haines his way

11/09/2002:
"THIS IS OUR ONCE-A-YEAR DAY"

Well, dear readers, can you believe it? I can barely believe it myself and yet here it is, our one count it one year anniversary. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, it was twenty years ago today that Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play, and it was one year ago it’s true that haineshisway.com first came to you. What a difference a year makes – when I began this here site, I had no idea that I would begin a journey that would see me writing every single day (except for those first weekends) for a year. I began this here site because last October my world came crashing down. Most of you know the event that caused it, and most of you know that I continued to be put through the ringer for the following nine months. What happened was heinous (heinous, do you hear me?) and some fine day I shall write about it in detail. All I will say for now is that no one should ever have to go through the unnecessary, vindictive evil that I went through. It was appalling and the depth of it was mind-boggling and I was shown just how petty and small people can be. But, I believe in karma, dear readers, and karma will have its day, I’m sure of it, oh, yes, I’m quite quite quite (that is three quites) sure of it.
In any case, I began this here site because of the hundreds of wonderful e-mails I received following that black day. They were so kind and hearfelt, and many of them said “please let us know what happens”. Also, certain “things” started appearing in news stories and in order to combat those lies and half-truths I began to think about creating a site where I could dispel such nonsense. I spoke to Mr. Mark Bakalor, and the seeds of haineshisway.com were born. He did a brilliant job of designing the site and we had a ton of fun doing it. We began testing the site and making sure everything worked a few days before we went “live”. In the meantime, I sent e-mails to everyone who’d asked to know what was happening.
I wanted this here site to be fun and fancy-free, I wanted to be able to do whatever I pleased and I wanted to build a family of dear readers who would be loyal and true Hainsies/Kimlets, who would have a home and a place to go every day for some fun – where they could post without fear of being snapped at or berated like on most Usenet groups or chat boards. I wanted everyone to have an equal voice here, whether opinions differed or not.
Donald Feltham called and we had a nice conversation and we decided that it would be grand fun to have a Broadway-themed radio show, too. I’d created one elsewhere that was quite popular, and I’d asked him to host that. He most defiantly did not want to continue doing that show, so we created our very own right here at haineshisway.com. And so, one year ago, on November 9th, haineshisway.com was born and took its first baby steps. People found us right away, and in a few weeks we had already sewn the seeds (no mean feat – have you ever tried to actually sew seeds?) of our little family. Traffic grew daily and soon we had become very popular with the populace. Where else could you read daily drivel, hear a radio show, read all about the Guy Haines family tree, post on daily topics of discussion amongst friends, discover the songs of Meltz and Ernest, hear tales of The Randy Vicar, celebrate birthdays, eat cheese slices and ham chunks, behave like so much fish, and so forth and so on and also so on and so forth. Every week new people showed up – some stayed, some only visited for a while. In addition, we discovered that we have a plethora of lurkers out there in the dark, and we also have our very own merry searchers, who I’m quite certain are scouring these notes looking for heaven-knows-what, and who will then be searching merrily for heaven-knows-what.
Within months we had become one of the most popular sites on all the Internet, much to the chagrin of certain people. Oh, yes, there was chagrin aplenty. I think it confused some people that I could come on here daily, be cheerful and funny and seemingly footloose and fancy-free. I think that frosted certain people, oh, yes, I think that frosted them. Suddenly, haineshisway.com was the in place, we were happening, we were cool, man, cool, we were the ginchiest, the most wacko, unpredictably predictable place on all the Internet. And the lovely news is that every day our traffic grows and new people find us.
Sometimes when dastardly things happen to you, you are forced to reassess the world around you. And this here site has helped me to do that. I finished my novel, Benjamin Kritzer, which is now out and getting lovely reaction. I did the Nudie Musical DVD which led to my making a deal to bring the film to the stage and New York. I made a deal to make a brand spanking new film, which begins shooting next February. I began the first tenuous discussions about starting up a new label. I have, in fact, never been busier.
And so, it’s time to put on our pointy party hats, our colored tights and pantaloons – it’s time to break out the cheese slices and ham chunks, it’s time to dance the Hora and even the Mashed Potato. In other words, it’s time to celebrate, celebrate, until the cows come home. It’s time to eat cake and I, for one, say Let ‘Em Eat Cake – oh, a Bruce Kimmel reference. I want today to be the party to end all parties. I want confetti, and streamers, and shouting and cheering – I want everyone everywhere to know that we are having fun here at haineshisway.com and this is where the party is, every single day.
Well, that was quite long, wasn’t it? That was just ever so long and rambling, like a rambling rose. Well, today everything’s coming up rambling roses, and for anyone who doesn’t think so, well, damn them, damn them all to hell.
Anyone who isn’t celebrating will be bitch-slapped from here to eternity. So, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below, because in addition to our fancy-shmancy fershluganah celebration, I have excellent questions to answer.

