Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/25/2003 09:00 AM PST

Don't forget to read ALL the KRITZERLAND reviews at Amazon.com all were finally posted!

My question for ASK BK day - do you have a favorite score between those for THE PAJAMA GAME and DAMN YANKEES, if so which is your favorite?

And of the two movie versions, which is your favorite DAMN YANKEES or THE PAJAMA GAME?

And do you think, as delightful as she is, Janis Paige should have been cast in the film version of THE PAJAMA GAME?

AND did you see Miss Allison Hayes at the Hollywood premiere of GIANT (in the extras included on the DVD) and do you think she was uncomfortable watching a three-hour movie sitting on all those bugle beads?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 09:03 AM PST

Thank you all for your amazon reviews, which, as noted, have been posted. There are also three additional reviews up for Benjamin Kritzer, one of which is by someone I don't know (I suspect they found the book through classmates.com), someone named Linda, and it is a very short but very touching review.

Posted by bk @ 06/25/2003 09:06 AM PST

I could answer that question about the bugle beads, but I'm afraid it's against the rules.

Posted by Allison Hayes @ 06/25/2003 09:08 AM PST

Never been on a train. As for
boats, a few ferries around
Puget Sound and up to
Victoria, B.C., but that's it. Not
a whole lot of air travel for me
(just a couple times to SoCal,
and once to Nashville), all
pleasant trips, but not
noteworthy.

I shall be E&T over the next
few days, but with good
excuse, as I shall be making
my first visit to NYC. Flying out
of Seattle at midnight tonight
(via JetBlue, of course) and
returning Sunday night. My
very own mother is taking me
on this trip as my college
graduation present. Should
be a great deal of fun, as my
mother and I get along just
swimmingly. We shall be
seeing Urinetown tomorrow
night, Hairspray on Friday, and
Gypsy on Saturday. Oh, so
excited am I!!!

Anyway, must get to packing
and such, so I can later drive
to Ellensburg to meet up with
my mother when she gets off
work. I'll be back to join this
madness on Monday!

Posted by Jed @ 06/25/2003 09:13 AM PST

WOW, Jed, sounds exciting. Have a great trip!

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 09:15 AM PST

I'll tell you this much: That ain't just cellulite on those thighs!

Posted by An Allison Hayes "Ex" @ 06/25/2003 09:16 AM PST

Allison, my dear, how are things at Holy Cross?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 09:17 AM PST

Hey, "ex", look again...that girl didn't have an ounce of extra weight on her ANYWHERE! Even when she was 50 Feet Tall, she was cherce.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 09:26 AM PST

Thanks for asking, dear. To be honest, I haven't been myself for awhile. Years ago I had one of those horrendous days where you just look for the nearest hole in the ground, so you can jump into it and pull the hole in after yourself. And ever since then, I've really been down.

But enough about me - consider that subject to be dead and buried.

By the way, thanks for the flowers!

Posted by Allison Hayes @ 06/25/2003 09:32 AM PST

You're right, I misspoke myself. Allison was indeed quite the little piece.

Posted by An Allison Hayes "ex" @ 06/25/2003 09:35 AM PST

You know, some jokes are just too obvious to be funny.

Posted by Jan Morrow @ 06/25/2003 09:39 AM PST

Lady, I don't know what's bothering you, but don't take your bedroom problems out on me.

Posted by Brad Allen, Allison, et al @ 06/25/2003 09:45 AM PST

I don't have any bedroom problems...there's nothing in my bedroom that bothers me.

Posted by Jan Morrow @ 06/25/2003 09:51 AM PST

Oh?

That's too bad.

Posted by Brad Allen @ 06/25/2003 10:01 AM PST

For those that posted those wonderful reviews on Amazon.com...

Don't forget to post a review on BarnesandNoble.com as well. They have been slow at updating their site.. but right now, like the cheese, my review stands alone.

Posted by Craig @ 06/25/2003 10:02 AM PST

Craig - do you have to be a member at B/N and if so is it a hassle to join up?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 10:03 AM PST

Look Mr Allen, the telephone company tells me that we will have to share this party line for quite some time, so we are just going to have to try living together.....

Posted by Jan Morrow @ 06/25/2003 10:04 AM PST

Jrand: What's your favorite episode of Rocky Jones: Space Ranger?

