Posted by Pam @ 03/28/2003 08:12 AM PST

DVD - Finished SWEET CHARITY. It holds up better than I expected, especially the musical numbers. I hated the alternate ending although I'm not that crazy about the ending used nor the good fairy ending in the play. If the recently postponed revisal ever gets done maybe Neil Simon will finally find an ending that works. Next up is THE BEGINNING OF THE END with the Kimmell/Gordon/Gordon comment track. Ms. Susan Gordon is listed on the back of the package but Mr. Kimmell is not. What an outrage.

VHS - I just came across a copy of THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY that I bought years ago and somehow never watched. I hope to correct that over the weekend. Since this is an "unauthorized" copy I have no idea about the quality but I remember the film fondly. In fact I whistle the theme everytime I enter an airport.

CD - Since I enjoyed ELEGIES so much I just picked up a copy of Mr. Finn's "Infinite Joys" concert which contains a couple of songs later used in ELEGIES. It's an all-star concert with Liz Calloway, Mary Testa, Norm Lewis, Stephen deRosa and more.

Topic For Discussion: With the awful reviews URBAN COWBOY got do you think it will close quickly or is it the kind of show that is critic proof and will have a decent run? If anyone who reads this here site has seen it I'd appreciate comments.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 08:20 AM PST

CD player here at work: OOBC of FOREVER PLAID, for obvious reasons.

CD player at home: rehearsal CD for FOREVER PLAID, for obvious reasons.

Previously in my CD player was the OBC of NINE. I also love the score, and wish it were sung better on this recording. I have heard that the other recordings are no better, and it doesn't seem as though the revival recording will improve upon it, either. But then, we can hope...

I definitely plan to pick up the Maury Yeston Songbook CD, just released by ps classics (who will also be releasing the NINE revival cast recording). Looking forward to hearing this.

Posted by Dave @ 03/28/2003 08:26 AM PST

Ah yes...Irene Dunne is crooning SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES as I type. Guess she needed some of that wind!

Medicine from the doctor and back to work on Monday. Oh well....

In my DVD player BEGINNING OF THE END!! What a terrific disc...my review is up at www.epinions.com
if you care to read it.

In my CD player Judy Garland At the Palace, a really good listen. Replaced my LP last year, and am mighty glad this has been released! Judy Garland had a talent that was uncanny.

In my VCR the lovely Jeanette MacDonald in Smilin' Through.

Lulu this afternoon on TCM Miss Norma Shearer is a favorite of mine THE DIVORCEE!!!!

I hate being sick, but I love being home! Did you notice that Doris in JULIE drove a car just like Peggie Castle's in BEGINNING OF THE END? Well, she did.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/28/2003 08:43 AM PST

Jrand: Yes, I saw that The Divorcee was airing after That Uncertain Feeling, but I already own the VHS (good thing, too...I don't have any 8-hour blank tapes to put all those films on!). I love the scene when Norma's in the backseat of the car with Robert Montgomery. That slow cheshire cat grin steals over her face and immediately we know she's come to a decision...and by gum, we also darn well know what that decision will be. "I've settled our accounts," she announces to Chester Morris when he comes back home.

Posted by Lulu @ 03/28/2003 08:50 AM PST

I also enjoyed Sweet Charity. Believe it or not (Who am I all of a sudden, Ripley?), it was the first time I ever saw it! I thought it was absolutely charming, and I thought the original film ending was very good, albeit the flower children strolling through Central Park were a bit corny, but hey, it's a musical! Aren't musicals SUPPOSED to be a bit corny and cause you to suspend your disbelief? Anyhoo, the alternate ending which is a bonus feature on the DVD is all wrong for the charachters and seems too "Hollywood".
I am also looking forward to watching more of the Godzilla boxed set, which my honey Bill gave me for my birthday, knowing what a huge fan I was as a kid of all those awful/wonderful Toho studio monster flicks. We watched the first one, "Godzilla, King Of The Monster's" starring Raymond Burr last weekend. I actually hadn't seen it in about 15 years and had forgotten just how camp it was! Next up, the classic Godzilla vs. Mothra!

