haines his way

02/07/2003:
"A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS"

Well, dear readers, hopefully by the end of the weekend our Tourette’s Syndrome benefit will be fully cast – we’ve recently added thos Wild Party boys, Adam Grupper and Stuart Zagnit, as well as Class Act’s David Hibbard. They join Judy Kaye, Debbie Gravitte, Christiane Noll, Remy Zaken and more to be announced posthaste.
Yesterday, we had a very long meeting about our upcoming film – lots of details discussed and we start in earnest on the fifteenth. Since a press release will be going out next week, I may as well give those of you dear readers who don’t know the scoop. The new film is about those two marvelous but virtually unknown Tin Pan Alley tunesmiths, Meltz and Ernest. It is entitled The Importance of Being Meltz and Ernest, and it will feature many of the Broadway singers I’ve worked with over the years, plus interviews with a host of celebrity stars, as well as legendary composer/lyricists who will also talk about the team. The film will feature many of the Meltz and Ernest’s fabulous songs. Ever since I discovered them (that wonderful day when I found the sheet music to I’m a Blue, Blue Jew in a garage sale) I have been determined to bring their work to the public and finally I am able to. I will have more details in the coming week, and you will hear all scoops here first, dear readers. I am directing the film, and our producer is my friend, Nick Redman, the Academy Award-nominated producer of the brilliant documentary on Sam Peckinpah. Our musical director is none other than our very own Todd Ellison, and our choreographer is Jen Cody. Both Todd and Jen also appear in the film, as do I. We are very excited about this film, and we feel that this will finally give Hinky Meltz and Ernest Ernest the respect and fame that so eluded them in life. We have, for your information (FYI, in Internet lingo), discovered archival footage of Meltz and Ernest being interviewed on a local cable access show, we’ve uncovered rare videos of their songs being performed, the widow Meltz has provided us with home movies of the boys at work and play, and their children, Hinky, Jr. and Ellie Ernest will also lend their memories. Stay tuned for more details.
Last night I watched a motion picture entitled Road to Perdition. I suppose that ultimately I enjoyed it on some level, because I like Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. But it was all so heavy-handed and portentous and took forever to get going – I mean, it was almost forty minutes until I actually knew what the story was going to be. It’s beautifully shot by Conrad Hall, so it’s always nice to look at in a Frank Darabont sort of way, if you get my meaning. About two-thirds of the way through I realized that the music had almost never stopped, it was literally almost wall-to-wall score, and not a very good one at that. I can imagine what the spotting session was like. There was Sam Mendes, the director, and Thomas Newman, the composer – the titles begin and Sam say, let’s not have any music during the titles, just the sound of ocean waves. Tom nods his head. The titles end and Sam say, okay maybe some music could start here. Two hours later he says, okay let’s stop the music as soon as the end credits are over. Thanks for coming, Tom. I mean, honestly, more is not always better. Plus the music is like one long droning pad, except for when it’s doing its predictable pseudo-Irish meanderings. They really mis-sold this film, I think. I had no idea what it was about from the ads – in fact, I think I thought it was based on a comic book (it’s based on a graphic novel by Max Alan Collins).
I then watched the first third of the new DVD of Leo McCarey’s An Affair To Remember, which I’ll finish tonight. Now, don’t think me insane, but aside from seeing the film as a sprig of a twig of a lad of a youth (and I remembered very little of it), I have only seen snippets since. Well, it is such a charmer, and Grant and Kerr have such charisma and warmth and star power, and I can’t wait to finish it and give you my full report.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Don’t we have an Unseemly Button to click? We do and we shall.

Today is my final day of proofing and correcting things in the book, then it goes off to the publisher on Monday, and I’ll see my galleys in about four weeks. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must lock in the last few people for the benefit, I must do errands, I must leave and reenter my house, I must watch the rest of An Affair to Remember, and then watch Mr. Bing Crosby in Pennies from Heaven. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD and DVD/video players? I’ll start – CD, my recording of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Miss Ann-Margret. I don’t know what made me pull it out, but I hadn’t heard it since we did it and I must say it’s quite good, and I also must say that Miss Ann-Margret comes off splendidly on the CD, unlike she came off on the stage. I love Ann-Margret, by the way (BTW, in Internet lingo) – also listening to Far From Heaven by Elmer Bernstein, my favorite score of the year. In the DVD player, An Affair to Remember. Your turn.

