Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/21/2002 10:57 AM PST

Jason: Is this an American version of the MOBY DICK musical that Mr. Cameron MacIntosh produced in England a few years ago or is it a new version?

For Ask BK Day: Are there any performers you have seen who you've really liked in person but didn't care for on disk/film/television? For me, the time I saw Sammy Davis Jr.'s one man show was memorable, yet I have never cared for him in other "mechanical" appearances. Also, although I never saw Jolson in person, based on the lack of impression he has made on me in his films and recordings, I would imagine he must have been quite brilliant in person to deserve the reputation he still has today. Who has been like that for you?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/21/2002 11:12 AM PST

William E. Lurie: Yes, it's the same Moby Dick, but this is its 9th or 10th re-write. Mr. Cameron Mackintosh will be at the second performance of our workshopped production. :-)

A tutti: Thank you guys so much for being so supportive! I feel loved. :-D

Posted by Jason @ 08/21/2002 11:16 AM PST

my magic fingers do it again:

from not on ====> from now on

Sorry, Megan.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/21/2002 11:16 AM PST

Is today better than yesterday?
I hope it is.

Is something new and creative
on the horizon? I hope it is.

Why do the wrong people
travel in August?

From what I have read
Dick is Dick.
Sounds like a whale of a
musical.

Posted by freedunit @ 08/21/2002 12:30 PM PST

Happy birthday, Megan! Congratulations Jason! Goodness...this is almost more cake than I can handle.

Well, I had a fine question for BK, but a quick search in the Unseemly Search box revealed to me that it had already been answered a few months back. Damn, blast, and phut!

Given your current food rut, perhaps I'll go in that direction. What do you think of Greek food? I think some nice souvlaki with a lovely tsitsiki sauce could kick you right out of your rut.

I assume you were involved in theatrical things during your high school days and such, but I don't recall mention of such around here. Were you involved in your school plays and musicals and such? What shows? What roles? (I did no Unseemly Search on this, so forgive me if it's been asked before)

You've said in these here notes before that the only musical instrument you play in the piano. If you were to learn another instrument, what you like for it to be?

Posted by Jed @ 08/21/2002 01:22 PM PST

In addition to more wonderful Ask BK questions, I'd like to request a Dear Reader Geographical/Occupational Roll Call. I know the where and what for most of the regulars (if any of us can really be called "regular"), but some less-frequent posters I know next to nothing about.

This idea came upon me reading yesterday's notes when I learned that dear reader George and I not only both live in Washington state, but also both work in libraries!

So, I'll start. I live in Ellensburg, WA (middle of the state, 100 miles east of Seattle). I'm a music education student, and I work at the university library in order to pay rent and buy food.

Posted by Jed @ 08/21/2002 01:28 PM PST

Hi! My name is Jason Bratton and I live in New York, New York. I'm a singer/actor, which in "real" people's language translates to "I'm a receptionist this week."

How was that, Jed?

Posted by Jason @ 08/21/2002 01:43 PM PST

Forest Hills, Queens (which for those of you out of the area is a part of NYC though many of its residents try to pretend its not). I am the controller at a candy company.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/21/2002 01:45 PM PST

Well everybody thank you very much for your well-wishes. I have had an awesome day so far! And congratulations Jason on getting the part, and if you don't want those emus, I'll take them! =) Oh, and we (Me, Dear Reader Sandra and Dear Reader Laura) are from Scottsdale, AZ

Posted by Megan @ 08/21/2002 01:50 PM PST

To be more specific, I live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

William: Do you take the G train to get home?? Unfortunately, I have to. :-(

Posted by Jason @ 08/21/2002 01:53 PM PST

I am a native South Carolinian, but I currently work/live in Oakland, California!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/21/2002 02:03 PM PST

My name is Michael and I'm an alcoholic. Whoops that's another group.

Posted by Michael @ 08/21/2002 02:24 PM PST

I'm Ben (McLaughlin) and I grew up in Minnesota but I've been in NYC for 22 years now. This feels like the Mickey Mouse show (no insult intended, it's just, for those of us who remember, they all introduced themselves and it was similar to this, I'm Annette, I'm Cubby, I'm Robby, etc). I live in Chelsea in NYC (I moved here long before it was cool to live in Chelsea). I was an actor for a long time but now I work for a philanthropic resource information center. We track and publish information on foundations and philanthropy (AKA The Foundation Center http://fdncenter.org/). It was my survival job when I was an actor and 11 years ago when I bit the bullet and got out of "the business", I stepped into a full time job. I'm lucky. I enjoy my job and though I do miss performing sometimes, I don't regret moving on.

