Robert Hilferty, who I knew for about 25 years, and was the boyfriend of Fabio Toblini, the designer of the costumes for "Legends!" has died. I met Robert through the artist Prudence Whittlesey. When I met Prudence in 1984 she was working as a Zoli model in Tokyo. We met at a macrobiotic restaurant. We hit it off right away, and when Prudence returned to NYC we picked up our friendship and she was eager for me to meet Robert. Here's a link about Robert's death. The Internet is abuzz about Robert's death. His circle of friends and acquaintances was wide-reaching. Many, if not most, of the people are folks I don't know.
The accident that caused Robert's concussion happened the day of the "Legends!" event. He actually missed the show, but was there at the very end of the play, so I thought he had seen it, and didn't find out until the next day that he had missed it.
I'm very sad and confused about this death.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4, 2009
Since I have figured out how to post the "Legends!" promo video as an embed, here it is.
Monday, April 27, 2009
April 27, 2009
I realized I hadn't put the publicity photos from "Legends!" on this blog. The photos are by Timothy White.
And in this Patrick McMullan shot, taken during the performance, "Leatrice Monsee" makes her grand entrance. It's fake fur, everybody!
I also happened upon this page the other day. Someone figured out that I had a birthday.
And in this Patrick McMullan shot, taken during the performance, "Leatrice Monsee" makes her grand entrance. It's fake fur, everybody!
I also happened upon this page the other day. Someone figured out that I had a birthday.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
April 22, 2009
The "Legends!" event pops up in the May issue of Instinct magazine, thanks to my friend Sean Krebs.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
April 12, 2009
I know I posted the Ken Fallin caricature of myself, but I never posted Charles, so they haven't been seen together here. They were displayed onstage at Town Hall at the "Legends!" event as the audience was filing in. Here are me and Charles as Leatrice and Sylvia.
Unrelated to "Legends!" but not unrelated to my writing career, in today's New York Times there was a feature about Nancy Opel who is currently Off Broadway in "The Toxic Avenger" musical and there is accompanying the article a slide show of Nancy in various productions including this photo of her and Maxwell Caulfield in "My Deah."
Unrelated to "Legends!" but not unrelated to my writing career, in today's New York Times there was a feature about Nancy Opel who is currently Off Broadway in "The Toxic Avenger" musical and there is accompanying the article a slide show of Nancy in various productions including this photo of her and Maxwell Caulfield in "My Deah."
Saturday, April 4, 2009
April 4, 2009
Thanks to Google alert, I happened upon this sour "report" about the "Legends!" event. It's from The Advocate, of all things. I know I should take the high road and not even take time to acknowledge this article. So I think I'll pull the nice quotes from the article and put them here:
"I wouldn't have missed this for the world!"
"Busch was a radiant vision!"
"Stunning! Impressive!"
"A stroke of metatheatrical genius!"
"...Epperson's admirable adaptation efforts..."
I must point out here that in this article, the writer assumes that I went easy on Kirkwood's play because he died of AIDS. His death, and whatever its actual cause, had no influence on me, except for the fact if he were still alive I probably wouldn't have gotten the okay to put my "admirable adaptation" onstage.
Also, the scene where Charles took my line and I called him on it was NOT staged. Although it may be someday!
A blogger has mentioned that he finds "Legends!" to be internally homophobic (see post below). I think this article - from The Advocate! - is internally homophobic, and, believe me, I know from internalized homophobia. I also find it age-ist.
I took "Child, please," from my friend Jenifer Lewis, but it would have fit well on Whoopi too. I'm sorry it didn't occur to me to - after Whoopi cancelled - to change the Barbara Walters line to what I really wanted it to be.
In the original published version of "Legends!" the two women pull each other's wigs off. That old joke has been done to death, so we did some butt-slapping and got in a reference to the Shirley MacLaine/Anne Bancroft movie "The Turning Point," that was a big influence on me to move to NYC in 1978.
The writer of The Advocate article says he's not familiar with a recording played during the show. Too bad someone isn't familiar with Cole Porter's great song "Just One Of Those Things!" I never heard of Flavor Of Love!
What some people call stealing focus, others call showmanship planned in advance.
The writer says that "Legends!" should be dead. So does the tacky Provincetown drag queen mentioned below in another post. Apparently these minds think alike. Relax, girls, and just have a good time. Really, I think The Advocate wants to drum up controversy by being negative. I call this kind of thing an offshoot of what I refer to as Bushism (as in the effects of the W. administration and its ensuing negativity that we are stuck with, for now). But cynicism about the media (and the media's own cynicsm) goes back at least to 1967 when Neely O'Hara said in the movie "Valley of the Dolls": "Even the bad publicity helps when you get to be as big as I am. And, boy, am I getting the bad publicity."
Here's a link from Patrick McMullan's site with photos I hadn't seen before. I'm pleased to see Peter Rogers and Elizabeth Peabody were there. Elizabeth is Sam and Judy's daughter and Peter created the Blackglama ad campaign that inspired the "Legends!" event poster. I used to know them, but haven't seen them in a long time.
"I wouldn't have missed this for the world!"
"Busch was a radiant vision!"
"Stunning! Impressive!"
"A stroke of metatheatrical genius!"
"...Epperson's admirable adaptation efforts..."
I must point out here that in this article, the writer assumes that I went easy on Kirkwood's play because he died of AIDS. His death, and whatever its actual cause, had no influence on me, except for the fact if he were still alive I probably wouldn't have gotten the okay to put my "admirable adaptation" onstage.
Also, the scene where Charles took my line and I called him on it was NOT staged. Although it may be someday!
A blogger has mentioned that he finds "Legends!" to be internally homophobic (see post below). I think this article - from The Advocate! - is internally homophobic, and, believe me, I know from internalized homophobia. I also find it age-ist.
I took "Child, please," from my friend Jenifer Lewis, but it would have fit well on Whoopi too. I'm sorry it didn't occur to me to - after Whoopi cancelled - to change the Barbara Walters line to what I really wanted it to be.
In the original published version of "Legends!" the two women pull each other's wigs off. That old joke has been done to death, so we did some butt-slapping and got in a reference to the Shirley MacLaine/Anne Bancroft movie "The Turning Point," that was a big influence on me to move to NYC in 1978.
The writer of The Advocate article says he's not familiar with a recording played during the show. Too bad someone isn't familiar with Cole Porter's great song "Just One Of Those Things!" I never heard of Flavor Of Love!
What some people call stealing focus, others call showmanship planned in advance.
The writer says that "Legends!" should be dead. So does the tacky Provincetown drag queen mentioned below in another post. Apparently these minds think alike. Relax, girls, and just have a good time. Really, I think The Advocate wants to drum up controversy by being negative. I call this kind of thing an offshoot of what I refer to as Bushism (as in the effects of the W. administration and its ensuing negativity that we are stuck with, for now). But cynicism about the media (and the media's own cynicsm) goes back at least to 1967 when Neely O'Hara said in the movie "Valley of the Dolls": "Even the bad publicity helps when you get to be as big as I am. And, boy, am I getting the bad publicity."
Here's a link from Patrick McMullan's site with photos I hadn't seen before. I'm pleased to see Peter Rogers and Elizabeth Peabody were there. Elizabeth is Sam and Judy's daughter and Peter created the Blackglama ad campaign that inspired the "Legends!" event poster. I used to know them, but haven't seen them in a long time.
Friday, April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
I called Lisa Estridge to thank her for saving the day at the "Legends!" performance. I had been emailing her but hadn't heard back. So I left her a voicemail message and she called me back saying that the event and its subsequent press had been great for her. That an agent had signed her because of it and she has been very busy going to auditions. And nothing has come of it for me! But that's not unusual. I am rarely asked to audition because I'm thought of as an "exotic." Probably most of the people in the audience at the "Legends!" event had never even heard me speak onstage, even though I have, a lot!
When I was visiting Scott Wittman up in Salisbury Mills the other day, we watched a bit of the Al Jolson movie "Mammy" c. 1931. Then I noticed a friend had sent me this photo of Al checking out the two dancing men in the movie "Wonder Bar."
Here's a photo of me with Lily Tomlin and another Al -- Alexis Del Lago. Taken at Akbar in Silverlake (Los Angeles).
How about a photo of 1970s NYC disco diva Rollerena? The old gal is still around; I saw her on Christopher St. a few months ago.
Here I am with Fabio, the night of "Legends!" You can see how nutty my wig was in the shot. It was nuttier in the second act than the first!
When I was visiting Scott Wittman up in Salisbury Mills the other day, we watched a bit of the Al Jolson movie "Mammy" c. 1931. Then I noticed a friend had sent me this photo of Al checking out the two dancing men in the movie "Wonder Bar."
Here's a photo of me with Lily Tomlin and another Al -- Alexis Del Lago. Taken at Akbar in Silverlake (Los Angeles).
How about a photo of 1970s NYC disco diva Rollerena? The old gal is still around; I saw her on Christopher St. a few months ago.
Here I am with Fabio, the night of "Legends!" You can see how nutty my wig was in the shot. It was nuttier in the second act than the first!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April 2, 2009
Here's another photo article about the "Legends!" event, with photos not previously seen.
Monday, March 30, 2009
March 30, 2009
"Legends!" appears in the print edition of New York Magazine.
By the way, I went to see the show "Happiness" at Lincoln Center, starring Ken Page, Joanna Gleason and Hunter Foster. Songs by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie who wrote the musical "Grey Gardens." I enjoyed it very much. A metaphysical cross between "A Chorus Line" and the subway thriller movie "The Taking of Pelham, One, Two, Three!"
I enjoyed a couple of days in the country with Scott Wittman, watching old Kay Francis and Loretta Young movies.
By the way, I went to see the show "Happiness" at Lincoln Center, starring Ken Page, Joanna Gleason and Hunter Foster. Songs by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie who wrote the musical "Grey Gardens." I enjoyed it very much. A metaphysical cross between "A Chorus Line" and the subway thriller movie "The Taking of Pelham, One, Two, Three!"
