haines his way

06/12/2003:
"THE AFTER-HOURS"

Well, dear readers, I finally managed to calm my stomach down (for those who don’t know what was going on, read the late posts for yesterday), and I fell into bed at two-thirty, the bird was thankfully on a break, and I fell right asleep and managed to get seven hours of rest, despite some rather disturbing dreams. I don’t really remember much of them other than one of them was just like an Italian giallo thriller movie, with a lot of straight razors slicing people up. I don’t feel so queasy this morning, and I know that all you dear readers will be happy as clams to know that I managed not to throw up. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Yesterday, I met Miss Katherine Helmond and I’m happy to report she is absolutely delightful and she’s going to be wonderful on our little CD. She had some concerns about one section of the song, but I gave her a little hint, and then she was fine and she can’t wait to get into the studio.
Today, I intend to stay around the house and rest, do some writing, but also try to do a little napping if possible (naps and I don’t mesh, but when I’m this overtired sometimes I just nod off).
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because you had quite a few excellent questions and I have answered each and every one of them, not necessarily in that order.

Well, shall we get right to the answers to your excellent question? Why, yes, Virginia, I do believe we shall.
S. Woody White mentions that in a book on Sondheim, Mr. Sondheim says that pre Mr. Hammerstein, songs in musicals would be written to capture a moment rather than advance the plot. This strikes S. Woody as the sort of thing I do well and he feels it is something of a lost talent. Are there any new songs in Nudie Musical that I’ve written for the stage version that fit the moment-capturing state of mind? Or are there any happy songs in the new Nudie, just a nice happy song sans cynicism. There is what I believe to be a very moment-capturing song for Rosie, called Simply, a very pretty ballad – it doesn’t exactly advance the plot, and yet it does tell you what that character is longing for. A sample:
I don’t need fireworks
Don’t need parades
I don’t need choirs singing or bells ringing
I don’t need shouts of elation
I don’t need a show
Simply
Tell it to me
Simply
Say it to me
Simply
Then I’ll know
As to happy songs sans cynicism, I suppose that We’re Gonna Need a Lot of Donuts is a happy song sans cynicism.
William E. Lurie wants to know exactly what Def Poetry is. It is poetry that you wish you were def when hearing it.
Jrand says that my singing bird might be doing so around midnight because it is attracted to an artificial light in the area. At that time of night, there are no artificial lights near the tree that the bird sings from. All porch lights are off and there are no streetlights nearby. If I could add a category to the Academy Awards, the Grammy awards and/or the Tony Awards what category would it be? I would definitely find a Grammy category for compilation albums like Lost in Boston, etc. Right now there is absolutely no category for that type of album. For the Tonys, I might add Conductor or Musical Director because they never get the recognition they so rightly deserve.
Anna asks how I discover all of the unung gems on albums like Unsung Musicals. Either I know them or people make suggestions – sometimes the composer has stuff that no one knows about, and because they trust me and have enjoyed the work I’ve done they give me stuff. The hard part, of course, is narrowing down what we’ve got.
SteveG asks if I find that the melody for I’ve Written a Letter to Daddy is similar to The Man in the Moon is a Lady from Mame. I suppose there is a similarity of some sort, but not enough for Mr. DeVol to have sued Mr. Herman (and believe me he would of after what happened with Hello, Dolly! and Sunflower).
Jose asks if I’ve ever had tickets for a show that ended up closing before I got a chance to see it. No, I’ve been very lucky, but it’s only because I never book shows that far in advance. There are shows I’ve wanted to see that have closed before I could get in, but I’ve never actually held tickets for them. Has there ever been a calendar date for an event or birthday that I swore was on one day but turned out to be on another? Not really, although I often swear that it is my birthday on days which it isn’t. Have I ever had tickets for a show but once I got to the theater I realized that I was there at the wrong time or wrong date? No, but I am notorious for occasionally telling people to meet me at the wrong theater. It’s happened with Rupert Holmes several times – we were supposed to see The Producers together, and I’d mistakenly told him I’d meet him at the theater where the Follies revival was. He was there (he thought maybe I meant we were seeing Follies) and I was at The Producers and we totally missed each other.
Matthew says that it has often been said that my CDs with solo artists often sound disconnected because I record the band first, then the vocals. Have I ever had the luxury of having both singer and orchestra at one sitting? First off, I don’t know that it’s often been said that the solo CDs sound disconnected. I don’t know what that means, really. I would defy anyone to sit down with any CD of mine and tell me whether the vocal was recorded at the band session or later. I guarantee you they would be wrong most of the time. If one is talking about solo artists, they are at the orchestra date and they sing vocals with the orchestra. However, there is no pressure on that date for those vocals to be final. If we get great stuff, great. If we get a perfect take, great. If not, we have two vocal days to do other takes until we’re all happy with the result. Just because I’ve shared the process doesn’t mean that our recording slip is showing, because it isn’t. Some singers get quite a lot on the orchestra day – Liz Callaway does, Rebecca Luker got ninety percent of her album nailed on the band date. The compilation albums, where I record the band here, but have multiple singers in New York are different – the musical director and I work with the singers in advance, set tempos and rubatos the way we want them, and then we do the tracks. They get a copy of the track and they work with that for weeks before I record them. There is still plenty of room for spontaneity and interpretation. I say again, very few singers get these things in one. They punch, they fix, they edit together takes. It has always been that way, despite what you may have heard, and despite whether they are with the band or not. Again, I venture to say that no one would be able to guess which songs were done in one take and which weren’t on any of the 130 plus albums I’ve done. Can’t be done. Have I ever recorded a duet where the two people never met to rehearse or record together? That doesn’t happen very often, but it happened on the Cinderella album because my original Prince Charming was having major vocal difficulties, and I had to replace him with Jason Graae, who had to sing to the already recorded female track. Also, Guy Haines did all his duet parts first, then the other singers sang to his track (they all got them in advance), and then Mr. Haines adjusted his vocals to the other singers.
Jay asks if the current cast of Hairspray decline to do the national tour and I was asked to cast it, whom would I cast as the Turnblads? Well, they’ve already got Bruce Vilanch as Edna. I don’t really know anyone who could do Tracy, and Wilbur could be done by any number of people who’ve played Herr Schultz in Cabaret (as did Mr. Latessa).
Td asks other than sharing credit on the new CD Jeepers Creepers, two of the female vocalists have something sinister in common; who are those two singers and what it the tie that binds them together? Well, Rebecca Luker and Judy Kaye were both involved with that nasty Phantom of the Opera. But it’s probably something to do with Katherine Helmond and someone else.
Ron Pulliam asks if I’ve ever thought about the conceit of doing an album with a bunch of singers singing the same two or three songs. No, not really. I think as an academic exercise it might be fun to take existing recordings of the same song to compare them, but to do a new album like that, I would think would get old fast. Although, that said, I do have an album with nothing but the song Round Midnight as interpreted by a variety of jazz and vocal artists, and that’s quite enjoyable.
MattH asks if I’ve ever written film criticism professionally and if so, where, and if not, would I be interested. Oh, I don’t think I’d enjoy doing that outside of these here notes. The only “professional” review I’ve ever written was for the Director’s Guild magazine, when I reviewed the restored laserdisc of John Ford’s The Searchers.
Maya asks what Broadway musical would I most like to see revived right now, and who would I cast. I can think of no other musical I’d like to personally revive more than Li’l Abner. I don’t know who I would cast, other than Dick Latessa as Pappy Yokum and maybe Cady Huffman as Apposionata von Climax or the Stella Stevens role. I should think it would be fun to get fresh new faces for Abner and Daisy Mae.
Michael Shayne says that since I’m back in the recording business (heaven help me!), would I approach my close personal friend, Mr. Stephen Sondheim, about recording his new musical Bounce. Sure, if I had the wherewithal to pay for it, which I don’t. That’s a very expensive cast album, and it will go to a major label. I would, however, record a jazz version if I liked the score and thought it would lend itself to that sort of treatment.
William F. Orr asks what news on the movie. As I think I’ve shared with you, the financing we had in place earlier this year fell through when the war started, and the producers quickly followed suit. I have since raised two-thirds of the money myself, and am trying to close the last third. You will all, of course, be the first to know. What news on the musical. We are still trying to arrange a time for a reading, either here or in New York, and I’ve been approached by a theater outside of Chicago about doing a workshop. We shall see. What news on the record label? There will definitely be a new label, but that is all I can say for now, other than nothing will really happen with it for the next six months. What news on the Kritzerland CD? There will be one, but we can’t even begin the arrangements until Grant finishes the last two tracks for Jeepers Creepers, which will be by the end of this week. I think we’ll realistically get to it the first week of July. Once we do it, it will be ready very fast.
Laura asks what happened to the staged reading of Drat, the Cat? You know, actors, when they’re out of work, are all hot to trot to do these sorts of things – then they get jobs and forget all about it.
My goodness, those were excellent questions, and I hope my answers were worthy of them.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must not go hither and thither and certainly I will not be going yon, I must write, I must rest, and I must make the odd telephone call. Today’s topic of discussion: Of any show that has not had a recording, which would you most like to have a studio recording done for. Of all the Broadway cast albums you have, which would you most like to have a different version of and why? Post away, my pretties, and I shall be checking in often.

