Posted by td @ 05/29/2003 06:03 AM PST

I just began Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon (the film w/Michael Douglas and Robert Downey Jr. came out a couple of years ago). Chabon is one of my favorite contemporary writers.

I am eagerly awaiting Kritzerland. I re-read BK to put me in the proper mood for the sequel.

Since I'm a Harry Potter book fan, I will re-read The Goblet of Fire, since Book 5, Order of the Phoenix, will be out on June 21st.

Posted by Ben @ 05/29/2003 06:05 AM PST

Love these early notes!

Posted by Ben @ 05/29/2003 06:06 AM PST

Hope to read along with Ben soon.

Most recent books are biographies of Twiggy and Ray Charles. Only book on order has been mailed yesterday it seems.

Congratulations BK. May you go yon as well as hither and thither. (I think there is a Brook Benton reference there somewhere).

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/29/2003 06:18 AM PST

I am currently reading a book that I bought because I'm a fan of the author and didn't know the subject matter of the book until I got it and I am pleasantly surprised at how much I am enjoying it. The author is Pat Conroy who wrote The Prince of Tides and Beach Music, two excellent novels. His new book, My Losing Season, is an autobiography covering his four years playing basketball for The Citadel, a Southern military school. Now I am not a basketball fan, and when I saw the table of contents and learned that each chapter was about a specific game, I thought I would probably read the first few chapters and be so bored that I would not finish. Wrong. If there was ever a case of a good author making a totally uninteresting subject riveting reading this is it. Even when I'm not sure of the various basketball rules and terms, the book is so well-written that even when I get Kritzerland I will finish My Losing Season first before starting it.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/29/2003 06:24 AM PST

What a wonderful time it must have been last night! If pictures are posted on the net, first one to find them give us the link!

I can only imagine Ralph Edwards being there and saying: "Yes, Four Dancing Dildoes - this is your life!!"

Last books read: Two recommended to me right here at HHW. A biography of Mr Stanley Donen - Dancing on the Ceiling. AND the biography of Andre Previn covering his years at MGM. Both informative and entertaining books! And both with new information!

Currently and always reading: ATLAS SHRUGGED.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 06:36 AM PST

Oh and ... Bill thanks for letting me know about Conroy's new book. I always enjoy his writing!

Books I am looking forward to:

KRITZERLAND - without question.

A new biography of Hedy Lamarr by Patrick Agan probably early next year!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 06:46 AM PST

That's Headley !

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 06:58 AM PST

The last book I read was Benjamin Kritzer, and that was only about a week ago. I won't start anything else until Kritzerland arrives, because I want the details of the first book fresh in my mind, and have the feel of continuity between the 2 books.

DR Ben -- Do you and Ant have a second home out on Long Island, or do you visit family or friends out there most weekends?

DR Jrand -- Well, I don't know why I didn't guess earlier (with your wonderful, strange, warped mind & sense of humor) that you would be tuned into "Atlas Shrugged." I have read it several times, re-read parts of it now and then, and treated myself to a complete, unabridged version of it on books-on-tape. It was such a startling book the first time I read it, but so many of the ideas from it seemed to make perfect sense to me. Anyway, it was a nice reference to see first thing in the day.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 07:06 AM PST

The screening sounds wonderful. Wish I could've been there.

Just found out this morning it's 99.9% sure that as of July 1st, I have no job. Budget cuts made to the state universities by the state government (to the tune of $144 million)= No Job for Lulu. Plus, The Hubby is sick at home with a fever. So I'm not very bubbly today.

I must confess that my reading material of late has been printed-out sheets from the "Jump the Shark" website. Wonderful bedside reading and guaranteed chuckles. Some of my favorites are the entries for The Incredible Hulk, Quincy, M.C., and The Six Million Dollar Man. Not very intellectual, I know...but fun.

Posted by Lulu @ 05/29/2003 07:07 AM PST

Oh, dear...that's Quincy M.E. (as in medical examiner), not Quincy M.C. (as in Master of Ceremonies). Although, come to think of it, that's not half-bad...

Posted by Lulu @ 05/29/2003 07:09 AM PST

Now that the books are shipped, I will post my review (which finally appears on Amazon.com as well. Barnes and Noble is a little slow posting it).

Having read "Benjamin Kritzer", Bruce Kimmel's first book, there was little doubt that there would be a desire to read more about the life and times of Benjamin. Kritzerland is again, a poignant story about a boy coming of age in the 50s and the trials and tribulations that are associated with that transition. With memorable new characters and a feast of fun from the old ones painted against the backdrop of 1950s LA, Bruce Kimmel has again captured days of yesteryear. Bruce also manages to take Benjamin in new directions without ever compromising the heart and soul of what endeared us to him in the first place.

With this amazingly strong second helping of Kritzer, and the cliffhanger ending, one is already anxious for Kimmel's third endeavor!

Posted by Craig @ 05/29/2003 07:37 AM PST

Lulu---
Sorry about the job situation. I'm sure you will find another one soon. The last time I lost a job I was sure I would never find another one. Within two weeks I was working again at a much better job.

If you enjoy printing out books on the internet a chapter at a time, try www.theglamorouslife.net . It is currently on the third book whis is a prequel to the first two. It's about a road company of "The Count of Monte Cristo" a mega-musical. Very funny.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/29/2003 07:41 AM PST

WEL: Thanks for the vote of confidence. At least we have a home we can afford, no car or credit card payments, etc. So many people live so close to the edge that something like this is a calamity. For us, it's a disappointment and major inconvenience, but no worse than that.

(how's that for looking on the bright side!)

Posted by Lulu @ 05/29/2003 08:20 AM PST

Oh! My! God!

Yesterday's notes were amazing!

So many thoughts and feelings and whatnot!

Absolutely -- "My Little Margie" was a huge favorite of mine when I was 5 or 6, as was "I Married Joan" and "Pinky Lee." I never got into "Beanie and Cecil" -- must have been due to its not being shown where I was. I did get "Captain Kangaroo" and "Miss Frances' Ding-Dong School".

Hapgood -- LOVED your diatribe against being told how to feel. I know what you mean. I think some people assume you will react to something the same way they would -- not imagining that you are one of the few rational people in the world who are not one of those overreactive flibbertigibbets that proliferate in every social situation. My favorite is "You're not going to like this," to which I say, "You are quite correct. I don't like it already. Don't say any more or I'll totally go ballistic on you."

For some reason that works.

S. Woody: You didn't know Jane Krakowski could sing???? You should have seen her in "Ally McBeal" as Elaine (the slutty legal secretary) -- many episodes included her singing in the local night spot in which the show's characters hung out.

And then there's at least one BK recording on which she sang!

How many of you out there know what a fantastic voice James Marsden (Cyclops in "X-Men" and "X-2") has. He stunned me greatly with a few songs during his appearances on "Ally McBeal."

Watched "Fame" -- that talent search show on NBC -- last night. I was rather impressed with some of the vocal gifts on display. In the group of six in last night's competition, I picked the two guys to move into the finals, but the girl the judges chose just didn't cut it for me. The one who sang "Don't Rain on My Parade" seems to have the most potential, but she committed the sin of singing so fast that she totally dropped words at the end of verses (what happened to "putter" and "butter"?? They just didn't happen!)

I capped my evening with a Sondheim Celebration at Carnegie Hall DVD viewing. I thought I was just going to skip over various songs and listen to a few.

