haines his way

11/23/2002:
"WHAT A CLEVER LAD AM I"

Well, dear readers, you won’t believe it – I barely believe it myself. I just this minute woke up. Yes, Virginia, I just this minute woke up. And do you know what time it is? Well, I’ll tell you what time it is because I will not keep such things from you – it is ten-thirty in the morning, that’s what time it is. I haven’t slept like that since Santa Claus conquered the Martians. Ten count them ten glorious hours, straight through, never woke up once. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
I must really have needed that long sleep and I feel grand, just grand. Of course, now I must hurry through these notes, but here is the good news: I was rather clever and answered all of your excellent questions before going to bed last night, so I don’t even have to write anything in the next section except an exit line. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Oh, what a clever lad am I, having written those answers last night. Why if I hadn’t been a clever lad am I then I would be sitting here for the next two hours writing those fershluganah answers and then it would be after noon by the time the notes went up. But now the notes will go up by ten-forty-five, late but not bloody late.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below so we can get right to those answers to your excellent questions which I, of course, wrote last night because what a clever lad am I.

You see, you see, all excellent questions already answered. I can just whiz past them, write an exit line and that, as they say, will be that. Oh, what a clever lad am I.
Jrand55 asks which of the two Gale Storm series was superior: My Little Margie or The Gale Storm Show/Oh Susanna! First of all, isn’t the name Gale Storm redundant? In my opinion (IMO, in Internet lingo) there is no contest – My Little Margie wins hands down. It also wins hands up for that or any other matter. I loved My Little Margie (it is mentioned fondly in my very own novel entitled, Benjamin Kritzer). I bought the two DVD set of Margie episodes when it came out and it is just a charming look back at a wonderful era. Mrs. Odets, Willie Best, Freddie (Oh, Freddie!) and Charlie Farrell and Honeywell and Todd.
William E. Lurie asks if we’re going to have an Ask Luckie Day soon? I shall Ask Luckie and find out if she in amenable to such a notion.
Craig has a mini-plethora of questions and I have a mini-plethora of answers. In my own words, how did I happen upon Mr. Mark Bakalor and his talents? In my own words, I happened upon Mr. Mark Bakalor and his talents by discovering his Sondheim.com website. At least I think that’s how I happened upon him. And I think those are my own words. I really can’t remember. I used to post there occasionally, anonymously, under the name The Real A. And then, one fine and dandy day, Mr. Mark Bakalor suggested I write my very own weekly column and the rest is history. Do I think the DVD of my upcoming film will have a karaoke track and on-screen lyrics so dear readers can sing along? It certainly is a possibility. If I, BK, were the master of time, space, and all dimensions what things that are legal would I make illegal and what illegal things would I make legal? Are there any laws of physics that I would change and why? I would make it illegal for the wealthy to abuse the judicial system, oh, yes, I would make that most illegal. I would make the tax system illegal. I don’t know from illegal. I would change all laws of physics just because I, as the master of time, space, and all dimensions, can. Did I ever own a burp gun? No, but I did own and still do own a Spud Gun (a gun that shoots potatoes). Damn, I love that Spud Gun. What is my most vivid college memory? Oh, I don’t have many vivid college memories – let’s see: Doing Stop the World was a wonderful college experience. And premiering my musical, Stages, was a fantastic experience (although I was long out of college by then).
Barbara Walters asks if I could be a tree what kind of tree would I be. I would be a free tree, free to wave my branches in the breeze, free to stand tall and proud, and free to have my branches be naked if they so chose. Or, I would be a waffle tree, with wonderful waffles growing every which way.
