Posted by Ben @ 05/14/2003 08:40 AM PST

BK - Was there a limited edition CD with the 1st book? If so, please send me one. Thanks!!

Posted by JB aka JK @ 05/14/2003 08:40 AM PST

Hey BK, what is the Eileen and Chet Atkins diet? I thought you were on the other Atkin's diet? Or did I misread? Or were you on both at one time or another.

Speaking of the Atkins diet (Robert not Chet). Is anybody else addicted to the Atkins bars? At first I didn't like them at all. But now I love them!

Posted by Jennifer @ 05/14/2003 08:42 AM PST

For ask BK Day:

1) Will Vinnie be doing the Monster Music CD with you?

2) I understand there is a new theatre in Philadelphia called The Kimmel Center. Any connection?

3) Do you know who is producing Debbie Gravite's new CD "Big Band Broadway"? I hope it is someone that knows what they are doing. The 2 CDs you did with her are great.

4) What was your most disappointing theatrical experience (the show you were really looking forward to and then did not like it at all).

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/14/2003 08:43 AM PST

So much stuff to get done for SOUTH PACIFIC. And choreographing HONEY BUN tonight which is the last BIG number of the show - so my work will be easier after doing this Ben-Hur crowd type scene! YEA!!!

I would like to ask MR BK - do you consider the multi-talented Miss Debbie Reynolds primarily a singer-dancer who acts OR an actress who sings?

I think she sings, dances, and acts so well, that it would be hard to choose, but I would like your opinion!

Also, what is your favorite Debbie Reynolds film?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/14/2003 08:48 AM PST

Seemingly every day around
here we have some morning
hour posts which go on the
previous day's notes because
the current day's notes have
not yet been posted. These
morning posts often have
some disclaimer such as, "I
know nobody reads these
morning posts, but..." So I ask
the HHW populace, is this
true? Is there a sizable chunk
of our group here that in fact
does not read said posts? As
for myself, I ALWAYS catch up
on the overnight posts before
reading the current day's
notes. Color me curious.

Posted by Jed @ 05/14/2003 09:11 AM PST

Since this was a question for everyone, Jed, I for one always check the late posts. There are days when very few posts have been added since the prior night and others where lively conversations go on right up until the new notes are added. If I have something very important that I want all readers to see I will wait for the new day's posts; if not I'll post in the morning.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/14/2003 09:17 AM PST

Even when E&T and also T&E, I always read all the posts. Which is why I have no time for anythng else in my life.
8-)>

God forbid we really become the Most Popular Site on the Internet and have 12,000 posts a day. I still prefer our stirling quality over blockbuster quantity.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/14/2003 09:51 AM PST

BK-

It was my understanding that the price of CD's and DVD's were headed downward. However,if anything has happened the prices have gone UP.What is your feeling about this? How much does it cost to make an average CD and DVD and what is the mark-up for both the Manufacturer and for the Retailer?A plethora of questions on the same subject,

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 05/14/2003 10:57 AM PST

Well, now we know who reads the late posts.

Dear BK,
Last night while visiting MusicGuy and Kerry, they loaned me a book called "The Encyclopedia of Bad Taste," which had leopard spots prominently displayed on the cover. Do you think that maybe this was a subtle hint?

Posted by Laura @ 05/14/2003 11:05 AM PST

I just read that there has still been no host(s) signed for the Tony awards and very few presenters. I realize you need to have someone both connected to Broadway and known by the general non-theatre going public. I don't know who has turned it down except for Renee and Catherine Zeta, and the only person scheduled as of now to do something (not host) is Billy Joel. I think that Antonio (now in NINE) and Melanie (soon in CHICAGO) would draw as hosts. Or how about Bernadette proving she has recovered? If the ratings are down again, CBS could cancel the future telecasts. Anyone have any comments or suggestions?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/14/2003 11:07 AM PST

Can't think of any worthy ask
bk questions at the moment,
but I have a question for
everyone...
Given that virtually everyone in
here has a fondness for
musical theatre, is it possible
that we could find a recording
that absolutely everyone has in
their collection? Whether on
CD, tape,or whatever...
I know many of you have huge
collections, so as someone
with a relatively small one, I'll
throw out a few possiblities..
Into The Woods, OBC
A Chorus Line, OBC
West Side Story, OBC

Any takers?

