Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 07:29 AM PST

Just saw that we crossed the magic 100 posts yesterday. Hoo and rah.

td: I heard about Michael Callery's death late last night. Very sad. I only met him once but had several online conversations with him and, in fact, when the whole sorry Stephen Newport business started at RATM, we e-mailed each other about it. And, for those who know even a little bit about this creep Stephen Newport - his response to the news of Mr. Callery's death over at RATM? And I quote: "Feels better already, doesn't it?" Someone should pay Mr. Newport a visit and teach him some manners, at least in my opinion (ALIMO, in Internet lingo).

Posted by bk @ 04/25/2003 07:39 AM PST

Oh, my Lord! He ACTUALLY said that?! I have read a few of the random musings of Mr. Newport at RATM, and found him to be rather hateful, but this goes beyond the limits of taste and decorum.

While we are on the subject, though, I must take issue with the "guest" on the Broadway Radio show this week, who took the opportunity to insult Betty Buckley. Unless my headphones were wacky, it sure seemed like he was saying, "It must be all that coke she snorted". Now, I am by no means a fan of the song stylings of Ms. Buckley, but this is woefully inappropriate. If it is true that Ms. Buckley has/had an addiction, then this is a heartless comment; if it is not true, then it is just slander. Either way, shame.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 07:55 AM PST

Yes, Dave, he actually said that. It's in breathtakingly poor taste.

In my CD player - "A Man of No Importance".

In my DVD player - "Street Scene".

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 04/25/2003 08:00 AM PST

I am so envious of Mr BK and DR Susan Gordon (why does it seem that being here at HHW suddenly gives us all PHD's?) - rubbing elbows with all the other celebrities. Here is hoping that the entire CHILLER event is dripping with Macumba Love!!!

In my DVD player THE CARPETBAGGERS. Where oh where is the Carroll Baker Commentary, and where is the filmed but not used Carroll Baker nude scene? Oh well...the glorious Elmer Bernstein score sounds better than ever....here come the red titles!!!! I laughed at the ad copy way back then: "It is unlikely you will experience in a lifetime all that you will see in 'The Carpetbaggers!'" But you know what, all these years later...they were right!

In my CD player at last "Aida" original Broadway cast. Enjoying it muchly. Also the soundtrack from Cliff Richard's "The Young Ones" found on EBAY for $4.50!

In the VHS STAGESTRUCK with Susan Strasberg, Henry Fonda, and an impossibly handsome Christopher Plummer. Yes, AGAIN!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 08:04 AM PST

BK, welcome to my state of New Jersey (well at least my state for the last 33 years when I left NYC to start working here). Unfortunately, you're not seeing a pretty part of the state from where you are. Once you get away from the NJ Turnpike anywhere along its length, you can better appreciate why it is called the "Garden State" and should not be characterized as the joke it is made out to be by too many comedians. If we both only had the time I would have been happy to show you the nicer parts of the state. Unfortunately we won't be able to attend the Chiller convention since we have a wedding to attend out in Long Island this weekend. Best of luck and success at the convention, though.

Posted by steveg @ 04/25/2003 08:10 AM PST

Jrand: I have visited your About Me page, and I must say that until this moment I never understood the breathtaking depth and complexity of your sheer hatred for Beverly Garland.

I am taken aback, yet intrigued.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 08:10 AM PST

The past few days have seen a few CDs in my player(s):

Liz Callaway - The Story Goes On
Kristin Chenoweth - Let Yourself Go
MYTHS & HYMNS - various artists; Adam Guettel, composer
Audra McDonald - Way Back to Paradise

A new shipment from Amazon arrived yesterday, including...

FOOTLOOSE - see this morning's posts

The Maury Yeston Songbook - some gems, others not so much.

And now I'm reminded that I need to pick up the new MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.

Tonight I'll be seeing a production of CABARET. Should be interesting. I'll post a review tomorrow.

Then on Friday, I'm off to see SEUSSICAL on the National Tour. I'm taking my family, and we're all looking forward to it.

Just remembered - Jason has a call-back in two hours. Let's send out our good vibes....

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 08:11 AM PST

Morning DRs and faraway and remote (and esteemed) BK,

First, I must ask again, thereby showing the abject dumbness of a novice, to what site do the initials RATM refer ? I assume it is some sort of theatre based something. But why would anyone bother with such an usurper, such a poseur, when HHW and the cherubic BK are here??? Beats the tarnation out of me buckaroo!

Oh, and BK -- Even though a lot of hotel food is just as plastic and homogenized as the current announcers you mentioned, I ran across one exception last year. I was playing in Portland, Maine, and was put up at a Sheraton right in downtown. I checked the room service menu and saw something called a lobster roll (not seed, or oceana )and being a fan of the ungainly clawed monster I thought "I'll try this here thing."

Well, what came to my door was the most delectable thing you can imagine....beautiful, well-formed and shapely, with a pleasant inviting aroma (I AM talking about the food)..this thing was at least 3/4 of a whole lobster, de-shelled, chopped into big luxurious chunks, and nestled into a freshly baked long roll that was split open, and then had a little cold mayonnaise and shredded lettuce put in with it. It was fabulous, heaven-sent, wonderfully sinful, faboo, ...and so tasty too!

So, I will hold the hope that your savory buds will encounter some wonderful unexpected local delight while you are there.

Answers:

CD player....just finished the entire "Haines His Way" and a new recording of original orchestral score music for "Damsel In Distress."

DVD..... an esoteric thing by Dirk Shafer called "Circuit." Don't ask, and if you are easily shocked, don't go there.

On to work, create, and the day.. bye all.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/25/2003 08:21 AM PST

What is RATM?

