What Is The Worst Thing Catherine Ames Did????????????????????????????

                                 Recently I embarked on, and completed, a fifth reading of what I consider The Great American Epic Novel--John Steinbeck's "East Of Eden."  A biblical allegory, Cahterine is the Eve figure of the novel--evil.  She murders her parents, abandons her family, eventually running the kinkiest house of prostitution in a town in the Salinas Valley in California.  She is pure evil, and yet without her there would be no story.  She continues to fascinate readers.

                                  But what is the worst thing she did?  To me, it happened early, when she was just fourteen, as in the picture suggested above.

                                    During her time in school, then there arrived a Latin teacher by the name of James Grew.  He was young, but with a tragic past.  He is described as a "failed seminarian," but Steinbeck never states how he failed and came to leave the seminary.  He is tormented from the moment he enters the story, and the torment only gets worse when Cathy sets her sights on him.  Like all skilled at evil, she is able to accomplish deeds without anyone else being aware of them--until it is too late.

                                      Focusing on Grew, Cathy lures him with her youthful sexuality.  The young teacher is attracted, but tormented by his feelings, torn between lust and holiness.  Eventually, he gives in and the two have a sexual relationship, usually in the school where he teaches.

                                     One late evening, Grew desperately knocks on the door of the Ames house, imploring Mr. Ames to let him explain something. Ames never gives him the chance and slams the door.  Cathy is listening from her bedroom door, but closes it, smiling at the outcome.

                                        Again, Steinbeck never clarifies what Grew wanted to tell Ames, but it is pretty clear to the reader.  The next day, the body of Grew is found at the foot of the church altar.  He is dead, having shot himself to death.

                                         Yes, James Grew pulled the trigger, but who is really responsible for this?

                                         Catherine Ames.  She knew Grew's torment, and she drove him to suicide.

                                          Had this been her only ill deed, it would have stood out as an ultimate deed of evil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         

Yes, Darlings, I Survived The Dentist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Even after seven months, instead of six, I got through the dental visit with little trouble.  Oh, my upper teeth are problematic to clean, but I think by now I have gotten so use to that pain it hardly bothers me anymore. I used to groan, and now I don't.  And I am given an oral anesthetic.  

                                                    Lisa, my personal teeth cleaner, did her usual fine job, while Dr. Jacob, a fine young man, by the way, was covering for his father, who was on vacation.  His hands are some of the softest that have ever poked my mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       I hate going to the dentist.  Then there is the bill.  But, compared to other dental bills I have dealt with, this one is not bad.  I always have anxiety going, but I always come out feeling like a burden has been lifted from me.

                                                          Until the next six months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                            Keep smiling, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great News, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Miss Lea "I Am Better Than Everyone Else" Michele Did NOT Get A TONY Nomination!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          The TONY Nominations were announced this morning, and, girls, I would not want to go backstage at the Imperial Theatre tonight for anything. Fur and objects are going to fly and be thrown at people, if Michele even shows up.  She could pull a Beanie Feldstein.  And look where that got Beanie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              I am going to take an unorthodox approach and start with the performers who beat her out.

                              Best Leading Actress In A Musical                                                                                                                    Sara Chase, "Schmigadoon"                                                                                                                              Stephanie Hsu, "The Rocky Horror Show"                                                                                                      Caissie Levy, "Ragtime"                                                                                                                                     Marla Mindelle, "Titanique                                                                                                                               Christiani Pitts, "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)"

                               Tough luck, Lea!  My money is on Caissie and Marla, with an edge to Caissie for her years of contribution to the Broadway stage.

                                  Meanwhile, what other important categories????????????????

                                   Best New Musical                                                                                                                                         "The Lost Boys"                                                                                                                                             "Schmigadoon"                                                                                                                                             "Titanique"                                                                                                                                                     "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York")

                                     "The Lost Boys?"  David and I saw it!  Oh, really?  You have GOT to be kidding!  That is all I have to say there!    We also saw and loved "Titanique," but Off-Broadway.  Can it hold its own at the St. James?  Obviously, someone is going to it, and I would vote for it certainly over "The Lost Boys" but watch out for the dark horses--'Two Strangers' and "Schnimgadoon."

