haines his way

11/07/2002:
"THE DULY NOTED NOTES"

Well, dear readers, we are up and running and all is well with the world. Thank you all for being patient and understanding about our little hiccup here at haineshisway.com. Yes, Virginia, we had a little hiccup here at haineshisway.com but we are fine and dandy and also dandy and fine now. We are happening, we are once again the hippest most happening place on all the Internet. We are cool, man, cool, and we are the ginchiest. We are boss, rad, the bomb, the oats, the fern, the gouda, the strawberry short cake, the beef jerky – this is the place to be although for twelve hours this wasn’t the place to be since this wasn’t a place. Well, there’s no place like home, and now we have our home, our little corner of the sky – oh, a Stephen Schwartz reference. What the hell am I talking about?
Now, as you know, yesterday was Ask BK Day, and yet it wasn’t, because of our little hiccup. So, today is Ask BK Day even though yesterday was Ask BK Day. Certain people did ask a handful of questions, which have been duly noted, oh, yes, they have been duly noted. Therefore, please ask your excellent questions today and I shall duly note them, and then I shall answer your excellent questions which, by the way (BTW, in Internet lingo) have been duly noted, on Saturday.
Last night I watched a documentary about the making of the motion picture entitled The Misfits, which was written by Arthur Miller, and which starred Mr. Clark Gable, Mr. Montgomery Clift, Mr. Eli Wallach and, of course, Miss Marilyn Monroe. There are some wonderful bits in it and some lovely behind-the-scenes stills and footage. And unlike the MGM/UA DVD of the film, this documentary has the film scenes enhanced for widescreen tvs and they look gorgeous. The film was a muddled mess, and this documentary shows why.
I then started watching a motion picture I have never seen, Mr. William Wyler’s The Good Fairy. So far it is very enjoyable if not exactly brilliant. It is very whimsical, and Mr. Wyler’s strong suit is not exactly whimsy. The screenplay (from a Molnar play) is by the brilliant Preston Sturges, who does do whimsy very well. And the cast is wonderful – Margaret Sullavan, Frank Morgan, Herbert Marshall – I’ll report more after I’ve finished it.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Let’s just all click on the Unseemly Button because I’m quite certain there will be fascinating things in the next section.

Well, you see, I have jumped the gun – I see no fascinating things in this here section, but then again, the day is young even if I am not. There well may be fascinating things in this here section, then again there may not be, depending on which way the wind is blowing. For example, the wind is now blowing to the left – that bodes well for fascinating things in this here section. However, should the wind suddenly start blowing to the right, well, then, I will have jumped the gun. And just why am I jumping a fershluganah gun? Isn’t that dangerous? Couldn’t the fershluganah gun go off? Then where would I be? Well, it would depend on which way the fershluganah gun was facing, I suppose. Do you know what I have just discovered? I have just discovered that I don’t have a clue as to what in tarnation I am going on about. I have no idea what this entire paragraph is about. Perhaps I jumped the gun by saying there might be fascinating things in this here section, and I have duly noted this in my duly notebook.
My goodness, that was a weird paragraph. That paragraph was weird, there are no one or two ways about it, although there might be three ways about it. Has anyone noticed that I may have just jumped the gun about the fascinating things which I have duly noted?
Well, I would not be me if I didn’t write what I’m about to write. Take it for whatever it is worth. There are times, dear readers, when I do not understand the world I live in. There are times, dear readers, when I do not understand the human race. I just get baffled, frankly. Yesterday was one of those days. I am done trying to puzzle it out, but I just have to sit and scratch my head sometimes. There, I’ve said it and I’m glad. I have scratched my head and I have duly noted said scratching.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must get in my clean automobile and drive to Woodland Hills where I shall sit in a room without windows all the live-long day. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too? Today’s topic of discussion: Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask all your excellent questions that you should have asked yesterday but didn’t because of the hiccup we had here at haineshisway.com, which I have duly noted. Ask away, my pretties.

