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FUN LINKSChicago TheaterARFTCo and also in Los Angeles...and also in Baltimore...Blogs We LoveA Hole In The Head People We LoveAndi World POSEIDON!The Official Carol Lynley Home Page Handblog Archives
10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003 And also...David interviews Margaret Cho |
read the handblog...5/27/2004My Way of LifeWell the Feast of Fools show was a rousing success and now I'll be able to stay home for a night this week. Well, Monday that is..., We had a really good time and the show went pretty smoothly if not a tad long. Everybody knows I'm no stranger to shows that run long but this time I didn't write it. I got a chance to chat with the delicious Patty Elvis. We are talking about mounting an Elvis type movie show, and I think the possibilities are intriguing. Patty is one of the most charismatic and sexy Elvis interpreters out there and I would love to tackle an Elvis homage/parody with rockin' music, girls, fast cars and the like. My light bulb just went off (or on..., you know what I mean)...,Tonight we have our first show since opening and we will be incorporating the cuts into the show. I don't expect everybody to remember them all, but the 3 major cuts are pretty easy to execute since they involve the cutting of a character or in one case, a major sound cue (the telephone conversation between Mamacita & BD). Baby Jane has proven to be a challenging show, but I think we've risen to the challenge by not just doing what's expected of us. We have press and such attending so I hope my wig doesn't fall off tonight. posted by David on 5/27/2004 05:22:00 PM | Link |
5/26/2004My Way of LifeHowdy Handbaggers. Well, I have completed what are for now (this run) the final cuts of How 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane' Happened., and we will be implementing them tomorrow. Sid Smith from the Chicago Tribune called me for tickets. We will be incorporated in a feature on 'Camp' that ties in with the new 'Stepford Wives' movie. The Stepford Wives is the very first movie I parodied almost 9 years ago- it's one of my favorites. Mine was called the 'The 12 Step ford Wives' and it had a recovery theme. BC Kalz and Ludwig participated in it as well. Seems like forever ago. Tonight is the Feast of Fools and I'm ready (I think). It should be a good time however I'm told the stage is the size of a postage stamp and Ed Jone's ain't gettin' any smaller. The wraparound story involves circuit parties, pharmaceutical companies and unsafe circuit party behavior in the name of 'fun'. I have to confess I've never been to a major circuit party. They just don't hold any appeal to me. Working in dance clubs in the 80's soured me on constant thump-thump music and drugs. I didn't like most of that music then, and I don't like it now. Nothing has changed. It's still the same tired old woman belting out words Patti LaBelle style to electronic thumps programmed to sound good when your high, and since I don't get high, it's like there's nothing in it for me. Oh sure, occasionally there's a good song that sneaks it's way past the dreck the circuits clones listen to, but really, who cares? I know I sound old, but truly, I hated that when I was young too, preferring Berlin to Paradise (where I worked).Try to come see the show if you can. It's only 10 bucks and you haven't lived until you've heard Bill Haddad's alarmingly filthy sex talk. posted by David on 5/26/2004 05:11:00 PM | Link |
5/25/2004My Way of LifeWell, I think I managed to take a chunk out of the second act of How Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. The trick is doing it in a way that won't cause a major stumble up during the run Thursday. That would not be a good thing. We'll be coming in early Thursday to read though the changes, discuss any snafus and do a line through to shake our heads up a bit. It's been a tough last week for the Baby Janers so Thursday we will start the show refreshed and renewed.As if I don't have enough to do last night I had Feast of Fools rehearsal with the live band in Taylor's charming basement studio. I thought it went quite well. The kids are sounding good. I can relate to Fausto's nervousness, so I just did what I was told to do. We'll be running through the bits tonight. I think we're ready. Click HERE for discount tickets!!!! posted by David on 5/25/2004 08:44:00 PM | Link |
