Posted by Laura @ 05/21/2003 09:37 AM PST

I have a question for all you DRs - Is anyone going to see TFNM on May 28th?

Jrand52 - I wanted to be a dancer when I was younger. I took classes, but never really got serious. So now, I do your standard office stuff. I run the office for a water conditioning business and I also do some consulting work on the side setting up accounting systems for small businesses. Isn't that exciting? I still do some dancing - mostly at clubs - but I will be starting a summer jazz class soon, which should be lots of fun.

Posted by JB aka JK @ 05/21/2003 09:58 AM PST

Thank JBakaJK - dancing is great. That is what my degree is in, so of course I never earned a living doing it. Taught a little and still do choreography from time to time - but that's it.

NO TFMN for me 8-( too far to drive from Indiana.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/21/2003 10:06 AM PST

Lily Tomlin is an original. I remember when she started out on Laugh-In. She made an appearance on The Mike Douglas Show - came out and fell to the floor.

She stood up laughing and said, "I always wanted to do that!" Also thought she was very good in NASHVILLE.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/21/2003 10:29 AM PST

Lily Tomlin is wonderful! I saw her once when she was doing a one woman show. I can't remember when it was or even who I was with, maybe it was BK, but I do remember her - and she was quite amazing.

Posted by JB aka JK @ 05/21/2003 10:39 AM PST

Re what I wanted to be when I grew up: When I was young, I wanted to change the world. Now I'm just happy to live quietly in my own little corner of it.

I worked as a court reporter, though, when I was in the working world B.C. -- before children. Now I work for my church.

Posted by Laura @ 05/21/2003 10:56 AM PST

Re am I going to see TFNM on May 28: With any luck, I will be on my now-rescheduled second honeymoon, without my MIL (that's mother-in-law in internet lingo).

Posted by Laura @ 05/21/2003 10:58 AM PST

I love Lily Tomlin but not the play "Intelligent Life...". I think she is far better than the material she has to work with, but she is so magic you don't care. I know it has been done with other people, but I don't understand why. What works about it is that it's a great showcase for her talent. But isn't the Ahmanson a little big for the show? I would have thought it would have played the Mark Taper or a smaller theatre away from the Music Center.

I think WSS opened in New York and LA in October and then in other major cities on the December date given. In those days, most movies did not open in 3,000 theatres on the same day. They started in big theatres in big cities, then slowly moved to other theatres and other cities. I lived in Chicago at the time, and most movies first played in the large downtown theatres, then moved to the larger neighborhood and suburban theatres and eventually played the smaller neighborhood and suburban theatres. There was a strict delineation of A
week theatres, B week theatres and C week theatres.

BK - I just got the most recent DVD catalogue from Movies Unlimited. The have moved TFNM from the Musicals section to the "After Dark Videos" (ie: porn) section. [No - I wasn't browsing that section - I looked the film up in the index when I noticed it was no longer in the Musicals section] At least it is one of the few films in that section where they show a picture of the DVD box.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/21/2003 11:21 AM PST

Sure, WEL.

Posted by Laura @ 05/21/2003 11:49 AM PST

DR WEL: Do you often peruse the "After Dark Videos" section? If so, are you looking for back issues of a FABULOUS magazine? >>teehee<<

Posted by td @ 05/21/2003 11:59 AM PST

Hi All!

Jason - when did you decide to become3 a performer?

Tom from OZ - how do the productions of Broadway musicals "down under" compare to what you've hears/seen of the original productions? And conversely, what should we expect of "Boy From Oz" when it opens in the fall?

Catch ya later!

Posted by Phil @ 05/21/2003 12:32 PM PST

DR Laura - did you ever have to "read" back the testimony just like in the movies?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/21/2003 12:41 PM PST

Okay, we asked the question yesterday - where in tarnation IS everyone, and today it's worse. I give up.

Posted by bk @ 05/21/2003 12:46 PM PST

I wanted to be an ice skater. I loved skating and was very good. My instructor had been in the Olympics and had high hopes for me. Then my mother became ill and my lessons stopped. As a child I wanted to be an actress, but as a child, not as an adult. My father received a couple of offers for me to act, but, over my pleas and tears, he refused them. When I was twenty, I decided to be an actress. I was just about to sign with an agent when I dropped the idea to put my husband through college. No regrets. In today's world what I wanted most may seen strange. I wanted to have a good marriage and have great children. I wanted to do the stay at home mother thing. I am very lucky. I got just what I wanted. I volunteered extensively at my boys schools, coached t-ball and was active in organizing their activities-when they were young anyway. I also had the freedom to do other volunteer work I enjoyed.

