Replies: 124 Unseemly Comments
If your amazon review hasn't shown up, here's the direct address to write to: community-help@amazon.com (don't forget the dash between communtity and help). You must send you query from the same e-mail address you wrote the review from, and you must include the ISBN number which you can cut and paste by searching on either Kritzerland or Benjamin Kritzer (depending on which you reviewed).
Posted by bk @ 06/20/2003 08:45 AM PST
I don't know why it didn't include the word community in the link above, so just write the address yourself.
Posted by bk @ 06/20/2003 08:47 AM PST
Wow, am I really the first non-BK post. Where is everybody?
Posted by OM Time @ 06/20/2003 09:11 AM PST
We are all at the Amazon Store trying to get some service!
Good luck!
Nice notes, even for one who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night. (A Maria Ouspenskaya reference).
DVD Player - Bing Crosby Double Feature, EMPEROR WALTZ & CONNECTICUT YANKEE.
CD Player - Original Broadway Cast THE PAJAMA GAME
VHS - TROG with Miss Joan Crawford
Friday, at last!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 09:14 AM PST
Speaking of non-perky versions of Jeepers, Ceepers, seminal British punk group Siouxsie and the Banshees had a single out around 15 years ago called Peekaboo that used the "jeepers, creepers...wheredja get those eyes?" line in the chorus to very dark and gothic and non-perky effect. The album is titled Peepshow, and it is excellent.
Players: NO idea! We'll just have to see how everything falls into place.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 09:50 AM PST
Ceepers = Creepers
Duh.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 09:50 AM PST
Where'd you get those EEPERS?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 10:02 AM PST
Sometimes if you write to orders@amazon.com you get a response faster than if you use the form on the site.
Posted by Jennifer @ 06/20/2003 10:19 AM PST
Work CD: Celebration (OBC), Blues in the Night (OLondonC)
Home CD: Broadway Melody of 1940 (OSR), Gay Purree (OSR)
VCR: nuttin'
DVD: nuttin' (it's part of the computer so we don't watch many DVDs cause it's not the most pleasant viewing experience)
I am wearing blue jeans, blue suede slip on sneakers, a blue, short-sleeved button down, office casual shirt and white socks.
Posted by Ben @ 06/20/2003 10:23 AM PST
I'm wearing red and white polka-dotted pants, a purple velvet coat with fuzzy pink lapels, yellow and green striped button down shirt (collar missing), rainbow-striped suspenders, white greasepaint, a round red nose and sensible shoes (size 48).
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 10:29 AM PST
In my computer's CD-ROM - A Little Night Music (OBC)
I would give a listing of my anime collection, but Bruce didn't say "What's inside your computer's hard drive?"
Posted by Kit Lo @ 06/20/2003 10:40 AM PST
Kit Lo: What's inside your computer's hard drive?
(please observe 10 title limit.)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 10:47 AM PST
Last DVD--Frida
Last CD--Brent Barrett's Kander and Ebb album produced by none other than BK
DR Kit Lo--didn't realize so many theatre people are also into anime--my faves are Magic Knight Rayearth and Gokudo.
Posted by Maya @ 06/20/2003 11:02 AM PST
Home CD: A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE
Car CD: Lauren Kennedy, "The Songs of Jason Robert Brown"
DVD: Nothing yet, but I'll be stopping off at Blockbuster on the way home from work tonight. Any suggestions?
Posted by Dave @ 06/20/2003 11:05 AM PST
DVD: Harry Potter 2
CD: Best of Beach Boys, Eagles Hell Freezes Over, and Talking Heads True Stories on "shuffle".
VHS: Still watching snippets of the Tonys.
Will wait until Monday to pick up the new Harry Potter book from Costco (there's no way I'm going in there on a weekend.)
Posted by Christopher @ 06/20/2003 11:09 AM PST
4.07 am here. Nothing playing except my mind which is not worth reporting about.
Saturday here of course so I shall thus wish everyone a wonderful warm and happy weekend.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 11:11 AM PST
CD I'm also listening to "Points on Jazz". I have a few new titles I haven't even listened to yet because I keep playing "Points on Jazz" over and over. I also listened to the new sound track of "Gay Purree" because...
DVD Gay Purree, a delight with Garland and Goulet in great voice. I think the reason it failed was because adults percieved of it as a kids movie but much of it went right over kids heads.
Nothing in VHS and more "Big Show" broadcasts in the cassette.
Okay - I want opinions on the following. Do you think Kristen Chenowith has so little faith in WICKED that she took another job for next May? Yes, in mid-May --- when Tony voters will be checking out the shows --- she is booked to play Cunnegonde in the New York Philharmonic's CANDIDE for a week. This is in all their season advertising which includes a big picture of Kristen. I know stars often take a week off to do another project, but not when the Tony voters are expected to attend. If she bows out of CANDIDE, then will the Philharmonic be required to give refunds to people who bought tickets solely on the basis of Ms. Chenowith? She is the only "name" in the cast. What do others think of this situation?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/20/2003 11:14 AM PST
Last things first:
I think Ms. Chenoweth will have made a strong enough impression -- and garnered more than her share of rave reviews -- to survive doing a week away from "Wicked" in May 2004. The show will have been playing six months already as it premieres Oct. 30th.
