Jason H. Bratton (Singer/Actor #1) is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, but now happily calls New York City his home. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from Murray State University and a Master of Music degree with an emphasis on Musical Theatre Performance from Oklahoma City University. Jason enjoys good friends, good food and good theatre, as well as his vast collection of Original Cast Recordings. Currently, Mr. Bratton is featured as The Receptionist at ABC's Family Channel, and is eagerly anticipating his New York Workshop debut in Moby Dick! The Musical! later this month. Please join Jason on November 19th as he celebrates his 26th birthday online at www.haineshisway.com. Much love to mom, dad, Steve (Sondheim--they're best buddies), Mo, Alex and all the Hainesie/Kimlets in the world for their love, support and monetary donations. ;-)

Posted by Jason @ 09/03/2002 09:14 AM PST

I'm Laura; I live in Scottsdale, AZ. I'm just a mom. I like theater and dislike movies and most tv.

Posted by Laura @ 09/03/2002 09:38 AM PST

Laura: There is no such thing as "just" a mom.

Posted by Jason @ 09/03/2002 09:48 AM PST

In over 20 years of involvement with performing arts, I have been an actor, director, stage manager, marketer and publicist, and fundraiser, for nonprofit theatres and dance companies. Have gotten to work with some celebrities and theatre notables and had a great time. I now co-own an internet news site for nonprofits called PNNOnline and am on the board of a local (Richmond, VA) theatre company.

Posted by Philip Crosby @ 09/03/2002 10:14 AM PST

Hi, I'm Stephen, 31 years old and living in London since 1995. I was born and raised in Florida, and spent my imbetween years in Philadelphia and NYC.

When I'm not at work as a Compliance Officer, I perform with an amateur dramatics company (currently rehearsing 42nd street). I'm a big supporter of London musical theatre (both West End and fringe) and cabaret (what little there is), and I couldn't live without my showtunes...

I idolise Jerry Herman, Kander and Ebb, Bruce Kimmel, Carol Channing, Debbie Shapiro-Gravitte, and my partner Richard (though not necessarily in that order).

Have I revealed too much? This is fun.

Posted by Stephen @ 09/03/2002 10:19 AM PST

My name is Ron Pulliam. I have a B.A. in Theater Arts, and a Minor in English and Speech. I spent 23 1/2 years in the U.S. Navy where I trained and served as a journalist/broadcaster and Public Affairs specialist. I also did extensive time in community theater at various postings around the world.

I am now retired and in my second career as an administrative assist in a real property group for the County of Alameda -- we buy and lease properties for office buildings/office space.

I am a Virgo, having observed my "39th" birthday yesterday. 2002-1948 = 39, yes?

I live in Oakland, California, because it's the nearest place to heaven (San Francisco) that I can afford to live! Of course, the older I get, the more I believe that heaven might be on the east coast vice the west.

I am a movie lover, a movie music lover, a movie musical lover, and a musical theater lover. And, it goes without saying, that I love recordings of all music written originally for movies and theater.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/03/2002 10:58 AM PST

William E. Lurie
I was born Labor Day 1942 --- nine months to the day after Pearl Harbor --- which has always made me wonder about my parent's reaction when they heard that news. This means that I turn 60 this Saturday. My God... I never thought I'd be typing that. Besides, I neither look, act nor feel 60.

Although my birthplace was Chicago, over the years I've lived in Buffalo, L.A.,Vegas, Phoenix, Tampa and finally NYC where I plan on staying.

I've always been interested in theatre and have worked in summer stock (my best summer ever being at the New London Barn Playhouse in New Hampshire... a theatre still in existance which gave dozens of top people one of their first jobs. List provided on request.)

I spent seven years at Buffalo's Studio Arena Theatre as business manager, a job which gave me the training in accounting that has kept me employed ever since, currently as controller for World Confections in Brooklyn (watch for our full line of Hulk candy in time for the movie next summer).

I've also directed various productions of plays such as TEA AND SYMPATHY, MINNIE'S BOYS and PEACE, a musical by Al Carmines, the most under-appreciated composer in musical theatre.

My favorite musical is A CHORUS LINE! which I firat saw when it was still off-Broadway. My favorite play is A TASTE OF HONEY. I hated CATS, but then who doesn't?

I live in Forest Hills Queens with my partner Ray, a dalmation named Phoebe and two cats: Princess and Carlysle (although the latter kitty prefers to be called Mrs. Hart).

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/03/2002 11:14 AM PST

Hi - I can't seem to get the "Ask BK" button to work, so I hope this is OK. I'm researching a piece on actors who had secondary careers in music. I don't mean in musical comedy, I mean primarily dramatic (whatever) actors who worked however quirkily in pop music.

For instance, Tony Perkins, Tab Hunter, and (I think) James Darren, all released recordings of sorts, some singles, some albums.

Can we come up with any others and their albums?

