Topic: ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE, ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE (Read 26501 times)

François de Paris · « **Reply #120 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:26:05 PM »

Quote from: Tomovoz on May 13, 2006, 06:23:29 PM

42 more to go François.

Thanks for the encouragements; I can tell you're on my side!

Does that mean I can write anything or do my posts have to make sense?

I can do both! I'm French after all... après tout.... for bilingual posters! No, bilingual is not a crude word, and yes, it has something to do with tongues!

François de Paris · « **Reply #121 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:26:58 PM »

New page! Let's dance the Audrey Tautou Fox Trott!

François de Paris · « **Reply #122 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:28:57 PM »

For all the yap about this so-called "rap music" being a form of modern folk art or whatever, let's face it, it all sounds pretty much like "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall", doesn't it? As for it being "new", come on, let's get serious. There is nothing new in the world of pop culture and certainly not somebody speaking in rhyme to rhythm. One could argue that the rhythmic verse of, say, Homer could qualify him as the Original Rapper (of course, earning Hercules the much-coveted status of O.G.). Getting to the point, for all the anti-social posturing affected by Ices Cube, Tea, etc., I feel they somehow lack the mystery and esoteric allure of one who worked the same side of the street long before them, the one they called Nervous Norvus.

Born Jimmy Drake in Oakwood, California in 1912, Nervous Norvus' early years are lost to history. However, we do know he got his start in the music business by opening a demo recording service in the garage of his home. His name surfaces in several 78 rpm discs in the 40s- "Gambling Fury"on the Claudia label appears to be the earliest. There were some "song poem"recordings from this era, much of it sentimental dreck, such as "You are My Inspiration"(Blue Moon) and "The Orphan's Christmas Song"(As Is), but there were occasional glimpses of the coming greatness heard in numbers like, "The Lean Green Vegetable Fiend (From Other Side Of the Moon)"issued on the Valez label. In 1955, Jimmy Drake, then working as a truck driver, recorded as a member of the Four Jokers, a Four Freshman-styled pop group with a corny, barbershop quartet sound. The sound of the Four Jokers might not have been much to write home about, but the topside of their only 45 (on Diamond) was something quite special indeed.

François de Paris · « **Reply #123 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:29:26 PM »

"Transfusion," a Jimmy Drake original, is so profoundly tasteless that it transcends all possible concepts of "good"and "bad"taste. Because of the beauty and subtlety of the craftsmanship, "Transfusion" could never be considered "camp"or shrugged off by the professionally smug as "atrocious."This timeless work of greatness concerns various hapless victims of car accidents, each accident described in rhyming couplets and followed by a sick punch line concerning the end result - a blood transfusion. One inspired line which goes - "My red-corp-suckles are in mass confusion" - will forever be etched into my cranium. The disc went nowhere, but Drake knew he had written a song like no other, a hit even, so he ditched the Four Jokers, re-recorded the tune in his garage and sent the tape to Hollywood DJ Red Blanchard. Instead of the corny crooning of the Four Jokers, the second recording of "Transfusion" featured Drake speaking the lyrics in the slyest of dead-pans-a delivery that went along with his new moniker: Nervous Norvus.

Blanchard arranged for a contract with Dot Records and soon "Transfusion" was chart-bound, reaching #8 on the Billboard pop charts in 1956. On the flipside was "Dig", a jive-talking orgy of verbiage on which Norvus laid out his philosophy of life as an ultra-hepster (i.e., "D-I-G means you know the score/so dig, dig, dig, and dig some more.") Nervous Norvus had arrived.

The follow-up Dot single, entitled "Ape Call", an ode to the sexual practices of prehistoric man and beasts: "Adam was the first man in the land/a big malaroonie daddy with an iron hand...." As we stop and, er, dig this tale of Mesozoic lust from the vantage point of forty years, we must stop and admire his effortless rhyme, perfect meter, subtle rhythm, and the clever way Nervous Norvus could turn a phrase inside out.

