Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/10/2003 07:44 AM PST

Not exactly an Ask BK Question, but is TFNM being dubbed into German or will in be in English with German subtitles? And what is the German equivilent for "Dancing Dildos"?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/10/2003 08:30 AM PST

Here's a DR question...

What is your favorite animal?

Personally - I like Penguins, Dolphins, Koala's and the occasional internet interloper (kidding!)

Posted by Craig @ 09/10/2003 08:32 AM PST

I am fond of Craigs and Bruces.

Posted by The Occasional Internet Interloper @ 09/10/2003 08:36 AM PST

Re favorite animal: bats

Posted by Laura @ 09/10/2003 08:37 AM PST

Hello all from the brand
spanking new McGill
Undergraduate Arts Lounge
and Computer Centre. Whew!
It's taking more and more
effort to write that
looooonnnnggg title out each
day.

Did anyone happen to tape
yestereve's **Broadway on
Broadway** for little old me?
Eternal love and admiration
(and some poutine of course)
awaits you if you did... e-mail
me!

I went to work this morning
(yes, I'm trudging along at the
Gun Control Coalition until I
hear from the theatre) and was
surprised to find a bouquet of
flowers with my and the other
assistant's name on it.
Flattered as I was, it turns out
it's from this completely creepy
guy who works in the same
building as us and keeps
stopping by to talk to us.
What's worse, he has made
several comments in the past
that seem to insinuate that he
himself is a gun owner - and a
proud one at that (he once
described felling a squirrel in
a PUBLIC PARK!)

**Why are all my admirers
creepy stalker violent men!?!**

My favourite animal is pretty
tame. I like cats. Unless the
parade of creepy stalker
violent men turns 180 degrees
around soon, I plan on
becoming an old maid cat
lady.

Posted by Emily @ 09/10/2003 08:45 AM PST

Hmmm... it appears that my
attempts to embolden certain
of my phrases in that last post
didn't work.

Is it because I'm on a MAC or
is it just my good luck? : )

Posted by Emily @ 09/10/2003 08:46 AM PST

Congrats on the news, BK!!

Watched Sleeping Beauty yesterday! Absolutely stunning...I hadn't seen this in like 10 years, and it brought back soo many memories for me. Aside from the gorgeous art though, Aurora has to be the (okay, best Comic Book Store Guy voice) blandest Disney heroine ever. She's like...Fairy Tale Barbie. Oh well, Maleficent totally makes up for her.

WEL--I looked it up on Babelfish so it may be completely wrong, but the German translation of "dancing dildos" came out as "tanzendes dildos!" Somehow I think though that they didn't enter the latter word in the database ;)

What a cute question, Craig! My favorite animals are cats, followed by deer, bunnies, squirrels, kangaroos and flamingoes. I also like the little frou-frou dogs that can fit in your purse--they may bark nonstop but they're sooo cute.

For Ask BK day--With all the free DVD's you get, what is the absolute WORST one that you've watched?

Posted by Maya @ 09/10/2003 08:58 AM PST

Favorite animals? Taco, our chihuahua/terrier mix (who looks like a German Shepherd, at least from the neck up!). And my tropical fish until they got ick and died.

Re who's been taping: Does anyone have a copy of the recent PBS show on the Tony Awards? I was errant & truant (and out of town) and did not set my VCR accordingly. Email me if you have a copy available and need my address. Many thanks!

As for Ask BK day: Bruce you previously told us who you would like to have worked with in the studio, both living and dead. What songs would you have them record?

And when is "Jeepers Creepers" being released (Scarlett Street is running promos on their web site, but only list "coming in September". Well, September is here!)

Posted by Phil @ 09/10/2003 09:10 AM PST

Ask BK: I get the "low-fat" part, but what is gram popcorn?

Favorite animals: Humpbacked whales, silver foxes, polar bears, penguins and aardvarks.

Maya: You'd bark nonstop, too, if you always had hairbrush bristles poking you in the ass!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/10/2003 09:14 AM PST

Diego, our son (a donkey) is my favorite animal, although yesterday I met a lizard that was quite nice.

I also rode in an elevator with John Stamos.

These two things have nothing to do with each other.