Posted by Ross Care @ 09/03/2002 11:18 AM PST

I'm Ben McLaughlin. I live in NYC (Manhattan) and have been here for 22 years. I was born in Detroit, MI and grew up in Coon Rapids (yes, you read it correctly), MN. I never thought that name would inspire such humor until I went to college and those folks not from the Twin Cities area pounced on the name like a dog on a bone. I have a BFA in Acting (as they say, that and a MetroCard will get you a ride on the subway) but I don't perform anymore. I work for a philanthropic resource information center (The Foundation Center http://fdncenter.org) as an editor. I will be celebrating a milestone birthday on Groundhog's Day (AKA Candlemas Day), Februrary 2, 2003. 50, yes 50 years on this lovely planet.

I still love the theatre and go as often as I can. I prefer live theatre to movies, though I do have a stable of old (and even some recent) films that I love. I miss performing sometimes but I don't regret getting out of the business, especially when my partner (Anthony, we celebrated 7 years together this August 7th) who is a performer, gets up at 5:00am to get ready to go uptown so he can stand in front of the Equity building to get in at 7:30 so he can get a time slot to audition for a show! I had enough success (though nothing any of you would know) that I feel fulfilled.

I also love to travel and need to go back to Europe (Ireland, France and England are my favorites, having relatives in both Ireland and England) again.

I love to read and I could go on and on but other people need to post.

Oh, yes, before I sign off. Laura, as Jason said, You are not just a MOM. It's hard work to be a mom (or a dad). You are appreciated!

Posted by Ben McLaughlin @ 09/03/2002 11:26 AM PST

I am I, Jed Slaughter. I was born and raised in Ellensburg, WA, and I'm still here for a few more months. I was born on October 26, 1979, so I guess that means I'm 22 for awhile yet. I am a Choral Education major at Central Washington University, and I will graduate in March to join the world of high school choir teachers.

First got bit by the theatre bug my freshman year in high school when a couple upperclassmen friends of mine convinced me to audition for the school play, The Mouse That Roared, in which I played Professor Kokintz. Haven't been able to keep off the stage since, having done 4 straight plays and about a dozen musicals. Favorite role hands down would have to be Tevye, which I played my junior year in HS, and understudied last summer.

Sadly, the music department keeps me busy enough that I can't seem to fit theatre into my schedule during the academic year, so I have gotten my theatre fix from Leavenworth Summer Theater the past 5 summers, serving primarily as an actor/singer, once as stage manager, and this just-ended summer as vocal director.

In order to pay rent and other such things, I have worked in the university library for four years in the Reference and Government Documents departments.

Posted by Jed @ 09/03/2002 11:42 AM PST

Ross, one person that comes to mind is Mr. George Maharis. He was most famous, probably, for Route 66 with Martin Milner, I believe. He also recorded at least 6 albums in the 60s. I have 4 of those aforementioned albums :-) He appeared on the Judy Garland show and also appeared in the (blush) NUDE in PlayGirl Magazine in the late 70's or early 80s (I don't remember exactly and I don't have a copy of that magazine).

There were lots of women as well, including Patty Duke (some of her work is available at Footlight Records). Who can forget her stunning vocal stylings in the telethon scene in Valley of the Dolls? There was also Shelly Fabares of the Donna Reed Show. She is Nanette Fabare's niece, I believe.

Posted by Ben @ 09/03/2002 11:43 AM PST

William F. Orr I am an associate professor of mathematics at New College of Hofstra University. In high school I starred in our senior class play George Washington Slept Here, which cured me of any delusions I may have had about my talents as an actor.

I wrote a musical which was produced in college (Caltech) and revived in grad School (University of Wisconsin).

In the seventies I was part of the Lehman Engel BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and had some songs performed by various cabaret artists around NYC. Presently I am collaborating on a show with a composer in the Los Angeles BMI Workshop.

I live in Dix Hills New York with Joe, my partner of twenty-one years.

I have been errant and truant and also truant and errant on this here web site, for which I humbly beg pardon.

I will turn 58 in December. But right now I am putting on my pointy party had and nibbling cheese slices and ham chunks and preparing to do a late Hora in honor of Ron Pullliam's birthday. Go thou and do likewise.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/03/2002 11:50 AM PST

Hi - I'm Ross, sometimes aka RecordWracked because I still love and collect vinyl and sometimes do the Record Rack column for "Scarlet Street".

I also write for the Library of Congress, their series of "Performing Arts" volumes. The latest edition is mentioned in the current SS ("Frankly Scarlet"), and my past contributions to this series have included essays on Alex North, Cole Porter, the RAINTREE COUNTY score, and an overview of Hollywood music, 1950-1965.

(If everyone is not already aware, there is also a groovy interview with Bruce in the current Scarlet Street).

What I really do is compose though. Mostly for theater, some film music. Since moving to the west coast a few years ago I did a score for the Rubicon Theater revival of THE GLASS MENAGERIE (with Susan Clark), and my music was favorably cited by the L.A. Times.

Film-wise I've scored documentaries and animated shorts (such as OTTO MESSMER AND FELIX THE CAT and BOTTOM'S DREAM). One of my concert works is currently scheduled for a series of performances by the Ventura Master Chorale, and I just spent the holiday weekend working on the parts.