5/24/2004My Way of LifeYes, opening night took a lot out of me. Everybody did a wonderful job and I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with. I've spent last night and today working on cuts which I've submitted to Jay Paul for 'discussion'. Apparently Jay changed his mind about the show not needing cuts. I'm glad he did- (Was it the fact that Steve and I had 5 o'clock shadows midway through the second act?) Larry Bommer was there for I believe the Chicago Free Press and I guess Justin Hayford for the Reader showed up as well. It's probably best I didn't know he was there.Rick Karlin put out an unbelievable spread. MAGNIFICENT. The attention to detail would make Joan herself envious, and I finally started to relax half way through the party. Good thing I don't have an orange tree in my backyard. posted by David on 5/24/2004 09:24:00 PM | Link |
5/21/2004My Way of Life2 Days until the opening of How 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane' Happened. Yes, I'm a bit nervous.I took today off because I thought I'd be exhausted but Jay Paul and crew are respectful of our time and not keeping us till all hours of the night. The disadvantage of this is we've not had a run through of the show in a few days and I spent the morning and will probably spend more time this afternoon going over my script and taping Joan/Blanche lines to listen to in my car. I'm on my way to Skyscraper Heels to purchase a 4-paneled panty girdle to do some justice to the beautiful dress that Bill Morey made for me. Joan would want some hips, although in real life she didn't have much of an ass herself. There were two, yes two stories in the local papers about Baby Jane. The Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Tribune, and we're listed as one of the 'HOT' shows to see this summer. Good work, Hickson. posted by David on 5/21/2004 07:27:00 PM | Link |
My Way of Life2 Days until the opening of How 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane' Happened. Yes, I'm a bit nervous.I took today off because I thought I'd be exhausted but Jay Paul and crew are respectful of our time and not keeping us till all hours of the night. The disadvantage of this is we've not had a run through of the show in a few days and I spent the morning and will probably spend more time this afternoon going over my script and taping Joan/Blanche lines to listen to in my car. I'm on my way to Skyscraper Heels to purchase a 4-paneled panty girdle to do some justice to the beautiful dress that Bill Morey made for me. Joan would want some hips, although in real life she didn't have much of an ass herself. There were two, yes two stories in the local papers about Baby Jane. The Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Tribune, and we're listed as one of the 'HOT' shows to see this summer. Good work, Hickson. posted by David on 5/21/2004 07:27:00 PM | Link |
5/20/2004My Way of Life3 days until opening. I had typed out all sort of clever little things with rather amusing links but I accidentally erased it.Last night we did what is known as a 'cue to cue', which can be a deadly tedious process, but with so many good-natured people it wasn't bad at all. The REAL crew does the actual work. We just stand around on stage (like I usually do), and feed the real tech people our lines, so it didn't bother me at all. I wore my Star Jones Payless pumps and Ed Jones looks great in his Maidie costume. Our fake stagehands Jeremy and Rob actually do a lot of arranging and lifting, and they do it with a smile. Such nice boys! The best part of the evening for me was practicing my entrance. And what an ENTRANCE! Everybody should have an entrance like the one Jay Paul has given me at least once in their life. If only life came with a Max Steiner score, it would help make everything a little more beautiful. Just hearing that music fills me with the spirit of Joan. My throat is on the mend. Hopefully it will be good to go by Saturday, and it already feels MUCH better today, and I didn't cough last night!!! Faye Dunaway had to see Frank Sinatra's specialist when she played Joan in Mommie Dearest, so I guess it comes with the territory. Don't forget we have a preview Saturday night and we open Sunday and since Rick Karlin is preparing food and organizing the event you know this won't be just a cheese and cracker affair. His attention to detail is amazing, much like the technical crew of our show. Yes, I'm getting excited. Can't you tell? Call now for tickets..., God Bless you- David posted by David on 5/20/2004 06:03:00 PM | Link |
5/19/2004My Way of LifeOf course, EVERYBODY knows that when you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U & ME!!! Rest in Peace Tony Randall.4 days until opening... Last night we hit a few snags due to to some unforeseen wiring issues and the apparent waterlogged wood on the stage at the Theater Building Chicago, (It takes paint a long time to dry). But this did not deter Jay Paul and crew and we found other ways to keep ourselves occupied. John Buranosky introduced us to our new props- wait til you see Mr. Crackers. Doug McDonald scaled great heights to install lighting fit for a movie set and although I was tired when I arrived to the theater Rob Steel's dead on sound cues invigorated me. We also had a character fashion show with the fabuloso Bill Morey. Joan would approve. posted by David on 5/19/2004 04:39:00 PM | Link |
