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[TCB]

Sorry, I am having a terrible time with my wifi tonight.  I will keep trying to post.

[John G.]

TOD: I don't know if it was the BEST Shakespeare production of Macbeth I've ever seen, but it was interesting. At the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, CT. The set was a giant sheet. That was it. The sheet covered the entire stage, and it was pulled by wires and/or other mechanisms into all the various shapes required for the set pieces.

Saw some abomination called "Shogun Macbeth." The actors were apparently given some sort of expression to utter, especially during the battle scenes to give it some Asian authenticity. Sadly, the word sounded like "nyuck, nyuck" and more than a few people in the audience started laughing because it all just sounded like a Three Stooges routine. And because it didn't let up for the rest of the show, the laughter just grew and grew.

[John G.]

Six! Wifi vibes for TCB!

[John G.]

Armistead Maupin is publishing a new "Tales of the City" novel next year: The Days of Anna Madrigal.

I loved all of the Tales of the City books, but I must say that for me the moment has passed.

I would agree. Maupin's last few books seem more about regaining his audience than in doing what he wants to say or write.

[John G.]

TOD:

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: (Classic Farce)

Why?  Cary Grant is at his comedic best.  Need I say more!

No

I love this movie...but Cary Grant hated it.

Really?  Why?  I read this before I saw the movie and thought he was perfect.

I thought he was perfect, too.  But, when I interviewed him and mentioned that I loved the movie, he got pissed and said he hated it; that it was a terrible film.

I don't think the director, Frank Capra, liked it much either.

[MBarnum]

Man, people are just so ignorant and stupid and yet they post in public and pontificate and just look like the idiots they are.  Someone posted the video of Poor Little Person from Henry, Sweet Henry - it's a great number with perfect Michael Bennett choreography - why a choreographer who knows how to actually build a number - unlike today's choreographer hacks.  Here's the number.  And here is what the idiot posted, something along the lines of "That was painful.  Terrible choreography and Playten (Alice Playten) is pitchy!"  You watch and tell me all about the "terrible" choreography.  As to pitchy, she may have been having trouble hearing the band in that noisy section of the song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lyv67Peo4w&feature=share&list=PLv1NJ34PSuYxXHSluWZrKYflkidqHrsdC

The person criticizing the talent in that clip knows nothing. I loved it, myself!

[Druxy]

TOD:

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: (Classic Farce)

Why?  Cary Grant is at his comedic best.  Need I say more!

No

I love this movie...but Cary Grant hated it.

Really?  Why?  I read this before I saw the movie and thought he was perfect.

I thought he was perfect, too.  But, when I interviewed him and mentioned that I loved the movie, he got pissed and said he hated it; that it was a terrible film.

I don't think the director, Frank Capra, liked it much either.

I think that the play is one of the all time great comedies; a timeless classic.  I saw the revival in NY back in the 1980s with Jean Stapleton, Tony Roberts and, my client, Abe Vigoda.

Perhaps Grant and Capra's problem was that the play had to be toned down for the movie?

[John G.]

TOD:

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: (Classic Farce)

Why?  Cary Grant is at his comedic best.  Need I say more!

No

I love this movie...but Cary Grant hated it.

Really?  Why?  I read this before I saw the movie and thought he was perfect.

I thought he was perfect, too.  But, when I interviewed him and mentioned that I loved the movie, he got pissed and said he hated it; that it was a terrible film.

I don't think the director, Frank Capra, liked it much either.

I think that the play is one of the all time great comedies; a timeless classic.  I saw the revival in NY back in the 1980s with Jean Stapleton, Tony Roberts and, my client, Abe Vigoda.

Perhaps Grant and Capra's problem was that the play had to be toned down for the movie?

I seem to remember Capra saying something about that. And also, farce is hard. I think Grant's wonderful in the movie, but the pacing is almost too frantic or something about it seems to be trying too hard.

It's been years since I've seen it. Will have to get it from the library.

[Druxy]

TOD:

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: (Classic Farce)

Why?  Cary Grant is at his comedic best.  Need I say more!

No

I love this movie...but Cary Grant hated it.

Really?  Why?  I read this before I saw the movie and thought he was perfect.

I thought he was perfect, too.  But, when I interviewed him and mentioned that I loved the movie, he got pissed and said he hated it; that it was a terrible film.

I don't think the director, Frank Capra, liked it much either.

I think that the play is one of the all time great comedies; a timeless classic.  I saw the revival in NY back in the 1980s with Jean Stapleton, Tony Roberts and, my client, Abe Vigoda.

Perhaps Grant and Capra's problem was that the play had to be toned down for the movie?

I seem to remember Capra saying something about that. And also, farce is hard. I think Grant's wonderful in the movie, but the pacing is almost too frantic or something about it seems to be trying too hard.

It's been years since I've seen it. Will have to get it from the library.

Grant's double-take when he opens the window seat is the funniest double-take I have ever seen.

[John G.]

They've held over "All Shook Up." Maybe I'll get to see it this weekend.

[TCB]

Loved the lyrics, Fred.

[John G.]

Loved the lyrics, Fred.

d
Me, too.

[John G.]

Good night, all.

[TCB]

George, have you seen LOVE, LOSS, & WHAT I WORE at OLT?  Or are you planning to see it?

[TCB]

TOD: When I was in seventh grade, I discovered Shakespeare and before the school year was out, I had read a half-dozen of his plays, including As You Like It and Macbeth. I later learned that summer that there was something called Shakespeare in the Park across town that was free, so I made my dad take us down there. That first season they did both of those plays and Measure for Measure.

