Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 08:34 AM PST

I finally saw "Georgy Girl" last night on TCM. What a letdown.

People always seem to remember this film as bright and kicky and fun, but I found it quite the opposite. Lynn Redgrave did give a good performance in the title role, but the film's tone and what it "says" about human beings (especially at the end) is nihilistic (to use a 50 cent word), dreary and dispiriting (to not be quite so posh about it). And the guy she's supposedly so crazy about spends the whole film capering about like a spastic creep (from what I could gather, this is supposed to at least start out as being endearing and zany and infectious. It made me want to slug him).

Basically, once it was over, I felt as though someone had just played a dirty trick on me. Not usually the feeling you want to be left with when you (figuratively) leave the theater. Ah, well. Tomorrow is another day.

Posted by Lulu @ 09/18/2003 08:37 AM PST

Well well well...William Wellman was a good director.

My opinion, and that is all it is, an opinion...but let me say that it has been my experience, that people who want to say negative things or arouse negative response about things, are those people who have no accomplishments of their own so they want to belittle the accomplishments of others. They also somehow feel in control and superior - but it is imperative that they get others to feel the same way in order to validate their own feelings - otherwise, they will lose confidence in how they will themselves AND about themselves.

The negative comments and actions feed upon the controversy they create and they rub their paws together in glee that they have made someone else doubt their original (especially good or positive) feelings about a person or a website or a message board or a journal.

So they are unworthy of discussion or time or even being read by those who are secure in their own opinions.

They should be gone before somebody drops a house on them.

-30-

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 08:38 AM PST

Good morning all from the lushness of the McGill Students' Society Executive Office! My friend Eric is VP Finance (ooh... money) and is letting me type this to all of you in a far spiffier space than the brand spanking new Arts Lounge and Computer Centre.

The leather chair that I am sitting on has been known, upon occasion, to vibrate - supposedly to gently caress your butt cheeks. It's very unnerving, which is why my butt cheeks are no longer being vibrated nor caressed. :)

Now I know where my tuition money is going... directly to the asses of the SSMU executive!

I want my own hate group on the internet. Why does BK get everything? ;)

I think that the uncouth interlopers of naysayers.com (and indeed all people like them) are simply fufilling their basic human needs for an US vs THEM battle.

As my god-awful CRISIS CONFLICT AND WAR teacher (as well as seeral Socio-Biologists) conflict is a necessary state of being. We need to have someone to hate, according to them of course.

BK, consider it an honour that they chose you :)

As for directed shows... COPENHAGEN (as produced at the unmentionable theatre that didn't hire me) was definitely unique in its direction. I liked it, others did not. My answer to them is:

CARESS MY ASS! ;)

Posted by Emily @ 09/18/2003 08:40 AM PST

grrrr....edit...

"....lose confidence in the way they FEEL [not WILL]about a topic themselves..."

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 08:41 AM PST

To answer your first question, BK, I think people spread negativity because they have so much hurt and sadness and anger in their wounded little souls. Think about the pain those people must be in, in order to inflict so much pain on others. Oh, they will deny it, but where else would it come from? We all have the potential to be good and evil, and everyone has a choice: you can be nasty or you can choose not to be nasty. You can choose to be positive or you can choose to spread negativity in a world that already has more than enough to go around.

A true confessions moment (the first of two from me today): When Juliana's Journal first came out, I couldn't finish reading it because I had to go to the bathroom and vomit on the floor. I felt these spiteful feelings well up, and the urge to say mean things was choking me. Why?

Well, I asked myself the same question, because when I start to feel Bad Things I always try to examine them and figure out what their organic source is. So I came up with some answers -- which I'm not particularly inclined to share at the moment -- and after reading the vileness over at Broadwayworld, I felt so ashamed and, at the same time, so very grateful that I had examined my feelings and worked it out before opening my mouth and never, never being able to take those words back.

Now I look forward to each journal entry with happy anticipation, not out of a desire to harvest fodder for evil tirades against her, but for a genuine interest to find out What Happens Next.

The problem with being nasty is that once you start it's hard to stop. And even if you do eventually come around to the side of Goodness and Light, people have a hard time trusting you. I feel sorry for those poor, sad, mean people. And my advice to you, Bruce Kimmel, is to stop reading what they say because it will only infest your soul with poison.

It certainly is blustery today, isn't it?

Posted by Joy @ 09/18/2003 08:50 AM PST

I have never understood the mindset of people who live to make others miserable. I say give them a dose of Paxil!

One of many things that I enjoy about this here sight is the positive attitude usually found here. The people are wonderful and bright and funny and smart and upbeat...and it is always a joy to check in to HHW. If others want to be negative and unpleasant on their sight, so be it, but I would hate to see it spread over to this lovely place.

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 08:53 AM PST

From Yesterday:

DR WEL was talking about BK being the Ben Bagley of his time...what an accurate and interesting comparison! Maybe BK was BB in a past life! Oh, that wouldn't quite work out timewise, would it. But I could have been Guenevere in a past life, easily.

My experience with Ben Bagley was a wacky little show called The Decline and Fall of the Entire World as Seen Through the Eyes of Cole Porter (whew). It had the most obscure (or so it seemed to me at the time) Cole Porter tunes like Hothouse Rose, Shooting Box in Scotland, Make it Another Old-Fashioned Please, Leader of a Big-Time Band, After You Who, I Happen to Like New York, etc. I wish I could do it again now, because I was in college at the time and didn't appreciate it enough. We were all teed off because the class before us got to do And the World Goes Round and we were stuck with Sophie Tucker and Mabel Mercer and Georgie Raft, and who the hell were they, anyway?

Also from yesterday, someone (Maya, perhaps?) asked to what show did we have the most emotional reaction, and now, to answer that question, it's time for True Confession II:

When I was in high school I was obsessed with Andrew Lloyd Webber. I could sing all of his songs and frequently did. An equally obsessed friend and I got tickets to see Phantom of the Opera at the Kennedy Center and bawled like colicy newborns from the first chord to the end.

Then I grew up and my tastes expanded and matured, and now it is very rare that I see something that affects me much at all (of course, like I said, I can't afford to see Broadway shows, although I have seen plenty of non-Broadway shows). But a few years ago I did see A New Brain and had almost the same reaction, except that instead of bawling through the entire thing I started at "All the songs I never wrote..." and at the end, sat there in the seat with my boyfriend (now fiancée) holding each other and crying. Well, William Finn'll do that to ya.

Posted by Joy @ 09/18/2003 09:05 AM PST

I think all the people spreading negativity should order JEEPERS CREEPERS: GREAT SONGS FROM HORROR FILMS right now! Because whether they like it or not, they'll say they don't like it and this will give them the opportunity to spread more negativity, which will make them happy. And besides, it was produced by Bruce Kimmel (billiantly) and Juliana A. Hansen sings on it (beautifully) and so does Guy Haines (he's okay, too) and this will give negative people the opportunity to be negative about them.

I also think people spreading positivity should buy JEEPERS CREEPERS: GREAT SONGS FROM HORROR FILMS right now! It ships next week, so if you get your orders in right away your CD will go out to you as soon as it arrives here on Scarlet Street. Surely a site that for some strange reason is all about either Bruce Kimmel or Guy Haines must have dozens and dozens of people who will want to own their first CD in several years, and will go immediately to http://www.mycottage.com/SCARLET/CDjeepers.htm and place their orders. In fact, I'm positive . . .

Richard Valley
www.scarletstreet.com

Posted by Richard Valley @ 09/18/2003 09:15 AM PST

MBarnum you forgot to do the First Post dance.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 09:18 AM PST

It's all about getting attention. And boy are they getting it. In my opinion, Prozac should be added to the drinking water. Wouldn't the world be a loverly place? Everyone so happy and cheerful.

Posted by Old Laura @ 09/18/2003 09:24 AM PST

Who is this Zola LaPlaya and why should we care about anything it says?

It reminds me of someone with another namo.....

R

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/18/2003 09:29 AM PST

Jrand: do you remember -30-
with Jack Webb?

I love all these posts today - so
smart, so on the money, as I
knew they would be. Do I brag
and crow about the level of
brightness here at
haineshisway.com, no matter
what the age of the poster?
You bet your ASS I do.