Let’s all dance the Hora whilst reading the answers to your excellent questions, after which I will return.
Kerry asks what is the last song that kept going through my head? I hate to say it, but a song called Civil Rights by Meltz and Ernest. Very catchy, and pertinent even today. What is the worst song to keep going through my head. Hmmm. Let’s see – there’s not a worst one going through my head currently, but there certainly have been awful songs I couldn’t get out of my head – like that song from Titanic.
Kenneth says that I once mentioned that Maltby and Shire were one of the teams who were being considered to write Ragtime. Who were the others and have I heard any of those songs they wrote and would I consider producing an album of Unsung Ragtime. I tried, oh, yes, I tried, but it was a crazy rights thing as I recall. I used to know who the other teams were but I’ll be hornswoggled if I can remember. Have you ever been hornswoggled before? It’s quite amusing in a grotesque sort of way. Finally, no, I haven’t heard any of the Maltby/Shire songs for Ragtime.
Jose asks if there’s a particular song from today’s batch of songwriters that I would love to hear sung by the voice of one of the stars of yesteryear, or is there a singer of yesteryear I would love to hear interpret the songs of a modern composer. Yes, I would like to hear Judy Garland do the score to Marie Christine. Only kidding. Oh, I’ll be hornswoggled if I can think of anything at all. Maybe Judy Holliday singing Losing My Mind – I would love that. If I weren’t living in the United States of America, in which country would I wish to live? I know this will come as a shock, but I’ve only ever been to Canada (outside of the US). I’m sure I could be perfectly happy in London or Paris or even Japan.
Jennifer asks if there’s any news on the stage version of Nudie Musical, like when and where it will be presented, and will it have an out-of-town tryout in Jennifer’s city, which I believe is Montreal, Canada. The current plan is a production in May, unless I am not ready, in which case it will be September at the latest. I can’t divulge the city or cities yet, other than to say that Canada has been mentioned as a stop.
William E. Lurie says that sometimes a really bad show can be more entertaining than a good one. What really bad shows do I think are best (plays and movies, too). I’m quite fond of a play that folded on the road called Time of the Barracudas by Peter Barnes, which starred Laurence Harvey and Elaine Stritch. A train wreck of a musical I enjoyed would be Mack and Mabel. Also, I was rather amused by The Act. Film-wise, there are too many to mention, as I’m a fan of bad films like Plan Nine, or Xanadu or Can’t Stop the Music.
Jay says we seem to be in the midst of a Jerry Herman renaissance, with talk of revivals of Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage. Who would I cast in the leads of all three shows? Hmmm. I’ll be hornswoggled if I can think, but let me try anyway. Dolly – Bernadette Peters (much better for Dolly than Gypsy in my opinion). Mame – I’ll go out on a limb for my pal Michele Pawk. La Cage – I don’t know it well enough.
Michael Shayne would like to know what my favorite Carry On movies are in the Carry On box. Well, I have a soft spot for Carry on Cleo and Carry on Nurse. Who are my favorite regulars? Well, certainly Kenneth Connor, Hattie Jacques, Jim Dale, Sidney James and practically everyone else.
Ron asks what good is sitting alone in your room and why must everyone go hear the music play? What is this, ask Kander and Ebb day? We must hear the music play because those who don’t are hornswoggled.
Jed asks if there are other diet drinks I partake of beside my beloved Diet Coke. Not many, but occasionally I enjoy a Vernor’s.
George asks if there’s been any CDs where I’ve recorded more songs than what was used and if so what has happened to those unused recordings? I can only think of two, really – one on a Laurie Beechman album which, when we were finally doing the vocal, everyone realized just didn’t work and we abandoned it without finishing it. I can only say that I didn’t ever think it would work, but I don’t like to stymie creativity and so I waited to hear it. The exact same situation occurred on Paige O’Hara’s album – it was just obvious to all of us that the track – a dance mix version of Dancing, was just not doing the job, and again it was abandoned without finishing it. Were Lost in Boston and Unsung Musicals begun as series or weren’t they planned that way. I always had in mind that they would be a series because there was so much material available.
Tom from Oz wants to know if when good actors appear in bad movies where they just seem to “walk through” the performance, is it the director who should take the blame. Sometimes, sometimes not. If you have an actor who is determined to walk through a part, he should be fired no matter who in tarnation he is.
Der Brucer asks where in Los Angeles, California can you get really good Oysters Rockefeller. I don’t know from Oysters Rockefeller, nor do I know of any real top-notch seafood joint in this here city. In New York, I’m sure you could find some great ones at the Manhattan Ocean Club.
S. Woody White asks if I’ve ever sailed on a cruise ship? If so, where did I go, what did I enjoy the most and what the least? I have only been on a cruise ship once – and that was in 1973, if I remember correctly. I think it was the Sitmar line, and I cruised to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Acapulco. However, it wasn’t totally for pleasure – we were shooting an episode (my final one, actually) of The Partridge Family on the boat. It was their big show of the year and what fun we had. I got to cruise for a week, and then everyone joined us in Acapulco, and we shot the show on the way home. My favorite things were shooting the show, hanging out with Susan Dey and David Cassidy and Shirley Jones, eating many marvelous meals, playing the piano while Shirley sang for the passengers and meeting some nice folks. My least favorite thing was getting used to the motion of the sea the first two nights. Other than that, the whole damn thing was splendid.
Tom from Oz asks if I think Mr. Stephen Sondheim’s Gold will be worth its weight after all this wait. Have I heard any of the score? I never underestimate my close personal friend, Mr. Stephen Sondheim, and I certainly never underestimate Mr. Harold Prince. I have heard the score as presented at the workshop – which I didn’t love. But I hear there have been lots and lots of changes so I’m anxious to follow its journey.
Finally, I can’t for the life of me find the question, but I know someone asked me the derivation of “like so much fish” – whether I made it up or it’s from somewhere else. As those who’ve read Benjamin Kritzer know, my grandfather used to say, “What is this, fish?” all the time. I created the other part of it “like so much fish” when I was writing my weekly thing over at sondheim.com, under the name of The Real A.
Well, dear readers, I’m going to turn the party over to you now. You’ll be happy to know that Luckie the dog has joined the celebration, and dear readers Sandra, Laura and Megan will be dining with me this very evening. I want lots and lots of posts today, more posts than there are in heaven. The trivia contest will return next week. For now, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, and I must do them in the rain, for it is raining cats and dogs (no mean feat). I adore you all, dear readers, each and every one. Today’s topic of discussion: Tell us your favorite haineshisway.com stories – and tell us what you’d like to accomplish in the next year – your dreams for the future. I’ll start: I would like to finish the Kritzer sequel, I would like to make a genuinely funny film, I would like Nudie Musical to be a smashing success and so much more. Your turn.

