Posted by Jay @ 04/16/2003 09:27 AM PST

Mazel Tov!

My question for Ask BK day - why do young people come to an audition for a show, oh I will pick one at random, say South Pacific, and proclaim that not only are they unfamiliar with the show and don't know any of the songs, that they don't have a song prepared to sing and can they just sing "Happy Birthday" because that's what they let them do at the high school auditions?

And then why are these people not only surprised but MAD when they don't get to be in a show like, oh say, South Pacific, but tell their parents to call and leave bad messages on the machine?

AHHHHHHHHHH...maybe my question is rhetorical.

But even the older guy who was the worst singer - sang NOTHING LIKE A DAME - and left his contemporaries and the pianist far behind.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/16/2003 09:36 AM PST

Happy Birthday Allan! I (finally) found your street address and am sending you a gift (actually two in one package) today! I'm sure you will like them, since you asked for them!

I'll try and think of some "Ask BK Day" questions a little later.

Posted by George @ 04/16/2003 09:51 AM PST

Happy Birthday Alan!

Happy Passover --- the feast without yeast (a William Finn reference) --- to all.

For Ask BK Day:
A couple of weeks ago a Dear Reader asked what your "Must See TV" shows were and you said only "The Sopranos". But surely in the past there must have been some shows you tried never to miss. So what "Must See TV" shows did you watch in the past, and at what point did you stop watching most television on a regular basis?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/16/2003 09:59 AM PST

Happy Birthday, Allan.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/16/2003 10:06 AM PST

Happy birthday Dear Reader Allan! *Throws confetti and gets the Evil Eye from the librarian*

I'll tell you what in tarnation an arty hat is, BK. Out in the lobby to this here library, there are various and sundried plush stuffed artichokes (the school mascot. Don't ask why) One of them is wearing a chef's hat and has a sign next to it that says "Chef-Boy Arty."

We don't allow groaning here at HainesHisWay.com.

Posted by Sandra @ 04/16/2003 10:21 AM PST

Dreidl, dreidl, dreidl, I made you out of clay...oops, wrong holiday. Happy Passover to all our Dear Readers of the Jewish Persuasion.

I have been questionless for the past few Wednesdays. I shall have to come up with something or you all will think I don't take my postings seriously. I am away to try and think of a suitable query.

Posted by Ben @ 04/16/2003 10:28 AM PST

Allan: I wished you HBD early this morning on yesterday's notes but here it is again because one can never have enough birthday greetings

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLAN on this lovely spring day in New York.

Posted by Ben @ 04/16/2003 10:29 AM PST

Many happy returns, Allan!

(hey, gotta be different...) :)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/16/2003 10:32 AM PST

In the spirit of the holiday, I must ask BK FOUR questions:

1. Why is this night different from all other nights?

2. How many matzoballs?

3. Carrots, yes or no?

4. Where's the afikomen?

Chag sameach!!!

Posted by Pam @ 04/16/2003 11:20 AM PST

Don't forget to leave the door open!

Posted by Elijah @ 04/16/2003 11:32 AM PST

I thought of a question. How do you feel about gefilte fish? I've been to many Seders and I have to say, it's not my favorite part of the meal.

Posted by Ben @ 04/16/2003 11:33 AM PST

Ham chunks at a seder - now there's a revolutionary idea!

Question to BK - have you ever heard the song "The Invisible Man" as sung by Alice Pearce? Your upcoming album reminded me of an old RCA album with that song on it.

Posted by OM TIme @ 04/16/2003 12:05 PM PST

You read it here first, dear readers. I myself have been damned to hell!

Yes and not only that my show has a curse on it. Yes, my show the Rodgers and Hammerstein Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, has an actual curse on it.

Why you may ask? I have shattered the dreams of a thirteen year old girl who herself wanted to play Nellie Forbush.

I personally think one should be out of middle school before attempting to play the role, but who am I?

And so, hell, here I come!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/16/2003 12:12 PM PST

Yes Jrand52, but you could always go in the other direction and cast Glenn Close.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/16/2003 12:18 PM PST

doh! ;-D

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/16/2003 12:28 PM PST

Jrand: Thank your lucky stars you don't live in South Florida. I know someone who is a clerk of the Dade courts, and she told me that a judge once found a cow tongue residing in her reserved parking space. Apparently it's a voodoo thing...