I'm sure she has tons of faith in "Wicked" because she's invested so much of herself into the role and she has garnered amazing reviews, thus far. This seems more than likely a pre-"Wicked" commitment that the new show's producers were aware of before signing her.
Lulu: Could you be a BIT more descriptive please, about those red and white polka dots? What color are the actual dots? Red or white? If the answer is "both," what color is the background?
Tom of/from OZ: Were you JUST rolling in at 4:07 a.m.? Or are you normally up at that time of morning? It ought to be getting rather brisk for those morning walks! I do, indeed, wish you a "warm" weekend.
...and your little dogs, too!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 11:24 AM PST
DR WEL: I wouldn't worry too much over Ms. Chenowith's booking schedule. This sounds more like the actions of a prudent agent than her own doubts about the shows she appears in. If she has to bow out of the NYPhil Candide, then they will find someone else to sing the part. Changes in schedules are just a part of the business, and if a change is needed here it at least won't be last minute, as they sometimes have to be.
DVD Player: Season Four of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The extra feature material is fairly good; what I'm looking forward to is the commentary tracks, particularly for the episode "Hush." Is anyone else out there in the habit of having the subtitles for a film or show running while listening to a commentary track, like I am?
CD Player: I was listening to Barbar Cook's Mostly Sondheim last night. I love her voice, love Malcolm Gets, love the selection of songs, but I do wish she had more than her pianist and bass player backing her up. And I do wish she'd get back in the stuido to record.
Wardrobe: I've recently added a couple of really neat Hawaiian shirts to my wardrobe, both at bargain prices. One is copper colored, the other a muted fern green, and they're both really comfortable.
Books: Jacques Pepin's memoir, The Apprentice, is very good. It's not a page-turner, but surprisingly well written. The first chapter, telling of his childhood in France during WWII, while his father was off fighting in the resistance, should be required reading in history classes as a first-person antidote to all the battles and leaders we usually read about.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 06/20/2003 11:36 AM PST
RP: Red background, white dots.
SWW: I LOVE the new Hawaiian shirts for men with their muted, vintage-look fabrics! I may have to look into becoming a man for a few days just so I can have the experience of wearing them. (Yeah, I know I could just wear them anyway, but they just wouldn't look right on a dame.)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 11:46 AM PST
Just received this to my work e-mail and thought you'd all get a chuckle out of it (especially Jrand):
Florida Atlantic University offers a chance to step back in time to the old days of summer theater with a lineup of classic American summer stock. This year’s two-show rotating repertory includes Noel Coward’s "Hay Fever" and Josh Logan and Oscar Hammerstein’s "South Pacific." The series, which opens Friday, June 20 and closes Sunday, July 20, takes place in the Schmidt Performing Arts Center of FAU’s Boca Raton campus.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 11:48 AM PST
Brown docker pleated khaki pants, yellow Ralph Lauren pullover with green collar, brown suede Eddie Bauer loafers, white socks, boxers.
Dave - try one of the new Bing Crosby double feature DVD's Rhythm on the Range/River, Blue Skies/Birth of the Blues, or the one I am watching....see above. If that doesn't appeal - try THE BIG COUNTRY written about in the notes. It is a good old-fashioned movie with Heston, Peck, Ives, Simmons and the luscious Carroll Baker as Rina...er, I mean, Pat! Baker's change of attitude toward Peck and Ives' feud with Charles Bickford are treats to watch.
Lulu - MY EYES MY EYES.... But then what you are wearing is typical of the Indiana housewife going out to check the mailbox.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 11:50 AM PST
Jrand52: Re: Lulu's attire and your comment about Indiana. I know it's true in certain sections of Lawrence, at least!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 12:00 PM PST
cd player: Girls 70 Girls (working at home and drinking coffee from a cardboard cup)
video: Italian Job (Michael Caine, Noël Coward)
Posted by TorontoDan @ 06/20/2003 12:00 PM PST
My first post here and I have to edit myself: 70 Girls 70, of course.
Posted by TorontoDan @ 06/20/2003 12:02 PM PST
Hey, Dan - welcome to the club.
To us here at HHW, a preview is something we see at the movies.
Lulu - MORE South Pacific. Well, now someone else can do the 8 1/2 minute overture! I used it as pre-show entertainment.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 12:07 PM PST
Okay, here's a sample of my anime collection:
Azumanga Daioh, Macross Zero (The direct-to-DVD prequel to the Macross TV series) and Gunparade March (It's a military drama, it's a teen romantic comedy, it's both!)