I'm partial to Gypsy Moons (where Cleolanta does a 180 right at the very very end and officially becomes A Good Egg), though I also have a soft spot for Silver Needle in the Sky (Professor Newton ("How's the fig cookie recipe coming along?") turns EEEEEEEEEEvil).

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 10:10 AM PST

JR-

Nope.. ya sure don't.. you can just fill out the form and post your review...

Posted by Craig @ 06/25/2003 10:11 AM PST

For awhile we had a couple of goldfish named Rocky and Winky, but I'm afraid they're now both enjoying their gay nightlife on another plane of existence.

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 10:12 AM PST

Lulu - I also like THE GYPSY MOONS! Cleolanta certainly started giving Rocky the eye there at the end, but I also like BEYOND THE CURTAIN OF SPACE!

Thanks, Craig. I will write another review this evening! To go along with my TWO at Amazon.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 10:15 AM PST

I always thought Professor Newton was named for the cookie, as well.

And didn't Secretary Drake of United Worlds look a lot like President Eisenhower?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 10:17 AM PST

Well, of course, Beyond the Curtain of Space is great in that it's the "origins" story, ther set-up for all that occurs afterward.

Plus, ya gotta love Vena and her tiny space cape and her super-nifty space car.

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 10:17 AM PST

Ya know, I never noticed that before about Sec'y Drake and Ike, but I'll bet you're right.

Hmmmmm...maybe we need to have a Rocky marathon tonight (and I ain't talkin' 'bout no Italian Stallion, neither!)

Beyond the Curtain...is the one with the traitor Grif (Griff?), right? And Ampersand and his resistance leader wife?

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 10:20 AM PST

Vena was super sexy and drove like a bat out of atomic hell! And what nifty boots and yes her cape was a neat as Superman's.

Atlasande and Griff are in those episodes along with Trina, the wife who leads the resistance, or was she in CRASH OF MOONS? Grrrrrrrrr....I don't remember.

Atlasande was played by one of my favorite 1950's actors Harry Lauter!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 10:23 AM PST

Never been on a train, rarely been on a boat, and any plane trip that ends without crashing is a good one for me (I hate to fly)!

Ok, now for the BK question:

When you attend the Courts Hollywood memorablia show do you ever get anyone's autograph? If so, whose have you obtained? And who are you looking forward to seeing there this time around?

And this one isn't so much a question but rather a request...when you report back on all the excitement (since I will be unable to attend this one) of the show can you let me know if you see Virginia Davis..she played Alice in Wonderland in a series of films during the silent days..she is the main person I would have wanted to meet (aside from yourself and Susan, of course) at that affair! Just the fact that someone from the silent era is still around is wonderful, and oh what history!!

Hey, Allison, glad you could visit from the great beyond!

Posted by MBarnum @ 06/25/2003 10:25 AM PST

Yep, the producers of Rocky Jones were smart in that they did the whole point/counterpoint casting that helped make the Flash Gordon serial such a smash. Lovely sweet blonde wide-eyed naif = Dale = Vena. Super-sensual wicked brunette exotic vamp = Ardala = Cleolanta.

Of course, those not interested in girls are out of luck. Nice but kind of thick Flash = nice but kind of thick Rocky...and then there's Winky, truly in a class by himself.

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 10:28 AM PST

Ask BK: How do you rate the score to "Nine" against scores of the past 10 years? 20 years? 30 years? 40 years? 50 years? 60 years?

Planes: I've flown many times to many places, 1st class to coach, 767s, 747s and smaller. But the most enjoyable/memorable plane ride was in a twin-propeller Army jobby in the mid-1970s. I was part of a military community theater company doing "Come Blow Your Horn." We had done it in our theater and the base commander proposed sending us to all the Army/Air Force sites he could schedule us in over a two-week period in Italy, Greece and Turkey. The Commanding General gave us two planes and those planes carted us all over the place. You haven't traveled over Greece if you haven't had the thrill of flying just above the trees covering Mount Olympus, or flying over the ruins of Philippi enroute to Turkey, or surveying the vast plains of Turkey enroute to a very remote (in Asia) site just 100 miles from the then-USSR border with Turkey.

