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[Robin]

My favorite all-time number 1 Sondheim song, and I don't think this will change is Someone in a Tree from Pacific Overtures. It is also one of my absolute favorite shows in the entire musical theatre canon.

I just fell madly in love with you...Pacific Overtures is astonishingly brilliant, and it's currently getting a resurgence in popularity.  I saw a breathtaking performance of this at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre a few years ago; a good deal of the audience didn't "get it", if you know what I mean, and left at intermission.  (I heard one idiotess whine that it was "a ten-dollar play", whatever the heck that meant, and someone else bitch that there weren't enough real Asians in the cast, and why the hell did men play the women's parts?  Talk about dolts!)  There was also a production of this recently here in the Twin Cities which wasn't as miminalistic, and not only blurred racial lines but gender lines (some men played women, some women played men); it didn't work for me as well as the Chicago production, but I still liked it a lot.  

Anyway, some of my other favorites...

"Being Alive" from Company

"Impossible" from Forum, which contains my favorite lyric:
"The situation's fraught,
Fraughter than I thought,
With horrible,
Impossible,
Possibilities!"

"Our Time" from Merrily We Roll Along, another sadly underrated Sondheim show.  Oh, hell, I like ALL the songs from this show...!

"Anyone Can Whistle" from Anyone Can Whistle.

"If You Can Find Me, I'm Here", from Evening Primrose.

[Robin]

Ooooh, PAGE FOUR!

[Jane]

I haven’t a clue as to why mail, addressed to my father, would come to me since my brother is the executor of the estate.  Today, addressed to Ashland, CA (the correct zip code got it here) the Superior Court of California mailed my father a notice of Permanent excuse due to the fact he is deceased.  It is times like this when having a warped sense of humor is a definite advantage.

[Jane]

Like his real parents are people to be ashamed of?

You are so right!  

[S. Woody White]

That is an awesome view!  Is it the view from Pompey's head, or the view from the bridge, or is it the view from the room with a view?  Whatever it is, it is breathtakingly beautiful!  (especially the shot with the beard).  (OH!  a Liza Minnelli reference)!

Hey, a little credit where credit is due!  That pic of ol' fur-face didn't take itself, y'know!

( )

(But I guess no one reads captions.)

And best continued vibes, TD.

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[Jane]

Hey, a little credit where credit is due!  That pic of ol' fur-face didn't take itself, y'know!

You mean you took the photo?

“Here is the view from SWW's new perch”   sounds to me as if it is a view from your new home.  But it looks like a view of the Grand Canyon.  

[Noel]

So much to comment on...
That's what makes for a busy Monday.

Part of my work today was rewriting a Sondheim lyric.  A cabaret I'm doing on the 23rd is to begin with Invocation and Instructions to the audience.  Since there's no point in referring to Aristophanes when the song is done out of the context of the original show, I changed it to

Please don't cough,
And turn the goddamn cellphones off.
You mustn't add to our cacophonies
So please, don't cough.

...which I know, is an identity rather than a rhyme (cacoph... and cough).  Embarrassed as I am, I know I'm the only one who'd notice it.

I thought Reds was a beautifully photographed film.  And also The Last Emperor.  Were the directors of photography BK named alive or dead?

Sunset Boulevard, the wonderful Billy Wilder film, was rendered dramatically inert by Lloyd Webber and company.  I truly believe that the only way to make it work as a film musical is to throw out the score and start anew.  Of course, throwing out the Broadway score has ruined many a film.  But much of the stage version's success was based on stuff that won't translate to the screen, such as a hydrolic set.  I don't think Liza Minelli's up to the role, but Glenn Close still has name recognition.  And Meryl Streep may be a superior singer.

I empathize about the galley problems (even if I have no empathy about the lack of a posting frenzy).  We stared and stared at the proofs of the Our Wedding - The Musical http://www.weddingmusical.com/ CD liner.  On the front cover is a quote from The New York Times, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9907E0DC153EF93AA25753C1A9659C8B63 and here's how it looked on the proof:

raffishly rhymed riffs...brought down the house

When the huge box of CDs arrived from the manufacturer, here's what it said on the cover:

raffishly ryhmed riffs...brought down the house

It took us more than a month to discover the mistake, but there's nothing we can do about it.  The first printing has run.  Their mistake; not ours: the proof we'd approved was perfect.