François de Paris · « **Reply #124 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:29:51 PM »

Consider the couplet used to describe a horny winged reptile, "Pterodactyl was a flying fool/just a breeze-flapping daddy from the old school" at which he breaks into his own song, stopping the music dead, "I just thought I'd break in here and tell you what a pterodactyl was/it was sort of a stork-looking bat with sharp teeth that flew around looking for... "Then, repeating the original phrase, the music picks up where it left off and Norvus adds, "But a mama dactyl could sure make him drool." For these achievements, we must both revere and honor the long-dead carcass of Jimmy Drake a.k.a Nervous Norvus. "Ape Call", issued on both 45 and 78 rpm, reached #24 in July of 1956. Commercially our hero had peaked, but artistically he was hotter than a two-dollar pistol, for his next and final Dot release came his finest achievement yet - "The Fang."

In "The Fang", Norvus adapts the persona of a hipster from Mars who heads to earth in search of pussy - "I'm feeling just like a new-born colt/I'm gonna hit these chicks like a Martian jolt/cuz I'm a red-hot daddy with a thousand volts/I'm the Fang."

On the flip was a bizarre dance tune called "Bullfrog Hop"which prominently featured the word "Zorch." Despite such lofty achievements, the Nervous One must have had to content himself with the warm feeling inside that comes from creating a rock 'n roll masterpiece, one that would never be equaled, for the fickle public was sick of Nervous Norvus' shtick and "The Fang" flopped. Dot dropped Nervous Norvus and put it's energy into promoting Pat Boone.

Tomovoz · « **Reply #125 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:29:58 PM »

I wonder if Audrey will have a very long engagement with Hollywood after her work with the ever present Mr Hanks.

François de Paris · « **Reply #126 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:30:35 PM »

Nervous Norvus carried on, cutting tunes for small labels into the Sixties. Peculiar ditties like "Does a Chinese Chicken have a Pigtail" (Big Ben) and his best post - Dot disc, "Stone Age Woo", a follow-up to "Ape Call" that appeared on the ass side of "I Like Girls" on the Embee label. Eventually his name disappears from record labels forever and in 1978 he made the desperate career move (worked for Elvis) of dropping dead, to no avail.

In 1985, Britain's Big Beat label issued a six-song EP of Nervous Norvus's three Dot singles (I don't know if it's still available). The Four Jokers original recording of "Transfusion" can be found on Chrome, Smoke & Fire (Blast First), a two record set of hot-rod tunes compiled by noted artist Robt. Williams.

The legendary Seattle street performer and medicine show singer Baby Gramps once told me he had a reel of unreleased Norvus material. I have not heard it, but the sheet music for "Transfusion" includes the words and music to one unreleased Drake original - "The Noon Baboon (to Rangoon)."

Some fellas have a way with words, but none quite like the late Jimmy Drake a.k.a. Nervous Norvous - the only true poet in the history of rock 'n' roll.

François de Paris · « **Reply #127 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:32:43 PM »

Quote from: Tomovoz on May 13, 2006, 06:29:58 PM

I wonder if Audry will have a very long engagement with Hollywood after her work with the ever present Mr Hanks.

She's a very down to earth young person and does not care about that! Actually, she's considering stopping her movie carrier to branch out to theater work!

She only has great things to say about Mr Hanks, claiming he has no ego and is quite a pro!

François de Paris · « **Reply #128 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:36:59 PM »

09 May 2006
MARY POPPINS ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR BROADWAY

MARY POPPINS ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR ROLES OF MARY POPPINS & BERT ON BROADWAY ASHLEY BROWN & GAVIN LEE TO PLAY WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS NANNY AND CHIMNEY SWEEP AT THE NEW AMSTERDAM THEATRE THIS FALL

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are pleased to announce that after a search spanning many months, Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee will play the roles of Mary Poppins and Bert on Broadway when the hit production of MARY POPPINS arrives at the New Amsterdam Theatre this fall.

