-
Well, you've read the notes, you know all about the eleven pipers and their piping, and now it is time for you to post until the perfectly coiffed cows come home to show off their new "do"s.
-
First post:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WILLIAM F. ORR (a.ka. WFO)!!!
-
Happy Birthday, DR WILLIAM F. ORR!!
-
[move=up,scroll,6,transparent,100%][size=20]
Happy
Birthday
W. F. O.
[/size][/move]
-
Holly the Zaftig Sharpei is recovering nicely from her surgery. She had her staples removed a week ago, and is on antibiotics, but I think she will be fine. She is walking much better. Although when she gets up this morning, like another Hoosier doggie mentioned yesterday, I am not sure she will like all the H I G H snow.
I took a picture but it didn't come out very well, maybe I will take another after daylight. We have probably 7 or 8 inches of the lovely white stuff and it is still coming down and blowing around.
Hmmmmmmmmm.....a gift from the past....hmmmmmmmmm.
I think that I would like to go back to October, 1957, at the launch party for Ayn Rand's ATLAS SHRUGGED and get a couple of signed copies of the novel. I have a first edition - not in good shape - but it is of course not signed. Would like to have been at the party to hear her talk about the book and meet all her friends.
-
Happy Birthday WFO
-
I just read the most astonishing thing: My pal Rupert Holmes has been signed to rewrite the book for the unproduced Kander and Ebb musical, Curtains. Until two weeks ago, I had never heard of Curtains, which apparently is a murder mystery musical that takes place during the tryout of a new musical. For those who've read the final page of Writer's Block, they will understand the supreme irony of this news. Happily, Writer's Block is out, being read (and enjoyed, from what I've heard), and life goes on.
-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR WFO!!!
-
Mr BK - your news is indeed ironic to a couple of us.
DR HISAKA thank you for the Indianapolis 500 photograph. Very interesting.
-
We have probably 7 or 8 inches of the lovely white stuff and it is still coming down and blowing around.
In what part of Indy do you live? We are at 13 or 14 inches here in southwestern Hancock county. I just shoveled the walk and it was no easy job. :-[ Good exercise though. ;D I had to resort to carrying Peaches outside to a place where the snow had all blown away and wasn't as deep. I have never had a dog that is more of a chicken than Peaches. We used to have a miniature doxin who would love to get herself lost in the snow.
-
LOL Joey.....I finally had to carry Holly outside and down the steps, too.
I live in Mooresville which is about 14 miles west of Indy on I-70, in Morgan County.
-
DR JOEY both Hancock and Morgan counties are under a Snow Emergency Order....necessary travel only....travel at your own risk. Yikes!
-
I just read the most astonishing thing: My pal Rupert Holmes has been signed to rewrite the book for the unproduced Kander and Ebb musical, Curtains. Until two weeks ago, I had never heard of Curtains, which apparently is a murder mystery musical that takes place during the tryout of a new musical. For those who've read the final page of Writer's Block, they will understand the supreme irony of this news. Happily, Writer's Block is out, being read (and enjoyed, from what I've heard), and life goes on.
Does it also mean that Mr. Holmes also will rewrite the songs? Because with book rewrites there will also be lyric rewrite and the need for new songs. Once the show goes into rehersals (if it gets that far) more changes will probably be needed. Will Mr. Holmes take on this task as well? Will Kander work without Ebb?
Kander and Ebb work on this show for over a decade (at least) and as far as I know it never even a production anywhere. Just because Ebb passed away doesn't mean the show should be produced. He was never known as book writer Chicago & 70 Girls 70 were his only credited book credits. The former is more known as Fosse show and the latter was a quick flop and was later rewritten by another author. Ebb was a good special material writer for people like Minnelli & McLaine.
I understand why Mr. Holmes was chosen his musical and plays (some successful some not) are The Mystery of Edwin Drood aka Drood, Accomplice, Solitary Confinement, Thumbs.
I would be interested to see what the final outcome will be if it ever gets that far.
Maybe it would be better if the show was just recorded and leave it at that.
-
[size=15]happy birthday wfo[/size]
-
For today's question:
opening night tickets, posters and autographed programs (in A1 condition):
to the Washington DC opening of the original Show Boat
My Fair Lady
Oklahoma
A Chorus Line (Public Theater)
Streetcar Named Desire
Death of a Salesman
and all those musicals in the 60's and 70's that opened and closed on opening night
-
Happy, Happy Day to Long Island Math Wizard and poster extraordinare
Mr. William F. Orr!!!
-
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
:) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8)!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR WILLIAM F. ORR!! ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) :-* ::) :-* ::)
[/move]
DRBen, good morning!
Howdy, DRMichael Shayne! How are you feeling today?
-
We lost a great number of people from the arts this year.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041221/ap_en_ot/ye_deaths_2004_arts_1 (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041221/ap_en_ot/ye_deaths_2004_arts_1)
-
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
:) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8)!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR WILLIAM F. ORR!! ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) :-* ::) :-* ::)
[/move]
DRBen, good morning!
Howdy, DRMichael Shayne! How are you feeling today?
I am doing a lot better and how are you doing?
-
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]FELICHAN NASKIGHTAGON DR WFO![/move]
-
I am doing a lot better and how are you doing?
Hanging on, DR! There's a cold settling between my nose and larynx. I've had a fuzzy throat for around three days now, and the damned ear infection doesn't want to go away. I have several thngs to purchase this morning, and that's the end of the Christmas rush.
I look forward to learning what it is you are working on.
-
Happy Birthday to DR WFO.
DR Joey: another wonderful young Lansbury performance is her "Sibyl Vane" in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. It is also a wonderful film, with the stunning Hurd Hatfield and George Sanders. In it, Miss Lansbury is dubbed by -- IIRC -- none other than Andy Williams. (She has one little number, done in a seedy London pub....)
-
DR Ann, congrats on your good news.
DRBen, vibes for doggie MacGregor.
And DR Jane, continued good wishes for Echo.
-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WFO!
-
****HEALING VIBES TO DR ELMORE****
-
And... Feel better, Holly!
-
Speaking of doggie problems, I saw my aunt's dog Coco on Sunday. She is doing better. She walks around by herself. However one of her back legs is still very tender. And it shakes and twitches. Coco has blankets and "beds" taking up one third of the bedroom floor. And she sleeps there a lot.
-
...And Echo and every human and four-legged creature on our lovely site who may need healing vibes of the season.
-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, W. F. O. !
-
I'm still tired -- going back to bed for 15 minutes. MUST be up at 7. Otherwise the day will get away from me.
-
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]Happy Birthday DR WFO!!![/move]
-
Re: Emmy Rossum (Christine in the Phantom of the Opera movie).
Did anyone else not remember that she was the daughter in Mystic River.
Btw, I thought she sounded quite good on GMA yesterday.
Hmmm, this article also says she starred in Day After Tomorrow:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-emmy23.html
-
Good morning - Well, I got my wish (and Elmore's wish for me): Level 3 snow emergencies all around and my manager called before 6am to tell me that the library is closed today. Combined with a day off yesterday, holidays, and some vacation days, I will be off a total of 12 days in a row! More Christmas cocooning with my family today...
Happiest of birthdays, DR William F. Orr!
-
Happy Birthday to DR WFO.
DR Joey: another wonderful young Lansbury performance is her "Sibyl Vane" in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. It is also a wonderful film, with the stunning Hurd Hatfield and George Sanders. In it, Miss Lansbury is dubbed by -- IIRC -- none other than Andy Williams. (She has one little number, done in a seedy London pub....)
I don't think so, DR Stuart. I believe you're confusing Lansbury with Lauren Bacall who was dubbed by Andy Williams in TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT. Lansbury did her own singing in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.
-
And a very, very happy birthday to DR William F. Orr!!
-
I thought DR Jose might be interested in this article from today's VARIETY. It's not a review of HALLALUJAH, BABY and rather an overview of its critical reception in DC:
"WASHINGTON "Hallelujah, Baby!" won the musical Tony in 1968, but a reworked revival staged by Arthur Laurents received tepid notices from D.C. crix following its opening last week at Arena Stage.
Featuring music by Jule Stein, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and book by Laurents, "Baby" followed the travails of an African-American woman through a 60-year period of racial discrimination and other adversity. In this co-production by Arena and the George Street Playhouse of New Brunswick, N.J., Laurents has stretched the journey to current times, altered the ending and made other changes.
A song cut from the original has been reinserted and some new lyrics have been penned by Green's daughter, Amanda. The tuner's cast has been cut from 20 to an economical nine.
But several local critics found little to sing about. The Washington Post's Peter Marks called it an "unexciting new production" that "confirms its value mainly as an artifact." It contains "moments of inspiration," he said, but criticized "its sense of moral superiority" and said Stein's score "takes scant advantage of the (show's) broadly entertaining possibilities."
The Baltimore Sun's Judy Rousuck praised some perfs, especially Suzzanne Douglas in the lead role of Georgina, originated by Leslie Uggams. But she said the show contains little depth, "a major difficulty considering the weightiness of the material." She said the score includes several standouts.
Jayne Blanchard of the Washington Times called it "a sputtering co-production" that is plagued by "mighty lapses in logic." She found it incongruous that the weighty story about race relations in America would be enlivened by "broad grinning and shucking and jiving," especially since the show "bears not a trace of irony or satirical edge."
-
One, two, three:
A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO WILLIAM F. ORR (WFO, IN INTERNET LINGO)!!!
-
Reading about all this snow. We had snow in the forecast earlier in the week when the temperatures were right at and below freezing. But we've warmed up considerably. Yesterday and today, highs in the 60s and lows only in the 50s. It IS supposed to get colder starting tonight and continuing into the weekend. Yesterday and today feel nothing like Christmas.
-
In what part of Indy do you live? We are at 13 or 14 inches here in southwestern Hancock county. I just shoveled the walk and it was no easy job. :-[ Good exercise though. ;D I had to resort to carrying Peaches outside to a place where the snow had all blown away and wasn't as deep. I have never had a dog that is more of a chicken than Peaches. We used to have a miniature doxin who would love to get herself lost in the snow.
Thankfully, you named the dog Peaches, as opposed to something like Bruiser, or Rex.
-
Happy Birthday William F Orr..
HOWEVER-Dear Bruce---you forgot the Birthday of my Son CRAIG BROCKMAN--35 Years Young Today.A Very Happy Birthday Dear Craig
-
Topid of the day: I actually got my one cherished present several years ago. I think I have told this story here before, but anyway, when I was growing up, one of the most frequent commercials on Saturday morning TV was Mystery Date, a board game for little girls. Of course, I always wanted to play it, but my parents wouldn't buy such a gender specific female-centered game for me. Years later, my partner at the time moved heaven and earth to find the game and give it to me for Christmas.
We spent many hilarious evenings with friends playing Mystery Date, and if you've ever seen a bunch of gay men vying to get the "perfect date" from a board game, you'd know how hilarious it truly was.
-
On the topic o' the day:
A ton of Microsoft stock at its IPO.
-
I don't think so, DR Stuart. I believe you're confusing Lansbury with Lauren Bacall who was dubbed by Andy Williams in TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT. Lansbury did her own singing in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.
Got my TONY (R) winning actresses mixed up, eh?
