Haines His Way

Archives => Archive 1 => Topic started by: bk on April 25, 2004, 12:02:05 AM

Title: SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 12:02:05 AM
Well, you've read the notes and you now know which language we shall be singing the score to Cats in.  So, let's have some sparkle and fizz and loads of lovely postings, some of which better be in Latin.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Panni on April 25, 2004, 12:22:21 AM
Semper ubi sub ubi.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jed on April 25, 2004, 12:39:46 AM
Quote
Wait, I know – why don’t we all sing the score to Cats in Latin? That would be very lively. Or not.

Memoria
Incomitatus a lux luna
Queo subrideo a priscus
Cuius bellus tum


Goodness yes, I feel quite lively now.

*My apologies for what is surely a rather wretched translation pieced together word by word
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 05:35:56 AM
First and most important.....................

Welcome back Francois. C'est Fantisque! Vous etes mon favorite Hansie/Kimlet du Paris!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 05:38:24 AM
DR Panni.

Did BK sing to you:

You may take me to the fair
If you do all the things you promise
In fact, my heart would break should you not take me to the fair
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 05:39:52 AM
BK: Was the the book fair outside or indoors?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 06:01:45 AM
Regarding the Tony Awards the year  Guys and Dolls/ Call me Madam won.

The Tony committee would do something similar in 1969 and 1970 (The years that 1776 and Applause won) There were no separate book and score categories. They were put in the Best Musical category. So The musical won and the book, and score won.

So if one had a choice who would you have chosen for

I listed all the contenders in 1969 because sometimes a book and score are nominated and the musical isn't.

Best Music Score 1970   (a slim year)
Applause
Billy
Coco
Georgy
Purlie

Best Book
Appaluse
Billy
Coco
Georgy
Purlie

I listed all the contenders in 1969 because sometimes a book and score are nominated and the musical isn't

Best Music Score 1969
1776
Canterbury Tales
Dear World
Fig Leaves Are Falling
Hair
Maggie Flynn
Promises Promises
Zorba

Best Book 19691776
Canterbury Tales
Dear World
Fig Leaves Are Falling
George M!
Hair
Maggie Flynn
Promises Promises
Zorba
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 06:15:11 AM
Also interesting that in 1971 the one and only time the tony commitee split the score category.

Best Music and Best Lyrics. I think its is the Drama Desk awards that award separate trophies for each.

The winner that year was Sondheim.

Interesting that each category ahd only three nominees that year.  Company, The Rothschilds and the now forgotten The Me That Nobody Knows

The other big musical that year was Two By Two with a Richard Rodgers score and a book by Peter Stone that were not included in the either category. There was also Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen Each only received a single nomination. David Burns for Lovely Ladies.... and a BK "favorite" Walter Willison for fetaured actor in Two by Two. Danny Kaye did get a nom and made Willison's life miserable on stage.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 06:15:49 AM
I am my own posting frenzy!!  (making up for yesterday)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 06:20:05 AM
(http://www.wakin-web.com/Wakin/Bio/Vegas/lion.jpg)
Ars Gratia Artis
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 06:35:32 AM
After 8 years and a degree, all the Latin I remember and rattle off is this:

Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram

I liked the photos, Dear Friend BK, and I look forward to more jolly shots of today's event.  I like the word sundried a lot, but I prefer sun dried, which reminds me of all the apple slices drying on the roof of my Grandmother's house in Appalachian Kentucky, a most peculiar sight, but a tasty treat.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Matt H. on April 25, 2004, 06:37:34 AM
Nice to see DR Francois back on the forum. Welcome home!

Well, I think '1776' has the best book ever written for a musical, but I think I would have given the score to PROMISES, PROMISES.

For 1970: book would probably be APPLAUSE (a weak field of choices) but for the score, I think I'd choose COCO. I love the music to that show.

I don't mind a bit that Steven Sondheim won two Tonys in 1971 for COMPANY's music and lyrics. Makes up a little bit for getting robbed of Tonys for WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, and FORUM.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Matt H. on April 25, 2004, 06:40:34 AM
I've been up since 5 a.m. Just couldn't sleep any more. Have already read the Sunday newspaper, gone to the grocery store, and answered morning e-mail, and it's not even 10 a.m. here yet.

Good that I have a long day ahead of me so I can get around to watching LA DOLCE VITA.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 25, 2004, 07:45:56 AM
This morning I went into my backyard (no time for a walk) and this is what I saw:
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 07:50:47 AM
The fair is outdoors and very spread out.  We were in a location that was just off the beaten path, and that was the problem.  We did have Kelly Lange next door.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 07:51:28 AM
I have to be a frenzy now because I shall soon be off to the book festival.  Lovely latin and sparkle and fizz thus far.  
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 07:52:25 AM
I had every good intention of going to sleep directly after posting today's notes at midnight, but I had a mild allergy attack and didn't fall asleep until one. During the attack, the bottom of my right foot was itchy.  I hate that.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 07:53:38 AM
Oh, and I forgot to mention that after the Glendale event helper Panni and I were hungry so we stopped at Dalt's, a restaurant in Burbank, California, where I had the most delicious macaroni and four cheeses.  Absolutely yummilicious.  But today the meal will be cookies.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 08:07:44 AM
Where in tarnation IS everyone?  The home fries are getting cold.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Matt H. on April 25, 2004, 08:17:55 AM
I'll be posting a nice George Eads picture later in the day.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 08:19:01 AM
Who's the fellow scribe with the beard in the photo posted last night?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Panni on April 25, 2004, 08:20:13 AM

Michael Shayne - Strangely enough - or not so strangely enough - I woke up singing "You May Take me to the Fair."

And I am in a few minutes off to the Book Fair.  Later, all!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 08:20:55 AM
DR Laura, THAT looks like the sunflower that ate Bette Midler!  ::)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079826/posters (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079826/posters)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 09:05:17 AM
DRMS - I would have kept all the Tony Awards for myself in those years.

I was always disappointed that Addison DeWitt was NOT in APPLAUSE, but then after reading found out that the creators of the musical had purchased the rights to the original story NOT the film....and since Addison was NOT in the story but a creation of Joseph Mankiewicz - it was verboten!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 09:05:53 AM
Have fun at the fair, and remember, DRPANNI, when you are watching people, they are watching you back.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 09:42:29 AM
Thanks JRand53.  Great headlines!  Now I will have to get Keith to save that for me.  

Matt H I agree with you Durbin’s adult films are better.  IT STARTED WITH EVE is one of my favorites.  I couldn’t remember the title so looked up her movies.  I realize there are a good number I have never seen.  What really surprised me was to see she was the voice of the Snow Queen in LOVE IS ALL in 1999.  

Hi François de Paris.  I just thought the cat was cute.  Interesting you chose the same day to return to us.

SWW & DerBrucer your wine selection was far better than mine was which is probably why I didn’t even have a full glass of wine in total.  Best of all, I didn’t gain any weight though I was very full by the end of the day.