MARY POPPINS , produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, begins performances on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (Broadway at West 42nd Street) in preparation for a Thursday, November 16 opening night. MARY POPPINS continues its record-breaking run at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End.
"After the phenomenal success of MARY POPPINS in London, we were excited to cast the roles of Mary and Bert for Broadway" Mackintosh and Schumacher said in a joint statement. "The moment Ashley Brown auditioned for us and members of our creative team, we knew we had found our Mary Poppins. Gavin Lee, who continues to amaze audiences at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, has embodied Bert with such irrepressible charm and warmth that we knew he must perform the role on Broadway. We are delighted that Ashley and Gavin will bring these two legendary characters to life at the New Amsterdam Theatre."

23 year-old Ashley Brown was first discovered by Disney Theatrical Productions in 2004, shortly after her graduation from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Just a few months out of college, she landed the leading role of Kristen in a workshop of the touring production of Disney's On the Record. She then was offered the role when the world premiere production launched later that year. Shortly after ending her run with On The Record, Brown was offered the chance to star in Beauty and the Beast and made her Broadway debut as Belle in September 2005.

François de Paris · « **Reply #129 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:37:38 PM »

Gavin Lee will be making his Broadway debut with MARY POPPINS after originating the role of Bert in the world premiere production in London's West End. Lee received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Bert and an Oliver Award nomination for Best Actor. His London theatre credits include Peggy Sue Got Married, Contact, Oklahoma!, Sondheim's Saturday Night, Crazy For You, and Me and My Girl. In addition, he has appeared in the recent film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera and Beyond The Sea.

Ashley Brown said, "Playing Mary Poppins on Broadway is a dream come true. As a little girl in Florida, I always imagined creating a role in a Broadway show. Now to have Cameron and Tom entrust me with this role is such an honor. I can hardly wait to start."

Gavin Lee said, "I am thrilled to be making my Broadway debut in a role that has given me such pleasure every night in London. Playing Bert has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I know that American audiences will embrace this magical show just as British audiences have."

Based on P.L. Travers's cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh , by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes , who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe , who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Three time Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team assembled for MARY POPPINS with co-direction and choreography by Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. MARY POPPINS features set and costume design by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley , co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear , lighting design by Howard Harrison , sound design by Steve Kennedy, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and musical supervision by David Caddick.

It took Walt Disney twenty years to make the film of MARY POPPINS, from the time he first tried to secure the film rights to its triumphant premiere in 1964. The film was an immediate and phenomenal success, earning universal acclaim. The film played to an estimated 200 million people when it was released, engendering extraordinary affection in its audiences, and has remained one of Disney's most enduring and best-loved films.

François de Paris · « **Reply #130 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:38:24 PM »

MARY POPPINS creator Pamela Lyndon (P.L.) Traverswas born Helen Lyndon Goff in Australia on August 9, 1899. While touring as a theatre actress, Pamela began publishing poems, articles, and stories; which led to a career in journalism. It was in 1934, while living in England, that she wrote the first of six books featuring Mary Poppins. When publishing, Pamela used only her initials, hiding her gender to avoid being dismissed as an archetypal female author of children's books. Travers wrote a number of other adult books, including The Fox at the Manger, Friend Monkey, and About the Sleeping Beauty. Pamela Travers passed away on April 23, 1996.

Additional casting and information for MARY POPPINS on Broadway will be announced at a future date.

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, a unit of BUENA VISTA THEATRICAL GROUP, operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher. Disney's hit productions of Beauty & The Beast, The Lion King, and Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida, have been presented in 40 international productions that have been seen by over 60 million people worldwide - making Disney one of the world's largest producers of live theatre. Disney's newest musical, TARZAN, is currently in previews at Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre for a May 10 opening. Mary Poppins, in partnership with Cameron Mackintosh, is now playing at London's Prince Edward Theatre, and will arrive on Broadway in October 2006. Further information about productions can be found at www.disneyonbroadway.com