Posted by Jane @ 05/21/2003 12:53 PM PST

JRand: Yes, I most certainly did.

Posted by Laura @ 05/21/2003 12:54 PM PST

So happy for you, DR Jane.

What "child" parts were you being considered for?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/21/2003 12:57 PM PST

When I was young(er) -- I'm still pretty young, all things considering (whatever that phrase means...what things?) -- I wanted to be all manner of things, amongst them, a writer, a singer, a scientist, a ballerina, a painter, and, my personal favorite, a bagel maker.

Now I'm studying at one of those terribly serious acting school places, so I guess I'm gonna do that whole acting thing -- I'll be completely unequipped to do anything else. Funny how that turned out.

Posted by Anna @ 05/21/2003 01:03 PM PST

Early on I wanted to be an astronomer. I was obssessed with the stars, and bought a lot of books on the subject. Of course, since I was only nine or ten at the time, I could barely understand most of the scientific concepts - let alone pronounce some of them. But I can still indentify constellations, and I love going to the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum. And I still wonder what it would like to be up in space, weightless, floating, closer to the stars.

Once I started playing piano, however, all bets were off. I never had dreams of being a rock star or a big time classical soloist. Just to keep enjoying making music, and, if I was lucky enough, to be able to make a living at it. So, I guess I am lucky. And grateful.

I still do keep up some of my solo classical music just to keep my fingers "honest", but I really love being a "collaborative artist" as they call it nowadays. Whether it's playing for a soprano or baritone, a cabaret artist, and instrumentalist, a rehearsal for a show, or a keyboard part in a pit... I'm happy. As long as my fingers are on the keys...

As for my question for my fellow DRs... -And I think it may have been asked before:

Which part in musical theatre would you like to play? And would not like to play?

And/or...

Which particular production would you have liked to been a part of (original cast, any part or just fly on the wall), and why?

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/21/2003 01:07 PM PST

Hmmmmmmmmm...good questions, Jose.

I would like to play Mayor Shinn in THE MUSIC MAN someday. Was just about set to do it, when the director dropped out and I had to take over - grrrrrrrrrr couldn't cast myself. And we had a good Mayor at the auditions anyway.

And I would love to have been a part of the OC of WEST SIDE STORY. What great fun - lots of work - but what great fun. And more recently LES MIZ!

Wouldn't have wanted to work on ...hmmmmm.... something to think about.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/21/2003 01:12 PM PST

Jose-
I would have loved to be at the 2 all night discussions that were the basis of A CHORUS LINE. I know the tapes still exist but I wonder if people will ever be able to hear them. At one point they were going to sell copies for charity, but I guess that never worked out. They would probably have to get permission from every dancer that was there and some of them probably don't want anyone to hear what they said.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/21/2003 01:13 PM PST

A question for the HHW.com Dear Readers:

What does everybody have planned for their summer vacation?

Posted by Jay @ 05/21/2003 01:19 PM PST

There are so many roles I'd love to/hope to someday play...so I'll just reel off a bunch: Dot/Marie in Sunday in the Park With George, Mary in Merrily We Roll Along, Cathy in The Last Five Years, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Sally in Cabaret, Liza in Lady in the Dark, and Sally (or Phyllis, but I'd prefer Sally) in Follies.

I would not want to do (and this is harder, because there are so few roles that I joust wouldn't wanna tackle) Song and Dance, not becuase I don't like the show or score, but because I really think I'd be bored singing a whole act just by myself -- I'd crave another person to work off of. And I don't ever want to do Mother Superior in The Sound of Music, cause Climb Every Mountain has always just sorta pissed me off.

I'm with JRand52 about West Side Story -- that sounds like an absolutely electrifiying rehearsal process from what I've read/heard. And I wouldn't really liked to be around while Merrily We Roll Along was being worked on, just so I could know what really happened there...I've heard/read so many different accounts.

Posted by Anna @ 05/21/2003 01:35 PM PST

BK -- I've been upto my elbows in tar. I've had some pot holes to repair! LOL

Jay -- Not much planned this Summer. Just a few trips to LaLaLand to see Linda Eder in concert & the Producers. But I am known to go to Montreal on a whim and visit my family!

Posted by Angela @ 05/21/2003 01:50 PM PST

Jrand52, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I was in school. I ended up going to college with the intention of being a high school choir teacher. I went through four years and at the beginning of the fifth year, I dropped the education part of my degree and just got a bachelor's degree with a music major. I now work for a library ordering books and A/V items after the selectors make the decision of what to order. Growing up, I thought about being an actor (who doesn't), an architect and a watch repairperson, among (I'm sure) other now forgotten aspirations.