Hah! That may well have been the last time Liza was recorded in performance when she was the "old" Liza -- hyperkinetic, infectious and dazzling (if a bit wide, side-to-side). Tragically, she now resembles Judy in her last days.
Daisy Eagan was adorable in "Broadway Baby"! Has she grown into a performer to be reckoned with? Anybody?
I have to say I thought all the numbers were fine (who is this Irwin character with whom Ziemba did "Sooner or Later"?).

I thought the evening belonged to both Dorothy Loudon and Bernadette Peters. Loudon was phenomenally good. Peters has never been more stunning or moving (in my experience).

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!

Today's Topic: Literally, the last book I read was "Benjamin Kritzer." I know that says volumes about me. I go on reading jags...right now, I have a stack of 15 (or so) books I've bought which I haven't gotten round to...the older I get, the less I understand myself. There are two books by Stephen King (and that is so unlike me not to devour a King novel).

Well, that's spent me. It's time to start work, and I think I'll take tomorrow off to get things done I won't do Saturday because of "Wicked"!!!!!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 05/29/2003 08:41 AM PST

Ron - do you have tickets to WICKED or something, you haven't mentioned anything.... LOL...I am so jealous. And I know DR Kurt is as well. He peeked in the stage door in LA last week - but that is a story for him to tell.

Excuse me MG - HEADLEY!

ATLAS SHRUGGED still astonishes. It is one of those books about ideas. And while the people in it are more ideals and symbols, Dagny and John and Hank and Francisco are old friends to me. I will never forget how I felt when I read the inside cover: "This is the story of a man who said he would stop the motor of the world - and did...the story of the death and rebirth of the spirit of man...you will discover why a composer disappeared on the night of his greatest triumph...and why a woman who ran a transcontinental railroad fell in love with the man she had sworn to kill...." And as grandiose as that sounds, it happens.

What wonderful posts today! Working hard and enjoying the breaks!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 09:48 AM PST

Who am I?

Posted by John Galt @ 05/29/2003 09:49 AM PST

Lulu - I loved Jump the Shark!

And I think if Quincy M.E. had morphed into Quincy M.C. they could have extended the run even longer! And Georgie Jessel could have been a semi regular. Or maybe he was...I'm not a doctor.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 09:51 AM PST

OMG - Bill. Thanks for theglamorouslife.net

What a riot!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 10:00 AM PST

BK – I am so glad that last evening went well. I can’t wait to see TFNM again, especially remastered on DVD… I realize that I am new here, and I should probably know better, but did you say that TFNM was coming to the stage? When? Where?

Yesterday’s postings were a great deal of fun. Lots of memories of shows that I had totally forgotten. Thank you DR Ron for continuing the memories this morning by mentioning I Married Joan. Joan Davis was such a gifted comedienne. I think I discovered that show in the late 50s to early sixties. Like so many shows from those early days of television (I Married Joan, December Bride, I Love Lucy) episodes were rerun day and night in order to fill the gaps in programming. So, a lot of those shows became my early morning and after-school playmates. God, that sounds like a pathetic childhood! I think I had just discovered Joan Davis at about the time that she died. To me, since I saw her on TV everyday, it seemed a much bigger shock, than it probably was to the adults who had actually seen the show end it’s run back in about ’56.

Unlike a lot of kids my age, I never had trouble distinguishing between someone dying on a show, or dying in real life. My problem was that actors became like family members to me, and I truly mourned their loss. I still remember a very frail Bea Benaderet returning to film one last episode of Petticoat Junction before she passed away. I cried through the whole show.

Sorry, there I go again. Today’s subject: I just finished reading “Diary of a Mad Playwright” by James Kirkwood, which confirms everything I thought when I first saw “Legends.” Now I am rereading Michael Craft’s “Desert Autumn,” before I start reading his “Desert Winter.” I love mysteries, and I love Craft’s writing style.

Posted by TCB @ 05/29/2003 10:01 AM PST

Sorry for the multiples - keep forgetting what the posts have said.

CRAIG - thanks for the preview of BK REDUX aka KRITZTERLAND. And of course, following the theme of the day....we must have the Benjamin Kritzer Omnibus which would be subtitled
Kritzer Shrugged!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 10:03 AM PST

Jrand-Now that I got you started on The Glamorous Life you'll have to go back and read all the old episodes.

Happy 100th Birthday Bob Hope! You may not post here but I'm sure you read this here site every day. And for some of you younger DRs, are you aware that after Vaudeville and before movies, radio & tv Hope did at least 3 Broadway shows? He played opposite Eve Arden and Fanny Brice in the Duke/Gershwin ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1936; co-starred with Ethel Merman and Jimmy Durante in Cole Porter's RED, HOT AND BLUE; and starred in Jerome Kern's ROBERTA.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/29/2003 10:15 AM PST

I forgot to mention that every single musical number in Nudie got applause, which was loverly.

Also, great news indeed - we've just got Katherine Helmond to join our merry troupe on the new CD - she'll be singing I've Written a Letter to Daddy/Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? with Remy Zaken.

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 10:17 AM PST

Is there no END to the good news?

"Instead of stamp I put kisses...."

8-X

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 10:23 AM PST

Hey! I also watched Fame last night. I liked watching the audition process more than I liked seeing the 6 finalists. I agree, that blonde girl that the judges loved did nothing for me. The "Don't Rain on my Parade" girl sounded better.

Tonight is the premiere of The Amazing Race, which for some reason has always been one of my favorite reality shows. I happened to see some of the teams promoted this morning, and they looked great. There was a married gay couple from LA, 2 NFL wives, a virgin couple who has been dating for 12 yrs, 2 models, 2 circus trampeze people, 2 air traffic controllers ... among others.

Looks great.

Anyhow I'm off to the doctor. I've been sick for 2 weeks now and been putting off going.

BK, glad your night went well last night.

Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer @ 05/29/2003 10:29 AM PST

Mr BK - what kind of summer haircut did you get?

Are you going for the NYC sophisti - cut OR are you staying with the LA Casual?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 10:40 AM PST

I just saw a list of the musical numbers for the Tony broadcast and unless the list was in error there is nothing from AMOUR being done. Now I realize that (A) the show is closed and (B) it really doesn't stand a chance of winning any of its 5 nominations, but since it is nominated for best musical it should be represented. It may not have a tour scheduled, but perhaps someone from a regional theatre or college drama department might see the selection and decide to produce it. And another closed show with only one nomination is being represented: DEF POETRY JAM will present two poems. Although AMOUR had its problems, it had many good points as well and since it was nominated for Best Musical it therefore deserves to be represented on the broadcast.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/29/2003 11:02 AM PST

WEL, I agree that AMOUR should have a spot on the Tonys. It got at least 3 noms (musical, Malcolm Gets and Melissa Errico). But the cast may not be available, so maybe it will get a video spot, since the pr release says all plays/musicals will have one.

Books: I finally read THE GREAT GATSBY which my daughter has been positively nagging me about for years--she couldn't believe I never read it in high school. I'm currently reading WHO PUT THE RAINBOW IN THE WIZARD OF OZ?--YIP HARBURG, LYRICIST, which is turning out to be a wonderful history of theatre lyric writing. And next I will be reading Ethan Mordden's new book on musicals of the 70s, which Amazon shipped yesterday.

And since I may be in the same boat as Lulu in the very near future, I'm going to have lots of reading time......

Posted by Pam @ 05/29/2003 11:17 AM PST

WEL, I agree that AMOUR should have a spot on the Tonys. It got at least 3 noms (musical, Malcolm Gets and Melissa Errico). But the cast may not be available, so maybe it will get a video spot, since the pr release says all plays/musicals will have one.