Replies: 45 Unseemly Comments

Though I will of course defer to BK himself regarding yesterday's question about "Gold", having just done a show with Brooks Ashmanskas (who of course did "Wise Guys" when it was still "Wise Guys"), I can tell you something about the upcoming production. But I'll wait until BK has his shot.
Today's Question: (bolded so that I stop getting left out in the rain)--when are you going to give us details about this alleged tv show you're slaving away at? Inquiring Hainsies want to know! :)
Posted by JMK @ 11/07/2002 07:28 AM PST

Question - Has the song NEW WORDS that was on Unsung I been published?
Posted by Jrand55 @ 11/07/2002 07:49 AM PST

Dear BK,
What is the last song (or current one as the case may be) that kept going through your head? What is the worst song to keep going through your head (one that nearly made you crazy)?
Currently (and for about a week now), I have had "Try Me" from "She Loves Me" dancing through my brain. I like it a lot, but I'm definitely ready for it to go away.
A few months ago, it was "Dancing Dildoes." For awhile it was "It's A Fine Life" from "Oliver!" (mainly just the lines about diseased rats threatening to bring the plague in). The WORST I ever had (both as far as length of time the song plagued me and with a song I didn't like at all) was many years ago when Donna Fargo's "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA" bombarded me for about 4 months.
Even though this is a BK question, if anyone else can tell of their crazy songs, I'd appreciate it. Would that break the rules?
Also, does anybody have a cure for this?
Posted by Kerry @ 11/07/2002 08:04 AM PST

Ask BK:I believe you once mentioned that Maltby and Shire were one of the teams to write songs on spec for Ragtime. Who were the others, have you heard any of the songs, and would you consider producing an "Unsung Ragtime" album when you begin to produce albums again?
Posted by Kenneth Loging @ 11/07/2002 08:13 AM PST

New Words - The song used to be published by Hal Leonard in a single sheet format complete with a nice cover based on whatever the show was being called at the time (History Loves Company, 1,2,3,4,5...). However, the single sheet is now out of print and you can get it in two books. There is a Maury Yeston collection that was released a few years ago. Quite a nice book, and it even contains some selections from the "December Songs" cycle. There is also a collection of songs called "New Words" - I think - based on the Andrea Marcovicci album of the same title. Plus, it's in her key - lower. The "original" is in G, and I think hers is in E. *Some stores with low turnover, may still have a copy of the single sheet floating in their bins.
*Can you tell I used to be a manager for a sheet music store?
-And I'm sorry, bk, if that question was meant for you, but I figured you wouldn't mind me chiming in on this topic.
As for crazy songs going through my head, I have been "blessed" by not having that problem when I do a show. Well, that's not exactly true. Usually, when I start a show, I start getting songs from past shows going through my head and not the current one I'm working on. Plus, it's usually just one line, or the hook that sticks with me. To cure it, I usually just sing along out loud with what's in my head, and it goes away. Almost as if the song has been wanting to "escape". ;-)
As for questions for Ask BK Day:
-Is there a particular song(s) from today's batch of songwriters that you would love to hear sung by the voice of one of the stars of "yesteryear" (Merman, Garland, etc.)? Or more generically, is there a particular singer from the past who you think would do well interpreting songs from a present day composer?
-If you weren't living in the United States, in which country would youu like to be living?
...And I'll probably come up with one more - if I may - after I get back from rehearsal tonight.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 11/07/2002 08:28 AM PST

Thanks, Jose. I will be directing SOUTH PACIFIC in June and look forward to any problems/solutions that you come up with. "New Words" is a lovely song and I like to "sign" it a various shows - it always gets a great positive reaction and someone always wants to know where it can be found for "singing."
Posted by Jrand55 @ 11/07/2002 09:07 AM PST

BK: Was that "room without windows" meant to be a What Makes Sammy Run? reference? If so, does your room have any doors? Any houze detectives?
Kerry: Actually, a few days ago I couldn't get "A Room Without Windows" out of my head. Right now, it's "Snow Globe" that keep replaying in this brain of mine. And if nobody knows what show it is from, that's not surprising, and I will not tell you, oh no, I will not tell you, at least not for a few more months.
Jason: And speaking of New York, did you know that diseased rats threaten to bring the plague in? It's a fine life!
Posted by William F. Orr @ 11/07/2002 09:18 AM PST

