It Was The November Of Novembers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                  We had Musical Theater Week, I turned 70 (which I still cannot believe) and am still chronicling my birthday on here and will continue to do so.  I am also far behind in my reading; right now, I am at 83 books, so I doubt I will make it to 100 this year.  Also, "The New York Times" released "The 100 Most Notable Books Of 2024," so I have to write about that, and then next week, I am sure the paper will release "The Ten Best Books Of 2024," and I am curious what they will think were the five best works of fiction this year, as it was a bad year for fiction.  And I have some gargantuan books to read in the near future.

                                       So, I am overwhelmed and was overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday, especially with this being a milestone year.

                                        We have just one month to go in 2024.  How fast it went!

                                          And the holiday season is upon us.  I want to see The Metropolitan Museum Of Art Christmas Tree, I want to be a Rockette.  Gosh, the year from now speeds up like a silent movie played at the wrong speed.

                                              Yes, darlings, it was, indeed a joyous November.  A nice, thankful way of making up for the rough Summer we had.

                                                 See you next month, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Kid Was Such A Brat And Can't Act!!!!!!!!!!!!! If Only They Had Gotten Pamela Franklin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       Sorry to interrupt my birthday chronicles, girls, but this is by way of letting you know that, tonight at 8PM, "Svengoolie" is showing one of my favorites, "The Crawling Eye."

                         The famous scene above involves a bratty child who deserts her mother on a tram carrying them safely to a mountain lab retreat.  The child realizes she has left her ball in the hotel and goes back to get it.  Then the creature confronts her, and she barely reacts.  The creature in this steals the show.  The child is saved at the last minute, as seen above, but with her lack of acting ability, should she have been?  I wonder.

                           I just love Jennifer Jayne and Janet Munro as Sarah and Anne Pilgrim--The Pilgrim Sisters!  And Forrest Tucker somehow got lucky landing this gig, just like he did with "F Troop," as he was not much of an actor, anyway.

                            But the mountain peaks, the mysterious moving cloud, and the creature are the reasons to see this film.

                             See you at eight, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                           

                                    This is not "The Sound Of Music," darlings!!!!!!!!!!!  And what about cataract surgery?????????????

                             

On Sunday Afternoon, Appropriately Enough, We Saw "Communion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                              Back in 2021, a teacher who lived in an area of Woodside, different from where I once lived, was fired from his job as church music director and parochial schoolteacher for posting on Facebook pictures of his gay wedding.  He was fired by the Brooklyn diocese!!!!!!!!!!!

                             By story and song, performer Matt Labanca chronicles his struggles throughout all this, making his case a cause celebre for gay rights, when the story went national.  Passion and feeling abound throughout his performance; I mean darlings, not since Jennifer Jones..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            It is amazing to me that Labanca still practices Catholicism.  But then why shouldn't he?  If the church can't get with it, it is time to change.  Which while Labanca does not deliver a seething agenda, that message permeates his presentation.

                              As a performer, he is warm and wonderful, and I can see why colleagues and students loved him.  I hope he finds a venue to practice his gifts again soon.

                              Two things.  The day we were there was special, because the performance was being filmed. By whom, I do not know.  I do know we sat right up front, so if we end up in this film, who knows, this could be my Lana Turner moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               The other thing is while I, being a married gay man, support Labanca, and I do not do Facebook, if I did, I am not sure I would put on something that might compromise me.  For all the rights of self-expression I support him on, Labanca took a big risk on posting that on here.  Unfortunately, the wrong person saw it and ran with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 I urge you to see "Communion" before it closes.  Or perhaps it will be performed on PBS.

                                  Kudos to director Kira Simring, who keeps things flowing smoothly and with moving force!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   The show is for everyone, darlings!  Not just Catholics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Was The First Broadway Show We Saw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I had been wanting to see "SIX" for the longest time, so it was my first choice.  On November 16th (birthdays of Donna McKechnie and Martha Plimpton) we went to the Brooks Atkinson, now Lena Horne, Theatre, and saw this TONY winning musical.  It won Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Director.

