Haines His Way

Archives => Archive 2 => Topic started by: bk on October 25, 2004, 11:59:42 PM

Title: THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 25, 2004, 11:59:42 PM
Well, you've read the notes, you know all about brevity and soul and wit, not to mention pompous bassoons, and now it is time for you to post until the pompous cows come home.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Panni on October 26, 2004, 12:05:32 AM
Happy birthday, DFR Jed!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Panni on October 26, 2004, 12:10:02 AM
Dear Reader's Dog Abie has been getting nervous watching me clearing out the home environment and sensing that not only are we about to move, but I'm about to go away. So yesterday he chewed up a very nice throw cushion that he had never touched before -- just to show me that he wasn't having any of it. I decided to comfort him rather than punish him (I did tell him it was NOT a good thing to do.) I found an old pillow case of Dear Daughter's and put it on the chewed up cushion. Here is a photo of the Wonderdog lying happily on said pillow.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 12:23:16 AM
Happy Birthday DR Jed. Hurry back!!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 12:25:01 AM
I know little of plays - obscure or otherwise. Really like "Hamp" but I have no idea if it performed often in the USA or anywhere these days.  It was filmed as "King And Country"
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 12:38:04 AM
And today's photograph! South of France - still in the Dordonge valley.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Noel on October 26, 2004, 02:39:56 AM
Brevity is the soul of lingerie.

Two obscure plays that come to mind right away are one-acts:

Morning, by Israel Horovitz is about a black family who have taken a pill that has turned them white.  It's meant to be played by white actors donning "black" accents, which is further complicated by the family's need to don "white" accents when they encounter their murderous bigot neighbor.

After Magritte, by Tom Stoppard.  When I read this play, I didn't know who Magritte was.  It inspired me to find out.  I don't remember what it's about.  I only remember laughing hysterically throughout.

Musicals: Well, Encores is doing A Tree Grows In Brooklyn this year, and it's a wonderful choice.  It's the story of a shy girl who marries a heavy drinker.  The daughter they have and the shy girl's not-so-shy sister are major characters.  Amazing tunes - you'll recognize the first five notes of The Sound of Music; that's Richard Rodgers stealing from Arthur Schwartz - with perfect for the time and place lyrics by Dorothy Fields.

I love A Class Act and I'd even like to play the lead some day.  It's the true life story of Ed Kleban, the lyricist of A Chorus Line, and the score is made up of his largely unknown songs.  They've got lovely precision to them, and there's something exhilerating about hearing songs the writer so wanted you to hear.

When I had, briefly, the ear of one of the nabobs who choose Encores shows, I said "Please, before I die, Fanny" and, you know, it's not like I'm particularly near death.  Fanny has its overly exotic moments, but it's extremely romantic, putting modern tripe like Phantom to shame.  The cast includes Ezio Pinza and an unbelievably young Florence Henderson, who utters the sexiest bit of dialogue ever recorded on an original cast album.  I'd tell you what it is, but I'd be blushing, and you just have to hear young Florence do it.

If we're talking albums, than the books of the shows aren't hampering our enjoyment.  There's a show that left me scratching my head in the theatre, so weird and unstructured it was.  But, on record, A New Brain has many a glorious moment, including what has become the most popular show-tune love song of the past decade, "Sailing."  Mary Testa and Kristin Chenoweth have supporting roles.

Can a Rodgers and Hammerstein show count as obscure?  Sure, if it's Me and Juliet.  It also counts as radical.  The opening number doesn't have orchestral accompaniment, just a little jazz combo (Barbara Carroll's - I think she's still around) and the same is true for the second number.  While not fully avant garde, it manages to spoof avant garde theatre.  There are a couple of clunkers, but mostly it's bright songs that form a valentine to the theatre itself.  And the line "who cares if they lower the deficit as long as they cut my tax" never fails to astound me.

How many have I named?  I've lost count.  I was surprised that the PBS documentary failed to interview Strouse and Adams, who wrote many a fine show in their day.  The obscure masterpiece of these is Golden Boy, which starred Sammy Davis Jr.  I'm told there's something weird about the history of this album - Sammy went back and redid his vocals at some point.  If you can get the original, do.  It's still a Sammy-fest.  You have to believe him as a boxer, of all things, but you'll understand what made him so appealing.  The songs go from very sultry to peppy hard jazz, plus a couple of traditional musical comedy numbers and a gospel revival song (obligatory today, novel then).

Back to obscure plays:

Terrence McNally is very famous now, probably the American playwright with the highest quantity of plays being performed somewhere today.  One of his earliest full-lengths is Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone? which tells the tale of a wandering hippie with great emotion.

I've long been fascinated by the main character's dilemma in Poor Murderer: He's an actor who's very believable on stage, but when he's not playing a role, nobody believes him.  It's one of those cleverly-constructed things where the action parallels the play-within-the-play, which, in this case, is Hamlet.  It's by Pavel Kohout, a Czech.

"If Heaven exists" (to quote someone quoting someone else) I hope it's somewhat like Bruce Jay Friedman's Steambath, a very funny and philisophical depiction of God (who hands out towels) and life after death.  As you can tell, I'm attracted to the humorous and often-weird plays of the 1960s, but this one is grounded enough that it won't strike you as all that weird.  It's only heaven.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Danise on October 26, 2004, 03:47:33 AM
A very quick Good Morning!

Just wanted to say I hope all goes well with DR Elmore today!

Michael, I see you on the board and hope that you are doing better as well.

Thank you for the healing vibes for my Mom.  She is still hurting.

Gotta RUUUUUNNNNN  to catch the bus!

Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Michael on October 26, 2004, 04:00:59 AM
I have mentioned this musical before and I am not doing any A.K.(ing) here, but I do love the score from the LA musical Stages.  It was through this musical released on LP thatI discovered a certain actor/writer/director/composer/lyricist/future cd producer.

I still hope that one day it will be put on cd regardless that the master tapes are lost.

There is a Canadian musical adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream called ON A SUMMER'S NIGHT. My friend Michael Whitehead had the role of one of the lovers in it. I have an audio tape of the show I rather enjoy listening to it.

Another Canadian musical was a version of Lysistrata. That had a lot of promise if the director had only allowed the composer/lyricist and the librettists make changes to the script during the rehersal period. The caveat is never hire a director who is sleeping with the star and making changes that cut her material and add to other characters.

It is unfortunate that the composer/lyricist/co-writer was soured on the show after the mediocre reception it received. But all the problems that were mentioned by the critics and theatergoers were exactly the problems were needed to be address during the rehersal period. The co-librettist went in and made the changes on the official script after the show closed and it did make the show better, but the composer by then as previously mentioned disowned it.

PS I was the co-librettist and I still believe it has promise.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Michael on October 26, 2004, 04:02:16 AM
Healing vibes to Danise's mom.

Woke this morning to a lot of pain. Not sure if I will make it into work today. Oh well life goes on.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Michael on October 26, 2004, 04:08:00 AM

Back to obscure plays:

I've long been fascinated by the main character's dilemma in Poor Murderer: He's an actor who's very believable on stage, but when he's not playing a role, nobody believes him.  It's one of those cleverly-constructed things where the action parallels the play-within-the-play, which, in this case, is Hamlet.  It's by Pavel Kohout, a Czech.


Which reminds me of two one act plays (Shown in one bill) by Stoppard Dogg's Hamlet and Cahoot's Macbeth. The latter is based on Pavel Kohout. It is about Czech acting troup that performs Macbeth in people's homes as they are not allowed to do it theaters. (A simplified version of the plot but really a lot more involved than that).