As far as CD, I will also be listening to "Infinite Joy" with Bill over the weekend. I do hope Elegies finds it's way into the recording studio, but if not, perhaps Ms. Buckley will record some of the numbers on her next solo album, as she has done in the past with other productions she has appeared in.

Posted by Ray @ 03/28/2003 09:01 AM PST

I can't listen to "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" without thinking of the time Judy Garland did it on THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW (available on DVD). She sang the song beautifully and as she started the second chorus the set began to fill up with smoke. People started running around, firemen came in and Judy just sat there singing, seemingly oblivious to what was going on around her. It was one of the series highlights and shows what this program could have been had CBS had more faith in Judy and the program.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 09:21 AM PST

There seems to be some alignment of taste in CDs this week. I just loaded the CD player in my car last night with a mini-Jason Graae festival: FOREVER PLAID (OCR), BABES IN ARMS (SCR), and JASON GRAAE--LIVE AT THE CINEGRILL, produced by our very own BK. Also, the OBC recording of RAGTIME. (Mr. Graae is not on the recording, but he did play Houdini in the Los Angeles production.) And INFINITE JOY--TEH SONGS OF WILLIAM FINN. (Mr. Graae isn't on this recording either, but he played Mendel in FALSETTOS on Broadway.) BTW, the rendition of "The Baseball Game" on INFINITE JOY alone is worth much more than the price of the cd. Stephen DeRosa carries it solo, covering all the parts in the scene in his take on an amateur production done at the East Milford Community Center.

Posted by Jay @ 03/28/2003 09:36 AM PST

William - I think it will have a healthy touring life. I haven't seen it (my parents did and loved it) but with the bad reviews and the fact it was only selling around 30 percent BEFORE reviews.. I doubt it will have staying power... but we shall see..

Posted by Craig @ 03/28/2003 09:43 AM PST

For Ray -

Mosura ya Mosura
dongan kasakuyan indoo muu
rosuto uiraadoa, hanba hanbamuyan
randa banunradan tounjukanraa
kasaku yaanmu.

Mosura ya Mosura
yasashisasae wasure
areheteta
hito no kokoro inorinagara
utai, ai no uta.

Mothra oh Mothra
Hear our call for you to save us
over time, over sea
like a wave you come
our guardian angel

Mothra oh Mothra
the people have forgotten kindness
their spirit falls to ruin
we shall pray for the people as we sing
this song of love.

Posted by The Peanuts @ 03/28/2003 10:02 AM PST

I'm in a Jerry Herman kind of mood at work. I'm listening to OBC La Cage, then OBC Mack and Mabel but then I'll switch gears and go with Frank Loesser and original OBC of Most Happy Fella w/Robert Weede and Jo Sullivan.

Judging from the reviews for Urban Cowboy and the fact that it's not selling out, I thought there might be free tickets at the Equity Union office so I went up there on my lunch hour but no luck, at least for this weekend. Not that free tickets are an indication of whether a show will run or not run but sometimes that's the first indication of the imminent demise of a show. Betty Rules and Heat Lightning are both up for free tickets and Equity members can get rush tickets ($25 I think) for 42nd Street.

Saw Kate Mulgrew in the Katherine Hepburn piece, Tea at Five, last night. She's great. I think the script is a little weak. It's a live (albeit very shortened)Biography of Kate. If you're familiar at all w/Hepburn's career there are no surprises. It's all rather predictable. Mulgrew's performance makes it interesting. It's about two specific periods in her life, after the declaration by newspapers that she was Box Office Poison when she went back to Connecticut to regroup (just before Philadelphia Story) and then the second act, which says from the publicity that it is set in 1983, while she's back in Connecticut recuperating from a car accident but the date seems a little out of whack because the show ends with her accepting the offer from Warren Beatty to appear in the re-make of An Affair to Remember called Love Affair (w/Annette Benning). That didn't come out until 1994. Did it take 10 years to get that movie made? Anyway, that's neither here nor there or anywhere else. Kate Mulgrew is very good and it was funny to hear the audience (many Theatre Development Fund-a discount ticket provider and "older" people in the audience literally gasp at the opening of the second act when she walks on stage and looks so much like old Kate that someone said, loudly enough for the entire audience to hear, "My God, she looks just like her!"