Am enjoying the site. And Bruce CDs such "Sax and Violence" and the Hollywood (and Sondheim - esp. "Follies") jazz albums are among my personal favorites.

Posted by Ross Care @ 09/03/2002 11:58 AM PST

And let's not forget Jerry "He'll never walk alone" Lewis and Jim "Goober" Nabors. Kevin Bacon has a band of his own, and Tina Yothers (Jennifer on "Family Ties") has been known to do some recording work.

Posted by Jason @ 09/03/2002 12:00 PM PST

William E. Lurie - How fitting that you should tell us of your second kitty today, as it is Mrs. Hart's 92nd birthday!

Posted by Jed @ 09/03/2002 12:04 PM PST

"Bottom's Dream?" What...are you scoring porn movies now? Haha...just kidding...congrats on your success, Ross.

Posted by ?? @ 09/03/2002 12:04 PM PST

Thanks, Ben. Though my article will be primarily about singing actors, I have been looking around for a good copy of Lizabeth's Scott's only (?) album for years.

Posted by Ross Care @ 09/03/2002 12:08 PM PST

I'm the same age as Bruce and have been a lover of musical theater since 1956 when my parents took me to see R&H's Pipe Dream with Princess Summerwinterfall. I'm a patent attorney with a large telecommunications company. My wife shares my love of theater and is a great help in answering each week's trivia question. We have two children, one daughter who is a third year medical pediatric resident in one of NYC's largest children hospitals, and a son who has just started medical school. My wife and I go to the theater often and share very common tastes in what we like and don't like. We see pretty much all the musicals on Broadway and try to take advantage of discounts whenever possible. The last show we saw was Boys from Syracuse - mediocre and not as good as the off-Broadway revival I saw way back in, I think, 1963. Before that we saw Hairspray, a week before it opened and loved it. We have tickets for Flower Drum Song (saw the original), Dance of the Vampires and A Man of No Importance at Lincoln Center. We also frequent the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey, which is only a few minutes from our house. I have a very large collection of OC albums that I had been collecting since 1959 and a large collection of CDs and a growing collection of DVDs. Unfortunately, I don't often have enough time to listen to anything other than when I'm in the car. I've been reading every one of Bruce's columns since he started this web site and every one of the Real A's columns on the Sondheim site from its inception there. I'm a Broadway musical trivia buff and love trying to come up with the answers to each week's question. I'm a Sonheimaholic and have been a big fan even before it became fashionable to be one, having worn out my Gypsy OC album in the 60's. I had my ticket to Forum before it opened because Sondheim was the composer and I was at opening night of Anyone Can Whistle, having purchased a ticket because it was written by Sondheim and Laurents. My then soon-to-be wife and I saw Follies the Saturday matinee before it opened and saw Sondheim at the back of the theater at the end of the show. He had just the week before won the Tony for Company (Tonys were given out much earlier in the year then) and told him he would be winning again next year - we were right (at least for the music). I took a non-credit course at Julliard a few years ago that studied each of his musicals in depth. Our claim to fame is that my wife's first cousin who began acting, received Broadway roles and, succeeding tremendously, reached enormous international stardom and notable devotion from her fans (Real A fans will be able to figure that out). That and a token, however, gets me on the subway. After her last concert, while waiting in the crowd to go backstage, got to speak with SS (who was with Frank Rich) for a few minutes.

Posted by steveg @ 09/03/2002 12:11 PM PST

>"Bottom's Dream?" What...are you scoring porn movies now?

No, but I'm available...... (for scoring). Well, you know what I mean. :)

Posted by ?? @ 09/03/2002 12:04 PM PST

Posted by Ross Care @ 09/03/2002 12:12 PM PST

Ross---
Don't forget the late Sal Mineo who had several minor hit records while he was falling in love with James Dean ("Rebel Without a Cause") or being used by Nazis like you use a woman ("Exodus"). Actually he started in musical theatre as a replacement for Prince Chugalohnhorn in the original KING AND I.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/03/2002 12:21 PM PST

Ross:

Think Don Grady -- he cut a single or two while being a teen heartthrob on "My Three Sons."

And then there's Brent Spiner.

And Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.

Robert Horton of "Wagon Train" fame appeared in a Broadway musical -- "110 in the Shade". He cut a few albums, too, if I am not mistaken.

Chad Everett cut an album.

Richard Chamberlain....

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/03/2002 12:26 PM PST

Hahaha! Ross! You must be one of us to be so sassy and to be so flippant with the double-entendres. I love it! I toast it!

Sal Mineo was of the homo persuasion?

Posted by Jason @ 09/03/2002 12:26 PM PST

Now, THAT'S what I'M talkin' about - over twenty posts and it's not even one o'clock California Mean Time. I'm jiggy with it, let me tell you that.