I only visited that private cabal
site yesterday because it was
pointed out to me. And there's
something mildy and
perversely strange reading
nothing but hatred-filled
comments about one's own
self. But I won't be returning
ever - they can write whatever
they want and the four people
who frequent that underground
hell-hole can read it and
dance and sing with glee.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 09:31 AM PST

BK:
You never answered my question yesterday about OUATIA.

Posted by steveg @ 09/18/2003 09:32 AM PST

I wish I knew why some people are mean spirited and nasty. I'm sure part of it is jealousy. I wonder if these people actually realize how rude and mean they are being. I'll bet a lot of them don't have a clue.

I feel really happy that that I'm not that way (or I hope I'm not). Joy, I found what you said very interesting. I don't really know you. But I've been following your posts (and your engagement) with interest. I think that was very brave to admit how you felt about the journal. It made me think. You seem together, thoughtful and considerate. So maybe it's just as simple as everyone has these feelings, but some people just know how to control their impulses. While others are too immature to understand that what they are doing is wrong.

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/18/2003 09:33 AM PST

JRand53, didn't you see me doing the first post Twist? It hurt!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 09:34 AM PST

Of course I remember -30- Mr Webb never made a movie or tv show that I didn't like something about...not EVERYTHING..but something.

And of course every student of journalism loves to use the term...Clark Kent even mentions it in an episode of SUPERMAN, the original tv series.....

Does anyone else remember the episode and circumstance?

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 09:36 AM PST

MBarnum - was it the Twist of the Seven Veils made famous in the Clover Production/Columbia release DON'T KNOCK THE TWIST?

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 09:37 AM PST

...not to be confused with TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK or TWIST ALL NIGHT....you know

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 09:37 AM PST

It was, but without the veils!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 09:42 AM PST

Yes, Joy, nice comments. Isn't it nice that some people can find that their reactions might have something to do with themselves rather than the "something."

For many years I hated an actor who was appearing in a popular television series, and then I realized I hated him because I was envious that he had that job and I didn't...when I realized that, I also suddenly realized that I should be happy for him and his good fortune! And so, I learned something about myself in the process. First examine WHY I feel negatively toward something or someone and if it's jealousy or envy...get rid of those two emotions because they are NOT about the outside source...they are about ME...and it is destructive.

I am going to wait until I get home to talk about directors, because I want to get the names right and give credit where credit is due!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 09:46 AM PST

Ok, I need the help of all Hainses/Kimlets to remind BK of his lunch date next week.

As he says he is senile and forgetfull I had been instructed to remind him that he is having lunch with myself, Queen Yllana, and Mona, Reform School Girl. The lunch is at 3pm on Wednesday the 24th. As I will be in L.A. beginning that monday I won't have internet access and will be unable to constantly remind him of his lunch...so it is up to you all to remind him for me! I know I can count on you! So send him reminders often on the days and hours leading up to his luncheon if you would be so kind. Thanks and much appreciation!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 09:46 AM PST

We will if you promise to do the dance mentioned above for Laurie, Diana, and BK.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 09:49 AM PST

If Laurie had her way there would be bloody mary's and dancing on the tables!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 09:50 AM PST

I don't know why people spread negativity. All of the possible answers that other DRs have given us all seem quite viable. It amazes me, though, that there are so many people--many who post right here on this very message board--who have had difficult, painful pasts and have turned out quite well.

I think a huge part of people's issue with Juliana's Journal stems from jealousy. I'll freely admit that I had some trouble getting through the first few entries because I was horribly jealous that it was her and not me, but having met Juliana, and knowing what a sweet, wonderful girl she is, it is quite impossible to begrudge her any success that she might find in her life. Any actor who says s/he has never been jealous of others getting work, especially high-profile work, is lying. Eventually (for most of us) that twinge of jealousy goes away, though. I'm thrilled for her that she has work and I know that someday it'll be my turn.

Most of that jealousy and, dare I say it, hatred, stems from their own insecurities, wondering why Juliana got the show and not them. It goes so much further than Juliana, though...it could have been anyone, with any job, and those feelings of insecurity would have raised their ugly heads. I suppose its easy for people to direct that negativity specifically at Juliana because she has a public forum to talk about her good fortune, which some see as flaunting. It isn't flaunting, of course, but some could see it as that.

I'm sure that people's issues with BK stem from those same sources of jealousy and bitterness. BK, you've been quite successful in nearly everything you've done--acting, directing, writing, composing, producing, singing--and you've managed to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and things are working out for you again. I don't understand why we, as humans, hate to see others succeed in life, but that jealousy and hate pervade many people's lives and they can't seem to get past it. It doesn't excuse their behaviour, but it somewhat explains it.

Keep doing what you're doing, Bruce. Believe me, there are far more people who love and respect you and your work than there are people who don't. There are at least twenty-five of us right here every day.

And now, I must go to work...three hours late. Ha!

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 09:58 AM PST

Off the top of my head, I think the best-directed play I've seen was Art, with Victor Garber, Alan Alda, and Alfred Molina, but I don't remember the director. I'm sure someone here will. The scene with the olives is priceless.

Also, Metamorphoses was just a beautiful piece of theatre all around, and not only was it beautifully directed, but it had a strong emotional impact on me as well.

And now begins the exhausting process of figuring out what to have for lunch.

Posted by Joy @ 09/18/2003 09:59 AM PST

I personally don't think the naysayers should be said to be writing "drivel." "Drivel" implies something that is dryly witty. Instead, the naysayers strike me as immature or, if you will, wet behind the ears. Therefor, what they are writing should be called "wetvel."

Of plays that have struck me as well-directed, two that immediately stand out are A Chorus Line and the off-Broadway production of As Bees in Honey Drown. The first was a masterpiece by Michael Bennett that had remarkable staying power. For any show to have such a long run, and as many tours, is astounding, particularly as Bennett did it without falling chandeliers or flying helicopter mock-ups, simply with a simple stage filled with great performances. That he was able to stage Chorus Line so clearly and precisely that the show was able to continue for so long without degrading, even after Bennett himself was gone, is a further testament to his skill.

As Bees in Honey Drown hasn't had the same staying power, and doesn't seem to have had much of a life beyond it's off-Broadway run. Still, I was very pleasantly surprised by the show, a case of style over substance, as directed by Mark Brokaw. There was something about the breathless machine-gun pace that kept everything running, every scene piling on top of the previous one, every line impatient to be spoken. If anyone in the cast had paused to take a breath, the whole souffle would have collapsed under the weight of the preposterous plot. As it was, the collapse never came and the end result was hilarious. And that's something that I have to credit to the director, because I don't think I'd have perceived that speed from reading the script.

This leads me to consider just how much live theater is a director's medium, more than it is a medium for the writer. A play can be enjoyed by a reader, and a score can be enjoyed by a listener (and, on occasion, by someone gifted enough to be able to sight-read music). These can be "staged" in the mind, making the reader/listener the director of their own production.

Putting a script and score literally on stage, however, takes a real director's talents. And there are shows that demand the director's work to a degree that cannot be captured on the page. Susan Strohman's Contact strikes me as one example. I understand that Redhead is another, so completely the work of director Bob Fosse over that of composer Albert Hague, lyricist Dorothy Fields, and librettists Fields, Fields, Sheldon and Shaw that in spite of winning the Tony for Best Musical it is almost never revived or recreated, not even as part of the revue of his work, Fosse.

Fortunately, most shows are not as director-driven, and are open to more than one interpretation. I say fortunately, because it would be a shame if all community and school productions were required to ape what the big-time professionals had done the first time around, instead of relying upon what the local director can imagine. I've seen five different productions of Into the Woods, for example, each with it's own directorial choices made, each version valid in it's own way. And I doubt that I'll ever see a production of a play by Shakespeare that is exactly how he would have had it staged. But that's what makes live theater so much fun: the choices change each time. Director's choices.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/18/2003 10:03 AM PST

I just remembered a phrase from the past that seems to express quite well the first topic of the day: "Nattering Nabobs of Negativity." It's such a wonderfully alliterative phrase, isn't it! I know it was used by then-vice president Spiro Agnew, but does anyone out there know who actually wrote the phrase for him?

