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April 11, 2019:

THE LURKING HEADACHE

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, having banged my head, followed by broadening my horizons, I am happy to report that yesterday I did neither of those things. I neither banged nor broadened, although if I had to choose one of those, I’d choose broadened.  I do think perhaps I gave myself a mild concussion or something, since I’ve had a lurking headache since said banging.  I have had no side effects from the broadening, which is good news.

Yesterday, I got eight hours of sleep accompanied by some mighty weird dreams.  Once up, I answered e-mails, had a telephonic conversation, and chose songs – I only have about five left to choose.  At some point I went to the mail place and picked up some packages, and then I stopped at McDonald’s because I wanted something fast and easy.  I came home and ate that, whilst listening to music and doing stuff on the computer.  I spent some time trying to figure out the timing of various projects in the second half of the year, which is going to be busy, especially beginning in September.  I spent the rest of the afternoon reading a play I may be directing next year – got through as much as I could with my lurking headache.  Then I sat on my couch like so much fish.

Last night, I began to watch a motion picture on the Flix of Net entitled Girl, about a trans youngster transitioning to the title sex and wanting to be a ballet dancer.  I found it pretty bad, and luckily I read up on it before finishing it so I’m glad I didn’t finish it as I would have hurled something at the TV had I done so.  After that, I saw that they were running the first episode of Fosse/Verdon on iTunes for free.  So, I watched that.  I know all theater people LOVE it, but I simply cannot get beyond the terrible writing. The dialogue is laughable for much of the first episode, it’s also tricked out with all manner of “now” narrative “devices.”  Sam Rockwell kind of has the Fosse voice down but it’s so obvious he’s not a dancer and that’s a real problem.  He’s also so low key that he just disappears.  Michelle Williams is fine as Miss Verdon, but the writing is doing her no favors.  Gene Foote, one of Fosse’s male dancers, pointed out he never smoked filtered cigarettes, which Mr. Rockwell does – always Camels.  And other really silly factual mistakes – like saying the film of Sweet Charity played the Ziegfeld and that it was a single screen theater – well, that’s all there were in those days in the United States – multiplexes were years away – just stupid, not to mention that the film of Sweet Charity didn’t play the Ziegfeld, it played the Rivoli.  And then Fosse posits maybe everyone is going to see The Love Bug instead – that opened after Sweet Charity.  I mean, it’s not hard to find out this stuff – takes about thirty seconds. Not sure I need to see anymore, but if it’s free, maybe.

After that, I listened to more music, began preparing our next Kritzerland release, had a long telephonic conversation, and then, believe it or not, it was time to write these here notes, which, in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been doing.

Today, I can sort of sleep in, then I have to finish choosing songs, think about adding one more gal to the Kritzerland cast, eat something amusing, hopefully pick up some packages and an important envelope, and then I can relax and watch a motion picture on Blu and Ray, namely Phantom Lady.

Tomorrow, I’m having a lunch meeting at noon-fifteen at a favorite little jernt, then have a busy afternoon, Saturday we do our third and final workshop at the Group Rep from ten to one and then I’ll attend the matinee of the two one-acts they’re doing upstairs.  In between, I have to shoot a really brief video reminiscence of David Cassidy for some event that’s being done.  Sunday I’m not sure what’s happening, and then next week is really filled with meetings and meals and lots o’ other stuff.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, sort of sleep in, finish choosing songs, maybe add one more gal to the Kritzerland show, eat, hopefully pick up packages, and relax.  Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films and shows directed and/or choreographed by Mr. Bob Fosse?  Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, hoping that the lurking headache will be completely gone as of this morning.

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