haines his way

06/26/2003:
"THE FIELD TRIP"

Well, dear readers, I must write with haste but must have no waste because as we all know haste makes waste but not if you have taste. Well, we’re off to a flying start, are we not? In fact, we’re off to a flying Wallenda start. In mere moments I must go pick up Ben Jones, son of Richard Jones – Bee Killer, and Margaret Jones, my muse. Together we will go to the downtown library on a field trip, so that I can make sure that all the movies and dates in Kritzer three match up perfectly. I’ve done this for the other two books as well – it’s very tiring but I like to be accurate (and usually am). We are going to park in North Hollywood and take the MetroRail downtown, which will be my first time doing so. Apparently it lets you off right at Pershing Square, which is a mere two blocks from the library. That way we avoid the awful morning and afternoon traffic. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Today we introduce a brand spanking new feature here at haineshiway.com. It’s Juliana’s Journal, wherein our very own Juliana A. Hansen keeps a journal of her experiences doing the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. We’ll follow her ride from the casting sessions, through rehearsals, right to opening night and beyond. I think you’ll find it a lot of fun. It will be updated at least two or three times a week, probably more, so pay a visit. For now, use the Handy-Dandy links to new sections button, and then simply click on Juliana’s Journal and voila, there you will be. We’re going to redesign our home page in the next few weeks, so that all the key links are right there and ready to be clicked on.
Speaking of clicking, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below, because don’t I have some excellent questions to answer? I do and I shall.

Mr. Craig Brockman promises me we shall have quite a few lovely photos up for your viewing pleasure – photos from our recent New York jaunt, along with the cover art for the new album. But enough about Craig, on to your excellent questions.
Jose asks if I’ve ever been down under to Australia, or New Zealand or even the Pacific Islands. No, I have not been down under or up over, I have been nowhere, man, nowhere. I was in Toronto once, and Montreal once (and no, Virginia, I did not have poutine), but that is all. I’ve been all over these United States however, but the rest of the world is virgin territory for me. What determines what my daily attire will be? Unless I’m going somewhere, I just throw on whatever I see hanging in the closet. If I have an appointment then I do make an attempt to not look like a bag of laundry. Do I like wearing black tie/tuxedos? If not, what do I prefer to wear to formal events? I do not like formal attire much, but I wear it if I’m forced to. I would always prefer to be casual and wear tennis shoes.
Jrand52 asks which is my favorite score – Damn Yankees or The Pajama Game? I like both, but I am more partial to Damn Yankees. Do I think Janis Paige should have been cast in the film version of The Pajama Game? Well, I never saw her on the stage, so I cannot say, oh, no, I cannot say at this time. I do, however, think Miss Doris Day does a fine job. Have I seen Miss Allison Hayes at the Hollywood premiere of Giant? No, I still haven’t gotten around to either the film or the supplements, but I will soon.
MBarnum asks when I attend the Ray Courts show do I ever get anyone’s autograph. I’ve attended most of his shows over the years, both as spectator and signer, but I’ve never gotten anyone’s autograph. Who am I looking forward to seeing? Well, Shirley Jones, of course, and the amazing Tura Satana, and I’d like to say hello to Ronald Neame, and there are quite a few others that are nifty.
Ron Pulliam asks how I rate the score to Nine against scores of the past ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty and sixty years. Okay, I will admit it – I have never been all that partial to Nine. I will be buying the reissue, and maybe this time I’ll get into it more. I like moments and pieces of it, but a lot of it I find really irritating. I think I would rate it okay against scores of the last ten years, and less okay for each successive decade.
William E. Lurie says that over the years I have no doubt attended many readings and workshops of works-in-progress. Did I ever see anything in this form that I thought would be a big hit in its finished version and then it never went beyond the workshop stage? No, I can’t think of any – nor have I seen all that many workshops or readings. Did I ever see anything that did get further productions and were they shows I would have predicted a future for or was I surprised they were produced? I have seen very bad workshops of things that go on to other workshops, but so far nothing has gone beyond that, which means taste does prevail every now and then. I did see the Flower Drum Song revisal workshop, and I did offer my opinion that I thought it could really work like gangbusters if they fixed the thirty percent that just didn’t work at all. Unfortunately, they didn’t, although after much badgering on my part I was happy to see they finally cut The Next Time it Happens. It was still in the show here at the Taper, as it had been at the workshop. I’d been as vocal as could be after the workshop that it had no place in the score, and at the opening night party here, I was even more vocal, cornering Ted Chapin of the R&H Organization and telling him I would put a hex on the show if they didn’t cut it. Thank goodness, sanity prevailed.
Matthew asks what has been my favorite cast album to produce and what has been my least favorite. Well, the easiest was Bells are Ringing. My favorite probably would be The King and I, which I’m very proud of. The most annoying would be Hello, Dolly! because its star was not the most pleasant person to work with, and Play On! as good as it is, and as great as the cast was to work with, was kind of an annoying session because the musical supervisor was a curmudgeon and just not cooperative. I also loved doing the No Way to Treat a Lady album – just tons of fun.
Phil asks if I’m familiar with the full score to Stephen Schwartz’ Children of Eden and if so why do I think it has not made the transition to Broadway? I’ve never seen the show so I don’t know how it works on stage, but I will say it’s my least favorite Schwartz score.
MattH asks if I use a Mac or PC. I wear a Mac in the rain, and I use a PC, a Dell laptop.
Michael Shayne has seen the horrid DVD transfer of Naked Space (aka Spaceship, aka The Creature Wasn’t Nice). I’ve mentioned how terrible the framing is (it’s an open matte transfer, therefore you see things above and below the 1:85 ratio that weren’t meant to be seen, like the tops and bottoms of sets, etc.), and Michael’s question is why didn’t the cinematographer make the shot tighter so that the top of the set would not be seen in case of misframing? Well, we didn’t want the shot tighter – we “protected” up to 1:66, but everything above and below that is just wasted space. When I made the preview print of my version of the film I had it hard matted to 1:85 so there could be no misframing. But most 1:85 movies always have the rest of the frame exposed, and unfortunately there have been a few awful open matte transfers where you see mics and all kinds of junk. The first laserdisc of North by Northwest that came out exposed to much top and you could see the top of the Mt. Rushmore backdrop. The film was shot at The Laird Studios – do they still exist and what were they before they were Laird? Laird is now The Culver Studios and was originally David O. Selznick (the David O. Selznick logo – that building is the front of the studio on Washington Blvd in Culver City – it’s still there). ET was shot there, Mad About You was shot there, and it’s currently still quite a busy lot. The Bay Cities offices were originally on the lot and then moved directly next door. Do the Broderick Crawford audio tracks still exist (Mr. Crawford was the voice of the ship’s computer in the original cut) – well, they exist in the tape I have of my version of the film – beyond that I have no idea if the original masters exist. If I were to be remembered by one filmed or video acting performance which would it be? No contest – Nudie Musical. Which would I like to be buried in the desert? The Young Lawyers, I suppose – I was really terrible. What five more or less would best describe Bruce Kimmel? I do not understand this question. What five what? What five foods? What five movies? What five diets? What five pennies – oh, a Susan Gordon reference.
Hapgood asks if I’ve ever directed a play that I did not write? You know, I can’t remember. I don’t think that I have, though, other than maybe something in college. I did direct a film I didn’t write, though – Prime Suspect – where I replaced the original director and finished the thing. But I would like to direct things I don’t write – in a way doing my albums is like directing things I don’t write. Am I familiar with Greek tragedy? Yes, I got very familiar with Greek tragedy and Greek tragedy slapped me silly. I saw Medea once (with the great Judith Anderson), so I guess that means I’m a little familiar with Greek tragedy. I once had a very bad meal in a Greek restaurant, and let me tell you, that was a Greek tragedy. What was the last play I saw and what was my opinion? The last play I saw (if one considers it a play) was The Search for Intelligent Signs of Life in the Universe, written by Jane Wagner and starring Lily Tomlin. I’d seen it before, several times, and I still adore it, although I did not like some of the new additions. Did I ever write a non-musical? Only one so far – a comedy, The Good One, which I had a blast doing. Am I planning to see Bounce in Chicago or D.C? I’d like to, but am not sure about the timing yet.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must try to keep up with the Joneses, I must take the MetroRail, I must look at four years worth of microfiche. I do hope that my answers to your excellent questions were to your liking. And do check out Juliana’s Journal. Also, on Friday morning, Miss Christianne Tisdale’s Unseemly Interview will be up and running, so check that out, too. Today’s topic of discussion: I’ve decided that it’s another Ask Dear Reader day, the day in which you get to ask other dear readers any old question you want to, and they must answer you with candor and even with ebb. So, ask away my pretties, and I hope to have lots and lots of posts to read upon my return home.

