Replies: 32 Unseemly Comments
I neglected to post yesterday that one of my fav. guilty pleasures is the movie Xanadu.
Posted by Craig @ 10/22/2002 07:29 AM PST
As I promised yesterday here is my report on last night's Lincoln Center Celebration of BK's close friend Steve Sondheim (who was there and came out at the curtain calls). It was great that so many of the participants have appeared on CDs produced by BK although I wish one lady who will not be named would not have included a plug for the website to the label that will not be mentioned in her bio.
Of those announced to appear only Mandy Patimkin and Michael Hayden failed to show. No replacement was needed for Mandy since he did his one man show at the festival and Michael was replaced as Frank in the MERRILY songs by Hugh Panaro.
The show opened with the MERRILY overture marred only by some wrong notes on the piano. This was followed by Christine Baranski doing "Worst Pies in London" in an accent that made it difficult to follow the lyrics. After this came the complete "Now/Later/Soon" segment from NIGHT MUSIC by Sarah Uriatte Berry, John Dossett and Danny Gurwin. All three were fine, and the sequence worked well outside the context of the show. Marcy Harriell followed with "Another Hundred People" (and was in a beautiful orange gown - the only one all evening not in black, white or grey). She got everything out of the song that Steve put in it. Raul Esparza (a performer I have heard only raves about and proved that they were well deserved in his various performances in the concert) and Linda Stephens did SUNDAY IN THE PARK's "Beautiful" followed by John Dossett and Douglas Sills with NIGHT MUSIC's "It Would Have Been Wonderful", well done but not a number that works well away from the show. As those of you who have read some of my previous comments know, I am not a big fan of PASSIONS but at this concert it was like hearing the songs for the first time and I wish this cast would record it. Judy Kuhn's "I Wish I Could Forget You" was ravishing. I like Donna Murphy, but Kuhn blew her out of the water with this song. Emily Skinner and Hugh Panaro's "Growing Up" from MERRILY was followed by Panaro's "Johanna", the song he did sing in the Washington production. We went back to MERRILY for the next two songs: Anastasia Barzee's "Not a Day Goes By" and Esparza, Panaro and Thursday Farrar doing "Franklin Shepard, Inc.", a number that stopped the show and showed off Esparza's versatility. After Rebecca Luker and Michael Cerveris did "Happiness" from PASSION the first act ended with COMPANY's "Not Getting Married Today" with Alice Ripley as Amy, Matt Bogart as Paul, Emily Skinner as Jennie and John Barrowman as Bobby. I have seen at least a dozen productions of COMPANY over the years including the original on Broadway and I have to say this is the best I have ever heard this number. Plus it brought Daisy and Violet together again even if they didn't stand joined at the hips.
After an overlong intermission, the second half began with an oddity: "Tick-Tock" from COMPANY. First of all most of this was written by David Shire using SS's themes and is not even part of the slightly revised version of the show usually done today. And also because it doesn't work without the dance and the off-stage dialogue from the couples. The actual opening of Act 2 after this orchestral novelty was "A Weekend In The Country" with the NIGHT MUSIC principals and several of the other singers doing the lieder parts. Christine Baranski was back with Mark Price for "Not While I'm Around" and while her accent was more in control, his was not. Back to MERRILY with Esparza, Panaro and Miriam Shor doing "Old Friends". This was followed by Randy Graff and Berry doing "Every Day A Little Death". I am a big Randy Graff fan, but the Countess is not the best role for her. I missed the venom this character requires. After another PASSION song that helped change my mind about the show --- Kuhn and Cerveris doing "Loving You" --- came the title song from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE beautifully sung by Esparza and Melissa Errico, the night after she opened in AMOUR. Two other PASSIONS songs Creveris and Luker doing "Farewell Letter" and Creveris with Philip Goodwin doing "Fosca" bookended Blair Brown's "Send In The Clowns", the low point of the evening. Even without the off-key notes in the opening portion this was still a very unexciting rendition of Steve's biggest hit (although not his best song). A decent but unexciting rendition of "The Miller's Son" by Natascia Diaz and Esparza's and Errico's beautiful "Move On" led to the special guest star, Barbara Cook. Time constraints allowed her only two songs, but when those songs are "In Buddy's Eyes" and "Losing My Mind" what more could you want? She looked beautiful and was in great voice. Nobody does "In Buddy's Eyes" better, and her "Losing My Mind" has only been topped by Dame Edna's rendition of the song on BK's Sondheim CD. Back to SWEENEY TODD for "By The Sea", the best number Baranski did all evening. This was followed by John Barrowman doing "Being Alive". It was beautifully sung, but marred by the attempt to do all the couple's lines by off-stage voices, mostly people who had not done the roles and were screwing up the lines and/or the timing. The entire cast did "Sunday" in a straight line across the front of the stage (causing me to wonder if one of them would call out "How Many People Does He Need?") after which the entire audience stood and cheered, the cheers increasing when SS came out for a bow.
