Vincente Minnelli And The Pool Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        It has been disputed among historians for many years, but those purists and cultists who know Jacqueline Susann's work "Valley Of The Dolls," and its film version, understand that the pool scene where Neely catches husband Ted Casablanca(!) in the pool, naked, with contracted Janie Lord was based on Judy Garland catching husband Vincente Minnelli in their swimming pool with the pool boy.

                                         On film, this translated into that fabulous moment when Ted Casablanca, or the actor playing him, Alexander Davion, says with a straight face, "That little whore makes me feel nine feet tall!"

                                         Can you believe it, girls?????????  It is SO hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am sure Vincente Minnelli did not say that to Judy Garland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Now, Vincente Minnelli will always be one of Hollywood's greatest directors, and I shall prove with my film project, but let's face it, he was nothing to look at.  I mean, even David O. Selznick was more attractive.

                                                 I wish that pool boy was still alive, which he probably is not, because I would love to hear his side of the story.  I can believe Vincente had the hots for him, but I cannot believe the pool boy gave it to him for free!  Even Alexander Davion in "Valley Of The Dolls" was better, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am sure Vincente did not get his favors for free; one look at him and the pool boy saw a chance to make some money, which I am sure he did!

                                                      How in the world did they manage to have Liza?  Sperm donation was not common yet, if at all.  I bet Judy pulled a paper bag over Minnelli's head during!!!!!!!!!!!  I sure would have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                         Even if this legend is not true, it certainly has a degree of plausibility! 

                                                        Be careful whom you invite into your swimming pool, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Happy Bloomsday, Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              How can I forget, girls?  Besides being my niece's birthday, this is also Bloomsday.

                               The legend of this day has two stories.  The first is it is the day on which Joyce's entire novel, "Ulysses," takes place, back in 1904.  The second is that on this day, presumably in 1904, he met the woman, Nora, who became his wife.

                                 Each story is beautiful in its own way.  For those who know I am literary, it is embarrassing for me to say that I have not yet read "Ulysses."  I have a copy in the house and still have full intention to read it; but there is so much to get through before it.  Originally, I had the idea of re-reading Homer's "The Odyssey," and then "Ulysses" to see how the two are entwined.  But, outside of Shakespeare and Emily Bronte, I was not one to handle verse.  So, if I do "Ulysses" it will be a stand-alone reading.

                                  Alas, on this day, I should have stood in the living room and read Molly Bloom's Soliloquy aloud.  I have often done that in past years, but we were busy today, so that is that.

                                    All I can do is wish everyone on here a Happy Bloomsday!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 "...and I said yes, I said yes, yes Yes YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                 We should all be so lucky, like Molly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"RAGS" VS. "RAGTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                               

                          If you really must know, darlings, it all began with E. L. Doctorow, who published what turned out to be his masterpiece novel, "Ragtime," back in 1975.

                          That was also the year Robert Altman came out with his cinematic masterpiece, "Nashville."  I was in college, then, and read everything about this film, and in an article on it in "Film Quarterly," back then, I read that Joan Tewksbury and Altman were collaborating on a film version of "Ragtime."  What a perfect combination to create this film from that novel, I thought.  Unfortunately, it never came to pass, and Milos Forman went on to direct the film version of "Ragtime."  Released first on November 20, 1981 and then nationwide on Christmas Day of that year, the film garnered fairly good reviews, but to this day I refuse to see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         About a year later, several years after Doctorow published his novel, and I was working at Lincoln Center, I heard word of Joan Micklin Silver, the creator of "Hester Street," also released in 1975, working on a project called "RAGS," dealing with the Jewish immigrant experience on the Lower East Side.

                        Silence for a long time after that.  Next, I heard Silver had dropped out of the project and it was now being conceived as a musical, with Joseph Stein, of 'Fiddler' fame, writing the book, Charles Strouse the music, and Stephen Schwartz, the lyrics.

                         One of the best songs in the "RAGS" score is "Blame It On The Summer Night."  And that is how it happened for me on an August night in 1986.

