Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/16/2003 10:15 AM PST

%))
EXCUSE ME,I'M SO EXCITED- 500
AND IT ONLY SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY.
CONGRATULATIONS BRUCE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO US ALL!!

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 03/16/2003 10:25 AM PST

CONGRATULATIONS BK AND DEAR READERS & WRITERS! It's been a delight to read your notes and communicate with you one and all. I know firsthand, BK, what dedication and discipline it takes to "be there" on a regular basis. Since 1996, I've been the writer and editor of the monthly Cabaret West Calendar and Newsletter.

NICK REDMAN - Thank you for elaborating about Ethel and Marilyn. I've read about Marilyn's notorious insecurity, but I had do idea her songs had to be pieced together word for word. Incredible! Her directors and editors had the patience of Job!

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 03/16/2003 10:37 AM PST

Spring is here (oh - a Rodgers & Hart reference - actually double because they wrote two songs with that title) in NYC (an Strouse & Charnin reference).

500 --- wow! I've read them all and probably posted on about 450 of them. I've had my disagreements with some posters and once with BK, but I've made cyperfriends and even traded a few CDs for things I probably would never have been able to get. So best to BK, Guy and all you people out there at your keyboards.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/16/2003 10:40 AM PST

This is a party? Where in tarnation IS everyone. Get your collective butt cheeks in here and get with the program. We are, after all, cool, man, cool, the grooviest, the ginchiest, the most happening in with the in crowd joint, so let's do it, man, before we have to have a rumble.

Posted by bk @ 03/16/2003 11:51 AM PST

Zounds and Gadzooks: 500! Lotsa mazels!
Reporting from a drenched Las Vegas, I am happy to say it is a nice respite from all that confounded sunshine, and my lawn is super-green.
The Man From Elysian Fields is being released on DVD Tuesday; it is a very, very good film, if you haven't seen it yet (Andy Garcia, James Coburn, Angelica Huston, and Mick Jagger doing an amzing turn).

Posted by KT @ 03/16/2003 12:13 PM PST

Good Morning!

And A Very Happy 500 to HHW!

-I think I came in around the mid to late 300s. It's been a great time, and I look forward to the next 500 notes!

-I have the Showtunes Channel dialed up on the digital cable - the Overture to Mack & Mabel is playing - always brings a smile to my face. -And, it's the only Jerry Herman score I've "actively" listened to more than once. -Oooh, now Cleo Laine's "I'm Still Here"...

I finally just caught up on all the posts from the past couple of days. What a veritable plethora of posts, topics, tangents and comments! And it was nice seeing some good activity on a weekend (at least for Saturday so far).

My mini-vacation to NYC was wonderful, and I really wished I could have stayed even just one more day, but, alas, there are rehearsals to be attended.

WFO: I didn't get to ask Michael Rupert about the "He's Jewish" comment, but he did tell me about the night where an audience actually came up on stage during the finale. It was some high school boy who had just gotten caught up in the whole spirit of the piece, and, thankfully, the stage manager managed to get him safely into the wings. Michael's having a great time doing Elegies, and, hopefully, they'll extend - they're supposed to finish up next week. And his new show - which I did the workshop for last summer - has just gone through a major re-write, and we'll see where it goes from there.

My "Japanese Day" was amazing. I finally made it to Takashimaya - a Japanese department store in New York City. A beautiful store, with a a nice selection of various items - the flower displays in the ground floor lobby are very nice. There is a tea room and restaurant in the basement, and you can also pick up some fine teas and other food items - which I did! Then I explored the rest of the store, and eventually found some items I could actually afford :-). However, the best part for me were/are the shopping bags - they are beautifully crafted triangular(!) paper bags. And since I had to buy each thing I bought in each department, I ended up with three of them - they're going to make great luminaries, or I may just hang them up in a row. I then headed back down to Rockefeller Center to Minamoto Kitchoan for some wagashi - little Japanese sweets made from rice flour, red beans, yuzu, etc. And each one is a veritable piece of art, from the way they are packaged (exquisitely printed papers and fabrics(!)), to the pieces themselves. And the various flavors are wonderful - my favorite among the batch I bought has been the one flavored with actually cherry blossoms. And that completed my Japanese Day - although I still need to make it to the Origami Center one of these days.

Dear Reader Jason and I met at Joe Allen's for dinner - at BK's suggestion. Unfortunately, they were booked solid for dinner, but we were able to dine at the bar, which was just fine and dandy and dandy and fine. Great conversation and some fun people watching. Craig Bierko was down the bar from us - and I usually end up sitting near him or Donna Murphy when I'm in NYC. And there were some other very familiar looking people, but neither Jason nor I could put a name to a bunch of them.