Well, back to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and health care. Later.

Posted by Ben @ 03/28/2003 10:05 AM PST

Bill - I also love that Judy Garland show episode. That whole DVD set is priceless.

I also like the Martha Raye-Judy Garland big band duet...LOL...what a lot of fun they were having. And it was eventually the dress rehearsal take that was broadcast, it is priceless.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/28/2003 10:17 AM PST

Well, I have been extremely errant and truant and non-participatory of late, and I am sure you all missed me terribly! :-)

Last week, I saw for the first time a wonderful jazz singer named Dianne Reeves, and last night a powerfully moving production of The Laramie Project. In two weeks, a production of Ruthless! for which our own BK produced the cast album.

But on to the topic of the day:

In the CD player: albums by jazz wunderkind Peter Cincotti, Tom Postilio, Etta James and the never-to-be-forgotten-or-equalled Miss Rosemary Clooney.

In the DVD player: the newest volume of the Judy Garland show series, the new two-disc set of Roger Rabbit, Sweet Charity and at long last My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

And a week from Monday, I start my new job! Life is good.

Posted by Philip Crosby @ 03/28/2003 10:28 AM PST

In my various players.... another week of "Nothing".

However, I did get together with some friends last night, and we watched the new DVD of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". The last time I had seen it was during it's original theatrical release, and I remember seeing it during a matinee, and I believe I was the only person in the theatre without a kid or two in tow. And most of those kids were running up and down the aisles, screaming for more popcorn and soda. So...

What a wonderful film! I had such a great time last night watching it again - and without the distraction of 200 kids running around me. In fact, I couldn't even recall the last half hour of the film, and it was great seeing it "fresh". We checked out some of the extras, and had a fun time with those too.

-And I just have to wonder how "Shirley Hemphill" worked her way into the movie?!?!?!

Oh, and the reason I was able to watch a movie last night was that we let the cast of Hair have an early evening, and we're giving them the weekend off. We're that far ahead of schedule. Of course, we move into the theatre on Monday, and the tech starts Tuesday, so we'll be starting over in a sense. I have first full band rehearsal tomorrow, and I can't wait to have my ears blasted for a few hours!

And the sun is out again today - it was supposed to rain... hmm.. to run or not to run...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/28/2003 10:29 AM PST

Jrand---
Volume 7 of the Garland is due this week but J&R was already sold out (as they were of Rodger Rabbit). They seem to have a lot of good older stuff but sell out of New Releases within a day or two (although I did get BEGINNING OF THE END). I'll pick up the others. Volume 8 is scheduled for next month and then all 26 episodes will be available.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 10:47 AM PST

Just saw this story at Playbill On-line about the playwright, Paul Zindel who died of cancer. Here is the link.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/78682.html

Posted by Ben @ 03/28/2003 10:53 AM PST

"Morte Winds, eh!

"Tell me, Mr. Winds, where are you from?

"Ah,you know what I mean. Are you one of the Winds from North Borscht or one of the Winds from South Borscht?

"Uh-huh....and was that Windscheimer or Windschirmer?

"Catchy stage name! Make sure it stays clean, now. Free from casino riff-raff!"

Posted by Sam Spade @ 03/28/2003 10:54 AM PST

So...I'll never be a screenwriter.

On deck for my DVD -- "Sunset Boulevard," "Band of Brothers," the first three "Lethal Weapons" and "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood."

New to my CD: Australian CD of "La Boheme" (Australian cast of Luhrmann's 1993 production), plus David Hobson CD of great tenor arias.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 03/28/2003 11:06 AM PST

Thanks to the peanuts (whoever you REALLY are) for posting those lyrics! Where did you ever find them? I could never figure out what they were singing, and now I have the original (in phonetics) lyrics PLUS the english translation! Again, thank you!