Tomovoz I will put the movie on my list.  I have not found a great shortbread recipe yet.  Do you have one?

Panni, but that cat sells cat food in France.  I did find I couldn’t look at it very long, must be the flashing.  Seems there is a cat in this world that wants to convert you into a cat lover. :)

 
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 10:13:18 AM
All of this Latin-speak reminds me of something a friend of mine (Vicki) from college gave me.  Vicki told me that her father spoke Latin and translated a lyric.  She had it memorized and wrote it down for me.  I still have that actual piece of paper.  Can anyone guess (or actually translate) what this is:

Popoculus nauta sum
Popoculus nauta sum
Et am om nem spinem
Et pugnam at finem
Popoculus nauta sum

There (unfortunately) is no prize, but I thought that it was pretty funny that her father chose this phrase to translate into Latin! ;D
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 10:14:41 AM
This is exactly what she wrote, but it seems to me that the third and fourth lines might have to be switched...just a thought (and maybe even a klew). ;)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 25, 2004, 10:32:06 AM
Is it:

"The Farmer in the Dell"????
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 10:32:57 AM
Is it:

"The Farmer in the Dell"????

Nope.  But good try! :D
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 10:41:21 AM
Just got back from seeing CONNIE AND CARLA with my goddaughter.  I laughed a lot.  I've got one last Mickey-Judy number to work on today; their first pops concert in San Diego, I believe, is in July, if any DRS on the West Coast are interested.

DR George, I haven't figured out your poem, since I gave up Latin in 1968, and I have no vocabulary and grammar left.  I did once read WINNIE ILLE PU and ALICIA PER SPECULUM and ALICIA IN TERRA MIRA, which were published in beautiful editions, but I only sing a few Christmas songs in Latin at request, and most requests these days are to not sing them.

DR Jay, what was your opera du jour yesterday?  I can't think of a single operatic toilet joke to make.  Dammit!



Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 10:44:19 AM

 ;D :o ::) :P :-* :) ;D ;) ::) :-* 8) ;D :) ;) :D ;D[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%][/move]

Did it dance?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 10:45:06 AM
I'm a DUD!!!!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 10:53:59 AM
Elmore, this is what you typed:

 ;D :o ::) :P :-* :) ;D ;) ::) :-* 8) ;D :) ;) :D ;D [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%][/move]

You need to put your text (or in this case, the smilies) IN BETWEEN the [ ]brackets[/ ]
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 10:54:51 AM
So, what it should look like is:

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] ;D :o ::) :P :-* :) ;D ;) ::) :-* 8) ;D :) ;) :D ;D[/move]

If you quote my message, you can see the code and how it's supposed to be done!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 10:57:56 AM
DearReaderLaura, I just love your daily pictures even if I don’t comment on them.  They brighten my day. :D

Bruce I enjoyed the pictures and details from the fair and look forward to more.  
Good Vibes people get off the beaten path today.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 11:03:55 AM
Der Brucer has been fascinated by the birds that are showing up in our area.  He's even set out bread, seeds, and other birdie munchies to attract them.  (Obviously, birds aren't on the Atkins plan.)

This has led to some conversations about the various noises that different birds make.  "Don't worry," he told me, "If there are any bluejays in the area, you'll hear them.  They can be quite raucus."  Then, after a moments thought, he added, "I'm not sure what kind of sound cardinals make."

I couldn't resist, and suggested "Dominus vobiscum?"
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 11:06:08 AM
...I've got one last Mickey-Judy number to work on today; their first pops concert in San Diego, I believe, is in July, if any DRS on the West Coast are interested...
Somehow, I don't think you mean Mickey Spillane/Judy Carne.  Although that would make for an interesting combination, too.   ;D
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 11:11:10 AM
So, what it should look like is:

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] ;D :o ::) :P :-* :) ;D ;) ::) :-* 8) ;D :) ;) :D ;D[/move]

If you quote my message, you can see the code and how it's supposed to be done!
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%][/move] :) ;) :D ;D ::) :-* :) ;) :D ;D >:(

Well, I don't know . . .
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 11:13:17 AM
DR George, I still don't know!  I'll keep trying.  I think the problem, besides terminal stupidity, is figuring out how to get the smilies into the brackets.  I can slay a dragon, I can read Greek, easy.  THIS IS NOT EASY IF YOU'RE A MORON!!!!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 11:28:55 AM
Elmore, it does take getting used to!  What you can also do is put all your smilies (or whatever text you want to move) in the "message" box, use your cursor to highlight it, THEN click the "marquee" box to move them.

The text/smilies will then appear in the middle of the two "[move...]  [/move]" brackets.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 11:44:43 AM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%][/move] :) ;) :D ;D :o ::) :-* :) ;) :D ;D :o ::) :-*[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%][/move]
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 25, 2004, 11:44:44 AM
Friends of Gord's recently returned from New York. They're a couple in their forties, well educated with high-powered jobs, big earners, two kids, nanny, etc. I asked what plays they had seen, and they looked bewildered. So what had they done? Shopped in Soho, eaten at celebrity restaurants, and gone to bars.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 11:45:09 AM
It lives!!!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 11:46:27 AM
Friends of Gord's recently returned from New York. They're a couple in their forties, well educated with high-powered jobs, big earners, two kids, nanny, etc. I asked what plays they had seen, and they looked bewildered. So what had they done? Shopped in Soho, eaten at celebrity restaurants, and gone to bars.

Well, as Dorothy Parker once said, you can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think.

DR George, I love you!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 12:01:51 PM
Anytime, Elmore!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jed on April 25, 2004, 01:00:02 PM
Trying to figure out George's Latin... something about a sailor?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jed on April 25, 2004, 01:08:39 PM
Ha!  Just figured it out, George!  And now I know the Latin word for "spinach" :D
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: TCB on April 25, 2004, 01:32:52 PM
WHERE in tarnation is everyone???
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: TCB on April 25, 2004, 01:34:44 PM
Ahh, Jed, do you think your clew about the Latin might have been just a bit too subtle?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: TCB on April 25, 2004, 01:39:27 PM
The day, here in the Pacific Northwest, is nearly perfect.  The sun is shining, the skies are blue, it is about seventy degrees, and there are lots and lots of half-naked young people going by my house on the way to Point Defiance Park.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jed on April 25, 2004, 01:48:28 PM
TCB, you've inspired me... I'm headed out into this nearly perfect Pacific Northwest day in search of half-naked young people.  (Well, not too young... I have no desire to lose my teaching certificate!)

Subtle?  I don't know from subtle.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Matt H. on April 25, 2004, 01:48:57 PM
Still working my way through LA DOLCE VITA. I'm about 100 minutes in. Amazing that this was considered raunchy back in the day.

As promised, here's the gorgeous George Eads. No particular reason for posting this except it came up on my CSI calendar the other day, and I know there are a couple of other fans of his here at HHW.


Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: George on April 25, 2004, 02:04:33 PM
Ha!  Just figured it out, George!  And now I know the Latin word for "spinach" :D

You're right, Jed!  If I had a prize to give, I'd give it!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Tomovoz on April 25, 2004, 02:07:13 PM
Mon ami François will no doubt appreciate your welcomes but he will not be here until Wednesday (your time) so will probably miss them. He works (Paris time), Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and only has computer access at that time. He has been READING HHW all the time he has been absent from posting. I was going to write that in Latin but it's all Greek to me.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Tomovoz on April 25, 2004, 02:11:59 PM
DR Laura, THAT looks like the sunflower that ate Bette Midler!  ::)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079826/posters (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079826/posters)

I do hope that sunflower was given a standing ovation and some national recognition.

I would add my photos Laura but I don't have a digital camera. Appreciate your photos but can't compete! Will try and do something about posting more OZ photos soon.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: MBarnum on April 25, 2004, 02:26:16 PM
DR MattH, thanks for the pic of Mr. Eads....always a welcome sight!

TCB, clean the slobber off of your front window.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:30:29 PM
Only 57 posts!! Where is everyone!!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:31:53 PM
Okay I'll throw somethings out there!  What Musicals should not have been awarded the Best Musical of the year or should have even been nominated???

And if so who should have won???
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:35:59 PM
I'll start

1960: The Sound of Music and Fiorello!
Should have won Gypsy!  
When was the last time Fiorello! had a major revival any where????
Comparing Gypsy to TSOM. as much as I like the latter. Gypsy is the superior musical.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:37:53 PM
1964  The year Hello, Dolly won. As fun as the musical is I think She Love Me was the better show that year. Funny Girl really was all about Streisand and there has never been a successful revival anywhere including the tour with Pia Zadora
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:39:31 PM
1966 ----Man of La Mancha.  That year there was also Mame and Sweet Charity.  Man of La Mancha was really a one song show (The Impossible Dream) I mean when was the last time someone recorded or sang To Each Each His Dulcinea?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:40:52 PM
1972---Two Gentlmen of Verona, Now what was the hit song from that show again. Despite its perceived book problems it should have been Follies.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 02:41:22 PM
When was the last time Fiorello! had a major revival any where

I think the Pulitzer-winning Fiorello is somewhat superior to The Sound of Music, which grinds to a halt for that Ordinary Couple thing.  But don't judge it for its lack of major revivals.  It was done at Encores! and I saw it at the Westbury Music Fair with original star Tom Bosley.  In all likelihood, Fiorello! doesn't get done much outside of the New York City area because people don't recognize the name Fiorello LaGuardia.

Numbers from Fiorello! went over very well a year ago in the revue I assembled of Bock & Harnick songs, Grand Knowing You.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:42:19 PM
1975-----Why was The Lieutenant even nominated that year???
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 02:45:03 PM
1976......A Chorus Line. I don't think the show has really stood the test of time. That year there was also Chicago and Pacific Overtures. The former is now the longest running book musical revival on Broadway.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 02:51:34 PM
1966 ----Man of La Mancha.  That year there was also Mame and Sweet Charity.  Man of La Mancha was really a one song show

The Tony goes to the whole show, and when just one hit (or none) come out of the score, it's no reflection on the overall quality.  Mame's the first Broadway musical I ever saw, and Sweet Charity's very dear to my heart.  All three shows have stong books, but Dale Wasserman's for Man of La Mancha is wonderfully compact, and succeeds in getting a great deal of emotion out of an ancient and familiar tale.  I'd call it a dead heat, but can't view it as particularly tragic that La Mancha got that nod.

The last three songs sung at the Promenade Thursday night: I Don Quixote, Aldonza and the finale version of The Impossible Dream.  (Our first act closer was There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This from Sweet Charity.)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 02:56:01 PM
1976......A Chorus Line. I don't think the show has really stood the test of time. That year there was also Chicago and Pacific Overtures. The former is now the longest running book musical revival on Broadway.

Yes, but the longest-running original run of an American musical on Broadway is A Chorus Line, which still gets hundreds of productions worldwide every year.  It may be of it's time, but it's certainly stood the test of time.

I view A Chorus Line as the last truly top-rank musical, a breathtaking emotional experience that, in effect, changed musical theatre forever.  Now, I also saw Chicago that year and liked it a lot, but it doesn't hit at the heart nearly as hard as A Chorus Line, a show that no show since has surpassed.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 03:09:41 PM
1975-----Why was The Lieutenant even nominated that year???

Well, on that one I agree with you.
I don't know anything about The Lieutenant, but how could you not nominate Goodtime Charlie which had four nominated performances and a whole bunch of really good Hackady/Grossman songs?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Robin on April 25, 2004, 03:13:07 PM
I just spent two hours watching the deeveedee of Star!, and I just plain gave up on it..the Significant Other, who's never seen the movie before, is sticking with it 'til the bitter end.  

Robert Wise's films are usually so much better than this...

Is anyone else planning on picking up the Universal Monsters boxed set being issued on Tuesday?  Since I missed some of the later deeveedees on the first time around, I am...I'm just hoping against hope that they fixed the hideous problems on The Bride of Frankenstein, one of my all-time favorite films.  
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Robin on April 25, 2004, 03:15:18 PM
I view A Chorus Line as the last truly top-rank musical, a breathtaking emotional experience that, in effect, changed musical theatre forever.  Now, I also saw Chicago that year and liked it a lot, but it doesn't hit at the heart nearly as hard as A Chorus Line, a show that no show since has surpassed.

All I know from A Chorus Line is the movie.  And, Lord knows, I despised that version of it.  I'm assuming the staged version was infinitely better....but then, it'd have to be.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 25, 2004, 03:24:15 PM
Thank you, Jane.
And now I'm off to fold newsletters. I should be gone until the wee hours of the morning.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 03:34:51 PM
All I know from A Chorus Line is the movie.  And, Lord knows, I despised that version of it.  I'm assuming the staged version was infinitely better....but then, it'd have to be.

It's a work of absolute genius from the mind of a rare talent, Michael Bennett.  He had a vision in which every dance step, every light cue, and every spoken or sung line served to illuminate the audience as to what the life of dancers on the "line" is really like.  If you've seen the movie, or a production not helmed by Bennett, you haven't seen A Chorus Line.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 04:53:33 PM
All right, let's get a posting frenzy going or Dear Friend BK will not be fit to live with!  I've always been more interested, DR Michael Shayne, on Tony winners who didn't deserve to win.  for instance, the late great lamented Lynn Thigpen, in my opinion, deserved to win for TINTYPES but she lost to Lauren Bacall, who seemed to me to sleepwalk through WOMAN OF THE YEAR.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: elmore3003 on April 25, 2004, 04:56:26 PM
This could be extended to losing nominees in other categories as well:  when I worked on recording BABES IN TOYLAND with Sir Ian McKellan, I told him, "you was robbed," because I thought he deserved the Academy Award for GODS AND MONSTERS over all the other nominees.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: MBarnum on April 25, 2004, 05:00:50 PM


Is anyone else planning on picking up the Universal Monsters boxed set being issued on Tuesday?  Since I missed some of the later deeveedees on the first time around, I am...I'm just hoping against hope that they fixed the hideous problems on The Bride of Frankenstein, one of my all-time favorite films.  

