Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, continuing listening to the marvelous music of Morton Gould – now playing is his ballet Interplay, which was originally just a piano and orchestra thing called American Concertette. Not only a master melodist was Morton, but his music is just plain fun, at least Interplay is. I can’t remember if ever found a video of the ballet itself, which was a Jerome Robbins piece. And yes, I did find a complete performance of the seventeen-minute ballet. And yes, I’m happy to share it with you right this very minute. I love Robbins’ work and I love this piece, which is very much a classic. The fellow who posted this, John Clifford, is a well-known dancer, and this is most likely the original company performing it, and that company is comprised of Alicia Alonso, Janet Reed, John Kriza, Harold Lang, and Tommy Rall. The ballet was created in 1952. But we’d need an expert to tell us if it is the original company. I’ll watch closely, because Mr. Rall would be very easy to recognize back then, although it’s all shot from one angle and wide.
https://youtu.be/Ozv3WfKTzDc?si=HsOHRcA1ZmpS-QBu
I found my favorite recording of Interplay and Fall River Legend, and RCA Living Stereo album, brilliantly recorded and thankfully available on the Tube of You. I’ll try to find the actual CD. Well, guess I won’t be finding it because it’s only part of a big box set of Living Stereo albums. Cheapest price? $250. Get out of town. Damn them, damn them all to HELL. I also managed to watch a documentary on Dominick Dunne – interesting and done well, but I find him very off-putting, but occasionally humorous. He is very honest about his foibles, but you can’t help but feel for him when he talks about his daughter’s murder and the sickening judge who refused to allow in evidence information that would have absolutely gotten the perpetrator a very long sentence, rather than the two-and-a-half years he got, which was a travesty of justice. Jurors later said had they heard that evidence the verdict and sentencing would have been very different. Dunne spent quite a bit of time ruining that judge, which was a good thing. The documentary was released in 2008 and a year later, Dunne passed away. Some very nice archival footage.
Earlier, I’d gotten eight hours of good sleep, probably could have used a bit more. I was up at eleven, answered e-mails, and then food arrived right at noon o’clock – a pastrami on rye with coleslaw and Russian dressing, extra lean. Daughter’s Deli – and it was excellent, although a bit more meat than usual, which made it a little difficult to wrap one’s mouth around. I managed, of course. As many have said through the years, I might be known to have a big mouth.
Then John Sawoski arrived, and we did our work session. Since we’ve done so many Richard Sherman shows over the years, I wasn’t making new arrangements of everything and there are videos of almost everything, so he just has to watch those for feels and tempos and such. Right after he left, the piano tuner showed up and tuned the piano, which is, after all, what a piano tuner does if he’s worth his salt or even his pepper. It hadn’t been tuned in two years, so he worked on it for an hour. I left just when he began and did my ATM run. That only took five minutes. I returned and did stuff on the computer. The schedule went out first thing in the morning, so that’s done, and we set a Zoom rehearsal for Brent and the musical director for Monday, to make sure they’re on the same page, as Brent won’t be with us until the stumble-through day. Then the tuner left and I played the piano for a while – so nice to have it sounding great again. Then I watched the documentary, began listening to music, and the rest you know.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll do whatever needs doing, but it will be a ME day and evening all the way, although I will go to the mail place for sure. I may or may not do a quick Gelson’s run, and for food I’m thinking about Japanese – the teriyaki and tempura thing I like, using the second of my 50% off deals (these come in threes). Or I may wait until Sunday to do that. I’ve seen a few chicken salad recipes on the Tube of You – so easy that I’m thinking about trying one. Some use canned chicken, which I’ve never had in my life, or the buy fresh shredded chicken and but that up into cubes. Otherwise, it’s just that, mayonnaise, celery, and onions if you like onions in your chicken salad sandwiches. Anyway, it’s a really cheap meal. We shall see what the old taste buds feel like. Then I can watch, listen, and relax, but mostly relax.
Tomorrow is more of the same and another ME day. I can relax on Monday but will be on the Zoom meeting at three. Then Tuesday is our first Kritzerland rehearsal, two people will come on Wednesday, second rehearsal is Friday, stumble-through is on Sunday, and sound check and show is on Monday. Whew!
I promised I’d put some of the latest Directed by Amazon reviews here, so here they are. Here’s Jrand’s lovely review.
5.0 out of 5 stars ……Or – How Top Be A Fly on the Proscenium…..
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024
There are some things you can learn from books, there are some things you can learn by observation, and there are some things you can learn by example. And if you have ever been interested in directing a play, musical, or movie – you can learn all about it here.
Bruce Kimmel – the author of “Directed By” takes us along with him on his journey to a directing career that encompassed all of these disciplines. He is driven by curiosity. He watches to see what works and what doesn’t by other directors. And he takes advantage of every opportunity that comes his way.
Of course Kimmel is also a prolific composer, playwright, and music producer himself. The stories of those accomplishments are told in earlier autobiographical and slightly “fictionalized” versions of his life. I suggest that you check these tomes our as well.
“Directed By” lets us know what it’s like to be the one “in charge.” And Kimmel gives us the bird’s eye view of how he did it. He also lets us know what was successful and when he came up short. Both experiences were teaching moments.
Kimmel does not spare himself for his faults OR others for their follies. But if you want to know what is in store for you if you step up to the Directing Plate – this is the book for you.
I regularly direct at my local community theater, and also at a larger theater in the area. And it was refreshing to read Kimmel’s thoughts on things that we have all had to deal with. As a director I have already incorporated JEF into the vocabulary and shared it with my cast. Bruce Kimmel tells it like it is – and probably always has been. Read the book, and then you will know.
Here’s one from Michael Shayne.
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Memoir: Bruce Kimmel’s Stage Experiences in Directed By
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2024
The good news is that Bruce Kimmel’s latest memoir is a fraction of the length of Barbra Streisand’s, and I devoured it in just two sittings. Unlike Ms. Streisand’s book, which I have yet to complete, Kimmel’s new memoir is engaging and captivating. In this new release, he shares his career experiences as a director in stage, film, television, and cabaret. His stories are not all sunshine and lollipops; they offer a candid and illuminating look into his career. This book should be required reading for aspiring directors as Kimmel goes into detail about his methodology and techniques for bringing out the best in his actors and performers and even making tough decisions, such as dismissing an underperforming actor.
He also gives insight into other directors who have influenced his work, both film and theater. Additionally, Kimmel provides valuable insights on how to navigate relationships with producers and other creative individuals behind the scenes. For me, one of the highlights of the book is reading about Kimmel’s personal and professional relationship with the late Cindy Williams whose final performance was in Bruce’s short-form TV series “Sami”. Overall, this book is highly recommended and is a must-read for anyone interested in an engaging and insightful peek into the world of directing.
I think I posted the others, but if I’ve missed anyone, let me know.
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, go to the mail place, figure out food and then eat it, then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: Of the sensational murder trials you’ve experienced, which have been the most fascinating, aside from the O.J. trial, as we all know about that one. Which ones were the craziest? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy to have finally had the piano tuned after two years.