Replies: 177 Unseemly Comments
Well, a pair of levis, a loony tunes T-shirt, and white cotton socks.
and a smile on my scrod!
Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/12/2003 07:30 AM PST
My, am I really the first person here this morning?? I shall have to go in the front yard and dance a hora!
Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/12/2003 07:31 AM PST
Everyone by now should have figured out that I am a Titanic fanatic. I have read everything written, seen everything filmed (or just about), and generally manage to work it into any conversation. That said, it should come as no surprise that my favorite non-fiction book is A Night to Remember by Walter Lord.
Posted by TCB @ 08/12/2003 07:33 AM PST
One of my favorite books of all time is Frank McCourt's biography, Angela's Ashes. I found it shattering and uproarious and in ever sense wonderful. It is, IMHO (in my humble opinion) one of the finest books I have ever read in my 50 years on this planet.
I am wearing tan khakis and a blue striped polo-type pullover, tan cotton socks w/an orange line around the top, brown penny loafers (with a penny in each slot, of course), a brown weave belt and blue checked boxer briefs.
And I am listening to Miss Leslie Uggams courtesy of DR Tom from Oz
Posted by Ben @ 08/12/2003 07:34 AM PST
I am wearing a robe and that is it. I am going back to bed, if I can ever stay out of the bathroom long enough.
Posted by TCB @ 08/12/2003 07:35 AM PST
Thought you'd all like to know that yesterday was the biggest day we've ever had in terms of visits. Not the biggest in terms of hits (that was last Thursday). I do not know from hits or visits but I do know that soon we will be the most popular site on all the Internet.
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 07:36 AM PST
"Little Me" by Belle Poitrine
Posted by steveg @ 08/12/2003 07:36 AM PST
The best book ever written about scientists:
"The Making of the Atomic Bomb"
My father (the non-fictionite in my household) got it for father's day last year from my oh so literary sister. It is so incredibly huge and well written and fascinating. Plus, on a theatre note, it makes reference to the play Copenhagen throughout the part on Bohr and Heisenberg.
Delightful stuff. Okay... I'm officialy offline now. There will only be a lake and some chic lit in my future until friday! :)
Posted by Emily @ 08/12/2003 07:36 AM PST
I always thought that SCROD was past perfect of Screwed.
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 08/12/2003 07:40 AM PST
Blue jean walking shorts, light blue pullover shirt with collar, white socks, paisley boxers, Eddie Bauer loafers.
Two non fiction books I enjoy Judgment Day: My Years With Ayn Rand by Nathaniel Branden and The Passion of Ayn Rand by his ex-wife Barbara Branden.
I also like Patrick Agan's Decline and Fall of the Love Goddesses with some great Betty Hutton, Frances Farmer, and Rita Hayworth insights.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 07:46 AM PST
TCB, I agree. A Night to Remember is a terrific read and it is probably the first non-fiction book I purchased...for 25 cents from the Scholastic book club!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 07:47 AM PST
Well, I am really puzzled now!! I just checked the "early AM" posts (which appear at the end of yesterday) and I see a post there, at 6:59 AM , from the person with no identity listed as "OM Time".
Why would this person even have the inclination to open the window to this site and come in, when he or she makes it very clear that they have nothing but loathing for those of us who enjoy chatting with Bruce and each other, and admire his work. OM Time wrote one of the nastiest, most mean-spirited short posts that I have ever seen....it was very late, I believe 2 days ago.
I can only surmise that OM Time is a sad and bitter person.....and those qualities add nothing to my life.
In a nutshell "OM Time", if you don't like Bruce and his house here, why do you open the door??
Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/12/2003 07:48 AM PST
Favorite work of N-F: Moss Hart's ACT ONE. Haven't read it in years, so I'm assuming it would still be my favorite if I read it again this week -- which I just might.
As for the clothing call, I have no idea what to call this thing I throw on in the mornings. It's some kind of earth color (rust?), floor-length, cotton, sleeveless, cool and comfy. I shall call it a scrodette.
Posted by Panni @ 08/12/2003 07:52 AM PST
The post from a couple of days ago from "OM Time" was directed to me, and I chose to ignore it. I suggest that the rest of you should do the same.
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 07:55 AM PST
I was under the impression that "Angela's Ashes" was largely a work of fiction, disguised as autobiography.
I have the book at home, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 08:14 AM PST
I've heard that from some critics (re: Angela's Ashes) but that doesn't, at least for me, diminish the power of the book. There are residents of McCourt's area in Ireland who disparage him and say what he wrote never happened but I choose to believe Mr. McCourt. As far as I'm concerned, it's still a non-fiction book for me.
Posted by Ben @ 08/12/2003 08:22 AM PST
Jason should arrive sometime today, and his presence will be quite welcome - a respite from the dreariness of your typical summerstocian...
Did anyone else read this? It makes me ... angry is a word...
"Bye Bye Birdie" to Have "Urban, Hip-Hop Feel"; Director and Writer Namedhttp://www.playbill.com/news/article/81163.html
Why did musicals fall out of favor in Hollywood, originally? Perhaps because producers didn't tend to trust their source material, altered it, and succeeded in either ruining the piece(s) or at least alienating most of the fan base that made the property successful to begin with.
What's next, Joel Schumacher retitles his next film "Phantom of the Hip-Hopera?
Posted by Don @ 08/12/2003 08:32 AM PST
DR Panni the new biography of Moss Hart DAZZLER is a great companion to ACT ONE, if you haven't read it yet.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 08:32 AM PST
What is the difference between "hits" and "visits"?
Obviously there is no corolation between these and posts, as yesterday did not reach the heights of last week.
I've been attending readings of musicals in developement at the York for years. Last year they presented ANNE AND GILBERT, a musical based on some of the followups novels to ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. I loved it but felt there were some problems. Last night they had a 2nd reading and even though as I enjoyed it just as much, there appears to have been very little work done between the first and second readings. The two problems are too many numbers for minor characters (even though they are some of the most entertaining numbers in the show, these do nothing to move the show along) and more important, the 1st and 2nd Acts seem like they are from different shows. I assume they are based on 2 seperate novels in the series, but the tone is different in each, and they both feature many different supporting characters (played --- at least in the reading --- by the same actors). Every number is so good that I can understand the reluctance to cut, but right now there is too much of a good thing. They could easily make two shows out of this --- one from each act --- but that would leave an unhappy ending to the first show. Although most of the Act One characters also appear in Act Two, they need to somehow bring some Act Two characters into Act One in order to integrate the two into one continuous show. As for the cast, 19 actors (5 Equity, the balance not) with only 20 hours of rehearsals gave a performance better than many fully-staged shows I have seen. Jessica Grové was an absolute delight as Anne (she played it for the first reading as well). The only other recognizable name (also one of the few holdovers from the 1st reading) was 50's pop singer Jill Corey.
As for non-fiction, I like biography and autobiography. I'm just about finished with the new Hepburn book, and to anyone who wants to know more about Kate I suggest you read her autobiography Me from the early 90s. Other than a delightful five page episode about the night Michael Jackson came to dinner, there is nothing really new in this book and nothing that really needed to wait until her death to publish. There's also way too much about the author.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/12/2003 08:36 AM PST
That is very scary, DR Don. Not unexpected, though.
So what will the major plot point be, since the "Birdie" character can't be drafted? And will he kiss Kim on TRL on MTV? Or will it even be a last "kiss" that she will get?
I don't mind getting modernized, citified, and having my horizons broadened, BUT nothing gets more out-of-date faster than the LATEST HOT NEW THING. Trying to shoe-horn a time-specific story like BYE BYE BIRDIE into another completely different time and culture might obliterate its charm. ROMEO AND JULIET might survive the treatment...and it has...but Conrad and Kim, and Albert and Rosie, and Mr and Mrs McAfee might not be so lucky.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 08:41 AM PST
DR Brockman:
Is that as in:
"I was to have been scrod"?
or, "I will have been scrod"?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 08:44 AM PST
I'm having a nice break from babysitting, as the father is home from work on a conference call and the kid is out riding a go cart at the neighbors. I said "When you're done playijng, come to my house ande we'll head back. So I'm getting paid to sit in my room and get on the computer and write more letters to famous people. Nice, life is.