I'm exceedingly gratified that Diana Ross will be doing jail time for drunk driving.  It's not that I have anything against Miss Ross (she was once a neighbor); it's just that drunk drivers are evil, killing and injuring many innocent victims every year.

[TCB]

Gee, half-way through the day and I have still not gotten around to responding to today’s topic.  This is really a tough one for me, as, apparently, it is for a lot of other people here.  There is so much great Sondheim to choose from that it boggles the mind.

Just about anything from Sweeney Todd.
Just about anything from Follies.  
Just about anything from Company.
Just about anything from A Little Night Music
Just about anything from Evening Primrose

Anything from Gypsy, Forum, or West Side Story.

And, a lot from just about every other show by Sondheim, except Bounce or Passion (and only because I am not familiar with the score of either one of them).

[Matt H.]

Speaking of BOUNCE, the cast album is set for release sometime this spring, isn't it?

[Panni]

Like his real parents are people to be ashamed of?

When I was writing for SEEING THINGS on the CBC (see yesterday's posts) the show ran on PBS NY at some ungodly hour. It had a tiny cult following of smart people who stayed up late. One day a letter showed up in our production offices simply addressed to "Seeing Things, CBC." Being Canada, it got to us.  
The letter was from Stiller and Meara, saying they had accidentally caught the show and wanted to send congratulations on how funny it was. Coming from them, that was a tremendous compliment. I still have a copy of it somewhere.

[TCB]

Oh yes, there is one Sondheim show that I really don't care much for, but I think I will keep the name of that show to myself.

[Robin]

I've got a problem.  

Well, actually both the Significant Other and myself have the same problem, and I'm kinda hoping the assembled throng here at HHW would be kind enough to share their solutions to this situation.

Every week, either one or the both of us will pick up some deeveedees.  They're mounting up.  They're going to take over the condo, if we're not careful.  We've just sold a ton of them on eBay, but that's only a stopgap measure at best.  Space is at a premium; and we like our living space fairly small and spartan.  

How are YOU storing them?  Do you have some monolithic storage unit, or are you throwing away the packaging and storing the things in albums or something?  Should we apply to have our teevee room redone on Trading Spaces?  

[Jane]

Exactly the reason we rarely purchase a DVD.

[Matt H.]

A friend of mine puts the DVDs in those super thin CD jewel boxes you can buy at Office Depot for very cheap and then he cuts up the keeper or snapper case sheets to make the cover. He has hundreds of DVDs stored in a filing cabinet.

[George]

So Were We
An NBA announcer who came under fire for referring to basketball star Yao Ming as a "Chinaman" has apologized and said he was unaware it was an insult, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Steve Kerr was pilloried after he used the term during a nationally televised game a couple weeks ago. The Organization of Chinese Americans described its members as incensed by the phrase.

"I'd like to offer a heartfelt apology to all viewers, and to Chinese Americans in particular, for referring to Yao Ming as a 'Chinaman' on TNT's broadcast of the Houston Rockets game this past Monday night," Kerr said in a statement. "I made the comment very innocently, as I incorrectly believed that referring to Yao in that way was the same as calling someone a 'Frenchman', an 'Englishman' or a 'Dutchman.'"

A New Slur?
A Canadian hockey player has been suspended for referring to an opposing player as a "Euro" during a match, reports The Associated Press.

The Ontario Hockey League suspended Plymouth Whalers defenseman James Wisniewski for five games for telling Stefan Ruzicka that he did not fight "Euros" when challenged. Ruzicka is from Slovakia.