Side note about the song Miss Lansbury sings in DORIAN GRAY......the title of which escapes me, but is something about a bird. While doing MURDER SHE WROTE, and portraying Jessica Fletcher's cockney cousin (or whatever), Lansbury had a scene in a music hall, and needed a song for the spot. She called up her good friend (and BK's as well) Mr. Stephen Sondheim, and asked him what to do. He told her to do that song she did in Dorian Gray. And she did.
-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WFO.
Re: Curtains. Wow, I'm amazed that you haven't heard of it, BK. There's been quite a bit of internet buzz about it for years (of course), and IIRC it actually has had a couple of workshops. I remember distinctly that one of its conceits is that at the beginning you see a murder, but it turns out it's a murder in the show that's within the show, and that there are several such "Deathtrap" moments in the musical. I'm pretty sure there was a long thread about it on RATM and/or Max's listserve.
-
Happy birthday dear Bill
Another crazy day ar work so I say Merry Christmas and exit stage right!!
-
Happy Birthday, DR WFO!!!
-
And since his father said so... ;)
Happy Birthday, DS (Dear Son) Craig Brockman!
-
Good Morning!
-It's raining here in Fairfax, VA. Although, if this precipitation was coming down as snow like it is in in Indiana and Ohio, we'd probably be under a Winter Storm Watch too.
And like DR MattH's environs, it's a bit "warm" outside. Even coming out of the show last night, it felt comfortable outside. However, the cold is supposed to settle back in in time for Christmas Day. We may not get a White Christmas, but it should be cold.
As for today's Topic of the Day...
I, too, would tickets to various shows on Broadway and elsewhere. I'd actually like to see DREAMGIRLS with the original cast. I know many people who were fortunate enough to be wowed over by Jennifer Holiday's performance at the end of Act 1. Electricity in the air. Going further back in time, I'd like to see Angela Lansbury in MAME, and another show at the Winter Garden, FOLLIES.
On a more personal front, a copy of the first edition of C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series. Or even his "The Wasteland". -I remember analyzing that poem in seventh grade. Fascinating.
-
Got my TONY (R) winning actresses mixed up, eh?
Side note about the song Miss Lansbury sings in DORIAN GRAY......the title of which escapes me, but is something about a bird. While doing MURDER SHE WROTE, and portraying Jessica Fletcher's cockney cousin (or whatever), Lansbury had a scene in a music hall, and needed a song for the spot. She called up her good friend (and BK's as well) Mr. Stephen Sondheim, and asked him what to do. He told her to do that song she did in Dorian Gray. And she did.
Absolutely right. Angela sang "Goodbye, Little Yellow Bird" playing her British musical hall cousin Emma McGill. The next season, when Angela played the same character again, she needed another music hall song, and naturally she chose her other MGM musical moment - "How'd Ya Like to Spoon with Me?" from TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY.
-
Oohhh.. Bernstein's recording - conducting and playing - of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" just came on the radio... Guess I'll be here for another 17 minutes or so.
:D
-
Happy Birthday, CRAIG!
-
This is cute
-
Very cute, DR TCB (aka Scrooge but only in the musical of the same name!) :D
-
I thought DR Jose might be interested in this article from today's VARIETY. It's not a review of HALLALUJAH, BABY and rather an overview of its critical reception in DC:
Etc., etc., etc....
Thanks for the article, MattH.
I've tracked down most of the major reviews of this production, however, I haven't really investigated any of the ones from the earlier George Street run. Arena has been using a line from "Variety" in some of it's promotional blurbs - I began to wonder if it was from the original production! ;)
In any case... I just like reading reviews to read reviews, see what the people on the other side of the curtain have thought about the show. -And, actually, I do hear some choice tidbits every now and then as I'm getting into my car as the theatregoers are heading back to their cars.
Arena Stage has a wonderful policy in regards to reviews. No reviews are allowed to be displayed in the "public areas", and the discussion of reviews is strongly discouraged on theatre grounds. They do make the reviews and press clippings available up in the offices for those who would like to see them. It's a great way to insure that no one's "show" or "process" is affected by outside opinion, good or bad. *We all have to be careful when bringing in the daily newspaper too.
-
Happy B' day, William F. Orr.
I'd go back in time to collect all the wonderful Marx play sets I had...The Roy Rogers ranch set; the Captain Gallant Foreign Legion set; a Knights set; a Civil War set...seems to me there were others.
I also pick up the Hartland plastic figures of cowboys. These were figurines about six inches or so, that came on their horse and their guns would come out, their hats could be removed, the saddles came off the horses. They had most of the TV cowboys and some historical figures as well. I had Roy Rogers, Robert E. Lee, George Armstrong Custer. Custer and Lee had detachable swords. But the guns and swords and hats would get lost; the stirrups on the saddles would break. I still have in my library. Lee on his horse traveller, with his hat and a stirrupless saddle. No sword. I've also got Roy Rogers with his hat but no guns, on a rearing Trigger, partial saddle...though he fell off the shelf not long ago and his leg broke. I've got the piece and may glue it on some day. These figures got some really rough place in the old days, so there in far from the greatest condition.
I think Hartland also put a series of them out that were just standing. No horses. They also did a series of baseball players.
But it was the playsets I really love. Give me a bag of plastic cowboys or knight and a tin fort or castle and I was a happy kid and could amuse myself for hours.
-
An Oldie but a Goody-For The Holiday Season!!!
One Hen
Two Ducks
Three Squawking Geese
Four Limerick Oysters
Five Corpulent Porpoises
Six Pairs of Don Alverzo's Tweezers
Seven Thousand Macedanions in full battle array
Eight Brass Monkeys from the Ancient Crypts of Egypt
Nine apathetic,sympathetic,diabetic old men on roller skates with a marked propensity towards procrastination and sloth
Ten lyrical,spherical,diabolical denizens of the deep who hall stall around the corner of the quo of the quay of the quivery,all at the same time.
-
Well, you see, once upon a time Mr. Craig Brockman used to be a regular denizen of this here site. At that time, he used to be a registered user of this site, and when one is a registered user of this site, their birthday shows up on our handy-dandy calendar. If birthdays don't show up on our handy-dandy calendar, then it is impossible for me to remember them because I am quite senile - sometimes I even forget to look at our handy-dandy calendar. However, of course we wish a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to Mr. Craig Brockman, and we would have done it properly in the notes if only his name had shown up on our handy-dandy calendar.
Nope, never heard of Curtains prior to the press release of two weeks ago. I've certainly heard of Over and Over (Skin of our Teeth) and I've certainly heard of The Visit. It's all fine - there's no "race" going on - my book is out and about.
-
Time to shovel snow.
-
My Time Machine picks: Back to 1960 to pick up a few new copies of the first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird. Back to the forties to pick up my new Tucker. Others to follow.
-
Re: TOD.
I'd probably go REALLY far back in time and try to pick up one of those newfangled things..... the Wheel.
Without it, I doubt our 45s, 78s, 33.3s, CDs, DVDs, etc. would have been possible.
-
Hmmmm, it's also raining quite heavily here.
Interesting, because only 2 days ago it was -28C with windchill. And now today it is supposed to go up to +7C (which is about 45F).
I'm happy it is raining instead of snowing!
Hmmm, I wonder if I am stupid for considering going to the mall tonight. I need to go out and pick up a free dvd rental (hopefully Princess Diaries 2). But when I'm out, I was thinking of stopping to look at shoes.
-
Oh and amazon package #1 arrived yesterday. This is #1 of 4 that amazon sent out (of the same item because they screwed up and wanted to make sure it got there by xmas).
Interesting fedex brought it on tues during the day and nobody was home. But for some reason they decided to leave it yesterday with no signature. Weird.
Anyhow #2, and 3 are on the fedex truck today. I'm actually hoping that they don't leave them. Then my friend can just call and refuse them.
Amazon's response when I suggested it was a big excessive to send out FOUR SHIPMENTS OF THE SAME THING, "well it's already done". :)
Anyhow they did give a $10 gift certificate, which always makes me feel better.
Well thankfully the disney princess comforter has arrived. And one 6 yr old little girl should be very happy Christmas morning.
-
OK - I've stalled long enough... Time for some laundry, vacuuming, cleaning, etc...
Laters...
-
Oh and amazon package #1 arrived yesterday. This is #1 of 4 that amazon sent out (of the same item because they screwed up and wanted to make sure it got there by xmas).
Interesting fedex brought it on tues during the day and nobody was home. But for some reason they decided to leave it yesterday with no signature. Weird.
With my experience with FedEx and UPS, they will usually leave the shipment without a signature - especially around this time of year. Otherwise, their trucks would be filled with lots of stuff "on hold". I also think there's some sort of declared monetary value variable that comes into play - if it's below a certain, they leave it on the doorstep, or somewhere.
I will say the USPS - Postal Service - can be quite the sticklers for requiring a signature at times. Thankfully, the guy who normally delivers my mail in Richmond tends to take his lunch after finishing our block. So, if it turns out that I've just missed him, then I just walk around the corner usually, find his truck, present my slip, and sign for the package.
*And I have to say UPS has been very helpful at times when I've just missed their delivery truck. I've called the 800 number a few times, and they've told me which street or area of town the truck is in, and I've tracked down the truck! The wonders of technology - and some persistence.
-
As I was saying... enough stallling..
;)
-
If you do a Google while in RATM on "Curtains Kander Ebb," you will indeed find several threads, so I guess my increasingly spotty memory is at least partially intact. :) And it did apparently have a workshop in NYC some time ago. However, I'm also remembering reading a feature article on it, which is where I think I'm remembering the stuff about the opening from. Maybe that was reprinted by Max.
-
Re: birthdays. See, you learn something new every day at HHW. I never realized we could enter our birthdays (guess I missed that when I signed up the first time). I wondered why mine never seemed to get mentioned, LOL (not that I need reminding, oy!).
-
Let me assure you, I do, indeed have a log in to this site :) Thank you one and all for the birthday wishes. My "profile" doesn't include my birthday, perhaps that's why BK's calendar didn't have a higher power to warn him thus in time.
As for the time machine question, I will say that I wouldn't go back and "get" something per se, but rather go back and BRING something. Pro Tools and High Def video equipment, so that we could create lush and beautiful recordings of shows that were recorded in mono - or not at all. And the video equipment to archive those performances lost forever.
That, is my simple holiday wish
-
Senility always needs a higher power. Craig and I have e-mailed about his simple Christmas wish, which is excellent.
The first thing I'd tape would be Li'l Abner, followed by Follies, and then Gypsy with Ethel Merman. Then Dreamgirls.
-
The Promises, Promises.
-
Then Smile.
-
Then La Strada, just for interest's sake.
-
Happy Birthday, William!! Hope your day is merry and bright, and no slighting on the birthday gifts, as in days of yore, when they put all that together with the Christmas gifts!!
I arrived in LA last night, shlepped my parents to my sister's house for dinner (the machateynista-to-be split the cost of dinner...), shlepped them back home, then shlepped myself to my other sister's, where I'm staying until Jan. 8 when I head back to NYC to prepare my Jewish Thighs for public viewing...
Did I mention that Jose is going to sing in said show?? Well, he is!
And I am SOOOO looking forward to BK's annual Christmas Eve bash. Always a pleasure. This year, I hope we will gather round the grand piano and holler olde carols in a tipsy fashion... maybe hear a song or two from BK's vast catalogue of parodies...
Off I go, kids. Have a good one.
-
OK - I've just read through the previous page of notes - and want to say
Happy Birthday, Craig!
if I were less techno-challenged, I might try making one of those big, bright, animated Birthday greetings that so many DR's seem to know how to make, and to which I was treated - to my great delight - on my own birthday bash at HHW.com.