Posted by Ray @ 03/28/2003 11:26 AM PST

Bk-

I now it's not ask "you know who" day but a very brief question. Why boxer shorts on stage and not briefs? just curious!

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 03/28/2003 11:30 AM PST

Well, since I now have a DVD player to enjoy, I can finally answer this question in all aspects!!

CD Player: An MP3 collection of cast recordings, including DREAMGIRLS, EVITA, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MILLIE, HAIRSPRAY, PARADE (Jason Robert Brown's--not Jerry Herman's) and THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

DVD Player: Last night I had the misfortune of watching what is truly the worst movie I've ever seen--1995's "Show Girls." What a piece of trash, and the acting was simply atrocious. I also watched (on Weds. night) "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," which turned out to be a disappointment as well. It so wants to be "Mary Poppins" and "Willy Wonka," but it just doesn't compare.

Tonight I have the night free (no Met for me!) and I will watch the two DVDs that I have rented--"The Women" and "Anatomy of a Murder." I haven't seen either of these films, but I can't wait to see them. Perhaps if I get through those early enough I'll run across the street and rent another one! I'm obsessed!

VCR: 2001 Tony Awards

Dear Reader Laura: Still no news from any of the theatres. I've been asking around, and so far no one knows anything from either of the two places that I think were interested in me, so I guess maybe that's good news. We shall see...unfortunately, this whole waiting game is part of being an actor.

Posted by Jason @ 03/28/2003 11:53 AM PST

Jason---
The point of "Show Girls" is that is one of those train wrecks of a movie that it is so bad it's highly enjoyable for all the wrong reasons... sort of like your favorite Broadway show DOTV. It's the kind of film where you sit there with your mouth open and think "am I really seeing this?" Of course that's not what it was intended to be, but that's how it turned out.

I think you'll like both films you rented. The movie of "The Women" is much better than last year's Roundabout production. And as for "Anatomy...", any movie with Eve Arden is worth watching. Enjoy.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 12:07 PM PST

VCR - THE KING AND I. Especially for Jerome Robbins' choreography.
Next up -- Ron Howard's THE PAPER. This film, IMHO, is terrifically entertaining and that fight scene between Glenn Close and Michael Keaton is unbelievable!

CD PLAYER - BY JEEVES. Except for the title song, I find the rest of the score hard to get a handle on.

William E. Lurie - Did you ever read Mel Torme's book about working on the Judy Garland show? It's called The Other Side of the Rainbow. Once you do, you'll learn that CBS was not the reason her show didn't continue. Oh my, was she a handful. Talented, for sure, but a handful (at least according to Mel).

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 03/28/2003 12:16 PM PST

Jason... Bill is right, both of your DVD choices are great viewing. I am waiting for the 1956 musical remake of The Women to come out on DVD....of course the original cast cannot be topped, but The Opposite Sex has it charms.

Bill - I hadn't realized that TJGS volume 8 had been released. A Judy Garland Concert Show & a show featuring Bobby Darin and Bob Newhart. Yes, these shows sell out quickly. I always pre-order, but somehow missed this one. I must get to deepdiscount.dvd!!!

I love Angela Lansbury in The Manchurian Candidate - she plays the part of Mrs. Iselin to perfection. But does anyone else remember who Frank Sinatra originally wanted in the part? And the more I think about it, the more perverse and fantastic it would have been! I think Frank Sinatra was right.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/28/2003 12:19 PM PST

Miss Garland, on a scale of 1 to 5 - 5 being the most comfortable, we asked a group of ordinary people how comfortable they were having you in their living rooms. Now I want you to know that Dinah Shore rates a 4 and Lassie is always a 5. You, Miss Garland, rated 1.

Gentlemen, I am not Dinah Shore...I am not even Lassie....

LOL...I loved that scene in Me and My Shadows

Posted by James Aubrey @ 03/28/2003 12:23 PM PST

Jrand---
7 came out this week; 8 is due in about a month.