Replies: 66 Unseemly Comments

Congrats on your one year anniversary!!!
I have a question. I read about Luckie the dog (last weekend I think). But did you ever say why the dog is moving in???
Posted by Jennifer @ 11/09/2002 11:08 AM PST

A year! Huzzah huzzah!!! It is
indeed party time!
Thank you, Bruce, for giving us
all this corner of the internet. It
has been, and surely will
continue to be, the most
swelligant, ginchy spot I've
ever come across.
As for favorite HHW moments,
well, there are simply too
many to recall, let alone
mention! Probably tops on my
list have been the releases of
Benjamin Kritzer and the DVD
of TFNM. Anytime there's a
"What If" it brings a smile to my
face, also Meltz and Ernest
and the serialized story of
their's we read a few months
back. And let's not forget the
little one-day diversions we
seem to take around here, like
our day of 200 posts 200
(thanks much in part to
then-newcomer Jason) or the
Bitchslapping Extravaganza
we had in the spring, complete
with sound effects from Craig!
Accomplishments for the
coming year...well, you picked
the right year to ask me this!
I'll be moving in just over a
month to do my student
teaching, and in March I will
be graduating college with my
degree in choral music
education. Then to find a job
of my very own. Crazy to think
that this time next year I'll be
actually teaching classrooms
full of student singers. So so
exciting (also a touch scary, of
course).
Thanks to all the various and
sundried who have made this
place what it is. I look forward
to the next year of unseemly
madness with all y'all.
Posted by Jed @ 11/09/2002 11:31 AM PST

Congrats!
One of the best times I ever had on line.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/09/2002 12:17 PM PST

BK referenced "that song from Titanic" as something that once got stuck in his head.
Which Titanic? The Musical, or the one with the song "...that goes on"?
A Happy Slappy Birthday, BK and Mark Bakalor and Donald Feltham -- and a special thanks to them what made all of your most recent success possible!!!!!!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/09/2002 12:19 PM PST

Happy Happy! As a newbie of only a week here, I can't choose a favorite story.....so I will issue a raincheck to myself.
Just a thanks to BK for this funny & intelligent site. And thanks to JMK for pointing me in this direction.
For 2003 - I want to do a GOOD production of South Pacific that is someone's favorite show of the season. I want to finish the writing I started last year. AND I want the following movies to come out on DVD: Attack of the 50-Foot Woman (Allison Hayes, 1958), Rhapsody (Elizabeth Taylor & John Ericson), I Could Go On Singing (with you know who).
Where's my hat? Or as Hal Linden said to Abe Vigoda: "What is this, Fish?"
Posted by Jrand @ 11/09/2002 12:20 PM PST

Thank you, Bruce, for a year of daily laughter (usually intentional--that's a JOKE).
In the synchronicity department, Betsy is in the other room watching E.T., and "your" phone commercial just came on. Six degrees, indeed.
My favorite moment was our chat at Jerry's. You are as swellegant in person as online. Here's to the next 365 (or however this year ends up being numbered).
Posted by JMK @ 11/09/2002 12:43 PM PST

Donna,
I think your "flying" story --
posted late yesterday -- was
most charming!
Thanks.
And thanks to the one and only
BK for entertaining us with his
strange and funny humor --
that even a French man can
get! -- on a daily basis!
What you do is magnifique!
-- no hon, hon, hon, please! --
(only Chevalier or La
Montevecchi do that-- or René
Auberjonois in Little Mermaid:
it's a cliché thing of the
thirties!!!)
Posted by François @ 11/09/2002 12:47 PM PST

P.S. It's obvious to me why the Merry Searchers can't find what they're looking for--they can't SPELL what they're looking for correctly. :)
Posted by JMK @ 11/09/2002 12:55 PM PST

JMK: You have no idea how correct you are - which is one of the reasons the searches are so amusing.
What fun we are having, aren't we? Still awaiting more party guests.
Jennifer: Luckie will most likely be moving in in a month or so. She currently belongs to a lady I'm working with - her family can no longer keep Luckie so I have volunteered my home. We're doing weekends until the job is through - because my hours are so long it would be unfair for the doggie to stay home by herself that long at this early stage of the game.
Now, where are our other party guests. I've got way too many cheese slices and ham chunks here, so let's get crackin', all you various and sundried Hainsies/Kimlets.
Posted by bk @ 11/09/2002 01:03 PM PST