Posted by Lulu @ 04/16/2003 12:44 PM PST

NY POST..CINDY ADAMS

JOEL Schumacher, who directed "Phone Booth," is having a youth obsession.
Planning his "Phantom of the Opera" movie, he says [regarding] young Katie Holmes: "She's recently been taking singing lessons.
I've heard Katie's singing and it's beautiful. But I still may want a younger
actress."

Katie Holmes is 24.

Perhaps sixtysomething Joel Schumacher should be directing "South Pacific?" ;)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/16/2003 12:47 PM PST

My apologies for the wonky formatting of the previous post. I cut and pasted, and that was the result.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/16/2003 12:49 PM PST

Cow tongue? Why don't I feel any better?

Lyon Burke: They're replacing you with a younger girl?

Neely: Younger? Lyon, I'm 26!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/16/2003 12:50 PM PST

Ask BK: What are your favorite film scores and are they all represented in the best possible way on CD?

Posted by The Invisible Man @ 04/16/2003 01:01 PM PST

Jrand: Well, I was *trying* to make you feel better; sorry it didn't work out.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/16/2003 01:18 PM PST

BK
Chag Kasher V'sameach!
Don't eat any ham chunks and certainly not with cheese.
Don't eat too much matzo, it constipates.
Otherwise, eat, drink and be merry and look for the afikomen. If you find it, it will bring you luck.

Posted by steveg @ 04/16/2003 01:36 PM PST

Ask BK: I have a fun and interesting CD called "The Music of Bruce Kimmel" which was released in 1989. It was put out by Colossal Records. What exactly was that label? I've never seen anything from them before or since. You yourself wrote, "My God! You have one of these!" when you autographed it for me.

Posted by Vincent Jan @ 04/16/2003 02:01 PM PST

My question for Ask BK: The subject is made-for-TV retreads of Broadway musicals. I wasn't around here when the VERY mediocre THE MUSIC MAN appeared on TV, but I'm assuming you watched it. What did you think of it? How about the Gelnn Close/SOUTH PACIFIC? Even if you didn't watch these, do you approve of redoing musicals which have already been given a perfectly first-rate movie version? When I read they were doing a new TV version of FIDDLER with Victor Garber, I threw my hands up in dismay! We don't NEED another version of FIDDLER, do we?

Happy Birthday, Allan and hopefully many more!

Posted by Matt H. @ 04/16/2003 02:30 PM PST

I think Allan does not return from France until tomorrow so will be late reading all these greetings.
Happy Birthday DR Allan and I hope your trip to France was all that you wished and more.

Why do Cd player/recorders decide to break down just before the Easter break and a longer wait than usual will be the case?
Time for a nostalgic journey into 45 rpm land for the next few weeks!

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/16/2003 02:56 PM PST

Posted on behalf of Nick Redman:

The newly revamped Film Music Society is up and running with a brand new
website and headquarters located at 15125 Ventura Blvd #201 Sherman
Oaks, Ca 91403 tel: 818 789 6404. The website address is
www.filmmusicsociety.org which will be updated every Friday with news of
future events, fundraisers, signings and general things of interest to
the film music community. The first CD produced by the Society is now
available, and it is called CBS WESTERNS featuring the work of Moross,
Herrmann, Friedhofer and Waxman. The Film Music Society has been
moribund for a while, but now, under the presidency of composer
Christopher Young, it will be entering a dynamic

Posted by R.L. Pulliam @ 04/16/2003 03:08 PM PST

(I assure you I posted a complete message, unfettered by returns...something hinky is going on).

Posted by R.L. Pulliam @ 04/16/2003 03:09 PM PST

Posted on behalf of Nick Redman:

The newly revamped Film Music Society is up and running with a brand new website and headquarters located at 15125 Ventura Blvd #201 Sherman Oaks, Ca 91403 tel: 818 789 6404. The website address is www.filmmusicsociety.org which will be updated every Friday with news of future events, fundraisers, signings and general things of interest to the film music community. The first CD produced by the Society is now available, and it is called CBS WESTERNS featuring the work of Moross, Herrmann, Friedhofer and Waxman. The Film Music Society has been moribund for a while, but now, under the presidency of composer Christopher Young, it will be entering a dynamic new phase and we are actively seeking new members wh

Posted by R.L. Pulliam @ 04/16/2003 03:15 PM PST

Posted on behalf of Nick Redman:

The newly revamped Film Music Society is up and running with a brand new website and headquarters located at 15125 Ventura Blvd #201 Sherman Oaks, Ca 91403 tel: 818 789 6404. The website address is www.filmmusicsociety.org which will be updated every Friday with news of future events, fundraisers, signings and general things of interest to the film music community. The first CD produced by the Society is now available, and it is called CBS WESTERNS featuring the work of Moross, Herrmann, Friedhofer and Waxman. The Film Music Society has been moribund for a while, but now, under the presidency of composer Christopher Young, it will be entering a dynamic new phase and we are actively seeking new members who passionately care about the subject, both young and old.