Posted by Kit Lo @ 06/20/2003 12:10 PM PST
Know why I love rec.arts.movies.past-films?
'cuz it's the only place I can think of where you will see a post headed "Please, URGENT: Hellzapoppin Question."
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 12:16 PM PST
...and there are 6 replies!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 12:18 PM PST
*waves* Hiya, Dan!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 12:19 PM PST
By the way, is it true what they say about "Tranna?" You know, that
There's a rainbow in Toronto
Where the maritimers are bold
They always get a potful
But they never get a pot of gold
?
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 12:24 PM PST
DVD Player - The In-Laws (the original, with Albert Brooks and Peter Falk)
Laserdisc Player - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
CD Player - a mix of bubblegum music (Sugar Sugar, I Think I Love You, etc.) that my wife likes and a mix of maudlin "death" songs (Tell Laura I Love Her, Honey, Seasons in the Sun, etc.) that my wife likes.
Car CD Player - Gene Pitney's Greatest Hits
Posted by Vincent Jan @ 06/20/2003 12:25 PM PST
Ok, who the hell is Maria
Ouspenskaya? I once did a
production of "Hello, Dolly" with the
lovely Sharon McNight, I was in the
pit and my mom was her dresser. It
was not pleasent in a lot of ways,
but pleasent in others, that's all I'll
say.
CD at home - I've lost track of the CD
changer in the living room seeing as
though my cousin and I both use it.
CD computer (home) - Song and
Dance - disk one OLC
CD near bed - Carpenters CD... can't
remember the title, released in 2000
with a lot of unheard material, all
very sad, of course
CD in car - The Phantom of the
Opera (i'll just run away now)
CD in iBook at work - a compilation
of songs I use for Liturgy, it puts me
in the mood while I'm at work
(Director of Music at a Catholic
Church)
VHS - Song and Dance with Sarah
Brightman and Wayne Sleep
Ok, TMI on everything. :)
Posted by Matthew @ 06/20/2003 12:26 PM PST
VJ: Great taste re: The In-Laws, but it stars Alan Arkin and Peter Falk, with nary an Albert Brooks to be had. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 12:27 PM PST
Hey Dan - my friends Jeffrey Marshall and Camille Mitchell are producing a play up in Toronto called LOBBY HERO...runs through the end of June - have you seen it yet?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 12:28 PM PST
Oh, and I'm wearing blue sweat-like
shorts, a black t-shirt, white socks
and black Skechers... in preparation
for a nice LONG walk in the woods
later on!
Posted by Matthew @ 06/20/2003 12:28 PM PST
SHARON MCNIGHT is a Cabaret West member. Her show at the Lucille Lortel Theatre will be June 26-28. Here's a link to her website http://www.sharonmcnightmusic.com
BIG COUNTRY just happened to be the film I watched on Monday last. It's one of my favorites by one of my favorite directors. The scene when Jean Simmons tells Carroll Baker she's a fool is perfectly acted, written, directed, and photographed. And that long shot when Peck and Heston duke it out is more exciting and realistic than the "in your face" blood and gore fights we see in films today. Gregory Peck was equally adept at both comedy and drama. He had a wonderfully flexible voice and, to my knowledge, never overacted. I'll be watching ROMAN HOLIDAY tonight followed by CAPTAIN NEWMAN, M.D. I recommend this movie HIGHLY. It's enormously entertaining with an excellent supporting cast. For many, it will be an undiscovered gem.
Last weekend I saw TIGHT SPOT (1955), a movie I'd never seen before. It stars Ginger Rogers, Brian Keith and Edward G. Robinson. Film noir-ish, it was based on a play and, in some instances, doesn't ring quite true, but, overall, I thought it quite good. This is a different Ginger, more nuanced.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 06/20/2003 12:28 PM PST
Oh, and I'm wearing blue sweat-like
shorts, a black t-shirt, white socks
and black Skechers... in preparation
for a nice LONG walk in the woods
later on!
Posted by Matthew @ 06/20/2003 12:28 PM PST
Matthew: Maria Ouspenskaya was the spooky gypsy lady in numerous '30s horror films (most notably, perhaps, The Wolfman with Lon Chaney, Jr.).
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 12:29 PM PST
Ron---
Normally I'd say yes she deserves a week off, but the week in question is during the period when most out-of-town Tony voters are in town and I'm sure she does not want to be out of the show then. I agree that it was probably her manager who made the double booking, but it doesn't seem fair to people who order tickets to CANDIDE on the basis of her appearance if she is likely to cancel.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/20/2003 12:32 PM PST
Jrand: re: MY EYES MY EYES THEY BURN AIIEEEEEE simply lie down, close eyes and apply a cold compress comprised of mayonnaise straight from the fridge liberally applied to and wrapped inside a single romaine lettuce leaf.