Here is my question for ASK BK DAY: Is there any new news on the stage version of FIRST NUDIE? (like when, or where it will be presented). I also want to know if it is having an out of town tryout in my city!
Btw, there's snow on the ground. And I hate snow!
Posted by Jennifer @ 11/07/2002 09:34 AM PST

BK: Well now, I was just listening to Lea DeLaria's album "Play It Cool" (and enjoying it a lot) which arrived this morning from amazon.com, and on the last cut, "Straight to the Top", she ends it with "Enjoy the fish". Does that mean that Lea is a Hainsey/Kimlet?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 11/07/2002 09:38 AM PST

For ask BK day: As you know, sometimes a really bad show can be more entertaining than a good show. What are some of the best bad shows (plays or movies) that you have seen.
Regarding GOLD/WISE GUYS, a report in today's New York Newsday claims that Richard Kind, Faith Prince and Howard McGillin have been offered the leads in the Chicago production.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 11/07/2002 09:59 AM PST

Well, as I take time from proofreading pages I thought I would pop in and say hello. I don't have a question right now, just random thoughts. I did see Hollywood Arms last night at the Court Theatre on 48th St. Unfortunately the show is not doing well. Much of the house was paper, including the tickets I got from Equity. Although the play has problems, I think it's a show with good performances and a weak script. It's also a show with an honorary Hainsie/Kimmlet, Michele Pawk. She has worked with BK on a number of occasions, the York Theatre Merrily, Lost in Boston III, Broadway Bound, and others. She is quite good in this show, stepping out of musical theatre (though she does strum the Ukulele in the show) and giving a very strong performance in a dramedy. They seem to have closed the balcony of the Court Theatre so you can't get the $20 tickets but it's on half-price and there are $30 mezzanine tickets if you're in NY and you're interested in seeing the show.
Posted by Ben @ 11/07/2002 10:44 AM PST

Tut, tut, people--Ask BK questions are for BK. Don't make us come out there!
Posted by Ask BK Police @ 11/07/2002 10:52 AM PST

We seem to be in the midst of a Jerry Herman renaissance, with talk of revivals of HELLO DOLLY, MAME, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES coming to Broadway. My question for Ask BK Day is whom would you cast in the lead roles of these three shows. (And please, this is a game of Best Cast Scenario. If you want to toss these shows out here next week for three rousing rounds of Worst Cast Scenario, that's your prerogative. This is, after all, YOUR website! And a mighty fine one it is, I might add.)
Posted by Jay @ 11/07/2002 11:24 AM PST

Before anyone beats me to punch on this, I may as well do it. Worst Cast Scenario for the title role of HELLO DOLLY? Why, Carol Channing, of course!
Posted by Jay @ 11/07/2002 11:27 AM PST

William F. Orr: Yes...I know about the diseased rats. The two who have been hospitalized brought the disease from their home in New Mexico. They did not catch it here in NYC and according to the doctors they are not contagious. I dunno though...it IS the Bubonic Plague...that's enough to scare me!!
Posted by Jason @ 11/07/2002 11:58 AM PST

Thanks Kerry. Shine On Me Sunshine, Walk With Me World. I don't think I will be mistaken for Donna Fargo but now I have a certain tune that won't leave my head. I am off to a funeral today and I do think Happiest Girl is somewhat inappropriate - particularly as I am reading the eulogy.
Thanks for the comments on "Gold". I await BK's answer on news of his close personal friend SS show.
Back to Kerry. I once could not get rid of the Bellamy Brothers' song "If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me."
I Love the titles of C & W songs. We had a pop song here once "If You Leave Me Can I Come Too"
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 11/07/2002 12:47 PM PST

Dear Reader Kerry:
I suppose this is a cliche, but the mere mention of "It's A Small World, After All" ensures that it will play over and over and over (that's three overs) in my mind for days. Aaaarrgghhh! There it goes now!
And there's no cure, either!
Posted by Jay @ 11/07/2002 01:02 PM PST