The person who made the Betty Buckley comments was "The Holiday Homo" who does holiday shows with Donald. You have to take him with a grain of salt.

In DVD - We got a lot of new CDs yesterday including the Cole Porter MGMusicals but first off is the full length version of "The Great American Songbook" which aired in part during the last PBS begathon but is double the length on DVD. It's the closest thing to THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT since THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT 3.

And speaking of the Cole Porter MGMusicals, while I am thrilled to have them it's a little odd to see "Broadway Melody of 1940" or "Les Girls" on DVD before such classics as "Meet Me In St. Louis" or "The Bandwagon".

CD - Sinced we loved the film so much we got the 8 WOMEN soundtrack. I'll be going to Footlight soon for "New Faces of 52".

VHS - Last night's E.R. [BK - the only way to watch the few shows on commercial tv that are worth watching is to tape them and zap through the commercials.]

Cassette - I finally finished the 40 episodes of "The Bob Hope Show" and am listening to classic Christmas episodes of various radio shows while I wait for the remaining volumes of Tallulah's "Big Show".

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/25/2003 08:26 AM PST

For dear reader Jason....

Just an extra dose of positive good stuff being sent your way. Just remember, don't "think anything to death", just let it flow and visualize and genuinely accept that the outcome that you picture is a reality and has already happened. Honest, it works! We are thinking of you.

Sincerely,

Swami Prbahanda MusicGuy

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/25/2003 08:28 AM PST

Dear Reader TD: I'm so sorry about your friend. If there's anything I can do, please let me know.

Indeed, I do have a callback in about an hour and a half! Thanks, Dave, for mentioning it. I must admit, I'm scared out of my wits right now. I've never made it this far in an audition process...they've either said, "Thank you" and let me go or they've given me the stinking part by now! I'm trying desperately not to get too emotionally attached to the idea of going on this tour, but the thought of it gets me all giddy inside. Going on the road with this show would afford me the opportunity to see my parents on three seperate occassions next year (the show is going to three cities within four hours of Louisville) AND I'd get to meet many of you dear readers in your various home states! Not to mention the fact that I am going stir crazy with these survival jobs--I'm ready to be back onstage! Anyway, I'm just letting out nervous energy right now. Who knew you could chatter online?!?!

Please send your vibes my way today (and tomorrow for the MUSIC MAN audition). They've been helping so far...we'll see what happens today. In the words of Ms. Doris Day (or at least the song's lyricist), "Que sera, sera...whatever will be will be."

"...I ain't gonna dream 'bout her arms no more...I ain't gonna leave her alone! Goin' outside...git myself a bride! Git me a womern to call my own!"

Posted by Jason @ 04/25/2003 08:32 AM PST

DR WEL

Thanks for the description, but what do the actual initials RATM stand for?? It sounds like this Newport piece-of-work writes on some site but what is it?

Posted by MusiGuy @ 04/25/2003 08:33 AM PST

Depending on your frame of reference, RATM either stands for

Rage Against the Machine (a political thrash-rock band)

or

rec.arts.theatre.musicals (a newsgroup devoted to the discussion of all things musical theatre-related)

Given the demographic of this site, we're probably talking about the latter, but you never know...

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 08:36 AM PST

...and as for the "Holiday Homo", I'm sorry but there just isn't enough salt in the shaker.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 08:38 AM PST

...a lyric Mary Martin refused to sing by the way...

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 09:04 AM PST

Well, BK, you can give your personal thanks to Miss June Wilkinson for helping push yesterday's post past the 100 mark. Several of the last few were a discussion of the merits of her magnum opus Macumba Love.

And please check her table to see if she is still selling the GUARANTEED June Wilkinson Bust Developer! You, too, can have a lovely bust.

"You can have the waltz, you can have the stroll, we're gonna twist, twist, twist ALL NIGHT!!!"

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 09:07 AM PST

Congrats, Jrand52.

This is the only place I can think of where anybody would pick up on an obscure reference like that one.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 09:14 AM PST

Thanks, Dave. What do I win? I love the story the Alan Lerner tells about playing the MY FAIR LADY score for Mary and Richard, and Mary's comment: Oh those dear boys have lost all their talent....

Or Richard's suggestion to Richard Rodgers that THE SOUND OF MUSIC open with Mary hanging by her bloomers from a tree to sing the title song. "It would be so Mary."

Lulu - re: Miss Beverly Campbell Garland Crank, hotelier, she just kinda irritates me.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 09:28 AM PST

Huh? Was this suggestion made in jest (re: bloomers, tree, Sound of Music) 'r what???

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 09:41 AM PST

Oh, no, Lulu. Richard Halliday, Mary's husband, thought it would be a great idea.

When Rodgers nixed it, Halliday was upset. Rodgers told him it that while it may be fine for Mary, it wouldn't be right for the show.

Halliday's reply was: "That's what's wrong with you guys, all you think about is the show."

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 09:44 AM PST

Are you SURE this isn't apocryphal? I am aware that Mary's schtick was "stunt-singing" (a la Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair), but surely only a complete dunce would truly believe that they should open SOM with a nun -- a nun, for God's sake! -- hanging by her bloomers from a tree...

Well, damn good story regardless.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 09:59 AM PST

BK wrote:
this creep Stephen Newport - his response to the news of Mr. Callery's death over at RATM? And I quote: "Feels better already, doesn't it?"

I was almost sick to my stomach when I read the above comment. It makes me so sad that anyone (regardless of how they felt about Mike) could say something like that.

I went to RATM (which I barely read anymore because of Mr. Newport's antics) to see the comment for myself.

