Posted by Laura @ 07/31/2002 09:19 AM PST

Though I might be first today, unfortunately the only question that comes to mind right now is:

Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?

That should start us off on the right foot. Or the left one.

Posted by Stuart @ 07/31/2002 09:20 AM PST

Here's a question for the group, not just for BK...

Is anyone else disturbed that "they," whomever they may be, have taken what looks to be prime theatre space on 42nd street, right across from the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, and turned it into quite possibly the largest and GAUDIEST McDonalds I've ever seen? I mean, this thing has a marquis twice the size of THE LION KING'S (which isn't a small feat) and three times the lights of the MAMMA MIA! marquis (again--no small feat). For some reason that just seems wrong to me. Thoughts?

And, for BK: Are you familiar with a singer named Philip Chaffin? If so, do you know if he's done any theatre, or just concert work? I found his solo CD at HMV today and he has a lovely voice, but I've never heard of him.

Posted by Jason @ 07/31/2002 10:05 AM PST

Re: Forever Plaid, I just happen to be Music Directing a production in Portland right now, directed by Rick Lewis, who wrote the similar shows "Cardigans" and "Taffetas," both of which played off-Broadway at the same time as "Plaid." The recording is NOTHING like the printed score (or should I say scores, as there are three, count 'em, three DIFFERENT scores, all with various and sundried variations, which come with the libretto--truly maddening). Did you know, for example, the official score is only for piano and bass (not even drums). I find that somewhat strange.

My question: continuing on my obscure film terminology thread, please define anamorphic, and the various processes that apply.

To Nick Redman: I am in aural bliss this morning, having found the other day at Tower the 1993 CD release of "The Robe," which is currently billowing forth from my CD player. I'm curious about one thing--you mention that "The Crucifixion" didn't make the CD due to deterioration--I don't have a copy of the LP around anymore and can't remember: was that track on the original LP? I'm assuming not, or you would have been able to use the album masters.

Posted by JMK @ 07/31/2002 10:21 AM PST

If you have no questions (I should think that you would have at least one excellent question in you on this fine Wednesday) then do feel free to discuss other topics, such as do we all have doppelgangers.

Posted by bk @ 07/31/2002 10:35 AM PST

Nick: Please do post your answer to the message board.

I have been given to understand that there is more music -- including "The Crucifixion -- that could be released from "The Robe", but I have also been told not in my lifetime! So...hah! Don't know if that's something you'd touch on or not!!??!!

BK: As I said, I love your "Cinderella" CD and I'm thrilled to have stumbled across the hidden track (although this may have been a subconscious thing as I know there was some album someone mentioned a while back as having a hidden track, although I thought that involved Jason Graae). Still.....I guess the best question to ask is:

How many of your albums contain a "hidden" track? And which albums are they?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/31/2002 10:36 AM PST

BK: This question goes along with Ron's, and I asked it the other day, but I think maybe you either overlooked it or just chose to ignore it. Haha...either way, I'm asking it again.

On "Unsuspecting Hearts," is the ghost track legitimate or was it set up for the recording for a laugh? I think it's funny as hell, and the thought of Alice and Emily as Maria and Anita cracks me up. Also, did you do the arrangement on the ghost track on the Sondheim album?

Posted by Jason @ 07/31/2002 10:49 AM PST

Mr. BK,

Since we have Francois popping in from France every now and again, I wondered, do you speak any other languages besides English?

Question 2: In all of your performing, theatre and/or film, did you ever do a role that required an accent (British, Southern, etc.)? How do you feel about the use of accents if the talent is not able to use the accent successfully? I’ve seen some shows where the cast is struggling with the accent and I want to stop the show and say, “Just speak the lines, forget about the accent.” If you can’t pull off an accent, I think it detracts from a performance that might otherwise be quite good.

Jason: Regarding the “mallification” of 42nd Street. It started, it seems, long ago and is sad. While I certainly don’t want to go back to the days when it was dangerous and seedy (there were times when I didn’t want to walk across 42nd Street in full daylight), I think the cleansing efforts may have gone too far and caused the Street to lose some of it’s charm and character (in my humble opinion IMHO).

Posted by Ben @ 07/31/2002 10:56 AM PST

First of all, JMK - I've Md'd "Forever Plaid" twice, once I added drums (upon the director's request) and I asked Jason Graae about that, he felt the show didn't need drums, and he was right. The second time I used piano and bass and in a small space, it's more than adequate. A large space may need the presence of drums, but really, it's not necessary. And that damned CD... such a poor representation of the show.

