Well, here we are, dears, at the halfway point. It has not been too bad, so far.
June has been a busy month, what with our screening of "The Wizard Of Oz" yesterday on Gay Pride Sunday--What better way to celebrate? --and our weekend rendezvous before, where we stayed at The Algonquin, saw some shows, and had lots of down time with Hamlet. All this will be chronicled in posts to come, during July.
"Svengoolie" kicked off June with the camp classic "Strait-Jacket," with Joan Crawford as that crazy bitch, Lucy Harbin, whom we just love! He finished, unfortunately with a dud so unforgettable I had forgotten I had seen it already--"Frankenstein Meets The Space Monster,"
Of course, there were The TONY Awards, but you have already heard me on that.
It seems I sailed through this June faster than others can remember.
Now, hunker down for the second half of 2025, which ends in darkness and cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, have fun while you can, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How I would want to, darlings, only it really will not be ANNA's job. She will still be in charge of The MET Gala, which is one less thing the new "VOGUE" editor would have to do. The person hired would oversee editorial content, and would, of course have to report to ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANNA is not going anywhere. She is just switching roles, but make no mistake about it, at Conde Nast she rules!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have creativity, an eye for color, and I work well with others. I would, of course, need a fabulous assistant, but I am sure that would be no problem. And running a staff would be no problem; I have stage managed shows and run an entire crew of actors and technicians. I have placated hysterical directors. I have dealt with bitchy actresses. I am ready to take all this to the next level and apply for ANNA's job.
I have heard of this 1965 film, which I thought was a Japanese effort, (like "Frankenstein Conquers The World," where the monster grows to gigantic size and battles a giant devil fish!) but this is some ersatz American effort, with a cast I never heard of.
I say watch at your own risk, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or, if you have other plans, go pursue them. After all, this is Pride Weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, we missed last week's showing of "Village Of The Damned," so we will probably watch that, instead.
This movie looks like it was plucked out of a bargain bin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It should have stayed there, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Girls, I mean, wouldn't you love to have one of your walls painted this color??????? I know I would!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But Magenta is also the name of a character in "The Rocky Horror Show," which is returning to Broadway at Studio 54, in the Spring of 2026. And. darlings, I SO want to play Magenta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know the score, and I am perfect for the part! Those costumes, that hair! I am telling you; I am ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember, dears, "there's a light in the darkness of everybody's life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
It seems like everyone's retiring this year, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!! My beloved David keeps saying he is retiring on October 10th of this year. And now Anna Wintour--ANNA!!!!!!!!!!--has announced she is "stepping down," not retiring, as editor of VOGUE, to pursue more administrative overviews at Conde Nast!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, girls, what is the real story? Who did ANNA piss off? And ANNA pisses off no one; people piss off her!!!!!!!!!!! Something is afoot, and I aim to find out what.
But who can replace ANNA? Who will run the city????????? I may have to do this from my blog, or I will have to concoct a resume and submit it to VOGUE. I want that office with the Clarice Cliff collection!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it should be a gay man! It is about time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I must go into mourning, darlings! What will become of fashion???????????????
Happy Birthday, June Lockhart, and congratulations on reaching the century mark!
This was June at 19, in that most golden of Golden Age Hollywood films, 1944's "Meet Me In St. Louis" And who could forget her performance in 1946's "She Wolf Of London," which foreshadowed Gloria Talbot in 1957's "Daughter Of Dr. Jekyll?"
But for us baby boomers, who grew up with TV, June was our maternal figure, first on "Lassie," then in outer space on "Lost In Space," and finally as a Lady MD on "Petticoat Junction." It seemed as though June was on TV all the time, and the medium was better for it.
Now in a well-deserved retirement, she has reached the century mark, and I could not be happier for her. I wish her a continuing year, and hope the celebration lasts beyond one day!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June, you are loved by many. How apt your birthday month is your name.
Here's to as many years as you can rack up now, June!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come out, all you closet cases! And if you are out already, this is the week to be your most out-est!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone has their way of celebrating Pride Week and Gay Pride Sunday. Tonight, David and I are going to the Mariott Marques Theatre to see the play, "Stranger Things: The First Shadow." It will be a long evening, but I hear the special effects are good.
