haines his way

08/04/2002:
"THE SIMONIZED SUNDAY"

Well, dear readers, someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo. And do you know what? I do believe it, I do believe it’s true. Of course, I don’t really know if it’s true because I have only been to a zoo once in my entire life and that was when I was but a sprig of a twig of a lad of a youth. Why am I talking about the fershluganah zoo of all things on a Sunday morning? Well, you know me, strange things just pop into my head and that was what poppled into my head on thif fine Sunday morning. Has anyone noticed that I just wrote “poppled into my head on thif fine Sunday morning”? I didn’t mean to but my eyes have not quite focused yet and neither apparently have my fingers. I meant to type “popped” and “this” and yet I didn’t and then I was just too lazy to go back and fix it. Well, this is what happens when someone tells you it’s all happening at the zoo.
Well, other than being bleary-eyed on this fine Sunday morning, I’m actually feelin’ groovy. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I am feelin’ groovy, and I hope you are as well. What am I, Paul Simon all of a sudden? The whole of these here notes thus far feels Simonized to me. Next thing you know I’ll be saying, “So long, Frank Lloyd Wright” for no reason whatsoever. Oh, well maybe I should just go for a drive on a bridge over troubled water or maybe I should just go run barefoot in the park. “Barefoot in the park”? Oops, wrong Simon – that was Paul’s brother Neil. Perhaps the sound of silence would be good right about now.
Last night I watched a DVD of the musical entitled Barnum. I never saw the show on stage, and I’ve only seen this taped version once before. It’s not my favorite show or score ever written, but it is a lot of fun at times and it does move right along. This version was taped in London, and stars Michael Crawford as P.T. Barnum. I don’t really know when it became fashionable to knock Mr. Crawford, but he’s very good in this, as he is in most things I’ve seen him in (with the exception of the film of Hello, Dolly! in which he’s really awful, in my opinion (IMO, in Internet lingo). Anyway, the woman who plays his wife is adequate but not much more – I’ve never heard of her or seen her before. The sound is fairly dreadful in the dialogue sections, but the score sounds good and I must say the staging of Mr. Joe Layton is a lot of fun – he’s almost never mentioned anymore, and he was a very good director/choreographer. Mr. Coleman clearly loves doing these kinds of shows, what with this and The Will Rogers Follies. He’s got some very sprightly tunes in this, which have serviceable lyrics by Michael Stewart. The patchwork book is by Mark Bramble, who seems to specialize in patchwork books.
What am I, Ken Mandelbaum all of a sudden? Perhaps we should all click on the Unseemly Button below – do you know why I always say and do that? I do it for your love, that’s why. Click away, my pretties.

Well, here we are again, still crazy after all these years. Have I mentioned that someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo?
Don’t forget, there’s a brand spanking new radio show going up today, this one with our very own dear reader, Mr. Ron Pulliam. Do give it a listen, won’t you?
I listened to another one of those Varese Sarabande Club releases, this one the soundtrack to the Brian de Palma motion picture entitled The Fury, with music by Mr. John Williams. I like this score very much indeed, so it’s nice to finally have a CD of the original soundtrack, rather than the rerecording which served as its original soundtrack release lo those many years ago. But, the good news is, you get both with this release. Yes, Virginia, this is a two CD set. It is very interesting to listen to both CDs back to back. Did you know that when you put two CDs back to back that one of them doesn’t play? In any case, the original tracks are lean and mean and are, I believe, in film order (I haven’t read the booklet notes yet). The sound is a bit dry for my taste, but it’s excellent fidelity nonetheless. It’s a world apart from the rerecording, which was done with the London Symphony, and which has the score presented in quite a different manner. Having a symphony orchestra play the music, smooths the whole thing out, and while that is fine for classical music it takes away some of the bite of one of Williams’ most biting scores. In any case, as always the production of my friend Nick Redman is top-notch.
I went to Gelson’s yesterday and bought the stupidest array of foodstuffs to eat that you can possibly imagine. I was in an eclectic mood, appetite-wise, so here is what I bought and ate as my meal-o’-the-day yesterday. Some almond chicken salad, with which I made a sandwich on an onion roll. A side dish of stuffing (they make excellent stuffing there). Some rice pudding. And then a bit later I ate some shrimps with cocktail sauce. Now, that is a meal. Frankly, some of the food could have benefited from a bit of seasoning, say a pinch of parsley, or even perhaps some sage, rosemary or thyme.
Well, dear readers, it is time for me to take the day, to do the things I do. I promised someone I’d make a list of fifty ways to leave your lover. Then I must get into my automobile and drive hither and thither and perhaps yon, and after that I shall be homeward bound. Unless I stop at the zoo because, after all, someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day and I want to see some lively discussion going on here. Yesterday, we finally achieved 40 posts 40, but today we must do better than that. Those who don’t contribute will be forced to bounce a red rubber ball for eight hours straight. Hey, I’m just trying to keep the customer satisfied. I’ll be back later to join in on the lively and sparkling discussions. Post away, my pretties.