Let's see - don't forget, Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall did an album, Walter Brennan did a couple, so did Fess Parker. Didn't Rhonda Fleming do one, or was that one of those "Co-Star" things? I suppose if you're counting Tony Perkins (who had, after all, done a musical), you can count George Chakiris. Oh, and David Soul (who had that nice song, Don't Give Up On Us, Baby). Oh, and this is a VERY little known fact - my old pal Michael Burns did one count them one 45rpm release, called It Won't Hurt To Try It (I think I still have it somewhere) - the song was actually written for a Clearisil (sp???) commerical, or some such acne cream, but it was very pretty (don't forget, We've Only Just Begun also started life in a commercial). Oh, and how could we forget Robert Mitchum, who did at least two albums. And Clint Eastwood, who did at least one solo album. I'm sure I'll think of some others as the day goes by.

Posted by bk @ 09/03/2002 12:36 PM PST

I just thought of another. In the 70s there was an LP (remember those?) called BETTE DAVIS SINGS. You really have to hear it to believe it. And Kate Hepburn, Gloria Swanson and a few others sang on the Ben Bagley recordings.

And yes, Jason, Sal Mineo was not only gay, but into S&M which resulted in his death. A good bio of Sal was published about a year ago.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/03/2002 12:59 PM PST

And let us not forget Bill Cosby's two albums as a singer!

Posted by Jed @ 09/03/2002 01:07 PM PST

Thanks, William...I've been researching on the 'net. Found out some very interesting info.

Posted by Jason @ 09/03/2002 01:11 PM PST

My first name is Mark and my last name is Lingenfelter, which in German means "left field" and sometimes that's how I feel. I'm 28 (29 in a few weeks) and am currently living in a very small city in central Pennsylvania called Sunbury. I have a degree in musical theatre and in addition to working as a performer, I also sometimes direct and choreograph. Currently I'm choreographing CHICAGO for a local university and doing my best to make the non-dancers in the cast look really good and they're being just super about it. The first musical I ever saw was a high school production of LI'L ABNER when I was six. I've been hooked ever since.

Also, I'm such a heel...I forgot to say thanks to Bruce for the Stephen Schwartz cd trivia contest prize. Lately I've been using it as the warm-up music for my rehearsals. So...thank you, Bruce.

Posted by Mark L. @ 09/03/2002 01:21 PM PST

It was my understanding that Mineo was knifed to death on the street in front of his apartment.

Perhaps the perp was a former S&M partner, but the act of S&M does not seem to have been the cause of his death the last I read anything about it!??

Could you clarify the S&M connection?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/03/2002 01:25 PM PST

The perp was allegedly someone he met through his various S&M activities.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/03/2002 01:51 PM PST

we must do what our very own Bruce Kimmel asks us to do. We must stay in the loop. Therefore ..

LET DANCE!!!!!

WE MUST DO LOOPING THE LOOP

(Use the music from the Chicago's overture)

There's a new step that moving around Chicago!
From every speak to every kill on this group
Even your maiden aunts learning a brand new dance

LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP

Why do you think they call it the Windy City?
Funny how all the papers ignore the scoop!
Swinging from all those knees
Circling in the breeze

LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP

Remember the fire that was too hot to handle?
Started by beary Mrs. O'Leary's cow
Well let me assure it could not hold a candle to the blaze that's raging now!

Start to wriggle under the Wriggley Building
Watch your spirits rise and your worries droop
Spreading a jar of joy all over Illinois

LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP

Instrumental tap break

Remember the fire that was too hot to handle?
Started by beary Mrs. O'Leary's cow
(Whose cow?)
Well let me assure it could not hold a candle to the blaze that's raging now!

LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP

Start to wriggle under the Wriggley Building
Watch your spirits rise and your worries droop
Spreading a jar of joy...
(We're spreading it all)
all over Illinois

LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOPING THE LOOP
LOOOOOOOOPING THE LOOP

LOOP LOOPLY LOOP
LOOP LOOPLY LOOP
LOOP LOOPLY LOOP
LOOP LOOPLY LOOP
LOOP LOOPLY LOOP
LOOP LOOPLY LOOP

LOOPING THE LOOP!

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/03/2002 01:53 PM PST

(i) test (/i)

Posted by yu @ 09/03/2002 02:00 PM PST

I am twenty and was born in Madagascar and reared in Rangoon, educated at Eramus High School in Brooklyn and appeared Off-Broadway in a one nighter called (i)Another Evening With Harry Stones (/i) Wholesale is my first Broadway Show although I have appeared at New York's two best know supper clubs The Bon Soir and The Blue Angel.

Wait a minute.....

I'm sorry....

That was Barbra Streisand bio

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/03/2002 02:00 PM PST

Born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Montreal, Canada. I have worked in virtually all areas of show business.

I have appeared on television in such series as Julie, Little Gloria Happy at Last and Sirens. I hosted my own cable talk show called University Dialogue. My play Survivors was featured in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's television documentary also called Survivors. My commercial work included La Cage Aux Sport (a Chicken/Rib/Sports Theme Restaurant.)There was other television work but I've blocked it out.