Ok, I have two questions:

1) In all of your produced CD's, with the exception of the Laurie Beechman Lloyd Webber CD, what is your seemed avoidance to the music Andrew Lloyd Webber?

2) Of all the flopped Broadway shows in the last ten years that did not sport a cast CD, which one would you have liked to produce and why?

Posted by Matthew @ 07/31/2002 10:56 AM PST

if BK doesn't know the answer to the Philip Chaffin question, I can answer it since I know Philip

Posted by Donald @ 07/31/2002 11:26 AM PST

To JMK and Ron--
The Robe CD is missing the "crucifixion" and a few other cues because the album was generated from multi-track tapes, mixed down from the original 35mm masters. These tapes did not contain the music and subsequent searches proved fruitless. A certain "private collector"--known to you and I, Ron, claimed to have them but if he did, he refused to send copies of them upon request.My assumption was he did not have them. We could not use the old album master because it is a re-recording owned by Decca--it wouldn't have been the right track if we had included it! Also in 1993, the Fox restoration program was just beginning and we were trying to find our feet.Subsequently, after much hard work, a methodology was installed that could retrieve and re-build the crumbling, near toxic decaying elements of the original 35mm masters. (For The Robe and many other titles.) By the late 90s we had salvaged dozens of films that had been hitherto thought unrecoverable. The Robe was one, and the crucifixion and some other cues are now in releaseable shape. Arista's term license is just about expired, and I'm currently in talks with another label to issue an expanded 40th anniversary edition next year. The Robe is a great score, and worthy of the best presentation it can receive.I'm sorry that in 1993 we weren't capable of doing it, however 2003 might tell a different story.

Posted by Nick Redman @ 07/31/2002 11:28 AM PST

And might I just say that if it were not for Mr. Redman, Film Score Monthly, who releases many fine never-before-released soundtracks, would not be where it is today in terms of its CD releases, nor would any other label who have been doing classic soundtracks. He has saved so many great scores from certain oblivion and should be roundly lauded for having done so. Unfortunately, as many of us who toil in these particular fields know, there are tremendously jealous individuals out there who will knock anything because they are so bitter. It's happened countless times to Nick and it's certainly happened and continues to happen to me. It goes with the territory, I suppose, but still it makes it rather rough going every now and then.

My, that was serious, wasn't it? That was so serious that when I was through writing it I noticed my brow was actually furrowed. Did you know that the word brow spelled backwards is worb? I've decided that a worb is a person who only does negative things to others - only causes grief instead of making the world a better and more fun place to live. I know a few worbs, do you?

Posted by bk @ 07/31/2002 11:41 AM PST

Believe me when I say to you that my brow were tightly furrowed just reading what you wrote!

GREAT NEWS, Nick! WOW! I sure hope a "50th" anniversary expanded version happens!!!

Nick: Another question...are any of the "revived" Varese Club titles close to selling out??

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/31/2002 12:14 PM PST

I hope I'm not breaking the rules for Ask Nick Day, but I have a question for Bruce.

8-)>

Whereas, you were to do a signing of TFNM a Footlight in New York in July;

And whereas, it is now the last day of July;

Therefore, be it asked, are you in New York at this very moment signing DVDs unbeknownst to those of us who await your arrival with bated breath (bated with small wriggling worms or minnows)?

Posted by William F. Orr @ 07/31/2002 12:32 PM PST

For Ask BK (Satur)Day:
Since many of the performers of today don't have the work ethic of those of the past and skip performances on a regular basis, I'd like to know who are the most memorable standbys/understudies you have seen.

General Comment on 42nd Street (the place, not the musical): If you think the McDonalds is bad, wait. The world's biggest 7-11 is next, opening in the spot where the Warner Bros. store recently closed. Slurpies for all!

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/31/2002 12:37 PM PST

William...are you serious?

Posted by Jason @ 07/31/2002 12:47 PM PST

Oh, Jason. Yes, I forgot about that. The last time I was in Midtown I noticed the sign. A multi-level 7-11. AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I would rather sit through a musical about Boy George

Posted by Ben @ 07/31/2002 12:50 PM PST

We can get a multi-level 7-11 but we can't get a stinkin' Target Store?!? What a world! What a world! I'm melting...melting....