                                        Best Play                                                                                                                                                        "The Balusters"                                                                                                                                              "Giant"                                                                                                                                                           "Liberation"                                                                                                                                                   "Little Bear Ridge Road"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              A family drama and an anti-Semite. In today's climate that could go either way.  The last two plays we saw.  "Liberation" proves that geriatric nudity, while not pretty is accessible and acceptable.  Meaning my idea for a geriatric version of "HAIR," with me singing "Frank Mills," is possible.  Hey, I would do the nude scene.  But just upstage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  "Little Bear Ridge Road" demonstrated that Laurie Metacalf should also be nominated in Lead Actress In A Play category, but the script was vintage Fifties, like Robert Anderson or William Inge.  And they did it better.

                                           Best Musical Revival                                                                                                                                     "CATS: The Jellicle Ball"                                                                                                                             "Ragtime"                                                                                                                                                       "The Rocky Horror Show"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Up till a week or so ago, I would have said "Ragtime" had it in the bag.  The score does nothing for me, so I have not seen this version, but that commercial, and the staging which I hear is fabulous, made it the favorite.  Until "CATS--The Jellicle Ball" came along.  Who would have thought this would have blown me away?  A show I vowed never to see again!  Only, this time it is SO improved.  "Ragtime," look out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     

                                                Best Play Revival                                                                                                                                          "Becky Shaw"                                                                                                                                                "Death Of A Salesman"                                                                                                                                  "Every Brilliant Thing"                                                                                                                                  "Fallen Angels"                                                                                                                                              "Oedipus"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     This is going to be a contest between "Death Of A Salesman" and "Every Brilliant Thing," as well as Nathan Lane and Daniel Radcliffe.  My money is on 'Salesman' for best revival, even though I disliked Joe Mantello's staging, But Radcliffe's warmth and athleticism, not to mention that he is just plain cute, may net him an actor TONY.  Wouldn't that be something?     As for "Becky Shaw," that is 2.5 hours of my life I will never get back.  And isn't Noel Coward a little passé for our day and age?  And then I am told to shut up when I suggest real gems like Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour," or Carson McCullers' "The Member Of The Wedding." should be revived. "Oedipus" does have a timelessness, but I think 'Salesman' has it locked.

                                                   Best Leading Actor In A Musical                                                                                                                   Nicholas Christopher, "CHESS"                                                                                                                       Luke Evans, "The Rocky Horror Show"                                                                                                           Joshua Henry, "Ragtime"                                                                                                                               Sam Tutty, "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across News York)"                                                                   Brandon Uranowitz, "Ragtime"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Two actors from "Ragtime?"  Joshua is the better bet, as he has been up before, and while I am sure Brandon Uranowitz does a great job as Tateh in "Ragtime," the show bears too close a resemblance to 1986's "RAGS," a show with a better score which no one pays attention to and badly needs a redo like 'Merrily!'  Hey, Maria, can lightning strike twice?  Keep an eye on all the 'Two Strangers' nominations; there could be a big surprise in the offing.  Luke Evans--for this show?  It is just not your time, darling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    

                                                    Best Leading Actor In A Play                                                                                                                        Will Harrison," Punch"                                                                                                                                       Nathan Lane, "Death Of A Salesman "                                                                                                              John Lithgow, "Giant "                                                                                                                                      Daniel Radcliffe, "Every Brilliant Thing"                                                                                                       Mark Strong, "Oedipus"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                This is a heavyweight category, girls, but I feel it is going to be a slug out between Nathan Lane and Daniel Radcliffe.  Both are engaging, compelling performances, and how do you choose between the two?   Nathan already has three TONYS, but this could put him on the road to record breaking.  It is a battle between Lane and Radcliffe, and I would be happy if either won the award.  Harrison and Strong, forget it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

                                                         Best Leading Actress In A  Play                                                                                                                     Rose Byrne, "Falling Angels"                                                                                                                       Carrie Coon, "BUG"                                                                                                                                     Susannah Flood, "Liberation"                                                                                                                       Lesley Manville, "Oedipus"                                                                                                                           Kelli O' Hara, "Falling Angels"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     This is not a very interesting category.  Is anyone really interested in "Fallen Angels?"  If it was Tennessee Williams, yes, but Noel Coward?  Though Kelli is loved by the Theater Community, so watch out for her.  My guess it will be a toss up between Carrie Coon and Lesley Manville.