Ben, the second I read the topic, the first thing that popped into my head was Angelas Ashes. I loved it, it made me laugh, cry, it shocked me, it depressed me, it was quite the emotional book. The sequel, "'Tis" was awful though.
I'll chime in later.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 08:47 AM PST
Re: "Bye, Bye Birdie" -- I know what the hook can be...Birdie is a local high school favorite and he's big in the surrounding region for performing with his band, but someone gets the idea of putting him on "American Idol" and the big question is whether he has what it takes to make it all the way to a Simon Cowell contract.
Of course, they'll have to change "Ed Sullivan," in "Hymn to A Sunday Evening," to "Randy, Simon and Paula" something or other.....
...and Kim can be like the most energetic groupie he has and will lead all the "Dirty Birdies" (as they'll call themselves) in the TV audience in screaming every time Birdie performs.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 08:49 AM PST
Well, Dear Readers, I'm on my way...oh, yes, I am on my way to the Poconos in a handbasket. Actually, I'm not planning to leave for another couple of hours, but I have some last-minute packing to do and I'd like to not have to feel rushed at the bus station.
DR Don may have to pick me up, since I am currently unable to track down our "handy-dandy" stage/company manager. NOW I know why people need cell phones. The problem is, cell phones don't WORK in HELL! I'm calm, I'm calm...I'm perfectly calm! (Oh! A FORUM reference). Anywho...I'll be gone for three weeks, but, as DR Don as pointed out, apparently we have some sort of internet connection up there, so I will try to check in des temps a temps. Please send us postcards and all that good stuff, as we do so enjoy seeing the faces of those who are not as fortunate. I mean, we do so love reading your lovely messages and looking at the pretty pictures. Yeah...that's what I meant. ;-)
For those of you in the California area, particularly anywhere near San Fransisco, I've just learned from a friend that our very own Leslie Kritzer is there doing URINETOWN: The Musical! She recently joined the cast because someone injured themself. Go see her if you get a chance. The lovely Christianne Noll is also in the cast, so there's a double-connection. All the more reason to schlep down to SF and see some theatre!
OK, folks. I'm off. Ciao. Auf Wiedersein. Au revoir. Adios. I will miss you all very much.
See yooooooooou...in September....
Posted by Jason @ 08/12/2003 08:50 AM PST
....meanwhile, Hugo, Kim's erstwhile boyfriend (did anyone ever suspect that Hugo was a bit how-you-say?), is ALSO a contestant because he's gotta make Kim jealous.
Albert is Birdie's agent...latched onto him when Birdie's band started getting regional work, but Albert is really a "substitute teacher, mainly in English" and Rosie, who lives in the adjoining duplex that Albert shares with his mother, goes with Albert to LA for the show and to hold on to Albert's interests with Birdie.
Whew!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 08:53 AM PST
I just read my little "joke" about the postcards. It didn't work. What I meant to write was...
"Please send us postcards and all that good stuff, as we do so enjoy seeing the faces of those who are not as fortunate as to recieve any mail at all, etc." but I mistyped. Nothing like screwing up a joke in public...and in writing!!
Posted by Jason @ 08/12/2003 08:53 AM PST
DR Ron, you have solved all the story problems and set my mind at ease.
NOT!!! LOL...but the direction of your thinking is probably not as far off as we would like it to be.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 08:54 AM PST
...Rosie, who has no pretensions about a show biz career, manages the local Taco Bell.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 08:55 AM PST
The writers of WILL & GRACE do it all the time, Jason.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 08:55 AM PST
Goodbye Jason Murray Bratton!! :)
Have fun in the Poconos!
Take a picture of a moose for me!
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 08:56 AM PST
Adios Jason! We shall miss you
horribly: I hope that things will end
well in the Poconos.
My favorite non-fiction books are
mostly theatre-related, particularly
the history books by Ethan Mordden.
I am not feeling very voluble right
now. I may post more later.
Posted by Hapgood @ 08/12/2003 09:00 AM PST
DR Ron, a little too much caffeine this morning? I'm scared about the new "Bye Bye Birdie". One of my favorite works of non-fiction is Fran Dreshers "Cancer Schmancer" and of course the parts of the Kritzer books that are true! Just got out of bed, clothing call will be saved for later!
Posted by Matthew @ 08/12/2003 09:04 AM PST
AAAAAARRRRGHHH!!! Someone kill me now!! DR Don has just informed me that the directors of PIMPERNEL will be there tonight and for the rest of the week to 'help' us remember the show. These are the same people who made us sit for three hours while we worked through the first 15 minutes of the show!! I thought the dance captain was running the brush-up rehearsal tonight and that everything would be peachy! God help me to keep my ever-lovin' mouth SHUT TONIGHT!!!!
Posted by Jason @ 08/12/2003 09:13 AM PST
I got your joke the first time, Jason.
Posted by Laura @ 08/12/2003 09:13 AM PST
Well, I have to be the one to break it to all of you: California has gone COMPLETELY insane.
Latest polls show the public favoring Schwarzenegger in the recall election by 51%....meanwhile, no one else is even CLOSE....
I think it may be time to consider moving back east.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 09:18 AM PST
Jason wrote:
Please send us postcards and all that good stuff, as we do so enjoy seeing the faces of those who are not as fortunate
I think your first joke was even funnier, Jason. When I read it, I was thinking of "picture postcards" that feature the sender in the photo. Read it with that in mind, and see if you hear the joke that I was thinking of...
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 09:24 AM PST
Sarah, yes, unfortunately, Tis was not good. It's suprising how an author writing about his life can put out one volume that is so amazing and wonderful and then put out the next volume, and miss something so completely.
Jason, "break a leg, don't fall overboard, don't whistle in the dressing room" and all that stuff (you may not even read this if you've already left).
Posted by Ben @ 08/12/2003 09:34 AM PST
That's not at ALL what I meant by the joke...that's why I fixed it! Haha! I love each and every one of you...well...most and only some of you...Dear Readers, and I would never, ever say something so hurtful to your faces! What kind of a person do you think I am?!? ;-)
Posted by Jason @ 08/12/2003 09:37 AM PST
DR Jason... will throw in the Pimpernel fanfare somewhere in "The Fantasticks" rehearsal tonight for you as well as the opening bars to the "Titanic" prelude. No one will know why, they'll laugh, especially our El Gallo who just did SP last year. Anyhow, we'll miss you lots! Sail on...Godspeed.
Posted by Matthew @ 08/12/2003 09:39 AM PST
There once a girl from Cape Cod
Whose grammar was decidedly odd
When asked, on her date,
What she did, she said "Ate
Catfish and trout and then scrod"
Posted by Noel @ 08/12/2003 09:43 AM PST
Matthew,
I'll bet you could sneak in a bit of the melody of "No Moon" into "Try to Remember". I don't have the music in front of me, but I bet it would work. (My wife has played the harp part for both of these shows.)
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 09:48 AM PST
Thanks, Dave. I'll definately take a look at that. I'm not sure any of our cast would get any of these musical jokes, or "keyboard humor" as one of my students named it, but it's always fun to try. (to remember).
Posted by Matthew @ 08/12/2003 09:50 AM PST
Favorite non-fiction? Most anything by John McPhee. Mr. McPhee can take what seems like the most banal subject, write voluminously about it, and completely draw in and fascinate the reader. My favorite piece of his is "Brigade de Cuisine," and I highly recommend it to any Dear Readers who enjoy fine dining.
Clothing call: red cotton jersey shorts, white cotton T-shirt, black rubber flip-flops.
Posted by Jay @ 08/12/2003 09:57 AM PST
For those of you who have been following the Internet Novel "The Glamorous Life", new episodes are back after a short hiatus. They are on Chapter 52 of the third volume.
This is a very funny series of novels posted one chapter at a time about a touring musical show. The author toured for years in LES MIZ. Click on my name to go to today's chapter and from there you can access previous chapters.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/12/2003 10:13 AM PST
My favorite work of nonfiction is the Harry Potter series. It's all true, you know.
