haines his way

10/28/2002:
"ONE TINY LITTLE BAG"

Well, dear readers, I had a very relaxing weekend and feel refreshed. I’m sure that within an hour I shall feel tired and not refreshed, but for now I am enjoying it immensely. I actually got some writing done yesterday so that was good. I never got around to actually watching any movies all the way through – I was just too too lazy and couldn’t focus. By the way (BTW, in Internet lingo), if you missed any of the weekend merriment here at haineshisway.com, do use the Unseemly Archive Button and catch up. We had lots of answers to excellent questions on Saturday, and lots of excellent posts on both days. There were many interesting and revealing facts and you don’t want to be out of the loop, do you?
Also, if you haven’t checked out our new interview with Buddy Bregman, do so immediately. Everyone who’s read it has loved it. If you’ve forgotten how to get to the interviews, simply look over there on the left at the three menu items. The bottom one (the handy-dandy link to new sections, with the Nudie Musical logo) is the one to click on. You will then be whisked away to a magical land where you will be offered several menu items – including the interview section. Simple as pie (eip, spelled backwards).
Yesterday, I went to my market of choice, Gelson’s, and bought bags and bags of candy for Halloween. I so wanted to rip open each and every bag and eat all of the contents, but I refrained from doing so. Do you know how many carbs are in one little tiny fershluganah package of anything that resembles candy? 26 to 36 carbs, that’s how many. Where is the fairness in that? So, I ate onion dip in sour cream with vegetables instead. Sour cream you can eat – a whole fershluganah carton of it if you want (1 carb per serving), you can eat ribs, you can eat salad with real dressing, and a pound of cheese, all in one day, but you cannot eat one little tiny bag of anything called candy. Blechhh, I say and say with no timidity.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below, because there are other things to talk about and I don’t wish to discuss any of them in this section.

I actually have nothing to talk about in this section, but if I’d said that no one would have clicked on the Unseemly Button, and then where would we have been? Nowheresville, that’s where.
I will be going back to New York, New York within the next month, to have final meetings with the directorial candidates for Nudie Musical. I am trying to keep an open mind, but I must say I am leaning towards one of them rather strongly, and that strength grows daily. But I do want to sit with each, play them the new songs, talk them through where I am with the adaptation, and then hear their thoughts. I will, of course, keep you posted.
All I want is one tiny fershluganah bag of candy. Damn them, damn them all to hell. However, I will tell you now that we are going to have a brilliant Halloween bash right here at haineshisway.com. We will all dress in costumes and I will award a sparkling prize for the best one. We will all describe our costumes in detail so that I can judge. We will party until the cows come home, and we will tell scary stories to chill the very marrow of our bones. I, for one, like to have the marrow of my bones chilled. Sometimes I like to have the marrow of my bones steamed, too. Whatever – we shall tell scary stories to raise goosebumps on our flesh whilst chilling the marrow of our collective bones. It will be scary here, dear readers, I give you fair warning. On Halloween, enter at your own risk.
One little bag, that’s all I want. I shall be strong, dear readers, but it isn’t easy.
Well, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must get in my automobile and drive to Woodland Hills where I will work, work, work (that is three works which to me means overworked) and then I shall come home and eat the foods allowed me by Eileen and Chet Atkins. And I shall bellow at the moon, “All I want is one little bag of candy, is that so much?” Today’s topic of discussion: Do we want to have a regularly scheduled once-a-week live chat? I would pick the evening, and we’d start at seven, at time which I would hope might work for all coasts. Let me know your thoughts, and which day of the week and which time would be optimal. We gave it a test run last night and it seemed to work just fine. Second topic of discussion: What are your favorite Bock and Harnick songs? I’ll start: Now I Have Everything (I love that song), all of She Loves Me, but especially Sounds While Selling, the title song, Tonight at Eight and Dear Friend, Where Do I Go From Here? cut from Fiorello, the entire Passionella score from The Apple Tree, Little Tin Box and on and on. Your turn.