On Gay Pride Sunday, what we are doing could not be more appropriate or topped. We are going to a screening at the Paris Theatre to see my all-time favorite film, "The Wizard Of Oz," which is part of their "Wonders Of Technicolor " series. Few films used Technicolor as skillfully as "The Wizard Of Oz," and my opinion on this holds to the present day.
So, however you celebrate gayness this week do so. And remember, gayness is not just for gays; straight people are invited to celebrate, too. As well as trans, binary or what have you!!!!!!!!!!!
June 22 is not only the longest day of the year, but it is Meryl Streep's birthday. The Divine MERYL will turn 76, and all of us should look good at that age.
For Meryl, it is just another day, though I would like to think Stanley Tucci runs over to her house and cooks up one of his special meals!!!!!!!!!!! I know I would love that. Stanley as well as the meal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is wishing MERYL a Happy Birthday, a great day, and a celebration where she does exactly as she pleases
So, everyone cheer the Divine MERYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe, on her day, I will have a Sea Breeze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was always taught that it was June 22, darlings, so I am standing by that. It does feel long, even if one is rushing about. It will also be the 56th anniversary of Judy Garland's death; something to think about as one makes the most of this day that we have been building up to, and that slowly, inexorably, those days will get shorter till we reach that time of year I dread, when it starts getting dark at 4;30.
So, try not to think about that, and make the most of this day and your Summer. We may not be able to be Sandra Dee as "Gidget," but we can still have loads of fun.
I would like to get to Coney Island one time this year. We shall see.
And don't forget that Summer Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Party up, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Summer will have arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't recall if "Svengoolie" has ever shown this before, but it is an excellent film. It is based on John Wyndham's excellent 1957 novel, The Midwich Cuckoos." An English village is overcome by an alien force that simultaneously impregnates all the childbearing women of the town. When these offspring are born, they lack empathy, can read people's minds, and have weird, glowing eyes that can destroy. These kids are definitely NOT all right!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Martin Stephens, so good the following year as Miles in "The Innocents," plays the children's leader. It is a weird, macabre film, and the atmosphere is filled with tension, as these children exude no sense of innocence. They have nothing to hide.
Especially for those never having seen it, this is a must. David and I will record it, and watch it at a later time, but if you are available at 8PM this Saturday, tune it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Baby Gojira and all his friends do not intend to miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am writing some of these posts ahead of time, as we will be in the city this weekend, and I will barely have enough time to breathe, let alone write a blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some say Summer arrives today or tomorrow. I was taught that the date of arrival is June 21. It is a joyous day; the only sad component being it is the halfway point for Proserpina's visit to Earth. Sooner than expected she will be going back to Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though I have been out of school more years than I have been in, Summer is still a favorite time of year. Shorts, sandals, and more comfortable clothes may be worn, the air conditioners are on, and people drink more, as this season triggers more dehydration than any other.
Yet, what would the year be without Summer? And what would Summer be without the following song?
Here we are, girls! My favorite song of Summer! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I could say our room would look like this, but it won't. We are returning to The Algonquin tomorrow, to see my friend Hamlet, the cat, and for a brief Manhattan weekend.
On Friday, we are going to a special service at The Gay And Lesbian Synagogue. David wants to see how much it has changed, in the face of getting a new rabbi.
Saturday is quite a day. At 10AM, we are heading to The Paris Theatre for a screening of Alfred Hitchcock's final film, 1976's "Family Plot," with Karen Black and Barbara Harris. Later, we are going for tea in The Blue Box at Tiffany's, and then that evening we are seeing on Broadway the one person "The Picture Of Dorian Grey," which both of us are excited about.
Sunday, with friends, we are going to a 1PM matinee of "MJ, The Musical," and then back to the hotel, for dinner with friends. We will return to Bay Ridge on Monday.
Just a cozy romantic weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope my stomach and such hold out!
Looking forward to it all, especially seeing my good friend, Hamlet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally, girls, I have been listened to. All year I have been saying something should be done to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of "A Chorus Line." And now it is going to take place.
