Yes, Dears, We Have Reached That Point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        I thought this would be an interesting and more different way of saying farewell to November, because it really is 25 days till Christmas.

                           November was quite a month.  More books read this month, now that the lists are coming in.  Two shows on Broadway seen--"Buena Vista Social Club" for my birthday, and "The Queen Of Versailles" for David.  For us both, there was "Blue Moon," the sad yet well-made hypothetical biopic of Lorenz Hart.  Ethan Slater did an Oscar caliber job in the role.

                             We got through the Thanksgiving season with an annual visit to Chadwick's.  We went to The Mark Hotel, Jean St. Georges, for my birthday, but felt we both caught colds from there, which we are shaking off.  David is also struggling with a pinched nerve, so if anyone out there can help, please do.

                                   Oh, and my friend, Hamlet, retired from The Algonquin Hotel.  Best wishes for his happiness and lots of love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 It seems I wrote more posts in November than any other month, and yet I was so busy.  I guess I am just a trouper to the end.

                                  Yet, November was a very exciting super-charged month, hard to say farewell to. but now comes the onslaught.

                                  How shall the year end?????????????  Only time will tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Only "Svengoolie" Would Show The 1936Version!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Ah, the old one about the dummy controlling the ventriloquist.  Ever since Michael Redgrave defined it in the 1946 British anthology film, "Dead Of Night," this trope has been tried again and again; recently made memorable in 1978's "Magic," with Anthony Hopkins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       So, girls, please forgive me if I cannot muster up any enthusiasm for tonight's film.  Lacking the likes of Maureen O' Sullivan, Frank Lawton, Lionel Barrymore--all from MGM's 1935 "David Copperfield--" not to mention the great Rafaela Ottiano--this 1964 cheesy Brit thriller has only William Sylvester, famous for one of the captors in 1961's "Gorgo," a role that took him nowhere.  Like the cast in this 1964 film went nowhere.  I am telling you, darlings, the dummy in this film outacts the human actors.

                                       All of us here have seen this before, and Baby Gojira remembers it as having lots of bosoms. So, if that is your preference, tune in, by all means.  If not, I am not so sure this film is worth seeing again.  "Svengoolie" could have picked a better film with which to end November.

                                         His December choices will round out the year.  Let's hope he does better, next month!  His last chance for 2025!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, Darlings, It Is The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                That is right, girls, the Holiday Season is underway, initiated by America's study in greed, known as Black Friday.  This picture says it all--the fat, the ugly, the trashy, the greedy, pushing and shoving their way--sometimes trampling others--into stores.  And for what?  After it is over, is it all worth it?  I don't think so.

                                  What must our European contemporaries think of this behavior?  Yet, this says it all about America.  The "Get outta my way!" mentality flourishes most on this day.

                                    Can you imagine waiting in the cold late-night for some second-rate store chain to open?  You wouldn't catch me within five feet of this, darlings.

                                       Nothing says White Trash better than Black Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Except maybe serving turkey pot pies on Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, This SHOULD Have Been The Gayest Show In Town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But It Is So NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I have to feel sorry for the St. James Theatre, darlings!  First, they are booked with that desecrator of a show, "Sunset Boulevard," and now "The Queen Of Versailles," which has already announced a January 4 closing date.  So, if you want to see this, girls, rush to it!  But don't worry; tickets are easy to come by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            I also have to feel sorry for Kristin Chenoweth.  The woman is loaded with talent, can hit high notes I have not heard since the late Barbara Cook, and like Jonathan Groff in "Just In Time," gives this show her all.  I would say she and Jonathan are the hardest working performers on Broadway right now.  But Groff has the better material.

                                               Which is the major problem with this show.  Stephen Schwartz, high on his "Wicked" successes, and enjoying something of a renaissance with "The Baker's Wife," gives Kristin nothing to work with. The songs are repetitive, monotonous, and not even one stands out.  He tries for one with "Caviar Dreams," but it just misses the mark.

                                                 So, Kristin has nothing to do but sing boring songs, while looking stunning in a series of costumes by Christian Cowan, while striking poses on dazzling sets by Peter Hylesnski, which are lit by Natasha Katz.  The show has plenty of razzle dazzle, but no heart.  It does not even rise to the level of camp, like "Tammy Faye."  