-
Happy Happy Birthdays to our Dear Reader WFO and Dear Administrator Craig.
-
Welcome back to LA, Penny-O!
Time Machine Gifts... Well, first thing that comes to mind is the puppet theater I used to have ask a kid in Budapest. Would love to have that back.
And my vast collection of beloved cut-out-dolls - including Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor and (perhaps) Vera Miles - but I may be wrong about Vera.
More later. I need to shower. Running a tad late today.
-
Here's my "Phantom of the Opera" movie review.
To begin with, I treated the viewing of “The Phantom of the Opera” movie as a movie, not a stage to screen adaptation. I give the movie 4 ½ stars out of 5. The sets were amazing and the effects were quite well done. The performances were great, I loved the fact that the leads were young. It made Christine’s choice a lot harder at the end, and made it more realistic that she would want to fall in love with the Phantom. (Heck, both male leads were great to look at, I could have learned to live with that distorted face!!)
Which brings me to the realization that this really is a love story. I’ve heard people complain that the Phantom was menacing enough, but it’s a love story. The screen version moved me to tears at the end, while the stage version (which I’ve seen 10 times) never has done that. I’m thinking it’s because the movie is in your face and it’s easier to see the “acting”. The acting was great. Emmy Rossum was just a fantastic Christine. She may not have been the strongest singer, but, MAN could she act. She was very believable. Personally, I liked Gerard Butler’s Phantom. I think the choice of casting someone with a pop sort of voice was a good choice. It’s what the normal movie-going, pop music listening public are used to hearing. Someone with a more classically trained voice would probably not be as accepted as someone with a pop voice would. It’s all about what your public wants. If you want to hear something more classical, see the stage production.
The chandelier drop was amazing, as was the fire afterward. All and all, I felt it was well directed. I also liked that we were introduced to more of the Phantom’s past and included were the booby traps that he created in the opera house (room of mirrors, etc.) I remember that aspect of the Phantom being very prominent in the actual novel. The story seemed so much more intact here than in previous versions of the novel.
Minnie Driver is Hy-sterical. She really is a good asset to this movie, such great comedy relief. The “Prima Donna” number was one of my favorite moments in the movie.
The only negative thing I can say about the production is a personal one. I LOVE the Prologue scene on the stage production. I really like the exploding chandelier and the restoration of the opera house back to the 1800’s. While I really liked the use of wind going from black and white to color in the movie, I miss the excitement that can only be found in the theatre.
All in all, it could have been a tad bit shorter. Some quicker tempos could have fixed the length, but that’s just my opinion.
What am I, bk all of a sudden??
-
Yes - Happy Birthday, Mr. Craig Brockman!
-
Happy B-day WFO and Craig!!
[/size][/b][/color]
-
(the machateynista-to-be split the cost of dinner...)
Thank you for using this word, DR PennyO! I thought I was the only one who still used it!
-
An Oldie but a Goody-For The Holiday Season!!!
One Hen
Two Ducks
Three Squawking Geese
Four Limerick Oysters
Five Corpulent Porpoises
Six Pairs of Don Alverzo's Tweezers
Seven Thousand Macedanions in full battle array
Eight Brass Monkeys from the Ancient Crypts of Egypt
Nine apathetic,sympathetic,diabetic old men on roller skates with a marked propensity towards procrastination and sloth
Ten lyrical,spherical,diabolical denizens of the deep who hall stall around the corner of the quo of the quay of the quivery,all at the same time.
ROTFLMAO!! ;D But what about 11 and 12? ::)
-
And just in case you didn't get enough reviews of "The Phantom of the Opera" movie, if you go to rottentomatoes.com, they have a page of links to all the reviews. CLICK HERE! (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/phantom_of_the_opera/)
-
Personally, I liked Gerard Butler’s Phantom. I think the choice of casting someone with a pop sort of voice was a good choice. It’s what the normal movie-going, pop music listening public are used to hearing. Someone with a more classically trained voice would probably not be as accepted as someone with a pop voice would. It’s all about what your public wants. If you want to hear something more classical, see the stage production.
DRMatthew, while I've several friends play the Phantom, and some of them do have classical voices, I consider a lot of that falsetto wailing (bargaincountertenor, in my book) is grisly. I would never consider Mr Crawford's voice classically trained by any stretch of the imagination, even if he did sing in the premiere of Britten's NOYE'S FLUDDE! I'm not sure what I'd call that voice, but as I said yesterday, I'm totally immune to his supposed charisma.
-
Thank you for using this word, DR PennyO! I thought I was the only one who still used it!
OK... For the unenlightened...
machateynista
Please tranlate/transliterate... enlighten if you please.
:)
-
I won't say it.
-
I can't say it.
-
If I don't say it, I won't have to think about it.
-
If I don't think about it, it won't be true.
-
But if I do say it, it will have no power over me.
-
But if I don't say it...
-
But if I do say it, it will give me inner strength.
-
Okay, I'll say it...
-
Give me a minute...
-
I'm going to say it. I'm really going to say it.
-
Here goes nothing...
-
[size=16]SIXTY!!![/size]
-
There, I said it.
-
Sorry George et al-
Only Ten.....don't know why? there's no sun up in the sky? no eleven or twelve..days of Xmas
-
George: this has been a totally weird mail delivery week--even our mail carrier mentioned it. She has been unbelievably early the last three days, and for two of the last 3 days, we have only gotten one piece of mail a day, which is beyond weird. She says it's been the lightest Christmas week she's ever worked. So, long story short (too late, I know), Baker Street is going out tomorrow--I didn't have it in its envellope yet when she showed up this morning!!
-
For those who have heard Emmy Rossum/Christine sing do you think her voice is good?
DR Matthew said he thought it wasn't that good. While my dad mentioned that he thought it was incredible.
Just curious.
-
I want to thank you one and all and also all and one for the birthday greetings to an old Wussburger like me who has been truant and errant and also errant and truant for a week or more.
I have missed some birthdays here, so let me add:
Happy Belated Birthday to Penny O., Dan the Man, Karen L., JB-NYC, Ginnie, Jane, and most of all
Our Fearless Leader BK!!
-
DRMatthew, while I've several friends play the Phantom, and some of them do have classical voices, I consider a lot of that falsetto wailing (bargaincountertenor, in my book) is grisly. I would never consider Mr Crawford's voice classically trained by any stretch of the imagination, even if he did sing in the premiere of Britten's NOYE'S FLUDDE! I'm not sure what I'd call that voice, but as I said yesterday, I'm totally immune to his supposed charisma.
I also like the term my voice teacher would use from time to time:
necktie-tenor
*I specifically remember this term in reference to a recording of Argento's "Letters from Composers" for Tenor and Guitar we listened to in Song Lit class. -It was on an LP - I can't remember the tenor name right now. Although that Signor Matteuzzi who recorded Barbiere and Cenerentola (I think he's on that one too) with Signora Bartoli fits the bill too - ruins both sets of operas for me.
Oh, and there was also brillotone.
-
DR Jennifer - I never said it wasn't good, I just felt it wasn't strong. After all, she's just 18, and at 18, she has an incredible voice, but it just isn't strong. Because the casting was so young, her singing, while not strong, fit the part. Does that make sense?
-
Wow DR WFO, I didn't check the calendar to see that this was a big birthday. My dad celebrated his 60th birthday last week.
And re: fedex/ups, I guess it's a good idea to leave the packages at this time of year. I just wondered why it wasn't okay to leave it on tues, but it was yesterday. I'm not sure where they left the package, but there is a man who signs for deliveries in the apartment complex. So they hopefully left the package with him.
As for DR JMK's mail remark. I always forget that your postal carriers TAKE mail too. I wonder why they don't do that here.
-
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]And Happy Birthday, Craig![/move]
And now I am going to grab my Joe and put on the OBC to Hairspray and BK's A Broadway Christmas.
To listen to "The Christmas Child".
And "Welcome to the Sixties".
Hey, Sixty is only a couple of letters away from Sexy...
-
I'm sitting here debating whether or not it's worth defending my thoughts on Gerard Butler!!
-
OK... For the unenlightened...
machateynista
Please tranlate/transliterate... enlighten if you please.
:)
OK.....I will give you what I know to be the definition. Colloquially, (and isn't all Yiddish used colloqiually?) it is often used to mean "in-laws." However, technically, it means the following relationship:
What the parents of YOUR spouse/partner are to YOUR parents. (example: Dear Partner John's mother is MY mother's machateynista, or the mother of her son-in-law. His mother, TO ME, would be my shviger, or mother-in-law.
Collectively, my folks to John's folks would be mechuten. John's folks, to my folks, would be considered, well......goyim. (I kid, I kid.)
Everybody got it? ;)
-
DR Jennifer - I never said it wasn't good, I just felt it wasn't strong. After all, she's just 18, and at 18, she has an incredible voice, but it just isn't strong. Because the casting was so young, her singing, while not strong, fit the part. Does that make sense?
And wasn't she only 16 when she filmed the movie?
I guess I was confused by your comments, cause it sounded strong (and good) to me (on GMA). Although I haven't seen her in the movie yet.
-
I mentioned this to BK yesterday in our mini-frenzy of emails, but I finally had a day with no gigs and I spent it finally reading Writer's Block. I am almost afraid to post a review on Amazon. ::)
One of the funniest synchronicities of yesterday, though, was that the only time I set down the book was to start the first few minutes of the new version of Manchurian Candidate. And there in the first 5 seconds was the credit: "Costarring Jeffrey Wright."
I must say I was distinctly disappointed with Manchurian Candidate. All the reviews I read raved about the "reimagining" they had done, but I think those reviewers must have had small implants in their brains that prevented them from seeing several continuity errors and completely baffling lack of logic in several key plot developments. I'm going to look at the deleted scenes today to see if one of the continuity errors is addressed (Leiv Schreiber's two "meetings" with Marco, one at the party, one later at the campaign headquarters), but the really glaring logic error, which I won't spoil for those who haven't seen this version, just defies description IMHO.
-
DR Stuart, how do you pronounce those words? Usually I've heard of most yiddish words. But I can't figure out how the words you wrote would sound.
-
For those who have heard Emmy Rossum/Christine sing do you think her voice is good?
DR Matthew said he thought it wasn't that good. While my dad mentioned that he thought it was incredible.
Just curious.
DRJennifer, is her voice as good as Roberta Peters or Patrice Munsel, who both made their Metropolitan Opera debuts around the same age? No, not at all. It isn't a strong voice or particularly well-trained, IMO. I don't think Miss Rossum could have sung at the Paris Opera and been heard beyond the orchestra pit. She has the notes and good pitch and a good sound system.
One of the jokes about POTO is that it's muzak for people who think it's classical music. It has good tunes, and Sir Andrew has a flair for a good tune even when he doesn't know what to do with it. I don't think the score or the vocal requirements, except for Carlotta, are as demanding as CANDIDE, especially in its original 1956 production: casting Patti Lupone, Rita Moreno and others who can't sing the Old Lady's tessitura are only demeaning a great composition, proving that camp and parody are two different arenas.
I enjoyed Miss Rossum's performance a lot, even though I think if she were a better actress she might have questioned why she's always out in the snow with her cleavage expsed and not feelign the cold!
-
I enjoyed Miss Rossum's performance a lot, even though I think if she were a better actress she might have questioned why she's always out in the snow with her cleavage expsed and not feelign the cold!
