Today Is The Feast Day Of Saint Bernadette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                             How ironic this day falls on the day after America's Tax Day.  I can still recall newscasts on the 14th showing people lined up in the post office, kneeling on the floor to fill out their forms, Of course, that has gone by the wayside, along with a lot of other things, which I will eventually get to.

                             Yes, today is Saint Bernadette's feast day.  Not Jennifer Jones, darlings, but the real Bernadette Soubirous.  We can all say, "God bless you, Bernadette," but, let's face it, girls, God blessed Bernadette on February 11, 1858, when he had His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, appear to her, and made her bring forth the Spring Of Lourdes.  Which continues to flow, help, and heal today.  

                               This is a day of remembrance of the life Bernadette lived, the suffering she endured, and the sanctity of her goodness.  She was a healer, and she continues to heal from beyond.

                                  For years, I have been wearing a Saint Bernadette medal, which I got in the gift shop of Saint Louis Cathedral, in Jackson Square, New Orleans,  It only leaves me during MRI'S.  I carry it with me at all times, feeling as though she is with me.  And when I sing with my choir, at those times I do feel closest to God and Bernadette by offering up something God gave me--my voice!

                                   I ain't no Bernadette, but, hons, who is?  All we can do is live our lives the best we can, and be the best we can be.  I try to do that every day.

                                   With lots of help from Bernadette, whom we honor today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It Is Time To Talk About Diabetes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               I have type 2 diabetes.  I don't talk about it; I live with it.  The thing is, darlings, I never thought I would get it.  Oh, I know, it is in our family, but with heart problems and seizure disorder I did not need another health issue heaped upon me.  Or did I?

                                Now, I wonder if youthful indulgences, or not pursuing them, would have made a difference in whether or not I would have gotten type 2 diabetes.

                                 I can't say I was a sweets junkie, but like any kid, I would occasionally eat Trix, put sugar on my Cheerios or oatmeal, and enjoy the occasional candy bar; my two favorites being Three Musketeers, (I knew it was a candy bar before discovering it was a novel!) Mounds and Almond Joy. I drew the line at Lucky Charms; I tried them once and they tasted awful. Better to put Kraft Mini Marshmallows in Cheerios, if one wanted the Lucky Charms experience.

                                  When I was single, living on the edge, and not having AC in the Summer--although I had a floor fan, that I would put a container of ice cubes in front, replicating Blanche Du Bois--I often had sleep issues.  So, certainly not every night, but, at least, once a week, I would have a container of Hagen Dazs Vanilla, and I would sleep like a baby.  Had I not, might I have avoided the disease?

                                       I suppose I will never know.  But I do know this.  As I finished the decade of my Fifties, I thought I was free of ever getting diabetes.  But guess what?  It emerged in my early Sixties, and here I am today.  I manage it as well as I can, and there have been no problems, but I am on all kinds of meds, and there are some side effects to taking all this stuff.

                                         I just want to notify others, especially the young, who think it cannot happen to them.  There is also someone in my family who needs to know this, but, alas, I am sure he does not stop to consider all this.  I worry for him.

                                          Having diabetes does not mean stop living, having fun, and enjoying what you eat.  It means making better choices.

                                            I have always had a craving for black and white milk shakes.  Now, I am lucky if I have one a year.  I don't miss them as much as I thought I would.  And my weight has come down, and I have kept it off.

                                              I know, girls, we all want our comforts.

                                             But at what cost, darlings????????????????

                                        

This Is My Biggest Worry About Seeing This Film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             I know, girls, we are all anticipating the arrival of this film.  I am, of course, anxious about what new designers will be referenced here, but I will save that for another post.  The fact I cannot see it on opening day is disconcerting to me, but I am, after all, committed to my love and my David, so off to Shady Maple I shall go.  No, something much bigger worries me about seeing this film.

                               What the hell should I wear??????????????????????

                                I mean, darlings, I can't go in rags!  This must be approached as if I were going to a meeting with ANNA!  I mean, suppose ANNA is in the theater I am attending?  The odds aren't high, but the possibility does exist, so OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                What am I going to wear?  Something pink, and either blue or my beige pants, but what color shoes to wear?   Is red too garish?  And some of the others the opposite.  What am I going to do, darlings?  I may have to go on a shopping spree!

                                   I also cannot wait to see Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton.  I relate to Emily.  I have an inner Emily in me, and I know it comes out, and always has, when I have done theater, especially stage management.  Believe me, when I called "Places!," every actor made sure they were there!

                                   Maybe when I see the film, I will have myself photographed in my outfit for all to see!

                                   In fact, when all of us go see it, we should have apparel and ANNA in the forefront of our minds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     "Go forward," as ANNA might say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Episode Of "Elsbeth" Was Written Based On The True Nature Of Beanie Feldstein!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               But before I get to Miss F, darlings (I can't even stand to write her name!) let me say a few words in praise of this show!

                               Girls, if you have not seen "Elsbeth," you must.  It is the gayest New York City show on prime-time television!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 The acting is always superb, whether from Carrie Preston, the supporting cast, or the amazing array of guest stars this show manages to get.  Hey, "Law And Order" franchise, take a lesson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Carrie Preston is a shrewd blend of comic genius and ingenue warmth, reminiscent of Leslie Caron in "Gigi."  But her real co-star is Dan Lawson, the show's costume designer, whose outfits for Elsbeth are amazing, ablaze with color, and I want to wear all of them.  Maybe I should have Dan fly east when he has a moment, and design me a few items.  Hear that, Dan????????????????????