Posted by Ben @ 08/21/2002 03:03 PM PST

Congratulations Megan. Cake in OZ will be pavlova in honour of such an occasion. (Kerry will let you know what it is if not Laura). In some ways I envy you being 18 but NO I would not go back there. What better way to venture out into the world at 18 than being a Kimlet.

Jason. WOW! Mackintosh has been here this week promoting "Witches Of Eastwick" and checkin in on "Oliver". Phlegm must be a major asset in auditions. Or what is it the Caugh. The Caught that carried him off. The Coffin they carried him Off in.

Geography. I live about 40 miles out from Melbourne Australia in the hills. 2 and a half acres of garden and bushland. Each morning we have a number of parrots to feed (wild birds of course. Sort of urban/rural. I collect my mail at the village post office where they know everyone in the area. Mail can get delivered if people just put on my first name and the postcode!

BK. Where were you and what were you doing at 18. (In general terms of course!). Did you celebrate your 18th in a particular fashion? Did you wear a pointy hat and dance the hora?

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 08/21/2002 03:34 PM PST

Wonderful, wonderful...thank you for going along with my geographical roll call request. While I do want to see this continue with more dear readers throughout the day, I certainly did not intend to push aside today's true topic. We must have more questions for Bruce!!!

Here's another...
Do you, BK, sleep on your back, stomach, or side?

Posted by Jed @ 08/21/2002 03:48 PM PST

Tom: 2 1/2 acres of garden and bush? Wonderful!
How about wildlife? Kangaroos?
How about dingos?
What do you grow in your garden?
And how far is it to the "local" pub?

BK: Do you have a garden? I know you've mentioned a gardener. Do you actually have a yard or do you share grounds with others?

BK: What kind of car do you drive?

BK: What, in your opinion, is the very best Original Broadway Cast album ever produced? And why...?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/21/2002 04:41 PM PST

OK Jed,

Kerry Hughes, Phoenix, Arizona.
This somehow feels like what the contestants say in the Miss America Pageant.

Oh, and "Hello, Michael!"

Bruce, don't get mad. We're not really, answering questions; we're merely answering roll call. Now, where are Karen and Cubby when we need them?

Posted by Kerry @ 08/21/2002 05:54 PM PST

Tom from Oz: I got an email with an attachment from your email address, but with the latest string of viruses that have been spread about, I wanted to make sure that you actually sent me something before I downloaded it. Did you, in fact, send me a photo or something to look at??

Posted by Jason @ 08/21/2002 05:56 PM PST

I live in Olympia, WA. Not only do Jed and I live in Washington and work in libraries, but I went to college studying music education! I was going to be a high school choir teacher, but in my last year I dropped the education portion of my curriculum and just got a BA w/a music major. Best decision of my life. I would have not been successful as a teacher and have the utmost (most ut?) respect for anyone who is.

Happy Birthday to Megan! My dad's birthday was yesterday (the 20th) He's 64!

Jason: Congratulations to you on MOBY DICK! I do community theatre (or theater) here in Olympia. In March, I was Charlie Brown in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" (my very first lead and first title role!) and had a blast. I can't imagine trying it professionally. I just started rehearsals on Monday for an annual AIDS benefit revue here in Olympia called BABES WITH BIG HAIR. (The original director is a hair stylist.) I hope I get to sing the solos that I want to do. I think I find out tonight.

My Ask-BK-Day questions: Is (are) there any stage musical(s) that are bad to just okay that you think could be made better by filming? Would just the act of filming it make a difference or would being able to film it allow major changes to be made (as is usually done regardless) to correct the problems?

With "CHICAGO" being released in December, what do you think about Christine Baranski being cast as Mary Sunshine? Not that she isn't talented, but what do you think they've done with the part to make it work?

Posted by George @ 08/21/2002 06:08 PM PST

Yes Jason it is OK! Checked before delivery. It took forever to send. Hope you get it quickly. Large picture. It will no doubt be upside down. It is from Down Under!

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 08/21/2002 06:10 PM PST

So did you BK watch the Micky Mouse Club? Who was your favourite Mousketeer? They toured her in about 1958 I think. Cubby, Karen, Doreen & Darleen I think. The were supported by Canadian pop group "The Diamonds".

BK. If you were a watcher of the MMC, which segments did you enjoy most?

Ron. The local pub is less than a mile away. (same road as me). We occasionally have Wallabies in the yard. Sometime an echidna and certainly many possums. (The small ringtailed pssums are really cute - even when they go thundering across the roof at night). Kangaroos are nearby in a water catchment reserve. (Once again walking distance). I live across the road from 36 hole golf course - yet another sport that has defeated me! I'll try and mail some photos to you.