Posted by Jason @ 07/31/2002 12:51 PM PST

For the Big Kahuna BK himself:

Will Cher ever really make a telefilm of Mame?

What do you think of the footage from the film of Chicago that's been popping up lately?

And lastly, a Chita remembrance. When she opened her one-woman (plus boys) act here in sunny Richmond VA, she held her Opening Night party at a nearby gay bar which held drag shows. They held the show until Chita and company arrived, and I have never seen a more gracious woman in my life. She applauded each performer as if they were the best she had ever seen, tipped generously and made for one of the best evenings of theatre and post-theatre I have ever had.

Bravo Chita!

Posted by Philip Crosby @ 07/31/2002 12:52 PM PST

Bruce,
Today I received my second copy of "Benjamin Kritzer" autographed to all my friends who are too cheap to buy the book. I thank you most whole-heartedly.

If you start to furrrow your brow too much, remember to whistle a happy tune, walk on the sunny side of the street, let a smile be your umbrella, think of your favorite things, look for the silver lining (or the union label-- whichever you prefer) and to S-M-I-L-E to be H-A-double P-Y.

Posted by Kerry @ 07/31/2002 01:38 PM PST

William F. - You didn't know about the signing today? Bruce and I had a great lunch in the East Village this afternoon and he'll be going to see Proof tonight.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 01:41 PM PST

Unfortunately I'm perfectly serious about 7-11. There was a big article in one of the NY papers recently.

As for Target, I don't think the multi-level thing has anything to do with it. The one that opened a few months ago in Rego Park Queens is two levels. It took over half of a closed department store. The other half is Best Buys. Since Best Buys, Circuit City and K-Mart are now in Manhattan, can Target (and possibly Wal-Mart) be far behind?

As much as I love going to the theatre, I hate going to the theatre district. It is so full of tourists going to Wax Museums, Theme Restaurants, Toys R Us and franchise fast food stores that there is no room to walk. You have to allow extra time going to the theatre because it takes so long to fight the crowds. Of course downtown is worse. More people go there to look at what used to be the World Trade Center than ever went when the Center was up. And the streets are clogged with foreigners selling tacky over-priced photos, statues, books,t-shirts and other paraphanalia capitalizing on the tragedy.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/31/2002 01:41 PM PST

Ron--

You're right! The 50th Anniversary--I was stupidly counting 53-93. And 50 certainly sounds better than 40! As for the Varese titles, I don't know the actual figures, only that they are "pleased" with sales.

Posted by Nick Redman @ 07/31/2002 01:44 PM PST

I am with you, William, and that is why I am moving out of the city. WAY out of the city.

Posted by Stuart @ 07/31/2002 01:44 PM PST

I just checked the Footlights website and there was no mention of the signing. And there was no mention on this here site either. Why were those of us faithfuls who planned on attending not informed?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/31/2002 01:45 PM PST

William E. - I live in the neighborhood and HATE the new Times Square. The tourists tie up the sidewalks walking five across; they've never heard of giving approaching pedestrians the use of part of the sidewalk; and they block access to crosswalks no matter what color the light is. Restaurant prices keep going up because the tourists will pay seemingly anything and the patriotic souvenirs for sale everywhere are almost all made in Communist China. A one-block walk from the subway to my home requires plowing through a minimum of one hundred people at almost any hour. Personally, I preferred the hookers and occasional drug dealers to the current situation. Boy, now my brow is furled.

But honestly, I'm gonna like having a genuine Slurpee machine (or is it Icee?) a few blocks away!

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 01:50 PM PST

My first official Ask BK Day question:
When you are not wearing polo shirts, are you a buttondown colllar or spread collar man?

Posted by Kerry @ 07/31/2002 01:51 PM PST

William E. -- Re: Footlights, I was starting an unseemly rumor. (Very unseemly!)

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 01:52 PM PST

Can you plant seeds of doubt in furrowed brows?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/31/2002 02:08 PM PST

I don't know, Ron, but I've got white weeds growing where I used to have eyebrows. Haven't checked the ears recently! Ugh.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 02:09 PM PST

Now, now, Robert. It's not nice to tease, and worse to lie. Poor William and the rest of us East Coast Hainesies and Kimmlets would be simply heartbroken if we thought our own dear Bruce was in our midst and didn't let us know. Surely, if there is to be a TFNM DVD or 'Benjamin Kritzer' book signing, the first announcement of the grand event will be made right here at HHW.