                                            It was a stylish, modern, and inventive reimagining of the wives of King Henry VIII.  I found the score by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss loud, but rousing.  This was a rock musical with a beat, and a cast of unknowns that made the show stand out even more with their vocal clarity.  This is not an easy show to perform--could I do eight shows a week of this?  Are you kidding? --and the creators are generous in giving each wife/performer their own star turn, which was highly enjoyable.

                                             Lucy Moss, along with Jamie Armitage, directed this show with a sure hand, while choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille keeps things moving at a fast pace.  The show is performed straight through, minus an intermission, and it almost does not matter, so engrossed was I in the performance.  Kudos to the young ladies--Khalia Wilcoxon, Storm Lever, Jamie Fosberg, Olivia Donalson, Did Romero, and Gabriella Carrillo--who perform the wives.  I especially loved Storm Lever's hilarious take on Anne Boleyn.

                                                 David did not admire the show as much as I, but we had a good time.  "SIX," for me, was worth the wait.  It was easier for me to wrap myself around this show than "Hadestown," which I should see, but my interest is not drawn to it, yet.   Maybe something eventually will draw me to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Not only is "SIX" dynamic and fun, girls!  It is the perfect Saturday evening show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       Remember, hons, it's "SIX," not sex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

This Is The Algonquin, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       It is time for me to start the chronicle of my birthday week with The Algonquin.  David and I stayed here for several days, while I spent some time with Hamlet, the cat, saw several shows, met with friends, and had a marvelous time.  I cannot think of a better way, and a better hubby than David to turn 70 with.

                         Our room was perfect. It was number 717, and it resonated with me, because on the front of the door was a quote from Dorothy Parker, which I could personally relate to--"This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly.  It should be thrown with great force."

                          I have certainly felt that way about some novels I have read, myself, and I wonder, and wish I could find out, what novel Parker was specifically referring to.

                           But our stay was lovely.  We dined with friends--in fact, when our friends Dan and Norma came to visit us for lunch, we were seated at the famed Algonquin Round Table!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            This was our jumping point for seeing shows and going places.

                             And on Wednesday, when the hotel's busiest season was starting up, Hamlet, the mascot cat, came to wish me a Happy Birthday!  We cuddled and I scratched him, and he was so happy to see me.  As I was to see him.

                              Hamlet, pictured above, saw to it that we had an excellent room and stay.  Isn't he just the sweetest????????????????????????????

                              And make no mistake, he runs the hotel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            

It's Black Friday, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            If All Souls Day is known as the Day Of The Dead, then Black Friday should be called the Day Of Greed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              What kind of White Trash morons wait in line at stores in the wee hours of the morning, just to get a bargain that means nothing in the scheme of things?  People have been trampled to death over the years, because of this disgusting practice, which adds more disrepute to places like New Jersey, Staten Island, and Long Island, where such occurrences are common.

                                 Sure, the Holiday Season is upon us.  It should be joyous and fun, not some mob violence agenda.

                                 Maybe Black Friday should be abolished.

                                Maybe retailers and patrons need to treat each other as humans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Ban Black Friday, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It Is Actually Great Being A Turkey Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Happy Thanksgiving, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I wanted to send out a positive message on this day.  If you happen to be a turkey, and are alive, that means you survived the Thanksgiving madness for another year, and do not have to worry until maybe October 31, but surely November 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Bur Thanksgiving is more than turkey, kids.  It is being grateful for what one has, the loves in one's life, and having reached this point safely in 2024.

                             For my friends in Israel, I hope the cease fire leads to eventual peace.

                             Eat hardy, dears, but pace yourselves.

                            And how I wish Channel 11 would show Laurel and Hardy's "March Of The Wooden Soldiers!"