Donna---
Yes I read the Torme book which was more about him (and his wife "Snow White") than Judy. I also read another book on the series which puts the total blame on CBS. I think the truth is somewhere in between. CBS should never have put her on opposite "Bonanza"; they should not have insisted on a lot of guests; they should have spent the extra money to broadcast in color. The concert shows are the best, but by that time she was so fed up with the treatment she got that she became very difficult. Had CBS respected her and her talent as soon as they signed her it would have been a much better experience for Judy and a much better show.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 12:33 PM PST

DVD player: K-Pax
Cds: "Frida" Soundtrack
Bernstein: Arias & Barcaroles (Thanks to FM of Paris)
The Best of Gale Storm
The Best Of Steve & Eydie
Rain Songs (Compilation by Allan W)
"Standing by to be played":-
"Bed & Sofa"
"The Crooked Mile"
"Melissa Errico"
Thanks to my postal buddies as always.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/28/2003 01:09 PM PST

Ben: Thank you for posting the news about Paul Zindel, although it makes me sad. I wrote him once, about 2 1/2 years ago, and he wrote a nice (albeit very brief) note back. I'm a real fan of his work. I like The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (the play for which he won the Pulitzer, I believe), but I especially love his YA (young adult) novels. The Pigman is a standout, as are a number of his other early titles (all of which are quite convulted and strange, like Pardon Me, You're Stepping On My Eyeball!). He wrote about young people with uncommon sensitivity, coupled with an understanding of their concerns and an ear for the way kids really speak to each other. His life story is interesting, as well -- I believe it's titled The Legacy of the Pigman. Oh, this is just really sad. I wish I could have met him, he just seemed to be a really good egg.

Posted by Lulu @ 03/28/2003 01:13 PM PST

Hold off on those Helen Keller jokes. THE MIRACLE WORKER revisal won't be coming to Broadway after all (despite the marquee already being up at the Music Box). When the Weisslers cancel a production it must be pretty bad. It is currently playing some regional theatre in the South and Barry announced that it was "not ready" for Broadway.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 01:29 PM PST

Tom from OZ isn't that Gale Storm CD terrific? I still miss her version of Faraway Places which seems to have disappeared, but it is still a lot of fun.

Bill - I mixed my Volume numbers up on Judy's show, but I know which ones you meant.

Isn't it strange in the Scott Schechter book on The Judy Garland Show, that her show and Danny Kaye's show were both ready to go....and that Kaye insisted on the Wednesday night slot for his show. Imagine what would have happened if Judy had been on CBS's powerhouse Wednesday night schedule? She would have followed the number one show The Beverly Hillbillies & Dick Van Dyke. On Sunday in addition to being opposite Bonanza, she followed Ed Sullivan....two hours of variety might have been too much a good thing.

No comments yet on Frank's casting of Mrs Iselin?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/28/2003 01:32 PM PST

Now showing at Casa de Jed:
DVD: Escape from Sobibor,
and recently Who Is Cletis
Tout?
VCR: old episodes of
Quantum Leap
CD: Side Show (just added
this to my collection this
week), Carmina Burana,
Merrily We Roll Along revival
cast (produced by guess who)

Jose - You mentioned the
other day a bit of genius (or
dumb luck) you had with the
Hair finale, but I don't think you
ever shared it with us. Would
you please do so? Inquiring
minds want to know!

Posted by Jed @ 03/28/2003 01:46 PM PST

Jrand52, since I just got home from work, I'll comment on Frank's casting choice:
LUCILLE BALL!

Posted by td @ 03/28/2003 01:50 PM PST

In my CD player at work: The 3 Musketeers [with Jim Stanek and Sutton Foster who both went into "Thoroughly Modern Millie" from Allan (I got it right this time!)] and next will be "Got Swing!" with Erich Kunzel and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra with special guests The Manhattan Transfer, John Pizzarelli and Janis Siegel (solo).