Replies: 81 Unseemly Comments

I'm feeling very folky today. Right now I'm listening to Peter Paul and Mary, Songs of Conscience and Concern. After that I will move to No Easy Walk to Freedom and Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits. Also, before I put on the folk, I listened to a BBC show called, appropriately enough, Showtime, a music and film show similar to our own Mr. Donald Feltham's, only without the sparkling interviews and chat.
In our VCR is the Paul Robeson silent from last Sunday's TCM Silent
It's snowing like crazy here in NYC so we will just stay in and watch movies all weekend I think (and drink tea and hot chocolate and snuggle)
Posted by Ben @ 02/07/2003 08:44 AM PST

No posts yet?
Not even someone posting just to say "First post"??
Oh, my...
Posted by Dave @ 02/07/2003 08:44 AM PST

THIRD POST!
For some danged reason, I've got season Three of Buffy in the DVD player. I've also been staying up all night, which suggests I've got a vampire thing going.
Somebody, raise the stakes!
Posted by S. Woody White @ 02/07/2003 08:51 AM PST

Thank the Heavens -- my fair city finally has the opportunity to see the movie, Chicago!! But why, you may ask, perhaps my fair city does not have enough screens? Oh no, we have over 40 screens with 75 percent stadium style seating. Ugh!
As for the CD players -- Avril Lavigne & Hairspray. And in the DVD player -- Elton John Live from Madison Square Garden.
Posted by Angela @ 02/07/2003 08:54 AM PST

I have been most errant and truant these last couple of weeks and no doubt am fully deserving of a lusty bitch slapping!
In the CD player: Davis Gaines' "Against the Tide," which I bought from Mr. Gaines' own website, plus the latest batch I bought from Amazon, the OBC recordings of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, PARADE and CITY OF ANGELS.
Posted by Jay @ 02/07/2003 08:55 AM PST

Yes, FAR FROM HEAVEN by Elmer Bernstein is my favorite score this year as well...topped only by the FRIDA score (so says the Hollywood Foreign Press).
What an exciting movie project. And it will be wonderful when the buzz starts that all of us here at the most popular site on the Internet can say....well, of course, we knew all about that.
In my DVD player - three episodes of a television version of Flash Gordon featuring Mr Steve Holland. This series was filmed in West Berlin in the early 1950's. Three cast members are from the US and the others are German. It makes for an unusual mix of accents, costumes, and decor. Special effects are minimum minus, and there is talk talk talk - but it is an interesting viewing experience.
In my CD player - my sparkling prize from the trivia contest of January...the cast album of Das Barbecu! Could it possibly be any funnier? I don't think so.
Also, an Annette Funicello double delight 00 two albums on one CD - Annette Sings Surfing Favorites (when she sings "If my woody breaks down on me somewhere on my surf route, I'll strap my board to my back and hitch a ride in my wetsuit", my mind is boggled) and Annette's Beach Party (typical of that Buena Vista record series, the future and future EX Mrs. Gilardi sings the ENTIRE score).
In my VCR Miss Susan Gordon and Mr Danny Kaye in THE FIVE PENNIES. I had not seen this movie in a LONG time. The video is NOT in widescreen 8-( but it is in glorious stereo. The colors a bright & saturated, the songs are fun. See Susan play poker, see Susan lose her pajama pants, see Susan in an iron lung, it's just a SusannaRama! And it has interesting performances by Kaye and his co-star Barbara BelGeddes.
The Irish step dancing is done...the show opens on February 21! Pray for Rosemary's Baby.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 08:55 AM PST