The evening was very well staged. Since each show had a different conductor it was fun between numbers to watch the well choreographed entrances and exits of singers and conductors.
If I have only one criticism I think that songs from each show should have been done together in show order. These songs were all written for characters in stories, and this would have given a better picture of each of the represented shows.
I have read that there will not be a CD or Video of this concert. I hope that is not true as this is a show for all fans of musical theatre, not just for those of us who were lucky enough to call for tickets the day they went on sale.
As an added note, while most of the performers are probably known to the people who read this site, with one or two exceptions they would mean nothing to the general public at large. How sad for them.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/22/2002 08:30 AM PST
My copy of "E.T." arrived via UPS a few moments ago. I look forward to viewing this after many years of not seeing it.
I anticipate watching the CGI-updated version, as well as the original. Will keep an eye out for the TV commercial w/BK.
Tom from OZ: I listened -- really listened to the 2nd Warlow CD -- and all the extras, to boot. And I couldn't stop listening! What a voice! He has an affinity for Sondheim, does he not!!!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/22/2002 09:22 AM PST
Anthony, on all of the cd's I own is flawless. He has an amazing range in style and voice and one can only hope someone pursuades him to come to Broadway. Ron - his solo cd's are great - he's also good on a live concert CD that he did with Olivia Newton John and someone else - I'm sure Tom from Oz will know the name of the cd, as I am at work and can't look it up. He also SHINES on the J&H double cd...
Posted by Craig @ 10/22/2002 09:26 AM PST
Barbara Cook's "Losing My Mind" was "topped" by Dame Edna's version?
Yikes! I take Dame Edna's "singing" as a joke -- and she massacred "Losing My Mind", imo, of course.
: )
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/22/2002 09:27 AM PST
William: Thanks for the report on the Sondheim Celebration Concert. I really wish I could have been there.
I'm glad the Passion sequences helped you to see the show anew, and appreciate the music even more. It truly was a a great production. -Although I was surprised they included Giorgio's "Fosca" number - I just don't like it, and, as I mentioned before, in the context of the show it was even more jarring since Tunick did not do the orchestration for it. *Of course, it all depends upon what they are calling the "Fosca" number, so I may be referring to the wrong piece. I, too, wish that cast could have been recorded.
As for Christine Baranski and Mark Price... Maybe Christine needed the whole wig and costume... and Mark is right in the middle of all that preview madness for Dance of the Vampires, so... Not making excuses, but I trust your judgment, and I hope they were both just having an off night. They are two of my favorite people, and in the scene after the song, Christine always broke my heart. *I will say that the dialect coach we had made sure the accents were very authentic, so much so that the cast did have to start pulling it back a bit to make it more understandable to American ears.
"Getting Married Today" stopped the show every night in DC. In fact, I think it even got a standing ovation once or twice - and there was still the end of the act to follow. Did Alice wear the great dress? And did Matt Bogart come out in his white boxers? ;-)
Well, since I definitely have to start seizing that day, I'll post any other reflections later. But THANK YOU for sharing!
As for the topic of the day, there are two people I'd like to look up:
My friend, Bryan, from high school, who was the inspiration for me to go into this crazy world of show business. An amazingly talented person, and encouraging and humble to boot. He's still around (usually between NYC and Germany), but it's been hard to track him down.