In my DVD player at home: 2-disc set of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" I loved this movie when it first came out, but I probably haven't seen it since. Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch it until tomorrow. I'm ushering for a show tonight and won't be back until late.

After "Roger Rabbit" will be the 3-disc set of "Futurama!" I love this show. Does anyone know if this has been cancelled???

Posted by George @ 03/28/2003 02:10 PM PST

Don't you think LB would have been great?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/28/2003 02:19 PM PST

I find briefs on stage unseemly and they also tend to focus the audiences attention to the wrong area, whereas boxers don't cause the blink of an eye and the audience stays focused on the actor rather than his underwear. Morte Winds, however, disagrees, and always wears briefs on stage.

Posted by bk @ 03/28/2003 02:33 PM PST

I dreamed I was onstage - in my Maidenform Bra.

Posted by Saturday Evening Post - 1958 @ 03/28/2003 02:39 PM PST

Dear Reader S.E. Post:

Were you dancing the cha-cha-cha?

Posted by Jay @ 03/28/2003 02:46 PM PST

Jed: All will be revealed in time. It worked in the rehearsal room, I just want to make sure it works in the theatre too. And, who knows, maybe what I came up with has been done already, but boy did a lot of people - including myself - get chills.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/28/2003 02:51 PM PST

The rhumba...click on my name.

Posted by Bill Blass @ 03/28/2003 02:51 PM PST

DVD - HAMLET with Laurence Olivier

laserdisc - THE REMAINS OF THE DAY

VHS - MURDER AT THE GALLOP with the unforgettable Margaret Rutherford.

CD - Jerry Herman's PARADE.

I have to say that I give only minor credence to Mel Torme's book THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW, and not because it's so negative about Judy. It is ALL about his annoyances with the show (and thus his massive ego becoems difficult to take after a chapter or two), and it contains quite a number of factual errors refuted in RAINBOW'S END. Coyne Steven Sanders' RAINBOW'S END is not only much better written, but also much more objective, and the details he provides give the whole story with no apologies for Judy but also no condemnation of her either. I am looking forward to receiving volume 7 in the mail next week, and can't wait to complete the collection next month. I have never seen her version of "Where Is the Clown?" and am salivating just thinking of finally having it next month.

I am old enough to have watched some of these shows when they were first broadcast, but my father hated Judy, and unless he was going to bed at 9, we were forced to watch BONANZA on Sundays. So, getting the entire series on DVD now is like a miracle. It is interesting to speculate what would have happened had Judy not been forced to face off with BONANZA. I think her show could have run the same 4 years Danny Kaye's show ran (assuming her health held up which is doubtful). All in all, CBS dealt her a bum hand and expected her to play it. It's our loss.

Posted by Matt H. @ 03/28/2003 03:02 PM PST

Matt H the book I meant was Rainbow's End....not by Scott Schecter....you are right.

I agree that Torme's book was mostly about him and his horrible ordeal....

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/28/2003 03:11 PM PST

Hearing Mel Torme speak about his book caused me to not read it. Taking pot-shots at Garland, at least as he did verbally, was mean and self-serving. Perhaps he was frustrated by her illness and envious of her talent.

In my CD player—I am embarrassed by the truth—the soundtrack of Eddie and the Cruisers. No, I’m not. It’s a guilty pleasure. Oh, yes, I am.

Posted by freedunit @ 03/28/2003 03:50 PM PST

In the dvd player:
WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT
8 MILE
QUEER AS FOLK (AMERICAN SEASON 1)
CHICAGO bonus dvd
In the vcr:
QUEER AS FOLK (Original British Version) thanks to dear reader(s) WEL and Ray.
in the cd player:
The Ultimate Dusty Springfield
Mambo Sinuendo
The Bueno Vista Social Club
The Marilyn Monroe Collection
Original Soundtrack to CHICAGO

in the car cd:
Gold Edition of THE SOUND OF MUSIC Soundtrack (from the laserdisc box)

Lined up in Windows Media Player:
18 downloaded Cliff Richard and the Shadows classics

If I've been E & T it's because I'm in the middle of a major remodoling and re-arrangement of my downstairs digs. . .