BK - A Graphic Novel is another name for a long, stand alone comic book. They are basically the same thing but "comic book" sounds like it's for children (although most comics published today are definitely not for children).
In the CD: 2 CDs sent to me by 2 different Hainsies/Kimlets who I will not name because then everyone will want copies: The Broadway Cast of A FAMILY AFFAIR and the French cast of AMOUR (I keep forgetting the correct spelling of the French Title).
In the DVD - I finally got "1941" and have watched the extras. I'll get to the feature this weekend. In the documentary Spielberg certainly gives a different impression than he's given over the years. I always thought he hated the film and wanted to forget it, but he seemed to enjoy making it and still enjoy it today. By the way, someone should tell Spielberg to keep his hands hidden when on camera. I've rarely seen worse bitten fingernails. (Who am I - Madge "You're Soaking In It" the manicurist [Jan Miner]?)
In the VHS - Last night's "ER" and tape for tonight's Audra McDonald and Reba. I'll wait for the next BK episode to tape "Bullshit" again.
Weekend Theatre Tickets: A new off-Broadway musical in previews by Michael John LaChiusa called LITTLE FISH. I'm not a big LaChiusa fan but the cast features some of my favorites: Hugh Pannaro, Jessie Tyler Ferguson and Lea Delaria plus Marcy Harrell who blew me away with "Another Hundred People" at the Camp Sondheim reunion.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/07/2003 08:56 AM PST

Well, my CD player is empty right now, but not for long. Tonight, I will be picking up my Amazon.com packages, which will include CDs of
FOREVER PLAID (I'm planning on auditioning for a local production soon...)
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
CINDERELLA (with Ms. Julie Andrews)
CABARET (new Broadway cast)
I'll also be checking out a local production of CHICAGO. Several of my friends have already seen it, and highly recommended it - and they have all seen the movie.
Nothing in the DVD player right now.
Posted by Dave @ 02/07/2003 09:00 AM PST

Dave - you MUST audition for FOREVER PLAID - it is ginchiest!
We can rehearse in the basement of the store!
Posted by Jinx @ 02/07/2003 09:11 AM PST

Dave, if you need any advice about Forever Plaid, ask our resident Plaid Expert -- Dear Reader Sandra.
Posted by Laura @ 02/07/2003 09:41 AM PST

I liked plaid best when I wore it in "Brigadoon".
Posted by Fiona MacLaren @ 02/07/2003 09:52 AM PST

Thanks for the encouragement re: FOREVER PLAID. I've been a fan of the show for some time, too. (The CD I just purchased was to replace the cassette that I have worn out...)
Auditions are over a month away, but I thought I would get working on the harmony parts. You never know what they might call upon you to do at an audition. A friend of mine is lending me a rehearsal tape for one of the parts, which he thinks I would be right for (Sparky).
Looking ahead, I also plan to audition for an upcoming production of RAGTIME. One of my absolute favourite shows, and plenty of great male roles to play.
Anyone else prepping for auditions? Or just have a dream role they'd like to play?
Posted by Dave @ 02/07/2003 10:18 AM PST

Prepping to direct/choreograph SOUTH PACFIC - auditions in April/June production (thanks for the help reader Jose).
Production of reader JMK's 'Starcrossed' about Judy Garland & Frances Farmer (featuring reader Susan Gordon) is NOT Indy-bound, so a great disappointment there! Hope to hear about a production elsewhere soon!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 10:34 AM PST

Actually, dear reader Susan Gordon will be appearing in The Importance of Being Meltz and Ernest.
Posted by bk @ 02/07/2003 10:36 AM PST

Using her middle initial, I assume. 8-D
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 10:41 AM PST

I didn't bother with the Michael Jackson documentary last night, but I'm wondering if any of the dear readers did and what they thought. Also, it's not Ask BK day, but on that topic BK did you ever work with the Jackson 5 who were at the peak of their popularity when you were making all your tv appearances?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/07/2003 10:53 AM PST

Biting of the fingernails reveals either a deeply divided personality, or a sexual insecurity. Patient Speilberg needs investigate the possibility of seeking professional help. I did see a Doctor on the new Penn & Teller Showtime program that I hear is accepting new patients. Psychology is NOT his primary practice, but he seems versatile.
Posted by Dr Joyce Brothers @ 02/07/2003 11:04 AM PST

Inspired by the WEL post above - I submit the following:
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 11:10 AM PST