Replies: 109 Unseemly Comments

Good morning, BK!
Here's to naps!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 10:02 AM PST

What excellent answers to the Unseemly Questions. Glad you are feeling better and semi-rested, Mr. BK.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....what an interesting TOD. Since most of the show music I know is FROM recordings....hmmmmmmmmm....
I guess I would like to have a complete recording of SMILE. I love the songs on the BK-produced CD, but I would like to hear them all.
And as for a new recording - even though it is almost perfect, I would love to hear a new LI'L ABNER or PAJAMA GAME.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/12/2003 10:05 AM PST

Well, I'm flummoxed by the topic of the day, but did want to do my bit to indicate that I am present and accounted for, here in the correct area for ruminations. (That is, Unseemly Button #2 rather than Unseemly button #1.)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 10:05 AM PST

Would I make you all jealous if I indicated that I just got back from a superb lunch with my One and Only at Macaroni Grill? I had a small Caesar salad, penne rustica and a glass of the house white. Mmmmmmmmm.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 10:07 AM PST

As an English major, I really should have realized that the line should have read "lunch at Macaroni Grill with my One and Only." The other way sounds like I've got a different One and Only stashed away at every juke joint in town. Yeesh.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 10:08 AM PST

Oh, today's topic:
Studio Recording of a show not currently recorded:
The Little Prince - Cummins and Scoullar version. "44 Sunsets" does appear on Broadway Bound, but I would like to have more of it represented on disc - especially since I lost track of the demo I had. And the Rose's song, "I Love You, Goodbye" (or something very close to that) would have to be recorded by Jill Geddes who played the Rose/Snake when I did the show at Olney Theatre in Maryland.
I would have also liked to have Judy Kaye's Carlotta from Phantom of the Opera recorded.
As far as a re-recording, there are a few:
Aida - After playing the show for two months, the CD just sounds really different to me, and the dance sections are highly edited. I've also never been fond of the mix and the general sound of it. And Adam Pascal is recorded WAY too close - you can practically hear his diaphragm contracting!
Annie Get Yout Gun revival - Reba! Reba! Reba!
Follies OCR - If one could truly go back in time and get the original cast FULLY recorded... I've always wondered if they did record the complete versions of the songs, or if they went in knowing the time constraints of LPs and proceeded from there.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 10:14 AM PST

Not that I want a complete one, Jose, but that FOLLIES recording is one of the strangest ever. I agree. If you lose the insert of the album, and you don't KNOW the show, forget it!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/12/2003 10:27 AM PST

Shows I'd like to see recorded - "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Dead", "Urban Cowboy" (ducks and runs) and "Smile". Shows I'd like to see re-recorded the original Broadway cast of "The Phantom of the Opera" (with all the changes made after London and the Judy Kaye addition I'll never understand why there was never a recording) and "Annie Get Your Gun" with Reba and Mr. Barrett. Oh... and "Mamma Mia" with Louise, Judy and Karen (wasn't THAT a mistake not to record!)
Posted by Matthew @ 06/12/2003 10:27 AM PST

I agree that SMILE needs a complete recording but from what I heard Mr. Hamlish does not. SHERRY has been promised for years and I'd like to hear that. Two previously recorded that I would like to get complete recordings of were recorded a couple of years ago by Jay Records but never released: ONE TOUCH OF VENUS (with our very own Mellisa Errico and Brent Barrett) and ANYONE CAN WHISTLE. Maybe someday they will be released.
There is an actress who has done a couple of shows at Encores and Mufti that was born to play Tracy: Melissa Rain Anderson. I hope that the casting director of HAIRSPRAY is familiar with her work.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 10:28 AM PST

Lulu - I have two sets of the first NOTES today as well...along with two Unseemly Buttons.
I hate TECH!!!
Last night during the curtain speech at SOUTH PACIFIC, the lights did a very nice fade to black...came up again...reduced the house to half and another three or four other cues...ALL BY THEMSELVES.
We finally got the lightboard to behave, but it was most unseemly.
Green dockers, brown Eddie Bauer loafers, green/black/red/brown striped pullover shirt with black collar.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/12/2003 10:30 AM PST

Well, I've been hideously errant and truant of late, but today's topic demanded a response.
Most needed recording of a show that has never had one: Love Life. Many songs show up in various guises, but to get the show recorded so that one got a sense of the whole experience would be incredible.
Show aching for a subsequent recording: this is difficult, as I just recently counted seven Candides and six Annie Get Your Guns in my collection and I know a really complete Anyone Can Whistle is in the works. But since Applause was the first Broadway (as opposed to touring) show I ever saw, I long for a recording of the Margo I saw, Miss Anne Baxter.
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 06/12/2003 10:30 AM PST