I think the theater piece that does all of Shakespeare plays in one evening was inspired by the finale of Dogg's Hamlet.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 04:20:22 AM
If we're talking albums, than the books of the shows aren't hampering our enjoyment.  There's a show that left me scratching my head in the theatre, so weird and unstructured it was.  But, on record, A New Brain has many a glorious moment, including what has become the most popular show-tune love song of the past decade, "Sailing."  Mary Testa and Kristin Chenoweth have supporting roles.
For once we're in total agreement about scores, and definately about a song.  I first heard A New Brain while der Brucer was in the hospital a few years back, for meningitis.  "Sailing" helped me keep going through the worst two months of my life.  (Fortunately, der B doesn't remember a thing of that time.  Also fortunately, his brain came back.  But it was scary for quite a while.)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 04:25:01 AM
"If Heaven exists" (to quote someone quoting someone else) I hope it's somewhat like Bruce Jay Friedman's Steambath, a very funny and philisophical depiction of God (who hands out towels) and life after death.  As you can tell, I'm attracted to the humorous and often-weird plays of the 1960s, but this one is grounded enough that it won't strike you as all that weird.  It's only heaven.
I remember the television production, with Bill Bixby in the lead.  Valerie Perine sure knew how to make a towel look good.  
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: beckon on October 26, 2004, 04:28:43 AM
OBSCURE MUSICALS

HEADING EAST - A great show about the history of Asian-Americans in this country.  Strong story and a stronger score.  The recording is on DINK records.

THE NOTHING LIKE VAUDEVILLE SHOW - A show about a "freak" trying to find his place in life.  A bit odd, but quite good.  The score has some pop influence, but it is much more than pop-opera.

MOBY DICK - A musical in which an all girls school puts on its own version of Moby Dick.  A not very successful British show with a great score.

OH BROTHER - The Boys From Syracuse set in the middle east.  A fun show with some wonderful music.  Judy Kaye and David Carroll are on the recording.

OLYMPUS ON MY MIND - A musical dealing with greek gods and their sexual dalliances on earth.  Funny and tuneful.  Jason Graae is on the recording.

I know I have gone over 5, but may I add....

LOLA and THE GRASS HARP - Scores by the late Claibe Richardson.  The music is ravishing and the cream of the cream.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: beckon on October 26, 2004, 04:31:53 AM
I almost forgot.

TOGETHER AGAIN - A show written by and featuring the host of this site.  A recording I discovered back in the 1980s at the old Los Angeles Central Library, long before I heard of Mr. Guy Haines.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on October 26, 2004, 04:54:39 AM
I'm a great admirer of Lorraine Hansberry's second and last play, THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW. As with A RAISIN IN THE SUN, the author takes on moral issues but doesn't preach. There's a rich cast of characters, plenty of dramatic tension, and genuine humor. I've seen the play and have read it (Random House hardcover edition - $3.95). It stands up well, and I'd love to see it revived.
 
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on October 26, 2004, 05:15:13 AM
Lionel Bart's TWANG - a Robin Hood musical - was a huge flop (and Bart signed away the rights to OLIVER! to finance it), but it has a score that always makes me smile.

If we call Wright and Forrest's (and Peter Stone's) KEAN obscure, then that's another musical that gets my vote.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on October 26, 2004, 05:16:41 AM
And a Very Happy Birthday to DR Jed (whose posts we miss).
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Ben on October 26, 2004, 05:21:17 AM
Happy Birthday to Missing-in-Action DR Jed!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Ben on October 26, 2004, 05:24:29 AM
Happy and Healthy Healing Vibes to our most wonderful Larry Moore!!!


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

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

Healing tildes all over the place.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: William E. Lurie on October 26, 2004, 06:30:27 AM
BK - I have not seen the Martin Charnin revue (I don't like to see shows in restaurants with a minimum where you have to buy drinks and/or food) but from what I read, it is mostly a collection of numbers from previous Martin Charnin revues including the funny, but overdone Yma Drream written for an Anne Bancroft TV special in the 70s.

Noel - ME AND JULIET was done at Mufti a couple of years ago and was for the most part an absolute delight with one line of dialogue stopping the show with laughter for at least two minutes.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Stuart on October 26, 2004, 07:41:32 AM
Greetings all.....have been lurking a bit, as it has been busy at the office, and they decided late Friday to move the four performances of the Limon Dance company we have this week from our larger, more formal dance theatre to a smaller, more awkward dance performance space.  Not thrilled about this, especially since I was not consulted.

From yesterday's TOD:  Obscure films?  As many of you know, I am not much of a moviegoer, so my selections would have been (and I am not sure if they qualify in these days of DVD releases): "You Can't Stop the Music" (in which Valerie Perrine also makes a towel look good, as I recall!) and "The Best of Everything" which I once saw on a double-bill with VOTD.  Talk about two movies about three roommates trying to make it in NYC.  And a dress that threatens to eat Suzy Parker alive......

Todays TOD? Obscure Plays:  I once read a play that was the gayest thing in Restoration Drama (and it wasn't EDWARD II), but I can't recall the name of it off hand.  Also, Anne Meara's AFTER PLAY, which is about so many things not depicted on stage that it has had me thinking about it since I saw it, probably about 10 years ago.

Obscure musicals:  Well, DR DTM received the Showbill for one, TRIXIE TRUE, Teen Detective.  (Confidential to DR DTM:  If I had known you were looking for it, I would have found it in one of those boxes in the closet.....you know the ones.....  Can I ask how much you paid?)  All those one-nighters and out-of-town-closers.  I (and the DP) happen to be a BIG fan of STEEL PIER.  I am sure I will think of others later.  

Get well vibes to DR Elmore and M Shayne.
Birthday (an job-hunting) vibes to DFR Jed.
Moving/travel vibes to DR Panni.
Did I miss anyone needing vibes?

On the docket for us tonight:  THE KING AND I, starring (cough, cough...) Miss Sandy Duncan.  Love her to pieces, but I am not sure of the appropriateness of the casting.  Though she was a divine Roxie in CHICAGO when we saw her.  (And at least she should be better than her already rehearsed and announced replacement in the tour, Miss Stefanie Powers.)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Panni on October 26, 2004, 07:43:59 AM
A quick hello - then off for some appointments and errands.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Panni on October 26, 2004, 07:45:27 AM
****Michael Shayne - Healing Vibes!***

****Healing Vibes to DR Elmore!****
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jennifer on October 26, 2004, 07:55:14 AM
Happy Birthday to DR Jed!

DR Danise, if your mom won't go to see a doctor, are there any doctors who would come to your house?  There must be doctors who would do this for older patients.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 08:02:22 AM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]~~~ EVERY SORT OF VIBE TO ONE AND ALL ~~~[/move]
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 08:03:08 AM
[move=right,scroll,6,transparent,100%]HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO D.R. JED!![/move]
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 08:03:58 AM
I don't think I know what plays are "obscure" plays.  So, I better not comment. :)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jennifer on October 26, 2004, 08:20:38 AM
I'm confused.  Since when is DR Jed a former reader? :(
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 08:23:21 AM
I'm confused.  Since when is DR Jed a former reader? :(

It's just been a long time since he's posted.  I don't think he's truly a "former" DR, just very busy job hunting.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 08:24:04 AM
And one for Jed!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 08:24:25 AM
As for obscure musicals:

The Anastasia Affair (a.k.a Anya and Anastasia - The Musical) - With Judy Kaye...I haven't gotten the re-released-with-extra-songs CD version, but I really like this Bay Cities CD (co-produced by our very own BK)

Angry Housewives - four words:  EAT YOUR F**CKING CORNFLAKES!!  I saw a professional production of this and was involved in a community theater production.  Both were fantastic!  

Brownstone - this five-person show features four of my favorite musical theater performers (who is Kevin Reed, anyway?  He's good, just never heard of him ::)).  I don't know about the book, but the score (based on the recording) is just so much fun and touching, as well.