5/18/2004My Way of Life5 days until opening.Last night I went to the Theater Building Chicago after my workout to help paint the stage and ended up trying to clean the filthy filthy dressing room. UGH! This is the same space we opened POSEIDON! in and it doesn't look like the dressing room is ever really seriously cleaned. I'm talking scrubbing the toilets, REALLY cleaning the floors in the bathroom. Seriously trying to clean the carpeting. There's thumb tacks and bits of food, and make-up and whatever. It's not too cool, and if I think it's bad, it MUST be bad, because, unlike my character, Joan, I am not a neat freak- just ask Christopher. I did my best to remove all the dust from the shelves (and there was a lot) and tried scrubbing the dirty dressing tables. I didn't get a chance to vacuum because the due to the humidity the first coat of paint of the stage never fully dried in the time it was supposed to because of the humidity. One stain I couldn't get off the dressing table was Making Porn's Matthew Rush's rather florid autograph. However, considering that body and piece of equipment he has I wouldn't care if put hearts over his i's. Got a glimpse of my new wheel chair, and it is a beauty. Bill Morey brought costumes and they're beautiful as well. I just love vintage clothing, particularly from the early 60's. I'm tired, and I've eaten too much of this Munchies crap and it's kind of made me nauseous. posted by David on 5/18/2004 09:56:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeFrom one of my Joan Crawford Yahoo Groups...,I just joined on here to post something I feel is of importance. I will be gone after this post. I am a gifted and professional astrologer with over 30 years experience and have read for over 10,000 people with 95-100% accuracy. The other night I watched the movie "Mommie Dearest." I also remember reading the book as a teen. After the movie, I looked at Joan Crawford's astrology chart in a book I have of celebrity charts. Now this is very involved and extensive and is not the sun sign junk on the newsstands. Each individual's chart is as unique as their fingerprints- no two are alike. There is NO WAY Joan Crawford did what her adopted daughter accused her of doing. NO WAY! I am here because I want people to know it is a LIE!! I know my stuff. With a retrograde Mars in Libra of peace, she had a difficult time expressing her anger. Jupiter in Pisces trining Neptune in Cancer, she was an extremely compassionate person almost to the point of being taken advantage of. Jupiter conjunct Mercury in Pisces with chart ruler Pluto in Gemini gave her high intelligence and many intellectual gifts. With four planets in air signs, she expressed herself intellectually, not violently. With Scorpio ascending at 14 degrees, and chart ruler Pluto in the 8th house, her intensity came through on the stage. Saturn/Moon conjunction in Aquarius - problems with her mother and childhood, but not in the way her adopted daughter twisted it into. Neptune 0 degrees (critical degree) of Cancer in the 8th of death pertains to deceptive and unfinished issues in death. Marilyn Monroe had ruler of Neptune (sign of Pisces) on the cusp of the 8th- both stars had mysterious, but different circumstances after death. Neptune rules lies and Joan's Neptune ruler sign Pisces is on the cusp of her 5th the house of children. Lies tied in with children, mainly the first child. I am very familiar with angry aspects, degrees and signs, violent degrees, fixed stars and so forth. Joan has NONE of these. Violence and anger in the chart are planets conjunct fixed star caput algol 24-26 degrees of Taurus, Moon/Mars aspects, prominent Mars, Mars aspecting Pluto. 25 degrees of Leo, 18-22 degrees of Scorpio/Taurus and many more. Joan's Mars is very subdued, she was incredibly peace loving regardless of what biographers and others claim about her. She has NO planets or points in Virgo of perfection and overly clean as her daughter portrayed her. Virgos tend to perfection and can be overly concerned with cleanliness if there are enough personal planets in the sign or it is ascending. I took the time to write this letter in attempts to clear her name and reputation. I am very involved in occult studies which I do not want to sound like I am promoting here. I feel because of the lies, she is not at rest. She was a fine actress and I have seen many of her movies and enjoyed them. I am writing to you, her fans to clear her name. An allegation goes a long way and Joan is not here to defend herself. Her reputation has been visciously ruined. Bette Davis' daughter tried the same as Christina and Bette's ex-husband Gary Merrill came to Bette's defense by publicly protesting the lies. I am posting this and signing out of this group. My groups are occult/Pagan religious. Please people- it is important her name be cleared from these heinous lies and allegations! Only you, her devoted fans can make a difference. If only we knew about this sooner..., posted by David on 5/18/2004 04:37:00 PM | Link |
