Replies: 41 Unseemly Comments
Susan Gordon & I are experiencing the same thing from different sides--my 6 year old is gone all weekend for the first time ever at a little birthday bash for one of his friends. They're at a log cabin on Mt. Hood. I'm going through withdrawal.
Posted by JMK @ 02/02/2003 09:05 AM PST
Well.. not sure if this will actually be the first post of the day.. but if it is.. yippeeee for me. Happy Birthday Ben! Nice job on the gallery Mark! And Donald - can't wait to listen to the radio show...
More later...
Posted by Craig @ 02/02/2003 09:06 AM PST
First of all, Happy Birthday Ben.
From an historical perspective it was good to see Noel Cowards 1946 London flop PACIFIC 1860 in its American premiere as the last of the current Musical in Mufti series. And while it has a lot going for it (especially in the excellent production it was given) it’s not hard to see why it was not a success. Of course the original star, Mary Martin, was all wrong, but by 1946 operetta was already way past its time. Yet based on what was seen at the York, a lot of the problem with the show was its uneven book and score. The first act was an entertaining mixture of old fashioned operetta and more modern (for 1946) musica numbers with several typical Noel Coward patter songs. The second act, however, was pure operetta and as beautiful a voice as Lorna Dallas has, the show seemed like a recital of similar songs following one after another and often having nothing to do with the plot. The plot was supposed to be about an affair between a young man and a much older woman. As the older woman Nancy Anderson sang fine but looked way too young for the role so it was a more conventional plot than Coward had intended. Still there were enough musical highlights to make it more entertaining than some of Mufti’s previous floperettas such as KEAN or the 1970 “CYRANO. And the cast in addition to the aforementioned Dallas and Anderson was well up to the usual Mufti standards. I don’t understand why the producers of HAIRSPRAY have not signed Melissa Rain Anderson to play Tracy. She practically stole every show I’ve seen her in and does so again in PACIFIC 1860 with her solo “I Wish I Wasn’t Quite Such a Big Girl”. And speaking of Cole Porter, word is that after the York rents out its theatre for two months to the producers of another Jerry Herman review they will be doing another Mufti series with 3 Cole Porter shows.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/02/2003 09:35 AM PST
Great gallery Mark! However, when I view the pictures through Netscape (which is my wont) the gallery image map does not display at all. I can right click on it and view image, but when I go back, it still doesn't show. When I use Internet Explorer can I see it normally. The other thing is that in both Netscape and I.E., the pictures of Luckie and Jed do not display when viewing the pictures one at a time.
Posted by George @ 02/02/2003 10:02 AM PST
Some kind of innocence is measured out in years
You don't know what it's like to listen to your fears
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
If you're lonely you can talk to me
Posted by me @ 02/02/2003 10:38 AM PST
Well we are certainly a motley crue...or crew as the case may be. My IE does strange things with the pictures as well...but eventually by right clicking etc, I am able to view all and sundry on Sunday.
It is Board Meeting time (Bored Meeting), so I may be late for the chat. If SuzzyF happens to show up, please welcome her and I will be there sooner or later.
I am watching Mr Fredric March in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. Good movie with Miss Miriam Hopkins as well.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/02/2003 10:50 AM PST
So many birthday boys!
Happy Birthday Kerry and Donald for yesterday and Ben for today.
Posted by Allan @ 02/02/2003 11:16 AM PST
Great new picture on Donald at the Radio Show portion of this here site. Now he looks like the man I had dinner with a couple of months ago.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/02/2003 11:27 AM PST
Sorry I have been truant and message-less these past few days, but I am enjoying my daughter's visit, which has been extended til Wednesday...I see her far too seldom, and I miss those mother-daughter things we do, including squabbles...
Happiest of birthdays to all the celebrants these past few days!
BK: Molly sounds like a peach, hope it works out for you.
My heart goes out to the families of the astronauts, so tragically lost. It seems our country goes through one shock after another, these days.
Dear Mr. Mark: I love the Rogue's Gallery, and you did a super job. It's so much fun to see the Dear Readers, and I hope more will send in their pictures.