Question for BK (or anyone). I am trying to track down some fifties songs by Alan Dale and Don Cherry. does anyone remember "Birds and The Bees" by Alan Dale. I think it was from the movie with Mitzi Gaynor. There seems to be next to nothing available on CD by these guys.

Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 08/21/2002 06:20 PM PST

Ask BK Day Questions

1)
I've notice that before the menu (after the copywright warnings) comes up on DVDs that have been released 20th Century the following blurb (more or less)comes up

"The views expressed in the interviews and commentary are soley the those of the individuals providing them and do not reflects the opinions of 20th Century-Fox, its paremnt affliated and its subsidary companies"

Why do you think that they are doing this and do you agree with it?

2)
Is Guy Haines of the Jewish faith and will he have an ad on Jdate?

3)
What is a typical BK day after you wake up write your witty, urbane, sophisticate, stlish, elegant, debonair and suave (not the shampoo)notes for HainesHisWay.Com and go to the Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills and count your money? [(BTW does Homer Cratchit and Janet Trego still work there :-)]

3)
How does one on Jdate figure out who is straight, gay, bi, pan or omni sexual since there are no separate categories for these?

4)
Who is the official photographer for you and HainesHisWay.com

5)
Have you ever been featured in Whatever Happened To... books?

and this is not a question but more of a comment. I think you should ask for your money back from Jdate people. What did they do to your photo? They made your skin tone match that of Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation! The photo is the same you use on this very same site!

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/21/2002 07:07 PM PST

Oh mon dieu!

Bone Fete ma cher Megan!

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/21/2002 07:08 PM PST

Deat Tom
below is a link on Amazon to a record that has Alan Dale and Don Cherry singing songs not together but separtly. It does not have the song you want though.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000150G/qid=1029982197/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-0546487-7010566

and if you go to amazon and do a song search 131 albums come up. a lot them are for compliation cds and don't list the artist so you might have to do some further research.

and PS I haven't forgotten you either. I made one cd for you and my burner crapped out. Waiting for it to be fixed.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/21/2002 07:16 PM PST

Happy Birthday to Megan!
Congrats to Jason!

I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
I am not an alcoholic.
I am, however, a singer, an actor, a playwright, and a lifer in the field of food service.
Oh, I am also an online dvd critic for two websites, and I am also on the staff of the scrumptious Scarlet Street magazine.
Current projects are a two cabarets; one in October where I'll be guest-starring in Miss Dixie Tymitz' show, for which I will be singing a medley of "Oooh, My Feet!" and "Lion Tamer" then a playing the sleaze for CLOSER THAN EVER's "You Wanna be My Friend?" The next cabaret will be in March, 2003, which I will be performing three weekends of personal favorites (and hopefully, be performing a certain end title song from a favorite musical film) as well as INTRODUCING a fine duet from ZERO PATIENCE ("Six or Seven Things"); a film that I recently received the go-ahead to adapt for the stage from its writer, composer and original production team!
So, I guess my question for BK would be:
Have I left anything out?

Posted by td @ 08/21/2002 07:38 PM PST

I would like to know if and when you begin producing more albums, if you plan on doing more pop singer-songwriter collections (Burt Bacharach, Paul Simon) sung by broadway stars? A Billy Joel album might have been a nice tie-in with the opening of "Moving Out". Which other writers would you consider? Finally, would you consider an album where some of the regular recording artists you use pick their own favorite non-theatre song to record?

Posted by Kenneth Loging @ 08/21/2002 07:40 PM PST

Feliz Cumpleaños a cariña lectura Megan! (Happy birthday to dear readr Megan. It's Spanish.)
Felicitaciónes a Jason! (Congratulations to Jason!)

I guess I'm just in a Spanish mood today. I imagine that I'll be singing "It Depends on What You Pay" soon.
Tom from OZ: Tadpole is the story of a 15 year old prep-school student, way too smart for his own good, who loves (pure and chaste from afar) his stepmother (Sigourney Weaver). One night he is rather drunk, and so falls into bed with her best friend (Bebe Neuwirth). Complications ensue from there. It is really quite a charming movie.
As I mentioned yesterday, It was shot on digital video, as opposed to film. Bruce: What is your opinion of films shot with digital video, rather than film? Do you think that film will some day supplant digital video?
If this next question is too personal, feel free not to answer it: Since you are now trying an internet dating service, and since you have mentioned a failed marriage, when was your last serious relationship, and who was the person?
Will there ever be an "Ask Guy Haines Day" or an "Ask Dear Readers Day" as had been promised? Or is that never to occur?