Ted Baker, the OHL's director of hockey operations, said the league does not tolerate comments directed at players based on their origin, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

der Brucer (hoping Jennifer or Emily will post something nice about The Ontario Hockey League)

Okay, I have a question about this...sort of.  Is the expression "calling the kettle black" a racial slur or reference?  Last week on "The Apprentice," one of the women said it to Omarosa (the African American woman) who took offense.  I never thought about this expression being a racial slur (and have never used it anyway), but I was just wondering if it is or was Omarosa being too sensitive because emotions were high at that moment and the expression has the word "black" in it.  Anyone know?  Or am I just naive?

[Jane]

http://www.goenglish.com/ThePotCallingTheKettleBlack.asp

The Pot Calling The Kettle Black ( to say something about someone else which is actually true of you yourself ... )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 "the pot calling the kettle black"
 You are the pot calling the kettle black when you point to another person and accuse that person of doing something that you are guilty of doing yourself. Example: "You are accusing me of being lazy? Ha! That's the pot calling the kettle black!"

"The pot" (for cooking) and "the kettle" (for boiling water) sit on the stove over the fire and become black from the flames. Example: "I'm tired of you always wearing my clothing!" Answer: "Aren't you the pot calling the kettle black? You're wearing my pants right now!"

The pot and the kettle are like old friends who have turned black with time; the pot only sees the blackness which is on the kettle; he doesn't see the black on himself. Example: "Here comes the guy who is always late for work." Answer: "Aren't you the pot calling the kettle black? You are usually the last person to show up!"
 

[Dan-in-Toronto]

I've been stalling on the Sondheim choices, but at the moment "Sorry-Grateful" is my favorite lyric.

DR Jane. Yes, a warped sense of humor is a definite advantage - and the letter you received made me groan. When I discontinued my mom's phone line, the operator - sounding much like a recording - finished the conversation with: "Please accept our condolences and thank you for choosing Bell Canada."

[Donna]

Speaking of Mario Cantone...
He was on The View this morning reviewing The Grammy Awards show. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Definitely cathartic!

Excerpt: He mentioned Justin Timberlake"s apology for the Superbowl fiasco and then referred to a photo of Justin's Mom in the audience---wearing a very low cut gown with most of her boobs hanging out!

Can't wait till Mario returns to The View to review The Oscars!

[DERBRUCER]

Oy - I didn't git nuttin'

A common Christmas lament:

I'm Gettin' Nothin' for Christmas
(to the tune of the hoomin song by the same name)

I chewed big holes in Daddy's socks, somebody snitched on me.
I never heel while on my walks, somebody snitched on me.
I brought my mom a big old bug, then I messed up on the rug,
Look at all the holes I dug! Somebody snitched on me!
Soooo...... I'm gettin' nothin' for Christmas!
Mommy and Daddy are mad!
I'm gettin' nothin' for Christmas!
'Cause I ain't been nothin' but bad!

From the same delightful web site:

Winter Wonderland

(to the tune of "Winter Wonderland")
Dog tags ring, are you listenin'?

In the lane snow is glistenin'.
It's yellow, not white - I've been there tonight,
marking up my winter wonderland.

Smell that tree? That's my fragrance
. It's a sign for wand'ring vagrants:
"Avoid where I pee, it's my property!
Marked up as my winter wonderland."

In the meadow Dad will build a snowman,
following the classical design.
Then I'll lift my leg and let it go, man,
so all the world will know it's mine-mine-mine!
Straight from me to the fencepost,
flows my natural incense boast:
"Stay off of my turf, this small piece of earth.
I mark it as my winter wonderland."

der Brucer (from his vault of useless doggerel)

[Ben]

TCB, we believe in free expression here at HHW so if it's Pacific Overtures that you don't care for, feel free to say that. I won't jump on you and pummel you until you're unrecognizable, all the while hurling invective at you that would curl a sailor's hair. I promise  

[DERBRUCER]

Is it the view from Pompey's head...

It is the view from his left ear.
Here is the view from the right:



der FurFaced  Brucer

[Ben]

TCB (again), I have been looking for the larger version of my avatar/profile picture and can't locate it. Anthony may have done something with it. Here's a similar picture (though not in the basement at the pool table) of us together relaxing. It was taken in October of 2000 at my sister's wedding.