                                                      The show is literally all Kristin.  Poor F. Murray Abraham has nothing to do in this show but pick up his weekly paycheck.  And the chorus members dance around in rather bad choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant.  They are not even Marge and Gower Champion, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Nowhere near!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                           Michael Arden had better find himself a hit show fast, or he will end up on the Island Of Lost Directors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                               Despite all that it musters, the show ultimately fails.

                                                               This "Queen" needs to have her crown removed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

                             Instead of a picture of a turkey, I decided to lead with this shot from 1968's musical, "Promises, Promises," and starring, center, Donna McKechnie, and to her left, Baayork Lee, and her right, Margo Sappington.  Margo went on to choreograph the international stage success "Oh! Calcutta."  Does anyone remember that show anymore?  Is it ever revived???????????

                               This was Donna's breakout show; her first showstopper.  And just look at that leap on Baayork!!!!!!!!!!  I could not even do that when I was her age.  Hell, in 1968, I was 13, and I still could not do that!

                                And the show played at the Shubert Theatre, where both Donna and Baayork returned to in 1975 in Michael Bennett's masterpiece, "A Chorus Line."  Donna certified herself as "The Greatest Show Stopper In Broadway History," when she originated the role of Cassie, while Baayork became the show's ambassador; no production of it gets by today without her approval.

                                 What a joyous way to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Better than a picture of a cooked dead turkey!

                                 But it is a time of remembrance, of gratitude.  Remembering the disenfranchised, and those in need.  The ones "Sittin' here eating their hearts out baby/Waiting for some lover to call. Dialed about a thousand numbers lately/Almost rang the phone off the wall."

                                 I am sure Sister Camille, Gojira, Baby Gojira and I wish these unfortunates the best Thanksgiving they can possibly have.  At least a nourishing hot meal at the soup kitchen.  They are deserving of at least that.

                                 As for me, girls, I am thankful for the aforementioned, but most of all my beloved David.  May our colds clear up, so we can enjoy the holiday season.  We have a roof over our heads, things to eat, and books, plus each other.  What more could be wanted????????????

                                   Maybe an emerald garnet from Van Cleef And Arpels??????????????????

                                  Here are Donna And Company doing "Turkey Lurkey Time."  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, Girls, Imagine THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Things get pretty hot on the film set, darlings, and a girl has to cool off.

                                         But what is really going on here?  Is Nancy Kelly really warm or is she just having some campy fun to reduce the tension of filming "The Bad Seed?"

                                       Or is she trying to entice the attention of repressed spinster lesbian Miss Claudia Fern, played by Joan Croydon?????????????

                                        Imagine if this shot had made it into the actual film!  What discussions and scandal might have ensued.

                                        Don't try this at home, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Book List Season Is Finally Here, Darlings! "The New York Times "Has Chosen "The 100 Most Notable Books Of 2025!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                        Writing is hard, darlings, especially when one mistakenly erases all the work having gone before.  All I want is to give you my assessment of "The New York Times List," by giving you the books I have read, and the books I might read.  I had planned to go in sequence, and I will, but first let me list, pictorially, the books I have read.

                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                   

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                                      

                                             Well, girls, this is interesting!  I thought I had read only seven books on this list, but I have actually read eight.  Which is more than this list merits, as some of these were outright surprises to me.  Let's try to break them down.

                                                "Buckeye," by Patrick Ryan--Lovers of family sagas will flock to this tale of two Ohio families over the course of two centuries, and thereby the changing of them, history, and our culture.  The surprise is Ryan writes this type of fiction in a quality way I have not experienced in a long time.  I am glad this made the list, and I urge all to flock to it.

                                                "Heart The Lover," by Lily King--I really loved her previous novel, "Writers And Lovers," so I was excited about this one.  Alas.  She gets it half right when venturing into the academic world of creative writing and lit classes, and how connecting bonds can be formed there. But then, years later, the reader is confronted with the terminal illness of this connected trio.  Was it really necessary to venture into "Terms Of Endearment" territory?  Had you stuck with the academic, Lily, you might have had a book worthy of my list

