Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/09/2002 11:46 AM PST

Since last week proved to be problematic for your answering my question, I have no problem repeating it: From the last six months or so, what five DVDs would you say are absolute MUSTS for any DVD collection?

And, let's add a little this time around: Could you give a similar list of the five DVDs you would suggest people avoid? Or maybe allude to those five DVDs, without actually naming them by name? (Listing them in Pig Latin, perhaps, or by some other clever ploy you have up your clever sleve?)

Good to hear the trip went as well as it did. And good to hear of the good times had at Joe Allen's. As far as I can tell, the only thing they don't do well at Joe Allen's is chicken chow mein, and they could probably do that if they wanted to (in honor of the Gypsy revival, perhaps).

Posted by S. Woody White @ 10/09/2002 11:51 AM PST

When will we learn what this 'movie deal' is all about?

Where will it be shooting and will you allow Kimlets and Hainsies to visit the set? Please? Pretty please?

Is this 'movie deal' about a comedy, a drama, a musical? What? What? What?

Does "Zakan" rhyme with "Kazan"? I'm trying to get a feel for pronunciation. And does she pronounce Remy like the cognac or?????

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/09/2002 11:55 AM PST

Those of us who attended the Sunday night gathering already know about the movie but we are sworn to secrecy. I'll never tell but I will say if sounds wonderful. Who knows what secrets will be devulged at the next get together!

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/09/2002 12:03 PM PST

Ron-- Remy is indeed pronounced like the Cognac, but her mom and me were not drinking it at the time, as you might have thought. Her last name is Zaken, not Zakan, and is pronounced like Bacon or Fakin'. I hope that Remy is as successful as either Elia or Lainie (Kazan), however. By the way, I'm Remy's Dad.

Posted by Marc Zaken @ 10/09/2002 12:48 PM PST

Me a culpa on Zakan/Zaken - it was very late when I wrote the notes last night. And the reason they apparently went up so very late this morning is because Mr. Mark Bakalor must have slept in - I couldn't post them last night because of the time difference, and had no time to deal with it this morning, so he said he'd do it. Bitch-slapping in order. However, it did result in a fine number of posts yesterday. Now, you people, let's have some questions.

Posted by bk @ 10/09/2002 01:29 PM PST

Dear BK:

When you saw Lea Delaria last night, did you let her know how busy she'd be if it were up to us here at the Haines His Way website (which is, of course, the finest website in all of internetdom) to cast the next revivals of WEST SIDE STORY and THE SOUND OF MUSIC?

Posted by jay @ 10/09/2002 01:29 PM PST

Well, well, well, well, well. That is five [5] wells. More than I could dig in a day.

We seem to be off to an unseemly flying start here on Ask BK Wednesday, and I have a question that I have been holding onto for the last few days just for this occasion... but I forgot it.

So let me take this opportunity to congratulate Marc and his extremely talented daughter (I take BK's word on this, and he is seldom wrong). I hope to see her strut her stuff at the benefit next March--it is March, isn't it?

Since BK's notes came up late today, I would encourage all and sun-dried to check the archives from yesterday to read all of the late yesterday and/or early today posts. We have certainly upped that measely sixteen that Bruce alluded to.

Bruce has asked me to repeat the warning about e-mail attachments and the miserable excuses for human beings that set about to wreck havoc on the Internet. I received yesterday a notice from my employer's mail daemon that there was an undeliverable letter from me to bruce at this here site. I had not sent any letter to Bruce, so right away I smelled so much fish.

The attached letter supposedly from me contained only nonsense plus an attachment with the ending .bat. That is, of course, an executable file (on a PC), and my virus detector immediately warned me that it was filthy with disease. If such a thing appears in your own e-mail, do not open it. Delete it forthwith, and then empty your trash so that it is permanently deleted.

Viruses, spam, and pop-up windows. What else will Satan visit upon us?

Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/09/2002 01:33 PM PST

Dear reader William F. Orr asks what else Satan will visit upon us, and I will say that he has already delivered unto us the most evil of all evils, call waiting. Or, as I prefer to call it, callus interruptus.