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/18/2003 10:16 AM PST

I think the best direction is direction that doesn't call attention to itself. If you say "wow this was well directed" instead of "wow what a good show" then something is wrong. That said, the first time I noticed directoral touches was the original Broadway BYE BYE BIRDIE. Little background things that the chorus was doing caught my eye. I saw the tour a few months later and again this was happening so it wasn't a chorus being restless after a year. At the time I thought Gower was so thorough he thought of everything, but then if this was happening in the background why did it call its attention to me both times?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/18/2003 10:18 AM PST

Ron wrote last night:
BK: I think we should give names to the several bitchy underground Broadway queens.

Let's call them Alison and Jun.

Doesn't matter how many of them there are. Alison and Jun are the two foulest, most hypocritical sorry asses ever to claim to be women of any standing. They are low-life scum not fit to bear the name of bitch proudly.

If ever I encounter the real Jun or Alison in public, I'm going to hawk a lugie at them.

Ha ha ha. That made me laugh so hard.

Btw, he is talking about Big Brother so most of you can now ignore this :)

The worst part of last night's show is that they DID NOT show any of Jun or Ally's bitchy behavior. Also, why can't they show both sides of the story? Anyone reading the internet would know Ally was taking Jun to the finals. To watch the show you would think Robert was going! AT LEAST SHOW BOTH SIDES.

And could those guesses for the HOH been any dumber (they were each asked to say in days how long they had been with their ex without going over). Alison guessed 0, Jun guessed 1 million.

Did anyone else need a hanky when Robert's daughter showed up?

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/18/2003 10:20 AM PST

Helen Stein - widow of composer Ronald Stein - is suing Eminem for sampling her husband's score for the motion picture GETTING STRAIGHT on the rapper's first album.

Stein wrote many scores including those for Roger Corman's GUNSLINGER, THE UNDEAD, NOT OF THIS EARTH, and the Allied Artists/Woolner Bros production of ATTACK OF THE FIFTY FOOT WOMAN.

BK produced a CD of his scores!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 10:21 AM PST

Steveg - can you reask your
question? I must have
missed it yesterday. And, of
course, for anything related to
Once Upon a Time in America
I will have an answer.

I remember enjoying Jack
Webb's The Last Time I Saw
Archie, plus it introduced me to
what has become one of my
all-time favorite songs, At Last.

Other favorite director jobs -
Michael Bennett on
Dreamgirls, a breathtaking
achievement, the
aforementioned Gower
Champion's staging of Hello,
Dolly!, whoever directed the
incredible revival of An
Inspector Calls, and Robert
Moore's production of
Promises, Promises was
great.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 10:21 AM PST

Woody-- I can't agree more with your comments about interpretation and artistic license. It wasn't until recently that I began to really notice direction on stage. For the first time, I am currently in the director's chair and I realize how importation interpretation is. I have never seen a production of CHARLIE BROWN, which I am directing, but I have great ideas for it just from playing the music and reading the book. I don't believe that my interpretations are necessarily the best for the show, but they are mine and I am thankful for my ability to be creative in my work.

One show I considered directing was THE FANTASTICKS. Unfortunately, the rental stuff includes a director's stage guide and leaves literally no room for interpretation. One could throw all of this out and create his or her own stage directions, but most community thteatre directors at least stick to what is in black and white.

Posted by Paulie @ 09/18/2003 10:24 AM PST

I should really proofread before I post.

Importation = important.

Thteatre = theatre.

And the sentence in the first paragraph should have read:

I am currently in the director's chair for the first time...

Man, I've only had one day off of school (Thanks Izzy!) and my smarts are already going south.

Posted by Paulie @ 09/18/2003 10:27 AM PST

Sarah, click on my name for an interesting article on the best celebrities for getting autographs from.

Hopefully this will help you out a bit in your quest.

Posted by Emily @ 09/18/2003 10:31 AM PST

You're welcome Paulie.

Gee... for a torrential storm, I'm certainly nice to the kids!

My reputation is going to be shot after this!

:)

Posted by Isabelle @ 09/18/2003 10:32 AM PST

Paulie - YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN is such a fun show.

I have directed/choreographed it once and it certainly lends itself to some great interpretation.

I like SNOOPY as well - maybe a tad bit more score-wise, but both are fun!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 10:33 AM PST

Just because I like her, it's
Helene Stein. Sometime in
the next month I'm producing a
second volume of Ron Stein
music - this time his JD
scores, really fun.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 10:47 AM PST

BK, this was my question:

I finally got to see Once Upon A Time in America, on one of the HBO channels the other night. This was the 227 minute version. A month or so you discussed the 229 minutes DVD version. I agree that this is an excellent, but somewhat confusing picture that I will have to see again to fully appreciate. In your notes you mentioned a flashback scene in the penultimate scene between Woods and DeNiro that you didn't believe was in the 227 minute version, but was in the DVD version. In the version I saw there was a flashback scene in the middle of the Woods-DeNiro scene within Woods' library, where we see all the characters as kids, which ends with the successive handclasping of the kids, and then cuts to Woods and DeNiro in 1968 clasping their hands. Is this the scene you are talking about, or was there another flashback scene not shown in this version that is in the DVD version?

Posted by steveg @ 09/18/2003 10:49 AM PST

Ah, it was indeed lovely to be able to sleep in! As Sarah said, Isabel hasn't really set in yet but the trees are tangoing in the wind and the sky is beginning to look ominous. Oh well, there's no school today so I couldn't be happier!

Jrand--That's awesome that you directed/choreographed Snoopy! It was the first musical I was ever in--God, I couldn't have been older than 12. I played Lucy (very obnoxiously I might add) and although it was a very amateur production, it was a lot of fun and I can still remember just about every word to most of the songs.

Everyone has said such insightful things about negativity and I don't know how much I can add.

I admire Joy and Jason for having been so honest and for being able to overcome their negative feelings. I think that everybody, no matter how worldly or naive, or optimistic or cynical, falls prey to bouts of anger, jealousy, resentment, bitterness, etc. It's part of what makes us human. But it's also up to each of us to overcome these feelings and make a conscious effort to think positively. That is, I think, what distinguishes a strong person.

I've always thought of negativity as being kind of a self-perpetuating cycle; it's like a snake eating its own tail and one negative thought or act usually begets another. So if we close ourselves to these influences, the cycle is curbed. I hope that makes sense and doesn't sound like so much psychobabble.

Anyway on a lighter note, I agree that Metamorphoses was brilliantly directed and profoundly moving. I'd like to add Sam Mendes' production of Cabaret for its dark innovation and Noises Off (was it Jerry Zaks who directed?) for being so well-paced and consistently funny.

Posted by Maya @ 09/18/2003 10:53 AM PST

Negativity? Fortuitous that you should bring it up, guapo and discerning BK. I just got off the phone with my Joe, talking about that very thing.

You see, the Unpleasant Business we have been dealing with four nigh onto two years now was brought about by our willingness to befriend some people who took horrible advantage of us and then turned on us to cause endless grief. For the last nigh onto two years, Joe has been asking, "What is it about me that I am so giving and so naive that I don't see when I'm being taken advantage of?"

This morning he went out to get the mail, but he saw that a car was parked by the mailbox. A lady was there with two toddlers and was evidently having car problems. Joe's first instinct was to go out and help. Then an image of Lady McBeth (one of the people who has caused our UB) flashed into his head, and he went back into the house instead.

He told himself that if she knocked on the door, he would let her use the phone. He waited a while and went back out, to see her in the distance walking up the street with her children, leaving the car by the side of the road. He got the mail and came in to call me.

Joe is very upset that the evil that other people have done to him is turning him into an evil person. When we lived in a much worse neighborhood I have seen him spend an hour fixing the bicycle of a kid we did not even know because it broke down in front of the house. Now he thinks, "better not to get involved." He is kicking himself and asking if this is going to be the new Joe, the one who cares about no one but himself.

I've tried to tell him that if he is worried, if he is feeling guilty, then he hasn't lost his humanity. Because Mr. and Mrs. McBeth wouldn't have helped the lady, and they wouldn't have given it a second thought--they would have no qualms.

