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[TCB]

And then there was Hello, Dolly.  I'll talk more in the notes, but let me just say that in fifty-something years of theatergoing it was the single worst professional production of a classic musical comedy that I have ever seen.  I don't mind a director having a "concept" - in this case a stripped down Dolly with no sets that basically takes place in a train station with the luggage carts moving around to become tables and the hat store and like that.  In fact, without changing that part of it, I could stage a fun Dolly on that set - one that would use it cleverly and make it work.  If you like brown, this is the production for you.  Everything is brown - sets, costumes - it's like you're watching Hello, Dolly by Anton Chekov.  Everything is lifeless and dreary and there's simply no joy.  The director states he's trying to play the text, to get to the heart of Dolly, but he's doing the opposite - he simply does not have the tools to deliver.  And if you're going to forego Gower Champion's brilliant choreography, you'd better have something damn good to replace it.  Gower was one of the greats at dance as storytelling - here we get steps (not interesting steps) and that's it.  Twice the choreographer paid homage and gave us Gower moves and they were the only moves in the show that worked.  Funny that.  A cast of around seventeen including a six-person ensemble.  Not the Dolly I want.  The title song is performed by Dolly and four boys.  They do roll out a big carpet for her entrance - I thought, finally some red, but alas, it was beige.  The poor actors are left hung out to dry, especially the talented Nancy Opel, who is so much better than she's being allowed here.  Either her director encouraged a performance without energy (real) or her director didn't do what he needed to do to GET the energy.

How very disappointing.  I suppose it could have been worse; the actors could have played all of the instruments.

[Cillaliz]

Just kiddin' Cillaliz!

  Not following the games.  Were they playing ISU?

[TCB]

6

[Cillaliz]

Many vibes for cat Nicky! Poor little...but very cute...kitty.

Believe me, at 20 pounds he isn't little.

20 pounds!!!! 

Yep, that was his weight the last time the vet saw him.

My cat Petey was about 18 pounds.   

[John G.]

Thanks for the notes on Hello, Dolly. Looking forward to reading more. The one comment I read about it was someone surprised to see the cast seated during what was supposed to be "Before the Parade Passes By."

[TCB]

TCB, that's a funny thought - but you know, there re actually enough guys in it that you could call "in really good shape"  - and all of them do actually have hands on them - that I guess if anyone tried to claim no literal truth in advertising, they'd have trouble making their case. 

Seriously, an excellent show!  I'm surprised to see the ad breaks HARD BODY into two words, didn't noitice before that the logo did, that.

Well, the show is sounding better and better.

[John G.]

And then there was Hello, Dolly.  I'll talk more in the notes, but let me just say that in fifty-something years of theatergoing it was the single worst professional production of a classic musical comedy that I have ever seen.  I don't mind a director having a "concept" - in this case a stripped down Dolly with no sets that basically takes place in a train station with the luggage carts moving around to become tables and the hat store and like that.  In fact, without changing that part of it, I could stage a fun Dolly on that set - one that would use it cleverly and make it work.  If you like brown, this is the production for you.  Everything is brown - sets, costumes - it's like you're watching Hello, Dolly by Anton Chekov.  Everything is lifeless and dreary and there's simply no joy.  The director states he's trying to play the text, to get to the heart of Dolly, but he's doing the opposite - he simply does not have the tools to deliver.  And if you're going to forego Gower Champion's brilliant choreography, you'd better have something damn good to replace it.  Gower was one of the greats at dance as storytelling - here we get steps (not interesting steps) and that's it.  Twice the choreographer paid homage and gave us Gower moves and they were the only moves in the show that worked.  Funny that.  A cast of around seventeen including a six-person ensemble.  Not the Dolly I want.  The title song is performed by Dolly and four boys.  They do roll out a big carpet for her entrance - I thought, finally some red, but alas, it was beige.  The poor actors are left hung out to dry, especially the talented Nancy Opel, who is so much better than she's being allowed here.  Either her director encouraged a performance without energy (real) or her director didn't do what he needed to do to GET the energy.

How very disappointing.  I suppose it could have been worse; the actors could have played all of the instruments.

I can see Dolly with a tuba around her waist. Brilliant, TCB. And Irene could play a glockenspiel while wearing ribbons down her back.