You'll be right as rain in no time!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 12:34 PM PST
Matthew---
I'm glad I'm not the only one in the US who has heard of Wayne Sleep. I fondly remember his two-season "Hot Shoe Show" broadcast here on A&E and featuring many of the biggest UK Musical Stars of the times. I wish that would be released on DVD or VHS.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/20/2003 12:35 PM PST
In that case, then, I agree with you.
Maybe, though, she expects Idina to win??
In many ways, I do.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 12:37 PM PST
DVD: The First Nudie Musical
VHS: last night's installment of
The Amazing Race
CDs:
The Wild Party (LaChuisa),
Sviatoslav Richter - Pictures at
an Exhibition, Lost in Boston 3,
Me First & the Gimme
Gimmes compilation
Red t-shirt, grey sweatpants...
was wearing a different outfit,
but Lulu and I wear the same
thing all too often.
Posted by Jed @ 06/20/2003 12:52 PM PST
Thanks for the welcomes. I haven't met too many Maritimers, but I'm sure Stompin Tom got it right. And I'm sorry I missed Kenneth Lonergan's Lobby Hero (I think it closed last week). When I was last in New York, I had the chance to see either KL's The Waverly Gallery (starring Eileen Heckart) or James Joyce's The Dead (Christopher Walken, Faith Prince, et al.) and chose the latter. Still wish I had picked the former.
Posted by TorontoDan @ 06/20/2003 12:53 PM PST
Donna, I agree RE:TBC scene between Baker and Simmons, but then for me, Miss Carroll can do no wrong, even in HARLOW. She is a particular favorite!
And I love TIGHT SPOT. I honestly did not figure out who the mole was....and the performer would not have played such a villain in his later career, I don't think. I loved the different ways they tried to hide the non-prison-allowed length of Ginger's hair (she refused to cut it for the role), and the death of one character near the end was a shock!
And the ending was terrific...
Eddie G: (to Ginger on the witness stand) Occupation?
Ginger: Right now? Gangbuster!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 12:55 PM PST
Jrand: There's a similar scene in a favorite of mine, "Remember the Night," where a wizened little old salt-of-the-earth small-town lawman filling out his paperwork gruffly asks Babs her occupation.
Her reply?
"Bubble Dancer."
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 01:05 PM PST
LOL
Can't beat the answer Jessica Lange as Frances Farmer gave when asked her occupation by a booking officer in FRANCES.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 01:13 PM PST
:)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 01:25 PM PST
WEL: I can put you mind at rest about Kristin's faith is Wicked - she loves the show and has been involved with it since its very first reading (which I saw). The other gig was booked prior to her knowing the dates for Wicked, if I remember correctly.
Two of my favorite scenes in The Big Country - one where Peck tries to ride the horse that doesn't want to be ridden - a wonderfully directed and acted scene, and Jean Simmons and Peck at Old Muddy, the long scene where he tries to gross her out and she does the same to him.
Posted by bk @ 06/20/2003 01:56 PM PST
Happy Birthday to our very dear theater friend, Peter Filichia!!
I hope he's having a day filled with colored tights and pantaloons!
In my CD player, I have PRODIGAL. In my VCR, I have the TONYs and in my DVD player, I have nothing...at the moment.. but it's a yucky day outside, so there might just be something coming (oh, a Sondheim reference)
Posted by Craig @ 06/20/2003 02:12 PM PST
Argh! BK beat me to my favorite sequence in THE BIG COUNTRY - the attempts at riding the horse. Priceless and mesmerizing. But, like BK, I posponed watching it for years and finally did loving it. The character that Gregory Peck played, a man who didn't need to prove anything to anyone, was so appealing to me. Also, I think it's probably the best performance Charlton Heston has ever given.
Maria Ouspenskaya was among the first group of actresses ever nominated for a supporting actress Oscar. She was nominated for DODSWORTH. Got another nomination three years later for LOVE AFFAIR.
Media players:
CD - TITANIC (OBC)
VCR - NEW FACES
laserdisc - STAR TREK V
DVD - THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR
Posted by Matt H @ 06/20/2003 02:17 PM PST
hmmm... this board is getting cluttered with canucks! :)
Here’s my list of av diversions:
cd: “The Last Five Years” OOBCA (which I have played so many times I can see through it)
dvd: Moulin Rouge (I discovered the 15 special Easter Eggs and now keep watching and rewatching them)
vhs: what is this mysterious ancient device you talk about?
Cd MP3 list (which I know is evil and illegal but allows a poor student to test drive cast albums before buying... I swear): Titanic OBC which you all made me want to hear and which I now love. I absolutely love all the songs in the first act especially Lady’s Maid and The Night Was Alive.
Posted by Emily @ 06/20/2003 02:47 PM PST
Emily - are you a Shiksa Goddess? ;)
Posted by Craig @ 06/20/2003 02:49 PM PST
The path you walk is thorny, through no fault of your own.....
Thanks a lot, MO!!
Posted by Larry Talbot @ 06/20/2003 03:02 PM PST
Welcome Toronto Dan!
