Now, What Kind Of Blogger Would I Be, If I Did Not Write About Rex Reed?????????????????????????

                            Rex Reed, who died on May 12 this year at the age of eighty-seven, during my youth--the Seventies and Eighties--was a big name in entertainment journalism.  Though this post may read more like a gossip column than a tribute.

                           No, darlings, I never slept with Rex Reed, though I can say that even during my wildest periods I don't think I would.  Or would I?  If he could do something for me?  Maybe.  But the point of all this is that, even at his handsomest I did not find him attractive, and I think our personalities would have clashed.  Two too strong egos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           I shall never forget Rex Reed going after Robert Altman on every picture he made.  Of his 1971 film, "McCabe And Mrs. Miller," Reed called it "an incoherent, boring, ponderous and totally worthless piece of garbage....and I am sad to say that 'M*A*S*H*' was an accident."

                           What most people don't know, but I do, girls, after reading an article in "Film Quarterly" during the time "Nashville" came out in 1975 relating an incident at one of the film festivals, where both gentlemen were staying on the same hotel floor, rooms from each other, that something took place.    One night , Altman was going back to his room, and Reed had the door open, coming on to him! Are you kidding?  Anyone who knows anything knew Robert Altman was straight, and that when gay men go after straight men it always ends badly.

                               But then he never came out, did he?   Instead, he never learned from his comeuppance several years before the above, when "TIME Magazine" said of his appearance in the 1970 film, "Myra Breckinridge--"Rex Reed's debut as an actor is on a par with the best line the scriptwriters could give him, 'Where are my tits?' "  Indeed, Rex, where were your tits?????????????

                                  Where Rex trolled, I could not tell.  Though I am sure he did.  He bought an apartment years ago in the Dakota for $30K--can you imagine??????--and Lord knows what that will go for today.  I would love to live there, but I am not about to make a deal with the devil.  I would guess Rex Reed did.

                                     Yes, he could write.  Yes, his bitchiness was entertaining, but after several decades he seemed to disappear from public view.  Like John Simon, his pieces might not be publishable today.  Why do you think I write on here?  Would the American press, even the more minor publications, accept such candor as mine?  I doubt it.

                                      So, hail and farewell to Rex Reed.  Rest In Peace.  And be content with being a footnote in American culture.

                                       Though you probably won't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, THIS Is The Show Of The Season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Three weeks from today are The TONY Awards.  Now, "Schmigadoon" has already picked up some minor prizes, like the Outer Critics Circle choice for "Best Musical."  But here's the thing.  The TONYS, like the Oscars, are so damned political and corporate--isn't everything, girls? --that, much as I want and think it should win "Best Musical," it probably will not.  My advice to you out there is to keep an eye on "The Lost Boys" and "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)."

                                        But "Schmigadoon" is the show everyone should see.  A play on the Golden Age Of Musical Theater, even the title suggests "Brigadoon," and so do aspects of the plot.

                                         For show aficionados and Theater Queens like me, the references and in jokes fly, and I caught every one.  For those not in these groups, its colorful staging and knowledgeable direction and choreography by Christopher Gattelli recall the Technicolor musicals of Vincente Minnelli in the 1940s (like "Brigadoon!").  Anyone looking for a 2.5-hour getaway from the current travails of this world are encouraged to see this show.

                                            Besides Gattelli's staging, it also has some Broadway stalwarts like Alex Brightman, Brad Oscar, and Ana Gasteyer, whose performance as the mayor's wife, is a hilarious combination of Hermione Gingold in "The Music Man" and Margaret Hamilton as Almira Gulch in "The Wizard Oz."  By the way, since that film--my favorite--I bet no parent has dared to name their daughter or daughters Almira.  Brad Oscar is the mayor, hilariously dressed as the Mayor Of Munchkin City--another 'Oz' reference--and the reveal between he and Max Clayton, as the Reverend, is hilarious and great for today's times.