I'm on the board now as well, and there are a number of terrific projects to be unveiled in the not-too-distant future, and we invite everyone with a passing interest in the subject to join up and help with the fight to preserve, document and keep alive, the legacy and history of some of the finest music from the twentieth century.

Posted by R.L. Pulliam @ 04/16/2003 03:16 PM PST

Matt H: The Victor Garber FIDDLER has been indefinitely postponed; it was due to be filmed in what was once Yugoslavia, and they're having some difficulties over there, so no FIDDLER. This is a good thing, I think; too many TV musicals with the humorless (though not untalented) Mr. Garber. Andrea Martin was to be Golde.

Posted by Drumm @ 04/16/2003 03:19 PM PST

My apologies to one and all. The ONLY time I hit "post" was on the last, complete take of the post.

The first two partial posts were a result of my trying to "preview" and -- for reasons known only to the computer gods -- having them posted "incompletely," at that as the entire text had been inserted. Don't know what causes this....bet even the savvy Mr. Mark Bakalor doesn't know why other than to put it down to "user" error...which it may have been, but under the conditions I stated.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/16/2003 03:20 PM PST

It was late last night when I related at this very site the story of der Brucer and I receiving a rain check for a free copy of the DVD of Princess Mononoke. I have since checked at Webster's Online that rain check is defined as "1 : a ticket stub good for a later performance when the scheduled one is rained out; 2 : an assurance of a deferred extension of an offer; especially : an assurance that a customer can take advantage of a sale later if the item or service offered is not available (as by being sold out)". So our current use of the phrase "rain check" is due to the earlier reference to a performance dysfunction.

So, Dear BK, I am now wondering if there are other words or phrases that stand out in your mind as being strange and worthy of exploring from whence they have come? What words would you like to queery us about, that we might debate their origins?

Posted by S. Woody White @ 04/16/2003 03:56 PM PST

Happy Passover to all those who commemorate Passover...ewww, gefilte fish is awful--I put it in the same category as creamed pickled herring-in-a-jar.

Happy Birthday to Allan!

Dear BK: How many days during Passover do you last, not eating leavened foodstuffs? Do you go the whole nine yards? Did you know Manischevitz has a new flavor macaroon this year--Banana Split?

Posted by KT @ 04/16/2003 03:57 PM PST

KT: We think alike! Growing up in Minnesota I saw far too much creamed pickled herring-in-a-jar, often in tandem with the ever unpopular lutefisk. Double ewww.

Posted by Ben @ 04/16/2003 04:42 PM PST

Happy Birthday Allan!

And a Happy unBirthday to everyone else (oh, an Alice In Wonderland reference).

Happy Passover to all (I believe the major holidays should be shared by all, regardless of religious persuasion, so I will be wishing EVERYONE a Good Friday and a Happy Easter as well!).

If you've only had gefilte fish from a jar, it's horrendous. Try getting it from a good Jewish deli, freshly made without the snot-like aspic!

Perhaps Joel Schumacher can direct the Roman Polanski story?

Question for BK - In the film commentary for TFNM, you said the actor who fell over during the dancing dildoes segment actually lost conciousness due to the concussive force of hitting the ground in the costume. How do you (or the choreagrapher or costume designer) plan to rectify this situation for the stage version? Surely you wouldn't have someone losing conciousness 8 performances a week!

Posted by Ray @ 04/16/2003 05:41 PM PST

Happy birthday wishes to Allan
Wood........

I do hope the French are
behaving and are not holding
you captive somewhere in
Lyon.....

I don't think you had to pretend
you were from Canada, did
you ?

Cheers !

Posted by François @ 04/16/2003 05:56 PM PST

Oh... and to each and everyone
reading this;

please, do follow BK's advice
and check "The Castle In The
Sky"......it's a beauty !

Japanese, all right, but NOT in
the TV style for which they're
known; very fluid and detailed
animation.....

