Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry so I can get to bed and get as much sleep as possible before the long day and evening. So, let me begin by saying that those who’ve read Kritzer Time know that when I was thirteen my parents were going to send me to Jew camp for two or three weeks. That was horrifying to me. But it was more horrifying because I’d seen a movie I’d fallen in love with – something called The Parent Trap, and I’d fallen head over heels in like with the film’s two stars, Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills. I saw it as many times as I could before being carted off to camp, and I also took some money from my father’s pants pocket and went to the May Company and bought what was then the only battery operated portable reel-to-reel tape recorder. I took that to the Vogue Theater and recorded the songs and some dialogue so I’d have my Hayleys with me at camp. And now, fifty-five years after I saw The Parent Trap and had my twin Hayleys crush, Hayley came to my house. I’d spoken to her a couple of times prior to this, but she wouldn’t have remembered. So it was like meeting her for the first time and she’s a total wonder – funny, irreverent, still beautiful, and we had a whole ton of fun. Seeing her and Richard Sherman together again was great and they clearly adore each other. We all laughed a lot, and then she and Richard rehearsed the patter I’d written them and then they sang Let’s Get Together together and it was absolutely magical. After they ran it, I helped them split some of it into solos, and they ran it again and it’s just incredible and if it doesn’t bring the house down (and perhaps to its feet) I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ no babies.
Richard played The Whimsey Works for her and he also serenaded her with For Now, For Always from The Parent Trap. I gave Hayley Kritzer Time, the novel in which she makes a rather prominent and memorable appearance, I gave her a Nudie Musical Blu-ray, and the cast album of L.A. Now and Then. I took her in the book room and showed her my first edition of her mum’s book, Whistle Down the Wind. And I showed her my first edition of Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner, which, of course, is the source material for The Parent Trap. Richard had already signed it, so I had Hayley sign it, too – she wrote a very sweet inscription. We also talked about The King and I, whose revival cast album I produced – she’d done the show pre-Broadway and I told her I wished it had been her on the recording. Then she had me sign Kritzer Time and I wrote her a nice inscription, too. She was here for two hours and just lit up the place. Here are Richard, Hayley, and li’l ol’ me.
And here are our musical director, Richard Allen, Juliana Hansen, Richard, Hayley, and me.
I’m sure we’ll get more photos tomorrow. Anyway, it was a very memorable two hours, I must say.
Prior to that, I’d gotten about seven hours of sleep, I did a two-and-a-half mile jog, I did some work on the computer, got ready, and then relaxed for a few minutes. Then one of our co-producers came as did our stage manager, and we went over the entire script, figured out all the mic moves stuff and I think they’re very prepared now.
After Hayley left, Richard Sherman and his ever-lovin’ Elizabeth, Richard Allen, and I went to the Smoke House (Hayley had to see some friends). I had my usual filet mignon with a little Bernaise on it, no baked potato so therefore no pound of butter, two little pieces of the garlic cheese bread, a small Caesar, and some creamed spinach, all great, and very filling, but within my calorie spread for sure – in fact, less than when I do the baked potato.
Today, I was going to be up by six to do a jog, but I somehow think that would be folly, so I think I’ll sleep until seven, get up, get my wits about me, shave and shower, get my clothes together (I’ll change before the show), and then I shall be on my way to the Pasadena Playhouse for our very long day and then our show, which I hope and pray will go smoothly and end within the two hours it should run. I will, of course, have a full report.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, maybe jog if I’m really feeling adventurous, then have a long day and hopefully a wonderful show. Today’s topic of discussion: Who was the most interesting celebrity you ever met? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, so happy to have had such a splendidly splendid visit and finally meeting Hayley.