Topic: WHAT TAKES MY FANCY (Read 9029 times)

singdaw · « **Reply #30 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:38:51 AM »

PAJAMAS!!

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #31 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:42:10 AM »

Aughghghghghghghghghghghgh!

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #32 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:42:39 AM »

It's only THURSDAY!

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #33 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:43:21 AM »

_Sigh.

ChasSmith · « **Reply #34 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:43:52 AM »

DR Elmore:

I wish I could say I was jumping in and crash-familiarizing myself with IRMA LA DOUCE and grabbing a ticket, but that week is already crazy and I just don't see it happening.

FYI, I've got those Trinity lunchtime concerts on my calendar. The 15th might or might not work, but the other two should. Of course I have no idea what kind of a crowd shows up and how feasible it is to get in. But I'll go for it. I haven't even been to the Financial District in years, so that will be fun -- and rewarding (if that's the right word) to finally visit the 9/11 memorial, etc.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:44:01 AM »

HA!

The songs sounded great last night.....so rehearsals continue. We are without our pianist for a few days....so our next rehearsal is Monday. I will work on book scenes Monday and Tuesday.

I think having a reviewer here on HHW is a great idea, and I look forward to it!!!

John G. · « **Reply #36 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:46:00 AM »

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on April 10, 2014, 08:43:21 AM

_Sigh.

Yup.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #37 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:46:06 AM »

TOD:

My absolute favorite, beyond any shadow of a doubt, is "Young Frankenstein". Everything about it is wonderful...the b/w photography, the sets/art direction, the performances AND the phenomenal John Morris score. Special favorite moment is the "Puttin' on the Ritz" number.

I'm also fond of "Blazing Saddles" and all the bits with Mongo, especially.

and then there is "High Anxiety" -- the Cloris Leachman/Harvey Korman bits are a scream and a half. I also love it that it's a lovely takeoff on Hitchcock and, again, John Morris' score is perfection in its homage to Bernard Herrmann.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:46:42 AM »

I have read the SPIDER MAN book, and I think it lets us know how wrong a show can go...and how it happens. The elephant in the room for me is that it was not a good idea to begin with.... The author doesn't specifically point fingers.....but certainly "determined" Julie Taymor seems to be the main villain in the piece.

ChasSmith · « **Reply #39 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:47:41 AM »

I've got the sucky auditiions tonight, tomorrow night, and Saturday morning/afternoon -- the latter being the really sucky part.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #40 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:47:41 AM »

My friend Jennifer is in NYC and asked for suggestions for food places....so I steered her toward former DR JOSE S PIANO ... I am sure he can point her in several directions.

ChasSmith · « **Reply #41 on:** April 10, 2014, 08:50:42 AM »

More coffee!

singdaw · « **Reply #42 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:10:27 AM »

Quote from: Jrand63 on April 10, 2014, 08:47:41 AM

I am sure he can point her in several directions.

In more ways than one.

singdaw · « **Reply #43 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:10:39 AM »

If you know what I mean.

singdaw · « **Reply #44 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:10:52 AM »

And I know you do.

singdaw · « **Reply #45 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:10:59 AM »

Kate · « **Reply #46 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:11:58 AM »

Good Day All:

TOD:

YOUNG FRANKSTEIN (All of it)

BLAZING SADDLES

ChasSmith · « **Reply #47 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:12:04 AM »

Hey, I hope vixmom is doing better -- if I recall, she was feeling poorly a few days ago, and fighting that along with a busy work schedule.

Kate · « **Reply #48 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:12:16 AM »

Goodbye for Now!

elmore3003 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 10, 2014, 09:34:17 AM »

Quote from: ChasSmith on April 10, 2014, 08:43:52 AM

DR Elmore:

I wish I could say I was jumping in and crash-familiarizing myself with IRMA LA DOUCE and grabbing a ticket, but that week is already crazy and I just don't see it happening.

FYI, I've got those Trinity lunchtime concerts on my calendar. The 15th might or might not work, but the other two should. Of course I have no idea what kind of a crowd shows up and how feasible it is to get in. But I'll go for it. I haven't even been to the Financial District in years, so that will be fun -- and rewarding (if that's the right word) to finally visit the 9/11 memorial, etc.