Books: I finally read THE GREAT GATSBY which my daughter has been positively nagging me about for years--she couldn't believe I never read it in high school. I'm currently reading WHO PUT THE RAINBOW IN THE WIZARD OF OZ?--YIP HARBURG, LYRICIST, which is turning out to be a wonderful history of theatre lyric writing. And next I will be reading Ethan Mordden's new book on musicals of the 70s, which Amazon shipped yesterday.

And since I may be in the same boat as Lulu in the very near future, I'm going to have lots of reading time......

Posted by Pam @ 05/29/2003 11:18 AM PST

Sorry about the double post...don't know how that happened. Perhaps BK or Bark Makalor can fix it.....

Posted by Pam @ 05/29/2003 11:18 AM PST

WEL: Unfortunately, AMOUR stands no chance (at this time) of having any kind of regional or collegiate life. None of the licensing houses picked it up. Perhaps one of them will now that it goes some nominations, but I doubt it.

BK: Congrats on the screening last night! I can only imagine how much fun that must have been for you.

TCB(Y): You weren't being nosy at all... Yes, I'm a singer/actor or actor/singer...whichever you prefer to call me. I'm pursuing the musical theatre side of the business, though...not opera. I tried that in college and didn't enjoy it so much (I did TRAVIATA, DON PASQUALE, STREET SCENE and LA RONDINE in grad school). Since then I've only done one opera (CARMEN) for the Kentucky Opera Association, and I dare say that it might have been my last venture into the operatic world. I love singing in foreign languages, but I don't have the big voice for it...and I enjoy acting too much to be stuck parking and barking in opera.

TCB(Y) (Cont'd): Working at the Met is great fun, but sometimes it can be a bore, as well. I got very excited at the prospect of getting to see things for free, but house management is very strict about staff members going inside the opera house in uniform, so I didn't get to sneak in much. We have monitors in the coat room, so I could listen, which is almost better than seeing it anyway. But I will admit that, while I'm not an opera fanatic, its pretty cool to run into Beverly Sills and Dwayne Croft downstairs in the cafeteria, or Dmitri Hvorotovsky and Ruth Ann Swenson at the security desk. And working in the coat check I had the chance to meet Ms. Elaine Paige, Ms. Barbara Cook, Mr. Tony Randall, Ms. Whoopi Goldberg, Mr. Rob Lowe and many other celebrities. Its been a blast, but I'll admit, I'm tired of working with the public and I need a break from it. Opera and ballet fans can be A-holes of the worst kind--ESPECIALLY the rich ones.

Wow, who am I today--Jose? I'm writing a lot.

Last book I read: "The Perks of Being A Wallflower." Right now I'm reading three books in preparation for my stay in Pennsylvania: "Ghosts of the Titanic," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," and "The Titanic Disaster Hearings: The Official Transcripts of the 1912 Investigation." Fun stuff, huh?

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 11:29 AM PST

Lulu, sorry about your job, and relieved to know you won't loose your house. Best of luck finding a new, and more rewarding position.

William, My Losing Season will now be my next book, or Kritzerland, depending which I get first. Especially for Pat Conroy fans, I highly recommend reading The Bridge by Doug Marlette. I'm currently reading Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. I find it terribly boring. I'm trying to speed read it but the book is a large print copy which was given to me.. I may just have to give up on it.

I need a great discussion book for my book group. Any suggestions?

Posted by Jane @ 05/29/2003 11:53 AM PST

Why, Jane, the answer is simple - Benjamin Kritzer, of course. A fine book for a book discussion group, don't you think?

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 12:07 PM PST

BK: Is it just my memory playing tricks, but does "I've Written a Letter to Daddy" from "Mary Jane" sound very similar to "The Man in the Moon is a Lady" from "Mame"?

Posted by steveg @ 05/29/2003 12:07 PM PST

Lulu: I'm so sorry to hear about your job. My dad is currently looking for new work, as well. Don't let it get you down...something better will turn up. :-)

Jane: I personally loved "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" by Michael Chabon. I cried like a baby when I finished it because I didn't want it to end.

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 12:11 PM PST

Jane, since Mr. Chabon is one of my favorite writers, I second Jason's suggestion of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. It could promote all sorts of discussion.

Posted by Ben @ 05/29/2003 12:16 PM PST

It's definite, I won't be at the NYC get together until around 9 or 9:30 (if it goes on that long). I just got confirmation from my friend that we do have tickets for I Am My Own Wife at Playwrights Horizons. It starts at 7:30. Hope to see all you attendees even if it's late.

Posted by Ben @ 05/29/2003 12:18 PM PST

Jason - if you haven't mentioned it...I would also suggest
TITANIC: END OF A DREAM
By Wyn Craig Wade (I think) - a lot of the accounts from other books are wrapped up in that book and we learn what the eventual fate of many of the passengers was.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/29/2003 12:28 PM PST

It is tough being the new guy and being out of the loop on everyting.
Okay, Jason, I have to ask. What does reading two books about the Titanic have to do with Pennsylvania?

Regardless of what is nominated or what is being showcased, I am still chomping at the bit to see the Tonys. I love any night that is deovted to the celebration of theater.

Posted by TCB @ 05/29/2003 12:36 PM PST

Tommy Tune's Footsteps A Memoir.

Hopefully this time tomorrow I will be in NYC

Posted by Mike Shayne Private Detective @ 05/29/2003 12:39 PM PST

"Why not?

It's N Y C..........."

Posted by A Broadway Hopeful @ 05/29/2003 12:43 PM PST

Need anyone to handle your cases while you're in the Naked City, Shayne?

Posted by Richard Diamond @ 05/29/2003 12:44 PM PST

Books...I have tons and no time to read them! But, currently I just started reading A CAT ABROAD by Peter Gethers. It is his sequel to THE CAT WHO WENT TO PARIS...I love cats (and dogs) and can certainly identify with the pet owner in this book..although his cat is quite extrodinary! And the book is so totally hilarious!

Last book read was one of Tom Weaver's collections of interviews with vintage Sci-Fi/Horror film personalities. It was a book I bought many, many years ago and decided to take it to the gym whilst I did my cardio.

Posted by Mbarnum @ 05/29/2003 12:44 PM PST

Hi Bruce,

I'm a newbie here, but I just wanted to introduce myself. I have many of the CD's you've produced, and I love Nudie Musical...glad the screening went so well and am eagerly awaiting the stage version.

I am now reading "Duo" by Colette, which is about a couples disintegrating marriage after the husband finds a letter revealing that his wife was once unfaithful to him (it was later adopted into a play). This after having read "Cheri." What can I say I go on kicks with authors, and can I help it if they're usually French?

Speaking of which, much as I love Hairspray, I want Amour to win something, hopefully best score. And I do hope that they perform on the Tonys.

Maya

Posted by Maya @ 05/29/2003 01:04 PM PST

Jane---
Is that the same Doug Marlette who does editorial cartoons and the comic strip "Kudzu"?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/29/2003 01:05 PM PST

Whatever happened to Mary Jane?

Posted by Blanche Hudson @ 05/29/2003 01:09 PM PST

Welcome, Maya, happy to have you join our merry troupe.

I shall be having a very sporty haircut in about an hour.

Yes, TCB, I've adapted Nudie for the stage - we're supposed to do a reading here in LA then figure out a plan. I had been involved with a NY producer, but they kept flaking on an actual production date (they are KNOWN for this) and I took it away from them.