Jb is often frustrated by CDs that don’t have a track listing on the back of the CD case, which my CDs of john and jen and Cowgirls lack. The question is, how is the design of the CD developed? Was the location of the track listing something people felt strongly about? Do I have a personal preference? Sometimes the back (the inlay card) of a cast album has certain legal requirements, like the billing block be displayed there. If that billing block is large then it is so crowded by the time you put track titles that it’s all just a big mish-mash. I’ve done them both ways, however. What I don’t like is when the track titles aren’t on the inlay and just the inside of the booklet. If we couldn’t put them on the inlay I always tried to put them on the back of the booklet so you at least wouldn’t have to open the fershluganah booklet to find the tracks.
William E. Lurie asks what memories of the Golden Age of Television do I have? So many. I loved TV back then (again, many of these shows are mentioned in my very own novel, Benjamin Kritzer and many more are in the sequel, whose title I will disclose in the near future). The shows I have really vivid memories of loving are Boston Blackie, My Little Margie, The Thin Man (I adored Phyllis Kirk), Highway Patrol, Tombstone Territory, a really obscure show called Panic! which was kind of a precursor to The Twilight Zone, specials like Peter Pan and Amahl and the Night Visitors, all quiz shows, I Love Lucy, Superman, Racket Squad (loved Reed Hadley), wrestling (when it was great!), Your Hit Parade, Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, What’s My Line?, Soupy Sales and on and on and on.
Sandra asks if I’ve ever read King Lear. No, I have never read King Lear, nor have I seen King Lear, although I’ve seen Mr. Kurosawa’s Ran, which I think is from King Lear or one of them high-falutin’ Shakespeare things.
Tom asks is it true that nostalgia isn’t what it used to be? Yes and no. I have never been one to dwell in nostalgia, by the way (BTW, in Internet lingo), but doing the Kritzer books has been wonderful in that they transport me back to my childhood and it’s really like reliving it again. Who was my favorite TV doctor? Dr. Kildare (I once did an episode of Marcus Welby, and I liked him, too). Who was my favorite TV teacher? Comedy – Eve Arden as Our Miss Brooks. Drama – Mr. Novak with James Franciscus (shot at my high school). Who was my favorite TV detective? That’s very difficult. I liked Ray Milland as Markham, Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk as sleuths Nick and Nora Charles, I liked Mr. and Mrs. North, I liked Columbo, I liked Banacek, and I liked Mike Hammer (the original, with Darren McGavin). Oh, and I used to love the original Dragnet. Who was my favorite TV family? I loved the Leave it to Beaver family and also the Donna Reed family. Who was the best TV mum? I’ll be loyal and true and say Miss Shirley Jones.
Michael Shayne asks how the Electronic Hat works. Is it a computer program one can download? No, it is a special haineshisway.com device, created just for this here site. I can’t tell you how it works because we all know how uncouth interlopers nose around and I wouldn’t want them to steal our top-secret specs. Have I ever been mistaken for another actor? Well, of course, Chevy Chase, constantly. He once told me that before Saturday Night Live people used to mistake him for me. So there. Have I ever considered changing my name to something more waspish. I had an uncle, Al Kingston, who was quite a big agent, first with William Morris, I think, and then with a big literary agency (oh, if he were only still around today). When I was a very young sprig of a twig of a tad of a lad of a youth of a teen, I told him I wanted to be an actor. He arranged for me to take my first photos (which I still have – and boy are they a hoot – taken by Bruno of Hollywood) and he suggested I change my name to Bruce Kent. Thank goodness I did not heed his advice. I did not want to be named after a Metropolis reporter or a cigarette.
Laura asks if I’ve ever jumped out of a plane. Never have, never will. I once jumped out of a car, but it was parked at the time.
Ron Pulliam asks what is the most memorable TV show/commercial partnership from my childhood? Well, certainly I remember Your Hit Parade and Lucky Strike (LSMFT) and I remember Wild Bill Hickock and Kellog’s cereals (especially Sugar Pops).
Jose asks if I separate my clothes before I wash? Yes, I lay them out neatly and then I go in the bathroom and wash. Frankly, it is one thing I rarely do – the lovely cleaning lady does the laundry when she’s here.
