Posted by Pam @ 04/26/2003 07:17 AM PST

Dignity prevents me from saying "Woo-hoo! First post!"

Posted by Pam @ 04/26/2003 07:18 AM PST

Since I posted so late last night I thought I would re-post what I said about Enchanted April so DR Philip might see it. I'll post more later

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.

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).

Jason, hope all goes well w/the MM Callback. Hainsie fingers are crossed.

Posted by Ben @ 04/26/2003 07:39 AM PST

What fun to be in New Jersey. Are you able to take time to visit with the other celebrities?

What type of crowd do you and DR Susan Gordon attract? Do your fans clash with the Misfit fans?

Hmmmmm....nicest celebrity meeting...hmmmmm. Well - Donna Douglas (Elly Mae Clampett) was a doll when she was signing autographs for a local radio station. The line to meet her stretched almost a mile. She arrived in a limo dressed in a pink frilly blouse and black slacks. The Elly Mae hair was just the same. She walked in the door, gave her "whistle" and said "Let's go." The only time she gave any indication of being upset was when an ELVIS IMPERSONATOR insisted she stand for a picture with him. She did, but didn't like it.

She personally inscribed photos for everyone. I gave her a copy of a book called TWILIGHT ZONE COMPANION that had a photographic version of her episode THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER, she hadn't seen the book. She also talked a bit about Nancy Kulp whose photo I brought for her to see.

Lovely Donna Douglas - if she show up at a car show in your area - go see her - she is a blast.

WORST?? Hmmmmm.....a local yokel named Cowboy Bob who refused to sign a photo for my baby sister because we didn't have a camera to take a picture. 8-b He is now selling hot tubs.

Also nice - Marie Osmond, Sally Struthers, Jane Powell, Howard Keel, and Robert Goulet!

And though I have only met her on the internet....Miss Susan Gordon!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/26/2003 07:45 AM PST

Dear esteemed BK -- my, my..2 mentions of the "almost breakfast" with John Saxon. You have made dear reader Kerry very envious. Have a safe trip home. Your trip is just too too!

Nicest celeb meetings....Miss Peggy Lee, Lee Roy Reams, Rhonda Fleming, Carol Lawrence, Henry Mancini, backstage for a private chat with Jerry Herman, Marni Nixon (a very sweet lady), and dinner with our resident mensch BK.

Nastiest celeb I ever saw in action.....Milton Berle!

Oddest encounter --- Recently in L.A. I had a very strong feeling that I was very near Guy Haines, but then something would always happen and I couldn't see his face for sure??!?!!

DR Jason -- same good thoughts and wishes to you for Music Man!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/26/2003 08:06 AM PST

Well, here goes again. I'm off to my callback for MUSIC MAN. Send your vibes. :-)

Since the topic of discussion today is celebs, I'll let you in on who I saw/met yesterday while I was at the rehearsal studio...some of you dear readers will be quite envious, I'm sure. (LOL).

Apparently Audra McDonald, Judy Kaye, Lisa Vroman, Marc Jacobi and Matt Bogart were all in rehearsal for a concert that they're doing because they were all there. Nothing more nervewracking than standing in the hallway, getting ready to go into a callback, only to hear Ms. McDonald in the studio next to you sounding absolutely fabulous. Then, as I was waiting around for the dance audition, who walks out of the women's restroom but Ms. Olympia Dukakis! I ran into her again a few minutes later as she was leaving. I believe she's in rehearsals for a production of THE TEMPEST, but I could be wrong. Needless to say, being the starwatcher that I tend to be, it was a very exciting afternoon.

Posted by Jason @ 04/26/2003 08:27 AM PST

My favorite celebrity? That would have to be the late Nell Carter. I had the wonderful chance to meet her one night a scant few years ago at a gala dinner for the International City Theater, in Long Beach, CA. Indeed, I got to sit next to her, and was able to introduce her to our U. S. Congressman and one of our city councilmen, who were also at our table. She was a very warm, witty, and loving woman, and I wish she were still with us.