It's not nice to fool me.
Posted by M. N. @ 02/07/2003 11:10 AM PST

You can be sure if it's Westinghouse.
Posted by Betty Furness @ 02/07/2003 11:11 AM PST

See the USA in your Chevrolet.
Posted by Dinah Shore @ 02/07/2003 11:11 AM PST

Never worked with the Jackson Five, but did work with the Doobie Brothers, Lola Falana, Paul Williams, and heaven-knows who else in the variety world
Posted by bk @ 02/07/2003 11:13 AM PST

I haven't posted in forever. Anyway, in my cd player is Jason Graae's "You're Never Fully Dressed..." (which has to be the one cd I play the most) and in my DVD is "Scotland, PA" which I really have no strong feelings about.
Regarding the Jackson interview last night, I did catch the last few minutes of it and I don't like to be judgemental and I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I think that he really is a freak. First of all, what happened to his face? And he makes his kids wear masks or veils in public because he's afraid they'll be kidnapped. Well, to me, nothing says "I'm Michael Jackson's child" more than a big ol' butterfly mask on a whatever-year-old.
Posted by Mark L. @ 02/07/2003 11:29 AM PST

Michael Jackson needs to have more people around him who are NOT on his payroll.
Maybe then, he would hear the facts about himself.
Posted by Lonesome Rhodes @ 02/07/2003 11:31 AM PST

Jr: Are you in Indy? I'm Indy born and bred -- spent the first 20 years of my life there. :)
Didn't see the MJ special, but read some of the "juicier" tidbits that hit the wire when it aired in England. Just sad, really. Those poor kids have NO hope of growing up to be happy and well-adjusted. I seriously think that MJ has an axis II mental illness, and seeing someone manifesting symptoms of mental illness in a documentary just ain't my idea of fun.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/07/2003 11:37 AM PST

I live about 15 west of Indy Proper in Mooresville.
Indiana: home of The 500 Mile Race, The Pacers, The Colts, and Frances Farmer. 8-D
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 11:40 AM PST

Fifteen MILES, that is.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 11:40 AM PST

We will sell no wine before its time.
Posted by Orson Welles @ 02/07/2003 11:41 AM PST

It's time.
Posted by The Little Old Winemaker @ 02/07/2003 11:42 AM PST

Brusha, brusha, brusha
New Ipana toothpaste!
Posted by Bucky Beaver @ 02/07/2003 11:45 AM PST

Does she or doesnt't she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure.
Posted by Lady Clairol @ 02/07/2003 11:45 AM PST

You'll wonder where the yellow went
When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent!
Posted by A Shill @ 02/07/2003 11:47 AM PST

Please, don't squeeze the Charmin.
Posted by Mr. Whipple @ 02/07/2003 11:47 AM PST

I caught the last few minutes of the Michael Jackson interview last night, and listened to him unashamedly lie about the reconstructive surgery he has had done to his face. It made me conclude that either a) he and his handlers are trying to pull a fast one on the American public, by continuing to build the myth that is "Michael Jackson", or b) his reality is not the same as the one that I live in. I appreciate the music he has given the world, but I am inclined to lean toward the latter.
On the other hand, reports of the resurgence in his record sales in the UK does make one wonder...?
Posted by Dave @ 02/07/2003 11:53 AM PST

If you sold 2 CD's last week and 6 CD's this week it would be a
+400% increase.
Posted by Disc Counter @ 02/07/2003 11:59 AM PST

You'll wonder where your father went
If he talks about the government.
Russian poem.
Posted by Boy Scout Magazine 1958 @ 02/07/2003 12:02 PM PST

I was about to question those calculations, but with a name like "Disc Counter", I don't suppose he could be wrong...
Posted by Dave @ 02/07/2003 12:22 PM PST

Wow...an Indiana town I've actually heard of: Mooresville! Typically if someone is from Indiana (but not from Indy), they proudly tell me they're from "Knuckler's Knob" or somesuch and wait for my reaction. "Oh, yeah! Home of the World's Largest Ball of Tinfoil!" I guess I'm supposed to say.
I lived right by the racetrack for awhile, and every Memorial Day Weekend still feels weird without that constant roar of cars and nutty, nutty race fans.
Not that I miss it, mind you...it just feels weird.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/07/2003 12:27 PM PST