Train: European trains are fabulous, especially the expresses. Best train trip, though, was taking an auto train from Italy (north of Milan) to Bern, Switzerland -- going through those mountain passes was awesome. Best of all, we (I was one of four going on a skiing trip)could sit in the car if we wanted, but it was pretty cold, so we only did it once for about 20 minutes.

Boats: I was in the Navy and served on two carriers: one nuclear-powered and one conventional. There was no fun involved, except pulling into port. However, I once took a boat from Corinth, Greece to Rimini, Italy. It was a boat you drove your car onto (and into). It lasted a day and night and I had a berth in a room with three strangers, but it was fun. I sat at the dining table with a French couple who were ultra-friendly with me (my conversational French, at that time, was excellent) until they learned I was an American. I never did understand why that mattered to them.

Sigh!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/25/2003 10:29 AM PST

...and that's not even taking into account Queen of Outer Space, where the most repulsive crew in the history of sci-fi finds themselves on a planet with wall-to-wall gorgeous babes.

*sigh* whither art The Planet of Colin Firths?

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 10:31 AM PST

For Ask BK Day:
Over the years you have no doubt attended many readings and workshops of works-in-progress. Did you ever see anything in this form that you thought would be a big hit in its finished version and then it never went beyond the workshop stage? Did you ever see anything that did get further productions and where they shows you would have predicted would have a future or were you surprised that they were produced?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/25/2003 11:31 AM PST

The most unusual train trip I've ever taken was on a holiday weekend, heading from Los Angeles to Modesto, where my father was planning to pick me up and drive us both to his home in the mountains. The problem was that the run from Los Angeles north through the valley doesn't start as a train, but as a bus connection up to Bakersfield. The bus connection takes the same road route that everyone else takes, over the Grapevine. This particular holiday weekend, just as everyone was heading to their wherevers, a truck jackknifed at the very base of the Grapevine. Traffic was held up for literally hours.

We finally got past the jackknifed truck and got to Bakersfield, where we were able to board the train, but then had to wait for a couple more hours while another bus, which was coming in from Santa Monica or some such place, made IT'S way through the log-jammed traffic. Finally, the train began it's journey north...but then we had to stop AGAIN, this time in Fresno, because the train's engineers weren't permitted by union rules to drive the train any further. Because of all the delays, they had exceeded their allotted time for their shift. To make matters worse, we (the passengers) had to wait until ANOTHER team of drivers arrived to take their place. By this time, the snack bar on the train had been cleaned out of every concession they had, and there was very little water even to slake the passenger's thirsts.

The train, which had been scheduled to pull into Modesto at something like 6 PM, finally arrived in Modesto at 2 AM. Fortunately, my father is a very patient man and had waited with a few other people at a nearby coffee shop, because the train station itself had closed and locked up at 10 PM...and the only phones were INSIDE the station, under lock and key, so there would have been no way for me to call him if he had decided to drive home and wait for me to call him there.

Since that weekend, I never take the train if I know I've got a schedule to keep.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 06/25/2003 11:34 AM PST

I love trains. If you have a lot of time,
trains are the way to go. I've learned
that one cannot always count on
trains being on time, and I've also
noticed that a lot of times, no one
cares if they are on time or not. It's
the most comfotable and sometimes
the most beautiful way to travel.

Question for BK - What has been
your favorite Cast Album to produce,
and what has been you least
favorite?

Posted by Matthew @ 06/25/2003 11:55 AM PST

Apropos of today's co-subject, has anyone else noticed that if you leave a letter out of the HHW url, you get

www.hainesHIway.com

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 12:10 PM PST

Lulu,
Now, at least one member of the crew flying to the Queen of Outer Space planet was a hottie...Patrick something-or-other..can't think of his name, but he ended up marrying one of the actresses who co-starred in the film (or maybe they were already married at that time).

Posted by MBarnum @ 06/25/2003 12:32 PM PST

Patrick Waltz, Michael.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 12:36 PM PST

...what?

Posted by Brad Allen @ 06/25/2003 12:36 PM PST

I was waiting for you to make an off color remark.

Posted by Jan Morrow @ 06/25/2003 12:41 PM PST

Is that all you have on your mind?

Posted by Brad Allen @ 06/25/2003 12:45 PM PST

Never mind MY mind - you just stick your half hour and I will stick to mine.