On a totally different note, I've come across a very well-written editorial from e-Gullet.com, regarding the SARS virus, and have provided a link to it at my name below. If the issue weren't so serious, and the editorial so well thought out and written, I wouldn't be asking anyone to take the moment to read it. To access the piece, please click on my name below. Thank-you.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 04/26/2003 08:32 AM PST

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Good vibes)

Posted by Laura @ 04/26/2003 08:36 AM PST

The worst Scott Hylands, Tim Daly, Liza Minnelli

The best Angela Lansbury, Christopher Reeve, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Michael York, Genevieve Bujold. Robert Urich, Joseph Mahar, John Hillerman, Bernard Hughes, Lee Lessack, Kevin Koelbl, Sean Young, Harvey Fierestein,Bob Hoskins, Phyllis Diller, Henny Youngman, Ruth Buzzi, Murray Langston (Unknown Comic) and these are just off the top of my head.

The saddest celebrity I ever spent time with was Peter Lawford.

and the internet Susan Gordon, Bruce Kimmel

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 04/26/2003 09:00 AM PST

I think the nicest celebrity I ever met was Julie Wilson. I worked with her in stock where she was the star and I was a mere "apprentice". She was so nice that even though she got star billing as Lalume in KISMET she let the actor playing Hajj the Begar (Paul Ukena) have the star dressing room since it was the leading part. She was even nice to the stagehand who was making scenery, thought she was someone else and applied the electric sander to her behind as a gag. She took the time to learn everyone's name, and twelve years later when I went to see her as Joanne in the bus-and-truck COMPANY she not only remembered me but went out after the show with me for drinks. Also nice was Hans Conried who, upon discovering that only Equity members got free dinners on two show Saturdays paid for the dinners of everyone else at the theatre.

Worse: John Gavin - no question about it. He punched the producer when given a bill for all the tickets he kept asking for to give his friends. And his poor dresser who worked harder for him than any other star that summer got no tip whatsoever.

[Actually, although I never met him, a woman I used to know would answer the question with Hillybilly singer Eddy Arnold who gave her VD.]

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/26/2003 09:07 AM PST

By the way, I did not mention BK or Susan because at this point I consider then friends who happen to be celebrities, not just celebrities.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/26/2003 09:10 AM PST

Many years ago I had the pleasure of working (dresser, crew) at a "star" theatre in my Old Home Town . . .

The nicest: Marsha (Skaggs) Waterbury, Larry Kert (I was his dresser and, oh!, the stories he told me!!!), Nancy Dussault, Genie Francis, Janie Sell, James MacArthur, Celeste Holm, Monteith & Rand.

The most unpleasant: Jack Carter & Shani Wallis (the fact that they hated each other's guts and didn't care who saw or heard may have contributed to my impression), Jose Greco, Judy Garland's Oldest Daughter.

The most, um . . . interesting: Cybill Shepherd (oh, my!!), Estelle Parsons.

The most neutral: Brian Keith.

Posted by Drumm @ 04/26/2003 09:31 AM PST

Nicest: Lily Tomlin, Brian "Stokes" Mitchell (who even though me (whom he knew) and my friend (whom he didn't) were just passing through the green room, made a point of stopping me and my friend, and introducing himself, and insisting that my friend call him "Stokes" too), Christine Baranski (classy and funny - you should hear her Kelsey Grammer stories!), Raul Esparza (great discussion about craft, art and life), Rebecca Luker, Donna Murphy, Michael Cerveris, Lynn Redgrave (very gracious), Matthew Broderick, James Whitmore, Bonnie Franklin (although she thought I didn't look like a Jose, and that my parents mis-named me), Liz Sheridan ("Seinfeld's mom")...

Worst... hmmm... Well, there are some people I've met who depending on the phase of the moon could be on the "Best AND Worst" list: Stephen Sondheim, Nathan Lane (when he's tired, he's tired... not unpleasant, but just needs his space), Karen Akers (who knew Evian water was such a life necessity!)...

My favorite time spent with a celebrity was when I was doing The Music Man in stock, and Harold Hill was being played by Dirk Lumbard. What a wonderful and generous man. He's done some TV work, and some work up at Stratford. He was Lara Teeter's u/s for On Your Toes, and they always seems to u/s or over-studying each other - MSG Wizard of Oz, etc. He also u/s Eric McCormack when he played HH in the last revival. Truly a wonderful guy. -Oh, a South Pacific reference, JRand.