Colette Collage - I just love this recording also with Judy Kaye (and also produced by our very own BK)

Something's Afoot - a musical murder mystery...what could be more fun? (this is the only show listed that's not been recorded.  I saw this one.)

That's five. :D
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 08:27:39 AM
Oh, and I have to mention Das Barbecü...another recording produced by our very own BK.  I saw a production of this in Seattle (directed by the original choreographer Stephen Tyrrell...who played Peter Pan in a production here in Olympia where I played the first pirate to get killed!)  This is one wonderful show!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jenny on October 26, 2004, 08:53:38 AM
Good health vibes to DR Elmore!

The computer at the home environment is not allowing me to go online, but as I am DR Jenny - New York's #1 Hacker - I am on this site at school right now!

Noel, it is very funny that you should mention "A Class Act" because I was just listening to it last night and Lonny Price really reminded me of you.  I even talked to BK about it!  You should definitely play Ed Kleban.

As for obscure plays and musicals...well, I don't think that I'm familiar with anything particularly obscure.  I'll list some less popular favorites, but I don't think they're too obscure.

A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY (which was obscure until Tony Kushner became King Amongst Men) - Great play.  Poetic, witty, poignant, political, and less show-offy than some of Kusher's later work.  Almost deceptively simple at times.  I love it.

THE LISBON TRAVIATA - It's so relatable, and it's both a riot at points and incredibly sad at others.  I just love it.

FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS - So funny.  So odd.

NOTES ON AKIBA - I know that Tony Kushner claims to have written this one in about five minutes on an airplane, but it's incredibly clever and it really sums up my feelings on Passover quite nicely.  It's really funny, and very true.

Musicals:

HOW NOW DOW JONES? - I would never have heard this score had a girl from Circle in the Square not sung "Walk Away" at the final cabaret (I think DR Noel suggested it, actually).  It's a really charming score, and I love it more and more each time I listen to it.

FIRST LADY SUITE - There are some beautiful moments hidden amongst all that recitative.  The vocal arrangments are glorious and soaring, and a few of the solo songs are almost heartbreakingly beautiful.

IN TROUSERS - Hardly obscure, but it really is one of my favorite musicals.

SUGAR - I rarely listen to it, but it is a very fun and charming score.

I of course love the aforementioned "A New Brain" as well!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 09:08:34 AM
Here's my number one choice for obscure play:

When I was recording Drat! The Cat! I went to Miss Elaine Stritch's apartment to meet her and rehearse her number.  I found her delightful, but that's another story.  At one point I told her that I knew it would probably be an unpleasant subject, but that I'd seen and loved Time of the Barracudas in its one and only engagement, the tryout in Los Angeles.  She hadn't thought about it in twenty or more years and she started telling stories about it - those stories, of course, ended up in Elaine Stritch at Liberty.  In any case, Time of the Barracudas was a play by Brit Peter Barnes (who would go on to write The Ruling Class).  It's about two people whose spouses have just died, who meet at the funeral of one of them.  It transpires that they are both professional murderers who do in their spouses.  They, however, do not know this, and they marry.  They spend the rest of the show trying to do each other in.  The first act curtain, where the man realizes what's going on, had a wonderful curtain line I've never forgotten: "Good God, a competitor!"  Lots of great comedy business in the second act (at a chalet, where they're vacationing).  It was a very black comedy and totally ahead of its time, but I've often thought about trying to do a production somewhere.  Starring opposite Miss Stritch was Laurence Harvey - they were great the day I saw them.  In the early eighties I found the script to the show at some funky shop that had movie memorabilia and some theater stuff.  I treasured it, and then, somehow, it went missing.  I've looked through every box in my storage facility, but there is one missing box, which has a lot of rare scripts in it.  For a time I stored some things in the old Bay Cities offices and some of that got moved to somone's garage - I retrieved all that stuff, but it is my belief that that box is still there, although I went and looked for it and didn't find it.  That said, I still think it's buried there somewhere.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Noel on October 26, 2004, 09:26:53 AM
Hmm, that Barracuda thing sounds like not just one, but both, of the ideas for musicals pitched to me last week.

Inspired by the thread's title, I think I'll write a Concerto for Pompous Bassoon.  The last time I wrote a classical piece was right before we invaded Iraq and so many people were mad at our nation's oldest ally.  It was called Concerto for Freedom Horn.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 09:39:23 AM
Obscure musicals:  Well, DR DTM received the Showbill for one, TRIXIE TRUE, Teen Detective.  (Confidential to DR DTM:  If I had known you were looking for it, I would have found it in one of those boxes in the closet.....you know the ones.....  Can I ask how much you paid?)  All those one-nighters and out-of-town-closers.  I (and the DP) happen to be a BIG fan of STEEL PIER.  I am sure I will think of others later.  

Not much at all DR Stuart.  It was one of my cheapest eBay purchases--$1.99 plus s/h--it came to $3.74 in the end.  But thank you very much for the offer!

I never saw Trixie True, but I fell in love with the poster art as soon as it began advertising.  Nowadays, everyone I talk to about it raves about the score and I've heard rumors that there's a ootlegbay recording out there.  The search continues...
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 09:42:47 AM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]! ! ! ! !  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DR JED, WHEREVER YOU ARE  ! ! ! ! ![/move]
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: William F. Orr on October 26, 2004, 09:45:22 AM
Here's my number one choice for obscure play:

...  I've looked through every box in my storage facility, but there is one missing box, which has a lot of rare scripts in it.  For a time I stored some things in the old Bay Cities offices and some of that got moved to somone's garage - I retrieved all that stuff, but it is my belief that that box is still there, although I went and looked for it and didn't find it.  That said, I still think it's buried there somewhere.

Maybe Mark Eden Horowitz will find it in the basement of the Library of Congress--right between the orchestrations for Sherry and the Ark of the Covenant.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 09:46:35 AM
Speaking of the missing, where has DR Jason been all this time?
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Stuart on October 26, 2004, 09:51:08 AM
Speaking of the missing, where has DR Jason been all this time?

I've been thinking the same thing......
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 09:52:23 AM
Speaking of Wacky Noodles, last week I almost picked up the Wacky Races DVD collection.  I loved this cartoon series as as a kid (including the spin-offs that were produced the following year.)  But something tells me that my memory of it is much more golden that what actually exists on the DVDs.  It's probably best that I let myself pass up on this set.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: William F. Orr on October 26, 2004, 09:52:37 AM
...and

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR JED![/move]

                                [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]GOOD HEALTH VIBES TO MICHAEL SHAYNE, ELMORE, AND last but not least CAL BOLDER![/move]
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Ben on October 26, 2004, 10:08:14 AM
And, I know he's busy, but where, oh where is DR Jose? Get outta that pit and post boy!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Ben on October 26, 2004, 10:08:52 AM
Oh, yes, best of health vibes to DR Michael Shayne!!!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matthew on October 26, 2004, 10:22:23 AM
Obscure Musicals - does this include reordings of shows that have never been produced?  In that case, "Success" by Bernard J. Taylor, "Goys and Dolls", "Say Oy Vey", and "Pinnafore" (The gay version of HMS Pinnafore)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 11:16:58 AM
Obscure Plays:

The Ladies at the Alamo -- This was one of those "bitch" plays from the 70s where we are introduced to a fun set of bitches who are soon confronted by a pair of nasty bitches who want to take over the fun bitches' world out of sheer bitchiness.  By the end of the first act, the fun bitches have found themselves out-bitched by the nasty bitches and they begin to bitch at each other.  But in the second act, the lead no-longer-quite-fun bitch takes off her gloves and bitch-slaps the nasty bitches into oblivion.  Everyone drinks martinis and it takes place in a community theatre in Texas.  A fun, if not insightful, play.