I enjoyed a couple of days in the country with Scott Wittman, watching old Kay Francis and Loretta Young movies.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
March 28, 2009
There were no critics invited to "Legends!" It was a one-night staged reading, not a preview of an official production. Of course, everybody's a critic, especially in a democracy where the internet is popular.
A Provincetown drag queen who finagled a ticket to "Legends!" for himself had these excerpts to say about the show on his blog. I've removed some of his ruder comments that really have nothing to do with the show: "I am not sure this will interest anyone outside of NYC but last night I had the pleasure of attending 'Legends!' at Town Hall starring drag divas Charles Busch and Lypsinka and TV host and movie star Whoopi Goldberg. 'Legends!' is a tired old play about two faded rival movie stars whose careers need reviving. The conflict begins when a young upstart playwright has the perfect stage vehicle for the two of them, but will they put their differences aside and agree to star in this possible hit? Who cares! John Epperson (Lypsinka) has done his very best to refresh the play with some new jokes and current pop references...but the entire cast knows it is a stinker and occasionally they slyly state this throughout the performance letting the audience in on the joke and taking the sting away from the sluggish play. That being said, watching Charles and Lypsinka duke it out on stage was wonderfully entertaining. Lypsinka looked lovely and thin in a gorgeous purple dress accented by oodles of diamonds and a fur cape. And Charles can command the stage [to the degree that] everyone leaves satisfied.
Sadly Whoppi Goldberg called in sick due to the flu.
All in all the event was a huge success and raised lots of money for Friends In Deed-The Crisis Center For Life Threatening Illness. Besides that we were witness to history: this was the first time that the play 'Legends!' was every performed on a NYC Stage. Hopefully it will be the last."
I guess this is what is called a mixed review! But I smell the bitter odor of sour grapes. And the onstage character is not a playwright, but a producer.
Another person who is a culture maven, and is someone I know and have socialized with, apparently got himself a free ticket (to a benefit) and then wrote about the event. I didn't read his "review" but I'm told he supports the cast but finds the play unsalvageable, racist and internally homophobic. I can understand why he thinks the play is unsalvageable (we all knew going in that the play has that reputation; that was one of our selling points!) and racist (all the characters are archetypes -- the sassy black housekeeper, the bitchy movie star, the goody two-shoes, the conniving producer, etc.), but I'm not sure about the "internally homophobic." I'm curious to know how he justifies that. (I haven't actually read his comments; they were reported to me by Michael B., the publicist for the event.)
And he left out misogynist! Many people think drag is inherently misogynist, and they are usually women. But let me point out that Gloria Steinem (who probably wouldn't remember this) told me she enjoyed my act because it was a sendup of the kind of behavior she was encouraged to display when growing up.
Some theatre people also think if you read the good reviews, you have to read the bad ones too. Here are some of the quotes from emails I received:
From a legit online theatre critic (full disclosure - I've known him for over 30 years), major-publication-journalist, and memoirist: "You were genius last night. Congrats on LEGENDS! .. you were amazing and funny and even a bit moving at times ... I loved the way you were able to underplay and be outrageously funny all at the same time. So proud of you. And it was a good cause too."
The artistic director of a downtown theatre: "John, last night was so SWELL! What a truly great night for a bad play. There were times I was laughing so hard I almost wet my pants - your entrance for example. And then when Charles flubbed up the lines toward the end. I hope you all were having as much fun as it seemed you were having. It was one of those magical NYC evenings I dreamed of when I was growing up in the Midwest."
An Off Broadway director (and good pal of Charles B.): "Congratulations to you on on a wonderful evening! Just stellar work. Your performance was absolutely pitch perfect -- delicious, hilarious and touching -- and your adaptation of Mr. Kirkwood's play was just scrumptious. You looked absolutely stunning, and it's always a thrill to get to see you play a role as well as give us a taste of of your peerless lip-syncing. Thank you for rescuing this play and getting it on a New York stage. I nearly got to see it lo those many years ago with Misses Martin and Channing but missed the booking by a week. I am so happy to have gotten to see it at last with Busch and Lypsinka. Aren't we all!!!"
Famous playwright: "Well, congrats on an evening of great fun. You can't say they didn't fall for you -- especially on your entrance. I think a good time was had by all. I thought the costumes were wonderful. Of course, the absence of Whoopi was disappointing, but in the end...you and Charles were the show. Supporting cast first rate. Dancing birthdaygram was a big hit. Bryan Batt fine. Fran Liebowitz was a surprising theatre pro and got her laughs! And one should give credit to the understudy, too. She seemed secure and didn't throw you or Charles ever. Christine was great in warming us up to her."
A friend who works in the "display" world: "john!!!!! i saw the show last night!
the show was such fun-i laughed and laughed-you looked amazing, and your moment
of dance and lip-synching was electrifying as always-god, you're great!
so happy to see you on stage again-your energy with charles was awesome."
A friend in the graphic design business: "Sorry I wasn't able to let you know sufficiently [last night] about how much I enjoyed myself and how good 'Legends!' was. Wow--I hope it gets a second life! There was so much dialogue I'd like to ponder over, and so many lines that had me absolutely doubled over. I must also say that Bryan Batt was wonderful. The Brad Pitt call and the hash brownie routine were priceless! Your entrance alone was worth the price of admission. And your ad lib when Charles stole your line. That was a brilliant moment."
Broadway and TV actress: "Thank you for your wonderful, TRUE, touchingly hilarious performance and presence. I had such a delicious time. At last I have had a glimpse of Lypsinka...I love her almost as much as I love you!!!"
Stage manager friend: "I don't think there could have possibly been any more applause on Lyp's entrance. And you looked gorgeous! Everyone else in the cast was wonderful. Truly a great evening of theater. My dear friend, Wayne, came to see the show and this is from an email he sent me yesterday: 'I had never seen Lypsinka perform before. Amazing!! Please tell him that she was hilarious and...I am now a total fan. A very smart performer, no? She balanced the line of being in the apartment and on stage so hilariously.' I couldn't agree more with his statement. Bravo to you, John, and brava to La Lyp!!"
From an employee of the managing office that handles the building I live in: "Well, I can certainly understand why the play never got to Broadway - what a clunker. Of course, refreshed with your input, and the casting, the evening was totally delightful. Thank you for sharing the fun!"
An African-American friend who works at a museum and has written some non-fiction works about popular culture: "let me be the first to congratulate you. the play was a success--everyone loved it (and the reporter in me was, most certainly, listening). i'm so proud of you for pulling this off. whoopi who? this was YOUR baby and i appreciate and respect all the hard work you put into it--and you even had a musical number--YOU BLACK BITCH!!! (yes you--not whoopi's understudy!--who, by the way, was fantastic.) the play had everything: sex, comedy, bitchiness, a dance number, a striptease, a pot-induced breakdown, a carol burnett show-like audience pleasing moment when you all stepped out of character--'she did that in every rehearsal,' and a musical finale. bravo!"
From Charles Busch: "It really was a great night. You should be very proud of yourself as writer and actor. You really did a great job in both roles. I'm very glad you involved me."
A Provincetown drag queen who finagled a ticket to "Legends!" for himself had these excerpts to say about the show on his blog. I've removed some of his ruder comments that really have nothing to do with the show: "I am not sure this will interest anyone outside of NYC but last night I had the pleasure of attending 'Legends!' at Town Hall starring drag divas Charles Busch and Lypsinka and TV host and movie star Whoopi Goldberg. 'Legends!' is a tired old play about two faded rival movie stars whose careers need reviving. The conflict begins when a young upstart playwright has the perfect stage vehicle for the two of them, but will they put their differences aside and agree to star in this possible hit? Who cares! John Epperson (Lypsinka) has done his very best to refresh the play with some new jokes and current pop references...but the entire cast knows it is a stinker and occasionally they slyly state this throughout the performance letting the audience in on the joke and taking the sting away from the sluggish play. That being said, watching Charles and Lypsinka duke it out on stage was wonderfully entertaining. Lypsinka looked lovely and thin in a gorgeous purple dress accented by oodles of diamonds and a fur cape. And Charles can command the stage [to the degree that] everyone leaves satisfied.
Sadly Whoppi Goldberg called in sick due to the flu.
All in all the event was a huge success and raised lots of money for Friends In Deed-The Crisis Center For Life Threatening Illness. Besides that we were witness to history: this was the first time that the play 'Legends!' was every performed on a NYC Stage. Hopefully it will be the last."
I guess this is what is called a mixed review! But I smell the bitter odor of sour grapes. And the onstage character is not a playwright, but a producer.
Another person who is a culture maven, and is someone I know and have socialized with, apparently got himself a free ticket (to a benefit) and then wrote about the event. I didn't read his "review" but I'm told he supports the cast but finds the play unsalvageable, racist and internally homophobic. I can understand why he thinks the play is unsalvageable (we all knew going in that the play has that reputation; that was one of our selling points!) and racist (all the characters are archetypes -- the sassy black housekeeper, the bitchy movie star, the goody two-shoes, the conniving producer, etc.), but I'm not sure about the "internally homophobic." I'm curious to know how he justifies that. (I haven't actually read his comments; they were reported to me by Michael B., the publicist for the event.)
And he left out misogynist! Many people think drag is inherently misogynist, and they are usually women. But let me point out that Gloria Steinem (who probably wouldn't remember this) told me she enjoyed my act because it was a sendup of the kind of behavior she was encouraged to display when growing up.
Some theatre people also think if you read the good reviews, you have to read the bad ones too. Here are some of the quotes from emails I received:
From a legit online theatre critic (full disclosure - I've known him for over 30 years), major-publication-journalist, and memoirist: "You were genius last night. Congrats on LEGENDS! .. you were amazing and funny and even a bit moving at times ... I loved the way you were able to underplay and be outrageously funny all at the same time. So proud of you. And it was a good cause too."
The artistic director of a downtown theatre: "John, last night was so SWELL! What a truly great night for a bad play. There were times I was laughing so hard I almost wet my pants - your entrance for example. And then when Charles flubbed up the lines toward the end. I hope you all were having as much fun as it seemed you were having. It was one of those magical NYC evenings I dreamed of when I was growing up in the Midwest."