Posted by Ann @ 05/14/2003 11:17 AM PST

Hi all,
Just catching up. Happy Mother's Day. I'd like to have been at the premieres of Broadway's OKLAHOMA and Hollywood's GONE WITH THE WIND (in Atlanta, natch). Anne Kerry Ford (who's Donald's guest this week) is a wonderful performer and a long time member of Cabaret West (click on my name to go to our website).

Last week, I watched an old MGM movie musical I'd never seen before. DEEP IN MY HEART is the musical biography of Sigmund Romberg directed by Stanley Donen. Their were some great dances choreographed by Eugene Loring -- Ann Miller in "It," a terrific 1920's flapper number where you don't see her usual steps. Jose Ferrer and Helen Traubel in "The Leg O' Mutton," where they do a delightful dance out of character for both of them. Cyd Charisse and James Mitchell in "One Alone," a steamy midnight rendezvous adagio. AND...Gene Kelly with his brother, Fred, in "I Love To Go Swimmin' with Wimmen" (I suspect Gene had a hand in the choreography for this number).

Sorry to say I have no questions for BK this time out.

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 05/14/2003 11:19 AM PST

Ann - I've got all 3 of those

Posted by Jed @ 05/14/2003 11:19 AM PST

Dear Reader Ann--

Got 'em.

Posted by Jay @ 05/14/2003 11:25 AM PST

I enjoyed the lovliest evening with Dear Readers Kerry and MusicGuy last night. Earlier I had mentioned that I had tried cooking salmon, which really, uh, well, it really stunk up the house with fishy smell. MusicGuy said he had a recipe that was delicious and didn't attract all the neighborhood stray cats.

So, last night I was invited to their beautiful home, and MusicGuy fixed the salmon so I could see how it was done. It was simply wonderful, and he made it look easy enough for an idiot (that's toidi spelled backwards) like me. Sandra and my DH will not eat fish, but my son will love it. My only contribution to the meal were fresh herbs from my herb garden and a couple of small zucchinis from my vegetable garden.

After dinner, Kerry sat me down and showed me some swell dance scenes from old movies, as well as some Busby Berkeley numbers and Esther Williams. That was pretty outrageous stuff!

Then MusicGuy brought out the most luscious chocolate lava cake with ice cream, and I ATE EVERY BITE. In fact, I ate every bite of the entire meal.

Thank you very much, Kerry and MusicGuy. I think I could very easily become accustomed to a lifestyle with the finer things. :-)

Posted by Laura @ 05/14/2003 11:52 AM PST

I've got all three and another I'll bet everyone has is Ethel in GYPSY.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/14/2003 12:01 PM PST

Ann and WEL, I have all four of those!

Posted by George @ 05/14/2003 12:08 PM PST

HIall!

Ann - re CD's we all own: I have all 3 (and in multiple versions!)

BK - We all know how much you enjoy/appreciate Stephen Sondheim. Of the following pairings from the "old school", whom do you enjoy more: Rodgers & Hart or Rodgers & Hammerstein?

And if you record your new CD in New York, may I audition to join Jason as another H/K in the chorus?

Gotta go - dress rehearsal for "Rodgers & Hart" in 2 hours.

Posted by Phil @ 05/14/2003 12:23 PM PST

Got'em all four.

I bet there are a few BK albums we all have. I'll throw out "The Stephen Sondheim Album"--actually, I would never throw it out... but... you know what I mean.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/14/2003 12:59 PM PST

Bruce, most diets hit a wall at some point. Hang in there and be patient. Just try to burn off more calories than you are taking in. Keith had the same problem but now he has reached his goal of 60 pounds.

Posted by Jane @ 05/14/2003 01:07 PM PST

Alright, amend my "I own all 3"
to "I own all 4." As for WFO's
suggestion, I hang my head in
shame, but I actually don't
have BK's Sondheim album.
I'm prepared to receive my
well-deserved bitchslap.