To respond to today's topic by way of a theme that appeared yesterday afternoon (NB: time machine required): How about an album with nothing but "Before the Parade Passes By" sung by each of the women who played Dolly on Broadway?
Posted by Jay @ 06/12/2003 10:33 AM PST

Ron, I've put together my own compilation of 13 different recordings of Meadowlark (from "The Baker's Wife"). Betty Buckley recorded it four times! I actually have 14 versions, but the CD can only hold 13.
If I could have any show recorded, it would be "Angry Housewives." I don't remember who wrote it, but I've seen a professional production and was involved in a community theater production and both were complete sell-outs! A friend of mine gave me a bunch of Playbills that he didn't want and one of them was the Playbill to the original (I think, at least it was very early) off-Broadway production. I got them when we were in the middle of the performances and everyone loved it.
Shows that I would love re-recorded: I would love to hear the Japanese cast production of "Pacific Overtures." A friend of mine saw it at the Kennedy Center and was just blown away. I would also love to have a Swedish cast recording of "A Little Night Music", an Italian cast recording of "Passion", French cast recordings of "La Cage Aux Folles" and "The Phantom of the Opera" ... see where I'm going? Recordings of shows in the original languages of the settings. That would be cool. "Aspects of Love" with actors who used French and Italian accents for the French and Italian characters (instead of British accents for the French and Italian characters) would also be nice...not the I really like the show, but it has its moments.
Posted by George @ 06/12/2003 10:43 AM PST

Oh, are we still doing the What Are You Wearing thing? OK, I'm game:
Muu-muu (polyester knit, purple with pink hibiscus flowers)
Red hi-top Reeboks
Ankle socks with little yellow pom-poms
Multi-colored propellor beanie and pink foam rollers in the hair
Lots of bangle jewelry
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 10:56 AM PST

Lulu---
That's just how I pictured you!
Now that I've had a little time to think, I have a couple of additions. I would love a complete recording of ALLEGRO. As bad as the time constraints of LPs were, 78s were even worse so much of the score is not on the album. And a show that was never recorded I would like to hear is THE YEARLING. The few songs that I have heard are wonderful.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 11:12 AM PST

Thank you for your lovely answers, BK...I have to admit that Lil' Abner is not one of my favorite shows, but then again I only saw a crappy high school production of it once, so I could love it if it was redone on Broadway!
What a interesting but difficult topic of the day! Everyone has had such good suggestions so far. I agree that "The Dead," "Smile" and "Love Life" are shows that definitely should have had cast recordings made...I guess it would be cool to have a studio recording of something like "The Vagabond King" or "Dearest Enemy" or some forgotten show from the 20's, although God knows plenty of these have been made in recent years. Oh, I have a question for some theatre-savvy Hainsie/Kimlet--did "Allegro" have an original cast recording made? I would like to have that one.
Oh, and I wish the shows at the Sondheim celebration had been recorded, not just made into a compilation album!
As for having a cast recording with a different cast, I guess I would like one for...gee, I don't know...I may have to think about that one for a while...
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 11:18 AM PST

Looks like William E. Lurle read my mind and answered my question, lol!
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 11:19 AM PST

Click on our names to see just how wicked the San Francisco critics were.
Posted by Elphaba and Galinda @ 06/12/2003 11:20 AM PST

This time'll be even better.
Posted by Elphaba and Galinda (again) @ 06/12/2003 11:22 AM PST

Maya---
A CD of DEAREST ENEMY was made and released about a year ago. I think it's on the Bayview label. There was an LP of VAGABOND KING (I think with Mario Lanza) but I don't think it was ever reissued on CD.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 11:23 AM PST

Jose - as I recall it, Capitol Records, in a purely cost cutting move due to a tight budget, used a highly edited score of "Follies" when recording the OC album, which is why the reissue had no "bonus" material or more complete versions of the songs.
Bill - "Sherry" is scheduled for release later this summer. But it's been pushed down so many times before, so who knows?
Craig - when can we expect to see the NY session photos on the HHW site?
.....and LBNL (that's last but not least) Michael - is my photo (and video) CD in the mail yet??
Posted by Phil @ 06/12/2003 11:24 AM PST

Sorry - Right site, wrong page. What do witches know about computers?
Posted by The first Epphaba and Glinda @ 06/12/2003 11:25 AM PST

I've decided I would simply LOVE an OCR of "Cherry!" which is, of course, the musicalization of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" (apologies to Edward Albee).
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 11:25 AM PST

I've mentioned this before, but I have long believed that PROMISES, PROMISES is in need of a studio cast recording. Neither recording that I have heard (OBC or OLC) is particularly well-sung.
I have heard the demo recording of SMILE, and think it would make a good candidate for a studio cast recording. Also, if we could hear the *original* score, that would be even better.
How about TIME AND AGAIN, with the original cast? Or with the MTC cast?
Of course, if you are talking about shows that have not been recorded *yet*, then maybe we'd like to hear the cast recording of WICKED?
As a re-release, how about the *complete* MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, with all the alternate endings?
I haven't heard the revival cast recording of NINE, but I would love to hear a definitive studio recording of this score.
Oh, and out of curiosity, PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED, with Ruthie Henshall.
I'm sure there are plenty of others, but these leap to mind right now....
Posted by Dave @ 06/12/2003 11:43 AM PST

I want my CARRIE.
BK, excellent post from you over at Scarlet Street! I've been laughing ever since reading it! And, now that you have posted on SS, you do know the correct answer to yesterday's question from me.
So, I shall share a sinister tie that binds two of the JEEPERS CREEPERS' singers together:
Katherine Helmond and Alison Fraser are the artists; the relativity is that Ms. Helmond portrayed Emma Borden in a magnificent television film opposite Elizabeth Montgomery and that Alison Fraser has portrayed Lizzie Borden in a (recorded) musical.
Posted by td @ 06/12/2003 11:50 AM PST

George - you're right. I forgot about ANGRY HOUSEWIVES. A funny show...I directed-choreographed a production of it - and a cast album would have been a great help.
By the way, the book is by AM Collins and the Music and Lyrics by Chad Henry.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/12/2003 11:51 AM PST

Lulu: Stop rewording your sentences. You're giving me a headache! : )
I'd love a superb recording of "Carrie" -- preferably with the original principals.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/12/2003 11:57 AM PST

William--Wow, I'm impressed! Is there anything you don't know about cast recordings??
Lulu--PLEASE tell my you were only kidding about Cherry! Somehow I think King Lear would make a better musical.
Dave (or any DR for that matter)--Since you mentioned Peggy Sue Got Married, would you happen to know if the Witches of Eastwick ever got a cast recording made?
Thanks!
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 12:00 PM PST

-Just catching up with the news and latest wire reports...
I had read about David Brinkley's death morning, but I just came across the announcement of Gregory Peck's passing on the NYTimes site.
Both gentlemen will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 12:01 PM PST