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 01:22 PM PST

Mbarnum: Gethers' books are wonderful. I like "A Cat Abroad" even more than "The Cat That Went to Paris"! His personality is more developed in the sequel and his reactions (and the reaction of others to him) just that much funnier.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 05/29/2003 01:40 PM PST

Jason and Ben, I have "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" to read. My brother said I just had to get it after I had him read "Carter Beats the Devil" by Glen David Gold. Carter was the last book I chose and I was thinking they might be too similar. Another possibility is "The Sparrow", an interesting sci-fi book, but a bit depressing. Opinions will be greatly appreciated.

William E. Lurie, yes, that is the same Doug Marlette.

Welcome Maya!

Posted by Jane @ 05/29/2003 02:09 PM PST

Ron, Bill Irwin is the guy you asked about in the SONDHEIM CELEBRATION video. He's one of the most celebrated clowns/mimes to come into prominence in the last quarter century. One of his mime shows was even nominated for a Tony for Best Play some years ago.

I suspect if Malcolm or Melissa doesn't sing a selection from AMOUR, they will show a video montage from the show, similar to what they did for CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD several years back.

The last book I finished was THE MOOSE THAT ROARED, the story of Jay Ward and Bill Scott who put together the ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE television shows. You can get the book in cutout bins, and I highly recommend it to fans of the show for the amazing story of their cartoon studio and for the invaluable indexes it has to all the segments of the show including all the Fractured Fairy Tales, Peabody's Improbable History, Dudley Do-Right, and others. It identifies who does all the voices, etc. Just a fantastic book, and I got the hardback for less than $5.

Right now I'm reading a book on the films of Stanley Kubrick. I'm up to DR. STRANGELOVE!

Posted by Matt H. @ 05/29/2003 02:21 PM PST

I just finished reading "Beach House" by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge, a book I picked up in Las Vegas this last weekend because I forgot my trashy novel I was going to bring with me. It was an ok book, kinda twisted and such, but a decent ending. I have a few books to start reading, a re-read of a trashy novel called "Sweetie, Baby, Cookie, Honey" which I read years ago and found as I was cleaning the garage, "Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff (Christ's childhood friend), and "Wicked" which I'd like to read before seeing the show on June 22 in SF. Oh, and "Kritzerland" when it gets here.

Posted by Matthew @ 05/29/2003 02:31 PM PST

DR MG,

Forgot to answer this earlier. Ant grew up on Long Island and his parents still live out there. We go out for weekend getaways and many of Ant's clown shows are on Long Island so if he has shows he will go out for the weekend. It's a great getaway without having to own a house. His parents are wonderful and his mother is an excellent cook, sometimes too good. She bakes and cooks wonderful meals, things that are hard to do in our little postage stamp kitchen in the city.

I'm having another busy theatre week through the end. I saw Look of Love yesterday (not as awful as I heard, but definitely a show with problems although the lovely Liz Callaway was great, as usual). On Tuesday, I saw Talking Heads, a series of monologues written by Alan Bennet. I saw Valerie Mahaffey, Daniel Davis and Lynn Redgrave. What wonderful stuff. Lynn Redgrave is amazing. I'm seeing an off-Broadway piece tomorrw at 10pm, Rhapsody in Seth, Saturday afternoon I'm seeing Long Day's Journey...I want to see Vanessa since I think she's got a lock on the Tony, even with Fiona Shaw and Jayne Atkinson in the same category, and then, as I've mentioned, I'm seeing a show Sunday evening which will make me late to the HK get-together at Joe Allen's.

Posted by Ben @ 05/29/2003 02:52 PM PST

Thank you Jane and Bruce (or should I go with BK??) for the welcomes!

Posted by Maya @ 05/29/2003 02:57 PM PST

-Home between shows right now... I haven't read all the posts yet, but I shall correct that indiscretion once I am back from the evening show.

As for books -

Last One Read: Benjamin Kritzer
Currently Reading: The Four Agreements - just in the mood for some Life stuff right now, and it's a short book
On Tap: The Adventures of Cavalier & Clay (Thanks to the suggestions of DR Jason a couple of months ago.

See you after the show!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/29/2003 03:05 PM PST

Maya: Welcome!! We're glad to hvae you with us. You must, must, must (that's three musts) tell us all about yourself--where you're from, what you do, how you found the website, all that fun stuff. We want to know! And I have to say, its a tough call for me between HAIRSPRAY and AMOUR. I lvoe the score for HAIRSPRAY--it makes me happy whenever I hear it--but I've been spending a lot of time listening to AMOUR lately, and I have fallen in love with most of that score, too. HAIRSPRAY will win, and deserves, Best Musical, but Best Score could almost be a race!

Matthew: "Wicked" took me a long time to get through. Its interesting, but its quite wordy and sometimes, I'll admit, boring (just like me! Maybe that's why it took me so long to get through). Don't get me wrong, I loved the book and the concept and all that jazz...some if it bored me, though (particularly the political stuff). And I was in the middle of doing OKLAHOMA! and SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (which we affectionately re-named SEVEN HO'S FOR SEVEN BRO'S), so I was kind of distracted while I was reading chapters between scenes in the smokehouse.

Jane: I've seen "Carter Beats the Devil" at Barnes and Noble. What's it about? Something about comic books, right? "Kavalier and Clay" goes FAR beyond just comic books. I honestly can't remember the last time a book moved me so much as "K&C." Its a must-read.

Taking Care of Business: I'm reading Titanic books and "Pimpernel" because I'm doing TITANIC and PIMPERNEL at Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania this summer. I start rehearsals on June 9 for TITANIC, and even though I've studied that ship my whole life, I felt as if I needed to do some more research just to clear out the cobwebs. I've also started some serious work on my British RP (Recieved Pronunciation) accent. I haven't had to use it since I lived in England nearly 19 years ago. Perhaps that explains my use of heightened language as of late, MusicGuy...I'm thinking like a Brit! (No offense, DR Allan). In fact, I've noticed myself going around the city speaking in a British accent...and no one seems to notice its fake. I guess that's a good sign.

I just ordered a few books at Amazon.com, too. I finally (!) ordered a copy of "Benjamin Kritzer" in addition to "Merman: An Autobiography" (for $2.50!!) and "Jump the Shark." I'm quite excited and I hope they all get here before I go off to the Poconos!

And now I'm off for a bit to meet DR Phil in front of the Richard Rodgers Theatre to pick up the charts and demo CD for BK's upcoming project. :-)

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 03:05 PM PST

Indeed welocme Maya.
Thanks WEL. I am (we are) a fan of Conroy too. Baseball would have turned me off too. Hated what the movies did to Prince Of Tides. Thought Lords Of Discipline and Conrack worked OK
Now I have three books on my waiting list.
Wasn't Bill Irwin in "Stepping Out"? (or has someone mentioned that already?)

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/29/2003 03:21 PM PST

Basketball - Baseball - Football. I don't really know the difference anyway. I was just over excited about a new PC book. Don't think there has been one since Beach Music.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/29/2003 03:24 PM PST

You Hainsie/Kimlets are all so nice! Thank you Jason and Tom for the warm welcomes. To quote Martin Charnin, "I think I'm gonna like it here."