Lulu - Am I the only one who wondered what a production of SOUTH PACIFIC would be like, minus Mr. Rodgers contribution?
I loved CAPTAIN NEWMAN MD. I always thought that Bobby Darrin should have won a Best Supporting Oscar for his work in that film.
Posted by TCB @ 06/20/2003 03:18 PM PST
In my CD player at work and at home: nothing.
In my DVD player at home: nothing.
In my VCR, a blank tape to tape something at 1 a.m. tonight (tomorrow morning).
The reason that I'm not listening to anything (and will be most errant and truant today and tomorrow) is because in a couple of hours, I will be at local high school to participate in the Thurston County (WA) American Cancer Society's Relay For Life 24 hour walk-a-thon! The relay starts at 6:00 p.m. (PT) and the first lap is the survivor's lap (for people who have survived cancer…NOT for former contestants of the "reality" show Survivor). Most teams stay at the track (at least one person from each team should be on the track at all times) and support each other and help keep each other awake if necessary. Yes, some of us do stay awake the whole time and some sleep. Last year, four people actually walked the entire 24 hours! They got special prizes and recognition afterwards.
Food will be eaten, exercise will be gotten, money will be raised (they're hoping to raise at least $300,000 for the whole event) and many, many, MANY (that's three manys!) raffle prizes will be raffled and auction items auctioned by all teams throughout the entire time to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The weather has been overcast most of the morning and I can now see some blue. As long as it doesn't rain or get very windy or too hot, we should have a great time weather-wise. So, wish me luck in my sleeplessness. I may check in on Saturday evening after the relay event before I go to bed, but definitely on Sunday when the big event to which Bruce alluded "will be revealed in all its glory".
Posted by George @ 06/20/2003 03:27 PM PST
Welcome Toronto Dan (and indeed any other newcomers).
Count me in (Gary Lewis)as a fan of Wayne Sleep. Here's to the short guys everywhere. Sleep was MC in a revival of "Cabare" in London. He had his own TV series for a while too. Loved his wonderful pdance portrayel of Champion ice skaters Torvill & Dean (He did play Chris Dean and not Jane Torvill).
If you have heard and or seen the Brightman/Sleep version of S & D why would you ever bother with Bernadette Peters take.
Not my usual time at all Ron. As a couple of other DRs would be aware, I am not coping with a few issues at the moment. Anyone who dares to mention time healing and/or is critical of a close close close friend is likely to be well and truly bashed (not literally) at present. Who invented hearts anyway?
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 03:37 PM PST
To see Mr Sleep pdance is a joy. (I think he was in "Cats" too).
And a Cabaret typo as well. It is a bad week OK!
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 03:39 PM PST
Oh, Tom, if I only had a heart!
Posted by Tin Man @ 06/20/2003 04:07 PM PST
Wayne Sleep is going to take
over the part of the Child
Catcher in the stage
production of Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 04:08 PM PST
TCB -- Mister Rogers was in a production of "South Pacific"???
;)
Tom -- Oh, dear! I must have missed something in a past post. I'm very sorry.
Got and love Gale Storm recording! Thank you kindly! Took me right back to ages 5, 6 and 7, and there I remain (spiritually).
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 04:34 PM PST
RP: You and I must be on the same wavelength; my first thought on reading that was indeed "Mr. Rogers didn't have anything to do with South Pacific!" :)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/20/2003 04:40 PM PST
I am a Shiksa Goddess extraordinaire!
I even drink blood and my father is connected to the Gotti clan ;)
(I shouldn't have to say that's just a joke... but you never know who's gonna browse through this site)
Posted by Emily @ 06/20/2003 04:45 PM PST
LOL....Rodgers/Hammerstein/Logan
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/20/2003 04:55 PM PST
Thanks DR Ron: You would have had to have been psychic!
Tin Man: Thanks also. You are so so lucky.
And all this OZ posting is of course just a post for "WICKED".
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 05:01 PM PST
By the way Tin Man, I know you have an enormous and generous heart.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 05:03 PM PST
Yes, it's a well kept secret...
Mister Rogers was in a
production of South Pacific
once.
He played Honey Bun!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 05:12 PM PST
Tom,
How sweet!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 05:13 PM PST
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang role for
Sleep
Wayne Sleep is to play The
Child Catcher in the West End
musical Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang.
The former Royal Ballet
dancer will take over the role
for a three-month run starting
in July at the London
Palladium.
Sleep, 54, is returning to his
West End roots - he starred in
the original production of Cats
in 1981.
The dancer was one of the
stars of the last series of I'm A
Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
He provided one of the show's
highlights when he crawled
through a rat run wearing a hat
made from waffles for one of
the Bushtucker Trials.
The sinister role of The Child
Catcher has previously been
played by Richard O'Brien and
Paul O'Grady, aka Lily Savage.