I agree with everyone who mentioned Smile -- I'd love a full recording of that. Also love the idea of a full Edwin Drood -- some of the best endings didn't make it onto the cd, which disappointed me greatly. To put in my own offerring, I'd like a full recording of A...My Name is Alice. I know it's a revue, so perhaps doesn't quite qualify, but there are some songs in there I've never been able to locate anywhere else and I find it to be a thoroughly charming show with some great music. And 110 in the Shade -- is there a full recording? I haven't been able to find it.
As for a rerecording, I would love to hear a new version of Passion. I find the OBC beautifully but quite stiffly sung on many parts, and I must say that I find the British version to be somewhat unlistenable. I just don't understand WHAT maria friedman was doing. I was semi-hoping that the Kennedy Center cast might put together a recording (there were rumors that the show might be picked up in California) but that was apparently not to be. I'd also love a new reocrding of Promises, Promises (which has already been mentioned), Sweet Charity, Hans Christian Anderson, and Carnival -- the last few of which there's nothing much wrong with the originals, I just love the shows and would love to hear them in new voices.
Argh! It is so humid today! I feel like I'm going to drown everytime I breathe in!
Had to be said.
Posted by Anna @ 06/12/2003 12:06 PM PST

And in some lighter news...
I received word late last night about a very possible upcoming gig - AND it would fall right in the hole I have right now in my schedule this fall. However, best of all, I would get the opportunity to travel to LA, New York, Chicago, and, most excitingly (is that a word), to Gold Coast, Melbourne AND Syndey, Australia!!! And there'd be plenty of time in the schedule to explore and take side trips! -Hey, Tom, which city is closest to you? ;-)
Vibes, vibes, vibes!
-Sounds like a good title for a musical, huh?
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 12:07 PM PST

Album I'd like to have recorded: Something's Afoot.
Album I'd like to see re-recorded: Forever Plaid -- same cast, but only the pianist (may I suggest Jose for that role) and Uncle Chester playing, as the show is done. With BK producing. Then it would be perfect.
Posted by Laura @ 06/12/2003 12:07 PM PST

DR Anna - There is a complete 100 in the Shade on Jay. Karen Ziemba is Lizzie. Quite a nice recording, two discs with extras. One of my favorite discs. It's "based" on the Lincoln Center production a few years back.
*Although I have to wonder if the new material - and orchestrations - that were incorporated into the recent Signature Theatre production will be recorded any time soon - or later. -Rumor has it, that at least the reduced orchestration - by the esteemed Jonathan Tunick - will be available for rental.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 12:13 PM PST

DR Laura - I, too, would love to see and hear a recording of Forever Plaid with just piano and bass. I like the concept album-ness of the OCR, but I would like to hear more of the "O" of the original.
-And I would love to have the honors of playing on it - although I've never done the show!?!?!? -What's with that?!?!?
-And for that matter, a piano and bass version of Closer Than Ever would be nice too - Patrick Scott Brady has chops!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 12:16 PM PST

RP: Just lie down and put a cool washcloth on your head and you'll feel better in a trice -- or maybe in a Tryce (the game of words and runs and groups).
Maya (are you really the Wonder Woman of Science-Fiction, as Martin Landau posited in the Space: 1999 second-season promo I recently saw?): The Cherry! thing is a joke. And not even mine - Edward Albee's. He doctored the script of a Broadway flop (apparently he didn't doctor it enough) and one of the things he added was a TV announcer mentioning Cherry! (this was right about the time of Sherry!). Don't ask me the name of the flop; I don't remember it. I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable people here does, though.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 12:18 PM PST

And tonight - in our audience - and now starving on Broadway...starving? Starring on Broadway in SHERRY!: Miss Dolores Gray!
Posted by Ed Sullivan @ 06/12/2003 12:22 PM PST

A complete SWEET CHARITY was released as a 2 CD set a couple of years ago on Jay. The singing is just okay but it's nice to have all the dance music.
While we are talking about what shows we would like to see, I'd like suggestions as to what shows have so many recordings that a new one would be totally un-needed. WEST SIDE STORY, KISS ME KATE and CAROUSEL come to mind immmediately.
And regarding SHERRY being released later this summer, the last I heard it wasn't even all recorded yet. This recording(with Nathan Lane and an "all star cast") has been "in the works" for so long that I wonder if it will ever be released.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 12:23 PM PST

Maya,
Yes, there is a cast recording of WITCHES OF EASTWICK, available by import. I understand the show has been revised since the recording, but the CD is a very good one to have. I have lent it to a few friends, who can't wait for it to become available for production.
Click my name for a link to the CD on Amazon.com
Also have to concur with Jose's recommendation of the Jay records 110 IN THE SHADE, with Ron Raines and Karen Ziemba. Highly enjoyable.
I have put off buying PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, because I don't enjoy the singers on the recordings that exist. Many of the best people to perform the roles have gone (mostly) unrecorded. What about Anthony Warlow (Erik), Rebecca Luker (Christine), Judy Kaye (Carlotta) and Howard McGillin (Raoul) for a studio cast?
Posted by Dave @ 06/12/2003 12:36 PM PST

Lulu--Thanks for the explanation! I had no idea that Albee was ever involved with a flop musical (I'm assuming it was a musical?), but one learns new things every day, doesn't one? :) Oh--and I've never heard of any science fiction Maya, but Martin Landau made one helluva Bela Lugosi!
Jose--Congrats (early) on the travel op! What kind of gig is it if you don't mind my asking?
I have Christine Baranski singing Sherry! in my head now and I fear I will never be able to get it out.
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 12:37 PM PST