My radio work included producing, writing and sometimes host of Centerstage a program that was much like Donald's show. It ran two seasons. I was also was the creative producer for a program called the Trivia Show.

I have varied stage work as producer, director and actor. Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, The Candidate, Miss Margarida's Way, Sondhiem!, The Frank Loesser Songbook,Oh What A Lovely War, Habeus Corpus, Oliver!, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Candidate, Death of a Salesman, The Gingerbread Lady, Execution of Justice, The Odd Couple and others.

My produced plays as a playwright include Survivors (to much acclaim at the Montreal Fringe Festival) and Lysistrata: The Musical (To less acclaim.)

Since moving to Boca Raton, Florida I have basically left show business with the exception of my writing. I write reviews of cabaret themed albums and I am currently working on two plays that have been workshopped and have had readings. I am rewriting those and writing a screenplay to submit to Project Greenlight.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 09/03/2002 02:21 PM PST

Greetings, one and all (and all and one). I'm Pam, I'm in Chicago (the city, not the show) where I'm Exec Asst for a major historical landmark theatre. I share a love of the work of Jones & Schmidt as well as a birthday with our own BK (tho I believe I am a year younger).

And I can't help wondering if the big announcement BK promised would happen today--but which didn't--has anything to do with a certain record label suddenly changing its name.....

Posted by Pam @ 09/03/2002 03:03 PM PST

All those wonderful "singing" actors. Lorne Green needs to be mentioned of course. Roger Smith, Connie Stevens and Ed Byrnes too. Everyone in the UK would probably leap straight to Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan from "Neighbours". Johnny Crawford "Rifleman" had a short pop career in the mid sixties. Sandra Dee also recorded. Just remembered Craig McLaughlin (also fom "Neighbours" I think.)
Was David Soul mentioned?
Now about me!

Retired School teacher born in 1945. Live near Melbourne Australia. Love musical theatre and pop music from my childhood. I published a book (data base type) about a decade ago - A local (My home state Victoria) TOP 40 listings from 1960 to 1990. I now as a hobby, try and track down recordings for radio listeners for a MOR station. (Weddings Funerals etc often need songs!).
I attend only about 4 shows a year (amateur musicals) but try to go to London about every 5 years and have been to NY twice in the last decade. Closest I've come to working in theatre is Stage Manager for my school's (where I taught that is) productions of "Pyjama Game" and "Li'l Abner". The first professional shows I saw produced here in Melbourne in the 50's were "Kismet" and "The Pyjama Game". I was hooked on theatre from then. I spent a year in London in 1973 and went to theatre 5 times a week for the year. So many theatres. AND it was affordable then.
I try and check in here ever day and feel I among friends.
Big confession: I forgot all about the Trivia contest this week.
I live in a semi rural area - near the kangaroos! I have a partner Colin with whom I have lived for 25 years. We have two dogs (Keeshonds). No wonder I enjoyed "Best In Show".

Love Mr Sondheim's work and also that of Kander & Ebb. My favourite singers of all time are Dusty Springfield, Peggy Lee, Barbra Streisand and Barbra Cook.

Laura: A mum as well as a wonderful aunt. Next you'll be saying "Just A Housewife". - those lyrics say it all.

Thanks for the Barbra bio Michael. I was reminded of it this week as I watched a bio on Merle Oberon. (Who claimed to have been born in Tasmania!)

Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 09/03/2002 03:31 PM PST

What was that, Pam? Record label name changing? I suddenly feel I may be out of the loop we're all supposed to be in in in today!

Posted by Jed @ 09/03/2002 04:03 PM PST

Jed - I think Pam was just speculating and doing some wishful thinking. I hope she is right.

Yu - Use instead of ( & ) and it should work. You can hit the Unseemly Preview Button to check it. To give credit where it is due, this tip originally came from Ben.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/03/2002 04:16 PM PST

Pam & I actually both noticed a certain long-delayed release from the label which may now possibly be named (since it evidently has a new one) has a different name on its inlay and copyright information. Although, a label apologist has posted to the CASTRECL that it's only because it's a reissue.

For me, visit my homepage (linked to my signature) and while you're there, sign my guestbook. For those who are new around here, you'll find a nice pic of Bruce and a Kimmel-related easter egg (or should I say hamentoschen) if you explore with your mouse (get your minds out of the gutter, people).

Posted by JMK @ 09/03/2002 04:21 PM PST

I don't think any name changes are happening. I think what JMK says above is probably right.

As to my announcements, I keep waiting for the okay - however, tomorrow I do promise at least one fun one. And my announcements all have to do with the future - I don't look back and I have no interest in thinking about any negative things from the past.