I am wearing a shirt with a picture of a girl hugging a giant heart. I've never understood this shirt. There's a cat sleeping on top of the heart, and a dog holding some arrows in his mouth. And the whole picture is surrounded by Hershey kisses. I'm also wearing black pants, my saddle shoes, and a green feather boa.
Posted by Sandra @ 08/12/2003 10:41 AM PST
ME too, Sandra!
Posted by TCB @ 08/12/2003 10:51 AM PST
Thank you for believing in us Sandra.
Posted by Lord Voldermort @ 08/12/2003 10:58 AM PST
So, TCB, is it your favorite book you're talking about or are you agreeing because you're wearing black pants, saddle shoes, and a green feather boa? Inquiring minds want to know ;-)
Posted by Ben @ 08/12/2003 11:10 AM PST
I was wondering the same thing, Ben, but I didn't want to ask.
Posted by Sandra @ 08/12/2003 11:13 AM PST
Ben, LOL
Posted by Susan @ 08/12/2003 11:16 AM PST
Gosh, I miss Jason already.
Posted by Jay @ 08/12/2003 11:26 AM PST
Jason, Jason, Jason---just when we were used to having you back, you decide to up and leave us again! Well, have fun and break a leg and avoid the pernicious influence of Condom Girl at all costs!
Hapgood--I love all the Ethan Mordden theatre books too...I know he has also written a novel or two...have you read those?
My other favorite non-fiction books are Not Since Carrie by Ken Mandelbaum and Lives of the Muses (I think it was called that) by Francine Prose.
BK--congrats on further progress for the third Kritzer book! It is indeed very too too.
Posted by Maya @ 08/12/2003 11:30 AM PST
I'm thinkin' we might make fifty
posts... Well, blow me over
with a Teutonic water pik, we
already done it. "We already
done it" - what am I, Mammy
Yokum all of a sudden?
I am wearing a Kritzerland
t-shirt, a Penn and Teller's
Bullshit cap, jeans sneakers
and beige socks.
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 11:31 AM PST
BK, with all of these Bogdanovich movies playing in your DVD machine lately will his VOYAGE TO THE PLANET OF PREHISTORIC WOMEN be showing soon?
Favorite non-fiction book, hmmm, well I love autobiographies and I have read some very interesting ones, but can't think of a favorite just now.
Wearing tan khaki slacks, brown skechers, olive green rayon short sleeved button shirt.
JRand52, how do you get away with wearing shorts to work...! You Indiana state workers have it cushy don't you! They are much more stict here for State of Oregon workers I guess..with the exception of the guy who works on the 4th floor and dresses in sweatpants, t-shirt and flip flops every day!
Posted by MBarnum @ 08/12/2003 11:39 AM PST
If anyone has an address for Jason, please share by sending it to me via my e-mail address.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 11:40 AM PST
bk, your signature/birthday wish request is sitting in my mailbox waiting to be picked up and shipped off to sunny California.
Clothing Call: maroon v-neck collared shirt with pink Hawaii flowers on the sides, jean capris, and, of course, the cushy adidas sandals.
Got through babysitting. That was by far the easiest job I've ever had. Get there, watch the kids in the pool, go home for 2 hours while they play at the neighbors house, go back, read Harry Potter while they play Mini-Stix. Challenging *phew*.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 11:40 AM PST
Favourite non-fiction:
GOODNIGHT, SWEET PRINCE by Gene Fowler, bio of John Barrymore.
GREAT TIMES, GOOD TIMES by James Kotsilibas-Davis, about John Barrymore's father , Maurice...who may well have been the true genius of that family.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING by Gene Fowler, about J. Barrymore, Fowler, W.C. Fields, and artist John Decker all hanging out together.
BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA, by Noel Barber. About the Black Hole of Calcutta and the events leading up to it. Fascinating history.
NOTES FROM THE GODS, a collection of John Gielgud's notes on plays he saw during the '20's, written on the theatre
programs at the time he saw them.
GREAT ACTING, edited by Hal Burton. A series of interviews from a BBC programme with great English actors...Olivier, Thorndike, Richardson, Ashcroft, Redgrave, Evans, Gielgud, Coward.
THE MEN WHO MADE THE MOVIES. by Richard Shickel. Book from a PBS series with interviews with guys like Hawks, Wellman, Capra, Hitchcock, Minelli, Vidor, Walsh, etc.
NOT SINCE CARRIE by Ken Mandelbaum, 40 years of Broadway Musical Flops.
JACK THE RIPPER, the Complete Casebook, by Donald Rumblelow, the foremost Ripper expert...I took a Jack the Ripper tour with him my last trip to London, fascinating.
THE PETER HALL DIARIES, by Sir Peter Hall, during the time he was opening the National on the South Bank.
LETTERS FROM AN ACTOR, by William Redfield, during his rehearsal/tour period of the Burton/Gielgud HAMLET. One of the best books about the dramatic process around and wildly entertaining, as well.
BROADWAY BABIES SAY GOODNIGHT, Musicals then and now, by Mark Steyn.
ADVENTURES IN THE SCREEN TRADE, by William Goldman. Best book on screenwriting.
INSIDE WARNER BROS., edited by Rudy Behlmer. Inter-studio memoes and correspondence between 1935-51.
THE SEASON by William Goldman. Goldman dissects the 1967-68 Broadway season.
RICHARD THE THIRD, by Paul Murray Kendell. The truth about this much-maligned king.
One might be tempted to add those thinly-veiled autobiographical novels about one Benjamin Kritzer.
Posted by Charles Pogue @ 08/12/2003 11:51 AM PST
Welcome back Sandra! Have been missing your succinct posts lately.
I know some of you out there will disagree with me about this, but why do they do that!!! Why do they think that "updating" a show will make it accessible and better than the original! I HATE when that happens! "Bye, Bye Birdie" was charming just the way it was! So was "Flower Drum Song." NOTE TO ALL WHO WANT TO REWRITE HISTORY - Create your OWN NEW show and leave the old ones alone! Do you realize that the younger generation will look on your aberrant work as the definitive version! AARGH!!!
P.S. Obviously, I feel strongly about this subject...hence the 10 exclamation points!
Reference books are high on my favorite non-fiction list:
BROADWAY MUSICALS: SHOW BY SHOW by Stanley Green - A reference book I go to all the time (and keep having to repurchase for the latest edition by Kay Greeb).
WRITERS INC: A GUIDE TO WRITING, THINKING & LEARNING written and compiled by Patrick Sebranek, Vern Meyer & Dave Kemper - This reference work is jam-packed with information and one I constantly consult.
I also like all those ...HOUND books: VideoHound, MusicHound
SEABISCUIT by Laura Hillenbrand - A great read and complementary to the film.
I agree with other Hainsies and Kimlets about Moss Hart's ACT ONE. The play makes good reading also (I was the mother in a college production many moons ago).
Posted by Donna @ 08/12/2003 11:53 AM PST
Make that Kay GreeN not GreeB. Oy.
Posted by Donna @ 08/12/2003 11:56 AM PST
I recently finished Jacques Pepin's The Apprentice, one of the better memoirs with recipes of the last few years. The second half of the book kind of peters out, unfortunately, but the early chapters of his youth in France during and just after WWII are fascinating. The recipes make sense and sound tasty, too. Jeremiah Tower's California Dish, on the other hand, is a self-aggrandizing piece of drug-blurred trash. Avoid, avoid, avoid!
Good news: my plot to celebrate my birthday by heading over to the DVD Planet outlet (in Orange County), rather than a meal in a fancy restaurant, was met with resistance for about five minutes when I told my computer wizarding der Brucer ("What makes you think your dinner wasn't going to be Taco Bell?" he smirked mischeviously). Then he headed over to the DVD Planet website (click on signature, of course) and changed his tune. There are musicals, and films for the grandlads, and loads of other titles to consider adding to our collection. And I haven't yet mentioned to der Brucer about BK's review of Paper Moon, which he saw listed and jotted down the title in his notes. (We both regularly keep notepads by the computers; there's something tactile about paper that makes note-taking important to us.) So my upcoming birthday celebration now seems to be locked in the way I want. Huzzah! (Now, can I get away with suggesting Chinese for the actual dinner? Der Brucer tends to be tofu-phobic.)