Jed’s question regards the credit in the Nudie Musical documentary “Music Arranged and Performed by Grant Geissman”. Did Mr. Geissman really play all instruments or were there additional musicians? Mr. Geissman played all guitars, and he did the majority of the tracks in his synth. However, the reed solos are by Phil Feather.
George mentions that when I began writing on this site I asked my close personal friend, Mr. Guy Haines, for a year supply of Red Vines. Am I now out of them or did I save some? No, I finished them in a month. And no, Mr. Haines has not replenished the stash (he bribed me with them so I wouldn’t write about him – he didn’t have to – I really have nothing whatsoever to say about him, frankly). If the conversations I’ve been having actually frost the “some people” that I might or might not know, is that a bad or good thing. Well, I think it’s a good thing from my perspective. As to the perspective of the people I might or might not know – I could give a flying Wallenda.
Kerry asks if Mr. Guy Haines were to record another album, but this time recording my song choices, what might I have him record? Well, since a Guy Haines second album is a distinct and real possibility, I cannot and will not say, oh, no, I cannot and will not say, other than I’d probably insist he sing Love, Look Away.
S. Woody White asks who is my favorite television chef? I don’t know any current ones, but my favorite from my childhood was definitely Chef Milani (who I just this minute wrote about in my very own sequel to my very own novel). Are there any movies out this season that I would consider seeing in a movie theater rather than waiting for the DVD. Well, I really avoid movie theaters like the plague, because I cannot stomach the chattering noisy people therein. However, starting right about now, DGA members (the Director’s Guild) are allowed in to any screening whether at a theater or at a studio, and I do intend catching up on certain things over the holidays, but probably only at the screenings. I’d like to see the new Harry Potter, I want to see the Bob Crane thing, Auto Focus and a few others.
Td asks if I have favorite symphonies, cantatas and oratorios. I have many favorite symphonies, ranging from the Mahler Sixth, to the Rachmaninov Second, to all of Vaughn-Williams, with stopovers at Elgar, William Alwyn, Aronold Bax, Darius Milhaud, Ikuma Dan, Copland, Roy Harris, Howard Hanson (especially the Romantic, from whence many of the ideas in the ET score came from), William Walton and on and on and on. As to cantatas and oratorios, I’m not that up on them, although I’ve always been fond of the Storm Cloud Cantata by Arthur Benjamin, used in The Man Who Knew Too Much. Who is my favorite classical composer? Impossible to choose, can’t do it, don’t ask me. Is there any particular aria I’d like to hear sung by one of the singers I like to use? Oh, I don’t know, sure, Rebecca Luker could sing any aria and I’d be jiggy with it. Do I have a favorite operetta? I’m afraid I’m woefully undernourished when it comes to operetta. Was Rosalie an operetta? I liked that one.
Matthew wants to know what the origin behind the song Everybody Wants to be Sondheim is. What show did it come from and how did Mr. Haines feel about recording it? The song isn’t from a show, it’s a cabaret song by Alan Chapman. Mr. Haines enjoyed singing it very much.
William F. Orr asks if all my upcoming projects are successful and I am rich and all-knowing and all-powerful, will I still be here for the loyal and true Hainsies/Kimlets who have stuck with me through thick and thin. In life there are certain things you can count on, and I am one of them. Yes, I will be here for those who have been loyal and true. For those who haven’t, well, what can I say?
You see, you see, I have whizzed past the already-answered questions and am now about to write an exit line.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must do the errands I cannot do during the week, I must write, write, write (that is three writes which do not make a wrong), and then I must get Luckie. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I shall get Luckie this weekend. Today’s topic of discussion: For those who’ve read my very own novel entitled Benjamin Kritzer, you will remember that said Kritzer has a very special relationship with someone. When was the first time you really were mad for someone, your first like/love, who was it and have you ever had contact with them again?