Any pineapple on that there tray, BK?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/09/2002 01:15 PM PST

More reasons for celebrating:
Beverly Hills, Calif.
-Veteran actress ANGELA
LANSBURY honored at 30th
annual Gala Dinner-Dance for
The Acting Company.
Celebrity attendees to include
Julie Andrews, Bea Arthur, Lily
Tomlin, Jerry Herman, Jerry
Orbach, Harold Prince and
Mike Farrell.
Posted by François @ 11/09/2002 01:22 PM PST

Oops!
The above "fonction" is
Monday, Nov. 11..............
Posted by François @ 11/09/2002 01:24 PM PST

I think my favorite story was actually stories. BK earlier in the year started his autobiography/mmoiors. They were quit interesting that I downloaded them and kept each posting. Looking forward to future installments that are all "happy" thoughts.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/09/2002 01:37 PM PST

We started the day much much (at least two of them) earlier here and have been in party mood for 24 hours. My party hat is looking seriously bedragled. I hope everyone is having a wonderful time. Here's to another fun filled year my friends.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 11/09/2002 02:02 PM PST

Happy Anniversary to BK and GH and everyone else who made HHW happen. I've been here since Day One and I look forward to many more years. Very special congrats to BK on the many projects he is working on or about to begin. The best is yet to come!
Posted by Robert Armin @ 11/09/2002 02:04 PM PST

Greetings y'all from North Carolina and the Asheville Film Festival!
And a very Happy 1st Anniversary to HHW!
In just six days will be my own HHW anniversary. I'm delighted to be a part of the Hainsies and Kimlets family of dear readers and look forward to sharing in the continued success of HHW as the Best Site on the Internet.
Congratulations, Bruce!
Posted by Susan Gordon @ 11/09/2002 02:41 PM PST

Congrats on the 1 year anniversary. Here's to many more.
Posted by jb @ 11/09/2002 03:07 PM PST

CONGRATS x 3! ! !
One from me, td.
One each from those ethereal angels of the internet whose names my sister J and I use with frequency: Daisy and Violet Hilton!
Each and every time I visit haineshisway, I feel like I'm catching up with old friends, but they can't be that old, because we've only been here a year.
I guess that my biggest surprise at haineshisway was when it finally dawned on me who Susan was! Honestly, I never put two and two together to come up with four on that one!
Interviewing the elusive BK was a blast.
Even without haineshisway, I would have been reviewing FNM's dvd; but it was, and continues to be, an added pleasure to know that BK promotes those reviews. Thanks, BK.
In the next year, my wishes are:
First and foremost, get this little musical of mine up to a stage-worthy point, and a workshop production produced. I would also like to have a demo recording made of the cast that is currently reading (and collaborating with me on) this script in progress.
Secondly, a week in New York. I need a vacation, and though the southern climes beckon, I gotta get back to New York (OH! a Rodgers & Hart reference)!
Thirdly, to meet each and everyone at the premiere of BK's FIRST NUDIE MUSICAL onstage!
Well, it's party time! I'll teach everyone how to play strip darts! Pass that cheese, please....
Posted by td @ 11/09/2002 03:49 PM PST

As they sang today in Mufti's HOW NOW, DOW JONES "Will Everyone Hear Kindly Step To The Rear and Let a Winner Lead the Way." Yes BK, you are definitely a winner with a wonderful book, a great DVD of a great film and more in the works. I've read every day (and complained those early weekends when you didn't post) and will continue to do so as long as the site remains active. In fact HHW is my "Home Page" both at work and home.
My favorite moments: the NYC party with BK, Susan et. al. and the dinner my partner Ray and I had with Donald Feltham.
As for HOW NOW..., it was a lot of fun. It doesn't have a great score or a great book, but it was still enjoyable. As is often the case, the York turned a sow's ear into a silk purse with their excellent casting. The lead was Brooks Ashmankas, who reminded me of a young Robert Morse. No wonder they called this show "How To Try In Business Without Really Succeeding". David Garrison did his usual good job in the secondary male lead and Kaitlin Hopkins was a delight in the Brenda Vacarro role. In the other female lead Cheryl Freeman sang fine but was missing that special spark that the others had. Perhaps the 30 hours of rehearsal were not enough for her. What was amazing was that in 1967 the show featured a woman who was engaged to one man and pregnant by another and another woman who was being kept by an older, rich man. Today neither of these are shocking, but back then they were very unusual. Next week: NEW GIRL IN TOWN.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 11/09/2002 03:58 PM PST

Bruce wrote:
Jennifer: Luckie will most likely be moving in in a month or so. She currently belongs to a lady I'm working with - her family can no longer keep Luckie so I have volunteered my home. We're doing weekends until the job is through - because my hours are so long it would be unfair for the doggie to stay home by herself that long at this early stage of the game.
Okay I can't picture you taking care of a dog. But I wish her luck! :)
Btw, I would like to see a picture of you with Luckie!
Posted by Jennifer @ 11/09/2002 04:15 PM PST