Replies: 31 Unseemly Comments

To kick off a free-for-all Sunday (as opposed to a sundae you must pay for) - I'd like to pose this question... What is your all time favorite arrangement of a song. There are so many wonderful arrangements - I love the two overtures on BK's Cinderella and Peter Pan CDs.. but I think my ALL TIME favorite arrangment of a song is on Barbara Cook's CD "It's Better With A Band" and actually...the song which I think has the kick-butt arrangement is the title track - It's Better With A Band. I just love how the song builds by adding all the instruments. It's fun, it's bouncy and I do believe it's impossible to listen to without wanting to move SOME body part to the rhythm.
In tune with today's DVD review - I will say that Coleman did a similar type song in Barnum with "Come Follow The Band". Unlike Bruce though, while I think Crawford did an adequate job with his take on Barnum - After having seen Jim Dale do the role, it PALES so much in comparison. Michael was a bit "stiff" in the roll for my liking. I'm also one of those "not a Michael Crawford" fans. I don't hate him.. just don't really care for him... Jim Dale brought a heart to the character that I just didn't feel with Mr. Crawford - but of course, that could have a lot to do with my statement above.
So...What are some of your favorite arrangements...and why?
Posted by Craig @ 08/04/2002 08:11 AM PST

I don't know if I feel like being the first post today.
Posted by Kerry @ 08/04/2002 08:24 AM PST

And I wasn't!
Posted by Kerry @ 08/04/2002 08:25 AM PST

Earlier this morning when I couldn't sleep. I worked on a theater version of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon quiz of my own doing. I thought that I may repost it for all those who were not up as earlier as I was.
The "degrees" here are either performers and/or creative personnel.
Show Boat (Oscar Hammerstein)to Forty-Deuce (play with Kevin Bacon)
Clue #1: The Shows are in chronological order from 1927 for Show Boat to 1981 for Forty Deuce.
Clue #2: All the shows were on Broadway with the exception of Forty-deuce which was Off-Broadway.
Clue #3: One of the "degrees" is a play
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/04/2002 08:34 AM PST

My favorite arrangement, bar none, can be found on a cd which BK produced.
The talented Mr. Steven Orich (WEHT?) did the best ever arrangement of that Oscar-winning chestnut "Secret Love" for one Miss Judy Kaye. He was thoughtful enough to include the very rarely heard verse to the song, too.
Judy sings it beautifully, the piano rings out well, and it haunts me to this day.
Posted by td @ 08/04/2002 08:47 AM PST

I guess "ONE" of my favorite arrangements of a song would have to be the one Burt Bacharach did for "That's What Friends Are For" with Dionne Warwick and friends.
I just arose from bed. It was quite sudden. There I was comfortably clinging to my pillow and then I was standing upright, ready to seize what was left of the day.
My cat has been "yowling" at night -- it has been going on for a couple of weeks -- some nights not so bad and others she wakes me up two or three times. It's ruining my sleep and my mood. She's 18. She gets daily medication (which she loves) for a condition related to kidney failure (which hasn't happened), and she eats special food (which she also loves). It is probably all related, but ... GRRRRRRRR!
Thus, my getting up late.
I need caffeine -- preferably lots of it in a small volume! I wish an Italian coffee shop were nearby for a double (or quade) espresso! Kick-start me and watch me go!
Are there any "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" fans among us (the TV series, not the movie).
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/04/2002 11:31 AM PST