After we finished our dinner, we headed to Times Square, and ventured into the Hershey's Store. -And I even bought a certain souvenir, which I'll have to break out for special occasions. And I even have the photographic proof! (That was for Jason's eyes.)

We then headed over to Lincoln Center, and Jason decided to see A Little Night Music too, and he was able to get a ticket in the Fourth Ring - alas, across the ring from where I had my ticket. As we were waiting in the lobby, Dear Reader Ben and his partner came up to us, and we all played catch up. A mini Hainsies/Kimlets gathering. Then it was time for the show...

It was a good show, and I did enjoy it. But as with anything "intimate" in that space, it's impossible to be intimate in that cavern. And the incessant echo muddied the words and gave the impression that things were not always in sync. -And there were a few times when things were not in sync(!).

My main problem with this production was the pacing. The pacing of the acting scenes just wasn't well integrated with the pacing of the music. In fact, it was a rather long-ish evening, and when the orchestra finished the exit music, they were only a minute away from going into overtime. I wasn't bored in any way, but there were some very dramatic pauses here and there.

As for the performances, I really liked Juliet Stevenson's Desiree - and her singing voice did remind me of Glynnis Johns. Jeremy Irons played Fredrik a little too blustery for me, but it was nice take. However, his voice was truly passable, and his counting and rhythymic deficiencies were "highlighted" in two very, very obvious spots. But, it was a good performance, and he seemed to warm up in all respects as the evening progressed.

The only other major musical faux pas of the evening was at the top of "Liaisons". Claire Bloom came in a measure late, and gave the effect that she was echoing the orchestra. I so wished I could have seen far enough down into the pit to see how much waving Paul Gemignani was doing. Thankfully, due to some creative stretching, they were back in sync by the time the refrain came along.

The rest of the performances were good, and it was a treat to hear and see Danny Gurwin playing Henrik again, and my friend, Kristine Huxhold was playing Anne opposite him. Michele Pawk was a wonderfully droll Charlotte, and Mark Kudisch really seemed to be enjoying his chance to play the "peacock". Jessica Boevers' Petra was fun too, although her "Miller's Son" was marred by a sound system (operator) that didn't know how to deal with a belter - but it sure was nice to hear her belt again after her non-belting Ado Annie.

The Liebeslieders were good - although they seemed to be the hardest to understand at times. And, the baritone was not "bass-y" enough for me - I missed the "twilight"s. BUT, it was great hearing the High E-Flat since it was "lowered" last summer at the Kennedy Center - ????

And I still love the cars! Fun - and I guess that's where most of the budget went.

I then headed back to Brooklyn with my host/friend, and got some well-deserved sleep.

I had hoped to get some more exploring done Saturday morning before heading back, but since my morning didn't really get started until 10:00... My two full days of activity had caught up with me. So, we headed around the corner to a nice diner, and then I headed back into mid-town - via a stop a H&H for some bagels - and had a nice train ride back.

When I got back into DC, the weather was considerably warmer, and it made for a nice drive back to Richmond.

-Boy is this turning into a long post... sorry for not giving any advance warning this time...

So, I'm back in Richmond, and I start Hair back up again tonight. Looking forward to seeing the Tribe again, and, hopefully, the break will have refreshed them in all ways.

Well, I must attend to my day - at least I'm all showered and shaved and I've made my bed this morning before heading out to brunch with a friend.

I should be able to make the last part of tonight's chat - it will all depend upon how the rehearsal goes tonight. Hope to see you all there.

Once again, Happy 500!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/16/2003 12:17 PM PST

Congratulations one and all and all and one. I shall do the "kangaroo hop" and eat a vegemite sandwich in honour of the specialness of the amazing 500. (It is actually St Pat's day here so my sandwhich should be eaten somewhere that's green). I certainly will avoid green ham chunks and green cheese.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/16/2003 12:49 PM PST

Oh - as for program bios...

There is usually nothing required by a standard licensing agreement for the placement of bios in a program. For "first class" productions, the rights are sometime handled by the writer(s)' agents, and any fine print is to be worked out then. Usually the only requirement is the placement and type size of the author's name on the title page of the program. -Which is why theatre posters can usually just list the title of the piece and the theatre it's playing at.