                              I just love the boogiemen of Boogie Land!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               

                            

If You Have Never Seen It, "Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein," It Is Worth A Look! Otherwise, Forget It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          This image, run during the titles, is probably the film's most artistic touch.  "Svengoolie" is showing this fan favorite tonight at 8PM, but I will not be here, because I am again going to the theater, to see what is going into the history books of flop musicals-- "Tammy Faye!"

                            But tonight's feature is a sad farewell to the Universal horror monster era, which ran from 1931 to 1948.  Seventeen years.  Then, in the Fifties, came the era of giant monster movies.

                             "Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein" is also one of the most violent films of its time.  A woman (Lenore Aubert) who is supposed to be a vampire, gets thrown through a window, falling to the rocks below.  Does she survive or not?  Or did the writers even care, at that point?   It also has Jane Randolph, from Val Lewton's 1942 "Cat People," and a "cameo" by Vincent Price.

                               On a first-time view, it is loads of fun, and sad to see these pros play iconic horror roles for the last time.  But after several viewings, it becomes repetitious, which is why I am glad I have theater tickets.

                                 For those first timers, enjoy!!!!!!!!!

                                 For the rest--await my chronicles next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            

Girls, I Have Returned, And Am Afraid To Step On A Scale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I must have Beanie Feldstein's (who?) waistline, by now.  I am back from my fabulous birthday celebration--I am now 70 years old--and while I will chronicle more in depth, I will just offer highlights of the celebration.

                             The Algonquin--The hotel where we stayed.  And I saw Hamlet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Il Cantinori--On East 10th Street, where we had my birthday dinner.  One of ANNA's favorites!

                          Shows We Saw--"Six"                                                                                                                                                               "Communion"                                                                                                                                               "Teeth"                                                                                                                                                           "Our Town"                                                                                                                                                   "The Roommate"                                                                                                                                           "Once Upon A Mattress"

                       Darlings, it was a wonderful whirlwind, and there is more to report, which I will do, when I have more time.  But I am back, and I have missed you all.

                         And I am still your Raving Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!               

The Clock Is Ticking Down On My Sixties.......Just Three Days To Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    "Watch those birthdays marching by, gaily, one by one,                                                                               "Keep in step, and don't be shy, growing up is fun!"                                                                                      ----Paul Tripp, "Birthday House (1963)

                                  Sure, growing up was fun, when you are seven!  But seventy!  Aaargh!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes I crawl out of bed to make coffee.  Others, I leap out of bed with boundless energy.  It is called age, darlings.  And the older I get the more I realize the old saying was right--it IS a privilege!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Three days from today, I turn 70.  I can hardly believe it.  I am here, and I am not in a rocking chair, with a knitting needle......Oh, no, darlings, not me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                I am writing this in advance because on the day I will not be here.  I will be in NYC, staying at The Algonquin, where I am looking forward to seeing Hamlet, the cat, and we will be seeing a couple of shows.

                                 Two shows I know we will be seeing are "Communion," a one-man exploration of his experiences at being gay and Catholic.  It may not be Jennifer Jones, but I can relate to it and am fascinated to hear what he says.

                                     The other show, on Wednesday, will be "The Roommate," with Mia Farrow, and Patti LuPone.  Please, girls, both of you be there!  Please!  I especially want to see Mia!!!!!!!!!!!  Forewarned is forearmed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        As for the rest here is what interests me--

                                       "Once Upon A Mattress"                                                                                                                               "SIX"                                                                                                                                                             "Our Town"                                                                                                                                                   "Stereophonic" (maybe)                                                                                                                                 "Sunset Boulevard"

I Am So Honored To Share My Birthday, November 18th, With One Of The Legends Of The American Musical Stage--Dorothy Collins, The Original Sally Durant Plummer In 1971's "Follies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                   The stars must have been aligned for me, darlings.  I must have been meant to spend my life in the arts, having been born the same week as so many of my favorite Musical Theater performers.