As for clothing, simple jeans and an olive-colored t-shirt are what are covering me right now. It's a very nice t-shirt, one of several solid colored tees that I bought in Delaware from an outfit called Britches. The color hasn't faded through several washings, the fit is quite nice (a little loose, the way I like), and it's always been nicely soft. Scratchy tees aren't high on my what-to-wear list. Later today, I'll be adding a Hawaiian shirt to the ensemble. I probably could do without the Hawaiian shirt over the tee, but I'm partial to having a shirt pocket when I'm out and about, and pockets on tees feel funny.
I'll try to find out what der Brucer likes in the way of non-fiction when he wakes up from his nap.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/12/2003 11:59 AM PST
BK, you're just a walking billboard
today! I can finally post my clothing
call... blue jean cut-offs, orange
boxers with penguins on them, a
mustard yellow t-shirt, and sandels.
Posted by Matthew @ 08/12/2003 12:05 PM PST
Charles Pogue,
LETTERS FROM AN ACTOR is indeed wonderful. William Redfield is another one who died too young. It's nice to hear the book mentioned - most people don't remember it. I saw the Burton Hamlet he writes about when it premiered in Toronto. I was a snobbish teenage artiste at the time and decided that even if La Liz showed up, I wasn't going to ogle. (This was at the height of the scandalous Burton-Taylor liaison). She did indeed show up and I'm surprised that the balcony of the horrible O'Keefe Center didn't collapse. Everyone up there rushed forward to stare at her below. I did not. ...and to this day I regret the fact. Missed a bit of history there.
Posted by Panni @ 08/12/2003 12:15 PM PST
I will add my mention to those who have already mentioned Act One by Moss Hart and The Season by William Goldman. I will also mention another one of my favorite non-fiction books Max Perkins: Editor of Genius by A. Scott Berg (he of the recent K. Hepburn bio). What a great picture of a man and his time. Read it if you get the chance.
Posted by Ben @ 08/12/2003 12:15 PM PST
P.S. I'm now all in black. Black cotton pants, black spaghetti strap top, black sandals, black everything. I don't know why - just to be contrary, I guess. Because it's 2000 degrees outside (where I've just come from). They say the best way to stay cool is to ignore that it's hot. I may put on a faux-fur coat.
Posted by Panni @ 08/12/2003 12:20 PM PST
I found The Perfect Storm pretty fascinating, and then there was another book about the wreck of The Essex but I can't recall the title.
About to change into a warm suit to play a show in the world's coldest theatre.
Posted by Noel @ 08/12/2003 12:23 PM PST
Hey, I found an internet message board where there are practically no trolls and I can talk about theatre free of flames! Whooopeeeee!
To dive right in...
My favorite non-fiction book is either On the Line or What They Did for Love. It's been so long they kind of morph together into one big backstage drama, and I don't remember which one was better...but I think it's the former, since that one was written by Baayork and Thommie.
Regarding the above-mentioned fish...I haven't had/been scrod in several days since I've been sick, and, in consideration of my fiancée, have kept my paws off. As for the smelt, according to Alan Menken, the smelt and the sprat, they know where it's at.
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 12:38 PM PST
Panni--I was away all weekend so I didn't get to welcome you....let me do so now! I've enjoyed all your posts so far!
Donna--I love the musical reference books Stanley Green wrote. I really liked Broadway Musicals of the 1930's in particular. Have you read that one?
A nonfiction book that I read sometime ago and really liked was about cabaret...it was called The Night and the Music, I think, and discussed the careers of Julie Wilson, Rosemary Clooney and Barbara Cook. I also really like Nice Work if You Can Get It by my ex-dream boy Michael Feinstein.
I'm wearing jean shorts and a tank top. It has pink and blue rhinestones on it and says 19, Rue de la Baune, 19.
Posted by Maya @ 08/12/2003 12:39 PM PST
Yay...another new DR!
Wilkommen, Bienvenue and Welcome to Joy!
Posted by Maya @ 08/12/2003 12:39 PM PST
And I'm wearing a western-style (with pearlized snaps and pointy pockets, but no fringe, thank you very much) cream shirt with lots of little tiny pink flowers with stems, khaki crop pants which are riding a little too low for my taste and I'm trying to keep my underwear from hanging out (from what I understand, Sarah will sympathize with me), with brown low-heeled flippy sandals, a rainbow Fossil watch, and a "sparkwing diamond" ring, for all you Moulin Rouge fans.
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 12:43 PM PST
Thank you Maya...and please pass the Cabernet.
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 12:44 PM PST
Welcome Gunther. I had the dubious distinction of being yesterday's last poster, so my original greeting was probably missed.
BK: Do you think Kean would've been a hit had they called the song "The Smelts and the Pelts" instead of the "Frog and the Grog"? It would've rollicked at least as well.
Wearing casual black pants - one of the treasures found in my apt. building's garbage room (our floor has a great g.r., thanks to a neighbor - formerly my size - who recently lost some weight), and a matching cotton t-shirt purchased on the streets of Chinatown @3/$10.
Just got back from the local library, which has a great theatre collection that includes one of my non-fiction favorites: John Houseman's autobiography (Unfinished Business).
Noel: I loved the limerick.
WEL: I too am turned off by biographies that focus too much on the author, not the subject. Margaret Rutherford's biography comes to mind as an example. Written by her son, it was more about his life (notably his sex-change operation) than about Ms. Rutherford's.
Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 08/12/2003 12:45 PM PST
Speaking of birthday meals, last night, I was asked where I wanted to go for my birthday dinner. Jokingly, I said "The most expensive restaurant around. Ruths Chris." and she said, "Sounds good to me!" and made a reservation. I was quite the happy camper.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 12:49 PM PST
Welcome DR Joy! Joy, remember,
as long as it's not thong underwear,
you're ok here at HHW. Well, you'd
be ok even if it was, but might be the
victim of a few bitch-slappings!
Posted by Matthew @ 08/12/2003 12:53 PM PST
Welcome DR Joy! Joy, remember,
as long as it's not thong underwear,
you're ok here at HHW. Well, you'd
be ok even if it was, but might be the
victim of a few bitch-slappings!
Posted by Matthew @ 08/12/2003 12:54 PM PST
DARNED iBook and IE for mac.
Never do a refresh after posting!
Sorry, I just padded the posts for
today.
Posted by Matthew @ 08/12/2003 12:55 PM PST
I sympathize completely, Joy. Welcome to our group of oddballs. Role Call!!!!
Role Call= relative or precise age, location, and career, plus any other tidbits you might wish to share, :)
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 12:56 PM PST
Maya - No, I haven't read Green's Broadway Musicals of the 1930's. Will check it out. I, too, read and enjoyed "The Night and the Music." The same author also wrote another good book called "Sing Out Louise! 150 Stars of the Musical Theatre Remember 50 Years on Broadway." So many books. So little time.
Posted by Donna @ 08/12/2003 12:56 PM PST
Maya - You asked about Ethan Mordeen's novels. They all fall into the category Contemporary Gay Male Fiction. If you like that sort of book, his are way above average.
I read an interesting comment in a review of PAPER MOON today. It states that the big surprise of PAPER MOON which came right after the classics WHAT'S UP DOC and THE LAST PICTURE SHOW is that Bogdanovich never made a really good film after that. You mean the critic hasn't seen AT LONG LAST LOVE?
Do you know what I hate more than old shows being set in a modern period?: Old shows being re-written for "political correctness" and then remaining in the period where it was written (as in the HOW TO SUCCEED revisal a few years ago). If you are going to give a show modern morals, update it to modern times. If you are going to keep it in the period in which it was originally set, let it be true to the period. You can't have both. I have read of the fights between Jane Krakowski and Neil Simon regarding the character of Charity being so dumb. What I don't know is if the rewrites keep it in 1965 or move it to 2003. If it is still set in 1965, then the Charity character is very right for the times and should not be changed. If it is re-set in 2003 then Charity is all wrong as written. However are there still dancehalls and hostesses in 2003 and do people still dance the frug? I hope they know what they are doing.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/12/2003 12:57 PM PST
Will, come in!
Cabernet!!???
WELCOME!!