[Cillaliz]

Well, I'm officially in the middle of the Casino race here in Sioux City. There are four different proposals going to the racing and gaming commission and one of them will become our land based casino.  I was going to stay out of it, but have been asked to speak on behalf of the one I really do want to get the license.   I'm pretty amazed that they actually think what I have to say will make a difference, but what the heck

[TCB]

I am thinking of buying another corned beef this weekend, just so I can  cook up a whole bunch of potatoes and carrots.  The one I bought last weekend was more St. Fatty's Day, than St. Patty's Day.  But damn those spuds and carrots  were 2 die 4.

A flat cut is a little less fat than a point cut.  It should say which it is on the package.  I had a point cut, but went through every single one in the case to find the leanest.

So, what I want is a flat cut?

[TCB]

Just kiddin' Cillaliz!

  Not following the games.  Were they playing ISU?

Yes, in fact they still are.

[Cillaliz]

http://warriorsiouxcity.com/index.html

This is the proposal I'm supporting.  Both of the buildings to be restored are on the national register

[TCB]

http://warriorsiouxcity.com/index.html

This is the proposal I'm supporting.  Both of the buildings to be restored are on the national register

Would this be a non-Native American casino?

[Cillaliz]

Well, yes and no.  Yes, because we do have casinos in Iowa and this isn't a Native American casino.  No because would be financed and managed by Ho-Chunk inc. which is a Native corporation.   We already have a casino in Sioux city but it's sort of a fake riverboat.  At first you had to have a real boat that moved, then you had to be on the river, but not move  Not it can be land based, but the licenses are few and far between and of the 4 proposals, only one will get the license.

[Cillaliz]

The other proposals are being made by Penn National they are making two, actually, and the last one would be a Hard Rock Casino.

[Cillaliz]

They are both totally non-Native

[John G.]

That's very nice to be asked, Cillaliz.

[Cillaliz]

They also have to be conneccted with a non-profit that gets a certain percentage of the profits.  That money is donated to local charities etc  Gambling money built the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, has helped re-roof churches and done all sorts of good things for us

[Cillaliz]

That's very nice to be asked, Cillaliz.

I think so.  I really don't think I have much pull with the state commission, but what the heck

[Cillaliz]

Although, I do know the chair of the commission, not well, but I know him

[Cillaliz]

http://hardrockcasinosiouxcity.com/

http://www.hollywoodcasinosiouxcity.com/

Here are the other proposals.   It's like a political campaign and really quite silly.   

[TCB]

In Washington we only have Native American casinos.  Well, actually we do have some other "casinos" but they are basically just card rooms.

[Cillaliz]

http://www.ktiv.com/category/132524/video-landing-page?clipId=8688680&autostart=true


Two of the stories at the links above are about the Sgt Blass, a young man from my home town who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.  The first is at the airport when the family met his casket and the second is about the man who lined the streets of my home town with 2000 flags in honor of Sgt Blass

The flag man story is on the same page, I can't get it to come up in a separate link. It' below the first story and called "man honors fallen soldiers with thousands of flags"

[TCB]

The Native American casinos are all strictly for profit.  I think there are something like 24 casinos around the state.  Each one is run by a different tribe.  Besides the gambling the tribal casinos are the only place Washington residents (and guests) can go and still smoke inside.  That makes their bars and hotels popular as well.

[TCB]

Iowa State wins!

[Cillaliz]

GO State!!! I really am glad to hear that

[John G.]

Night, all.

[TCB]

http://www.ktiv.com/category/132524/video-landing-page?clipId=8688680&autostart=true


Two of the stories at the links above are about the Sgt Blass, a young man from my home town who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.  The first is at the airport when the family met his casket and the second is about the man who lined the streets of my home town with 2000 flags in honor of Sgt Blass

The flag man story is on the same page, I can't get it to come up in a separate link. It' below the first story and called "man honors fallen soldiers with thousands of flags"

Very touching.

[Cillaliz]

I considered going home for the service on Tuesday.   I don't know that I'd go to the actual service, but afterward they are asking people to line the street from the high school to the outskirts of town.  It's about 3 miles give or take.  He is being buried in a nearby town.   So the entire lenght of town will be  lined with people and the 2000 flags.   I think it's an amazing tribute.   Unfortunately, I'll be at the meeting about the casino