Well, dear readers, An Evening With Richard M. Sherman was an unbelievable success. Just about sold out, save for the thirty or so people who felt it was okay to book it and then just not show up, thereby precluding thirty others who would love to have been there but were shut out. I think that falls under entitlement or rudeness or something, because had they let me know I could have filled those thirty seats. Still, we had around 280 people there out of the 308 seats. They were a lively and wonderful crowd and I knew that instantly when I came out to introduce the evening. They were appreciative and great laughers, so I knew the evening would go wonderfully. And so it did. It was absolutely perfect. I introduced Richard and he got a standing ovation as soon as he entered. I then began asking the questions, none of which he knew in advance. So, we got great stories, told freshly, with lots of laughs and applause. After about thirty minutes of chatter, Sami came out and sang the Nonsense Words medley and killed with it, getting a huge applause. Then more chatter, then Juliana did a beautiful Feed the Birds. I was able to lose about twelve questions because as we went along Richard would cover the topic of those questions and we were able to move to the next. The third singer was Jenna Lea Rosen and she, like Sami, killed with Suddenly It Happens. Then more chatter and finally Richard went to the piano and played Chim Chim Cheree. Then I went to the singer mic, told the story of how Two Roads came to be and then Richard played and I sang and it went over incredibly well – I think people just respond to the song’s message of positivity. And that was the show. Lots of bowing and another heartfelt standing ovation for Richard. We all hung out after and talked to a lot of folks – met some wonderful people.
The tech department did a lovely set-up for the stage, and they lit it very well. My Federal sound guy, Josh, was there to make sure we all sounded good. We had several LACC kids there, which was lovely. But I just don’t know that these events are really appreciated by some folks in the Academy and so I think this may just be the last of it for me, for reasons you’ll understand later. I do know the LACC Foundation loves what I do and loves what I bring to the school, and that feels very good. Here’s an actual photograph of Mr. Sherman and me during the show.
After, Richard and his ever-lovin’ Elizabeth, Barry Pearl and his ever-lovin’ Cindy, Jenna and her mom, Sami and her mom and sister Sarah and Juliana and her mom and I all went to Genghis Cohen, where we stuffed ourselves silly with incredible food.
Prior to all that, I was up at eight-thirty, had a long, involved telephonic call with Mr. Barry Pearl soon thereafter about the crap that’s going on, and I got to learn first hand exactly how things are being handled and it’s just more ammo for me, which is good. Then I went and had poached eggs on an English muffin to tide me over till our late supper. I picked up the package of Two Roads sheet music, too. Then it was time to mosey on over to LACC, where I met the piano tuner. Then I just relaxed until Richard and our singers and our MD, Tom Griep, arrived, at which time we all ran our numbers.
I’m happy to announce that the sheet music to Two Roads is now available at Kritzerland – one important thing: Due to the way Paypal figures out shipping, the sheet music cannot be ordered with any other items as it will automatically apply the lower shipping amount and we can’t have that. That disclaimer is on the item page, which is now live at http://kritzerland.com/two_roads.htm. There are two ways to order it – regular copies are $10.00 plus shipping and the first 100 copies, which will be signed by Richard Sherman and myself, which go for $20.00 plus shipping. I do think the 100 signed copies are going to go very fast, so don’t dilly-dally or even dally-dilly.
Today, I have to be up early, for she of the Evil Eye is coming. I’ll try to jog, then I have to be back at noon for Jenna, who had to miss Thursday’s rehearsal, so she’s coming early to run her number a couple of times. Then our stumble-through is at one, and after some of us will go to Casa Vega, where I will be a super good boy and only have two cheese enchiladas but no beef taco and no side of guacamole and sour cream. Then I’m relaxing for the rest of the evening.
Tomorrow is sound check and show and I’m sure I’ll jog in the morning. Next week is meetings and meals and Richard Sherman will be here Tuesday to sign copies of Two Roads, which can then go out the next day.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, have a stumble-through, eat and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films that feature the songs of the Sherman Brothers? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, so happy that An Evening With Richard M. Sherman was received so warmly.