Posted by Susan Gordon @ 07/31/2002 02:44 PM PST

Of course, Ms Gordon. That's why I KNEW that no one would take me seriously. Let me know the next time you're in town and I'll take you for some pasta or sushi.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 02:57 PM PST

Stuart, Robert et tout le monde qui vive en New York...

Please refer back to my post from last week (one of my first, believe it or not) under the subject "What is it with people?" My sentiments are with you in regards to Times Square. Though I never had the "pleasure" of experiencing the seedy side of the Square, I'm thinking it couldn't have been much worse than tourists blocking my path getting their name painted on ironing boards with animal letters and palm leaves. Or how bout all the ones in front of MTV? Or the ones who pose for pictures with the wax figures outside of Planet Hollywood while hoards of others gather around to gawk at the Naked Cowboy? I *heart* NY, but I do NOT *heart* the tourists.

Posted by Jason @ 07/31/2002 03:05 PM PST

I ♥ New York, too, but...

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 03:14 PM PST

What a splendid idea! Let's have a HHW reunion right here in New York City! As soon as BK has a date for a New York signing, let's make plans to party! And everyone simply must be there. It would be unseemly not to.

Posted by Susan Gordon @ 07/31/2002 03:17 PM PST

Francois -- I know you will be reading once you return to work, and I wanted you to see your name a second time today on this Unseemly Message Board to let you know we miss you when you're away from your computer!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/31/2002 03:21 PM PST

Dear BK: We've already established your criteria for a good Chinese restaurant (Orange Chicken, of course). Do you have a similar criteria for other types of restaurants? Let's take it easy for now: What do you require for a Mexican restaurant to pass muster?

Posted by S. Woody White @ 07/31/2002 03:25 PM PST

If we have this haineshisway.com gathering, who would provide the cake?

Posted by Jason @ 07/31/2002 03:28 PM PST

Hey, wait a minute! Seems to me the New Yorkers were begging for the tourists to come back.

Posted by Laura @ 07/31/2002 03:45 PM PST

Laura -- there are tourists and there our tourists. The New York theatre depends to a large extent on people from outside the region, but the people we're talking about think that standing outside the Today Show window is the height of culture. They buy Chinese-made souvenirs of the World Trade Center and the NYPD and eat at McDonald's or the other fast food schlock joints they have in their hometowns. If they go to a show it is Lion King or Phantom of the Opera (neither of which is struggling for its life). If a visitor to NYC meets a rude, arrogant person, they think that that's typical of NY, but chances are the rude person is another visitor. I've lived in New York 25 years this fall and, believe me, things have changed (and not for the better).

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 03:55 PM PST

Another question for Bruce:

We have talked about which movies would make good musicals. What movie(s) that you really love would NOT make a good musical (based more on the script and characters not lending themselves to needing songs rather than based on things like special effects)?

Posted by Kerry @ 07/31/2002 03:59 PM PST

Robert: I found similar things happening to good ports of call while I was in the Navy.

I spent nine years living in Italy, seven of them in Naples. Sailors visiting on ship hated Naples -- their idea of a good time was going to the USO-affiliated bar (The Blue Bird!!!) where they'd get tanked and where the Shore Patrol would pick them up and take them back to the pier for the liberty boats to pick them up. Some would actually use the USO to book tours and see some of the amazing things in the region (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, Vesuvius, etc.), and a few would venture north to Rome for a few days and see the sights. Most judged Naples on the merits of the whores and pickpockets and flim-flam artists that operated all along the streets between the piers and the USO.

Naples was -- last time I was there -- a very dirty city with high unemployment and five million people. But it was very ancient dirt...and beneath that dirt were vast treasures waiting to be discovered. I understand great efforts have been exerted the past 12 years to clean it up and keep it clean. I'd love to see it again!

At any rate, I know that most sailors judged ports - such as Hong Kong, Sasebo (Japan), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Singapore, Pattaya Beach and the Philippines based more on the electronics bargains they could find, or how much sexual sensationalism was offered (especially the Philippines which catered exclusively to the sailors entering communities filled with call girls and bars that provided them -- all at affordable rates, too), and they didn't care a bit about anything else.