                                                         Best Direction Of A Musical                                                                                                                         Michael Arden, "The Lost Boys"                                                                                                                   Lear deBessonet, "Ragtime"                                                                                                                         Christopher Gattelli, "Schmigadoon"                                                                                                             Tim Jackson, "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)"     

                                                       Interesting that only "Titanique" was shut out of this category, as with that exception all the directors' shows are Best New Musical nominees.  The winner here is anyone's guess.  The only thing I have seen is "The Lost Boys," so forget Michael Arden.  I have high hopes for "Schmigadoon," but keep your eyes peeled on 'Two Strangers' which I see as the TONYS' dark horse.

                                                            Best Direction Of A Play                                                                                                                                Nicholas Hytner, "Giant"                                                                                                                              Robert Icke, "Oedipus"                                                                                                                                  Kenny Leon, "The Balusters"                                                                                                                        Joe Mantello, "Death Of A Salesman"                                                                                                          Whitney White, "Liberation"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Despite my not liking his concept, I think Joe Mantello will win, for the season's most prestigious revival.  I had no idea Nicholas Hytner was still around, and the others just aren't at their time yet.  But watch out for Robert Icke and "Oedipus." They could surprise everyone.

                                                                Best Featured Actor In A Play                                                                                                                         Christopher Abbott, "Death Of A Salesman"                                                                                                 Danny Burstein, "Marjorie Prime"                                                                                                                 Brandon J. Dirden, "Waiting For Godot"                                                                                                       Alen Ehrenreich, "Becky Shaw"                                                                                                                   Ruben Santiago-Hudson, "Joe Turner's Come And Gone"                                                                           Richard Thomas, "The Balusters"

                                                                 I would love to see Richard Thomas win, but with the 'Salesman' juggernaut, I think Christopher Abbott is going to win.  It is high time Danny Burstein got a TONY Award; I mean, after his Herbie in "GYPSY," come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Watch out for the actors in "Becky Shaw" and 'Joe Turner's'.....they could be the real surprises!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                Best Featured Actress In A Play                                                                                                                    Betsy Aidem, "Liberation"                                                                                                                            Marylouise Burke, "The Balusters"                                                                                                              Aya Cash, "Giant"                                                                                                                                          Laurie Metcalf, "Death Of A Salesman"                                                                                                        June Squibb, "Marjorie Prime"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Both "Marjorie Prime" and "Death Of A Salesman" are uncomfortable to sit through for their own reasons.  The TONY Committee made a mistake nominating Laurie Metcalfe in the Featured category.  She should have been nominated in the Lead category; after all, she is the engine that runs this show, and that would allow for June to possibly win.    This is the most egregious mistake since the Oscars pitted Bette Davis against Anne Baxter in "All About Eve."   It was what Anne wanted, but look how it cost them both.  This will be a slugfest between Linda and June.  I cheer for Linda, but don't be surprised if June nails it.  At 96, how many more chances does she have????????????

                                                                Best Featured Actor In A Musical                                                                                                                   Ali Louis Bourzgui, "The Lost Boys"                                                                                                           Andre De Shields, "CATS: The Jellicle Ball"                                                                                               Bryce Pinkham, "CHESS"                                                                                                                              Ben Levi Ross, "Ragtime"                                                                                                                           Layton Williams, "Titanique"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  I have heard Ben Levi Ross' performance called "chilling," but I would like to see how he makes it so.  I know the Doctorow book, which is similar to the musical, so I know what character he plays, and is it strong enough to win a TONY Award?  Maybe if Andre De Shields was not nominated, but he was, and I cannot think if one more deserving.  The man is a marvel, doing this at 80, when actors in their twenties complain of hangnails and call in for the understudy.  Give me a break.  Kids, you do eight shows a week!  You hear me?  Eight shows!  Just ask Patti LuPone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Bryce was great in "CHESS," but I think Andre has the thing sewed up.  He is the essence of the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                            Best Featured Actress In A Musical                                                                                                              Shoshanna Bean, "The Lost Boys"                                                                                                                Hannah Cruz, CHESS                                                                                                                                    Rachel Dratch, "The Rocky Horror Show"                                                                                                    Ana Gasteyer, "Schmigadoon"                                                                                                                      Nichelle Lewis, "Ragtime"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Girls, just imagine, two SNL alums in one category!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Poor Shoshanna Bean; she is so talented, but when will she stop playing put upon mothers.? How soon till she plays Fantine????????  This category could be anyone's guess, and I cannot, so I will venture to say that whoever wins, it was the show they were in that did it for them.  Only time will tell.