Well, I've been in and out all day but I'm home now and will go out later to get the Sunday paper. I couldn't let the celebration go by without at least a post on the celebratory day.
Hooray. One year. I found the place about 5 months after that and have come by every day since (even if I haven't posted every day). I love this place. It's fun, funny, safe and friendly.
My favorite moments were:
Getting my autographed DVD and CD of TFNM and getting my autographed copy of Benjamin Kritzer (a most wonderful book for those of you who have not read it)
Listening to the Radio Shows. I'm not able to listen every Monday anymore like I used to because my computer at work is being fershluganah (is that a correct usage of that word???) and I can't get Real Player to work all the time anymore and the tech people at my office have better things to do than to try and fix my Real Player so I have to listen at home and I can't always do that because I have a dial-up modem which ties up the phone line for an hour. But I listen when I can and it's always a pleasure. Mr. DF is an amazing font of musical theatre knowledge and I hope his efforts are appreciated.
The NYC Hainesie/Kimmlet party was a high point. Meeting Susan Gordon and Cissy and Robert and the two Williams (Orr and Lurie) and corresponding partners was great. Oh, yeah. BK was there, too :-)
My dreams for 2003 (and/or the future in general) are many and varied.
I turn 50 on February 2nd (the same birthday as Ms. Stritch) and I hope the next 50 will be as good as the first 50.
My partner, Anthony, and I are registering as Domestic Partners with the City of New York this Wednesday, November 13th. I hope that the rest of our time together will be as rich and good as the first 7 years.
I also hope that his success continues. He had 3 commercials this year and he's doing a show in Connecticut right now (a holiday production of Babes in Toyland at the Polka Dot Playhouse in Bridgeport).
I also hope to get back to Europe, especially France, je taime la France, Paris et Normandy (Honfleur et Deauville et Trouville), this time with Anthony. I haven't been for 10 years and I love England, Ireland, the aforementioned France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
OK, I'll get off the mike now. I've cornered the conversation long enough. Your turn...
Posted by Ben @ 11/09/2002 04:23 PM PST

To William E. Lurie: Brooks A. is a very good friend of mine (we just did a benefit together out here). In person, he's a manic combination of Robin Williams, Martin Short and I don't know who(m?) else. He really deserves more acclaim than he's gotten, because not only are his comedic chops brilliant, his singing is mah-velous as well. He may be opening in a new comedy thriller called "Jumprope" soon. He just workshopped it in Boston a couple of months ago. I did recommend that he contact a certain BK about a certain musical coming up soon, because I for one think he would make a most appealing lead in that show.
Posted by JMK @ 11/09/2002 04:25 PM PST

Stepping out for a moment. Anyone need anything?
Posted by Jrand @ 11/09/2002 04:43 PM PST

JMK - I second that suggestion. Brooks was terrific in How Now, Dow Jones.
David Garrison, as always, earned every one of his laughs and little (literally) Kristin Maloney was a delight in a number of ensemble roles. I'm proud to say that I introduced Kristin to the York Theatre when I directed her in a reading there in May. One of her co-stars in that reading, Amanda Whitford, is currently in my Gershwin revue.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 11/09/2002 04:55 PM PST

Oh, what fun we are having today. Luckie has already eaten five count them five cheeseslices, is eating her doggie food like a good dog, and has been doing her business on our walks - so, she is definitely ready to move in. Isn't that exciting? Isn't that just too too? Soon, I will be supping with our visiting dear readers and I shall have a full report for you, with perhaps live coverage, post-wise, from the dear readers themselves. Meanwhile, let the errant and truant join in the festivities, say I. I've already danced the Hora, the Mashed Potato (even though that dance is not on Atkins), the Swim, the Frug, the Lindy Hop, the Black Bottom, the Locomotion and the Hokey Pokey.
Posted by bk @ 11/09/2002 05:29 PM PST

...oh what have I created?
Bruce threatened a slow death by Velveeta if I didn't post today. So here goes nothing...
My gift to all of you crazy people is a surprise that involves a list and Mr. Donald Feltham. The result of which you'll be hearing about soon, I'm sure.
You're all crazy,
Mr. Mark Bakalor
Posted by Mr. Mark Bakalor @ 11/09/2002 05:39 PM PST

Happy Anniversary!
Sorry for being errant and truant today, but, again, I was in rehearsal. Thankfully, my second rehearsal of the day was cancelled (and I still get paid!), so I was actually home before 11:30 - after leaving at 8:00 each morning this week - ah, the joys of DC rush hour. I was going to head over to the National Theatre to see Stokes in LA MANCHA, but I really just needed a nice restful evening to rest. *I also took Baayork Lee's "class" this morning, and boy am I sore!
My favorite HHW moment was when BK concurred with my choice of Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915 as a favorite piece of music. -And the resulting inquiries and CD purchases that resulted from that.
I also loved the requests for the cake recipe. Any reports on anyone's baking efforts?
Finally, what I've really loved the most about this site is getting to know everyone on here, and especially, BK, himself. What a lovely site! And, thankfully, ham and cheese chunks are approved by Chet and Eileen!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 11/09/2002 06:34 PM PST