The date is Sunday July 27. The place, the Shubert Theatre, where the original ran on Broadway for fifteen years. The time will be 7:30 PM. I hope they can somehow get rid of much of that dreadful "Hell's Kitchen" set, to allow the performers to do what they have to do.
Baayork Lee, of course, is putting the event together, and you know it is going to be the theatrical event of the year!!!!!!!!!!! Tickets go on sale June 30, and Theater Queens, especially those of us old enough to remember or having seen the original are going to flock to this like pilgrims to a shrine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And look who is on hand! Originals Baayork Lee, Donna McKechnie, Priscilla Lopez, Kelly Bishop, and Wayne Cilento!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And alums from the 2006 revival--Charlotte D'Amboise, Jessica Lee Goldyn, and Tony Yazbeck. Plus, a former Cassie, Robyn Hurder, after finishing her Broadway run in "SMASH!"
Other guests are to be announced. I know Gojira will be there, and he will probably lead the wedge, with his ACL hat, and dance with Donna!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait, girls! And neither can you! But I am telling you, I was right!
Remember, you heard it first, on The Raving Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am telling you, girls? Can any of today's dancers do this? No way!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before getting into the post, I thought I would showcase this picture, as it looks so much like my late friend, Nicholas. Oh, how I miss Nicholas, his warmth and caring, and how I would love to give him some scratches and belly rubs. Which I know he would enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for what has been going on here, girls, oh my God, where do I start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finished 'Jonathan Strange,' polished off "The Cafe With No Name," and now I am halfway through "Journey By Moonlight," by Antal Szerb. Beautifully written, but the year is almost halfway over, and I am only in the late thirties.
My niece had her 57th birthday on the 16th, which was also Bloomsday; according to literary scholars either the day "Ulysses" takes place on, or the day Joyce met Nora, his wife. Either way it is a great day to be born on and having a doctor appointment that day--I had to have an echo cardiogram, and my heart is in great shape! --so I could not recite or enact "Molly Bloom's "Soliloquy."
Tuesday, I rested, then I learned we were going to see "Pirates! The Penzance Musical!" It turned out to be theatrically colorful, and more entertaining than I expected.
However, amidst all this, some intestinal issues developed and have led me to see my gastroenterologist next Thursday. Here is what happened.
About a month ago, one Saturday, David and I were in the food market, when I felt like I was going to have an "accident." I told David, who said to go home. I did, and made it, chalking the whole thing up to a MET Formin attack. No big deal. Then, several days later, I had another episode; again, I attributed it to MET Formin, as I have been known to suffer more than one attack in a week. But I knew something was wrong Friday, when I had to run to the bathroom three times that day, each time evacuating liquid, like a colonoscopy prep. By the third time, I thought nothing was left in me, but over the weekend, I had several minor attacks. Then, mysteriously, as it came it went, with everything back to normal. And that was that. I thought. But this previous week, it happened again. I am fine, at the moment, but who knows what is next? I just hope I don't have to have a colonoscopy, but if so, so be it. I will keep you posted, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So that is why I have not been on here in a while. Stay tuned for more adventures, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When it comes to Universal's "Dracula" franchise, "Son Of Dracula," which "Svengoolie" is showing tonight at 8PM, happens to be the most unusual. For starters, Lon Chaney, Jr. plays Count Alucard ("Dracula" spelled backwards) but the action takes place on a Southern Gothic plantation. Not Tara, to be sure, but something worthy of Faulkner or McCullers. The art direction and set design do a superb job of evoking this atmosphere.
Added to this is the tragic love story between Frank Stanley (Robert Paige) and Kay Caldwell (Louise Allbritton), with her sister Claire (the great Evelyn Ankers) looking on, and the heartbreaking steps Frank must take to preserve his and Kay's love.
This is not only the only time Chaney played a Dracula character, but also the only film in which he looks reasonably good, almost handsome. This film might have opened up another career path for him, but it did not happen. Maybe due to his drinking problem.
In any case, "Son Of Dracula" is wonderfully atmospheric, and fun in a bizarre way. Its setting and tragic ending made me think of Anne Rice.