                                                  "Isola," by Allegra Goodman--I had heard much about this one and was looking forward to it.  Goodman's prose style is exquisite, but this tale of Marguerite, a 16th Century French woman isolated to a remote island for loving the wrong man might better have succeeded as a short story or novella.  Instead, all the reader gets is a high-class bodice ripper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   "Shadow Ticket," by Thomas Pynchon--I am not surprised this made the list.  Hey, it's Thomas Pynchon, the man is 88, and this could be his last effort.  The surprise is how accessible it is.  Imagine a noirish type of "L.A. Confidential" set in Wisconsin, and that is what the reader gets.  Along with Pynchon's dense prose and facility with language.  This one is a must for those who value literary fiction

                                                   "The Sisters," by Jonas Hassen Khemiri--This was the most immersive 600 plus page novel I have read this year.  The Mikola sisters are the most fascinating siblings since Jane Austen created the Bennets.  And the observer, aptly named Jonas could very well be a stand-in for the author.  How autobiographical is "The Sisters?"  Immerse yourselves in this world, and come away wondering.

                                                     "Stone Yard Devotional," by Charlotte Wood--A stunner, darlings.  For Catholics, lapsed and otherwise, while it may not be "The Song Of Bernadette," it is a meditative exploration of a woman's journey from being a conservationist in Sydney, Australia, to joining a convent in New South Wales.  While there is no Sister Ruth, as in "Black Narcissus," the details of actual convent life are absorbing, and will have readers falling to their knees.  It will enrich readers aesthetically and spiritually.

                                                           "These Summer Storms," by Sarah Maclean--Now, I really loved this one, but does it deserve to be on this list?  The Storms are a moneyed New England family who gather for an inheritance reading--their father's--on Storm Island, their own private getaway, off the coast of Rhode Island.  Conflict and drama ensue.  Nothing new about that, and the book is as entertaining as all get-out, but how many times have we been down this road before?  A fine, entertaining book to read.  But list worthy?  No way!

                                                           "Victorian Psycho," by Virginia Feito--Another one I loved, but what is it doing here?  The concept here is simple--Jane Eyre as a serial killer.  No, Jane is not the character, but the one in question is a governess.  How she simmers and boils is fascinating, and while Charlotte Bronte may have been affronted by it, I think Emily would have laughed her head off, happy that her bossy, more prolific sister was having her masterpiece roasted!  The book is very gory--even for me, darlings--so watch out.

                                                              There you have it, girls, the eight books on this list I read.  Whether they are worth your time is up to you; I leave these observations for you to ponder, and please excuse the format, which was not what I had originally planned.  

                                                                  But what about books under consideration.?  Here are a few titles on the list I am musing.  These five in particular stir my curiosity.

                                                                    

                                          "A Guardian And A Thief," by Megha Majumdar--I have heard a lot about this one, and not just its being an Oprah pick.  Like I care, darlings?  What grabs me more is its being described as an epic, comparable to Vikram Seth's "A Suitable Boy," though not as lengthy.

                                                                               

                                           "The Hounding," by Kenobe Purvis--Girls in an 18th Century English village, who may be witches, turning into dogs!!!!!!!!!!!!  This one has been described as " 'The Crucible' meets 'The Virgin Suicides.' "  How can I resist??????????????????

                                                                  

                                          "Maggie; Or, A Man And A Woman Walk Into A Bar," by Katie Yee--This has been touted as the literary debut of the year.  With an unusual jacket design, and a provocative title, I cannot wait to see what happens once Maggie and her compatriot walk into that bar.   And, at 208 pages, it is short, so it could help me reach my goal of 100 books read this year.  Though, right now, I am only somewhere in the mid-eighties.

                                                                              

                                           "Playworld," by Adam Ross--A child actor coming to age in a vanishing Manhattan.  This one sounds like it was written for me, darlings.  As a child star wannabe who still considers myself one, I have to hustle and read this one pronto.

                                                                        

                                           "What We Can Know," by Ian McEwan--Hey, it's Ian McEwan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Need I say more?????????????????

                                               As for the remainder, girls, I have no idea.  If any of you have heard of these or read any, you tell me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                

                                                                               

                                          I never knew till now that V. E. Schwab is a woman, darlings!  

                                                                                   

                                       There you have it, dears.  The last three I know nothing about, and some have never heard of, so if anyone out there can enlighten me, please do on here.

                                         And that concludes my assessment of "The New York Times" list of "The 100 Most Notable Books Of 2025."

