Topic: THE MERRY MONDAY NOTES (Read 20925 times)

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #120 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:42:28 PM »

DRs Kurt, Noel and WEL - Thanks for the input.

I've been leaning toward Caroline, or Change myself. And DR Noel, you're thoughts did not at all sound high-horse-ish to me. I, too, have (sort of) worked with Jeanine and would love to see/hear her new piece. And I've always found Kushner's work very intriguing and involving - if not a little too "educated" for me at times. *Some of the symbolism in Angels is related to topics I've never even heard of! I've also heard many good things about the show - even from people who admitted that the show may still need some work, some clarifying. So...

I have some friends in Wonderful Town which is why I want to see that show. Also, it's been a long time since I've heard a big, live orchestra! *And I did check out the discount offers on the various sites, but none of them are valid past next week - yet. They just released a new block of tickets, so maybe the offers will get updated and extended soon. *I'm also a little hesitant to commit to Wonderful Town since Donna Murphy's flu/cold seems to be back. Yes, I know I said the other day that I don't go to see "stars", but with all the glorious notices for her, I have to see what all the fuss is about - although I greatly admired her in Passion each of the five times I saw it and her, and I liked her in the The King & I too - and she was always in when I saw that one too. -And a nice article in today's NYTimes on her process - great quote from Martha Graham leads off the article:

"No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

I'd also just like to see a big ole slick production of Little Shop about now. I remember loving the national tour I saw when I was in high school. *There was a row of dentists sitting in front of me, and they apparently had no idea about Orin's character. When he came out and sang, "I Am A Dentist"... I have never heard so much good natured, heart and stomach felt laughter in my whole life. I could hear them thanking their wives for taking them to the show at intermission. And I'm also a big fan of Kerry Butler and Hunter Foster, so...

But like I said, I'm leaning toward Caroline, or Change, and since it just got extended - which means I can now see it, I'm taking that as a sort of sign. And it would be good to have something not so "light" on my trip since I'm definitely seeing Avenue Q, Wicked and Hairspray. I'm still waiting on word on house seats for the other show, and once I get word back on that, I'll get to the fifth show slot.

Oh, in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm taking a friend along with me, and I really want to have a fun trip, and have just been hedging on going to see something with serious undertones. But, hey, that's theatre!

So, in summation... Each show has it's +'s, but I'll most likely end up at The Public. I'll keep you all posted.

DR Jason: Barry... yes....

And now "While You Were Out" is on... Nice biceps!

Matt H. · « **Reply #121 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:43:56 PM »

DR TCB asked: "One of the cities they were in was Charlotte. Were you having snow yesterday?"

No, just very cold rain and wind. We haven't had any snow this season though there has been snow to the north and, of course, west of us in the NC mountains.

Jed · « **Reply #122 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:46:31 PM »

Welcome, new (I know you were around briefly a few months back, but new again) DR Kurt!

Welcome back, DR Jason! Love the Christmas Carol stories! Funnily, the Mrs. Fezziwig I'm working with would probably be pulling much the same stuff were we doing the version you did. And I would be bitchslapping her from here to eternity and hell and back.

Noel - Never fear, any Washingtonian worth their salt understands the difference between eating apples and baking apples. While we do both pretty well around here, it's mostly the eating ones that go out to all y'all. The pie sounds absolutely delish... may have to give it a try sometime.

Same goes for Ron's pumpkin cheesecake (I think it was Ron, wasn't it?)...

Survivor - I am not at all a fan of most "reality" TV (except The Mole, which I absolutely loved... but not the damned celebrity crap one), but I must admit that I watched most all of this season of Survivor. I was quite pleased with the result. If there was anyone other than Sandra (a Washingtonian, I might add

) I would have liked to see win, it would have been Jon. Yes, that's right, I said Jon. True, he was a despicable person throughout the season, and seems to be very much the same way outside the game, but you gotta admit the guy played the game damn well.

I think I should be able to make chat tonight! I'll be looking forward to it.

Best of vibes to Ann, Maya, Emily, and any other DR's in the midst of finals. Ahh, how glad I am to be done with those things!