Broadway, Broadway -- I think that this original version of Terrance McNally's  "It's Only A Play" was much funnier then the rewrite.  Unfortunately, it's also very dated.  But I love it when we hear about the cast of Runaways beating up the cast of Annie.

Caryl Churchill's Fen -- I've never seen a production of this play but I love how it reads.  Sparsely written as it is, it still manages to provoke powerful feelings of woe and anger.   It's one of those plays that I'm really surprised isn't done more often.

Baby With The Bathwater -- This one's not that obscure but whatever fame it once acheived was too short lived.  It is the funniest play I ever saw.

Death Comes Knocking -- a play by moi.  I wrote it for a playwrighting class in college that was taught by Albert Innaurato, Edward Albee and Wendy Wasserstein.  Albee and Wasserstein hated it, Innaurato said to keep working on it.  I got an A in the course, but I think everyone got an A.

Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Ben on October 26, 2004, 11:20:23 AM
I'm listening to Desmond Carrington on BBC-2 and he just played The Country's in the Very Best of Hands from Lil' Abner. I've heard it before many times but he played it in conjunction with our upcoming vote fest. Wow, what a pertinent number it still is, after all these years. It's like the song was written yesterday.

Just wanted to share.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 26, 2004, 11:29:40 AM
Obscure plays is something I know a bit about...being something of a theatrical archeologist, I'm always seeking out the obscure and rarely done.  Over the years I've seen obscure classical plays like Le Cid, The Roman Actor, Duchess of Malfi, Eastward Ho!, The Indian Princess, Clandestine Marriage,Wild Oats, The Magistrate...

Also each year in London, I see wonderful plays that never seem to make it over here:  

Here's a few:

A LETTER OF RESIGNATION by Hugh Whitemore...about Harold McMillian and the affair his wife had.  Edward Fox played McMillian.

VASSA by Maxim Gorky, about the "corruption of human decency by materialism, ambition, and greed".

WASTE by Harley Granville Barker.  A political drama about a sexual scandal written in 1907, that was not licensed until 1920, and not performed until 1936.  It was rewritten in 1926.  Saw an impeccable production of it directed by Peter Hall.  A play that by all appearances should be boring and deadly dull which I found utterly fascinating and brilliantly performed.

NEVILLE'S ISLAND by Tim Firth...A comedy about a bunch of office mates who go on a bonding weekend, boating in the lakes district and end up shipwrecked on an island.  It starred the very funny Tony Slattery.

MUTABILITIE by Frank McGuinness, a weird play set in Elizabethan England, which has Shakespeare, Spenser, legendary Irish kings and queens of myth. A very strange, deep, and wonderfully poetic play.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: MBarnum on October 26, 2004, 11:37:54 AM
Speaking of Wacky Noodles, last week I almost picked up the Wacky Races DVD collection.  I loved this cartoon series as as a kid (including the spin-offs that were produced the following year.)  But something tells me that my memory of it is much more golden that what actually exists on the DVDs.  It's probably best that I let myself pass up on this set.

Ha! Dan, I almost bought it too! I loved that show when I was a kid! I even have a Penelope Pitstop Matchbox car!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: MBarnum on October 26, 2004, 11:39:35 AM
Happy Birthday DR Jed! Hope things are going well!!

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]Vibes for all!  :D  :D  ;D  ;)  :)  :)  :)  :D  :D  ;)  :D [/move]
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 26, 2004, 11:43:18 AM
A few years back, I went to London on WGA business.  I saw six plays in nine days.  I would say that most of them fall under the title of obscure.  Though some are well-known by title, productions were few and far between.  They were:

JUNO & THE PAYCOCK by Sean O' Casey at the Donmar Warehouse.  Brilliant production.

TWILIGHT SONG by Noel Coward.  His last play.  Loosely based on Somerset Maughm.  Starred Corin and Vanessa Redgrave.

MONEY by Edward Bulwer Lytton.  A comedy by Mr. It W Dark and Stormy Night himself.  And pretty funny too.  Exquisitely mounted at the National starring Simon Russell Beale, Roger Allam, and Patricia Hodge.

TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE by John Ford.  Starring Jude Law at the Young vic.

SUMMERFOLK by Gorky.  Brilliant, brilliant play and production at the National.

PENNY FOR A SONG by John Whiting (who wrote The Devils).  A play about the Napoleonic Wars.

All these plays were doing capacity business, competing with the big West End musicals and Ameircan blockbuster movies in Leicester Square.  This is my kind of cultural mecca.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 11:55:40 AM
Kerry how was your trip and are you okay?

Bruce awhile back we watched HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL on TV.  About half way through the series the powers that be decided to add more commercial time and skip the opening where Paladin pulls his gun and quotes a line from the show.  We felt cheated. >:(

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JED!  WE MISS YOU.

Panni the photo of Abie is very sweet.  And so are you not to get mad at him.

No more pain vibes to Michael Shayne.  

I remember STEAMBATH with Bill Bixby. :)


Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 11:59:20 AM
I just noticed Echo staring at me through the window, then I noticed it is beginning to rain lightly.  My timing has great on all week, today Echo and I walked while the sun was shinning, after the fog and before the rain.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 12:20:20 PM
Today can't seem to make up its mind whether it wants to be sunny or gray.  Funny old day.

I bought a lamp, which will help illuminate my beautiful but somewhat dark (in the evenings) living room.  It works so well, I may buy a matching one for the other corner.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 12:25:35 PM
Ha! Dan, I almost bought it too! I loved that show when I was a kid! I even have a Penelope Pitstop Matchbox car!

I got one of those, too, along with Dick Dastardly's car.  I also have a few of the cars that were cereal prizes.  And when I was a lad, I had the snap-together models of a few of the vehicles.

Mmmmmm...I'm feeling an eBay search comin' on...
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jrand73 on October 26, 2004, 12:33:22 PM
Happy Birthday DRJED.

Good healing vibes to DRELMORE and DRMICHAELSHAYNE.

I am a bit under the weather myself today....but I am feeling better this afternoon so vibes can be distributed to more worthy DR's.

DtM - THE LITTLE PRINCESS was one of two movies Shirley Temple did in Technicolor at Fox....(THE BLUEBIRD was the other) - so it's in color, not colorized!

DRPANNI - Abie is one smart dog!

Had a bit of trouble logging on today....but I am sure it's my connection.

Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 12:38:24 PM
The sun is peeking out.  One of my favorite obscure musicals has finally been promised on CD by DRG but we shall see if it ever arrives, as I've been told repeatedly the master tapes couldn't be located.  A Family Affair, music by John Kander, lyrics the William and James Goldman.  A silly puff of a show (which I saw here in LA - a local production done within months of the show closing on Broadway), but some really charming numbers and performances (Shelly Berman, Rita Gardner, Larry Kert, Eileen Heckart and Morris Carnovsky, and you even get Bibi Osterwald).  

And thanks to those who mentioned my two very own obscure musicals.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Sandra on October 26, 2004, 12:39:08 PM
Happy birthday, Dear Reader Jed.

More vibes for everybody. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm in the library now getting books for research for one of my many term papers. I missed the bus, so I get to sit around for half an hour.

I'm hungry and tired and there's no more Cherry Coke at home.

That about sums it up.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jrand73 on October 26, 2004, 12:40:53 PM
Here is your Allison Hayes picture of the week!

Lounging in a nice one piece jumpsuit - taking a call from her agent Jack Pomeroy, no doubt!   ;D
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: William F. Orr on October 26, 2004, 12:41:53 PM
Well, almost all musicals appear to be obscure in the present cultural climate, except for the few BLOCKBUSTERS!!! that receive megahype.

Howsomever...