Posted by François @ 04/16/2003 06:00 PM PST

Vincent Jan:

Borders has been trying to find me a copy of The Music of Bruce Kimmel for 2 months now. Where did you get your copy?

Posted by Miohael Shayne @ 04/16/2003 06:19 PM PST

Vincent Jan:

Borders has been trying to find me a copy of The Music of Bruce Kimmel for 2 months now. Where did you get your copy?

The first posting link didn't work. this one does

Posted by michael shayne @ 04/16/2003 06:21 PM PST

Francois: What's that? The French are holding Allan and Lyon Burke captive? How did Allan wind up in The Valley of the Dolls, anyway?

He's just gotta get off, gonna get, has to get off from this ride. Gotta get hold, gonna get, needs to get hold of his pride.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/16/2003 06:37 PM PST

bk --

What musical DO you think would
benefit from a new television
production?

Do you accept dining invitations
from fairly recent posters of
unseemly comments when they visit
the LA area? Say, oh, mid-May,
during a company sponsored trip to
a trade show?

And what would you recommend/
suggest/insist visitors see/do upon
their first trip to said LA area?

Posted by Kurt @ 04/16/2003 07:08 PM PST

Lulu,

Don't ask me !

French people can be strange
at times, but..... British people !

;- )

Posted by François @ 04/16/2003 07:39 PM PST

Folks,

if you ever planned to visit that
67-year-old park known as
CYPRESS GARDENS, Florida,
well.....it's too late!

It sadly slipped forever in
history last Sunday; so smart
of me to have seen the place --
and the Esther Williams
swimming pool -- back in
October of 2001.

During my previous 6 year
stunt in Florida, I had never
taken the time to go.....

Posted by François @ 04/16/2003 07:45 PM PST

I have only one question this Ask Bruce Kimmel Wednesday. It isn't so much a question, but a comment that I would like your opinion on..

In the entertainment industry, there are many actors and actresses who produce offspring who then go on and become actors and actresses. Same thing goes for singers. Yet - when it comes to authors, composers and lyricists (Mary Rodgers off hand being one of the exceptions) - there seems to be very VERY few in this department. What do you think the reason for this is? Besides Mary Rodgers, who are other composers or lyricists that have followed in their parents footsteps?

Posted by Craig @ 04/16/2003 07:50 PM PST

Hey, Drumm:

Yep, I read about the postponement of the Garber FIDDLER, and though I think he might be fine in the role, I just don't think we need another FIDDLER. (I sure don't want to see another stage production of it in the foreseeable future.)

So, a postponement is not what I'm after. A cancellation would be more to my liking. BTW, I'm not sure that Victor Garber wouldn't have made a better Harold Hill than a Mayor Shinn in that THE MUSIC MAN remake.

Posted by Matt H. @ 04/16/2003 08:38 PM PST

Cheers to Allan on his natal day!

As for "Asking BK:" I'll go the simple route this week.
Aside from Fellini, what other Italian film makers' works do you appreciate highly?
Bertolucci? Argento? Bava? Fulci?
Have you seen Pasolini's Medieval Tales Triology; and, if yes - what is your opinion. (If no - then I suggest you take a look at the gorgeous dvd transfer that MGM has released of THE DECAMERON for starters).
How about Pasolini's MEDEA with Maria Callas?

Like always, other Hainsies and Kimlets may chime in with their opinions on Italian films and film makers. . .

Posted by td @ 04/16/2003 08:39 PM PST

Darn - I thought Bruce wrote "colored lights."

Posted by Kit Lo @ 04/16/2003 09:06 PM PST

I can't really stomach herring of any kind. But folks, DON'T write off gefilte-fish-from-the-jar completely until you've tried my favorite brand - Mrs. Adler's "Sweet Recipe." Scrape off every last bit of that mysterious jelled broth first. Ick.

BK:

[1] How do YOU feel about gefilte fish?

[2] Vhat izzit, gefilte-fish?

[3] Re gefilte fish, are you a horseradish guy, or a tiny, symbolic* slice of cooked carrot guy?

Both?

And where do you stand on parsley (besides the parsley farm)?

[4] *Symbolic of WHAT? Who ever came up with the ornamental/decorative slice of cooked carrot in the first place? What can it mean? Is it in some lost part of the Haggadah? The Dead Sea Haggadah? The Unabridged King James Haggadah?

[5] What about those of us observing the Atkins Seder? What the hell can WE eat?