And having dealt with many an MTI, Tams-Witmark, Sam French, etc., contract, I've never come across a "bio clause" - just a proper credit one. *The catch with bios is making sure they're up to date - and something tells me the MTI staff will not be updating the bios of Mssrs. Sondheim, Wheeler, Prince, et al... Again, bios come from the agent for high profile gigs

So, what I'm assuming happened at City Opera was that since they are not used to dealing with a Book Writer, then they might not have known what to do. Additionally, when I saw it Friday night, there was an insert for the actor/singers playing the Liebeslieders and Frid.

But, again, bios are not required... not even for actors at times. And, unfortunately, things are usually at the mercy of the layout - since adding "one page", actually means filling up four sides, so it can be tricky at time. Which is why for some smaller theatres, you'll see a lot of "thank you" ads in order to fill up the spaces.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/16/2003 12:56 PM PST

Happy 500th! As one of the most recent posters (although I've been a fan since day one, through my other half Bill [WEL]) I must say this is one of the most fun sites I've ever posted on. And all you other wonderful people (most especially Bruce) certainly know how to make someone feel welcome!
Again, congrats on 500 bk, and I intend to be around for the next 5,000!

Tom from Oz - "Somewhere that's green" - a Little Shop of Horrors reference, perhaps?

Posted by Ray @ 03/16/2003 12:57 PM PST

Congratulations to BK and to each and every and also every and each one of us.

Another reason to party here in the desert -- IT'S RAINING!!!

Now if we could just hear from Dear Reader Jason about his callbacks....

Posted by Laura @ 03/16/2003 12:59 PM PST

And I echo bk's sentiments. Where is everybody? Especially on a momentous day like today!? Should we line up all the errant and truant's and the late comers for one huge walloping communal bitch slapping?

Posted by Ray @ 03/16/2003 01:02 PM PST

OMG! I'm posting again! That makes 3 for me (if anyone's counting). Anyway, since today is free for all day, I want to pose a query to everyone here, sort of like "ask bk AND everyone else day".
I realize the main crux of this site is discussions about show tunes, movie soundtracks and pop standards, but I'm curious as to what everyones favorite pop/rock recordings are? Who are some of your favorite recording artists of the rock era? I'll start, since it only seems fair.
As I indicated briefly in an earlier post a few days ago, I love Yes. Probably my favorite album by them is "Fragile", followed closely by their latest "Magnification", which featured a full symphony orchestra! I also like most Brit-pop from the days of the first "British invasion". The Beatles, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin (which actually grew out of the Yardbirds) etc. I also like a lot of 70's glam/metal/punk, like Queen and T. Rex. Early Donovan (back when he was considered Britain's answer to Bob Dylan) and of course Dylan himself, who I consider more of a poet than a rock singer. What great lyrics that man wrote! I also like prog-rockers other than Yes, such as The Moody Blues, ELP, The Nice and Renessaince. As far as more recent pop/rock, I really like Annie Lenox. Her two solo albums, "Medusa" and "Diva" are wonderful. I'm also a big fan of k.d. Lang, who can do everything from smooth ballads (Constant Craving) to quirky, off beat numbers (I'm a Big Boned Gal).
Well, I think I've pretty much given you all a comprehensive idea of my pop music tastes. Who's next? (oh, that reminds me, I forgot to mention The Who! One of the seminal hard rock arena bands ever!)

Posted by Ray @ 03/16/2003 01:31 PM PST

Many congratulations on the 500th! I wish I hadn't been so late coming to the party, but I'm here now and enjoying it immensely.

Jose, which version of "The Glamorous Life" was used in this NIGHT MUSIC production? How about this past summer in DC?

Sorry I'll be missing the chat tonight, but I hope to read comments here to get the gist of the lively and sparkling discussions.

Diet Coke? I've got a glass containing some in front of me as I type these comments. Great minds think alike! It's SO true!

Again, congrats!

Posted by Matt H. @ 03/16/2003 02:03 PM PST

Pop music, Ray? Hard to choose, although you have mentioned some great choices. I also like Donovan and Cat Stevens as well...expecially his songs for HAROLD AND MAUDE.

Most of my favorites are the groups and solo acts from the fifties and sixties, like Sandy Posey, the McGuire Sisters, Annette, Fabian....and so many more.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/16/2003 02:13 PM PST

Post #3 for me too now!

For both productions of A Little Night Music, the original version of "The Glamorous Life". In fact, both productions were very "traditional" - no new songs, no new lyrics, no major staging innovations. Which is a good thing for this show. -And since the flow of the scenes can get quite cinematic at times, there were a few instances were each production mirrored each other. Again, not a bad thing, but just goes to show how solid the piece is.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/16/2003 02:19 PM PST

Oh, and as for pop music...