Posted by Jed @ 05/14/2003 01:31 PM PST

I've got all four.

Posted by Dave @ 05/14/2003 01:32 PM PST

...and I also have the Stephen Sondheim album.

Posted by Dave @ 05/14/2003 01:33 PM PST

For those who have multiple versions of cast recordings, here is an interesting topic of discussion.

Choose a show, and select which cast recording you would nominate as the "definitive" recording of the score, and tell us why.

Posted by Dave @ 05/14/2003 01:35 PM PST

Although Merman was not quite the best Rose I saw, her GYPSY CD is the best recording of the score. And with the most recent CD rendition you get cut songs as well.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/14/2003 01:39 PM PST

Dear Reader Dave:

I dare say FOLLIES is a good show to discuss along the lines you suggest. I own three recordings of the show.

I love the performances on the OBC recording, but my, oh my, how they've cut the score to shreds! I really appreciate the Paper Mill Playhouse recording for how complete it is, and also enjoy many of the performances therein. But for sheer electricity and excitement (and, again, some darn outstanding performances) my vote goes to the live version with the New York Philharmonic.

Posted by Jay @ 05/14/2003 01:45 PM PST

Jane: Keith weighs sixty pounds now? Wow.

Follies - I know this will baffle people, but I can only listen to the OBC - I don't like the others at all, so despite the cuts it's the OBC all the way. I have too many technical issues with the Papermill version, and I really don't care for the NY Phil version. I do, however, like some bits on the London one - especially Make the Most of Your Music.

Posted by bk @ 05/14/2003 01:59 PM PST

I agree about the Follies recordings. I have all of them and the one I always choose to listen to is the OBC. Truncated or not, it is still the best. At least the CD adds the delete "One Kiss" that was absent, I think, from the LP.

Posted by steveg @ 05/14/2003 02:07 PM PST

I have all of the cast recordings previously mentioned, and I'll bet everyone has a MY FAIR LADY in their collections as well.

I saw the original FOLLIES, so the OBC, truncated as it is, is a paramount recording. Everyone was so dazzled by Alexis Smith, but honestly for me, Dorothy Collins WAS the show. I can cry now thinking of "In Buddy's Eyes" and "Losing My Mind."

I do think Dee Hoty is the best sounding Phyllis, so for that reason I think the Papermill is a necessity.

For Ask BK Day: Were there any Tony nominations that particularly pleased or disturbed you? If so, which and please explain why.

Posted by Matt H. @ 05/14/2003 02:17 PM PST

Count me in with Ann's listed discs. And of course I have BK's SS.
Follies: I don't play the London or Papermill versions much at all. Do love the OBC and am fond of the NY Phil version. Must get the DVD - the video has been played so much.
Unlike most, I really enjoyed the recent Follies revival and wish it had been recorded. I liked the darkness of the show. The Tony award performance was no indication at all - a very truncated and lack lustre ill- at-ease performance. I found the show very moving indeed (not the Tonys).

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/14/2003 03:05 PM PST

The Chet Atkins diet sound like it might be more fun. I guess you just "pick" at your food.
There was a Tv doco last night on the Atkins diet and how it is so good for weight loss but may very well create long term health problems. Verdict: a very successful weight loss diet but it is unhealthy.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/14/2003 03:09 PM PST

DR Jennifer -- as no one has yet cleared the air, the Eileen & Chet Atkins diet is (I'm sure) Kimmel-ese for the Atkins diet of which you are thinking. The same Dr. (that's doctor, not dear reader) Atkins who fell over and died a while back. I have a friend who is convinced that his demise came about from a lack of potatoes!

DR Jrand -- First, I would amend the diet to be called the Eileen, Chet, & Christopher Atkins diet! Second, good luck with setting "Honey Bun"....dancing sailors, oh my!