Former children's TV
presenter Derek Griffiths is
currently playing the role,
which Sleep takes over on July
24.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has
played to packed houses
since it opened last year and
at £6.5 million is the West
End's most expensive musical
ever.
Starring Michael Ball as wacky
inventor Caractacus Potts, the
lavish production features a
£750,000 flying car which
soars over the audience.
Posted by Truly Scrumptious @ 06/20/2003 05:18 PM PST
Now now, DR's, we shouldn't bash Mr Rodgers like that. After all, he was a very talented musician and it's very likley he could have been involved in a production of "South Pacific" in his lifetime, maybe even the original cast!
Sorry, that was bad, talk about the pot calling the kettle black, but seriously, he darned well could have.
Posted by Matthew @ 06/20/2003 05:24 PM PST
On the contrary, Francois, I am quite sure Mr. Rogers was Nellie.
Posted by TCB @ 06/20/2003 05:39 PM PST
DR Ron - Just a suggestion, but have you ever thought about going to see "Wicked"?
Posted by TCB @ 06/20/2003 05:47 PM PST
DR TCB: You know, I've given it some thought.
Somehow I just can't get worked up over it.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 06:00 PM PST
N-O-T!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 06:01 PM PST
I have nothing new and exciting although I did watch the 2cd release of Moulin Rouge. it was better than I thought. But what i really enjoyed was seeing the extended and unedite version of the dances
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/20/2003 06:03 PM PST
And they are re-releasing Chicago next month with the song Class reinstated.
Is it a marketing ploy for the DVD release or are they admiting they made a mistake when they cut it?
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/20/2003 06:04 PM PST
Stephen Spielberg is thinking of making the film version of Sweeney Todd.
Is this Sondheim/Wheeler version or someone elses?
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/20/2003 06:05 PM PST
Nellie soit qui mal y pense, as
t he Queen would say, TCB!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 06:07 PM PST
Does anyone think that the stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will fly if it ever gets to NYC?
Doctor Dolittle never made the crossing.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/20/2003 06:09 PM PST
Have a question:
TCB Y?
Posted by MDS @ 06/20/2003 06:11 PM PST
We had a lovely time with Miss Tami Tappan today, and she did a rather spectacular vocal of the magnificent Who Killed Teddy Bear.
Posted by bk @ 06/20/2003 06:40 PM PST
François, François
Je suis bon. Tres bon.
Et vous?
Comment allez-vous?
Et comment allez-tout?
Tout suite?
Toot sweet?
Vite! Vite!
--- a pome, by moi!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 06:41 PM PST
Advice needed: Should I pay $40 and buy the special edition DVD of "Spirited Away" or stick to the $30 version.
Have not seen the show but it has had such wonderful reviews here and in our press too.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 06:42 PM PST
Tom: I don't know which versions you've got up in Oz - the Disney version here is two DVDs and has lots of extras. I love the film, so I'd pop for the two DVD version as long as it's "official" and from Studio Ghibli. There are lots of bootlegs from Taiwan floating around.
Posted by bk @ 06/20/2003 06:49 PM PST
Tom,
Check amazon.com for very
low prices -- in US dollars of
course! -- for this title; there
are offers as low as 13 or 17
dollars and for a copy that's
NEW....
Ron,
Je vais très bien merci!
We say "tout DE suite"... but
i'm not in a rush :- )
I don't think you want to say "Je
suis bon" unless you mean "I
am nice"...and i didn't get your
last line, something about an
apple?
Nice try, but you must practice
-- practise, for Allan! --more!
(Listen to teacher)
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 07:17 PM PST
I'll go with practise too. Some of still like to keep our nouns and verbs in different compartments. A poeme a day keeps the Wicked apple away.
Thanks for the advice re Spirited. Amazon sounds OK until I convert the $ and add the postage. I'll go for the local authentic non Korena issue.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 07:35 PM PST
OH...... thanks for the clue,
Tom!
Sorry, Ron....
Un poème by Miss Piggy, i get
it!!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 07:40 PM PST
DR Michael Shayne: Mr. Spielberg has indeed met with Mr. Sondheim, so it would appear it is Mr. Sondheim's musical that Mr. Spielberg has an interest in.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 06/20/2003 07:50 PM PST
Are they going to use
flashlights instead of knives to
be pc?????
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:03 PM PST
Oh, ..... and they are going to
rewrite all of the music to
Sondheim's lyrics and Mr John
Williams is getting the job!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:05 PM PST
... and Tom Hanks is going to
play the Barber!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:07 PM PST
... the pies will be shrimp pies!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:08 PM PST
... No, Nathalie Baye won't get
a part! She's French and could
only be the mother of
DiCapprio!
Angela Lansbury might do a
cameo...
After all, she was British!
Once!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:11 PM PST
Now, do you think Mr
Spielberg has ever heard of
Judy Kaye?????
That would be the day....