Replies: 81 Unseemly Comments

BK - Can't you do a lot of the research on line? I would think that you could find the film info on IMDB.
For DR Jose -
Why is Universal looking in Australia for people to work in Japan? Do they feel there is no native Japanese talent?
For DR Lulu -
What's the latest on the job situation?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/26/2003 09:23 AM PST

First post! Yippee!!
BK - Now you have me curious. What don't you like about COE?
Posted by Phil @ 06/26/2003 09:31 AM PST

OOPS!
Posted by Phil @ 06/26/2003 09:31 AM PST

Thanks to Bruce and Julianna for starting the new TMM journal. WONDERFUL!!
Just like being there!
Hope TMM comes to a city near us all.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 09:32 AM PST

It happens to us all, Phil.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 09:32 AM PST

A question for DR Mr. Mark Bakalor --
Some time ago, I sent a couple of pictures (and their captions) to what I thought was the correct email address for you. They were to add to the "Rogues Gallery." I have a feeling that maybe they never got to you, as I haven't seen the gallery change in a few months.
Could you please post the correct procedure, and the correct email address, where any of us newer Hainsies/Kimlets could send in pictures for the gallery? It is fun to be able to put a face with a readers name. Thanks a lot for help and info Mr. Mark.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 06/26/2003 10:30 AM PST

WEL, how nice of you to ask. Nothing concrete yet. The people with my contract all got their contracts renewed after all; but only through August. So as of September I could still be out of a job. I've sent out a few resumes; we'll see what happens. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 10:31 AM PST