Small world isn't it, Ben !
I'm also a faithful listener to
SHOWTIME: Radio Wales...
and i love Beverly Humphrey's
voice! Ah!
Have you ever listened to
Stage & Screen ? Same radio:
BBC 3! Just great!
Hey, Mister
Mark-You're-All-Crazy-Bakalor!
How did the audition go, and
are you coming SOON to
Paris?????????
Cd player: the new Rhino
releases of "The Pirate" and
"It's Always Fair Weather" with
the one and only delectable
Dolores Grey..........
Posted by François @ 02/07/2003 12:33 PM PST

We are being very silly today - there are silly posts here. I see silly posts. Some people see dead people, I see silly posts. However, since Mr. Whipple posted, how many people here know that in my very first commercial (in 1973) I played 'young' Mr. Whipple in a Charmin commercial? How many people here know that?
Posted by bk @ 02/07/2003 12:44 PM PST

Thise CDs are great Francois. Later this month they are supposed to be releasing "Good News" and "Best Foot Forward", again with lots of bonus tracks.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/07/2003 12:46 PM PST

BK: "I did not know that. That is some weird, wild stuff." (said with a Johnny Carson lilt, natch.)
I wonder if I saw that commercial when I was little? Probably. You as Mr. Whipple seems like a natural, strangely enough.
Did you have a lot of mental preparation to get into the role? Did you write a character history? Dig deep into the "Real Whipple?"
Posted by Lulu @ 02/07/2003 01:05 PM PST

François: Yes, I do listen to Stage and Screen as well. I never get to hear it live but I listen faithfully. I loved the Mary Rodgers interview. I also love the Beeb. It's bookmarked in my browser.
Posted by Ben @ 02/07/2003 01:19 PM PST

Well, maybe i should NOT say
that but Mary Rodgers, IMHO,
came across as a "tough
cookie" during these
interviews!!!!
Was almost offended by her
first remarks about Dawn
Upshaw..
Posted by François @ 02/07/2003 01:35 PM PST

That was YOU as young Mr Whipple? You are a STAR! ***
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 01:35 PM PST

An easy mistake to make...I must work for MJ Inc.
2 CD's one week 6 CD's the next week =
200% sales increase.
Posted by Disc Counter @ 02/07/2003 01:36 PM PST

If my lovely Mary came across as a tough cookie - she must have been channeling me.
D.R. author: The House In My Head & My Favorite Things.
Posted by Dorothy Rodgers @ 02/07/2003 01:42 PM PST

Car CD player: Anthony Warlowe singing swing songs.
VCR: Probably the same Red Dwarf tape from last week.
Posted by Laura @ 02/07/2003 01:49 PM PST

Now I am really fascinated! Can you explain more about "young" Mr. Whipple, Bruce? Was Mr. Whipple originally young? Or did "old" Mr. Whipple have a flash-back to his youth (when he, presumably, did the forbidden act and squeezed)?
Do you suppose the commercial is on line somewhere? I know lots of recent ads are on thecommercialcritic.com and lots of gay-oriented ads are on thecommercialcloset.com. Is there a classiccommercials.com? Youth wants to know. And so do I.
Did you get to keep the toilet paper the way models often get to keep the clothes?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/07/2003 02:02 PM PST

And... (Oh, an Ed Kleban/Marvin Hamlish reference.)
...apropos of nothing in particular, I just had to share this week's headline from The Star.
TOP BIBLICAL SCHOLARS REVEAL
DEAD SEA SCROLLS PROPHECIES:
SADAM SURRENDERS
AND MOVES TO NEW JERSEY
This is now open discussion by any members of the Trenton Neighborhood Association.
Anyone know how you say New Jersey in ancient Aramaic?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/07/2003 02:09 PM PST