[Panni]

DVD space solution - Send them to me.

I just took a - gasp - nap. I've been SO tired the past few days, but haven't had much sleep during the night. I finally diagnosed my inability to work with zest and zeal to exhaustion. So I lay down for a short nap - and it was yummy. The only downside was that my faithful wonderdog also lay down. After about an hour, as we were both floating around in dreamland, he roled over on top of one of his squeak toys -- which let out the most goddawful "YEEEEEEEEEEE" I have ever heard. It's a wonder I didn't hit the ceiling and crack open my skull as I jumped up. Now I am AWAKE and ready to work.

[Jed]

...which I know, is an identity rather than a rhyme (cacoph... and cough).  Embarrassed as I am, I know I'm the only one who'd notice it.

Unless there's people like us in the audience.

When I did that song for a couple of my college recitals, I used the Putting It Together version of the lyrics.  Still has Aristophanes, but no pool and such.

TCB said:

Oh yes, there is one Sondheim show that I really don't care much for, but I think I will keep the name of that show to myself.

Now you've just got us all curious!  As for myself, I don't care for Passion.  I've tried, but simply can't get into it.

[Danise]

Evening all!  Glad to see the "storm" has passed.    I had to laugh a little to mysef because I remembered what my dad used to say when ever I got in one of the those moods.  Not sure if I can repeat it here.  

Jose!  Did you get your pancakes this morning?  No more when  you join me on the diet!  Not to brag but I'm 7 pounds ahead of you and counting!  

Don't know what to say about the DVD problem.  I bought a stand to keep mine in just a scant few months ago--around Turkey Day if I remember correctly--and it's already almost full.  I don't buy that many DVD's, just my very favories but who knew I had so many?  And with more to come!

TD--I hope all went well for your Dad.  Good vibes to you both!

Jane.  I also hope your doing better.  I haven't been in contact because I thought you need your rest.  

We had a fire drill at work today.  We had to walk down from the 22nd floor (where I work) to the 15th and then back up.  Whew.  There was a LOT of huffing and puffing by the time I crawled back to my desk.  My legs felt like rubber bands.  

I was almost ready to get another fish but this was another example why I don't really want one.  I couldn't leave it behind if something happened for real.  I always had a small jar for Fish Butt and would have to catch him while everyones saying, "Get out, get out."  It was a pain.  This time I only had to grab my purse and go.

I felt really sorry for the gals who wear high heels.  I'm sorry guys but I would NEVER wear them.  10 minutes in them and I charely horses up the wazoo.  I only wear flats and those get tossed off as soon as I hit the door.  I'm a bare foot kinda girl.  In the winter I have a pair of heavy socks that I wear but that's as close to shoes as I get.

I'm rambling and I'm not even a Rose.  

[Jane]

Dan-in-Toronto the painter from hell tried telling me my Dad’s condo was like a construction site & I shouldn’t be concerned about the mess he was making.  I assure you, at the time, my sense of humor was long gone.  

Panni thanks for the laugh.  I have had similar experiences.  Echo doesn’t always need a squeaky toy to startle me, she just lets out a loud snore.

[Jed]

Sondheim songs... (as of 4:31pm PST 2/9/04... likely to be different at 4:32pm)

Ballad - What Can You Lose?
Comedy - A Little Priest
Others that I can't not mention - A Weekend in the Country, Color and Light, Opening Doors

[Jane]

Thanks Danise.  I'm much better today and went for a walk after a six day lapse.  Half of my walk is uphill so I had a good workout my first day back.  The sun was shinning & it wasn't too cold.  

Seven pounds-that’s great.  Now that you have begun walking the stairs at work, I suggest you do it every day.  Well, not all 22 floors  , just a few to begin with, increasing a flight every week.  

[Danise]

Just glad your feeling better.

I do take the mail down to the 17th floor everyday.  I can't walk back up.  I tried but found my knees were really starting to bother me.  I had to almost dragged my right leg to the bus one day.  

The stairs are, alas, to rough for me.

[Jrand74]

DR MATTH - see any good movies lately?