Jason: Oh, there isn't much to tell, but I guess you don't give me much of a choice about telling it! I found the website on a link at Talkin' Broadway. I'm a 20 year old student from Virginia and I plan to double-major in English and musical theatre. I love theatre, books and film. It is funny that you mentioned that you had just bought Merman's autobiography (for such a cheap price)! She is my all-time favorite singer and my idol.
I agree with you about the Hairspray/Amour race--I love both of them. It would actually be very nice to see them get tied for score, even though Hairspray, as you said, should and will win just about everything else. And that's great about your being in productions of Titanic and Pimpernel...they're both such good shows!

Anyway, I guess that's it for now!

Posted by Maya @ 05/29/2003 03:44 PM PST

Huzzah! Another southerner! (I'm originally from Kentucky, Maya, but now I live in NYC).

BK: Since we have two new Dear Readers, would it be possible to have *gasp!* TWO topics of discussion tomorrow? The usual DVD/VCR/CD player discussion as well as a roll-call? That way Maya and TCB can feel a little more informed as to who we are and what we do. I dunno...its a thought. Whaddya think?

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 03:54 PM PST

Last book: The Diary Of A Mad Housewife, by Sue Kaufman
Now reading: Frida: The Biography Of Frida Kahlo, by Hayden Herrera

I loaned Benjamin Kritzer to my sister, an avid reader; she thought it was hysterical...maybe we can both go in one copy of Kritzerland (but I'll pay postage so I can have custody).

Posted by KT @ 05/29/2003 04:02 PM PST

No time to lurk, no time to skulk, no time to merry-search, but I just had to share this:

This morning we went into court (for the 14th time!) to make sure the calendar was cleared to start jury selection on Monday. The judge called both attorneys into his chambers and told them we couldn't start until (maybe) Tuesday. Why? His Honor has been called for jury duty!

Our attorney suggested that Hizzonnah could hop from the bench to the jury box and give himself instructions.

So, if the judge can get excused from jury duty (and what lawyer would want a judge on the jury anyway?), then we may start Tuesday and we may conclude by Friday. But, as usual, there are no guarrantees.

Thank you, one and all, for your good vibes. I guess one of you must have been sending us some irony as well.

Now please excuse me while I go help Joe bite his fingernails.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/29/2003 04:10 PM PST

Now lets see, what's on the reading table right now? (Aside from the half-dozen cookbooks I'm going through, as I'm making lists of what might be interesting to try.)

I'm currently reading Mark Horowitz's Sondheim on Music. The technical bits are very difficult to get through, since I know nothing about writing music and less about music theory. However, that's the context into which Sondheim's comments on the shows he's written are strewn. The strewnings are very much worth the effort to find them.

Next on the list are two autobiographies. Jacques Pepin's The Apprentice looks quite good; I've already cheated and found his anecdotes about how Dan Aykroyd's Julia Child impersonation on Saturday Night Live came to be. Let's face it, having an index in an autobiography just compells the reader to cheat. On the other hand, it must be nice to have a life one can index.

The other autobiography is by Robert Bauman, a former Congressman from Maryland, and is titled The Gentleman from Maryland: The Conscience of a Gay Conservative. It was written close to two decades ago, and has been long out of print, but my ever-lovin' der Brucer thought that what Bauman had to say would be interesting, particularly in comparison to the life stories of other gay politicians we have met over the past decade or so, like Gunderson, Kolby, and the super-foxy Steve May. (This means I get to read the book, and tell der Brucer what's in it.)

Posted by S. Woody White @ 05/29/2003 04:54 PM PST

TCB - Was just catching up on
the late-night posts and saw
your mention of a radio show
you used to have in
Ellensburg. Well, as a matter
of fact, not only DR Ann, but I
my very own self am originally
from Ellensburg!!! When were
you there? Why? Etcetera
etcetera etcetera (oh, a The
King & I reference).

Lulu - Well, damn them, damn
them all to hell. As always,
Hainsie/Kimlet vibes being
sent your way... as well as
being sent to...

WFO - Sorry to hear that the
Unpleasant Business lingers
on, but glad that it may actually
be coming to something of an
end soon. And, unpleasant as
it all may be, this story of the
judge being called for jury duty
is just plain funny.

As for the topic de jour (finally),
I, as Jason did, am finding
Wicked an enjoyable but
lengthy read. I've been going
through it slowly for quite
some time now, but really this
does not mean I don't like the
book... it's just a slow read.
Will probably take a second
trip through Benjamin Kritzer in
the next few days (a delightful
quick read, that one is) in
preparation for Kritzerland.

Posted by Jed @ 05/29/2003 05:06 PM PST

Glad you had time to call in William F. In the merry land of OZ a judge (or even mere lawyer) would not be allowed to serve on a jury - neither can people in the medical profession and teachers have an automatic right to be excused. (as to Ship's captains.) I have the "Excuse" of living too far from the courts but in fact would enjoy the experience. I used to teach Legal Studies in a previous life. (pre - retirement). I guess I still think of USA court cases being along the "12 Angry Men" line. Civil trials here require a majority decison only and are decided on the "balance of probabilities" rather then "reasonable doubt" and unanimity as are used in criminal trials.

If you run out of finger nails, I don't recommend toe nails - too hard on the back.

Once again all the very best to Joe and yourself during this trying time.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/29/2003 05:11 PM PST

Lulu and Pam: Whilst you are in the same boat (or clinging on) don't forget that your ship is on the way. Didn't Jerry Herman write something about open a new porthole? Thinking of you both.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/29/2003 05:14 PM PST

Question: Does the Kritzerland advert at the top of the home page say "Now shipping" or does it still have the "preorders" line? Craig changed it yesterday but it has yet to show up on either aol or IE.

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 05:30 PM PST

Jason, "Carter Beats the Devil" is a fun, fictional mystery, involving President Warren G. Harding, based on real-life magician Charles Carter. The cover on the book is the poster of Carter that prompted the author's imagination.

My son and I plan to read "Kavalier and Clay" at the same time, probably next month. I am really looking forward to it after today's posts.

Posted by Jane @ 05/29/2003 05:36 PM PST

Dear esteemed, sinewy, and sporty-haired BK,

May I please offer a quiet "second" to DR Jason's idea of a "roll call" along with another topic for tomorrow? As a new reader and poster also, I find I am still very confused part of the time, as to where people are and what their background is.

Thanks, oh grand Wazir !

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 05:51 PM PST

Dear BK...........my browser (I.E.) shows the "now shipping" words by Kritzerland

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 05:53 PM PST

Yes, we haven't done a roll call in quite awhile, so we'll do one tomorrow.

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 05:56 PM PST

It's "now shipping" here

Posted by Jed @ 05/29/2003 05:57 PM PST

Oh my, where ever are my
manners? I can't believe I
neglected to welcome our
newest newcomer. Well,
welcome to you, new Dear
Reader Maya. Hope you'll
become a regular part of our
oh-so-quirky HHW family.

Posted by Jed @ 05/29/2003 05:59 PM PST

DR Maya -- Welcome, welcome. So, what's a nice 20 year old double-major college girl like you doing in a joint like this?? Oh, sorry, I was having a little Bogart attack there.

Did you know that our very own DR Jose is also a Virginia boy?? Just wait until you read about some of the goodies he makes, when he goes on a baking binge!

DR S. Woody -- We are lucky, in that Steve May is right here in our little city, and DR Kerry and I have been at a number of events and fundraisers and had the chance to chat, and admire.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 06:00 PM PST

MusicGuy - Let us not forget
our other resident Virginian,
Phil Crosby. I guess it really is
time for a roll call!

Posted by Jed @ 05/29/2003 06:10 PM PST

DR Jed...

