Was Lady Greensleeves A Bitch, Darlings????????????????????

                          Girls, I have been thinking about this for the past month, as I have been singing the ballad under a different name and lyric--the beautiful Christmas carol "What Child Is This?"

                             Yet it is still "Greensleeves."  I think that came before "What Child Is This?"

                               Anyway, let's look at some lines--

                              "Alas, my love, you do me wrong,                                                                                                                    To cast me off discourteously." 

                              So, this woman breaks off with a guy, but not in a nice way.  I can relate to that; I once dated a guy so cowardly; he would break up with me only by email.  Can you imagine?   I was actually fine with the breakup; what hurt is that he could not do it face to face, so we might part on amicable terms.  Instead, he made a big thing out of nothing and used the email to terminate our association.  If that is not being a bitch, I don't know what is.

                                "For I have loved you so long,                                                                                                                       Delighting in your company."

                              "Greensleeves was all my joy,                                                                                                                        "Greensleeves was my delight,                                                                                                                      "Greensleeves was my heart of gold,                                                                                                            "And who but my Lady Greensleeves?"

                              I mean, the guy totally loved her, like Dora loved David in "David Copperfield." and she just cruelly throw him away?  Will he become some Fantine?????????????

                                I can't answer that, girls, but I can tell you this.  The picture suggests Lady Greensleeves got her comeuppance.  A wise woman by the body of water is warning her or has warned her.  Lady Greensleeves contemplates either changing her ways or committing suicide.

                                  What do you think, girls?  I think she is contemplating both, but, with the wise woman by the water, will change her ways.

                                     And, darlings, don't let anyone treat you shabbily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                                                                             

A 50th Anniversary????????????? How About One Turning 75?????????????????

                                         That is right, darlings, because, this year, "All About Eve," the greatest "theatrical-backstabbing film of all time, turns 75.  Do you realize that is three quarters of a century? I will guess that, 75 years later, people will still be singing its praises.

                                           Almost every line in this well written film is instantly quotable.  And all of the characters, even the men, are fascinating, and each get their own moment.

                                             If I had to pick my favorite exchange from the film, it would be between Marilyn Monroe and George Sanders, as Miss Casswell and Addison DeWitt--

                                               MissC:  "Well, I can't just yell 'hey, butler,' can I?  Somebody's name                                                              might   be butler."                                                                                                                                       Addison: "You have a point.  An idiiotic one, but a point."

                                               And that is just for starters.

                                             For those of us who love it, it is time to see it again.

                                             As for those who haven't, what is the matter with you???????????????

                                           Happy 75th, and more, "All About Eve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A True Genius And Visionary Has Died!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                                                              

                              That opening shot, from David Lynch's masterwork, "Blue Velvet," captivated me from the second I saw it for the first time.  By the time the fire truck was rolling down the street, I knew this was a town like the one I grew up in, but which was about to have its underbelly exposed.

                               David Lynch, the genius behind "Blue Velvet," "Mulholland Drive" (arguably the greatest film about Hollywood since "Sunset Boulevard") and other artistic endeavors, died yesterday at the age of 78.  He began as a painter--and wouldn't those Lynch originals be worth something now, and how I would like to see them.   But I saw many of David's films-- "Eraserhead, "The Elephant Man," even the disappointing "Wild At Heart," which was difficult, coming on the heels of his masterwork, "Blue Velvet."

                                 And "Blue Velvet" turns 40 next year.  So, how about a festival honoring the great David Lynch?  You hear that, Film Forum?????????  Anyone??????????????

                                 By the way, Lynch and I were connected in a six degrees kind of way.  He always said his favorite film was "The Wizard Of Oz," and those who know me understand it is my all-time favorite film, as well.

                                Or maybe just grab some Lynch DVDs and watch them in your own home.  Not as impressive as on the big screen, but the artistry still comes through.

                                  And for those never having seen "Eraserhead" before, wait till you see the on-camera murder of the mutant baby! I cannot watch that ever again.

                                    David Lynch will be missed.  The visionaries are dying off, and no one is taking their place.  Or could.

                                       Let's send David Lynch off with the following--

                                     Here is Roy Orbison's "In Dreams," which figured so prominently in "Blue Velvet."

                                      Sweet dreams, and rest in peace, David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"That Isn't A Nightgown, It's A......Saturn Chemise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                           Yes, girls, they exist, and don't we all just want one??????????????

                           I mean, this is just perfect for Spring and Summer.  So colorful and understatedly elegant!!!!!!!!!

                             I know I want to order one right away, and I am sure all my girls do, too. Wouldn't this look great at the next Spring or Summer party??????????????????????