And more VIBES out to Jason!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/26/2003 09:50 AM PST

CELEBRITIES I'VE ENCOUNTERED...

RACQUEL WELCH - I went to a hair salon in Beverly Hills (this was during my beauty-at-any-cost phase). I pushed on the door to the room where you change into a smock and the door flung all the way open with barely a touch almost hitting a woman at the mirror. It turned out to be the lovely Raquel Welch, who, at the same time, swerved around with a scowl on her face and yelled, "Lookout!" I was, for a moment, speechless but managed to blurt out, "Sorry. The door has no spring on it (which was the truth)" Later, when I told my hairdresser about it, he said that she wasn't their favorite customer and that once they asked her to leave because she was so demanding she was causing a commotion. This was sometime in the '80s, so I imagine she was going thru a bad phase in her career. That's okay, I don't hold it against her. An observation...when her hair was slicked back during a shampoo, you could see what a beautifully oval-shaped head she had - like the beautiful women of the Masai tribe in Africa.

LORETTA YOUNG - I had gone to a performance by the Los Angeles Ballet Company and at intermission visited the ladies room. When I walked in, I spotted Loretta Young leaning against one of the bathroom walls. She was dressed in a beautiful evening suit and, to my surprise, was quite short. I, of course, was not the only one who saw her. Everyone in the room did and they, like I, was staring at her surreptitiously through the bathroom mirror. My only regret is that I didn't go up to her and tell her how much I'd enjoyed her work.

SYDNEY GUILAROFF, Hairdresser to the (MGM) Stars - This was also in Beverly Hills. I went to a book signing of his biography which was written by a young woman author. I had gotten there early so was near the front of the line. To my right was actor Roddy McDowell, to my left was songwriter Ray Evans and coming towards me was Esther Williams. At the table was Ann-Margaret and her husband Roger Smith and Cyd Charisse and Tony Martin made an appearance also. When I finally got up to Mr. Guilaroff, he very graciously signed my book, shook my hand and said, "It's so good to see some young people here today." He was easily in his '80s then, so I imagine, to him, me, at 50, was indeed young! The book is a good read although, IMO, the author wasn't the right one for the job. Imagine this very elegant, European man just "hanging out" (HER words, not his)!

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 04/26/2003 09:52 AM PST

I forgot this one - most "changable" - Anna Maria Albregetti. When she was in CARNIVAL I went backstage to visit a friend in the cast. As I walked in she gave me a dirty "who the hell are you?" look. Later when one her co-stars and I left the theatre together she gave me the biggest "he knows Bik so he must be someone" smile.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/26/2003 10:08 AM PST

Nicest Celeb Encounters: Joan Rivers and Tom Jones in their dressing rooms at Caesar's Palace; Liza, backstage in Tahoe; and the VERY best: Chita Rivera, in her dressing room, also at Caesar's, when she was starring in Can Can. The person who brought me backstage was my dance instructor, Garold Gardner (who was one of the Hugos on Broadway in BBB). When I told her I had just been cast as Rosie in an upcoming production, she insisted we do a duet of "Everything Is Rosie" right then and there. She was wonderful and warm and adorable, just so petite, wearing a sweat shirt and baseball cap. I have a photo taken then, framed right by my desk.

Posted by KT @ 04/26/2003 10:59 AM PST

I'm back. It wasn't the best audition I've ever given, but it certiainly wasn't the worst one, either. Again, much like yesterday, I was the youngest-looking one there. We'll see what happens. Thanks for the positive vibes, though!

And don't worry...you can take a break now...I don't have any more callbacks or auditions this week. ;-)

Posted by Jason @ 04/26/2003 11:55 AM PST

Birthday posts! Where are the Birthday posts? Thanks, Ben, but everyone else?

Put on your pointy pantaloons and your striped party hats, break out the sleeze chices and cham hunks and please wish my Joe a Happy Birthday (48th), one and all, so I can cut and past your comments onto a card.

And least I forget, Jason, although I have not been posting, I have been reading the Notes, and vibes of the good variety have been wending your way from mine for your various and sundried auditions. Either of these shows going to play at the Westbury Music Fair out here on LI?