                           I was then dating a guy who was a company manager for Broadway shows, and "RAGS" was one of his shows.  He called me at work one day and wanted to know if I wanted a free ticket to "RAGS" that night.  Of course, I said yes.  The show had this glorious cast--Teresa Stratas, Larry Kert, Lonny Price, Judy Kuhn, Marica Lewis and Dick Latessa.  Rex Everhart also had a small role in it.  This sounded like Broadway gold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         It turned out it was.  Halfway through the opening number, I was swept away.  And the songs just kept getting better and better.  I still get chills remembering the first time I heard Teresa Statas (yes, she was there!!!!!!!!!) sing "Children Of The Wind."  Not to mention then newcomer Judy Kuhn, who stopped the show with her highly impassioned and dramatic rendition of the title song.

                         When the Intermission came, I knew two things.  I had to run to a pay phone--remember this was 40 years ago; hey, "RAGS" turns 40 this year! --and tell friends to hurry down to the Mark Hellinger and see it, because, I knew, being a dark show, it was not destined for a long run.  This was a show Theater Queens and cultists had to see, which they did, and which subsequent productions of this show have drawn new audiences to bask in its musical glory.

                         I was right.  My next contact with "RAGS" was five years later, in 1991, when the Original Broadway Cast recording, with Julia Migenes Johnson, instead of Teresa Statas as Rebecca, was released, and it was a joy to finally hear the score.  That same year, the American Jewish Theater did a steam lined version of the show, preserving the important content, with then Broadway veterans Ann Crumb and Crista Moore as Rebecca and Bella.  Moore's equally compelling rendition of the title song ended Act One, and I thought, what a way to end the first half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            My two recent contacts with "RAGS" were several years ago, when I saw a beautiful production of the show downtown at the Connelly Theatre on East 4th it, and trying to get into a reading of it with Ted Chapin and Jessie Mueller presumably reading and singing the role of Rebecca.  Hey, Ted and Jess, how about it???????????

                          I still say not enough attention has been paid to "RAGS."  Now, let us go to "Ragtime." 

                          The musical adaptation of "Ragtime" opened in 1998 with a starry-eyed cast including Marin Maizie, Peter Friedman, Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell.  It was a  hot ticket, and I had reservations about it anyway.  I caught the show finally nearing its run's end, and the performers seemed to be walking through it.  The starry-eyed cast was gone.  I will say that Terrence McNally's book did justice to Doctorow's novel, but the score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty simply did not do it for me.  Two songs--the opening number and "The Wheel Of Dreams" do not a show make.

                            I was certainly in the minority.  The original production of "Ragtime" did itself proud at that season's TONYS and became a revived classic.  Unlike poor little "RAGS."

                            "Ragtime" was revived on Broadway in November of 2009.  Maybe I saw it as my birthday show.  I recall liking the staging--it was conceptual within the family house--and McNally's book still had its strength but the music, save for the two aforementioned songs, did nothing for me.  The outstanding cast member was Christiane Noll, who played Mother.  She is the daughter of director Ron Noll, with whom I had worked eight years before on VLOG's production of "The Pajama Game."

                              And now there is this present version of "Ragtime," playing to crowds at the Vivian Beatmont.  It dominated the TONYS, and I was thrilled for Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy, though I wish they had won for other shows!  What is it about "Ragtime" that draws people to it?  And the score, which people seem to love?  Why do I find "RAGS" the better score?  Is it taste, sophistication, or are those drawn to "Ragtime" attracted because it is less a darker show than "RAGS?"   But that is exactly why I am drawn to it.  Also, Lear DeBessonet, now the head of Lincoln Center Theater, and who directed this current version of "Ragtime," was cited by NY Post critic Johnny Oleksinskias not being able to stage anything, and I have to agree, after seeing what she did to "Oliver!" at ENCORES several years ago, I have to agree.  How come ENCORES! has never done "RAGS?"

                                   I have to say Lear DeBessonet bears a disturbing resemblance to Bari Weiss, and I bet is just like her.  I hope she does not ruin LCT.  They should have hired Bartlett Sher.  I may not agree with him, but he knows how to stage a show.

                                For those who are interested, the original production of "RAGS," in its entirety is currently on YouTube.  I urge you to take a look.  Like 'Merrily' it is a dark, problematic musical but with a great score.  I would like to live to see "RAGS" get it right, as Maria Friedman did with 'Merrily.'

                              As for those who champion "Ragtime," for God's sake please tell me why!!!!!!!!!!

                            For those who truly want to experience "Ragtime," here is my suggestion--

                                           Read the E. L. Doctorow book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Oh, and one last thing.  Note how the logos of both shows are rather similar.

