Well, dear readers, for the first time in about fifty years I had myself a lobster tail. Now, is that a way to open these here notes or is that a way to open these here notes? Yes, I had myself a lobster tail and it was quite yummilicious. It was one of those teeny-tiny filet/lobster tail combos at The Smoke House. I just got it into my head that I wanted a lobster tail. Lobster was a favorite in our house and my father got the best there was for his restaurant and we’d have it there (of course it didn’t hurt that you dipped it in butter), or he’d bring it home as a treat, or we’d go have it on Restaurant Row somewhere. In those days lobster was not crazily priced like it is these days. In any case, the filet was only about four ounces and I put a bit of Bernaise sauce on it, and the lobster tail wasn’t so big either and I used very little butter. We all shared the garlic cheese bread, of course, and I had a cup of clam chowder and my side was creamed spinach. When I say “we” all shared, I of course mean the delightfully delightful Richard and Elizabeth Sherman and their friend and my LA show musical director, Richard Allen. Elizabeth had a small steak, Richard S. had ground sirloin and a baked potato, and Richard A. had Cajun chicken pasta. It was all very good, I was very full, and we didn’t do dessert. Richard S. did the six signed musical quotes for those Indiegogo contributors who took that perk, so we’ll send those out this week. The conversation was sparkling and we all had a grandly grand time.
Prior to that, I’d stayed in bed until one and got ten hours of sleep. Once up, I was just lazy – posting some videos, uploading more videos, and just pretty much relaxing, and then I had a work session with my musical director. Speaking of videos, here are some more that I hope you’ll enjoy. First up is Weekday Heroes, my little paean to the kiddie show hosts of the 50s and 60s who were on TV live every day. The singer is student Bedjou Jean.
Next we have Paul Gordon’s wonderful song Jackie O, sung by our Norwegian, Kasper Svendsen – yes, a Norwegian surfer boy, but boy is he charming and sweet in this number. His back-up singers are Kole Martin, Prisca Kim, and Elle Willgues.
And yes, that’s a real Pendleton shirt. Next is the song I’ve told you about, Sunset Strip 1965. It was the third song I wrote for the show, but when I finished it I knew I not only had written one of the best things I’ve ever done, but had found everything I wanted this show to be about. I usually write short songs, but this one’s almost seven minutes long and it’s a real three-act play in itself. The tune came pouring out of me as I scribbled the lyrics – the first verse and chorus were written in ten minutes, but the rest of it was written over a two-week period as the story became clearer in my head, and now to get from year to year presented itself to me. I cannot tell you how proud I am of this song, and especially the way people react to it – whether it’s me doing it at the piano on Christmas Eve (the first time I let anyone hear it – Richard Sherman was in tears at the end – it really got to him) or whether at the Kritzerland show where we did it two months ago, or in the actual show itself where it got cheers. I always knew from the beginning that it would end the show (there’s a reprise of the opening number after, that leads to the bows), and I also knew it was the only thing that would top the long number about the gay experience in LA that happens before it. So, I’m glad to finally share it and I hope you like it.
And finally for today, the finale and bows – I only put this up because at the end of the bows the cast dances into the audience – in the first three performances they kind of had a couple of people stand and dance and then they exited. On our second Thursday performance I asked them to actually get people on their feet and onto the stage to dance because I knew that was a high energy finish that would be great and the audience was standing there anyway, refusing to leave until the band finished playing. But I put this up so you can watch the young boy in the front row – as they say on Facebook, you won’t believe what he does next. This nine-year-old kid was the nephew of our actress Elle Willgues. I’m so glad this was the performance we taped.
Wasn’t he great? Where was I? Oh, yes, a few more videos to come but not many. After dinner, I just came back home and relaxed – it was too late to watch anything.
Today, I’ll do morning stuff, then I’ll do some errands and whatnot, then at two we have our first Kritzerland rehearsal. After that, I’ll go grab a bite to eat, something light and calorie-friendly.
Not sure what’s happening tomorrow, but Thursday morning I’m going to the Magic Castle to see a table reading of a new musical, then I have to hurry home for our second Kritzerland rehearsal, then I have to leave immediately and be on my way to LACC for our pick-up recording session for the LA show cast album. Friday will probably be a day of rest, if possible, then Saturday we do our stumble-through and I’m sure a few of us will get a bite to eat afterward. Then Sunday is sound check and show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have a Kritzerland rehearsal, eat, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite fish dishes? Yes, the topic is what is it, fish? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had my first lobster tail in fifty years.