An Off Broadway director (and good pal of Charles B.): "Congratulations to you on on a wonderful evening! Just stellar work. Your performance was absolutely pitch perfect -- delicious, hilarious and touching -- and your adaptation of Mr. Kirkwood's play was just scrumptious. You looked absolutely stunning, and it's always a thrill to get to see you play a role as well as give us a taste of of your peerless lip-syncing. Thank you for rescuing this play and getting it on a New York stage. I nearly got to see it lo those many years ago with Misses Martin and Channing but missed the booking by a week. I am so happy to have gotten to see it at last with Busch and Lypsinka. Aren't we all!!!"
Famous playwright: "Well, congrats on an evening of great fun. You can't say they didn't fall for you -- especially on your entrance. I think a good time was had by all. I thought the costumes were wonderful. Of course, the absence of Whoopi was disappointing, but in the end...you and Charles were the show. Supporting cast first rate. Dancing birthdaygram was a big hit. Bryan Batt fine. Fran Liebowitz was a surprising theatre pro and got her laughs! And one should give credit to the understudy, too. She seemed secure and didn't throw you or Charles ever. Christine was great in warming us up to her."
A friend who works in the "display" world: "john!!!!! i saw the show last night!
the show was such fun-i laughed and laughed-you looked amazing, and your moment
of dance and lip-synching was electrifying as always-god, you're great!
so happy to see you on stage again-your energy with charles was awesome."
A friend in the graphic design business: "Sorry I wasn't able to let you know sufficiently [last night] about how much I enjoyed myself and how good 'Legends!' was. Wow--I hope it gets a second life! There was so much dialogue I'd like to ponder over, and so many lines that had me absolutely doubled over. I must also say that Bryan Batt was wonderful. The Brad Pitt call and the hash brownie routine were priceless! Your entrance alone was worth the price of admission. And your ad lib when Charles stole your line. That was a brilliant moment."
Broadway and TV actress: "Thank you for your wonderful, TRUE, touchingly hilarious performance and presence. I had such a delicious time. At last I have had a glimpse of Lypsinka...I love her almost as much as I love you!!!"
Stage manager friend: "I don't think there could have possibly been any more applause on Lyp's entrance. And you looked gorgeous! Everyone else in the cast was wonderful. Truly a great evening of theater. My dear friend, Wayne, came to see the show and this is from an email he sent me yesterday: 'I had never seen Lypsinka perform before. Amazing!! Please tell him that she was hilarious and...I am now a total fan. A very smart performer, no? She balanced the line of being in the apartment and on stage so hilariously.' I couldn't agree more with his statement. Bravo to you, John, and brava to La Lyp!!"
From an employee of the managing office that handles the building I live in: "Well, I can certainly understand why the play never got to Broadway - what a clunker. Of course, refreshed with your input, and the casting, the evening was totally delightful. Thank you for sharing the fun!"
An African-American friend who works at a museum and has written some non-fiction works about popular culture: "let me be the first to congratulate you. the play was a success--everyone loved it (and the reporter in me was, most certainly, listening). i'm so proud of you for pulling this off. whoopi who? this was YOUR baby and i appreciate and respect all the hard work you put into it--and you even had a musical number--YOU BLACK BITCH!!! (yes you--not whoopi's understudy!--who, by the way, was fantastic.) the play had everything: sex, comedy, bitchiness, a dance number, a striptease, a pot-induced breakdown, a carol burnett show-like audience pleasing moment when you all stepped out of character--'she did that in every rehearsal,' and a musical finale. bravo!"
From Charles Busch: "It really was a great night. You should be very proud of yourself as writer and actor. You really did a great job in both roles. I'm very glad you involved me."
Friday, March 27, 2009
March 27, 2009
I am listening to The Grand Canyon Suite and hope to finish here tonight what took place Monday and Tuesday.
As usual, I was the last one out of the theatre. It always takes me awhile to get off the makeup and pack it up, and all the other gear. Fortunately, I had Rodd Sovar to help me. Friends In Deed had got a donation from a car service called Attitude, so I was able to put all my bags in the car while I went to the party. I don't do well at parties like that, so I admit I had a Maredsous ale from Belgium to make me more of a "people person."
At the party Michael Borowski was waiting for me. Libba Wilkes and her daughter Alexandra were also at the front door. They had come up from Mississippi to see the show, but I had told them in advance that I probably wouldn't be able to talk to them much at the party. I introduced Libba to David Zippel and his partner. Michael B. pointed me towards Ken Kleiber and I did an on-camera interview with him. Due to the powerful ale and the headiness of the whole thing, a lot of the party is blurry. I chatted with Elisa Lefkowitz, the literary executor of the Kirkwood estate, and Arthur Beckenstein, the beneficiary. Both of them were pleased and excited. Arthur's partner was also pumped, and a friend of theirs from Buenos Aires was very effusive about the evening. Cy O'Neal was there; John Kelly, too. I was re-introduced to Ultra Violet who I hadn't seen for 20 years. Michael then pushed me toward a New York Magazine reporter who was doing a story about the party.
I got home very late (the car had to make a detour coming down Seventh Avenue) but I was too wired to go to sleep immediately. So I watched the end of the finale of RuPaul's Drag Race! I found out from Charles the next day that he was up until after 4 am. I fell asleep at 3, but woke up at 6!
Biff Liff, agent for the estate, called about 11:20 Tuesday morning to tell me how much he enjoyed the evening, and that he would speak with Elisa and Arthur.
I stumbled through the day, receiving calls and answering emails, and did take a nap at 4 pm for one hour. I could have gone longer, but knew I needed to get back on a regular schedule, so I made myself stay awake. At 7:30 I left my apartment to walk to Orso where I had dinner with Libba, Alexandra and Fabio. We were there for over 3 hours! We had a lot of fun yakking and eating.
J.C. McClatchy was there by himself reading a book at a nearby table. I had met him before, and our eyes met, but I wasn't sure he remembered me, so I didn't say hello. He left, and then Gloria Steinem sat at his table! She was with 2 women, one of whom I met at "33 Variations" and was told at the time that she was Ms. Steinem's best friend.
"Guys and Dolls" must have had an early curtain, because Craig Bierko arrived for dinner with friends at the table next to ours.
During the day, I was hearing about all the celebs at the show the night before: Stephen Sondheim, Joel Schumacher, Liz Smith, Michael Kors, etc. And someone mentioned a visually stunning redhead, but no one knew who she was.
Well, there at Orso, in walked a visually stunning redhead, and all heads turned and a hush came over the place. I told Libba, Alexandra and Fabio about the redhead I had heard about the night before, and maybe that was her! I dared Alexandra to go to her table and ask if she was at the show the night before. Alexandra did, and it turned out to be Barbara Flood who was a model in the 1960s and was one of the investors caught up in the Bernie Madoff mess!
Fabio and I walked Libba and Alexandra to 34th and 7th and then put them in a cab to 34th and Lex. Fabio and I walked to my place, and said goodnight.
Wow! What an incredible last few days. As a Facebook friend of mine said (quoting Susan Hayward in the movie "Valley of the Dolls") we really rolled with the punches on Monday!
As usual, I was the last one out of the theatre. It always takes me awhile to get off the makeup and pack it up, and all the other gear. Fortunately, I had Rodd Sovar to help me. Friends In Deed had got a donation from a car service called Attitude, so I was able to put all my bags in the car while I went to the party. I don't do well at parties like that, so I admit I had a Maredsous ale from Belgium to make me more of a "people person."
At the party Michael Borowski was waiting for me. Libba Wilkes and her daughter Alexandra were also at the front door. They had come up from Mississippi to see the show, but I had told them in advance that I probably wouldn't be able to talk to them much at the party. I introduced Libba to David Zippel and his partner. Michael B. pointed me towards Ken Kleiber and I did an on-camera interview with him. Due to the powerful ale and the headiness of the whole thing, a lot of the party is blurry. I chatted with Elisa Lefkowitz, the literary executor of the Kirkwood estate, and Arthur Beckenstein, the beneficiary. Both of them were pleased and excited. Arthur's partner was also pumped, and a friend of theirs from Buenos Aires was very effusive about the evening. Cy O'Neal was there; John Kelly, too. I was re-introduced to Ultra Violet who I hadn't seen for 20 years. Michael then pushed me toward a New York Magazine reporter who was doing a story about the party.
I got home very late (the car had to make a detour coming down Seventh Avenue) but I was too wired to go to sleep immediately. So I watched the end of the finale of RuPaul's Drag Race! I found out from Charles the next day that he was up until after 4 am. I fell asleep at 3, but woke up at 6!
Biff Liff, agent for the estate, called about 11:20 Tuesday morning to tell me how much he enjoyed the evening, and that he would speak with Elisa and Arthur.
I stumbled through the day, receiving calls and answering emails, and did take a nap at 4 pm for one hour. I could have gone longer, but knew I needed to get back on a regular schedule, so I made myself stay awake. At 7:30 I left my apartment to walk to Orso where I had dinner with Libba, Alexandra and Fabio. We were there for over 3 hours! We had a lot of fun yakking and eating.
J.C. McClatchy was there by himself reading a book at a nearby table. I had met him before, and our eyes met, but I wasn't sure he remembered me, so I didn't say hello. He left, and then Gloria Steinem sat at his table! She was with 2 women, one of whom I met at "33 Variations" and was told at the time that she was Ms. Steinem's best friend.
"Guys and Dolls" must have had an early curtain, because Craig Bierko arrived for dinner with friends at the table next to ours.
During the day, I was hearing about all the celebs at the show the night before: Stephen Sondheim, Joel Schumacher, Liz Smith, Michael Kors, etc. And someone mentioned a visually stunning redhead, but no one knew who she was.
Well, there at Orso, in walked a visually stunning redhead, and all heads turned and a hush came over the place. I told Libba, Alexandra and Fabio about the redhead I had heard about the night before, and maybe that was her! I dared Alexandra to go to her table and ask if she was at the show the night before. Alexandra did, and it turned out to be Barbara Flood who was a model in the 1960s and was one of the investors caught up in the Bernie Madoff mess!