Posted by Noel @ 09/10/2003 09:30 AM PST

Ron--LMAO!! I suddenly am filled with small-canine empathy!

Posted by Maya @ 09/10/2003 09:34 AM PST

Favorite Animals: giraffes, yorkies, and my neighbor's dachshund, Jack

Posted by Laura II @ 09/10/2003 09:46 AM PST

DER FURSTER NUDIE MUZICAL!

I wonder what BK will sound like speaking in German? I imagine all of his tv episodes have been dubbed...

MR BK have you ever seen your television or movie work with a dubbed voice speaking for you? Was it the right "kind" of voice, or did they do you wrong?

My favorite animal - Holly the Sharpei...I almost wrote Sharpie, which is something different altogether.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/10/2003 09:50 AM PST

I am excited (and envious) for you BK on your large shipments of free DVDs. I will be curious to know what you think of Antwone Fisher. I have heard very good things about it and one of these days I am gonna rent that one (as I missed it at the theater)..so I am dancing the twist, the pony, and the mashed potato to the sounds of "I'm So Excited" in honor of our freebees.

My BK question of the day is this: What was your first professional television appearence and how excited were you about it? Did you and your family/friends watch it on TV when it was shown? Reveal all the unseemly details if you would please.

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/10/2003 09:53 AM PST

Oh, MBarnum...that reminds me of a question I have been meaning to ask DR Susan....

DR Susan, when you made an appearance on GUNSMOKE or BEN CASEY, did you watch it the night it was broadcast, or had you seen it in a screening room. Did everyone talk about it in school the next day?

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/10/2003 09:56 AM PST

Jrand53, if in fact they did BK wrong, the movie would have featured 'another somebody done somebody wrong song'.

Posted by Dave @ 09/10/2003 10:03 AM PST

Animal - dog.

I'm not quite certain how Nudie
will work at the festival, other
than the print they're getting is
in English with no subtitles -
perhaps they do supertitles or
something - I'll find out and
keep you posted.

I don't know that I've ever heard
myself dubbed - I've been
tempted to buy the Naked
Space DVD from Germany,
because I do believe it's
dubbed. I once did an RC
Cola commercial in which I got
to do my OWN dubbing in
Spanish - because I did a
perfect Spanish accent. The
line was "Dog? What dog?" I
got to say, "Perro? Qual
perro?" or something like that.

First professional TV
appearance was the guest
starring in The Young
Lawyers. I was excited,
nervous, but the people were
lovely and made it very easy for
me, especially the other guest
star Gary Lockwood, who was
absolutely terrific to me. Also,
there was a dialogue coach,
Bobby Hoffman, who took me
under his wing and who was
very helpful. He became a
friend, and he ultimately did
Happy Days for the entire run
of the show.

Low fat gram popcorn. Low in
fat grams. Popcorn that is low
in grams of fat.

Posted by bk @ 09/10/2003 10:25 AM PST

That is a good question for Susan...it must have been tough back in the old days before VCRs...and if you were like Allison Hayes and made tons of TV guest shots you might be working when your show airs or you might have your Perry Mason playing opposite your Death Valley Days...then what would you do!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/10/2003 10:26 AM PST

I'm just burning to know what Stunt Cock translates to in German, if it translates at all.

Anyone know what the German title of "The Stunt Man" was????

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/10/2003 10:31 AM PST

BK, but did you and yours gather together to watch that Young Lawyer's episode?

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/10/2003 10:50 AM PST

I do seem to recall we had
some folks over to our
apartment to watch it. I don't
think my daughter watched it,
as she wasn't even a year old
yet. I found it rather appalling
to watch my performance in
that episode - and it instantly
taught me several things
about film acting that I instantly
put to use in my next
appearance, the CBS spinoff
of The Doris Day Show. I
learn quick.

Now, where in tarnation IS
everyone? Get off your butt
cheeks - this day is filled with
excitement, damn it, and we
must sing and dance to the
disco sounds of I'm So Excited
whilst posting until the cows
come home. Get with it, I say.

Posted by bk @ 09/10/2003 11:05 AM PST

Maya: Would you accept a breath mint or a stick of gum that was pulled out of a purse carrying a frou-frou dog?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/10/2003 11:08 AM PST

I was so excited I couldn't control my fingers on the keyboard.