Posted by George @ 05/21/2003 02:01 PM PST

Oh, I guess I should have answered my own questions:

I would have loved to be there when they first tested the barber chair in Sweeney Todd - and maybe even be the testee! Wheeeee!!! -Oh, I said "testee" - can I say that on here?

I would not have liked to be there when they were checking the sound level of the factory whistle.

I, too, would have loved to watch a couple of rehearsals of West Side Story - they don't make 'em like that anymore - in all senses!

And I would have loved to have been at some of the initial meetings and rehearsals for Merrily We Roll Along...
"Yeah... that makes sense..." -Oh, and then the first run-through of "Our Time". Chill, I tell you. Chills!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/21/2003 02:01 PM PST

Anna,

I would love to play Jamie in THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Maybe we should find a director and mount our own production?
;-)

Another role I would love to play:

Tateh in RAGTIME (call-backs are tomorrow night - good vibes requested!)

Posted by Dave @ 05/21/2003 02:03 PM PST

For those of us who are performers, that's a great question about "dream roles." I still have a couple of roles I've never gotten to do and long to:

Groucho in A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE.

Snoopy in YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. (One of the best versions of this show I ever saw was with an "all mature" cast. That's what I'll have to hope for with this one.)

Jules in SUNDAY IN THE PARK.

Charles Guiteau in ASSASSINS.

Bazzard/Bax in DROOD.

He in I DO! I DO!

Posted by Matt H. @ 05/21/2003 02:45 PM PST

My ask BK questions and I have a lot of them. Making up for the last few weeks when I didn't ask any

1) Why does the short film that you wrote and appear in, "Murphy's Laws of Golf", have a laugh track?

1A)Didn't whoever put it there trust that it is funny?

2) Did you have a bigger role in Night Visitor other than that one scene shot from a distance?

3) I haven't watched it yet, but is "Raquet" really that bad?

4) If you were going to act in a play with Cindy Williams what play would you chose?

5) What plays and/or shows or cabaret acts do you plan to see while you are in NYC? (Is Liz Callaway in the Look of Love revue on your list?)

6) Do the video documentaries like the Making of the Producers or the Making of Guys and Dolls Cds give an acurate represntation of a recording session other than everyone seems to get everything right on the first take?

7) For the new CD that you are recording JEEPERS CREEPERS: HIT SONGS FROM HORROR FILMS what is the final list of songs that you will be recording and who are the confirmed singers and are there any other possibilities?

8) Also are you pre-recording the music tracks in LA and laying the vocals in NYC?

9) Are you excited about getting back into the recording studio and producing a full length CD?

10) Does it cost any more to record (let's say) a 45 minute release versus a 75 minute release?

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 05/21/2003 02:59 PM PST

Any the Hainsies or Kimmlets going to be in NYC the weekend Bruce will be recording his spanking CD? We can dance the Hora while wearing party hats and eating ham and cheese hunks and I can take photos for the website and you'll be famous around the world.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 05/21/2003 03:02 PM PST

Whoops!!!!!

Who would have thought that missing one word would completly change what Bruce will be doing in NYC!!

Of course I meant:

...the wekkend Bruce will be recording his spanking NEW cd?

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 05/21/2003 03:06 PM PST

Job question -- when I was in elementary school, I was already fairly advanced in piano performance and I was beginning to switch over to organ. And I wanted to be a concert soloist. By the 1st year of high school I was playing for a Lutheran church on Sundays, and sitting in at restaurants and bars that had Hammond organs and playing in front of people. And I still wanted to be a concert performer. Upon graduation from high school, I dabbled with a couple of courses in interior design, and was also interested in architecture, but kept practicing and learning and stuck with music. I played my debut concert a year and a half after graduation from H.S., and it was at the grand old Wiltern Theatre in L.A., not for from Ernie Kritzer's restaurant. I could have gone over and eaten shrimp cocktail shrimp.

Since the first time at the Wiltern Theatre, I have never had any other profession.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/21/2003 03:15 PM PST

Answers to Michael Shayne's questions above:

1. I have no idea why Murphy's Laws of Golf has a laugh track - I did not produce or direct it, only co-wrote it with David Wechter.

2. I did not have a bigger role in Night Visitor. I did the little cameo as a joke and a favor - it's not even a role, really. I had done a polish of the script but they didn't use much of it and that is why the film is DREADFUL.

3. Racquet really is that bad. At least in my opinion. The script was lame, the late Bert Convy kept "improving" it (not), and the whole thing was a mish-mash.

4. I'd like to do The Prisoner of Second Avenue with Cindy - or Plaza Suite.

5. I'm only going to have time for one show, Saturday night, and I haven't even thought about what it's going to be. If Miss Kerry Butler can free up a house seat, probably Hairspray.