                                               The score by Cinco Paul, who also did the book, is wonderfully evocative of musical melodies without plagiarism.    Throughout, one can hear recollections of "Oklahoma!" "Carousel," "The Music Man" and Gilbert And Sullivan Patter that also suggests Stephen Sondheim.  This is American Musical Theater, so no Andrew Lloyd Webber here!  I loved how the score was handled.

                                                I also loved maintaining the methods of entrance and departure from "Schimgadoon."  The duo here are Josh Skinner (Alex Brightman) and Melissa Gimble (Sara Chase), an unmarried couple, one of which is that Skinner is one of the worst kinds of straight guy--someone who dislikes musicals.  It is a pity because, anyone who saw the opening of "Beetlejuice" on Broadway knows Brightman is a more than a capable musical performer, and it is a pity he gets only one song.  He plays his role well, but I wish he had been given more to do.

                                                   Sara Chase, thankfully, is given more and it is when she and the chorus step forward to sing and dance that the show is at its best.  Michael Bennett would be proud, because, beside the stalwarts mentioned--- including McKenzie Kurtz, who plays Betsy, a sort of stand-in for Ado Annie--the show's chorus is actually the star, with its blend of jazz tap, and ballet seldom seen in today's present-day musicals.

                                                      Credit for the Vincente Minnelli color style must be given to set designer, Scott Pask, costume designer Linda Cho, and lighting designer Donald Holder.

                                                     Will "Schmigadoon" stand Time's test, like the shows it references????? Only Time itself will tell.  But right now, darlings, I am telling you, it is the show of the moment, and an avenue of escape for those who need it.

                                                        And all of us do, from time to time. So go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Want To Be Photographed By Steven Meisel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Originally, darlings, I wanted to be photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, but he died in 2022; so, unfortunately, that is that.  But after looking at the superb color composition, I think Steven Meisel might be the person to photograph me.  That is, if he agrees to photograph me on at least some of my terms.

                           The photo, without question, has to radiate pink.  My idea is me peeking through a face hole, surrounded by a wall of real pink flowers, and smiling at the camera.  I am telling you, it could make a "VOGUE" cover!!!!!!!!!!!!!   ANNA, you hear this???????????????

                             Of course, photographers have other ideas, and I would be interested in hearing them, but the request that is non=negotiable is that I be surrounded by pink.  And with my skin tones, pink is sure to highlight them.

                              I guess "Schimgadoon," which I recently saw and will report on, is giving me all these Technicolor Vincente Minnelli fantasies.  Also, a little bit of Cecil Beaton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              How about it, Steven?  When and where?????????????

I Have Missed Some Important Dates, And Am Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           It is said in all marriages a time comes when an anniversary is forgotten.  I thought it would never happen this year, but it did.  About ten days later, I realized I had missed May 8, which is the anniversary of when David and I first met.  We always celebrate it.  This year, with shows and doctor appointments it just slipped by.  I am so ashamed.  Now, I suppose one might say we could celebrate it any time, but I am one of those people who like to address the occasion on the actual day.  Will we celebrate the occasion?  I am sure at some point we will do so, but for now, I cannot believe I forgot such an important event in my life.  A life changer in the best, most positive, way.

                              Now, the other date I missed has religious connotations.  That was May 13, which was the 109th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady Of Fatima to Franciso, Jacinta, and Lucia.  All of whom were first cousins, by the way.  Jacinta, the holiest child at Fatima, must be hauling down lightning bolts at me. not just  for my promiscuous. profligate past life, but for forgetting this date; the only time I have done so.

                                Is it age?  Or was May such a taxing month?  A lot happened in it, and continues to, but I think it was more from coming off the difficulty of April, which has been the case since the late Seventies.  Life changed for me shortly after my college graduation, but in ways I could not have anticipated and that had so many negative impacts upon me.