Replies: 29 Unseemly Comments

BK - Little Tin Box from "Fiorello" was B&H???
Anyway, my faves include Act I from "The Apple Tree" (I'm biased on this one - played Adam years ago).
Posted by Phil @ 10/28/2002 07:59 AM PST

And finally - the first to post!
Posted by Phil @ 10/28/2002 07:59 AM PST

Yes, Little Tin Box from Fiorello is Bock and Harnick. Many wonderful songs in that score.
Posted by bk @ 10/28/2002 08:25 AM PST

Off to a meeting and will post my extended list later.. but offhand..
She Loves Me - every darn song
and Penny by Penny from A Christmas Carol...which I believe only lives on a recording that BK produced..
Posted by Craig @ 10/28/2002 08:27 AM PST

Yes, I would love an interactive chat at HHW. I don't know if I could be there every week, but it would be fun to try it.
Bock and Harnick:
Like Phil, I also did Act I of The Apple Tree. It was in college for a student director in a one-act class. I love that score.
All of She Loves Me, but especially Tonight at Eight.
Even with the problems in The Rothschilds, there are some wonderful things in the score. I love In My Own Lifetime and Rothschilds and Sons.
One of my favorite songs, and if the conditions are right it can make me cry is, Far From the Home I Love, from Fiddler.
Posted by Ben @ 10/28/2002 08:34 AM PST

From Fiddler, the Little Bird, Little Chavala segment always get to me and I start crying. This is not on the OBC or the OLC but is on another recording I have, either the Hershel Bernardi one or another studio recording that I own (on LP). Also, I agree with Ben that Far From the Home I Love is also tear-inducing. Other favorites from Fiddler include Tradition and Sunrise, Sunset, the former being what I consider one of the best opening numbers of any Broadway musical. I rarely disagree with Bruce, but Now I Have Everything is the most "Broadway" sounding song in the show and not keeping with "middle-European" sound of the rest of the score.
Other B&H favorites include:
Will He Like Me from She Loves Me as well as the rest of the score
In My Own Lifetime from Rothchilds
Artificial Flowers from Tenderloin
When Did I Fall in Love from Fiorello
What Makes Me Love Him and Oh, To Be a Movie Star from Apple Tree
They were one of Broadway's best teams and it's a shame they broke up since they could have written many great musicals since Rothchilds.
Posted by steveg @ 10/28/2002 09:37 AM PST

LIVE CHAT: Never done it. Sounds like fun. Best time for me would be at 7 p.m. Pacific time in the second week of the month. How's that for specifics!
BOCK AND HARNICK FAVS:
1. I love the entire score of TENDERLOIN (even though they had a lot of problems with the show). To me, each and every song just sparkles.
2. From FIORELLO, I like "On the Side of the Angels," "Politics and Poker," "Little Tin Box," "I Love a Cop," "When Did I Fall in Love," and "The Very Next Man." That's just about every song!
3. From FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, I agree with SteveG, "Tradition" is one of the best opening numbers.
A NOTE ABOUT JERRY BOCK: I love how he portrays the authentic sounds of the period. The opening strains of "Tradition" immediately capture a native place in my soul (and I'm not even Jewish!). The honky-tonk feel of "Little Old New York" draws me instantly into place and time.
THEIR BREAKUP: I think it was in the book, "The Making of Fiddler on the Roof," that I read about Bock and Harnick's falling out. It had to do with a director of The Rothchilds--one wanted him to stay and the other didn't. The real losers, of course, are the audiences. Just think what more they could have done for our pleasure! God watch over all our songwriting teams!
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 10/28/2002 10:20 AM PST

She Loves Me and Fiddler are just about perfect. I also love a song they wrote for a Bil Baird show called "Different Worlds."
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 10/28/2002 11:03 AM PST

Philip - They wrote wonderful songs for Bil Baird's Pinocchio. I had the great albeit sad in retrospect pleasure of being Bil's last "big" public interview for television. Back when I was a twig of a lad I did an hour long program about Bil filled with a lengthy interview as well as a tour of his workshop. His son, Peter, who carries on his father's tradition was also there and both were as nice as nice can be. A few months after Bil's passing, Peter called me up and requested that a copy of the video be sent to a museum in Bil's hometown. Quite an honor for me back then (and still). A few years ago I was told that they still show the interview on occasion as it is in their "archives"
It was nice to read your post and be reminded of such a fond memory.
Posted by Craig @ 10/28/2002 11:14 AM PST

