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07/10/2002:
"CORRUPTION"

Photo of Bruce Kimmel

bk's notes II

Well, dear readers, I have survived Tuesday, but only by the skin of my teeth or the hair on my chinny chin chin. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I have survived Tuesday and I am here to tell the tale and I shall tell it right here and now and also right now and here because all tales must be told and let me tell you all tales will be told.

So, yesterday morning I had several minor annoyances to deal with, which I did. That was all well and good and also good and well. Then I actually had some nice news which was, of course, nice. Then, whilst answering e-mails on AOL, AOL did one of its usual daily loops or freezes or whatever the hell you call them. Although my cursor was mobile (I love when my cursor is mobile) and I could get to places on the Internet, I could not do any AOL function, such as look at my e-mails, switch between accounts or even, get this, log off. I tried everything and nothing worked, so I finally did what you’re only supposed to do as a last resort – I used the power button to power down (I’ve since been shown a different way). When I tried to reboot, I got an error message, one I’ve gotten several times before in the last few weeks and one which I’ve been dealing with Dell about. I wrote down what this one said (the problem this error message lists is always different) and then restarted the computer as usual – but this time it put me into an endless loop between two error messages and I could not get into Windows. I called one of our dear readers who helps me with such things, our very own Miss Susan Gordon. She, in turn, got Dell on the phone. We told the technician what the error message said and he said we were going to have to load Windows anew from the CD Rom backup. I told him that was fine and dandy as long as I didn’t lose any of my Word documents. He said he couldn’t guarantee that. I went ballistic and here is why: Because one particular Word document that I’ve been slaving over for many weeks hadn’t been saved to floppy in two days. I’d finally had a breakthrough on said document, and I’d rewritten large chunks of it and I felt it was getting to be just what I wanted it to be – and now this fellow was telling me that I might lose it. I began to sound like a castrato, dear readers. He put me on hold to check a few things, and I lost my sanity as Miss Susan Gordon will attest to. When our handy-dandy technician came back on the line the first thing he told us was that, even though he had us on hold, he’d heard me ranting and raving. That was actually probably a good thing – he told us he’d talked to another techie and that the first thing we were going to try would not lose anything from my folder, not lose any Word documents. And he hoped that would work – and by that time, Miss Susan Gordon had used her noggin and figured out a way we could save the contents of my folder without getting into Windows – so, I felt a bit better.

I inserted the CD Rom backup of Windows and we began a check disc thing – where it goes through everything in your computer, and if there is something missing that should be there or if there is something corrupt somewhere it replaces and/or fixes it. The very helpful tech, whose shift was ending, stayed with us the entire time, even though they are not supposed to, all forty minutes that it took to do the check disc thing. At the end of it, the screen told us it had found and fixed one problem. We restarted the computer, I got the same error screen, but this time he had me restart once again, in “safe mode”. That worked, I got into Windows and I saved everything, and I mean everything, to a zip disc. I then restarted the computer once again, in normal mode, and everything worked fine and has, knock wood, been fine since. It was very traumatic and scary and I will now back up any important scribblings at the end of each day, or possibly more frequently than that. Better safe than sorry.

Wasn’t that an exciting story of corruption and redemption? Wasn’t that just too too? I then started to watch the brand spanking new DVD of a seventies film entitled Harry and Walter Go to New York, starring James Caan, Elliot Gould, Michael Caine, Diane Keaton and Charles Durning and a host of great character actors. I’d missed this one (one of the few in the seventies) because it had gotten such awful reviews. However, what I find these days is that even the worst of the seventies films is usually better than the overblown tripe I see today. Unfortunately, Harry and Walter is the exception – it really is as bad as the reviews said it was. It’s supposed to be a comedy, but it is totally unfunny, at least for its first hour (I’ll be watching the rest tonight). Oh, it wants to be funny, it thinks that its funny, but it is merely labored and not funny. One of the first problems is that the director is Mark Rydell. Now, Mark Rydell isn’t a bad director, he is certainly competent and has made some perfectly decent films. However, he’s about as funny as a colonoscopy. The two stars push hard but they simply don’t have the material. Diane Keaton is her usual seventies charming self and Durning is always great, no matter what. I have never seen him give a less than excellent performance. The music, by Mr. David Shire, is perky and fun, and there is a ragtime number called Nobody’s Perfect, done at the beginning of the film, that makes you very curious to know what Maltby and Shire’s five Ragtime audition songs were like. In the scene that the song appears in (Harry and Walter performing their “act”), the piano player is none other than Mr. David Shire himself.