DR Arnold Brockman -- You were curious about the actual cost of CDs; We own a very small private label CD company, and distribute partially by mail order and partially by sales at live events (they are so much more fun than dead events.) It can be misleading to the average consumer to tell them the "cost" of a CD to manufacture, because there are so many other things involved. I have had people tell me "why, you can get a CD made for only about $1.50 to $2.00 each." Well, they are talking about the actual pressing of each CD disc, the printed material (pretty plain at that price), and the clear plastic jewel case that holds everything. But there is extra printing, the initial recording sessions involving musicians, studio time, engineers (Vinnie needs a retirement account!)artwork layout for everything, editing time and assembly of the material in the proper order, creation of a CD Master (indexes, time codes, etc.)some promotion, and distribution. The darned packaging and mailing costs alone keep going up year after year after year. I thoroughly understand Bruce's announcement that there was going to be a little price increase on Kritzerland. We have had a figure of $1.95 on all of our mail order CDs for years now, to cover postage, packaging, and handling. I know for a fact that we lose money on that figure. But you try to not raise things to your customers when you can possibly avoid it. I know for a fact that on simply a single performer solo CD on a solo instrument (no band, no orchestra, no additional musicians) that an attractively packaged CD, professionally recorded and manufactured has cost us the better part of $10.00 on the initial pressing of it. Granted, that figure will drop on subsequent re-orders for the same title. With the quality of the CDs that the esteemed BK has produced, using wonderful talent and the lush big orchestra sound that he has gotten, I'm amazed that there is much profit in them until an awful lot of units have been sold.

I didn't mean to ramble on, but I thought this little background might be of some interest to some of the dear readers

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/14/2003 03:21 PM PST

I, too, have all four. Or should that be I have two times two? But I almost flunked on the Merman Gypsy. If I hadn't written a comparative study of the four major recordings (Merman, Lansbury, Daly and Midler), I'd probably only have either the Lansbury or Midler.

Dear BK: If you were given the opportunity to produce and direct a series of concerts, each dedicated to the music and lyrics of a composer or songwriting team, which composers/teams would you particularly like to honor? (By no means should this list be limited to the writers of show music.)

Posted by S. Woody White @ 05/14/2003 03:26 PM PST

As for ask BK day,

Dear esteemed, chic, worldly, multifaceted, and guapo BK,

As a boy from the heart of the wonderful "south of Wilshire" neighborhood, with all of its unique character and flavor, what made you decide to settle in the San Fernando Valley? Second, did the real-life equivalent of Grandpa Gelfinbaum actually operate a game or ride on the old P.O.P ? I only had a wonderful old grandpa who used to swear to us (as very small kids) that he personally waited on both John Wilkes Booth AND Sitting Bull in his drug store in Oklahoma. Oy, Grandpas !

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/14/2003 03:31 PM PST

Yes, we had a lovely evening last night with dear reader Laura as we sat around the groaning board. We ate heartily, with wonderful flavors and to excess! We dallied with a salad, we had aromatic crusty bread with seeds on the outside (no bitter herbs), and we indeed had "What is it, fish?" along with pan sauteed zucchini with fresh chopped tomato, fresh oregano (also from dr Laura's garden)and imported Parmesan tossed in.

We were happy little piggies with smiles on our faces, "Lost In Boston" in our ears, and chocolate on our chins.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/14/2003 03:39 PM PST

Thanks for your economics of CDs, Music Guy. One reason I quit the BMG CD Club was that their shipping and handling was way out of proportion to the actual costs. I ordered the Ella Fitzgerald 17 CD Songbook Set at a ridicuously low price but got charged $40 for shipping. I weighed it on a postal scale and if they had sent it First Class (not Media Mail) the postage would have been under $5.00. They refused to adjust the cost to something remotely like the actual cost so I quit. This is where they make their profit and they don't have to share it with the artists. At least places like Amazon charge decent, realistic shipping rates.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/14/2003 04:05 PM PST

Okay, okay, okay (that is three okays which is NOT okay), what is this, a lull? No more lulls. No more wire hangers. Where in tarnation IS everyone? Eating foodstuffs. Well, finish your meals and let's get some postin' goin' on.

Posted by bk @ 05/14/2003 05:22 PM PST

I was out walking off the chocolate lava cake and ice cream. I walked about three miles to the post office to mail a letter.