Posted by bk @ 09/03/2002 04:44 PM PST

In addition to his writings for Scarlet Street, I am a resident online dvd reviewer for two major websites. (www.dvdlaunch.com most prominently). Offline, I continues to work as a cabaret singer ("Dreamers," "Songs in the Dark," "Go West," "Open Your Heart" "Just in Time for Christmas" "No Place Like Homeless for the Holidays" have all been produced, and an upcoming (March 2003) "Favorite Facts of Life" and a benefit performance on October 12, where I'll be singing "You Wanna be My Friend?" and "Ooh! My Feet!" in Miss Dixie Tymitz' "Downtown" cabaret. As an actor, I recently returned to the boards in Don Nigro's LOVE'S LABOURS WONNE after a seven year absence from stage work; and as a playwright my "The End of the World on New Year's Eve" proved to be prescient in that its nominally autobiographical hero writes reviews for a national magazine. Currently I have tackled the exciting assigment of adapting John Greyson's 1994 film, ZERO PATIENCE, for the musical stage. I resides on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, PA spending time taking long walks with his Siberian Husky, Minx Anastasia; when I'm not serving up wisecracks with good food at Sam Morgan's Clubhouse or sharing piano and choir duties twice a month at a teeny, tiny Methodist Church. My homepage (which needs to be updated can sometimes be found here - oh, yeah, I was born forty-six years ago on August 6th. If you visit http://www.mycottage.com/SCARLET/staff.htm you can see BOTH Ross and I on the same page....

Posted by td @ 09/03/2002 04:51 PM PST

William Orr: Thanks for the "hora"; and

William Lurie: Thanks for the clarification re: S&M's role in Mineo's death; and

Bob Hope: Thanks...for the memories....

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/03/2002 05:28 PM PST

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but it was a day of labor for me.

Alright, here goes:

td and I are the same age. Actually, I'm 6 months older.
I was born and raised in Phoenix and am still here. I always wanted to move to New York or Los Angeles, but I met my partner and chose to stay. Over 25 years later, we're still here.

We have a nice house and a beautiful black lab named Mazal.

I have worked as a cook in a restaurant, office manager, administrative assistant, paralegal (both at the Attorney General's office and the private sector), etc., etc. The last job I had was horrible, and I only stayed because I liked a few of the people with whom I worked. We clung together like passengers on a sinking ship. After they left, I decided I'd rather be happy. So I now make about half of what I made before, but I am defintely happier. I am the assistant manager at a Three Dog Bakery. Mazal loves it since I starte working there and has me trained to bring her treats home everyday. My partner is happy because I come home in a much better mood.

I love theatre, music, movies, books and all those great things that make life worth living. In my humble opinion (IMHO in internet lingo), I do not have the talent to be in the theatre, but I am a decent artist. (Well, halfway decent)
I will get to New York sometime this year where i hope to have cake with all my fellow hainsie/kimmlets. The same with California. I also expect to be there to witness td and Jason in the great shows I know they will be in and to go to Michael Shayne's cabaret in Boca Raton. And all those other great things.

Is this boring enough for you?

I have had some wonderful and excting things (or "thins" as Ricky Ricardo would say) happen to me, and I look forward to many more.

If ANY of you ever get this way, I will buy you cake.

Posted by Kerry @ 09/03/2002 05:29 PM PST

Sorry to make the last half o my message bold. When i preview my message it won't let me go back to edit it.

JMK, how are you and your family doing?

Jason, how is Mo doing?

Posted by Kerry @ 09/03/2002 05:32 PM PST

Doesn't Shirley Ross get thanked for her memories?

BK. Did you find the Andy Williams song? It made Billboard's top 100 for one week at # 99. Thanks Joel Whitburn.

Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 09/03/2002 06:26 PM PST

And how come I am now in "bold"?

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 09/03/2002 06:27 PM PST

Did that work?

Posted by I. Talic @ 09/03/2002 06:34 PM PST

He did bold, not italics, you idiot.

Posted by B. Old @ 09/03/2002 06:35 PM PST

First, I would like to send best wishes hopes for a speedy recovery to Adolph Green, who recently broke his leg.

I, Stephen "Woody" White, am one of the prematurely retired (at 49). Premature retirement is boring. Blech.

Most of my life was boring, spent entirely in Southern California but not in "the industry," my father having been part of the "other" industry, aircraft, and the two never mixed. Not even on the set of CASABLANCA, where the prop plane in the background was a plywood prop.

Everything changed with my hooking up with the ever-loving der Brucer. This Annapolis grad ex-Navy man soon introduced me to the thrills of travel. So we've traveled to London, Germany, the Carribean. We've done NYC, WDC, Philly, Miami, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and even Cincinnatti, which may not be spelled with an S but sure sounds like it.

One of these days, when they finally finish building our house, we'll be moving from Long Beach to Rehoboth Beach, from California to Delaware.

Theater lovers, food lovers, dog lover, political advocates (anyone who actualy "loves" politics needs to check in and get measured for one of those coats with arm straps), we keep busy enough. But so far our only connection with "the industry" has been der Brucer's serving on the board of the International City Theater, where (shameless plug) Carol Lawrence and Susan Egan will be starring in David Hare's AMY'S VIEW, September 3rd to September 29th.

Shameless plugging feels good. Everyone should try it once in a while, it's a happy thing.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/03/2002 06:41 PM PST

I am... proud... of my singing... career. It launched... my new career... as a huckster... for cheep hotels... and airfares!