Thanks, Dave...much obliged!
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 12:38 PM PST

~~~~~Good Vibes~~~~~~~~ to Jose.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/12/2003 12:39 PM PST

Maya, "Maya" was a character on Space: 1999. She was added at the beginning of the second (and final) season, presumably to spice up the tepid chemistry between real-life spouses Martin Landau and Barbara Bain. She formed a third for a weird 'n' wacky space triangle.
Oh, and her dad was Brian Blessed and she was a shape-shifter. Every episode she would metamorphose into a tiger or a hawk or somesuch. Oh, and she had lines of dots above her eyes instead of eyebrows, thus demonstrating her "alienness."
Suffice to say, you should be proud indeed of the Maya Legacy.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 12:42 PM PST

Albee was involved in a flop musical. He wrote the book for the revised version of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (produced by David Merrick, starring Mary Richards and Dr. Kildare).
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 12:52 PM PST

WEL, thank you. I knew somebody else here would remember which flop the Cherry! reference came from.
So he completely re-wrote the book, didn't just doctor it, eh? But it still wasn't enough...
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 12:54 PM PST

Actually, David Merrick is exactly the kind of old-time producer WEL and BK are thinking of (I'll bet) when they bemoan the new way of letting a show continue on and on and on even though the house is only 1/6 filled. Although the show was booked solid for months (presumably due largely to the star power and the familiarity of the popular movie), Merrick called a press conference and announced the closing of Breakfast at Tiffany's. All the people who'd bought tickets received full refunds - just because it was clear the show wasn't working. Pretty classy, if you ask me.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 12:58 PM PST

Every time I watch BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S and BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL, I am reminded what a really good actor Buddy Ebsen was.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/12/2003 12:59 PM PST

Waaaaall, doggies! This site'll make you fergit that fact, right quick.
Click on my name to visit the OFFICIAL Buddy Ebsen website. Be sure to read a snippet of Buddy Ebsen's epic _Kelly's Quest_, then check out his authentic folk art. My personal favorite: Sunday in the Park with Jed (oh, a Sondheim reference).
What a renaissance man that Buddy Ebsen is!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 01:07 PM PST

I've just heard that Gregory Peck has died at the age of 87.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/12/2003 01:08 PM PST

RP, I think Peck's passing is mentioned somewhere up above. David Brinkley has shuffled loose this mortal coil, as well.
Walter Cronkite remains with us, thank God.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 01:09 PM PST

I'll second the idea of a recording of "Sherry."
BK: Am I remembering correctly that YOU wrote a score for "To Kill A Mockingbird"? Didn't I read on these pages once that someone had done this????
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/12/2003 01:10 PM PST

Lulu--The Maya Legacy?? Haha! Though the idea of having shape-shifting powers does sound very cool! I hadn't heard of Space: 1999. When did it air?
William and Lulu--You know, now I do remember having read about the Breakfast at Tiffany's musical, but I had forgotten I guess that Albee was attached to it. I kind of wish Merrick had kept it open, or at least reworked it! A lot of movies have been musicalized lately, but with the right touch, a BAT's musical could really work.
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 01:10 PM PST

Space: 1999 ran from (IIRC) 1974-76. I didn't see it in first-run, but it was pretty prolific in re-runs up until the early '80s, when it dropped out of sight (except for occasional re-airings on the Sci-Fi Channel, but it hasn't even been on there in years). My husband is a major fan of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson (Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet) and they produced the first season, so I bought him the complete box set of DVDs for his birthday last year. We're still watching episodes!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 01:13 PM PST

I think BK did write an unproduced musical version of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
Regarding BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS, apparently in the first city of the tryout tour audiences were expecting a musical more like the book than the movie (which were quite different from each other) so Albee was called in to re-write the libretto and make it more serious like Capote's novella. In the second city people were expecting a musical more like the movie than the book. By the time the New York previews began it was a total mess so Merrick closed it rather than inflicting it on the public. The recording has songs from both versions. Some of them are very good, some not. Apparently Capote's writing does not translate well to the musical stage. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS was a big flop, HOUSE OF FLOWERS was saved only by its score and THE GRASS HARP was a beautiful show that was too "special" for the average theatergoer. IN COLD BLOOD anyone?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 01:30 PM PST

Of all the shows I would like to hear a second recording of, my top pick is going to sound like a total heresy. I want to hear a different recording of Sunday in the Park With George.
Don't get me wrong, Mandy and Bernadette are fine. But no one else can be Bernadette, and I'm not sure anyone else would want to be Mandy. I've enjoyed SITPWG very much on stage without the originating duo, and think the score is strong enough to manage without them.
But I don't want Barbara Walters playing any of the parts on the new recording. I can do without her very well, thank-you, no matter what time period her head is in.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 06/12/2003 01:34 PM PST

We've got us some postin' goin' on and I am entirely jiggy with it because we are the bomb, man.
Yes, I wrote a musical of To Kill a Mockingbird and you can read a long history of it over at Michael Shayne's tribute website to ME. Click under the BK bio and scroll down till you find Atticus. Click on my initials here if you want to be taken to the site.
Posted by bk @ 06/12/2003 01:36 PM PST

Knowing that Hainsies and
Kimlets are masters of
sending vibes, and often with
quite wonderful results, it's
time for me to request some of
my own. 'Tis job interview
season for us new teachers,
and I have my first such
interview tomorrow morning
(11am Pacific time). Thanks
in advance for all your vibe
expertise!
Lulu - Sunday in the Park with
Jed??? It's a "my weekend"
reference, to heck with
Sondheim! And what are the
odds that we would happen to
have the same wardrobe
today? Oh, the coincidences
never end at HHW.
Posted by Jed @ 06/12/2003 01:36 PM PST

BK - From the language in your last post it seems you have been listening to som Def Poetry.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 01:52 PM PST

I'll second (third? fourth?) Love Life, The Yearling, Smile and Promises Promises. When City Center Encores did Promises with Martin Short a few years ago, it included a song which was not on the original cast recording. I think they wanted to record the show but were prevented because they were about to reissue the OBC on CD.
As for Witches of Eastwick, the CD is a lot better than the show, which I absolutely hated. Maybe it's been revised a lot to make it better, or maybe it was just the London cast who were all pretty dreadful. When you get a song about washing your dirty linen in public and on stage you get ... dirty linen, you kinda have to wonder.
Posted by Allan @ 06/12/2003 01:53 PM PST

You know, the thought did occur to me, but "Oh, a Jed reference!" just didn't have the same zing as "Oh, a Sondheim reference!" Sorry.
Good vibes a-headed your way. <~ <~ <~
Posted by Lulu @ 06/12/2003 01:54 PM PST

DR Maya - and other interested DRs - I've been potentially tapped to serve as a "musical director" and pianist for an upcoming audition tour for a major entertainment company. No mouse ears involved this time, but there is a personal tie-in there for me. I'm almost tempted NOT to post this - silly supersitious theatre person that I am - but I figure any H/K vibes could only help, never hurt my chances.
And Jed - If you're willing to relocate to Richmond, the City of Richmond is still in need of some teachers - they've been at a deficit for the past few years. They were even offering some considerable incentives at one time - I would seriously consider taking even a sub position, but since my schedule is so unpredictable...
Next topic...
I loved Space:1999 - and Martin Landau was on Craig Kilborn last night too! Did it really only run two seasons? I even remember thinking back in 1999 that "we" were no where near where the tv series had us. -Same thing back in 1984 - thankfully! Although Big Brother... hmmm....
And since DR Maya reminded me... Christine Baranski mentioned in an interview - and to some of us working last summer - that she would love to give Coco a try. Could work - at least in the studio.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 02:12 PM PST

Lots of good cast album suggestions with SHERRY, LOVE LIFE, and CARRIE among them. I'd like to add WHERE'S CHARLEY and also a complete A CHORUS LINE with "And..." and the entire "Goodbye Twelve, Goodbye Thirteen, Hello, Love" montage which includes Connie, Mark, Don, and Greg's solos.
I wish I had Ann Miller's version of MAME. I saw both Janis Paige (ugh) and Ann Miller at the Winter Garden in this show, one of my all-time favorites for pure entertainment, and Ann was sensational.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/12/2003 02:16 PM PST

Ooh--Christine Baranski doing Coco--parfait!! (Even though the score is nothing special)
I am sending happy vibes to Jed and some more happy vibes to Jose.
Thank you Allan for the Witches of Eastwick info!
Well, I am off to catch the divine Barbara Cook!
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 02:17 PM PST

“I was to think of these days many times. Of Jem and Dill and Boo Radley and Tom Robinson - and Atticus. He would be in Jem's room all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.”
Posted by Scout @ 06/12/2003 02:19 PM PST

Still feeling a bit queasy, but not nearly as bad as last evening.
Some points of interest:
I have tried to do a full recording of Smile and have discussed same with Mr. Marvin Hamlisch on several occasions over the years - sadly, he seems disinclined to allow it.
Carrie - same as above.
Sherry! - tried to do it, but the composer had already said "yes" to someone else, and of course that was three years ago and it still isn't complete or anywhere near being complete, at least so I've been told.
The Yearling - same as above - had talked to the author who was rarin' to go, then someone else got to him and the whole thing got mucked up and it remains unrecorded.
Lolita, My Love - same as above
A Chorus Line - I called those people way back in 1998 and offered to do a complete recording, dialogue and all. They said "no" because they didn't want to have it hurt their 25th anniversary B'way production in 2000. What 25th anniversary B'way production, you're thinking. Exactly. And now, I fear it will never happen.
Posted by bk @ 06/12/2003 02:25 PM PST