6. I haven't watched either of those videos so can't comment. The Company video is a pretty good representation of a cast album recording session. They should have taped one of ours - they're different than others and I think it would be fascinating to compare and contrast.

7. I'll be printing a final list of songs and singers soon.

8. Yes, we are recording the tracks here and doing most of the vocals in NY.

9. Yes, it's going to be fun being back in the studio - I needed the break, frankly, but now it's time. I've enjoyed doing the tracks, too, with Grant.

10. Well, it depends on the CD - but yes, if you're doing it under the AFM, yes, it costs more. 45 minutes is three sessions, as opposed to 75 minutes which is five sessions. The band gets paid for each session. There's a different low-budget scale contract which makes things a bit easier.

Posted by bk @ 05/21/2003 03:22 PM PST

Phil: Most Australian productions of Broadway and London shows live up to expectations - I have usually listened to the Cds of the orginal cast recordings for a few years by then. Les Miserables was excellent (Our Javert was Philip Quast). Phantom starred Anthony Warlow who did not have the "presence" needed bu a great voice. I thought "Anything Goes" and "Me And My Girl" were excellent as was the production of "La Cage Au Folles" (Keith Michell). The Australian Cast recordings have always been a "thinner" in sound though "Nine" and "Big River" were good.
Hugh Jackman was excellent in "Beauty & The Beast" (Gaston) and "Sunset Boulevard" (Joe). He does have a good voice and presence. I find it difficult to imagine him as "The Boy From Oz" - not exactly Peter Allen. The Australian production was (in Dame Edna's words)"A nice night's entertainment" but not great theatre. Existing songs thrown into a bio musical never really work that well. "I Go To Rio" was a #1 hit here but didn't chart in USA. It was sort of the "focal point" for the show. The "book" does seem to be factual but does anyone really care about the life. I hope that the show has been substantially rewritten. "Legs Diamond" and its failure was glossed over. Maybe the interest is really the Garland/Minnelli connection.
I would like to see the show and Jackman succeed. I liked Allen's songwriting and Jackman is terrific. Will Americans really applaud "I Still Call Australia Home" or will that song have been replaced. "Tenterfield Saddler" is also very well known here but possible not in NY.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/21/2003 03:22 PM PST

td: Forgot to put in a plug for how bad "Blood Brothers" was!! Suspect it was a bad as everwhere else as was "High Society" on stage here.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/21/2003 03:26 PM PST

Michael---
We'll be in NYC whichever days he is recording. I have still not seen the exact dates. Susan planned the last 2 get-togethers of which we were the only people (other than BK & Susan) at both. Which is being recorded here: the Scarlet Street CD or the Kritzerland CD (or both)?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/21/2003 03:57 PM PST

The recording dates are the first and second of June. I'm coming in on the 31st of May. We are recording the Scarlet Street CD.

Posted by bk @ 05/21/2003 04:19 PM PST

Dear BK: I'm glad you picked Prisoner...playing Edna was one of my favorite if not most favorite part...what a wonderful, juicy mainly 2-person play, with it's many transitions. The lines are a joy to deliver, so set-up-and-bang.

Posted by KT @ 05/21/2003 04:31 PM PST

Dear Esteemed and svelte BK,

If you haven't left for Miss Tomlin yet, I'd like to ask the exact location of the real "Erros" restaurant. My place of reference is the corner of Wilshire and Western. I would always leave there and go north on Western to back up towards Hollywood. So if you could tell me in terms of how many blocks, and whether east, west, north, or south, I'd really appreciate it.

DR Kerry and I will be with you in spirit at the Ahmanson tonight....wish we were there in person!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/21/2003 04:34 PM PST

The real life Erro (not called the Erro in real life, however) was located at 3474 W. 8th St. at Serrano. That would be two blocks south of the Wiltern (at Western and Wilshire) and two blocks west of Western, maybe three blocks.

Posted by bk @ 05/21/2003 04:39 PM PST

Vibes on their way to Dave for "Ragtime".

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/21/2003 05:09 PM PST

Jrand52 - When I was in
elementary school, I decided I
wanted to be a teacher. As I
got into middle school, I
thought perhaps a math
teacher. By the time I entered
high school, I thought high
school choir director (just like
DR George). Surprisingly
enough, here I am with a
degree in Choral Education!
I'm currently a substitute
teacher, and looking for a
full-time choir job for fall.