I'm sure he meant exactly what BK wrote. However Alison had written that maybe it was time for everyone to be kinder and to stop the feuding on RATM. Someone else posted that they agreed. Then Mr. Newport wrote the comment BK attributed to him above (sorry it makes me feel sick just to type it). Is there any other explanation for what he wrote?

Posted by Jennifer @ 04/25/2003 10:02 AM PST

I don't think so, Jennifer. I only went RATM once when a DR here was talking about something going on, and I was not amused by Mr S Newport's multiple posts. Sad. Sad. Sad.

I can only say "consider the source" and stay away. Eventually if we all do that, he will be the only one posting AND reading at RATM. That is almost the case now, I guess.

No, Lulu, it's a true story.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 10:09 AM PST

Jennifer: The explanation is that he's probably mentally ill. Seriously. And no, that's not an excuse. But there are plenty of people on the web who should probably be on medication, if not in an institution. Some of them post about how the FBI is X-raying their brainwaves (hence the need to wear an aluminum foil hat), and some post nasty, hateful things about people they've never met just to get a reaction from more people they've never met.

The best thing to do with these people is completely ignore them. Of course, nobody ever does. There's always at least one person who will volley back and forth with them, thus giving the person the attention they crave. And as long as they continue to receive attention, they will find the internet a fruitful place to manifest the symptoms of their mental illness.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 10:10 AM PST

I think Mr. Newport's comment means exactly what it says. Given his appalling personality, what else could it mean?

For anyone who might be visiting - the room we'll be in is on the third floor. It seems very confusing here. The dealers rooms are on the second floor, as are about ten celebrity rooms (about five celebrities to a room, which seems rather insane to me). Then, on the third floor there are an additional seven or eight rooms (mixed in among the REAL rooms) with celebrities. The only consolation is that they've put some of the biggest draws up there, including Miss June Wilkenson, Miss Carol Lynley and Miss Stella Stevens. We're in a room called the Preakness. The crazy thing is that people have to go from room to room and it's laid out very strangely so who knows if they'll even find every room - plus there don't seem to be any signs telling people where specific people are, which, if they're going to do this this way seems pretty basic. We shall see what we shall see.

Meanwhile, I went down to have breakfast (it will be the only chance to eat today) and ran into my pal, artist Bill Stout, who is here promoting a new book. We had fun catching up (I've known him since the late seventies). Sitting nearby was a dead ringer for Charlie Ruggles, and sitting near him was John Saxon, who looks pretty great. I passed Miss Stella Stevens in the hallway, sans makeup, and that was somewhat scary.

Posted by bk @ 04/25/2003 10:11 AM PST

DVD: BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (Special Edition)

CD: Randy Newman's FAUST
.............
I'm a long-time regular at RATM, and received a personal email from S. Newport yesterday which read: "Apparently Michael Callery died."

Callery was a well-informed, deeply-devoted theatre-lover, esp. of musicals. He was smart and funny and generous with his time and knowledge, esp. to newcomers. He didn't deserve the hatred from Newport but, in a personal email exchange with me a few weeks ago (as things were heating up between them), he was funny, kind and quite rational about the whole thing. He was a good man who will be missed.

Apart from a few slugs, RATM is visited regularly by a great group of folks -- it can get wild and funny and bitchy -- but I've made a some nice friends there (those who haven't left due to Newport's vitriol).

Posted by Drumm @ 04/25/2003 10:13 AM PST

Good morning/afternoon...

Well, I'm feeling much better today. After taking a Claritin-D yesterday afternoon.... I had nooooo idea just how much sinus pressure I had up in there. WOW! Now if I can just get my throat back to normal.

DVD: Nothing, BUT I do plan on watching at least ONE a day next week - well at least on the days I won't be in NYC. I'd say which titles are in the hopper, but I don't want to embarass myself. -If you check the archives, I still haven't watched most the of the ones I've listed before.

CD: Nine OCR, Gil Shaham's "Romances", Lion King OCR (just continuing my Disney mode - and I had never really listened to it before)

VCR: The usual - tapes of Six Feet Under and Queer as Folk

Car Cassette: Pam - finally listened to the tape you sent me. WOW!!! Wonderful... Too bad it gets cut off at the end... Was it supposed to?

BK: I hope you enjoy your stay, and maybe you should bitch-slap the person who "made" you book an early morning flight... Otherwise, I'm sorry I missed you again... we always seem to be a week apart in our travels to NYC - I'll be back up a week from now. Oh, do you still need a fax number for me?

td - So sorry to hear about your loss. And as everyone has stated previously, we all wish we could do more than just post here on HHW... If there is anything you need, please feel free to ask. Our thoughts are with you and Michael's family.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/25/2003 10:14 AM PST

RE: Stella Stevens, I always found it odd that in American Graffiti, a big deal is made about Candy Clark's character looking "just like Connie Stevens." However, at this time Candy Clark was a dead ringer for Stella Stevens in the mid-sixties (especially with Candy's blonde flip hair-do). She really looks nothing like Connie Stevens.

Has anybody else noticed this? Do you suppose it's possible that the writers confused Connie and Stella Stevens? I simply *must* have the definitive answer to this conundrum that has puzzled me for lo, these many years.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 10:15 AM PST

Wow... it's been ages since I've been to RATM... never to return. Question to any DR that would have info.. I once belong to an online newsgroup or something that dealt with trading musical theatre bootleg recordings, video's etc. I need to get back on that list!! Does anyone have an email address or a web-site or some insight as to if that still exists? Thanks in advance for help.

VCR - Smile
CD - Martin Guerre (1999)

Posted by Matthew @ 04/25/2003 10:20 AM PST

CONTINUED GOOD VIBES TO JASON, WHO IS PROBABLY KNOCKING THEM DEAD AS I TYPE THIS! I want a good reason to see MM - one of my personal faves (and I've promised myself that I'll do Harold Hill before I die!)