Some comments. I did not watch the Michael Jackson interview. But I did tape it. I'll be sure to post about it once I've had a look. But from what I've seen of it (excerpts), he seems like he is totally crazy.I mean covering his baby's face like that???? Hello the kid needs to breathe.
As for the person who posted about the French Amour. I am so jealous. Are the songs the same as for the recent Broadway version. Do tell.
Also, for anyone who sees Little Fish (new LaChiusa show). Can you post your thoughts.
Thanks, Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer @ 02/07/2003 02:27 PM PST

CD. My home made 4 track Cd of Millie (Small) singing "My Boy Lollipop" etc.
CD. Secret Garden "Once In a Red Moon"
CD. Judy Collins "Whales & Nightingales"
DVD: The Directors: Barbra Streisand
VCR "Carry On Loving"
"League Of Gentlemen" Episode one of new series.
Dave: Please bring "Ragtime" out here to Australia. I am sure you'll have that much influence.For which part(s) do wish to audition?
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/07/2003 02:48 PM PST

Michael Jackson is eccentric. If he were poor, like the rest of us, he'd be crazy.
Posted by Laura @ 02/07/2003 02:49 PM PST

Do we get to list our favourite films of the last 4 years tomorrow? I need time to think.If I wait until Tuesday (or is that Monday over there) I will no doubt include LOTF -Two Towers.
Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 02/07/2003 03:23 PM PST

"Take it off...take it allllllll offfffffffffffffff...."
Posted by Gunilla @ 02/07/2003 03:34 PM PST

In the Charmin commercial, I played young Mr. Whipple in a flashback when he remembers how he first met his wife. This thing ran for three years - it was a nice way to start out doing commercials.
Speaking of commercials - we have a brand spanking new Unseemly Interview up, with Doug Storm, he of the recently departed Dance of the Vampires. He's quite outspoken, and has much to say on DOTV, Michael Crawford and the Internet. You simply must read it.
Posted by bk @ 02/07/2003 04:01 PM PST

Speaking of interviews, Bruce (and/or Mark), help! The link to the Max Preeo interview is the same for the Doug Storm interview. Has the Max Preeo interview been removed? I didn't read that one, yet.
Posted by George @ 02/07/2003 04:13 PM PST

George - Craig is fixing the Max Preeo link right now - do be sure to read his interview, it's the berries.
Posted by bk @ 02/07/2003 04:27 PM PST

Jennifer---
The French AMOUR is much longer than the American version... it's on 2 CD and the show here was 90 minutes. Most of the music seems to be the same with a lot of repeats but it's in a totally different order. For example the number that opened the show here (and was the highlight of the show) is at the end of CD 1/Act 1. Since it was an import recording, I couldn't read the liner notes, but I think it sounds better sung in French. One of the problems here (though I still enjoyed it) was that the English lyrics were a little corny.
And since I'm seeing LITTLE FISH tomorrow night, I'll express my views here on Sunday.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/07/2003 04:32 PM PST

BK---The Doug Storm interview is great, but I thought this week was the Brent Barrett interview. When is that going to be posted?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/07/2003 04:36 PM PST

Brent has been traveling, but he will complete it shortly and it will hopefully be up next week.
Posted by bk @ 02/07/2003 04:46 PM PST

William, can you not read the liner notes of Amour because the print is unclear. Or because you can't read french? If it's the latter, feel free to email them to me and I'll translate.
Posted by Jennifer @ 02/07/2003 05:32 PM PST

What a terrific, wonderful interview with Mr Doug Storm.
I got out my StageBill from Les Miz at Clowes Hall in Indianapolis in October, 1994, and indeed there is Mr Doug Storm playing Feuilly!
Wooohoooooo....my first met in person HHW interviewee... I think that is his autograph on my souvenir book. We met Mr Frederick C Inkley (Valjean) and Hayden Adams (Marius) and Gina Felicia (Eponine) and Richard Kinsey (Javert) as well. It was a great cast and production!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 05:35 PM PST

In my CD player at work: the London cast recordings of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" with Frankie Howerd and "1776" made from my vinyl albums, now that my stereo system is hooked up to my computer!! Also, the beginnings of a compilation CD of songs that I taped off of TV 20 years ago. What I used to do (and I know that I’m not the only one) is to take my little tape recorder, stick it in front of the TV speaker and record stuff. I have a couple of real gems.
In my DVD & CD players at home: nothing.
In my VCR: "Forever Female" ... I finally found it.
Posted by George @ 02/07/2003 05:43 PM PST