Hi Bruce..wow it's been a
while since I have been
here...and I think I picked the
hottest day this year to drop in
with a hello!!
Just read the Juliana journal
entry..and just realized that I
totally shared a cab with
Juliana after the Mamma Mia
audition she spoke about in
her entry......she's so sweet,
and I am glad she got Millie!!
Tell her the girl from the cab
says hi and congrats!!!
Also, if anyone is in the city
and free on Sunday night,
there is a nice benefit at The
Triad at 9 PM with B'way
singers and such in a cabaret
type show to benefit childrens
cancer research. Should be a
fun night!!!
Well keep cool all!
Bye!
Posted by Jen @ 06/26/2003 10:32 AM PST

Lulu - there's always the Democratic Vice Presidential Nomination - that's wide open.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 10:32 AM PST

Juliana, allow me to add my praise to that of others - your journal is divine. You really did communicate the whole rollercoaster audition-callback-waiting for the call experience. And I love the fact that you e-mailed the CCM folks who accused you of not having talent! You're in good company on that score...many famous actors were told the same thing by their "teachers," and they wound up with the last laugh. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 10:40 AM PST

Great idea, Jrand; do you have a fax # handy?
Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 10:42 AM PST

JRand52...why just the V.P. position?
Has the Democratic front-runner been established?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/26/2003 10:56 AM PST

Favorite mangled cliche of the day, Gene Simmons in Cindy Adams's column:
"Marriage is an institution which to get into you have to be committed."
Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 11:08 AM PST

Thanks, Juliana, for the wonderful journal!
I'm hoping that TMM comes to Detroit, so that I can usher for it. If not, I'll be driving up to East Lansing to catch the show. Now I have yet another reason to look forward to it!
Emily, when I noticed that you mentioned the Windsor/Quebec train route, it got me wondering....have you ever performed at Windsor Light Opera?
Posted by Dave @ 06/26/2003 11:34 AM PST

I read Julianna's diary and it was very interesting. I think this will be a factual version of "The Glamorous Life" Internet novel. One problem - I had to read it off the screen which I hate to do with something that long. When I tried to print it the sides were cut off. I tried to copy it and paste it into Word to print which I often do, but this is the first time that didn't work. I only get the introduction, not the journal itself. I have no problem printing out the interviews on this here site which often come to well over 10 pages. Why can't I print this journal?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/26/2003 11:36 AM PST

LOL - Ron - this is a line from a famous movie for which the actress playing the titular heroine won an Academy Award.
It was also recycled on the television show PHYLLIS when Cloris Leachman told a job recruiter that she wanted something that wouldn't take a lot of her time, didn't require a plethora of skills, had some prestige, and paid very well....
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 11:48 AM PST

Jrand, would that be Norma Rae? I didn't recognize it, and I've seen that film within the last couple of years!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 11:53 AM PST

I didn't even know about the Rogues Gallery! That is fun to be able to actually see who posts here!
I don't think I have ever seen a post by Lucky (or was that Luckie?), however!! LOL!
Posted by MBarnum @ 06/26/2003 11:55 AM PST

WEL-
You can't print it out conventionally like other entries because it's a graphic and not text. Bruce (and I) thought that a nice font was warranted to capture Juliana's writing and opted to do it graphically rather then textually because not everyone has the same fonts installed on their computer...
Posted by Craig @ 06/26/2003 12:05 PM PST

Juliana's diary is wonderful. I felt like I was there with her all the way. She certainly shouldn't apologize about the length of the entry, I was sorry to see it end.
Sorry I was E & T yesterday. It is a long long story involving over a dozen police officers with guns and rifles drawn, forcing me out of my apartment until "the incident" was under control.
Posted by TCB @ 06/26/2003 12:06 PM PST

A little excitement up your way TCB?
Posted by MBarnum @ 06/26/2003 12:09 PM PST

TCB!!! Surely you don't think you're going to get away with leaving it at THAT...??
Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 12:10 PM PST

This sounds like one of those stories that usually ends, "...before turning the gun on himself."
Posted by Dave @ 06/26/2003 12:13 PM PST

Were you on the news in your hat and coat talking about the neighbors, TCB?
No Lulu it was NOT Norma Rae.
MBarnum, Luckie is a sad story that is best left untold. Do a search for all the posts.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 12:14 PM PST

I like the format and font, Craig, for the journal. Sorry it doesn't work to print out for Bill.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 12:16 PM PST

I second Jrand52's comments, Craig. I like the format, too. If you really feel that you *must* change something, how about a bigger picture of Juliana? ;-)
Posted by Dave @ 06/26/2003 12:19 PM PST

Not Norma Rae, hmm? Well, I'm not in the mood for continued guessing, I'm afraid. It'll just have to remain a mystery.
TCB: He seemed a good sort. Took good care of his lawn. Kinda quiet, kept to himself...
Posted by Lulu @ 06/26/2003 12:19 PM PST

Joan Crawford in MILDRED PIERCE.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 12:24 PM PST