                                   It is no surprise, then, that I was drawn to "Follies" and Dorothy Collins.  The show is one of my favorite musicals, and she was the definitive Sally Durant Plummer.  Oh, my God, how I would love to sing "Losing My Mind" in that pink dress!  But no one sang it as plaintively as Dorothy Collins did.  She was extraordinary, and her memory and legend live on, as she is honored on her birthday, right here on this blog!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     I wouldn't mind playing Sally in "Follies" myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Here is Dorothy Collins' signature rendition of "Losing My Mind," from "Follies."  Beautiful and heartbreaking!  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 17th Is A Very Special Day--The Birthday Of Musical Theater Legend Neva Small!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Most of you know Neva from her role as Chava in the 1971 film version of "Fiddler On The Roof.'  But she started out as a child actress on the Broadway stage.  She actually auditioned for one of the younger daughters in the original Broadway production of 'Fiddler.'  She did not get it; instead, it took composer and lyricist Bob Merrill to recognize Neva as the legend she was.

                                     He was crazy about her work in "Henry, Sweet Henry," back in 1967, and created for her the number that made her a Legend Of The American Musical Stage--"I Wonder How It Is."

                                      If "RAGS" had been done ten years earlier, it surely would have been Neva belting out the dramatic title tune.  Nothing on Judy Kuhn, who was brilliant, but what a song that would have been for Neva.

                                     It was "The Prince Of Grand Street" with Robert Preston, that Merrill saw as making Neva into a big star.  Alas, it never made it to Broadway.  Still, if one searches, one can hear the number Merrill wrote for Neva to make her stand out--"A Place In The World."

                                       And Neva shares a place in my life, darlings.  Not only because our birthdays are next to each other (though two years apart; she will be 72), and the 'Fiddler' film, but I have seen Neva in shows and concerts, as well as meeting her at The Actors Temple, and 54 Below.  She was so charming and gracious.  At 54 Below, she signed my album cover of "Henry, Sweet Henry," which proudly hangs on the wall in our foyer.

                                         So, Happy Birthday, Neva.  Enjoy being a grandmother or whatever your heart desires.

                                         And let us hear from your talent, once in a while!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Here is "I Wonder How It Is," the number that made Neva Small a Legend Of The American Musical Stage."  Enjoy!

On November 16th, Two Iconic Musicals Opened On Broadway--22 Years Apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              The first, of course, was "The Sound Of Music," the last collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.  Yes, Julie Andrews owns it now, but six years before, Mary Martin and Company introduced it to the world.  So, on this day, we honor that.  It paved the way for a cinematic legacy sure to outlive us all.  And can you name the Broadway actors who originated the roles of the Von Trapp Children?  I can, and here they are--Lauri Peters, as Liesl, William Snowden as Friedrich, Kathy Dunn as Louisa, Joseph Stewart as Kurt, Marilyn Rogers, as Brigitta, Mary Susan Locke as Marta and Evanna Lien as Gretl.  Marilyn Rogers, who originated Brigitta, died on October 10, 2010, just six days after her 63rd birthday.  She also originated the role of Amaryllis in "The Music Man" in 1957.

                               The opening was just two days before my fifth birthday, so I don't think my parents were inclined to haul me into NYC for a Broadway show, even though I would have loved it.  They were never too keen on NYC itself.  Especially my mother.

                                  I was singing "The Sound Of Music" before I realized it.  I had a 45RPM of Mitch Miller and The Children from "The Sound Of Music," singing "Do-Re-Mi."  I used to play that all the time and sing along with it.  Who knew?

                                    Realistically, this show turns 65 years old today.  Double that, and many more!