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 12:33 PM PST

First, best of birthday wishes to
William's dearest Joe. As I write my
paper, I will wish that I was helping
you to celebrate this wonderful
occasion. If I get the paper back with
a good grade, I will know that it was
you who made it great. Best of
wishes on your 48th birthday, and I
wish you many future years of
happiness.

In other news, I must concur with KT
in her report on the wonderfulness of
Ms. Chita Rivera. I met her after I
saw "The Visit," and she spoke to me
for a little while, saying how glad she
was to see young people at the
theater, and graciously thanking me
for the compliments that I am sure
that she has heard a thousand times
before. She is truly a wonderful
performer, and a lovely person.
Another lovely performer whose
autograph I got was Cherry Jones,
after "A Moon for the Misbegotten"
She talked to every single person
who was waiting for her, and then
left on her bike. (My parents were
amazed that stars like Cherry Jones
did normal, human things like riding
bikes.)
Kate Burton, Patrick Stewart, Peter
Gallagher, Richard Easton, Katie
Finneran, Lindsay Duncan, and
Audra McDonald are also all lovely,
polite people, at least from the
stage-door contact that I had with
them. A few people were slightly
preoccupied or odd in their
behavior, like Alan Rickman or
Jeffrey Wright, but they were hardly
rude. After all, wouldn't you be a little
distracted after doing a Broadway
play?

Posted by Hapgood @ 04/26/2003 12:53 PM PST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR READER-BY-PROXY JOE!

Posted by Jason @ 04/26/2003 01:02 PM PST

Ok... I'm so bad at spotting people and remembering names, I wouldn't know if I had rubbed elbows with anyone! However, I do have a few stories,

Jerry Herman came to town to do a symposium on musical theatre at a local University, and I went backstage and met him after his talk. He signed his book for me and that was about it. He looked rather tired. He brought with him Karen Morrow and Paige O'hara (and Don Pippin) and Karen and Paige signed some CD's for me. I absolutley love Karen Morrow.

I waited for Petula Clark after she came through town with both "Blood Brothers" and "Sunset Blvd" and she actually signed her 3 song "Sunset Blvd" CD for me and made the comment that that was a British release and how did I get a hold of it.

Congrats to Jason for getting through his callbacks.

I open "The Boy Friend" tonight in Palo Alto, CA. It's a fabulous show and very cute. The preview audience was very kind and according to the sound guy, they stood up at the end. If you're interested in checking out the Palo Alto Players website, the URL is

paplayers.org

I've been their "resident" MD for two seasons now, although they only do one or two musicals a season. It's a fun place to work. Check it out, if you're in the area, stop by. Wakka-do!

Posted by Matthew @ 04/26/2003 01:10 PM PST

Oh, Jerry Herman--oh, yes!

I had written a French translation (probably not very good, but...) of "The Best of Times", and a friend gave me Jerry's home phone number (when he was still living in New York).

I was quite drunk when I called him and told him I planned to translate the whole show (as if my French were good enough). Jerry was extremely gracious, chatted with incoherent me for about half an hour about other European versions of his works, and asked me to send my translation to him, which I never did.

He handled my obnoxious imposition quite well, and I will always admire the man.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 01:32 PM PST

There once was a young man name Joe
Whose favorite word was no
He wished everyone go a-way
And then he'd have a happy birth-day!
Because he wants to spend it with his beau

Posted by Michael @ 04/26/2003 01:33 PM PST

Isaac Asimov told me my fly was open on a cruise ship off the coast of Senegal.

Way to go, Jason. Fingers crossed here.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 01:34 PM PST

(Not yet Sir) Ian McKellen stepped on my foot outside the stage door to Amadeus and said, "Excuse me."

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 01:37 PM PST

Nicest celebrity I've ever met: Debbie Reynolds.

Maybe not the worst, but the one who was having the worst temper tantrum and was so irritable, I couldn't get a decent interview: Celeste Holm.

Most intimidating: Tony Randall. I felt every moment that he was going to contradict anything I said. As it turned out, he was nice, but he SEEMED like he could be difficult if I hadn't been prepared for the interview.

Posted by Matt H. @ 04/26/2003 01:42 PM PST

And when Richard Feynman (recently immortalized on the stage by Alan Alda) had just won the Nobel Prize, I worked up my courage at a barn dance to ask,

"The men of Ruddock House would like to invite you and your wife to dinner next Thursday night."

