haines his way

09/15/2002:
"THE WORKING SUNDAY"

Well, dear readers, here it is, Sunday, and I must once again hurry through these here notes. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I must once again hurry through these here notes. I had forgotten just how much I don’t like working on weekends, but this is the only time that will happen so I guess it’s okay. We’ll just call this The Lost Weekend and be done with it. Unfortunately, I a sworn to secrecy at this point as regards the show I’m working on, but I can only tell you I met some very interesting folks this weekend and saw some very interesting things. Isn’t that enigmatic? Isn’t that just too too?
I must tell you that the food in this here hotel we are staying in is amongst the worst I have ever eaten. The sports bar was bad enough, but last night we ate in their fancy shmancy restaurant and had something called Risotto with sweet corn and mushrooms. It was disgusting, but we were all so hungry we sat there and ate it. We ate it and then we paid for it and let me tell you what it cost for three of us to eat that hideous glob – with tip: $180. That was for three risottos, three Caesar salads and three sides of sautéed vegetables (they didn’t really have sautéed vegetables – they just did some corn and mushrooms on a plate and called it sautéed vegetables), one glass of wine, a Diet Coke and an Iced Tea. Thank goodness it wasn’t my dime or I would have rasied a stink. I would have raised a stink by throwing up in the middle of their restaurant.
Well, that was a pleasant paragraph, wasn’t it? I do believe we should all just click on the Unseemly Button below before I continue along those lines.

Have I mentioned how much I dislike working on the weekends? But I shall be on a plane home at 5:45, and snug inside my very own home shortly thereafter. And then up bright and early the following day to begin the real part of this new job. And then off to break the Yom Kippur fast. But I shall do it and I shall do it willingly and hopefully well.
Don’t forget, Donald will have a brand spanking new radio show up this very evening, so do tune in – perhaps Donald will even tell us what in tarnation it is about.
Here is something interesting that happened at another musical theater board: Dear reader Craig posted something about The First Nudie Musical announcement I’d made, and immediately someone who didn’t have one single post on that board (and who has not had one single post since – nor did he respond to any responses, naturally) made a negative comment. Several people went in and castigated him for it, including myself (I, of course, castigated in a nice way – in other words, I didn’t call him a butt cheek). Now, how many people here find that suspicious? Let us raise our hands. Isn’t it ridiculous when people who may have other things on their “minds” feel they have to do this? It is highly doubtful that the gentleman had actually ever seen the movie, and yet there he was trying to be negative and cause problems. Tres amusing, don’t you think? So transparent, really – the hit and run aspect gives it away every time. Well, there, I’ve said it and I’m glad.
Well, dear readers, I must shower and then go downstairs and roam. There is a roaming charge when I roam so that’s fine. Today’s topic of discussion: Today is free-for-all day so let down your hair and speak your various and sundried minds, speak your piece, speak your peace, speak up, speak down, speak however you so choose. I want to see some interesting posts when I get back, so I can contribute in my own way. Post away, my pretties.

Replies: 18 Unseemly Comments

Since so few people responded to yesterday's topic (ideas for the stage cast of FNM) I'd like to see more of that today. That's a topic I thought would be very popular. And what surprised me the most was that several loyal dear Finsies/Kimlets have admitted to never having seen the film. I can understand if someone could not afford to buy it, but I'm sure it must be available for rent at Blockbusters, and if it isn't everyone should request it so they get it in stock.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/15/2002 08:59 AM PST

Well, I must certainly count myself among the errant and truant, and also among the truant and errant. In fact, my last post was something like a week ago, and I admitted then to being truant and errant, and also errant and truant.
That said, I must offer some excuse, but it will be paltry, paltry indeed will it be.
There have been several negative things happening here, none of which I wish to discuss, because this board, this blog, these here notes are not the place for negative things.
There have also been some very positive things happening here, none of which I can discuss at this time until they are in a more final form, and then I shall post, I shall indeed.
Who am I, Bruce Kimmel all of a sudden?
Also my classes have started, and that is keeping me very busy, in addition to negative things and positive things. I think teaching classes is more of a neutral thing.
But even if I do not post, I shall continue to lurk.
Now that it is Anything Can Happen Day, I have a question that I was unable to post on Ask BK day (because of negative things and positive things), so I shall ask it of all and sundried.
I know that Sharon McNight is on Bruce's recording of Amanda McBroom's musical Heartbeats. Is she on any of his compilation albums? I have most of them and am interested in hearing her for reasons involving positive things.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/15/2002 10:31 AM PST

William - Do you know that Sharon McNight has a website at http://www.sharonmcnight.com where you can sample selections from her albums? She'll be appearing at Judy's Chelsea in NYC in October (beginning on the 3rd) through November.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 09/15/2002 12:42 PM PST

Donna:
Thanks. I have visited her web site and listened to the clips. In fact, I just ordered some of her CDs.
But I missed the announcement about her appearance in NYC. Thanks. I already missed her doing Sophie Tucker in Last of the Red Hot Mamas at the York this summer.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/15/2002 01:09 PM PST

A random thought: Why don't local advertisers hire actors to do their commercials? Some of the most entertaining tv is the bad acting on local ads. Also entertaining are infomercials because of their stupidness. But my favorite bad tv is the shopping channel, which I watch whenever we stay in a motel because it puts me to sleep.
Posted by Laura @ 09/15/2002 02:06 PM PST