The song I have had running through my head the last couple of days is that one from Animaniacs that Yakko sings about all the countries in the world. Does anyone know the one I'm talking about? I think it's called Yakko's World. It is driving me crazy!
Posted by Sandra @ 11/07/2002 01:24 PM PST

I finally got the Carry On DVD set.
What are your favorite Carry On films from the set?
Who are your favorite regulars from the film?
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/07/2002 03:47 PM PST

A couple of more questions would be jiggy - or rather, I would be jiggy with a couple of more questions. I might even be wiggy. And then hold a ciggy. And eat some carbs and be a piggy. No biggie.
What is going on in the innermost parts of the deepest compartments of your brain? In the innermost parts of the deepest compartments of my brain, I am currently thinking of eating seventy-five Almond Joy mini-bars. But, do not worry, I shan't do it - I shall be strong and instead I shall eat five almonds and a cheese slice.
Posted by bk @ 11/07/2002 03:49 PM PST

Oh, yes! Thanks, Kerry!
"It's a Fine Life" is one that used to run through my head...but it was always, "If you don't mind having to deal with Fagin, it's fine life."
NOW the power of suggestion has dictated that be changed to the diseased rats/plague lyrics. Yoiks!
Every once and again, I get on an "Oom Pah Pah" kick...and the "Oom Pah Pahs" just start going through my head, higher and higher until I want to explode.k
Question for BK: What's wrong with sitting all alone in your room. Why must we go hear the music play?
Tom from/of/in Oz: Warlow's "Moon River" is the single BEST version of that song EVER! Heaven, I'm in heaven....
(And I love the juxtaposition of Moonlight Sonata leading in and out of the song).
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/07/2002 03:52 PM PST

I guess it really is official. :-(
Show Music is no more. I finally got my letter. I am really going to muss it. I have every issue and going to miss it. Here's hoping someone else will be able to take it over.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/07/2002 03:54 PM PST

Jeez. I go out of town for one day, come back and check up on the archives and see that I missed all the excitement of the site being down yesterday. Can I just take a moment and say how glad I am this site has easy-to-use archives and it allows me to never miss anything. Thank you for that moment; now onto my question.
Prior to my reading this site, I had never heard of the expression "like so much fish" and I was wondering if (A) I've just never heard of it before (B) it is original to BK (C) a theatre reference (D) other. I must admit that it has somehow entered my vocabulary and when I said it at rehearsal a few weeks ago, the cast just looked at me oddly and laughed. Don't worry - I gave you full credit.
Oh, and why was I out of town yesterday? To see PAL JOEY at the Prince in Philly.
Posted by Mark @ 11/07/2002 04:12 PM PST

Dang it, Sandra, now you've
got me going!
United States, Canada,
Mexico, Panama, Haiti,
Jamaica, Peru, Republic
Dominican, Cuba, Caribbean,
Greenland, El Salvador, too...
Had a week a couple months
ago where I simply couldn't get
"Lesbian, Butch, Dyke" out of
my head. Also "She Likes
Basketball."
Posted by Jed @ 11/07/2002 04:41 PM PST

Alright, BK, a question...
We all know of your affinity for
Diet Coke, but are there any
other soft drinks that you
occasionally care to partake
of?
Posted by Jed @ 11/07/2002 04:44 PM PST

Puerto Rico, Columbia, Venezuela, Honduras, Guyana, and still, Guatemala, Bolivia, then Argentina, and Ecuador, Chile, Brazil...
Posted by Sandra @ 11/07/2002 04:46 PM PST

Costa Rica, Brazil, Nicaragua,
Bermuda, Bahamas, Tobago,
San Juan,
Paraguay, Uruguay, Suriname,
and French Guyana,
Barbados, and Guam
Posted by Jed @ 11/07/2002 05:27 PM PST

GESUNDHEIT!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/07/2002 05:31 PM PST