He raised his nose and intoned, "I'm sorry, but next Thursday my wife and I will be dining with the King of Sweden."

Then... a biiiig grin, so happy to have the chance to get that line in.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 01:44 PM PST

Of course, I think I related recently the time I met a very tall man outside the theatre after a preview of Nine.

It was only years later that my friend Debby remarked about "the time we met Tommy Tune", and I asked, "We met Tommy Tune?"

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 01:50 PM PST

I always enjoyed my encounter with Shelley Winters in the lobby of the Palace Theatre. The best encounters: Dudley Moore waiting to cross the street in New York. I told him how much I enjoyed him in "Good Evening". He was very nice. He shook my hand and told me he was always very pleased to hear about his work. On another Manhattan corner I encountered Matthew Broderick. He was very nice and even asked me my opinion of a new jacket he had just bought. Another charmer was Barbara Cook at the stage door in Seattle after "Mostly Sondheim". She answered questions and posed for photographs.
The two worst encounters were Mimi Hines and Raquel Welch. I knew someone who was working on a dinner theatre production of "Funny Girl" that Mimi Hines was in. I went backstage at intermission and saw a first class diva throwing a first class fit because she did not have a proper dresser. She threw a book at someone but it hit me instead.
It was most unpleasant. I don't think even sailors talk like that.
I was an extra on a film called "Kansas City Bomber" that Raquel Welch starred in and produced. After one scene inside a house she came out with a horrible scowl and looked like she was bout to chew nails. Two days later we were in a skating arena when filming was halted after an elderly gentleman in front of me had a heart attack. She curbed her tongue but if the heart attack didn't kill him her looks would have.
In general I think they are like anyone else. Some are genuinely nice and some aren't.
Oops...lest I forget Bruce Kimmell is also one of the nicest celebrities.

Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 04/26/2003 01:53 PM PST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to
Joe, from " anal retentive " --
YOUR words -- remember ???
François ;- )

I was never in a position
where I could rub elbows with
VIP's for a long period, but, as
mentioned some other time, I
tour guided Mike Connors
through the Disney property in
Florida for a few hours, and
did simultaneus translation for
him on a TV show..... had a
charming chat with charming
and witty Susan Sullivan and
Cyd Charisse and Brenda
Vaccaro.... the latter being
married -- is she still ?? -- to a
French gentleman....

Oh, yes, I also got to talk to
gracious Dame Julie some
chilly December night in
Florida......

No, never met any famous
French personality....and vice
versa !!!

Posted by François @ 04/26/2003 01:58 PM PST

Mr Orr, you always crack me
up and that Tommy Tune story
is my favorite...

Posted by François @ 04/26/2003 02:04 PM PST

...off to GYPSY again. Pray for us all!

Posted by Jason @ 04/26/2003 02:45 PM PST

Happy Oz greetings to Joe.May all your boomerangs come back safely. I hope the year is a good one for you.

I met Micky and Minnie Mouse at Disneyland!

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/26/2003 02:48 PM PST

Matt---
I have met Celeste Holm several times and she was always charming. Her late husband, Wed Addy, was also very nice. Too bad he had so little talent and she wanted him as her co-star in many projects.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/26/2003 02:51 PM PST

Before I forget...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "MY JOE!" :)

Apart from the aforementioned (by jrand) Cowboy Bob, which anecdote I have already related here in some detail, the only "celebrity" with which I have knowingly bumped elbows (or anything else, for that matter *insert rimshot here*) is Adam West.

It was around 1980 in Indiana, and we went to a car show for the specific purpose of meeting Batman himself, Adam West. We climbed the steps to the dais where he was seated, signing photos of himself (sadly, not in costume!), he made conversation with the small fry (us). I don't remember everything he said, but I do know he asked me if I liked "Batman."

"It's okay," I shrugged. After all, "Batman" was a BOY show, and I was getting too old for little kid shows like that (I was not yet old enough to appreciate it for camp, but too old to enjoy it the way my little brother did).

Mr. West must have handled my faux pas gracefully, because I didn't even know I'd said anything wrong until we left and my mother wanted to know just what in blazes was the matter with me. :)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/26/2003 02:55 PM PST

Thanks for the SP reference, Jose. Reminded me I must get to work on choreography for Monday.