~~~~~ good vibes ~~~~~ to Jed.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/12/2003 02:26 PM PST

There he is.....hey, Boo.
Posted by Scout redux @ 06/12/2003 02:27 PM PST

Special vibes to Jed.
There is a demo of "Sherry" around and it is promising.
I think we would all love "Smile" and "The Yearling". Maybe it's worth trying for again.
Agree with Allan. Witches is Ok entertainment but not a great piece of theatre. The CD is not one that is I have played more than thrice. I saw the show in London and it came to Melbourne and lost heaps. All gimmicks!
Welcome to Melbourne Jose.
The Gold Coast is sunny southern Queensland. Sort of the Florida of OZ. Gambling and the elderly looking tanned and wrinkled. Is there really a theatre (other than casino cabaret for hasbeen performers) on the Gold Coast?
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/12/2003 02:55 PM PST

The musical I would like to re-recorded would be The Wiz. (Maybe they will re-record the show when and if the revival comes to Broadway next year)At least six musical numbers were dropped from the recording. (Kalidah Battle, Lion's Dream, Psst, Funky Monkeys, Who Do You Think You Are, A Rest Mind Is a Rested Body)
The musical I would like to be recorded is Love Life. I have the score (not complete)on many different cds. Ben Bagley recorded many of the songs on several of his revisted albums.
For those that are interested and what to put together their own cd here are the songs
1) Who Is Samuel Cooper (Kurt Weill On Broadway)
2) My Name is Samuel Cooper (Kurt Weill on Broadway)
3) Here I'll Stay (Julie Andrews' Broadway)
4)Progress (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner)
5) I Remember It Well (Kurt Weill Revisited #1)
6) Green-Up Time (Lyrics by Lerner or Brent Barret)
7) Economics (Lyrics by Lerner, Alan Jay Lerner Revisited, Brent Barrett)
8) Mother's Getting Nervous
9) My Kind of Night (Kurt Weill Revisited #2)
10) Women's Club Blues
11) Love Song (Lyrics by Lerner, AJL Revisited)
12) I'm Your Man
13) Ho, Billy, O!
14) Is It Him or Me (Kurt Weill Revisited #1)*
15) This is the Life (Jerry Orbach)
16) Minstrel Parade
17) Madama Zuzu
18) Taking No Chances
19) Mr. Right (Lyrics by Lerner, AJL Revisited)
*dropped after opening
Cut from show
20) Susan's Dream (Lyrics by Lerner)
21) You Understand Me So (Kurt Weill Revisited #1)
22) What More Do I Want? (Kurt Weill Revisited #2)
Song added after the opening
234) Locker Room (Kurt Weill Revisited #1)
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/12/2003 02:57 PM PST

BK gave an incorrect link for Atticus!
Here is is
http://www.brucekimmel.com/atticus.htm
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/12/2003 03:14 PM PST

Is it me or do things seem just a bit less vital around here since Dear Reader Sandra completed her course in Career Exploration?
Posted by Jay @ 06/12/2003 03:31 PM PST

I've played "Forever Plaid" twice,
while I loved every minute of it, don't
ever put me near a microphone, they
are very intimidating! I HATE the
OCR also, a poor representation of
the show.
Posted by Matthew @ 06/12/2003 03:57 PM PST

Just back from a little mini-meeting. I haven't eaten all day, but I'm about to brave an artichoke. Has anyone noticed how long it takes a fershluganah artichoke to cook?
Posted by bk @ 06/12/2003 05:02 PM PST

BK - Artichokes have always been one of those foods that I always have to "think" about before cooking. Sometimes the effort, prep and cooking time(!) involved just doesn't seem to balance out when it comes time to eat it. -And like a lot of other foods, you have to wonder what made someone say to themselves, "Hey, let's eat this big thistle?!?"
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/12/2003 05:17 PM PST

If I hadn't eaten all day I don't think I could wait the time it takes for an artichoke to cook. When I was young I could eat three large artichokes, dipped in butter, in one sitting. Now I can barely eat one and I skip the butter. Bruce, considering how you have been feeling-hope you are also leaving off the butter or whatever you like on it.
Speaking of eating-it's time for dinner. I will be making extra as Penny has left LA and will be here in a couple of hours.
Posted by Jane @ 06/12/2003 05:29 PM PST

Dear BK, remind me to tell you about the time I looked into the heart of an artichoke.
Posted by Margo Channing @ 06/12/2003 06:07 PM PST

Anyone want any home-grown tomatoes?
Posted by Laura @ 06/12/2003 06:21 PM PST

Good vibes to Jed
Good vibes to Jose
Wow, there are have been some wonderful suggestions regarding shows to be recorded or re-recorded.
I have only one addition to the list (and please don't mock) it is a personal favorite because I have done the show. I would love to have a recording of "A Wonderful Life". Granted they aren't Sheldon Harnick's best lyrics, and there are some problems with the book, but what a delight it can be to present during the December holidays.
I always wondered why anyone would think to bring Mr. Albee in to work on a musical? Does Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – The Musical mean anything to anyone???
Posted by TCB @ 06/12/2003 06:22 PM PST

... or the time I locked eyes with a potato
Posted by spud the spudly spud @ 06/12/2003 06:26 PM PST

DR Laura: Oh! Yes! I love home-grown 'maters!
I could use a bushel. Or a peck.
Or a bushel and a peck.
Hmmm...that's a reference, isn't it!??!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/12/2003 06:51 PM PST

Good vibes to Jed ~~~~~
Good vibes to Jose ~~~~~
Hugs to Kerry and MusicGuy (((())))
Posted by Laura @ 06/12/2003 06:51 PM PST