I agree it's a nice font, but after staring at a computer screen all day I prefer to print out something I want to read and settle back in a nice comfortable chair. About the only thing I usually read off the screen are these notes. Anything else that runs longer than a screen (such as columns by Ken Mandelbaum or Peter Filichia) gets printed for more comfortable reading.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/26/2003 12:27 PM PST

No, Jrand --- Joan Crawford IS Mildred Pierce.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/26/2003 12:28 PM PST

WEL-
Well I guess you will just have to "suffer" ;)
Dave - look for more pics of Juliana coming soon when the JEEPERS CREEPERS photo section is complete...
Posted by Craig @ 06/26/2003 12:33 PM PST

Juliana, Thank you for sharing your story with us. I look forward to your next journal entry.
Posted by Jane @ 06/26/2003 12:39 PM PST

true, Bill, she IS!
Kind of like:
Barbra Streisand IS Hud!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 12:41 PM PST

Greeting cards we will never See:
Hats Off! To Your New Hairpiece!!
Posted by MAD MAGAZINE @ 06/26/2003 01:14 PM PST

Abandoned advertising slogans:
"I dreamed I was way out front in my Maidenform Bra!"
"Hurry to take advantage of this tremendous offer: $14.95 for our top-of-the-line wristwatch. At these low prices, THEY WON'T LAST LONG!"
Posted by MAD Magazine @ 06/26/2003 01:30 PM PST

Huzzah!
My "A Man of No Importance" cd arrived today! And two days early at that! Three cheers for amazon.ca!
Wow! That's a lot of exclamation points!
Posted by a slightly heatstroked Emily @ 06/26/2003 01:33 PM PST

Dave asked: "Emily, when I noticed that you mentioned the Windsor/Quebec train route, it got me wondering....have you ever performed at Windsor Light Opera?"
Or, perhaps, the Windsor Ballet? (Nudge nudge, wink wink to any Detroiters lurking hereabouts.)
Posted by Drumm @ 06/26/2003 02:07 PM PST

The Windsor Ballet. ;-)
Say no more, say no more...
Posted by Dave @ 06/26/2003 02:09 PM PST

...though I imagine Emily wouldn't appreciate the insinuation. ;-(
And if it is the Emily I know, her fiance probably wouldn't like it too much, either.
Posted by Dave @ 06/26/2003 02:16 PM PST

Barbra Streisand is HUD? Why didn’t anybody tell me? I didn’t even know that Barbra had blue eyes.
“Turned the gun on himself” Not something we say around Tacoma right now. Our police chief shot and killed his wife a couple of months ago and then turned the gun on himself.
No, yesterday was not quite so dramatic, although certainly dramatic enough for me. The suite (apartment) directly below me has been occupied for several months by a couple who I suspect are dealing drugs (or possibly bootleg copies of BK’s CDs) They have people coming and going at all hours. I have tried to mind my own business, but it has become increasingly difficult to do. Well, yesterday I heard noises outside my office window, and when I looked out, the parking lot was swarming with cops. They were combing (brushing? flossing?) the bushes looking for something. They all had their weapons drawn. After about a half hour they started moving into the hallway just below my apartment. That is when I got a knock on my door from a very large officer, holding a gun, who informed me that I had to leave my apartment now, because there was an “serious incident” going down. I had to leave my apartment, barefoot, and go to my car, but was told not to try and drive away, because there were officers watching for vehicles that were attempting to flee. So, I sat in my car for another half hour, while my cats were left unprotected in my apartment. Finally, they came over and told me that I could return to my place.
So, after all that, did they arrest the couple downstairs? Did they take them away in chains? Nope, it was some kid that was hiding out in the druggies apartment. He was lead away in handcuffs, and apparently nothing was done about the residents of the apartment. Life in Tacoma... it doesn't get any better than this!
Posted by TCB @ 06/26/2003 02:19 PM PST

I got A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE last week, both the CD and the script. Looking forward this weekend to reading it and playing the score: the closest I can come to seeing it.
My copy of the NINE revival CD came today. Again, haven't had time to listen to it yet, but should get to it in the next few days.
Poor TCB, all he was trying to do is download the complete recorded works of Stephen Sondheim onto CD-Rs, and the police interrupt him! Poor guy!
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/26/2003 02:20 PM PST

TCB, sorry if I hit a sore spot with my weak attempt at humour.
I have had the CD of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE for a couple of weeks now, but have only had time to listen to about half of it so far. (Too busy trying to learn other music...) What I have heard was quite enjoyable, but then we've come to expect that from Flaherty & Ahrens. I have all of their shows on CD, and there is much to enjoy on all of them.
I think I've mentioned before that I wasn't impressed with the score of NINE, either, but realized recently that it was because the OBC is so poorly sung. When performed by strong voices, it is a rich and glorious score. For proof, one need only listen to the superior renditions of some of the songs on the Maury Yeston Songbook CD.
I'm curious to hear how it sounds with the revival cast. I was extremely disappointed that Mr. Banderas was cast in the lead, as it ruins the chance to have a really strong Guido on record. Ah, well...
Posted by Dave @ 06/26/2003 02:27 PM PST