5/17/2004My Way of LifeUnclever alert! You have been warned.Six days left until opening. We load into the Theater Building Chicago today, and tonight we will be painting. Yesterday was Jane, Jane, Jane. From Noon- to Nine for me. Probably longer for Jay Paul, Jackie & Greg. We had NEW cuts yesterday and they seemed to work. Everybody is preparing for the wonderful week of tech. I'm off book, but there are just certain scenes that I have to practice saying out loud in an 'acting' mode. For example, I can recite Blanche's desperate phone call, word for word while relaxing on favorite comfy chair sipping a cup of coffee, but I tend to freeze up when I'm dragging my lifeless limbs across the floor. The mouth just goes faster then the mind. MOST people understand what this is like, and I'm sure to get past it, but it's fucking frustrating. We all have certain moments or bits of dialogue that seems to twist us up. I plan on just fainting on stage if I forget a line. I'll just write it into Blanche's character. After rehearsal Steve, Ed and Jeremy went over to my house to go over the script. We got Jeremy to loosen up and whenever he made a mistake when feeding us our line he was required to remove a piece of clothing, which made an otherwise dreary event much more fun. Jeremy does a wonderful Anna Lee impersonation. Brigitte, I think we found you an understudy..., Which leads me to the next bit of SAD NEWS. The lovely Anna Lee, who plays Mrs. Bates in the original 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" movie passed away this weekend. She certainly lived a full life and continued to work even after she was (eerily enough) paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a car, just like Blanche Hudson..., Eek! posted by David on 5/17/2004 04:47:00 PM | Link |
5/14/2004My Way of LifeSo, there's 9 days left. Nine. NINE. Not that I'm nervous or anything..., I'm just sitting here at my desk. Typing and thinking..., Thinking and typing..., I guess if you combined the two it would be called 'Thyping'...Or 'Tinking'...,We had to do the inevitable Act 2 run though yesterday and it was so much fun Jay Paul made us do it again in double time. This is the part of the process that would make the casual observer think anybody doing this for next to nothing is insane. Lot's of work, lot's of fear (for me at least). It's sort of like jumping into the deep end of the pool for the first time. You just have to do it. Highlights included Cathy and Cindy Crawford's matching outfits. I have to reiterate Jay Paul's observation about the amazing teamwork a cast of 23 is showing. We have to be there for each other, or we're fucked. It's as simple as that. posted by David on 5/14/2004 06:32:00 PM | Link |
5/13/2004My Way of LifeCountdown to Jane..., 10 days until opening. We finished blocking the show. Hoooooo-ray. We also had some act 2 cuts (OUCH!) and changes, and Jackie bought me a pair of knee pads. I didn't have the heart to tell her I already owned several pairs in various colors and styles. One for alleys, one for dirt roads, another for 'L' platforms- that pair has a special splinter shield chemical(Splint-Eeze) embedded in the fabric- and a waterproof, non-skid pair for steam rooms so you don't break a tooth like poor Ed Jones did a couple of years ago.I really enjoy being kicked around by Bette, it's going to be awesome when we master it. I get to thrash around and make agonizing noises, and Steve really goes to town on me. It reminds me of playing 'Poseidon Adventure' on my bed when I was a kid with my brother and sister. Shame on you for thinking what you're thinking..., Our Webmaster and Mistress Richard and Pauline have added the picture for the Baby Jane coloring contest. The talented and all around cool guy Dan Crowley created this beautiful illustration and the winner gets a really cool Dan Crowley creation. Many of Dan's 'ladies' look like Joan Crawford already so this should be a fabulous(did I just say fabulous?) addition to any serious camp aficionado's collection. Also new- More press photos! Yippee! BC Kalz did the make up- Rick Aguilar took the pictures and Mike Miller added a few touches here and there. Which one is your favorite??? Still need more to do? Here at Handbag we talk about the issues that others shy away from, like feline asthma . posted by David on 5/13/2004 04:55:00 PM | Link |