Maya · « **Reply #123 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:50:56 PM »

Jason--great stories! Don't you love dem "local color?"

Jose--I guess it also depends what kind of show you're in the mood for when you get up to the city. Like maybe if you're feeling chipper and in the mood for something light-hearted and fun, you could see "Wonderful Town" or "LSOH" ( I personally adored WT and Donna did blow my proverbial socks off). And if you're feeling more in the mood for something more substantial with a lot of social commentary and emotion, you could go for "Caroline."

Only a half hour til my exam. Bleh. I should be at chat though tonight for a while.

Maya · « **Reply #124 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:52:15 PM »

Thank you for the good vibes, Jed! I need them right now!

Jrand73 · « **Reply #125 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:53:01 PM »

AHHHHHHHHH--DRJed - I enjoyed the non-celebrity MOLE very much as well. And I didn't guess who it was.....I thought since SHE had sneaked a peek in the producer's notebook, it couldn't be her. WRONG!!! I liked that show a LOT!

Haven't really watch SURVIVOR much. But I like to hear about it....The Bachelor and all those others....well they certainly do love to talk about them at work, so somehow I feel as though I HAVE watched them.

MBarnum · « **Reply #126 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:56:23 PM »

I forgot about the MOLE too...good show. THE AMAZING RACE is fun too. It is very gay friendly and you get to see the most wonderful sights as they travel all over the world.

And what was that show that had the people who had to live as they did in the late 1890s or so...fascinating!

Matt H. · « **Reply #127 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:56:33 PM »

Oh, here's another HUGE fan of the non-celebrity editions of THE MOLE. I applied to be on the second one - filled out the 10 page application and did the 4 minute videotape. And they picked a retired schoolteacher in his 50s as one of the contestants. It just wasn't me, sad to say!

Matt H. · « **Reply #128 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:59:57 PM »

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/move]

Vibes to Maya on her art final.

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Vibes to DR MBarnum on his date tonight.

Jed · « **Reply #129 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:06:02 PM »

Ah yes, THE AMAZING RACE is second on my list behind THE MOLE. A very fun show to watch. I like competitions that are actually about competition, not just personalities and drama.

MattH - I downloaded a MOLE 2 application, but never did fill it out.

Tomovoz · « **Reply #130 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:11:28 PM »

It is that time of the year when so many of us have so much to do in "So Little Time" - 55 Days at Peking (Beijing)". 100 degrees here by this afternoon so I don' t think I shall be shopping for long! Just had to modify my post - I had forgotten to refresh!

Matt H. · « **Reply #131 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:12:22 PM »

That semester that the original version of THE MOLE was on, we had a pool of teachers that would congregate every Monday and go through every clue, every hint, every action and reaction, and when we got down to the end, we all voted on who we thought the Mole was of the three remaining players, the losers buying the winners lunch out one day. I guessed wrong along with four other teachers, so we chipped in a bought lunch for the two who guessed correctly. That girl had me completely fooled.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #132 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:15:23 PM »

Addendums and odd and ends:

DR Kurt - That date cookie you described sounds very close to a Martha Stewart recipe I've made before. Kind of like "date newton"? And then there are those wonderful Italian X-cookies that are covered in powdered sugar. -See "Baking with Julia".

I can check through my books if you'd like...

DR Noel - As a working <knock wood> musician (pianist/keyboardist/conductor/music director/arranger), I am all for supporting new work. And old work. As well as supporting my fellow musicians and my colleauges on stage, the actors and actresses. For me right now, work is work. More or less. Unfortunately, it seems like my classical colleauges are truly dealing with some daunting fiscal challenges right now. But I digress...

I'm going to New York. I'm going with a good friend. I just wanna have a good time in the Big Apple!

And as I stated before, I may just leave that slot open and see what happens when I get up there. Who knows? I may end up at the Met - the opera and/or the museum for the day.

bk · « **Reply #133 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:15:27 PM »

Chat in three hours

MBarnum · « **Reply #134 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:19:34 PM »

Matth, maybe they will still call you for THE MOLE. You never know!