Norway and Sweden and Iceland and Finland and Germany now one peice. Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Turkey, and Greece.
Let's just see how far we can go with this.
Posted by Sandra @ 11/07/2002 05:33 PM PST

Sorry, Sandra... I'm back now!
Poland, Romania, Scotland,
Albania, Ireland, Russia,
Oman, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia,
Hungary, Cyprus, Iraq, and
Iran.
Posted by Jed @ 11/07/2002 07:10 PM PST

Can Sandra and I really
be the only ones here to know
this song?!?!?
Posted by Jed @ 11/07/2002 07:11 PM PST

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh, my!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/07/2002 07:11 PM PST

Pizzas and Burgers and Fries, oh my! (line from the Wizard of Oz episode of FAME, the TV show).
Songs that get stuck in my head: Forget About the Boy from MILLIE; Ain't Misbehavin' from the original Broadway cast; and just within the last couple of days: Just Around the River Bend sung by the fabulous Judy Kuhn. It just won't go away! It's a good thing that I like this song.
My questions for Bruce: Of the multitudes of CDs that you've produced over the years, have there been many (or even any) where you've recorded more songs than what you used on the released recording(s)? If this has happened, what do you do with those unused recordings? Who "owns" them? Have you put them on other recordings?
Did you have so many for the first Unsung Musicals or Lost in Boston CDs that you started the series or were those planned from the beginning to be multi-CD series?
Posted by George @ 11/07/2002 07:50 PM PST

Hello All! -If I may "share" like I am prone to do...
What a wonderfully exhausting day. I actually got to sleep in a little bit, and that was nice. Then after lunch I headed in to the Kennedy Center to watch and listen to the first read-through of Carmen Jones.
First of all, Vanessa Williams truly is stunningly beautiful. And she's going to be wonderful as Carmen Jones. *And she's actually going back to NYC to do two shows on Saturday, and then she comes back here all next week for more rehearsals and the performances. We didn't have our real Joe in, but the standby sang very well - and I can't imagine having to sing that role while being conducted by a singer who was known for that role. And Harolyn Blackwell was simply exquisite - she even made some of the somewhat stilted lyrics beautiful and heartfelt.
I had come in today since it was going to be my only chance to listen to the whole cast due to my schedule. And, I didn't have to play the rehearsal today either. So, we're about 40 pages from the end, and it's about 5:00 - which is when we were supposed to finish. So, after checking with everyone, Maestro Domingo wanted to go ahead and finish the opera. But the pianist for the day had to leave, so guess who the stage manager asked to play the rest of the rehearsal...
It was very exciting and scary. With the way the scheduling worked out, I was never paired with the maestro, so I had gotten those nerves out of my system. Then at 5:00 today, well.. I'm happy to report that I was able to keep my nerves in check - and was able to play the running octaves in the left hand with "cold hands" (I'd been sitting in the room listening for four hours). *Although it was a bit funny when Maestro Domingo looked over to the piano to cue me, and suddenly noticed that it was not the pianist that was there just a minute ago.
Then to finish up the day, I get back after dinner, and find out that Ms. Williams wanted to come back and get a head start on her blocking. So, we started at the top of piece and went through. And sang it! It was very neat singing the love duets with her, and looking into those amazing eyes in the beautiful face.. WOW!
What wonderful, unexpected happenings today!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 11/07/2002 08:02 PM PST

I fell for Vanessa in "Spiderwoman". My first ever Broadway show and I was in the second row with no-one in front of me. Vanessa was stunning. The melodrama scenes were delightful. I have forgiven her (big of me) for the disappointment of "Bye Bye Birdie". The Cd is better than the video.I hope some day she will have a show that is "hers".
My thoughts just went to Matthew Broderick's performances. When he is good he touches the soul but he has done truly awful movies when he seemed to just "walk through".
BK question. With such performers and performances is it the director who should take the blame?
Jose: Is Carmen to be recorded?
Ron: Is there anyone out there who has yet to discover the talent of Mr Warlow. So pleased you enjoy the tracks. If only he would return to the recording studio.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 11/07/2002 08:27 PM PST