I've tried to tell him that once the UB is over, he will feel less threatened and be more open and giving again. But he is worried, and so am I. The worst thing evil people can do is to change you into someone you don't like.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/18/2003 10:59 AM PST

First of all (from yesterday), I read every word of HHW even though I don't comment on everything that I read (and thankfully, everybody else doesn't also). But I always start with the previous day's late night/early morning posts and then I read the current day's notes and continue from there. It's all one big, giant conversation and I hate to feel left out (even if I don't contribute all the time).

As for why I think people post negatively about everything? I don't know. I don't think anyone will ever have the definitive answer. But I'm grateful that here at HHW (for the most part) people post intelligently and we (individually) realize that we don't have to have the only opinion expressed nor do we (again, individually) always have to be right.

Posted by George @ 09/18/2003 11:02 AM PST

It's the same flashback.
Heretofore, it has not been
part of any cut of the film in the
US, whether long or short
version. I first saw it on the
Japanese laser disc, which
only ran 200 minutes. The
running time they listed is
incorrect - they're showing the
version that's on DVD.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 11:14 AM PST

WFO: Tell Joe we're all with
him and we totally understand
what and why he's going
through what he is. When I
was dealing with all that crap I
knew that the fondest desire of
those people would be for me
to either kill myself (I truly
believe they wanted this) or to
just become a bitter beaten
person. I think what annoyed
them most of all was to see
me come on here every day
(yes, Virginia, they read the
site daily, perhaps even still do
- if so, HI) and watch me be
chipper. It was not always
easy to be chipper back then,
given the fact that they were
costing me thousands of
dollars each and ever day, but
I knew I had two choices: I
could give in, kill myself,
become a bitter and beaten
person, or I could just
understand that these were
not people I should ever think
about again - and that I should
just learn from the experience
and move on. Have I had days
when I'd like to scream? Sure.
But, surprisingly, not all that
often. The fellow who is now
running that company, and
who was one of the primary
architechts of the takeover,
was someone I had employed
for eight years, someone who
purported to be a friend, and
do you know what his sage
words to me were, once the
deed had been done? "You'll
bounce back, you always do."
I will continue to believe that
karma will take care of that
whole sorry business, but in
the meantime, I do the best I
can each and every day.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 11:22 AM PST

BK: DO please share with us what "JD" means in releation to Ronald Stein scores. The only JD I am familiar with is James Dean, and he equals two Rosenmans and a Tiomkin when it comes to scores.

Jennifer: CBS is SO lame. They've edited all the really interesting stuff out and they've taken to blowing a horn in the house whenever Alison or Jun start bitching about stuff that "Big Brother" doesn't want them to discuss. Part of the problem is that folks who subscribed to the 24/7 cameras know full well what foul creatures both these so-called females are. When they are in the Diary Room, they're being prompted as to what Big Brother "Wants" them to say. So they do it. They've discussed this in the house and a lot of fans know about it and are upset.

We think the jury house ought to be treated to ALL the comments made in the house between Jun and Ali -- and because the Diary Room comments are now so lame -- and staged/scripted -- there's really no reason to withhold any of that footage from the jury, either. Jun and Alison think that America loves them to pieces because CBS scraped the bottom of the barrel to find some positive comments made about them. Most chat rooms on BB4 are so full of outrage over these two's bitchiness that it's a wonder CBS found anything they could share.

Robert also believes America LUVS him, too. It's all SO SILLY! Robert won the last America's choice awards by default -- because he has a very young daughter who misses him, and because America hates Jun and Alison. HE was also chosen over Alison and others for the other awards, but it always goes back to his daughter. Robert's popularity probably only recently surged when it came down to him and the two slugs.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/18/2003 11:40 AM PST

DR S. Woody White,

Funny you should mention that line (nattering nabobs of negativity). Just a few weeks ago William Sapphire in his NY Times column took credit for it. (Personally, I don't know why anyone would want to claim it, given its association.)

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/18/2003 11:41 AM PST

Safire.

Posted by D-i-T @ 09/18/2003 11:44 AM PST

Wow, William's story made me sad. I don't know what the Macbeths did to you guys. But it's horrible to think that Joe wanted to help that lady, but thought twice. What is this world coming to when the nice people don't want to be nice anymore? I think he should have tried to help her, even if it just meant using a phone. The fact that it bothered him so much, shows he is a good person. But you cannot let bad people change who you are. You have to be more careful. But I think becoming bitter will only give them the power.

Posted by Jennifer @ 09/18/2003 11:44 AM PST

Helene Stein - I apologize for getting her name wrong, but it was spelled "Helen" in the news report I read.

OMG OMG OMG - a new Ronald Stein CD...the JD Scores!

Probably not in time for Christmas! But what a great way to start 2004!!!

Bill - tell Joe he is not damaged, it will heal...and if she didn't have a VERY close destination in mind, she would have asked to use the telephone.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 11:47 AM PST

Good vibes to Joe ~~~~~~~~~

Another perspective on the Joe story is that people should ask for help when they need it. It is sometimes very difficult to do so, but if you're drowning and nobody knows about it, how can anyone help you? Maybe that lady with the car was just fine and dandy (or maybe her kids were Fine and Dandy, in which case they may not have been fine and dandy but they will always be Fine and Dandy) (oh, a Benjamin Kritzer reference!) and didn't need help at all! Maybe she was on her way home, two blocks away, and could just walk home and get her SUV, truck it back to the car, strap it on and haul the sumbitch home.

BK, in some ways you remind me of my dad and what he went through a few years ago. After 20-some years of building a successful business, it was all taken away from him by Lady Macbeth and he had to start clean over again, climb out from under a Bankruptcy, lost his home, family, all of his assets, everything that it took him a lifetime to build. Then he got some weird form of cancer. But he survived the cancer AND Lady Macbeth, and today he has a new, successful business of his own, a beautiful home, and his family is back together, more or less (without Lady Macbeth).

So hang in there, you did it once and you can do it again.

Posted by Joy @ 09/18/2003 12:11 PM PST

Wow, a lot of very insightful posts on negativity today. You all brought up a lot of good points.

WFO: Your story was touching. Tell Joe that he just needs time, soon enough he'll be back to where he's confortable.

What did/are you going to eat for lunch today? I had soup, my "Hurricaine of Doom" staple. Yes, the TV stations here are now calling Isabel the hurricaine of doom. It's drizzling, and it's windy. If I see another "breaking news report" about how people are buying water, I'll throw something.

White tanktop, green hoodie, jeans, and socks.

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 12:15 PM PST

Maya - I KNOW NOW and EDGAR ALLAN POE are two of the funniest songs from SNOOPY...so much fun to stage and to watch.

Patty's POOR SWEET BABY always brings a tear to my eye.

And THE NOVEL is fun to stage.

DR Ron - close...JD=Juvenile Delinquent! And I think Stein scored both DIARY OF A HIGH SCHOOL BRIDE and RUNAWAY DAUGHTERS.

Are you listening MBarnum?

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 12:21 PM PST

Yikes...title-wise that should be SNOOPY!!! with three exclamation points!!!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 12:22 PM PST

Distinctive Direction: Michael Bennett and Hal Prince for "Follies." Gower Champion for "42nd Street." John Dexter for "Equus."

It's been surmised that excessive negativity is a symptom of a clogged liver.

Posted by Donna @ 09/18/2003 12:41 PM PST

...and, JRand53, GHOST OF DRAGSTRIP HOLLOW, HIGH SCHOOL HELLCATS, DRAGSTRIP GIRL, and GIRLS IN PRISON (starring Laurie Mitchell and Diana Darrin). Cool, man, cool!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 12:43 PM PST

I'm of the belief that one has control over one's energy, which manifests itself in behavior, and one can direct that energy to positive pursuits, which creates new positive energy for one's self and, oftentimes, others, or one can direct that energy to negative pursuits, which can be harmful, oftentimes in imperceptible ways, to one's self and others.

If we recognize that we can control our behavior (the things we say and do) and we endeavor to create positive energy and minimize negative energy, the world would be a better place.

Posted by Jay @ 09/18/2003 12:56 PM PST

WFO's and BK's posts moved me, and prompted me to listen to I Saw A Man, from Promenade (Al Carmines, Maria Irene Fornes):

I have to live with my own truth
I have to live with it
You live with your own truth
I cannot live with it
I have to live with my own truth
Whether you like it or not
Whether you like it or not

***

I'd like to go where a human being
Is not a strange thing
Is not a strange thing

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/18/2003 01:00 PM PST

Hurricane of Doom?