I've calmed down enough, however, at least for a moment, to dash off this post.

Posted by Jay @ 09/10/2003 11:12 AM PST

MBarnum,

Antwone Fisher is highly recommended if only for the astounding performance of Novella Nelson. It's hard to imagine that she - given the evilness of her role in Antwone Fisher - once starred as Dolly Gallagher Levi.

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/10/2003 11:17 AM PST

Dear BK and DR Question:

What, iyho (in your humble opinion), is the worst song by a great songwriter (lyricist and/or composer)? I was listening to Irving Berlin's Mr. President. "Don't Be Afraid of Romance" and "Meat and Potatoes" would both be near or at the top of my list.

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/10/2003 11:32 AM PST

Favorite animal -- well, my two cats, naturally, but I am also strangely (though not unnaturally!) drawn to penguins. When I lived in Boston I would always visit them at the Aquarium when I was feeling stressed or low and they always lifted my spirits.

Would TFNM translate into German as "Der EinsNudenOper"?

Posted by Philip Crosby @ 09/10/2003 12:05 PM PST

DR Philip Crosby: I know this is probably a silly question, but I went to a middle school in VA with a Nick Crosby, who has an older brother named Philip. Would you happen to have a younger brother named Nick?

Posted by Laura II @ 09/10/2003 12:19 PM PST

Wow! Did "Mr. President" test the faith of an Irving Berlin fan, or what?! On the other hand, I can't get enough of Anita Gillette's rendition of "The Washington Twist." Listen to that one track twenty times, and you've got a pretty good cast album there.

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 09/10/2003 12:27 PM PST

Favorite animal is a dog! I do love elephants, though. I have read several books about them and they are amazing animals. Philip, I understand your fascination with penguins. They are special beings. Whenever I go to the Central Park Zoo I spend lots of time in the Penguin and Puffin area. I have seen the penguins taking care of their eggs during mating/nesting season and it's quite a wonderful picture.

I think Mack the Black from the Vincente Minnelli disaster, The Pirate, with Judy and Gene and score by Cole Porter has to be one of the worst songs I have ever heard. The movie is full of awful music but this particular song makes me shudder. I (as you might be able to tell ;-) LOATHE this movie. I find it unwatchable. I am a big Garland fan and a big Kelly fan but I think this thing sinks faster than cement shoes and part of it is the score. There is not a song in it that I listened to more than once by choice. The funny thing is, my Anthony loves it. It's not his all-time favorite Judy movie but he can watch it and sees something that totally escapes me. I run screaming from the room when it's on Turner. But just to show you what a good boyfriend/partner I am, I bought the Rhino Pirate release for him on his recent birthday. That (as BK would say) is what makes a horse race.

Posted by Ben @ 09/10/2003 12:37 PM PST

The funny thing is, I adore THE PIRATE. Then again, I also adore YOLANDA AND THE THIEF. In terms of farce, there's really nothing wrong with "Mack the Black," (Mack the black MaCoCo. . .) and Kelly can buckle a swash with the best of them.

my favorite animal wild: Wolf.
my favorite animal domesticated: Siberian Husky.
my favorite animal untamed: Homo Sapiens.
my favorite animal tamed:
Homo Sapiens.

Posted by td @ 09/10/2003 12:42 PM PST

lol, Ron :) Probably not!

I can't think of any really bad songs in musicals right now, but I do have to agree with DR Dan about Mr. President. I listened to the OCR once and I didn't find even one song all that memorable. Then again, I did enjoy Anita Gillette and Nanette Fabray. Here's a question...WHY did Nanette Fabray not become a bigger star??

Posted by Maya @ 09/10/2003 12:48 PM PST

Nanette Fabray did not become a bigger star because she ate sensibly, did her exercizes and watched her diet. :-)

Posted by td @ 09/10/2003 12:57 PM PST

I LOVE "The Pirate" and I think "Mack the Black" is sensational as the ballet number.

"Nina" is a bit trying, rhyming easily, as it does, with "neurasthenia" (Cole, he silly man sometime).

The colors are vibrant...love the shot of Judy by the sea as the wave splashes her and ruins that wonderful hat.

The nighttime scene of her in her boudoir fanning herself furiously as though life required such effort.