Secondly, my friend, Mark. Another amazing person, and someone I will never forget. I was basically an AIDS buddy to him for a couple of months, and he taught me so much about being a gay man in today's world. Being a man. He was an actor, and we had met at a party where I had (always) ended up at a piano while people were putting scores in front of me to sing through. He had an amazing love of theatre, and got turned onto opera after getting a chance to be a super in a production of Tosca - he got to be one of Domingo's guards. I'm not really sure how it happened, but we just started spending a lot of time together, and I ended up helping with his daily routine when I could - cleaning, driving, etc. And we would go through his amazing LP collection, and see shows - Les Miserables, was a favorite. Unfortunately, due to circumstances in my life, I lost touch with him for a while, and eventually found out that he had died. I never got a chance to say goodbye in person, but I was fortunate enough to come across his memorial service announcement in the paper. It was like a big reunion. So much love. Lots of tears. Loads of wonderful memories. I just always wanted to say Thank You in person. But something tells me he already knows that.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/22/2002 09:34 AM PST
Well if I may slightly change today's topic (unseemly though that may be), I would have loved to have had a chance to really have several long discussions as an adult (on my part) with my late Uncle, Charlie Keith (ne Kauffman). Charlie was very well known in NYC theatrical and political circles, and had a fascinating life, including doing PR for the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, becoming a "big makher" in the American Communist Party, then later, in a kind of funny evolution (if you can call it that), ending up owning a great deal of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and beyond, backing many hit plays and musicals (and more than a few flops, which he used to specifically choose as tax write-offs!), and running campaigns for the likes of Ed Koch, etc. Charlie was a legend in left-leaning NYC show business circles for his big-hearted offers to struggling artists, musicians, actors, etc., to live rent-free in one of his apartments until they were better established. His Sunday night potlucks (he was a gourmet chef) were a NYC event for decades, attracting regulars such as John Steinbeck and Jack Kerouac (wouldn't you have loved to have seen those two mingle?). Through the years Charlie rented to everyone from Jackson Pollock to Clifford Odets to Barbara Harris to Annette Peacock (and that's quite a range). Unfortunately Charlie died in 1978, just as I was becoming politically and socially aware. Those curious can do a Google search on the Charles Lawrence Keith Foundation to see the range of things Charlie's considerable legacy continues to fund to this day--things such as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade touring exhibit and documentary "Shouts from the Wall" to Jazz at Lincoln Center. Unfortunately the Foundation is currently being run by a consortium of individuals with questionable motives and my sisters and I may be forced to take action to preserve the intent of the Foundation.
Posted by JMK @ 10/22/2002 09:36 AM PST
Ron--- I was being facetious about Dame Edna. Of course Cook is better, but that track on the Sondheim album brought a lot on controversy.
Jose--- I think someone must have told Baranski that her accent was a bit much because by her third number towards the end ("By the Sea") you could understand every word. And there was nothing wrong with the singing in "Not while I'm around"... again the cockney was a little too thick. Where is Henry Higgins when you need him?
Also no to the dress and boxer shorts. The men were in tuxes or black suits and the women in evening gowns (and all in very good taste considering what is considered chic these days). The only hint of a costume was Baranski's pink apron over her black evening gown.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/22/2002 09:58 AM PST
Jimmy (James) Whalen, a fabulous
young actor, who died shortly
after his broadway debut (Wait
Until Dark)...he was so
young...and I wish I could have
gotten to know him more....I wish
we all could have.
Posted by Jen @ 10/22/2002 10:55 AM PST
Where are all the posters? A clue. A clue. A CLUE!
Oh. Bless me...
Posted by Agatha Christie @ 10/22/2002 10:57 AM PST
Whew! Thanks, William...for the clarification.
I enjoy the fact that "she" sang it and it's on a CD I own...but it's purely novelty for me.
Craig: "The Main Event" is that live recording you refer to and it is quite the production. But I love Warlow's solos, too. His "I Won't Send Roses" is superb. His "Anyone Can Whistle" is sublime. And his "Losing My mind" -- WOW!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/22/2002 10:58 AM PST
And don't get me started on Warlow's "Johanna"!!!!
I'd love to hear him sing "Not While I'm Around"!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/22/2002 11:17 AM PST
I love his "Easy to Love" "On The Boards", "Soliloquy", etc..
Posted by Craig @ 10/22/2002 11:38 AM PST
Help... This can't wait until Ask BK Day!
Footlight Records is now offering "Everything The Traffic Will Allow" - a Merman collection by Klea Bkackhurst on the Lunch Money label. Is this the recording produced by BK or is this a poorly produced ripoff of the same material. After foolishly buying the Donna Machnie (or however she spells it) thinking it was Bruce's recording and then finding a poorly produced recording of what could have been a great CD I don't want to take the chance with Klea.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/22/2002 01:53 PM PST
As far as I know (I've dropped Klea a line, but haven't heard back yet) it should be my production of the CD. I believe she was going to buy back the masters from you-know-who, and my guess is she created a one-off label to sell the CD. However, just to be certain, call Footlight and ask them if it has my name as producer - it has to be on the back of the package.
Posted by bk @ 10/22/2002 02:40 PM PST
I hope Francois gets to read all this Warlow posting! OK Ron. I will send more!
He is even better singing "While You Are Around" ie LIVE. He did Phantom and Man Of La Mancha here and has done Henry Higgins too. He came to the general public's notice as Enjelrais (SP) in Les Mis. His background was with opera and G & S.
I did not get to see Ms Cook's Sondheim show (I find it a bit disappointing on CD) but saw her "Better With A Band" concert here a few years back. Brilliant and an hour of it was shown on local TV. The tape of which is of course a treasured possession.