When I was in college and tape recorded cast albums daily from one of the LA FM stations (back when FM radio meant quality), I developed an affection for some of the British musicals:  Fings Ain't What They Used to Be, Pickwick, Lock Up Your Daughters, Virtue in Danger, Belle.  I do regret that I've never heard the score to Blitz.  Fortunately, several of these have been re-issued on CD of late.  

Have you ever sung along with lyrics like "Dit-Dit, Dit-Dah-Dit-Dit Dah-Dah-Dah  Dit-Dit-Dit-Dah Dit, Dah-Dit-Dah-Dah Dah-Dah-Dah Dit-Dit-Dah"?

That, if you don't know, is Morse Code for "I love you", and is a song from the Dr. Cripin musical Belle.  And you thought Sondheim was the first one to write a show about a famed murderer, now didn't you?
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: William F. Orr on October 26, 2004, 12:44:00 PM
PAGE 3.

EVERYBODY DANCE.
 


(Especially Salome.)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 12:45:23 PM
Allison Hayes sure had to pose in some interesting positions.  I know I always lounge around like that, it is just sooo comfortable.  I remember when I was very young I would practice posing like the stars in the magazines.   ;D
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: William F. Orr on October 26, 2004, 12:52:18 PM
DR PANNI:

Hearing that you once had a boyfriend who was obsessed with Esperanto, I soooo want to commiserate!

But I was just over at the Footlights web site ordering CD's that nobody else carries and noticed the Hungarian cast album of Grease.  Outrageously expensive of course.

But I can't find a CD of Donnybrook, another of my fave obscurities.  Based on the film The Quiet Man, with Art Lund, Eddie Foy Jr., and Susan Johnson.

But now that I mention it, I seem to remember a CD was issued and is hiding somewhere in my collection.  Does anybody know?
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 01:06:02 PM
Actually, Shirley Temple had one more Technicolor item while at Fox. The last segment of THE LITTLE COLONEL was done in Technicolor. DR JRand is correct about THE LITTLE PRINCESS and THE BLUE BIRD being her other Technicolor Fox films.

THE LITTLE PRINCESS has been in the public domain for many decades, so that's why you're getting a DVD of it at all, with or without color. It's not goping to look pristine. (The official Fox release of THE LITTLE PRINCESS on VHS is quite beautiful looking.) I don't know why Fox stopped releasing their Temple films on DVD. The three they released must not have sold well. But why should they since Fox did no restorative work on them at all. It was obvious they simply duped the tape masters onto DVDs. The three films (CURLY TOP, DIMPLES, HEIDI) are all grainy and full of artifacts, but I guess they're better than nothing.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 01:07:22 PM
Happy Birthday, former DR Jed.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 01:08:57 PM
I think A TIME FOR SINGING has a glorious score. I've never seen the show produced on the stage, but listening to the album (like so many other flop shows), it's hard to believe it wasn't a success.

DARLING OF THE DAY has quite a listenable score, too, but again, don't know how viable a stage property it is since it was such a miserable flop on Broadway.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 01:09:58 PM
DR WFO, I only have an LP of DONNYBROOK! If it was released on CD, I must have missed it.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: TCB on October 26, 2004, 01:14:38 PM


HAPPY BIRTHDAY
(to my cyber-son)
DR JED
[/color]
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on October 26, 2004, 01:21:12 PM
I think A TIME FOR SINGING has a glorious score. I've never seen the show produced on the stage, but listening to the album (like so many other flop shows), it's hard to believe it wasn't a success.


An acquaintance of mine caught A TIME FOR SINGING when it tried out in Boston. He was sure it was going to take Broadway by a storm. I too love the score and cherish the LP.

Other Alexander Cohen-produced flops with scores I very much enjoy: DEAR WORLD, PRETTYBELLE, and, yes, RUGANTINO.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 01:27:01 PM
Yep, I love DEAR WORLD and PRETTYBELLE, too. Or maybe it's Angela Lansbury I love!  :D
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: William F. Orr on October 26, 2004, 01:28:49 PM
Oh, and I could kick myself for the seven times I passed up Prettybelle at Tower Records before it disappeared.

I think we ought to collectively kick BK's butt and get him to start a new recording company, so he can reissue all these treasures we are missing--as well as producing more original masterpieces and recording all those lost scores we lust after.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 26, 2004, 01:30:19 PM
JRand, was THE LITTLE PRINCESS totally in colour or was it just the dream/faery tale sequence?
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Stuart on October 26, 2004, 01:34:23 PM
Yep, I love DEAR WORLD and PRETTYBELLE, too. Or maybe it's Angela Lansbury I love!  :D

I do too....all three.  But especially the modulating horns on "I Met a Man."
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 01:34:57 PM
JRand, was THE LITTLE PRINCESS totally in colour or was it just the dream/faery tale sequence?

Not to butt in, but the entire thing was in Technicolor.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 01:36:24 PM
I agree with you DR WFO. BK needs to get back into the recording industry where he belongs producing albums we all want and need.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: MBarnum on October 26, 2004, 01:41:22 PM
I got one of those, too, along with Dick Dastardly's car.  I also have a few of the cars that were cereal prizes.  And when I was a lad, I had the snap-together models of a few of the vehicles.

Mmmmmm...I'm feeling an eBay search comin' on...

I had the cereal version of Penelope's care too when I was a kid, so when I saw the Matchbox one recently I was thrilled. I think I had the Gruesome Twosome car as well....way back when!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 02:26:53 PM
Good Afternoon!

I made it out of the pit!  -And I'm about to go back in again in a few hours, but...

So far, so good.  Last week was a truly long week.  Good, but long.  With all the standard rehearsals for the show, plus the orchestra rehearsals, plus the shows themselves, I basically ended up being at the theatre for 14 hours each day from Tuesday-Sunday.  Whew!  By the time I would get home in the evening, I just didn't have the mental capacity nor concentration to do much of anything except for plunking myself in front of the TV watching whatever happened to be on, or just logging online and checking my e-mail.  Sorry for being errant and truant.  I was just caught a bit off guard at how tired and fatigued I was getting during the tech.  But that's life in the theatre.

The show is a true workout.  However, I will say the run of What If? did serve me well in getting ready for this show.  It helped build up my endurance again.  Besides two bits of underscoring early in the show, and Paul's monologue, I'm basically playing the whole time, a little over two hours straight.  And since most of the dialogue is underscored too...  The most nerve-wracking moment is the very opening with that very recognizable "da-da, da-da, da, Dah! - A-gain!"...  Right after the curtain speech, the lights in theatre - and in the pit(!) dim down to darkness, so...  Thankfully, there's enough spill from the cue light, but otherwise, I start the show in the dark.  *This situation actually provided a mini-laugh the first night... The lights started to dim, the cue lights went out, the pit went dark... and the conductor cued me to start... but since it was dark, I couldn't see the cue/baton/conductor...  -So, that's when we decided that I should just start a beat after the lights went out. ;)

The show had a wonderful opening week and weekend, and the reviews have been glowing.  It really is a wonderful cast, and having the show mounted by a few of the "originals" has added a very special "edge" to this production.  Baayork Lee, the original Connie, directed and choreographed.  Fran Liebergall, the original pianist and subsequent musical supervisor is the conductor and musical director.  And Richard Winkler, who was Tharon Musser's assistant, recreated the lighting.  Additionally, the local crew and orchestra(!) are really top notch, and know how to work around and highlight the particular "eccentricities" of this particular theatre.

I haven't explored much more of Houston since I last posted, but I did make it over to Frenchy's Fried Chicken.  YUM!!!!  And quite the bargain too!  I just got the standard 3 piece dinner - complete with collard greens served with "pot likker" - but they also offer a 10-piece dark meat combo for only $5.00!!  And the place always seems busy to some degree, so the fried chicken never spends that much time underneath the heat lamps.  I literally saw my order coming right from the fryer, to the heat lamp "stations", to my tray.  Again, YUM!  Nothing fancy or exotically spiced.  Just wonderful home-cooked flavor.  -And the Lemon Cake was pretty good too!