So many wonderful stories. I love to read about the gods and goddesses (them) hob-nobbing with the hoi polloi (us).

Gonna check out the PAPlayers site. Break a leg on The Boyfriend - what a fun show. Or do you suggest that an MD, break an arm?

Happy Birthday, Joe, from Mooresville, Indiana, hometown of John Dillinger & Jrand52!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/26/2003 03:04 PM PST

Tom from Oz,

I met Donald Duck, Winnie the
Pooh, Goofy, Cinderella and
her Prince, Snow White and
her dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty
and her Beast... I mean.... Alice
and her Wonderland, Peter
Pan and his Wendy, etc etc
etc... at Disneyland, Walt
Disney World and Disneyland,
Paris.....Ah !

Posted by François @ 04/26/2003 03:52 PM PST

Stephen Sondheim invited me to
study at his home when I was a
graduate student, and opened his
library for me for a week. He was so
very gracious and helpful; not many
students had yet written about him
and my degree was to be in
communication science -- I think he
liked that it wasn't just a bio paper.
Regardless, he called me at the
home of my host in NYC and I nearly
wet myself when he said "This is
Steve Sondheim."

One afternoon when I was arriving
for the day's trip through everything
he had ever written, I was waiting at
the door when Katherine Hepburn
and her assistant were loading
flowers and then Miss Hepburn into
a car. I simply couldn't do anything
except stare like a dummy.
Sondheim's secretary opened the
door to see me, jaw agape and bug-
eyed and simply said "oh, yes, Kate
lives next door."

That same trip I was dining between
shows at Barrymore's and witnessed
a dramatic looking woman be
seated at the table next to me. All the
gypsies at another table waved and
said hellos to the woman, heavily
stage-made up and wearing a scarf
around her head. I didn't have the
nerve to ask for an autograph until
she was finished dining and having
coffee. I slipped a napkin and a pen
to her and said "Would you. . .?"

She looked at me, startled, looked at
the napkin, looked at me and I felt
certain that she was quite disturbed
at being interrupted. Then she
smiled broadly and said "Yes, thank
you!" It was Carole Shelley and we
talked about her and me and my
studies. She was a delight.

And while playing in the house
orchestra for a hotel (again, during
grad school) I sort of met the week's
star, Jim Bailey. He was. . . uh. . .
odd.

Posted by Kurt @ 04/26/2003 04:26 PM PST

Well, I actually have something of a reputation around my friends for not recognizing celebrities when I see them... much embarrassment in front of Neil Simon for that one night.

But Joe and I have a standard line, "If I ever meet So-and-So, I'm gonna say,..." But do we?

We were walking down Seventh Avenue in New York and a young man was coming the other way in a red t-shirt, a red jacket, and red pants, carrying a red gymn bag. Joe whispered, "That's... you know..." "No I don't. Who?" "Christian Slater." "Oh."

Mr Slater grinned, assuming we were talking about him, and we passed on the street. Only about five minutes later did I realize... we were supposed to say "TAKE COVER, ARIZONA!"

Oy!

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 04:29 PM PST

LOL...Kurt and I just had a CAJUN lunch in Mooresville of all places. A displaced N'Orleans native has opened a restaurant...then some antiquing.

Kurt off the an around the world in four condos Party and Me to River City, Iowa....courtesy Paul Hadley Middle School.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/26/2003 04:53 PM PST

Jrand,

Of course, "Break a leg" would be quite appropriate for The Boy Friend, considering Glenda Jackson's rôle in the movie.

Kurt, I have a nice autograph story (which I have actually adapted in my novel) from Lehman Engel.

Lehman came into class one day and said he had dined the previous evening at Sardi's with Sir John Gielgud. An obnoxious lady came over to the table and began a monologue running something like,

"I know you! You're in the movies. Right? No, don't tell me. I know, I know, it's right on the tip of my tongue. Oh, I can't think. You're... you're. Oh, I give up. Who are you?"

"Madam, I am John Gielgud."

"Oh. Sorry." And she departed forthwith.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 05:05 PM PST

Before I break for the evening, let me thank one and all and all and one for all the birthday greetings.

