Well, dear readers, I just got home from an opening night and the play didn’t come down until ten-thirty and then I had to make an appearance at the after party, which was in the green room and outside. They had hot dogs and burgers and potato salad and cheeses and fruity fruits ballsy balls (meat), and it was all very festive. Lots of desserts, too. I had nothing at all, made the rounds, then headed home. I just ordered a couple of Taco Bell items as I haven’t eaten very much – just some clam chowder and a very small amount of a wedge salad. So, whilst I wait for food, let’s play ketchup, shall we. I got a bit over eight hours of sleep, arising a little after noon o’clock. Once up, I answered many e-mails, wrote my PCP and had a little back and forth volley resulting in a video appointment next Thursday, at which point we’ll discuss all the things I’ve mentioned. I had the aforementioned chowder and bits of a wedge salad, then I shaved, did some writing, which was fun and I really will now buckle down, Winsocki and start doing at least ten pages a day. I want to send Muse Margaret the first thirty pages just so I know I’m on the right track with this – or should that be the write track? I had some telephonic conversations, and then I showered and was on my way to the theater to attend an opening night for the play version of the classic film, Network, which I think I watched again last year and was surprised how relevant the entire thing still was. Anyway, it was turned into a play, first done in London with Brian Cranston as Howard Beale, and then on Broadway with Mr. Cranston – its run cut short by the pandemic. One does wonder if it would have had a decent run. I really don’t recall reading any reviews for it. Anyway, no one did this kind of writing better than Paddy Chayefsky, so it was fun to hear all that wonderful dialogue and the cast is very good. I know it was a bit of a tech nightmare – two previews and the invited dress were cancelled, so we were there first audience, but the Group Rep opening nights are always very friendly audiences, so the actors got a good reaction throughout. I wasn’t all that fond of the stuff added by the writer who adapted it, and the play is very episodic with some scenes lasting a minute or less and some lasting substantially more and jumping from location to location. Hard to stage that kind of show and they’re still finding their footing, pace-wise, but everyone enjoyed it and Bert Emmett, who I’ve worked with a couple of times, is really terrific as Beale and that isn’t easy walking in the footsteps of Peter Finch. Not to mention the other iconic performances from the perfectly cast film. And the woman who plays the Faye Dunaway role got a virus, so they got the runner-up for that part to agree to come in with one rehearsal and go on for the entire weekend on book – and she did very well and they’re going to give her another weekend towards the end, I understand, so she can do it sans script in hand. And now, I’m still waiting for food.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll book a haircut for next week, but mostly I think I want to write. I’ll do a Gelson’s run to see if they have any interesting foodstuffs, but I’m kind of thinking I’ll order in Jinky’s always great wings – I get all drumettes – with some ranch dressing. In fact, I could save the fees and just go there – yes, I think I’ll just do that and forget about Gelson’s. I also have to choose the final three songs. At some point, I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow is more of the same then next week is very busy with many different things, including writing, working on the video of Drat! The Cat! so we have it the best we can, some meetings and meals, the video visit with my PCP, making a schedule for the Kritzerland show – several duets, so it’s always hard to schedule those kinds of shows, then hopefully picking up two important envelopes. It can be dicey when the end of the month falls on a Sunday.
Let’s all put on our point party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and the vegetarian ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora or the Swim, for today is the birthday of our very own beloved dear reader Jeanne. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our very own beloved dear reader Jeanne. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR VERY OWN BELOVED DEAR READER JEANNE!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, book a haircut, write, get some wings, eat some wings, choose the final three songs, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite plays and films of Paddy Chayefsky? I’ll start – my introduction to Paddy Chayefsky was the national tour of The Tenth Man, my very first play – and I still love it. The writing is brilliant. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, always happy to hear the wonderful words of Paddy Chayefsky.