What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? This section is starting to be as long as the collected works of Tolstoy, is it not? This is way too long for a section, but when you are writing about corruption, it takes time. Let us all click on the Unseemly Button below, and remember I will never ask for your username or password unless it can get me a free cheese slice or ham chunk.

The other day I mentioned a wonderful e-mail I’d gotten, an e-mail from someone unknown to me and an e-mail that simply made my day. I asked the author if she’d mind if I shared it with you dear readers, and she got back to me and said she wouldn’t mind at all. I don’t share it for reasons of ego, dear readers, I share it because it’s heartfelt and because sometimes I forget how truly wonderful people can be and that sometimes, in whatever small way, something I’ve done has had an impact on someone’s life in a positive way. There are so many people in this world who seem to only stress the negative and whose only purpose seems to be to cause people grief, that this kind of e-mail just brightens the day and accentuates the positive, as Mr. Johnny Mercer would say.

Dear Mr. Kimmel,

Sir, you are a genius. I'm sorry to intrude but last night I had a personal epiphany and I must share it with you.

I was 13 when I saw "The First Nudie Musical" on my first job of babysitting. I had just put the neighbor's kids to bed and switched on the tv. Cable was brand-new and my neighbors were rich. Lo and behold, I had an aesthetic experience! Not only was this the first time I saw anybody naked in a movie but I was enthralled by the camp quality and sheer sweetness of an ensemble musical. And I was getting paid to watch it! Yes, I checked in on the sleeping children as I did.

Fast forward a few years later and I'm your typical high school/college kid majoring in theatre. I knock around a few towns with resumes and all that garbage. Meanwhile in every group, I introduce them to "The First Nudie Musical" and they of course love it. "Stuntcock" is now a term for any understudy or back-up prop. "Scales" is sung at every musical audition,etc.

Things you've heard from countless fans who think THEY discovered this movie (which is wonderful attribute to the film.) Ok, onto NOW. I'm 35, I'm a blonde, Polish woman from Cleveland. (Yes, I'm a human punchline) I don't perform very often but I do write, direct and produce children's theatre and love it. I'm married to prominent regional theatre artistic director (yes, I'm a "theatre widow") In fact, once after hiring a mediocre director I asked him how rehearsals went. He replied, "We're gonna need a lot of doughnuts." I knew I loved him then.

Anyways, LAST night after ordering "The First Nudie Musical" on DVD, I watched all the commentaries. As I did, I was checking in on my OWN sleeping daughter and it hit me. This movie has been the blueprint of my life!! In 1980 I was a skinny kid reading Sylvia Plath and wondering who I was. Because of YOUR movie, I fell in love with musicals hence my college major. I fell in love with campy parodies, which is what children's theatre is about. Hell I fell in love with my husband based on the fact he quoted you. When we bought our first Varese-Sarabond cd years ago, I literally did a spit-take seeing your name.(With all the theatre cd's we buy, we probably made your rent payment for you one month at least.)

Mr. Kimmel, you are a genius. I love your style. There is a sense of joy in all your work.Your movies and cd's have brought people together. I don't know you. I'm not a theatre snob or weird fan. I'm just a Cleveland gal who thanks you immensely.I'd take you over Sylvia Plath anyday.

Ok, this fan letter sucked but I mean every word. The only other fan letter I wrote was to Shaun Cassidy in the 70's. By the way, you're "dreamy" too! :)

Thanks so much for your time,
Rachel Spence

Wasn’t that a wonderful e-mail to get out of the blue or even out of the red or green, for that or any other matter? Don’t we just love Miss Rachel Spence? Let's all send a big haineshisway.com smooch in her direction. In any case, I thought you might enjoy reading it and I hope you have.