                                          I cannot wait to see their "Ten Best" list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                                                                                             

   

                                                                                 

                                        

                               

                                                                               

                                                                              

                                                                             

                            

                   '                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                  

                                                                              

                                                                      

                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                  

                                                                                   

This Was My Birthday Show, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Theatergoers looking for a culturally immersive production, alive with dazzling colors and brilliantly conceived dances by reigning choreographer Justin Peck had best dash right now to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, and experience "Buena Vista Social Club."

                                         Having seen it, finally, I am not at all surprised it is still running.  In retrospect, this really was the surprise hit of last season.

                                            I was expecting an extended dance piece, and while dance is prevalent, I never realized how much of a story there was to this show.  Bits and pieces of members of the club, and especially the tale of two sisters, both wanting recording careers, but one wanting to leave Cuba for America, and one wanting to stay with the club, just when everything in that country is falling apart, is the heart of the show.  I had to wonder if these sisters were based on any real-life components.

                                             The show also goes back and forth in time.  Natalie Venetia Belcon, in a performance that won a well-deserved TONY Award, plays Omara, the sister who stayed behind, and her joy in music is infectious, as is her sad abandonment of it once she hears her sister has passed.  Their relationship was never mended.   She comes back to it eventually, but it takes work.

                                                Speaking of work, girls, this company works fluidly.  Like the original "A Chorus Line" cast, before they became legends, the whole show was the star.  So, it is with the "Buena Vista Social Club," who not only perform, but provide music and lyrics.  The whole thing is superbly directed by Saheem Ali, with dazzling lighting by Tyler Micoleau and set design by Arnulfo Maldonado.

                                                    Really, girls--Theater Queens and all you blue-haired ladies (maybe men!) out there--I cannot recommend a better time at the theater right now than "Buena Vista Social Club.  It is theatrically stimulating, and I am not surprised it has outrun the majority of last season's offerings.

                                                     Theater, especially on Broadway, is always in flux and change.

                                                     Maybe this show is a sign of change for the better.

                                                    

                                        

This Guy Is Beginning To Annoy Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Not since Jamie on Progressive has a commercial character annoyed me as much as Jusitn, the Stop And Shop worker.  The ad where he starts singing "Deck The Halls" and continues is especially irritating, because the guy has no voice, and from the way he sings, I am telling you he is straight.  If you want a guy with a voice, you need to get a tenor.  Now, being one myself, I know we can be difficult to work with--but we are usually right!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Now, I am happy for the actor, who got this gig, and he deserves every penny he earns, but, really, hon, do you think this will launch you into a Broadway musical?   I don't think so.

                                 The other question is are there any Stop And Shops anymore?  I remember them in the New Jersey of my childhood and youth, but here in Brooklyn, let alone Manhattan, I have never spotted a single one.  Queens, maybe?  The Bronx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    There was even a Milton Bradley game called Stop And Shop.  Now, I would not mind bringing that back, and playing it--I never did, but this Justin guy has got to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Just what demographic do the advertisers think they are aiming for??????????????

Darlings, The Cuisine Was Exquisite, But The Nouveaux Decor Needs To Return To The Old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           How I loved the elegance of New York high end restaurants, when they were brightly lit, and bursting with flowers.  Ah, the end of an era.  Let us hope it returns.

                             This is the area where we actually sat, on my birthday last week, and did have a scrumptious meal.  I had a beef tenderloin that was so tender, with carrots, elegantly cut and presented, and it was accompanied with the most tasteful red wine.  Oh, and before that, I had the creamiest tomato soup for an appetizer.  Desert came when the staff brought me a candlelit chocolate lava cake, with ice cream and whipped cream--it was delicious, and, as The Raving Queen, I was honored by such attention.

                              Now, David had the coconut curry chicken soup, with rice, for an appetizer, which he said was delicious, but very rich and filling.  His main course was pan fried sea bass, in a light broth with vegetables, including fennel.  My desert was compted, but David loved the vanilla ice cream so much--the iciness and texture were exquisite-- so he ordered a whole bowl of it, which we shared, and it was delicious.  Oh, and David had a red wine, like me, called Murdoch.  We both had the same wine.

                                 Yes, girls, I know one is supposed to eat white wine with fish, but David tries to defy social conventions.  Thank God, he has The Raving Queen to back him up.  And Gojira as well.