Back from the field trip. Didn't get to take the Metro Rail because there was not one single place to park. But the drive down wan't too bad. Very interesting going through all that microfiche and seeing how accurate my memory is (prett damned accurate). I was only off on one thing, really, and that was just by two months.
WEL: One can't do any real research on the imdb - it's simply too riddled with errors. But one recent example - they have West Side Story premiering in the US in mid or late December of '61. In reality, it opened in October - not a big difference but very inaccurate nonetheless.
Posted by bk @ 06/26/2003 02:50 PM PST

Don't apologize, Dave. It is one of those news stories that just won't die (pardon the pun). Our one and only newspaper is having a field day releasing a new revelation each morning in their first edition. Everyone is trying to blame everyone else for not recognizing the fact that our chief was a psycho, a wife-beater, and now it turns out, a possible rapist.
Posted by TCB @ 06/26/2003 03:11 PM PST

Good afternoon!
DR WEL: From what I understand, the American based-companies with theme parks in Japan - Universal and Disney - are required to hire a certain amount of non-Japanese employees. Now I'm not sure whether or not this ratio was set by the U.S. companies (and possibly government), or by the Japanese companies (and possibly government), but it does exist. And I also know that some of the parks that are stateside have been recruiting overseas for the past few years too - I have worked for Paramount, and they actively recruit in Europe, and Disney's foreign exchange program has been in place for years. And as you can see from my tour itinerary, we are also auditioning in the states for talent.
-And as with all theme parks jobs - and even entertainment jobs in general - the length of the contracts can be a help or a hindrance at times to people considering employment. Some last four months, some six monts, and some as long as 13 months. And you are not necessarily guaranteed that your contract will be renewed at the end of your term - or that the show you were performing in will not be "retired". So, depending upon your current employment - and ultimately financial - situation and plans, you may or may not want to take this type of job. Japanese or non-Japanese.
RE: Juliana's Journal - I LOVE hearing about the "process". The process is always m favorite part of work - even though it can be quite maddening and disheartening at times. I'm looking forward to the upcoming entries. -Of course, now I'm wondering if I've ever played an audition for Juliana.... ;-)
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/26/2003 03:17 PM PST

JRand52,
Re: Luckie...I searched...I read...
BK, a belated sorry that it didn't work out...I do tend to put my foot in my mouth sometimes! :0
Posted by MBarnum @ 06/26/2003 03:43 PM PST

Yes, poor Luckie - I do hope she's with a nice family who were able to deal with her. I tried for two solid months but she'd obviously had severe problems as a puppy and they were too ingrained in her and I saw it was only going to get worse - so for her sake and mine, she had to go.
Posted by bk @ 06/26/2003 04:03 PM PST

BK--the Juliana journal rocks! She sounds really cool, and I'm sure she must be very talented. Will need to see the TMM tour now.
DR Dave--you are going to love the revival cast of NINE. I too at first feared that Antonio would just sound like some miscast Hollywood star but I think he's a really strong Guido--on the recording manages to hit that combo of rash vulnerability and arrogant jackassness that is Guido Contini. I don't want to give anything away,but the rest of the cast is great too. Laura Benanti sounds gorgeous as usual, Jane is awesome. Mary Stuart Masterson has a surprisingly good voice--in her upper register, she has a pleasing nasality reminiscent of Bernadette. And Chita is Chita--she doesn't sound completely French, but she does this great Piafesque R-rolling thing during Folies Bergeres. Enjoy!
Posted by Maya @ 06/26/2003 04:30 PM PST

More questoins:
Can you tell how "One From Column A..." came to be and what happened to it?
I think the five I was refering to was:
What five songs (more or less)would best describe Bruce Kimmel
Fantasy time:
If all the rights could be gotten........
What do you think about adding a song for Gypsy Rose Lee (in the dressing room scene where she interviewed and photograped)called "Zip" from "Pal Joey"
I think it might be a good fit.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/26/2003 04:35 PM PST

Michael, save those questions for next week - I'm questioned out right now.
Posted by bk @ 06/26/2003 04:41 PM PST

Oh, thank you, MR BK for answering my questions. I agree that Miss Doris Day was wonderful in PAJAMA GAME the musical movie, but I really like Janis on the OBC album, and she is personality plus in the films I have seen.
She did appear in two films with DD, you know.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 05:09 PM PST

Poorly sung? The OBC to "Nine"?
One of the glories of the recorded musical theater?
Give me a thousand such "poorly" sung cast albums.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/26/2003 05:45 PM PST

Honey, I've worked with Janis, and she is FAR from being a DD. More like a VERY modest B. Did she use padding in these two films of which you speak?
Posted by Gertie Gossip @ 06/26/2003 05:47 PM PST

Gertie - LOL
remember Jane Russell in The French Line in 3-D!!
She'll knock BOTH your eyes out!!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/26/2003 05:50 PM PST

A question for EVERYONE!! (I emailed Bruce about this, and along with his fabulous reply, he advised me to ask you lot.)
I'm a 15 year old aspiring "triple threat". I can already act, thanks to a fabulous drama teacher and friend, and I'm vocally at a point that I have to say, is beyond every dream I've ever had. I'm incredibly lucky, and am hoping for more opportunity to express my talents, although where I'm at, outside of DC, there isn't much. My problem? I haven't taken dance since i was 5, and my memory doesn't recall anything from that small period of time. I was wondering what sort of dance classes I should take, what things I should be doing to improve myself and my odds, etc. Any advice would be graciously accepted, you sound like an educated group of people.
On a different note, I'm absolutely thrilled about the diary of TMM, it's my favorite show! It suits my voice and interests, and the diary will be great insight to a possible future!
Thanks everyone! Sorry if this was long! :)
Posted by Sarah @ 06/26/2003 06:23 PM PST