Well, dear readers, do you know what today is? Today is a day for a band to play because today is Ask BK Day, the day in which you ask me all of your excellent questions, which I know you’ve been slaving over. And perhaps even a few of our lurkers out there in the dark will ask questions. Yesterday, several lurkers came out of the woodwork and posted and that was lovely. It can’t be all that comfy and cozy in the woodwork, so let’s have more lurkers out there in the dark come out. Yes, Virginia, we want you lurkers in the dark to come out – be proud to be a Hainsie/Kimlet, let yourself be known to one and all and also all and one. And feel totally safe because no one at haineshisway.com will ever ask you for your username or password.

I’ll be back in a while to see how your excellent questions are. I always love to see your excellent questions, you know. And I hope we’ve had the last of corruption because the next time there’s any corruption I’m going to swat someone with a ladle. Post away, my pretties.

- Bruce Kimmel



Replies: 48 Unseemly Comments


Hainsies/Kimlet Smoochies?

These exist?

I think you ought to invite Ms. Spence to become a regular here so she can be indoctrinated into the joy that is bitch-slapping!!

That should take her children's theater lingo to a new level!!!

: )

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2002 09:45 AM PST


What a charming and wonderful letter! Congrats Mr. BK on being such a positive influence on someone. Your mother would be proud.

Ugh, it's a long, difficult day at work. Vacations spoil you for the real world because you have to come back to work after you're done! Even if you like your job (which I do), the re-adjustment can be trying.

So, since it's Ask BK day, my question is short and simple. Mr. BK, any more information on your impending publicity trip to Footlight Records in New York? We East Coast New York Hainsies/Kimlets must be prepared to greet and pay homage to our fearless leader. My pen is ready and my calendar awaits the date.

Posted by Ben @ 07/10/2002 10:56 AM PST


QUESTION TO MR. BK: To quote Ms. Rosalind Russell in "Wonderful Town"...What do you think of the USA, NRA, TVA? What do you think of our Mother's Day? (More to come in future Ask BK days).

COMMENT: I'm assuming you got some expert advice before you chose AOL. My ISP is Earthlink. There's really been only one time that I needed some help and they stuck with me until it was solved. I'm certainly no expert, but from my limited experience, I'd recommend them. Also, I believe somewhere on the web there's a site that allows people to post their comments about the different services and that can be helpful when making "techie" decisions.

RACHEL'S LETTER: Lovely letter. Since joining the Hainsies and Kimlets, I've also found myself recalling my past. I know it's a result of your daily posts that awakens these memories in me and I understand her sentiments exactly. So...another THANK YOU from the bottom (also the top) of my heart!

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 07/10/2002 11:26 AM PST


Question for either BK or whomever... I can't find the CD of YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT listed at Footlight.Com. Is the one mentioned yesterday an import? What label is it on? Who is selling it?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/10/2002 12:40 PM PST


There's no whomever. All questions are for ME and I will answer all questions because I am ME and I will answer them all in my fashion (calypso pants and a tye-died shirt).

Now, what is this four posts stuff?

Posted by bk @ 07/10/2002 12:47 PM PST


For once I have a real live question prepared and ready to go.

What exactly is the page limit for a novella?

Okay, now I'll be winging it, as they say.

If you did write that mystery novel, what would it be about?

What are your favorite kinds of M&Ms?

What time period would you live in other than now?

What color are your suitcases?

Well, I think that's really all that I need to know for today (or tomorrow, rather)

By the way, welcome, welcome, Rachel Spence!

Posted by Lolita @ 07/10/2002 12:56 PM PST


Well, I've snooped around various sites -- both here and in the UK -- and the only hits that "Young Girls of Rochefort" gets are for video.

