Well, dear readers, the good news is we found our replacement singer and I couldn’t be happier with who it turned out to be – the wonderful and faboo Sharon McNight. She had a gig cancelled, so the timing was perfect. We figured out her songs and we’re all set, and she’ll be at the Sunday rehearsal, sound check, and, of course, the show. And we had a nice first rehearsal. First to arrive was Daniel Bellusci and we ran his three songs, two of which are by Maury Yeston – amazingly, in all our eleven years we’ve only done one Maury Yeston song before. That all went very well, and I just did a couple of arrangement adjustments. Then came Robert Yacko. We ran his two solos and the Adrienne Stiefel arrived and we ran their duet. Then Adrienne ran her two solos and that was that. Jason Graae wasn’t with us but will be on Sunday. The songs in this show are really interesting, I think. And I also watched the playlet with our new actress. It was mostly fine for their first time with each other, but a bit too sloppy for me, so I’ve asked them to come early on Saturday to clean up stuff. I arrived just before the play and left directly after. And now, I’m listening to music, specifically Sir Charles Groves, a wonderful conductor, do some Frank Bridge, some Walton, and some Malcolm Arnold, mostly pastoral stuff. Bridge is kind of an unsung composer compared to Delius and Vaughan Williams and even Finzi. Obviously, I had no time to watch anything, so I have nothing to report in the watching department. I’m still struggling with my voice and phlegm. I finally took a Mucinex D and I can tell it’s helped alleviate some of the problem. But I had to have the air on during the rehearsals, so that’s always a problem. What else can I tell you? Surely there must be something else I can tell you. And yet, I can’t think of a damn thing, other than I hate L.A. drivers.
Yesterday was a day that went quickly. I didn’t get up until one after ten hours of very needed sleep. I had lots of e-mails to answer and so I answered lots of e-mails, what with being an amiable person. I didn’t have time to go to the mail place to pick up a package (Tide, for she of the Evil Eye), I shaved and then rehearsals began. That lasted until almost six o’clock. Afterwards, Robert Yacko and I had what has now become a weekly tradition – a meal at Vitello’s. I tried something new – caccia e pepe, I think was the name – pasta with butter and cheese and some chicken. It was really good and VERY filling. Perhaps it was the four pieces of garlic bread I had before that that filled me up before a single bite of the pasta. Robert’s finally moving, at my urging, into a new abode – a little guest house that’s much nicer and a bit roomier than where he’s been for many years. It was time and he’s really excited and happy about it. And it’s a lot closer in, in Burbank. In fact, it is literally around the corner from the house I reference in Thrill Ride – how funny is THAT? Damn funny. I’m laughing. Not guffawing, mind you – it wasn’t that funny, but a nice chuckle. I used to chuckle whilst chewing Chiclets. My goodness, I used to love Chiclets, the regular white ones, but also the colored ones. I liked that package they came in, too. They must still have them, I’m sure. After all, everything old is new again and that goes for my very own self. I’m old and yet new again. Vinyl is new again. Eight-tracks are new again. Cassettes are new again and all the rage. And HMV is opening a record store in London again and I’m quite sure that will happen here, because – everything old is new again. And so it goes. And goes it so. What the HELL am I talking about?
After dinner, I did some show order work, had a long telephonic conversation with Elizabeth Sherman, but then had to mosey on over to the theater to see the playlet. I came directly home afterwards, listened to music, did a bit more show order stuff, and then it was time to write these here notes because – everything old is new again.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, I’ll finish the show order and write the commentary, I’ll pick up the Tide and whatever else is waiting for me at the mail place, I’ll buy two other items she of the Evil Eye needs, I’ll eat something very light, and then at some point I’ll be able to watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, she of the Evil Eye comes, so I’ll go breakfast somewhere. Once home, I’ll finish writing the commentary if I haven’t already, but mostly I want to relax and rest my voice. Sunday, we have our second Kritzerland rehearsal and all our cast will be with us, so it will last a bit longer. Monday is a total day of rest for me – no talking, no doing, no going, just resting the voice and relaxing. Tuesday is our stumble-through, which is always fun for all of us, then Wednesday I relax until our soundcheck. Then we do our show, and after, some of us will go downstairs for a proper meal.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, do whatever needs doing, finish the show order, write commentary, hopefully pick up packages, eat, do a quick Gelson’s run, and then watch, listen, and relax. 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 – I have no idea. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall make the momentous discovery that everything old is new again.