They did the same thing in "Lara Croft, Tomb Raider!" :P Gotta have something for the teenage boys, I guess. ;)
-
Did anyone else see the hilarious Onion review of Phantom yesterday, about treating people with post-melodramatic stress disorder?
-
George: this has been a totally weird mail delivery week--even our mail carrier mentioned it. She has been unbelievably early the last three days, and for two of the last 3 days, we have only gotten one piece of mail a day, which is beyond weird. She says it's been the lightest Christmas week she's ever worked. So, long story short (too late, I know), Baker Street is going out tomorrow--I didn't have it in its envellope yet when she showed up this morning!!
Not a problem! I'll get it when I get it...and be grateful, grateful, truly grateful, I am (a John Bucchino reference!) ;D
-
DR Stuart, how do you pronounce those words? Usually I've heard of most yiddish words. But I can't figure out how the words you wrote would sound.
DR Jennifer:
Put your ear to the monitor, and listen carefully:
Machateynista
Mechuten
Shviger
Or you could try this link: http://www.koshernosh.com/people.htm (http://www.koshernosh.com/people.htm), which offers audio pronunciations, if you click on the smilies.
-
Not a problem! I'll get it when I get it...and be grateful, grateful, truly grateful, I am (a John Bucchino reference!) ;D
I did a nice Ralph Vaughn Williams-ish choral arrangement of that tune for my Pops Choir.
-
Strange weather here today... A pretty hard downpour just came and left. Lots of wind. Lots of rain.
-I guess it could have been snow... But I like snow, so...
-
I'm sitting here debating whether or not it's worth defending my thoughts on Gerard Butler!!
I don't think you have to defend him. I thought he was fine, except I would have preferred a more terrifying makeup. Compared to the dreadful sounds Kathryn Grayson used to make. the man's an artist. And just exactly what kind of voices was POYO written for? The Christine auditioners had to sing "Glitter and Be Gay," although nothing Christine sings is that well-composed or difficult. Colm Wilkinson is by no stretch of the imagination a legit singer and neither is Michael Crawford. Carlotta needs the high notes and she's usually cast by a singer whose vocal chops are better than Christine's. And she's the has-been!
-
P.S. George--there was *one* scratch on Side 2, during "I Would Do It Again" (the slut, LOL). Otherwise, it sounded pretty clean as I was listening from the other room when I dubbed it.
Were the Bock/Harnick songs "I'm in London Again" and "Finding Words for Spring"?
-
They did the same thing in "Lara Croft, Tomb Raider!" :P Gotta have something for the teenage boys, I guess. ;)
To me, the only good number to be sung in a wintery environment is "A Fine Romance" in SWING TIME! I suspect Miss Rossum, in her last scene with Raoul and the Phantom, is trying to decide whether or not the Phantom would be such a cad to let her freeze her nipples off on the roof of the opera house!
Incidentally, if Miss Brightman were a better actress, perhaps she would have questioned why Christine, in the dreadful disco title song, sings she's with the dread Phantom who terrifies people and not with the Angel of Music who's her mentor. Hate the stupid song, and I love all the lit candles rising out of the Phantom's lake, one of the silliest things in the film.
-
OK.....I will give you what I know to be the definition. Colloquially, (and isn't all Yiddish used colloqiually?) it is often used to mean "in-laws." However, technically, it means the following relationship:
What the parents of YOUR spouse/partner are to YOUR parents. (example: Dear Partner John's mother is MY mother's machateynista, or the mother of her son-in-law. His mother, TO ME, would be my shviger, or mother-in-law.
Collectively, my folks to John's folks would be mechuten. John's folks, to my folks, would be considered, well......goyim. (I kid, I kid.)
Everybody got it? ;)
GOT IT!
Thank you.
;)
-
P.S. George--there was *one* scratch on Side 2, during "I Would Do It Again" (the slut, LOL). Otherwise, it sounded pretty clean as I was listening from the other room when I dubbed it.
Were the Bock/Harnick songs "I'm in London Again" and "Finding Words for Spring"?
I always thought "Letters" was a Bock & Harnick.
-
I always thought "Letters" was a Bock & Harnick.
You're probably right, because something is telling me there were 3 B&H songs in Baker Street.
-
Were the Bock/Harnick songs "I'm in London Again" and "Finding Words for Spring"?
I don't know anything about that! :o
-
Happy Birthday William F Orr..
HOWEVER-Dear Bruce---you forgot the Birthday of my Son CRAIG BROCKMAN--35 Years Young Today. A Very Happy Birthday Dear Craig
A Very Happy Birthday to Arnold M. Brockman's son Craig Brockman!
And has no one else noticed that JMK has ascended to the HHW Heavens?? WELCOME!!
-
Off to lunch!
-
OH! OH! OH! (That's HO! HO! HO! backwards...well, !HO !HO !HO backwards...)
On the drive in yesterday, there was a funny little story about a particular holiday dish. Here's the reprint from NPR.org. You can listen to the story on the site - which literally had me LOLing. And, I have to say, the recipe does intrigue me.
******************
Commentary
Vanquishing 'The Frozen Thing' from the Holiday Table
All Things Considered, December 22, 2004 · There is much talk about gaining those extra five or 10 pounds around the holidays, consuming all those traditional family favorites like Christmas cookies and eggnog. In commentator Laura Lorson's family, somehow, someway, her Mom got the idea in her head that a white frozen dessert was a beloved family ritual. Thankfully, Laura set her straight at a recent Christmas dinner a couple years ago.
Lorson share's her mother's recipe for the Frozen Thing below:
The Louisville Debuntante Frozen Fruit Salad (a.k.a. The Frozen Thing)
1 6 oz. package cream cheese
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. heavy cream, whipped
2 and 1/2 c. mini-marshmallows
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 c. green maraschino cherries
1/2 c. red maraschino cherries
iceberg lettuce leaves
Blend cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Fold in whipped heavy cream and fruit. Add in mini marshmallows. Pour mixture into a 1-quart pan. Freeze. (Word to the wise: this will take a while. Allow a couple of days.) Once frozen, remove pan from freezer and cut into squares. (Word to the wise: this will take a while. You may want to get a chisel and one of those rubber mallets.) Remove (pry) squares from pan: serve on iceberg lettuce leaves. Top with an additional red or green cherry.
Serves: unknown number. My family has never actually run out of this dish at a holiday party, so it could conceivably serve up to 80 or so people.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4241138
-
Happy Birthday Craig.
-
...My family has never actually run out of this dish at a holiday party...
Given the list of ingredients, perhaps the creator of this recipe should wonder why.
:o
-
And has no one else noticed that JMK has ascended to the HHW Heavens?? WELCOME!!
Actually, even I hadn't noticed! :P Well, according to some, G-d sent someone from heaven to earth around this time, so it's only fitting that HHW provide a counterweight (and believe me, I'm providing more of a counterweight than at any time in my life, LOL).
-
Given the list of ingredients, perhaps the creator of this recipe should wonder why.
:o
Amen!
-
OH! OH! OH! (That's HO! HO! HO! backwards...well, !HO !HO !HO backwards...)
Commentary
Vanquishing 'The Frozen Thing' from the Holiday Table
All Things Considered, December 22, 2004 · There is much talk about gaining those extra five or 10 pounds around the holidays, consuming all those traditional family favorites like Christmas cookies and eggnog. In commentator Laura Lorson's family, somehow, someway, her Mom got the idea in her head that a white frozen dessert was a beloved family ritual. Thankfully, Laura set her straight at a recent Christmas dinner a couple years ago.
Lorson share's her mother's recipe for the Frozen Thing below:
The Louisville Debuntante Frozen Fruit Salad (a.k.a. The Frozen Thing)
1 6 oz. package cream cheese
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. heavy cream, whipped
2 and 1/2 c. mini-marshmallows
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 c. green maraschino cherries
1/2 c. red maraschino cherries
iceberg lettuce leaves
Blend cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Fold in whipped heavy cream and fruit. Add in mini marshmallows. Pour mixture into a 1-quart pan. Freeze. (Word to the wise: this will take a while. Allow a couple of days.) Once frozen, remove pan from freezer and cut into squares. (Word to the wise: this will take a while. You may want to get a chisel and one of those rubber mallets.) Remove (pry) squares from pan: serve on iceberg lettuce leaves. Top with an additional red or green cherry.
Serves: unknown number. My family has never actually run out of this dish at a holiday party, so it could conceivably serve up to 80 or so people.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4241138
DRJose, is this from the cookbook "Dishes for Your Disposal"?
-
Happy sexy sixty birthdayd WFO!
(http://i22.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/11/71/6f_1_b.JPG)
-
JMK, are you afraid to write your amazon review because you didn't like the book, or are you afraid to write your amazon review because someone will think I excoriated you to write your amazon review?
-
And a happy Birthday, also, to DA CraigBrockman!
(http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/04/2e/6f_1_b.JPG)
-
JMK, are you afraid to write your amazon review because you didn't like the book, or are you afraid to write your amazon review because someone will think I excoriated you to write your amazon review?
Of course I liked it! ;) In fact, my only criticism would be you could have added 100 pages to it, providing even more backstory and character for each of your suspects--that way I could have fun reading it over two days, instead of just one. That, and you should have me help you proof next time (I did it professionally for many a year in my early 20s).
My Amazon comment was a joke after all the tsuris here the other day. :)
And re: excoriating. I'm sorry, but all it makes me think of is "The heartbreak of excoriasis." That's right, isn't it? :o
-
DRelmore... LOL (that's internet lingo for Laughing Out Loud!) The DP said the same thing about the candles rising from the lake. I looked at it as a tribute to the stage production, while he looked at it as just stupid. We then agreed that the rose much too quickly for the right effect and that perhaps if they moved a bit slower, it would have worked. Otherwise, it look like they came shooting up from the lake. I, however, liked the tribute, silly or not!!
As for the title song, let's remember who sang the song in the VERY VERY begining when the song was a pop song. Steve Harley, a well known british rock star and Sarah Brightman, another well known british rock star at the time. Albeit (did I just use that word) the song never was re-written to fit the rest of the score, it seems to be the way it was conceived. I heard once from a cast member that ALW was suppose to have "fixed" that disco feeling in all the tracks used in the theatre, it's obvious he hasn't, and looks like he never was as it showed up in the film.
Was that a run-on post or what?
-
DRJose, is this from the cookbook "Dishes for Your Disposal"?
LOL
;D
Although, I'm just wondering if it's necessary to freeze the concoction. Sounds like it would be good on a cracker...
Or as spackling. ;)
-
The funny thing about proofing is that I have several people do it, they all find different things, they all miss things (I'm talking about people who also do it professionally), and they all have different suggestions about the things they find in common. Ultimately, I fix what I think is important, leave some stuff incorrect for various reasons, and some stuff we ALL miss. I may well correct the spacing problems and a few other things I've found or others have found when the book hits its second printing.
-
As for the title song, let's remember who sang the song in the VERY VERY begining when the song was a pop song. Steve Harley, a well known british rock star and Sarah Brightman, another well known british rock star at the time. Albeit (did I just use that word) the song never was re-written to fit the rest of the score, it seems to be the way it was conceived. I heard once from a cast member that ALW was suppose to have "fixed" that disco feeling in all the tracks used in the theatre, it's obvious he hasn't, and looks like he never was as it showed up in the film.