Quirky?? Oh-so-quirky??? Moi ?? I have no idea of what you speak. I'm sure everybody here talks to their peach trees (yes, out loud and in full sentences), has a Bat Mitzvah for their female black Lab because she turns 13, flys to L.A. for one night to see Elaine Stritch and eat dinner with the esteemed and charming BK himself, considers frosting a basic food group, and is starting to think that Benjamin Kritzer was in one of his grade school classes....

Quirky? Oh, I don't think so. Help, help, Dangermouse....Jrand...Hapgood...Jason...remind me again, what is normal??

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 06:11 PM PST

Normal, that's a city in Illinois!

Welcome Maya, a crazier bunch you may not find. Mr. Bakalor has not piped in with it for quite a while, so I will say it in his place,

"You're all crazy..." It's hard to do impressions on the Internet

Posted by Ben @ 05/29/2003 06:17 PM PST

Welcome to Maya ( The Bea ?)
from the French HHW
Chapter.......

Bienvenue à Maya ( L'habeille)

Posted by François @ 05/29/2003 06:26 PM PST

Got your envelope today, td.

--Man, that was quick. You don't fool around!

I need to buy a new printer cartridge, but I'll ship yours next week. Promise.

I'm reading "The Bottletop Affair," the novel upon which the Paula Prentiss/Jim Hutton film "The Horizontal Lieutenant" was based.

My interest in the novel is two-fold: [1] WHY did they bother making a movie out of this, and [2] how long and hard could they possibly have toiled in order to come up with a title like "The Horizontal Lieutenant"? Was that the best they could do? What does that even MEAN? Is it some forgotten slang term I've never heard?

They even wrote a title song!

I hope by the time I'm done reading to have a better movie-title than the one they came up with. I don't know about a title song, though . . .

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 05/29/2003 06:34 PM PST

This time tomorrow night I will be in the audience at the St.James Theater watching The Producers.

To Richard Diamond:
yes You can take my cases. meet me at the airport (JFK) and you can take me and the cases to the hotel.

Posted by Mchael Shayne Priavte Detective in the Naked City @ 05/29/2003 06:54 PM PST

Happy Birthday to Ms. Bea Lillie and President John F. Kennedy!

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 06:59 PM PST

I went out this afternoon and picked up "My Losing Season". While there I also purchased "The Eyre Affair", as in Jane Eyre. It comes highly recommended by the staff at the bookstore. Sorry Bruce, I might be engrossed in Conroy's book when Kritzerland arrive.

Posted by Jane @ 05/29/2003 07:19 PM PST

HHW is truly a means of mass communication!!!

Last June, I posted a comment about an original cast LP I have for a show called "Rivals" with music by C. Robert Jones.

This was a Mars Hill College production (premiere).

I asked if anyone had ever seen or done the play. No comment until YESTERDAY when, from out the blue, I got a very nice e-mail from C. Robert Jones himself.

We have exchanged a couple of e-mails and I'm getting quite caught up on the whereabouts, whatnots and wherewithals of many people I knew at the school (in the foothills of the Appalachians just 19 miles north of beautiful Asheville, NC).

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 05/29/2003 07:20 PM PST

MusicGuy - your most recent post made me laugh so hard I woke up the baby. Oh how I love all you dear quirky people!
Welcome to Maya, of course. Yay for having another college going DR in the group. Of course I'll be graduating in December (god willing) but for now, I too am living in the realm of insanity, and also double majoring...music and philosophy for me.

Topic stuff - Most recently finished Ginger, an autobiography of Ginger Rogers. A wonderful, if slightly biased portayal of the heyday of Hollywood. Also working my way slowly through a large book of music therapy case studies. If I'm going to choose this as a career, I want a good idea of what I'm getting in to. I'll probably pull out BK soon and re-read it in preparation for Kritzerland, which I am of course eagerly anticipating.

Posted by Ann @ 05/29/2003 07:42 PM PST

MusicGuy - your most recent post made me laugh so hard I woke up the baby. Oh how I love all you dear quirky people!
Welcome to Maya, of course. Yay for having another college going DR in the group. Of course I'll be graduating in December (god willing) but for now, I too am living in the realm of insanity, and also double majoring...music and philosophy for me.

Topic stuff - Most recently finished Ginger, an autobiography of Ginger Rogers. A wonderful, if slightly biased portayal of the heyday of Hollywood. Also working my way slowly through a large book of music therapy case studies. If I'm going to choose this as a career, I want a good idea of what I'm getting in to. I'll probably pull out BK soon and re-read it in preparation for Kritzerland, which I am of course eagerly anticipating.

Posted by Ann @ 05/29/2003 07:42 PM PST

oh bugger...sorry about that

Posted by Ann @ 05/29/2003 07:46 PM PST

Now, Jane, you simply must not be engrossed in any book when Kritzerland arrives - it must, of course, go to the top o' the pile. I'm thinking some of you will probably get it tomorrow.

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 07:50 PM PST

Wow, ya'll are just too, too kind!

No, really, I may technically be a southerner (I'm actually quite close to DC) but I haven't any accent (that I know of). Phil and Jose, my fellow Virginians, in which part of our lovely state do you reside?

Jason--Thank you for suggesting the idea of a roll call--what Southern hospitality! I would love to get to know everyone better (as I already feel like I've just been initiated into a very warm and somewhat zany extended family...next stop for me is ordering the Kritzer books :))

Jed, MusicGuy and Ben--Thank you so much for welcoming me. Music Guy, your Bogie impression is very cute.

Francois (sorry for not being able to put in the cedilla thing under the c, lol)--Merci pour m'accueillir, mais je ne suis pas une abeille!

When I was a little girl, there was a cartoon on Nickelodeon called Maya the Bee, and the kids would chant the theme song to me at every opportunity. I still have nightmares about it. But I guess there are worse names.

Posted by Maya @ 05/29/2003 08:00 PM PST

And you can order them right here at haineshisway.com by gum and by golly. We are a zany family, unlike other boards which get catty and nasty - oh, there are occasional little snits, but everyone mostly treats everyone else with respect and that is what sets us apart from the rabble. "Rabble today, but an army tomorrow" Name that film.

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 08:12 PM PST

Welcome Maya! I am "td," and I have never met any of the Dear Readers here face to face, though, I have had wonderful communications (email, snail mail, Ma Bell) with so many of the dear readers, that I feel that we are all an extended (and ever so slightly disfunctional) family. So, Maya, thanks for joining in!

DR Holmes: I am stunned, need I repeat that, STUNNED! that the package arrived so quickly! That means that other dear readers (and YOU ALL know who you are) should also be watching their mailboxes. . .

SR SteveG: Until you mentioned it, I had never noticed the, ahem, more than fleeting resemblence between those two songs, but, now I can't get them out of my head. . .I even have Miss Bette Davis' version downloaded in my computer's music folder and listen to it frequently!