Yep, I have pre-ordered mine from Amazon.com and hope they will arrive this week! Those 1930s/1940s Universal horror films are comfort movies for me...they bring back such fond memories of staying up for the Creature Features movie at 11pm on Saturdays and watching HOUSE OF DRACULA or GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN.

I am also getting (on this same order I think) the 2nd Ma and Pa Kettle set and the Francis the Talking Mule set, not to mention about half a dozen 1930s poverty row horror/mystery films  on DVD from Alpha (5 films for 25 bucks!).
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: MBarnum on April 25, 2004, 05:05:57 PM
Have spent the last hour lounging on the lounge chair in my backyard soaking up the wonderful sunny weather and reading Kritzer Time.

I stopped to read the posts and check e-mail and eat a can of herring fillets in tomotoe sauce. Now I will return to my back yard and continue reading. Hopefully I can finish it up tonight. As several DRs have mentioned that the ending is a tearjerker I don't want to be caught reading that part whilst on the cardio machinery at the gym (which is where i usually do my reading)...that would be unseemly to be seen crying at the gym!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 05:15:29 PM
Happy Reading, DRMBARNUM.

Well, actually, DRNOEL, I don't live in the Big City - but I do know who Fiorello LaGuardia was....but that certainly doesn't mean I want to see a show about him.  I have the cast album which I have listened to once, and I have seen a production of the show, I am indifferent to its charms.\

I agree that A CHORUS LINE is all you say.  I saw it at the glorious Shubert Theatre during its original run.  It was a very emotional experience.  And as for the movie....no comment.  It has been said here before.  Don't judge the show by that thing.

LOL now I can sing it in Latin!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 05:18:56 PM
Chorus Line story: When I was at Fresno State, one of the last productions I was involved in (working the house) was Company (Bob Westenberg as Bobby).  Cast party, after opening night, we all gathered at Bunny's house (she played Joanne) and had a grand time.  I brought along two LPs, the cast albums for Pacific Overtures and A Chorus Line, both of which had just come out.  Number of playings per disc: PO = 0, ACL = infinate.

This is in FRESNO!  Don't tell me they didn't know what was selling, just from the cast album!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 05:21:39 PM
Probably the best known song from Fiorello is "A Little Tin Box," a novelty song.  No wonder it isn't produced often these days.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 05:23:40 PM
Angriff der 50 Fuss-Frau! Sehen Sie ihren GebirgsTorso. Ihre Wolkenkratzerglieder. Mit Allison Hayes! Sie won't glauben Ihren Augen!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 05:24:40 PM
Goodtime Charley doesn't even have "A Little Tin Box."  Yawnsies.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 05:27:10 PM
Attaque de la femme de 50 pieds ! Voir le son torse montagneux. Ses membres de gratte-ciel. Avec Allison Hayes ! Vous won't croyez vos yeux !
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 05:29:13 PM
Babelfish will give you a great translation for up to 150 words!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Danise on April 25, 2004, 05:32:04 PM
Evening all,

I spent the day doing yard work.  After today I won't be back out in the yard until June so I hope it will stay pretty nice until then.  This was the last of the "big" jobs before I go.  

We also had a very nice day.  My first one of the season in shorts!  I know a few people will be a bit shocked when they see how fair skinned I am but not everyone in Florida has a tan.

I had a pretty good scare last night.  I bought a full length mirror and hung it on the bathroom door using the little tap tabs I bought that said they were for that purpose.

Well, about four o'clock this morning, I was awakened by a very loud bang noise.  I thought my Mother had fallen so I jumped out of bed and into the hall just in time to catch the mirror as it fell forwards.  

Whew!  Just managed to avoid those seven years of bad luck!

I looked at the pictures from yesterday.  I'm afraid I didn't know who the other author was/is.  

Latin isn't something I'm big on.  I know a few phrases but I can't read or write it.  It's all Greek to me!  LOL!

I decided I will comment on the cookie question.  Forget the cookies--it's the cookie dough that I'm after!  I could eat a whole batch of the stuff and never bake one cookie.    

Not to brag but as of this morning I am 7 (yes you read that correctly) 7 pounds away from my goal.  I'm losing despite myself.  I think I'm being bad and when I wake up the next morning, I STILL manage to lose another pound!

So I guess I should ask the question--how many of you who said you were going to diet, did and how are you doing on it?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 05:37:51 PM
I've been through location hell at the fairs, BK.  Der Brucer and I went through it with the Christopher Street West Festival one year in West Hollywood, and that once was enough.

Of course, part of the story is about what crowd you're playing to, which can make a large difference.

Flash back oodles of years, say the fifth year der Brucer and I were together.  Which makes it something like thirteen and a half years ago.  I was still scorekeeping for the Long Beach Gay Softball league at the time, and the team I was with was looking for something to use as a fundraiser at the Orange County Gay Festival that year.  Someone mentioned the idea of astrology, someone else mentioned computer dating, and all eyes fell to us.  Der Brucer was the only one even associated remotely with the team who understood computer programming, so it fell to us to come up with something that the team could use to combine astrology and computer dating.

Easier said than done.

Well, we were able to pull together some various bits and pieces.  For one thing, der B found an early computerized astrology program, which he hacked into and rebuilt from the basic maths up.  I researched the astrology, and was able to write up some decent non-gender biased profiles for each of the planet-sign combinations and the aspects.  We were further able to find a generalized "this sign goes with that" listing, and built that into what we had.

The final product was two-layered.  A customer could either go for a cheapie, which gave him/her a sheet with what their sign was (and a general reading), along with what signs they matched up with, or go for a more specific reading, which told them where each of their planets were located, along with theier aspects, and what each of all that meant.  The gimmick was that with each reading everyone was also given a yarn "bracelet" of a certain color, and a list of which colors they should look for to find a "match."  The whole thing depended upon how many people bought into the program and had the bracelets.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 05:39:53 PM
I'm back - interesting day, which I'll talk more about after I get something to eat.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 05:43:00 PM
1972---Two Gentlmen of Verona, Now what was the hit song from that show again. Despite its perceived book problems it should have been Follies.

1972 is often cited as the What-Were-They-Thinking? year as Follies is widely thought of as a masterpiece and Two Gentlemen of Verona is largely forgotten.

Follies was a most ambitious undertaking.  The creators sought to say something about how American optimism from the years between the World Wars had dissipated; in Act Two there's something of a musical nervous breakdown . . . for four!, and, I think, we're meant to care about the shattered lives of four middle-aged people who deeply regret some of the choices they've made for their lives.