Nope. When I saw the show in March, to my ears, it had yet to be fixed. It's such a weird aural moment in the theatre... The whole soundscape changes once that click-track starts. -And I still find it strange that they don't allow the Christine's to sing the high notes at the end even if they can - and they even have to audition with it!?!?!
-However, this may have changed over the past year or so, so.... Don't quote me.
-
I've done all my grocery shopping. Next up is the haircut at three. Tonight I shall prepare one of tomorrow's dishes - the cold tuna pasta salad. Then, tomorrow, all I have to do is the spaghetti, and a little home environment organization.
-
That line should have read "ALW said he was going to fix" not that he did fix it... my grammer stinks, sorry! But I think you get the picture now.
-
OH! And lo and behold, the one reviewer who I thought would actually really dislike HALLELUJAH, BABY! actually gave it a nice review. He didn't love it, and he admitted that the show has structural problems, but he admired the score - and the new additions to the score. Ya just never know.
-
Jose - I went through every post today - twice - to try and find your cookie recipe to print out. Finally went back to last night and bingo. Thank you for posting it. I'll try to make it in the next week or two and if certain people ask realy nicely, perhaps give them a few. Maybe.
My oven is being tempermental again - it's the Callas of ovens - so we'll see.
-
Did anyone else see the hilarious Onion review of Phantom yesterday, about treating people with post-melodramatic stress disorder?
HANDY-DANDY LINK TO SAID ARTICLE (http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4051&n=1&ref=myy)
-
Jose - I went through every post today - twice - to try and find your cookie recipe to print out. Finally went back to last night and bingo. Thank you for posting it. I'll try to make it in the next week or two and if certain people ask realy nicely, perhaps give them a few. Maybe.
My oven is being tempermental again - it's the Callas of ovens - so we'll see.
Well, I know I'll be baking Sunday night and Monday, so... And I think I may just send out some to various people here and there and hither and thither... ??
Callas? Maybe your oven is emulating Stratas?
-
Callas? Maybe your oven is emulating Stratas?
Both of them Little Bo Peep next to Miss Driver's La Carlotta in POTO.
-
YEAH! It's official! I'll be heading to Indianapolis in April! Hopefully, the snow will be melted by then.
;)
-
That's weird, I had to log back in. That hasn't happened in a VERY long time.
Thanks DR Stuart, I listened to "machetunim" which they pronounced "mack-i-too-nim" (the middle "e" is pronounced on the audio like planetarium).
The reason I asked how it sounded is because when I look at many of the words, they aren't written how they sound. For example "sheyne"/pretty and "medydele:/girl is what my grandmother used to call me. But it was pronounced Shay-na maid-e-la.
-
And to all DRs dealing with record snowfall amounts right now... Be Safe! May your water pipes keep running. May your electricity stay on. May your gas stoves and heaters keep you warm.
Take pictures too! :D
-
Well, I know I'll be baking Sunday night and Monday, so... And I think I may just send out some to various people here and there and hither and thither... ??
Excellent. Then I don't need to bake any for now. I didn't want to risk comparison to The Master anyway.
-
I am having fun getting the home environment ready. I'm hanging the last of the pictures that I never got around to hanging, organizing some things I'd never organized, and whatnot. I remember the horrid mad rush last year to be ready for the partay - I was working on Cowboy U and, as I recall, I didn't get off until three p.m. on the twenty-fourth. It was nutty. Or, maybe I'm totally mis-remembering and I was sitting around in my lounging pyjamas smoking my pipe along with the myriad other pipers piping.
-
Catching up at work. Before I go for the day.
Happy Birthday Craig. Nice To see you posting again.
-
Well, I'm sitting around in my lounging pj and smoking my pipe. Or at least vegging in my schlubby sweats and t-shirt. I'm back from my last meeting of the year and plan to not even go out except to walk Tewkes until BK's partay tomorrow night.
-
I shall be shorn shortly. Or shortly shorn.
Tomorrow I have no plans to leave the home environment. I shall happily smell garlic and tomatoes and various and sundried herbs and seasonings, and onions and mushrooms.
I am now wrapping the few presents I shall be giving. In fact, I am rapping whilst I am wrapping. Just call me BK-diddy.
-
DR Elmore and I share a decided indifference to Michael Crawford, and for me not just the Crawford of POTO but his earlier incarnations in the films of FORUM and DOLLY, in both of which I found him irritating to the point of distraction not only vocally but in his spastic style of acting and reacting as well.
I saw his BARNUM once, and I don't remember it angering me the way his other work has, but I'd need to see it again to give him the benefit of the doubt.
-
Spent a long afternoon shopping with my pal for home theater components. It's fun spending someone else's money and yet not being extravagant or indulgent. We got very good quality goods and very nice prices, and in the case of the recceiver, much more powerful than I would have thought possible for that little amount of money.
-
Jose asked for snow pictures, so I'll try. This was taken out our front door this morning. You're actually looking at an intersection of 2 residential streets; neither has yet been plowed, so who knows when we'll get out. Since this photo was taken my DH (dear husband) and DS (dear son) have cleared about half of the driveway and cleaned off my car.
I called the post office earlier to ask if we'd be getting mail today and the guy on the phone said, "Heck if I know!"
-
DR Elmore and I share a decided indifference to Michael Crawford, and for me not just the Crawford of POTO but his earlier incarnations in the films of FORUM and DOLLY, in both of which I found him irritating to the point of distraction not only vocally but in his spastic style of acting and reacting as well.
I saw his BARNUM once, and I don't remember it angering me the way his other work has, but I'd need to see it again to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Yay! Thank you, DR MattH! I was convinced I was the only person in the world who felt that way! Interestingly enough, I thought his BARNUM was pretty good, no Jim Dale, but not bad! I cannot analyze or understand what an underdeveloped part like the musical Phantom did to make him the scary megastar he's forcing on the world, but I feel the same about La Brightman: can't act too well, can't sing too well, has no taste in couture and sells out, singing opera and faux opera not too well!
-
Jose asked for snow pictures, so I'll try. This was taken out our front door this morning. You're actually looking at an intersection of 2 residential streets; neither has yet been plowed, so who knows when we'll get out. Since this photo was taken my DH (dear husband) and DS (dear son) have cleared about half of the driveway and cleaned off my car.
I called the post office earlier to ask if we'd be getting mail today and the guy on the phone said, "Heck if I know!"
Ohmigod, it's Poinciana Road!
-
Happy Birthday DR WFO and once again Happy Birthday Craig!
-
Ohmigod, it's Poinciana Road!
Sure is, and here's a view toward Central Ave. BTW, DS Rob is patiently teaching me how to resize my photos, so I hope this one is more viewable. When I see how this one looks, I'll have to fix him a nice taco dinner...
-
It's hideously sunny here in Portland. Sorry, but having grown up in the snowy mountains outside of Salt Lake City, it just doesn't seem like Christmas without snow.
I can't stand POTO. Unfortunately it is DS Betsy's favorite musical. She dragged me to see one of the touring companies that shows up in Portland about every other week.
What happened to ALW? I still think Superstar is a work of genius--there are some positively Prokofievan (-esque?) moments in that score. Then I fear he was replaced by a pod person.
-
Like others I have am not much of a fan of Mr Crawford's voice (Sorry Danise). He was however a wonderful Billy Liar "Billy" and I quite enjoy his performance in "Barnum".
He still does not claim to be a "Singer". His vocal coach Ian Adam has, believe it or not, done wonders with his projection etc. Crawford did not really "sing" in Forum and Dolly. "Billy" was the first time he really had to sing to an audience.
BTW. Local radio has been playing that Josh Groben "Christmas song!!" from Polar Express. I thought it was Michael Crawford. I guess the song will get an oscar nomination but IMHO it really is not very good at all.
-
Oh yes you wanted some snow pictures. We got about 13 or 14 inches here.
One of the neices trying to get back up the hill when sledding yesterday.
-
I'm listening to the demo recording of Beggar's Holiday. My favorite couplet:
I've learned most people are awfully cranky
They take your heart and don't say thankee
If only all they took was your heart, LOL. :D
-
Well, I can't stand Josh Groban either. Sorry, just too darned much vibrato. Drives me up a wall.
-
The neices building a snowman today. I don't know ifyou can tell how deep the snow is in this one.
-
I'm listening to the demo recording of Beggar's Holiday. My favorite couplet:
I've learned most people are awfully cranky
They take your heart and don't say thankee
If only all they took was your heart, LOL. :D
You mean John LaTouche used that couplet twice? It's in "I've Got Me," from BALLET BALLADS by LaTouche and Jerome Moross!
-
DR Elmore and I share a decided indifference to Michael Crawford, and for me not just the Crawford of POTO but his earlier incarnations in the films of FORUM and DOLLY, in both of which I found him irritating to the point of distraction not only vocally but in his spastic style of acting and reacting as well.
That makes three of us.
-
I just returned from the vet specialist where Echo had x-rays and an ultrasound before being diagnosed with cancer.
I'm very tired.
-
Well, I can't stand Josh Groban either. Sorry, just too darned much vibrato. Drives me up a wall.
That makes two of us.
-
Jane, I think we actually discussed this when you were up here, but if you want some advice (which you probably don't)--we dealt with cancer with our collie Ethel for over a year. It simply wasn't worth it in the long run (we spent probably close to $3000 in treatment). Ultimately the cancer got her and her quality of life for the last year was not what she was used to, especially after her second or third surgery. I think Betsy would tell you the same thing--keep Echo as pain free as possible, but if it isn't possible, do the humane thing and send her to her maker. It's a horrible choice, I know--we've had to do it twice with our elderly female dogs in the last couple of years.
-
"White Christmas". Love the photos. I don't think you guys are in OZ. Thanks Ginny & Joey.
-
You mean John LaTouche used that couplet twice? It's in "I've Got Me," from BALLET BALLADS by LaTouche and Jerome Moross!
Someone alert the copyright police. It's in "I've Got Me" from Beggar's Holiday, too (music by Duke Ellington).
-
That makes three of us.
No, DRJed! Say it isn't so!
-
Wise words JMK. We have loved our 4 legged family members and loved enough to let them go. Best decision - being with them at the time. Heartbreaking, but love.
-
That makes two of us.
Three! What is it with this superstardom of the second rate?
-
I just returned from the vet specialist where Echo had x-rays and an ultrasound before being diagnosed with cancer.
I'm very tired.
DRJane, I'm so sorry.
-
Wise words JMK. We have loved our 4 legged family members and loved enough to let them go. Best decision - being with them at the time. Heartbreaking, but love.
Yes, thank heavens our vet agreed to come to our house both times to administer the drugs. It was heartwrenching but at least we were able to cuddle them as they slipped away. It still affects me deeply to even talk about--Betsy and I were just talking last night (as BeeGee lay sprawled out on our pillows, keeping us from lying down on our own bed, LOL) how we were both "dog people" to the umpteenth power.
-
Someone alert the copyright police. It's in "I've Got Me" from Beggar's Holiday, too (music by Duke Ellington).
Well, maybe LaTouche figured BEGGAR'S HOLIDAY would never resurface and what Jerome Moross didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Does that demo recording go into how little is Ellington and how much is Billy Strayhorn?
-
In the last picture, the enormous pile of snow next to the garage is actually a car. You wouldn't be able to tell from that picture though!
-
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
:-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* DANCE, PAGE 7!!! DANCE!!! :o :o :o :o :o :o
[/move]
-
In the last picture, the enormous pile of snow next to the garage is actually a car. You wouldn't be able to tell from that picture though!