. . .and though I know it is not Friday (when we talk about our media choices), but, I was in a strange little mood tonight, so I put in the dvd of PORKY'S. NO GROANING here at HHW! It's been quite a while since I saw the movie (which, believe it or not, was a favorite of MY PARENTS!0 BUT, I must say, I really enjoyed Bob Clark's little coming of age comedy. But, there is one scene in the middle of the film which really caught my senses and made me appreciate "the art of comedy acting." It is a scene which seems to be done in one single take (and that in itself is quite a feat) with Nancy Parsons delivery a comedic, nearly monologueous tract on a tally-whacker's mole. . .Parsons is so completely in character and doing some wonderful subtle things with her hands that I had never noticed before. Also Miss Susan Clark as Cherry Forever, and Mister Alex Karras deliver delightful character cameos. For SEX AND THE CITY fans, there's an early Kim Kattral performance; to top things off, and get things back to Musical Theater, there is multi-Tony award winner BOYD GAINES!!!
So, are there any other PORKY'S appreciators out there? BTW, BK, I think that PORKY'S would make a fine double feature title with THE FIRST NUDIE MUSICAL (and many, many dear readers know how I feel about FNM), but I opted tonight for an Alex Karras double feature: BLAZING SADDLES is in the dvd player now.

Posted by td @ 05/29/2003 08:24 PM PST

Welcome Maya. Are you sure you're ready for us? :>)

Right now at the top of the stack (top of the heap.... a Kander and Ebb and Liza reference) is "the Folded Leaf" by William Maxwell.

In my tote to read on my break at work is "Where Regret Cannot Find Me" written by a talented and wonderful friend, David Ault. It's making me think WAY too hard-- about life, the choices we make, the things that hold us back, etc. He MAY just have to be bitchslapped for causing even more wrinkles on my forehead. (Don't knit your brow, dear. You're so much prettier when smiling.)

Posted by Kerry @ 05/29/2003 08:33 PM PST

Welcome Maya! Two new readers in
such a short period of time, it thrills
me! As I said to TCB, Welcome to the
Cookie Jar! You'll have fun, I hope.

MusicGuy: Normal? What the hell is
that. I realized long ago that normal
was not a goal worth reaching.
Really now, what piffle and
nonsense! All of your behaviors
seem perfectly quirky to me!

I am currently reading Equus. I have
not yet decided whether it is
ridiculous or profound. I need to
read more to decide. I just finished
Lanford Wilson's 5th of July, which I
thought was lovely.
I can't wait to introduce myself
tomorrow. I am aflutter and atwitter.
(Afloat. Isn't that alarming! What am I,
a bird?) (Oh! A Stephen Sondheim
reference!)

I got my final high school yearbook
ever today. I appear in it, which
makes me happy. The few
inscriptions that I have gotten thus
far ave been very nice. I hope to get
more soon. Graduation is a week
from Monday. Oh my God.

Posted by Hapgood @ 05/29/2003 08:41 PM PST

BK-

EN GARDE!

THE MOVIE IS-

THE COURT JESTER

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 05/29/2003 09:04 PM PST

Thank you so much TD, Kerry and Hapgood! Nice to meet all of you and looking forward to roll call tomorrow.

Hapgood--Congrats on graduating!

BK--I will definitely get around to buying "Benjamin Kritzer" within the next week or two. The excerpt I read was hilarious. But alas, I just splurged at Borders and dropped about $150 on CDs, so my bank account is going to take a little vacation this week!

And hello to TCB too, even though I haven't met you yet! Just call us New Faces of 2003! :-)

Posted by Maya @ 05/29/2003 09:06 PM PST

Welcome to our newest DRs -- Maya and TCB. We are all so glad you are joining us.

Last book I read: Why, I do believe it was "Kritzerland." I was lucky to be chosen to be a proofreader.

My DH (that's Dear Husband in internet lingo) just brought me a book from the library about bats, since we just returned from a short trip to Carlsbad Cavern, where we saw 200,000 bats flying into the night sky. I think bats are swell.

Posted by Laura @ 05/29/2003 09:09 PM PST

Oh yes--

Ann--I didn't mean to snub you! Thank you for your welcome also; re-reading some of the posts I realized I somehow managed to miss yours.

So between Ann, Hapgood and I, I'm definitely not the only relative youngun!

Posted by Maya @ 05/29/2003 09:13 PM PST

Thank you, Laura!

I am blowing butterfly kisses to everyone.

Posted by Maya (yet again) @ 05/29/2003 09:15 PM PST

Maya---

To type ç instead of typing a "c", hold down the Alt key and type the numbers 0231. A ç will appear.

You can type a lot of symbols and foreign characters that aren't on the keyboard this way.
For a list, hit the Start Key, Programs, Accessories, System Tools and Character Map. Highlight the character you want to type and it will give you the four numbers you need to type with the "Alt" key.

I learned this from another Dear Reader (I forget who) so I thought I'd pass it on to you.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 05/29/2003 09:15 PM PST

td, if you've got the "blazing Saddles" DVD, you owe it to yourself to check out the French audio track, particularly during the songs. The title song is very expertly translated and performed. The French actress playing Lily does her own pretty-good Dietrich impression during "I'm Tired."

They even translated the lyrics of "Camptown Races," which Cleavon Little sings to himself, under his breath, at the jailhouse.

--Only, somehow the refrain "Doo-dah, doo-dah" became "Dah-doo, dah-doo." I'd like to see the French/English dictionary where they found THAT translation.

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 05/29/2003 09:15 PM PST

Maya...I, too, am a relative young 'un at this site. I'm a ripe old 26 years of age.

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 09:16 PM PST

100th Post!!

Posted by Jason...doing this because he can. @ 05/29/2003 09:17 PM PST

DR Holmes - Thanks for the tip; I'll do that immediately after the feature is over! Now, that's what I mean by family! I'd have never thought of that, but I have been known to watch LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS in French - and it's tres formidable! I think that I even like the "Skid Row" soloists better en francais. . .

Posted by td @ 05/29/2003 09:20 PM PST

DR Laura...... and we think YOU are swell and more! DR Kerry showed me the picture you took of the evening sky filled, and I mean filled with beautiful bats! I also think that you should share, with all of the dear readers, the name and description of the "ethnic gourmet" restaurant that you nad the DH dined at while travelling.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 09:23 PM PST

Please God, don't let me be normal.

Posted by The Girl (Luisa) @ 05/29/2003 09:25 PM PST

DR TD ....

AAwwwww, Mongo straight !!

Posted by Alex Karras @ 05/29/2003 09:26 PM PST

Thank you, William, for the tip about the ç. (Wow, I actually did it!) I remember that one of my high school French teachers a couple of years ago passed out a sheet with all the ways to type in accents and French symbols, but I have absolutely no clue where that got off to.

Hooray for younguns and Francophones!

Posted by Maya @ 05/29/2003 09:27 PM PST

DR Jason -- Oh dear young 'un..be careful in this crowd tossing off a well known punch line like "doing this because he can." I may have to shield your tender ears from the rest of the joke!

Blush, blush....and TD, you be good!!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 09:28 PM PST

MusicGuy: Email the joke to me...I don't know it.

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 09:29 PM PST

DR Jason -- OK bubbelah, go check your email......

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/29/2003 09:34 PM PST

Ron Pulliam: Prepare ye the way of the bored... I just spoke with a friend who saw WICKED the other night and she said the running time is a whopping three hours and fifteen minutes! She loved the show itself, except for the costumes, but she said it did seem a bit long.

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 09:37 PM PST

ah, MusicGuy, it's too much fun being bad!
. . .and if any dear readers are interested, Dear Reader Holmes is absolutely correct about BLAZING SADDLES in French! Unfortunately, thought, the title tune is not subtitled in French. . .

Posted by td @ 05/29/2003 09:40 PM PST

Well, I don't have to ask where in tarnation everyone IS because everyone IS here! Are we or are we not jiggy with these posts. We are. And we're all younguns around these here parts.

Arnold M. Brockman - correct!