Thank you!
I hope to pop in on the chat tonight, if only briefly, before Jillian drags me out for the evening. I am enjoying a four-day weekend off from work. Yesterday, it was 81 in LV, and today, 61 with worse-than-hurricane winds. My daffodils are blooming, but laying flat on the ground...that'll teach them to be premature, I guess. Ciao!
Posted by KT @ 02/02/2003 11:29 AM PST
It's Sunday so that means it's Trading Spaces time!
Did anyone see last night's episodes? I must say that I love Vern. The loft he did last night (the black velvet and the olive brown diamonds were the best). I love his rooms.
Genevieve's Hawaiin room was okay. I didn't like the bed spread too much. She does some weird stuff.
Speaking of weird stuff. Did anyone see the 8pm repeat episode? It was the one where Gen
did a kid's playroom and built them a castle. It was crazy. But the worst part was she painted the walls white and put coloured polka dots all over them.
I really disliked this. But the part I found most interesting is how they edited the reactions at the end of the show.
I'm not sure how many people saw this, but the Today Show did a segment last year on Trading Spaces. And this was the episode they featured. They showed the full reactions live.
The problem I have is that what they showed on Trading Spaces was a completely edited version of what the couple said. They were not happy when they saw the polka dots. They were not happy at all. Yet on Trading Spaces they basically say, "Oh my gosh" and then they cut.
On the Today show the couple was saying that they didn't like it and how they wanted to redo it. Although the wife did say that if the kids really did like it, then she would consider leaving it.
But did any of that make it to the show? NOPE!
It makes me wonder how many other reactions are edited to make it seem like the couple liked their room.
I think it's fair to edit. But don't change the reaction. If the people aren't happy, then let that be known.
Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer @ 02/02/2003 12:14 PM PST
I think I saw that one on The Today Show, Jennifer -- was there a wall hanging of a flower box complete with real dirt? Or maybe they didn't show it, as her reaction was less than pleased.
Happy Birthday to Ben!!
Posted by Laura @ 02/02/2003 12:30 PM PST
You can still get Stephen's Jaguar for UNDER $10,000 - with 7 days left to go!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/02/2003 12:51 PM PST
Only one item of importance to report today. Happy birthday Ben.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/02/2003 12:52 PM PST
$10.000. No wonder I am more of a dog person. Way too much for a big cat.It is the cat expected to die within a week?
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/02/2003 12:53 PM PST
Susan Gordon - did you survive the party? JMK are you surviving the absence?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/02/2003 01:42 PM PST
Jenniffer---
What happens if you don't like the house or apartment the way they designed it for you? Does the show put it back the way it was (a Johnny Mercer/Gene DePaul reference) or is the person stuck with it?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/02/2003 01:48 PM PST
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!
Enjoy it while you can, the world is coming to an end: according to talkin broadway, Sam Mendes' take on Tulsa (in the upcoming revival of GYPSY) is that Tulsa IS GAY!!! (or is he a fig? I get those things confused every now and then)!
Posted by td @ 02/02/2003 02:25 PM PST
Happy Birthday Ben, and a belated Happy Birthday to Donald.
Tulsa being portyrayed as gay is the end of the world. I mean, yes, he is a dancer, but if he were gay, why would he run off with June? I mean, I'm all in favor of figs on the Broadway stage, but there needs to be some respect for the text. If anyone is to be played as gay, it should be Rose, as she was in fact a lesbian in real life. Of course, who knows what Bernadette's public might think of that? ;)
We had the cast party for my play at my house last night. Lots of fun, but I imagine this is one of the only parties where a large group of teenagers are spending much of their time lip-synching and dancing to the soundtrack of Chicago, with no attention whatsoever payed to gender.
I love theater people.
I'll probably be at the chat tonight. I'm looking forwad to it.
I liked the Rogues Gallery very much. Interesting to see how people are similar to and different from how I imagine them.
I heard "76 Trombones" from the Broderick "Music Man" today. Oh Dear. I'm worried. He's just...not right, somehow.