I NEED to give my PR people a raise... :)

Posted by Isabel @ 09/18/2003 01:00 PM PST

"Let's tell the new girl that tomorrow is slacks day and she has to wear slacks."

"BUT...it's against the rules to wear slacks to school!"

"Yea, she'll be in trouble good."

HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH....

Poor Yvonne (Mrs Don Fedderson) Lime wears slacks the next day and is sent home! All set to music by Mr Ronald Stein in HIGH SCHOOL HELLCATS!!!!

Posted by Connie @ 09/18/2003 01:01 PM PST

I'm just dropping back in to say hey again before I rush off to the Political Students' Association's annual back to school Beer and Pizza extravaganza.

BUT THIS JUST IN...

Every year at the PSSA Beer and Pizza thingamabobber the staff holds a teacher-student trivia contest where one teacher picks a student from his or her class to team up with and battle with other profs. and their student selections.

Believe it or not, the awful awful CONFLICT CRISIS AND WAR prof has picked ME to be his student trivia partner!

My good friend who is also suffering through the class was asked, during his office hours earlier today, who he knew was good at trivia.

Knowing how much I know of the useless sort AND my inherent hatred for the prof. my *friend* told him about me.

Ugh.

My competitive spirit and my need to cause this prof. pain are deeply... what's the right word?... conflicted, perhaps?

:)

I'll let you know how we do later on this evening.

Posted by Emily @ 09/18/2003 01:05 PM PST

Click on my name for a CBC story relating to problems that will probably be more and more common post-same-sex-marriage in Canada between us and our southern neighbour.

Posted by Emily @ 09/18/2003 01:11 PM PST

On a somewhat related note, I was surprised not to see anyone mention the marriage of Janis Ian a few weeks ago.

Click my name for the story.

I believe that negativity begets negativity. The trolls that hold forth at the other message boards are almost invariably successful in spurring negative posts from the rest of the readership. It's a vicious cycle. It takes inner strength to fight the urge to take part in such nonsense.

Posted by Dave @ 09/18/2003 01:23 PM PST

LOL, Connie!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 01:26 PM PST

Okay - Someone mentioned this above and I'd like to ask...

Is the preferred spelling theatre or theater?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/18/2003 01:41 PM PST

I have to agree with BK about Gower Champion's direction of Hello, Dolly!. I don't think the fact that I was aware of his direction detracted in anyway from the show; any more than being aware that I am watching a Hitchcock film detracted from my overall enjoyment of Psycho or Vetigo.

Posted by TCB @ 09/18/2003 01:43 PM PST

To all our DRs in the southeast... I hope this hurricane is not too bad for you. All we are expecting in NYC is slightly heavy winds overnight although the media is carrying on like it's Armagedon.
And remember... if it weren't for a tornado, Dorothy would have never gone to Oz and Kristen, Idina, Joel, Norbert, Christopher and Carole would all be out of work.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 09/18/2003 01:48 PM PST

Ah, the media. They live for
this - they actually hope for the
worst (talk about negativity),
they pray for the worst. Then,
when nothing pans out the
way they've led people to
believe it will, they magically
never mention it again. It was
not always thus. News was
something you could sort of
count on as being
straightforward and sort of
reliable (in the old days). Now,
it's merely reprehensible, with
plastic anchors and created
"drama" by everyone from the
newscasters to the
weathermen. I don't watch,
ever.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 01:59 PM PST

BK: there's
something mildy and
perversely strange reading
nothing but hatred-filled
comments about one's own
self.

That's how I feel reading Stephen Newport's posts about me over on the not-so-underground r.a.t.m.

William Safire coined the nattering nabobs line for Agnew.

I must run off to get choreographed now. No time to list the stage directions (or even finish reading the posts).

Posted by Noel @ 09/18/2003 02:03 PM PST

Already been mentioned twice, but I add my voice to those of others who said Prince and Bennett's FOLLIES was the most astonishing direction I've ever seen. I was totally blown away by every aspect of the show. A CHORUS LINE and DREAMGIRLS were also mind-blowing in their effectiveness.

The Jerry Zacks' direction of the GUYS AND DOLLS revival was also about the slickest job I've seen in many years. That show's pace just FLEW.

Posted by Matt H. @ 09/18/2003 02:16 PM PST

I'm back in my soon-not-to-be-home after my LA trip. I have a very tight writing deadline and shouldn't be doing ANYTHING but writing the script. But I can't resist the question about memorably directed shows. I've seen a lot of theater/theatre in my dayd and have kept every single program I've received since I was a teenager! They now fill several heavy boxes in the basement. When I started packing for my move, I decided to finally throw them out - but quickly changed my mind. I'll throw out some furniture instead. Some things have more significance than others, no? Anyway, the shows...
One would have to be Peter Brook's famous production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM which I was lucky enough to see while it was on tour in Canada decades ago. Another production of DREAM, at the Stratford Festival in Canada, is also on the list. This one was directed by my cousin, John Hirsch, an incredible director who died far too young. (Maybe tied with this is yet another DREAM at Stratford with Hume Cronyn as Bottom and Jessica Tandy as Titania - I think directed by Hirsch.) Hirsch also directed #3 on the list, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, also at Startford, breathtaking in its pace, color and humor. And last would be a production I never actually saw because I was in it - but I'm told (confirmed be the reviews) that it was phenominally directed -- THE DYBBUK, also directed and adapted by John Hirsch. There - my inadvertent tribute to John Hirsch. Now I need to get back to writng , so that MY piece will be well directed.

Posted by Panni @ 09/18/2003 02:22 PM PST

I left work early. I got there late and I left early. Why, you ask? Because I feel like a hot, steaming pile of shitake mushrooms. You thought I was gonna say something else, didn't you? ;-) For some reason, I feel worse today than I have all week...and just when I thought I was getting better. :-\

Anywho...Ms. Isabel is making her presence known in NYC, though she hasn't made her official opening yet. She's still in previews. The winds are picking up and the sky is looking most ominous. And to top things off, today was supposed to be payday at MTI (and I do so desperately need that paycheck) and wouldn't you know, they weren't signed yet, so I was told to get it tomorrow. Now, if we get a strong enough storm, the office will be closed and I'll have to wait until Monday to get my money. I only have $20 in my checking account right now. That's not-a so good.

Most impressive direction? Hmm...I really, really loved AN INSPECTOR CALLS. I thought it was brilliant. DREAMGIRLS blew me away (on video). I thought Mr. Prince's direction of SWEENEY TODD was quite wonderful...it certainly made an impression on my young mind when I first saw it on PBS. Scared the shitake out of me, if you will. I also feel the original direction of NOISES OFF! was pretty brilliant, too. Talk about timing!

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 02:27 PM PST

Instead of getting back to writing, I've just read some of the posts about negativity... and I have to comment. The thread that seems to run through what I read is that the biggest danger of being around/ being affected by negativity (the old fashined term was "evil") is being sucked into its vortex. Absolutely. I've been through a lot of shit (can we say that on HHW?) in my life. But, as Pollyanna-ish as it may sound, I really do believe that being a "good" human being and expecting the same from others - that is that they be fair, loving, honest, thoughtful, etc - is the only way to lead a relatively sane life. Otherwise, you become one of "them" - the negative ones. For the most part, people do meet those expectations. And then there's that odd stranger who picks your pocket as you're looking for a dollar to help him out. But he shouldn't be the one dictating how you exist. ...That's it for my sermon. Somebody pass around the collection plate.

Posted by Panni @ 09/18/2003 02:44 PM PST

Pardon the typos.

Posted by Panni @ 09/18/2003 02:46 PM PST

Jason--Feel better!! ~~~~~~~~~~~

Emily--a trivia competition could actually be fun! Maybe you could just pretend your prof is someone else, or who knows? He may turn out to be not such a bad guy! In any case, we will expect a triumph dance soon!

WEL--THEATRE!! I've always spelled it like that in referring to theatre in the abstract. The actual building is a theater though.