You're absolutely correct. It looked like a blue shadow. Isn't he in THE DESERT SONG?
-
So sorry to read that, DR Jane.
DR Tomovoz wrote: " Crawford did not really "sing" in Forum and Dolly."
Well, what he did was SUPPOSED to be singing, but I agree, that's not really singing. Don't know what it is really except VERY unpleasant. Screeching perhaps?
-
Speaking of THE DESERT SONG, has anyone heard the recent NEW MOON recording?
-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM F. ORR!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRAIG BROCKMAN!!
Hi Arnold MBrockman .
Thank you DRLaura & Panni
Jennifer thanks and I’m glad Coco is improving.
DiT I received your message, thank you.
Echo is doing better since we put her back on the prednisone. The doctor wants to do more tests to determine what kind of cancer she has before treating her. Now we have decisions to make. We can guess without the tests and hope we are right. I would like to give her more prednisone but we can’t increase it until after the tests as it could interfere with them.
Jose those cookies sound good so I saved the recipe.
JRand I’m so pleased Holly the Zaftig Sharpei is recovering.
Elmore feel better.
Michael Shayne, glad you are felling so well.
-
Speaking of THE DESERT SONG, has anyone heard the recent NEW MOON recording?
I've been tempted to get it, but so far I've resisted the temptation. I got that Decca Broadway reissue a year or so ago which might be all THE NEW MOON I need in my collection.
However, if anyone has bought this new complete version, I'd love to read your thoughts on it.
-
Good Afternoon!
Make that Four!
Make that Three!
-I hope that's right, I've lost count. ;)
I don't/didn't mind Crawford in POTO, but some of his studio albums have literally made me cringe at times with some of his more "dramatic" phrasings.
As for Josh Groban... Since most men's voices don't really mature until around age 30.... Who knows? Maybe he'll end up being a basso profundo... or end up doing the countertenor route?
;)
-
Well, maybe LaTouche figured BEGGAR'S HOLIDAY would never resurface and what Jerome Moross didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Does that demo recording go into how little is Ellington and how much is Billy Strayhorn?
Elmoore, now you've got me really curious--first, no, it doesn't mention Strayhorn (it's the OBC demo with Drake--evidently an LP was never cut of the score). I just jotted down the first 2 measures of this version. Are they the same as Moross'?
-
I just returned from the vet specialist where Echo had x-rays and an ultrasound before being diagnosed with cancer.
I'm very tired.
:'( :'( :'(
-
Elmoore, now you've got me really curious--first, no, it doesn't mention Strayhorn (it's the OBC demo with Drake--evidently an LP was never cut of the score). I just jotted down the first 2 measures of this version. Are they the same as Moross'?
Nope! Not even close to the Moross tune. It's recorded on WINDFLOWERS: THE SONGS OF JEROME MOROSS (PS Classics).
DRMattH, I don't believe the new recording of THE NEW MOON is complete; I understand a lot of cuts were made. I haven't seen the recording in stores, but I guess it's out.
DRJMK, according to a bio of Strayhorn from around 6 years ago, Ellington was never around the BEGGAR'S HOLIDAY rehearsals and most of the score is by Strayhorn. My favorite version of THE BEGGAR'S OPERA, after Brecht and Weill in the Blitzstein version, is Benjamin Britten's.
-
Oy, I have tried resizing this frigging thing about 12 times and it's either tiny or huge. What's goin' on (as Marvin would say?
-
DR Jane - I'm sure that whatever decision you end up making for Echo will only come out of care and love.
-When is your son due in town again?
-
Figured it out--evidently it stores the original version and you have to change the filename if you change the size. Oy.
-
...Oh, I guess what I never understood about the Crawford "mystique" was/is his status as a sex symbol among some of his fans - both female and male! Tom Jones, yes, that's comprehensible. Michael Crawford... Hmmm... ???
-DR Danise - Remember, that's what make horse-racing!
-
Write your review Deity JMK!
Hopefully Holly's cancer has been abated. I guess we will know in the next few months.
DRJOSE we will work on getting the snow out by April. Mamma Mia!
-
DRs Ginny and Joey - THANK YOU FOR THE SNOW PICTURES!!!
-Reminded of those great snowfalls we'd get in Ledyard, CT. We were at the bottom of the street which was a nice hill - perfect for sledding! And in our backyard, we had this sort of pit area where after a few days, we would have a mini ice-rink form as the snow settled and melted. Oh, those were the days at 13 Kennedy Drive!
-
Well... I now know what I will be getting myself for Christmas.. A new cell phone... It still works, but the display goes blank as soon as I pick it up... Ah, well...
OK - Time for me to head in for tonight's show.
Laters.... And from Richmond!
:)
-
December 24 10.54am. (In OZ). Where is François?
-
Pardon my non-knowledge but why will DR Jose be coming to Indianapolis? He has gone off to his show and I just do not have the patience to wait that long. ;)
Sorry to hear about Echo. ~Healing Vibes~
(I am a one man walking grammar accident tonight! Sheesh!)
-
Have we had enough choices on the topic of the day? I don't think so.
I am back and perfectly coiffed. I am once again kempt.
-
I just ate two marzipan chocolate bars that my former husband and his present wife sent me. Is that civilized, or what?
-
Pardon my non-knowledge but why will DR Jose be coming to Indianapolis? He has gone off to his show and I just do not have the patience to wait that long. ;)
Sorry to hear about Echo. ~Healing Vibes~
(I am a one man walking grammar accident tonight! Sheesh!)
DR Joey, we need DR JRand54 to supply the info; I'm not sure if DRJose is playing a show or doing some kind of a workshop. I think DR JRand54 knows more than I. TOD? What is it again?
-
DRJOEY - Jose will be playing in the pit of MAMMI MIA! when it comes to Clowes Hall in April.
-
Welcome eight GUESTS. We're talkin' about taking a Time Machine back in time - what year would you go to and what gift would you bring back from said year? Everyone can play, even... well, everyone.
-
Get in your time machine, DRELMORE, and go back to buy yourself a Christmas gift!
-
I just ate two marzipan chocolate bars that my former husband and his present wife sent me. Is that civilized, or what?
Well, the gesture was civilized, but I think eating both counts as gluttony, especially when you could have sent a close friend in NYC one of them.
-
DR Jane - Does it help to know what you're dealing with? Sorry that the news about Echo wasn't better.
-
The stockings (are) hung by the chimney with care...
-
Evening all!
DR Jane, I am so very sorry to hear the news about Dear Dog Echo. I can only agree that you and Keith will make the right decision regarding what is to be done with the same love and compassion that Echo has come to expect from you both.
We were allowed to leave work at three today. Since I ride the bus, I simply went down to the bus station and read my book while I waited for the four thirty to bring me home.
We had a mini party today. Everyone brought something in. One of the ladies brought in a very yummy dip. So yummy that I had to ask for the recipe. I went into the grocery store when I got off the bus to buy the ingredients and I think I shall make it tomorrow.
Here it is:
1 Pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 container (16 oz) sour cream but the lady told me she used low fat sour cream.
1 cup Hellmann’s or Best Foods Mayonnaise (again she used the low fat/light)
1 Pkg KNORR (has to be KNORR) Vegetable Soup, Dip & Recipe Mix
1 can (8oz) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 In medium bowl stir spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, soup mix, water chestnuts and green onions until well mixed.
2. Cover, chill 2 hours to blend flavors.
3. Stir well. If desired, spoon into round bread bowl. Serve with cut up veggies or chips.
She put hers in a regular shaped loaf of rye bread and served it with Ritz crackers.
It was WONDERFUL!
Happy,
Happy,
Happy Birthday,
DR William F. Orr!!!!
60 years young today.
:) :D ;D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/DofB5/Birthday_balloon.gif)
-
My angel collection takes up residence on the piano...
-
...and they're ready for their close-up...
-
DRJOEY - Jose will be playing in the pit of MAMMI MIA! when it comes to Clowes Hall in April.
Did I tell you he'd know?
This is like the wish list of shows you would have liked to see, so I want opening night tickets to these shows:
BABES IN TOYLAND, Chicago, 1903, June 17
BABES IN TOYLAND, New York, 1903, October 13, 1903
(Just to see what happened out of town)
DEAREST ENEMY, 1925
SHOWBOAT, 1927
ANYTHING GOES, 1934
JUBILEE, 1935
PORGY AND BESS, 1935
THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, 1938
OKLAHOMA!, 1943
THE GOLDEN APPLE, 1954
THREEPENNY OPERA, 1956
MY FAIR LADY, 1956
SHE LOVES ME, 1963
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, 1964
-
Page 8 Dance!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/DofB5/dancing_frog.gif)
-
Cute angels, Ginny!
-
Page 8 Dance!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/DofB5/dancing_frog.gif)
DRDanise, you've gone mad! Simply mad! When you come back to New York, you must show me how you do that.
-
Cute angels, Ginny!
DRGinny, how can I have known you for 28 years and not known about the angel mania?
-
Lovely photos today from DRGINNY and DRJOEY.
-
DR Jane, I'm so sorry to hear the news about Echo. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I was at the same sad place last year.
-
DR Ginny, you and Richard should drive to Indianapolis and meet DR Jose when he attacks the midwest. DR JRand54 could come, perhaps DR Joey, and there could be a Midwest Hainsies/Kimmlet partay! ::)
-
Well, the gesture was civilized, but I think eating both counts as gluttony, especially when you could have sent a close friend in NYC one of them.
Au contraire - I think I exercised great restraint. They sent FOUR.
-
Amazon review posted. There was some old broad over there singing something about "me and my town." :)
-
I didn't know Great Restraint needed exercise. I see Great Restraint jogging around the neighborhood regularly, and in splendid shape, too.
-
Au contraire - I think I exercised great restraint. They sent FOUR.
Oink! Oink!
-
i've eaten nothing but junk food all day. That's all I'm craving. I have to stop! For one thing it's impossible to brush those Goldfish crackers from your teeth. I just ate a ton of them while reading the paper.
-
DRDanise, you've gone mad! Simply mad! When you come back to New York, you must show me how you do that.
;D
-
i've eaten nothing but junk food all day. That's all I'm craving. I have to stop! For one thing it's impossible to brush those Goldfish crackers from your teeth. I just ate a ton of them while reading the paper.
And the marzipan bars! The defense rests.
-
Anyone who has seen Panni in person knows what a "ton" means - about six crackers. One doesn't remain skin and bones if one eats "tons". I should know.
-
elmore - have you played your H. Schmidt CD? I love it.
-
elmore - have you played your H. Schmidt CD? I love it.
I keep forgetting to take it in to the office and play it. Your description of Harvey's recording has me intrigued. I have to call him and thank him. On a scale of lousy friend, I sometimes go off the chart.
I sure wish I had a marzipan bar about now . .
I just got an email from Jane saying she cannot connect to the site right now and I'm to tell all of you DRs hello. The message was vague, but definitely hello.
Oh, DRPanni, she did say you should box those two remaining bars and send them overnight to NYC.
-
For you, Ginny:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/DofB5/angel6l.gif)
-
DR Elmore - I just don't get your subtle messages. What exactly is it that you want? Don't be shy, you're among friends. ;D
-
Anyone who has seen Panni in person knows what a "ton" means - about six crackers. One doesn't remain skin and bones if one eats "tons". I should know.