I also finally made it over to the Galleria the other day.  According to the map, the Galleria was the first enclosed mall in the US.  And it's been expanding ever since it was built.  Right now, it houses at least 300 stores, restaurants, kiosks, etc.  There are at least four multi-level parking decks, and there's even an ice-skating rink on the ground floor!  (Apparently, it's the official "home" to Olympian Tara Lipinski.)  There's even a hotel that's connected to part of it.  It's a Mall with a capital "M".  And the Stores are Stores with a capital "S".  Every major and minor designer is represented, and even the standard chain stores seem a bit more upscale in the Galleria.  I was actually a bit overwhelmed by it all.  Just so much to take in.  And just so much "money" in evidence.  Welcome to Houston!

On the homefront, my father is doing well.  More tests this week, and then they can start figuring what course of action they will be taking in regards to treating the cancer.  Again, it's been sort of interesting and "neat" testing for the stages in reverse order.  It's not Stage Four, it's not Stage Three, and it looks like it may just be at early(!) Stage Two/late Stage One.  So, all is well, and, again, the good news has made my time away from home a bit - well, a lot - easier to deal with.

Whew!

I started reading the posts from the past week, but I figured by the time I got caught up, it would be another week before I posted, so...  I'll do my best to make it through them, but in the meantime:

Good Vibes To DR (fill in the blank)!
Good Health And Get Well Vibes to DR (fill in the blank)!
Happy Birthday to DR (fill in the blank)!
Safe Travels DR (fill in the blank)!
Welcome Back DR (fill in the blank)!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 02:38:16 PM
As for obscure plays...

Although they may fall more under the lesser-produced than obscure category, the seemingly always controversial plays of Canadian Brad Fraser have always interested me.  Another Canuck, Nick Darke also interests me - and I've mention The Dead Monkey before.

The author's name escapes me write now, but The Pitchfork Disney is fascinating play.

Jane Martin - or whoever he/she really is - has a play called Coup Clucks.  It centers around a stage production of "Gone With the Wind", and I think you can get an idea of the ongoings from the title of the play.  Very funny, and thought-provoking.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 02:42:58 PM

elmore just returned home.  He has a headache so he took some Tylenol with codeine and is going to bed.  All went well and they fed him at the hospital. :D

Last night he spilled water on his keyboard and is letting it sit upside down to dry out.  If that doesn’t work he will have to purchase a new one.  Until then he can’t use his computer.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 02:49:27 PM
As for obscure musicals...

Again, maybe more lesser-produced than obscure, The Human Comedy gets a vote from me.  I will admit, some of the moments in the show feel forced, but there are also some very touching and beautiful moments.  And the topics of death and war and family are timeless and timely.

...And in a few weeks, I'll get a better idea of Hallelujah, Baby.

When I was playing for the musical theatre department at Catholic Univeristy, the students were always scrounging the obscura for recital and audition material.  -Yes, some of the pieces are obscure for good reasons - or bad reasons - but there's always that one gem of a song or monologue to be found in the rough.  The Grass Harp ("Floozies" always makes me smile), Angel Street, Robert and Elizabeth, Rags, The King of Hearts, etc.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 02:54:19 PM
I'm a great admirer of Lorraine Hansberry's second and last play, THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW. As with A RAISIN IN THE SUN, the author takes on moral issues but doesn't preach. There's a rich cast of characters, plenty of dramatic tension, and genuine humor. I've seen the play and have read it (Random House hardcover edition - $3.95). It stands up well, and I'd love to see it revived.
 

There were actually two very good productions of this play running in the DC area a few seasons back.  One in Arlington at American Century Theatre (which specializes in lesser produced plays and musicals from the American canon), and one in Baltimore at Center Stage, I believe.  Agreed, a very good play.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 02:55:31 PM
I look exactly like Allison Hayes when I lay on my couch - an amazing coincidence.

Tammy Minoff dropped by and we had a spot of lunch and I helped her set up an eBay account.  She liked my new lamp and loved my new painting and helped me decide which wall was best.  It's going to go above the piano, which seems the perfect place.  It's not seeable when you enter the room at first, but it's a really good spot and I can put the actual album cover below it, plus one of the directional lights is right there and will illuminate it really nicely.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 02:58:10 PM
And since Peter Barnes was mentioned earlier, I also like his play with music, Red Noses.  Who knew The Plague and papal corruption could be so funny at times? ;)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 03:25:13 PM
Inspired by the thread's title, I think I'll write a Concerto for Pompous Bassoon.  The last time I wrote a classical piece was right before we invaded Iraq and so many people were mad at our nation's oldest ally.  It was called Concerto for Freedom Horn.
Unlike French Fries (which are really Belgian), it turns out that historically the French Horn really is French! (http://thefrenchhorn.net/hornhist.html)  (That's for all you trivia lovers out there.)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 03:31:33 PM
Also each year in London, I see wonderful plays that never seem to make it over here:  
Would you remember Caryl Churchill's Serious Money, a comedy in verse about large sums in England's banking community?
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 03:35:13 PM
Jose I enjoyed your post immensely and am so pleased with the good news regarding your father.  Congrats on another successful show!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: MBarnum on October 26, 2004, 03:37:13 PM
DR Elmore3003 sends many thanks for the wonderful vibes and get wells on HHW and via e-mail.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 03:37:35 PM
Here is your Allison Hayes picture of the week!

Lounging in a nice one piece jumpsuit - taking a call from her agent Jack Pomeroy, no doubt!   ;D
Impersonating Diana Rigg in her early years?  Or the other way around?

 ;D 8)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Panni on October 26, 2004, 03:40:54 PM

But I was just over at the Footlights web site ordering CD's that nobody else carries and noticed the Hungarian cast album of Grease.  Outrageously expensive of course.


This gives me a good idea. I'll pick up some cast albums while in Hungary.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 03:45:33 PM
Speaking of Hungary, my dad just called me (literally, a minute ago) and invited me for dinner.  He said that my mom is making Hungarian goulash with genuine Hungarian paprika!  What a coinkydink!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 03:45:38 PM

elmore just returned home.  He has a headache so he took some Tylenol with codeine and is going to bed.  All went well and they fed him at the hospital. :D
Uh, are you sure "they fed him at the hospital" deserves a happy smiley?   :-X is too often more appropriate.   :-\
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 03:46:22 PM
MBarnum those vibes seem to be working-

Continued vibes elmore for a speedy recovery and an end to this problem!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 03:48:13 PM
 ;DSWW elmore seemed happy about it. :)  Some hospitals have decent food.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 03:48:52 PM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%][size=20]VIBES[/size][/b][/i][/move]

That should cover everything, I hope.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 03:56:23 PM
I'm not sure what we're having for dinner tonight, but I'm thinking of Lemon Rice as one of the sides, mainly because I've a bag of lemons sitting on the counter.

Very simple: Take the zest and juice of a lemon (or two), substituting it for part of the water in a regular recipe of rice.  Also add a handful of dried parsley flakes, and cook the rice as usual.

I'm thinking Sweet and Sour Chicken would taste good.  I need to get to the store for pineapple for the sauce.  Der B is going to want a newspaper, no matter what.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Jane on October 26, 2004, 04:08:25 PM
The rice sounds good.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matthew on October 26, 2004, 04:31:51 PM
I have a copy of dear bk's "Together Again", I found it in a used record store in the Castro in SF one gloomy February afternoon.  It was still in its shrink wrap. I think I've listened to it, but now I want to REALLY listen to it again (I guess!) but the turntable is out of commission at the moment.  But when it's back, it's the first thing to go on

Good to read you again, DR Jose!  :)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 04:37:55 PM
DtM - THE LITTLE PRINCESS was one of two movies Shirley Temple did in Technicolor at Fox....(THE BLUEBIRD was the other) - so it's in color, not colorized!