It started a tradition that continued through high school and even after, whenever I came back to Louisville. When I was old enough to drive, I would go with friends and sometimes we would sit through the same production five or six times over the course of the two-week run of each show. It was a great educational experience, because you would get to see actors grow into their roles. The actor who played Hamlet one summer could barely get through the part on opening night. By the closing, he was much more assured.

I've seen plenty of Shakespeare in the park productions wherever I've lived. Often the shows are transformed into musicals with anything from rock to 1920s-style songs.

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be a production of Merry Wives of Windsor in Louisville one summer. On the last night (I had seen it four times already), the leading lady took ill and the director went on with a script in her hand, concealed behind a fan. Everything about the evening was magical.

As for the movies, I love the Soviet King Lear, Kurosawa's Ran, Twelfth Night, the Reinhardt version of "Midsummer's Night Dream," "10 Things I Hate About You," "West Side Story," "Scotland, Pa.," Zeffirelli's "Taming of the Shrew," "My Own Private Idaho," "Titus," Mazursky's "Tempest" and "Forbidden Planet."   

 

Ah yes, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU.  Filmed right here in Tacoma.

[TCB]

OK, so who's going to read Shirley Jones' tell-all autobiography?

Read it?  For God sakes, I made out with the woman.  Okay, so maybe she kissed me.  Once.

[Cillaliz]

Armistead Maupin is publishing a new "Tales of the City" novel next year: The Days of Anna Madrigal.

Oh! Thanks for telling us, I love the Tales of the City

[Cillaliz]

Armistead Maupin is publishing a new "Tales of the City" novel next year: The Days of Anna Madrigal.

I loved all of the Tales of the City books, but I must say that for me the moment has passed.

I'm willing to give it a go. 

[Cillaliz]

BK, thanks so much for putting Samantha's song in the notes.  It's beautiful.  If I think about the book, it's touching, if I think about my niece, it feels like I'm singing her a lullaby.  I sent her the link. Don't know if she'll stop back in.  She's expecting her second baby in October and Dash is just a little over a year so she's got her hands full.  She's always wanted to be a mom, so she's in her element and very happy. 

[Cillaliz]

And she still says that Ginny is cute... 

[Cillaliz]

Ok, I'm up way too late.  I've been in a bit of a funk lately.  I'm not getting much done at the office.  I had to buy a new washer and dryer and today the tree man gave me an estimate on getting the huge limb down that broke off in the last storm and trimming everything else up.  it has to be done. I have some old trees that could easily fall on the house.  He's going to trim the limbs around my neighbors chimney while he's at it.   Between these two expenses, not so sure the trip will happen this fall.  But I'll just wait and see. 

[Cillaliz]

I have pigeons on my fire escape at work for the first time.  I don't see them on anyone else's fire escape.  What is it with the animals wanting to be near me, lol

[Cillaliz]

I do think the tree man is expensive, but these are limbs that require them to climb way up in the tree, they can't get a cherry picker up there. Others will need the cherry picker, and he said he'll take out a couple stumps I have and trim all the rest of my trees for the same price.  He'll also give me as much mulch as I want and even spread it for me.   It's worth it.  Much better than having a tree fall on the house and his crews are the best in the area

[Cillaliz]

Oh, and he'll clear out all the volunteer trees I haven't been able to get to. 

[Matthew]

Armistead Maupin is publishing a new "Tales of the City" novel next year: The Days of Anna Madrigal.

I loved all of the Tales of the City books, but I must say that for me the moment has passed.

Thanks for this info, Larry.  I love that series.  I've read it many times including the two books he wrote after the series about Michael Tolliver and Mary Ann Singleton. 

[Matthew]

Tonight I saw Bernadette Peters in concert with members of the SF Symphony.   She gave a performance that was beyond my expectations. The only thing that kind of threw me for a loop was her second song was "No One is a Alone", interesting place to program that song. ANYWAY, she sang Sondheim, she sang Rodgers and Hammerstein, and she sang Fever while laying on the piano. She encored with "Move On" from "Sunday in the Park With George" which practically moved me to tears. She sang two songs from "Follies" which were just fantastic.

She also sipped water throughout the whole entire evening and moved her mic stand around a lot.  I wouldn't have noticed if those things weren't mentioned in bk's notes recently!

The surprise of the evening came when she sang "Children Will Listen" - something I never thought she'd do. It was quite the treat. So, all I have to say is, please Bernadette, no more revivals, just sing the songs you love to sing for us.

[Cillaliz]

That's my life.  One big exciting thing after another.   Although I do have a cool idea that I'm toying with.   My laundry room is very small, a hallway really.  It has a wall that adjoins a big storage room in my garage.   I thinking about seeing if someone can take down the wall, finish the whole room off and then put in some sort of heating system.  I'd put in storage shelves and cabinets, but would also have it as a laundry room.  It would really be great. The storage area would be much more accessible and clean and I could put in a table for folding laundry etc.  I can't think that it would cost THAT much since all the structure is already there, although there is electric that may have to be moved....It would be really cool, though.   I just don't know any good contractors here, so it scares me a bit to even get an estimate

[Cillaliz]

Better get to bed.  I do have a lot to get done at work tomorrow

[George]

George, have you seen LOVE, LOSS, & WHAT I WORE at OLT?  Or are you planning to see it?

I hadn't planned on it...do you know someone in it?

[George]

Well, since we're so close...