Replies: 48 Unseemly Comments

I guess I'm the first one to post so hello everybody.
Posted by Brandon @ 11/23/2002 11:29 AM PST

As a matter of fact, yes, I have had contact with one. And I quickly realized what a blessing it is that things turned out the way they did! And I know he feels the same.
Posted by Laura @ 11/23/2002 11:35 AM PST

Unless someone is posting as I type this I'm first today. I'm glad you got a good night's sleep BK. Did Luckie wake you or isn't he there yet? I found out that with a dog you don't get to sleep as late on the weekends.
Tonight I see Rodgers' and Hart's CHEE CHEE and tomorrow afternoon is the Encores Birthday Bash with highlights of the last nine years. I'll report on both.
They are now advertising Vanessa Williams has only 4 weeks left in INTO THE WOODS. Does anyone know who her replacement is? The only name I've heard mentioned is Susan Lucci, and I hope and pray that was a joke.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 11/23/2002 11:35 AM PST

Rats --- 2 people beat me to it.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 11/23/2002 11:36 AM PST

Red Vines: I must confess I eat an entire package whenever I go out to the movie theatre.
Alan Chapman: Alan and his wife, Karen, are long-time Cabaret West members. His song, "Everybody Wants to be Sondheim But Me" won him an ASCAP songwriting award. Here's a link to his website http://www.oxy.edu/~chapman/homepage.html
First love: His name was Mike and he was my first steady boyfriend in high school. We met in my junior year when he was a senior. He was tall, handsome, athletic and kind. We used to sit at the top of the hidden staircase next to the auditorium on class breaks and cuddle. His mother, however, was something else. Very smothering and domineering. As I recall, she was a big woman who seemed to be constantly knitting (shades of Madame LaFarge). The first time I was introduced to her she treated me like I was ENGAGED to Mike. Even MY mother disliked her. Mike took me on dates in his foreign sports car and, one night, after a football game, we had a car accident and I hit the front window. The next thing I knew I woke up in the emergency room with some facial lacerations and a chipped front tooth. I learned later that Mike had had a couple of drinks before he picked me up that night. Our parents quickly separated us and, soon after, we became unsteady. I never saw him again - although a few years later, I was driving my mother someplace at night and a sports car came around the corner in the opposite direction. It stopped dead in its tracks in front of us and then backed up and took off. My mother insisted that the driver was Mike. Until today, I haven't thought about him, but - now that I have - tears well up in my eyes.
Regarding the Tooth: For my entire senior year, I had to wear a bright silver cap on my front tooth. It used to catch the spotlight when I performed at the school shows.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 11/23/2002 12:47 PM PST

Ahh, childhood romance. I
suppose I would have to name
a girl named Mary Lou for that
first role in my life. We were
quite unseperable throughout
1st and 2nd grades, and of
course there was that
obligatory first smooch on the
school playground. The
greatest part of the story is that
Mary (she dropped the "Lou" in
6th grade) and I remained very
good friends throughout the
rest of our school days,
eventually walking together at
our high school graduation.
She is one of the few people I
went to school with with whom
I remain in regular contact,
and she is now a nurse at a
children's hospital in Tacoma.
Posted by Jed @ 11/23/2002 01:12 PM PST

A wonderful story, Donna. Now, here it is, one o'clock, and only five count them five posts. Let us get off our collective butt cheeks and get some postin' goin' on' here'. I like today's topic and want more stories more. You will not believe what I got in the mail today. I got a catalog from a record company, that's what I got in the mail today. Can you believe it? I thought, now there is someone with a wry sense of humor, sending me this catalog - either that or there is someone who is a complete and utter nonce, oh, yes, a complete and utter nonce. Now, let's have no nonces around here, so post and post again and then, just for the heck of it, post again - only then will we be nonce-free. BTW (by the way in actual language), if any nonces happen to be reading (and we do know the nonces like to come here and read), the catalog is currently lining a lovely Hefty trash bag.
Posted by bk @ 11/23/2002 01:15 PM PST

I had a love,
and it's all that I had
Right or wrong
what else could I do
I loved him;
I was his,
And ev'rything he was
I was too.
I had a love
and it was all that I needed.
Right or wrong,
and he needed me too.
I loved him,
we'were one,
There's nothing could be done.
Not a thing I could have done
But held him,
Held him forever,
Been with him now tomorrow
And all of my life!
When love comes so strong,
There is no right or wrong
Your love is your life
......and of course it did not work out. But he was the best and the first.
Posted by A Very Single Person @ 11/23/2002 01:31 PM PST

I was enamored with the girl who lived next door. But when I moved away I never saw her again except at the funeral for her mother.
I even remebered her name Debbie Rosenthal
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/23/2002 01:34 PM PST

Hmmmm.....I am listening to the radio show! 8-D
The voluptuous and talented Miss Allison Hayes made guest appearances on MARKHAM - Affair in Venice and MIKE HAMMER - Mere Maid!
First love. Nothing to say.
Mrs. Odetts got 15 speeding tickets in one week in her Nash.
Posted by Jrand55 @ 11/23/2002 01:52 PM PST

Jrand55: What is the meaning of the 8-D that keeps popping up in your posts?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 11/23/2002 01:59 PM PST