Ron, I'm glad you enjoy the OBC of NINE. I can't appreciate it, because I have heard just about all of the songs sung better. As I mentioned, the renditions on the Maury Yeston Songbook are almost uniformly better than those on the OBC. One major exception: Betty Buckly singing "Be On Your Own". Like fingernails on a chalkboard...
Posted by Dave @ 06/26/2003 06:26 PM PST

Janis Paige just completed an engagement of her cabaret act at the Plush Room in San Francisco. I thought she was very funny in "Silk Stockings." I remember her singing (very well) "Come Rain or Come Shine" on a television sit com many moons ago. She was also in the original cast of Meredith Willson's "Here's Love." She still has a lot to give.
BK: I saw Judith Anderson in a production of "Medea," too. Her co-star was the wonderful Aline McMahon. Sublime.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 06/26/2003 06:30 PM PST

Welcome Sarah!
When I saw Medea, the costar was the faboo Marian Seldes, way back in 1965, I think. I mentioned it to Miss Seldes when I recorded that Bill Russell Elegies show, and she was most amusing about Miss Anderson.
Posted by bk @ 06/26/2003 06:38 PM PST

You won't believe it BUT it's
true!!!
Please read:
EuroDisney --- well, actually,
they mean Disneyland, Paris,
Euro Disney being the name
of the Company that runs the
parks here! --in Paris -- 30
miles away from
Paris!!!celebrates Quebec
national holiday by serving
POUTINE!

Canadian Press
Monday, June 23, 2003
ADVERTISEMENT
PARIS (CP) - Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs, Mickey
Mouse and Donald Duck will
mark Quebec's national
holiday Tuesday by sharing
poutine with visitors to
EuroDisney.
The Quebec gastronomic
combination of french fries,
cheese curds and gravy will be
served in the village between
the main Disney theme park
and the golf course and
hotels. Disney Village's bars
and restaurants "will allow
people to eat in the
atmosphere of a true
American city," the theme park
boasts in its advertising.
The poutine being served up
Tuesday with be made with a
sauce specially imported from
Quebec, the ad said. The fries
and cheese will come from
France.
Access to the village is free,
but a helping of poutine will go
for about $7.80 Cdn.
The celebration will also mark
Quebec's Fete nationale with
"a voyage of songs and laughs
with our Canadian cousins."
Visitors can also purchase
maple syrup, beer, wood
ducks and other Quebec
products. Singer Daniel
Berthiaume and
composer-author Simon
Genest were invited to
entertain in an open-air
concert.
It will be the first time that
EuroDisney will mark June 24
among its roster of
promotional activities.
"If the public joins in, we will
do it again next year," said a
Disney spokesman.
Quebec was featured last
Christmas when provincial
products were sold and singer
Rock Voisine, originally from
New Brunswick, performed.
More than 100 million people
have visited Disneyland Paris
since it opened in 1992.
© Copyright 2003 The
Canadian Press
Posted by François @ 06/26/2003 06:54 PM PST

I sure love Poohtine!
Posted by Winnie @ 06/26/2003 07:00 PM PST

René, tabernacle, est-ce tu
m'apportes ma poutine, oui ou
non?
Posted by Céline Dion @ 06/26/2003 07:02 PM PST

Hi everyone--I'm still on the east coast. It's my first chance to log online and say hello. Hello.
Posted by Laura @ 06/26/2003 07:55 PM PST

Hey, DR Sarah!
In my own case, I took 10 years of tap and jazz when I was growing up but left dance behind while in college and after I graduated and got my teaching career going. However, once I started auditioning for theater again, I found myself at somewhat of a disadvantage because I could always do the steps but my memory was rusty about remembering combinations longer than maybe two sets of eight. At a local community college, they offered a class called "Dance for Musical Theater," and that was just what I needed to sharpen skills and especially develop my memory for recalling combinations quickly. There were all kinds of skill levels present in the class (and all age levels, too), but I found it a very non-threatening environment and loved it. I took it for several years, off and on as work and play schedules permitted. That kind of class might be of benefit to you, too.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/26/2003 08:00 PM PST

Sorry Dave...
I don't get the insinuation - I've been in Windsor only briefly and never attended either the light opera or the ballet.
Plus, I am fiance-less. Pauvre-Moi.
You must be thinking about another Emily. There are quite a few of us running around (it being the most popular name for girls for the last decade or two).
Posted by Emily @ 06/26/2003 08:06 PM PST