NO! They'll sign Nicole
Kidman, i kid you not!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:15 PM PST
IS ANYBODY HOME?????
Oh, a "1776" reference!.......
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:16 PM PST
Well, musical comedy seems to be in vogue now, and since BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has done and continues to do so well, I'm sure Broadway could support another fantastical musical. I think CHITTY will do fine here. Wonder who they'll get to play Potts? Will the producers insist on Michael Ball, or would someone like Tommy Tune do?
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/20/2003 08:20 PM PST
Tommy Tune's too tall to fit into
the car! ;- )
No, they're going to get Antonio
Banderas!!!!!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 08:50 PM PST
Are you audtioning for "Wicked" François?
Thnak you for the smiles.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 08:56 PM PST
Alas and lackady, I have nothing in my media devices. . .
I'm semi-errant and truant due to the magnificent MONSTER BASH convention here. I'm sitting in with Richard Valley and Tom Amorosi, who are providing me with much needed laughter, as well as the dish on everything new under the sun - - including the cover art for JEEPERS CREEPERS.
The brand new issue of Scarlet Street arrived at the BASH, and though I haven't had the chance to peruse it, the contents look quite perusable. . .can't wait to delve into it deeper.
If Mr. Sondheim and Mr. Spielberg are listening, I do so hope that IF they are going for true talent in the role of Mrs. Lovett, that they look at Miss Cate Blanchett. I hope she can sing. . .
Posted by td @ 06/20/2003 08:57 PM PST
Woohoo! I got to be Post #100!
Posted by td @ 06/20/2003 08:57 PM PST
Let's keep it Oz and give Jackman the role too. He can sing and act. And he speaks English as does Ms Blanchett.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/20/2003 09:02 PM PST
TD - hey.. tell Richard to check his email :) thanks!!
Posted by Craig @ 06/20/2003 09:14 PM PST
Craig, you Dear Reader you, Mr. Valley won't be online until the wee small hours of the morning (oh! a Frank Sinatra reference) on Monday. . .otherwise, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to check his email.
Posted by td @ 06/20/2003 09:20 PM PST
Tom,
Please don't tell anyone; i'm
Kristin's understudy!!
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 09:30 PM PST
TD-
Just emailed you what I needed from Richard. If you could get it to him.. Bruce and I would be appreciative!
Posted by Craig @ 06/20/2003 09:34 PM PST
Re the CHICAGO DVD, it was announced months ago (when the film was first released) that "Class" would be on the DVD. However a few weeks before the DVD is released in mid-August, the film will be re-released to theatres with "Class" restored. Anything to squeeze out a few extra bucks.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/20/2003 09:35 PM PST
Sorry to have been errant and truant all day, but rehearsal called - and we actually went for the full four hours today! -We even started blocking! Got through the first 24 pages! Consequently, I am looking forward to my day off tomorrow! -I think some baking will be in order. Lots of chocolate involved. -Of course, I will not eat a crumb of it, but, then again, I always tend to bake so that I can eat the treats vicariously. ;-)
CD: Judy Kuhn's "Just in Time" - the reissue... Hmmm... It actually sounds different to me mix-wise... but it has also been at least a year (maybe even two) since I've listened to this album - the original issue. So... Can any other DRs do a comparison listen? *As I mentioned earlier this week, I finally bought a new copy after discovering that my original copy was no longer on my shelves...
DVD: Don't have one in Winchester, but I'm bringing mine back with me. -OH! I can have a TFNM Party! Ham and cheese a-plenty!
VCR: No VCR in Winchester, so...
DR Jed: Thanks for reminding me of the Richter recording of "Pictures". I haven't listened to it since after I bought it. I have a few recordings of the piece in the piano version. The Horowitz is "scary" - and I love the variations he takes. And the Kissin is a good modern recording. However, I do wish the Ashkenazy recording would be reissued. I have fond memories of the double-LP, one LP was the original piano version, and the other was the orchestral version - played and conducted by Ashkenazy. -Although, not that I think of it, I think that may have been a recording of Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons" - which are really the "The Months" so...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/20/2003 09:35 PM PST
How does it feel to be Post
#100???
Tom is #101; he must feel like
a dalmatian!
"Here, Pongo! Good boy!"
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 09:35 PM PST
And as far as Ms. Chenoweth's leave of absence from Wicked, as BK stated, the Philharmonic appearance was scheduled way before the plans for the run of Wicked were in place. And knowing how far orchestras have to plan their seasons... -And if you want to talk about advance planning... a friend of mine just got contracted for a Met appearance for the 2005-6 season!
-And I'm sure some of the Tony voter will be seeing the show early in it's run since there'll be time before the usual crunch.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/20/2003 09:42 PM PST
William-
I don't have so much issue with them re-released CHICAGO before it goes to DVD. Sure..it's to make a few more bucks - but it's also a great chance for people to see it on a BIG screen that might have missed it the first time, and also a chance to revisit it again for those of us that had and just want to enjoy it again. Musicals are ALWAYS better on a big screen...