It's not the sophisticated classic they were going for, but Minnelli, with MGM's resources, go further with second-rate Porter than most other studios got with first-rate stuff.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/10/2003 12:58 PM PST

Re: Mr. President
I saw that show and even at the tender age of 15, I realized what a bomb it was. Nanette and Anita, however, were wonderful. I realize how old I'm getting when I read that the young Secret Service male lead, Jack Haskell, who played opposite Anite Gillette, died recently at not a young age.

Posted by steveg @ 09/10/2003 01:18 PM PST

hahahah...TD, you smart-arse! ;)

Posted by Maya @ 09/10/2003 01:20 PM PST

Kis my smart arse!

Posted by td @ 09/10/2003 01:23 PM PST

You can KISS my smart arse, too!

Posted by td @ 09/10/2003 01:24 PM PST

THE PIRATE may be my favourite musical after SINGING IN THE RAIN...not because of the score, which is fine, but not outstanding, but because of Kelly's swashbuckling performance and dancing.

Posted by Charles Pogue @ 09/10/2003 01:27 PM PST

You know DR Ben, I haven't been to the Puffin exhibit at the zoo since I quit smoking.

td -- I made a complete fool of myself just now in the office, when I read your answer about why Nanette Fabray did not become a bigger star. I believe I actually brayed and snorted.

As for the worst songs, and I am sure BK will disagree, just about any song Bacharach and David (great songwriters?) wrote for Lost Horizon, in particular, "Question Me An Answer" and "The World Is a Circle".

Posted by TCB @ 09/10/2003 01:28 PM PST

Did you know that Burt Bacarach studied music at Mcgill?

(Of course William Shatner went here too, so I guess they counter balance one another).

:)

Posted by Emily @ 09/10/2003 01:31 PM PST

My oft-beseiged der Brucer was forced to lip-synch "The First Lady" from Mr. President one time as part of a fundraiser for a club he belonged to. (I'm pretty sure that was the song.) He had to wear a hoop skirt as well, which was almost impossible for him to manage, and didn't go well with his full beard, which he has had for as long as I've known him and which he justifiably refused to shave off.

He was much funnier later in the evening, when he lip-synched a Forbidden Broadway rendition of "Tomorrow" as Annie, complete with blank circle eyes and a large toy stuffed dog as Sandy.

Which makes a nice seque into my favorite animal: DOGS! They can be funny, affectionate, devoted, and totally goofus, all at the same time. For the life of me, I cannot imagine getting the same affection from, say, a goat. Cats can be nice, but I have allergy problems with them (not their fault), and they all tend to be the same size if you go for the domestic varieties. Since I don't intend to live my life as Tippi Hedren and I happen to like large pets, I'll stick with dogs.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/10/2003 01:34 PM PST

DR Laura II --

I have four brothers, but not one of them named Nick. For the record, they are Doug, Brab, Rob and Tom. :-)

And I am also a "PIRATE" fan. Especially in the fantasy/ballet sequence when Gene Kelly is wearing those short shorts. That man had some great looking thighs.

I had the pleasure of spending 10 days in England with Anita Gillette and she winced whenever she was asked about Mr. President. She said she and the other actors could feel the dislike and disinterest of the audience come over the footlights every night. But the saddest thing was how its failure crushed Irving Berlin's spirit.

Posted by Philip Crosby @ 09/10/2003 01:35 PM PST

DR TCB - you may bray and snort all you want, just remember, there is no groaning on HHW!

Posted by td @ 09/10/2003 01:36 PM PST

DR Phil has four brothers. Does that count as a Manhattan Transfer reference? ? ?

Posted by td @ 09/10/2003 01:38 PM PST

Favorite Animal:

Cats.........oh, and Bears

Posted by TCB @ 09/10/2003 01:43 PM PST

Yes, here's another fan of THE PIRATE, especially both renditions of "Mack the Black": Kelly's ultra-sexy ballet AND Judy's hypnotic solo-with-chorus rendition. Yes, the lyrics are trite, but Judy is mesmerizing in that number and Minnelli once again films her in such a way as to make her a ravishingly beautiful woman. (She sleepwalks through her other two solos, I hasten to add.)