Jose - Top of my "dream role"
list is, as always, Tevye. I did
the role in HS, and
understudied it in summer
stock a couple years ago, and
hope to do it many times
more. Others on my wish list
would be Herbie in GYPSY,
Sweeney and/or Judge Turpin,
Frederik in ALNM, Stine in
CITY OF ANGELS, He in I DO, I
DO, and any number of tenor
roles that I'm simply not cut out
for vocally!

Jay - My first real vacation in
some 5 years or so will be a
few days in NYC late June.

Question for DR Laura -
Rescheduled second
honeymoon? Sans MIL? Do
tell.

Posted by Jed @ 05/21/2003 05:33 PM PST

DR Laura -- Oh yes, Tell, TELL! We all have enquiring minds, and we want to know. I know, you were just afraid that I would hide out in the nursing home, and sing "...'cause you're a woman, w-o-m-a-n-, I'll say it again..." at the top of my lungs. It wouldn't have been pretty for me to have to tell the MIL that you had stood on stage with Elaine Stritch, and dined on exotic foodstuffs at Musso & Frank...and so what in HELL were you doing sitting there. No, not pretty at all.

SOOOO....we want the updated vacation please....and we mean details girl!!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/21/2003 05:43 PM PST

Jrand, I don't know. I was never told. I doubt they were anything major. One offer was actually just through a known agent who said she was sure she had a part for me.

Posted by Jane @ 05/21/2003 05:52 PM PST

DR Jed -- I could imagine you doing Tevye...I've only seen your "Rogues Gallery" picture, but with that big full beard, it looks like you should be in the national company of "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers," or at least blazing an uncharted trail into the depths of Utah with 4 wives on your wagon. Very pioneer, very rugged.

DR Jose -- in lookingh at your pic in the Rogues Gallery here, I was wondering where it was taken? It looks like there is some kind of menacing looking wiring on the wall just to the left of a very tall and industrial looking ladder going somewhere. Were you deep in the bowels of a submarine, and waiting to be carried back up top by a squadron of swabbies? Were you trapped in Captain Nemo's Nautilus, and couldn't find the organ console?? Tell us. Also, how early did your interest in cooking start? I too spend a fair bit of time in the kitchen and thoroughly enjoy it (as does Kerry, I think). I started while still in elementary school, and it was self-preservation. My Mom not only didn't know how to make much of anything, but she also worked full-time. So it was an incentive to learn how to make something other than hot tuna casserole with crushed potato chips on the top. To this day, I don't think I could get that down my gullet!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/21/2003 05:54 PM PST

DR Tom from Oz -- As I know you are on the outskirts of Melbourne, I was wondering if you go back far enough in time in that same area to remember when Grahamme Kennedy was the hot young comic wit hosting channel 9's version of the Tonight Show (IMT), and Johnny Farnum was all dewy faced and making the little teenage girls scream and fall over! That was back around 1968 & 1970, and I lived in the Melbourne area for quite a few months. I worked with Grahamme a number of times on IMT, and had a lot of fun doing the morning show out at channel O several times a week.

What is or was your main profession Tom?

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/21/2003 06:04 PM PST

DR Jay: What's a "summer vacation?"

Posted by td @ 05/21/2003 06:29 PM PST

DR Tom (yeah, the one from OZ): I have seen good productions of BLOOD BROTHERS (Stephanie Lawrence on B'way, Petula Clark on tour) and b-a-d productions of BLOOD BROTHERS (a certain well known understudy who has been parodied in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY) and when BLOOD BROTHERS is good, it's brilliant; when it's bad it's interminable.

All Dear Readers:
What is the worst production you have ever seen? (Specifically, one that you had higher expectations for than were delivered).

Posted by td @ 05/21/2003 06:34 PM PST

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

When I was little, I wanted to be an oceanographer.

Or a movie star ("If Troy Donahue can be a movie star...")

Posted by Kerry @ 05/21/2003 07:06 PM PST

In the dream role category, I'll have to give my usual answers. Mind you, this is gender, ability, talent, physical type for the role not taken into consideration. It's if i could play any role.

Harold Hill in "Music Man"

Sheila in "Chorus Line"

Louise in "Gypsy"

Bobby in "Company"

Ben in "Follies" (just to be able to sing "The Road You Didn't Take)

Posted by Kerry @ 05/21/2003 07:09 PM PST

And as fara s which productions you wish you had been in----

Just an extra in "Chorus Line"
(especiallly on the opening nights-- on Broadway and off) and maybe for its 10th anniversary performance (with all the casts appearing). Just to be there for the energy and ovation.