Posted by Craig the obligatory poster @ 06/20/2003 09:50 PM PST
Shouldn't we be lobbying for Meryl Streep to be Speilberg's Mrs. L?
Also . . .
I heard that "Call Me Madam" (1953) is coming to DVD in early '04. Can anyone corroborate?
Why did that film disappear for so many years, by the way? Is it a similar reason as that for the long absence of the recently-returned-to-video "Annie Get Your Gun" (1950)?
What are some other "missing musicals" you'd like to see again on DVD? Are there many left?
I'd like to see Ray Bolger in "Where's Charley?" (We get him in "April in Paris," but we DON'T get "Where's Charley?"?!)
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 06/20/2003 10:02 PM PST
I should have specified "musicals that have been out of print for DECADES." There are, of course many musicals which are availbale on VHS which haven't made it to DVD . . .
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 06/20/2003 10:04 PM PST
Where's Charley is tied up not with the Frank Loesser estate but with the estate of the writer of Charley's Aunt which is the original source material
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/20/2003 10:17 PM PST
I want HALF A SIXPENCE to be
on dvd as well as a cd of the
gorgeous soundtrack.
I also want STAR! to be on
dvd, and DARLING LILI, even
though most people don't care
for this one..
I want... I want... What's this?
Christmastime?
Posted by François @ 06/20/2003 10:31 PM PST
Wow, that's alot of posts! Well, I didn't go to Def Leppard, so I have nothing to report. I know you were all dying to know the details :)
Anyhoo, in my DVD player is Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane. In my CD player is Acoustic Alchemy (it is always in my CD player), The Music of Bruce Kimmel, and Oingo Boingo Anthology (excellent cleaning music). In my VCR is Fight Club, which I must get on DVD.
It's past my bedtime, so good night all :)
Posted by JB aka JK @ 06/20/2003 10:31 PM PST
Tom: That was some revelation from François about being understudy for Glinda. I didn't realize he was a ditzy "blonde" type! Don't tell him I said so.
Re: "Call Me Madam" -- it used to air on that Holiday Network presentation on PBS on key holidays like Memorial Day and 4th of July -- at least, in Indianapolis, that's when that special aired. I never saw "Call Me Madam," though.
As for other musicals that ought to be released on DVD, let us not forget the Oscar winner for 1952 -- the wonderful biopic musical about Jane Froman called "With A Song in My Heart"! Fox Video announced it for VHS release, but it never happened.
I know "Singin' in the Rain" has a lot of fans out there incredulous that it was nominated for only a few Oscars and won none...but "With A Song in My Heart" is a MAJOR musical feast on its own and deserves study.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/20/2003 11:49 PM PST
George - how was the relay?
So many wonderful posts to read when I get up in the morning - a (sort of) Irving Berlin reference.
Did 20th Century Fox release its movies in stereo in the 1950's? My WOMAN'S WORLD and TITANIC and THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL VHS tapes are in stereo.... So maybe the upcoming CALL ME MADAM will be as well!
Call me Miss Birdseye.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/21/2003 03:45 AM PST
Jrand,
Cinemascope releases in the 1950s were recorded in magnetic stereo, so most of those DVDs end up as Dobly 4.9 surround.
I do believe the films you mentioned, however, are featuring only reprocessed mono into stereo soundtracks. THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR, which I'm watching on DVD, is in a reprocessed stereo (the original mono track is also provided).
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/21/2003 05:00 AM PST
LOL - it pays to PROOFREAD!
That should be Dolby 4.0.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/21/2003 05:05 AM PST
Dear DR Francois: Why the major antipathy towards Steven Spielberg? He is one of the most powerful director/producers working in film, with the clout to get most any film made that he decides to make, while maintaining the integrity of a serious filmmaker (see Artificial Intelligence, Minority Report, and Catch Me If You Can, his most recent films, for support of my statement). Instead of simply buying the property, he has had meetings with Stephen Sondheim to discuss what can and should be done in regards to Sweeney Todd. And you're tossing out barbs about "shrimp pies"?
As far as any involvement that John Williams might have, you seem to have forgotten that Williams won his first Oscar for orchestrations, not composing, for the film of Fiddler on the Roof. If I were Mr. Sondheim, I would be glad and proud to put my trust in his most capable hands.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 06/21/2003 05:36 AM PST
Oh I don't know, Matt - Dobly 4.9 sounds like it might be something the hear.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/21/2003 07:44 AM PST
Actually, "Woman's World" was in stereophonic sound as it was post-1953. "The Robe" (1953) was the first CinemaScope film Fox produced with a stereophonic soundtrack.
Those VHS Hi-Fi releases were great, though.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/21/2003 09:17 AM PST
wow - it's almost 9:30 and no word about the "Evil Eye"!
Posted by Matthew @ 06/21/2003 09:24 AM PST
