Well, dear readers, it is late and she of the Evil Eye is actually coming this morning instead of tomorrow morning, so I must write these here notes in a hurry so I can get some semblance of beauty sleep.
Yesterday was certainly a day. I got a little over eight hours of sleep, then had a long telephonic conversation, after which I went and had a chopped salad and a bagel. After that, I picked up no mail and no packages, then came home. This is really thrilling isn’t it? This is like one of those old-fashioned movie serials in twelve chapters, with action and thrills galore. I think I’ll end each paragraph with a cliffhanger. Yes, I like these here notes in chapters like the serials of my youth.
In the last chapter, you’ll recall I’d picked up no mail and no packages and then went home. Well, happily when I got home there was nothing untoward. I did some work on the computer and then I sat on my couch like so much fish. And then, at that exact moment…
At that exact moment I watched the first half of the PBS Walt Disney documentary. I’d heard good things about it, and certainly it’s loaded with incredible archival footage and I enjoyed any talking head from someone who actually knew Mr. Disney. What I did not enjoy one or even two whits were the OTHER talking heads, that just took this right into the toilet for me – it made it seem like an extra long Blu-ray documentary, you know the kind filled with talking heads pontificating away in their irritating voices, and this one is filled with people with irritating voices, starting with the awful Neal Gabler. He’s identified as a Disney biographer, which means that he wrote a book about Mr. Disney. What qualified him to write such a book is anyone’s guess. Mr. Gabler was a fifth-rate movie critic whose voice and demeanor so irritated me that I wanted to just hurl my shoe at him. Well, he’s gotten worse, and he’s just insufferable in this documentary – overly dramatic, pedantic and just – irritating. The other “historians” aren’t much better and I could just do without any of them. In fact, I picked up my shoe and…
And I didn’t hurl it, because why should I hurt my TV? Then it was time to go to the theater for our pick-up rehearsal. I stopped and picked up the Tolucan Times to see our review – it was a rave, but then every review in the Tolucan Times is a rave. So, I’ve now done our pull quotes and we’ll have a little flyer with them. Here’s what they look like.
“(Staitman) completely captivates and charms her audience – Staitman’s poise and lovely voice really sell the musical numbers. (The) songs Kimmel has written for the show run the gamut from peppy and upbeat – a teenager’s ‘I Want’ list to an ASL signed ‘Note to Boys’ to the jubilant ‘Let Me Sing.’ Kimmel’s tight direction keeps the show moving along at a fast clip. Mr. Kimmel, Mr. Potts and especially Ms. Staitman should be very proud of their work here.”
Rob Stevens Now Playing HHW
“Welcome to My World is One-Girl Wonderful! Ms. Staitman carries off fourteen songs, fourteen monologues – the result is a tour-de-force performance. What a stupendous voice this gal has! (Kimmel) has similarly lent his inimitable magic, concocting a rich, full-bodied-but-temperate theatrical cocktail suitable for all audiences – his genuinely clever book is equal parts wit and pith-bracing and always funny! Moreover, his score, too, is overflowing with delightful songs, each with exquisite lyrics that are lush and poetic while at the same time staying smart (occasionally biting) and unforgettable. Come experience ‘The Molly Philosophy of Life’ with this thoroughly charming evening of theater!”
Leo Buck – Bucking Trends
“Kimmel’s top notch melodic score and wonderfully frank dialogue intrinsically fits into Sami Staitman’s dynamically pure and honest portrayal of ‘Molly’, a socially conscious fourteen-year-old who sees things more clearly than most young ladies twice her age.”
State of the Arts / LA Talk Radio
“A hilarious, touching and entertaining night at the theater. Young Staitman, a blend of Kristin Chenoweth and Reese Witherspoon, possesses enormous charisma and great talent, her strong voice giving emotional heart to the songs… fine support by accompanist Alby Potts. Creator Bruce Kimmel has penned some very articulate and thoughtful songs capturing the rambling thoughts and moods of Molly, offering emotional storytelling reminiscent of Stephen Sondheim.”
Mary Mallory, The Tolucan Times
“Welcome to My World is a sweet, charming, and oh-so-cute version of a young girl’s life!”
Accessibly Live
We had our pick-up rehearsal and it went very well and quickly. Then I stopped at Gelson’s, got some drumette things for my evening snack, and also got some melon balls. Then I came home.
You’ll recall that I came home, where everything was fine. I then sat on my couch like so much fish and watched the second two hours of the Walt Disney documentary. At least the second half had Richard M. Sherman, you know, someone who actually knew and worked with Mr. Disney. We still had Mr. Gabler, too, unfortunately. In the end, the footage was amazing, the rest less so. It was a long four hours.
Then I had to listen to the mix of Welcome to My World. Most of it sounded really good. I had a couple of nitpicks on two tracks and some dialogue was omitted from the top of one song, so those will get redone and resent tomorrow, but we’re in good shape.
Today, I’ll be up early, I’ll go have some breakfast and then hopefully pick up some packages or something interesting, and then at noon I’ll come back and relax until it’s time to go to the theater for our evening performance. I also have to finish choosing songs for the Kritzerland show.
Tomorrow, I can relax until it’s time for the evening performance. Sunday we have a matinee and then I’m sure we’ll grab a bite to eat after.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have some breakfast, hopefully pick up some packages, relax and then attend our evening performance. 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, Welcome to My World. Blu and Ray, Love and Mercy, Fat City and Ten to Midnight. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I’ll… Oops, cliffhanger.