                                                              Well, darlings, that is it--the major TONY nominees.  The program will be on Sunday June 7 at 8PM on CBS.  What the hell do I wear?  Let me hear your favorites, or if you feel someone was snubbed.  And Lea lovers--bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                              Meanwhile, girls, I have to run to another event!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                            My life is really like "The Devil Wears Prada 2."                                                                                                                                                                        

                                              

                                    

                                                                                                                 

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                               Now, girls, I know tonight one is supposed to eat Mexican, but at my age and with my health conditions, I am not sure my stomach can take it.  Indian and Mexican food--I like them, but they do not like me.  Get it????????????

                                Still, I want to wish everyone a Happy Cinco De Mayo!  However, one chooses to celebrate, it is the joyousness of the day, not the cuisine, that is important.

                                   So, celebrate Cinco De Mayo as one pleases!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Even if it is just with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would You Believe Tonight Is The MET Gala, And I Still Do NOT Have My Invite????????????? ANNA, Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chloe???????????????????

                               I went and had my teeth cleaned today, darlings, so I would be ready for tonight.  It is The MET Gala, and the theme is Costume In Art.  When I think of that topic, several examples come to mind.

                                   First--

                               Second, two Judy Garland outfits--

                            Everyone on here MUST know this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  The red Christmas dress from 1944's "Meet Me In St. Louis."  I would have gone to The MET Gala wearing this.

                                   Oh, and don't forget--

                                        Who could resist Audrey Hepburn's Ascot gown in "My Fair Lady?"  Sir Cecil Beaton outdid himself here!  Which is why my favorite, Charles DeVilmoron must be brought over to America from France!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Aside from the above, I had picked out several outfits I could have worn to The MET Gala.  And Baby Gojira would have helped me pick out the best one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Enjoy, everyone, at The MET Gala!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           I hope to get there soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Will Happen To "The Book Of Mormon???????????????"

                              The show must go on, right?  I am not so sure.

                              Remember, back in 2020, the pandemic shut down Broadway for 18 months.  I could not believe it!  And now!!!!!!!!!!!!!  No wonder ticket prices are so high!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Now, "The Book Of Mormon" has been running at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre for over 15 years, though, not being a fan, I find it hard to believe.  Anyway, this morning, on the roof a fire broke out at 10AM that evolved into a three-alarm fire It was lucky the incident happened on the show's dark day, but what about tomorrow night?  Will the show cease performing until renovations can be done?  Will it more to another, empty venue?  It is anybody's guess, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Frankly, I could care less about "The Book Of Mormon."  But I respect those who do, so I hope the problem is resolved fast!!!!!!!!!!!!  As for me personally, back in 1963 this theater was home to the most romantic musical ever written--"She Loves Me!" by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and featuring in the leads, Barbara Cook, Daniel Massey, Barbara Baxley, and Jack Cassidy, who won a TONY for his performance.

                                   So, there is some history here, and I want it preserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   The point is not what show is playing, but that theater continues to exist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    A fire in the Theater District?  My God, is anyone safe anywhere??????????????

Who Knew This Had Been Going On For 47 Years?????????????

 

                             So, this phrase on this date, girls, became connected with "Star Wars" back in 1979.  I find that interesting, personally, because it was just a month after my mother's death; I was not in a good place, darlings, so maybe I was unaware, and it was to be three weeks from that date, on the second anniversary of "Star Wars" that SoHo child Etan Paatz went missing.

                              Is there a connection to all this?  I have to wonder.

                              But this year I mean it happily and spiritually.  May whatever guides you on your passage through Life continue to do so in a positive way.  I wish joy to all my readers.

                               Hey, if you want to watch the original "Star Wars" today, don't let me stand in the way.  Though, personally, I would wait until the anniversary of the opening on May 25.

                               But that's me.

                              So May The Fourth Be With You, dears, now and in a long time to come.

                             And always remember to avoid the Dark Side!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!