Thank you for the info, sir.  I don't feel like such a fool now.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 26, 2004, 04:46:18 PM
I look exactly like Allison Hayes when I lay on my couch - an amazing coincidence.

Tammy Minoff dropped by and we had a spot of lunch and I helped her set up an eBay account.  She liked my new lamp and loved my new painting and helped me decide which wall was best.  It's going to go above the piano, which seems the perfect place.  It's not seeable when you enter the room at first, but it's a really good spot and I can put the actual album cover below it, plus one of the directional lights is right there and will illuminate it really nicely.

BK, I'm not an expert in such things, but you might want to search for a special kind of lightbulb for the directional light that will prevent any fading of the painting.  
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 05:04:25 PM
These fixtures only allow for a forty-watt bulb - no way that's going to fade anything.  It barely illuminates the picture, which looks great on the wall where it's not hanging.  I bought a matching lamp for the other side of the room, and that now provides plenty of light, plus I had a small hallogen "spotlight" that I used in my other house - it's now aimed directly at Astrud and when it's turned on, voila - perfectly lit painting.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 26, 2004, 05:19:12 PM
Woody, I did not see the Charyl Churchill play you mentioned but I did see another play of Churchill's called FAR AWAY, which was only forty-five minutes, set in the future, and very weird.  I can't say I particularly enjoyed it, but I'm glad I saw it.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 05:23:57 PM
I forgot to mention that it is now pouring rain.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Danise on October 26, 2004, 05:40:25 PM
Evening all!

Happy Birthday to DR Jed, sorry I didn't say that this morning.  I was in such a rush for the bus.

Vibes to DR Jose's father.  Wishing him every good wish and every good hope.

Glad you had the chance to climb out of the pit and vist with us, if only for a little while!  I miss all of your stories.

Also so very glad to hear that all went well for DR Elmore.  May this to the start of a very short road to complete recovery.

DR Jennifer, that you for the suggestion about the doctor, I will have to look into that.

SWW, you always sound like you make the most wonderful meals.  If I wasn't on my diet, I would run away to your house and beg a meal or two or three.   :)  Or a least cooking lessions!

I meant to ask, JRand, did you know that Marilyn Ross is really Dan Ross?  He's the fellow that wrote all the Dark Shadows books.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on October 26, 2004, 05:46:30 PM
DR Danise -

Congrats on 1,000 posts!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Danise on October 26, 2004, 05:50:52 PM
I’m speechless (Obviously not!)!  ;)  Many thanks, Dan-in-Toronto!   :)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 06:04:15 PM
Danise, Congratulations on Hitting Four Digits!!

Now, I'm off to dinner at my parents' house!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Danise on October 26, 2004, 06:06:26 PM
Thank you, George!  Have a nice dinner.

Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 07:24:19 PM
Danise, Congratulations on Hitting Four digits!/[glow]
M'gosh, you're right, we've another Deux Dieu!  Congrats, Danise!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 07:26:59 PM
Four more posts, and DR Stewart ascends!   :o
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 08:12:22 PM
Found out today at NUNCRACKERS rehearsal that the actress playing Sister Robert Anne has an accordian that my character can use to accompany the Mother Superior in her number "Old Time Carnival Christmas." I've never played an accordian, but do play the piano, so I guess in five weeks I might be able to learn enough to provide a little ambience to the number. The show is stacking up to be a lot of fun.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Matt H. on October 26, 2004, 08:13:47 PM
Finally finished all of the BROADWAY - THE AMERICAN MUSICAL DVDs with the special feature interviews et al. Wonderful set. A couple of the actresses in NUNCRACKERS want to borrow it since they want to see the other interviews and special features that weren't shown on PBS.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Kerry on October 26, 2004, 08:39:42 PM
Jose, my thoughts are with you.

Because my thoughts are with Jose (and a little bit of Dan's four=legged child, Archie), the rest of my mind is not working.

A musical worth seeing is "Wake up and Live"  (alice faye, Jack Haley, the late wonderful Buddy Clark dubbing for Jack Haley).  It's typical of the time and VERY predictable, but it has a great score.   Alice Faye's rendition of "There's a Lull in My Life" is as god as Elaine Stritch's.  They're both different but very good.

My husband is watching the World Series!    I took him to Two baseballl games last year whenI got comp tickets, and now he's a fan!   What gives with this?!  Oh well, at least I fianlly got him off the Jerrry Lewis telethon (back in the days when there were still good people to be on them).

I got me some cogitatin' to do (and no, I haven't been watching "Li'l Abner")

Sorry I didn't stick to the topic.

Bruce, congrats on your painting.  I know what a thrill that can be.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 08:51:25 PM
How nice to see dear reader Kerry posting again.  He has been missed.  If only we could get dear reader MusicGuy to at least come and say "hey".
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 08:51:49 PM
Ended up at Cafe Bizou, where I was forced (forced, I tell you) to eat whipped cream.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 09:13:38 PM
Found out today at NUNCRACKERS rehearsal that the actress playing Sister Robert Anne has an accordian that my character can use to accompany the Mother Superior in her number "Old Time Carnival Christmas." I've never played an accordian, but do play the piano, so I guess in five weeks I might be able to learn enough to provide a little ambience to the number. The show is stacking up to be a lot of fun.

About five years ago, I played Jacquot in a production of Carnival and at the top of the show, I played "Love Makes the World Go 'Round" on the accordion.  I actually took accordion lessons (a My Favorite Year reference!) when I was eight or nine years old.  For Carnival I only played the melody on the right hand and everyone loved it.  You probably won't have to learn the left hand buttons if you've got the rest of the band playing as well.  If I had to try and re-learn the buttons, I would've been screwed.  Even though we had eight weeks of rehearsals, I could never figure it out.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Laura II on October 26, 2004, 09:30:57 PM
Hi everyone!

*sheepish grin* I haven't been here since I went to Missouri in June, I believe. I've been so busy here at school! Yay William and Mary. *Sigh* I remember the time when I wanted to read every topic and post here at HHW. When I fell out of sync, I never caught up, and I gave up. Sorry. :( Hope all is well! I might be popping in and out again. Happy birthday, Jed!

Laura
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 09:33:44 PM
Welcome Back (even if you aren't able to catch up...or ketchup) Laura II!!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 09:36:05 PM
Good Evening!

-Thanks for all the Welcome Backs.  Of course, I never really left, I was just indisposed if you will.

Good show tonight, and we had some special guests in the audience, George H. and Barbara Bush.  I guess I should say former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara.  They are apparently regular audience members at Theatre Under The Stars - there's even a panel in the backstage hallway signed by them.  They were greeted by a standing ovation by the rest of the audience when they arrived.  When I heard the applause, I was still making my way into the pit, and I almost thought I was late for my opening, '"Is the curtain speech over already?"  Nothing to worry about.

It was interesting that they were there considering some of the subject matter covered in the show.  However, during the curtain speech, the producer did mention that they were not able to make it to their previous production which was Hair since they were up in Kennebunkport on vacation.  -Now that would have been interesting.  They even headed backstage after the show for a short meet and greet and photo op with the cast, and were very gracious.  -And I have to say Mrs. Bush looked great.