Fabio and I walked Libba and Alexandra to 34th and 7th and then put them in a cab to 34th and Lex. Fabio and I walked to my place, and said goodnight.
Wow! What an incredible last few days. As a Facebook friend of mine said (quoting Susan Hayward in the movie "Valley of the Dolls") we really rolled with the punches on Monday!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
March 26, 2009
After much adrenaline and not much sleep, I have come out of my fog to deliver the post-mortem.
For those who have wondered, Cheyenne Jackson had hoped to play the role of The Policeman (not the stripper) but had to bow out a few days before the show because of his commitments to "Finian's Rainbow" at City Center that starts tonight. So Mark Waldrop got Todd DuBail to play The Policeman and he was excellent. (Todd can be seen here in the first photo on this link. Wow!) Dashaun Young, sweet and sexy, played Boom-Boom the stripper. Dashaun is currently playing Simba in "The Lion King" on Broadway.
Monday morning I got the word that Whoopi was sick and would not be appearing on The View that day, and would try to get to the theatre at 6:30 p.m. (Rehearsal was scheduled onstage at 1:00 p.m. Dinner break was scheduled for 6 to 7. House open at 7:30.) I didn't see how this could work, and found it disheartening. But when I thought about the fact that Lisa Estridge, Whoopi's "rehearsal proxy," was well-rehearsed, and that the costumes could be altered to fit her, I took heart again.
I couldn't find my cell phone that morning, so I wasn't hearing from the car service. They had my land line number but weren't using it for whatever reason. I did finally hear from them and arrived at the theatre about seven minutes late. But because of the construction across the street, and the fact that the driver wasn't thinking fast enough, he wasn't able to stop in front of the theatre and had to drive all the way around the block again. Then when he got to the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street he couldn't make a left turn! So he went east several yards and made a U-turn that was probably illegal. I got to the theatre at 12:15 and thankfully Kimothy Cruise was waiting for me and helped me with all my stuff. (If I didn't have so much stuff to transport, car service or taxi wouldn't be necessary.)
Charles was already in the dressing room. I unpacked my things and we started putting on our microphones with the help of a very nice sound guy named Andy who works with Matt Berman. That was all easy enough. Dashaun rehearsed his number at 1 p.m. and they were ready for us at 1:30 as scheduled, with Charles, Bryan and me in costume. We started at the beginning and steadily worked our way through the show. Around 4 pm we got the word that Whoopi would not be doing the show and Lisa was taken downstairs for the alterations. We continued to work without her and when it was time to stage the bows, she was brought back wearing her first dress inside out because that's the way they were marking and pinning it for the alterations (she's smaller than Whoopi). The bows were staged and the only thing left to do was for me to rehearse my number (Charles was to have a number, too, but he decided to cut it).
There was a sound problem that had to be worked out, and I saw Roma Torre and Donna Karger waiting in the audience, so I introduced myself to them. Donna and I had met briefly before; she's very shy. And very chic in person. Tiny and thin like a model. Roma is also a very lovely woman, and not shy at all. These two ladies were part of the surprises we had planned. They both appear on a popular theatre program on the local cable television news channel we have in New York called NY1. It's on channel 1 on Time Warner Cable, and their show is called "Onstage." Donna is the host of "Onstage" and Roma is a theatre critic. I'm going to brag and say it was my idea to have Donna come onto the stage at the end of intermission and make the usual kind of introduction she makes on "Onstage" and then introduce Roma who would give her fake review of the first act of "Legends!" Her fake review would segue into a pitch for Friends In Deed. This all worked beautifully, and the next day NY1 ran a short segment about it that you can see right here. It's amazing how the media loves to feed off of, and plug, itself!
The sound was fixed. I rehearsed my number with the sound and the follow spot (that I had to put my foot down repeatedly to get, behavior I hate to have to exhibit; I wasn't raised to stick up for myself and it doesn't come easily to me) and then it was time for a bite to eat a little after 5:30.
In the dressing room, Louis Braun the makeup guy had set himself up. Just before 6 we started makeup. I didn't like the eyelashes Louis put on me; they were too severe and not appropriate for the character, so I made him change them. He wasn't happy. Again, something I shouldn't have to go through, but what's right for the show is right for the show.
Gerard Kelly arrived with the wig at 7 and it looked nice. He had added some more copper highlights at my request and seemed to have washed and freshened it so it didn't look like it had too much product in it. We put the microphone under it and Gerard styled it, and that was done.
Lisa was sent to Louis and I wasn't in the room when he did her makeup. He made her look very nice (I had never seen Lisa without her eyeglasses, or wearing any makeup, and she had always had her hair pulled back in a pony tail) but he had put glitter on her eyelids. That was totally wrong, because she has to be able to fool Leatrice into thinking she works for Sylvia, and it's just another day at work. So the glitter was removed. With her wig and costume, Lisa looked spectacular. It was like a Cinderella moment. She said she was ready to throw up, but she was smiling the whole time. I think she was loving it, and later on one of the dressers told me Lisa was very excited. I told her she was a pro, and she would be fine, and she was all that, and more. She was just great! Read about her success here from Playbill.com.
Christine Ebersole was already planning to come to the show and I think it was Michael Borowski's idea to have Christine go onstage and let the audience know that Whoopi wouldn't be there. There were signs on the front doors of the theatre teling the public that Whoopi would not be there, and plenty of buzz in the lobby about the fact, but it was important to make an announcement. Christine also encouraged the audience to be supportive of Lisa, and they were. She got an ovation when she appeared.
Fran Lebowitz was the narrator of the show, she got her laughs I'm told at the beginning of the evening. I was in the dressing room (my character doesn't appear for about 15 or 20 minutes) so I wasn't able to hear everything. But I couldn't stand it any longer so I went down to the wings to hear what was working, and what might not. I heard Bryan getting laughs and when Charles made his interest the show really started to cook and I was very proud. Proud of my own work, and proud to hear Kirkwood's text finally getting New York laughs.
Charles and I were both shaking onstage, filled with adrenaline and nerves, but I tried to keep my performance cool and not push. I hope I succeeded. Dashaun of course got a huge ovation; he and the choreographer Josh Rhodes did fine jobs.
During intermission the hair and makeup people freshened us and Patrick McMullan and Bruce Glikas came backstage to get photos of all of us: Christine, Charles, Lisa, Bryan, Todd, Dashaun, Fran, Donna, Roma, Mark, Josh and me. See Patrick's photos here. His associate took the production photos. See Bruce's photos here.
I think we were more relaxed during the second act, but, as Charles says, the play is a souffle that you have to work hard to keep light. The audience was response was enormous and the event was pure showmanship thanks to the director Mark Waldrop and others.
More photos were taken afterwards (with Fabio Toblini the costume designer and Ray Klausen the set designer) and there was a weird autograph hound who got backstage. Bored with that, I decided it was time to get out of all the trappings and face packing up. I'm going to publish this post now, and finish the rest of the evening and the event of the next day later on. Maybe later today. Thanks to everyone who attended the show, or were interested in it!
For those who have wondered, Cheyenne Jackson had hoped to play the role of The Policeman (not the stripper) but had to bow out a few days before the show because of his commitments to "Finian's Rainbow" at City Center that starts tonight. So Mark Waldrop got Todd DuBail to play The Policeman and he was excellent. (Todd can be seen here in the first photo on this link. Wow!) Dashaun Young, sweet and sexy, played Boom-Boom the stripper. Dashaun is currently playing Simba in "The Lion King" on Broadway.
Monday morning I got the word that Whoopi was sick and would not be appearing on The View that day, and would try to get to the theatre at 6:30 p.m. (Rehearsal was scheduled onstage at 1:00 p.m. Dinner break was scheduled for 6 to 7. House open at 7:30.) I didn't see how this could work, and found it disheartening. But when I thought about the fact that Lisa Estridge, Whoopi's "rehearsal proxy," was well-rehearsed, and that the costumes could be altered to fit her, I took heart again.
I couldn't find my cell phone that morning, so I wasn't hearing from the car service. They had my land line number but weren't using it for whatever reason. I did finally hear from them and arrived at the theatre about seven minutes late. But because of the construction across the street, and the fact that the driver wasn't thinking fast enough, he wasn't able to stop in front of the theatre and had to drive all the way around the block again. Then when he got to the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street he couldn't make a left turn! So he went east several yards and made a U-turn that was probably illegal. I got to the theatre at 12:15 and thankfully Kimothy Cruise was waiting for me and helped me with all my stuff. (If I didn't have so much stuff to transport, car service or taxi wouldn't be necessary.)
Charles was already in the dressing room. I unpacked my things and we started putting on our microphones with the help of a very nice sound guy named Andy who works with Matt Berman. That was all easy enough. Dashaun rehearsed his number at 1 p.m. and they were ready for us at 1:30 as scheduled, with Charles, Bryan and me in costume. We started at the beginning and steadily worked our way through the show. Around 4 pm we got the word that Whoopi would not be doing the show and Lisa was taken downstairs for the alterations. We continued to work without her and when it was time to stage the bows, she was brought back wearing her first dress inside out because that's the way they were marking and pinning it for the alterations (she's smaller than Whoopi). The bows were staged and the only thing left to do was for me to rehearse my number (Charles was to have a number, too, but he decided to cut it).
There was a sound problem that had to be worked out, and I saw Roma Torre and Donna Karger waiting in the audience, so I introduced myself to them. Donna and I had met briefly before; she's very shy. And very chic in person. Tiny and thin like a model. Roma is also a very lovely woman, and not shy at all. These two ladies were part of the surprises we had planned. They both appear on a popular theatre program on the local cable television news channel we have in New York called NY1. It's on channel 1 on Time Warner Cable, and their show is called "Onstage." Donna is the host of "Onstage" and Roma is a theatre critic. I'm going to brag and say it was my idea to have Donna come onto the stage at the end of intermission and make the usual kind of introduction she makes on "Onstage" and then introduce Roma who would give her fake review of the first act of "Legends!" Her fake review would segue into a pitch for Friends In Deed. This all worked beautifully, and the next day NY1 ran a short segment about it that you can see right here. It's amazing how the media loves to feed off of, and plug, itself!