Posted by Thong Thinger @ 08/12/2003 01:08 PM PST
WEL: I agree with you about changing idealogies in period pieces to make them more "relevant." Reminds me of the 1994 ('95?) version of Little Women that starred Winona Ryder as Jo and Susan Sarandon as Marmee. Accordingly, Marmee was portrayed as some kind of fiery revolutionary who dreamed of opening a progressive school to teach the freethinkers of tomorrow. Now, I know about Louisa May Alcott and her parents and her background; but none of this was remotely present in the book!
So many good books have been mentioned. In addition to the William Goldman books and Not Since Carrie and Angela's Ashes, I would add the Ed Wood biography Nightmare of Ecstasy (written in oral history format), the Harpo Marx biography (an "as told to" bio that has oodles of interesting anecdotes about Algonquin Round Tablers and theater and film stars of the first half of the 20th century) and (coming completely out of left field) The Burning Bed, the book based on a true crime case that was made into a TV movie starring Farrah Fawcett. I got that book when I was 12 or 13, and it was the first time I picked up a book and stayed up ALL NIGHT reading it because I could not put it down. I was utterly fascinated and compelled by the story of an abused, dirt-poor housewife and her vengeance.
Clothing Call: Pearls, a marabou boa, black satin opera gloves, cut-offs and a T-shirt with a glittery iron-on that says "Classy Lady."
Welcome, Joy!
Posted by Lulu @ 08/12/2003 01:10 PM PST
WEL, you're not saying that women in 1965 were all dumb, are you? Charity might be representative of the way women were depicted in the 1960's, but not necessarily the way they were.
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 01:11 PM PST
BTW, for those keeping track at home, it is officially one month until my birthday!
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 01:12 PM PST
*Marks down Dave's birthday*
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 01:15 PM PST
Stepping up for "Role Call"!
Age: 28 for three more weeks!
Location: Manhattan...I'm up a tree...
Career: On hold until February 2, 2004, at which time I will return to my glamourous life as a stage singer/actress who moves well.
Tidbits: If I wasn't a performer I'd be a professional horse trainer/breeder/caretaker etc.
Career ambition: To sing on a Haines/Kimmel album. :D
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 01:17 PM PST
Welcome Joy and may you
bring us much Joy.
Sarah, Ruth's Chris is the
BEST.
I'm thinkin' we might make
sixty, oops, seventy, oops,
eighty, oops, holy moley on rye
we've come a long way, baby.
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 01:25 PM PST
Anybody who references Cole Porter's "Down in the Depths of the Nintieth Floor" is OK by me. Welcome, Joy.
Posted by Jay @ 08/12/2003 01:31 PM PST
I've got Dave beat!
My birthday's exactly three weeks from today!
: )
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 01:31 PM PST
Ron, me too...depending on how you count...mine's September 3!
Thanks for all your friendly welcomes! What a happy group of Kimlets/Hainsies!
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 01:35 PM PST
Sarah,
Are you marking down my birthday so that you can make a reservation at Ruth's Chris? ;-) Mmmmmmm....
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 01:36 PM PST
Psh Ron, I've got you all beat. Mines in 19 days! Oh! What now? Beat that!
*is done being competitive about silly things like birthdays*
bk, I LOVE Ruths Chris...I go there every Christmas Eve and dine the night away looking at the Washington Monument and the snow falling and the planes landing at Reagan Airport out of the HUGE windows. I feel classy, oh yes I do, oh yes I do.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 01:38 PM PST
DR Dave: Hahahahahaha no. Nice try though, ;)
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 01:38 PM PST
Donna--loved Sing Out Louise! The Merman anecdotes were great--she is my absolute all-time idol.
WEL--wow...I don't think I'll be reading an Ethan Mordden novel in the near future!
Joy--that's great about your living out the dream of being a New York singer and actress! Have you performed off- or on Broadway yet?
I thought the comments about Charity were really interesting...I just want to add one thing. I saw the movie version, and yes, she did come off as rather dumb for all the bigness (for lack of a better word) of her heart. I consider myself a feminist, but am equally quick to admit that dumb women exist. They existed in the sixties, they exist now. Charity Hope Valentine's intelligence does not necesarrily reflect the intelligence of the women of her generation--I really don't think Neil Simon intended it that way. I'd be interested to see Fellini's Nights of Cabiria. Is the Charity character very similar to the one in the musical?
Posted by Maya @ 08/12/2003 01:40 PM PST
Joy, why are you returning to your career as a stage singer/actress who moves well on February 2nd, 2004? You should be celebrating my birthday on that day, along with Miss Elaine Stritch and Punxatawney Phil. It's a wild celebration that ensues every Groundhod Day. Oh, well, if you're intent on returning to your career on that day, you have my permission (I almost typed persimmon) ;-)
Posted by Ben @ 08/12/2003 01:43 PM PST
Dave---
I'm not saying all women were dumb in the 60s, only that a character like Charity could have easily existed back then, whereas today it's a lot less common. Actually, Charity was more naive than dumb, and there were a lot of less-educated people like that in the less-than-40-years ago the character was created. As I said before, if the show is still set in 1965, then the way the character was initially written should still be valid. If the show is being updated to 2003, then the character would have to be updated, the setting of a Times Square Dance Hall would have to be changed, the entire disco sequence would have to be changed, etc. So to me it doesn't make sense to try and update a show that is so definitely set in its period. Do it as a period piece but don't put a 2003 woman into a 1965 setting.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/12/2003 01:46 PM PST
Thanksh for the shour pershimmons, bushter!
Posted by Daffy Duck @ 08/12/2003 01:46 PM PST
The Pelt from the Smelt is in the Belt from the Veldt.
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 08/12/2003 01:47 PM PST
Maya, no, I haven't appeared on or off Broadway yet...Stay tuned!
As for poor Charity, she reminds me of my sister, who is not unintelligent but has made at least 47 dumb choices when it comes to men. She's funny, fun, smart, and incredibly hot, but has not yet been able to hold onto or choose a man worthy of her (although we have hope for her current boyfriend). A real-life Charity. Let's hope he doesn't push her off the Bow Bridge. When she comes to visit me, I'll try and keep her away from Central Park.
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 01:49 PM PST
I'm thinkin' we might reach 100
posts within a few mintues.
Has anyone noticed that I just
typed "mintues" instead of
"minutes". We may have just
created a new word here -
mintues, meaning minutes on
a Tuesday. By gum and by
golly, I say we have and if
anyone says otherwise damn
them, damn them all to hell.
Charity is a naive lovable
woman - not school smart, not
even street smart, but not
stupid, at least I don't think so
(even though, if I recall, she
does call herself that, or at
least by implication she does).
She seems to always want to
learn - she's like a sponge
with whoever she's with. I love
the musical, and I'm even fond
of le film.
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 01:52 PM PST
Has anyone smelt One Hundret?
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 08/12/2003 01:54 PM PST
There is a character by the name of Charity on the soap opera Passions, who has gotten herself into more than one dumb situation. The only difference is that she truly is dumb.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 01:54 PM PST
And there I go, making it 100. How spiffy that was.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 01:56 PM PST
One Hundret
Posted by Arnold M. Brockan @ 08/12/2003 01:56 PM PST
Hello All,
Thought I would say hello before you forget me. Looks like there are some new names on here since I have been gone. After I returned from a week in LA visiting my father in the hospital we went to the coast for several days, then had company. I have barely had time to read your postings, let alone post myself. Today is a rare exception. I have read Juliana's delightful journal. My father is still very ill and I could be returning to LA any time now.
Jason, enjoy the Pocono's. Take a raft trip down the river. It should be very nice there now, a bit cooler than the city. And of course, have a great show.
JB aka JK, Carson City is a cute town. I missed what you and your husband will be doing there.
Bruce, did you ever name the show you are working on?
Posted by Jane @ 08/12/2003 01:56 PM PST
BK - As a fellow Charity lover, do you know if they are keeping the revisal set in the 60s? Do you think the character would work (as written) in 2003? This seems to be the whole contention between Ms. Krakowski and Mr. Simon. Do you have any info on this that hasn't been released to the general public?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/12/2003 01:57 PM PST
Way to go Sarah-More than One Hundrelt now.
Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 08/12/2003 01:59 PM PST
"Joy, why are you returning to your career as a stage singer/actress who moves well on February 2nd, 2004? You should be celebrating my birthday on that day, along with Miss Elaine Stritch and Punxatawney Phil."
Oh, Ben, I will be joining the wild celebration, as I cast off the yoke of corporate lawness and return to my life! I will crawl out of my hole, blink at the sunlight, see no shadows on the world, and leap up in celebration, knowing that winter is over at last and it is time, once again, to break out the dusty character shoes and dust off the old sheet music that longs to be sung. The first song I sing will be Happy Birthday to you and Ms. Stritch, who once approached a very nervous me in line for a final callback at Chelsea Studios and said, "Don't worry, I've been there many times...I'm still there all the time...it never stops, no matter how far you go you never stop auditioning. Good luck."
As to why, that's a very long story that involves a much-anticipated October wedding that will be celebrated by throwing lots of hundred dollars bills all around town, followed by an original musical and lots of Cabernet.
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 01:59 PM PST
Jane, why did you not call me?
Shame.
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 02:03 PM PST
Regarding Juliana:
What's the Jello Trick? Does anyone know?
There are a lot of couples in her cast! How does that happen? I'd LOVE to go on tour with my fi, having gone on tour without him before ... the hell...
Posted by Joy @ 08/12/2003 02:13 PM PST
Bruce, you are kidding-yes ? Early in the morning I went to my Dad's to take care of his cats, then spent the entire day at his bedside, helping the nurses treat him. Evenings, I returned to tend to the cats again. The one evening I was off early I went to the market to buy food to take with me. I was barely eating-got a bit too thin. Must admit, I quickly gained the weight back on my return home, plus a little.
Posted by Jane @ 08/12/2003 02:14 PM PST
Well since my father is not answering my request via email I shall have to ask here.. Arnold M. Brockman, will you please email me the address and phone number we talked about last night? Gracias!
Posted by Craig @ 08/12/2003 02:16 PM PST
I can see changing a lyric like Fiorello's, "And if he likes me,
Who cares how frequently he strikes me?" On the other hand, Wonderful Town's charm is in the time and place in which it's set. Can you imagine Ruth not singing, "One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man"? With Sweet Charity, I think Neil Simon should have the final word.
Welcome Joy.
Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 08/12/2003 02:26 PM PST
Jane, I'm so glad to see you back here; you were missed. I'm sorry to hear that you were away because of your father's illness. Hope your life takes an upturn soon. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 08/12/2003 02:29 PM PST
Welcome back Jane, was wondering where you had been. I am sorry to hear about your dad being so ill.
Posted by MBarnum @ 08/12/2003 02:33 PM PST
Jane is a hero :)
DR Joy: I'm not 100% sure if this is the actual thing Juliana was speaking of, but I know when I get a sore throat, I make Jello, and instead of cooling it so it becomes jelly-like, I drink it hot. It coats your throat and makes you feel a lot better. Lime is the best, then Orange. :)
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 02:34 PM PST
Jane--I hope that your father's health soon takes a turn for the better.
Sarah--I may have to try that Jello thing next time I have a sore throat. Better that than a jello shot. ;)
Posted by Maya @ 08/12/2003 02:41 PM PST
By the way.. in case anyone missed it... yesterday Bruce completed his 650th post here at HHW.. today is entry #651....
Posted by Craig @ 08/12/2003 02:45 PM PST
Non fiction:
There are about 10 non fiction books by the wonderful Dirk Bogarde. (he wrote some fiction as well). Autobiographical they may be - self indulgent and name dropping they are not.
I also use my Joel Whitburn books a lot for reference and would love to see an update of "Hollywood Sings" which is about oscar nominated songs.
I should also list "The Tales Of The City" series - surely they are non fiction.
Special good wishes to DRs Don & Jason for the return season.
Especially good vibes to DR TCB.
DR. Do you have that address for Jason yet?
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/12/2003 02:55 PM PST
Welcome DR Joy!
DR Charles Pogue thanks for reminding me of Goldman's THE SEASON. And there are so many others that have been mentioned. The Mordden novels are worth searching out if - as DR WEL points out - you are interested in the subject matter.
MBARNUM - yes we state workers here in Indiana are spoiled. Actually I think we are allowed to dress casually because we are so poorly paid, it is all we can afford.
MG - I will work on your tape this weekend once GYPSY closes!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 03:00 PM PST
Tom of Oz: If you were asking that question of me, I don't have an answer for you as the e-mail address I gave is my home PC and I'm at work.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 03:13 PM PST
Favorite non-fictions:
THE SEASON, for and away the most informative book written about the theater, at least at the time it was written. There are some things that are different now, but a lot of it still rings true.
BEHIND THE SCREEN, William Mann's eye-opening look behind the scenes in the gay Hollywood of the Golden Age.
SONDHEIM and CO. by Craig Zaden, I think the best and most balanced book about his works out there currently.
Much as I like NOT SINCE CARRIE, I really prefer A CHORUS LINE AND THE MUSICALS OF MICHAEL BENNETT by Ken Mandelbaum. Both are excellent reads. He has SO much inside information.
Posted by Matt H. @ 08/12/2003 03:16 PM PST
You should have that address at work as well now DR Ron.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 08/12/2003 03:22 PM PST
Lulu, MBarnum, and Maya thank you for your good wishes. Sarah, how sweet, but a hero I am not. I returned home after six days as I was terribly homesick. My husband use to travel ALL the time and I hate being apart from him for any length of time.
Once of my all time favorite non-fiction is The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
TCB, my mother thought her great-uncle was Captain Smith, but we can't prove it. As far as we can tell he was only her uncle by marriage. We have a newspaper dated April 19, 192. The headline begins with Captain Smith......
Posted by Jane @ 08/12/2003 03:27 PM PST
Welcome to DR JOY -- even though some folks might not realize it, this is the best little "living-room gathering" that goes on, anywhere on the net. Our host, (the esteemed, suave, erudite, sinewy, guapo, and studly Mr. BK) each day sets out diet coke, cheese slices, and ham chunks, and invites us in to chat and share. As long as you wipe your feet at the door, say please and thank you, and don't pee on the carpet, you will find a warm welcome.
Do you mind sharing a little more about what some of the productions are that you have done so far, and if it was regional theatre, summer stock, community, or what? Thanks.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/12/2003 03:30 PM PST
Referring to MusicGuy's post just then, do any of you know someone who has actually peed on the carpet at their hosts house? Without large quantities of alcohol, of course, because then they could do anything. ALso without being under the age of 4, because 4 year olds are still without normal courtesy. Seriously. That is absolutely 100% grotesque. Ew.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 03:51 PM PST
Oh yeah, Sarah, right...like you've never peed on your host's carpet before. I'm sure. ;)
Posted by Lulu @ 08/12/2003 04:18 PM PST
Oh you know me, I just let it loose whenever I feel like it. Toilet? Whats a toilet?
I don't think so.
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 04:25 PM PST
Sarah, I hope I didn't offend you. It was kind of a weird question, so I kidded about it. I'm sorry if I upset you.
Posted by Lulu @ 08/12/2003 04:29 PM PST
Now, now, Sarah and Lulu! There will be no bickering here!
;-)
Posted by Susan @ 08/12/2003 04:32 PM PST
Not at all, dear Lulu, that was just the overly-sarcastic side of me coming out, :)
For those who are thick, I do not use the carpet as my toilet, especially the carpet that does not belong to me. Let's just clear that one up right now. :)
Posted by Sarah @ 08/12/2003 04:33 PM PST
Thanks for enlightening me!
Posted by SpongeBobSquarePants @ 08/12/2003 04:39 PM PST
OK, group hug, people! Sarah, Susan, Sponge Bob...gather 'round!
Posted by Lulu @ 08/12/2003 04:41 PM PST
Jane, we've missed you! What a difficult time you are going through! My prayers go out to your father.
Posted by Susan @ 08/12/2003 04:42 PM PST
Luckie peed on the carpet.