Jed, fill out that application!

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #135 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:25:57 PM »

Oh, how could I forget?!?!?! BK will most definitely whip me with a wet noodle! -Linguine or Spaghetti?

....pianist/keyboardist/conductor/music director/arranger...

and Scarlette!

OH! I now have a date in half an hour...

Well, just a good dinner at a good restaurant with a good friend. The joys of IMs!

Again, I should be back for chat, but AiA2 will be on in the background. After checking out the schedule on HBO's website, this will be the only time I can catch it in it's current run. And trying to tape anything with the way the cable is set up here is usually more trouble than it's worth. Which channel do I set the TV too? And which channel do I set the VCR too? And which antenna feed do I use? Etc...

Gotta run!

Jrand73 · « **Reply #136 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:26:59 PM »

Oh dear, and I have a Christmas shopping emergency. Hope to be back. May be a bit late though....

steveg · « **Reply #137 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:29:09 PM »

We saw two movies this past miserable-weather weekend: "Somethings Gotta Give" and "Stuck on You". The second isn't the usual Farrelly Brothers vulgarity-filled movie, but is really a very "sweet" movie. Not a lot of belly laughts, but very enjoyable. The first, is a terrific movie for men and woman over 50, in which age-group my wife and I are in. It's a rare intelligent, funny film geared for an adult audience. Nicholson gives one of his best performances ever. Keaton, also, and I have to say it is shocking to see how this icon of my youth and of my age, have aged. My wife and I, of course, haven't aged at all since we were married 32+ years ago - I must get new glasses. The film is very up-to-date in incorporating modern technology as integral plot devices: e.g., cell phone, email, Viagra.

With regard to yesterday's discussion about Malby and Shire, I have to affirm my feelings about their "Starting Here, Starting Now." It is also one of my wife's and my favorites, especially as performed by BS on her "Color Me Barbra" TV show and album. As a matter of fact, on the eve of our wedding back in '71, I had my father-in-law-to-be give my wife-to-be the lyrics of the song that I had written out in longhand. The song has always been very special to the two of us.

Matt H. · « **Reply #138 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:34:06 PM »

Alas, DR MBarnum, ABC is only doing CELEBRITY MOLE now. We common folk just can't measure up to the likes of Melissa Rivers and Corbin Bernsen.

DearReaderLaura · « **Reply #139 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:37:23 PM »

DR Panni -- your story makes me appreciate all that I have.

Re reality shows: There is only one reality show in my opinion -- and that is COPS. I've never seen any of the other "reality shows."

My day: Two-hour meeting with the minister, trying to figure out how to please everyone. Waited for the plumber, who finally called to cancel. Went birding. Tried to call about problem with mother's estate -- someone lost the stock certificates I turned over. Coming up next: Two-hour class on church history.

Tomovoz · « **Reply #140 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:44:10 PM »

Dr Laura:I It was the late Rick Nelson who sang "you can't please everyone so you have to please yourself" - and that does not need to be interpreted as a selfish thought. I think he was singing about a church garden party. (Maybe it was dancing the Madison in a square or something like that!).

MBarnum · « **Reply #141 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:44:25 PM »

Only CELEBRITY MOLE! What the heck! I never watched the celbrity ones. My buddy Ron did but he didn't like it.

Well, I think you and Jed could easily be considered celebrities, at least here at HHW!

Tomovoz · « **Reply #142 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:46:21 PM »

You wear Purple tights and you get to be a celebrity. I am indeed going shopping.

bk · « **Reply #143 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:54:24 PM »

Chat in two hours. I'm probably going to open the room early, as I'm gonna try to get out of work around 6:15.

William E. Lurie · « **Reply #144 on:** December 15, 2003, 03:56:02 PM »

Home from work.

I like reality shows that are actual reality (where people are followed around by a crew and photographed as they really are (ie the show that started it all in the 70s "An American Family" or more recently "American High"). It's the phony set-up kind of "reality" shows I don't like.