5/12/2004My Way of LifeOne of the difficulties of working an office job is the fact that you have to interact with other people. Let me clarify that. What I mean is I find myself getting worked up about the stupidest things. Trying to get a simple request fulfilled is like trying to pass some sort of legislation. You know that weird looking guy you see chain smoking at the bus stop with the weird hairstyle circa 1972 (and not in a hip, ironic way), talking to himself? Well those are the kind of people I have to approach to request extensions on past due invoices. This is where Mr. Haircut explains to me the reasons he doesn't deem my request acceptable. After the first 25 seconds my gaze turns into a heat ray and I tap my foot impatiently as this guy, who has the funkiest looking fingernail I've ever seen goes on and on about the risk we take when we extend account deadlines, blah, blah, blah, blah..., I want to walk away from him in mid-sentence but I just stand there and stare at him trying my best to convey my utter disdain for him without moving a muscle on my highly expressive face, which always seems to betray my true emotions. Fine. If this makes his day, then hip-hip hooray. Thanks to him somebody at the Verdugo Hills Hospital may never find out the answer to their burning Human Resource policy question.Afterwards I always get angry at myself for getting angry about this trivial micro-episode in my life. There are people being beheaded for God's sake and I'm letting some Collection Rep. spoil my mood. Tonight we have Baby Jane rehearsal. We open in 11 days. Why am I not freaking out? I woke up at 4am, to cough for about 10 minutes, looked over lines, then went to bed. Woke again at 7 so I could study lines and I was subjected to Christopher's Unholy Julie Andrewish morning cheer. I am extremely irritable in the morning as I resent having to wake up for anything before 9, and I growled at Christopher until he left. I settled myself into my easy chair and went over lines. I'm almost there. I hit these icy patches in the script where it takes me FOREVER to memorize a page or two, like Blanche's pre-stairwell rant, and her desperate phone call. She says the same thing in different ways and I get confused. Some of it I can fudge but as CHACKA-LEEN reminded me some of those lines are cues for other people so I have to get it right. Stupid memorization..., posted by David on 5/12/2004 04:59:00 PM | Link |
5/11/2004My Way of LifeI received the following reminder from Steve Hickson...,On the morning of Tuesday May 10, 1977- Joan was at the end. Two women(probably fans), were looking her after. They weren't nurses. She had been bedridden for months. One of the women arrived at 8am, to take over watching Joan. When the woman realized that Joan was dying, she began praying softly, then a bit louder. Joan heard the words, and said, "Dammit, don't you dare ask God to help me." She died shortly after that. This of course, is a classic story, if for just Joan's alledged closing words. I think Joan would like this story but I think because of Joan's recent 'image' problems post-Mommie Dearest, some might interpret this as a bellowing Joan throwing an empty vodka bottle at the poor caretaker. I think of it this way...., Joan was in her 70's and was ill. Cancer. She had lived a full life and had a career that spanned 6 decades. Think about that one....(I know your counting by tens with your fingers now). That's a long fucking time. She lived for the spotlight, and appearances mattered so much to Joan, a curse from her years of poverty and struggles to make people love her. 'Little old lady' was not a role Joan was eager to accept and she was ready to die. Why ask God for help? Let God help somebody that needed it! My take on her infamous quote is 'Don't bother God about this matter! I'm ready to go! I hope there's no dust in heaven, and if there was I'm sure it's gone by now. Joan to Jesus..., "Good Lord! Take your sandals off! I just waxed the floor!" posted by David on 5/11/2004 03:46:00 PM | Link |