I cannot attend the 22nd concert; I'll be in a final mix for ROBERTA.

bk · « **Reply #50 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:01:03 AM »

I'm up after eight hours of sleep - was hoping for nine, but alas eight is what I got.

bk · « **Reply #51 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:01:10 AM »

Very odd dreams.

bk · « **Reply #52 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:01:21 AM »

Odd dreams very.

bk · « **Reply #53 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:05:04 AM »

I thought the film of the musical of The Producers was terrible - couldn't even make it all the way through - flat, unfunny, and really poorly directed, IMO. The original still makes me laugh out loud, but that's what makes horse racing. I used to have an acquaintence from high school who was Mel's secretary at Fox, so I got to see rough cut screenings of Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, Silent Movie and History of the World, Part One. Even in rough cut it was obvious that Young Frankenstein was brilliant - the others were not so hot and never improved much beyond the rough cut. I think after the screening of Young Frankenstein they shaved about ten minutes off, and at that point there was no John Morris score, and boy did that add a lot to the film.

John G. · « **Reply #54 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:09:15 AM »

Quote from: bk on April 10, 2014, 10:05:04 AM

I thought the film of the musical of The Producers was terrible - couldn't even make it all the way through - flat, unfunny, and really poorly directed, IMO. The original still makes me laugh out loud, but that's what makes horse racing. I used to have an acquaintence from high school who was Mel's secretary at Fox, so I got to see rough cut screenings of Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, Silent Movie and History of the World, Part One. Even in rough cut it was obvious that Young Frankenstein was brilliant - the others were not so hot and never improved much beyond the rough cut. I think after the screening of Young Frankenstein they shaved about ten minutes off, and at that point there was no John Morris score, and boy did that add a lot to the film.

Not a big fan of the stage version of The Producers or the film of it, but in watching the movie musical on DVD, I found I loved the alternate version of the musical number in which Bialy gets his checks from the little old ladies. That was wonderful. It was everything the rest of the movie lacked.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #55 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:15:54 AM »

Quote from: bk on April 10, 2014, 10:05:04 AM

I thought the film of the musical of The Producers was terrible - couldn't even make it all the way through - flat, unfunny, and really poorly directed, IMO. The original still makes me laugh out loud, but that's what makes horse racing. I used to have an acquaintence from high school who was Mel's secretary at Fox, so I got to see rough cut screenings of Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, Silent Movie and History of the World, Part One. Even in rough cut it was obvious that Young Frankenstein was brilliant - the others were not so hot and never improved much beyond the rough cut. I think after the screening of Young Frankenstein they shaved about ten minutes off, and at that point there was no John Morris score, and boy did that add a lot to the film.

Anecdotally, I remember reading that there was a scene between Igor and Frederick (or, Froderick, if you prefer) back stage before "presenting" the monster to the public, in which the good doctor, upon seeing Igor all dressed up, said, "Ummm, where's your hump?" To which Igor replied: "Never with tails".

Matthew · « **Reply #56 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:20:07 AM »

RE: Todays notes. I'm 2 weeks away from my opening of Yong Frankensten - the Musical* and I couldn't agree with bk more about his assessment of the musical. While for me, it's just a "lets do this and get it over with" show for me, I'm hoping our audience likes it. Our cast is very young. Too young to appreciate actually having to act out these iconic characters. With the exception of our Frau Blucher - who is amazing - the rest get the job done. The score is forgettable, the dancing goes on too long, but the best thing about the show is it's very well orchestrated and my band sounds fantastic.

*title is misspelled on purpose.

Matthew · « **Reply #57 on:** April 10, 2014, 10:20:33 AM »

I may not be around here much, but i do read the notes everyday!

ryacko · « **Reply #58 on:** April 10, 2014, 11:05:57 AM »

Greetings, all,

I'm delighted to know Rob Stevens will be here. I still have my Robby Award bus he gave me for The Secret Garden a million years ago.

BK, it looks like, if I make your signing on Saturday, I will be on the later end. I would have to come by after rehearsal, which thankfully is in NoHo. How late do you think your event might go?

TOD:
I do think that Young Frankenstein is Mel's very best film. I actually sat through it twice the very day I saw it in a theater back in Philly. I've only done that for a couple of films. I just couldn't leave the theater without seeing it again immediately. And it has too many brilliant moments and quotes to list. I'll simply say "sed-a-give?!!".

I loved The film of the Producers, mostly for the idea and the performances. One bit that still makes me laugh from Mel's "To be Or Not to Be" was his naming the stage manager Sondheim - just so he could yell later in the film "Sondheim, send in the clowns!". Blazing Saddles does have lots of hilarious stuff in it too, not the least of which is Madeline Kahn.

Kate · « **Reply #59 on:** April 10, 2014, 11:20:52 AM »

I'm on Chapter 12 of REDGOLD

News:

Author Topic: WHAT TAKES MY FANCY (Read 9029 times)