That remark is so disturbing it may drive me to eat another marzipan bar. Sorry, DR Elmore. And I had them all packaged up for UPS to pick up. Blame bk.
-
Elmore: I have that Windflowers Album. Windflowers is one of my favourite songs...especially Judy Kaye's wonderful rendition.
What can any of you film wizards out there tell me about Theatre of Death starring Christopher Lee; a horror film about the Grand Guignol Theatre. It was also known as Blood Fiend. I just picked up a version of it at my local video store for $4.99. It's apparently "transfered from original vault materials and is now presented completely uncut and loaded with extras, such as an 11 (11, count 'em) minute interview with C. Lee and the original radio spots.
-
DR Ginny, you and Richard should drive to Indianapolis and meet DR Jose when he attacks the midwest. DR JRand54 could come, perhaps DR Joey, and there could be a Midwest Hainsies/Kimmlet partay! ::)
I'd be up for it! Maybe I can talk my parents into getting me tickets to Mamma Mia as an early birthday present. Darn life of the poor college student!;-)
-
I'm out of popcorn AND Diet Cherry Coke! Either I have to go to the market or.... Well, DR Elmore, perhaps next year.
-
DR Elmore, I don’t know if I can explain this correctly but I shall try. Dear Uncle DerBrucer is the one who taught me so he might be the better teacher.
1. I went to www.photobucket.com and signed up for an account.
2. I went on the net and found some .gif pictures that are free and I liked. I had to download them to my hard drive. You do that by right clicking on the .gif and picking, “Save Picture As”
3. Next, I went to my photobucket account and clicked on “Add Pictures” then “Browse”.
4. I went to the file where I saved the .gif and then hit “Upload”.
5. Once it’s in my photobucket file, I click on the img option and copy then I just paste it into my post.
That’s all there is to it.
:D
-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
WFO & CRAIG!
(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/sehrgrosse/large-smiley-050.gif)
-
I just ate two marzipan chocolate bars that my former husband and his present wife sent me. Is that civilized, or what?
Well, I guess you will have to wait a few hours to know
whether it was Ex-Lax or chocolate!
[/size][/b][/i]
-
Cute angels, Ginny!
You want cute angels? I'll give you cute angels:
-
This is my angel collection:
Hmmm, maybe I should start collecting!
[/color]
-
If a guy looks like that, I am sure he must have a very little........................................... .......
brain
.[/size]
-
DRGinny, how can I have known you for 28 years and not known about the angel mania?
The angel thing is a fairly recent development. Although I've had some of them a long time (the right-hand one in the center section of the shadowbox - holding a candle - was on my 4th birthday cake), the collection didn't really start growing until several years ago. I happened to mention that I'd like "a few more angels" to put around our Advent candles just as the pop culture angel craze began. You can't see it in the photo, but the hymnal is open to "Angels from the Realms of Glory."
-
You want cute angels? I'll give you cute angels:
Cute and hot are not synonymous!
-
Elmore: I have that Windflowers Album. Windflowers is one of my favourite songs...especially Judy Kaye's wonderful rendition.
It's amazing how Moross' basically simple melody (it's the shifting harmonies that give it the emotional tug, I think) set such evocative lines by LaTouche into motion. Much as I love THE ODYSSEY, Homer doesn't do much to define Penelope's loneliness the way this song does. THE GOLDEN APPLE is such an amazing piece that I wish there were a fantastic complete recording.
-
Cute and hot are not synonymous!
Tell ya what. You quibble semantics while I deal with the angel, OK?
-
Theatre of Death or Blood or whatever it's called is fun.
I got two more box sets of Edgar Wallace films today. I have already begun viewing.
-
Hmmmm....DRCP - I remember seeing THEATRE OF DEATH on television, so I am sure some of it was edited .... but it was fun to see a movie about an avant garde theatre group. Some murders and I think we lose Lee about half way through the movie, but it's okay. Pretty easy to figure out, but it looks good.
I used to get it confused with that Vincent Price movie about the actor who was killing all the critics....this one isn't as good, but it is fun.
-
Tell ya what. You quibble semantics while I deal with the angel, OK?
Are you calling me antisemantic?
-
Cute angels, Ginny!
DR Danise - Thank you and thanks, too, for the sparkly angel gif.
-
Yea THEATRE OF BLOOD was the Price movie.
-
You do know, DRJay, there's a cut song from WHERE'S CHARLEY? called "Don't Introduce Me To That Angel"?
-
Are you calling me antisemantic?
I'm sure he was only yidding.
Speaking of which, I must hie myself (no mean feat) to the swanky Jewish retirement home and play piano whilst they nosh at some kind of soiree. A friend of mine with a sense of humor similar to mine once played a retirement home and said after her last number, "There wasn't a dry seat in the house."
;D
-
DRDanise, thanks for the how-to-do-it info. You should know that I'm a computer moron, so this oaf will wait for your next triumphant New York appearance.
-
I'm sure he was only yidding.
Speaking of which, I must hie myself (no mean feat) to the swanky Jewish retirement home and play piano whilst they nosh at some kind of soiree. A friend of mine with a sense of humor similar to mine once played a retirement home and said after her last number, "There wasn't a dry seat in the house."
;D
DRJMK, Oy! ;D
-
DR Ginny, you and Richard should drive to Indianapolis and meet DR Jose when he attacks the midwest. DR JRand54 could come, perhaps DR Joey, and there could be a Midwest Hainsies/Kimmlet partay! ::)
This very thought crossed my mind the other day when Jose asked about Clowes Hall. My grandmother used to talk about going to see shows there. In fact, during the discussion of how to pronounce Clowes, it was Grandma's voice I could hear saying it. Even though I've never lived a day of my life in Indianapolis, I feel very at home there - my mother grew up there, my parents were married there, and my sister was born there. Grandma lived there until after I'd moved to Ohio in the early '70s. So, the "Mamma Mia" is very much on my radar for spring (maybe we'll be shoveled out by then!). DR Jose, please keep us posted on the particulars.
-
Wrong day but a question for DRs. I just noticed that there was another film of "The Turn Of The Screw" made in 2000 and now available on DVD. I have remember "The Innocents" with Deborah Kerr as being most unsettling and chilling. I don't know anything about this version. Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated. If anyone says it is as good as "The Others" I shall most certainly avoid it.!!
-
Wrong day but a question for DRs. I just noticed that there was another film of "The Turn Of The Screw" made in 2000 and now available on DVD. I have remember "The Innocents" with Deborah Kerr as being most unsettling and chilling. I don't know anything about this version. Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated. If anyone says it is as good as "The Others" I shall most certainly avoid it.!!
DRTomovoz, this is the one with Colin Firth as the Uncle? I believe I saw this on "Masterpiece Theatre." It was okay, but nothing is as good as "The Innocents." That's a hard act to follow.
-
Theater of Blood is a fun film. The murders are done in the great tradition of Shakespeare with a great cast of British Actors. Side note: Vincent Price meet Coral Browne on the set and they eventually got married after he killed her.
-
This very thought crossed my mind the other day when Jose asked about Clowes Hall. My grandmother used to talk about going to see shows there. In fact, during the discussion of how to pronounce Clowes, it was Grandma's voice I could hear saying it.
I used to be in the Indianapolis Children's Choir and The Indianapolis Youth Chorale so I have performed in Clowes several times. I always got irritated when people pronounced it "Close" Hall. I am a stickler though. They actually have built a new building in what used to be the courtyard of Lilly Hall which is right next to Clowes, but I am rambling!
-
Well it's probably several years old now but it went in after I was no longer in the choir.
-
The future Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Price in a scene from the film
(http://www.liketelevision.com/web1/movies/thblood/theatbl215.jpg)
-
and they eventually got married after he killed her.
Usually happens the other way around.
Haven't seen THEATER OF DEATH in years, but it's great fun.
-
Thank you Larry. Decision now made. I won't bother going further.
-
Anyone who has seen Panni in person knows what a "ton" means - about six crackers. One doesn't remain skin and bones if one eats "tons". I should know.
How do you think I stay so thin? The more I live on junk alone, the less I weigh. ;D
-
JMK, belated congratulations. Welcome to the heavens.
Ginny and Joey I enjoyed the pictures of the snow. We had flurries this morning and I’m pleased to say that was it. I just hope the fog lifts so Bryan’s plane can land.
JMK I appreciate your advice very much. We will not have surgery. Three problem sites showed up. The doctor could not even find her right kidney under a very large cysts. Our dilemma is should we do biopsies and find out exactly what kind of cancer it is and then decide if we will try treating it with drugs, or should we simply give her mega doses of prednisone until it doesn’t work anymore. The doctor is treating is own dog with meds for bone cancer and says she is handling it well. Always Echo’s quality of life comes first, it is sometimes difficult to know which way to go to give her that. Our vet has already said she will come to the house.
Thank you elmore, Matt H, George, Danise and Ginny I think I answered your question before reading it.
Jose thank you. Craig rented a car in L.A. and drove to Sacramento to spend the night with his very good friend. He will be here tomorrow. Bryan is flying in after work tomorrow.
Panni, very civilized and thoughtful.
Ginny, nice angel collection.
DRLaura thank you, and I remember. I was thinking about that.
-
Thin is one thing - Panni is another.
Dear reader Sandra, I'm afraid I need some more sordid candies.
-
II just got an email from Jane saying she cannot connect to the site right now and I'm to tell all of you DRs hello. The message was vague, but definitely hello.
Oh, DRPanni, she did say you should box those two remaining bars and send them overnight to NYC.
LOL I thought you were going to tell Panni to send them to Ashland.
Thanks for delivering my message. I was tired and rushing when I sent the "vague" email. ;D
-
I am so perfectly coiffed I can't even believe it.
-
Thin is one thing - Panni is another.
You mean Stunning? Gorgeous? The It Girl? The Cat's Meoww?
Those who have met me in the flesh, so to speak, feel free to chime in.
-
I must get back to work. It is very stressful putting everything, way too much of everything back into my closet and bathroom cabinets. I trashed some of it, but not enough. I don’t know how all this stuff fit in there in the first place. I wish I was more like Keith.
-
Chiming in before I sign off. Petite comes to mind, not too thin. I think Panni should wear slinky clothes that show off her lovely figure.
-
[size=16]SIXTY!!![/size]
And one to grow on!
-
Happy birthday, Dear Reader William F. Orr and Dear Administrator Craig Brockman!!
I really hope everything works out well for you and Echo, Dear Reader Jane. I know how much you love her.
I'm all out of sordid chocolates, BK, but I do have a very long box of sordid cookies.
-
Well I got a late night creative urge, and taking caring of it and listening to some great jazz on npr. Good night all and see you the day before December 25th
-
When I went for my walk late this afternoon, I could feel the air cooling rapidly. (It was in the mid 60s today). It's 39 outside right now with promise for cold weather for Christmas. Makes it less inviting to walk in, but at least it feels like December.
-
Well I just spent 15 minutes trying to change my yahoo password, so my snoopy friend would not find out what his christmas present is! I kept getting error messages. Then I realized it would only take 2 minutes to erase the message with the confirmation of the gift.
Sometimes I feel so dumb.
And btw, why would someone who says they want to be surprised at christmas do everything in their power to snoop????
-
Didn't get any DVDs watched today, but I did get the DVR's hard drive watched and cleared. Now there's nothing stored on it that I haven't seen.