Posted by Jan Morrow @ 06/25/2003 12:48 PM PST

Jrand---
I clicked on the URL you listed and got "This Page Cannot Be Found".

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/25/2003 12:49 PM PST

It's not a real page...it's a play on words and letters...

Haines HI Way...trains, boats, and planes...transportation and...oh never mind. It wasn't very clever to begin with and on explanation loses what charm it did have...

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 12:55 PM PST

MBarnum, if Patrick "27 million miles from home...and the little dolls are just the same" Waltz tugs at your bobber, by all means have at it. He's all yours. :)

Not my cup o' tea.

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 01:04 PM PST

I am all for any movie that makes ruling over an entire planet a lot like ruling over the panel on What's My Line!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 01:06 PM PST

Bacheeno! Bacheeno!

Posted by Gorgeous Space Babe @ 06/25/2003 01:06 PM PST

I hate dat Qveen.

Posted by Talleah @ 06/25/2003 01:08 PM PST

I admit that I do love the part where scientist (snicker) Zsa Zsa Gabor is trying to conduct a super-secret meeting of the Space Babe Rebels. When she's interrupted by some of the Queen's minions she pouts, "Go avay! You are disturbing my vork," as she fiddles with rearranging some space flora in a vase.

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 01:08 PM PST

Oh, I also like it when she starts up the Beta Disentagrator and it sounds like she's cranking up a 1957 Rambler.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 01:09 PM PST

And of course, who could forget Joi Lansing showing up on the rocketpad to say goodbye to Patrick "hottie" Waltz? LOVE the green strapless ballgown and blood-red opera gloves.

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 01:10 PM PST

Fifty million kids thought I married Superman in that one episode....even Lois was fooled into believing it.

Posted by Joi Lansing @ 06/25/2003 01:11 PM PST

And what's with the apple-cheeked scientist with the lecherous gleam in his eye and the hairdo of Bob's Big Boy?

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 01:11 PM PST

Which Lois? Me?

Posted by Noel Neill @ 06/25/2003 01:12 PM PST

...or me?

Posted by Phyllis Coates @ 06/25/2003 01:12 PM PST

You, Noel...in color!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 01:14 PM PST

Joi was a little hussy. If I were to tell you some of the backstage shenanigans that girl was involved in...it would scorch your computer!

Posted by Noel Neill @ 06/25/2003 01:15 PM PST

Nice hair color, Noel. Lucille Ball's look was sedate in comparison.

Posted by Joi Lansing @ 06/25/2003 01:18 PM PST

OK, BK - one from off the beaten path:

Are you familiar with the full score of Stephen Schwartz'
"Children of Eden", and if so why do you think it has not made the transition to Broadway?

Posted by Phil @ 06/25/2003 01:19 PM PST

Lulu? "tugs at your bobber"?

Isn't this a "family" site?

tsk! ; )

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/25/2003 01:36 PM PST

Patrick Waltz, aka Philip Shawn, RIP

The actor died at age 47 on Aug. 13, 1972, in Burbank, Calif., after a long illness. He left behind a wife, four children and a grandchild.

And, apparently, a string of very unhappy women.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/25/2003 01:45 PM PST

Best plane experience: When I was eight my parents took us, my brother sister and myself, to Mexico City. Back then we were allowed to go into the cockpit and visit with the pilot. It was night when we approached the city and we were in the cockpit until just minutes before landing. We were treated to an incredible sight.

Best boat experience: While in Maui we took a boat ride to see the dolphins. There were hundreds of Spinner Dolphins. It was absolutely incredible. I was crying tears of joy. Unfortunately I was also throwing up. To keep the dolphins swimming & spinning in the wake of the boat, we had to keep spinning they boat. I’m sure never has anyone had such a big smile on their face while as sick as I was.

Helicopter experience: Since a helicopter is different than a plane, I will include this story. We were in Denali Park on a family trip. I as usual forgot about my sensitive stomach when booking the flight. While hovering over a glacier, with a bag in front of my face, I asked the pilot if we could please land. Of course it wasn’t allowed, but land he did in the middle of a glacier with NO ONE around. It was amazing.

Posted by Jane @ 06/25/2003 01:50 PM PST

RP: All right, all right. How about "whatever tickles your fancy"?