For Ask BK Day. I'd like to read your opinion on the movie of GUYS AND DOLLS particularly the casting and how you thought the stars not associated with the stage version are, and what you thought about the direction of the picture. Thanks.

Posted by Matt H. @ 09/10/2003 01:51 PM PST

Ask BK - You mentioned a few
days back that you were
watching Bugsy Malone, but
you never did follow up with
your thoughts on the movie.
Please, opine away!

Posted by Jed @ 09/10/2003 02:17 PM PST

DR Steve:

I realize how old I'm getting whenever Anita Gillette, Alice Pleyton, or Emily Yancy turns up as a girlfriend of Frasier's dad.

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/10/2003 02:24 PM PST

BK: You asked the other day if anyone recalled something about the film "See No Evil" having another music score before the one Elmer Bernstein wrote.

I remembered that Andre Previn had been hired to score it, but couldn't put my hand on the details. I then posed your question to the film music discussion group.

Today, Randall Larson, former editor of Soundtrack Magazine, as well as former editor of CinemaScore (a much-loved early film music magazine) responded:

Paraphrasing from Musique Fantastique, page 307:

"Andre Previn did indeed compose and record an original score to SEE NO EVIL. It was reportedly recorded by the London Symphony, for whom he was then-resident conductor. But the producers rejected the music and hired David Whitaker, whose work evidently didn't satisfy them either, and Bernstein was hired.

"According to Previn, writing in FilmFacts, the producers had felt his music was 'too harsh, too astringent, too ugly, too rough, and there isn't anything the kids can whistle.'

"Mark Stevens, writing in the original 'Score' column for Cinefantastique, heard Previn's score and described it as 'a superbly chilling score, PSYCHO-like, with electronic overtones, a synthesizer being employed to stunning effect.' It's too bad the recording of this score hasn't been made available -- nor Bernstein's more romantic approach either, for that matter. A great topic for a new FSM or Intrada or Percepto or La-La Land combo soundtrack with both scores, hmmm???"

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/10/2003 02:49 PM PST

Wow! Did I change things to SuperPanavision 70?

Or is it Camera 65?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/10/2003 03:04 PM PST

All looks normal to me Ron...but maybe I need glasses!

I must now say "Where in tarnation is everyone today."

I personally am in downtown Tarnation, just down the road from East Whereintheheck.

Really though, 20 minutes between posts should be illegal. I am having a very boring day here at work and so I keep checking this hear forum to see what posts there are to read....and the new ones are few and far between!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/10/2003 03:35 PM PST

I'm here to save the post-break from becoming an hour! Ah! Where in tarnation ARE you people?

I JUST got home, I've been out and about all day. School, then dentist, then first voice lesson (!!!), then babysitting. I hate those kind of days, because the second I walk in the door, my mother says "Homework." and I say "MUST you remind me EVERY TIME?!" and she says "Yep. No computer." to which I reply "Hah. I'll start in a bit." and then we get into a bit of a tizzy and it just never ends up well. The end.

My voice lesson was great, I love my teacher, and she knows exactly what she's talking about. When I went to camp this summer, I recieved two lessons. Within a minute of being in the room, I had sung a scale, and the woman told me just what I needed to work on. In those lessons I learned more than I had in years of choir. This woman did the EXACT same thing, I'm so happy! We didn't do any singing today, but it was still a great lesson.

Favorite animal? Maxwell the dachshund, Tucker and Gus the cats, and Ross the guinea pig. Oh and I agree about the penguins too, Philip. I was born in Boston, and every time I go back, I take the ferry from Quincy to the aquarium so that I can go see them. I could sit there and watch them swim all day, they're enchanting.

BK: What was your most memorable television moment, onscreen of off?

DR's: Is anyone else here addicted to Orbitz gum? I'm in love.

Posted by Sarah @ 09/10/2003 04:37 PM PST

Sarah, I am not addicted to Orbitz gum, but I was addicted to Mentos commercials!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/10/2003 04:45 PM PST

Finally, a moment to myself.
It's been CRAZY here. I must
say there aren't nearly enough
posts here for my mental
delectation. The posts that are
here are cherce, but we need
more so let's get with it, shall
we? Or do I need to say KISS
MY ASS four hundred more
times?