And speaking of A CHORUS LINE, does anyone know what happened to the plan to release either the tapes or a transcript of the tapes of the two sessions that Michael Bennett had with groups of dancers that ultimately became ACL? Several years ago I think I read that someone had the rights and they would be released as a fundraiser ( I think for BC/EFA). I haven't heard anything about this in a while, but then it took about five years from when it was first announced until the script was finally published.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/12/2003 07:09 PM PST

DR Maya, we disagree on COCO. I think there is a lot more there that it's ever been given credit for having. I'd love to hear a real singer do Coco's numbers. I think the title song is gorgeous.
I mean, come on! We have Andre Previn to thank for those wonderful numbers in IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER and VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. So, COCO was just a natural move to the stage from film ! :-)
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/12/2003 08:28 PM PST

Does anyone knows if
Danielle Darrieux recorded
any of the Coco songs when
she replaced Kathryn???
Because.... she's a singer!
André Previn wrote fine music
for the London production only
of The Good Companions,
and did same for some songs
for the film version of Paint
Your Wagon...... and recently
wrote the opera version of The
Great Gatsby for Dawn
Upshaw...
I had the "strangiest" idea
yesterday that the great Judy
would have been wonderful as
Mama Rose...
In fact, the more I think of it the
more I believe she would have
been perfect....
Oh, Rhinohandmade is now
"giving" us GAY PAREE!.....
Sorry... I'm throwing all that at
you like that... Casting my
thoughts to the wind....
Posted by François @ 06/12/2003 08:46 PM PST

Mr. Previn has no bigger fan than I, but I don't love either of his musicals, Coco or Good Companions. I do think he's one of the great unsung heroes of film music, though (point of interest - I love his work so much that I wrote the liner notes for the CD release of Irma La Douce). He certainly has written some gorgeous tunes over the years, my favorite being the song from Two for the Seesaw, Second Chance. And his score for Inside Daisy Clover is a four-star masterpiece, especially the haunting main theme and his and Dory Previn's wonderful You're Gonna Hear From Me.
Posted by bk @ 06/12/2003 08:48 PM PST

Ah, proof reading!!!
"Does anyone know -- no "s" ,
bien sûr!!!!
Posted by François @ 06/12/2003 08:49 PM PST

Rosemary Clooney's
treatment of "You're Gonna
Hear it From Me" was
great...and that movie was
rather good.
Is it me or was Natalie Wood
never given the recognition
she deserved????
Gossip; gossip; I believe
Robert -- Redford! -- had a...
different NOSE then -- with a
bump!! --check, check.... well,
it must be... me!
It's been years since i saw that
film... but I remember it as if it
were yesterday.... Was only
shown on TV here in France!!!!
Posted by François @ 06/12/2003 08:55 PM PST

The game is:
find typos in François' posts!!!!
Posted by François @ 06/12/2003 09:00 PM PST

Daisy Clover has aged very well. I remember seeing it when it was released and thinking that it didn't quite work. But when the American Cinematheque first took over the Egyptian Theater they showed it and it was really excellent, beautifully directed by Robert Mulligan with a terrific cast. The novel's writer, Gavin Lambert, was there and spoke eloquently about Miss Wood and the film.
Posted by bk @ 06/12/2003 09:01 PM PST

Judy as Mama Rose! That would have been incredible. But where or where could you have found an ugly gangling youth that could have been believable as daughter, Louise?
Posted by TCB @ 06/12/2003 09:26 PM PST

Just got back from my first Barbara Cook concert ever, and I was not the least bit disappointed. This woman has a vocal sound that singers a fraction of her age (including myself) would die for, and she has the stamina to sing an entire sung history of musical theatre from Showboat to Sondheim for an hour and 45 minutes with only a few sips of water to sustain her! How does she do it??? Anyway, besides the beauty of her instrument, she sang with great warmth and feeling and sincerity, as always. She seemed to sense how much the audience was enjoying her and fed off the positive energy. Her banter and anecdotes were charming--It was simply amazing to hear her refer to deified musical legends as Oscar and Dick and Stephen! But then again, this woman is a goddess herself.
Sorry if I went on too much--just had to share my experience, in case anyone is interested.
DR Matt H.--Coco is one of those cast recordings I have somewhere in my collection that I listened to once only. It is possible I didn't give it enough of a chance, but none of the tunes stayed with me after I had listened to it, which is partially how I judge for myself whether a score is good or not. But maybe Hepburn's vocal shortcomings had something to do with it--Danielle Darrieux--now that is something I would like to hear. I liked Good Companions by the way--not a great score, but a cute one!
François and other DRs--have you seen Huit Femmes (8 Women?) Danielle is in it--it is a great little musical murder mystery and one has the rare opportunity of seeing Catherine Deneuve and Fanny Ardant making out with one another.
KT--that reminds me...I need to buy the Frida DVD!
Posted by Maya @ 06/12/2003 09:26 PM PST

Maya,
What did you think when you
saw Catherine hitting her
mother, Danielle, with a
vase?...
It was so.... outrageous to me!
As I said before here, i enjoyed
the movie but i thought it was
sort of nasty to women!....
And Deneuve looks so...
chubby!!!!
Posted by François @ 06/12/2003 10:13 PM PST

Can you believe that Darrieux
got a theater award for best
actress in a play -- a one
character play! -- a few days
ago here....
At over 80!! Don't think she
really needed that award!
Posted by François @ 06/12/2003 10:18 PM PST

Thanks to all y'all for the good
vibes. Keep 'em flowing (my
interview is at 11am Pacific),
and hopefully I'll knock their
proverbial socks off! And if
they're wearing argyle socks
rather than proverbial socks,
I'll see what I can do about
those as well.
I'll be E&T over the next couple
days, as after my interview I'll
be headed home to walk in my
university graduation on
Saturday! What a wonderful
couple days!!! I'll be back to
join the insanity on Sunday.
Posted by Jed @ 06/12/2003 11:32 PM PST

I would love to have a new recording of "Robert and Elisabeth". The orginal is great,the Mark Wyner version not so (He is OK).
This could be a beautiful role for Ms Kaye.
I would love to hear a studio cast recording of "Over And Over" and maybe "The Red Shoes" could do with a recording.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/13/2003 12:15 AM PST

Bruce: I was rereading some of your answers to the "Ask BK" questions, and you mentioned you didn't really know anyone who could play Tracy Turnblad.
And I thought: Damn! What a role that would have been for Ricki Lake!
Yes! I know she's the original Tracy, but I have vivid memories of Ricki and several other "youngsters" doing a special Oscars number a decade or so back, and Ricki has a set of pipes on her. She could just as easily have been Tracy in a musical as she was Tracy in the movie comedy.
She's too old to play Tracy now -- and much too thin -- but I'm sure curious how she might fare as a vocalist for you on a future CD.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/13/2003 12:39 AM PST