So, too, tourists know what they see between the airport and their hotel, the bus station and the hotel, or from the pre-arranged sight-seeing tours to Grants' Tomb, the Statue of Liberty, Radio City Music Hall and the Empire State Building. They've heard of Broadway and Times Square and probably had their pictures taken there. But the theater isn't something they're comfortable with..and they hear you can't get tickets unless you pay scalpers' prices..and it's different if you're a New Yorker, but if you are a tourist, you're marked, so better let well enough alone!

And then look what happened to that tourist who was burned to death on the subway!!!

THAT's what makes news that potential tourists read.

And yet, they don't raise an eyebrow about some kid who was burned to death free-basing in an abandoned house a few miles from their own homes.

[Sermon over...]

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/31/2002 04:18 PM PST

Robert:

You had my old brow afurrowing, I can tell you. I was saying to myself, "No Woman of the Year for him! Nosirree!" And by the bye (BTB in Internet Lingo), did you ever get a copy of the CD? I mean, if we are to meet for a jolly old Hainesy/Kimlet Pudding Dancing Ham Chunk Cheese Slice Party, that would avoid the mails.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 07/31/2002 04:19 PM PST

Speaking of pudding...I'm having banana cream pudding right now. It's quite tasty. (Is banana an OK flavor for pudding?)

Posted by Jason @ 07/31/2002 04:24 PM PST

Banana is an okay flavor for anything. Real banana is wonderful. Artificial banana flavoring needn't be spoken of.

And just in case freedunit starts enouncing rules about the use of bananas--rules are made to be broken, as Lionel Bart said in his musical adaptation of Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde, starring--was it Kirk Douglas?

Posted by William F. Orr @ 07/31/2002 04:34 PM PST

Boys, what have I told you about playing nicely? So, be nice to each other. Do your chores or you won't get your allowance.
Ward, I'm worried about the Beav. Have some pudding.

Posted by June @ 07/31/2002 04:42 PM PST

June, are you sure the boys won't interrupt?

Posted by Ward @ 07/31/2002 04:44 PM PST

Mom? Dad? I've been wonderin'...why'd ya have to go and call me the Beav? Geez whiz! Now I'll NEVER get a girlfriend...at least one who doesn't wear a mullet and calls herself "Daddy."

Posted by The Beav @ 07/31/2002 04:47 PM PST

William -- thanks for the reminder. Still haven't gotten Woman of the Year but I've added about a hundred others since I asked. If I don't see you at the Kimlet party, I'll probably be in Lawn Guyland in March.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 04:49 PM PST

Bruce: who took the photo of you that graces BK's Notes II, and when was it taken?

How's that brow? Unfurrowed, I hope.

As Miss What's-her-name says to Christine in "The Bad Seed," "My dear, don't knit your brow. You're so much prettier when smiling." (God it's scary what things stick in your mind. Well, my mind, that is. What's left of it anyway.)

Posted by Kerry @ 07/31/2002 05:09 PM PST

Or maybe it was Unknit your brow..."

Posted by Kerry @ 07/31/2002 05:10 PM PST

I finally have a question:

How do you pick the people who write the liner notes in the CDs that you produce?

(Also, I went to the mail with my sunglasses on and it was a good thing - I received my sparkling prize. Wonderful indeed.)

Posted by Paul Fairie @ 07/31/2002 05:36 PM PST

I still think it's heinous that I can't participate in the post-a-thons here at HHW while I'm at work. Here are my questions for Ask BK revised-day

1. Bruce - Tell me how I can convince this fortune 500 company that I work for that HHW is required reading. If I could fly you over here -- what would be your "pitch" to my boss?

2. Today in the mail, I got a brand spankin new DEBUT CD from jazz vocalist Michelle Pirret. You wrote some wonderful words in her liner notes. Did you get your copy and how many of the dear readers hear at Haines His Way do you think should go out and buy this album?

3. Are you a "MAIL" male? Meaning, are you one of those people who LOVES getting their mail each day? When you get it, do you open it all up right away? Which gets opened first - packages, bills, personal mail, etc? Do the circulars and junk mail just hit the trash immediately?

4. Is there a witty outgoing message on your answering machine or cell phone? Have you ever had a witty outgoing message on either? What was it?