Most memorable TV moment?
I don't know - were there any?
I liked kissing Susan Dey (her
first screen kiss) and I liked
playing a klutzy but
well-meaning doctor in
Doctor's Hospital. Off-screen:
Thowing my cabin key to
Susan Dey at dinner in front of
everyone when we were
shooting on the cruise ship.
She didn't use it, though.

Bugsy Malone is a very
strange film - it's really not very
good, but it has some
entertaining moments. A
horrid mistake having Paul
Williams and cohorts doing all
the singing for the kid - it's just
awful. But, some fun
choreography, and engaging
performances.

I've never been a fan of the film
of Guys and Dolls, in fact I
think it stinks, except for Vivian
Blaine and a few of the hoods.
The direction is stodgy and
static and the whole thing
could be remade much better,
but NOT updated and NOT
done with the MTV mentality.

Posted by bk @ 09/10/2003 04:46 PM PST

Anita Gillette...now we're talking!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/10/2003 05:03 PM PST

Hello, one and all...and all and one. Today was another splendiforous day at MTI. We have a new office manager who has finally taken charge of certain situations, so now I don't have to work with the dreaded Dragon Lady who gave me so much grief earlier this year. And we have a new guy working in the filing area with us. His name is Jesse and he's very nice. He's an actor, too, so I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about.

I've just had a wonderful practice session. I did some warming up, which didn't take long since I've been awake and talking since 8:30 this morning, and then I sang through THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA just because I do so love to sing it. I don't care if you love it or hate it--it was a lot of fun to sing through, especially since I sounded pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. My neighbors may have different opinions about that, but I don't care. I needed to feel better about myself and my instrument, so I did what I needed to do. I need to work on my higher register, and this is a good score to sing for that, since most of it sits on my passagio (vocal break). Its good exercise. Perhaps its sort of cheesy to practice while singing along to a CD, but when you have no keyboard, you have to do what you can. And, no...I don't sing like Michael Crawford. Well, I do sometimes...but only for laughs.

And now that I have sufficiently over-justified my silliness, I think I shall put in a movie..."Amelie," perhaps.

Posted by Jason @ 09/10/2003 05:14 PM PST

As of tomorrow, I will have been posting on HHW.com for exactly one year, one month and twenty days. I'm not sure why I felt I needed to look that up, but I did.

Posted by Jason @ 09/10/2003 05:52 PM PST

Hello, all. I'm sitting at a borrowed computer somewhere in the hills of Encino. I've just come back from a long day of meetings and a longer drive home. I'm so tired I can't see straight - but I have tons of work to do which I'm too tired to do right this second - so I'm taking a break by writing a post. And I'm hungry. Other than that, things are going well.

Posted by Panni @ 09/10/2003 06:38 PM PST

Hey everyone! Just got out of class...

WB, Panni! Glad to hear things are going well!

Jason--Isn't "Amelie" the best? I want to hear you sing Music of the Night (both in your normal and Michael Crawford voices)!!

BTW, I heard from Joy and she says hi! She's been really, really busy lately but she should be back soon!

Posted by Maya @ 09/10/2003 06:48 PM PST

DR Jason, I happen to love Phantom of the Opera and I think you'll make a swell phantom some day.

I also think you'll make a swell Smudge some day and I'd love to see pictures of you in plaid. I'd love to see DR Dave in plaid also, but he has never sent me any pictures.

Posted by Old Laura @ 09/10/2003 07:04 PM PST

Question for anyone really: How do you get into Equity? Because someone I know told me that it was incredibly hard, and that its a neverending circle of impossible things. I figured you lot might have a clue.

Posted by Sarah @ 09/10/2003 07:14 PM PST

Laura,

Sorry I haven't been able to share any photos of FOREVER PLAID, but I don't have access to a scanner. Jinx has promised me a CD with plenty of pix, plus a couple of short videos, and even a DVD of the show. I should be getting that in the next week or so. I'll be happy to share, once I have something to share.

Stay tuned...

Posted by Dave @ 09/10/2003 07:51 PM PST

Dear esteemed, lithe, and now international-festivaled BK --

Congratulations on TFNM being shown in Germany..Huzzah, and mazel tov ! My question for BK; how can I make Jeepers Creepers get here faster??? We ordered 2 copies, and I'm dying to hear it.