                            This is also a big day for "Merrily We Roll Along," which opened on November 16, at the then Alvin, now Neil Simon Theatre, in 1981.  Historical note, the actor pictured to the far left is not Jim Walton, but James Weissenbach, who was originally cast as Franklin Shepard, but was later replaced by Jim Walton, so there was no time to redo the cover pic.  Yes, this show opened 43 years ago, and because of Maria Friedman's 2023 Broadway production with the extraordinary cast of Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe, who most deservedly won a TONY for his touching portrayal of Charley Kringas, 'Merrily' is finally being recognized for the quality show some of us back then, such as myself, knew it was.  I am glad I lived long enough to see its validation, and I look forward to seeing at least one more 'Merrily' before I am done. Hell, I would love to be in 'Merrily.'

                         Happy Birthday to a show I have strong ties to, having met so many Original Cast members, seen the film documentary, and have admired its score for decades.  

                           You time has come, 'Merrily!!!!!!!!!!!'  Live on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I can't think of a day to equal November 16 in Musical Theater History!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today We Speed Things Up On Here--November 16th Is The Birthday Of Two Legendary Theater Icons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Let's start with the greatest showstopper in Broadway history--Donna McKechnie. She is somewhere in her eighties; my guess is she will turn eighty-four tomorrow.  However, she is not to be held back.  If "A Chorus Line" company anywhere needed her, she could go on as Cassie in a moment's notice.  She still performs, and choreographs, and teaches at the HB Studio.  She continues to astonish and amaze.

                                        Happy Birthday, Donna!   Continue your merry dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                November 16 is the birthday of another icon--Martha Plimpton.  She would be famous alone as being the daughter of Shelley Plimpton, who introduced my favorite song from "HAIR," "Frank Mills."  But she has become quite an actress on her own, both stage and screen.  I always look for whatever Martha is appearing in, because I know she will give an arresting performance.  Tomorrow Martha turns 54, and still looks as youthful as when she first appeared on the scene.

                                   Happy Birthday, Martha!   This certainly is a special day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, This Is A MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Barbie Christmas Cookie Dream House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Isn't this just precious, darlings?  And with pink frosting, no less.

                                           Of course, pink should be everywhere.  I just finished reading this 600 plus pager called "Caledonian Road," by Andrew O'Hagan, and the most important thing I learned is--when attending an evening party in London, one is required to wear something by Tory Burch.  I looked online, and found some beautiful pink suits, shirts, and ties.  Now I just need pink shoes to match.

                                             But back to Barbie's Christmas Cookie Dream House.  Darlings, let this inspire you to go wild this holiday season with pink--how about a pink Christmas tree?  I know they are out there!

                                               Really, kids, this Christmas house is a delight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              A MUST for anyone's holiday season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My God, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This Is A New York City Cockroach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Girls, I am telling you, I was scared out of my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!   Several evenings ago, I went to the kitchen counter, late evening, before bedtime, to lay out my evening medications.  I suddenly saw something move, and you should have seen the size of it.  I screamed so loud, but David was already asleep, and did not hear me.  I told him, and I cowered in our bed, because I was afraid we were going to be menaced, trapped in our rooms, like helpless victims.  True, Baby Gojira was on hand but what could he do, and I was not about to let anything harm him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               This is what one is up against, living in New York City.  I am not about to leave, but I am not about to be overtaken by some cockroach.  Yet they are getting larger and more aggressive.  If one bites me, not only will I go to Urgent Care, but I will also think about checking for another locale.

                                How to avoid it?  Creepy, crawly things are everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                But I will not tolerate THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  

This Show Was NOT Becoming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          It has taken me a week to process seeing "Death Becomes Her," the musical adaptation of the 1992 film at the Lunt-Fontanne theater.  But then, I ask myself, what the hell was there to process????????????

                                            I never saw the film, but the adaptation seems pretty straightforward.  Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, and the always reliable Christopher Sieber step in for Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, with Michelle Williams substituting for Isabella Rosellini.  As if she could.

                                                As if any of them could, darlings.  The sets by Derek McLane and the costumes by Paul Tazwell are eye catching, but it takes more than visual eye candy to make a show, and this one fails miserably.