I live in Cleveland Heights OH, a suburb of Cleveland. Reallyu a lovely place. Neither ugly and polluted nor urban sprawl nor rural torture, and with a surprising amount of culture nearby. Also, the population is relatively liberal and diverse, although some cretins did cause a stink when the city council gave medical benefits to domestic partners of city employees. Ah well, nobody's perfect.

Posted by Hapgood @ 08/21/2002 07:54 PM PST

Dear BK: Could you remind us again of the address for your booksigning on Saturday? And is there loads of parking in city lots located on the street one block east of Brand Boulevard?

Thank-you.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/21/2002 07:57 PM PST

BK: You went to New York when you were 20 to be an actor. Did you appear in anything there and if so what?

B. What was your first professional job of any kind in the business?

C. You mentioned a few days ago the actresses that were the most fun to work with and the most unpleasant. Among the male contingent, who have you enjoyed working with and who has not been an enjoyable experience?

Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 08/21/2002 08:42 PM PST

Ok Bruce, what was the best birthday present you ever received? Today I got a toilet bowl brush and laundry detergent. =) And pink gingham silverware. It's for my new apartment, so don't think Aunt Laura is totally off her rocker.

Posted by Megan @ 08/21/2002 09:06 PM PST

Hey now!! It was an entire housekeeping system!

Posted by Laura @ 08/21/2002 09:10 PM PST

Next question:
When you sang for the creature in "The Creature Wasn't Nice" (aka "Naked Space"), did you conciously do a Frankie Laine impression?

Posted by Kerry @ 08/21/2002 09:11 PM PST

SOOOO I bet you all thought I was going to be errant and truant (and truant and even errant) by not posting any questions today which would make TWO TWO weeks in a row. I cannot allow such things!

Here are my q's!

1. Have you seen Kerry Butler's new Hairspray photo page? It's nifty and it's located at http://www.kerrybutler.net You can click on the NEWS section and get right to it!

2. What, if any, is your favorite James Bond movie. Who was your favorite James Bond and why?

3. What was the last movie you saw in the theater?

4. How do you like things toasted? (no.. not like with champagne, but such things as bread and bagels)

5. Do you like Black and White cookies? Where is the best place in LA to get them?

6. What film or films do you think have the best cinematography

7. What's the best score to the worst movie? The best score to the worst show? The worst score to the Best movie and the worst score to the best show?

8. Who invented liquid soap?

Posted by Craig @ 08/21/2002 09:11 PM PST

Is there any connection between "I Want to Eat Your Face" and "Let 'Em Eat Cake"?
Is this a food thing or a sex thing?
AND who does the great guitar work on the CD of the music from TFNM?

Posted by Kerry @ 08/21/2002 09:13 PM PST

I am here to report that I met the lovely Megan today, and hse is as lovely (and giggly) as the the wonderful Sandra and Laura. Although Laura isn't at all giggly.

When is your opening night, Jason? (Oops, that's not REALLY a question for someone other than BK.

Posted by Kerry @ 08/21/2002 09:16 PM PST

Happy birthday, Megan!

Geography/roll call - I'm a graduate student in theatre at the University of Toronto. I moved to Canada in 1998 (I'll have been living in Toronto for four years this Saturday) but I'm originally from Oldham, just outside Manchester in north-west England. Before I moved to Toronto, I'd been living in and around London for about seven years.

No, I don't miss England *at all*.

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 08/21/2002 10:15 PM PST

Stephen: Did I ever tell you that I lived in England for 2 years when I was a kid? We lived in Great Bookham, which is just southeast of London near Leatherhead and Dorking. I know Manchester is way on the other side of London, but I just thought I'd share.

Posted by Jason @ 08/21/2002 11:03 PM PST

Thanks Michael. Know the compilation with Dale and Cherry but must now try the song title research.

BK. Your thoughts on Karen Akers as a singer/performer.

Pink gingham sliverware. Good Grief. What have you done to Laura to deserve this? Just joking. I did not ever get used to the American (USA) useage of the term silverware for something as ordinary as cutlery - particularly when it is plastic! I do hope you find 101 uses for the toilet bowl brush.

Now I need a map and someone to complie all that geographic information into a useable format! Still think a rogues's gallery would be useful for this site. What are your thougth on that BK?

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 08/21/2002 11:05 PM PST

It may be too late to ask BK, but I'll try anyway.

I was reading CNN.com today and they had a poll that I thought was bizarre yet intriguing. I shall ask the question to BK for kicks.

Would you eat meat from a cloned animal?

