Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[bk]

Here is what I would ask BK. I apologize in advance for the length.

After searching the archives, I see that DR JMK asked you back in January of 2005 what you thought of our shared musical idol Todd Rundgren. Your response: "I'm sure I also like Todd Rundgren but I don't have any CDs and hence cannot remember what songs he's done."

FYI, he is the genius behind "Hello It's Me," "I Saw the Light," "Can We Still Be Friends," "Bang the Drum All Day," etc. As many here have pointed out over the passage of time, he also has a keen musical-theater influence, having covered "Lord Chancellor's Nightmare Song" and "Something's Coming" (from WSS) on his LPs.

You are so very knowledgeable about musical theater, sir, that I wondered if knew anything about Joseph Papp's off-Broadway mounting of "Up Against It," the abortive screenplay Joe Orton wrote for the Beatles back in the 1960s. Papp conscripted Rundgren to write an all-new score (music and lyrics, natch) for Orton's script, which was re-tailored for the stage. I was lucky enough to see the production three or four times, once while sitting two seats away from Mr. Rundgren. His score draws from influences ranging from Sondheim and Weill to Gilbert and Sullivan, and it's rather excellent, I think. So...were you aware of the musical, does it pique your interest in any way, and now that I've named a few Rundgren hits, do any of the titles ring a bell?

[blatant self-promotion]

And incidentally (clearing throat), I wrote the liner notes for the recent "Best of" Rundgren anthology for Rhino Records -- my third such project for the label.

[/blatant self-promotion]

Thank you.

Your pal,
Brett

I'm going to have to get the Todd Rundgren album, because none of those titles are ringing a bell.  I'm sure I've heard some of them, but the titles aren't doing anything for me.  As to the Orton play, I don't really know anything about it.

[bk]

ask BK

Why do you think there has never been a Broadway revival of A Little Night Music and if there was one who would you like to see in it?

They have spoken about a Night Music revival for years - but I think they know it's a soft show and these days producers of revivals don't seem to be looking for soft shows - they want big, loud shows, or new concept shows.  I suppose if one had an all-star cast it might do okay, but I think that's the best it would do.  If John Doyle were the director, I would stay far away.

And I'll just say, I've been bored of these endless revivals for twenty years, no matter how good they are.

[bk]

Ask BK:

Other "Best Musical" winners (50-80's) that have never been revived. Your opinion why not.

Redhead
Fiorello (and pulitzer prize winner)
Bye Bye Birdie
Hallelujah, Baby!
Applause
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Raisin
Evita
Drood

This list is much more interesting, of course, or certain titles are, because some of them are quite long in the tooth now and would be interesting to see again.

Bye Bye Birdie would have liked to come in during the Tommy Tune tour, but it really wasn't good enough and Tune and Reinking didn't exactly light up the stage with chemistry or star power.

Redhead - don't know it well enough, but I think it was pretty much a vehicle for its star and choreographer and it's probably not that good.

Fiorello - done by Encores (their first season, I think) and although people seemed to enjoy it, it's probably not that interesting for producers, given its time period, and I've never seen it so I don't know how good the book is.

Hallelujah, Baby - it wasn't a hit, therefore I don't think any producer would care about reviving it, as nice as some of the score is.

Applause - talked about for years, but you'd need a mega-watt star (and I don't mean Miss Ebersole, who I like very much, but you need someone who's in the class of Bacall, and who that would be I have no idea).

Two Gentlemen of Verona - sorry, I don't like this musical at all, although the original production was fun to watch.  I think it would open and close very quickly were it to be revived.

Raisin - No one cares.

Evita - talked about for years.  

Drood - I just don't think anyone cares, really.

[Edisaurus]

Another possible revival

Promises Promises

though I don't think Sean Hayes is remotely right for the role. I'm not dissing his talent, I'm just saying I don't see him as Chuck Baxter

I saw that, too and thought "huh"?

[bk]

Oh, and I'm up.

[DearReaderLaura]

Good morning, fellow Dear Readers. I have a nice list for my DH, as he is now on vacation and his relatives arrive in a couple of days. It appears he woke up in the wee hours this morning and scrammed.

[Edisaurus]

Although I don't know the show, I know many people will be thrilled the the news of the new release and it should fly off the shelves. (Or bk's garage...)

[FJL]

At the time Nell Carter passed away, she was set to star in a production of the musical RAISIN, and there was much talk then that the production would have a future if it were successful - but of course, it was contingent on her name being attached as star.

[Kerry]

DRLaura-- read your e-mail-- I'll talk to you later in the day.

[DERBRUCER]

HOLLYWOOD - THIS MORNING

der Brucer

[Ron Pulliam]

Well, that was inevitable!

der Brucer

And I was considering a tasteless Helen Keller joke.

At least you've pegged the operative word!

[DERBRUCER]

I have a nice list for my DH, as he is now on vacation and his relatives arrive in a couple of days. It appears he woke up in the wee hours this morning and scrammed.

Clever man, he is!

Can you give your HoneyDo list to Kerry?

der Brucer

[bk]

I shall shortly be on my way to a brief work session.

[bk]

After which, I shall return.

[singdaw]

At least you've pegged the operative word!

Or, in this case, post-operative.    

[singdaw]

I had somehow missed that Nell Carter was no longer with us.    

[singdaw]

We've always thought
Knowledge is naught,
We should be taught to dance,
Right here at Tate
we're up to date,
We teach a great new dance,
don't think that I brag,
I speak of the drag.
Why should a sheikh
learn how to speak
Latin and Greek badly?
Give him a neat
Motto complete
Say it with feet gladly!
First lesson right now,
You'll love it and how you'll love it:
Here is the drag, see how it goes,
Down on the heels, up on the toes,
That's the way to do the Varsity Drag,
Do-dee-odle-oh-do!
Hotter than hot, newer than new,
Meaner than mean, bluer than blue,
Gets as much applause as waving the flag!
You can pass many a class,
Whether you're dumb or wise,
If you'll all answer the call
when your professor cries:
"Everybody down on the heels, up on the toes,
Stay after school and learn how it goes,
Everybody do the varsity drag!"