Read that parenthetical "quade" as "quad"!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/04/2002 11:32 AM PST

Hmmm...arrangements...
Well, I very much enjoy "Miss
Otis Regrets" arranged by
Marc Shaiman for Bette Midler
on her "Some People's Lives"
album. Also, "From This
Moment On" on Rosemary
Clooney's "Girl Singer" album,
arranged by Peter Matz.
Posted by Jed @ 08/04/2002 11:56 AM PST

Ron: I'm one of the biggest BFF-heads on the planet!
Wanna talk? We can take this privately. I'm sure that BK or GH won't mind if I tell you that my reviews of the first two seasons dvd sets are up at www.dvdlaunch.com - and while you're there, you can re-read the interview with BK, and the review of TFNM.
"Once More with Feeling" was a fabulous episode of Buffy, was it not?
Posted by td @ 08/04/2002 12:05 PM PST

I agree that "Better With A Band" is a great arrangement. I am very happy to hear that the cd is going to be released next month.
I have two all time favorite arrangements/orchestrations. The overture for "On the Twentieth Century." Talk about hair raising and thrilling...whee!!!! My other one is the Entr'acte for the current production of "Cabaret." It is one of the best I have ever heard from any show. It's too bad we no longer have the late Ralph Burns with us. His talent is sorely missed.
I saw the DVD of "Barnum" and was not terribly impressed. It's not my favorite show, but I saw it with Jim Dale and Glenn Close in the cast and it was excellent.
Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 08/04/2002 01:29 PM PST

Re: Zoos. I have discovered that having grandchildren around, even if they aren't directly mine, leads to zoos. They find them facinating, but not always for the reasons I expect them to. For example, when we took Alex to the National Zoo in Washington DC, we tried to get him interested in the tigers. There was, of course, a wide moat of water surrounding the island that held the tigers, so Alex immediately looked down at the moat and found what HE wanted to watch. "Ducks!" he proclaimed, and there, indeed, was a mother duck and her parade of ducklings.
I rather like the DC zoo, but my ever-lovin' der Brucer didn't care for it as much for some reason, found it drab! His daughter and son-in-law didn't care for it that much, either, but she isn't happy unless she finds something to complain about (which makes her continually happy, or you would think so), and he was too busy struggling with the strollers to have much fun. The zoo in Philadelphia was much better, in their view, because it was flatter.
For me, I rather liked the zoo in Berlin. They had this one section for mountain goats, with a rock-face that was nearly vertical, and the goats were having a grand time clambering up and down the rocks. I would have joined in, but I would have become the butt of all their jokes, and there was that fence in the way.
If you ever get to Long Beach, DO visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. The exhibits are facinating, with fish large and small, lovely and dangerous. They also have otters, sea lions, jellies, and other denizens of the deeps. It's a fine way to spend an afternoon. (We didn't take the grandkids on that trip, we took my parents instead, which is much the same sort of thing but strollerless.)
None of which has to do with musical arrangements, does it. Sorry. I'd sing a chorus of "What's New at the Zoo" from DO RE MI, but someone would confuse my voice for that of a hippopotamus.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/04/2002 01:50 PM PST

And after visiting the zoo we can go see some of the tiger's less exotic bretheren in the barnyard at Honk! I just saw it Friday night at a local summer stock theater where I've worked before. It's really a lot of fun. Not a hugely distinguished show, but highly entertaining. It seems like a great first musical for kids. It seems to be making the rounds of the regionals these days, so see it when you get the chance.
Last night I saw Smoky Joe's Cafe which is...alright. It's not great music, but it was a well done production, and pretty fun in the first act. Oh well, it keeps talented people employed, so I guess that that is the important thing.
By the way (btw) I am leaving tomorrow for a fabulous theatrical vacation at the Shaw and Stratford festivals in Canada. I'll be back with a full report in a week. I hope that you won't miss me too terribly!
Posted by Hapgood @ 08/04/2002 02:17 PM PST