And here's my variation on that theme:

Would you eat ham chunks from a cloned pig? Would you eat cheese slices made from the milk of a cloned cow?

Posted by Jason @ 08/21/2002 11:07 PM PST

Does this mean the site is back to "full on"? Nearly 50 posts today. It must be Megan's birthday that has encouraged us to waffle.

Where is Francois?

Where is a our favourite Japanese star?

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 08/21/2002 11:08 PM PST

Hope this gets in on time. Very quick, then. BK... I mentioned that I found my copy of your musical "Together Again" and my question is did you write/record any other original musicals and what are the possibilities of any of your original musicals being released on CD?

Good night, all!

Posted by Matthew @ 08/21/2002 11:09 PM PST

Vraiment...ou est Francois? Francois!?!?! Ou est notre petit miette? Notre petit chou-chou...?

Posted by Jason @ 08/21/2002 11:11 PM PST

No BK questions, just adding to the geographic roll call. I'm in Chicago (the city, not the musical) and I work in administration for a theatre here.

Posted by Pam @ 08/21/2002 11:22 PM PST

Ahhh, how wonderful to see
the number of posts back up
where it belongs! Well done
one and all, all and one! And
thank you all for participating in
the geographical roll call. If I
understand Tom's suggestion
of a "rogue's gallery," I must
say it sounds like a truly
fantabulous idea to me.

Posted by Jed @ 08/22/2002 12:02 AM PST

Phil Essex here - live in Sea Cliff NY, work in River Edge NJ. Do the Cross Bronx Distressway each and every day.
Part time actor/producer (have my own production company specializing in artistic triumphs and financial disasters.....), full time tonnage admeasurer (a story for another day).

Megan - Happy belated birthday!

Jason - Congrats on the workshop. Let us know if any of the Kimlets can get tickets. Have a recording of the OLC version (recorded live) - curious to see/hear it live. My wife and I are seeing "Throroughly Modern Millie" tonight courtesy of BMG's ticket contest.

TTFN - CUL!

Posted by Phil @ 08/22/2002 05:29 AM PST

Jason: I don't take the G. I take either the R or the F. I refuse to take the V (those of you not in NYC will not understand this. These are Subway lines. The V is a new train that goes nowhere and nobody uses).

After reading the bios above, I wonder who Zach will pick!

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/22/2002 06:08 AM PST

"I really need this job, please God, I need this job, I've got to get this job..."

Posted by Ben @ 08/22/2002 06:27 AM PST

Meow! I hope I get it...
I hope I get it!
How many kitties does he need?

Posted by Jason @ 08/22/2002 07:04 AM PST

Jason: What's he casting? "Cats II" or a poker game for a stage version of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/22/2002 08:29 AM PST

Wow...now there's a concept! Cats 2: 7 Lives To Go: A Re-hashed Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Haha!! (I have to admit, Lloyd Webber is one of my guilty pleasure composers, but Cats isn't one of my favorites.)

Posted by Jason @ 08/22/2002 09:02 AM PST

Hello Bruce, Hello Jason, Hello Ron....

Are our bios just too too or too far gone?

Time to cry, to breakout from this mess (from this mess)

Time to go have some lunch
I must confess

Too young to take over
Too old to ignore
Gee, I'm almost ready
But what for?

There's a lot I am not certain of
Hello Jed, Hello Kelly, Hello
Oz!

Posted by Phil @ 08/22/2002 09:12 AM PST

I think he was refering to one of the many CATS parodies over the years from FORBIDDEN BROADWAY which combined CATS with ACL.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/22/2002 09:12 AM PST

Hehe...thank you, William...I thought I was the only one who got it.

Posted by Jason @ 08/22/2002 09:18 AM PST

Bruce,

Late question, but DID you ever tell what happened at Kelbo's? Apparently there was an "incident."

Posted by Kerry @ 08/22/2002 09:22 AM PST

Has anyone else noticed how alarmingly close we are to 70 Posts 70? It's been a while since we've reached that point...let's do it, kids!

Posted by Jason @ 08/22/2002 09:25 AM PST

For our dear Bruce:

http://www.jewishcafe.com

Posted by Yente the Matchmaker @ 08/22/2002 09:29 AM PST

Thank you for remembering
me!
I'm ok and back to work, which
means that I have access to a
computer again.....

Now, my last posts have been
rather silly and I'm afraid I've
been making an idiot of
myself, so I'm putting on a low
profile......

Tom of Oz: I'm contacting you
directly....you're such a helpful
fellow !

Have fun everyone !

Posted by François @ 08/22/2002 12:39 PM PST