As promised, a report on Brooklyn, The Musical.
First, for DTM, who yesterday wrote (in reference to Actor's Equity and tickets):
"...courtesy..."?!?
One of the benefits of membership in the stage actors union is free tickets. They don't happen for Broadway shows as often as they used to, but all "showcase" or Off-Off Broadway shows are open (depending on availability of seats) to Union members for free upon presentation of your Union card. Off-Broadway shows crop up on the free ticket list also and sometimes, if a show is not doing well or the producer wants to generate some publicity or just put buttcheeks in the seat(cheeks) they will give free tickets to a number of outlets to be parceled out to various constituencies. So, as I said, courtesy of Actor's Equity, but it should really be courtesy of the producers of the show, I was able to see Brooklyn last night.
Yesterday JRAnd asked:
"Which artist or group do you have the MOST recordings by?"
Well, I'm not a "completist" but there are a few groups for which I think I have everthing or almost everything. I have everything from the Chad Mitchell Trio and the various incarnations (they became the Mitchell Trio after Chad left and had singers come and go, including John Denver). I also have almost everything by Peter, Paul and Mary, including an odd radio show from 1969 with Skitch Henderson. He hosted a show for National Guard troops and PPM appeared on the show in July and August of 1969 talking and performing some of their songs. I got it on cassette years ago from Sandy Hook (remember them) and just recently transferred it to CD. The only recording of PPM that I don't have is a live recording of a concert in Japan in the late 60s, which I have heard about but never seen. I also think I have everything from Michael Feinstein. I have a great deal of Sondheim, though not everything (I don't have the Night Music w/Judi Dench for example). I also have a lot of Barbara Cook, both show and solo CDs. In fact, I think starting from the Carnegie Hall concert in 1975 I think I have all the commercially produced CDs by Miss Cook. I have all of Nancy LaMott's CDs. I have all of Mandy Patinkin's CDs (I know he's an aquired taste). I have 3 of Lyn Larsen's AKA Music Guy) organ CDs (Kerry, are there any more?). I also have (with the help of DR Jay) the complete set of Capitol Sings CDs, ranging from Harold Arlen to Duke Ellington to Johnny Mercer to Around the World and more. IIRC (if I remember correctly) there are 20 CDs in the set.
That's enough. I don't post much and now I have logorrhea (look it up ;)).
That's all for now.
VHS: A Disney Halloween cartoon compilation. It has Donald Duck's Trick or Treat on it.
Yesterday JRAnd asked:
"Which artist or group do you have the MOST recordings by?"
<SNIP>
I have a great deal of Sondheim, though not everything (I don't have the Night Music w/Judi Dench for example).
Thanks for the BROOKLYN review DRBEN. Hmmmmmmmmm.....did people complain in the 1940's that Broadway shows weren't as good as they had been in the 1920's?
Ben (and der Brucer from a private message from several months ago), would you like a copy?
Today's NY TIMES op-ed page appealed to me:
www.nytimes.com/2004/11/05/opinion/05herbert.htm?th
Which brings me to the Democrats - the ordinary voters, not the politicians - and where they go from here. I have been struck by the extraordinary demoralization, even dark despair, among a lot of voters who desperately wanted John Kerry to defeat Mr. Bush. "We did all we could," one woman told me, "and we still lost."
Even though you say the devil knocks at my door
And you say my ship will not reach the shore
I've got a will and a thousand ways,
I've got a dream of a thousand better days
I've got a smile that just stays and stays,
That's the way it's gonna be, wait and see.
Even though you say I've reached the end of the road
And you say the tides are all runnin' low
Victory is waiting for me round the bend
I won't stay down for the count of ten
I've said it before, and I'll say it again,
That's the way it's gonna be, wait and see.
DR JRand: Congrats on the big 5000! And yes, I have heard of Joe Bushkin. I don't know exactly why I have heard of Joe Bushkin, nor do I think I have ever heard him play, but the name is familiar to me. Perhaps he was on CAMI's roster at one time or another.
Sad, and ironic, to say that I see that today's NYTimes has printed an obituary for Mr. Bushkin, who passed away on Wednesday.
I can't imagine why you are such a big John Abraham fan, DR MBarnum, but you certainly seem to be one! ;)
DRStuart, are you referring to John Abraham of SWINGERS, Jon Abrahams of SCARY MOVIE, or John Abraham, DRMBarnum's favorite softporn Bollywood actor?
And...
Godzilla - again!
(http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/US/11/04/trains.collide.ap/story.trains.collide.ap.jpg)
Subway cars are strewn atop one another in the aftermath of a collision in Washington.
(from CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/11/04/trains.collide.ap/index.html))
der "I think I'll Walk" Brucer
Elmore, THE RECKONING I want to see. The source material sounds interesting as does the other book by Unsworth, THE SONG OF KINGS. Sounds like my kind of stuff.
Do you (any of you, DRs) think the dust jacket of Miss Farmer's WILL THERE REALLY BE A MORNING? might have been the inspiration for DEByrd's iconic FOLLIES poster?