Don't be fooled by a vampire, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A word about this post--For those never having seen "Strait-Jacket," do not read beyond this paragraph, as there may be spoilers revealed throughout. I warned you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No matter how many times one views it, girls, there are still things that can be learned from "Strait-Jacket." Consider this--it is an exploration of insanity, but who is insane, and who is not?
Joan Crawford, in one of her more sympathetic roles, plays Lucy Harbin, a woman who has accepted her lot in life and is trying to come to terms with it.
What more is there to learn from this film? Well--
Make sure you make a spectacular entrance, in a forties wardrobe and hairstyle when coming home on the evening train. Joan's entrance as Lucy Harbin is a cue for all us girls to take an example from.
Don't be fooled by the daughter's Miss Wholesome Coed act. She has been imprisoned on the farm and wants out of it as much as Joan wants out of the asylum. Butter wouldn't melt in Carol's mouth. But that Leo Krause (George Kennedy) was on to the bitch, and so was Edith Atwater in her hilarious performance as Mrs. Fields. Though Carol did kill Raymond, Mr. Fields, she did him a favor. By killing him, he never had to live again with that battle axe of his wife!!!!!!!!!!!
Make sure your jewelry always jangles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When going on a shopping excursion with one's daughter, understand, because of the environment and locale, the merchandise will be as trashy as the town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Master the skill of lighting a cigarette on a playing record disc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If your name is Michael Fields, understand that you have dodged a serious bullet. This horndog is hungry, but if he had married Carol, eventually her true colors would have come out. Mama will protect him.
Don't underestimate Aunt Emily. How about when she said, pulling up to the Fields' house, "I can't believe we are going to have such rich relatives????????"
Yes, one can learn a lot from "Strait-Jacket." Including the Columbia Pictures logo lady, whose head is off at the end.
She learned to go just go along with the joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Kill her, Mommy!" How we all LOVE to hear those words, especially when coming from Betsy Palmer, in her signature performance as Mrs. Voorhees in the one and only 1980 classic, "Friday The 13th."
Betsy gives the best performance by an actor with her teeth. She should have received a special award for this alone.
Oh, the charms.... the full moon, Camp Crystal Lake, that horndog Barry and that slut Claudette who caused all the trouble in the first place.... you can bet David, and I will be watching tonight on this, Friday the thirteenth. And today is June 13, which coincides exactly with the date in the film.
Girls, I am telling you, what could be more perfect? Join us tonight as we celebrate this date or do it however you please.
You just gotta love Mrs. Voorhees when she says, ".....what you did to him! Look what you DID to him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Make no mistake, girls, Doug is funny, especially with the emu, but it is Limu Emu who always steals the show.
I always look forward to one of his commercials, because I know it will be entertaining, and no matter what, he endures.
Some commercials can by annoying. Like Jamie, who still appears in the Progressive commercials.
Limu Emu means a fun, entertaining, time. If I were on the lookout for insurance, which I am not, the emu would certainly make a valid sales pitch that would get my attention.
Are Cleos still given out, for performances in commercials? If so, the Limu Emu certainly deserves one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just LOVE this comedic bird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is also hard to believe, darlings, that this novel is ten years old. This set is a special anniversary edition to celebrate the novel's tenth anniversary of publication.
I read "A Little Life" in one volume several years ago. While it is compelling, it is not for everyone. One character's story is nothing but graphic abuse from womb to manhood. There were times when I had to put the novel down, I just could not take it. So, girls, I am telling you, this novel is not for everyone. I find the idea of celebrating the novel's anniversary a bit odd. You can be sure I will not be buying it, as I have no desire to read it again. And I do not expect to.
It just amazes me how time flies. Ten years? Who would have thought?
Try it, if you don't believe me. But remember, dolls, I warned you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No denying there is plenty of blame to go around, but I would start first with the sound technicians. Because, from the very second it aired, David and I, watching at home, said the sound was bad. It was, and I hoped it would improve but it never did. Heads should roll, and I hope they are!
As for Cynthia Erivo, oh, my God! She gives me the creeps! Hey, she has the right to look however she wants, no matter how unbecoming, but the stylist who chose some of those dresses should have been fired. The best one was the red she wore, I think, in the balcony. Either the writers, another source of blame, could not come up with funny lines for Cynthia, or the poor thing just could not deliver them. Though one of the funniest, and most truthful lines she said, and I bet it was ad libbed, was when she introduced Jonathan Groff as "The man who makes us wet!" Honey child has a point, girls!!!!!!!!!!!