Posted by jay @ 10/09/2002 01:45 PM PST

I finally have my computer back after one and a half very long weeks without haineshisway.com! It's fixed and all is well. Here are my questions:

You are preparing for a New York Tourette benefit (if it hasn't happened already). How did you get involved with this particular cause? Is it one that you've supported for many years or is this particular event the first time you've organized a benefit for this cause? Have you been directly affiliated/involved with other causes/benefits? If you have, which ones (if you wish to say) have been the most fun to put on, which have been the most moving? Do you usually organize or do you perform or both?

Posted by George @ 10/09/2002 01:54 PM PST

Welcome, Remy's dad. We hope you become a regular. And it's safe to let young Remy read this site also. We are an assorted lot, and we're pretty nice folks. I don't know from cognac, so I need further help on the pronunciation.

Welcome home, BK. I always have a question on Monday, but I always forget it by Wednesday.

Posted by Laura @ 10/09/2002 01:58 PM PST

For all of those who have ordered their very own copy of Jeanine Tesori's VIOLET--you will be so pleased when it arrives. I actually won my copy of the recording through the no-longer-in-existence "Who Am I?" contest at www.mtishows.com. It's a lovely recording featuring Michael Park and Kirk McDonald and Robert Westenburg and I think Norm Lewis... You're going to love it.

BK...please please pleeeeease can there be another Hainsie/Kimlet get-together when you're in our fair city again? I will definitely be at that one! I swear it!!

Posted by Jason @ 10/09/2002 02:25 PM PST

Oh dear... it seems as though notes #340 went into the ether... I hope they make it back..

I shall post my questions later this evening.. when I have had a chance to... think of them...

Posted by Craig @ 10/09/2002 02:26 PM PST

BK - Are you going to join the
various and sundried by
getting your very own copy of
Tesori's Violet?

Jose, Tom, Jason, and I all
highly recommend you do so.

Posted by Jed @ 10/09/2002 02:42 PM PST

So...thanks, Mark Zaken, and welcome to this Unseemly place!!!

Do we know yet what song(s) Remy will be singing?

Most of us won't be able to attend the Tourette's benefit -- and that makes all the talk about its talent and rehearsal, its legwork and long hours all that more appealing to us.

And, Hey! Did BK do any signings/appearing at Footlignt while in NYC????

R

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/09/2002 03:01 PM PST

Thanks to all for your kind welcome. You certainly seem, or should I say unseem, to be an interesting group. I don't know what Remy will sing, but BK says he will send us sheet music and a CD soon. I will post then.

Posted by Marc Zaken @ 10/09/2002 03:17 PM PST

With all these postings about VIOLET, I don't think anyone has mentioned that Ms. Tessori only wrote the music. The lyrics were by Brian Crawley who I used to work with in his civilian job in the early 90s.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/09/2002 04:17 PM PST

Question for the week.
Do you have any favourite Rod McKuen songs. (Loves's Been Good To Me/The World I Used To Know/Jean etc.)
Indeed welcome Marc. I hope you will be frequent caller.
Welcome back BK.

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/09/2002 04:28 PM PST

Hi, everyone, this is Remy! Thank you for your wonderful compliments!!! I look forward to performing in the Benefit in March. Until then!
Remy

Posted by Remy Zaken @ 10/09/2002 04:42 PM PST

I just want to add to the virus warning - I've been getting a ton, and one in particular is more disturbing than others, because it is from bruce@haineshisway.com and is signed "bruce" (these people are unbelievable in what they can get away with). It says something like "I know you'll like this" and contains an attachment. Please know, I NEVER send attachments, so whatever you do do not open any attachment - especially from bruce@haineshisway.com because that isn't even an address - it's a redirect from this site only.

Posted by bk @ 10/09/2002 04:48 PM PST

Welcome, Remy!! Glad to have you here as one of us!!

Posted by Laura @ 10/09/2002 04:51 PM PST

Ahh, quite right, our dear Mr. Lurie. We have overlooked Brian Crawley completely, and for this we shall accept our well-deserved bitchslapping.

Posted by Jed @ 10/09/2002 05:34 PM PST

My questions... Tada!

1. What did you eat whilst at Joe Allens

2. Were you able to catch any other shows besides Gracie?

3. Any opinions of dreamworks entering into the broadway arena by bringing SHREK (of all things) to the broadway stage?

4. Will there be hainsies and kimlets used as extras in your movie?

5. Do you intend to create bonus materials for your new movie whilest making it specifically for the dvd release - maybe an on-the-set documentary, etc?

and finally.. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Posted by Craig @ 10/09/2002 06:37 PM PST

Dear BK,

Can you tell us some of the interesting things you've bought on eBay?