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 04/16/2003 09:36 PM PST

Greetings from Roanoke! Well, actually Blacksburg... I'm staying with my brother and his family here, but playing Beauty & The Beast - ahem, excuse me, Disney's Beauty & The Beast in Roanoke. Or as Jrand knows it... Beau-Dy & the Beast. I observed tonight, and play the noon matinee tomorrow. Should be fun. (Then I race back to Richmond for Hair tomorrow night. -And a few olds friends in the cast and crew as it turns out!

*Jrand - When did you see B&tB? I just have to wonder if you saw my friend, Anne Kanengeiser, as Mrs. Potts. She's quite the self-stickler for diction. She was with the 3rd National Company for almost two years I think.

Ah, Passover... Even though I grew up Catholic - and am Catholic - I did "share" in the Passover celebration - Is it a "celebtration"? Well... When I went to my Catholic grade school, we would actually have a seder dinner. I always enjoyed it - and my mom made some great haroset - still makes it today every now and then.

I think I will go questionless for Ask BK day today. *Besides, I need to lie down and give my neck a break - too much sitting down today with all the driving and playing and observing.

Happy Passover.

And a Very Happy Birthday to Allan!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/16/2003 09:51 PM PST

Thanks td.

I get to give a mention to Visconti and the truly beautiful,poignant "Death In Venice" with the amazing Mr Bogarde. All that and Mahler too. I'll drink to that.

I also should give a mention to "The Passenger" by Mr Antonioni. (This was not universally acclaimed but one of my alltime favourites)

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/16/2003 10:01 PM PST

The carrot on the gefilte fish is not only a spot of color to an otherwise drab lump, but also a traditional Passover homage to Bugs Bunnala, who sits next to Elijah.

Dear Reader Ray: I'm guessing there will be a large portion of FNM's budget dedicated to Dancing Dildo understudies, and a medic back-stage. Will this fall under Workman's Compensation...or hazardous-duty pay?

Dear Reader Ben: Yes! Down with gefilte fish and jarred creamed pickled herring! Send our surplus to Iraq with the relief packages!

Who asked what gefilte fish is, anyway? It is a kind of garbage fish (I forget which one), cooked and pressed into a linty ball, in aspic.

Posted by KT @ 04/16/2003 10:56 PM PST

PS: The carrot was chosen, because something like a raspberry would be ridiculous.

Posted by KT @ 04/16/2003 11:01 PM PST

Interview with Richard Sherman on the other label. Some interesting remarks that I am surprised that they kept. Posting's alittle long but interesting

Rob: How did this project initially come together?

Richard: Actually, Bruce Kimmel was the original producer, the conceiver of this thing.

Rob: That was quite a while back, right?

Richard: I’ll tell you what, the whole story’s interesting, actually. Several years ago – it was two, three, maybe four years ago – it was brought to my attention that a wonderful recording had been made of all the songs – many, many songs- that were written for various Cinderella projects –

Rob: Yes, I know the album you mean.

Richard: You know the Cinderella album?

Rob: Yes, I have it. Great concept to take all the various shows and projects centered around one story and combine them.

Richard: Well then, they said, ‘you know, some of your stuff is on that thing and it’s terrific’, so I said ‘wow, I have to get this thing’. And I think it was on Varese Sarabande records.

Rob: Right.

Richard: And so I – through a bunch of finagling, I find out – you know – how to get a hold of this thing and I got it and it’s – it’s absolutely wonderful, so – I was thrilled with what they’ve done with the various numbers of mine particularly and I loved the record company. Cinderella showed you how various composers down through the many years have treated the very same subject.

Rob: Right - they did the same thing with Peter Pan, actually.

Richard: Exactly. Which is very interesting you know and so to make a long story a little shorter-

Rob: Oh, make it longer, please.

Richard: I wanted to find out who was behind this thing so I found out it was Bruce Kimmel and I got a hold of Bruce and I called him, I said ‘I just wanted to tell you thank you very, very much. I think the performances you did on my songs from The Slipper and the Rose, which is my musical of Cinderella – were absolutely wonderful.‘

Rob: The Slipper and the Rose, with Richard Chamberlain.

Richard: With Richard Chamberlain, Gemma Craven, and the whole all starring cast. Well, I thought, you know, ‘this is really outstanding performances, and I really appreciate what you did and I think that it’s great and everything.’

Rob: Now, you had never met him before?