WFO--It was sad to read about your Joe, and I truly hope that he turns back into the kind of person he likes being. I've been in his situation myself actually (I won't get into the whole story but the negative energy after a failed relationship made me quite, quite bitter for a while) and like to think that I've been able to get away from it. All the best to him!

Jrand--I Know Now and Edgar Allan Poe were my favorite songs from Snoopy!!! Such catchy melodies!

BK--Bravo to you! I so admire your resilience! And that isn't ass-kissing, that's just fact.

Posted by Maya @ 09/18/2003 02:47 PM PST

In less than one week after I mentioned it here on HHW....I am the owner of a DVD copy of AN UNLOCKED WINDOW - an Alfred Hitchcock Hour from 1965!

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 02:48 PM PST

Oh, btw...do any of you DRs subscribe to Show People? I just got the fall issue in the mail today and there's an absolutely gorgeous Wicked layout among other good stuff.

Posted by Maya @ 09/18/2003 02:48 PM PST

WEL: It is always "Theatre" in my "Colour" "Programmes".
Whilst I think of it: A new movie has just opened here "Traveling Light" with Tim Draxl. I think he has made two movies and a TV movie this year but not more CDs. I am still checking on the dancing partners!

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 09/18/2003 02:52 PM PST

Enjoy UNLOCKED WINDOW JRand53 and report on whether it was a scary as you remember!

Posted by MBarnum @ 09/18/2003 02:57 PM PST

I've seen each of these plays twice, but the particular production remains memorable for its pace, sharpness, depth:

Moon for the Misbegotten - José Quintero

Long Day's Journey into Night - Diana Leblanc (Stratford, Ontario)

Black Comedy - I can't recall/find the director's name, but it was the production with Lynne Redgrave; I don't think I've ever laughed so hard - before or since

Posted by Dan-in-Toronto @ 09/18/2003 03:00 PM PST

Please make that Lynn (not Lynne) Redgrave; and the director was John Dexter.

Posted by D-i-T @ 09/18/2003 03:12 PM PST

You know after subscribing and losing money on TheatreWeek, InTheatre, and Show Music, I am a bit wary of subscribing to another theatre magazine.

8-(

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/18/2003 03:27 PM PST

BK: How did it become the Cinerama Dome when it never showed Cinerama. (I remember driving past it in LA and wondered it showed all those Cinerama films I was deprived as a child seeing)

Also will It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World be in its Original Road Show Engagement or the cut version that is currently on DVD or the restored vesion that was out on video a vew years ago?

Posted by Mike @ 09/18/2003 03:31 PM PST

Jrand--Aww! Did TheatreWeek and InTheatre go out of business too? I was so sad when Show Music went kaput. I didn't subscribe, but whenever I was in NYC, I'd go to the Drama Book Store and load up on back issues. I guess I have about 8 of them.

Anyway, Show People is a seasonal magazine, so it's like $13 for 4 issues. The format can be a little too tabloidy for my taste but it's generally a good magazine. Hopefully, this one will be around for a while!

Is it worth subscribing to the Sondheim Review? I've been thinking about it.

Posted by Maya @ 09/18/2003 03:33 PM PST

It is always T-h-e-a-t-r-e in the United Kingdom and its possessions/fealties/whatnot, as well as in French -- theatret-h-e-a-t-e-r , with alternate t-h-e-a-t-r-e being EQUALLY correct.

The only folks who will give you a hard time about using "re" instead of "er" are the overly precious/pretentious.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/18/2003 03:36 PM PST

Believe it or not, I had designated italics to precede the French spelling -- t-h-e-a-t-r-e -- but I guess I put the ending instructions out of order (the "/" after the "i" instead of before it).

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/18/2003 03:38 PM PST

School has officially been cancelled for tomorrow too! Let's hear it for four day weekends!

I too say that "theater" is in reference to the building, and "theatre" is the actual business of shows, musicals, etc.
I've been "corrected" many times by people, but it's usually just kids around my age who think they're sounding sophisticated when they spell it with the "-re".

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 03:45 PM PST

Say, WEHT DR Sandra? We all miss...OK, I miss her colorful descriptions of all the colorful characters she encounters in her pursuit of higher education!

Posted by Jay @ 09/18/2003 03:53 PM PST

They come they go, like Grand Hotel.

Posted by The BKLONE @ 09/18/2003 03:59 PM PST

Mike: They just bought the
trademark "Cinerama" which
then became a distribution
company as well. So, they
used the name even though
they were no longer making
films in the original
three-panel process.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 04:07 PM PST

I'm thinkin' we might just make
100 posts if we puuuush.
Now, how fast can we do it?
On your Mark Bakalor, get set,
go!

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 04:18 PM PST

I use "theatre" all the time no matter what I'm actually talking about. Just as also use "colour" "neighbour" "centre" etc. I'm patriotic in my own little way... :)

As for the great Poli. Sci. trivia contest: Ugh... don't ask. I was saddled with the worst trivia player ever. He was boring while playing a GAME. Who can be boring while playing?!?

We came in third out of four teams. Needless to say, his misanswer was what caused our final elimated.

"Which football team won the first SuperBowl contest?"

I mean come ON... I'm Canadian and wasn't born when the game took place but even I know that one!!! He's an American!!! Isn't this sort of thing genetic with you guys? jk :)

Posted by Emily @ 09/18/2003 04:19 PM PST

DR Ron.Is that another rule I missed at school: / after i except in between italics. We convicts in the colonies still have "Centre" as well.
Bring back Sandra.
If we all chant "I believe in Sandra" will she return? Of course Jay, I miss her "colourful" descriptions.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 09/18/2003 04:22 PM PST

this is fast? this is a race?
C'mon, people, now, smile on
each other and POST.

I have never spelled theater
theatre. I suppose it's
whatever you get used to first.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 04:34 PM PST

What am I, doing a
monologue?

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 04:36 PM PST

Better doing a monologue than the sparring I've been doing with that drag queen over at the Broadway Message Board!

Tom From Oz: I don't care how you guys spell things...I just LOVE to hear Aussies speak!

Ou est François aujourd-hui?

(But I did THAT wrong!)

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 09/18/2003 04:44 PM PST

Huzzah!

Posted by Ron P @ 09/18/2003 04:45 PM PST

I'm a Theatre Queen and have been since I was 11 years old. I always use the English/Britan/European spelling no matter what I'm referring to. Makes me feel special :-)

Posted by Ben @ 09/18/2003 05:04 PM PST

What if we've nothing to say, bk? I can't think of a thing to say besides

"I'm bored. There's nothing to do, and I'm stuck in my house because of this blasted rain. I wish someone would have had a party tonight so I'd have an excuse to leave, but they announced that school was out too late, and there was no time. My hair looks great today."

That had nothing of any importance, so I have no reason to post...Uh-oh...the lights are flickering...Please, power, stay on, for me...

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 05:05 PM PST

If you have nothing to say you
most post it here for all to see.
I found the post in which you
said nothing to be delightful. I
have power if you need some.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 05:14 PM PST

I'm a theatre guy. Mt wife on the other hand is a theater person and likes to give me grief about theatre. I also use British spellngs like colour, neighbour, etc...just because I think they're so much prettier.

Posted by Charles Pogue @ 09/18/2003 05:41 PM PST

I, too, use use the spelling of
theater for the
building, and theatre
for the art.

Posted by Jed @ 09/18/2003 05:43 PM PST

I'm gone to the THEATRE!

Thanks for asking!

webcdi.com/theater/theatre.ph
p
gives this answer to the
question:

What is the correct spelling of
theatre/theater?

Francis Hodge published an
article about this in THEATRE
SURVEY in the late 1960's.
"Theater" is a result of Noah
Webster's efforts in the 1830s
to create an American
language purified of English
spellings: that's when we lost
"colour" "centre" and a lot of
other words that Noah
deemed to be too British for
the new American democracy.
Since the American
theatre/theater at the time was
still dominated by British
actors and managers, along
with American actors and
managers trying to suggest
that theater/theatre was a high
class art, the practitioners
rather stubbornly clung to the
British spelling. There have
been a lot of attempts to
differentiate usage ever since,
but whatever the market or
editor or style sheet will accept
will work.

Interesting, no?

Posted by François @ 09/18/2003 06:11 PM PST

But.... Ben... you ARE
SPECIAL!

... and we ALL know that here,
don't we?