Posted by Laura @ 05/14/2003 07:24 PM PST

Well, I have all the above cds mentioned, but I'm actually more intrigued by the as of yet fairly neglected question of your most dissappointing show experience. And I must say, although I don't know if it tops the list, I had one just a few nights ago. There's a new Marsha Norman play, Last Dance, going on at MTC and I am in general quite terribly fond of Marsha Norman's work, and I got a free ticket or two through my school (and I love free tickets or two) so I was all pleased and tickled to go see it and enjoy Ms. Norman's newest work -- and I found it just dreadful. Dreadful dreadful dreadful with really nothing at all to redeem it. Self-conscious and forced dialogue, really quite uninteresting story, uninvolving characters, for the most part, poor performances -- one of those shows where you're sort of embarrassed for it. You feel almost rude for watching, it seems so impolite to be observing something so unready and thinking such harsh thoughts towards it. I felt very ungenerous and disappointed and disgruntled. But at least I didn't have to pay.

Of course, just my opinion -- perhaps it's actually brilliant and for some reason I had a mental block that prevented me from absorbing said brilliance. Ah well.

Posted by Anna @ 05/14/2003 07:52 PM PST

I have two questions, and they both concern The First Nudie Musical.

Recently, I believe, you said that you wrote all the songs in the film, including the classic "So Touch Me, I'm You". However, I remember on the commentary track you indicated to Cindy that Allan had improvised the lyric. Which is it? Or is my memory incorrect?

And if the movie were to be made today, it may be that Schlong's job would be threatened by the likelihood that the item in question could be digitalized. That, of course, presents all sorts of possibilities. Comments? (This suggestion, of course, comes with no claim of propriatory rights or royalties.)

Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/14/2003 08:23 PM PST

Ann: I have all four, in various versions. I have a ridiculous collection of CDs. If you would like a listing of them, please click on my name and let me know. I'll try to send you whatever I can (whenever I find the time... :-\). I still have a stack of MOBY DICKS and DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES to mail out. I'm gonna try my best to do it on Friday.

S. Woody: You have all four GYPSY recordings?? I want so badly to do a comparative analysis, but I can't afford all of them. I only have the Merman version, but I do have five versions of "Rose's Turn" (Merman, Lansbury, Daly, Buckley and Midler) and I have such fun listening to the differences. I dunno who told Tyne that she could sing, but BOY could she act that number! It starts out kinda rough, but her "for ME!"'s are fantastic. I think that Ms. Lansbury's is my favorite, though, followed closely by Ms. Buckley's. Did the Lansbury revival really only run somewhere around 120 performances? Last time I checked IBDB.com, that's what it said. Any reason why it didn't run?

Posted by Jason @ 05/14/2003 09:15 PM PST

Oops..I knew I'd forget to put the link to my email address... DUH!

Posted by Jason @ 05/14/2003 09:16 PM PST

A very special congratulations to our own Ms. Kerry Butler for winning the Clarence Derwert Awarod for “the most promising female performance on the New York metropolitan scene.” Click on my name for the link to the article on Playbill.com. (And yes, I'll remember to actually include the link this time...)

Posted by Jason @ 05/14/2003 09:22 PM PST

DR WEL -- You were absolutely justified in bitching about a $40.00 shipping charge...that is incredibly unjustified. Now maybe if the CD were brought to your door, handed to you personally by Ricky Martin / Julia Roberts / Richard Gere / Susan Sarandon (you can make your own appropriate selection), and also included a 2 hour massage, then maybe the cost would be worth it !

I can ship a box of 100 CDs by UPS, and I don't break $20.00 . Man, I wish we could get away with charging shipping like that; DR Kerry and I could take everybody at HHW over to Bruce's house, and treat you all to ham chunks and cheese slices.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/14/2003 10:03 PM PST

Oh dear, I'm afraid that the dashing and sinewy BK is going to get all bitch-slappity pretty soon.....it does seem a rather light posting output.

Is it possibly some Etruscan High Holy Day or the night of the Druid Fertility Dance?? There is an awfully big moon hangin'up there tonight.