BK - sorry, been out of the loop for a few days. Is the Chiller Show in NJ? And has Susan made any plans for the Hainsies/Kimlets who reside in the greater Metro area?

In the CD player (at the office):

Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington - The Great Summit

Noel Coward - In New York

In the DVD player (at my folks house - we just had the floors redone and our house repainted):

Yellow Submarine

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid

Posted by Phil @ 04/25/2003 10:21 AM PST

Yes, the Chiller Show is in New Jersey at the Sheraton Hotel. If you check the Wednesday or Tuesday posts you'll see the info from "Kevin" with complete times. Susan hasn't made any plans because we're not going to have any free time, so I do hope some of you can make it to see us at the show.

Posted by bk @ 04/25/2003 10:29 AM PST

Chiller Convention

Sheraton Meadowlands
Rt. 3 East (across from Giants Stadium)
E. Rutherford, NJ
(201) 896-0500

Dates & Times:

Friday - April 25 - 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday - April 26 - 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday - April 27 - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Posted by "Kevin" @ 04/25/2003 10:47 AM PST

Don't be silly - Candy Clark doesn't look a bit like me. Click on my name and see for yourself.

Posted by Stella Stevens @ 04/25/2003 11:06 AM PST

Now click my name for the real McCoy...

Posted by Stella Stevens @ 04/25/2003 11:08 AM PST

But neither of those pictures look like Connie Stevens...???

Or even Connie Francis.

Ooops. I said the F word. Take it away, JMK.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 11:14 AM PST

Re the pictures of Candy Clark and Stella Stevens - Not only do they not look alike but in Candy's case it was a put on and in Stella's it was real.

Now how about a picture of Stella's cute son Andrew Stephens (the Kent Family Chronicles).

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/25/2003 11:26 AM PST

WEL, so sue me, I still think Candy's character in American Graffiti looked like Stella. And I realize the look was "a put-on"...who in 1973 still wore their hair in a bouffant?

Cindy Adams tidbit:

Larry Gelbart loves crosswords: "I did them in pen until I learned Stephen Sondheim did them in his head."

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 11:31 AM PST

I'm with you, Lulu. I think the pictures look very much alike. Not identical, no, but it does look as though Candy is *trying* to look like Stella.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 11:38 AM PST

Dave,
For the next show you want to direct have you thought of any of these?
OLIVER
CITY OF ANGELS
NO NO NANETTE
BIG RIVER

Posted by Donna @ 04/25/2003 11:41 AM PST

The third floor of the Sheraton is the place to be.

Carol Lynley, BK, Susan Gordon, Stella Stevens, AND June Wilkinson.

I hope no drunk stumbles into the Preakness Room.

Lulu, maybe the writers chose Connie because she was less threatening and would have been more familiar to the kids. She was on tv every week - Stella was a movie-Playboy type of girl. The memory of her sitting in the back of that long, long Chrysler Imperial limo in VistaVision in "Li'l Abner" still resonates. And who, upon seeing her even today, can resist asking, "What's in it for me?" ("Remind me to fire that chauffeur.")

Breakfast ALMOST with John Saxon, oh my. They keep saying that recent release of something or other is a remake of THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE. Why not just watch the original?

Bill, how is the 8 WOMEN soundtrack? Score and vocals?

Dave, Connie Francis - Frances Farmer. Don't mix your vowels.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 11:45 AM PST

Donna,

OLIVER was just done (badly) about two years ago.

CITY OF ANGELS was done (well) the same year.

NO NO NANETTE was done about five years ago, and was not one of my favourites.

BIG RIVER has some potential, but it seems to be a distinctly "American" show. It was done several years ago, and was not a big draw.

This morning, I spoke to a friend of mine and suggested he take a good look at SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 11:48 AM PST

Jrand52,

Of course - i before e, except after c.

Actually, I knew the difference, but I also knew that, despite the spelling, you would know what I meant. ;-)

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 11:52 AM PST

I just realized that the third floor of the Sheraton is practically a Poseidon Adventure reunion. "There's got to be a morning a-a-aft-uh..."

OK, so technically they would need about 12 other cast members to qualify as a reunion. Allow me my dreams...

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 12:08 PM PST

LOL Dave.

A lot of people like SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. I like some of the songs individually. But it's a LOT of Lieber-Stoller all at once. The DVD of the Broadway production is around. Some dynamite performers can sell it, but of course I like "book" shows myself.

7 Brides for 7 Brothers was a lot of fun to direct/choreograph. And you could do much worse than FOOTLOOSE which just had a nice run at the professional dinner theatre here in town. SUGAR is funny if you have the cast. And of course, the show I have been talking a LOT about this week THE PAJAMA GAME.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 12:12 PM PST

What?! It's Frances Farmer? Are you telling me I've been searching eBay all this time using the wrong spelling?

Posted by JMK @ 04/25/2003 12:13 PM PST

JMK: I hope you're joking! :)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 12:20 PM PST

Jrand - The 8 WOMEN SOUNDTRACK begins with the opening credit music credits theme, then follows it with a solo by each of the eight women and then has the orchestral score to the film. It's an import and all the booklet notes are in French.

Regarding 7 BRIDES, I would only do that show if I could use the complete movie score and eliminate the inferior numbers added to the stage version.

Another fun show to do if you can cast it right is MINNIE'S BOYS, the musical story of The Marx Brothers. To say that Shelley Winters was more at home on the Poseidon than in a Broadway musical sums up the main reason this show failed originally.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/25/2003 12:20 PM PST

WEL: Did Shelley do an underwater ballet in Minnie's Boys, like in Poseidon Adventure?