Bock & Harnick: I have to go with the other She Loves Me fans. What a great show, what a great score. I just think it's too bad that the version that get's officially licensed is the Roundabout revival, which I do like, but I do miss "Tango Tragique".
And "When Did I Fall In Love" has always been near and dear to my heart. The dissonance/resolution pattern in the accompaniment is the perfect undercurrent for the lyric.
As for a chat, sure I'd love to have one. Could be lots of fun. What am I saying - WILL be lots of fun. I'll try to join in whenever I can, but once I get underway wih rehearsals, we'll see...
And, bk, as for the "bag of candy" - Do you really want a WHOLE bag? -Well, stupid question, I know I would. However, check the serving size, and see how many of the little packages inside the bag make a serving. Suppose it takes 5 minis to make a serving. Just have one. Unwrap it slowly. Savor it. I'm not trying to lead you astray, but if you REALLY want just a taste, then I'd say go for it. -Now if you know yourself enough that you would not just stop at one, then that's a different story. OR you could go to the diabetic section of your pharmacy or grocer and pick up some of those sugar-free chocolate bars that cost about three to four times as much as a regular candy bar. At least the cost acts as a deterrent. Oh, and as I found out a few weeks ago, there are quite a few companies that make quite good sugar-free chocolates that you can find in candy stores. Again, can get a bit pricey - if you buy LOTS - but I did find a macadamia nut-caramel chocolate covered cluster at my local shop, and it was sooo good... And, after repeatedly being assured by the manager, it was sugar-free. *And you can have some of the sugar substitute candies after your induction phase... even Atkins has their own line of chocolate bars.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/28/2002 11:26 AM PST

Include me in the group of "She Loves Me" lovers. Truly a delight. I love all the Bock & Harnick scores, but that one is just a sparkling jewel.
I think "Politics and Poker" is one of the great musical scenes...in its way, it's right up there with the Bench Scene in Carousel. The first time I heard them sing about "Some qualified Republican who's willing to lose" I had to remind myself (after I finished laughing)that they were NOT singing about Chicago!
Count me in for the live chat....I'd suggest Monday, since that's "dark night."
Posted by Pam @ 10/28/2002 11:40 AM PST

What a complete treasure is "She Loves Me". Also I am very fond of "When Did I Fall In Love". The first B & H song of which I was aware was "Artificial Flowers" when Bobby Darin sang it on the the charts. I still love his version.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/28/2002 12:30 PM PST

BK already mentioned my favorite Bock and Harnick song: "Where Do I Go From Here", a song cut from FIORELLO. Actually the song was all wrong for its spot in the show and deserved to be cut, but it's a shame they couldn't use it elsewhere. It's been recorded at least twice that I know of (by BK on one of the "Lost In Boston" CDs and by Ben Bagley on "Contemporary Broadway Revisited") and was included in the Vocal Selections from FIORELLO.
I also like some of the work they did apart. You won't find any better revue songs than Harnick's "Boston Beguine" from NEW FACES OF 1952 or "Merry Minuette" from JOHN MURRAY ANDERSON'S ALMANAC and a big hit for the Kingston Trio. Bock's songs for MR. WONDERFUL are also quite good, especially the title song and "Too Close For Comfort".
By the way, Sheldon Harnick has a brother Jay who has been directing musicals for almost 50 years. He was the first director I ever worked with in summer stock.
Regarding the chats, if we are going to do this I would appreciate if someone would post how to get an AOL screenname without subscribing to AOL and any other information needed to use this to participate.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/28/2002 12:42 PM PST

"Different Worlds" is from their score to Bill Baird's Man in the Moon which was available on Golden Records. They also wrote the score for a production of The Canterville Ghost for the same ABC series that featured Evening Primrose, Olympus 7-0000 and On the Flip Side.
Jerry Bock's decision to terminate the partnership was perhaps the greatest loss to the American theatre since the death of George Gershwin. Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to catch many of Sheldon Harnick's shows over the years including A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, neither of which have made it to New York.
I interviewed Sheldon for a radio tribute a few years ago and he was (and is) one of the great gentlemen of the theatre.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 10/28/2002 12:51 PM PST

When Bock and Harnick appeared together at an Encores! post-show discussion recently they seemed to be on the best of terms. Maybe there is hope yet that there is more to come.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/28/2002 01:25 PM PST

I am partial to two songs from The Rothschilds:
In My Own Lifetime &
Just a Map
Both of them have a lot to say and are still very revelant.
Politics and Poker from Fiorello! is also an amusing song.
Fiddler on the Roof has a great scorem but I am partial to Far From the Home I Love.
They also wrote an original title song for a revue that played the 1964 New York World's Fair called To Broadway With Love
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/28/2002 01:46 PM PST

I participated in the trial run of the live chat room last night with Bruce, Susan Gordon and Tony and had a ball.
We had a great time chatting. We put on our pointy hats. Brought out ham and cheese chunks. (all on the Chet and Eillen Atkins diet) In between postings we danced the Hora. and threw darts at the Fysnworth Alley logo.
You don't have to subscribe to AOL to use AOL's Instant Messanger. I use it and haven't been using AOL for several years now. I use a local ISP. So if that is a concern it should no longer be!!
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/28/2002 01:51 PM PST