Posted by François @ 09/18/2003 06:15 PM PST

François! How are you, my French friend? Care to explain the pronoun "en" for me? I'm having trouble with French HW :(

I'm currently singing "Unexpected Song", which shall soon be followed by "Much More". "Unexpected Song" doesn't need words, the music itself is absolutely beautiful. Bu then you add the words, and it's gorgeous.

BK: The power has stayed on so far, but thanks for the offer :)

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 06:20 PM PST

I just checked out dear reader Ron's responses to one of the more idiotic posters at another board. Immediately, someone without a namo shows up and, of course, defends the actions of himself and others, and does it oh so disingenuously, and then, wait for it, uses the word "cabal". I am so happy that today's notes were read by those who profess to hate me, hate this site, and I'm sure they're making fun of them and us right now - but if they had a brain in their heads (I don't think there's any danger of that) they'd actually learn something from the content of the notes and more importantly from all of your incredibly smart posts on the subject.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 06:30 PM PST

Could I give Ron a small high five for making a point, and still making me laugh at the same time?

*high five*

:)

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 06:43 PM PST

Ron, you make me think of some knight charging into an arena to defend a fair ladies' honor against two lumbering knights who can't even handle their lances very well. ;)

"A well-known columnist tells me I should pity you a little and ignore you a lot...that a gnat's penis would make more of an impression in person than do you." I have to agree with Sarah--that was funny.

Posted by Maya @ 09/18/2003 06:52 PM PST

Does anyone know which version of Its a Mad Mad etc World theya re going to show at the cinerama dome?

Posted by Mike @ 09/18/2003 07:03 PM PST

Oops, I forgot to answer the Mad World question: It will be the roadshow version that premiered at the Dome in 1963, including the not heard since intermission "police" calls done by Spencer Tracy and William Demarest.

Posted by bk @ 09/18/2003 07:11 PM PST

I just woke from a GLORIOUS four-hour nap, and quite possibly won't be able to go to sleep tonight, but I don't think that'll be too much of a problem.

Random thought: I love the sound of people typing on a computer keyboard. I don't know why, but its one of my most favorite sounds.

Re. the spelling of theatre. Well, I think I just answered that question. From time to time, I'll also use colour, centre, neighbour, etc. I spent two years in England, and started school there, so that's how I was taught to spell those words.

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 07:23 PM PST

Ohmigod, Jason, I don't feel like such a freak anymore, lol! I absolutely LOVE the clack of people typing on a keyboard!

Here's a question for DR's...what are your favorite sounds? Mine are typing sounds, the plashing of water, my cat Chickie's weird little meows and the sound of Merman's voice. She was so funny in It's A Mad....World.

Posted by Maya @ 09/18/2003 07:27 PM PST

I was funnier in "Airplane!"

Posted by Ethel Merman @ 09/18/2003 07:32 PM PST

I use "theater" and I make everyone who writes for Scarlet Street use "theater" because I'm the man with the power. And I take all the "u's" out of those words Chuck Pogue likes so much and I toss them down on the ground and stamp on them.

Ah! That felt good . . .

Richard Valley
www.scarletstreet.com

Posted by Richard Valley @ 09/18/2003 07:35 PM PST

It is tempting to fly to LA to see its a mad mad mad mad world just for the intermission.

Posted by Mike @ 09/18/2003 07:37 PM PST

So his by-line would be Chck Poge, right boss?

Posted by A Scarlet Street Copy Editor @ 09/18/2003 07:40 PM PST

Dr Charles Pogue - Did you really mean to say Mt. Wife?

Posted by Edit Police @ 09/18/2003 07:48 PM PST

Sarah,

Way too difficult and... boring to
address this question on this
site; besides, i haven't
"brushed up my Molière" in a
long time you know.
French grammar is very
difficult!.... even for the French!
;- )

Jose,

I just can't believe it! You
visited EPCOT and did not go
to one of the French
restaurants of the France
Pavilion. Preposterous!
I opened the Bistro de Paris,
back in 1984, and slaved there
for over a year!
Granted, the food there is
Americanized and closer to
what one finds in a cafeteria
than a real restaurant...

And you ate at... Universal!
Well, I'm stupidly loyal to
Disney... what can I say?.. and
a purist too, so i'll say that you
went to Walt Disney World,
named that way in tribute to
Walt who never got to see it
completed!

Oh, the music for the night
show at EPCOT was
assembled by Don Dorsey,
who created all the fancy
sounds of the Main Street
Electrical Parade...

If you stayed in that area, you
were very close to Kissimmee
( Kissimmee once and
Kissimmee twice, and
Kissimmee once again...) than
Orlando itself, a small -- then
-- cowtown -- K. that is! --
which was my home for six
years!

I've heard they've named a
street after me there! ;- )

Posted by François @ 09/18/2003 08:09 PM PST

Sarah,

Have you ever heard Mr
Anthony Warlow sing
"Unexpected Song" ?

As our host would say; it's
divoon!

Posted by François @ 09/18/2003 08:12 PM PST

The spelling of theater/theatre is regionally based, I think, although I prefer theater myself. It's a phonetic thing for me, the'-a-ter over the-at'-re.

What bothers me is when people say they're going to the theater, and it turns out they're going to see a film. Or movie. Flick. Whatever. The word "theater" to me implies live performance, and movie palace ushers (who, let's face it, are mainly janitors these days) don't count as live performers unless they actually juggle the empty popcorn boxes. And when was the last time you saw anyone do that?

Posted by S. Woody White @ 09/18/2003 08:14 PM PST

Yesterday.

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 08:23 PM PST

I have nothing to say.

Except this: I hate mean people. They are poopy.

And this: I don't have very many interesting people in my classes this semester. But my Geology teacher said that her brother ran away to join the circus in Peru. And she doesn't have a TV, but she just found out that she's been paying for cable for several years.

And then there's that rowdy Hungarian fellow with the colorful vocabulary. I had to sit at his table in the Geology lab because my regular lab partner ditched me for someone else. This Hungarian fellow with the colorful vocabulary and his friends were having quite the discussion the other day about whether or not guys should wash their hands before "taking a pee." You see, the rowdy Hungarian fellow with the colorful vocabulary left to go "take a pee" and when he got back, he gave us all the little details of his activities, ending with "and then I washed my hands. I washed them before, too. Guys should always wash their hands before taking a pee." That got his friends arguing rather loudly over whether or not guys should wash their hands before and after "taking a pee." So to shut them up, I said a little too loudly, "Look, you don't want to touch your little detail with germs on your hands while you're taking a pee!" That shut them up and the teacher found it highly amusing. Next time I'll sit with the Russian girl who licks the rocks.

Has anyone noticed that I used the phrase "taking a pee" five times in that last paragraph?

See? I told you I had nothing to say.

Posted by Sandra @ 09/18/2003 08:35 PM PST

honestly, I have nothing to say.

Posted by td @ 09/18/2003 08:38 PM PST

Purple swishy shorts, green camp teeshirt.

François: Understandable :)

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 08:39 PM PST

Now here's an actor's journal entry that people should be jealous of.

Tonight, after getting off the phone with DR Craig, I realized I was hungry. I have no food in the apartment, but I have plenty of Kool-Aid. Sad as it is, one cannot make a meal off of Kool-Aid, so I destroyed the apartment looking for some money. I managed to find three rolls of nickels and a Susan B. Anthony dollar. Rejoicing in the discovery of my new riches, I ran to the local McDonalds and bought myself a double quarter pounder with cheese, french fries and a Coke. I got $.71 change.

Thank God I get paid tomorrow.

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 08:45 PM PST

lol, Jason! Hey, do you like ramen noodles at all? You can buy like a bulk pack of that stuff for $4.00 and honestly, it'll last you for 2 weeks!

Posted by Maya @ 09/18/2003 08:53 PM PST

Jason,

Has the mail sent to your last
performing place been
forwarded to you?

You should take over Juliana's
Journal when she's through...

Posted by François @ 09/18/2003 08:57 PM PST

I don't begrudge one cent of money I spent on Theater Week, InTheater, or Show Music. I loved those magazines and felt they were worth every penny. I have every issue of SHOW MUSIC, and I kept a lot of the Theater Weeks and InTheaters too.