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 01:55 PM PST

Ohhhh! I get it!

The double entendre wasn't intentional.....

Ahhhhhh.....!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/25/2003 01:59 PM PST

Ah! The light bulb flickers!

Mr. Watson, come here. I want you!

Posted by Thomas Edison @ 06/25/2003 02:01 PM PST

Queen from Outer Space, of course, stars my friend Margaret's (to whom Kritzerland is dedicated) father - Dave Willock. He's the comedy relief earth man.

Posted by bk @ 06/25/2003 02:03 PM PST

Bruce, I'm glad you liked my review of Benjamin Kritzer. It was from the heart. I found Kritzerland to be equally charming. You have a very unique style of writing that captures one's interest and never lets go. When the last page is read, we find ourselves wanting more. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Posted by Linda @ 06/25/2003 02:08 PM PST

Your comments make me very happy, Linda - and welcome to haineshisway.com. If you feel like it, post a Kritzerland review, too.

Posted by bk @ 06/25/2003 02:32 PM PST

For Ask BK Day: Do you have/use a Mac or a PC?

I remember reading somewhere that during the making of THE UNFORGIVEN, Audrey Hepburn fell off her horse and broke her back. When you see her bare back in the vintage silver gown in MY FAIR LADY, her vertebrae are very prominent, not because she was so slim but because when the backbones healed, it left them almost bulging out of her spine.

Posted by Matt H. @ 06/25/2003 02:59 PM PST

Oz is certainly on a different planet today!

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/25/2003 03:07 PM PST

Yes, Tom...Jupiter is aligned with S'Mores, I think.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/25/2003 03:11 PM PST

Hey, guys...just checking in for the day.

WEL and Ray: Thank you so much for the cookies!! I haven't been able to eat them yet, but I'm looking forward to it. :-)

DR Laura and Jane: Thanks for the postcards! They're taped to my makeup mirror and people are green--GREEN--with envy. I'll soon be the most popular person in the entire cast!

Jose: Why are you going to Australia? I want details, man! I haven't been able to read all of the posts lately, but I caught something about your trip. Email me and let me know whats up!

Anywho, back to TITANIC for now. Thanks again, everyone, for the mail!

Posted by Jason @ 06/25/2003 03:13 PM PST

The people who run The Orient Express wanted to test out whether they could run a luxury train between New York and Chicago (with a stop in Philadelphia). On one of these test runs, I was hired to play the baby grand piano in the living room car when anyone was in the living room car. Quite a number of hours of work (and in a tux, yet) but of course I played almost nothing but musical theatre: A lot of On the 20th Century, When that Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves For Alabam' - I even tried to get my hands on Flanders & Swann's The Slow Train, but don't recall if I succeeded.

A fun way to travel, but, alas, they didn't sell enough tickets. I did just one run, back and forth, and that was it: My first time in Chicago, too.

Posted by Noel @ 06/25/2003 03:52 PM PST

Wow, Allison Hayes and Joi Lansing back from the grave all in one day! LOL! Now if we could get June Kenney to post, my day would be complete!

Ok, Lulu, I will take Patrick Waltz...a far sight better then most I have dated in the past! LOL! And he married Lisa Davis...now it all comes back to me.

In September I will be lunching with Queen of Outer Space Laurie Mitchell when I travel down to La La Land! She is still recovering from her Zsa Zsa Gabor experience and having to work with Eric Fleming not just once, but twice (she guest starred on an episode of Rawhide).

Posted by MBarnum @ 06/25/2003 04:05 PM PST

Bruce,
Did you get to meet Dave Willock? I always liked him in Revenge of the Creature and numerous other 50s features that he popped up in.

Posted by MBarnum @ 06/25/2003 04:08 PM PST

It's a Dave Willock Day - there is an Elvis Fantasy Festival this weekend in Indy (in honor of the King's last concert) and who should be in town but Miss Cynthia Pepper who played the title role in the one season wonder ABC television series MARGIE...and her father was played by none other than DAVE WILLOCK!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/25/2003 04:13 PM PST

Ask BK Day Question

Finally saw the horrible transfer of The Creature Wasn't Nice that calls itself Naked Space. You mentioned how terrible the framing was siting examples such as seeing over the top of the sets. My question is this why didn't the cinematographer make the shot tighter so that top of the set would not be seen in case a misframing like this would occur or why isn't there an in camera matte that would block out all the unwanted visuals in the scene?