Ah George - then you can see what I mean about FF and All About Eve.... I hope.
And the tape recorder to the TV is how I got recordings of Attack of the Puppet People and Attack of the 50 Foot Woman! AHHHHH...technology!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/07/2003 05:58 PM PST

Greetings from Memphis!
-If there's one things I hate about travelling, it's connecting to the internet through a hotel phone line/switchboard. Slow, slow, slow... -That was three "slow's" - could I have just said "triple slow" instead?
Nothing currently in any of my players.
My first semi-full week of HAIR rehearsals have gone well. What an amazing show to work on. On the surface it can seem so simple and shocking-for-shock's-sake, but once you get to know the piece... And, on the advice of a fellow colleague of mine, I'm teaching the music "loosely" - it's amazing the difference between the sections that I just played for the cast and they sang back, and the parts where I actually pounded out notes and parts. Those sections sound exactly like that - notes and parts. I have some "de-note-ifying" and "de-hootie-ing" to do once I get back from Memphis.
And speaking of Memphis... I discovered the joys of Dinstuhl's Candies! Chocolate-covered grapes! YUMMY! *I saw a feature on them on FoodTV. And I also got my annual meal at The Cupboard - a good ole "meat & three" - although, today it was a "fish & three" - perfectly fried catfish fillet. And the veggies were almost Chet & Eileen-friendly - but the cornmeal breading on the fried green tomatoes and fried okra was well worth the splurge. Oh, and I did have some amazing cornsticks with my butter.
Tomorrow it's BBQ Ribs! But I think I'm going to try Rendezvous rather than my standby, Corky's.
Oh, and I do have a full day of auditions to play for - about 100 people. Looking forward to it. I really do like these big audition calls, and it's nice catching up with people I wish I could see more often.
Oh, and I finally saw the movie of Chicago today - got in early enough to catch the cheap matinee. I enjoyed it tremendously, and the device of having everything happen through the eyes and in the mind of Roxie worked very well for me. -And Renee Z. really impressed me.
Oh, and did mention that I don't have anything currently in my CD, DVD or VCR?
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/07/2003 06:12 PM PST

WOW! How many "Oh's" was that?!?!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/07/2003 06:16 PM PST

Jennifer--
The notes are mostly lists of names plus the track listing which I can't translate. However the Playbill on Broadway did not list any song titles so there would be nothing to compare it with if I could translate it. I would have liked the French lyrics with the English translations, but since this recording was made in France there was obviously no need. One other thing - the American production had a cast of 9. There are 16 people in the cast photo on the CD, but I think this may include the director and authors. Also from the photo I could not connect any of the costumes with the characters in the American version.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/07/2003 06:23 PM PST

The Shining TV version
Final edit on the website
Going to see/meet Brent Barrett at Borders tomorrow. In concert on Monday.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 02/07/2003 07:11 PM PST

Michel Legrand is hard at work
on a stage adaptation of Les
Demoiselles de Rochefort that
will open at the Paris Palais
des Congrès at the end of next
September...
Huge posters for it are all over
the Paris métro -- subway --.....
Now, someone should tell the
gentleman who wrote the
review of the Broadway version
of Le Passe Muraille -- Amour
-- for Film Score Monthly that
Michel Legrand is NOT 80, but
will turm 71 on February
24th......
Posted by François @ 02/07/2003 07:25 PM PST

Nous sommes deux soeurs
jumelles
Nées sous le signe des
Gémeaux
Mi Fa Sol La Mi Re
Re Mi Fa Sol Sol Sol Re Do
......
-- let's start at the very
beginning.....--
Posted by The Demoiselles @ 02/07/2003 07:32 PM PST

Michael -
Which Borders and what time - is it the one on Glades/441???
Posted by Craig @ 02/07/2003 07:39 PM PST

