Well, dear readers, at least yesterday wasn’t the day from hell. That is always a plus and we will take all the plusses we can get. We still need a major, major miracle coming this way really soon or there will be complete and utter hell toupee. So, keep sending those strongest most excellent vibes and xylophones because we sure could use ‘em. I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to music, which is what I pretty much have done for most of the day – I needed to have a ME day and that’s what I had.
I only got about six hours of sleep, got up, answered lots of e-mails (still catching up), had several telephonic conversations about many different things. Then I went and picked up some packages, stopped at Gelson’s and got the makings for Wacky Noodles – I occasionally make it with sautéed chicken, but I’ve been thinking about making it with ground beef, so I got that and home I went. I did a few things on the computer, uploaded a few more videos, then rustled up the Wacky Noodles plus ground beef – about seven ounces of pasta and about six ounces of ground beef. I must say, it was most excellent, really excellent, completely excellent, excellently excellent. I ate one helping, then doled out another, but there was still a huge amount left and I know me well enough that I would have eaten it all, so instead I texted Grant to come over and have some – he did, he loved it, and ate two large helpings and finished it. So, it was actually a reasonable amount of food for me – about four ounces of pasta and about three ounces of ground beef. Very filling though. Grant’s doing the upcoming Kritzerland show, so we talked about that and lots of other things, especially his time with Chuck Mangione and why he quit the band in the early 1980s.
He left, and I went to the garage and pulled out about thirty more CDs that looked interesting. I came in about thirty minutes later and began my listening adventure – first with two of those inexpensive Verve 5 Original Albums sets – Stan Getz and Billie Holiday, and a lovely Earl Klugh album. Then it was on to Freddie Hubbard, and even a Rupert Holmes album that was never issued in the US. I think we’ll chat about us issuing it if he owns it. It’s fun – from 1994, which is when we met, actually. Then there were a few more telephonic calls and that’s about it.
All right, here are four more videos from our show. After this batch, there’s really not much left. First up, here’s Carly Bracco, nine months pregnant – we had people standing by in case she went into labor – she didn’t and I don’t think she has yet. She’s singing a put-together of Stay Awake and Hushabye Mountain.
Here’s Brennley Brown doing a beautiful version of Your Heart Will Lead You Home, from The Tigger Movie.
Here’s Robert Yacko doing the song he introduced in L.A. Now and Then, The Whimzey Works.
Here’s magnificent Melissa Manchester doing Feed the Birds.
Finally, here’s our act one finale, Charlie’s Place from Over Here – it’s hard to see or feel the impact from the wide angle, but you’ll get the idea.
That is a seven-plus minute number.
Today, I have a noon o’clock rehearsal with Kay Cole, then after that I may have a lunch with my stage manager from the Sherman event – we’ll see. Otherwise, I’ll hopefully pick up packages, I’ll finish up the show order and try to write all of the commentary so that’s off my plate. Then I’ll relax.
Tomorrow, I’m having lunch with our very own Mr. Nick Redman, then a work session for the Kritzerland show, then the rest of the day is mine all mine. Saturday morning we do the last of our Group Rep musical theatre workshops. Then next week is our busy rehearsal week, plus on Monday night I’m going to the Disney dedication and renaming of Stage One to the Sherman Brothers Stage, followed by a reception and screening of Christopher Robin.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, rehearse, lunch, hopefully pick up packages, finish the show order, write commentary, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite London cast recordings – whether London casts of Broadway shows or shows written in the UK. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have had a successful addition of ground beef, which we call the ground beef effect.