5/10/2004My Way of LifeUgh, I feel like I have a hangover today. As you know I'm cursed with horrible, horrible sinus problems and my inability to breathe properly can sometimes interfere with Chris's sleep- as it did last night. After being nudged more then a few times last night (and not for a good reason) I ended up sleeping in the guest bedroom next to a pile of clothes, and it just threw my whole sleep pattern off.Today I have a rare night of no rehearsals, but that doesn't mean I have nothing to do. I may end up driving to beautiful Northwest Indiana to take my sister clothes shopping. After 5 kids and many, many years she is finally graduating from college, and because it's soooooo close to the opening of the show I'm reluctant to miss a rehearsal. What else is there to report dear Handbaggers? I can't stop listening to the new Loretta Lynn CD, Van Lear Rose. I'm a longtime Loretta fan and yes, I thought the fact that Jack White produced this may be gimmicky, but he's managed to help our little Loretty create one of the best albums of her career. Loretta Lynn is one of my favorite song writers- Honest, charming, and full of tales about love, death, one night stands and of course, beating the hell out of husband stealing tramps with phony pony tails that think they're movie stars..., posted by David on 5/10/2004 05:27:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeIt's Sunday evening and all is calm..., I tried to call my mother three times but there was no answer. Damn that caller ID!Needless to say the weekend was chock full of rehearsals and I'm pretty tired. Yesterday we had another stage combat session with Nick Sandy, the adorable red-headed Brit stunt coordinator, and we managed to run through the entire first ACT without incident. Things are starting to gel. I was quite pleased. Today we rehearsed from 12-5 focusing on the second Act, and for a cast of 23 it went amazingly well. Everybody is a team player. I will say nothing else because I don't want to jinx it. After rehearsal a few of us went to Rob Steel's house to record sound cues. Rob really knows his shit, and it's a pleasure not to have worry about details like sound cues for a change. I have to admit Hickson was right. I totally know Rob will do an awesome job. Better then anything I could do. Jay Paul and I just looked at each other after we finished and agreed that we loved him (Rob). Then we killed him. Kidding..., posted by David on 5/10/2004 04:27:00 AM | Link |
5/07/2004My Way of LifeI guess the cast of How Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Happened were among the very few people who did not watch the final Friends episode. We were busy rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing. I've been waking up early to memorize lines yet I still find myself struggling with them when I actually have to say them out loud in front of people. Thursday it got to point where I simply couldn't retain anymore, and it started to all glob together. As much as he tried with statements like 'You owe it to your fans!', Christopher could not convince me to wake up early this morning. I was much too tired. Dammit, I have to draw the line somewhere! Tonight is a Feast of Fools rehearsal and I think I have one line memorized. 'That guy is fucking hot! He can put duck sauce on my egg roll anytime! Get it? '. Too bad the Jeff committee won't be there.posted by David on 5/07/2004 06:59:00 PM | Link |
5/06/2004My Way of LifeFrom my Yahoo Joan Crawford group....,< know, Marie Prevost appeared in films from the mid-teens until the early '30s, including with Joan in "Paid". But apparently, like a lot of other actors, the advent of sound pictures ended her career because her thick New York accent was not suited for it. She died in 1937 at the age of only 38, from "acute alcoholism and extreme malnutrition". When her apartment was being looked through after she was found dead there, an uncashed, generous check from Joan was found.>> If you clicked to the Marie Prevost link you'll find that it may not have been her accent that killed her career but her depression and alcoholism. One leads to the other my dears, and it's not to be taken lightly. The lesson? Talk about it or your dog may eat you too! posted by David on 5/06/2004 03:55:00 PM | Link |
5/05/2004My Way of LifeAh, it's a beautiful Wednesday and script cuts are in the air..., Time to trim the fat, cut the waste, toss the salad! I know I have a few things in mind, and apparently so do others. Let's just hope we can all agree and get along like professionals. Speaking of.... I had a Feast of Fools rehearsal last night and I have to admit it was a bit, uh, tense at times. It's tough to get people to commit to a show that's running one night so Fausto has to has to do a lot of juggling which I'm sure is a pain in the ass. People show up late or they don't show up at all without calling. I have to admit I snapped at the blue one last night. Although I know it's never intentional, sometimes Faustina has trouble communicating what he wants in a coherent/consistent/diplomatic way. I've learned how to get things out of people with huge egos, like myself. You have to use delicate phrasing and make it a collaboration celebration. You know, open the door, then let them think they found the entrance themselves. So much better then, no, do it this way. Don't you think?posted by David on 5/05/2004 07:02:00 PM | Link |