If not, right there is the reason for the show's failure.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 12:26 PM PST

I'M BAAAAAAAAACK...

My sincere apologies to one and all (and also all and one) for the extreme length of my t&e (and also e&t).

In brief: Right before my Spring Break, Joe and I had to deal with what we call around here "Unpleasant Business" (UB in Internet Lingo). That is, of course, anything whatever to do with lawyers, and is best not talked about at all, at least until the musical version opens.

After that I had a week off with Joe and just never got to the computer except to pay bills the day before they were due.

And now, I've spent approximately another week catching up on all the posts. Really! The next time BK starts ranting about the dearth of posts around here, I'm going to tell him, "That's a bunch of Penn and Teller!"

So belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Dear Reader Sandra, Dear Reader Nick Redman, Dear Reader Allan, and Dear Nonreader Mrs. Brolin. Oh, my I have been singing "Happy Birthday" so much that I think I must run out and audition for a musical without knowing the score! And curse you if you don't cast me as Nelly Forbush!

How I wish I were in NJ with BK and Aura, rubbing elbows with Tony Todd and Angus Scrim! Well, on second thought, I'll rub Tony's elbow any day... but the vivacious Mr. Scrim gives me the heebie-jeebies.

I thank you for your good wishes (those who wondered aloud about my exact location in the country known as Tar Nation), and a special thanks to JRand for the following:

Richard Rodgers could pee a melody? I would pay to see that. Do you suppose that's how he got most of the score to NO STRINGS? And if he peed the melodies, I don't even want to think about where the lyrics came from.

My Joe was rolling on the floor when I read it to him. Now it has become part of our household vocabulary:

"Be back in a minute." (Heading for the john.)

"You writing music or lyrics?"

Oh, it's great to be back in the game, Cocky!

BIRTHDAY ALERT:

My Joe will be 48 on Monday (sharing a birthday with the vivacious Sadam Hussein), and although he suffers from chronic cyberphobia, I will print out any birthday wishes posted here and deliver them to him in hard copy.

Party on, dudes!

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/25/2003 12:26 PM PST

Jrand52, I prefer book shows, too. That's why I told my friend to consider directing it. ;-)

I saw SUGAR on the National Tour a few months ago. It was mildly enjoyable, with the exception of Tony Curtis. Poor guy was SO out of his element.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 12:28 PM PST

Male: Francis = Francisco (Sp.)

Female: Frances = Francesca (It.)

At least that mnemonic (and I don't care what the dictionary says, I always pronounce both the m and the n!) works for me.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/25/2003 12:33 PM PST

LOL WFO! Glad you're back. Oh hmmmmmmmmmmmm....that is a better euphemism than "going to visit Mrs. Murphy."

Tony Curtis ...does he still wear his wig on top of his toupee?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 12:38 PM PST

Jrand: How would one view your About Me (Just Jack) page at e-bay. Never having been to the site in my entire web life (yes, it's true) I just went there now to search for Frances Farmer and though 20 items came up you were not among the sellers. Trying to search for an about me page brings up nothing and searching for Just Jack brings up nothing but Will and Grace references. Are you currently selling something that would have a link to your About Me page. Inquiring minds want to know?

Posted by Ben @ 04/25/2003 12:39 PM PST

DVD: Thunderbirds

CD: Darrin Baker

Video: Bullshit

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 04/25/2003 12:43 PM PST

Ben, click on my name for a direct link to jrand's About Me eBay page.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 12:44 PM PST

WFO is back!!! Yay!

You were missed. :)

I always remember Francis=him and Frances=her. (Don't know how to bold, but note the matching vowels in each word.)

Shall we post birthday wishes to Your Joe on the day itself, or early so you'll have ample opportunity to print them out and make up a card?

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 12:46 PM PST

Thanks, Lulu.

And actually you might be surprised at how many items JMK and I find regularly by searching for "Francis" Farmer.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 12:46 PM PST

Jrand, I hear ya. I've found some real deals on eBay by searching for misspelled stuff.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 12:50 PM PST

Dave - Are they back to calling it SUGAR? I thought that for this tour they had reverted back to the movie title SOME LIKE IT HOT, but no matter how you dress it a turkey is a turkey. I saw the pre-Broadway tryout of the original. Other than Shelia Smith as "Sweet Sue" and the scenery I didn't think very much of it and a couple of days after I saw it I read that the scenic designer was fired and they were getting a whole new set!

Tony Roberts and Bobby Morse were not bad but not really that good either, but Cyril Ritchard in the Joe E. Brown role (now played by Tony Curtis) was his usual swishy self so you felt he was happy when Bobby Morse admitted he was really a man.

Lulu - When MINNIE'S BOYS went into rehearsal it was about the Marx Brothers. Ms. Winters, in the role of their mother, wanted to make it more like GYPSY and obviously had the clout to have her part fattened up despite the fact that she did not belong in musicals (although to be fair, she did do Ado Annie towards the end of the run of the Broadway original OKLAHOMA!). Still MINNIE'S BOYS is a lot of fun but you need actors who can do the on-stage characters of the brothers and also their off stage personas which were totally different. For example the best (and best known) song in the score, "Mama, a Rainbow" is sung by Harpo who, of course never sang or spoke in the act. There's enough good in it that a potential director might want to get a script from Samuel French and consider it.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/25/2003 12:53 PM PST

Bill - thanks for the skinny on the 8 WOMEN cd. 8-D Sounds like I need to take another trip to the Amazon.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 12:57 PM PST

WEL, they are calling it SOME LIKE IT HOT for the tour, but we know better. The two "names" that were selling the show - Tony Curtis and Larry Storch - were far and away the weakest elements of the show. There were some pleasant songs, and room for some modest comedy, but it all didn't add up to much.