                                                When the hell, girls, did Megan Hilty get so chunky?  No matter what gorgeous gown she is wrapped in, I could not take my eyes off those wide hips.  The usually hot and hunky Mr. Sieber is dressed throughout like a eunuch, and his role, down to the songs he sings are emasculated as well.  This man was in "Company," the Sondheim masterpiece.  Was this all there was for him out there?

                                                     But it is not his fault, entirely.  The book by Marco Pennette, with Music and Lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey make no difference, and besides, one cannot hear them.  You've heard me discourse on belting on the Broadway stage.  Well, that is all the Misses Hilty and Simard do throughout; the problem is, the louder they get, the less one can hear and understand what is being sung.  So, why add music at all?  Not only is this disappointing, but it was also frustrating.

                                                           Still, I learned something from "Death Becomes Her," which is bad theater.  Not everything needs to be turned into a musical, and all the visual trappings cannot save a show devoid of a competent book and served with an even more incompetent score that, for the most part, is sung incompetently.

                                                              I hated it.  But the way things are going, who am I to say?

                                                              The way things are going, this could turn out to be the season's TONY winner.

                                                               In which case, the Culture Ship has sunk, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Domesticate Your Domesticity, Darlings, With Creme Anglaise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Forget that Fifties housewife schtick, girls, pineapple tapioca is SO dated!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Instead, bring elegance to your dining table, with creme anglaise.  It is actually custard, but creme anglaise sounds classier.  It goes great with or over fruit--I am not so sure about meat, chicken or vegetables--but biscuits or plain pasty will do.

                                This is certainly the way to any man or woman's heart.  Yes, it may clog the arteries a bit, but the trick is not to have too much too often.

                                  Nevertheless, it is always good to have creme anglaise on hand.

                                  And whipping some up can transform a drab meal into elegance!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  So, get going, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How Many On Here Remember This Book????????????????????

                                It was published the year before I was born, which was 1953.  Its author was a woman named Marian Potter, and it has never been out of print.

                                While struggling to fall asleep, several nights ago, this idea popped into my head.  Isn't "The Little Red Caboose" the counterpart to "The Little Engine That Could?"

                                  As I recall the 1953 book, the caboose was always unhappy being the last on the train, feeling less important than the other cars.  Now, if I am wrong, please tell me, but doesn't something happen, where the caboose becomes a hero by pushing the train from behind, or something? I don't have a text handy, but that is what I recall.

                                   I loved this book, as I did all my Little Golden Books.  I started my librarian training by arranging them differently, by colors, pictures, and when I could read, by title.  I was in training, and never knew it!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     How I wished I had kept all my Little Golden Books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can You Believe It, Darlings?????????????? Another Year, And Another Musical Theater Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Girls, I am telling you, that time is here again.  This year, however, things will be a little sped up, because I will in the city from Saturday till about midweek.  I will not be on here to celebrate my birthday, so everything will have to be posted, prior.

                         But let us start with today.  Once again, we celebrate the legend of Sammy Williams, who originated the role of Paul, in "A Chorus Line," and won a TONY for it.  No one did the monologue as spot on as Sammy.

                         Today is his birthday--he is our first Musical Theater Week celebrity--and he would have been 76 today.  He left us too soon, on March 17, 2018.  Rest In Peace, Sammy, you left an incredible legacy behind, and it is fitting you are the first one celebrated on here, during Musical Theater Week.

                                Here is Sammy in his original, signature role, in the original production.

                                Never to be forgotten, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               And....Happy Musical Theater Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Holiday Season Has Unofficially Begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Saw The First Advertisement This Morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 I know, for most, the Holiday Season begins with Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  But, for me, it unofficially starts when I see the first ad for the NYC Ballet's annual Christmas presentation of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker."  This year, the ballet, created and first performed in 1954, will turn 70, just like me, and Gojira's movie stardom!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a November!

                                 I used to go to this frequently, and I have done so with David, but with tickets at such a premium high, who can afford it?  True, there are no more debtors' prisons, but who wants to deal with excessive debt?  Apparently, it does not bother many, especially at this time of year.