Posted by bk @ 05/29/2003 10:03 PM PST

Just listening to the demo track for the Judy Kaye number...ha! What fun!!

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 10:08 PM PST

Bruce, I will wait and make Kritzerland my next book.

Good night all.

Posted by Jane @ 05/29/2003 10:27 PM PST

Welcome Maya, from another fairly recent HHW newbie!

Posted by MBarnum @ 05/29/2003 11:15 PM PST

I'm going to try to beat Craig to the punch here... It would seem that I made my New York television debut tonight on my friend's late-night cable access show, "That's Kentertainment!" We did an opening number "tribute" to the recently demised URBAN COWBOY which involved some terrible dancing and some even worse singing (how do you manage to sing "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" out of tune?) I was horribly embarrassed as we filmed the segment, and now that it has aired and our very own DR Craig stumbled upon it on his television, I am even MORE embarrassed. Oh, well...it was all done in good fun, and it was supposed to be bad (in a funny way, which it definitely was), so I guess our mission was accomplished. For show information, go to www.thatskentertainment.com.

Is anyone else as excited as I am about going to Joe Allen's on Sunday night? I can't wait!

Posted by Jason @ 05/29/2003 11:33 PM PST

Holy Cabooses! I go off to a photo shoot and then a long rehearsal, and when I come back there are 113 posts AND a new member for me to welcome. See what happens if you leave your computer for a few hours. I promise I'll never go away again. OK, OK Two Jerry Herman / Dolly references in one post. (I told you it was a long rehearsal)

Maya - Welcome! Welcome! It is so nice to have you join our little family. Hopefully you will stay apart of the group as long as I have -- I believe this is day 3 for me? Ok, so I am the other newbie, but believe me they all make you feel very welcome very fast.

I look forward to the roll call tomorrow, almost as much as I look forward to going to bed NOW!

Posted by TCB @ 05/29/2003 11:35 PM PST

I have a feeling that MBarnum slipped past the welcome net from OZ. Humble apologies if that was the case. I log on to HHW just before breakfast each day and if the posts are not a blur I often am. It is now 4.32 pm tomorrow here! If that makes sense.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/29/2003 11:35 PM PST

Good morning...

Whew! That was a lot of posts to catch up on - and I still have a few from last weekend that I want to do more than just skim...

I'll post more info tomorrow for the roll call..

But Welcome to our newest DRs.

-And Maya, like Phil Crosby, I'm in Richmond, but I also work a lot up here in DC. Currently I'm in the pit for 1776 at Ford's Theatre. And I was involved with the Sondheim Celebration last summer at the Kennedy Center, as well as the recent production of South Pacific at Arena Stage - and I'll be back there this Fall for Camelot. More details tomorrow...

And now I'm going to heave myself into bed...

Goodnight.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 05/29/2003 11:49 PM PST

Where are my manners? Thank you for all of the warm welcomes I have received from those that I haven't yet gotten around to thanking. Is that a sentence? - Jose, Jed, Jrand52, WEL, Laura, Tom from Oz, Ron, Music Guy, uhhhhh, Maya, uhhhh, hapgood, ........ oh I am forgetting so many people, uhhhh.......... I may save this for a Tony speech Anyway, thanks to one and all for making me feel so welcome.

DR Jed (and also for Ann) - I lived in Ellensburg many many years ago, from 68 - 70, while I attended CWSU.

DR Jason- Thanks for all the info about yourself (if you have any Titanic related questions, call on me)and thanks for the suggestion for the roll call.

And last, but certainly not least -- BK, thank you for gathering us all together each day.

Posted by TCB @ 05/29/2003 11:56 PM PST

Welcome, Maya (and again, TCB)! Ever since I discovered HHW, it has become the one site that I read more than any other. With your help, it will truly become the most popular site on the Internet!

As for the topic of the day, the last book that I read was Benjamin Kritzer ... unfortunately I read it last year and packed it away when I moved. I STILL CAN'T FIND IT!! But I will! In the mean time, I have requested a copy from the library where I work.

I had ordered Krizterland and it should arrive very soon. That will be the next book that I read.

Posted by George @ 05/30/2003 01:11 AM PST

Hiya, Maya!

Ann - isn't GINGER - MY STORY wonderful. I love an autobiography in which you get to page 40 and the subject is still in the high chair. And who knew she could remember what kind of buttons she had on each of her costumes - and that she thought we would be interested?

Yes MG, Normal is (as DR Ben said) a city in Illinois. It's also the last thing anybody thinks he is.

td - when we saw PORKY'S at the movies - half the dialog was obscured by the laughter. Especially during the Nancy Parsons scene - and the girl calling for Michael Hunt over the drive-in intercom!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/30/2003 05:33 AM PST

Now, it's my turn to tell Jrand to beahve! Yes, that particular drive-in scene is still a hoot!
To be honest, I had forgotten that there actually was a little message about bigotry buried beneath the gales of laughter.

Posted by td @ 05/30/2003 05:50 AM PST

MS - I will be the one in the hat and trench coat.

Posted by Richad Diamond @ 05/30/2003 07:08 AM PST

Good (early) morning dear readers, and esteemed and guapo BK,

This is way at the end of yesterday's posts, so it probably won't get seen too much. But, just a thank you to all the Hainsies/Kimlets for lots of enjoyable posts to read, ideas to think about, anecdotes to enjoy, gossip to savor, and thoughts to share. I really couldn't figure out why DR Kerry was so fascinated to keep reading some skinny page with light grey borders, day after day after day. But I now thank him too, for introducing me to his merry band of friends here at HHW.......it is hard to imagine that there are actually philistines out there who are unaware and oblivious to laughter and legs and cheese slices and ham chunks.

And the last thank you to Bruce...he tolerates me addressing him as "esteemed, sinewy, lithe, guapo, erudite, literate, studly, and sporty-haired... and yet he still lets me post. Meeting Bruce in person just confirmed to me that aside from the very obvious talents which he posseses in so many areas, he is also a mensch! Thank you BK for creating (as Hapgood calls it) The Cookie Jar here, where we can all gather.

I'll join roll call later, after it is officially announced. I have to go to a funeral for the mother of a close friend here in Phx. Yuk.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 05/30/2003 07:31 AM PST

RE: Porky's. Never seen it, but it was my GRANDMOTHER'S (on my dad's side) favorite movie!

Posted by Lulu @ 05/30/2003 07:45 AM PST

Good morning (Baltimore! Oh! A HAIRSPRAY reference...)

When I was away in undergraduate school, I frequented Wal-Mart (frequent meaning every day), and they had a rack of cheap movies on VHS, including "Porkys" and "Porkys II." I bought them and when I moved home, I packed them away where I didn't think my parents would find them, because I had a feeling they wouldn't approve. Well, my dad was helping me unpack my things when I got home that summer, and he started unpacking the box that contained the "Porkys" movies, and I started panicking. Long story short, he did, indeed, find the forbidden movies and just looked at me with a terrible gaze of disappointment and shook his head and put the movies back in the box. All that over "Porkys!" Thank God it wasn't something racier, like "Fatal Attraction" or *gasp!* "The First Nudie Musical!"

Posted by Jason @ 05/30/2003 07:59 AM PST

I meant "Basic Instinct," not "Fatal Attraction." Mea culpa.

Posted by Jason @ 05/30/2003 08:00 AM PST

I'm off to work, but I'll post my roll-call when I get home. Can't wait to read all about our new Dear Readers! Hope all y'all have a great day! :-)

Posted by Jason @ 05/30/2003 08:25 AM PST