2) The Laird Studios. Do they still exist and what were they before they become the Laird studios?

3) Does Broderick Crawford audio tracks for TCWN still exist?

4) if you were to be remembered by one filmed or video acting performance which one would it be? And which one would you like to be buried somewhere in the desert?

5) What 5 (more or less) would best describe Bruce Kimel?

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/25/2003 04:17 PM PST

Jrand: I just asked the Hubby about Sec'y Drake looking like Eisenhower. After a long pause and a sigh, he finally said that maybe looked at straight on, over the televiewer, Sec'y Drake looked kind of like Eisenhower; but definitely not in profile.

There y'are!

Posted by Lulu @ 06/25/2003 04:20 PM PST

Cynthia Pepper used to live here in good ol' Oregon...I think she has moved though.

I heard that Edna Skinner lives around here someplace!

Posted by MBarnum @ 06/25/2003 04:20 PM PST

Yes, I met Dave several times - I used to run into him at Gelson's quite often. One of the nicest people you'd ever want to spend time with.

Posted by bk @ 06/25/2003 05:01 PM PST

Spent the day in DC with a friend. There's a great little record store called Melody Records in Dupont Circle and they have a great theatre music area, including many BK-produced CD's. I ended up buying one of the few Merman CD's I don't already have, and the revival cast recording of Nine.

I don't have the original cast so I wasn't all that familiar with the score aside from "Folies Bergere" and a "Unusual Way" but God, what a rich, brilliant, incredible score, right up there with the best of Sondheim, IMO...I have to get up to NYC and see the Roundabout production before it closes. I wish I could have seen the original show...I can only imagine the beautiful women in amazing outfits on those white tiles.

So that brings me to my ask-BK question. I have to be unoriginal here and ask another Nine question. Which production of the show do you prefer,and if you've gotten around to buying the new CD yet, which recording do you prefer. Also, do you prefer Liliane Montevecchi or Chita, Anita Morris or Jane Krakowski?

BTW--You're very welcome for the review :) Amazon sent me an e-mail saying my order of Kritzerland had been delayed :( Am I the first this has happened to? I guess Kritzerland is so popular right now they can't keep it in stock!

Posted by Maya @ 06/25/2003 05:17 PM PST

Yes, you are the first I've heard who's received something like that from amazon. I would say if it's more than just a day or two to cancel the order and get it directly from 1stbooks.com, the publisher. It's the same price. Or, if you were buying the hardback, you can get it here, five dollars cheaper.

Posted by bk @ 06/25/2003 05:51 PM PST

Unfortunately, it's kind of too late for that now. I clicked on a link that asked me to "okay" the delay...so I'll probably get it in a couple of weeks.

Posted by Maya @ 06/25/2003 06:06 PM PST

Click on my name - which one of you called me fat?

I don't care what you're name is - to me you are "Harry....!!"

Posted by Allison Hayes @ 06/25/2003 06:44 PM PST

I love to travel by pretty much any means. When I was growing up, we would take holidays in France and travel by ferry - I was quite used to travelling by sea long before I ever set foot on a plane. The most beautiful boat journey I've taken, though, was more recently - from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay in British Columbia. It's a spectacular trip, though it's fairly short (an hour and a half).

I love trains as well. I've crossed North America by train from coast to coast four times, and I'd love to do it again (unfortunately right now I don't have either the time or the money). I saw the desert for the first time through the window of a train. I saw the Rockies, Lake Champlain, the Mississippi - those were memorable trips. I also very much enjoyed taking the Eurostar train from London to Paris and back (it's particularly cool when they announce, on the French side, that the train has hit top speed - 186mph). And I thoroughly enjoyed travelling to the highest railway station in Europe - Jungfraujoch in Switzerland. It's underground, believe it or not - and you can walk right out onto the glacier. It's an amazing place.