VARSITY DRAG
(Lyrics: Buddy De Sylva, Lew Brown / Music: Ray Henderson)

[singdaw]

Can you give your HoneyDo list to Kerry?

Well, in his avatar he's always mowing the lawn!

[singdaw]

Well, that was inevitable!

It's terrible being so predictable, ain't it?    

[singdaw]

_{photo:   Sascha Radetsky, ABT}

[Ron Pulliam]

Pass That Peace Pipe

A Medicine Man I Met
Said Don't Get Yourself In A Sweat.
When Things Look Gray,
Just Shrug And Say:
"It Musta Been Somethin' I Et!"
"So Don't Get Yourself In A Snit, " he said,
"Tuck Your Tantrums Into Your Kit Instead.
"It's Disarming To Be Charming,"
Quoth The Medicine Man,
Whom All Agree It's Plain To See
Nobody Could Be Wiser Than.

So If Your Temper's Getting A Top Hand,
All You Have To Do Is Just Stop And
Pass That Peace Pipe And Bury That Hatchet
Like The Choctaws, Chickasaws,
Chattahoochees, Chippewas Do.

If You're Feeling Mad As A Wet Hen,
Mad As You Can Possibly Get, Then
Pass That Peace Pipe, Bury That Tomahawk
Like Those Chichamecks, Cherokees,
Chapultepecs Do.

That Cold Shoulder Never Solved A Single Complaint.
When You're Older, You'll Wipe Off All Of That War
Paint.

If You Find Yourself In A Fury,
Be Your Own Judge And Your Own Jury.
Pass That Peace Pipe And Bury That Hatchet
Like The Choctaws, Chickasaws,
Chattahoochees, Chippewas Do.

If You Want To Hover Out West, Too,
You Will Soon Discover It's Best To
Pass That Peace Pipe And Bury That Hatchet
Like The Choktohs, Changos,
Chattanoogas, Cheekarohs Do.

Even In Colonial Days, You
Know The Ceremonial Ways To
Pass That Peace Pipe And Bury That Tomahawk
Like Those Chakootamees, Chepacheps
'N' Chicopees, Too.

Pull Your Ears In, Try To Use A Little Control.
When "All Clear"'s In, You'll Be Top Man On The Totem
Pole.

So, If You Wanna Be An All-Right Guy --
Not A Long Face,  Blues-In-The-Night Guy --
Write That Apology And Dispatch It!
When You Quarrel,  It's Grand To Patch It!
Pass That Peace Pipe And Bury That Hatchet
Like Those Choctaws, Chickasaws,
Chattahoochees, Chippewas
And Those Chichamecks, Cherokees,
Chapultepecs
And Those Chakootamees, Chepacheps
'N' Chicopees, Choktohs, Changos,
Chattanoogas, Cheekarohs Do-O-O-O

Written by Roger Edens, Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane
- As a duet for  Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire in the MGM film
“Ziegfeld Follies”,  but it never made it into the picture.
It resurfaced a few years later in 1947 in the movie "Good News"
and was nominated for an Oscar as Best Song!

[Ron Pulliam]

Is the HHW clock off kilter...by an hour or so?


It's 10:10 a.m. as I write this (pdt), but the post says it was "posted" at 9:17 a.m. and some change.

[Ron Pulliam]

It's terrible being so predictable, ain't it?    

I knew you would say that.

[Kerry]

Hello everybody.  This is Mrs. Norman Maine.

--which is a damn better than being Mrs. Morman Bates!

[S. Woody White]

They have spoken about a Night Music revival for years - ... If John Doyle were the director, I would stay far away. ...

But Henrick already plays the cello!

 

[elmore3003]

Pssst... The Raisin in the Sun revival closed a few seasons back in 2004.

You're right! It's now CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.  Color me embarrassed.

I ordered the EVENING PRIMROSE. Thank you all for your help and advice.

[S. Woody White]

...Bye Bye Birdie would have liked to come in during the Tommy Tune tour, but it really wasn't good enough and Tune and Reinking didn't exactly light up the stage with chemistry or star power.

It did provide der B and myself with the first chance to see Susan Egan onstage.

Hallelujah, Baby - it wasn't a hit, therefore I don't think any producer would care about reviving it, as nice as some of the score is.

Der B and I saw the revival in DC.  Our DR Jose was the best part of the show, and he wasn't onstage.

[S. Woody White]

At the time Nell Carter passed away, she was set to star in a production of the musical RAISIN, and there was much talk then that the production would have a future if it were successful - but of course, it was contingent on her name being attached as star.

The revival was being staged in Long Beach, at the International City Theater.  Der Brucer and I used to attend regularly, and der B was on their board of directors for a while.

While ICT does good work, the operative word is good, not great.  I can't see any of their work transferring elsewhere.  

[singdaw]

TOD:

My Ask bk question:

Assuming that the new Kritzerland release does spectacularly well, might that pave the way for other rare projects?  Do you have a "wish list" for further future releases?

[JoseSPiano]

Is the HHW clock off kilter...by an hour or so?


It's 10:10 a.m. as I write this (pdt), but the post says it was "posted" at 9:17 a.m. and some change.

I believe the time difference is due to the change in the start of Daylight Savings Time.  Some computers and computer servers have been updated, and other haven't.  The same goes for VCRs, DVD players, etc., that have DST pre-programmed in.  -Which is also why the day's notes and posts will sometimes appear to repeat a day lately.