I have the CD of MINNIE'S BOYS, and enjoy the aforementioned "Mama, A Rainbow" very much. The rest? Eh. To be fair, I've probably only listened to it once.

I tend to be drawn toward newer shows as a director, as I like the idea of presenting the audience with something they haven't seen before. (Granted, they probably haven't ever seen SUGAR or MINNIE'S BOYS before, either, but there's likely a reason for that...)

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 01:03 PM PST

Lulu:

What a marvelous idea!

I would love it if any who are so inclined (and especially the very BK himself) would post birthday greetings to Joe early. I have a card-making program and can do it up as a card from HHW.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/25/2003 01:05 PM PST

In my CD player at work: I just finished listening to a compilation CD-R that I made of MP3 songs downloaded from the Internet. The OOPS Guys, Karen Morrow (love her), Mary Jo Mundy, Craig Rubano, Sam Harris, etc....

Up next for my CD player: disc 3 of "Take the Coltrane." It's a 13-hour radio documentary of John Coltrane with many recordings played in their entirety.

In my DVD player at home: Disc 3 (of 6) of "Sports Night." I just got this a few days ago through eBay and I've already finished the 2nd disc! I love this show!

In my VCR: a tape of the X-Men special from last Sunday, Wednesday's "Enterprise" and last night's "Will and Grace."

Posted by George @ 04/25/2003 01:07 PM PST

Jose--Yes, the tape does cut off abruptly. My friend either pushed the stop button during the curtain call, or else his CD ran out. It happens.

WFO--speaking of going to the john lines, ever since I used my cell phone in a restaurant bathroom to call a friend to solve a problem relating to lack of paper, we just remind each other: Got your phone? [I used to hate cell phones; now I think they should be issued at birth, like social security numbers.]

Posted by Pam @ 04/25/2003 01:08 PM PST

Well, Pam, at least I've managed to raise the level of the conversation around here. :-)

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/25/2003 01:16 PM PST

Dave, how about revamping a classic? I'm thinking King Lear: The Musical. (alternatively: LEAR!) I'm sure BK will be happy to provide the tinkly tunes. (Not to be confused with tinkling tunes.)

I, of course, will provide the lyrics.

Regan (sings): Shall we hang Gloucester 'til he dies?
Goneril (sings): Nay, nay, I say, pluck out his eyes!

Whaddya think?

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 01:17 PM PST

Dave---
What role is Larry Storch playing?

Posted by hWilliam E. Lurie @ 04/25/2003 01:23 PM PST

WEL, Larry Storch is playing Bienstock. For more cast info, click on my name.

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 01:27 PM PST

It's good to know that if Dear Reader Dave has nothing nice to say, he just says nothing at all.

;)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 01:33 PM PST

Happy Birthday, Joe, from Mooresville, Indiana,
Home of John Dillinger! Jack

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 01:48 PM PST

Lulu,

Was just away from my desk for a few minutes. Just read your lyrics. Very cute!

I was thinking of maybe a musical version of Romeo and Juliet....oh, that one's taken.

Or how about Two Gentlemen of Verona? Darn it.

Or maybe The Comedy of Errors? Dang it!

Taming of the Shrew?? Twelfth Night??? Hamlet???

I think maybe somebody else has had this idea before.

I know! We'll do a musical version of Titus Andronicus, calling it TITUS! Of course, Julie Taymor will have to direct...

Posted by Dave @ 04/25/2003 01:52 PM PST

5:15 EST....BK and Susan are welcoming adoring fans even as we type!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/25/2003 02:07 PM PST

Boy, you're right about those songs added to SEVEN BRDIES being dogs. They are terrible. But I'm not really into taking movie musicals and putting them on the stage. I think SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, SEVEN BRIDES, and GIGI were pale stage musicals.

I read in VARIETY that the producers are allowed to use the name "SOME LIKE IT HOT" for this tour only, and the title will revert to SUGAR for all future bookings. The name doesn't matter; the show is very weak.

In my players:

CD: the Lincoln Center revival cast of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

DVD: THE AWFUL TRUTH

laserdisc: LOVE AFFAIR (the Beaty/Bening remake)

Boy, I agree with you, George, about SPORTS NIGHT. What a great show! I need to pull out my DVDs and watch it again. Got it for Christmas and devoured it in two days. Couldn't stop watching it.

Besides THE AWFUL TRUTH in my DVD player, I'm watching the first season DVDs of C.S.I. right now. I was disappointed that CBS decided to issue full frame episodes even though the show has been filmed from the beginning 1.78:1. At least ALIAS is going to be issued this fall in anamorphic widescreen discs for its first season set.

Posted by Matt H. @ 04/25/2003 02:25 PM PST

Something of interest:

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- It looks like Tina Yothers has gone from "ties" to "lace."

Yothers, the child-actress who played Jennifer Keaton in "Family Ties," is rumored to be portraying porn actress Linda Lovelace in a new musical.

The musical opens next month at the Hollywood Theater of NOTE, and little is known about the project.

Posted by Lulu @ 04/25/2003 02:46 PM PST

In the car CD player: "Scarlet Pimpernel" starring Rex Smith. Sandra's favorite part is when he moooos like a cow in "Falcon in the Dive."

In the VCR: The VCR now resides in Sandra's room along with the new TV. She is supposed to be watching "Hamlet" for her film and literature class. But I think she fell asleep. It's the version where "To be or not to be..." takes place in a Blockbuster Video store.

Posted by Laura @ 04/25/2003 02:51 PM PST

DVD: "Amadeus"
Recordings: Pennies From Pennies
The Singing Detective
Jan Peerce "Bluebird Of Happiness" (yes really!)