My catalog is lining a cat box!
Posted by Angela D. @ 11/23/2002 02:28 PM PST

I received a catalog earlier this week, also. I'm sure we don't want to dwell on it, but I was amazed at the poor quality of some of the cover images displayed-really bad computer scans. It does not reflect well on the company.
Thanks, BK, for all your fine answers.
Posted by jb @ 11/23/2002 02:33 PM PST

According to Amazon.com Brent Barrett's cd will be released on December 10th. And right now it is three dollars cheeper than getting it at the producing label's web site. If you buy a few more cds there is free shipping.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/23/2002 02:33 PM PST

Re: Brent Barrett. There was a post to CASTRECL by someone supposedly in the know that the CD was "in the office and had begun shipping." Blah, blah, blah.
Re: first loves. I personally have no poignant stories, but it has been the source of some humor in my marriage that my wife used to date several big makhers in the broadcast world (she was a news anchor in several major markets before I knew her). The bulk of these people tend to either be NPR reporters or network sports anchors. It just so happens that the father of one of the kids in my youngest son's preschool class is the west coast sports reporter for NPR, so I have told my wife to be careful...very, very careful. :)
Posted by JMK @ 11/23/2002 02:47 PM PST

Thank you BK. My questions were not lost this week. I too adored "Our Miss Brooks" and thought Mr Novak somewhat cute.
Thnkas Michael. Must check if the offer extends to overseas mail - I doubt it.
I am trying to cast my mind back to first love. I don't think my line will reach back that far! I did re-meet an acquaintance from my childhood not so long ago. He looked familiar but I could not "place" him until he mentioned his father's occupation. He couldn't place me either! Suddenly a world of childhood came flooding back. His father was the butcher, my father was the baker. I am not making this up. We are now looking for the children of the candlestick maker. (Perhaps those of the local electrical goods store will do). The butcher's son has relatives who live a few houses away from me.
I have mentioned the catalogue comments to my dogs - they appear interested. Something new to bury!
Jose: I tried replying to your email - it does not want to be delivered!
Allan. And I thought I was special!
Kerry. I went with some friends to a restaurant last night. We were celebrating 4 birthdays. There were deserts deserts deserts and cakes cakes cakes. I did congratulate the woner/chef on one particlar cake - wonderful crusty ginger top. I came home with more. (We have gone to the restaurant a few times each year for over 20 years so we certainly well-known by the staff). I hope one day to be able to take a visting Kimlet there for a meal. It is our special place. (About an hour from the Yarra Valley Kerry - and 10 minutes from here). My 30 year old birthday friend who is not a cake eater (well not much) is still sleeping off his wonderful meal. His dog stayed the night too. Fosca & Magnus often have him here for a "sleep over".
Once again - a Jose length post!
Posted by Tom Guest @ 11/23/2002 03:16 PM PST

Poor, crazy, silly, senile Bruce. We met long before you posted anonymously to Sondheim.com. We met back in 1996 online in an irc chat room. You had the hots for my underage girlfriend and you and I started chatting via email and the rest is history...
Mr. Mark Bakalor
Posted by Mr. Mark Bakalor @ 11/23/2002 03:30 PM PST

I meant desserts desserts dessert. It has been so dry here I thought I was in Phoenix. I hope my correction is posted before someone else notices!
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 11/23/2002 03:37 PM PST

Mr Novak was also Youngblood Hawke!

William E. Lurie:
8-D = me with my glasses on
and a BIG smile but you have to tilt your head to the left.
Does anyone know, since Mr K. brought it up...is The Thin Man television series available on VHS or DVD anywhere? AND does anyone else remember Nora's maiden name?
Posted by Jrand55 @ 11/23/2002 03:40 PM PST

Tom:
Mama Camel to baby Camel:
"Eat all your meal or you'll be
deprived of.......desert !"
But you are, Tom, you ARE !
Special, that is !
Posted by François @ 11/23/2002 03:51 PM PST

Forgot to mention - bought a new AIWA CD-surround sound system today.
Inaugarated it with the Mr Bruce Kimmel produced CD NOT OF THIS EARTH.....featuring scores by Mr. Ronald Stein including ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN starring Miss Allison Hayes.
Track Number 5 is the best 50's rock dance tune EVER in movies!
Posted by Jrand55 @ 11/23/2002 04:02 PM PST