On the other hand, there are hits for a 2-CD "Umbrellas of Cherbourg", but that's not what you're after.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2002 12:57 PM PST


P.S. I think Mr. Kaufman may have received an advance copy of an upcoming release? Please, Mr. K, put us out of our misery...who has remastered "Young Girls of Rochefort" and do you know when it might be released?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2002 01:03 PM PST


Okay, fine, I will answer this ONE question in advance - the Young Girls two CD set came out in 1998 when the film had a limited rerelease. It was an import on Philips from France. The reason you aren't finding it is because you are searching the English title - search Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. I'm not certain it's still in print, but you'll probably be able to find a copy at one of the specialty shops. It's glorious, complete, plus has bonus tracks including one from the English language soundtrack, and several from Legrand's UA instrumental album. Now, go find it!

Posted by bk @ 07/10/2002 01:11 PM PST


To BK:
I didn't mean to offend you with my question to you or whomever. It was not an ask BK Day question, but a request for info on something that another reader posted yesterday.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/10/2002 01:14 PM PST


You did not offend me, Mr. William E. Lurie. Not one or even two whits.

Posted by bk @ 07/10/2002 01:19 PM PST


In other words BK you couldn't give two whits.

Posted by MDS @ 07/10/2002 02:25 PM PST


Both Amazon.com and Footlight have "Young Girls" -- both only under the French title.

"Umbrellas..." is listed in English and French on Amazon. It's also in English on Footlight, but I didn't check for the French spelling.....

Prices are comparable. The OOP "Les Demoiselles.../Young Girls..." is approximately $40. The 2-CD "Les Parapluies.../Umbrellas..." is less than half that amount.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2002 02:25 PM PST


http://www.footlight.com/product.cfm?product_id=7622

Footlight records has it. Click on the link for the Les Demoiselles de Rochefort aka YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT

Posted by MDS @ 07/10/2002 02:28 PM PST


I see very few excellent questions - I have been listening to Les Demoiselles de Rochefort and let me tell you it will be the best thirty-six bucks you'll spend - what great sound and what great music. Superb in every way.

Posted by bk @ 07/10/2002 02:50 PM PST


What was your favorite studio lot to work at and what was your fondest memory or sight working at that studio?

What is the difference amoung these color processes and waht is your prefrence to use as a filmmaker and why?: Technicolor, DeLuxe, Metrocolor, Eastmancolor, Pathecolor....

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/10/2002 03:08 PM PST


Sorry to have missed the earlier question--this is literally the first time in months I've had a day off (and I actually have FOUR--count 'em, FOUR--before my next gig), so I have been spending some time with my kids.

Anyways, (and not to jump in to Ask BK land), I believe you will find Footlight is out of stock of Rochefort (at least they have been since the DVD came out and I started trying them for the CD release). I got mine from Tower, and I think it was only $24. I've found Tower to be consistently cheaper when it comes to imports, for some reason. They also have the rare UK Sony pressing of Percy Faith's 2-fer Kismet/Sound of Music for only $12 or so. The UK pressing of Kismet is quite a bit better than last year's Collectables, which is one of the few times Collectables has done a lousy job remastering.

Posted by JMK @ 07/10/2002 03:15 PM PST


Something totally different, but found something very interesting.

This one character (portrayed by 4 different people) has appeared in over 2,500 films starting in 1924 usually appearing no less than 60 seconds. The character went on hiatus for 14 years from 1975 to 1989. The character still appears in films today,

Posted by MDS @ 07/10/2002 03:29 PM PST


Does Footlight have Gorgonzola?

I will have more questions later…

Posted by freedunit @ 07/10/2002 03:29 PM PST


http://www.dvdreview.com/html/hidden_features.shtml

First Nudie Musical on this site called Hidden Features. It tells where the easter eggs are. It is the one of two featured films.