Oh... As for the future...
For the immediate future, I hope to get the rest of the SOUTH PACIFIC orchestration done before first orchestra read - which is just 10 days away! It should be a very reachable goal, but boy does it take some effort to crack the scores after a day in the rehearsal room.
I also hope that in the next year, I'll be working a job that I've been lobbying for - and I've been receiving hints that my lobbying has been getting noticed - in a good way.
*BK, if you need a rehearsal pianist and/or assistant MD for TFNM, as of right now I'm available after February 3...
And I also hope that the next 15 pounds comes off with as much ease as the first 25 have.
And, like everyone else, I hope to be celebrating HHW Second Anniversary. -And we should definitely splurge on Black Forest Ham and Triple-Cream Brie!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 11/09/2002 06:41 PM PST

Well, guess who's here - Here they are, one by one.
1. Hello -- it's Laura here, and I've got on my pointy party hat!
2. Hello. It's Sandra. I am also wearing my pointy party hat.
3. Hi everybody- Dear Reader Megan here. I don't have anything to say except greetings from Studio City!
Posted by bk @ 11/09/2002 06:42 PM PST

Bruce's Angels!
How nice!
How heavenly nice!
Posted by François @ 11/09/2002 06:51 PM PST

Is Luckie wearing a pointy
party hat too?
Pointy party hats off to you all!
Posted by François @ 11/09/2002 06:56 PM PST

Happy Day to you Bruce. Actually, happy day to us all for this celebration belongs to all of us.
Bruce, I envy the Dear Readers who will be supping with you tonight. I would have joined them, but I had to work. We're shooting for January or so for our next chance. I am shocked, do you hear me, SHOCKED, to find that Dear Reader Sandra is missing the orange colored singers (not to be confused with an orange colored sky) on Lawrence Welk to be having dinner with you in Los Angeles.
CAKE FOR EVERYONE, I SAY!!!!!!!!
Posted by Kerry @ 11/09/2002 07:14 PM PST

Well well well... here we are.. Here's to us (a Harnick/Bock reference). It's today! (Jerry H reference). Here's to us, who's like us? Damn few (Sondheim reference)...and all that Jazz (a Kander and Ebb reference). I am so pleased as punch to be here with you all on this special occasion. WOW.. one year. The time goes by so fast. It seems like just yesterday I got Bruce's email asking me to check out his new home on the web. Well, it didn't take long for him to unpack and get settled here, now did it? Nosiree Bob (and Bruce) - He took to the internet like so much fish. New lexicon was born, in-jokes and out-jokes. Ham, Cheese, Music, Songs, Laughter and a whole lotta crap (literally...for a few days we had so much fun with the poop jokes!).
So here's to Bruce, and Guy. Here's to Mark "he thinks we are all crazy" Bakalor. Here's to Donald - for the best internet radio program on the net. And here is to all of us for years to come.
...I wish...
Posted by Craig @ 11/09/2002 07:15 PM PST

The only dangerous thing about the pointy party hats is that if you take them off with frequency, you run the risk of placing them somewhere that's unfortunate to others. Of course, the hat becomes less pointy, too.
And careful where you place those bits of ham and cheese you want to put down.
Just for fun, I've got a huge crock pot full of spiced meat balls, plus a huge tub of iced beer (domestic, U.S.) and sodas for anyone needing their whistles moistened.
I really enjoyed seeing a posting from Mr. Mark "You're All Crazy" Bakalor, but have been disappointed to see nothing from Mr. Donald Feltham. I hope he's in a partying mood and festively attired.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/09/2002 07:22 PM PST

It is with great pleasure that I announce I have been fortunate enough -- after several failed tries -- to win an auction on eBay for a stereo LP of "The Five Pennies"!
Of course, winning a reel-to-reel tape would have been better aurally -- and I tried on two different offerings -- but I'd have had to buy a reel-to-reel player had I won either of them.
I wish this movie were available on DVD in its original format and clean stereophonic sound. I have strong memories of seeing it on TV in the 1960s.
"This little penny is to wish on..."
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/09/2002 07:35 PM PST

"...And make your wishes
come true
This little penny is to dream on
Dream of all you can do
This little penny is a dancing
penny
See how it glitters and it glows
Bright as a whistle
Light as a thistle
Quick, quick as a wink
Up on its twinkling toes
This little penny is to laugh on
To see that tears never fall
This little penny
Is the last little penny
Most important of all
For the penny is to love on
And where love is, heaven is
there
So with just five pennies
If they're these five pennies
You'll be a millionaire......
Posted by François @ 11/09/2002 08:15 PM PST

Ron -- make me an offer on my Five Pennies stereo reel-to-reel tape and I'll throw in the CD-R I made of it. It sounds pretty spectacular.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 11/09/2002 08:43 PM PST

I've been out all day, but I'm finally here - though I'm out of pointed party hats - and I shopped badly and ended up with ham slices and cheese chunks. I *am*, however, in a party mood, and will remain so for the rest of the weekend, since I turn 30 tomorrow (actually, since I was born in Britain at 4am, I technically turned 30 an hour ago). I don't have a favourite haineshisway.com story - other than the ongoing story of the very real sense of community I find every time I come here, among people I've never met.
As for what I want to accomplish in the next year... basically, I just want next year to have less upheaval in it than this year did (my father died in June). I would also like to get through Christmas unscathed, get my mother through Christmas unscathed, pass my Special Fields exam in February, and make significant progress with my thesis - but when it comes down to it, I'll be happy if things just stay quiet for a while. After the past few months, some quiet would be good.
Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 11/09/2002 09:08 PM PST