There was clearly tension in the air arising from black circumstances. This ranged from "Purpose" undeservedly beating out "Oh, Mary!" for Best Play to vague allusions to recent events.
But the camera continually cutting to Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King clearly sent out a message there was an agenda. Let me tell you something about Gayle King. She has no right to be anywhere and wouldn't if it were not for Oprah. Without Oprah, she would still be waiting on customers at some Southern backwoods pit stop, like Fannie Flag's Whistle Stop Cafe!!!!!!!!!!!! What a phony!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then came Audra's abominable performance of "Rose's Turn" from "Gypsy," which was even worse than when I saw it on stage. And the undeserved applause she got, for what? Not delineating a character, or a number, that, due to length, had to be abbreviated, but a manic depressive off their meds. And for this she should get a TONY? When it was time for Oprah to hand out the award, she kept repeating the category name, as she opened the envelope, and before she took it out, saw that it was not going to Audra, and from that moment she, and then Aurdra, were pissed, when Nicole Scherzinger walked off with the award. Miss- I -Am Better- Than- Everyone- Else Oprah and Miss-High-And-Mighty Audra were both royally pissed, and it was evident. The specter of Patti Lu Pone hung over all this, and I say good for the TONYS in not awarding a disgraceful performance, and good for Patti, who here gets the last laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not that there were not some lovely moments on The TONYS--
One was the endearing Cole Escola, dressed in homage to Bernadette Peters, getting a well deserved TONY Award for his performance as Mary Todd Lincoln in "Oh, Mary!" I was hoping he would take home two awards, but the PC police were on patrol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah Snook was lovey and gracious, as she accepted her TONY for "The Picture Of Dorian Grey." David and I, of course, want to see it, but tickets will be hard to come by, now.
Francis Jue gave one of the most beautiful and impassioned speeches of the evening. David and I were fortunate enough to see his moving performance in "Yellow Face."
It was a pleasure to see Nicole Scherzinger win this award. And her dress was stunning. I was so glad to see the Oprah crew and Audra get this big slap across their faces! No one can say I am crazy about the show "Sunset Boulevard," but Nicole does have a voice suited to the score. Unlike Miss-High-And-Mighty-Aurdra McDonald!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But the best--
By far, was Jonathan Groff's TONY performance. The highlight came when he straddled Keanu Reeves' chair, and I don't care, gay or straight, Reeves must have shot in his pants! I mean, with Jonathan Groff straddling you, wouldn't anybody???????? Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is Jonathan's TONY performance. Swoon, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Except for these moments, the show was a disaster. Cynthia Erivo was a tasteless host. I propose Jonathan host next year!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's see how long "Gypsy" runs now, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is no question, girls, that you have to moisturize your legs, but it also helps if one looks like Yvette Vickers, pictured here in the 1959 classic, "Attack Of The Giant Leeches." This was the same year that she appeared as "Playboy's" July Playmate. She also turned up in other men's magazines.
During her reign, she was the one called on when a film needed an actress who could be a slut. No one did it like Yvette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is clear her character, Liz, is not going to settle for the small-town burg she is currently stuck in. Nor that husband, whom she calls "Fathead." Honey does have a point!!!!!!!!!!
Be warned, girls, if one takes this path, there is no turning back. And things often end badly.
They did for Yvette, in real life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I read this when it first came out, and I was unimpressed. I filed it in my memory bank, and on my annual book list, with the idea, "Well, that's that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Twenty years later, "The New York Times" ran an article on the novel and its author. Other articles appeared, and I began to wonder--Should I take another look at this book? Maybe I missed something along the way.
And was that true! I was not ready for it two decades before as I was not steeped in 19th century literature, as one must be to get through this novel. And not just the text, darlings, but you have to read the footnotes which are all manufactured books by the author, and imaginary stories that go along with the titular story being told.
I am not a fantasy follower, but this novel is so many things in one it bears a reread. From the opening exposition to the romantic ending that made me tear up, this was an experience I never expected to have but am so glad I did. The two weeks it took me to read this novel were some of the best two weeks of this year.