"I've Got What You Want" from THE APPLE TREE (most anything from THE APPLE TREE actually) and "Reform" and "Picture of Happiness" from TENDERLOIN
Posted by Ross Care @ 10/28/2002 01:53 PM PST

I saw that show, To Broadway With Love, at the NY World's Fair back in 1964 and even have the LP cast album. I haven't listened to it in decades. I didn't remember that B&H had written the title song. I remember it as a big spectacular review and I think Sheila Smith was one of the leads. They had multiple casts since they put it on several times each day. I don't think it was too successful and seem to recollect that it wasn't brought back for the second season of the World's Fair the following year.
Posted by steveg @ 10/28/2002 02:28 PM PST

I just had a lovely thing happen at work, which I'll tell you about in tomorrow's notes. Amazing, really.
Loving the Bock and Harnick choices. Now, let's get some serious posting going on, and some thoughts on the once-a-week live chat.
Posted by bk @ 10/28/2002 03:15 PM PST

To Michael Shayne:
You say you don't have to have AOL but you give no info on how non-AOL people can do this. Please either e-mail me with these instructions or post them here so everyone can take advantage of this.
Thanks.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/28/2002 03:32 PM PST

Click on my name which will take you to the AOL home page. On the right side there is a box for the free aol instant messanger. Click on it and download the program. Then follow the instruction.
Posted by michael Shayne @ 10/28/2002 04:06 PM PST

Never fear - if we instigate the haineshisway weekly live chat, we will have unseemly complete and easy-to-follow instructions
Posted by bk @ 10/28/2002 04:10 PM PST

Weekly live chat sounds absolutely fabulous! Just about any night Sunday through Thursday would be equally OK with my schedule (most weeks, at least).
As for B&H, it's almost harder to think of things I don't like. The Chavaleh number from Fiddler just slays me. Also from Fiddler, I find Do You Love Me? quite charming. I agree with the masses that most all of She Loves Me is purely delightful, particularly for me Sounds While Selling, Tonight at Eight, Try Me, and Ice Cream. Also quite enjoy Act I of The Apple Tree. Still not familiar with Fiorello...suppose I must remedy that.
Posted by Jed @ 10/28/2002 05:44 PM PST

Ah, "Fiorello"!
Jed, I was a freshman in college (1966!!!) when I first heard the score. It was in the college library and I sat at one of the turntable stations, complete with headphones, and listened to the complete album, getting goosebumps all throughout the score. When "When Did I Fall in Love" played, I had tears streaming down my face (I thought Ellen Hanley would work forever...and never found her in any other original cast). "Gentleman Jimmy" and "Little Tin Box" lifted my spirits, and then I got hit with the double whammy of "The Very Next Man" and "Finale" -- tearsville, again!
It's a very NEW YORK musical, but it still should have received a film treatment! It's tons better than many musicals that made it to film.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/28/2002 06:11 PM PST

Hey everyone -
If you would like to check out a video clip of our very own Kerry Butler singing at Seth's Broadway Chatterbox, click on the link above and head to the Latest News section.
-Craig
Posted by kerrybutler.net @ 10/28/2002 06:26 PM PST

Oh.. but you must POST POST POST (That's 3 posts) on here first if you haven't - to just go to the video clip and NOT post would be unseemly...and, well... frankly (and even shirley) we don't like unseemliness
Posted by Craig @ 10/28/2002 06:49 PM PST

First, YES! I wanna chat! I wanna chat weekly! I wanna chat with everyone, not just BK, Michael and Susan - although it was a wonderful way to spend the evening! We must all collect our thoughts and chat and post and post and chat.
As for Bock and Harnick, I find them so vastly UNDER-rated, but I wouldn't want to single out one song over another from their lovely shows; rather, I will say that Yes, Bobby Darin's "Artificial Flowers" is faboo!
Score wise, my faves are:
TENDERLOIN
FIORELLO
SHE LOVES ME
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
THE ROTHSCHILDS
THE APPLE TREE
Posted by td @ 10/28/2002 07:26 PM PST

I know it's late, but....
Yes to the live chat.
Favorite Bock and Harnick:
Almost all of TENDERLOIN
Almost all of SHE LOVES ME
Posted by Kerry @ 10/29/2002 06:53 AM PST

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