                                  Of all the birthday restaurants over the years, this was our least favorite, because of the aforementioned atmosphere and decor.  The prices were exorbitant--of course, what isn't? these days--but $450 for lunch???????????  Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    I must say the staff was very nice to us and gave us lovely treatment.  I am aware that ANNA frequents this place, but as a downtown girl, I don't think she gets here too often.

                                     Oh, an added footnote.  To use a bathroom, you have to go into the hotel lobby, and up a flight of stairs.  The floor design looks as though done by Cecil Beaton, and the stair railing was straight out of "All About Eve," girls.  I could picture Fred and Ginger dancing cheek to cheek on the floor!

                                      But the bathroom--oh, my God!  It was sparkling and clean the first time I went, but the second, before we left, I was almost stopped, had to wait a few minutes, and then told to come in now that everything was clean and fresh smelling.  It seems someone--patron or not--had--I hesitate to mention this, girls!!!!--defecated on the bathroom floor!!!!!!!!!!!!   Can you imagine????????????

                                        So, due to this, I don't think we will be returning to this establishment.

                                         Jean Georges did his best, and in spite of it all, it was a lovely birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  

Girls, Can We Summon Up As Much Hysteria As Nancy Kelly In "The Bad Seed??????????????"

                             Especially with the holiday season coming up, hysteria is just lying beneath the surface, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   But think of poor Nancy Kelly.  From the first moment she is on screen, one can sense hysteria underneath it all.  But it really explodes into full blown reality when the radio announcer says a child at the Fern Day School has drowned, she drops the glass she is holding, and runs screaming to Monica, played by Evelyn Varden.  What a moment, and I am sorry I could not capture that for you.

                            How many times have those out there felt like dropping the glass????????  And how many have????????????

                          Of course, Nancy/ Christine Penmark was dealing with something her upbringing and the 1950's had simply not prepared her for--raising a homicidal child!!!!!!!!!!!  My mother was simply not prepared for raising a theatrical child, and while she did get hysterical at times, she never rose to the level of Nancy Kelly.  Because I would never kill anyone.  Though I have thought about it.

                           I think "The Bad Seed" would make the perfect Mother's Day movie.  It is emblematic of what all mothers are fraught with, during the course of childrearing.  I still say my mother and I, when I was a child, could have played it on Broadway.

                           But no one generated as much hysteria as Nancy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          I love when her father reassures her Rhoda is a perfectly fine and sound little girl, and she answers, But is she father, IS SHE????????????????????

                          It does not get more hysterical than that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          And isn't it amazing how endless are the ways to write about "The Bad Seed?"

Darlings, I Am NOT Suggesting, I Am TELLING You Not To Watch This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              "Svengoolie" first showed this crap four years ago, in 2021.  So, why is he bringing it back again????????????????

                               The idea is to combine vampirism with the Wild West, but it does not work.  It is trite, senseless, and altogether boring.  Better to show the 1966 "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter."  Now, that is campy.  Unlike this 1959 tripe.

                               Think of the most boring thing you could do girls.  How about filing your nails?  Better to do that than to watch this crap.

                                 I am not sure of what David and I will reach for tonight, but it will be better than this mess.

                                  Svengoolie, please stop digging from the bottom of the barrel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, I Hate To Have To Tell You This, But...........

                           No, darlings, Hamlet is not dead, but he is no longer at The Algonquin.

                           Here is what happened--

                            As part of my birthday celebration, we went into Manhattan to see the musical "Buena Vista Social Club." It was a delightful afternoon, with dazzling choreography by Justin Peck.  But I will post on that later.

                               When in the Theater District, having to go to the bathroom, especially when age and bladder control are problematic, where does one go?  The theater has not opened yet, and some places do not have rest rooms.

                                   The answer, readers, is The Algonquin.  It is classy, clean, and I was looking forward to some time with Hamlet.  We did not see him on the floor, which was not unusual, but when I asked someone at the front desk, I was told Hamlet was no longer here; that his health was failing, he was having stomach problems, so he has retired to a residence in a fancy Manhattan apartment, with other cats he can socialize with.  A feline retirement community!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This happened in September.

                                    By the way, my David retired October 10.  He is here with me.  We are both enjoying it.

                                   Still, I was broken hearted.  Hamlet was an engaging, loving cat, and always made himself available to me, and I gave him lots of love and attention.  If I knew where he was, I would try and visit him.  I asked if they were planning on getting another cat, and was told yes, but not till March.  That made me feel better, but I hope the cat is as loving as Hamlet.