Cameron Mackintosh produced his first musical 37 years ago and since then has produced hundreds of productions all over the world including Cats, Les Miserables, and The Phantom of the Opera, the three longest running musicals in Broadway history, Miss Saigon, Little Shop of Horrors, Side By Side By Sondheim, Follies, Martin Guerre, The Witches of Eastwick, and acclaimed revivals of My Fair Lady, Oliver! and Oklahoma! For the last 25 years it has been Cameron's long-standing ambition to produce a stage musical of Mary Poppins and he was delighted to bring this to fruition with Disney in December 2004. He owns seven theatres in London's West End - the Prince of Wales, Gielgud, Queens, Wyndhams, Albery (soon to be renamed the Noel Coward Theatre), Novello and the Prince Edward that is now home to Mary Poppins. In 1995 his company received The Queen's Award for Export Achievement and he was knighted in the 1996 New Year's Honours for his services to British Theatre. He is President of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and in 1990 he endowed the Chair of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine's College, Oxford where he is also an Honorary Fellow and Member of the Court of Benefactors.

François de Paris · « **Reply #131 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:39:20 PM »

I'm posting! I'm posting and I'm chassing people away!

Call me François Repellent! Ah!

Tomovoz · « **Reply #132 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:40:37 PM »

I knew I had copies of Transfusion and Ape Call for a reason. It's because I have such an appreciation for the classics.
Strange that neither was included on the Best of Dot records 2 Cds. They did include other novelties "Green Door" and "Pink Shoelaces""

François de Paris · « **Reply #133 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:41:11 PM »

I'm trying to find who's the new Mary in London!

I was told she looks a lot like Dame Julie looked in the film and is quite terrific or, should I say, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

François de Paris · « **Reply #134 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:45:00 PM »

I need a transfusion and that's not an Ape Call, oh no! LOL!

François de Paris · « **Reply #135 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:47:45 PM »

Ah that's it!!

10 Apr 2006
New cast members join the London Company

This week, West End veterans Louise Gold (Mamma Mia!, Anything Goes, Follies, Kiss Me Kate, Assassins and most recently Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and Diane Langton (Hair, A Chorus Line, Cats, Guys and Dolls and Spend Spend Spend) joined the London company of Mary Poppins, in the roles of Miss Andrews and the Bird Woman.

Amanda Symonds also joins the company in the role of Mrs Corry.
Other new company members include Chevaun Marsh as Miss Lark, Paul Bentley as Chairman/Admiral, Mark Meadow, Mark Faith, Scott Owen, Chloe Campbell, David McMullan, Tanya Robb, Vanessa Barnby and Paul Farrell.
_____

Ah, Louise Gold! Wonderful singer.... and just a few minutes ago I was reading that she did quite a lot of singing for various puppets of the Muppet Show years ago!

François de Paris · « **Reply #136 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:50:09 PM »

The "new" Poppins!

Scarlett Strallen
Mary Poppins

Theatre includes: Scarlett has just finished playing Josephine in the New Shakespeare Company's production of HMS Pinafore at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Other productions for the New Shakespeare Company include Cymbeline and Twelfth Night. Other credits include Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, and original casts of Mamma Mia! at the Prince Edward Theatre, The Witches of Eastwick at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and Peggy Sue Got Married at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Scarlett also appeared as Jenny in Aspects of Love and Jessie in Annie Get Your Gun, both at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Television and film includes: No Sweat! for the BBC, and the film Beyond the Sea directed by Kevin Spacey. Scarlett's voice can be heard on numerous talking books and animations.

François de Paris · « **Reply #137 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:55:16 PM »

A picture of Miss Strallen as Mary.... with the kids!

http://www.thestage.co.uk/images/pics/11231.jpg

François de Paris · « **Reply #138 on:** May 13, 2006, 06:55:53 PM »

Am I doing well?

?

François de Paris · « **Reply #139 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:04:35 PM »

I don't think anyone has mentioned that here -- and it was confirmed to me by some British guest at "my" hotel the other day but.... oh well,.... read on!