-And what a difference playing the show fully rested - and "recovered" - makes!  Now if I just ration my water intake before the show so I don't have to run out of the pit during Paul's monologue.   :-\ ;)

OH!! And I also found out tonight that the Alley Theatre has invited the cast and company of A Chorus Line to see their current production of Ken Ludwig's new play, The Leading Ladies.  -Which happens to star Mr. Brent Barrett!  -And he's in drag too for part of the show!!  They're doing a special 10:00AM(!?!?) student matinee of the show tomorrow, and since I was originally thinking I wouldn't be able to see the show (our runs coincide), I'll be going.  My friend, Erin Dilly, is also in it too!  As well as Jane Connell and Dan Lauria among others.  *I'm just hoping the understudies aren't on tomorrow morning, or I will be very disappointed.  -Fingers-crossed.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Panni on October 26, 2004, 09:39:42 PM
It barely illuminates the picture, which looks great on the wall where it's not hanging.  

Am I the only one who finds this surreal?
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 09:45:26 PM
Random Observation about Houston...

Like many sprawling urban areas, there's a lot of road construction going on here in Houston.  And all that construction causes delays at all times of the day and night.  At least they have signs on the highways that seem to a pretty good job of notifying drivers of the current delays.

As for the drivers... UGH!  There are just some plain bad drivers out here.  And there are some bad-bad drivers out here.  People either seem either not to know how to drive, or they just simply have no regard for the other drivers on the road with them.  And if you are going to buy and drive an SUV or an over-sized pick-up truck, then you should also be able to stay in your lane while negotiating the curves.  I've seen and experienced one too many close calls in the few weeks I've been here.

One other traffic-related idiosyncracy is that the traffic lights are mounted horizontal.  From left to right it goes, red, yellow, green.  For someone who grew up on vertically mounted traffic signals, it took a few days to adjust to the realignment.  -And then there are left turn lanes that are not really "true" left turn lanes... ???
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 10:03:51 PM
OOHHH!!!

I also made it over to one of the three House of Pies locations here in Houston...  Since I only can compare it to the location in Los Feliz...

-Since smoking is allowed in restaurants and bars here in Texas, there is a smoking section in the restaurant.  -And it's about twice the size - if not more - of the non-smoking section.  Ah, well... -I'm not a non-smoking zealot, but it was kind of sad to see so many teenagers sitting and smoking in the smoking section of the restaurant.

-The menu is basically the same as the one in LA.  There are some regional specialties, and I didn't see avocados listed as frequently on the menu here.

-The choices for the type of potato here are: baked, mashed, french-fried, cottage (basically small tater-tots), and hash browns.  *And you can request just how crispy you want your hash browns!  -I wanted mine extra crisp, and that's what I got!  YUM!

-And judging from the portions that were served to me and friends, everything is indeed bigger here in Texas.

-The bakery case also features Mexican Wedding Cake cookies.  However, they're "flat" and not the round balls I'm familiar with.  However, they still taste the same, and are very good.  ;)

-The restaurant is open 24 hours.

As for the pies...

The selection and "styles" seem to be the same.  However, the Pecan Pies are listed as Texas Pecan Pie, and there is also a Texas Fudge Pie listed on the menu.  I've only tried one pie so far.  It's their House Specialty - Bayou Goo.  And, boy, is it gooey... and rich.  I ended up buying a whole pie to go - it was only $10.00 - since the slices were $4.00 a piece.  *Oh, and the pies come in 10" pie plates - which I think are larger than the ones in LA - and the pies are served in fifths rather than fourths.   But back to the pie...  After analyzing a slice - or two - a Bayou Goo pie is made up of the following:

(from the bottom up)
-Pie Crust - flazy and crunchy all at once
-A cheesecake-type layer - and I think there was even some flaked coconut in it.... I think.  About 1/2 inch thick.
-The "Goo" layer - basically, it's a very thick and rich chocolate pudding/mousse with crushed pecans in it.  About 1 inch thick - if not thicker.
-Whipped Cream.  Lots and lots of whipped cream.
-Chocolate shavings.

And I'd have to say the whole pie weighed at least three pounds if not more.

All in all, a very good pie.  -But I think I'll opt for something more traditional on my next trip there - it really is rich(!).  But I'm glad I got to try it.

*And I shared the rest of my pie with some others in the cast.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Sandra on October 26, 2004, 10:06:57 PM
Welcome back, Laura II. Glad you got out of the pit, Jose.

Today, I was supposed to write the proposal for a term paper. But so far today all I've accomplished was to sit through my History of the English Language class without falling asleep (which really is quite an accomplishment). I'll do it tomorrow.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: JoseSPiano on October 26, 2004, 10:12:21 PM
And speaking of smoking...

There was a "memo" posted on the stage door entrance when we arrived at the theatre tonight.  It was posted by the facilities manager.  Basically, it was a sort-of friendly reminder to the smokers to extinguish their cigarettes in the ashtrays provided on the "patio" area, and to not dipose of their cigarette butts in the adjacent garden area.  The wording went something like this:

"Unless you are too weak due to lung cancer, emphysema or some other respiratory condition, please walk to the right and dispose of your cigarettes."

;)

-And it also mentioned that Texas state law forbids smoking within 25 feet(!) of a designated non-smoking entrance.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: George on October 26, 2004, 10:15:04 PM
Welcome back from your self-imposed sabatical, Jose!!  

I'm burning a DVD so my computer is much slower than usual...fortunately NOT as slow as the computer at the house where I was house-sitting up until this weekend.  THAT was one freakin' slow computer!  So, I'm going to say "good night."  Which I just did.

My sister's boyfriend (who built my computer) gave me some more memory to add to my computer!  He hasn't put it in...yet...but hopefully he will before the end of the week.  The only problem is that it could actually be the wrong kind of memory for my computer, but since he built it, it should work...it'd better.  :)

So, again, good night! ;D
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 10:30:08 PM
Laura II, never give up.  Come back where you belong, you dear, dear person out there in the dark.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 10:40:19 PM
Still more +ve vibes to Elmore and those in need. Thank you DR Jane for passing on the news to the land of OZ.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 10:40:37 PM
Good to see you out of the pit Jose.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 10:41:10 PM
More posts from Kerry I hope. Really great to have you back here.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 10:45:09 PM
Good to see Laura II back here again. Hope you can find still find the time to pop in say hello.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Laura II on October 26, 2004, 10:46:10 PM
I'm procrastinating as usual. My computer had a virus for the last two weeks, and it's all better now. I'm basking in the ability to talk on instant messenger again. General warning: don't click on any suspicious links!

How is life for everyone? I need updates. I'll update you guys as well, if you'd like. Feel free to ask questions since I don't know what you would want to know!

Talk to you all soon!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 10:46:28 PM
By now you should have had enough of La Belle France!!
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Sandra on October 26, 2004, 10:53:00 PM
My question to Dear Reader Laura II: What suspicious link did you click on?
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Laura II on October 26, 2004, 11:07:44 PM
Sandra, I clicked on a silly link in an old student's AIM away message. It said something like, "Look at this!" I don't remember what it was exactly. It gave me a Trojan horse virus, though.
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: bk on October 26, 2004, 11:36:57 PM
Laura II: We wish to know EVERYTHING that's tellable on a family-friendly site.  
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: S. Woody White on October 26, 2004, 11:40:34 PM
...But back to the pie...  After analyzing a slice - or two - a Bayou Goo pie is made up of the following:

(from the bottom up)
-Pie Crust - flazy and crunchy all at once
-A cheesecake-type layer - and I think there was even some flaked coconut in it.... I think.  About 1/2 inch thick.
-The "Goo" layer - basically, it's a very thick and rich chocolate pudding/mousse with crushed pecans in it.  About 1 inch thick - if not thicker.
-Whipped Cream.  Lots and lots of whipped cream.
-Chocolate shavings.

And I'd have to say the whole pie weighed at least three pounds if not more.
And someone forced you to eat all the whipped cream, right?

That story's getting around.   ::)
Title: Re:THE POMPOUS BASSOON
Post by: Tomovoz on October 26, 2004, 11:45:48 PM
It seems that DR Jed is not going to join us today. I hope DR Ann will pass on all our best wishes.