                                  I cannot predict what the future will be, but I have had this idea for a long time.  The year 2028 will mark fifty years since I saw my first "Nutcracker," back in 1978.  I was still living in Highland Park, and both my parents were still alive.  I had no idea what was in store, then, nor do I, now.  But, if I can, I would like to make it to a 2028 performance.

                                   To those never having gone, I urge you to.

                                   It is one of the holiday traditions in New York City, where one is guaranteed to find theatrical magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Happy Birthday, Stanley Tucci!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Today is the birthday of a great actor and a great Cuisenaire--Stanley Tucci.  This handsome fellow is 64--same age as my beloved, and, darlings, I am telling you, we should look as good as both at their ages.

                              Stanley spends so much time cooking for others, I hope someone takes the time out to cook for him on his birthday.  Like, Meryl Streep?

                                 My birthday is a week from today, and we have plans, but some year I would not mind having Mr. Tucci come over here and work his kitchen on David and me.   

                                   So, Happy Birthday, Stanley Tucci, and many more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   And make some good movies.  Our culture is badly in need of them!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Veterans Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              Girls, for me this date is doubly personal.  Before this date became Veterans Day, it was the date my paternal grandparents were married--- 11/11 /11---that is right, dears.  So, the day was one to celebrate long before it became a Federal Holiday.

Three of the children from those grandparents' marriage--my father, and uncles Jack and James--were in the war--WWII.  So, they are all veterans, as was my maternal grandfather.  So, Veterans Day is very special for me.

For everyone it is a day to pause and reflect.  When times are peaceful, whom do we owe that to?   Our fellow servicemen, and servicewomen, of course.   And it is the young who do the fighting, which makes it doubly sad whenever some vet is lost to war.  

So, how to honor these men and women on Veterans Day?  I have a delightfully, campy, Raving Queen idea.

Here, though colorized, are Shirley Temple, Jack Haley, and Alice Faye, singing "I Love A Military Man," from 1936's "Poor Little Rich Girl."

Happy Veterans Day, one and all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Is Actually A Sad Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                             

                            Who could have foreseen that November 9 would become a twice iconic date for tragedy?

                            Eighty-six years ago, in Germany, Kristallnacht. the "Night Of Broken Glass," took place.  People who were technically Nazis, destroyed the businesses of Jewish merchants by shattering the windows of their stores, curtailing their livelihood.  It was the start of the horrors to come, and while history may prove me wrong, I personally consider this event as the start of the Holocaust.

                         Then, thirty-three years later, another horror took place in Westfield, New Jersey. A horror that went global.

                             The John List Murders are still the gold bar set for family annilhation.   they took place on this date, in 1971.  I don't know if List was aware of the Kristallnacht connection, though he was of German descent.  The event was to take place on November 1, which is why he let his eldest daughter, Patty, who would be my age if alive, have a Halloween party at the house.  But for reasons I can't fathom, he could not go through with his plan on that day.

                               Eight days later, List did--murdering his mother, wife, and three children--Patty, John, Jr. and Frederick--with a shotgun. He laid the bodies out serenely in the ballroom.  He did this because he was a failed businessmen who wanted to save his children and family from what he called "the horrors of the world."  Like, he couldn't give them a choice?  He planned to kill himself, and the whole family would be found dead.  He did not have the courage of his convictions and went on the lam for well over a decade. Eventually he was captured, thanks to John Walsh's program "America's Most Wanted." He died on March 21, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey.

                                I hope his family each gave him a good smack in the face, when he got to the other side.

                                He set the gold standard for family annilhators.

                               Unfortunately, these type of crimes still go on.

                                Today, we remember both events!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               

Girls, I Think We Will Watch Something Else Tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Tonight, darlings, "Svengoolie" is showing Vincent Price in "The Abominable Dr. Phibes," from 1971.  He did several Dr. Phibes films, and I have seen them all, on this program.  