Five Unseemly Comments? That is unseemly! Worse than that! It is positively SEEMLY!
And we can't have this site looking seemly now, can we?
So I have a topic. Anyone know anything about Stephen Schwartz's musical of Wicked? Anyone read the novel?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/15/2002 03:00 PM PST

I have read WICKED. Indeed it is one of my favorite novels; I gave out many copies as gifts (Christmas, birthday, Hannukah, Bastille Day) because I enjoyed it so much, and wanted to share that pleasure with all my cronies.
Maguire's latest novel is a creepy take on Ebeneezer Scrooge.
So while we're talking about novels and novelist, what's everyone reading right now?
Me: BLACK HOUSE. Stephen King and Peter Straub's long-awaited sequel to THE TALISMAN. Quite a gripping read, I've been up past 3 am just reading and reading.
Ellis Peters' CADFAEL series of murder mysteries. Not having seen any of the PBS series, I decide to have a go at the books, and gosh, am I glad I did! What a treat to be transported back in time in the company of a medeival Sherlock Holmes, who just happens to be a monk.
Terry Pratchett's DISCWORLD SERIES. Loads of laughs. Alternate universe where the world is flat and carried on the backs of four elephants astride the back of a giant tortoise. Witches. Vampires. Sorcerers. Kings. Queens. Phantoms of opera houses. Orangutan librarians. A lot of the humor reminds me of Monty Python's LIFE OF BRIAN, not that it's heresy, but that each character has a readily recognizable counter part in fact, fiction or musical theater. And Pratchett delivers deliriously choice footnotes, too.
Posted by td @ 09/15/2002 04:11 PM PST

...not to be unseemly, but, has anyone else heard the newly released Disney film soundtracks on cd? Both THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE and BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS contain demo recordings. The audio restorations done are very, very good, and they're priced quite cheaply.
Posted by td @ 09/15/2002 04:13 PM PST

..and to be even more unseemly, discussion over at www.scarletstreet.com (forums) has brought up TFNM again. you'll find comments in the "Sing Out, Louise" folder.
Posted by td @ 09/15/2002 04:15 PM PST

Hello all! I've been out and about all day; so, I only just now loaded the new radio show....it's a listener suggestion that we're calling Showtune Showdown -- it's original vs. revival -- I hope you all enjoy.
Posted by Donald Feltham @ 09/15/2002 04:32 PM PST

I haven't been posting because I haven't had anything I really wanted to say.
Still feel that way. Bummer.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/15/2002 06:55 PM PST

I wish everyone who is fasting an easy fast, and a happy New Year.
I'm really looking forward to listening to Donald's newest show.
I have little else to say. What a pity.
Posted by Hapgood @ 09/15/2002 07:43 PM PST

Tired out after my Record Fair yesterday. I did not find any treasures but was quite happy to sell 15 books. (The local version of Billboard Whitburn info.). Was interested to read about "Wicked" above. I love Schwartz music and the BK Schwartz album is the most played in this house. I watched "Guipetto" the other night. OK. It is corny and not a serious piece of work but the melodies are quite delightful. William.I will get to buy FNM eventually. I have to import it as it is not released locally. (The postage is the killer).
Next task is to find out more about "Wicked".
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 09/15/2002 09:11 PM PST

I shall join S. Woody and
Hapgood among the present
but sadly lacking in anything to
say at the moment.
Posted by Jed @ 09/15/2002 09:33 PM PST

Back in LA, thank goodness! Very tired, but not too tired to post.
I do understand that sometimes lethargy sets in - there are times I really don't feel like writing the notes, but I just go ahead and do it and do you know what - I feel better afterwards. So, even if you don't feel like posting or don't feel like you have anything to say, do so anyway - you'll see I'm right.
What am I, a cheerleader all of a sudden?
As to Wicked, I saw one of the first workshops of it - thought the score was pretty delightful, found the book a bit problematic. At the request of Mr. Schwartz, I sent him quite a long and detailed set of notes based on what I felt. I think the show has quite a bit of potential and I've heard it just keeps getting better.
Sharon McNight is also on the Adryan Russ album I produced, Everyone Has a Story. Gettable at amazon and all the usual places - the album features quite a few of my regulars, and Sharon does one of the best vocals ever on a song called I Slip into This Place. Highly recommended if you love Sharon.
Posted by bk @ 09/15/2002 09:42 PM PST

Tom from Oz -- Was that the Disney "Geppetto" you watched? If it was, our own Jason Graae was in it.
Posted by Laura @ 09/15/2002 10:15 PM PST

OK, I'll post too. I just now got the chance to check in. I'mm feeling a bit lethargic now. Largely due to the time of day. Also largely due to that time of year when one is quite tired of the continued heat of the day and quite ready to move on the next part. I am grateful though, that the nights have started to cool down (80 instead of 95). The heat just starts to drain you.
I did just get DVD's of "Gypsy" (which I STILL like) and "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me" and have enjoyed them.
I loved "Beyond Therapy" and want to listen to it again. I wonder why Catherine O'Hara's picture wasn't on the booklet. Too late to ask questions, because no one would answer.
Good night all y'all.
Posted by Kerry @ 09/15/2002 11:27 PM PST

Kerry -- chin up! We only have about six weeks left until cool weather!
Posted by Laura @ 09/16/2002 08:34 AM PST

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