Of course, more are welcome... especially from the errant and truant BK and Susan Gordon, who I know are occupied elsewhere with lots of elbow-rubbing and such, but who may post later.

As we say in Esperanto, "Till!"

Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/26/2003 05:10 PM PST

"Seem like happiness is jus' a
thing called JOE !

Happy Birthday, little Joe....."

Posted by Harold Arlen @ 04/26/2003 05:33 PM PST

DR WFO --

I send very large, arid and hot Birthday Greetings from the sunny desert of Phoenix, to dear (possible) reader Joe (who has lots of dinners with William Orr). Happy 48th!

yours truly,

MusicGuy (who has lots of dinners with DR Kerry).

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/26/2003 05:35 PM PST

Happy Birthday, Dear Reader Silent Joe!! May this special day be filled with much cake!

Posted by Laura @ 04/26/2003 05:47 PM PST

Oh, of course: Happy Birthday wishes for Joe and wishing you lots of ice cream on your cake!

DR Hapgood: Did you see Cherry Jones in DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA YA SISTERHOOD? She was great.

I thought of some other celeb meetings: a charming Barry Bostwick, at my lunch table on the set of MEGAFORCE; goofing around with Marshall Bell and Larry Fishburne (then unknown) during a scene in CHERRY 2000, and a sweet Karen Allen, playing with my sheepdog, Gully, who was an extra in STARMAN.

Posted by KT @ 04/26/2003 06:28 PM PST

The Nicest-Gertrude Lawrence. I was an Apprentice at The Cape Playhouse in Dennis Mass, The Year-1952.Ms. Lawrence(married to Richard Aldrich who owned The Playhouse) had just left The King and I(for the summer,she said-she never returned because she died on September 2 of that year).She was wonderful to all of us aspiring theatre kids.Gentle,kind and very encouraging. The first production that Summer was LADY IN THE DARK with Kitty Carlisle. I will never forget the rehearsals with Ms. Lawrence tutoring Ms. Carlisle on how to do The Saga Of Jenny number.
In August of that wonderful year,Gertie had all the apprentices(herself included)re-paint the house of the Costume Mistress of The Playhouse(I forget her name but she been at The Playhouse for years)I still possess a silver ashtray that was given to me by Mrs.A. It was from Cartiers and is engraved TO
AB FROM RA-CAPE PLAYHOUSE 1952.

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 04/26/2003 06:42 PM PST

I just finished sending the pictures out to everyone who requested them. Hope you enjoy them.

As far as favorite celebrity elbow rubbings, I think it would have to be my two encounters with Barbara Cook, one at the party I mentioned in yesterday's (I think, maybe it was Thursday's) notes and then last year after her show at Lincoln Center when we spoke to her. A more charming and gracious woman would be hard to find.

Matthew, hope The Boyfriend went well for you. Break a leg and all that stuff.

Posted by Ben @ 04/26/2003 06:57 PM PST

Excuse me for the error-Gertrude Lawrence died on September 6,1952.

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 04/26/2003 06:59 PM PST

Ben,

A more charming and
gracious woman would be
me... if i were a woman !!!

-- i feel silly tonight, i feel silly!
;- )

Mr Brockman,

Thank you for those lovely and
moving memories of the Star!

Posted by François @ 04/26/2003 07:04 PM PST

Ben, thank you for the wonderful pictures of the Victorian house. The house is incredible! I also love the personal additions.

Growing up down the street from Twentieth Century Fox you meet so many stars I can't remember them all at once. My favorite encounter was probably with Jim Hutton in Nate 'n Als Deli in Beverly Hills. He was there with his wife and I was with my husband Keith. While we waited in a long line, Jim (looking great) and Keith kept us entertained with a very humorous banter. George Hamilton, who is much better looking in person, was always very nice. I met him in Palm Springs while horse back riding with a friend. I might have been eleven or twelve and his career was just taking off. Henry Jones was fun and interesting. I had dinner with him at a friends house in Malibu while I was in high school. Oscar Werner was a sweet-heart. I found Don Knots to be very annoying and not funny at all-though he tried very hard to be. Though I didn't talk to him, twice, a number of years apart, Warren Beatty flirted with me while walking down Beverly Drive. Considering the source I doubt it was much of a compliment. Since so many of you have mentioned Susan and I have known her sooo long, I must tell you she never acted as if she was someone special. And well, Bruce is just about the same Bruce I have known since high school.