Posted by Matt H. @ 09/18/2003 08:59 PM PST

Actually, now I DO have something to say (after listening to the radio show again):

BUY JEEPERS CREEPERS NOW!!!!
I want my copy a.s.a.p.! So, let's all pre-order together!

Posted by td @ 09/18/2003 08:59 PM PST

Francois: No, unfortunately nothing has been forwarded to me. I have to call them tomorrow...I'll see if they've received anything.

Maya: The suggestion of Noodles of Ramen is not a foreign one to me. In fact, DR Craig suggested it this very eve. Unfortunately, I loathe every aspect of the Noodle of Ramen and I refuse to dine on them. I didn't eat them in college, and I refuse to eat them now, even though I have less money now than I did when I was in school. But, I probably could get 8 or 9 packages of them off of the $.71 change I got from McDonalds.

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 09:04 PM PST

A lull.

The rain is starting. Oh, yes...it is, indeed, beginning to rain here in the Big Snapple.

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 10:20 PM PST

Hmm...Is anyone else as bored as I am right now? It's almost 1:30, and I'm wide awake with nothing to do...

It's been raining here for about 6 and a half hours, and the wind is-a-howling.

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 10:26 PM PST

Sarah: You need Instant Messenger. Then we could chat!

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 10:28 PM PST

Jason (and anyone else who promises not to stalk me): isingthere4irock

Posted by Sarah @ 09/18/2003 10:31 PM PST

According to Playbill.com, our very own Melissa Errico will be performing at Joe's Pub in Manhattan on Oct. 6 and 27. How exciting!

Posted by Jason @ 09/18/2003 10:33 PM PST

"Unexpected Song" originally had a different lyric, and I think it was the better one. I only recall one line, ending the stanza:

When you want to fall in love
You may find more than love
But that's a chance worth taking

or something like that. I really don't remember.

I just thought of an analogy for our pitiable plight, trying to book a theatre for one night. Say it's a rainy night with a limited number of cabs, but a large number of customers. Everybody's fighting for the cabs, and all the other customers are waving $20 bills to flag them down. Meanwhile, you wave a shiny penny.

I'd sleep so much easier of the people who run these places would return my calls.

Posted by Noel @ 09/18/2003 10:45 PM PST

We have been without electricity for some hours here - the Atlantic hurricane has slipped through the Panama and crossed the Pacific but has been somewhat watered down on its journey.
DR Sandra your "nothing to say" is still of more value than many in the world with so much to say!
We miss you. I wonder if your comment about the Russian girl was meant to be as funny as it certainly reads to me. No! This is a family friendly site.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 09/19/2003 12:22 AM PST

Kill me now. It's 4am and I have been trying to get to sleep for the last 2 hours. My handy-dandy nap has come back to bite me in the butt-cheeks, I'm afraid.

Right now I'm listening to a recording of me and a horribly out-of-tune girl from six years ago doing an opera workshop performance of 'A Little Priest' from SWEENEY TODD. I'm actually surprised at the quality of my voice on this particular recording. I'm so NOT a Sweeney type, but I sound pretty good, if I do say so myself. I'm not sure what key the young lady is in, though. I don't think she knew, either. :-\ This recording, as I said, is six years old and was done when I was in my "must reproduce what the cast recording sounded like" mode. Its funny, though...I thought I sounded like Len Cariou. I didn't.

Posted by Jason @ 09/19/2003 01:11 AM PST

I saved InTheatre and TheatreWeek too, MattH. And they were worth the money...but I didn't get the whole subscription to either of them...and I "took advantage" of the special offers and had subscribed for two years! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!

AN UNLOCKED WINDOW was just as exciting this time around! Of course I knew its secret, so I was anticipating and watching it differently, but it was good. On a scale of 1-10, I would give this DVD copy an 8. It also includes the 1/2 color version from 1985 with Annette O'Toole and Bruce Davison. Good performers both, but hampered by some sloppy direction and a compressed script. BTW, this copy from TV is NOT time compressed, includes the Hitchcock bumpers but no commercials, and has all the credits. Worth the money.

This guy has a LOT of the Hitchcock episodes so if anyone is interested in them, click on my name for the link.

Posted by Jrand53 @ 09/19/2003 05:48 AM PST

Good morning, all!

I want to thank BK et al, especially al, for the kind words re Joe's latest crisis. I'm sure he will bounce back--he always does. But, being Italian-American, he always has to sing a bit of an operatic oh-woe-is-me aria in getting through anything.

You see, when I met him, I knew he was always considered the black sheep of the seven-odd (very odd) children in his family. So I was a bit taken aback when his Mom told me, "Joe has the best heart of all of them." But in the last twenty years I have found that she is right.

Joe won't be a Nattering Nabob of Negativity for long.

#############################

Speaking of which, I recall that Vice President Where-Are-They Now Agnew had used a couple of alliterative phrases in his first few speeches, for which he was roundly riduculed by press and comics. (Leonard Bernstein joked about Agnew alliteration in one of his Young People's Concerts.) So his speech writers decided to purposely introduce ridiculous levels of alliteration for the fun of it. Reportedly they howled with laughter when they came up with the nattering nabobs.

###############################

And of course, you all know the anagram of SPIRO AGNEW. You don't? Well, it begins GROW A... It's amazing the things you learn from the men's room walls.

###############################

In other news, I always write theatre, because I want to sound pretentious.

When I awoke at 5 this morning Isabel was doing her worst here on Long Island. It was raining cats and dogs and an occasional ferret. That ended by my first cup of coffee. The roads moved well, I got to work, and now we have blue skies. Well, I don't have to say "Oh, a .... rerence!" on that one, now really, do I?

So disappointing. I remember Hurricane Gloria back in eighty something. Evacuations, power out, falling trees--all the fun stuff. The nice thing about a disaster--and the latest power outage showed it--is seeing people who normally would ignore each other actually helping out and sharing some laughs while they muddle through.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 09/19/2003 05:49 AM PST

Hurricane? There ain't no stinkin' hurricane! You mean to tell me that that little bit of a Nor'easter was the big, bad hurricane that everyone was so afraid of? See? It just goes to proove that the media is more interested in scaring us than informing us. My thoughts are with those people in North Carolina and along the eastern shore who did have a rough time of it yesterday.

So I'm awake now... Yes, I actually think I got to sleep sometime around 5am, and I've been awake since 9:30. Now its time to get ready for work and get my paycheck! Woohoo!!

Posted by Jason @ 09/19/2003 07:20 AM PST

Ron - just read your post on "the other web site" (and had to scroll through most of Zola's drivel to find it, too!)

Well done, sir! Added my two cents as well. Someday I'll understand why some folk just have to rain on another's parade.

Posted by Phil @ 09/19/2003 08:02 AM PST

Ron - just read your post on "the other web site" (and had to scroll through most of Zola's drivel to find it, too!)

Well done, sir! Added my two cents as well. Someday I'll understand why some folk just have to rain on another's parade.

Posted by Phil @ 09/19/2003 08:03 AM PST

Ron - just read your post on "the other web site" (and had to scroll through most of Zola's drivel to find it, too!)

Well done, sir! Added my two cents as well. Someday I'll understand why some folk just have to rain on another's parade.

Posted by Phil @ 09/19/2003 08:07 AM PST

Of course it is spelled THEATRE, and I say, "Welcome to it."

Off to the gym, then to a fitting...

Actually more like off to the shower and then to work.

Posted by Kerry @ 09/19/2003 08:36 AM PST

Of course it is spelled THEATRE, and I say, "Welcome to it."

Off to the gym, then to a fitting...

Actually more like off to the shower and then to work.

Posted by Kerry @ 09/19/2003 08:38 AM PST

Of course it is spelled THEATRE, and I say, "Welcome to it."

Off to the gym, then to a fitting...

Actually more like off to the shower and then to work.

Posted by Kerry @ 09/19/2003 08:39 AM PST

Of course it is spelled THEATRE, and I say, "Welcome to it."

Off to the gym, then to a fitting...

Actually more like off to the shower and then to work.

Posted by Kerry @ 09/19/2003 08:42 AM PST

Honestly, it kept telling me the page hd expired and the post had not gone through

Posted by kerry @ 09/19/2003 08:55 AM PST