When it first came out, Clarke hinted it being the first of a trilogy. She never followed through, and now I am glad she did not. Trilogies I have read over time never live up to their first volume. Therefore, I am glad "Jonathan Strange And Mr. Norrell" stands alone.
Take some time, girls, and enter into a world of romance and magic!
And read all those footnotes, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Is anybody there? Does anybody care?" John Adams sings at one point in the musical "1776." The same could be said for The TONY Awards honoring one show, while dissing another, both of which started at The Public.
I guess brains of generations post 1975 have lost their retention bit by bit, or else "A Chorus Line" would be honored, as well. Colleges and regional theaters seem to do it all the time; it is said that it is always playing somewhere in the world. So, why no acknowledgement?
My dream would be a short run revival, featuring original cast members performing their roles. But I guess that will not happen.
Will someone please give this show the due it deserves????????????????
And it will outlive "Hamilton," darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So much has been written about "Strait-Jacket" on this blog that almost anything I say would be repetitive. But tonight, at 8PM, "Svengoolie" is pulling off a coup to begin June with this Joan Crawford classic.
I will keep saying that this should be done at The Metropolitan Opera. I mean, the scene of the Dueling Joans alone! And Edith Atwater as Michael (John Anthony Hayes) Fields' socially pretentious mother, who won't allow him to marry Lucy's daughter, Carol (Diane Baker) and whose son is so hungry for pussy he would probably screw his own mother. If this picture had had another ending, Michael would have banged both his mom and Lucy.
For those of you who are not watching "Good Night, And Good Luck" tonight, this film is a MUST. Especially if you have never seen it. And for those watching the Clooney opus, be sure and tape this film which is gold standard for CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Oh, Mommy, I'm so sorry, I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you, I love you, love you, HAAAAAAAAAATE you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
You just got to see it for yourselves, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, darlings, I am from the school of traditional pronouns, so I am going to refer to Cole Escola as he. I first discovered him when he played Chassie Tucker on "At Home With Amy Sedaris," a program I still sorely miss. Cole was so good as Chassie it took me four episodes to realize Chassie was not a woman.
This year he is nominated for TONYS in two categories--"Best Play," and "Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role In A Play." Oh, Mary" gets an A for humorous writing, and Escola's performance as a mad, manic Mary Todd Lincoln is a tour de force--campy, but with a hint of truth.
Would I be happy if he got only one TONY? Yes, because he deserves to be recognized, but he has done such a wonderful job in both categories, I think he should take home both.
More of this type of comedy is needed, and I am looking forward to seeing Cole Escola produce more material.
But he better march up those steps on TONY night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I walked into the Circle In The Square Theater two Sundays ago to see "Just In Time," I was expecting a one-man show. With its lavish nightclub setting, I expected it to be two hours or more of just Jonathan Groff singing Bobby Darin tunes.
Instead, I got more than I expected. Yes, Groff is front and center, but the show is actually a bio-musical, an almost kind of male "Funny Girl" that tells the story of Bobby Darin.
Jonathan Groff, as I have reported elsewhere, is as electric as Darin as Streisand must have been as Fanny Brice, back in 1964. But other actors give equally good performances. Gracie Lawrence, also a TONY nominee. gives a poignant performance as Connie Francis and nails her rendition of "Who's Sorry Now." Erika Henningsen makes Sandra Dee more than the "Gidget" persona one thinks of her as. She had marital, drinking and other problems, and all are laid out here. She made me think seriously about Sandra for the first time. And keep an eye on Emily Bergl, as Nina, the older sister. My favorite was the always excellent Michelle Pawk, playing a type of role, she has done before, but no one does it better.
The characters they portray move in and out of Darin's life, as easily as Jonathan Groff moves about the stage, connecting with the audience, even venturing into the upper aisles and back.
Shannon Lewis did an excellent job of choreography, while Alex Timber's direction is as fluid as I have seen this season. Again, I got much more here than I expected.
And while I have said without a good Rose there is no "Gypsy," this show would be lost without Jonathan Groff.