Posted by td @ 03/28/2003 03:57 PM PST

You never know who is lurking on this site...

Yesterday I posted about Patrick Cassiday's leaving SHE LOVES ME and asked if he was playing Georg (per an on-line review) or his dad's role Kodaly. Today I got a nice e-mail from Damon Kirsch who replaced Patrick as Kodaly. Patrick had to fly to Australia to film a pilot. Thank you Damon. I guess a pilot is more important to some actors than honoring a stage committment. Somehow I don't think his dad would have made the same choice, but the audience was the winner because they got Damon instead.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 03:58 PM PST

Dear Reader WEL:

That's really interesting. I hope Mr. Kirsch saw the nice things I had to say about him and the production of SLM in the "review" I filed here last week.

Posted by Jay @ 03/28/2003 04:06 PM PST

Hey, LA, looking for your wind?? It arrived in Las Vegas last night on the red-eye and chased away our nice 80-degree weather.

Posted by KT @ 03/28/2003 04:15 PM PST

WHOOOOSSSHHHHH

was that the wind?

no, it was Urban Cowboy closing its doors after only 4 performances

when's the last time that happened?

Posted by Bud @ 03/28/2003 04:41 PM PST

Looking for audiences in all the wrong places no doubt.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/28/2003 04:51 PM PST

There was an unended inuendo above (don't you hate those!) about Patrick Cassidy, leaving SLM, flying off to shoot a pilot, and not "honoring a commitment."

Was he in violation of his contract? Did they take punitive action against him?

Or is it possible Mr. Cassidy, a fine and caring human being based on everything I've ever read and heard about him, had honored whatever commitment he made and was moving along?\

Color me curious, George!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 03/28/2003 05:51 PM PST

And is it possible (oh, yes, this is a P.S.) that even if he had cut short his commitment, the producers were more than willing to let him go...???

Still..only curious.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 03/28/2003 05:53 PM PST

Patrick.....if you're lurking....put
us wise!

My cd player has discovered
the fabulous voice of the one
and only Nancy LaMott, thanks
to dear reader and British
Kimlet Allan.........

Allan......if you're lurking......my
cd player is very appreciative.

Posted by François @ 03/28/2003 07:45 PM PST

I read Mel Tormé's book many
many years ago and I do
remember many mean
comments about Judy BUT I
do also remember laudative
remarks about her and her
talents........

I have to admit I'm a Tormé but
every appearance of his, I
witnessed on TV during my life
in the US of A , was that of a
true gentleman......

I saw him MC lots of shows
and he was always very
appreciative of other people
presence and talents, wether
they were co-stars or
musicians, so.....

Posted by François @ 03/28/2003 07:56 PM PST

I meant to type:

"I'm a Tormé fan...."

"people's talents"...

oh well... you'll make the
corrections yourselves, right.....

Posted by François @ 03/28/2003 07:58 PM PST

Nancy LaMott is played often here (thanks also to Kimlets Allan & td). Mel Torme is a favourite too but in MHO his is the worst version ever of "Send In the Clowns".

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/28/2003 08:54 PM PST

Dear Mr. Lurie: Stage commitments are usually short-term, and usually don't pay well. Film and television commitments pay comparatively well, and have a much more lasting effect on an actor's career. A good film can reach a very large audience; a successful television project reaches an even larger audience, and can last for years.

Now, let's consider the reverse, if Mr. Cassidy had remained with SLM. The production company would have had to either cast someone else in the role (not always an easy task, and time consuming), or delay filming. That would have meant camera, sound, everyone else would NOT have been paid until the SLM commitment was finished. These guys only get paid to sit around on their butts when they're on Union time, and that's only when the job is actually taking place. Just how many people are supposed to starve while Cassidy sings for his own supper?

Sounds to me like Mr. Cassidy was doing the responsible thing by honoring the film commitment. Odds are the film schedule got bumped, or he would have been able to honor both commitments.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 03/28/2003 08:55 PM PST

Mel's version is jazzified and
hence does not showcases
the lyrics......