                                  I mean, did you see the episode where he replicated Cecil Beaton's designs from "My Fair Lady?"  Oh, my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   The aforementioned Miss Feldstein was this week's guest star, and the first shot of her coming down the stairs in a wedding gown, looking like a cannoli overstuffed with cream, said it all.  She played a self-entitled bitch who thinks it is all about her, and when someone tells her it is not, well, that is the end of her!

                                     She does it with those popping eyes so wide she looks like she is hypo-thyroid!  The story is no one shows up for her party.  You know, the Anne Shirley routine from "Stella Dallas" (1937).  But while I felt sympathy for Anne, I felt none for Beanie.  Who the hell does she think she is?  I bet she has dreams of playing "Evita."  You could not build a terrace strong enough to support her on, while singing "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina."  Or trying to.  Not to worry, girls; I am certain Patti would not allow it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Was Beanie good?  Yes, she hit the marks and said her lines, and Lawson did a remarkable job of designing outfits that actually looked becoming on her--a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          But he and Carrie Preston are the true stars of "Elsbeth," so girls, you really must tune in for some New York City fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            I understand next week's guest will be Griffin Dunne!  Hubba hubba!

                                            Can we even HOPE for Jonathan Groff???????????????

Should The Raccoons Who Traipse Across The Delacorte Stage Have Equity Contracts????????????????????????

                               I say "Yes," though let me qualify something.

                              Summer will soon be here.  So, it is time to consider this!

                               I have been to the Delacorte several times in my New York City life, and have sat pretty close to the stage, at times.  Never, in my visits, have I seen a raccoon run across the stage.  Though I do recall one performance--I cannot recall the show--where audience members, particularly the women, were disturbed by a bat flying close to the theater area.   I was fascinated; I thought it was cute.  And who knows if Flaco, in his free year, didn't catch a show at the Delacorte??????????

                                 Actors have reported scenes being interrupted and them being flustered, by the sudden appearance of these creatures.  Members of the rodent family, I believe.  I always thought the one thing to worry about performing outdoors was bugs flying into one's mouth!

                                 Apparently not, because the raccoons have almost become a part of the Delacorte experience!  For that reason, I think they should have Equity contracts!

                                  Make sure the props departments do not use food during shows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents "The Car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                   This film was released in 1977, so I am not sure it was a TV movie or a theatrical release.  Its redeeming feature is James Brolin when he was really HOT, and way before he met You Know Who.  The supporting cast, a good one, seems to be made up of TV types, which makes me question the film's origin further--Ronny Cox, Kathleen Lloyd, The Richards Sister--Kim and Kyle, John Marley, John Rubinstein.  Speaking for myself, since eighth grade I have never trusted girls named Kyle, because there was one that year who was a little bitch, even if she was the dumbest thing in our class.  I wonder how she turned out.  Probably eating spuds out of ash cans.  I hope!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Anyway, I digress.  Remember "Duel" in 1971?  And "Christine," in 1983?

                                    I think this film will not be much different from them.  Especially "Duel."  A car is running rampant through some Podunk town, killing people, and Brolin, as the sheriff, has to deal with this.  It sounds like Brolin here is standing in for Dennis Weaver, but, like I have said, he was HOT then, so he could make the film bearable.  But I really do not have high expectations for this.

                                     Still, I can't say switch to something else, as I have not given this a chance, having never seen it.  So, I will.  I hope The Sven Squad is on; this may be one film when they are needed.

                                       Meanwhile, darlings, I have wardrobe decisions to make.  So, we will see you at eight, for this journey down Memory Lane.

                                         To think this film is 49 years old.  The same year I graduated from college!!!!!!!!!!!

What Did These Critics See In This "Death Of A Salesman" That I Did Not???????????????

                               The revival of Arhtur Miller's iconic play, which I saw weeks before, opened last night, and the critics went wild!  I can't believe it!  Laurie Metcalf deserves all the praise heaped upon her here, because I am telling you, darlings, her Linda is the engine running this show.

                                  And by the way, I stand by what I said here, weeks before!

                               Nathan Lane, I can only hope, has improved in the role since I saw him, though from this photo, I wonder.

                                But not a negative word about the staging, let alone placing it in the Winter Garden.  The newspapers went wild over Joe Mantello's conception, which I could not stand, and still have so many questions about.  There was a 'Times' article about him reading rough drafts of the Arthur Miller script(s), and learning things from them.  Fine, dear, you honored the text, but how about the visual conception?   I understand directors like using staging to reimagine the play but give us a clearer idea of what you are doing.

                                   Still, the text was honored, and I left emotionally drained.

                                   Nathan Lane is now the Toast Of Broadway, and now he wants to do fewer shows, and maybe retire after doing this role?   Oh, Nathan, hon, don't!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You signed on knowing it was a killer role, so do it.  No social life between shows, remember?  Ever since Beanie Feldstein threw her tantrum with "Funny Girl," especially after not getting a TONY nomination, actors have been catered to more than they should.  And for the record, though not on Broadway, I did a show where I had to do four performances a weekend and then work a regular job the rest of the week!  So, I am not just whistlin' "Dixie," darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Audiences want to see Nathan Lane, not a substitute.  Soon, we will have audiences flocking to only specified performances, while the star or stars' night off gets audiences harder to perform to, as they care less.

                                    For God's sake, Nathan, take a chill pill!  Rest on the show's dark day.

                                   And this retirement thing?  Just a ploy for attention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Even if he does Miss Hannigan in "ANNIE," Nathan will not stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!