The sound was fixed. I rehearsed my number with the sound and the follow spot (that I had to put my foot down repeatedly to get, behavior I hate to have to exhibit; I wasn't raised to stick up for myself and it doesn't come easily to me) and then it was time for a bite to eat a little after 5:30.
In the dressing room, Louis Braun the makeup guy had set himself up. Just before 6 we started makeup. I didn't like the eyelashes Louis put on me; they were too severe and not appropriate for the character, so I made him change them. He wasn't happy. Again, something I shouldn't have to go through, but what's right for the show is right for the show.
Gerard Kelly arrived with the wig at 7 and it looked nice. He had added some more copper highlights at my request and seemed to have washed and freshened it so it didn't look like it had too much product in it. We put the microphone under it and Gerard styled it, and that was done.
Lisa was sent to Louis and I wasn't in the room when he did her makeup. He made her look very nice (I had never seen Lisa without her eyeglasses, or wearing any makeup, and she had always had her hair pulled back in a pony tail) but he had put glitter on her eyelids. That was totally wrong, because she has to be able to fool Leatrice into thinking she works for Sylvia, and it's just another day at work. So the glitter was removed. With her wig and costume, Lisa looked spectacular. It was like a Cinderella moment. She said she was ready to throw up, but she was smiling the whole time. I think she was loving it, and later on one of the dressers told me Lisa was very excited. I told her she was a pro, and she would be fine, and she was all that, and more. She was just great! Read about her success here from Playbill.com.
Christine Ebersole was already planning to come to the show and I think it was Michael Borowski's idea to have Christine go onstage and let the audience know that Whoopi wouldn't be there. There were signs on the front doors of the theatre teling the public that Whoopi would not be there, and plenty of buzz in the lobby about the fact, but it was important to make an announcement. Christine also encouraged the audience to be supportive of Lisa, and they were. She got an ovation when she appeared.
Fran Lebowitz was the narrator of the show, she got her laughs I'm told at the beginning of the evening. I was in the dressing room (my character doesn't appear for about 15 or 20 minutes) so I wasn't able to hear everything. But I couldn't stand it any longer so I went down to the wings to hear what was working, and what might not. I heard Bryan getting laughs and when Charles made his interest the show really started to cook and I was very proud. Proud of my own work, and proud to hear Kirkwood's text finally getting New York laughs.
Charles and I were both shaking onstage, filled with adrenaline and nerves, but I tried to keep my performance cool and not push. I hope I succeeded. Dashaun of course got a huge ovation; he and the choreographer Josh Rhodes did fine jobs.
During intermission the hair and makeup people freshened us and Patrick McMullan and Bruce Glikas came backstage to get photos of all of us: Christine, Charles, Lisa, Bryan, Todd, Dashaun, Fran, Donna, Roma, Mark, Josh and me. See Patrick's photos here. His associate took the production photos. See Bruce's photos here.
I think we were more relaxed during the second act, but, as Charles says, the play is a souffle that you have to work hard to keep light. The audience was response was enormous and the event was pure showmanship thanks to the director Mark Waldrop and others.
More photos were taken afterwards (with Fabio Toblini the costume designer and Ray Klausen the set designer) and there was a weird autograph hound who got backstage. Bored with that, I decided it was time to get out of all the trappings and face packing up. I'm going to publish this post now, and finish the rest of the evening and the event of the next day later on. Maybe later today. Thanks to everyone who attended the show, or were interested in it!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
March 22, 2009
I hardly spoke yesterday to save my voice.
Another long rehearsal today. I walked to the Friends In Deed space, and then I wore that tight costume for hours! The show is tighter, too. Charles and I seem to know what we're doing.
We'd been rehearsing the cast couple of times with the furniture for the show. At 6 the stage managers arrived and taped it all up for moving it to the theatre tomorrow. Darrin Maurer showed up for that.
Bryan has a cold. (I just sneezed; that reminded me; I seem to have allergies.) But he's still doing a fine job.
We staged the finale. The choreographer Josh Rhodes was there for that. Turns out I worked with Josh years ago on a number that we were going to do at Wigstock, which got cancelled that year for some reason I've forgotten. City problems, I think. Could have been 96. Anyway, we did some of the show, including my number, at The Palladium that year and called the event Wig-Not. And, of course, now The Palladium is gone.
I walked home from Friends In Deed. Picked up things for the dressing room.
When I got home, Fabio Toblini, the costume designer for the event, had sent me this photo of himself holding my Oscar prop.
Another friend in Mississippi sent this Mardi Gras costume winner. Very funny!
Another long rehearsal today. I walked to the Friends In Deed space, and then I wore that tight costume for hours! The show is tighter, too. Charles and I seem to know what we're doing.
We'd been rehearsing the cast couple of times with the furniture for the show. At 6 the stage managers arrived and taped it all up for moving it to the theatre tomorrow. Darrin Maurer showed up for that.
Bryan has a cold. (I just sneezed; that reminded me; I seem to have allergies.) But he's still doing a fine job.
We staged the finale. The choreographer Josh Rhodes was there for that. Turns out I worked with Josh years ago on a number that we were going to do at Wigstock, which got cancelled that year for some reason I've forgotten. City problems, I think. Could have been 96. Anyway, we did some of the show, including my number, at The Palladium that year and called the event Wig-Not. And, of course, now The Palladium is gone.
I walked home from Friends In Deed. Picked up things for the dressing room.
When I got home, Fabio Toblini, the costume designer for the event, had sent me this photo of himself holding my Oscar prop.
Another friend in Mississippi sent this Mardi Gras costume winner. Very funny!
Friday, March 20, 2009
March 20, 2009
Long rehearsal today at the Friends In Deed space. 10 am to 5:30 pm. Whoopi arrived at 10 and spent a couple of hours writing down her blocking (I hope she remembers it!) and asking some questions about the script.
The costumes arrived after lunch and we started at the top of the play (sans Whoopi) and put in the character of Boom-Boom.
We also rehearsed the character of the policeman. We worked all the way to the end.
After everyone else had left, Mark Waldrop, Charles and the sound people and I stayed behind to clean up some things.
I'm pooped.
Here is the Gay City News article. I don't understand the last sentence!
The costumes arrived after lunch and we started at the top of the play (sans Whoopi) and put in the character of Boom-Boom.
We also rehearsed the character of the policeman. We worked all the way to the end.
After everyone else had left, Mark Waldrop, Charles and the sound people and I stayed behind to clean up some things.
I'm pooped.
Here is the Gay City News article. I don't understand the last sentence!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March 19, 2009
We had a great rehearsal today from 11 am to 3 pm. Bryan Batt was there and we did his big scene in the second act. We finished staging the show, then started from the top of Act One and went all the way through it. We had the fur cape there, so I was able to work with that. It's enormous!
After the rehearsal I went to a fitting at Eric Winterling. They have now fixed my first dress. They are pleased. I am pleased. And Fabio is pleased. Eric was in a fine mood. The lady who made the dress was impressed that I know how to stand like a 50s fashion model. The second dress is also finished and looks great. The lady who made that one was also excited.
I called Fran Lebowitz to go over her rehearsal schedule. The stage manager calls her and leaves messages, but she screens the call and doesn't talk to him or call him back. She picks up for me. And she was crabbing every step of the way. But I am still fond of her.
Michael Borowski sent this, below. It will be in The New York Times on Sunday. I suppose The Blade article and Gay City News will be out tomorrow.
After the rehearsal I went to a fitting at Eric Winterling. They have now fixed my first dress. They are pleased. I am pleased. And Fabio is pleased. Eric was in a fine mood. The lady who made the dress was impressed that I know how to stand like a 50s fashion model. The second dress is also finished and looks great. The lady who made that one was also excited.
I called Fran Lebowitz to go over her rehearsal schedule. The stage manager calls her and leaves messages, but she screens the call and doesn't talk to him or call him back. She picks up for me. And she was crabbing every step of the way. But I am still fond of her.
Michael Borowski sent this, below. It will be in The New York Times on Sunday. I suppose The Blade article and Gay City News will be out tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
March 18, 2009
This morning I went to a rehearsal involving one of the other "Legends!" cast members. This particular performance is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
I finished transferring my stage directions from the old script to the new, larger type script.
My friend Sean Krebs sent me this photo collage from the Spring V Magazine issue (V is part of Visionaire; it's a very luxurious fashion magazine.) The collage features Linda Evangelista, Lady Bunny, me and a bunch of other kooks at their Xmas party.
I finished transferring my stage directions from the old script to the new, larger type script.
My friend Sean Krebs sent me this photo collage from the Spring V Magazine issue (V is part of Visionaire; it's a very luxurious fashion magazine.) The collage features Linda Evangelista, Lady Bunny, me and a bunch of other kooks at their Xmas party.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
March 17, 2009
Broadway World published an article about sweet Bryan.
Next Magazine wrote about me and one of my favorite restaurants.
I went to Friends In Deed to pick up my copy of the blown-up script and started transcribing my stage directions from the one I've been using to this new one.
Whoopi had her fitting with Fabio and Rosi from Studio Rouge and Fabio says it went very well. All the costumes fit, and Rosi will now do her last-minute alterations such as the hemlines.
Next Magazine wrote about me and one of my favorite restaurants.
I went to Friends In Deed to pick up my copy of the blown-up script and started transcribing my stage directions from the one I've been using to this new one.
Whoopi had her fitting with Fabio and Rosi from Studio Rouge and Fabio says it went very well. All the costumes fit, and Rosi will now do her last-minute alterations such as the hemlines.
Monday, March 16, 2009
March 16, 2009
We had another rehearsal today at the Friends In Deed space. We got into the 2nd act.
Also today afterelton.com printed this well-composed interview.
And Time Out put this article on their blog.
The staging, and the gimmicks and the schtick we are going over in rehearsal are a lot for only one night! It's ALL a lot for one night. Well, we do have commercial producers coming the to show.