                               And perfect while listening to "The Planets," by Gustav Holst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Sun Should Set On This Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         How many times are theatergoers going to be subjected to "Sunset Blvd?"  And why should they have to?

                                          Because of loyalty to Patti LuPone, I managed to avoid the debacles of Glenn Close, Betty Bukley and Elaine Paige.  Thanks to BARBRA, I knew at least two of the songs, and I thought that was it.

                                            I admit that when this reconceived treatment of the musical arrived, I was intrigued.  Well, let me tell you, darlings, it is not worth it.

                                              Mandy Gonzalez was our Norma Desmond, and she was fine.  Tom Francis is good as Joe Gillis and so is Grace Hodgett Young as Betty Schaefer.  But the standout performance is really David Thaxton, who transcends Erich Von Stroheim, and creates a fascinating character of his own, as Max.  Though all these actors sing beautifully, and work hard, it is all for naught.  Why?

                                                  Because director Jamie Lloyd--who, by the way, just happens to be Andrew Lloyd Webber's nephew-- and choreographer Fabian Aloise--what happened to Fabian Forte, darlings????????--cannot make up their minds if they want the show to be a dance piece, an opera, or a social media presentation.  Settling on one might have made the evening work.  Instead, they combine all three into the mix, and the result, while not the train wreck "Tammy Faye" was cheapened the story and further distorts it in time and space.

                                                      The opening, which is promising, begins as a dance, and remains Gothic with the famed midnight burial of the chimpanzee.  Time and space are completely distorted; it is still set in 1950, but Betty Schaefer is seen finishing typing the screenplay she and Gillis have been writing on a white computer keyboard; not the black one on which I am now writing.  What the hell is the point???????????????

                                                        The second act opening has to be seen to be believed, and I did not believe it at all.  It has Tom Francis, as Joe Gillis, sing the title song, as he wanders down the seven floors of the St. James Theatre, with campy imagery along the way.  This is followed by out onto the streets, in real time, singing of the changes in Los Angeles, when we can clearly see it is Shubert Alley. Soon, a man in a monkey suit joins his side, plus a woman with a rubber chicken, and Francis poses by his theater photo.  What is this trying to prove, and what has it got to do with the story?

                                                             As for the climax, yes, she does say the famous line at the end, but it loses all poignancy and heartbreaking realism, when she emerges covered in blood, like Medea.  Oh, by the way, there are no costume changes, no "waxworks" card players, and everything is conveyed by noir lighting which can often be blinding, or by projections so high on screen they overshine the actors below.  Yes, it is interesting the first time to see the actors match up with their screen images as they perform, but not constantly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                "Sunset Blvd." has got to be put to rest. While I admit I found the complete score better than I expected, as David said, if this is the future of Musical Theater, then count me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                    Darlings, you can come to our apartment and see me perform one-man shows of better musicals for free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                        Wait till Andrew and Patti see my "Evita!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                    

                                                    

With Spring Eventually Arriving, How About Livening Up The Home With These Items From MacKenzie-Childs??????????????????????????

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                          These scrumptious items from the famed store in SoHo would enliven any home, but, darlings, I am just crazy about the rose-colored items, which give a sort of pinkish tone to things.  And, in the middle, there is this beautiful piece of wall art that would enliven any wall.

                           Yes, a visit to MacKenzie-Childs is in order, especially for those who have never been. I bet ANNA knows all about it.

                             The items chosen here in these photos are things I would buy. But they also have some lovely black and white items that are reminiscent of Cecil Beaton, for admirers of him.

                              So much to do, so little time to do it, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Make the most of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Why Don't We Dress Like This Today?????????????????

                              Like the song in "Chicago" says, "What ever happened to class?"

                            It is lacking in today's culture; I can tell you.  When I occasionally prowl the streets of NYC, watching people racing madly to places they think they have to be, but cannot stop talking on their cell or smart phones for a single second, I have to wonder what is so important.

                            Then I look at how these people are dressed, and it is like they just rolled out of bed.  Does anyone care about appearance anymore?  Comb your hair, girls, acquire some style, and not Thrift Chic, which seems to be the order of the day now.  Unless you are working for ANNA.  Now, there is someone who knows about class.  If she could, I wish ANNA would visit every workplace in NYC and give a talk on how to present oneself at work.  I mean, oh my God, some outfits I have seen I would not be seen wearing at a Halloween party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Flowing skirts, pencil skirts, it is time to bring them back, with white or colorful blouses to match.  Oh, and don't think I am letting the guys off easy.  Dressing like one just coming from working out at the gym--which many have, and do--is not only disgusting, but shows lack of pride in oneself, your coworkers, or where you work.

                               A wish I have for 2025 is a return of self-pride in appearance and bearing.

                            Again, as Kander and Ebb said, "What became of....CLASS?????????"