So if you want to look for them don't click on the link, If you already know where they are click.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/10/2002 03:30 PM PST


Hello everyone. I am back from the place that I was that prevented me from posting the questions I want to question on this ASK BK day.. so.. without further ado (poor ado.. never gets invited anywhere):

1. One of my pet peeves on dvds (and former laserdiscs) are spoiler chapter stops. Now if I have seen the movie before.. then I don't care of course, but many times I haven't, and I know I could easily avoid looking at the chapter index when I open my dvd, but sometimes like a dear caught in the headlights (or footlights) I just do. How do YOU, Mr. Kimmel, feel about these spoilers? Certainly they can rename a chapter index title to be a little more vague. For example: In MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, there is a chapter stop called "John Saves Connie". Certainly they could have chosen "Connie in Peril" or something that didn't give away that a rescue was made....

2. And while we are on the topic of chapter stops. How did you decide on where to place them on TFNM. Did YOU get to "name" the index entries?

3. Can you delve more into the creation of your dvd? More specifically.. for example.. the opening menu, rolling donuts, the insert, etc. Did you tell whoever that you had an idea for a skittering dildo to run across the screen? Were there other animations shown to you? Did you get to decide how much "stuff" would be in the opening sequence of the dvd? Did you work with a designer for the inside literature, the dvd "face", etc?

3. Since you love time travel (and I just ordered my Back to the Future Trilogy on DVD) - what was your take on the first movie (no need to go into the other movies I think, as the 1st one in my opinion was the most superior). What are your thoughts on the movie Time After Time? Were you a fan of Quantum Leap? How about the campy show before that "voyagers"?

4. What did you do as a child that got you the worst punishment? What in your youth are you most proud of having accomplished?

5. Do you like carnivals? Street Fairs? Do you attend the fringe festivals at all? What was one of the best performances you saw at one (if you have been). What was the worst?

6. You have been on both sides of the infamous artistic vs. business battle in the arts. Can you tell us an instance of when you had to sacrifice the business side for artistic. How about sacrficing artistic for the business side?

7. What is one thing that we probably don't know about you that might surprise us to know?

8. If you were a superhero, what would be your special super power. Please note.. you may NOT choose: Flying, Strength or invisabilty

9. Since it appear that Guy Haines "stole" your style, can you tell us if that is the reason that you no longer sing? Have you and Guy ever thought of duing a duet?

10. What "fad" items did/do you own (pet rock, slinky, hoola-hoop, etc)

Well.. there is my usual plethora of questions. Whewww my fingers are tired...

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 03:39 PM PST


Good to see you survived the day "by the skin of your teeth". My question: What happened to the Kander/Ebb musical of "The Skin.." Was it shelved forever? I have played the Brent Barrett CD over and over. Surely the score is worth preserving if not the musical.

Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 07/10/2002 03:39 PM PST


Ok.. thought of one more questions. You keep talking about these so called interviews that you are doing (or have done?) So.. when the heck do we get to read them? Or is this your version of an internet scam and to get to the interviews I need to enter my username and password??

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 04:00 PM PST


Question, not questions of course. And it's DEER, not DEAR in my previous posts.... oh my fingers...

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 04:01 PM PST


Incidently.. one of the best desserts I have ever eaten was called "Chocolate Corruption" -- so not ALL corruptions are bad...

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 04:19 PM PST


Welcome George (from yesterday) and Rachel (from today). I would give you cake if you were here. (Not to be confused with "If I Knew You Were Coming, I'd Have Baked A Cake.")

First question, dearest Bruce:
One of the CD's you produced (and I don't remember which one) was a joint production between Varese Sarabande and Fynsworth Alley. What was the reason for that, and how does such a collaboration work?

Nex: Last week, I typed a rather lengthy post after receiving my copy of TFNM. I had forgotten to put my name in the little box, so the post was kicked back to me. Unfortunately it started from scratch and wiped out everything I wrote. By then I was tired and didn't feel like typing it all over again. Although I usually type my name first thing, sometimes I ge so excited to share something that I start the message first. Does this message rejection have to wipe out out the whole message? Can we bitch-slap someone for this? Can we all sing, "If I 'd Known You Were Coming, I'd Have Slapped A Bitch." Sorry, that IS unseemly. (And I look at us ALL as bitches waiting to be slapped, so this not meant as demeaning to women.) OK, so bitch-slap me for even writing this. And then can we bitch-slap the new people (kind of like an inititation)?