Waiting in the Wings (A Noel Coward reference):
The Maury Yeston Songbook
Guys & Dolls (Emily Loesser)
Rainbows and lots of them (thanks Allan)
Judy Collins "Forever - an Anthology"

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/25/2003 03:02 PM PST

It is early morning here.
Pennies From HEAVEN - the TV series version. (Far superior to the film).
Potter was indeed a genius IMHO.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/25/2003 03:14 PM PST

Rain, rain go away...

Actually, I'm not minding it too much... It's washing away a lot of the pollen that's been coating anything and everything. And it's supposed to clear by Sunday, and then we're due for a string of some wonderful days.

I just got back into Richmond about an hour ago. Thankfully, the traffic gods were with me, and besides the usual slow down at the infamous "Springfield Mixing Bowl", it was quite a non-traffic-eventful trip back home.

So... what do I do now? I have a feeling it will be a DVD evening... But which one? Or oneS?

RE: Some Like It Hot - Yeah, that title is only for this tour. Along with the star billing for Tony Curtis, it was to help the audience draw for the show. Even the producers knew that the title Sugar would not exactly bring in the "average" theatre-goer. What I do find amazing about this current tour is that it seems that Mr. Curtis is getting worse as the tour goes along. I actually have some friends involved with the show, and they've noticed it too. I've also followed some of the reviews, and they seem to point to the same conclusion. Maybe life of the road just doesn't agree with him.

Well, time for me to get some dinner... I think... I dunno...

We should have an update from Jason after he gets back from the Met tonight - it's Die Meistersinger, so he's due for a long evening. And then he has the Music Man call-back tomorrow. Vibes, Vibes, Vibes...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/25/2003 03:29 PM PST

Just read that there is a new Anthony Newley biography out. Maybe there will be some incentive to release some of his material now. I wonder if the complete "Good Old Bad Old Days" was recorded. My transfer from vinyl is OK but I wold love to have more. I recently found a copy of his "Fool Britania" (with Joan Collins) on a cheap label CD.
Check out Dress Circle for the info re biography.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/25/2003 04:29 PM PST

First, and foremost, I must pass along a great big THANK YOU for all the incredible notes of sympathy. And then, I must add that I have read the post in question by the aforementioned, newly monikered by me, *man with no name* on RATM. It is true to the vitriolic, sick individual that he is.

Richard Valley will be pleased to know that in my dvd player are:
SILK STOCKINGS
LES GIRLS
HIGH SOCIETY
KISS ME, KATE
BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940

In my cd player:
GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK
BORN TO RUN
DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN
THE RIVER
NEBRASKA
BORN IN THE U.S.A
GREATEST HITS LIVE
LUCKY TOWN
HUMAN TOUCH
THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD
LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
CHIMES OF FREEDOM - single
THE RISING
(I usually turn to The Boss in time of grief).
ZERO PATIENCE - original soundtrack

Posted by td @ 04/25/2003 05:27 PM PST

I want to add my voice to the chorus
of sympathy for td. I was not familiar
with him or his work, but he sounds
like someone that I would have
really loved.
We are about to watch "Igby Goes
Down", which should be scabrous
fun. I'm in the mood for blistering
cynicism. (That should be a song:
"I'm in the mood for blistering
cynicism with you, darling....")

The more I hear, the gladder I am
that I frequent only this site and
Sondheim.com. RATM seems like
the veritable viper nest. (Only one
major viper.)

Good vibes contine to be sent to
Jason. Will the tour come near
Cleveland this summer, or near
Chicago after mid-September? If so,
I'd love to come, and see out shining
Haines His Way star!

Posted by Hapgood @ 04/25/2003 06:47 PM PST

My name is Angela -- and yes, I'm an addict! I'm addicted to Musicals.

I just got back from Hairspray and loved every minute of it.....
Tomorrow I'm off to see Nine. God Bless Broadway!

Now back to my errant and truant mode.....

Posted by Angela @ 04/25/2003 08:32 PM PST

So where did everyone go?
One post per hour. Is there rationing?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/25/2003 08:42 PM PST

Hooray for Angela the addict.
Consider this a post filled with ENVY.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/25/2003 08:44 PM PST

forgot to mention in VCR finally go to see The Creature Wasn't Nice aka Spaceship aka Naked Space.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 04/25/2003 08:46 PM PST

For some reason, or lack of one, my ever-lovin' der Brucer is watching some television movie about a dam bursting. As retaliation, I pulled out the New Broadway Cast Recording of Little Me (album produced by BK, or course), and jumped to the 18th track, "I Love Sinking You," with swimming instructions. The people living in the town below the dam are gong to need those instructions, and fast!

Posted by S. Woody White @ 04/25/2003 08:59 PM PST

Good one S. Woody!

And I guess you could also put in Titanic too...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/25/2003 09:13 PM PST

Anxiously awaiting Jason's
post telling how things went
this afternoon!!!

As for today's topic...
DVD: Dancer in the Dark
(thoroughly bizarre, but I really
like it)
CDs: City of Angels OBC
110 in the Shade OBC
Assassins OCR

Posted by Jed @ 04/25/2003 09:22 PM PST

Well, Die Meistersinger probably just got out... The Met is doing the original, LONG version... So, hopefully, we'll hear from Jason soon...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/25/2003 09:28 PM PST

In my Cd players:

An Art Garfunkle CD that has "Looking for the Right One" on it

"Elaine Stritch: At Liberty"

Some of the same stuff Music
Guy watched and listened to

Great Composers: George Delarue

Darrrin Baker "What's A Nice Girl LIke you..." (he even thanks our esteemed BK in the liner notes)

No CD's at work today because the boss had to listen to the ball game on the radio. I'm threatening to make tomorrow an all Ethel Merman day to make up for it.