Posted by Kerry @ 05/21/2003 07:12 PM PST

MusicGuy - As a matter of fact,
that pic in the Rogues Gallery
was taken backstage the
summer that I was understudy
for Tevye. Also in the chorus
for Brigadoon with that beard.
The beard is still around (or,
around again, more
accurately), but not nearly as
huge as then.

td - The worst production I
have ever seen was one of
Carousel, summer of '98 by
the summer stock group I've
been a part of since that
summer. How thankful I am I
wasn't involved in that show!
Second place would have to
be a community production of
Sound of Music. Dreadful
directing (or lack thereof),
horribly overlong... the one
redeeming aspect was the
lovely sounding Nun's Chorus,
including our very own Dear
Reader Ann.

Posted by Jed @ 05/21/2003 07:36 PM PST

Has the Shirley Jones/Jack Cassidy/Susan Johnson "Brigadoon" Columbia studio cast album ever been released on CD?

. . . And, whether it has been or not, anyone have it on CD? (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, etc.)

I enjoy my LP of this recording, and consider it one of my top three favorite treatments of this score (other than the OBC). What's YOUR favorite "Brigadoon" recording, No Dear Reader in Particular?

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 05/21/2003 07:47 PM PST

Dave! Hey, I'm up for The Last Five Years! Such great characters...great fun...ready when you are... ;-)

Tom: I wanna second the mention of the horrid badness of Blood Brothers -- I saw it in London a few years ago, and I can't imagine it's gotten any better. It was truly dreadful -- probably up there among the worst shows I've seen. However, I've seen so so so many school and camp productions of little relatives and friends and such that have to take the cake -- they really deserve their own category. There was the production of Godspell in which the entire cast (of forty, mind you) was made up of women, except for Jesus and Judas, whose voices were both unfortunately changing. The Judas sounded like he had something large and rectangular lodged in his throat, and the Jesus simply could not be heard, which was probably a good thing, because when he could, it was not too pleasant. He also had very very odd facial hair. And there were alllll these little girls just swarming around them, tripping over one another. The show was absolutely interminable (clocked in at somewhere around three hours fifteen minutes. which is just too too long. All those damn repeats of "prepare ye" -- after about the third line, it's like, "Okay! We get the idea! Can we have another lyric PLEASE!")

And then there was the production of Into the Woods I saw at a local high school -- oy. The way they dealt with the lack of singing talent was just to speak nearly the whole show --the opening "I Wish" sequence done without music really loses all of its charm. They had a person playing the cow, and she was not charming as Chad Kimball, but looked incredibly bitter that all she got to do was Moo (she probably wanted to play Cinderella). Most of the costumes looked like the kids were in their gym clothes, except one of the stepsisters who apparently decided this would be a good opportunity to wear her prom dress. And then there were the two princes, both of whom were unfortuantely incredibly short and preadolescent, which was exceedingly charming when Cinderella's Prince had to romance the baker's wife, who was a tall, buxom senior -- he had to stand on tiptoe to kiss her, and I don't think he quite made it. It was one of those moments that was perhaps more embarrassing for the audience than the actors.

Okay, I've rambled on enough about bad school shows. But they were baaaaaaad.

Posted by Anna @ 05/21/2003 07:50 PM PST

i'll plead guilty to DR Holmes' "nudge nudge."

I think that my favorite BRIGADOON is McGlin's, with Brent Barrett and Judy Kaye.
Then the Jones/Cassidy with the great Meg of Miss Johnson.
Then the film soundtrack. (wink. wink.)
Finally, the OBC.

Posted by td @ 05/21/2003 07:53 PM PST

My father's office was at 8th and Hobart, just a short walk to the "real life" Erro. I really did enjoy eating there. I was always given extra maraschino cherries in my Shirley Temple.

Posted by Jane @ 05/21/2003 07:59 PM PST

DR MusicGuy. Channel O is now 10. For all the news re Farnham and Kennedy check your email.
Farnham has toured with Newton John and Warlow in recent years. "The Main Event" If you need a copy of the CD my address with DR Kerry!

Posted by Tom From OZ @ 05/21/2003 08:00 PM PST

Brigadoon. McGlinn's version with Mr Barrett. McGlinn's "Showboat" is one of the greatest recordings ever made.
Thanks Anna: I am one of those (FEW!) people who find nothing redeeming about Blood Brothers. No wonder I am so poor. I can't pick a winner.
I've seen some very ordinary School productions but there is always something to enjoy when the kids have so much fun. I worked backstage with "L'il Abner" and "Pajama Game". Such fun shows for the audience and the cast. Best show by school kids I have seen was "Bugsy Malone".

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/21/2003 08:08 PM PST

Hooray, Tom! You have made
these notes the 10th to contain
mention of BUGSY MALONE.
This makes me a happy
Kimlet, indeed! Ok, call me
obsessive if you will, but it was
THE most rented video of my
childhood.