-Post #4

I decided many years ago not to buy the latest disc by anyone... Pop music goes in and out of styles, and some recording artists just disappear every now and then. However, I do have some "classic" albums, but most of my non-show and classical selections are either jazz or vocalists.

I like James Taylor, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen, but I'd have to go through my CDs to see what other pop artists I have. Oh, and Linda Ronstadt's "Frenesi" gets played quite frequently in my apartment.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/16/2003 02:24 PM PST

I like Zappa.

Posted by a frank fan @ 03/16/2003 03:43 PM PST

Jose---
Thanks for the info on the bios. They didn't even have the insert when we saw it. Nowadays when you go to a Broadway musicals they have bios (and usually pictures) for all ther chorus and the understudies which is nice.
We were on the main floor so the sound system was not a problem. The only one who sounded miked was Ms. Stevenson who came off a lot louder than anyone else in the cast.

Has the movie "Glamorous Life" even been used in a major production of NIGHT MUSIC? I've always heard the original one in any production I've seen.

Where is this Japanese store you went to? I live in NYC and never heard of it.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/16/2003 04:03 PM PST

the new Broadway Radio Show is now available for your listening pleasure....it's our St Patrick's Day Special as I am joined by Michael Betts to run down some Irish showtunes -- enjoy.....I hope to be around for the chat tonight!

Posted by Donald Feltham @ 03/16/2003 04:18 PM PST

500!! WOW!!!

Went to the beach today for the first time in a very long time and despite being there for a couple of hours and wearing sunblock. I got burned.

Since dear reader's JMK's eyes found it difficult to read the black on red (even though he/she saw green. Is there a little Irish in him/her?) on many of the www.brucekimmel.com pages I went about today and got rid of the red. If one person had problems with it I am sure there are others out there who also had problems.

Posted by Michael @ 03/16/2003 04:29 PM PST

To Anyone and All:

There's a good article about Richard Weize of THE BEAR FAMILY in today's (March 16) L.A. Times Calendar section. Go to http://www.latimes.com and type in the Search box A RECORD JUNKIE'S HABIT. It's written by Robert Hilburn. Suggest you copy it for yourself today before it disappears from the website.

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 03/16/2003 04:36 PM PST

Chat's coming in one hour. I do hope some of our other Hainsies/Kimlets show up for our celebration, otherwise there will be a mass bitch-slapping, oh, yes, there will be a mass bitch-slapping and it will be heard from here to eternity.

Posted by bk @ 03/16/2003 04:47 PM PST

Donna - Thanks for the link to that article. Also, here is a link to the BEAR FAMILY website http://www.bear-family.de/index_english.htm I looked it over briefly, and there is a heck of a lot of "hand made" box sets that look very tempting.
Also, I forgot to mention three of my all time faves as far as pop performers, and they are also the most "theatrical", IMHO. David Bowie, whom I believe has said he wants to write something for the stage at some point (there were also rumors of turning his concept album "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars" into a stage piece, but it seems to have gone nowhere), Pink Floyd, whose "The Wall" was both a phenomenal album AND film, though a bit heavy handed and depressing for some, and Genesis (before Peter Gabriel left and Phil Collins - commonly referred as "Pablum Phil" in the prog-rock circles, took over as frontman), of which their "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" was superb, IMO.

Posted by Ray @ 03/16/2003 05:12 PM PST

I wanted to post again, so...Hi!
I was a another party where hamantaschen were made, and I got to see a friend who is at college, so this is the first time I've seen her in 2003. It was fun. And I ate way too many hamantaschen.
I am looking forward to this chat, which will probably be the bestest ever! Hooray! And I hope that there will be no unpleasantness. For this will be a day borrowed from heaven! Well, I must go-I hear the tea kettle sing "Away, Awee, Away, Awee!"

Posted by Hapgood @ 03/16/2003 05:12 PM PST

Happy Happy 500 - and may there be 5000 more at least...

Posted by Craig @ 03/16/2003 05:41 PM PST

I certainly do enjoy "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway".

Posted by a frank fan @ 03/16/2003 05:42 PM PST

Chat is open. Come on in!

Posted by Laura @ 03/16/2003 05:57 PM PST

Ray: Indeed it was meant to be a Little Shop reference on this Green Day (a pop reference but non in my taste). As a 1945 born lad my pop favourites are from 1955 - 1965. I know most of it is junk but who cares. I thought a lot of the albums from the late 60's and early 70's were self indulgent and was pleased when the world turned to the singer songwriters such as Carly, Carole & James. I don't buy much "pop" these days. I have tried but still much prefer M & Ms to Eminem.
It thought that the Animals were the best band of the mid sixties and think their tracks recorded then still sound good. The Kinks and The Who were also wonderful makers of "pop".
Guess you must have enjoyed "Billy Elliot" revisiting the T Rex years. I liked Bolan and also Slade during those glam years.
Back to the early years - I still play Darin, Holly and Vee quite often.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/16/2003 07:56 PM PST

Tom, help me out, mate. This had been bothering me for years.