OK...I promised a report on Boys From Syracuse. Unfortunately I can only report on the first act. I'll explain:
A friend of mine is/was in town visiting, and, like many visitors in Times Square do, he had a video camera with him. Well...apparently the lady sitting next to us thought he was going to video tape the show, so she and her husband got up about 3/4 of the way through act one and apparently told security to be on the look-out. My friend and I moved during intermission to sit next to another friend (we couldn't all get tickets together but the seats next to him were open). During intermission, some folks were taking flash photographs of the act curtain and security was on them like white on rice--they had been alerted! CODE RED!! Well, two songs into the second act, security came and took my friend off, camera in tote, and then asked me and my other friend to come with him. We were frisked (yes, frisked!) in the theatre lobby, our bags were searched for video tapes (which were non-existant) and then we were escorted out of the theatre. No filming had occurred, yet we were ejected from the American Airlines Theatre, out on our kiesters, and told that if we ever caught in that f**king theatre again that the cops would be called. Too bad for the Roundabout Theatre...guess I won't be seeing any more of their shows.
Anyway, act one was totally bland and it was no great loss to me to have to leave the theatre, though I was enjoying Toni DiBuono's song when we got the boot.
Hairspray was a far more enjoyable show, and they didn't throw us out!
Posted by Jason @ 08/04/2002 03:35 PM PST

I just thought of something...if I am cast in a Roundabout production, will the Security prick..um..I mean GUY...throw me out of the theatre again and call the cops on me? Does Equity cover stuff like that? Haha! Wouldn't that be a hoot...
Posted by Jason @ 08/04/2002 03:38 PM PST

I should think an angry letter to the Times is in order. I should think an angry letter to the Roundabout, demanding your money back - if they didn't find any tapes they really have no right to eject you. You have to have USED the camera to be violating something. I should think an angry letter to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, too. Shout it to the highest hill is what I say.
Now, is this a holiday or something? Is this a day off or something? If so, why didn't I get a day off? 14 posts 14 is so puny-looking. I mean they're quality posts, of course, but where are the errant and truant? Actually, I have a suspicion as to where one of our errant and truant posters has gone to - one who hasn't posted in the last few days. Now, let's get with it, or we will never become the most popular site on all the internet. Has Donald put the new radio show up yet? Well, all I can say is that if there are only 14 posts 14 there will be an angry letter to the Times.
Posted by bk @ 08/04/2002 04:20 PM PST

My least favourite BK Cd is the Paul Simon songs by broadway singers. It just not work for me. I love Paul Simon songs and just the thought the choice of songs was not great (sorry Bruce). There are some beautiful songs that are not "done to death". The "Hearts and Bones" album is beautiful. I think "One Trick Pony" is somewhat under-rated as well. How about "African Skies" as a delightful arrangement. I would love to hear a BK produced Linda Ronstadt album too.
I have been a fan of Crawford since "Billy" but to be fair he claims he performs songs as he is not a singer. His singing coach (Ian Adam) really did wonders for his projection and I still like his "performance" in Phantom. I saw the wonderful Anthony Warlow in the role. Voice was wonderful but he did not have the same emotional impact as did Crawford. I was not really taken with the performance of the chandalier (I hear the understudy was better). I really enjoyed Ken Hill's "Phantom" and I did see a production of the Maury Yeston version - which, to me, has far more depth of character.
My partner is at present on his "Walking Machine" walking with Village People. Good Grief. These are srange days indeed - usually he listens to David Campbell or johnny Mathis!
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 08/04/2002 04:33 PM PST

I saw the chandelier's understudy in the first nat'l tour. They were in Louisville, and, during intermission, the chandelier went up...literally...and got stuck en route. Intermission was held for 10 minutes while the crew coaxed the chandelier to her place for the top of act two. What a diva...
Posted by Jason @ 08/04/2002 04:44 PM PST