Oh! Stop! You're killing me!
You one funny fella!
The only reason I'd want a reel-to-reel tape of something is to make a spectacular-sounding CD-R.
I'm settling on the LP, though, so I don't have to buy the tape deck on which to play the reel-to-reel.
Still....
Frankie: Thanks for the lyrics...nice trip down memory lane...
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/09/2002 09:09 PM PST

Frankie?????
Frankie my dear....:-)
BTW -- by the water?!-- I do
have that LP; got it in the
seventies, I believe, and it's
been ages since I listened to
it.
It's in my parents' attic. A cd
and a dvd are long overdue.
Danny Kaye was so great!
Posted by François @ 11/09/2002 09:50 PM PST

And now Ron you need to search for a copy of Miss Dodie "Pink Shoelaces" Stevens singing the title song for "The Five Pennies". Each collection should be complete. The movie stills get shown of free-to-air TV here at times. A DVD version would indeed be wonderful.
The Soundtrack LP has a very cute picture of a pretty little girl with Danny.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 11/09/2002 09:50 PM PST

Speaking of Oz, and things Ozian, is Russell Crowe as big in Australia as he is in the U.S. (and presumably the entire western world)?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/09/2002 10:08 PM PST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ONE MORE TIME!! (I posted very late last night after I got off work).
Bruce...I'm so happy for you that you have been able to turn things around for yourself. Your positive "go-get-'em" attitude is an inspiration to me. I'm very proud to call you my friend--even if it is only online.
I think my favorite HHW.com moment was when BK acknowledged the fact that he had heard my voice on the POOP: THE MUSICAL demo recording. I never dreamed that he would ever hear me sing...I mean...he produced some great stuff and had heard ME sing "The Hard One That Hurts" and "Brown." How cool is that? I'd like to state for the record that I was not in the best of health on the day of that recording...just a disclaimer.
I also have to say that I am so grateful to have met all of you wonderful people through this site. Even through my bad times (Mo's illness...being out of work...etc.) you guys have been here to help me and support me and I want you all to know that I feel your Hainesie/Kimlet good vibes with me everywhere I go.
Bruce...Mr. Mark Bakalor...Craig...thank you and keep it up!! Viva HHW.com!!!
Posted by Jason @ 11/09/2002 10:10 PM PST

Did I say Craig? Well...while I do adore Craig...I meant to say Donald. Oops!
Posted by Jason @ 11/09/2002 10:13 PM PST

Hey.. don't take that back ;) I do a LITTLE work on the site.. I take care of the interview section. ALKF (a little know fact in internet lingo)....
Posted by Craig @ 11/09/2002 10:22 PM PST

Now, THIS is a PARTY! Let's stay all night and we'll sing 'em all. Let's not sing The Party's Over until the cows come home, that's what I say.
Posted by bk @ 11/09/2002 10:23 PM PST

Mooooooo! We're home! Where are our pointy hats?
Posted by The Cows @ 11/09/2002 10:23 PM PST

Things OZ and such. Mr Crowe is admired for his success but often for not much more! The other AUSTRALIANS (Crowe is of course from NZ) such as Hugo Weaving, Geoffrey Rush and Mr Jackman receive good press, are liked by their colleagues, loved by the press and appreciated by the public. They give the impression that they unaffected by their success and appreciative of their opportunities. The same is said of Cate B. Judy "Garland" Davis, Toni Collette, and Rachel Griffiths. Australians love to love Nicole Kidman too.
Dame Edna is of course our most famous "export". No doubt her very good friend Barry H is aware that we attended the same University. (For the matter so did Germaine Greer - but I am inclined to disregard that).
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 11/09/2002 10:29 PM PST

Congratulations on your one year anniversary of Haineshisway.com Although, I only discovered this site a few months ago after buying and watching The First Nudie Musical on DVD, I must say that I quite enjoy reading your day to day postings and I try to make a habit of reading your site everyday. Good luck on your upcoming projects such as a new movie and The First Nudie Musical going live. If that ever comes to my town or a town near me I will be sure to check that out. I hope Haineshisway.com is around for several more years to come.
Posted by Brandon @ 11/09/2002 11:13 PM PST

Don't have much to say, but
couldn't let the HHW special
day pass by without a post.
Perhaps just a thank you to bk
and Mr. Mark Bakalor and all
others involved for creating
such a terrific place on the
web for us crazy people to
mingle and mix and also mix
and mingle. So I shall put on
my pointy hat and eat a ham
chunk and raise my glass of
diet coke to toast the long life
of haineshisway. Here's to the
site and the wonderful wacky
people who inhabit it.
Posted by Ann @ 11/09/2002 11:24 PM PST

I have been errant and truant and all that, but I'm here now and ready to party with the best and the rest of them! Ham chunks and cheese slices have been consumed in Washington State to honor HHW! It is not only your first anniversary (as we all know), but it's also the four-month anniversary of my first posting! Exactly four months ago this hour (July 9, 2002 at 11:01 pm, to be exact) I made my very first post to this site. I haven't posted every day, but I've certainly at least visited almost every single day since.
I really can't remember how I found this site, but I'm glad I did. It has truly become my favorite site to see (and read and post to)! THANK YOU BRUCE AND GUY AND MARK AND DONALD!! May you all continue with good health and good humor for many years to come, so that we readers and posters and lurkers all can revel in the merriment that is HHW!
Posted by George @ 11/09/2002 11:32 PM PST

