Well, dear readers, as we near the end of a little year I like to call 2014, perhaps it’s time to think back on all the lovelier than lovely things that have happened. Yes, there were a few yucky moments along the way, but thankfully the good far outweighed the bad and the ugly and believe me there was some major stupid ugly earlier in the year. I, of course, began the year as I have begun at least the last six or seven years, by beginning a new novel. I began it on January first and this time this particular novel was completely novel for me – a western. It took about five weeks to complete and I really and truly loved writing every word of it – loved living in that world, loved the characters, and was proud of the result. At least two people I know had a little problem with the ten-year-old protagonist handling and learning how to shoot a gun. Well, that’s today’s world – in 1881 there were kids and there were guns and that was the way of life. We really must keep our ability to understand context and when a story takes place and what that world was like. Only one person really didn’t care for it – I actually didn’t solicit that person’s opinion, but I got an earful of it, not one word of which I agreed with for very specific reasons. Happily, most of the reaction to Red Gold was wonderful, especially from some young readers. Of course we began the year with our monthly Kritzerland show and those continued each and every month all year. In January, I also directed a big benefit for ALS that was very successful. We did it at the Pasadena Playhouse and sold out and it was just a wonderful evening with splendid performers giving their all. I also did a musical theatre workshop at LACC, mostly to see what I’d be dealing with for my upcoming production of Li’l Abner. Those four days were great – a good group of kids, many of whom had never sung in public and they all had to get up and sing and I gave notes and comments and everyone, I think, as petrified as they were, learned something and ultimately had a good time. One young lady did a song and was crying after. I took a good long time with her in front of the group, and then I did something clever – I had everyone sing Do Re Mi and had her sing a long, and suddenly, with all those other voices, she was singing loudly and well. I told her that if she wanted to be in Li’l Abner she was in because I simply don’t give up on people. And she was in it and by the end of rehearsals she was confident and terrific.
We continued our run of Pure Imagination in Santa Monica. It wasn’t that pleasant an experience, frankly, but it was a good show, and I was very proud of Sami, who made major strides in it and got over some very bad habits, and a couple of other cast members. Sadly, one cast member who I really liked and had worked with a lot, just was weird during the entire process of the show and I’m afraid our working relationship ended, which is a real shame. Hopefully someday it may get back on track. Also, a little thorn in the side problem was resolved, so that was good. Interestingly, the gentleman who obnoxiously caused the problem and had no real right to cause the problem, passed away soon thereafter. Go know.
We decided to do a third Sandy Bainum CD, and decided it would be an album of my songs. We began working on it in February and into March and that whole experience was rather magical – choosing the songs, singing through them, futzing with them. And then, in April, we began the Li’l Abner adventure. We’ll continue this little look back in tomorrow’s notes.
Yesterday was a day. I got only two hours of sleep – I fell asleep at two and for some unknown reason woke up at four. I couldn’t get back to sleep, so I just got up and got everything all ready to announce at six, which I did. I then went right back to bed and slept until ten, so I did get about six hours of blessed sleep. Then I printed out orders and then Jenna Lea Rosen, her mom, and a young fellow who’s in the January show came over. He’s charming and sweet, and sang through Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, which will be fun. I’ve asked Heather to stage it within an inch of its life, which she will. Then we went and had some lunch – I had a chicken salad sandwich and no fries or onion rings. After that, I picked up no packages and came home.
Within a few minutes, UPS arrived and delivered two screeners – Inherent Vice and the new Hobbitt movie. I have no interest in the latter whatsoever but I was interested in Inherent Vice. I did some work at the piano, printed out more orders, had some telephonic calls, got the packaging approved on Breaking Away and sent in, and then I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched Inherent Vice, a motion picture directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, based on a novel by Thomas Pynchon. I know I’m supposed to think Mr. Pynchon is a brilliant writer but, alas, I don’t. The film is quirky, weird, occasionally amusing, boring, irritating and ultimately a big load of, well, for me, nothing. It takes place in 1970 and involves a private investigator who is also stoned at every opportunity with the Mary Jane cigarettes. Now, I loathe any kind of drugs so obviously I was never going to like this film because they smoke, oh, hundreds of marijuana cigarettes during the very long 148 minute running time. I had no interest in that stuff in 1970 and even less now. I suppose that’s nostalgic for a lot of people who did that sort of thing. There is some kind of silly mystery in the story, but it’s really meaningless – the film is like a jazz riff that just goes on and on and on and on in a haze of California smog and dope. By the 100-minute mark I just wanted it to be over. I can’t really stand the film’s leading man and he’s as irritating to me here as he was in this same director’s last film, The Master. For me, the whole thing was like substandard Terry Southern by way of The Big Lebowsky, another movie I don’t like. The character names are of the cutesy kind that are supposed to be rollicking to someone, but for me it just precludes me from taking any of the story seriously – maybe they don’t want me to, but then why do I need to sit there for two-and-a-half hours? To give you an example – one character lives on a street called Gummo Marx Way. I mean, really.
After that, I went to Gelson’s and did my Christmas Eve Do shopping, so that’s all done and I made a big list so that I wouldn’t have to go back to the store. I got tons of pasta, the ingredients for my famous spaghetti sauce and the tuna pasta salad, and whatever else I needed. They didn’t have the kind of rolls I usually get or maybe I just couldn’t find them, so instead I got those yummilicious King’s Hawaiian Savory Butter Rolls. They’re quite addicting. Then I came home, got everything put away and I’m ready to chop and slice and mince, not necessarily in that order.
Today, I shall be up by ten, I have a quick meeting to attend, then I’ll eat, hopefully pick up some packages, do some banking, and then I’ll relax for a bit. The evening will be spent chopping and slicing and mincing so that when I get up tomorrow morning all will be ready.
Tomorrow, I spend the entire day cooking and getting the home environment ready for the Annual Christmas Eve Do. I have no idea how many people will show up, but however many it is, we will have fun and a half. People begin arriving at six and I kick people out around ten-thirty.
Thursday, I don’t know if I’m seeing the Darling Daughter™ or not, but in the afternoon I’m going to Cissy Wechter’s Christmas Day partay. As of Friday, all days are ME days and I do only what I damn well please until the first of the New Year.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have a quick meeting, hopefully pick up packages, eat, bank, relax and then chop, slice and mince. Today’s topic of discussion: What were your favorite theater experiences of 2014? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, having begun our look back at 2014.