Luckie peed on the floor, in the
car, in the street, anywhere
she could pee she peed. She
would pee if she perceived you
were looking at her in the
wrong way, she would pee if
you asked her how she was,
she would pee if you said,
"here's your dinner" she would
pee if you said, "Let's go for a
walk" - this was a peeing dog.
It was sad, really.
Sarah, you may pee on my
carpet if you are feeling
Luckie. In fact, I may pee on
my carpet this evening, just to
be with it and happening. How
many of you have ever peed in
the pool? Don't lie now, how
many?
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 05:21 PM PST
I never peed in a pool after I was about five. But I've all too often been swimming in a pool and hit that very distinctive warm spot and realized children were there before me.
Posted by Charles Pogue @ 08/12/2003 05:38 PM PST
DR Sarah -- Please look more carefully at my tongue lodged firmly in my cheek when I use such expressions....I was just really referring to a little respect and manners as far as being a guest here at Bruce's Place.
Hey, I think that's a great new TV show possibility....Bruce's Place! I bet I could do a great theme.
Peed in the pool....well, only a few times, long ago.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/12/2003 05:50 PM PST
Juliana's Journal has a new entry up and it's a nice lonngggggg interesting one :)
Posted by Craig @ 08/12/2003 05:52 PM PST
All this talk about peeing...it won't be long before BK gets us all on another copraphiliac jag.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/12/2003 06:02 PM PST
Oh, not that again! . . . shhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Posted by Susan @ 08/12/2003 06:05 PM PST
Thanks Craig. Juliana is such a delight.
Posted by Jane @ 08/12/2003 06:10 PM PST
All of you who are mentioning your upcoming birthdays - please e-mail me the dates so we don't miss your party.
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 06:24 PM PST
Jane - I am so sorry to hear that your father is not doing any better. You are both in my prayers. At the same time, your newspaper from 1912 fascinates me. Perhaps sometime down the line, when your life is a little calmer, you could make me a photocopy of the paper. I would love to add it to my Titanic collection.
Birthday Alert My birthday is August 23rd.
Tom of Oz Thank you for the good wishes.
Charles Pogue I had no idea that Gene Fowler had written a book. I was a good friend of Gene’s daughter, before she passed away, and I even stayed in their home. Now I will have to find a copy of the book.
…. And yes, Sandra and I were wearing the same outfit.
Posted by TCB @ 08/12/2003 06:46 PM PST
Is this Haines His Way or Urinetown (the site,not the musical)?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/12/2003 06:46 PM PST
....me and my shadow, all alone and feeling blue.
Posted by The Lone Poster @ 08/12/2003 07:03 PM PST
TCB,
As well as writing screenplays and being an ace newspaper man, Gene Fowler wrote several books. His Bio of Barrymore, a personal friend of his, is considered the definitive bio, though there have been several very good ones written since...one, DAMNED IN PARADISE, used Fowler's notes, I believe, and included stuff that Fowler had not included in his bio. Fowler also had a son, Will, also a writer. I think he wrote a memoir about hanging out with all his dad's famous pals as a kid. Think it was called THE SECOND HANDSHAKE (???). A book I do not have in my Barrymore collection and should find.
Posted by Charles Pogue @ 08/12/2003 07:18 PM PST
Matt yes BEHIND THE SCREEN is a very interesting book.
I also of course like Will There Really Be A Morning? the Frances Farmer "autobiography".
And all of Danny Peary's books, Cult Movies I II III and his Cult Movie Stars encyclopedia.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/12/2003 07:25 PM PST
my birthday is august thiry first. im on my little sisters computer, and her shift key doesnt work. pain in the bum holey.
musicguy, i clearly saw the tongue-in-cheek, i was just merely making conversation about it. it isnt like anything else was going on.
...that sounded like i was peeved. i am not peeved. well, yes i am. at my stupid computer which wont let me online.
Posted by sarah @ 08/12/2003 07:28 PM PST
My favorite non-fiction book. Hmm. Probably the ones I use the most are my unabridged dictionary and my "33,000 Words." See what a dull person I am? My favorite books are reference books.
Posted by Laura @ 08/12/2003 07:38 PM PST
Charles Pogue--I love your Barrymore enthusiasm. He was such a great talent, and how he squandered it away and later became something of a self-caricature is just so, so tragic. Have you ever thought of writing a Barrymore screenplay? I think his life would make a great biopic, and show the world that he was much more than just Drew Barrymore's grandfather.
Posted by Maya @ 08/12/2003 07:52 PM PST
"Some people confuse tongue in cheek with foot in mouth."
- Bea Lillie
B.L. was also known to give friends eleven-foot poles - for people they wouldn't touch with the ten-foot variety.
Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 08/12/2003 07:53 PM PST
My apologies DR Charles Pogue, it is Gene Fowler Jr. Gene's son and Will's brother, that I knew. He was an Oscar and Emmy Award winning director and editor, but is probably best remembered today as the director of I Was a Teenage Werewolf.
Posted by TCB @ 08/12/2003 07:53 PM PST
I do like THE SEASON, but some of
the things Goldman says, some of
the attitudes from the late 1960's in
the mainstream...they are disgusting.
First, I cringe at the word "negro". It is
just a little too close to the still
inappropriate term. And his chapter
on homosexuals-wow. I guess that
those were enlightened attitudes at
the time, but they are just so
retrograde today. And of course, his
numbers are so small (1 million for a
big musical? You couldn't put on a
small Broadway play these days for
that.) that everything seems less
significant. Still, it is a fascinating
book, and I would love for someone
to write a modern equivalent.
I must search out Ethan Mordden's
novels. There are more gay
chartacters in the mainstream today,
but few of them are well written.
I got the rerealease of the original
cast of "Nine" as a late birthday
present and listened to it today.
Wow. What a score! And the
performances are just fantastic. Also
interesting is the bonus material,
which consists of a) newly added
songs and expanded songs, and 1)
three demos done by Maury Yeston,
where in the group partts hhe sings
all of the parts, as the "Maury
Tabernacle Choir"...it is a strange
sound, let me tell you. Complex
harmonies in one voice are sort of
creepy. But all in all, I absolutely
love the disc. I wonder why the show
is not more frequently produced.
(Part of the reason, at least, is that
you need 20 wonderful women, 4
talented young boys, and one nearly
superhuman man.)
Posted by Hapgood @ 08/12/2003 08:03 PM PST
Oh, and by the way, HELLO JOY!
Welcome to the cookie jar.
Posted by Hapgood @ 08/12/2003 08:04 PM PST
Just thought I'd share a li'l tidbit...
You may remember a while back I described a horrid production of MAN OF LA MANCHA that a local theatre company produced. It was the first time I have ever left a show at intermission.
Well, I just got word that the same company is planning as their next musical....(wait for it)....
FOLLIES
Oh, the horror.
Posted by Dave @ 08/12/2003 08:08 PM PST
TCB, I can't photo copy it as it is in a frame. I will try to photograph it, when things calm down, and see what happens.
Posted by Jane @ 08/12/2003 08:11 PM PST
One more non-fiction that slipped my mind earlier today, but I re-read it every six months or so and find new things every time:
A SONG IN THE DARK - Richard Barrios' sensational look at the first few years of musicals in the talkie era. There is SO much information in this book, and for lovers of musicals, MUST reading.
Posted by Matt H. @ 08/12/2003 08:28 PM PST
It has crossed my mind to write a Barrymore film more than once. I'm fascinated by bright, intelligent gifted men of genius who squandered their talent in dissipation and excess, both Barrymore and his father, Edmund Kean, Richard Burton, Errol Flynn...to a lesser extent.
Posted by Charles Pogue @ 08/12/2003 08:29 PM PST
Welcome, JOY! Glad to have you with us.
Posted by Laura @ 08/12/2003 08:30 PM PST
Jane: Kidding? Me? Me? Kidding? I am always available should you need help with anything while you're here - just want you to know that.
Now, if you want your OFFICIAL HHW birthday party you must e-mail me the date of the event, otherwise we might miss it. Don't forget.
Posted by bk @ 08/12/2003 08:51 PM PST
Anne Morrow Lindbergh's BRING ME A UNICORN.
David Niven's BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES.