I have not posted today, because, well, frankly I have nothing to say. My husband would call that a blessing. But if you insist.....
Sandra and I saw Michael Crawford as the Phantom in LA many years ago, and I thought he was great.
Jason, they certainly won't recognize you after a few weeks if you go to that theater to see another show, so I wouldn't worry about it. And if they do -- well, you're an actor! Act as though you don't know what they are talking about.
Hapgood, enjoy your fabulous theatrical vacation. We expect a full report upon your return!
S. Woody -- love the duck story. Isn't that just kids! ;
Posted by Laura @ 08/04/2002 04:48 PM PST

Laura...the show wasn't good enough to return to it. Haha! If it were, say, Hairspray, I'd go back, but it wasn't even NEAR that good, so I'm not worried. By the time Nine opens, he won't remember me.
Posted by Jason @ 08/04/2002 04:50 PM PST

Jason - do give us a review of Hairspray and our very own dear interviewee, Kerry Butler...
Posted by Craig @ 08/04/2002 05:36 PM PST

Jason---
NINE won't even be at the American Airlines (I hate that name --- NEWSDAY critic Linda Winer refuses to even mention the theatre by name). It will be at a Broadway Theatre which will get rent paid by all those contributors and government agencies and corporations that help support Roundabout.
As for your incident with the camera, it is typical of what happens when you give someone a uniform or t-shirt that says "security". You can't go to some theatres without having your 4th Ammendment rights to unreasonable search and seizure violated. At the Jewish Museum production of TWO BY TWO last spring metal detectors were used and I had to surrender a penknife/nail file I had on my key chain!
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/04/2002 05:49 PM PST

Thank-you, Laura!
As for the theater with the hyperactive security, perhaps we should refer to it by its initials. Then we can have 12-step intermissions! ("My name is Woody, and I'm a theater junkie." "Hi, Woody!")
Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/04/2002 06:37 PM PST

Great arrngements of specifc songs... Oy! There are so many. Neslon Riddle's arrangement for Frank Sinatra on "I've Got You Under My Skin" has to rank up there. Our own BK's arrngement of "Flying/You Can Fly" is most definitely up there. An instrumental version of "Our Love Is Here to Stay" is sheer perfection. Well, that's a start.
Posted by Kerry @ 08/04/2002 08:33 PM PST

I was in San Diego last week, but I didn't go to the zoo. And I was unhappily and unexpectedly in Manchester, England for most of the month before that, and the zoo there (Belle Vue Zoo) closed down several years ago (it's now a multiplex cinema and a used car auction). And I've never been to the Metro Toronto Zoo. I do, however, notice that Albee's Zoo Story is playing as part of Toronto's Summerworks Festival.
As for arrangements - I love Jason Robert Brown's vocal arrangement on 'The River Won't Flow'.
Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 08/04/2002 10:44 PM PST

Back from DC where I saw Night Music (second performance, it began on August 2nd). Had a good time, more later.
Posted by Ben @ 08/05/2002 05:29 AM PST

I will provide an account of my Hairspray experience when BK posts his notes for today. I promise.
Posted by Jason @ 08/05/2002 06:06 AM PST

Wow...and I thought YESTERDAY was slow...
Posted by Jason @ 08/05/2002 08:46 AM PST

Is anybody there? This is a wake up call!
Topic-Jessica Molaskey's CD.The Best of the Year in my book. I urge all who love the art of the voice and the consistancy of material and artistry of all involved to listen to this CD.It even has a version of WHEN THE RED RED ROBIN COMES BOB BOB BOBBIN ALONG.
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 08/05/2002 09:02 AM PST

I bought Jessica's album, but haven't had a chance to open it yet. Soon.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 08/05/2002 09:04 AM PST

Arnold...don't you just love her "Money Medley" with husband John? I think Jessica is fabulous, and her CD is well worth getting.
Posted by Jason @ 08/05/2002 09:05 AM PST

I haven't heard it yet, but I doubt if her version of "Red Red Robin" could beat the one by Guy Haines on the "Benjamin Kritzer" CD.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/05/2002 09:11 AM PST

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