This is more like it, you lovely non-nonces. I recommend amazon.com always, and have been ordering many titles from there. Mr. Brent Barrett told me has his CDs in hand, so that's a good thing.
Posted by bk @ 11/23/2002 04:07 PM PST

Tom: I got an e-mail from you this morning - at least morning where I am. It might have been an AOL glitch, or it could also have been related to the cable modem problems I was having earlier in the week. But if you're talking about the e-mail regarding Passion, then I got it.
First Love: Well, in grade school it was a girl named Adrienne Drucker. She was actually dating another kid in my seventh grade class - seventh grade! Haven't seen her since high school. Oh, then there was also Kim Miller a few months later. I got the dreaded, "I like you like a brother," speech. Ouch! - still hurts.
First major adult crush was in college. Quite a life-affecting scenario actually. I won't go into detail here, but let's just say it was quite traumatic and dramatic at the time - for both of us. -And I actually may be seeing him in the next month or so... -Time has smoothed many things out.
First Love - Unfortunately, my first adult relationship - which was also with my first love - ended earlier this year. Fortunately, the parting was very amicable, and we still see each other on a regular basis socially - our circle of friends is still "our" circle. However, Steve will always be my first love.
Vanessa Williams in Into the Woods: She'll be with the show until December 22. I've heard a few rumors, but nothing truly is in stone - or even sand at this point. I even asked Ms. Williams when she was here with Carmen Jones, and she had no real idea. I just hope they don't bring back Phylicia Rashad like they did when she was brought into replace Bernadette Peters during the original run. Her first act was OK, but I did not want to listen to her "Children Will Listen".
Maybe this could be a thread here... Who would you like to see play the Witch in the current revival of Into the Woods?
Right now, Christine Baranski just popped in my head. Mmmm...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 11/23/2002 05:41 PM PST

I'm almost done with my last research paper! WOO HOO!! I've been "working" on it all day. And it's not even due tomorrow. Soy ham chunks and cheese slices all around.
Posted by Sandra @ 11/23/2002 05:44 PM PST

Brave Sandra. Is the research paper on the influence Of King Lear on children from "broken" homes". Maybe the need for fencing lessons for shakespearian actors from divorce traumed backgrounds.
Jose.Thanks. Yes it was my acknowledgement of your Passion.
Love your idea of Baranski. She is a delight. Loved her in the Cybil Shepherd sitcom too.
Posted by Tom Guest @ 11/23/2002 06:15 PM PST

I had the awesome experience of seeing Barbara Cook live today at the Curran Theater in San Francisco. As most of you know, Mostly Sondheim is a Wally Harper/Barbara Cook presentation of songs not only written by Sondheim, but songs Sondheim wishes he had written.
I will generalize a bit first. It seemed, as she sang the first several songs, that she and Wally had deliberately chosen songs that were best suited for her lower register. Only a few high notes were necessary in the Sondheim or the Arlen numbers. As the show moved on – and it really moves, too – the songs became more vocally challenging, IMO, and her voice became more relaxed and more like the Barbara Cook you always want to hear. By the time she got to Send in the Clowns, there was virtually no difference in her voice today than there was 30 years ago. How is this POSSIBLE???? And what a stunning presentation of that song with Wally on piano and an unintroduced (and unnamed, as there was no program) gent on bass. (In the CD, John Beal is in the group photo at Carnegie Hall and it may have been him, although I don't know).
Wally Harper is a national treasure. The man is a genius at piano arrangements. And this arrangement of “Send in the Clowns” is the BEST I’ve heard.
As was Ms. Cook’s flawless, emotionally charged reading of it. Barbara Cook would be a Dame if she were British. That she hasn't received Kennedy Center Honors is disgraceful.
“Not A Day Goes By” segued into “Losing My Mind.” I have her recording of this “Follies” standard on “’Follies’ in Concert” and “Mostly Sondheim” and it’s always great to listen to them. But I’ve always regretted feeling this song was more emotionally charged in Dorothy Collins’ version…until I heard it today. It was as pure and gorgeous and heartfelt as any performance of the song I’ve heard. Every note was thrilling.
The concert was identical in content to the 2-CD set minus the Malcolm Gets numbers.
The curtain call was “Anyone Can Whistle” sung mikeless. The auditorium was dead quiet and her voice was crystalline.
So here I am in a quandary. Several weeks ago, I thrilled to “La Boheme,” in awe of the first two acts and in tears for the final two.
Today, the show was only 20 minutes old and I was becoming emotional. I think it was joy! And now that I write about it, I’m still emotional. The concert was more than I hoped it would be or could be.
Oddly, I was the sole occupant of Row O, center Orchestra. Except for the five empty seats in front of me, most of the seats/rows in front of and behind me were full. The mezzanine was packed. I felt isolated, but connected, as various folks in the audience would look around and, seeing me, would smile in recognition of how I felt.
It was a great life experience, and I wish I could have shared it with all of you.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/23/2002 06:17 PM PST