5/04/2004My Way of LifeIs it just me or does seeing the pictures of the tortured Iraqi prisoners make you think of the upcoming International Mr. Leather event here in Chicago?posted by David on 5/04/2004 06:28:00 PM | Link |
5/03/2004My Way of LifeCan you believe we're into May already? Yes, May! The month that How Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Happened opens... I woke up extra early today and used the time to study lines, which made me feel oddly responsible. The weekend whizzed by because I had plenty to do, so naturally I have plenty to report. Friday Chris and I caught David Zak's latest effort at the Bailiwick Theater, Parade, and I'm happy to report I thoroughly enjoyed it. Most of you know I'm not really a theater person so I was unfamiliar with the story or of it's Tony award status. The cast is huge- 30 people, more then POSEIDON! It's the story of intolerance, corruption and love, set to music in the south at the turn of the century. The music is beautiful and the cast (for the most part) was wonderful. Particularly the lead, Nicholas Foster. What a talented young man! I did feel the nurses wig should have gotten it's own bio in the program since it seemed to have a life of it's own...Come on people, give that poor girl a different wig! Parade also featured Handbaggers Steve Kimbrough and Brannen Daugherty, former Poseidonite Gina Cappetti and Rudolpher Rus Ranier, all doing great jobs. That same night I attended the birthday party of Derek Chapaladingdong, everybodys favorite third engineer where there was a melding of Handbaggers and Bailiwicker's. Apparently the Jeff nominations were going to be announced that evening. I heard this several, several, several times from a very enthusiastic Bailiwickerpooer. Well, when the online results were confirmed there was much hooping (hooping?)and hollering. Being the gracious lady I am I smiled politely. You see, we were just about eligible for Jeff consideration before we 'relocated' to Hell in a Handbag, so I'd be lying if didn't admit it's frustrating to not even be considered, but my indifference turned to excitement when I learned that TWO Handbaggers had received Jeff Nominations. Brigitte Ditmars(Pinafore!) and Kristen Folzenlogen (Dr. Sex). The funny thing is they're both nominated for the same category and the way the Jeff Awards work , they both could win.Saturday was spent cleaning the house and working out so I could be in top form for the company we had over to view Joan and Bette biographies. There was a great turn out and we all learned a lot. I learned to check the condition of a DVD rental before taking it home. Specialty Video might want to do the same thing when they hand out DVD's with schmutz all over them, but even with schmutz we enjoyed ourselves and of course the guests gladly provided their own running commentary through both productions. Sunday saw the return of Mr. Jay Paul Skelton, and our fight choreopgrapher Nick Sandys came in to block some scenes. We mapped out the scene where Jane savagely kicks Blanche and it was great fun. It looks very realistic and it's just as exhausting as really getting your ass kicked. Nick really impressed me knowing all the different kicks Jane did by heart. He really did his homework duplicating the fight from the very first kick to the side of Blanche's head to the brutal ending. Sunday evening was BLONDIE at the House of Blues and needless to say I was in Debbie heaven. Debbie and the boys were very playful, and the show rocked to a sold out house. Debbie is known for her rather odd stage movements and she didn't disappoint last night. She seems very comfortable in her own skin these days and it shows. The crowd adored her and I found myself waving my hands in the air and singing 'Oh NOOOOO-OOOOOOOOO' during The Tide is High refrain along with the highly eclectic crowd. From Grandmothers to eyelined new wave boys and girls. There we SO MANY 30-40 something modern fags there it was kind of weird. I assume they all think like me, so I kind of found it fascinating from a sociological point of view that this band, this woman, a Miss Deborah Harry has the power to get their jaded 'been there, seen it all' asses out on a Sunday night to sing the refrain to 'Heart of Glass' like a 13 year old girl with a hairbrush as microphone locked in her room. It was nice to be silly, and sing along with a bunch of people who you will no doubt probably ignore the next day in a crowded supermarket, after sharing such a unabashedly freeing moment. It feels good to let your guard down , if not just for a couple of minutes. posted by David on 5/03/2004 05:55:00 PM | Link |
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