Posted by Jed @ 05/21/2003 08:17 PM PST

Nope, the Jones/Cassidy/Johnson BRIGADOON is not on CD. Someday, hopefully, it will be. I love the McGlinn one with Brent and Rebecca, but I think Susan Johnson's versions of Meg's two songs are definitive even without the wide Scottish brogue that Judy Kaye uses on the McGlinn CD.

Posted by Matt H. @ 05/21/2003 09:02 PM PST

I used my summer allergies (they are real) to the midwest as a way of getting out of -- I mean rescheduling the second honeymoon. DH (that is Dear Husband in internet lingo) can go visit MIL (that is mother-in-law in internet lingo) by himself in August. He and I will take a four-day weekend over Memorial Day.

The worst production of anything I ever saw was a children's theater production of "Joseph...Dreamcoat." Yes, I know they are children. But the other children's theater in town does astounding work -- sometimes better than the pro tours. Most of the brothers were girls and they hollered instead of singing. It seemed if your mother would make you a costume, you were in the show. We stayed around for the second act because we were sure it couldn't possibly get any worse. We were wrong. The Pharoah was a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be Elvis. Truly dreadful.

Posted by Laura @ 05/21/2003 09:09 PM PST

Well done, Laura's allergies!
So are you still off to see the
bats in Austin, or other plans
there as well?

Posted by Jed @ 05/21/2003 09:12 PM PST

And, no, we're not the least bit
nosy around this here site! :-)

Posted by Jed @ 05/21/2003 09:13 PM PST

I shall now play Paul Simon's "Allergies" in your honour Laura. Congratulations on your rescheduling.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/21/2003 09:41 PM PST

The Susan Johnson BRIGADOON is not out on CD. Sony Broadway only releases one batch of CDs a year and since this year's came out last week it would be another year if they decided to release it. However DRG has been releasing a lot of CDs that were originally on Columbia including several that fall into the "I never thought I'd ever see that on CD" category, so although it is not yet scheduled for release it could be coming from one of these two labels in the future.

Not counting school or community shows (and I've seen some real strinkers) the worst had to be the recent Broadway revival of OUR TOWN with Paul Newman. This production had no energy and was played like a reverentual museum piece instead of a living, breathing piece of theatre. Since the whole cast was guilty (and for that matter were mostly actors and actresses who I have seen much better in other shows) the blame must be placed on the director, a very talented musical theatre performer who should stick to what he does best.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/21/2003 09:46 PM PST

Jed: Somewhere on video I still have a performance of "Tomorrow" sung by a member of the orginal London Cast of Bugsy Malone. I think I have a 45rpm of someone doing the title song from around the time of the movie. I must investigate further. I think there may be a Paul Williams version of a track somewhere in the house too.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/21/2003 09:47 PM PST

Phil: I knew I wanted to be a performer when I was a kid. My parents had other ideas for me. When they found out my ability to pick up foreign languages (Spanish and French), it was decided that I would grow up to be an interpreter.

A friend of mine's mom let me borrow her recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Premiere Collection (I was fascinated by all things Hispanic, so I wanted to hear "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" simply because Argentina was in the title). I listened all the way through the tape and when I heard the title song from The Phantom of the Opera I was hooked. I went out and got the highlights cassette of the original cast recording, and when I heard the overture there was no turning back. From then on, every year for my birthday I asked for a subscription to the Broadway Series in Louisville and got to see some of the most wonderful shows in those few years--Guys and Dolls with Ms. Lorna Luft was the first one, which, ironically, was the first real musical I was in in college. I played Benny Southstreet.

Wow...that turned out to be a long story.

Now, for the other questions. The roles I've always wanted to (and will) play are: The Phantom, Marius, Younger Brother (Ragtime), John Wilkes Booth, Charlie Brown, Leo Frank and Frankie Epps (Parade), Jamie (The Last Five Years), Nathan Detroit, Joseph (the one with the coat), Matt (The Fantasticks) and Billy Bigelow.

Worst production I've ever seen: I didn't see this live, but I did witness a video tape of a HORRIBLE community theatre production of EVITA. The Eva must have been maybe 17 years old and the stage was so small that they could only manage 6 soldiers during "A New Argentina," two of which were girls. One of the clips involved the "Screw the middle classes..." bit. I think the dogs in neighboring cities heard this poor girl screeching those notes out. It was dreadful. The national tour of Big is a close second to that video.