Now my computer is letting me put photos again. Weird! But I'm not complaining. Here's a photo Christine Ebersole and I took Saturday night in her dressing room at The Shubert where "Blithe Spirit" is playing. I must send my gal pal a Facebook message telling her again how much we enjoyed the show. Be sure and catch it if you're in NYC!
Also today afterelton.com printed this well-composed interview.
And Time Out put this article on their blog.
The staging, and the gimmicks and the schtick we are going over in rehearsal are a lot for only one night! It's ALL a lot for one night. Well, we do have commercial producers coming the to show.
Now my computer is letting me put photos again. Weird! But I'm not complaining. Here's a photo Christine Ebersole and I took Saturday night in her dressing room at The Shubert where "Blithe Spirit" is playing. I must send my gal pal a Facebook message telling her again how much we enjoyed the show. Be sure and catch it if you're in NYC!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Befuddled
I don't understand why the internet security system on my computer is not letting me put any new images on this blog. It also isn't showing (on my computer) any of the old images. I apologize. I'll have to figure this out. Very strange. I must check to see if the various links in the text of the blog are working.
March 15, 2009
Friday during the day there were emails to answer regarding "Legends!" and at 4:15 I went to what may be my last costume fitting. Eric Winterling said they will have to tweak the first costume a lot more and will be taking it apart and putting it back together. So I may have to go back for another fitting of that dress. The second costume fits really well. Beautifully made. I was very impressed, although I shouldn't be since they do excellent work.
I came back home (Eric's atelier is just around the corner) and went over the first act of my script.
The actor who dropped out (after Monday, May 23rd, I'll put here who it was) was replaced by someone I don't know, but that's okay. Mark Waldrop knows him.
At 7:30 I met Lily Tomlin, Denny Dillon, Vivian Schneider and her partner Ruth at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre on 49th St. Vivian is Lily's attorney and also her stage manager when they travel around to do her one-woman show. As soon as Lily walked into the theatre several women almost pounced on her and engaged her in an intense conversation. Lily wanted me to take charge so I got Vivian, Denny and Ruth to their seats and then went back to the area behind the orchestra to keep an eye on Lily and get her to her seat. She was disappointed she didn't get to have a drink before the show, a tradition she likes. But she and Denny and I had something wet during the intermission. Lily was very moved by a tableau in the play when Jane Fonda leans against the man playing Beethoven.
At the end of the show the security guard named John came to our seats to usher us through the "pass door" backstage. We were taken to Jane Fonda's dressing room (Lily calls her "Fonda," perhaps to differentiate between Jane Wagner) where Jane was wearing a "33 Variations" baseball cap and greeted everyone who came back, including people who somehow got back with no connection. We were hoping she would go to Orso with us, but as it turns out she already had plans to go there with her son and his wife and some other friends. Click here to read her version. The blog post is called "Friends and Family."
At Orso we bumped into Jack O'Brien and Edmund White. They didn't know about "Legends!" and promised they would come.
Jane arrived with her party and sat at the next table. It was fun to yell back and forth to her table. Jane had covered her hair with some kind of snood (it seems both her hairstyles in the play are wigs) and after an hour she put on thick dark sunglasses. That was glamorous if alienating in the dark, back area of Orso that was close to empty. Lily gave her a postcard for "Legends!" and urged her to come. We left the restaurant at 1 am. These gals like to party!
It was great fun to be near Jane in the theatre district if, for no other reason, this clip. A great movie! Check it out! I'm fairly certain "Bree Daniels" lived in Hell's Kitchen near the theatre district.
On Saturday I spent some time going over the script again and answering emails. In the evening I met my friend Stanley at The Shubert to see "Blithe Spirit." Christine Ebersole had kindly arranged out tickets. We bumped into Michael Musto and Brian Belovitch there, and also Jane Klain from the Museum of Television and Radio that apparently has a new name. I also spotted Phyllis Newman in the auditorium but didn't get a chance to say hello. I had already greeted Phyllis at "33 Variations" the first time I saw it. That Phyllis gets around!
"Blithe Spirit" was loads of fun. All the actors fine. Lovely production. Christine was great, of course, and Lansbury is deeply loved and milks every moment she can. Stanley and I went backstage to say hello to Christine (also waiting to see someone was one of the actors who played one of the asylum inmates in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest") and saw her adorable dressing room that she has decorated to make homey. She has a monitor and DVD player and had watched "Milk" between shows that day.
I came back home (Eric's atelier is just around the corner) and went over the first act of my script.
The actor who dropped out (after Monday, May 23rd, I'll put here who it was) was replaced by someone I don't know, but that's okay. Mark Waldrop knows him.
At 7:30 I met Lily Tomlin, Denny Dillon, Vivian Schneider and her partner Ruth at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre on 49th St. Vivian is Lily's attorney and also her stage manager when they travel around to do her one-woman show. As soon as Lily walked into the theatre several women almost pounced on her and engaged her in an intense conversation. Lily wanted me to take charge so I got Vivian, Denny and Ruth to their seats and then went back to the area behind the orchestra to keep an eye on Lily and get her to her seat. She was disappointed she didn't get to have a drink before the show, a tradition she likes. But she and Denny and I had something wet during the intermission. Lily was very moved by a tableau in the play when Jane Fonda leans against the man playing Beethoven.
At the end of the show the security guard named John came to our seats to usher us through the "pass door" backstage. We were taken to Jane Fonda's dressing room (Lily calls her "Fonda," perhaps to differentiate between Jane Wagner) where Jane was wearing a "33 Variations" baseball cap and greeted everyone who came back, including people who somehow got back with no connection. We were hoping she would go to Orso with us, but as it turns out she already had plans to go there with her son and his wife and some other friends. Click here to read her version. The blog post is called "Friends and Family."
At Orso we bumped into Jack O'Brien and Edmund White. They didn't know about "Legends!" and promised they would come.
Jane arrived with her party and sat at the next table. It was fun to yell back and forth to her table. Jane had covered her hair with some kind of snood (it seems both her hairstyles in the play are wigs) and after an hour she put on thick dark sunglasses. That was glamorous if alienating in the dark, back area of Orso that was close to empty. Lily gave her a postcard for "Legends!" and urged her to come. We left the restaurant at 1 am. These gals like to party!
It was great fun to be near Jane in the theatre district if, for no other reason, this clip. A great movie! Check it out! I'm fairly certain "Bree Daniels" lived in Hell's Kitchen near the theatre district.
On Saturday I spent some time going over the script again and answering emails. In the evening I met my friend Stanley at The Shubert to see "Blithe Spirit." Christine Ebersole had kindly arranged out tickets. We bumped into Michael Musto and Brian Belovitch there, and also Jane Klain from the Museum of Television and Radio that apparently has a new name. I also spotted Phyllis Newman in the auditorium but didn't get a chance to say hello. I had already greeted Phyllis at "33 Variations" the first time I saw it. That Phyllis gets around!
"Blithe Spirit" was loads of fun. All the actors fine. Lovely production. Christine was great, of course, and Lansbury is deeply loved and milks every moment she can. Stanley and I went backstage to say hello to Christine (also waiting to see someone was one of the actors who played one of the asylum inmates in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest") and saw her adorable dressing room that she has decorated to make homey. She has a monitor and DVD player and had watched "Milk" between shows that day.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
March 12, 2009
Charles and I did a radio interview today with Frank De Caro and Ken whose last name I don't know, but his show is called "That's Kentertainment!" It was at the Sirius studios in the Time-Life building neighborhood. Michael Borowski, the publicist for "Legends!" met us there and we had a good time. I got back home to lots of emails, including one that contained this illustration by Ken Fallin of Lypsinka as Leatrice Monsee in "Legends!"
And just for the hell of it, here's a drawing of that big 'mo Abe Lincoln getting ready for...what? A tumble in the hay? (Sent me by DJ Bus Station John in San Francisco.)
And I may as well put this link to the New York Times' slide show of the incredible Alexander McQueen show in Paris.
And just for the hell of it, here's a drawing of that big 'mo Abe Lincoln getting ready for...what? A tumble in the hay? (Sent me by DJ Bus Station John in San Francisco.)
And I may as well put this link to the New York Times' slide show of the incredible Alexander McQueen show in Paris.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
March 11, 2009
Rehearsed at Henry Street Settlement Playhouse today from noon to 2. Finished blocking the first act, scene 2, and simplified a lot of the first part of that scene.
Went to the Union Square market and the gym on the way home.
When I got home I found out that we lost one of the actors! That's frustrating. But then my spirits lifted when Lily Tomlin called me to invite me to see Jane Fonda in "33 Variations." I told her I had already been (see below) but will go again. We will go with Lily's pal Vivian Schneider.
Then I rushed up to the Jacobs Theatre to meet my friend Howard who invited me to see "God Of Carnage." It was enjoyable. Hadn't been to that theatre since before its name was changed. It was fun to be in it again. Bumped into Sam Peabody out front. He's always so nice and supportive. And bless him for still enjoying going to the theatre. He knew about "Legends!" What a dear man.
Also saw the adorable Stuart Thompson there. He's one of the producers.
On the way home Howard and I bumped into Steven Weber on the subway train. Another super nice guy. Always friendly. We met on the movie "Jeffrey." (My scene was cut.) Steven is rehearsing "The Philanthropist" with Matthew Broderick for The Roundabout. Today was only the second day of his rehearsal.
Just for fun, here's a photo of the divine Faye.
Went to the Union Square market and the gym on the way home.
When I got home I found out that we lost one of the actors! That's frustrating. But then my spirits lifted when Lily Tomlin called me to invite me to see Jane Fonda in "33 Variations." I told her I had already been (see below) but will go again. We will go with Lily's pal Vivian Schneider.
Then I rushed up to the Jacobs Theatre to meet my friend Howard who invited me to see "God Of Carnage." It was enjoyable. Hadn't been to that theatre since before its name was changed. It was fun to be in it again. Bumped into Sam Peabody out front. He's always so nice and supportive. And bless him for still enjoying going to the theatre. He knew about "Legends!" What a dear man.