Richard: Oh, no. But he said, you know, ‘I’ve recorded a lot of your songs. I even recorded your songs for Mary Poppins.’ And I said, ‘Really? Wow.’ So he said, ‘I’ll tell you what, I’m going to send you over some records’ so he sent me a bunch of records with songs of mine in, you know, in albums. And they were so wonderful. He said, ‘you know, I ought to do a Sherman Brothers Album.’ And I said, ‘oh gee, that’d be great, but I mean, I don’t know…’ He said, ‘Well, no seriously, I would just like to do things that are – somewhat obscure, and a few well known and he had very much liked this show we’d done called Busker Alley – Which actually never opened on Broadway because our star, Tommy Tune, broke his foot.

Rob: Right.

Richard: And it broke our hearts. (laughs)I think I’ll write a song: “When You Broke Your Toe, You Broke My Heart”. (laughs)

Rob: I think you’d be surprised at how many people would buy it!

Richard: But at any rate -- he said, ‘yeah, you know, I love those songs in there; I’d like to do a couple of those’. I said, ‘well that would be kind of cool, you know –

Rob: Now, none of them had been recorded, officially, right…up to that point?

Richard: A couple had been recorded in albums. Marcia Wallace recorded a couple of them.

Rob: Wasn’t this before that though?

Richard: Well, because we wanted to preserve the show as a show so we could open it complete. So we didn’t really push toward getting recordings made, but some members of the cast and everything decided that – like Marcia was in our show and sang in one of the ballads she liked very much so she did that. But basically we never pushed on it. It was like we hoped to do our show again, maybe revise it and make it better and then put it on again – which we still hope to do. One day I came over to the Fynsworth office and Bruce said ‘leave me a whole bunch of lists of your songs and some songbooks and stuff’ so I did and the next thing I know he said ‘I’m putting together what I think is one heck of a package’. I said ‘wow’ and sure enough he said, ‘I’m going to be putting this into the works. He had practically most of it, but it was not masters, the final tapes weren’t selected, additional instrumentation wasn’t put on. There wasn’t a finished product by any means; it was tapes. Then everything changed hands in the company, and I thought it was lost forever.

Rob: That happened with a couple other projects. They recorded a couple of things and then they all had to be redone. So you’re not the only one in that club.

Richard: So we weren’t the only ones caught in this combined terrible thing.

Rob: Was it a lot of the same singers though that ended up redoing it?

Richard: For one I know, Brent Barrett came back in and did his ballad again because his vocal was lost. There were instrumentations that weren’t completed that were done by our new producer, Bill Meade. He’s a fine musician in his own right, he added saxophone solos in places where there was no instrumentation. It certainly wasn’t a mastered product – the balance and catching of very important things – the final polish of an album wasn’t done.

Rob: Were you present at some of the recording sessions?

Richard: I was only present at one session actually. Practically all the recordings of the vocals were done in New York to my knowledge. Most of the instrumentation, I believe, were done in the West Coast. But I wasn’t there because I was actually in London working on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the musical, and it’s happily going into its second year; it’s a big hit.

If you want the full text of the interview click on my name

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 04/17/2003 03:02 AM PST

Interesting interview.

Jose - the Mrs Potts I saw was Barbara Marineau - in checking my program. So it was NOT your friend....but a "d" spouting singer unknown to us both.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/17/2003 03:20 AM PST

First South Pacific cast meeting...fair. Some good people, some I don't even know why they want to be in the show except to get out of the house.

It will be okay...it will be okay.

Just found out we will be featured on the cover of a local monthly magazine. We will take the photograph on Wednesday. Once published, I will share it with all H/K...yes our South Pacific will truly be of international interest!

Went to Sam Goody yesterday to buy the original cast album of AIDA. Bin was empty. Sales clerk said: Can I help you? Me: I was looking for the cast album of AIDA. Sales clerk: Oh, we are out of that. You are the third person today to ask for it. Me: Oh. Sales clerk: They were in town last week, you know. Me: Yes, I know. Sales clerk: We may get more in on Friday...maybe. Me: Thanks.

And they wonder why we shop online.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/17/2003 05:17 AM PST

Unfortunately, Jrand, music store clerks typically make minimum wage, which means that truly competent clerks are very quickly working elsewhere and earning more scratch. Anyone with foresight ("Aida's in town next month - let's order a buncha those") or initiative ("I'm afraid we're sold out, but I'd be happy to order it for you and call when it arrives") is not working at a minimum wage low (or no) benefits job.