                                               Darlings, if you have never seen it, then give it a look.  The sets are lavish for a film of this type, like some Technicolor Flash Gordon fantasy, with costumes to match.  Too bad the story is labored and drawn out.  Vincent Price did not get brilliant with this type of film until "Theatre Of Blood," in 1973, which I wish "Svengoolie" would show.  It is not to be missed.

                                                  Those having seen any of the 'Phibes' films can skip this one.  So, tonight we will watch something else.  I haven't any idea what yet, but you know I will give you a full report!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Happy viewing, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

"I Welcome You To Crackerbox Palace! Do What The Rest All Do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            When I first heard this song by George Harrison, I thought "Crackerbox Palace" was some magical place, where everything was colorful and fanciful, and people did harmlessly as they please. Comparable to Eugene Field's "The Sugar-Plum Tree," which "blooms on the shore of Lollipop Sea, in the garden of Shut-Eye Town."

                          Wouldn't it be nice to go there, darlings?  Instead, "Crackerbox Palace" has become the craziness of life--mine and others.  "Do what the rest all do" takes on frightening meaning, as I refuse to be lured into some Orwellian nightmare.  Screw that!!!!!!!!!!

                              It makes me want to withdraw from the world, not march to it.  But then, girls, remember Scarlett--O'Hara, that is.  She refused to embrace anything and went her own way!  And that is what I am going to do!  Even the Jefferson Starship, with Grace Slick, said, "You can go your own way!" And I plan to.

                               But, girls, how much simpler and nicer it would be to visit the fanciful "Crackerbox Palace."

This Is What We Are In For, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Only it will be us, the Northerners, spread out, like this shot of the Atlanta railroad scene in "Gone With The Wind."

                               David announced Trump's victory in the middle of the night, as I struggled with sleep and a headache, brought on by this contentious election.

                                Now awake, the actuality is worse.  Brace yourselves people, for what is to come!  Find a place to flee to, and take those hatboxes, like Aunt Pittypatt!!!!!!!

                                   If ever there was a time for Mary to make an earthly visitation, this is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   The deed is done, and now we must live with it.

                                   So, it was.  So, it is.

                                  How shall we be?

"Madame President? The Chairperson Recognizes Lucy Ricardo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                           

                                  Well, girls, here it is.... Election Day!   The day we have awaited and/or dreaded.  I am telling you, no matter what, it will be contentious.  If Madame gets in, there will be trouble up until inauguration day, ranging from violence to Civil War.   It will be just like "Gone With The Wind," except the Southerners will be in the Yankees position.  As for us Northerners, we will be screwed.  The South has been saying they will rise again, since 1865, and this may just be their chance.

                                       Now, if The Opponent--I cannot even mention the name!!!!!!!--gets in, there will be Civil War violence directed at us too.  The only difference is the aforementioned scenario will be engineered by the supporters; in this case it will be engineered by The Opponent himself.  Meaning things could get far worse!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I have never felt so worried about this day as I have this one.  I cannot recall an Election Day in my entire life that made me feel the way I do over this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I am telling you, darlings, this is worse than when Lucy ran against Ethel for President Of The Fine Arts Club!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Today To Two Iconic Legends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                 

                                        Who would have thought two such different, yet iconic individuals would have the same birthday?   

                                           Today, our lovable reptile friend, Gojira, turns 70, having made his debut in America in a Los Angeles art house, back in 1954.  The same year I was born, darlings, which means in just 15 days, I am going to turn 70.

                                               Anna Wintour--or ANNA, to those of us who recognize her power! --turns 75 today.  Gojira and ANNA!  What a combination, and I am sure each is honored to celebrate the birthday of the other.    

                                                 Both don't look a day, or year older, than they did.  Both look fabulous, because they are, darlings!

                                                  We love you, Gojira and ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  Have the happiest of birthdays, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!        

                                                  November just keeps getting great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!