                                      I shall never forget you, Hamlet.  You loved your guests, and they loved you.

                                     Wishing you a Happy Retirement, Hamlet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                               

                                              Yes, girls, we have come to the climactic part of Musical Theater Week, which is my birthday.  I am 71 years old today, and that is the truth. Though my professional age is still 24, and I can still play Sandy in "The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie."

                                                It was a lovely day, dears, and more shall be reported later.  I would have loved to have had the "Loveland" sequence from "FOLLIES" parade through where we dined earlier today, but one cannot have everything.

                                                   I have projects galore coming up this year, some massive tomes to read, and, of course, more time with my beloved David, now that he is retired.

                                                     It was indeed a very happy birthday.

                                                     My best to all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                               

If Aive Today, She Would Have Been 99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I am so honored to share this birthday with Dorothy Collins, whom most Theater Quens know as the original Sally Durant Plummer in Sondheim's "FOLLIES," back in 1971.

                             As Musical Theater Week comes to a close, I have to wonder if the stars were aligned in my birth to give me such vocal chops.  Because I was a preemie--I was supposed to have been born in January 1955.

                             But here I am, alive, and on another birthday.  I shall post more later.

                              What an exciting week to have been born in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ariana DeBose Nails "Meadowlark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                     I have now answered the question everyone wants to know.

                                    "Meadowlark" is the breakout song midway through Act One of the musical "The Baker's Wife."  When it begins, the theater is eerily silent, and throughout the song one can hear a pin drop.  That is, until DeBose hits that final note, stopping the show, and making the decision that tilts the plot on its head.

                                       Patti LuPone may be pissed--she originated this role and song in a 1976 tryout of the musical, with Paul Sorvino, that never made it to Broadway.  Next to Patti, I like Lindsay Mendez' warm take on the song.  Now Ariana DeBose joins the pantheon of those covering "Meadowlark."

                                          Now, "The Baker's Wife" is based on a 1938 French film "La Femme Du Boulanger," and set in a provincial pre-war French village; the story concerns a baker (Scott Bakula in what at times is a heartbreaking performance) his wife, (DeBose) and some village characters played by some formidable performers--Denise, (Judy Kuhn, wonderful throughout, and who has also covered "Meadowlark."  How I wish she were on hand to cover Lea Michele in "CHESS.") and Sally Murphy as Hortense.  The ensemble is tightly knit and the rest of Stephen Schwartz' score has the kind of melodic fluidity not heard on Broadway anymore, and it is a pity.

                                            Jason Sherwood's set design, and Bradley King's lighting immerse the audience in a wooded French provinciality that is striking.  This show has found its perfect venue and design concept, made vivid by Gordon Greenberg's direction, and Charlie Alterman's musical direction. Not to mention David Cullen's orchestrations.

                                               It is not often that a musical blows me away, these days.  But "The Baker's Wife " did.  If I could, I would go again, just to hear DeBose do "Meadowlark."  But for those who have not seen this underrated gem, get down to CSC, at once.

                                                And see what REAL musical theater is--or was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Neva Small!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                       Continuing with Musical Theater Week, today is Neva Small's birthday.  She is 73 years old today and looks better than ever.  This Legend Of The Musical Stage has been working since she was a child and is best known for her performance as Chava in the 1971 film version of "Fiddler On The Roof.

                                      The late Bob Merrill thought she was the greatest, and he proved it by writing for her the song that made her a Musical Theater Legend--"I Wonder How It Is," from "Henry, Sweet Henry," back in 1967.  Neva was just 14 when this became a signature tune for her.  Merrill also wrote the musical "The Prince Of Grand Street," with a role for Neva.  What a pity it did not make it to Broadway. If an Original Cast Recording of this show exists out there, please let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         So, a Happy Birthday to Neva Small, from one and all.  Celebrate as you please and continue to bring your legendary magic to the stage, when you choose.

                                          Happy, Happy, Neva!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two Iconic Musicals Opened This Same Day On Broadway, But 22 Years Apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              And I saw one but could have seen the other.