Posted by Sandra @ 10/09/2002 08:42 PM PST

I must, must, must (that's three [3] musts) rephrase Craig's question:

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck would chuck wood?

Oh, and Craig, I must say I really enjoyed passing you around the table like a bag of chips the other evening.

And to the errant and truant Mr. Jason Bratten, and also truant and errant. You still have not offered an excuse for your absence at the gala event of the season. Please choose from the following list:

1. Career related.

2. True love.

3. Family. Family is important.

4. A seriously unhappy event about which you would rather not talk, in which case I must apologize for taking you to task.

Note that "I was at another social event which was more important than a Hainesy-Kimlet dinner" is not acceptable.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/09/2002 09:18 PM PST

Hey there! Hope this makes the cut-off time...

My question for Ask BK Day: Just as there was an album completely of Pachelbel's Canon in D with different performances by different groups/individuals (including a tuba ensemble), would you like to do such an album of a particular song? Or, if you would not like to produce it, if there is a song that you would "like" to hear in different versions (vocal and instrumental) on one CD?

And question #3: Any chance you'd be heading to Washington, DC? Maybe we could have a Hainsies/Kimlets gathering here. Richmonders, Marylanders, and maybe even some North Caroliners could make the trip to our nation's capitol. -capital? -I always forget which is correct.

-And I'm sorry for leaving out Brian Crawley's name when mentioning Violet before. The book is wonderful too. And the original short story, "The Ugliest Pilgrim", by Doris Betts is worth a read if you can find a copy. -I'd also still like to see the Didi Conn TV movie that inspired Brian and Jeanine to write the piece.

Jason: I, too, played the "Who Am I"? contest on MTI's site. Some of those limericks/clues were tough. And, I was actually the grand prize winner for Year 2! I won a nice autographed copy of Suskin's "Show Tunes".

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/09/2002 10:57 PM PST

OK...OK...I will try to give a decent excuse for my absence at the Hainesie/Kimlet fest (though I fear it will sound lame and will not be accepted as an excuse):

For the last two weeks I have been working at the coat/bag check table at the Metropolitan Opera House (I believe I mentioned this in prior postings). Last Saturday I was fortunate enough to work a double shift (the matinee of TURANDOT and the evening performance of ELEKTRA). This proved to be a very long and exhausting evening (both of opera and bags) and so I slept quite late into the afternoon on Sunday. I awoke quite late in the day and honestly forgot that the Hainesie/Kimlet soiree was happening that day. I actually thought it happened on Saturday. :-\ And in addition to that...I forgot where the soiree was happening. Please forgive me! MEA CULPA!! MEA CULPA!! (think Judge Turpin) MEA CULPA!!

Posted by Jason Bratton @ 10/09/2002 11:08 PM PST

Jose: I so wanted to be one of their top winners but alas some of those more obscure clues baffled me. I did however win at least 5 times on that contest. On several occasions I tried the contest on the website for the company that shall not be named but apparently never won a darn thing...and that was even while our own BK was still there! Oh well...

Posted by Jason @ 10/09/2002 11:10 PM PST

Jason:

All right, we'll let you off with a mild bitch-slapping this time. But don't let it happen again.

8-)>

Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/10/2002 05:10 AM PST

Remy & Marc - welcome to our (theatre) world! Folks fom all over the world join in here for some light repartee, and along they way we develop long distance friendships, all courtesy of BK!

Remy - we all wish you good luck this coming March and look forwards to hearing you in person.

Marc - welcome aboard from one stage dad to another (my son has joined me in my last 3 productions - saves a lot on babysitting!)

Posted by phil @ 10/10/2002 06:42 AM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:32 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:32 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:33 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:34 PM PST

Hi everyone, this is Ricky. I was really excited about the benefit and am so disappointed that it had to be canceled. By the way all, Remy and I worked together before in the National Tour of Ragtime and it would have been a blast to work with her again. Remy if you are reading this, maybe next time . . . Bruce, thank you so much for your compliments and for what would have been a good time for a great cause.

Posted by Ricky Ashley @ 02/24/2003 05:38 PM PST