Ok.. i have 2 minutes in which to become non-errant and truant. I just began popping in here in September... or was it July? I can't remember.. anyhow I've enjoyed the people that post (kinda like the Ladies Who Lunch) and have had a great sharing great theatre stories and such. I am, however, reserving my pointy hats for our cast celebration for "side by side by sondheim" tomorrow, a well deserved celebration. It's always fun to post here, and it was nice to hear from Mark...where the hell have you been since "Anastasia"... Bakalor. Have a great night.
Posted by Matthew @ 11/10/2002 12:00 AM PST

Hmmmm....New Zealander, huh?
I was under the impression that Mr. Crowe's film career was in Australian films, predominantly, before he broke out as an international star.
My take on his "celebrity reputation" is that he is forgivable for much more than some of the others because he truly has talent. It's the insufferable -- and considerably less talented -- press corps who finds it hard to smile on him...much their superior in almost every conceivable way.
Wow! I guess I'm a bigger fan than I thought!!
What are New Zealander's called? Isn't Dame Kiri Te Kanawa a New Zealander? And of Maori heritage?
To quote Cole Porter..."what a swellegant, elegant party this is.!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/10/2002 12:59 AM PST

Look, I know I'm late for the party, but really, someone could have saved me a ham chunk! And the only cheese slice that's left seems to have Luckie's teeth marks on it.
Still, the sight of so many bedraggled pointy hats is enough to lift anyone's spirits.
Congratulations to all and sundry involved in HHW and to all posters from whichever corner of the world and time zone. And not forgetting the merry searchers - here's a word for them to search for - curmudgeonly (one of my favourites).
One of the best things about this site is reading about recordings I've never heard of before (and even getting copies from some kind soul!). I find musical taste a fascinating thing. Suddenly someone will mention something fairly obscure which I also love and you realise that many of us on this site have exactly the same taste in music. Does anyone know of any research into what forms musical taste - I'd be fascinated to know.
Here's to next year (hic!).
Posted by Allan @ 11/10/2002 01:11 AM PST

Tom from Oz -- Now you've REALLY joined the club! The "pretty little girl" with Danny Kaye is our own (our very own) Miss Susan Gordon! (She also sings on two of the tracks.) Read the archived columns of November 15 & 16, 2001 and you'll discover how she found HHW and we found her. I have the European stereo pressing of the soundtrack, which I imagine is the same version you have. Unlike the American pressing, that one has a gorgeous booklet of color photos inside a fold-out sleeve. Susan is every bit as delightful today as she was then.
Posted by Robert Armin @ 11/10/2002 02:12 AM PST

Mr. Mark Bakalor posted! Wow!
BUT!!!!!
Who is Donald FELDMAN????
he wrote:
My gift to all of you crazy people is a surprise that involves a list and Mr. Donald Feldman. The result of which you'll be hearing about soon, I'm sure.
You're all crazy,
Mr. Mark Bakalor
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/10/2002 06:18 AM PST

May I ,make a wonderful suggestion???
That in celebration of the 1st anniversary that we all click on the Unseemly Donation link and honor Bruce et al with a gift of appreciation?
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/10/2002 06:21 AM PST

I was upset that I couldn't make the party until I just logged on and noticed that the date is still November 9. Hooray! I made it!
A hearty congratulations to Bruce, his cohorts and merry band of pranksters! You've certainly accomplished a lot in one short year! I tell others that if they want to know what a life devoted to creativity is, they should read your daily posts. It's NEVER boring!
Although I didn't join up at the beginning, to catch up I did go back to 2001 and read most every post. For me, HainesHisWay has been a great way to start or end a day. It instantly puts me in a good mood. And I l-o-o-o-ve a clever turn of phrase of which, on this site, there are aplenty.
As for my dreams for the future, I'd like to be beautiful, independently wealthy and have Peace On Earth. In the meantime ... I'd like to get back to my singing.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 11/10/2002 07:43 AM PST

Am I the LAST of the errant and truant to post? Family obligations have kept me away until now...which isn't the real HHW anniversary anymore....but here I am wishing everyone another crazy year.
Posted by Pam @ 11/10/2002 08:20 AM PST

No, Pam you're not - and with this posting we're up to 60 today - yippee!
BK, Mark, Donald - what a difference a year makes! You've all stayed true to yourselves and fought for what you believe to be right, something that's hrader and harder to do in this day and age. HHW is a daily demonstration of that precept. May the coming years bring continued success and good fortune, and may all of us Kimlets be around to share in the afterglow.
Here's to cheese and ham for all wearing pointy party hats!
Posted by Phil @ 11/10/2002 09:19 AM PST

H
Posted by Arnold M.Brockman @ 11/10/2002 09:25 AM PST

A
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 11/10/2002 09:26 AM PST

P P
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 11/10/2002 09:27 AM PST

Y
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 11/10/2002 09:28 AM PST

B I R T H D A Y !!!
AND MANY MORE
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 11/10/2002 09:29 AM PST

It's great to have a BIRTHDAY and an ANNIVERSARY all on the same day!!
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 11/10/2002 09:38 AM PST

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