As promised this morning, here is the cheesecake that makes its own crust.

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a standard size pie plate.

Put the following in the blender:
¾ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs (crack them open first and throw out the
shells)
1 cup sugar
½ cup Bisquick (or a genaric brand)

Blend on high for 15 seconds

Add 2 8 0z. packages of creamcheese (cubed) and blend on high for 2 minutes

Pour into pie plate and bake for 40 to 45 minutes

Cool one hour and spread on the topping which is a mixture of 1 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla

You can serve it plain or garnish with your choice of fruit

This comes the closest to a Sarah Lee Cheese Cake (the original refrigerated, not frozen) that I have ever tasted.

And the crust really does appear at the bottom when cooking.

Noel · « **Reply #145 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:05:45 PM »

Quote from: TCB on December 15, 2003, 02:35:34 PM

Noel: That is a very interesting point you make about the purchase of theater tickets being the same as casting a vote. But would that vote casting work for the artists involved with a show, as well as the creators? I mean, I don't suppose the success or failure of LITTLE SHOP would have any effect on Jerry Zaks career, but would an early closing of their show have any effect on the careers of Hunter Foster or Kerry Butler?

The lives and choices of famous performers are a somewhat different matter. Picture that Broadway is a small collection of powers-that-be, deciding what sorts of shows get produced. If they believe the public is interested in new musicals (as they were in the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's & 70's, when revivals were rare), they'll produce new musicals. If they think what the public wants to see is previously-established songs shoehorned into a new book (Mamma Mia, Movin' Out, Never Gonna Dance), they'll give us more of that.

But you won't catch my buying a ticket for a so-called "new" musical with an old score. It's against my principals, and interest.

Not connected to this issue is the "marquis value" of stars. Producers see what performers sell tickets, and try to put them in shows. It was ever thus. I admire performers who show an active interest in new work. I loved, off-Broadway, Mr. Foster in Urinetown and Ms. Butler in Bat Boy even if I didn't like those shows.

Maya · « **Reply #146 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:11:06 PM »

Finished my Soc. exam...damn, it was easy!

Thanks, Matt H., for the good vibes! It's technically Ann that has the art exam though...which I'm sure she will do fine on!

Hmmm...I think it is important to have new work up, but I also love revivals. I mean most people my age have never seen a production of "Wonderful Town," and other shows, and so I love being able to see full, really professional productions of shows I was too young to see in their original incarnations.

Perhaps I'm optimistic, but I DO believe there is hope for the future of Broadway, in terms of new musicals. We have some very talented people writing shows right now...the amount of shows they put out though just seems small when compared to the revivals.

Anyway, I just buy tickets based on what looks interesting to me, new or old.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #147 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:13:19 PM »

DR Panni: For the cooks among us, 1/4 lb butter and 1/2 of 1/4 lb. butter is quite simple.

There are normally four sticks of butter to a pound.

One stick is 1/4 lb.
A half-stick is 1/2 of 1/4 lb.

Thus: One and one-half sticks of butter.

Print the recipe...let us enjoy the adventure!

S. Woody White · « **Reply #148 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:23:52 PM »

Quote from: JoseSPiano on December 15, 2003, 12:58:35 AM

As for the M&M problem, I've always wondered how those store bought cookies manage to not have melted M&Ms.

A commercial-style cookie mix from Duncan Hines, which der Brucer found at Sam's Club ("Perfect for Restaurants, Schools, Bakery Counters, Home" says a banner on the box) a) uses "M&M Mini Baking Bits," and b) calls for "dipping each ball" of dough "into M&Ms, pressing the dough into a 2 inch circle while pressing the mini baking bits gently into dough (about 23-23 M&Ms per cookie).

I prefer working from scratch. Even looking over the ingredients list makes me qualmish. The box of mix is staying on the shelf.

bk · « **Reply #149 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:57:19 PM »

Chat in less than an hour. I'm opening the room at 5:45

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Author Topic: THE MERRY MONDAY NOTES (Read 20925 times)

MBarnum

MBarnum

MBarnum

Ron Pulliam