                                            Stop copying "RAGS" and not giving it credit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Timothee Chalamet Has Put His Foot In His Mouth Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                           The question has to be asked, darlings.  Is Timothee Chalamet a great big closet case?  Remember I have always said they are the most dangerous breed of gay men.

                                            Recently, I read, with all the nutty stuff going on in NYC, between FIFA and the near riots caused by the excitement of the Knicks, that Chalamet stated the Knicks victory was "better than the Oscars."

                                               Are you kidding???????????????

                                             First of all, darlings, the only thing the two have in common is that they are both competitive events.  

                                             Chalamet has done it again and bitten the hand that feeds him.   I am still recovering from his ballet and opera comments, and now he knocks the Oscars?  This guy may be a quality actor, but does he have a brain?  Doesn't he realize his ballet and opera comments cost him the Oscar he should have won, and would have, for "Marty Supreme?"   And now this statement, which, if he gives an award caliber performance in the film year, might sabotage his chances for another nomination?

                                                  David and I were discussing this one morning, and David maintains it is Chalamet trying to prove his heterosexuality!!!!!!!!!!!!  Why the need, Timothee????????  Is there something you have not yet told us??????????  Darling, we have suspected it for years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Wise up, butter cup!  Otherwise, you will not have a career.

                                                     You may end up being the only one who gives a damn about it, if you do or don't wise up!!!!!!!!!!!  Me, I don't care one bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                         Enough with this heterosexist nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!  And during Pride month, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          Maybe Timothee needs some duct tape for him mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Want A German Shepherd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I like dogs of all sorts--large and small.  I have interacted with some loving German Shepherds in the neighborhood, and my friend Indy, who recently passed, had a lot of that breed in him, and he was so fun to play with.  So was Bova, who loves playing catch with me, but only so far with his owner around, so she can moderate.  Never go near a dog, girls, until it gets to know you.

                           Again, I have to explain.  A German Shepherd 24/7 in our apartment would not work, due to its size, need, for exercise, and its dander affecting my allergies.

                            So, here is my idea.

                           I know there are service dogs who visit hospital patients and people in nursing homes.  What I would like is a service that brings a dog to the home of someone like me--I suffer from anxiety--so I can spend some limited quality time with him or her.  Like when Dexter, who used to live here, would come to visit.  I would love a German Shepherd, as I find them comforting and loving, but the last two qualities are more important than the type of dog.  Dexter was a mixed beagle and pointer.

                          So, girls, if there is any info you can provide on this topic, please let me know.

                          Meantime, Baby Gojira is always and will always be our own baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Girls, I Just Discovered We Have A New Reader!!!!!!!!!!! So, Time For A Warm Welcome From All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     It has been a while since I have done this, but I am so happy to do so.

                                   The reader's name is Marjorie, and I want, on behalf of my other readers, to welcome her to this blog.

                                    The Raving Queen goes great with coffee, which fuses me with energy to write here every morning.  On this blog can be found information, entertainment, flights of pithiness, outright bitchery, but most of all fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Let us all give Marjorie a big round of applause, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      And usher her in with this blog's unofficial theme song--Deborah Harry singing "Call Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                     Enjoy, Marjorie, as well as everyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I Feel Stormy Weather Moving In.......With The Thunder Don't I Lose My Head????????????????????????????????"

                                        Oh, girls, isn't "It's Raining Men" just the perfect song for Pride and this month, but not when it involves my body.

                                             Yes, this new protein diet or whatever I am supposed to be on is wreaking havoc.  I often feel like I will have an accident when there is nothing there, and last night I pushed so hard I bled.  It's like being Rosemary without the pregnancy.

                                                  I don't know what kind of diet--or not!--The Weather Girls were on when they did "It's Raining Men," but they look like they had the energy to get out there!  Lately, I am not so sure.  I thought I was on the right track until Sunday morning when we each had an apple turnover for breakfast.  It was luscious, but, afterward, I am not sure.  Which is where I am at now.

                                                     Unless the place is super clean and private, I cannot go to the bathroom--I am not talking about urinating--any place but home.  Yes, girls!!!!!!!!!  A girl needs her own powder room to be minty fresh.  Even more crucial now, as I am unsure of what is going to happen, or when!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                         So, here I sit, ready to write, and read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                        Raise up the roof and shout it out, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Here is the song, dolls!  Go to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!