Flying I tend to find somewhat boring - I prefer short flights to longer ones (though I'm not at all afraid of flying). I particularly dislike the overnight flight to England when I go back home (oddly enough, I find it easier from the west coast than from here, I think because it's a longer flight and there's more time to sleep. From here, it really screws with my body clock). I have, however, had a few memorable flights. One was an afternoon flight from San Diego to San Francisco on a beautifully clear February afternoon 5 years ago - the views were sensational. I remember, also, a flight from Manchester to Paris, also in winter, on (again) an incredibly clear day on which most of England and northern France was covered in snow. I love the final approach into San Diego airport as well (though it was a little unnerving the first time). My favourite flight, though, is the shuttle from London Heathrow to Manchester, because it means I'm almost home. I've done it so often that I can work out where we are from the ground all the way, and the view over the Cheshire Plain as the plane lines up for approach into Manchester somehow always makes me happy.

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 06/25/2003 06:56 PM PST

I'm happy to say that our newest feature, Juliana's Journal, will be up and running by morning. I'll have complete details about it in tomorrow's notes.

Posted by bk @ 06/25/2003 07:30 PM PST

Wow! What another lovely day of a lovely number of lovely posts!

For DR Reader Jason (and other interested DRs) - I'll be serving as a Talent Consultant for an upcoming audition tour for Universal Studios Japan. I'll be playing for the auditions, and providing my input on the talent we see and hear along the way. I leave from the States on August 23, and start with a "team building" get together in Sydney on the 25th. -Which will basically be a party on a yacht in Sydney Harbor drinking beers and throwing some shrimp on the barbie. (Sorry to Tom if that offended.) Then it's off to Gold Coast for the first day of auditions, then to Melbourne and Sydney - about three days in each city. Then I come back stateside for a week off - but I'll still be playing for USJ at SETCs that week, but it's not part of the audition tour. Then the tour resumes in Orlando on September 12. After Orlando comes, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. I finish up in LA on September 27, and fly back hom on the 28th.

Can I tell you all just how excited I am about all of this? Truly a dream gig. And I'll have lots of free time in each city to do some sight-seeing and exploring. And to meet other Hainsies/Kimlets!

*What's also neat about this, is that I'll be turning 35 in Australia! I know I'll be away from my family and friends, but I actually know one of the guys going on the tour, and I'm sure we'll have a good time! Heck, I'll be in Australia!

Now I just have to get my passport in order, and start figuring out what to pack.

-And I'll be sure to send lots of postcards!

Oh, and for any of you who happen to spend a day in Middleburg, VA, be sure to make a stop at the Black Coffee Bistro for a wonderful lunch or dinner. I went back today with a friend, and even though they had relocated from the quaint house/inn they were in, I still enjoyed my meal - a nice "high end" chicken-fried steak. The herb grits were amazing! And my friend had a wonderful Lamb "steak" Salad. -And Middleburg is also a great little town to explore. So much there that you wouldn't expect on first sight. And right in the middle of horse country - beautiful!

Well, I'm off to meet some friends for some post-show ham and cheese chunks! Until later...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/25/2003 07:36 PM PST

My college roommate was simply crazy about Joi Lansing. Used to LIVE for the episodes of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES where she appeared as the wife of either Lester Flatt or Earl Scruggs, can't remember which. But she seemed to be on fairly often.

Posted by Matt H. @ 06/25/2003 08:32 PM PST

Questions for the esteemed Bruce:
Have you ever directed a play which
you did not write? If so, what was it/
were they?
Are you familiar with Greek tragedy?
Are there any that you love? Have
you ever been in one?
Since I've been away for so long, I'll
ask my favorite question what was
the last play that you saw, and what
was your opinion?
Did you ever write a non-musical
play?
Are you planning to see Bounce in
Chicago or D.C. (where it will be in
the fall)?

And a question for Jose: Will you be
able to play in the pit at the KC in D.
C., or work as a rehearsal pianist?
That would be really cool.

Posted by Hapgood @ 06/25/2003 08:52 PM PST

Isn't about time we had an update for the rogue's gallery section? (I think that's my ask BK question - maybe it's my ask Mark B question!)

I hate planes! I have flown from Melbourne to London a few times and from New York to Melbourne as well. I hate not being able to go outside for a walk.

