show (I did the Facebook event page yesterday), I’ll eat, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, and then I’m just relaxing, viewing, and relaxing.
Tomorrow I’m seeing a show at the Colony Theater in the afternoon. Next week is very busy with meetings and meals and work sessions and production meetings and also a St. Paddy’s Day meal at Barry Pearl and his ever-lovin’ Cindy’s house.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, send an eBlast, eat, hopefully pick up some packages, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite songs of Charles Strouse? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I shall arise and greet the hordes of people who populate the San Fernando Valley and environs.