                             I was all of four when "The Sound Of Music" opened on Broadway in 1959, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.   That is the original cast album cover, featuring Mary Martin, and Laurie Peters (Liesl), William Snowden (Friedrich), Kathy Dunn (Louisa), Joseph Stewart (Kurt), Marilyn Rogers (Brigitta), Mary Susan Locke (Marta), and Evanna Lien (Gretl).  Though they did not become as iconic as the film children, there would have been no iconic film if not for them.

                             I could well have been taken to see this and "Gypsy" with Ethel Merman.  I was precocious and could sit still through a performance.  Oh, hons, to hear Patricia Neway as Mother Abbess almost shatter the chandelier, hitting that final note in "Climb Ev'ry Mountain."  I get shivers just thinking about it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Now, in 1981, I was in my twenties--yes, girls, I WAS!!!!!!!!--and just making forays onto the theater scene.  But I did manage to see not once, but twice, the original production of "Merrily We Roll Along," which opened on this day in 1981, at the then Alivn Theatre.  I was so captivated by the score, and the likes of Ann Morrison and Lonny Price that I went to see it a second time before it closed, which I knew it would.

                           Interestingly, I knew about 'Merrily' before most.  While working in the NYU Bookstore back then, one of my coworkers, Mary Rose Wood, was auditioning for something but would not tell what it was.  On the day she was cast, we were all excited and then found out it was the new Harold Prince-Stephen Sondheim collaboration, "Merrily We Roll Along."  Of course, we all thought it would be a hit, and it was......but not for another 42 years.  What kept it in the public eye that long was its haunting score, which, once heard, does not leave you, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Yes, November 16 is perhaps the most important day of Musical Theater Week!!!!!!!!!

                           But stay tuned, dolls, there is more coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          

Darlings, This Is The Most Iconic Day Of Musical Theater Week! Two Musical Theater Legends Share A Birthday Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Most readers on here need no introduction to who this is.  Today is the birthday of  The Greatest Showstopper In Broadway History.  That is right, girls!  I am talking about Donna McKechnie, who today is somewhere between 81 and 85.   No matter the age, having seen her as Cassie in the original company of "A Chorus Line" in 1975, Donna will always be Dance Exemplar in my mind.

                              She could do "The Music And The Mirror" full out, tonight, if called upon to do it.  As a performer, Donna is indefatigable.  All of us on here wish Donna a happy birthday, celebrate as you please, and know that you are the admiration of all on here.

                                    Now, today also happens to be the birthday of Martha Plimpton.  She is, of course the daughter of Shelley Plimpton, who introduced my favorite song, "Frank Mills" in the original Broadway company of "HAIR," and Keith Carradine, who did a run in that show.  Martha is 55 and looks much younger.  How I wish I could have flown to London to see her and the rest of the cast in Sondheim's "Here We Are."  And her heartbreaking performance in "Mass" was unforgettable.  She is adept at drama, musical theater, and anything she puts her efforts to.

                                     Happy Birthday, Martha, and celebrate in style.    All on here wish you the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Keep on going, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, This Is A Gay Rite Of Passage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              How can one be gay and not like "The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie?"  Tea afternoons at four, a private school with uniforms, an unconventional teacher--gee, all the things I never got during my school years--so how could anyone gay resist it??????????????????

                              There is Maggie Smith's wardrobe, and her unconventional spirit, which I admired.  Until she tried to lead her girls into fascism., indirectly causing the death of one of her girls, leading Pamela Franklin, in one of her strongest performances yet, to confront her, and break down her system of illusions.  Sort of what Stanley Kowalski does to Blache DuBois.

                                Only, I admired Pamela Franklin, as Sandy, for her confrontational manner.  Many Theater Queens want to play Miss Jean Brodie, but I would rather play Sandy, whom I can relate to more, and, after all, darlings, I can still pass for a teenager on stage.

                                  If you are gay you have GOT to see this film, darlings.  The music score is lively; unfortunately, for those who remember, Oliver, with Rod McCuen lyrics, recorded a song allegedly from the film called "Jean," which has nothing to do with the character at hand.  Fortunately, the vocals are not used in the film.

                                     Almost stealing the film is Celia Johnson as headmistress Miss Mackay.  She inspires one of my favorite Brodie lines--"She thinks to intimidate me by using quarter hours."

                                       You may not end up liking Miss Brodie, but there is great filmmaking and acting to admire here.

                                          "For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like."

                                            Amen, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!