What song is this from, and who sang it:

"Two English men,
The white and the black . . ."

Does it ring a bell?

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 03/16/2003 09:20 PM PST

WEL: Takashimaya is on 5th Avenue between 54th and 55th - 697 5th Ave., (I think). Even though it's a branch of the largest department store in Tokyo, the New York branch is not "big" like Macy's. Each floor is one big room - you'll see. Very tastefully laid out, and some helpful staff (although I know some people have thought it was very "stuffy" - heck, at those prices it can be.)

There are seven floors to explore, and they can all be explored in a very short time. Be sure to save some time and room for lunch downstairs in the tea room.

As for the movie version of "The Glamorous Life" - Didn't the almost recent production of ALNM at the Royal National Theatre (?) in London use it? I think it's on the recording - combines both versions if I remember it correctly - and I may not be remembering it correctly at point and time.

Well, I guess I should head to bed now...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/16/2003 11:52 PM PST

Jose: I eventually found a copy of "Woop Woop" CD (in a throw out bin of course.) Now to track down a video.Rental that is!
SH:Still figuring out the "White and the Black" from last time you asked! Must remember to ask a few people

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/17/2003 02:10 AM PST

Well, here I am after being errant and truant all weekend. As Jose mentioned, we did, indeed, meet him and Jason unexpectedly in the lobby of the State Theatre on our way to ALNM. Glad those pictures are posted in the Gallery.

Saturday turned into a long domestic day. The plumber was scheduled to arrive at 10am, didn't get there until 10:30 and then didn't leave until 2:30. It was supposed to be a simple job of replacing the bathtub faucet fixture and then fixing the slight leak in the new kitchen sink faucet. Well, the kitchen sink faucet turned into such a problem. The fixture was new but some of the other parts were old and no longer worked so they had to be replaced which took much longer than planned. Oh, well, at least it all works. I now can take a shower without scalding myself and I can do the dishes in the kitchen sink without flooding the counter!

Sunday was spent in Staten Island at my Anthony's Uncle's house in Eltingville (I wonder if that part of Staten Island was named for noted female impersonater Julian Elting, for whom a Broadway theatre on 42nd Street was named. The theatre name was later changed to the Empire and then moved a few hundred feet down closer to 8th Avenue and renovated to become part of the AMC 25 Movie House). We had a great time. We took the Ferry (even though Ant is from NY, he's a Long Island baby and never rode the Ferry) to the Staten Island Rail Line and spent a beautiful day visiting with family. Missed the chat but will try to make it next time.

Posted by Ben @ 03/17/2003 04:48 AM PST

Jose:

Yes indeed it was the London Judi Dench version of ALNM that mixed both "Glamorous Life"s ("Glamorous Lives"?) together, and it was quite effective except that (1) the Frederika sounds like she is in her twenties; and (2) My favorite verse got lost, namely:

And sometime this summer
She'll come galloping over the green!
Sometime this summer,
To the rescue, my mother the Queen!

Such exuberence and joy!

That recording also has Judi Dench's "Send in the Clowns", which is second only to Glynis's in my book (Chapter 42: Second Only Versions of Sondheim Songs).

She also did it on some television special, for I recall my Joe passing the bedroom, looking at the screen and remarking, "That's M!"

Perhaps Bond should call her Auntie M?

-------------------------

Okay, one truant and errant reporting for duty! Bitch slap away!

Posted by William F. Orr @ 03/17/2003 06:28 AM PST

I just wanted to post on the 500th notes to be able to say that I've posted on the 500th notes! I haven't been here since the beginning, but I'll be here for however many more there are. Congratulations Bruce & Guy!

Ray, the only non-theatrical music (although not "rock" by any stretch of the imagination) that I really listen to is The Manhattan Transfer. I have every album (yes, vinyl) and CD of theirs (that I know of), most of their video / DVD / laserdisc concerts / videos, lots of solo recordings and a bunch of individual songs that they recorded for other projects. I've seen them perform live six times. They are my other musical passion.

Posted by George @ 03/17/2003 07:45 AM PST

We are having OUTSTANDING weather here today. Temperatures should be in the seventies.
Thunderstorms tomorrow - but lovely today....sort of a Sondheim reference.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/17/2003 08:09 AM PST