Two Gentlemen of Verona certainly had less loft ambitions: the idea was to tell the Bard's comedy with a multi-ethnic cast and a similarly wide variety of musical styles: rock, R & B, dixieland jazz, classical-tinged musical comedy, salsa, samba and country waltz.

Now, Two Gents is largely forgotten, a thing of the hippie era.  You don't see performers doing Pearls or Symphony; meanwhile, I'm Still Here, Broadway Baby and Losing My Mind are done all the time.  I think both scores are terrific, although I'd give the edge to Sondheim's Follies.  I can think of no score from the past four decades that contains a higher quantity of truly brilliant numbers.  (And if you count the songs written for it, but cut, even more!)

But (brace yourselves) every time I see Follies it leaves me cold.  Somewhere after Too Many Mornings I cease caring for that regretful quartet of characters and wonder why I'm being subjected to so much whining.  Nothing is satisfyingly resolved; they all go home.  And if the show's said something about America, the point's lost on me.  Two Gentlemen of Verona, on the other hand, achieves 100% of its (admitedly less lofty) ambitions.  It's funny on almost every page and there's a great sense of fun to it.  Thurio's Samba always makes me laugh, just as You're Gonna Love Tomorrow/Love Will See Us Through always dazzles me.

They're both full of merits, but I can see how the Tony voters that year, opted for the show that succeeded in all of its ambitions over the noble near-miss.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 05:53:15 PM


Is anyone else planning on picking up the Universal Monsters boxed set being issued on Tuesday?  

I'm getting the Hammer Horror boxset tomorrow - - Christopher Lee!
The only Legacy I'll be getting is the FRANKENSTEIN set, for the re-mastered and corrected BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN.  Except for one double featured MUMMY, I have all of the other Universals.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 05:56:49 PM
PART DEUX:

The Orange County Festival was fairly small, and our booth did fairly well.  There was the glitch of having a very slow printer; if someone wanted the full reading, it took several minutes to print it out.  Still, we made some money for the team, a nice share more than the investment.

During the winter between seasons, der Brucer fiddled and gadgeted with the program, getting it to run faster.  Getting a faster printer didn't hurt, either.  Come spring, we were ready for a second try, which came with the Long Beach Gay Pride Fest, in May.  This time, the beneficiary was the Long Beach Gay Softball League, but it still required der Brucer and myself to man things the entire run of the festival, which meant that we had to be there before the festival opened each day and couldn't leave until after the fest had closed.  That made for very long days.

The better printing mechanisms paid off.  As it happened, more people wanted the full print-out this time, which was fine by us.  Again, we had a success on our hands, which is why we agreed to running the program a third time, at the Los Angeles Christopher West Fair, mid-June.

Ooopsies.

Personally, we couldn't have tried it at a worse time.  My mother was dying of cancer, and we didn't know if I would be called up north, not to mention the emotional stress I was going through.  But the Fair itself was no picnic.

We were given a booth that we were assured would be in the hub of things.  It was not.  We were parked well out of the natural traffic flow.  That was strike one.

Strike two came that Saturday, when the crowds are smaller.  I would have thought that we would have done good business, in spite of the location.  Wrong, because the Saturday business was mostly people who just wanted to look and stare, and maybe laugh at what was there.  It was the day of the jaded West Hollywood snobs.  Making things worse was the reappearance of my ex, who had vanished years before I met der Brucer.  He wouldn't even acknowledge my presence, making things even worse for me, and thus worse for der B.  I was an emotional wreck.

Sunday, after the Gay Pride Parade, was even worse than Saturday.  Everyone followed the parade to the festival grounds...and headed directly to the beer vendors.  They had no intention of looking at anything other than each other, and getting another glass of beer.

We barely even made enough to pay for the booth.  

So I can fully understand BK complaining about not having a good location.  I sometimes wonder about whether these festivals are even worth anyone's time.  But it depends on the festival, and the atmosphere.  The OC and LB festivals were great, friendly places.  I sometimes forget that.

A couple of years later, der Brucer and I went to the CSW festival again.  There must have been three other booths selling computerized astrology readings that year.  None, from what I could tell, were as well written as I had done.  OK, that's vanity on my part.  But they weren't doing much business, either.

That's the way things go, I guess.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jay on April 25, 2004, 06:05:33 PM
DR Jay, what was your opera du jour yesterday?  I can't think of a single operatic toilet joke to make.  Dammit!

I'm still making my way through today's posts, but when one someone asks me a direct question, a direct answer I must convey!

It was a strange double-bill, comprised of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci and Orff's Carmina Burana, the latter accompanied by a ballet.

Carmina Burina is sung in Latin, by the way (BTW in internet lingo), so I am in keeping with one of Dear BK's requests for our posts today.

Although the production of Pagliacci was interesting--updated to the 1930's or thereabouts--the Canio was very weak.  A Pagliacci with a weak Canio is just not a lot of fun, I have to report.

As for the Carmina Burana, I thought the dancing was OK.  At times it did expand upon the music being sung, but there was a lot of redundancy, I thought, to the choreography, and I could have done without the dance involving a live snake.  The Dear Mother, however, really enjoyed this approach to Orff's unusual work.

Opera Pacific was saving its money on casting with this double-bill.  The Nedda of Pagliacci sang the soprano part in Carmina Burana.   The Silvio sang the baritone part and the Beppe sang the brief, but challengingly high tessitura tenor part.  (He did a terrific job with it, too.)

The chorus plays a major role in both pieces, and it was very good.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 06:06:54 PM
What's wrong with BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN dvd that was put out?  I have it, but I must not have looked closely!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Robin on April 25, 2004, 06:08:43 PM
I'm getting the Hammer Horror boxset tomorrow - - Christopher Lee!

What Hammer Horror boxset are you refering to, DR TD?  I had no idea one was being issued!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jennifer on April 25, 2004, 06:09:47 PM
Since we're only on Page Three, I'll add a few posts before I head upstairs.

DR Danise: I have not been weighing myself.  But I think my diet and exercise regime is going quite well.  And it will only get better as soon as it gets warm enough so I can bike everyday.

The weather here has been up and down.  I did get to bike a few times last week.  But this weekend has been so cold and so windy.  There were actually ice pellets coming down tonight. :(
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jennifer on April 25, 2004, 06:11:53 PM
Woo and now we're on Page Four.

I must head up and watch the last 20 minutes of Alias (which I taped).  Another good episode.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jennifer on April 25, 2004, 06:13:16 PM
Oh and tomorrow I shall have my most favorite dinner in the world.  Baton Rouge baby back ribs and fries.

No diet for me this weekend (and tomorrow). :)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jay on April 25, 2004, 06:13:37 PM
In all likelihood, Fiorello! doesn't get done much outside of the New York City area because people don't recognize the name Fiorello LaGuardia.