Also saw the adorable Stuart Thompson there. He's one of the producers.
On the way home Howard and I bumped into Steven Weber on the subway train. Another super nice guy. Always friendly. We met on the movie "Jeffrey." (My scene was cut.) Steven is rehearsing "The Philanthropist" with Matthew Broderick for The Roundabout. Today was only the second day of his rehearsal.
Just for fun, here's a photo of the divine Faye.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 10, 2009
Today we had our first day of actually blocking out scenes. We rehearsed onstage at the Henry Street Settlement Playhouse at the Abrons Arts Center, way east on Grand St. at the corner of Pitt St. It was great to be able to rehearse on a stage. We rehearsed from 12 to 2:15.
Before I went to rehearsal I did an interview with Edge. I don't know what Edge is! Is it a hard copy publication or only online? And is it New York or Boston? Anyway, I did it. The last question the interviewer asked me was, "What is your favorite bad movie?" I could only think of "Wicked Woman!" (See below.)
Right after the interview, just before I ran out the door, I called the Nederlander office to make sure Mr. Nederlander, Jr.'s assistant had the information about Mr. Nederlander's tickets.
After rehearsal I walked west on Grand St. through Chinatown and Little Italy and picked up a piece of salmon.
Back home there were emails to answer and exercises to do.
At 6:45 I showed up at a gay restaurant and bar called Ate Ave, on 8th Avenue...of course! Next Magazine was having one of their professional networking events there called NextWorks and they were promoting "Legends!" Lily Tomlin has told me how even she has to hustle to sell tickets for her show, so though I find it very difficult to go to events like this and be chatty with strangers, I did it. (A large Stella Artois on draft helped!) I handed out postcards, had my photo taken, talked with strangers, etc. The publicist Michael Borowski was there, and Robert McNamara and Michael Cohen from Friends In Deed. It was fairly painless, except it was very loud and I had to speak more loudly than I would like to. The sad news is that when I got home I saw that the ring I wear on my right hand - a gold wedding band that belonged to my step-grandfather - was missing. Maybe it came off when I took off a glove. And I hate to sound suspicious, but perhaps one of the people who shook my hand was a professional and slipped the ring off. I've never had trouble with my rings and winter gloves before. I didn't go back to the place, or try to call them. It was a madhouse. Maybe I'll call them tomorrow when they're not so busy. I would like to have the ring back, but I'm prepared to let it go. I still have my other two, and I put them away, not to wear them again, maybe! They have more sentimental value. A sour note to a day that should have been very nice. Well, it's only an object.
Before I went to rehearsal I did an interview with Edge. I don't know what Edge is! Is it a hard copy publication or only online? And is it New York or Boston? Anyway, I did it. The last question the interviewer asked me was, "What is your favorite bad movie?" I could only think of "Wicked Woman!" (See below.)
Right after the interview, just before I ran out the door, I called the Nederlander office to make sure Mr. Nederlander, Jr.'s assistant had the information about Mr. Nederlander's tickets.
After rehearsal I walked west on Grand St. through Chinatown and Little Italy and picked up a piece of salmon.
Back home there were emails to answer and exercises to do.
At 6:45 I showed up at a gay restaurant and bar called Ate Ave, on 8th Avenue...of course! Next Magazine was having one of their professional networking events there called NextWorks and they were promoting "Legends!" Lily Tomlin has told me how even she has to hustle to sell tickets for her show, so though I find it very difficult to go to events like this and be chatty with strangers, I did it. (A large Stella Artois on draft helped!) I handed out postcards, had my photo taken, talked with strangers, etc. The publicist Michael Borowski was there, and Robert McNamara and Michael Cohen from Friends In Deed. It was fairly painless, except it was very loud and I had to speak more loudly than I would like to. The sad news is that when I got home I saw that the ring I wear on my right hand - a gold wedding band that belonged to my step-grandfather - was missing. Maybe it came off when I took off a glove. And I hate to sound suspicious, but perhaps one of the people who shook my hand was a professional and slipped the ring off. I've never had trouble with my rings and winter gloves before. I didn't go back to the place, or try to call them. It was a madhouse. Maybe I'll call them tomorrow when they're not so busy. I would like to have the ring back, but I'm prepared to let it go. I still have my other two, and I put them away, not to wear them again, maybe! They have more sentimental value. A sour note to a day that should have been very nice. Well, it's only an object.
Monday, March 9, 2009
March 9, 2009
We had our first rehearsal today at the Friends In Deed space with Mark, Thomas the stage manager, Charles, Whoopi's rehearsal proxy Lisa, and myself. It was a table read only, but we got a lot done with the text. We also went to Harvestworks audio studio (in the same building as FID) to make the recordings heard on Klemmer's phone at the beginning of the play. Beside Charles and me, we had to record Cy O'Neal (one of the founders of FID) as a receptionist, Michael West (from Forbidden Broadway) as a movie star, and Mr. Jimmy Nederlander, Jr. as himself. Matt Berman and his asst. Rocky were there to help with this.
I went to the gym after rehearsal. When I got home I went over the changes we made in the script and send the new file to Thomas. Now we're trying to think of something we need for the script. Please leave your ideas in the comments section here. Here's what we're looking for: who is a really vapid, successful, young, female movie star today? We need The Andie MacDowell of 2009! The names I like the best so far are, in descending order: Sandra Bullock, Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway.
I went to the gym after rehearsal. When I got home I went over the changes we made in the script and send the new file to Thomas. Now we're trying to think of something we need for the script. Please leave your ideas in the comments section here. Here's what we're looking for: who is a really vapid, successful, young, female movie star today? We need The Andie MacDowell of 2009! The names I like the best so far are, in descending order: Sandra Bullock, Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway.
Friday, March 6, 2009
March 6, 2009
Interesting things have taken place. But I'm going to hold off for now.
Yesterday I did an interview with Michael Portantiere of afterelton.com. Today I was interviewed by Chris Byrne from Gay City News. When the articles are online I will post them here.
In the meantime, unrelated to "Legends!", Charles and I are quoted in an Advocate article by David Colman (my publicist in LA for "I Could Go On Lip-Synching!" in 1991) about the new Drew Barrymore/Jessica Lange movie "Grey Gardens" which has the same title as the famous documentary and Broadway musical, and is a feature film about the two Edies. Here is the article.
Last night I went to see Jane Fonda at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway in Moises Kaufman's Broadway play "33 Variations." It was thrilling to see her in the flesh! Jane was a teenage idol of mine, while growing up in Hazlehurst, Mississippi (pop. 4500). I have a memory of seeing "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" on my birthday when I was an adolescent, but maybe it was another day. Whatever day it was, it was a special occasion, and I felt terribly adult seeing this very mature, bleak film. (I connected melancholy with being adult.) I talked about this movie for months. I'm still talking about it! Although, now I have to say I think "Klute" is a superior movie and Jane is even better in it.
Another memory I have, is the 1972 presidential election. Or was it 68? Anyway, I was in high school, and all the students were too young to vote of course, but we staged a mock election. The results were read over the school intercom. It went something like this: "Hubert Humphrey, so-and-so number of votes. George McGovern, so-and-so number of votes. George Wallace, so-and-so number of votes. Stokeley Carmichael (a "write-in"), thirteen votes. Jane Fonda, one vote." I had written in Jane's name!
Here's something about "Legends!": I handed the postcard to someone and she thought Charles and I were supposed to be 2 of the other women on "The View!" Another person saw the postcard and thought Whoopi was a Whoopi impersonator! People!
Also, someone asked me since Whoopi is not in the promo video (she didn't want to participate), was she actually at the photo session, or was she photoshopped in? Nope. She was there.
Yesterday I did an interview with Michael Portantiere of afterelton.com. Today I was interviewed by Chris Byrne from Gay City News. When the articles are online I will post them here.
In the meantime, unrelated to "Legends!", Charles and I are quoted in an Advocate article by David Colman (my publicist in LA for "I Could Go On Lip-Synching!" in 1991) about the new Drew Barrymore/Jessica Lange movie "Grey Gardens" which has the same title as the famous documentary and Broadway musical, and is a feature film about the two Edies. Here is the article.
Last night I went to see Jane Fonda at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway in Moises Kaufman's Broadway play "33 Variations." It was thrilling to see her in the flesh! Jane was a teenage idol of mine, while growing up in Hazlehurst, Mississippi (pop. 4500). I have a memory of seeing "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" on my birthday when I was an adolescent, but maybe it was another day. Whatever day it was, it was a special occasion, and I felt terribly adult seeing this very mature, bleak film. (I connected melancholy with being adult.) I talked about this movie for months. I'm still talking about it! Although, now I have to say I think "Klute" is a superior movie and Jane is even better in it.
Another memory I have, is the 1972 presidential election. Or was it 68? Anyway, I was in high school, and all the students were too young to vote of course, but we staged a mock election. The results were read over the school intercom. It went something like this: "Hubert Humphrey, so-and-so number of votes. George McGovern, so-and-so number of votes. George Wallace, so-and-so number of votes. Stokeley Carmichael (a "write-in"), thirteen votes. Jane Fonda, one vote." I had written in Jane's name!
Here's something about "Legends!": I handed the postcard to someone and she thought Charles and I were supposed to be 2 of the other women on "The View!" Another person saw the postcard and thought Whoopi was a Whoopi impersonator! People!
Also, someone asked me since Whoopi is not in the promo video (she didn't want to participate), was she actually at the photo session, or was she photoshopped in? Nope. She was there.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
March 4, 2009
Fabio and I had another meeting about shoes! Pestilence? Drug wars? The Taliban?
Seriously, the drug wars in Mexico are disturbing.
Seriously, the drug wars in Mexico are disturbing.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
March 2, 2009
Today I did some work on some of the surprise elements of the show.
And I met with Fred Barton who is going to help out with the original music.
Also, I spoke with Arthur Beckenstein, the Kirkwood beneficiary. He is planning to be at the show.
Fabio came by to look at my shoe collection. We made decisions about shoes! War? Famine? Crime? Economy crisis?