Maya: Seeing Barbara Cook in her "Mostly Sondheim" show this past December was one of THE most thrilling experiences of my life.
What I thought of her repertoire at the time was that the first five or six numbers seemed to suit her middle register to a tee, and then the songs gradually began moving up into her upper register until she hit the B-sharp in "Ice Cream."
The "Mostly Sondheim" DVD is a very wonderful souvenir of that concert, although I thought her much more polished and relaxed in her performance here. Oddly, her curtain call of "Anyone Can Whistle" was a capella both here and in its original performances. But on the DVD, she has accompaniment.
There are also differences in the way Wally Harper plays "Send in the Clowns" on the CD and on the DVD...and I prefer something he did in S.F. much more. In the closing verses -- "Isn't it rich? Arent' we a pair?" -- he does some chords that are just thrilling. They are on the CD, but they were more punctuated in performance here and made quite an impact. They are on the DVD, as well, but he doees them a measure or so later and with lesser impact.
At any rate, I'm sure glad folks are seeing Barbara Cook! She's a national treasure.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/13/2003 12:47 AM PST

"Inside Daisy Clover" made a very strong impression on me when it first hit the theaters.
I recall reading at the time that it had been edited down from the Director's cut...that Swann's wife, for instance, had some far stronger scenes than those in the picture.
Andre Previn's score is masterful, and is "You're Gonna Hear From Me" one of my all-time favorite songs.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/13/2003 12:50 AM PST

Add to that list of "doesn't work" efforts by Previn his recent opera "A Streetcar Named Desire."
In the local press, he again disparaged his Hollywood work, but the truth is, he's never written anything as memorable as his film scores. In "Streetcar" (and this is my opinion only), it is only the music for the transitions in scenes that stand out -- and that's pure Hollywood Previn. The rest of the score is some pseudo-jazz-derivative that takes all the joy out of opera -- he refuses to allow melody to creep into his music.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/13/2003 12:54 AM PST

I like INSIDE DAISY CLOVER - Natalie Wood becomes an instant star and everyone at "the studio" is so mysterious.
Was it Jackie Ward who sang for Natalie in this movie? How surreal to be dubbing an actress who is dubbing herself in a scene. Shades of Jean Hagen who (as we discussed here recently) was dubbing Debbie Reynolds as she pretended to dub Hagen in SINGING IN THE RAIN.
Let's get INSIDE DAISY CLOVER on CD and DVD. What a great double feature evening it would make with Carroll Baker in HARLOW!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/13/2003 05:36 AM PST

Post #100 -
WHERE EAGLES DARE comes to DVD on September 2!
With all its flaws and inaccuracies - it's still one of my favorite movies. Clint Eastwood AND Richard Burton!
"It's called the Schluss Adler and with good reason....."
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/13/2003 05:50 AM PST

OMG, I completely forgot about INSIDE DAISY CLOVER, one of my all-time favorite Hollywood movies about Hollywood. Lambert's book is even more biting and interesting, but I loved Daisy's two songs in the movie, and it baffles me how "You're Gonna Hear from Me" didn't get an Oscar nomination the year the film was released. The rest of the score is wonderful, too, the disturbing music behind Daisy's breakdown in the sound booth being especially haunting.
I think I played my soundtrack LP until it was worn out, and when I got my hands on the laserdisc of the film, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/13/2003 05:59 AM PST

Yes, it is Jackie Ward who dubs Natalie in INSIDE DAISY CLOVER. She also did her vocal of "The Sweetheart Tree" in THE GREAT RACE, another of my favorite Natalie Wood songs.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/13/2003 06:01 AM PST

And Jackie sand for Linda Evans in BEACH BLANKET BINGO...when her character had THREE solo songs and Annette only had ONE - and that one is cut in both the video and DVD release! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/13/2003 06:05 AM PST

SANG, that is.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/13/2003 06:05 AM PST

DR Jrand, do you have any information WHY they would cut Annette's solo. I mean, I would think she'd be the reason most people would want a copy of BEACH BLANKET BINGO. Now, if it was MUSCLE BEACH PARTY, well, that would be different!
Thanks for the info on Jackie's dubbing of Linda Evans. Another piece of info to add to my dubber records.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/13/2003 06:24 AM PST

LOL MattH - we got into a big discussion of this over at the Scarlet Street message board once...that magazine that NEVER prints my reviews.
ANYWAY...Annette's BBB solo is called "I'll Never Change Him" and the same song is sung by Deborah Walley in "Ski Party" using the same background vocal track, it seems.
But it is cut from both the old Orion VHS and the new MGM Midnight DVD versions of BBB. Some guy from MGM wrote to the SS (ahem) board and said the song was not part of the original release but was added for television. I let him know I was sitting in a theatre in 1965 when I heard, otherwise how would I even know it was there!
And then when AMC started showing the widescreen version, the solo was back in!
No one knows how, why, when, or where - but it is a rarity. Donna Loren recorded the score on an LP, but BBB is one that Annette didn't record for Buena Vista - maybe her contract had run out by then. She didn't record HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI either, although she is listed as being a BV Artist on the WAND soundtrack.
Strange things happen in this world....oh a Dickey Lee reference.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/13/2003 06:57 AM PST

Just submitted another review of KRITZERLAND at Amazon.com
First one must have been rejected because I included a link to HHW!!!
Will post a link when it finally shows up.
There are 4 reviews there now. Only 4!!!!! How unseemly.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/13/2003 07:20 AM PST

For some reasons, days like today really remind me how much I enjoy reading HHW. In the UK right now it's a Friday afternoon and the work day is just ending, and I have a chance to read all these wonderful responses to a great discussion topic of the day. Well done folks!
Though my answers may seem repetitive, I'll repeat requests for studio versions of the complete Love Life and Smile. From the bk-produced songs I've heard, I'd also be interested in a full 'Kicks the showgirl musical' if the other songs are as good as the ones we've heard. And while on Menken, how about a studio recording of God Bless You Mr Rosewater. I always thought the demo on that one was lots of fun.
Regarding Witches of Eastwick, indeed the original production had lavish production values and good songs, but missed the mark on its direction and didn't live up to its promise. The second version lost the production values (a shame, really) but greatly improved the book. The score added a great new number (which hasn't been recorded yet, to my knowledge) but otherwise didn't make many changes to the recorded score.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Posted by Wee Stevie @ 06/13/2003 08:38 AM PST

Thank God it’s Friday! I don’t care if it’s Friday the 13th or Friday the 666th, it is Friday and that is all I care about.
One quick question regarding a late post last evening. Last night, Jrand mentioned something about Jean Hagen dubbing Debbie Reynolds dubbing Jean Hagen. It was apparently discussed in earlier posts before my time. Can someone enlighten me?
Bad week for CDs, DVDs, and VCRs at my house. So happy that I didn’t have rehearsals this week that I spent all of my down-time watching the Seattle Mariners on TV or napping in my chair. I do have Streisand playing in the car CD player, but nothing else in any of the machines.
Dull, but true.
Posted by TCB @ 06/13/2003 11:23 AM PST

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