5. What's one of your best practical jokes you ever played on someone? What was the best ever played on you?

6. What time is it RIGHT now? Did you look at your watch, wall clock or computer clock to answer that question?

7. What was the last pastry you had?

8. You haven't mentioned working out in awhile - how is that going? How are the abs and buns of steel? or are they more Reynolds Wrap now?

9. Did you order your copy of the BTTF trilogy yet?

Posted by Craig @ 07/31/2002 05:38 PM PST

Robert-

BTW, thanks for the comment yesterday about my radio show appearance. I finally have caught up reading all these posts!

Has anyone else listened to my HHW radio debut? You'll LOOOOOVE my Gertrude Lawrence story LOL

Posted by Craig @ 07/31/2002 05:53 PM PST

Yeah, Craig, I've always cherished the memory of seeing Gertrude Lawrence live on stage. I was born in 1952.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 07/31/2002 05:59 PM PST

I love these questions and I'm annoyed I don't get to answer them until Saturday. I am chomping at the bit to answer then right this very minute and yet all that bit chomping is not doing one or even two whits of good.

Do you know what I love, dear readers? I love when people think they are going to surprise you, think that you have no clue as to what's going on. Well, I most always have a clue because I am an avid Agatha Christie fan, although she spells it clew. So there, I say.

Posted by bk @ 07/31/2002 06:05 PM PST

Do you think that Director's Cuts" should be actually called "Director's Additions"? Most of time they add footage and not make it shorter. The only director I know who did that was Blake Edwards when he recut Darling Lili.

Is that Jason Graae displayed in the booklet of the CD Out At the Movies? (If not who is that?)

Questions about your musical Stages:

Is the musical Stages autobiographical and if so can you say who is who?

The lady who did the musical staging and choreography is credited to Tanya Everett is this same person who played Chava in the original Broadway cast of Fiddler on the Roof?

Jefrey Kramer went on to do the TV series Struck By Lighting?

Was Alan Abelew's role of Johnny an extention of his First Nudie Musical role? (trying to pick up every girl in sight)

Musical Director Michael Goodrow is the actor who appeared on Eight Is Enough for 2 seasons?

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/31/2002 06:18 PM PST

Ooooh, I want to answer these questions NOW, but I cannot because I have to chomp on the bit some more. You will LOVE the answers, though, so be patient. This is the best batch of questions we've had in some time.

Posted by bk @ 07/31/2002 06:23 PM PST

I was born in 1948, and even I was too young to have seen Gertrude Lawrence live before she died.

You must have time travelled or something.

I'll say this, you kept Donald F. in stitches! You both sounds as though you had a wonderful time.

Now...I'm all curious over "link" and "Hairspray" and the future radio show! Any more clews youse guys can drop?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/31/2002 06:23 PM PST

Craig: The Gertrude Lawrence story was a hoot. I was laughing with the earphones stuck in my ears and getting a look from a co-worker over the cubicle wall.

Posted by Ben @ 07/31/2002 06:24 PM PST

For those who went "Huh?", I was adding my comments to a post a few posts further up. Sorry about that.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/31/2002 06:29 PM PST

Ron-

Sorry... but I am swearing (DAMN!) myself to secrecy about (aboot for our canadian friends) the possible Hairspray connections to the radio show. Still much work to do!

As for Donald and I having fun during the taping - indeed it was great fun and we shared plenty of laughs before and after the interview. I still think Donald should post here more often. What does he do for a living? I am amazed at his plethora of theater knowledge - he should write a book!

BK - what would your dentist say about all this bit chomping? Surely you need a retainer!

Posted by Craig @ 07/31/2002 06:36 PM PST

I love taking chances on singers I have never heard of before. I recently purchase Well Informed a cd by Gerry Dieffenbach. Who sings, plays the piano and composed all the songs. I have already listened to it three times already! I like what he has to say in his songs and his voice is very soothing to listen to.

Now can anyone (or BK) tell me anything about him or any personal opinions of him? Seen him perform?

Thanks

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/31/2002 06:41 PM PST

Yippee! I love "Ask BK Day!" But, today, since it will not be answered until Saturday, I will only put forth one multi-part question:

What would you think of a movie musical starring Barbara Harris, Ann Reinking, Barry Bostwick, Trish VanDevere, Harry Hamlin, Barry Bostwick, Kathleen Beller, Art Carney, Jocelyn Brando, Eli Wallach, Michael Kidd, Red Buttons, Rebecca York and George C. Scott?
What would you call it?
Who would you have direct it?
What does "Socrates is dead, Plato is very lonely" mean to you?
What roles do you think that particular cast could play?
How would BK film it? (Color? Black and White?)
Do you think this sounds like fun?