                               Like Scarlett O' Hara, I managed to survive.  Now that I am in my seventies, perhaps I still get emotionally overwhelmed around this time of year.

                                What's important is David knows I love him, and he me; in fact, several weeks ago, when my friend Angie was in town, we dined at what used to be the place David and I met.  Back in 2010--sixteen years ago!!!!!!!!!!!--it was called the Riviera Cafe; now it is Little Ruby Cafe.  Angie and I had not seen each other in at least seven years--she has been living in Alaska for the past 18-- so maybe, in a way, that was our premature celebration.  The occasion was certainly celebratory.

                                    Still, in a way, I wanted to remember these dates and celebrate them with my readers.

                                     Be good to your spouses, darlings, and may Heaven forgive me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Girls, I Don't Know What To Tell You About This One!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Actually, darlings, I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 "Rosemary's Baby" is a masterpiece, filled with horror and humor, and Mia Farrow giving what is still the performance of her life.  I would never hesitate to recommend this film to anyone, but tonight it is being aired on the "House Of Svengoolie," meaning that in between the film will be Borscht Belt style jokes ruining the film's impact.  Also, they are running it in their usual two-and-a half hour time slot.  "Rosemary's Baby" runs exactly two hours and sixteen minutes, meaning large portions of the film are going to be cut to fit the time frame and moronic humor.

                                    So, here is what I say.  Anyone out there who has NEVER seen this film, even if having read the book, give it a look, because its brilliance will shine through.  This will make those in this group seek out a DVD or streaming airing, to see the complete, uncut film.

                                        For those, like me, who are aficionados of this film, I say SKIP IT!  It is disrespectful to the film, Roman Polanski, Mia Farrow and everyone connected with it.

                                          Those who choose to watch, keep an eye out for the painting of the burning church, and the hourglass coffee pot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             I would love to own those movie props!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          

The Latest In Bathroom Fashion, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gojira Shower Curtains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Girls, I am telling you, our reptile friend Gojira is branching out.  He is becoming an entrepreneur as well as a movie star.  I understand he actually took the above pattern to ANNA, and she approved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Aren't they cute, darlings???????????  Little pictures of Gojira all over the curtain.  Children will especially love it.  You know how much Gojira loves children, and they love him!!!!!!!!!!

                             I am telling you this will the next hot fashion item!!!!!!!!!!!!  Your bathroom will be the talk of the neighborhood, darlings.  Make it look sparkling, like this, and not the convent cell in "The Song Of Bernadette."  Unless your taste and faith run to Catholicism.

                              I would be proud to have these curtains in my bathroom.  Everyone get out and support Gojira, who, of course, will donate to his favorite charity.

                              Probably St. Jude's Hospital For Children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forty-Nine Years Ago Today...........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Darlings, I cannot believe it has been that long.  Today, on this very day, I graduated, with honors, from Seton Hall University, with a B.A. in Communications. Of course, I had my eyes set on being a critic on "The New York Times," but how could I have known that the journalism profession would tank?  Or that, in less than two years, my mother would be gone, creating a life change akin to the Civil War enacting a change in Scarlett.

                                           I had to survive the cruelty of some relatives; maintaining I was a loser because I had so much trouble finding a job!  And when I eventually proved them wrong, not a one apologized.  Forgiveness, maybe, forget no.

                                             Though I was a late bloomer, thanks to my education, going all the way back to Highland Park, I found a job perfectly suited for me, in the arts, and that I retired from after 35 years.  My generation, I believe will be the last of the long job termers.

                                              All in all, I have to say I have done pretty well, and I am happy in retirement.  Could I have been a lawyer?  Sure.  But could my stress level and other health issues take it; not to mention mountains of debt I accrued from student loans.

                                             So, thank you, Seton Hall.  Next year will be fifty years, and I am already talking of a party.  Can ANNA come?  I hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             To those out there who may be in the situation I was--don't you let anyone, family or not, put you down.  You are better than they are.

                                               They just do not know it.