I have no idea how I did this italics nonsense.
I apologize profusely.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/23/2002 06:19 PM PST

Italics be gone - ???
Yes?
No?
Maybe?
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 11/23/2002 06:22 PM PST

By jove, I think I got it!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 11/23/2002 06:23 PM PST

Well, well, well (that is three wells) the merry searchers are back - perhaps I can help them and say that yes, Virginia, that Alan Jay Lerner album is now finally available. There are many places to purchase it, unless you already happen to have a few thousand on hand. Good luck in your many endeavors, merry searchers, and I do hope you've found what you're looking for.
Posted by bk @ 11/23/2002 06:24 PM PST

THANKS, on, for the report !
I bet NOBODY rushed for the
exit 15 minutes before the end
?????
Now, we all know -- EVEN the
merry searchers ! -- that
Barbara can sing, but CAN
SHE COOK TOO ?!?....
-- I know, I know, that's gonna
freeze the number of posts !!
Put the blame on François,
boys, put the blame on him !
Posted by François @ 11/23/2002 06:59 PM PST

Ron, that "on" above was
supposed to be you; RON !
Put the blame on the
keyboard.
Posted by François @ 11/23/2002 07:01 PM PST

BK: What exactly were the merry searchers search for and how do you know what they are searching for?
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/23/2002 07:42 PM PST

The merry searchers are always searching - searching, searching, searching (that is three searchings). The way in which these particular merry searchers search is rather obvious you see, what with our very special handy-dandy fancy-shmancy technology. It's a combination of factors, you see, and that combination of factors enables me to draw certain conclusions. Have you ever drawn conclusions? I use crayon and colored pencils when drawing conclusions.
Posted by bk @ 11/23/2002 08:01 PM PST

In re: Bruce being mistaken for Chevy Chase and vice versa.
My late friend Joel Crothers (Broadway: Barefoot in the Park; Off-Broadway: Torch Song Trilogy) became well known in Dark Shadows, The Edge of Night, and other soaps. Joel said a young actor was always being mistaken for him at auditions.
Until that young actor got a TV series, Magnum Force. Then it was the reverse. But then Joel got a lot of work in commercials as a Tom Selleck look-alike.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 11/23/2002 08:38 PM PST

First love? His name was Jason, we were in love for about six months, then became best friends, then he disappeared. The sad part is that der Brucer is in no way jealous. Dang.
A thought on seeing movies in theaters instead of waiting for DVDs. There are times when the theater experience is preferable, usually in the case of bad movies. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is, always, better with the audience, and better because of the audience. Watching RHP on television just isn't the same, and vaccuming the floor because of the toast is a bother.
Another example was the film Independence Day, if seen on the opening weekend. The theater was packed, not a seat vacant, and it was lots of fun jumping together at each shock and cheering together at each triumph. But, let's face it, the film itself was not a triumph of the filmic arts. It was pure schlock, and recognizable as such when viewed in a room all alone with no one but the doggies. And the doggies get strange looks on their faces whenever I jump up, like "what's he up to this time?"
One way to avoid people who make inappropriate noises in the theaters is to go when they aren't there. Of the two methods I know of to do this, the first is to attend the matinees whenever I can. This has the advantage of being cheaper than going to the night showings. The other is to wait until the theater has closed, sneek in, and run the film for myself. Only I have to bring my own popcorn and soda, so this isn't quite as good an idea. The security guards keep wanting me to share.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 11/23/2002 09:00 PM PST