Side by Side by Sondheim to Celebrate 30th Anniversary
by Theatre.com Staff

The musical revue Side by Side by Sondheim will be revived, for one night only, featuring its original trio of singers: Julia McKenzie, Millicent Martin and David Kernan (who conceived the production as well). The staging, which will take place at the Novello Theatre on 21 May, will serve as a gala reunion in aid of the Shooting Star Children's Hospice, with the company joined by a host of guest artists.

The original production of Side by Side by Sondheim opened at the West End's Mermaid Theatre (now a conference centre) on 4 May, 1976, subsequently transferring to Wydham's. While a replacement cast took over, the original cast recreated their performances at Broadway's Music Box Theatre, where it opened on 18 April, 1977.

McKenzie, who had already appeared in the West End production of Company, went on to become Britain's leading interpreter of Sondheim musicals, originating roles in the West End premieres of Into the Woods and Follies, as well as the National Theatre's award-winning studio revival of Sweeney Todd. She also directed the original production of Putting it Together, a sequel to Side by Side by Sondheim. Martin, who later moved to the U.S., appeared on Broadway in the short-lived King of Hearts and did a longer stint as Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street. Kernan went on to devise, direct and star in a host of musical revues, including ones devoted to Jerome Kern (Kern Goes to Hollywood) and Cole Porter (A Swell Party

Ben · « **Reply #140 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:09:40 PM »

Anthony did see Mrs. Henderson Presents and enjoyed it very much, especially the musical sequences. Larry gave us a copy of the soundtrack. Anthony is taking it with him to Virginia for aural pleasure.

Jane · « **Reply #141 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:19:52 PM »

Hi François. Are you familiar with the Pont Royale? Is it anywhere near your hotel?

Ginny · « **Reply #142 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:28:40 PM »

Back after an OK dinner at the Mid-Town Diner (used to be Perkins) and watching The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Cute kids, but not enough Jim Broadbent.

François de Paris · « **Reply #143 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:33:19 PM »

Quote from: Jane on May 13, 2006, 07:19:52 PM

Hi François. Are you familiar with the Pont Royale? Is it anywhere near your hotel?

Hello, Jane!

Le Pont Royal is walking distance from "my" hotel: if you check the map on the following link you'll see that the hotel where i work is near the "rue des Saints-Pères" in the lower right corner and the Royal bridge is very close!

http://www.hotel-pont-royal.com/hotel-Pont-Royal-locationmap.html

Jane · « **Reply #144 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:36:52 PM »

My brother might be staying there. Is it nice? I forgot the name of your hotel, and lost the link to it.

Cillaliz · « **Reply #145 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:38:37 PM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on May 13, 2006, 04:26:36 PM

Spurned sturgeon!
Floored flounder!
Taunted tuna!

Banished Bass

François de Paris · « **Reply #146 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:39:00 PM »

This is how "my" hotel looks like just right now.... and you could almost see me at the computer throught the middle window, groundfloor of course, if i hadn't shut the shudders!

http://www.hoteldanube.fr/images/front.jpg

François de Paris · « **Reply #147 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:41:05 PM »

Quote from: Jane on May 13, 2006, 07:36:52 PM

My brother might be staying there. Is it nice? I forgot the name of your hotel, and lost the link to it.

Oh... it's a 4 star hotel and i'm a shooting star, err... the Danube is a 3 * one! It has to be nice!

http://www.hoteldanube.fr/

http://www.hoteldanube.fr/index-gb.htm

Jane · « **Reply #148 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:43:38 PM »

I want to see a “feel good” movie tomorrow-wish I hadn’t seen Akeelah and the Bee last week, it would have been perfect.

Any suggestions?

A few of my movie options are:
Going Shopping
Tsotsi
Real Dirt on Farmer John
Thank You for Smoking (Keith really doesn’t want to see this)
American Haunting
Just My Luck

Jane · « **Reply #149 on:** May 13, 2006, 07:52:04 PM »

François, thanks for the info. It must be a very nice location. If he didn’t get the reservations I’ll tell him about your hotel.

News:

Author Topic: ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE, ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE (Read 26501 times)

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

François de Paris

Ben

François de Paris

Cillaliz

François de Paris

François de Paris