By the way, fellow DRs, If you are ever in Manhattan, go to the Museum of TV and Broadcasting. You can check out and view the video of our very own BK's first TV appearance on The Young Lawyers. I watched it recently, and only the grand poobah himself could have delivered the line (and I quote verbatim) "Vietnam is some different bag!"

DR Jason -- I'm glad things are going well at MTI. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall, while you were vocalizing with "Phantom." And just don't you worry about your passagio... I'm here to tell all the DRs that Jason has a very lovely passagio. We had dinner together, and I can't remember seeing a cuter or more shapely passagio in years!!

Posted by MusicGUy @ 09/10/2003 08:57 PM PST

Oh, and dear BK....... I must beg an indulgence and a hall pass for this weekend; I have to go present a workshop and a program in the Denver area, so I will be away until Sunday night. Do I need to keep my hall pass in plain sight, or can I tuck it in my passagio?

Posted by MusicGuy @ 09/10/2003 09:00 PM PST

Sarah: Getting into Equity is quite easy, really. Just sign your soul away to the devil and you're in! Of course, I jest.

There are basically three ways of getting into the union. I'll explain:

1. Believe it or not, the most common way is to simply be hired into an Equity contract, either in a B'way show, a nat'l tour, or an Equity regional theatre. Its very hard to get hired this way, mainly because you can't get into Equity auditions if you're not in Equity...not very easily, anyway. My friend, Julie, however, was hired directly into the nat'l tour of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as the Christine understudy the summer between her junior and senior year of college. They hired her directly into the union, and that was that! She's now understudying the role on Broadway and is being bumped up to the Christine Alternate sometime at the end of the month.

There are Equity regional theatres all over the country. They have contracts for most every role...some of them Equity and some not. If they have enough Equity contracts, and if you're talented enough, they will sometimes offer an Equity contract to a non-Eq person, at which point you'd have to pay the union fees and join up.

2. The second most common way is to work your way into the union. If you're working in a union theatre with the EMC (Equity Membership Candidacy) program, but are working under a non-union contract, you may pay a certain amount of money and begin earning your EMC points. One point is the equivalent of one week's work in a union house that participates in the EMC program, and you need 50 points to be eligible to join. They may not do this anymore, but at 40 weeks, you have the option of taking a comprehensive exam over the rules and regulations of Actor's Equity, and if you pass (which basically involves knowing the entire handbook front to back), you may pay your dues and join up.

3. Another way to do it is to be a member of another union. Members of SAG (Screen Actors Guild), AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists...aka the Opera union), AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists) and a couple of other obscure performing unions may, after a certain membership period (generally six months to a year), join AEA (Actors Equity Association).

Posted by Jason @ 09/10/2003 09:34 PM PST

Well, where in tarnation IS everyone? It was bound to happen, I suppose, but this will be the first time in quite a few weeks where we've fallen below 100 posts. I must admit to a slight disappointment as we were on such a roll. Oh, well, maybe there will be a surge before midnight. A surge is what we need, so perhaps if we all put on our serge suits it would and could and could and would happen.

Posted by bk @ 09/10/2003 09:42 PM PST

Why, thank you, DR Dave. I shall try to be patient.

Posted by Old Laura @ 09/10/2003 09:44 PM PST

I'd be careful about posting things about videos and DVDs of shows. You never know when an employee of the licensing house might be reading... ;-)

Posted by Jason @ 09/10/2003 09:59 PM PST

I thank Jason for a wonderfully detailed answer to Sarah's question.

WAY too many people I know spend WAY too much time worrying about getting into Equity. If you're being hired to do Equity work on a consistant basis, it makes sense for you to join the union. It does NOT make sense to try to get into the union for other reasons. Membership is expensive, and, if you're not getting hired for Equity shows, your resume is going to reflect this, and people you're auditioning for may say "Well, she's Equity, but she hasn't done much Equity. I wonder why."

The Industry will use you where it wants to use you, and it's something actors have very little control over. (Sure you could limit auditioning to ONLY the roles you want, but this is going to knock you out of a lot of work.) If the Industry is using you in Equity shows, then, and only then, should you consider membership.