Posted by Jane @ 04/26/2003 07:20 PM PST

Another chance for a Dame Julie reference mon ami.
A delightful post from Mr Brockman. I shall probably play my Noel & Gertie records today and then Dame Julie's "Star" - an under appreciated movie IMHO. I thought Andrews and Massey were fine in their roles.

The world needs more charm. I am now reminded of Jerry Herman's "I Don't Want To Know".

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/26/2003 07:21 PM PST

Forgot to mention the incredibly nice Ray Bradbury. Last time I saw him was in Century City a few years ago. I stopped to talk to him and ask about his daughter, who also went to high school with us. He and my uncle were attentding their high school reunion the next night. Bruce weren't you also friends with his daughter?

Posted by Jane @ 04/26/2003 07:36 PM PST

Jane,

How could you ever forget to
mention my name ????

Posted by Tarzan @ 04/26/2003 07:45 PM PST

Ah, yes, Tom, i wish i could
have seen the recent
Sundance production of Dear
World with the great Maureen
MacGovern........

Posted by François @ 04/26/2003 07:51 PM PST

Oh, Tom. I agree, I think Star is underappreciated. I love Mr. Coward and Miss Lawrence. Throw Miss Andrews and Mr. Massey into the mix and it's wonderful.

Posted by Ben @ 04/26/2003 08:10 PM PST

WEL, I've heard both sides of the coin about Ms. Holm, but I unfortunately caught her on a bad day, I think. I also didn't help my case when I happened to bring up what fierce competition there was for all the 1950 Oscars which sent her on a tirade against Gloria Swanson that burned my ears. She LOATHED her in SUNSET BLVD. She seemed irritable and out of sorts for the rest of the time I talked with her. But, to be fair, anyone can have a bad day. I'm sorry I had to be there on one of hers.

Posted by Matt H. @ 04/26/2003 08:29 PM PST

DR Ben...... The pictures that you sent of the house of miniature rooms, created by the obviously talented Ant, are really amazing.....especially when seeing the last one with Ant standing next to the entire house. What a labor of love!

I find that I can't type the word "miniature" without hearing it in my mind being pronounced "mini-uh-tour" like in the old Kraft commercials. It's Kerry's fault!

And finally, was there ever such a suave, international, and studly figure as that of ..........DANGERMOUSE ! A picture to behold indeed.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/26/2003 08:30 PM PST

Happy Happy Birthday to Joe. Many special cakes for you (the best wish of all).

Posted by Kerry @ 04/26/2003 09:47 PM PST

So many celebrities have been so gracious tom (considering I don;t get to see too many due to living n a hick town), but some of my fondest memories have been chatting with Dolores Gray, Mary Martin was very gracious; Tommy Tune, Jerry Herman, Lee Roy Reams, Keene Curtis, Lillian Gish, Norman Fell, Kaye Ballard, Miss Peggy Lee (when she sang just to me), George Chakiris, Elaine Stritch, Polly Bergen, Blythe Danner, Betty Garrett, Jean Smart,Sheree North, Vladimir Horowitz and Anna Russell. One of the nicest and most down-to-earth and loveliest ladies was Julia Child. Not bad for a kid from a hick town. I saw Donna Douglas as a kid (when she and the show were at its peak, and she was wonderful). Lorne Greene was also at that same benefit ans was rude and very full of himself.

Posted by Kerry @ 04/26/2003 09:59 PM PST

Just back from my second viewing of GYPSY. I'm not even sure it was the same show, because tonight they really knocked my socks off. Bernadette was DEAD ON, and I don't say that very often. I was really dreading the whole experience, but I must say, they totally redeemed themselves. It was fabulous. I laughed, I cried, I was horrified when Rose offered up her daughter as a stripper, and I was left breathless a few times--"Rose's Turn" being one of those times. It was a truly thrilling theatrical event. Perhaps not Merman...or even Tyne Daly...but Bernie did give everything she had tonight and I say KUDOS to her for that. If they continue to play at the level that they did tonight, I think this show will do quite well.

Anyway, that is my take on that.

Posted by Jason @ 04/26/2003 10:18 PM PST