Posted by Kerry @ 07/10/2002 04:25 PM PST


Re: Bitchslapping (I think I can respond to this because it doesn't really seem like an ASK BK question... and since I am the official bitchslapper.. I am giving myself this lattitude). We must all remember that bitchslapping is reserved for unseemly things.. and to frivolously throw around bitchslaps like they are candy and rewards would be even MORE unseemly...

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 04:45 PM PST


Craig,
You have my deepest apologies. I did not mean to minimize the importance and gravity of bitch-slapping. I stand (or sit, as the case may be) ready for my punishment.

Posted by Kerry @ 07/10/2002 05:03 PM PST


Dear BK: I'm going to have to ask you to put on your "Dear Abby" wig here, because this is the sort of question she is likely to find in her mail. It it on yet? Part in it's proper place? Good!

What is the proper response one should give when finding out about the passing away of a person one really didn't like at all? I'm asking because I have just recently found out that a person who tried to get between myself and my ever-lovin' der Brucer has died of natural causes, and I have a hunch that my initial urge to blow a long, wet raspberry isn't appropriate.

Thank-you.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 07/10/2002 05:04 PM PST


Welcome back, Ben. Perhaps we can give you a little levity as you get re-immersed in the real world.

Posted by Kerry @ 07/10/2002 05:04 PM PST


Kerry..

no need to apologize.. I was merely reiterating my own beliefs on the subject.. we are all family here at HHW..so.. here is your punishment.

You must think of 3 more questions to ask Bruce and you must use the the following words in any of those questions: "quirky" "cake" "pithy"

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 05:07 PM PST


I, for one, would love to hear an album of duets with BK and GH. I am reminded of an album by Ron Husmann from the early 60s in which he sang duets with himself. Of course, that wouldn't be the case here, but BK and GH do have a very similar vocal quality. Maybe we should start a list of duets appropriate to male singers (as opposed to the excellent albums by Alice and Emily).

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/10/2002 05:19 PM PST


Make that Ron Hussman.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/10/2002 05:34 PM PST


Robert:

to start, one cannot record such an album without considering "You're Nothing Without Me" from City of Angels (very fitting, dontcha think?) and "Impossible" from AFTHOTWTTF

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 05:46 PM PST


I'm not sure that BK would be "nothing" without GH but it's certainly worth considering. And which one would sing the older part on "Impossible?" The same question applies to "You're Just In Love," another classic duet.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/10/2002 06:07 PM PST


Ahh but perhaps Guy might think that he would be nothing without Bruce... let that thought lie there like so much fish...

Lili's Eyes from The Secret Garden is another great male duet...as is Brush Up Your Shakespeare from KMK. Pretty Women would HAVE to be on that CD! And a fun one would also be "What Causes That" used in Crazy for You

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 06:31 PM PST


Bruce,

If your Zip drive is an Iomega, check around on your hard drive for an Iomega folder. It should contain a program called Quik Sync, which you can set to automatically back up your files to the zip drive every time you same them. I do this at home so I can have another set of backups at work and vice versa.

If you can't find the software, it is probably available on Iomega's web site.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 07/10/2002 06:52 PM PST


More duets....

Agony (into the woods)
Our Time (Merrily We Roll Along)
We Can Do It (The Producers)
One More Walk Around the Garden (Carmelina)
Ballad of Booth (Assassins)
I Need a Life (No Way To Treat a Lady)
Dear Old Syracuse (Boys From Syracuse)
Turket Lurkey Time (Promise Promises)

and something different
Country House (London Follies)

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/10/2002 07:21 PM PST


For that matter - Good Thing Going is a sweet duet too...

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 07:45 PM PST


Craig,
Three questions is certainly easier than 10 Hail Mary's (I think).

1. Who came up with the QUIRKY little logo for Varese Sarabande? Is it someone playing a grand piano?
What does it all mean?

2. What lyrics do you consider to be the heighth of PITHY?

3. Did you and your brother have one specific argument or fight (or thing that would drive you nuts) that finally put you over the edge...something that really took the CAKE?