Talk about coincidences.  Just yesterday, the Dear Mother and I somehow got onto the subject of New York area airports.  We had no trouble remembering that before JFK was JFK, it was Idyllwild.  But what was LaGuardia Airport called before it was called LaGuardia?  Or is LaGuardia Airport a Robert Moses special, by which I mean there was no airport there previously, but private property, which was acquired and then leveled in order to make room for the airport.

Can any of you Dear Readers out there in the dark enlighten me?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 06:14:31 PM
Danise has your heart stopped racing yet?

The chocolate chip cookie dough you buy at the market (is it Pillsbury?) is much better raw than cooked.  :) I had a regular babysitting job when I was sixteen and was instructed not to eat the cookie dough or to give it to their daughter.  They finally gave up and stopped buying the stuff.  It was my only fault and they loved me. I always washed the dishes for them, at first that was done upstairs in their bathroom since the kitchen was being remolded.  And I sat for free if they got home from work late (they paid great, how could I not).  The daughter was 11 but didn’t like being home at night alone and I just lived across the street.

Seven pounds-wow!  That is how much I gained this year.  One down, and six to go for me
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Robin on April 25, 2004, 06:17:05 PM
What's wrong with BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN dvd that was put out?  I have it, but I must not have looked closely!

The image isn't framed correctly, the picture is darned close to being out-of-focus.  

For an example of the first, check out the fadeout after the hermit has put the Monster to bed; the cross in the background, which is supposed to remain through the fadeout is half cut-off...one can only see half of it!  On the laserdisc version of the movie, you can see the whole thing; in fact, I held onto the laserdisc because it was superior to the deeveedee.  

In all fairness, though, Universal did a phenomenal job on the deeveedee extras.  I've been led to believe they've retained the extras on the new boxed sets.  I certainly hope that's true.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 06:17:59 PM
Talk about coincidences.  Just yesterday, the Dear Mother and I somehow got onto the subject of New York area airports.  We had no trouble remembering that before JFK was JFK, it was Idyllwild.  But what was LaGuardia Airport called before it was called LaGuardia?  Or is LaGuardia Airport a Robert Moses special, by which I mean there was no airport there previously, but private property, which was acquired and then leveled in order to make room for the airport.

Can any of you Dear Readers out there in the dark enlighten me?

I can't enlighten you, Jay, but, this past week, my mother and I were discussing exactly the same thing.  She can't remember there being an airport on the north shore of Queens that wasn't called LaGuardia.  She also pointed out a fellow needn't be dead before they name an airport after him, e.g. Ronald Reagan airport in Washington.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Robin on April 25, 2004, 06:20:29 PM
I'm really excited about seeing the new Universal Horror deeveedees.  I love these films passionately...even the ones I don't particularly love, like House of Frankenstein, I still enjoy an awful lot.  
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 25, 2004, 06:25:42 PM
(DR Jay - I checked this out.)

History
First occupied by Gala Amusement Park, LaGuardia Airport was built, in 1929, into a 105-acre private flying field. Ground was broken on September 9, 1937 for a new airport, which was built jointly by the City of New York and the Federal Works Progress Administration. It was dedicated on October 15, 1939 as New York City Municipal Airport. On November 2, 1939, the name was changed to New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field. On December 2, 1939 the airport was opened to commercial traffic.
In 1947, the year the airport was leased to the Port Authority, it was renamed LaGuardia Airport. A new Central Terminal Building was opened in 1964, enlarged in 1967 and again in 1992.

Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 06:27:20 PM
There's really little I enjoy more than discovering previously-unknown-to-me musical theatre material.  Donald Feltham's radio show this week has many such treasures, the most lovely of which was that One Wing song, from a show to which Donald has written the book.  Good job, Donald!  I look forward to seeing the whole thing.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 06:33:22 PM
Jennifer I hope it warms up for you soon.

SWW I enjoyed your story.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jay on April 25, 2004, 06:33:23 PM
(DR Jay - I checked this out.)

History
First occupied by Gala Amusement Park, LaGuardia Airport was built, in 1929, into a 105-acre private flying field. Ground was broken on September 9, 1937 for a new airport, which was built jointly by the City of New York and the Federal Works Progress Administration. It was dedicated on October 15, 1939 as New York City Municipal Airport. On November 2, 1939, the name was changed to New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field. On December 2, 1939 the airport was opened to commercial traffic.
In 1947, the year the airport was leased to the Port Authority, it was renamed LaGuardia Airport. A new Central Terminal Building was opened in 1964, enlarged in 1967 and again in 1992.

That's awesomely quick and thorough information, Dear Reader Dan-In-Toronto.  Thank you!  Have you ever considered going on Information, Please?

This confirms my suspicion that Robert Moses was involved, as Mr. Moses was the power behind the 1939 New York World's Fair, which was held in Flushing Meadows, adjacent to LaGuardia Airport.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Danise on April 25, 2004, 06:34:35 PM
Glad to hear your doing so well, Jennifer!  Keep up the good work!  :)  

My firend at work and I go over to the parking garage and walk on our breaks and at lunch.  That might not seem like a lot but it's pretty steep (much better than walking on the flat streets) and it is 8 floors.  

*chuckle*  Yes, Jane, my heart has slowed down but it did give me a fright.

I want to share a little program I just found on the web:

http://www.contactplus.com/products/freestuff/count.htm

You might have to do a copy and paste to get to it.  

It's a count down clock/calandar.  I've wanted one 'cause I think they're neat.  For Example:

As of right now I have:

It is now Sunday 4/25/2004 at 9:34:03 PM
Event: Vacation 1
Scheduled For 5/13/2004  5:00:00 AM
17 days 7 hours 25 minutes 57 seconds or
2 weekends or
18 days or
415 hours (277 waking hours) or
24,925 minutes or
1,495,556 seconds

Until my trip to Utah!


Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 06:46:53 PM
Short rant coming up.  I would like to know why the markets have to stick barcodes on fruits and vegetables with super duper sticky stuff.  It is so annoying removing them without gouging the food.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 06:49:44 PM
Danise, are you just a little bit excited about your trip?  ;D
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Panni on April 25, 2004, 06:50:21 PM
I'm back and I'm tired. Just walked and fed the dog. Going to shower now. I'm sure bk will fill you in on the events of the day.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 06:52:57 PM
Danise I just noticed the time.  Is 5am the flight time or when you leave the house?  I hate those early morning flights.  They make it very difficult to sleep the night before, but then I expect you will be too excited to sleep anyway.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jay on April 25, 2004, 06:56:25 PM
For those of you who lost sleep wondering:

The shopping expedition with the Dear Mother yesterday was successful.

What we learned:

--All toilets look alike.

--One can spend a lot of money on a toilet.  I mean a lot of money.

--All the stores we went to (but one) that stocked toilets only stocked toilets in white.  This is not very helpful when one is trying to replace a 40 year old  toilet--the tank of which cracked--in a shade somewhere between beige and mauve.