To boldly go!!!

Posted by William Shatner @ 09/03/2002 06:44 PM PST

If I'm lucky, this will finish the bolding.

My name is Zev Valancy. I was born July 29, 1985, in Cleveland Ohio. I still live in Cleveland Heights.
I am an actor (and crazy me, I want to do it professionally) but I have also assistant directed twice, have directed once, (I hope to do so more in the future) and have often been roped in to technical work. The past two shows that I've done haven't really had a set crew, so I was pressed into service. I also have an insatiable appetite for theatre-all kinds, from splashy musicals to small, experimental stuff. And I criticize it with a passion, because I have such high standards for the art that I love. Tomorrow I start my senior year of high school. Oy. I feel so old.
I also have a lengthy list of insecurities, fears, and neuroses, I try to have fun with them though.

Posted by Hapgood @ 09/03/2002 06:44 PM PST

Ok, the unbolding didn't work. One more try?

Posted by Hapgood @ 09/03/2002 06:46 PM PST

Calling Mark Bakalor!

Posted by Hapgood @ 09/03/2002 06:47 PM PST

William... How many times... Have I told you... Not to split... Infinitives!
(/b)

Posted by William Shatner's High School English Teacher @ 09/03/2002 06:52 PM PST

grumble grumble

Posted by Mr. Mark Bakalor @ 09/03/2002 07:06 PM PST

Re: Joel Whitburn. I just searched the archives to make sure I have not bored you with this pointless story previously. Mr. Whitburn publishes his books out of a tiny town in Wisconsin which just happens to be my wife's hometown. I was already engaged when I bought my first set of Whitburn books and was amazed to find this fact in the volumes. So when I was back in Wisconsin for my wedding, I took a gamble and called his offices. It turns out that virtually his entire staff had gone to school with either my wife or her brothers, and they were very kind to invite me over. Controlled chaos is all I can say--the entire office (a rather small three or four room affair) was stacked floor to ceiling with innumerable copies of Billboard. How they collate and manage all that data is beyond me. Joel was out that day, so I didn't get to see "the 45 collection in the vault," as the staff ominously put it. Still and all, a fun visit and peek behind the scenes of some of my favorite reference books.

And, Kerry, we're doing fine. Thank you, and all the Hainsies, for your wonderful support.

Posted by JMK @ 09/03/2002 07:20 PM PST

Now it's like old times around here. THAT'S what I'M talkin' about. I am so jiggy with it, man. We really run the gamut here at haineshisway.com - from high school students to retired folks (prematurely or not) - we are a cross-section of humanity at its finest.

Posted by bk @ 09/03/2002 07:27 PM PST

All right, I'm de-lurking. I'm nearly caught up reading every daily entry of these notes, and all the appeals to "come out" finally got to me.

Originally from Indiana, I now live in New Jersey with my partner (of 13 years) and our dear kitty. I am the business manager for an off-Broadway theatre company and teach accounting in a graduate program for theatre managers.

I have been quite impressed with the lively, but civilized discussions that are the norm for this little corner of the internet, and I look forward to adding my opinions.

Posted by jb @ 09/03/2002 07:41 PM PST

I'm one of the winners this week of Trivia Contest and my blond roots are showing. I only put my e mail address and not my name. My name is Dennis Clancy and I live in Portland, Or where I have carved out a career as an actor. Do you carve a career like a turkey? I love, love, love musicals and music. The downside is that I can't sing. I have been told this is not true by others who have heard me warble. I have managed to perform in several musicals where I always insist I can't sing but I put lip-syncing on the map before Lypsinka was around. My favorite city in the world (and I haven't been to all of them) is New York. The energy, New Yorkers, Broadway...
words fail me but my heart skips many beats when I am there. My next goal, with luck and maneuvering, is to attend the Tony's next year. Got my fingers crossed.
I like the intelligence of the people who contribute to this site. I think Bruce sets the tone and we all follow suit. It's very enjoyable to read everyday.
Dennis Clancy

Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 09/03/2002 08:10 PM PST

OK. Name - Stephen Farrow. Born November 10th 1972 in Oldham, just outside Manchester in north-west England. If you ever get the chance to go to Oldham, do yourself a favour and don't. Living in Toronto since 1998, pursuing a PhD in Drama (thesis title: 'The Development of New Musicals in New York's Nonprofit Theatres Since 1990' - well, somebody had to!). I also act sometimes (reluctantly - it's not my very favourite thing), play piano very, very badly, and get called in from time to time to work on shows as voice coach or dramaturg. I work two jobs for my department - I house manage most of our shows, and I'm in charge of organising a series of in-house mini-conferences (along with coordinating programme notes and display material for each of our productions). Oh - and I sing, and I'm available for weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 09/03/2002 09:25 PM PST

Welcome jb, and stay delurked - we'll enjoy having you here.