Yes, Frances' book was published in May, 1972. The jacket design is credited to Ben Feder, Inc.
DRJRand said:
"Frances lay dying in the hospital as Lois Kibbee was sweating over the book."
I may have asked this before, but is Lois Kibbee any relation to the great character actor, Guy Kibbee?
Congrats to DR PennyO on JEWISH THIGHS ON BROADWAY!
And more congrats on her mounting case against the notorious landlady!
And Positive Vibes for whatever is going on back home.
Sounds like the NYC contingent of HHW is going to have another great Time!
Thanks to DR Ben for the review of BROOKLYN. Your comments seem to parallel what others who have seen it have said. I think this show, like RENT and AIDA, is just not for me despite the talent of the performers. I didn't enjoy either of those musicals though I know plenty of other people who think they're great. I'd rather listen to BELLS ARE RINGING.
DRJENNIFER what would happen if you wore ALL your jewelry at one time? You would be the Zsa Zsa Gabor of HHW!
Do you think that the same people who like RENT like AIDA?
I
Today the items were an 30% off, and unfortunately my $42 necklace scanned at $6.30. Well that is a good price. But it was supposed to be 30% off of $10.50.
The elderly woman (a different one from last time) tried to tell me the discount was already in the computer.
OMG, if another person tries to tell me that I may go crazy. First off 30% off of $10.50 is not $6.30.
So i nicely explained that to her (as well as the fact that I could get the 6.30 price any day, since that was the scanning price).
Just had a lovely conversation with my house owner and he's a great guy. Taking care of the three or four outstanding things left to take care of. I may actually meet him later if I'm around - he has mail to pick up. If I'm away I'll leave it outside, but if I'm here, I'll say hello.
Re "Valmouth". I have the Chichester 1982 recording. Big Deal (a Fosse reference). Mark Wynter played the role of Captain Dick Thoroughfare. Significance. On my recent trip to London, the only Cd I purchased was one by Mark Wynter. He had a very successful pop career here and in the Uk in the early 1960's. He is also on one of the recordings of "Robert & Elizabeth".
I"m sure you all needed to know that.
Yesterday's JR question: I would have at least 40 CDs of Dusty Springfield and about the same of Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel (Duo and Solo careers). I have not repalced all of my vinyl of these favourites though. I probably have more Paul McCartney on Cd and record than I have of anyone else.
Been too busy for VCR, DVD and Cd this week. I've been compiling discs of obscure Australian release only recordings (1960s) for a radio station here. The record companies no longer exist and the market would not justify any commercial release of the material.
For the interest of the few pop people (of a certain age) at HHW,I have also recorded hard to find US singles "There's No Such Thing" (Jimmy Darren -from "Gidget") and Santo & Johnny's version of the theme from "Come September"
...Any chance you could get a pic of said house owner? :P
Going strictly by several friends here in town who loved both shows and haven't liked things I've loved like RAGTIME and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN.
DR Jennifer - Were/are you afraid that that $0.90 "karma" will come back to you? And not in a box?
;)
Jennifer, if you like Rent, I think you'll enjoy Brooklyn.
Dinah Shore in toyland with Hayley. Interesting collection François.
François I enjoyed the photo album covers.
François-that would be fun. I will book a flight tomorrow. ;D
still working on Sex
Do you think that the same people who like RENT like AIDA?
Off to my sister Molly's house for a night of LP's, 45's, and Pepsi!
dr tomovoz: ONJ also has a new cd coming out - of standards.Please let it be much better than Rod Stewarts 3!
More good news, elmore slept without meds!! How I wish I could watch your DVD’s with you.
I couldn't even make it through one listening of Rod Stewart's first of standards. :-XI prefer the Willie Nelson and Harry Nilsson discs.
MEDIA CHECK:He sneaks things in on the player in his room, which is why his report is different from mine.
CD - A Tale of Two Cities (The Musical)
DVD - Nero Wolfe (Season 2) alternating with The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries
VCR - Gargoyles: Wings of Darkness (The new SCIFI Channel Movie)
BookStand - The New College Latin and English Dictionary (to keep Jose on his toes)
Keyboard - Great Lyricists of Broadway, Hollywood & Tin Pan Alley
der Brucer (who just purchased one of the new-fangled electronic keyboards - you know the kind you say "Keyboard - Sebalius - Finlandia" and off she goes.)
Ella Fitzgerald Sings Rodgers & Hart ! ! ! Delightful.
I'm restless. I'm going out in the Jacuzzi in a few moments, but may take a swim first, since the pool is also very very warm right now.
This man collects Mr BK's rent! :o
(http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0304/16/marsden2th.jpg)
And BK's landlord without his X-Man costume.
And BK's landlord without his X-Man costume.
Friday media report:
CD (car) - Ella Fitzgerald's Rodgers and Hart Songbook - loved this on LP ever since being Elmore's rehearsal assistant for a R&H revue almost 30 (yikes!) years ago and finally splurged on the CD's last weekend.