In honour of Eurodisney and a belated Fête Nationale - A musical tribute to the most Québecois of Québecois... the poutine.
The Night They Invented Poutine (by Bowser and Blue)
The night they invented poutine
It was a most peculiar scene
Ginette Reno was shy and thin
The Nordiques began to win
Jacques Parizeau sang «God save the Queen!»
The night they invented poutine
The night they invented poutine
No one knows the precise origin
Where or when this food did begin
Everybody in Québec will tell you with a grin
It was their little village that invented the poutine
To be really authentic the potatoes must be old
The gravy must be hot and the cheese must be cold
With a journal de Montréal wherever it is sold
Served with a roll in a bowl by a troll
You put some potatoes and some cheese in a tin
But the cheese won't melt till you put the gravy in
Then it sticks to your fork and dribbles down your chin
And that's how you know that you're eating a poutine
If the French fries are greasy and the gravy's nice and hot
The cheese curds melt as they come out of the pot
But once in your stomach they congeal into a knot
If your food does that then poutine is what you've got
Some use mozzarella but that isn't really it
And they serve it at McDonalds but the French fries are shit
And I hate to be picky but I have to admit
It's hard to eat when the cook has a zit!
There's no way anyone would call it haute cuisine
But it's not really junk food it's something in between
But it's better than a burger or a Mike's submarine
A balanced diet is a beer and a poutine!
Posted by Emily (a proud poutine princess) @ 06/26/2003 08:08 PM PST

Sorry DR Jrand, but I disagree with you about Janis Paige in the OBC recording of THE PAJAMA GAME. I find that her voice tends to trail off flat occasionally in "I'm Not at All in Love" and especially (and dreadfully) in "There Once Was a Man." Doris Day handles both songs, but especially the latter which is quite a difficult number to sing, with ease.
I saw Ms. Paige in MAME in NYC in 1968, and she was excellent. I don't remember any flat singing of all those songs Mame has to sing in the least, but granted, being caught up in the moment and hearing the songs only once amid all the other explosion of acting, dancing, lights, and costumes in a great big Broadway show (a Sondheim reference) might have prevented me from concentrating on her pitch.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/26/2003 08:14 PM PST

SARAH - Here's my two cents...
If you want to be gainfully employed, you'll NEED to be a triple threat. Dancing is very important. It will enhance your singing and acting - and vice versa. Start with JAZZ classes. Jazz dancing incorporates many disciplines - ballet, modern, tap, ethnic and acrobatics. And dance with your whole body not just from the knees down!
Until you're at a point in your dancing as you say you are in your singing and acting, why not try cabaret? Cabaret uses both your singing and acting skills. It helps you to know yourself and know your audience. You work on your individuality which can be very useful when auditioning (you tend to stand out in a crowd). There is a cabaret association in Washington D.C. called DCCN (Washington DC Area Cabaret Network). Email Wendy Lane Bailey at divab@erols.com and ask for more information. There are other associations around the country. I'm the Calendar Editor for Cabaret West. Click on my name to go to our website and be sure to check out the section titled, WHAT IS CABARET? To read about other cabaret groups, go to http://cabarethotlineonline.com and click on Resources then Cabaret Member Organizations.
There's lots more, of course, but I think the most important are:
1. Study, study, study. Practice, practice, practice. Perfect your craft so that in performance you can get BEYOND the technique and into the emotional moments.
2. A very important part of your learning takes place in front of an audience. Perform as often as you can and in a variety of situations and venues (don't rule out weddings, church, convalescent homes and retirement communities; they all have something to offer). Go to as many auditions and open mics as you can.
3. Study musical theatre history. Know the major shows, the songwriters and their songs. I IMPLORE you - don't be a DUNCE in this department! There is nothing more disheartening and, whether you realize it or not, it is very limiting.
4. When working on a part, immerse yourself in the time period and events, the professions and the people. It will show in your performance without your really trying.
5. Although it's important to be focused, you should also be a well-rounded individual. Learn about the world. Pay attention to current events. Have a life outside of performing. Cultivate friendships and don't forget your family or your life's path.
Good luck!
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 06/26/2003 08:31 PM PST

DR Sarah - Are you in suburban Virginia or Suburban Maryland? There are actually quite a few good programs for teens in and around the DC area. -I used to play and teach for some of them. And if you're looking for dance classes, there's lots of those too. You can start by checking the listings in the Weekend section of the Washington Post, and many of the community centers in the area have some wonderful programs and classes.
As for the type of dance... I'd start with Jazz and Tap. And it's always good to have at least one good year or semester of basic Ballet - just enough for you to learn the basic positions and the terms (in French). Having played for MANY auditions and call-backs, it's amazing how just a basic knowledge of ballet terminology will help you out. "Okay, we'll start in second..."
And as Donna stressed, learn your musical theatre history. You don't necessarily have to listen to every classic cast album, and read every script, and spend hours in the Lincoln Center Library, but just consulting some basic texts should help. *Actually, Peter Filichia's "Let's Put On A Musical" is a nice resource. It is meant for people who want to produce a show, but it does cover all the major major works, and gives plot summaries and technical breakdowns of the shows. And it's written in a very easy-to-read language. Very plain talk and common sense.
-As I mentioned once here before, one of my "favorite" auditions stories was when a young man put a copy of "Soliloquy" from Carousel in front of me to play for his audition. -It was the year of the Lincoln Center revival. As he was showing me his cuts, he asked, "Do you know this? It's from a new show." -I'm not sure if I wasn't able to keep from rolling my eyes. Needless to say, that was not the best first impression.
And from my own personal experience - I'm a pianist/conductor - my knowledge of theatre history has helped me further my career. By being able to carry on a conversation with a prospective director, choreographer, designer has lead to many oppoturnities. I don't know everything there is to know, but I have a good sense of the chronology of it all, and where the "lanmark musicals" fit in the scheme of things. *And I've also found just keeping up with the blurbs on sites like Playbill.com, Broadway.com, etc., is also tremendously helpful. *It's always nice to know if a show is still running or not.
And, finally, it really does pay to take your time getting a good head shot taken. Unfortunately, at your age, you'll probably need another in one in another two or three years, but there are some reasonably priced photographers to be found who do good work. Take the time to look at their book/portfolio, to "interview" them (if you're not comfortable being with him/her then you will never get a good picture), and ask for references from other clients. And there are some good photographers in the DC area too. *Just think about all those bad headshots you've seen in programs, lobby displays, etc... You don't want to be one of those. It's worth the time and the investment.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/26/2003 09:14 PM PST