--Attempting to find a toilet in a shade somewhere between beige and mauve--so it matches the color of the 40 year old porcelain sink and tub in the same bathroom as the aforementioned cracked toilet--is no easy task.

--As expensive as toilets are in white, they are outrageously more expensive in a color.  

--Buying a toilet in a fashion color means placing a special order, which means waiting weeks for your toilet to come in.  (Which sounds like a cross between "My Ship" and something from Urinetown.)

--Lowes stocks exactly one toilet in a bone color that was close enough.

--The sales person at Lowes (this was at the store in Irvine, California) was knowledgable, pleasant and efficient, which is more than can be said about the help we got at Home Depot.

--Lowes' toilet installation fee is ten dollars cheaper than that of Home Depot.

--Lowes will cart away the old toilet for free while Home Depot will charge an additional ten dollars for the task.

And now you know, too!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jay on April 25, 2004, 06:58:01 PM
Short rant coming up.  I would like to know why the markets have to stick barcodes on fruits and vegetables with super duper sticky stuff.  It is so annoying removing them without gouging the food.

Bring back brown paper bags on which the greengrocer totals your bill manually using a grease pencil.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 07:02:42 PM
I've eaten.  It was so hot today and just sitting (with a couple of exceptioins) is really draining in this kind of weather.  Not as many sales as yesterday but did okay.  I also spent a half-hour signing at a different booth on the main level and even though I only sold one book there, I spoke to lots of interesting people and gave out lots of post cards and bookmarks.  A world of difference between that and where we were.   Still, I'm glad I did it.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jay on April 25, 2004, 07:12:08 PM
Today I saw a screening of a film created to celebrate the 250th anniversary this year of the founding of King's College, now better known as Columbia University.  The film's creator is Ric Burns, a classmate of mine and fellow alumnus of Dear Reader Noel.  Mr. Burns is probably best known for his multi-part documentary on the city of New York for PBS.  

[Ric should not be confused with his brother Ken, who did the widely lauded Civil War documentary for PBS.  (Though Ric did have a hand in that, too.)]

The film is very well done and brought back a good number of great memories, as a couple of my favorite professors are interviewed in the film.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 07:18:10 PM
SWW I enjoyed your story.
Thank-you.  It was much easier writing it than living it at the time.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 07:19:19 PM
I'm soooooo tired.  I did eat cookies for lunch, though.  If I can get up the energy to load it, I have a photo of said cookies.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 07:20:52 PM
Jay LOL and LOL

Bruce, hope you cooled off and are relaxing.  I have been waiting to hear how today went.  Now I can say goodnight.  

Goodnight.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jane on April 25, 2004, 07:22:58 PM
Thank-you.  It was much easier writing it than living it at the time.

It usually is.  :D
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 07:24:23 PM
--All the stores we went to (but one) that stocked toilets only stocked toilets in white.  This is not very helpful when one is trying to replace a 40 year old  toilet--the tank of which cracked--in a shade somewhere between beige and mauve.
You do realize, DR Jay, that the toilet you are replacing is older than some of our fellow (and femellow) DRs!

We won't go into the "cracked" descriptive.   ;)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Emily on April 25, 2004, 07:25:29 PM
I thought I'd pop in to say that procrastinating schoolwork is fun (especially when such a site as this exists with which to procrastinate through.)

I have my sociolinguistics exam tomorrow afternoon at 2 and then my contemporary european politics (with the Christiopher-Fitzgerald-as-Boq lookalike professor) exam on tuesday.  Then I have summer!!!  Huzzah!  Hoo and Ray!

It feels like only yesterday that Swishy, Maya and I were all complaining about having to go BACK to school and now the year is almost over for me.  

How time flies! :)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 07:26:53 PM
We need someone to film a documentary on toilets.

But it will probably have to be released in two versions: the original and the sanitized.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 07:29:32 PM
Page Five Dance!

[move=right,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D :D :D :D :D[/move]
[move=right,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D :D :D :D :D[/move]
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D :D :D :D :D[/move]
[move=right,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D :D :D :D :D[/move]
[move=right,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D :D :D :D :D[/move]
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jay on April 25, 2004, 07:31:26 PM
We need someone to film a documentary on toilets.

But it will probably have to be released in two versions: the original and the sanitized.

Times two for a total of four:

Northern hemisphere versions will depict swirl in a clockwise direction, while southern hemisphere versions will depict swirl in an anti-clockwise direction.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 07:33:39 PM
What Hammer Horror boxset are you refering to, DR TD?  I had no idea one was being issued!

A collection of horror classics from Hammer Studios. Six films that feature horror stars Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

Includes:

The Curse Of Frankenstein (1957)
Horror Of Dracula (1958)
The Mummy (1959)
Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968)
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)
Taste The Blood Of Dracula (1970)
(http://www.lasersedge.com/gfx/1/front/49080.jpg)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 07:36:15 PM
I have my sociolinguistics exam tomorrow afternoon...
And you are having an effect on some of your fellow DRs, dear Emily!  Or at least one of them.

Der Brucer has been reading a book called Mighty Fine Words and Smashing Expressions: Making Sense of Transatlantic English by Orin Hargraves.  For FUN!

This, instead of reading Kritzer Time.

Oh, to have this burden of guilt at as young an age as yours!

 ;D :o ;D
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 07:37:14 PM
Times two for a total of four:

Northern hemisphere versions will depict swirl in a clockwise direction, while southern hemisphere versions will depict swirl in an anti-clockwise direction.
Proof that we're thinking of you, DR Tomovoz!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 07:45:24 PM
The final afternoon of the Rehoboth Beach Food and Wine Festival is over.  Has been for a few hours, just haven't posted about it 'til now.  And what a glorious time was had.

We started back at the Blue Moon again, to reconnect with Dennis, Tom and Tom from Rainbow Ridge Winery. (http://rainbowridgewines.com/)  (Sorta sounds like a Newhart reference!)  Nice fellows, who have had a very good time over the weekend.  We ended up following them over to their next stop, over at S&S Liquors, for another tasting they were holding, along with another winery that had a very interesting sparkling wine that was accented with almonds!

A bottle of the RR Chardonnay and the almond sparkler now reside in the spare fridge downstairs.

From there, over to DISH! again, for some French wine and cheeses.  No way can we afford a Bordeaux, but I do love a good Beaujolais.  That, plus we got to strike up a good conversation with the chef/owner of DISH!, answering some of der Brucer's questions about the business.

All and all, a good weekend for us.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 08:00:12 PM
Sunday evening is a nice time of reflection!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 08:02:32 PM
Watching 20 Million Miles to Earth....

Major:  That rocket landed on the planet Venus!

Newsman:  The PLANET Venus?