-
Has anyone else seen Anger Management? The first half was not too good. It was a good idea, with a great cast (adam sandler, marissa tomei, jack nicholson). But the writing was not funny. It definitely picked up a lot for the last half. But this movie should have been hilarious. Thankfully at the end they clarified some things which made no sense.
-
I have Princess Diaries 2 waiting for me tomorrow. Yeah! The video store also had De-Lovely. Not sure what other free dvd i shall rent on saturday. Perhaps that, or maybe Collateral. Not sure yet.
Also saw Phone Booth and actually liked it more than I thought I would. Quite interesting.
-
I think I was one of the few folks here that liked PHONE BOOTH a lot.
-
Skin and bones is not "not too thin". Sorry to have to say it, but even the darling daughter of Panni agrees with me on this issue.
-
I'm going to bed now.
DR Jane, I wish Echo all the best. Hopefully seeing your two sons will make her feel better. Take care.
-
Chiming in before I sign off. Petite comes to mind, not too thin. I think Panni should wear slinky clothes that show off her lovely figure.
It is my unbiased opinion that DR Jane is an astute and brilliant woman who should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (or Physics, if Peace is not available).
-
Dog park friends just dropped by unexpectedly. DD (Dear Dog) Abie had a riot running around with his friend Dugan from the park while the humans chatted.
-
My deepest sympathies and loving wishes for Echo, Jane, and Keith.
-
I was forced to watch Anger Management on a flight once. My pocket review would say that the biggest laugh on the flight came not from the film, but from a short shown after with Conan O'Brien's "news of the future", which contained this priceless bon mot:
"In the future, robots will replace humans in dull, repetitive tasks such as washing dishes and marrying J. Lo."
-
My time-travel wish? Oh, maybe back to Imperialist Russia, to "borrow" one of those Faberge Eggs. There's a number of 'em missing, y'know, and it would be fun to "unearth" one of those missing treasures. 8)
-
We had a mini party today. Everyone brought something in. One of the ladies brought in a very yummy dip. So yummy that I had to ask for the recipe. I went into the grocery store when I got off the bus to buy the ingredients and I think I shall make it tomorrow.
Here it is:
1 Pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 container (16 oz) sour cream but the lady told me she used low fat sour cream.
1 cup Hellmann’s or Best Foods Mayonnaise (again she used the low fat/light)
1 Pkg KNORR (has to be KNORR) Vegetable Soup, Dip & Recipe Mix
1 can (8oz) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 In medium bowl stir spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, soup mix, water chestnuts and green onions until well mixed.
2. Cover, chill 2 hours to blend flavors.
3. Stir well. If desired, spoon into round bread bowl. Serve with cut up veggies or chips.
She put hers in a regular shaped loaf of rye bread and served it with Ritz crackers.
It was WONDERFUL!
My sister makes this all the time. She (and everyone who has had it) loves it! My sister uses a round loaf of sourdough bread, hollows it out and puts the dip in the hollowed out loaf. You use the bread taken out of the loaf to use for the dipping. And when the dip is gone, you can cut up the rest of the loaf and eat that. :)
-
You want cute angels? I'll give you cute angels
:o :-*
-
On our trip to California this week, we paid our respects to one of our favorite entertainers: Mrs. Miller. DR Sandra points to her final resting place, up near the top, above the red flowers.
-
Tuesday we went to an arboretum in Pomona, and this is what we saw:
-
You want cute angels? I'll give you cute angels:
Someone auditioning for the role of Christine?
-
Here is our Christmas tree -- and just in time.
-
Topic of the Day: If I could go back in time and buy something (I don't know if I'd actually be able to buy it), I'd want the actual Excaliber sword and then produce a production of Camelot with the World's Sexiest Man Alive! :D And then I'd want to film it so that the entire world can bask in the glory that is Brent Barrett: the World's Sexiest Man Alive...with the real Excaliber sword!
-
Lovely tree DRLAURA - and thanks for the Miller pic. She is up awfully HIGH!
Good review JMK - but don't be surprised if sooner or later 5 people find it not helpful.
MR BK since your haircut do you now have the Main Mane?
-
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]! ! ! ! ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DR WFO ! ! ! ! ![/move]
-
When tickets go on sale for MAMMA MIA! we can choose a nice day for us to see it. I prefer a matinee, but whatever other DR's like is fine with me.
-
And then I'd want to film it so that the entire world can bask in the glory that is Brent Barrett: the World's Sexiest Man Alive...with the real Excaliber sword!
George, are you casting TWSMA as Arthur or Lancelot?
Surely not Merlin...or Genevere!
-
! ! ! ! ! VIBES FOR ECHO, JANE AND KEITH ! ! ! ! !
-
A Too Too Appropriate Page 11 Dance:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/WandaDuck/11pipers.jpg)
-
HAPPY, HAPPY TO WFO!!!!!!!
I, too, am perfectly coiffed today. Butch--yet perfectly coiffed.
I need to go back and read all the posts. I also need to go the grocery store. It can wait until tomorrow since it is for the ingredients for a salad (in the style my grandmother used to make--- even served in one of her bowls so that she will be well represented and remembered) for Christmas Day with my family.
I have no idea what MusicGuy will be cooking for our other family Christmas tomorrow night (which is why we will, alas, not be attending the elegant, swellegant soiree of Mr. Bruce Kimmel.
It was a snowy, blowy day here today. Well, not snowy, but this morning, a T-shirt was warm enough to go outside. Then late this afternoon some fierce winds came in which are very cold. Brrrrrrrrr!! I think it's down in the 40's already!!!! Who do they think I am, Klondike Annie?!?!?!?!
-
What would you do for a Klondike?
-
Good Evening!
...And, as promised earlier, from Richmond!
Good show tonight, but you could tell people were looking forward to the two days off coming up to get some rest - we've been going 10 days straight. *Now we do have some people in the show who are supposed to fly into Indianapolis tomorrow... Hmmm...
The drive back down to Richmond was painless, but there were the requisite stupid drivers out on the roads tonight. Use your turn signals!?!?!?!?!?
And the kitchen floor was clean when I stepped in the apartment too!
:D
-
DRs Ginny, Joey and JRand and...
I'll get my final, official confirmation for MAMMA MIA! the second week of January, but today I got the unofficial confirmation. If anything changes, I'll keep you posted.
I don't believe tickets for the Clowes Hall engagement go on sale until late January, early February - at least I seem to recall seeing that on the Clowes Hall website. In any case...
I can always arrange house seats for you guys. Again, they're house seats not comps, but who knows what could be worked out. Once we get closer to the date, you can just pick a date and time and I'll put in the house seat request. This way, just in case things do change, you won't get stuck with the tickets. And if things do not change, then you won't have to pay for the tix until the day of the show - and you'll have good seats too! *And, DR Joey, this will also give you a few extra days and weeks to save up your pennies. ;) -Although, if you'd like to sit in the pit, that can very easily be arranged too.
I actually like playing the show. It's a fun group. And the show itself is also a lot of fun - as long as you go in knowing that you're supposed to have a fun, fluffy time. Thought-provoking it is not, but it never has claimed to be. *And if you come in costume (spandex, platform boots, etc.), the company management will sometimes give you gift certificates good for local restaurants!
-
Oh....
And WOW!!! PAGE 11!!!
-
George, are you casting TWSMA as Arthur or Lancelot?
Surely not Merlin...or Genevere!
Well, if it were a perfect world, he'd be both Arthur AND Lancelot! But actually, I wouldn't mind which part he played. ;D
-
I'm watching the DVD of the Julie Andrews "Cinderella." It's absolutely delightful!
-
And Jon Cypher was quite the cutie! ;)
-
DRs Ginny, Joey and JRand and...
I'll get my final, official confirmation for MAMMA MIA! the second week of January, but today I got the unofficial confirmation. If anything changes, I'll keep you posted.
I don't believe tickets for the Clowes Hall engagement go on sale until late January, early February - at least I seem to recall seeing that on the Clowes Hall website. In any case...
I can always arrange house seats for you guys. Again, they're house seats not comps, but who knows what could be worked out. Once we get closer to the date, you can just pick a date and time and I'll put in the house seat request. This way, just in case things do change, you won't get stuck with the tickets. And if things do not change, then you won't have to pay for the tix until the day of the show - and you'll have good seats too! *And, DR Joey, this will also give you a few extra days and weeks to save up your pennies. ;) -Although, if you'd like to sit in the pit, that can very easily be arranged too.
I actually like playing the show. It's a fun group. And the show itself is also a lot of fun - as long as you go in knowing that you're supposed to have a fun, fluffy time. Thought-provoking it is not, but it never has claimed to be. *And if you come in costume (spandex, platform boots, etc.), the company management will sometimes give you gift certificates good for local restaurants!
That would be more than wonderful if it were to work out. How exactly would house seats work? Sorry I am not very familiar with the concept though I have probably been told how it works and have just forgotten.
I know it's just a fun show where you come and enjoy yourself. I make sure to research shows I go see to make sure I am not expecting the wrong thing. Many of my friends ask me what I think of a show when they want to go see it. I let them know what kind of story to expect because it can ruin an evening for some people if they go in with the wrong idea.
-
I am going to go start counting my pennies in my bubble gum machine bank! 8) (I got it as a funny Christmas gift from one of my roomates.)
-
That would be more than wonderful if it were to work out. How exactly would house seats work? Sorry I am not very familiar with the concept though I have probably been told how it works and have just forgotten.
I know it's just a fun show where you come and enjoy yourself. I make sure to research shows I go see to make sure I am not expecting the wrong thing. Many of my friends ask me what I think of a show when they want to go see it. I let them know what kind of story to expect because it can ruin an evening for some people if they go in with the wrong idea.
DR Joey - House seats are seats - usually a row or two in the orchestra section - that are set aside for use by the producer/production office for their staff and people in the show (cast, crew and orchestra). -Some "stars" will also work out a house seat rider in their contracts.
Basically, I would fill out a form with the number of tickets, the date and time for the performance that I would like to request house seats. They would be guaranteed either to my credit card or to my "account" (payroll deduction) - or I can pay for them in advance myself. They are then set aside at the box office for "my people" to pick up when they see the show.
*Whenever I go to NYC, and I decide to see a show at the last moment, I will go by the box office at half hour - sometimes earlier, sometimes later - and a lot of times the unused house seats have just been released for sale. The first time I saw HAIRSPRAY, I did this, and I actually ended up sitting in one of Harvey Fierstein's house seats - 6th row, center. Very nice! -And I didn't have to stand in line for hours on end for them either.
-
As for today's question, if I could go back in time and buy any present and bring it back, it would be this stereo that my grandpa designed for RCA. We have one of them, but it has gotten into disrepair and it would be nice to go back to get it for my mom because I know she would love it. I would also visit with my grandpa while I was there because he died of a heart attack before I was born.
-
DR Jose I may just have to keep that in mind when I get to New York! Hoping to go this summer! ;D
-
Actually, unused house seats are usually released around five p.m. the day of the performance. Anyone putting in for house seats has to do so forty-eight hours in advance. They also usually hold two emergency seats for the producer - when Richard Maltby couldn't get me his house seats for Miss Saigon (I didn't give him forty-eight hours notice), I ended up getting Mr. McIntosh's emergency seats.
-
Merry Christmas Eve!
Well... Since I have to do some grocery shopping and Christmas shopping(!) tomorrow...
Goodnight.
-
I don't know about you, but we'll stay all night and sing 'em all.