Well, I just think that there better be some preparation for the appearance of wire hangers and an angry open palm coming our way. Oooooh Lucy, I'm escared...call Dore Schary.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/14/2003 10:09 PM PST

DR Kerry: You've got mail. :-)

Posted by Jason @ 05/14/2003 11:10 PM PST

As for Follies, I have to go with the OBC for sheer joy of performances but maddening cuts.

Still, I don't see why the buff and vivacious BK is so down on the other versions, all of which have their high points.

My favorite performances of "In Buddy's Eyes" and "I'm Still Here" have to be Barbara and Carol on Follies in Concert. I also think Ann Miller acquits herself quite well on the Papermill CD--although she came across less well on stage: too much all on one level with annoying Ann-Miller body language.

The Papermill CD is especially nice for having "Bring on the Girls" and a good "Pleasant Little Kingdom". Ah, how I quote that to my Joe when he's fussing with the housework, "at any given moment the ash trays are clean."

Now Donna McKechnie just doesn't come through vocally on the CD, but she was magnificent on stage as Sally. And curiously she had just played Phyllis on BBC radio earlier that year. BTWAYP (By the Way, All You Peasants in Internet Lingo), I have an audio tape of that broadcast, so I guess I trump you all in the number-of-versions competition!

The OLC is sadly disappointing to me in the changes made. How on earth SS could have agreed to dumb down the lyrics to "Could I Leave You?" I will never know. But any CD with the divine Dame Diana is a must-have. And I think I'll take that time machine back just to see her strip in "Ah! But Underneath". She plays Medea later this week.

I don't think that "Make the Most of Your Music" is nearly as good a song as "Live, Laugh, Love", and it certainly doesn't end the show on the right emotional note.

Still in all, I'm glad to have all the versions. Now why on earth is there still only one version of Sunday in the Park with Georges/George? That is a major crime.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/15/2003 05:24 AM PST

WEL-

Not only IMO was Ethel Merman's performance the best I've seen in GYPSY It probably was the BEST Musical Comedy performance I've ever seen.

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 05/15/2003 06:06 AM PST

Anna - The reason nobody answered about the most disappointing experience is that it was an "Ask BK" question. Since you are a new reader, you are forgiven since you didn't know the rules, but on "Ask BK Day" he answers the questions first and then after he answers other DRs can follow up with their answers. Sometimes he even makes an "Ask BK" question the topic of the day.

Arnold - Did you see Merman early in the run? I saw her do it Opening Night in Chicago (when the critics came) and she was brilliant but I've heard from other people that unless you caught her on an opening night or early in the NY run you never really saw how good she could be. I'm wondering if this is actually the case.

Regarding FOLLIES: I'm sure most DRs know this bit of trivia, but in case you didn't Donna McKechnie is (as far as I know) the only actress to have played Phyllis, Sally and Carlotta in different productions. If anyone knows of another actress who has played all three parts, please post who else.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/15/2003 06:37 AM PST

WEL-

Not only early in the New York run but twice again-mid and near the end of Merman's performance. My one regret is that no one captured her performance on video or whatever.Combined with that one regret is that Hollywood(as they are prone to do)did not cast her in the Movie. Rosalind Russell was a big mistake.

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 05/15/2003 07:20 AM PST

Let's send out our good vibes to DR Craig...he should be arriving in the Big Apple sometime this afternoon.

~~~~GOOD VIBES~~~~

Posted by Jason @ 05/15/2003 07:38 AM PST

Yes I have all three of those LPs/cds as well!

HONEY BUN is dun! Took some struggling, but we made it.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/15/2003 07:49 AM PST

Thank you, Mr. William E. Lurie. I am hanging my head in tremendous chagrin -- thank you for correcting my error. I shall not make the same mistake again...I am indeed new and know not what I do. I am eager to know what BK's answer is to the question, however.

On the Gypsy versions issue -- is there a recording of the Betty Buckley version? I've looked for one but been unable to find it. The only recording of any part of the show I could locate was her "Rose's Turn" on a solo album. If this recording exists, how would I go about locating it?

Posted by Anna @ 05/15/2003 08:29 AM PST