-And I hope you were able to decipher those sections of my post above where I left out letters, words, or repeated them.... ;-)
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/26/2003 09:17 PM PST

... and DR Sarah, for GOOD
VIBES, stick with us here at
HHW!
Posted by François @ 06/26/2003 09:24 PM PST

Welcome Sarah...
I related to you immediately at reading your post. I have the exact same problem! I can act and I have a pretty strong belt voice, but when I used to audition my pathetic dance skills would always lose me the callback. I've taken a few classes since, and am gradually getting better. Take the great advice of Jose and Donna, and don't waste any time in getting those dance lessons. Also agree strongly with them about getting a theatre education--and take every opportunity to see theatre. It does get expensive, yes, but it's invaluable to a budding young performer, as is the practice and performance that Donna mentioned. Living close to DC (I live just outside the metro area too) there is a lot happening theatre-wise. Hope I don't sound too know-it-ally.
Posted by Maya @ 06/26/2003 10:31 PM PST

A quick post. I'm Still Here!
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/26/2003 11:16 PM PST

And I was worried! The Phoenix has flown to the East coast. I did not think it was happening so soon.
Welcome from Oz to our new DRs. (Good to average age lowered so much!)
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/26/2003 11:30 PM PST

Sarah - Jazz and tap, yes. A background in ballet is great, but it is a serious discipline that is difficult to "get" in a few classes. I would stick to jazz and tap, as other DR have suggested.
Matt - I agree that Janis Paige goes flat on several numbers on the Pajama Game OBC, but I think that is part of Babe's charm....or maybe I have just been listening to it too long. I also agree that Doris was perfect in the movie.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/27/2003 03:33 AM PST

When I went to EuroDisney,AKA Disneyland Paris, it had just opened in 1992 when I went and it was still called EuroDisney) didn't have Poutine 11 years ago! My, how things change.
DR Laura, did you bring this heat wave with you from Arizona??? Acutally, you couldn't have because as a friend in Tucson keeps telling me, even though it may be 110 degrees in Arizona, the humidity is so low that it only feels like 95! 110! 95! Makes no difference to me. I'm still standing in the mouth of hell. Oh, well. I'm listening to OBC of The Rothschilds right now. I've never seen the show or the concert version done by Musicals Tonight - I think they did it anyway, I may be wrong. But I do like the recording. Another day of no air conditioning in the office and the temperature supposed to be around 95. No break until after the thunderstorms tonight. At least the weekend is supposed to be nice.
Posted by Ben @ 06/27/2003 04:18 AM PST

Great posts! Emily's poutine song is fabulous; though it does have me wondering now whether poutine is pronounced poo-teen (as I've been hearing it in my head) or poo-tin (there are rhymes for both pronunciations in the song).
I'm bowled over by the generosity and helpfulness of my fellow H/K's. Sarah can't help but profit by such sound advice.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/27/2003 05:30 AM PST

Si vous aimez les poitrines...
Posted by Cole Porter @ 06/27/2003 05:42 AM PST

Well...you WOULD...being from Pee-roo Indiana
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/27/2003 05:46 AM PST

?? Don't get it, Jrand.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/27/2003 06:02 AM PST

Lulu, I believe that anglophones say "pou-teen" and francophones say "pou-tin" (ie. the latter is the office de la langue française approved version yet many people, including strangely enough some francophones, also use the former).
Quite frankly my pronounciation of so many words changes on a daily basis. :)
Posted by Emily @ 06/27/2003 06:04 AM PST

Emily, cute song.
Yes, I must be thinking of another Emily. (I know a few...)
And there really is no Windsor Ballet. It is a euphemism that the locals have used to refer to the strip clubs that are so prominent in our downtown area.
But there IS a Windsor Light Opera, though it really isn't an opera company. Click my name for a link.
I think most people prefer to pronounce it "poo-teen", because the other pronunciation sounds too much like "putain". ;-)
And I'm glad I'm not the only one who hears the pitch problems that Ms. Paige has on THE PAJAMA GAME. I can't listen to that CD because of it.
Posted by Dave @ 06/27/2003 06:28 AM PST

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