Posted by Hapgood @ 02/02/2003 02:59 PM PST
I watched the DVD of Cabaret last night. I have never found the Sam Mendes take on the show to my taste. Fosse & Joel did not need the sleaze.
This sounds like "She's no Longer a Gypsy". No applause fro me.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/02/2003 03:04 PM PST
Talkin' Broadway also lists that the Jay 2-CD "Anyone Can Whistle" is "Expected June/July 2003." It's about #@%*& time! Of course, it's listed under the "No release date set" section.
Also listed in the same section is: "Evening Primrose" on Harbinger. "Television cast recording from studio master. Anthony Perkins." Can it be??
Posted by George @ 02/02/2003 03:13 PM PST
the new Broadway Radio Show is now available for your enjoyment....not the one I had intended for this week....lots of interesting shows coming up this month including two interviews
Posted by Donald Feltham @ 02/02/2003 03:34 PM PST
Thank you all for your birthday wishes. I have had the most wonderful past two days. A surprise party yesterday and a birthday (50 years) today. I will post more tomorrow. I will try to get to the chat tonight but if I don't I will be there in spirit :-)
Posted by Ben @ 02/02/2003 03:40 PM PST
Laura asked if the Trading Spaces episode I mentioned was the one with the real dirt. Nope that was a different one. But I think I know which one you are talking about. Gen did a room once where she had real grass growing in big pots in the bedroom. It was horrid. The room yesterday was a kids playroom and had big polka dots on the wall and a play castle.
William asks:
What happens if you don't like the house or apartment the way they designed it for you? Does the show put it back the way it was (a Johnny Mercer/Gene DePaul reference) or is the person stuck with it?
Trading Spaces only does one room in each house. So if you don't like it, it's not your whole house that is ruined. But no, they don't redo it. If you don't like it then you are stuck with it.
The interesting thing is that your neighbours (friends) are the ones redoing your room. But they don't really have too much say. The designers basically know what they are going to do in advance. And when the show starts the paint and fabrics are already purchased. I think it would be more interesting if the designers spoke to the friends before buying the stuff.
I can usually tell if I'm going to like a room by the description.
The fun thing is sometimes the friends will try to argue with a designer. This has happened often especially with Doug. Me I would be terrible, because I would argue like crazy. But that's just me.
Hey if anyone wants to enter one of their rooms, I am offering to fly down and be your partner. I think it would be amazing.
Posted by Jennifer @ 02/02/2003 04:34 PM PST
The one I saw on The Today Show was a playroom with polka dots. There was also a castle thing with a puppet theater built in. I thought the playroom was adorable; the polka dots were horrid. I have seen a couple of knock-offs on this show. I don't have cable, however, so I've mostly just heard about it.
Posted by Laura @ 02/02/2003 05:10 PM PST
What a wonderful idea for a show! "A Fig Tree Grows in Tulsa!" I must start on the lyrics at once!
Posted by Dorothy @ 02/02/2003 05:14 PM PST
Didn't get to see TS last night or today....but I am sure it will be rerun sooner or later.
Yes, on the TS site at The Learning Channel, the producer calls the program a Game Show where the homeowners take their chances. But there is also a message board where some of the homeowners tell about changing things around and/or back.
Some of the designers are more cooperative and flexible - and they are the most creative and interesting to watch. Those who DEMAND that it's their way or the highway or the kind of people who don't work for secure people....but then as the worst of them (Hildy) has said....if they don't want change, what are they doing on the show?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/02/2003 05:24 PM PST
Chat is now open - new and improved chat room. Come by immediately and have fun with all of us. If you've saved it as a fave you may have to relog into the site.
Posted by bk @ 02/02/2003 05:57 PM PST
Such a lovely and sparkling chat we had tonight.
Posted by Laura @ 02/02/2003 10:25 PM PST
But not nearly enough posts. Let's have some more late night ones so I have something to read in the morning.
Tonight's chat was smashing. We had a record number of people here and it was all quite sparkling.