There is no other way to say it. The show is great, but he is perfection!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, girls, I know he won last year--and deservedly so--for his heartrending performance in "Merrily We Roll Along," but, honestly, he almost tops himself with "Just In Time."
Groff's performance is galvanic. He never stops moving or singing or dancing for a second once he hits that stage. And he moves about the theater, going up and down the higher aisles as well. It is a hell of a workout, and he makes it look so effortless. He emanates joyfulness, connects with the audience, and is SOOOOOOOOOO good looking. As I have said, straight women and gay men will throw their panties on stage.
How could this nominee miss? Well--
Now, my David LOVED "Maybe Happy Ending," on the level I loved "Just In Time." I enjoyed the show, admired the originality of its concept and score. I think it will win "Best Musical," and until Jonathan Groff came along, I thought Darren Criss might win "Best Actor In A Leading Role In A Musical." He still might, and I have a feeling he will, but I think Groff gives the better performance, is more interesting, and I would love to see him be a consecutive winner.
But look out for Darren, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The category of "Best Actress In A Leading Role In A Musical" is one of the strongest and most anticipated of the forthcoming evening. Something tells me Audra is going to win, but if so, it is less about "Gypsy" and more about breaking her own record with a seventh TONY, and the whole Patti LuPone- Audra-Kecia Lewis thing.
Audra makes a valiant effort, but she cannot pull it off. Her Rose is overly strident, and the two big numbers she has to struggle to make the notes. She is overreaching, which could be damaging to her impressive voice, which is not used correctly as she is unsuited for this show. I did not like it when I saw her, and I do not like everyone seeming to rally around her.
Who should I think should win????????????????????
That's right, dolls, Nicole Scherzinger in "Sunset Boulevard." Now, I am not crazy about the show. Let's face it, "Gypsy" has the better score, but Nicole Scherzinger is more suited for the role, physically and vocally. Her renditions of the two standards," With One Look," and "As If We Never Said Goodbye," are impressive. The rest of the show, I could care less about, save David Thaxton's brilliant performance as Max, who, sadly, was not even nominated. As for Tom Francis, well he is good looking, but little else. And his live video performance did not impress me. Not for a second did I believe we were on Sunset Boulevard. He should have sung it "Shubert Alley!" And this makes Bway nepo baby Jamie Lloyd a great director???????? Oh, my God, no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But getting back to Nicole, she has the voice for the material, does a better job, and should be the winner.
However--
There is a new girl on the block, and her name is Jasmine Amy Rogers. She pulls off a star performance in "Boop! The Musical," and she might just sneak in there, should Audra and Nicole, plus Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, for "Death Becomes Her." cancel each other out. I think Nicole should win, but I would not be unhappy if Jasmine walked off with the trophy!!!!!!!!!!!!! There has not been a Broadway song and dance debut like this since Wanda Richert in the original "42nd Street," back in 1980. Who remembers her????????????
Let's hope Nicole or Jasmine beats out that high and mighty Audra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As all theater queens know, this is TONY Week, so I will be talking things TONY. Now, even if watching at home--as David and I will be--how you look is important.
The above is the most perfect example out there of how NOT to look at The TONYS. I mean, not even a good foundation could cover up that face! And those ears! This guy should stay at home with the curtains or shades drawn, so neighbors cannot look in. But I have a feeling he might be a voyeur, so watch out.
Not even Joan Crawford's ice cube regimen could help this guy.
Make sure you look your best at The TONYS, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wherever you should be watching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is right; today is the day, back in 1967, when Billy Joe McCallister jumped off the Tallahatchie bridge. No one has ever defined why in 58 years, but I think it was because the narrator was pregnant by Billy Joe, and she either had an abortion or a miscarriage.
In any case, darlings, this is the day to remember that event, and an excuse to listen to the Bobbie Gentry classic. One of the great hits of all time, though I also enjoy her rendition of "Fancy." I relate to "Fancy," which, I am sure, is no surprise to my readers.
Yes, girls it is the third of June, so do anything you want to celebrate. Just don't go leaping off any bridges. Too many tragedies have happened that way, which shouldn't. Even Billy Jo.
So, here is the Bobbie Gentry classic for you to listen to.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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