Today's topic. I did not meet my Grandmother (mother of my birth mother) until I was 50 and she was in her eightees. She was wonderful and I wish I had known her earlier as we were friends for the last few years of my life. Her husband died some years ealier (I would have been about 40) and I did not know of him. He was a much loved man by his family and I would have loved to have met him too. I think my own adoptive Dad would have really had much in common with him.
Thnkas William. I must check out the net for my daily comics.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/22/2002 02:51 PM PST
BK: I'll be going there in the next few days and I'll check myself. Sometimes their phone people are great (helpful and friendly) but other times I have reached the Customer Service Clerks from hell. Same with their in store staff.
Tom: Check www.uclick.com . They have about 100 comics which you can read on-line. For only $9.95 a year they will e-mail you all the strips you want from theior list daily the same day they are published.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/22/2002 03:23 PM PST
Make that "Thanks William".
I just received word that someone had inadvertently sent me a virus "Teddy Bear". I have tried to let people on my mailing list know. It is easy to delete but is not detected by the usual antvirus programs.. Please check your email for procedure. Now I will have a dose of guilt to carry around. Sorry everyone. Please email me if you don't get the instructions. Think may need to email Jose.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/22/2002 03:26 PM PST
Re: The teddy bear virus
This is a hoax! Not a virus. This happened to me earlier this year and Iwent through the same. It is not a virus. Please tell your friends!! I was told by several people after I emailed them.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/22/2002 03:57 PM PST
Thanks Michael. Back on to my emails again.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/22/2002 04:14 PM PST
As for looking up someone from past, that's where I keep them. I look at the now and the future.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/22/2002 04:22 PM PST
I wonder if Mr. Kimmel realizes that if you rearrange the letters in today's subject heading, you get
"GERSHWIN A THEATER PUTTER"
Posted by Craig @ 10/22/2002 05:08 PM PST
Craig:
You have much, too much time on your hands! :-)
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/22/2002 06:33 PM PST
Michael: Craig was just trying to publicize my Gershwin revue opening November 15 at the Astoria Performing Arts Center in Queens. Thanks for the plug.
I managed to get a last minute ticket to Shall We Dance at City Center last night. While everyone else may have been at the Sondheim shindig, Karen Ziemba and Sandy Duncan were singing their hearts out on 55th Street. And the dancing was pretty darn good, too.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 10/22/2002 07:16 PM PST
For the virus hoaxes, check them out at urbanlegends.about.com.
Posted by Kerry @ 10/22/2002 07:27 PM PST
I'll tell about who I'd like to see again a bit later.
Posted by Kerry @ 10/22/2002 07:27 PM PST
I'm surprised that the City Center Shall We Dance was scheduled for the same night as the Sondheim. They both appealed to the same audience and although the Sondheim sold out I think the City Center would have too if it were on a different night.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/22/2002 08:24 PM PST
City Center was TOTALLY sold out except for a few very upper Gallery seats. And they had no cancellations!
Posted by Robert Armin @ 10/22/2002 08:34 PM PST
If I could look up one person from my past, it would be a guy who was in my boot camp company -- the one person who made the 12 weeks there bearable -- who, at dawn, would "see the planes" taking off from the Orlando airport and think exactly the same thoughts as I would. Who would talk theater with me no matter what opportunity arose. Who perceived the same absurdities, held the same contempts, and laughed at the same antics I found funny. We would communicate via letters over the next two years up to, and including, an invitation to (1) his wedding, and (2) skiing in Aspen after Christmas where his family had rented a chalet.
I lost touch with him when I was sent to Italy for a tour of duty in 1973, and I've occasionally wondered how his life turned out. I even tried tracking him down, calling his family home and leaving a message, but never getting a reply.
If he is still alive, I wonder how the heck Mark Steven Johnston of Longview, Texas, is doing!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/22/2002 09:18 PM PST
After much thought, the people from my past who I no longer see but would like to are no longer wiht us. So, I guess my choices don't exactly qualify.
There are a few people who I lost track of. With a few people I'd like to find out what happened to them, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'd like to see them.
Posted by Kerry @ 10/22/2002 10:24 PM PST
HELP ME!! I found a HUGE roach in my apartment and it is crawling around somewhere and now I can't find it to kill it and I'm scared to go to bed because I don't want it crawling on me while I sleep so I'm staying up foras long as I can or until I can kill it cause I am ridiculously scared of bugs and no one is awake to help me!! AAARRGGHH!!!
Posted by Jason @ 10/23/2002 12:39 AM PST
I'm glad to hear the City Center benefit sold so well. Since I had seen so many ads and so much publicity for it (as opposed to only one ad for the Sondheim) I had assumed they were having trouble selling it.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/23/2002 05:59 AM PST
