Haines His Way

I also recently listened to Purlie, and found it intriguing, but a student of mine read the book and was horrified.
I'm pretty happy with these Encores! choices.

I'm a bit of an expert on the non-musical Purlie (PURLIE VICTORIOUS) as I've written a sequel of sorts to it ("Purlie's Summer") with the cooperation of Ossie Davis who wrote the original play. Mr. Davis does not like the musical Purlie. And "does not like" is putting it mildly.

I'm happily ensconced in my room at the Renaissance Hotel in the heart of Hollywood.  The beautiful and TALL Sophie Jones got me a suite and it's all just too too.  I have the high speed internet and there's a gym and if I'm feeling up to it, I could even walk to rehearsal tonight.  Also, she gave me a parking pass so I don't even have to pay for parking.  Hoo and ray.  And if you knew what rate I was getting you would fall over and plotz.  I must get some Diet Coke up here shortly.  And I've never really visited this whole complex here at Hollywood and Highland, so I'll be exploring.  I'm told that I'll be able to get the key to my new home environment on Wednesday, which I'm thrilled about.  I was over there this morning briefly and it's a lovely place and for the first time, home-wise, I'll have a pool and a jacuzzi.  

But, here's the best news of all: I logged on to see an e-mail from the online C.C. Brown's, who informed me that they have a shop open again, in the new complex at Sunset and Vine.  I don't think the Schumachers run it, I think it's franchised, but how thrilling is that, to once again be able to go to C.C. Brown's for a hot fudge Sundae after dinner any time we feel like it?  Hoo and ray.

I'm a bit of an expert on the non-musical Purlie (PURLIE VICTORIOUS) as I've written a sequel of sorts to it ("Purlie's Summer") with the cooperation of Ossie Davis who wrote the original play. Mr. Davis does not like the musical Purlie. And "does not like" is putting it mildly.

Interesting, since Davis is listed as co-author of the book to Purlie, along with lyricist Peter Udell and director/producer Philip Rose.

It certainly had a more-than decent run on Broadway, at 689 performances.  From what I've read, the reason the musical lost money was because of the cost of switiching theaters twice during it's run.

I've a strong suspicion that the young woman objecting to the book of the musical doesn't realize that it was intended as satire (as was the original play).  Sad, how some things don't come off as funny when they're stated in the black and white of print.

Interesting, since Davis is listed as co-author of the book to Purlie, along with lyricist Peter Udell and director/producer Philip Rose.

That was probably a contractual thing.
Here's Mr. Davis on Purlie:
"My only contribution to the production was to supply Phil [Rose] with the names and telephone numbers of two actors working with me in Cotton Comes to Harlem [which he was directing at the time] - Melba Moore and Cleavon Little.
[He then talks more about the musical - he wasn't even in the country when it opened and concludes with...] What had been in the original script a subtle satire based on the folklaughter of the real inhabitants of a culture, was now a blatant cartoon, played for laughs, that had little to do with ther real lifestyle of the people being portrayed."

I think those are three splendid ENCORES choices. I think each of those scores has a lot to recommend it for inclusionj in the series. To be honest, THE APPLE TREE is my least favorite of the three.

Bruce enjoy your vacation, and then your new house.  It sounds very nice.  Here it is too cold for swimming but I’m sure in the valley you still have many more warm days ahead of you.  

Jennifer, sleep well tonight.

Good Afternoon!

DR Jane - Thank you.

DR Danise - Sorry to hear about your fish.  Maybe once the weather conditions start to level out, you might change your mind about getting another fish.

DR TCB - Sorry to hear about your computer.

DR Panni - Very interesting "news" about Purile.

DR Noel - It will indeed be interesting to see what happens with this current incarnation of Little Women.  I will say that the "Theater Previews at Duke" series has not had the best track record in regards to shows having a successful life after their time in Durham, so...

DR Ben - Great pics!  I want to see the various fried foodstuffs-on-a-stick now!

Esteemed BK - C.C. Brown's at Sunset+Vine?  Hmmm...  I walk by that complex each time I walk to the theatre, and I haven't noticed a C.C. Brown's there.  Hmm... There's a new "famous Schwab's Restaurant", a Kabuki Sushi place, a Baja Fresh, and various retail shops, but I haven't seen a C.C. Brown's.  I guess I'll have to check it out closer today on my way to rehearsal tonight.

D-i-T - I'd answer your trivia questions, but...



-Sorry for the list nature of this post, but I've been catching up things this morning, and I still have some more stuff to get done before heading into Hollywood this afternoon...

Laters...

The C. C. Brown's is, I believe, located in Schwab's.

Continuing to watch WILL & GRACE this afternoon including the episode which won Eric McCormack his Emmy - "Lows in the Mid-80s." He's wonderful, but I honestly think Debra Messing's performance was the superlative one in this episode. She submitted this episode that same year for consideration, but the Emmy went to Patricia Heaton in EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND.

Is is just me or does anyone else sing the melody from "Everybody Loves Louis" from Sunday in the Park With George EVERY time you read "Everybody Loves Raymond?"  I do...every time!  And I've still never seen an entire episode of the sitcom.  And could that be a "What If?" entry?  What if Sondheim had written an episode of "E.L.R."?

Everybody loves Raymond,
Him, as well as his folks!

Okay, who wants to continue it and add a line or two?

Are these two different questions?  The first actor would be Alan Alda.  Nothing is yet ringing a bell with the second.

Yes, two different questions - sorry if I didn't make that clear.

And yes - Alan Alda is correct. Well done, DTM.

These questions are much easier to concoct than to answer.

Talking of the Emmy awards. It is interesting that the late tv series The Practice won the Emmy for Best Guest Actor in a Drama seven times (one for each year it was on) This year the winner was William Shatner. It was his first win and he had only been nominated once before!

The Practice also won Best Guest Actress three times including this year for Sharon Stone!

I really don't care at all for EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. I've watched a few episodes figuring there must be something there since it's so popular, but whatever is there that makes it so appealing to others simply evades me.

And QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY also won as Best Reality Series (non-competitive category).