One more just for good measure:

Are you sure we didn't have the same brother?

Posted by Kerry @ 07/10/2002 08:00 PM PST


Dear BK,

In the musical you are writing, will you name a character after me?

Posted by Sandra @ 07/10/2002 08:04 PM PST


Kerry-
You are hereby completely forgiven and have a credit of 1 question should you ever falter again :)

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 08:10 PM PST


More Duets Part 2: Different Choices

You and I (Victor/Victoria)
My Superman (The Gay 90's)
What Would I Do (Falsettos)
You Gotta Have a Gimmick (Gypsy)

I Got It All (On the 20th Century)
Hakuna Matta (Lion King)
Moses Supposes (Singing in the Rain)
I Don't Need Anything But You (Annie)
Together Where We Go (Gypsy)
One of a Kind (Applause)

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/10/2002 08:28 PM PST


Even more duets:

Fit as a Fiddle
The Country's in the Very Best of Hands
Muddy Water
Never Say No/Plant A Radish
Elegance
Be a Performer
On the Right Track

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 08:40 PM PST


and from woman of the year: So What Else Is New?

Posted by Craig @ 07/10/2002 08:47 PM PST


"Bossom Buddies"

Erratum: in my last post "same your files" --> "save your files".

Welcome, Rachel Spence! And Bruce, no, printing her letter is not a matter of ego. I think any artist rightly deserves to be proud that he has affected people's lives in a positive way. That is one of the goals of life, is it not? I think I speak for many here in saying that it is not just a matter of "we like your music". Through many of the CD's you have produced I have developed a deeper understanding of musical theatre and the creative process. I have learned.

Etc. I had hoped to write a long post on FNM, but it is late, and so that must wait until tomorrow, but I cannot dash off without at least one...

Question: Who sang "Where Is a Man?" for Eunice?

Posted by William F. Orr @ 07/10/2002 09:25 PM PST


Perhaps a good duet would be "Hey, There" from "The Pajama Game."

And there's "Let's Get Together" from "The Parent Trap."

What fun!

BK: My question -- How do you manage to get DVDs in advance of their release dates? I recall your talking about "Gosford Park" a full week before it was even released to schmoes like me.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2002 11:27 PM PST


1. By what means did you write Benjamin Kritzer—long-hand, typewriter, Microsoft Word, WordPad, QuarkXpress, or other means? Did you create the portable document file or did 1stBooks Library?

2. Thank you for the limited edition Benjamin Kritzer compact disc. I have enjoyed listening to it, and I am looking forward to starting the novel soon. The compact disc is a CD-R, yet it has a nifty title (the “Benjamin Kritzer” logo) emblazoned on its face. How was the labeling achieved? At what quantity would it become cost-effective to have discs factory-produced? Might you have any information or an opinion on the durability of CD-R's versus those that are mass-produced?

3. Have you ever contemplated producing a pop album completely distinct and apart from a theatrical milieu, as opposed to one that is a cross-over album or one featuring a theatre talent? Rock-and-roll? Blues?

4. Have you ever worked with Phoebe Snow? Would you consider working with her?

5. What about Tovah Feldshuh?

6. What is your vocal range?

7. What is the longest you can hold a note?

8. Why do you suppose Guy Haines and Donna Murphy, both of whom are fine vocalists, do not know from whistling? Have you ever heard Murphy whistle or attempt to whistle? Do you suppose the 1996 Broadway cast recording of The King and I is the first to feature transgender whistling?

9. Would it be unseemly and therefore acceptable to ask Guy Haines questions on Ask-BK Day?

10. Has there ever been an Ask-Guy-Haines Day or might there be?

11. What is Guy Haines’s vocal range?

12. What is the longest note Guy Haines ever held?

13. Was the note ever released?

14. How much did it cost?

15. We know you like Parisienne cake and have eaten M&M’s. Do you like chocolate? Love it? Do you have a favorite chocolate?

Posted by freedunit @ 07/10/2002 11:56 PM PST





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