Remind me to tell you sometime about the several months I worked in a music store when I was a teenager. The customers can be just as frustrating as the clerks, believe me. At least once a week, someone would come in and want me to figure out what song they wanted by utilizing the following clues: "I don't know what it's called or who did it, but it's *always* on the radio. And it's about love."

Posted by Lulu @ 04/17/2003 06:22 AM PST

LOL - Lulu. True.

Anyone heard the soundtrack for A MIGHTY WIND yet? I saw it in the same store but it $19.99! Too much for me - especially since I think the physicality of the cast performing the songs will be about half of the fun!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/17/2003 06:40 AM PST

I rarely ever shop in music stores anymore, but when I do I invariably overhear someone make just such a request of the clerk, only to have the clerk stand with a befuddled look. In many cases, I want to walk over and tell the clerk, 'he's looking for //insert title here//, and you probably don't have it. Tell him to go to Amazon.com.'

Posted by Dave @ 04/17/2003 06:42 AM PST

Dave, clearly you missed your calling. You're able to determine which song the customer is looking for based on "Don't know the title or who did it, but I hear it a lot on the radio"? You must be some kind of music savant.

Myself, I was just one of those "befuddled" clerks of which you speak. :)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/17/2003 06:50 AM PST

Jrand, I'm "A Mighty Wind" jonesin' BAD. When will it open in South Florida, when, when???

You should check Amazon and/or half.com for the soundtrack if you're interested. I'm sure you could get it cheaper than $20.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/17/2003 06:51 AM PST

Opens this weekend in selected cities - a couple of reviews are around, including one yesterday in USA TODAY.

I will probably get it at deepdiscountcd.com Cheap person that I am.

Of course, clerks have it easier now. Anyone looking for the love song they heard and they don't know the name - sell them the new Celine Dion CD.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/17/2003 07:01 AM PST

When I was younger (in the days when I used to shop at record stores), I was always up-to-date on popular music. I could usually tell you what song you wanted based on the smallest lyrical snippet. I could never do that today. If you listen to an Eminem song on the radio, you are only likely to hear half the lyrics, anyway...

Or if someone came into the record store asking for that song by that new band that sounds like Pearl Jam...well, where would I even begin??

Posted by Dave @ 04/17/2003 07:09 AM PST

A Mighty Wind opened yesterday in 14 (14!) cities nationwide --- three of those cities are in California (San Diego, San Francisco, and LA). The one closest to me is Atlanta, GA -- about a 12 hour drive.

I won't be reading any reviews, as they always give too much away. I want to just let the movie flow over me with as few preconceptions as possible. But I *will* be very upset if they don't widen the release SOON.

Hey, everybody out there who lives in or near a city where this film is playing...go see it! As a personal favor to me! :)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/17/2003 07:14 AM PST

And what do we get in Indianapolis?

"Bulletproof Monk"

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/17/2003 07:20 AM PST

There was also the time that a customer couldn't understand why we didn't have a Def Leppard album he was looking for (I know. Believe me, I know). I walked right over and got it for him. His reaction? "Oh, I was looking in the L's!" Apparently, he thought the band was fronted by one "Mr. Leppard."

Now, someone doing that with Jethro Tull, I could sort of understand...

Posted by Lulu @ 04/17/2003 07:20 AM PST

I know, right? Adam Sandler craps into a shoebox and films it, and it opens on 12,856 screens. But just try and get access to anything else without living in LA, NYC, or Chicago.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/17/2003 07:23 AM PST

Lulu,

That reminds me of when my brother-in-law was still in high school and put together a band for his school talent show. Since his name is Geoff, they called the band "Geoff Leppard". When the school newspaper reported on the show, they couldn't even get the name right, and called them "Geoff Zeppelin".

Now I get a chuckle seeing Def Leppard sitting in the shelf next to Def Comedy Jam.

Posted by Dave @ 04/17/2003 07:31 AM PST

OK, just now I got spam mail that promised, in the subject header, a recipe for "Carol's yam burger pie."

Was it a euphemism for porn? Or was it actually a recipe for yam burger pie? I can't decide which possibility is more nauseating.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/17/2003 07:38 AM PST

ARGggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Don't look at that email.

My brother's band is called Harold Smith - because that is what his three year old son thought was the correct name of the band Arrowsmith.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/17/2003 08:16 AM PST