Sting's BRING ON THE NIGHT, oh, sorry, I was just in a BRING-ing mood for a moment!
Berg's biography of Charles Lindbergh is a damned fine read.
James Ellroy's MY DARK PLACES.
Steve Holden's BLACK DAHLIA AVENGER.
There is a fantastic long out of print study of Blake Edwards' filmaking that is superbly researched and written.
NOT SINCE CARRIE is indisposable and should be updated frequently (NICK & NORA and SIDESHOW and DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and URBAN COWBOY spring readily to mind).
Welcome DR JOY and WB DR JANE!
Posted by td @ 08/12/2003 09:11 PM PST
Only FORTY more posts to go. . .
Posted by td @ 08/12/2003 09:12 PM PST
Send me good vibes. I just had to send an email to a former co-worker who left many things unfinished when she left. This person qualifies as the person I would most like to *slap. No doubt I will be receiving a biting response from her. Kinda like awaiting a response from FindingNamo.
Posted by Laura @ 08/12/2003 09:24 PM PST
Greeting #2 New York City!
-This will have to be quick since it is already relatively late, and I have another early start tomorrow - and more auditions, of course!
Today's auditions were an open call at the Equity building. Not a "crazy" turnout in terms of numbers, but a nice one, and there were some pretty good people today. Just two more days to go! *I always like playing auditions at the Equity building since you never know who you're going to run into - and I ran into some rather "pleasant suprises" today. Friends! What a treasure to have friends!
I finally got to see MAN OF LA MANCHA tonight. I had wanted to see it in DC before it came to Broadway, but my SOUTH PACIFIC schedule got in the way so to speak. And I'm actually glad I waited since Marin Mazzie took over the role of Aldonza a few weeks ago. A very nice production, and Stokes' delivery of "The Impossible Dream" stopped the show. -As did Marin's "Aldonza". Afterwards, I was able to catch up a little bit with Stokes, and it was so wonderful to watch him interact with all the audience members waiting to get his autograph and take a picture or two. He was very generous with his time last summer at the Kennedy Center, and he was very generous tonight with everyone at the stage of the Martin Be.. I mean Hirschfeld. Although, it is always sad when a show closes, he told me that he will finally be able to take a nice vacation come September. -And after doing Sweeney and Don Quixote back to back, he deserves some good R & R.
Well, I'm heading back out into the steamy - not really sultry - New York summer night. I skimmed over most of the posts from today, and I'll do a more detailed reading when I return home on Friday.
*OH! And my plane tickets to Australia arrived at my apartment today! I fly out a week from now! See you soon Tom!
-Welcome, Gunther!
Thank you, DRs, for helping me to bring another busy day in New York to a nice close.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 08/12/2003 09:26 PM PST
Thanks Bruce. Goodnight All.
Posted by Jane @ 08/12/2003 09:40 PM PST
Laura--good vibes ~~~~~~~~~~~...feel them yet?
Jose--I saw Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in MOLM and thought she was a great Aldonza. I wish I could see Marin Mazzie before the show closes! When you were doing the Sondheim Celebration, did you really get to know Stokes? I met him after Kiss Me Kate years ago and he was so, so kind and gracious. What a darling he is.
I guess I can't begrudge the fact that he's happily married too much...there's always Brent Barrett to set my sights on!
Posted by Maya @ 08/12/2003 09:46 PM PST
The return email was biting, indeed.
Posted by Laura @ 08/12/2003 10:20 PM PST
Let me start by saying "Welcome to Panni, Gunther and Joy!" (I apologize for my belated welcomes.) And Welcome Back Jane (almost a "Welcome Back Kotter" reference).
As for non-fiction books: my absolute, all-time favorite non-fiction book is "The Joy of Ga…" umm...nevermind. ;-)
Actually, one of my favorite non-fiction books was written by Douglas Adams (he, of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" 5-part trilogy) with Mark Carwardine. It's called "Last Chance To See." For a year, they went around the world to film and write about some of the most endangered animals in the world. From what I remember, it's a plea to help make people aware of the ecological problems that we're all facing in the world. "AFTER YEARS OF REFLECTING ON THE ABSURDITIES OF LIFE ON OTHER PLANETS DOUGLAS ADAMS DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO THINK ABOUT LIFE ON THIS PLANET, AND THE ABSURDITIES OF WHAT WE ARE DOING DO IT."
The very first autobiography (which is, after all, non-fiction) that I can remember reading (for my own pleasure and not school) was Beverly Sills' autobiog. I loved it because she wrote it as if she was just sitting and chatting with you. It was funny and I really felt that I got a sense of the kind of person that she was (is, she's still alive)…real down to earth and not pretentious at all.
Posted by George @ 08/12/2003 10:51 PM PST
lol...I thought The Joy Of Ga...a
very good book as well :-)
Posted by Ann @ 08/12/2003 11:01 PM PST
Upon awakening from his nap, the frazzled der Brucer had to get back to work on a database project and had no time for any questions about fave nonficiton reads. Then we were off to take care of more of his business, transferring said database project from our computer to another for one of this clients (and explaining to same how said database works, or trying to), and we didn't get back until late.
That said, he really can't think of a non-fiction work he has cared for. This is strange, because he regularly finds books for me to read, many of them non-fic, which I then summarize for him and pick out the good stuff. Or maybe it isn't that strange after all, since I do all that reading for him.
Regarding Ethan Mordden, one of his fictions that is a fave of mine is the novel How Long Has This Been Going On? It's an epic journey through gay history, from Los Angeles in 1949 to New York City in 1991, following the lives of a goodly number of characters, mostly gay but also straight, both male and female. Mordden somehow catches most of the history in a fairly good lens, and is never boring, which is a suprise in itself since the book runs just shy of 600 pages (and, with a smaller font used than is found in the latest Harry Potter books, is a considerably longer read).
Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/13/2003 12:03 AM PST
George - I presume that your
runner-up book would be the
classic Cooking With S...
umm...nevermind? :-)
Posted by Jed @ 08/13/2003 12:24 AM PST
Jed,
Ew.
George
PS. I hope that I wasn't too unseemly with my joke about the non-fiction book. YES IT WAS A JOKE! It is not my "absolute, all-time favorite" ... top 10 maybe ... but not all time favorite. :-)
Posted by George @ 08/13/2003 01:11 AM PST
And Gene Fowler, Jr also directed I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE which starred Tom Tryon and Gloria Talbott, produced at Paramount by William Alland, it featured some of the same sets as did 1958's PARTY CRASHERS, also produced by Alland and starring Bobby Driscoll, Connie Stevens, Mark Damon, AND Frances Farmer, who had starred with John Barrymore in WORLD PREMIERE.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/13/2003 03:37 AM PST
Jrand, you are an endless fountain of knowledge!
Posted by Lulu @ 08/13/2003 03:47 AM PST
gurgle gurgle gurgle
Posted by Jrand52 @ 08/13/2003 05:52 AM PST
Dear George,
We're glad you enjoyed our book. Please check out the updated version, The New Joy of Ga....
Posted by Charles Silverstein and Felice Picano @ 08/13/2003 06:57 AM PST
Good morning fellow (and fellowette) cookies ! Well, I figured since Hapgood called this the cookie jar....
oh, ssshhhhhh.., I remembered, we have to be very quiet and speak softly here in the "living room", 'cause Bruce isn't up yet and we don't want to be unseemly. Someone put the coffee on, and I'll go sweep the front walk....won't that be a nice surprise for dear BK to awaken to ?
I'm off to a "consulting" salt-mine. I'll check in later.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/13/2003 07:37 AM PST
Good morning fellow (and fellowette) cookies ! Well, I figured since Hapgood called this the cookie jar....
oh, ssshhhhhh.., I remembered, we have to be very quiet and speak softly here in the "living room", 'cause Bruce isn't up yet and we don't want to be unseemly. Someone put the coffee on, and I'll go sweep the front walk....won't that be a nice surprise for dear BK to awaken to ?
I'm off to a "consulting" salt-mine. I'll check in later.
Posted by MusicGuy @ 08/13/2003 07:38 AM PST
So what happens now, do we keep posting here or do we wait for the next round?
Posted by Joy @ 08/13/2003 07:52 AM PST