Posted by François @ 03/28/2003 09:06 PM PST

"doesn't showcase..."

Sorry for those who dislike
posters who correct their typos
and for those who dislike
typos and for those.....
etc....etc...etc... Isn't this a
puzzlement?

Posted by François @ 03/28/2003 09:08 PM PST

I ain't done nothing wrong, i
swear....

Posted by Patrick C. @ 03/28/2003 09:10 PM PST

I'm sorry, but I'm of "the old school" that says you don't drop out of one thing to do another. If he had the film committment first he should not have agreed to do SHE LOVES ME. If he got the film offer later he should have said if you want me you have to wait.

Years ago I was working at a regional theatre. Jack Gilford was appearing in THE PRICE when he got a call to replace Frank McHugh in the pre-Broadway NO NO NANETTE. He told them "I have a commitment to do this first. If you want me you will have to wait." Fortunately they wanted him bad enough and so they waited, but if it would have been "now or never" he would not have done NANETTE. An actor should not take a part and then leave if something "better" comes along. (This does not apply to an actor leaving a long run to do another show... just don't leave in the middle of rehearsals or after three weeks of a four week run).

Posted by Willliam E. Lurie @ 03/28/2003 09:11 PM PST

In the car CD -- Continuing a trend: Forever Plaid, which our community theater will be doing in May.

In the VCR -- nothing since we returned the videos from Sandra's film class. Oh, and our tv is about to die. It now plays everything in pink and gray -- and that's after five minutes of wavy lines.

Tonight we saw "Cash on Delivery" at the local theater. Anyone know this one? It is a British comedy with five doors on the set.

Posted by Laura @ 03/28/2003 09:29 PM PST

Laura - Oh my! Your
community theatre doing
Forever Plaid! Has Sandra
secured her tickets for each
and every performance yet?

Posted by Jed @ 03/28/2003 10:19 PM PST

Jed -- She's in Plaid Heaven! We have season tickets, so we'll be third row center for at least one performance. Dear Reader Kerry and his partner will probably accompany us to another performance.

Posted by Laura @ 03/28/2003 10:29 PM PST

I repeat, Mr. Lurie: The odds are that the film schedule got bumped, forcing Mr. Cassidy to made a decision. In these times when performers have to schedule their projects well in advance (both stage and film), this is very common. Your example with Mr. Gilford, while interesting, does not apply here.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 03/28/2003 10:45 PM PST

I'm erran and truant from yesterday. CD's I'm playing:
More Vera Lynn. "There'll Be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover" and "When the Lights Go On again" seem particualrly apprpos.

One song from the soundtrack of "Lost Horizon" is driving me nuts, so I have to play that over and over.

And I just got a new Shirley Temple CD. So, I guess I'll just have to S-M-I-L-E to be
H-A-double P-Y.

Posted by Kerry @ 03/29/2003 05:45 AM PST

My CD playing in my computer has its fill of Ute Lemper's "But One Day" and Kodo's "Ibuki." I've been swapping like mad!

Posted by Kit Lo @ 03/29/2003 06:12 AM PST

IIRC - one of Torme's gripes was that Judy asked him to stand onstage and conduct her since the sound from the band (in another room) was delayed by a second or two and she wanted to be in synch (not NSync). Torme was affronted that people in the live audience would think his "huge" career was being sublimated to Garland's and that he was serving merely as her conductor.

Garland did use some of his ideas for the rest of her concert career, but watching the show, and seeing the talent that was available, Torme really used very ordinary arrangements and made very general song selections (most of the time) - and for a show that was supposed to showcase Garland, she sang some pretty bad selections (76 Trombones?).

I am not saying he was not a good singer - although I don't like his voice - or that he was not a gentleman - never saw him in person - but his treatment of Garland was not the best. His biggest concern during the show was getting his guaranteed appearances. Which I am sure the audience was looking forward to.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/29/2003 07:26 AM PST