I love trains. European trains are wonderful. USA trains (NY to Niagra and NY to Montreal) were fine too. Across From Melbourne Oz to Perth is quite a journey too.
I have also been from Montreal to Quebec on the simply delightfully friendly Canadian rail service.
The train trip from Copenhagen to Stockholm was another one that was memorable.

My first trip to England from Oz was by ship via the Panama Canal - the trip was great but cruise ships are not for me!

I went on a Bus trip of Europe once! Never again. Why do the wrong people travel?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/25/2003 09:37 PM PST

DR Hapgood: I would love to be in the pit for Bounce when it comes to the Kennedy Center, but, most likely, the keyboard players will travel with the production since the keyboard players - especially on a new piece - are the assistant conductors. So... I would love to get the call, but I don't think it will happen. -Do you have the pit breakdown? *I will also be working on Camelot this fall at Arena Stage, so it may be just a matter of bad timing. :-(

But, hey, I'm going to Australia! ;-)

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/25/2003 10:13 PM PST

It's late and I'm just checking in. I don't have a question.

The first time that I remember flying (well, have a memory of flying) was when I was about six years old (it was 1972) and we lived in Germany (my dad was in the army). He was transferred to Ft. Carson, Colorado and we flew from Germany to New Jersey where my parents bought a car and we eventually drove the rest of the way. All I really remember about the flight is that when we landed and the plane actually touched the ground, I asked my mom if a cannonball had hit us. What did I know?

I didn't fly again until 1990. By then I had no memory of what it had been like to fly, only that I had been in a plane. What I realized was that I like flying. I must get that from my aunt, Sister Cecelia. She's a nun and lives in California. Whenever she visits us, she takes the flight with the most stops along the way because she loves it when the plane takes off and lands! I agree. It's pretty cool. Granted, I've never experienced bad turbulence or any other problems on the few flights I’ve had. That would probably change my opinion very quickly.

The coolest thing happened the one time that I went to New York in 1995. We left SeaTac Airport in the afternoon. As we flew over the clouds, the sun was above us in just the right position and the conditions were perfect. I looked down and (I kick myself for not having my camera on the plane) saw a rainbow that was a complete circle! There was no end to the rainbow! It was pretty darn cool.

Posted by George @ 06/25/2003 11:30 PM PST

Jose - how exciting...traveling & working & being paid!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 03:16 AM PST

This a very late post but I guess it's better than none.

My father worked at Canadian National Railways for something like forty years as a civil engineer for bridges and structures. When he was hired in the sixties the company was so desperate for employees that they started a free family rail pass thing where basically all CNR employees and there imediate family could travel for free on their train lines (VIA Rail being the passenger one). They discontinued the service in the eighties but grandfathered all the older passes.

Consequently, most of my early travel memories involve train journeys. I think I've done the whole of the Windsor/Quebec City corridor about 15 times at least. :)

Posted by Emily @ 06/26/2003 04:49 AM PST

G'morning everyone! :)

Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 05:58 AM PST

Good morning, back, Miss Lulu.

I've been somewhat errant because the air conditioning at my office has been out of order. Although we have had one of the wettest and coolest Junes on record, the past two days, especially yesterday, have been very hot and muggy. Of course, that's the time the building decides to work on the air conditioning system. It's been as hot in our office as it is outside (yesterday in NYC it was in the 90s with extremely high humidity) so I don't have much enthusiasm for posting right now. The higher-ups are trying to decide if we should close early today, since the AC still isn't working. UGGGHHH

Posted by Ben @ 06/26/2003 06:08 AM PST

Thursday is here...can Friday come quickly enough?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 06:24 AM PST

Ben - I vote that you close early.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 07:24 AM PST

Joi Lansing was married at one time to Lance Fuller who played the big-head Brack in THIS ISLAND EARTH...second in command on Earth, from the planet Metaluna.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 07:29 AM PST

Ben, add my vote to the others who think your office should close early.

Jrand, I am still struggling with the concept that people didn't realize the blue guy with the huge, bubble-shaped forehead and snow-white hair was not, in fact, from Idaho. Also, in what galaxy does the line "The cat's name is Neutron, because he's so positive!" make sense?

On the plus side, this film stars a man named Rex Reason (one of the all-time great movie star names) and the Professor from Gilligan's Island.

Still trying to build an interocitor, I am yours, etc., Lulu

Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 08:02 AM PST