Who am I anyway?
Am I my resume?
Posted by Kerry @ 11/23/2002 09:06 PM PST

Nice beginning, Kerry !
That could make a nice song,
maybe.....
Posted by François @ 11/23/2002 09:17 PM PST

Never mind, Frenchy! I will answer to "on."
Audience behavior was pretty good, overall.
There were the ubiquitous ones who sat in orchestra seats in the first three rows and felt compelled to get up at different times during a song ostensibly to go to the loo. One simply cannot avoid seeing them...including Miss Cook who didn't flinch one bit.
One man left just before "Send in the Clowns" and I took a great deal of satisfaction from the fact that he missed one of the best songs in the show.
But aside from a couple of folks who left after Miss Cook left the stage the first time, everyone else adamantly refused to allow the show to end. And, since Wally and the bassist were still sitting there, we by golly wanted the encore song! We got it, we gave another standing ovation, and all three left the stage.
No...it was by and large a MOST appreciative and respectful audience.
For our Merry Searchers:
Oh, Merry Searchers
Won't you search us tonight
Search us tonight
Search us tonight
Oh, Merry Searchers
won't you search us tonight
While we dance by the light of the moon.
Posted by on Pulliam @ 11/23/2002 09:51 PM PST

Correction: The "Mostly Sondheim" concert added one song not on the 2-CD recording.
Ms. Cook sang a gorgeous "In Buddy's Eyes."
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/23/2002 09:52 PM PST

Tom, lovey, of course you're special. Which reminds me of a line in A Chorus Line - 'Those stage and movie people made it because they're special' in Hello Twelve... I could never work out what that line was until I saw the script. Does anyone else have lines from CDs that they can't make out? A friend of mine's mother always used to sing along to Guantanamera as 'Once on a mirror'.
And talking of A Chorus Line, William E, I've been trying to respond to your email but my system keeps on throwing it back. The answer to your question is 'of course'.
And Francois, je t'aime on account of Michel Legrand!
Ron, I saw Barbara Cook doing Mostly Sondheim in London and I too was gobsmacked at how wonderful her voice still is. I agree - a totally emotional experience. And I don't recall anyone walking out!
Posted by Allan @ 11/24/2002 12:52 AM PST

Look - exactly three hours between Ron's last post and mine - spooky. I gues you're all in noddy land. We've got thunder and lightning here - how can we have thunder and lightning when it's rained virtually non-stop for the last month, answer me that?
Posted by Allan @ 11/24/2002 12:57 AM PST

Allan---
Thanks a million. I've had a little trouble getting e-mails from "across the pond", but I appreciate the effort and will watch the mails in a couple of weeks. Try e-mailing me again when it goes out and I'll see if I get that e-mail.
I've always prefered "Rocky Horror" without an audience. A little bit of feedback is okay, but you can't even hear the dialogue and lyrics when there is a crowd of screaming fans.
How about Debbie Gravitte as the withc in INTO THE WOODS?
Jrand55: If 8-D is you with your glasses smiling is :-( me withoug my glasses frowning?
I just realized that by now everyone is waiting for the Sunday update so I;ll re-post this then.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 11/24/2002 07:57 AM PST

yes William it is. 8-D
Posted by Jrand55 @ 11/24/2002 08:23 AM PST

Kerry:
That is a picture of a person you don't know?
What does he want of you?
What should you try to be?
So many faces all around and here we go
I (hope you don't) need this job
oh God
I (hope you don't) need this show
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 11/24/2002 09:55 AM PST

Need any women?
Posted by Jrand55 @ 11/24/2002 10:29 AM PST

I love those songs with unclear lyrics.
Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It?" --
"...what's love but a second hand in motion???" (vice "...a second-hand emotion") Works both ways -- for romantics and horndogs.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/24/2002 10:31 AM PST

Oh, yeah...and that song from the opening of "All in the Family" -- "Those Were the Days."
One line was always unclear...and apparently I wasn't the only one 'cause everyone I've ever met wondered what the heck Edith was singing after "...everybody pulled their weight" in the last verse.
I could never even "guess" at what the line might be. And with good reason: I never knew there had been a car called "LaSalle."
"Gee our old LaSalle ran great....Those were the days."
Don't know if that cleared up things for any of you or not, but it popped into my head.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 11/24/2002 10:46 AM PST

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