Musical Theater History Was Made On This Very Night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        I know that some of my girls will recognize who these people are.  They are Robert Preston and Barbara Cook in their signature roles of Harold Hill, and Barbara Cook in hers as Marian The Librarian.  The show, of course, is "The Music Man" and it opened at the Majestic Theater on this very evening in 1957.  To think, that was 68 years ago.  I was just three.

                                          I saw a revival of this show several years ago, at The Winter Garden, and while it still had the ability to charm, Sutton Foster's transposed vocals did not work.  But then no one could hold a candle to the divinity of Barbara Cook.

                                            So, let us remember these performers and this show.  Where are the likes thereof today?????????????

                                             To give you an idea, here is Barbara Cook singing "Goodnight, My Someone."  I cry each time I hear it.

                                        Enjoy, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, What Better Way To Greet Christmas Than With This Stunning 1950's Outift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                              Darlings, I am telling you, when it comes to fashion there is no better combination than Christmas and the 1950s.

                                                 Overall, people back then--men, too! --knew how to really dress, and I wish we would see the return of that fashion era today. I have seen cows grazing who look better dressed than many folks today.  Hey, remember Barney The Bull?  Now, that fellow had style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    I was at a store yesterday where I saw some striking outfits.  But in order for me to wear them, they would have to be altered, or I would have to go to a store where I can get it custom made.  Are there any such stores anymore where one can get clothes custom made?

                                                        Anyway, dears, this frock is divine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       It goes perfectly with egg nog and Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               

Do We Really Need ANOTHER Revival Of "Death Of A Salesman??????????????????"

                                    I hate to be the one to tell you this, girls, but come Spring 2026, Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf will be starring, at the Winter Garden, no less, in Arthur Miller's "Death Of A Salesman."

                                      Really?  I would rather see them in Neil Simon's "The Prisoner Of Second Avenue."

                                      I mean, Nathan Lane, with that mug of a face as defeated Willy Loman?  And  Laurie Metcalf, usually a portrayer of strong women, playing one of theater's greatest martyrs, Linda  Loman?????????????  I just can't see it fly.

                                       Add to this, I might have to see it.  Never having seen this play on stage, this may be, at 71, my last chance to see this on the stage.  But I would have hoped for a better cast.

                                         And at the premiere musical house, The Winter Garden.  Miller's play will get swallowed up by the stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Whose dumb idea was this, anyway??????????????

                                          And when it fails, do not come crying to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

"No Brianers" Are Not Offensive, When The Music Is As Fun As This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I saw the movie version of "Mama Mia!" back in 2008, with MERYL And Company.  I had never seen it on stage and never thought I would.

                                         Then came this touring company for a limited run at where it started--my favorite theater, The Winter Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Yes, this is a "check your brain in at the door" show, but when the music is ABBA, and if one is familiar with the music, it is an irresistible experience.

                                              Darlings, I had forgotten how many ABBA songs I knew and still remembered as I sang my way through the show.

                                               Which, in spite of having no stars, and less ability to create a gorgeous, exotic atmosphere, I have to say Mark Thompson's sets and Howard Harrison's lighting create the atmosphere needed to tell the story on stage.

                                                   For the uninitiated, Sophie Sheridan is marrying her love, Skye, and her mother Donna, single and independent, is all a' flutter trying to get the wedding organized.  Sophie unknowingly complicates things when, after reading her mother's diary of her early years, sends invites to three possible men who may be her biological father.  The men show up, so do Donna's friends, and the rest of the show, with ABBA music, is the working out of this situation.  Without the music it would sink, but thanks to ABBA and a vocally adept cast the show soars.

                                                     Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Van Laast, with their direction and choreography, keep the show moving at a rapid pace.  The actors do eight shows a week.  At this rate it is truly amazing anyone is able to keep up, but no one wears out for a second.  

                                                       And you must stay for the end, when the audience and cast join forces, singing out some ABBA favorites I had been waiting for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                        After the week we have had, this show is the perfect remedy to take one's mind off world troubles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          "Mama Mia!" scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            

Season's Greetings To Everyone From Dexter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Some of you may remember Dexter, who belonged to a former neighbor of ours, here in Bay Ridge.  Now, for about three years, Dexter has been residing in Hickory, North Carolina, and you can see he is pretty settled, and as lovable looking as ever.

                                      He is also sixteen years old and doing quite well for his age.  He has some arthritis--who doesn't? ---and he is being treated for an ear infection, but he is still as affectionate and mobile as ever.

                                       His owner recently sent home pictures, and knowing I love Dexter so much, sent this photo for me.  I wish I could just go up to Dexter and give him a hug.

                                         Let's all give a spiritual hug to Dexter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        As he wishes us all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Love you, Dexter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Girls, "Svengoolie" Is Showing 1971's "Duel" Tonight At 8PM! First Timers Should Tune In, Those Having Seen It Don't Need A Second Viewing!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             To think Steven Spielberg filmed this made-for-TV film in 1971, the start of my junior year of high school.  Fortunately, he shot it while Dennis Weaver was still hot, and in the same year Weaver did "What's The Matter With Helen?"

                            "Duel" is based on a Richard Matheson short story about a trucker, who, for no apparent reason, is harassed by what I always thought of as a "ghost truck," or "ghost driver" plowing down on him throughout the film.  There is plenty of tension and suspense for first timers, whom I urge to watch.  Those having seen it had best tune to something else.  I would love to see "Trilogy Of Terror" once more.  Especially Karen Black as "Julie."  And everyone loves her in "Amelia," the voodoo doll story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Alas, this is not a great month for "Svengoolie," girls!  Though next week is promising, but I won't reveal that until next Saturday.

                                The film is good of its kind, and interesting in the Spielberg chronology.

                               Personally, I would rather again watch 1946's "Duel In The Sun," with Jennifer Jones as Pearl Chavez, "The half-breed Indian girl, built by the devil to drive men crazy!"

                                To think that used to be said about me, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dick Van Dyke Reaches 100 Today! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Whenever I hear someone is nearing age 100, I get a little nervous.  I recall when my father was on that threshold.  Will he make it, or will he die days before?  It happens sometimes.

                              So, I am delighted to say Dick Van Dyke has made it.  For my generation, he has been many things to us--Rob Petrie, Bert in "Mary Poppins," and Caractacus Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."  With Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious.

                                And don't forget the role that started it all--Albert Peterson, in "Bye Bye, Birdie," a role he also did on stage.

                                 These filmed legacies will live on long after Van Dyke passes. But today I wish him many happy returns---and I do mean MANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Living till 100 is a privilege for a chosen few.  I am happy Dick Van Dyke is among the chosen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Happy 100th birthday, Dick Van Dyke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!