Wunderbar !!!
First time I get to ask BK since
Ask BK Day is always when I
don't have access to the
internet...
Questions:
What are you doing the rest of
your life ?
And why do we must believe in
Spring, and not summer --
even though the summer
knows -- , autumn or winter ?
Ron, Tom....
Can't find the info anymore but
I read the other night that Mr
Warlow is resting for a few
months, and then will record
AT LAST and even plans to go
to Broadway ! They even
mentioned a show but, darn it,
I can't recall the title....
Talk about good news, hey ?
Posted by Francois @ 11/07/2002 09:02 PM PST

Oh, I now remember where I
read all this: it's someone at
theater arts com, for the chat
about Anthony Warlow singing
'"Losing My Mind" you pointed
out, Ron, the other night, and
that I was finally able to find
and open.....how's that for a
short sentence ?
Posted by François @ 11/07/2002 09:10 PM PST

Well, I just got back from my fencing class. This was NOT a good night for fencing.
I don't want to talk about it.
But, hey, Dear Reader My Mom is home from Grandma's house, and she has brought with her various and sundried treasures (some of them more sun-dried than others.)
Tunisia, Morocco, Uganda, Angola, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Swaziland, Gambia, Guinea, Algeria, Ghana.
Posted by Sandra @ 11/07/2002 10:22 PM PST

Thanks for the note Jose. Keep beating out that rhythm (on a piano rather than a drum).
It is Francois day. At least you missed the horrors of the disappearing HHW. There was a wailing (not the should be outlawed whaling) and a rending of garments from distressed Kimlets worldwide. Some of us were in mourning all afternoon and evening. It was too too confusing. Not tu-tu confusing.That would be Ron in one of his celebrated Halloween outfits. I wonder if Mr Warlow is recovereing from the not-too-brilliant "Man Of La Mancha".
Open question: Have there been any reports of Miss Caroline O'Connor's performance in "Chicago"?
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 11/07/2002 10:23 PM PST

P.S. Dear Reader My Mom is still bouncing off the walls from all the coffee she had to drink in order to drive the last 800 miles today.
Posted by Sandra @ 11/07/2002 11:11 PM PST

The least you two can do is post where the rest of us can find the lyrics. For example, at http://members.cruzio.com/~keeper/amlf.html
If anyone is interested.
Der Brucer has a late BK question. Where (in the Los Angeles area) can one find really good Oysters Rockefeller.
That's as opposed to Cinderella/Rockefella, which has to be performed as a duet. But I'm sure everyone knew that was a Mason Williams reference.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 11/07/2002 11:22 PM PST

I wish Mr. Warlow would do a strictly Sondheim album. The readings he gives of "Anyone Can Whistle," "Losing My Mind" and "Johanna" are wonderful. But there's SO MUCH MORE.
I regret to say I don't care for his "Impossible Dream" -- it's too florid and possesses none of the finesse I find in other of his readings.
I also wish he'd do some songs from "The Fantasticks", perhaps "Talk To Me" from BBB. Heck -- he could do a totally Herman album, too. His "I Am What I Am" is amazing, and his "I Won't Send Roses" is brilliant.
Still, his "Moon River" is incomparable and his "Anyone Can Whistle" takes my breath away.
Francois, vous etes ici, ce soir!
Howdy!
I'm winding down...ready for beddy-bye.
Tom...a toga, yes. But a tutu? Tut! And pish posh. Not unless I were to be cast in some amazing play requiring it.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/07/2002 11:32 PM PST

I'm doing it from memory.
Posted by Sandra @ 11/07/2002 11:36 PM PST

S. Woody---
The link didn't work. I got a "Can't Find This Page" Message.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 11/08/2002 05:57 AM PST

José:
What an experience! A friend of mine, whom I've mentioned here before, was in the original Bwy Sweeney Todd, and one day during rehearsals, Len Cariou wasn't there, so Hal Prince asked my friend to stand in for him opposite Angela.
"A can't sing all that Stravinsky stuff!" was my friend's reply. But he may a go of it.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 11/08/2002 06:56 AM PST

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