Posted by td @ 07/31/2002 06:55 PM PST

BK-

It's true, It's true, one must never eschew a clew even when it's from a slew of blue poo poo's who boo boo'd with a miserably planned coup and wound up in goo with faces filled with goo from the zoo.

So lovely to be referenced here at HainesHisWay and I am proud to have you as a fan, Bruce Kimmel. I curtsey.

Posted by Agatha Christie @ 07/31/2002 06:55 PM PST

A word ran away from me and now I have tracked it down and will place it in its proper place. The word was DOODOO and it belongs here:

It's true, It's true, one must never eschew a clew even when it's from a slew of blue poo poo's who boo boo'd with a miserably planned coup and wound up in goo with faces filled with doodoo from the zoo.

Posted by Agatha Christie @ 07/31/2002 07:00 PM PST

And the survey says.......?

What would people think about a live chat room where we can get together and chat in real time?

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/31/2002 07:05 PM PST

Mr. Bruce:

1) Do you have any plans (or would you even like) to ever record a CD of Meltz and Ernest songs? If you would, would you envision it as a solo CD for you, or for/with Guy Haines or other singers?

The song, "I'm a Blue Blue Jew" (quoted above) has the line, IT’S TRUE, SO NU?. This exact same line is in the song, "Sue Me" from GUYS AND DOLLS by Frank Loesser. Two sub-questions:
2a) Which came first, "I'm a Blue Jew" or "Sue Me"?
2b) What in the world does "NU" mean???

Thanks. I admit I don't post as often as I'd like, but since I've pretty much given up television (very, very little on that I like anymore), I now have the time to read haineshisway more often -- which I love!!

George

Posted by George @ 07/31/2002 07:27 PM PST

Something interesting over at Playbill on line.

I wrote to Andrew Gans about the misinformation in his article about Brent Barrett.

Went back today and saw that information has been corrected but still not saying the complete truth.

Among the mistakes was the Varese Saranbande is now defunct label was changed to:
"... on the Varese Saranbande label."

The other mistake was that it said that Brent Barrett will record his new album. This was changed ....will release a new solo cd... He does not mention that it has been sitting idle for over a year.

I also never got an acknowlegment from him that he read the email. He must have at least read mine or others as the information.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/31/2002 07:30 PM PST

left out a few lines.

..as the information was changed within the past 24 hrs.

Also this is not really an article but more of a press release.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/31/2002 07:32 PM PST

All right, BK, let's get serious with these questions.

Exactly how many Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote cartoons did the late Chuck Jones direct?

The exact number may surprise people!

Posted by S. Woody White @ 07/31/2002 08:10 PM PST

Bruce,
I would love it if you did an all-star CD of Tony Hatch's songs (like the Burt Bachrach CD). Even if you don't agree with me but had to come up with one, which of the fantastic singers and personalities from the Bruce Kimmel stable of stars would you use, and singing what songs?

Posted by Kerry @ 07/31/2002 08:30 PM PST

Questions, questions, questions, and it's really time for bed for me... But here it goes, on the spot, off the cuff... (And doesn't that make so much sense, to be off the cuff, but on the spot?)

What are your feelings about nail polish? Yea or Nay?

(I am currently wearing nail polish on one had because there is no nail polish remover in the house and I do not like it one bit, no siree)

Okay, now I am being shooed away from the computer, so that'll have to do unless I wake up very early tomorrow morning...

Posted by Dolores Haze @ 07/31/2002 08:33 PM PST

I was introduced to much Broadway talent - the writers and the performers - by collecting many of the Ben Bagley albums.
Question: Do you have all the Bagleys and what are your favourites? (I still get a smile from the liner notes)

My Kritzer Red Robin album arrived today.

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 07/31/2002 10:28 PM PST

Tom - have you visited my Painted Smiles website at http://www.showmusic.com/PaintedSmiles/? I was working with Ben on his autobiography when he died. I will have to get back to transcribing the tapes one of these years.

Posted by Robert Armin @ 08/01/2002 08:07 AM PST

Jeux sans frontieres

Posted by . @ 04/05/2003 04:34 AM PST