Posted by Kerry @ 04/25/2003 09:30 PM PST

Just got back from Enchanted April and dessert and coffee w/friends. It was a night of star sightings. At the theatre was the critic, Michael Feingold. Also there were Rex Reed and Polly Bergen. Then we met, very briefly, the star of the show, Jayne Atkinson. As we walked over to 48th Street for dessert we ran into Kristen Chenowith and then at the restaurant were most of the women of Nine, including Jane Krakowski, Laura Benati, and the lovely and striking Miss Chita Rivera.

I must say I found Enchanted April to be charming and to steal a word, enchanting. It's a lovely, funny and gentle piece and, yes, DR Philip, Jayne Atkinson is luminous. There is a sweetness and charm about her performance that makes me smile even now. We spoke to her fleetingly afterwards, getting her autograph as she ran out in the rain w/a friend who had come to see the show. She asked us to tell one and all to go see the show. It's not doing very well at the box office, although the audience tonight seemed to love it as much as we did. I shall do my part and urge my friends to see Enchanted April straightaway.

I will post more tomorrow about Gypsy which I saw on Thursday.

It is 12:43 am so Happy Birthday Dear Non-Reader Joe from Ben at Haines His Way (we met briefly at Angus' during the very first HHW Dinner get together oh so many moons ago).

Before I forget, DR TD, were you involved in the film version of Zero Patience? A friend of mine in Canada, David Gale (host of Loving Spoonfuls), was in a couple of the chorus numbers. I have a cassette of the show and I saw the movie when it came out.

Posted by Ben @ 04/25/2003 09:35 PM PST

Ben,

The only David Gale I "know" is
the one portrayed by Tom
from Oz's friend Kevin Spacey
in " The Life of......"

;- )

Posted by François @ 04/25/2003 09:46 PM PST

Dear Reader Ben: No, I wasn't involved with the film ZERO PATIENCE except as a major fan; I requested and received permission and encouragement from John Greyson and Glenn Schellenberg to adapt their interesting gem of a film for the stage. It is that particular adaptation which Mike was working on with me. Dear Reader JMK also has his hand in our little souffle.

Posted by td @ 04/25/2003 09:52 PM PST

A friend of Kevin sounds so much better a friend of Dorothy. Thanks François.
D.R. Kerry: Will you be going to work dressed as Merman? The disco album should really do it.
Is it the "Breakaway" album?
You keep playing my songs.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/25/2003 10:31 PM PST

I'm here. I'm exhausted, but I'm here.

First off, I sang the hell out of "Lonely Room" (Jud's solo). I mean, I've done the role nearly 80 times and I never sang it as well as I did today. My reading went very, very well and my movement audition was a little better than mediocre, which is good for me.

Unfortunately, I was the youngest looking Jud there. I don't know how much that will affect my chances, but we'll see. All I know is, I was very happy with my audition, and the casting director who read with me seemed to be shocked that I could pull off "angry" so well, so if they don't hire me it must be because I'm such a baby-face. (Ain't denial grand? LOL)

Thanks so much for the support, you guys. Keep it coming tomorrow at 1pm EST when I go in for the MUSIC MAN tour. My allergies are starting to kick in, so I'm hoping I'll be alright to sing. We'll see, I guess. But, for now, sleep is the thing I need most, so I'm off to bed. Thanks again for the positive vibes...it means a lot.

Posted by Jason @ 04/25/2003 10:53 PM PST

CD Player ...
MAURICE RAVEL
Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Seiji Ozawa

Selections: Bolero, La Valse, Pavane, Valses nobles et sentimentales, Rapsodie espagnole

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 04/25/2003 11:17 PM PST

Truancy and errancy - well, you know how it is. Especially going back to work after a holiday - sometimes you wonder if it's worth taking time off.

Anyhoo, Happy Birthday in retrospect to Dear Reader Sandra, and Happy Birthday in advance to Joe!

Jason - break a leg!

And now to today's topic - in the DVD player, the 2nd disk of the West Side Story collector's edition - doesn't Rita Moreno look great?

In the car CD - Maury Yeston Songbook - I agree with Dave Way, WAY above - some gems, others not. I especially like the tracks from Phantom.
Lauren Kennedy sings Jason Robert Brown - I think JRB is a superb songwriter, but I'm really not sure about this. Nothing really grabs me. And it says that 'Letting You Go' is a first recording, when it appeared on Philip Quast's Live at the Donmar CD last summer.
Ernest In Love - boy, but there's some lousy singing on this!
Autant En Emporte Le Vent (that's Gone With The Wind to you and me) - a French pop musical (merci François!).
And to continue my Francophile phase - the new Les Demoiselles De Rochefort, which I have to say is actually growing on me.

Posted by Allan @ 04/26/2003 01:43 AM PST

.... and just so I can be the 100th post (how sad is that?) in the CD player right now: Sylvia Syms 'You Must Believe In Spring' - the words of Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

Posted by Allan @ 04/26/2003 01:45 AM PST

Be Iowa Stubborn, Jason. See ya in River City. I am going to see my nephew's Middle School production of Music Man tonight. I will watch for choreography ideas you can use when you are cast.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/26/2003 04:59 AM PST

Yes, Tom from OZ, it was "Breakaway."

And yes, I did dress like Merman for work today. It was a copy of the dress from the finale of "No Business" that made her look like a cross betweena mermaid and the MIchelin Man (with those "wings" coming between he cleavage and underarms-- a nice dress by the way). It didn't seeem to lend itself to selling dog bicuits, so i switched to Carman Miranda after a couple of hours.

Posted by Kerry @ 04/26/2003 09:17 PM PST