Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry because it is very late and I need to get them posted posthaste. So, let me begin by saying a thank you for all your excellent vibes and xylophones, which did work their magic. Next, let me say that I think Young Frankenstein is a dreadful musical. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I think Young Frankenstein is a dreadful musical. I saw the tour here at the Pantages and really was appalled at just how poor it was, especially the score, and how many of the classic jokes from the film just didn’t translate well to the stage. The notion that a song had to come out of every iconic line of dialogue was not the way to go. I also didn’t care for much of the staging. Last night, I saw a high school production of the show and my opinion of it hasn’t changed one iota, despite the good job the kids did, and they did a VERY good job. In fact, I liked most of them better than the cast I saw at the Pantages. Our very own Sarah Staitman was in it but relegated to the ensemble – too bad, as she would have done a great job with a larger role. They had a full orchestra, comprised of student musicians and they, too, did a great job. And the theater at this high school is terrific – state of the art and really comfortable. But the show itself – not for me and I certainly don’t need to ever see it again.
Otherwise, yesterday moved along at a steady clip. I woke up at eight, stayed in bed until nine-thirty, and then began my day by answering way too many e-mails and having some telephonic conversations. I then had to mosey on over to my noon meeting at the House of Pies. Of course, I had the short stack (two pancakes), but I wanted to see if any of the other food has gotten better – the waiter told me I’d love the mac-and-cheese so I ordered that. The pancakes were amazing and the mac-and-cheese was perfect. The meeting was with Rob Stevens, an LA critic for decades, who left LA ten years ago but is now back. He’s been doing sporadic reviews for a few weeks and he actually reviewed the March and April Kritzerland shows. He was always a great guy and his reviews, while always fair, were critical if he felt something needed criticizing – in other words, you don’t get an automatic good review from him. He also used to have a fun event every year that performers loved – the Robby Awards. So, I had an idea to let him review full time right here at haineshisway.com – we have on our home page menu on the left a section we haven’t really used much called Now Playing – that was perfect. So, I asked him whether that would be interesting to him and he loved the idea and having a home here, much as Donald Feltham does with his radio show. Rob can review whatever he wants and I told him in no uncertain terms that if he happens to be reviewing anything I’m involved with he must write the review he wants to write, with no special favors. In other words, he is under no constraint to automatically give us good reviews or to take it easy on us. So, we’re setting it up and he should be up and running next week.
Then I came home and the helper came by and got invoices. After that, I tried to relax a bit, listened to some music and did some work on the computer for our next release. Then it was time to join the Staitmans at Maria’s Kitchen in Calabassas. I was petrified of what the traffic was going to be like, but I got there in under fifteen minutes, instead of the hour I feared it might take. Go know. I had a small Caesar salad and that was it. And then we all saw the show, and then I came home.
Today, I shall hopefully arise after a good night’s beauty sleep, after which I have another noon lunch meeting – it was going to again be at the House of Pies, but I moved it to the Fred 62 diner down the street, so I don’t get burned out on House of Pies. After that, we have a work session with Sandy and Lanny, hopefully I’ll pick up some packages, and then I may join some folks for dinner, although I won’t eat much of anything.
Tomorrow, I have a meeting with Kay Cole in the afternoon. Saturday is, of course, the Red Gold book signing, which I’m very excited about – hoping for a nice crowd. I’ll pick up the cake in the morning. I’m sure after the signing a few of us will grab a bite to eat. Sunday there’s now something happening but I can’t remember what – some meeting with someone – oh, yes, a producer friend.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have a meeting, hopefully pick up packages, have a work session, write liner notes, and join some folks for dinner. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films of Mel Brooks, and specifically your favorite bits in them? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I shall do what takes my fancy. What is always taking my fancy – I hate when that happens. Perhaps one day my fancy will take what, and then the tables will be turned, won’t they?