Posted by bk @ 09/03/2002 09:27 PM PST

Tom from Oz: Mo is doing as well as can be expected, I suppose. His medicine makes him a little loopy, so Alex and I are trying to get the doctors to re-evaluate his dosage levels. Otherwise, he's in great spirits and is still planning to visit me in December! :-)

JMK: I'm so glad to hear that Gabe is doing well. That makes me happy.

jb: Welcome!!

YAY! We got our numbers back up!! Dance a hora! Eat some cheese slices and ham chunks! Get out the party hats and pantaloons--and don't forget the colored tights!! Woohoo!!!!

Posted by Jason @ 09/03/2002 10:22 PM PST

My name is George. I live in Olympia, Washington. I originally went to college to study music education (high school choir), but dropped ed. and just graduated. I now work for a library (at their administrative offices), listen to my CDs all day, host a radio show on a local community station (WEEKEND ON BROADWAY on KAOS Olympia, 89.3 FM, www.kaosradio.org ) and do community theatre when I can. I am now in rehearsals for an AIDS benefit revue called BABES WITH BIG HAIR, our one performance is on September 14th!

I've loved musicals since I was in middle school but I didn't start performing until my junior year of college. I was in the chorus of CARMEN (yes, the opera, and in English), then two years later (still in college), BRIGADOON. I've loved performing ever since.

The only time I've been to New York was in December of 1995. I went with a tour group. The very first show we saw, literally right after we got off the bus from the airport, was SWINGIN' ON A STAR. It was wonderful. I also got to see Betty Buckley in SUNSET BOULEVARD, Julie Andrews in VICTOR/VICTORIA and Avery Brooks in ROBESON and, for about four freeze-frame frames, my forehead was on the Regis and Kathy Lee show! I hope to someday go back.

Posted by George P. Dougherty @ 09/03/2002 11:29 PM PST

Ok - this is going to be late... I'm Matthew, I live in San Mateo, CA (that's in the SF Bay Area) I'm 33. I'm a musician, I musical direct musicals, play lots of piano for different musicals, I teach elementary school music and my favorite TV show of all time is "The Nanny". I love musical theatre and other stuff, too. I collect cast CD's and others CD's produced by BK etc etc.

Anyhow, it's bedtime.

Posted by Matthew @ 09/03/2002 11:44 PM PST

Well, this will be my first time posting here, so I guess I officially become a lurker now - an upgrade(?) from just a reader. ;-)

My name is Jose C. Simbulan. I am fortunate enough to make my living as a professional musician - pianist/keyboard player/musical director/conductor. I most recently had the honor of playing rehearsals for the Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration productions of SWEENEY TODD and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Upcoming projects include EVITA for a local university, CARMEN JONES at the Kennedy Center, and SOUTH PACIFIC at Arena Stage

I work locally (D.C. and Richmond) and regionally - pick a region, any region. One of my specialties is playing auditions - I LOVE to play auditions. Each Spring and Fall I get to indulge that pleasure by playing for the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) auditions, and the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA). There's nothing like playing for 200-300 in one day! -Really, I do like to do this. *I'll be in Charlotte this weekend for the Fall SETCs.

For all you singers out there: Train your pianists!

For all you pianists our there: Train your singers!

I must take this chance to thank BK for all his work on those UNSUNG MUSICALS and LOST IN BOSTON albums. Wonderful material, and they've provided many an opportunity for me to work on my transcription skills as singers have requested material from those albums for auditions, cabarets, etc. *I was always hoping some publishing deal could be worked out in conjunction with those albums... ah, well...

It has been a joy reading everyone's posts - not just today, but for the past couple of months - ever since I first decided to head on over to this site. Hopefully, I'll find myself fully in the loop in no time!

Keep up the great work!

*Oh, and how does one go about bolding and italicizing within the posts?

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 09/04/2002 12:15 AM PST

It's hard to explain BOLD and ITALICS using visual examples because the characters used to bold and italicize are two of many symbols used in HTML coding. When you use these characters, they don't show up on the screen after the message is posted, so the visual is lost. I don't want to post a long, detailed explanation here since we have more important things to talk about (like theatre and music and life, etc). Send me an e-mail (Jose and anyone else who is interested), and I will give you instructions on how to bold and italicize (or even bold AND italicize) words. It's very simple. Click on my e-mail link below and I'll fill you in on how to proceed.

Posted by Ben @ 09/04/2002 04:47 AM PST

Welcome to all the former lurkers who are now participators!

Have any of you heard "Golden Throats"? It's a very interesting compilation I found years ago at the library. I remember William Shatner singing "Lucy in the Sky With Dianmonds." Leonard Nimoy and Sebastian Cabot have songs too.

Posted by Laura @ 09/04/2002 05:56 AM PST

There are four volumes of the Golden Throats series that I know of. I have heard the first one that you mentioned and the fourth which was a Beatles tribute with people like Mae West, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Bing Crosby interpreting Beatles music. An acquired taste (but one I've come to enjoy).

Posted by jb @ 09/04/2002 07:07 AM PST

This was not helpful at all!

Posted by Andrea @ 05/01/2003 06:27 AM PST