Well, dear readers, in one of those fascinating and odd “aha” moments, yesterday there was a post made on our board that made me go “aha.” Just like that. “Aha.” As you dear readers know, I’ve been waxing nostalgic about lost LA over the last couple of weeks. And the day before, I got that book Then and Now that dear reader ChasSmith had mentioned. And in the back of my head I was thinking “There’s something here, some wonderfully interesting idea that could be a musical revue. And then in an “aha” moment, dear reader Ron Pulliam made a post suggesting that very same thing. That, for me, was a sign, and I immediately put into motion something that could turn out very interestingly. I knew if I could get someone major on board right at the beginning that I could then get anyone. So, I did. I e-mailed my pal Bruce Vilanch, told him my idea and he said he would be happy to contribute a couple of sketches. That was great because I’d already decided that I would not want to write this evolving piece by myself because that would be too limiting to the piece. I want all styles and viewpoints, which will make things more unique and interesting. Yes, I’ll write some songs and maybe a monologue or a sketch or two, but mostly I will conceive and direct – I’ll figure out the bones and structure of this new revue. I then contacted some LA songwriter chums and they all immediately wanted to be part of it. I contacted just a couple other playwright friends and they’re now on board. Then I e-mailed the new chair of the LACC Theater Academy, told him the idea and he committed to it immediately. So, come next March or April we’ll be premiering a new musical revue – I really don’t have a clew as to its form and/or shape, but I do know it’s point, and that’s the most important part for me. I’m typing up a long list of potential subjects and with Vilanch I know I’ll get laugh-out-loud funny and raunchy. There are just a lot of potentially great things to mine and the songs can be funny, touching or whatever they need to be. I’ve already brought Kay Cole on board to choreograph. I’m very excited about this for many, many reasons. So, thanks to Ron for cementing what had been cementing in my cranium and causing me to have my “aha” moment.
Yesterday was otherwise a perfectly fine day with absolutely no annoyances – well, one slight one but it was more of a disappointment than an annoyance: My preferred lighting designer, who has moved to London but thought he might come back to light our new show, can’t. So, I’m on the lookout for someone who’s as talented as he is and as easy to work with, too. I had a morning meeting and the result of that meeting is that we’re pretty certain we’ll be bringing Welcome to My World to NY for several performances in November. I won’t know the dates for another month.
After that, I think I came right home. I did a jog and then did some work on the computer, but mostly e-mailed and talked to folks about this new revue idea, which took up most of the afternoon. Around five I went and had a ham and Swiss on rye with no fries or onion rings. Then I came back home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled The World of Henry Orient. I saw the film at a pre-release screening at the Wilshire Theater and loved the movie. Tippy Walker, one of the young girls in the film, was there signing autographs – I remember getting one. It’s a sweet film, has some good laughs, the girls are charming, and Peter Sellers is wonderful as Henry Orient. The supporting cast is terrific, especially Angela Lansbury and Tom Bosley as the parents of one of the girls – those scenes are what give the film its emotional heft and make it something more than just a cute little comedy. Bosley is especially touching. The film has a stellar score by Elmer Bernstein, too. The transfer from MGM is one they did for their HD channel and it’s quite nice, with mostly excellent color (a bit of fading but not much), and nice detail. So, this is highly recommended by the likes of me – it’s just a swell film.
After that, I sat at the piano for a while and noodled some ideas, the helper came by and got some invoices, and that was that.
Today, I’ll do a jog of some sort, hopefully I’ll pick up packages, and then it’s supping at Islands in the Dale of Glen, after which I go to the Glendale Center Theater to see a production of 9 to 5.
Tomorrow I have to be out early because she of the Evil Eye will be here, and then I’m not sure there’s anything really happening. Sunday there is something happening, just not sure when and where. Then next week we begin our full Kritzerland rehearsal week.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a jog, hopefully pick up packages, sup, and see a show. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/Blu and Ray player? I’ll start – CD, The Black Stallion. Blu and Ray, next up the new 4K restoration of The Third Man. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had the “aha” moment.