Posted by Jason @ 05/21/2003 09:50 PM PST

Oh...I have a few friends who were in the original company of MERRILY. One of them has progressive video tapes of the various stages of previews and they're fascinating. Some of the stories that he and Ann have told me are just amazing. I remember the first day I met Annie Morrison, I couldn't believe it was her and so I asked her to sing for me. She sang "Like It Was" right there in the middle of a Washington, DC Metro platform and it took my breath away. She is one of the sweetest women you'll ever hope to meet and I hope to see her again very soon.

And taking my cue from DR Kerry, here are a few of the roles I'd like to do but know that I'll NEVER get...Mama Rose, Gypsy Rose Lee, Eva Peron, Millie (who is oh so modern and thorough), Reno Sweeney, Coalhouse Walker, Jr., Mrs. Lovett, Effie White, Fantine, Eponine, Jean Valjean (its too high for me), Simba, Tracy and Edna Turnblad and Eliza Doolittle.

Posted by Jason @ 05/21/2003 10:10 PM PST

DR MusicGuy: That pic was simply taken backstage at a theatre. To be more precise: New Harmony Theatre in New Harmony, IN, two summers ago; Godspell. The menacing looking wiring wasn't menacing at all - I think it's the slack from the shop light just semi-coiled up. And the ladder just went up into the fly space.

-Now, I have been in a submarine before, and if you'd like to think I was in a submarine... ;-)

As for cooking... Both my parents are in the food service industry. My father was a cook in the Coast Guard - and still cooks today for the Secretary of Health & Human Services - and my mom is a registered dietitian - she is currently in charge of a large nursing home kitchen, but she also used to work for Sysco. So... We - my three brothers and I - ate pretty well growing up. Lots of Filipino food, lots of "new things" that the purveyors brought in (we were some of the first people to try McRibs!), and just some nice basic meat and potatoes meals. A strange thing happened once we started going to high school... Both my parents started cooking less... And my father started heavily stocking the freezer with frozen meals.

Granted, I knew part of the reason that my father started buying a lot convenience foods was to make it easier for me and my brothers to eat according to our schedules. But, I still remember some "family dinners" where my mom would boil up some packages of Ramen noodles, and then ask us if there was anything else we wanted from the freezer. -Truly strange days.

Well, since I had been surrounded by cooking all my life - and I was hooked on all the PBS cooking shows! - I decided to go beyond eggs and bacon and meatloaf. So did my brothers to an extent, but not as much. Well, the more I cooked the more I liked it. I even got to the point where I was asked - sometimes ordered - to cook dinner for the family.

I didn't really get into trying anything fancy or ethic until I was in college. I even catered a few receptions too - including some I accompanied!

I've truly come to love cooking especially since there are times when I'm not able to cook for myself and others - on tour, etc. So, when I'm home, and with my own pots and pans, I really try to cook as much as I can.

-Long story longer... I started collecting cookbooks a few years ago, and being a member of The Good Cook book club has also helped build my collection. And I try my best to make at least one recipe from each of my books once a year. -Well, at least it's fun trying to accomplish that goal.

So, that was a longer answer than I ever envisioned... And since I have a noon matinee later today... I shall bid you all, "Adieu."

-To d-you, and d-you, and d-you-oo...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/21/2003 11:14 PM PST

Oh, and for worst shows...

Lots of crappy community theatre, especially a production of The Music Man where all the group numbers were staged in a line across the front of the stage since it was very evident that most of the actors had trouble even just walking on stage - let alone dancing.

Worst professional show... Hands down: Shogun: The Musical during it's pre-Broadway stint at the Kennedy Center. I never thought a show could rip off so many other shows and not get sued in the process! Peter Carrie was atrocious - and, consequently, fired before it opened in New York with Philip Casnov, I think. June Angela was good, and the earthquake effect was passable. But, boy!!!!! I wanted to walk out, but since I had paid full-price for the ticket, and, as it turned out, I had a friend or two in the cast, I stayed. -Of course, these friends didn't tell me they were in the show... They could have at least warned me!!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/21/2003 11:22 PM PST

-Must be the late/early hour... Philip Casnov replaced Peter Carrie...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/21/2003 11:27 PM PST

Well, I'll be swacked and pickled in moonshine if we haven't had us a rally here. I was very sad earlier at the dearth of posts but we have more than made up for the errant and truant.

Posted by bk @ 05/21/2003 11:46 PM PST

What a great lot of interesting DR's we have. Thanks for sharing your job info! I enjoyed reading!

Hmmmmmmmmm....is it Thursday already? Then it must be Belgium. (An almost Suzanne Pleshette reference).

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/22/2003 03:38 AM PST

OMG - "The Ghost and Mr Chicken" is coming to DVD on September 2!

"Atta boy, Luther!!"

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/22/2003 05:29 AM PST