Groucho Marx: "I would never want to be a part of any club that would accept someone like me for a member."

Posted by Noel @ 09/11/2003 05:32 AM PST

Question for DR Jason (and others):

What is(are) your audition song(s)?

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/11/2003 05:37 AM PST

Dan-in-Toronto: I have a few that I do on a regular basis. I'm probably not the person to ask about this, though, since most people really look down on most of the songs I do because they're either overdone or deemed too difficult for an accompanist to play. Well, as Kristi Chenoweth told me, they may be songs that are overdone, but if you sing them well, it doesn't matter. And, foolish as it may be to do so, I give accompanists the benefit of the doubt. I've only had two auditions EVER that have been train wrecks with the accompanist. One was in Oklahoma City (the guy couldn't even play "I Have Dreamed" by Richard Rodgers!). The other was here, doing "Giants in the Sky," which has a tough accompaniment, but I kept going and just ignored what she was doing. Luckily, they let me sing a second selection that she knew how to play.

My normal audition songs are:
"If I Loved You"
"Giants in the Sky"
"The Jet Song"
a cut from "Feed Me" from LITTLE SHOP
"Where's the Girl," which is in the key of Q-flat, so I don't do that one much...
"I Have Dreamed"

That's basically it. Nothing overly eye-popping, but people seem to enjoy hearing them. I've also used "They Can't Take That Away From Me," but I seem to have misplaced the sheet music for it. :-\

Posted by Jason @ 09/11/2003 07:08 AM PST

Ha! I just realized that I said that there was very little that was eye-popping about my audition choices. Perhaps that's a bad thing, ya think? I sing them well...usually VERY well...so I'm happy with them.

Posted by Jason @ 09/11/2003 07:14 AM PST

Yup - very good explanation about Equity.

I am category 2 - working my way in...and not planning on taking the test. LOL

Being hired and joining and being in a sister union are also options.

Just remember - once you are an full Equity Member, you cannot continue acting in community or volunteer theatre without a waiver from your local office - and those are rarely given.

As Jason and and Noel pointed out, there is no great mystery to joining, but there are rules and regulations that you have to abide by once you are a member of AE.

I haven't found the people in the Chicago office to be polite, but they do answer questions and always there for you if you need some help...just might take some time and it might not be the answer you want. Of course they are dealing with a bunch of us wacky actors, so I might not be as polite myself....LOL

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/11/2003 07:19 AM PST

Jason, we have something in common. At my first musical audition, I chose "Giants in the Sky". I had practiced it with my wife (who, in addition to being an accomplished harpist, also plays a pretty mean piano...), and she suggested that it might be a good idea to bring in a song that was easier for the acccompanist to sight-read. I figured that was good advice, so I chose "Maria", from WEST SIDE STORY.

I got to the audition, and approached the accompanist. I showed her my copy of "Giants in the Sky", and she nodded and said it should be no problem.

Well, we started off fine, but it soon became obvious that we were in different keys, and it wasn't because of me. I kept plugging away, with the pianist struggling to follow. It was pretty painful, so we stopped. The director realized the problem, and said it was okay, and she could tell I could sing. I sat down, feeling pretty lousy. After a few more people had auditioned, the director asked if I would like to try it again, a cappella. I jumped at the chance, and launched into the song again. To my surprise and dismay, the accompanist decided to try her luck again, and joined in with me. Well, we got a little further along this time, but I never reached the end of the song.

It would have been my first and last audition, except that the director offered me the part in spite of everything, and I've been hooked ever since.

I don't have a stock audition song, and I try to choose something that is appropriate to the show that I am auditioning for. My rules are: showcase the strengths of the voice, and show the director what you can bring to the show. And be familiar with the show you are auditioning for, in case you are called upon to sing something from the score.

As a director, I don't like it when performers bring in the "stock" audition songs, and have been known to cut people off and ask for something else. In one instance, an actor that I had performed with before auditioned with a song from the show we did together. What is the point of that? I already know what he sounds like singing that song (and he sang it exactly the same way as he did in our show). When I asked him to sing another song from the show we were auditioning, he told me he hadn't learned it. Needless to say, he did not get the part.

Posted by Dave @ 09/11/2003 07:52 AM PST