Suggested response:  No, the WAFFLE Venus.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Charles Pogue on April 25, 2004, 08:04:26 PM
BK, so how did you get up to the top level?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 08:05:41 PM
Watching CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND with DTS sound, my walls are rockin'!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:08:03 PM
All right, let's get a posting frenzy going or Dear Friend BK will not be fit to live with!  I've always been more interested, DR Michael Shayne, on Tony winners who didn't deserve to win.  for instance, the late great lamented Lynn Thigpen, in my opinion, deserved to win for TINTYPES but she lost to Lauren Bacall, who seemed to me to sleepwalk through WOMAN OF THE YEAR.

Any thoughts?

I had the same opinion of Ms Bacall when I saw Woman of the Year. i thought she was walking throught the show. The excuse I made was that it was a matinee and she was saving her energy for the evening performance. Looking back I think it was a lousy excuse.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:08:55 PM
Watching CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND with DTS sound, my walls are rockin'!

 Which version are you watching?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:10:35 PM
One of the CDs I listen to this was Jane Monheit live at the Rainbow room. Has anyone seen or heard her? I think she is wonderful and she sang a wonderful arrangement of Over the Rainbow. One of the best after the classic version of course
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: S. Woody White on April 25, 2004, 08:11:35 PM
I really should sit down and give a listen to the Hairspray OCR again.  We're going to an "Evening With" Shaiman and Wittman in New Jersey tomorrow eve, and a little more familiarity is in order.

It seems like such lightweight piffle, though.












 ::)  ;)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 08:11:50 PM
Which version are you watching?
The DTS sound version.  ;)

the only one available on dvd. . .from Columbia, so, it's the original release, complete with the mashed potatoes.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:15:19 PM
Okay a quick poll for my vacation in June...

Should I go to LA and Australia/New Zealand or
Should I go to Italy and Germany or
Should I go to LA and then travel up the coast to San Fran.

I have only been to LA before.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Noel on April 25, 2004, 08:15:23 PM
Tony winners who didn't deserve to win.  for instance, the late great lamented Lynn Thigpen, in my opinion, deserved to win for TINTYPES but she lost to Lauren Bacall, who seemed to me to sleepwalk through WOMAN OF THE YEAR.

Any thoughts?

I saw both performances, and found Thigpen vastly more Tony-worthy than Lauren Bacall.  It seemed the Tony voters were just awarding a major star's return to Broadway.  But that show couldn't help revealing how weak Bacall is as a musical theatre performer.  Lynne Thigpen was the real deal.

So, you see, I don't always think the Tony voters are right!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:17:27 PM
The DTS sound version.  ;)

the only one available on dvd. . .from Columbia, so, it's the original release, complete with the mashed potatoes.

The original theatrical version, special edition or the director's cut?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 08:20:55 PM
Germany and Italy DRMS.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:30:26 PM
I always hated how they decide who is a lead and who is featured performance.  I mean Tom Bosley and Tammy Grimes won featured awards for playing the title roles in Fiorello and Molly Brown. Their names were below the title! George Rose won best actor for a supporting role in My Fair Lady when his role was a supporting one. He was nominated because his name was above the title!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 08:30:38 PM
The original theatrical version, special edition or the director's cut?
Tthe one released to dvd restores the film to its original ending, although we don’t get the 1977 cut of the movie. Instead, the DVD provides a third edition of the flick, one created by Spielberg for a 1998 VHS and LD release. This 137-minute “Collector’s Edition” cut combines different aspects of the 1977 and 1980 versions.

Go to NZ!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 08:32:32 PM
. . .and unless my memory has failed, isn't our esteemed BK somewhere to be found in CE3K?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:37:13 PM
. . .and unless my memory has failed, isn't our esteemed BK somewhere to be found in CE3K?

He is one of four people in a tv commercial that inspires ET to phone home.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:39:15 PM
It would be nice if they release a super set of all four versions of Close Encounters.....1) Original Edition  2) Special Edition 3) TV version that combines 1 & 2 together 4) The Director's cut (Video version)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 08:47:25 PM
It would be nice if they release a super set of all four versions of Close Encounters.....1) Original Edition  2) Special Edition 3) TV version that combines 1 & 2 together 4) The Director's cut (Video version)
Seamless branching would do the trick.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: td on April 25, 2004, 08:48:26 PM
He is one of four people in a tv commercial that inspires ET to phone home.
Oh, well, I KNEW that BK wasn't in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or A.I. . . .does that count for anything?
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Michael on April 25, 2004, 08:55:44 PM
Oh, well, I KNEW that BK wasn't in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or A.I. . . .does that count for anything?

Or was he in Saving Ryan's Privates
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Emily on April 25, 2004, 09:01:28 PM
Have any of you seen the subservient chicken website put out by Burger King yet?

Hours of fun (yes I have an exam-feebled mind)

http://www.subservientchicken.com/

Just type in a command and watch the chicken obey!  Remarkable!  What did we do before the internet?!? ;)
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Matt H. on April 25, 2004, 09:23:31 PM
The FIORELLO score is not one of my favorites either, but I've never seen the show on stage, and I'm sure I'd be more enthusiastic about it if I could see the songs in context.

Not going to get into the FOLLIES debate again. I think it's fabulous, score AND book. Definitely should have won Best Musical that year.

I also would have picked either OVER HERE! or SEESAW as Best Musical over RAISIN. I did not find the drama of A RAISIN IN THE SUN enhanced at all by adding music. On the contrary, I found the piece less affecting.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Matt H. on April 25, 2004, 09:27:58 PM
I ordered the Universal DRACULA and WOLF MAN boxed sets. I had FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE, and just didn't want the others. I had the original DRACULA and WOLF MAN Universal issues but none of the sequels which went out of print very fast. Glad I can get them this way at a very nice price.

Once again, thank you, Universal, for these great deals on classic films.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 09:45:57 PM
Not in Close Encounters, am in ET.  Good posting frenzy - top notch and all that.

Pogue - I got invited to sign at Book 'em Mysteries - really nice folks.  In fact, I visited all the mystery booths and told them all I'd finished my first mystery and they were all wonderful and said whenever it was time that they all wanted me to sign.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 25, 2004, 10:13:21 PM
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm really looking forward to Danise's pictures from her upcoming trip!
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: bk on April 25, 2004, 10:14:00 PM
I'm looking forward to photos from Danise, and also photos of cookies.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Jrand73 on April 25, 2004, 10:23:07 PM
Here's a cookie we just lost.

Miss Frances Rafferty!   :'(  Of course I remember her mostly from DECEMBER BRIDE.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Panni on April 25, 2004, 10:49:33 PM
I'm back after doing a few things. Just had supper - a tad late at close to 11 - but better late than never. Missed the Sopranos. Drat!
The Book Fair was fun and HOT. I'll leave the details to bk. Suddenly I'm very sleep. Maybe eating this late is not a great idea.
Title: Re:SPARKLE AND FIZZ
Post by: Tomovoz on April 25, 2004, 10:56:09 PM
Michael. Go to NZ. it is the most beautiful country on earth. LOTR country - the South Island is magic. Not a good place for a vegetarian. The best lamb in the world comes from NZ. Wonderful place for seafood too (not for me!).