This past wednesday, the
Museum of Television & Radio
honored Dame Julie and
Carol Burnett...
theatermania.com has great
pictures of the event; the two
old chums, Michele Pawk,
Linda Lavin, Donna Lynne
Champlin, Tony Bennett, Chita
Rivera, Mary Tyler Moore....
Thought you'd like to know.
Carol looks very very thin....
Posted by François @ 02/07/2003 07:52 PM PST

Hello all, the computer situation is getting a little better, so my nerves are not as jangled (or even jingled). My spurs, of course, go jingles, jangle, jingle. What the HELL am I talking about?!!?!?
In the DVD player:
"Putting It Together"
"Gorge"
The last episode of the sedond season of "The Sopranos"
CD's-
"Tap Your Troubles Away"
"She Loves Me" (again and still)
French Harp Music
"Love Me or Leave Me"
A two album Cd of "Day by Day" and "Day by Night" (Doris at her best with Paul Weston's orchestra). How I wish she had worked with Gordon Jenkins.
Posted by Kerry @ 02/07/2003 09:01 PM PST

Hi, everyone...
Just checking in again. It was a horrendously long day at the Met, but I have the matinee off tomorrow so I can sleep in. Huzzah!
We had a few celebs at today's dress rehearsal for LES TROYENS. Mr. Stephen Schwartz, Ms. Barbara Barrie and Ms. Fiona Shaw were all there with bells on.
A friend of mine in "the biz" forwarded an email to me re. the current musician's union renegotiations and the the threat of canned music in Broadway theatres. There is a website where you can sign a petition, and if any of you are interested (I already forwarded this to a few of you) you may check it out at www.savelivebroadway.com . I think it'd be worth your time and effort.
Anyway, I'm beat and I need rest. Here's what's in my CD player.
Portable: An MP3 disc with these CDs:
1. ABBA Gold; 2. Faith Hill--Breathe; 3. Faith Hill--Cry; 4. Faith Hill--Faith; 5. Elvis--30 Greatest Hits; 6. More ABBA Gold; 7. Rascal Flatts--Melt; 8. Rascal Flatts--Rascal Flatts; 9. Five for Fighting--America Town; 10. Ben Folds--Rockin' the Suburbs; 11. Ben Folds Five--Whatever and Ever Amen; 12. Norah Jones--Come Away With Me; 13. John Mayer--Room for Squares
All that on ONE CD! Can you imagine?
Home CD player: DREAMGIRLS concert; Mozart Requiem; LAST FIVE YEARS; Guy Haines--HAINES HIS WAY.
Ok...my bed is calling. Goodnight!
Posted by Jason @ 02/07/2003 10:33 PM PST

I am going out in search of a turntable!
Abandon hope all ye who enter here.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/08/2003 02:42 AM PST

Jrand52,
Hello.
Posted by a curious me @ 02/08/2003 03:26 AM PST

William, re: the Amour songs in French. If you want the translations of what the titles mean, give me the titles in French. It's better than nothing ;)
Posted by Jennifer @ 02/08/2003 06:46 AM PST

Kerry - What is "Gorge"? The title is unfamiliar to me.
Regading the musician's possible strike - it's not about saving live music. It's about having to pay a lot of musicians who don't play. The union insists on x number of musicians (depending on theatre seating capacity) for each theatre regardless of what the show is orchestrated for and the theatre owners and producers are tired of paying for musicians who don't play - just come in for a game of poker and to collect a paycheck. If a theatre is supposed to have 20 musicians and it is an intimate show with an orchestration that only calls for 12 musicians, why should 8 people have to be paid for doing nothing? And besides, with the way shows today are amplified it often makes the live musicians sound pre-recorded anyway.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/08/2003 07:03 AM PST

Hello, curious me - several hours later.
Couldn't find a turntable, but I got the CHICAGO soundtrack ON SALE! And a DVD of Orson Welles in David & Goliath (he plays Saul).
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/08/2003 07:23 AM PST

José:
Want to chime in on the Musicians Union thing? It looks to me (from what little I know) that Mr. Lurie is stating the Theatre Owners' platform. Rebuttal?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/08/2003 07:52 AM PST

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