Posted by bk @ 02/02/2003 10:38 PM PST
What a chat!!!! It was nice seeing all of you and getting to know you. Can't wait for the next one. Cheers!
Posted by Matthew @ 02/02/2003 10:39 PM PST
What a fun chat!!
I'm back from Our Nation's Capital and I had a splendid time. I met our very own Jose, and it was swellegant. He was so nice to print out the posts for me!! Thanks, Jose!
Speaking of Jose...I saw the production of SOUTH PACIFIC that he was playing in. While I freely admit that I do not enjoy that show (never have), I must admit that Arena Stage's production was VERY well done. I wasn't sure how it was going to work in a rectangular stage, but it worked, by golly. I was really impressed.
We went to the United States Holocaust Museum this morning before we left DC. Wow. Very moving; very disturbing. It broke my heart. Everyone should experience it at some point in their life.
Anyway, just wanted to post and say hi and let you all know I'm back safely.
Posted by Jason @ 02/02/2003 10:44 PM PST
Well, I'm back from my closing night of South Pacific. As closing nights go, it was quite a fun and festive occasion. The costume shop had a bunch of extra temporary tatoos, so the whole orchestra got "tatted" before the show. The party afterwards was very nice - lots and lots of pizza and margarita punch! And lots of picture taking too.
All in all, a truly wonderful experience. I'm already missing everyone, but all our paths are bound to cross again in the future.
Well, I need to get some sleep - back to Richmond tomorrow morning, and right into HAIR.
Happy Birthday, Ben!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/02/2003 10:58 PM PST
Late-Nite Post: Doggone it, I missed another chat...I went to see THE RECRUIT tonight--not sure if I loved it in my usual exhuberant fashion, but it was good, a little clumsy in the writing department. And it was Al, so what could be so bad?
I'm loving Benjamin Kritzer...I think my mother went to the same School of Euphorisms as his. We also had a stereo in the living room, a floor console with a lift-up top, and the same LPs: South Pacific, My Fair Lady, etc. Lots of things are making me laugh out loud...oy vey, those
Jewish parents....
Posted by KT @ 02/03/2003 12:33 AM PST
The new chat room is tres jolie...tres tres jolie...a Constance Ford reference.
Now it is Monday - and the week starts again. Oh well. Rain, rain, rain here and it is lovely compared to the snow.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/03/2003 02:36 AM PST
It's early morning here in NYC (7:40am) and since the last notes of the previous day are not universally read, I will wait until BK posts the 02/03/03 notes to tell you all about my stellar weekend. Sorry I missed the chat, but I had a great time.
BTW (by the way in internet lingo), love the Rogue's Gallery.
Posted by Ben @ 02/03/2003 04:34 AM PST
Everybody reads the late posts, don't they?
Posted by Kerry @ 02/03/2003 06:04 AM PST
I thought so.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/03/2003 06:28 AM PST
I'm never sure. I know that sometimes they stay up for quite a while with people waiting until the new notes are posted before posting again but if people are looking at the notes, then they are being read, makes sense, doesn't it!
Posted by Ben @ 02/03/2003 06:29 AM PST
I'm certainly reading these here notes. At least I think I am. Perhaps I am unhappily deluded?
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 07:18 AM PST
Lulu - the guy I was trying to think of last night is Billy Vaughn. He released a LOT of instrumental and group vocal albums on the DOT label in the 1960's. A lot like the Ray Conniff stuff on Columbia records.
If you can find any Billy Vaughn records and you like that kind of stuff, they are worth getting. Especially if you can find them in stereo.
His album "Look What They've Done to my Song" was where I first heard the song 'Don't Bring Lulu' and it made me laugh. It was even more remarkable that YOU knew the song. LOL...
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/03/2003 07:36 AM PST
Alas, Jr, I must confess that I didn't know the song in question. I could just tell from the way you phrased it that you must be referencing a song. :) (however, I did immediately recognize Les and Mary's classic Am I Blue. Also love their How High the Moon and Mockin'bird Hill.)
You're right...I probably would enjoy the Billy Vaughn albums. Thanks for the info!
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 09:30 AM PST
