Well, dear readers, this month is flying by, like a gazelle performing the first act of Moose Murders, the second act of Kelly, and the third act of Long Day’s Journey into Night, not necessarily in that order. In breaking bombshell news, the rains have returned. I don’t know how long they’ll last, but the pitter-patter of the raindrops are beating a tattoo on the roof. The fiddler, who’d been on the roof, ran for shelter. And I’m in the home environment all toasty and warm, like a marshmallow over a low heat. What the HELL am I talking about? I’m trying to remember if I watched anything. I think I did watch some musicals-related videos I hadn’t seen, and I always enjoy those and thankfully the Tube of You is filled with such things. One such thing I watched a bit of was a German musical based on Damon Runyon’s Madame La Gimp, better known as the Apple Annie stories. It’s not very good musically, but there’s a lot of tap dancing. It almost made me want to watch Pocketful of Miracles again. I also watched a bit of a community theater production of Little Mary Sunshine, which seems like a fun show. I also watched some Jack Benny clips because no one makes me laugh as much as Jack Benny, especially when he’s playing off people like Frank Nelson or Mel Blanc. Also, his much performed trying to tell a joke bit, which never gets old. Earlier, I’d only gotten about four hours of sleep, arising at ten. I answered e-mails and then I moseyed on over to the bank to cash a check. From there, I went and put gas in the motor car for the first time in eight weeks. After that, I went to Taco Bell and got 1000 calories of stuff, brought it home, and ate it. It was a good batch. Then I got the second blurb, so I guess I can share the first two – I should have the third by next Tuesday or Wednesday. Here’s blurb one.
Bruce Kimmel’s Directed by is a delightful read. Coming from his rich theatrical background, he takes the reader on a behind the scenes journey outlining his experiences acting in TV, movies, and theater with an array of famous directors and then moving into the director’s chair himself. He gives the reader advice on directing based on specific incidents from his own career. His keenly observed descriptions of legendary Broadway musicals, films, and directors are like a time capsule.
Randal Kleiser
Director of Grease, The Blue Lagoon, Big Top Pee Wee
Here’s the second blurb.
A must-read for anyone interested in the performing arts! Kimmel takes us on a joyful, entertaining ride through his impressive 60+ years of directing theatre, TV and films. Jam-packed with fascinating stories and anecdotes, Directed by is a treasure trove of tips on how to inspire actors and crew, solve challenging script and staging problems, and most of all maintain a sense of humor and positive attitude to make every production the absolute best it can be. As with his shows, Kimmel’s book moves right along and will leave you demanding an encore!
David Wechter
Writer/Director Disney’s Midnight Madness, The Faculty, Malibu Bikini Shop
I shan’t reveal who the third blurber is until I have the blurb. Then I went to the mail place and picked up the second important envelope and deposited that into the ATM at my bank. Then I came back home. I got the dust jack flap copy done. I had several telephonic conversations, then sat on my couch like so much fish, flipping around the Firestick thing for about a minute before nodding off for forty minutes. I did make some toast to assuage hunger pangs – it’s a pretty friendly snack if you use rye bread, which has less calories than white bread. And here we are.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I have a telephonic conversation scheduled for one, I’ll go out and get something to eat – not sure what I feel like. I may do a big salad or something like that. I could also do the sandwich thing again, although if I do I don’t want them on rye bread – maybe some kind of roll or something would be fun. I could also do hot dogs, I suppose. Then at some point I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, I have a noon o’clock lunch, then I’ll come right home and have a ME day of doing nothing at all. We will make the new book available for pre-order by Monday.
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, have a telephonic conversation at one, eat, and watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films of Apple Annie – sorry – Bette Davis? And Joan Crawford. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have gotten two blurbs.