And I met with Fred Barton who is going to help out with the original music.
Also, I spoke with Arthur Beckenstein, the Kirkwood beneficiary. He is planning to be at the show.
Fabio came by to look at my shoe collection. We made decisions about shoes! War? Famine? Crime? Economy crisis?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
February 28, 2009
Last night I participated in the show FOLLY at the Henry Street Settlement Playhouse at Abrons Arts Center, to raise funds for God's Love We Deliver and TWEED Theatre works. I also promoted "Legends!"
Robbie La Fosse was there as Isadora Duncan.
So were Ragu Mountain Woman and Brenda Bergman. The picture is fuzzy, but that's because the photo was taken by The "Lady" Bunny!"
Robbie La Fosse was there as Isadora Duncan.
So were Ragu Mountain Woman and Brenda Bergman. The picture is fuzzy, but that's because the photo was taken by The "Lady" Bunny!"
Thursday, February 26, 2009
February 26, 2009
Yesterday there was a behind-the-scenes drama swirling around "Legends!" And I wasn't in the middle of it for a change! It almost felt good.
Last night I went to see Pal Joey with some friends and we quite enjoyed it.
Today I went to the Henry Street Settlement Playhouse at Abrons Arts Center on the Lower East Side to rehearse for the FOLLY benefit tomorrow night. I saw Robbie La Fosse at Pal Joey last night, and then there he was rehearsing his Isadora Duncan dance onstage. We shared a few laughs. We've known one another for over 30 years.
After my rehearsal (1:00 to 2:00 pm) I walked west on Grand Street to Eric Marciano's office to drop off a CD for him. He might be using it on a promotional tool for "Legends!" More about that later. Eric was late so I bought some fish at a Chinatown fish market and poked around some of the Italian food stores in Little Italy. I finally gave up on Eric and scotch-taped the CD to his office door, thanks to the nice young woman who works in the office next to his.
Around that time the news about Fran Lebowitz started hittting the internet. Here it is.
Last night I went to see Pal Joey with some friends and we quite enjoyed it.
Today I went to the Henry Street Settlement Playhouse at Abrons Arts Center on the Lower East Side to rehearse for the FOLLY benefit tomorrow night. I saw Robbie La Fosse at Pal Joey last night, and then there he was rehearsing his Isadora Duncan dance onstage. We shared a few laughs. We've known one another for over 30 years.
After my rehearsal (1:00 to 2:00 pm) I walked west on Grand Street to Eric Marciano's office to drop off a CD for him. He might be using it on a promotional tool for "Legends!" More about that later. Eric was late so I bought some fish at a Chinatown fish market and poked around some of the Italian food stores in Little Italy. I finally gave up on Eric and scotch-taped the CD to his office door, thanks to the nice young woman who works in the office next to his.
Around that time the news about Fran Lebowitz started hittting the internet. Here it is.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
February 24, 2009
There's probably plenty of things to say about "Legends!" but Obama is about to speak and I'm distracted.
I'll say this much, however: Sam Staggs' new book about "Imitation of Life" called "Born To Be Hurt" is recently out. Click here. There's a chapter called "Gentlemen Prefer Lypsinka!"
Also click here.
I'll say this much, however: Sam Staggs' new book about "Imitation of Life" called "Born To Be Hurt" is recently out. Click here. There's a chapter called "Gentlemen Prefer Lypsinka!"
Also click here.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
February 22, 2009
The Oscar telecast is the usual bloated mess, so I'll post here while waiting for something interesting to happen (like Penelope Cruz' win).
Today I met with Eric Marciano - finally - to look at the footage taken back in December. We may have something to work with. Eric made a rough cut. It was nice visiting with him, but I've been so wired with this project I had to make myself calm down and have a real conversation with him.
The script has to be blown up so Charles and I and the rest of the cast don't have to wear reading glasses onstage. We'll try it at a font of 18 instead of the usual 12. It may have to be even bigger!
We lost the arranger for the original music. But it seems we've found another.
Here are some images to remind us when movies were really great.
Today I met with Eric Marciano - finally - to look at the footage taken back in December. We may have something to work with. Eric made a rough cut. It was nice visiting with him, but I've been so wired with this project I had to make myself calm down and have a real conversation with him.
The script has to be blown up so Charles and I and the rest of the cast don't have to wear reading glasses onstage. We'll try it at a font of 18 instead of the usual 12. It may have to be even bigger!
We lost the arranger for the original music. But it seems we've found another.
Here are some images to remind us when movies were really great.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
February 19, 2009
Here is the Playbill article by Robert Simonson, now spelled correctly. The article is what it is.
And this is the towleroad story. You can see in the towleroad comments that someone complained about the fur in the promotional photo. But you can read about the fur further down in my blog.
I had my muslin fitting today. It took over 2 hours! Not since I was fitted by Thierry Mugler in Paris in 1991 have I found a fitting so exhausting. But, it's done now, and the subsequent fittings will not be so intense.
After the fitting I returned the wig used in the promotional photos to Gerard Kelly who is doing my wig and Whoopi's. I asked him to make it more filled with blond highlights. I don't know if he will.
Just for fun, here are 2 photos of the Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson who died recently. Right after he died I saw one of his appearances on the rerun of "What's My Line?".
And this is the towleroad story. You can see in the towleroad comments that someone complained about the fur in the promotional photo. But you can read about the fur further down in my blog.
I had my muslin fitting today. It took over 2 hours! Not since I was fitted by Thierry Mugler in Paris in 1991 have I found a fitting so exhausting. But, it's done now, and the subsequent fittings will not be so intense.
After the fitting I returned the wig used in the promotional photos to Gerard Kelly who is doing my wig and Whoopi's. I asked him to make it more filled with blond highlights. I don't know if he will.
Just for fun, here are 2 photos of the Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson who died recently. Right after he died I saw one of his appearances on the rerun of "What's My Line?".
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
February 17, 2009
I get such a kick out of knowing people are actually reading this blog! I haven't posted anything recently because my "LEGENDS! life" has been a little quiet. I did spend all day Sunday finishing the reformatting of the script. Along the way I made some notes for Mark Waldrop regarding the continuing tweaking of the text.
Yesterday I did a Q&A with Robert Simonsen (spelled correctly?) of Playbill. The focus of the interview, for me, was that the text we will be performing is not the original published version of the play. I will link the interview when it appears on playbill.com.
Tonight, the "famous writer" has agreed to be the reader of the stage directions for the event. We had another delightful, funny phone chat. I'm not going to print that person's name here, because Michael Borowski, our publicist, may be the one who wants to break the news.
On a personal note, I spent last evening with my old friend Mart Crowley ("Boys in the Band"). He has some good news about his work, but I'm not going to scoop him either. We went to dinner and watched a bad Bette Davis movie called "Storm Center" in which BD appeared as a frumpy librarian. The movie did have some serious social issues, which was kind of interesting. And, of course, I related to the little boy in the movie who was more interested in reading books than playing sports! Mart says the movie and the play "Tea and Sympathy" appeared the same year. I saw links. We also watched some of a TCM documentary about Bette that posits the possibility that Bette contributed to the death of her second husband with her own brand of domestic violence.
Here's a cover of one of the published copies of "Boys in the Band."
And just because I love putting images here, here's a bon-bon.
Yesterday I did a Q&A with Robert Simonsen (spelled correctly?) of Playbill. The focus of the interview, for me, was that the text we will be performing is not the original published version of the play. I will link the interview when it appears on playbill.com.
Tonight, the "famous writer" has agreed to be the reader of the stage directions for the event. We had another delightful, funny phone chat. I'm not going to print that person's name here, because Michael Borowski, our publicist, may be the one who wants to break the news.
On a personal note, I spent last evening with my old friend Mart Crowley ("Boys in the Band"). He has some good news about his work, but I'm not going to scoop him either. We went to dinner and watched a bad Bette Davis movie called "Storm Center" in which BD appeared as a frumpy librarian. The movie did have some serious social issues, which was kind of interesting. And, of course, I related to the little boy in the movie who was more interested in reading books than playing sports! Mart says the movie and the play "Tea and Sympathy" appeared the same year. I saw links. We also watched some of a TCM documentary about Bette that posits the possibility that Bette contributed to the death of her second husband with her own brand of domestic violence.
Here's a cover of one of the published copies of "Boys in the Band."
And just because I love putting images here, here's a bon-bon.
Friday, February 13, 2009
February 13, 2009
Not much "Legends!" news today. Charles asked for the latest version of the script so he can start studying it. I emailed that to him. One of the gay publications mentioned the show. I'm still working on the reformatting of the script while I listen to Stravinsky. It's tedious (the computer work, not Stravinsky). I had lain out the script like Samuel French does, but it needs to be double spaced with the character's name centered, etc., etc. I'll finish it before Monday.
I love that I've figured out how to put images in this blog, so I'll put here an image of the poster for "Wicked Woman" here. It's Lily Tomlin's favorite movie. My friend Josiah sent it to me. Stravinsky and "Wicked Woman." We run the gamut here.
I love that I've figured out how to put images in this blog, so I'll put here an image of the poster for "Wicked Woman" here. It's Lily Tomlin's favorite movie. My friend Josiah sent it to me. Stravinsky and "Wicked Woman." We run the gamut here.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 12, 2009
The question about the original music for the show got resolved today.
I returned to Eric Myers a rare recording we are planning to use for the event.
I spoke on the phone with a famous writer about possibly being the reader of the stage directions.
Liz Smith mentioned the show again today, this time in her print column in The New York Post and Variety. Way to go, Liz!
I put this picture here apropos of nothing, except that Scott Wittman sent it to me via Facebook. He put a funny caption with it, but unless you speak Crawfordese, it would mean nothing to you. (We really have our own language, our group of Crawfordites.) I wrote him back and told him that I've actually had that wig on my head! When "the twins" were selling off some stuff in 1993 Entertainment Weekly asked me to pose wearing some of the items, and that wig was among them!
I suppose Leatrice Monsee likes to knit in her spare time, too.
I returned to Eric Myers a rare recording we are planning to use for the event.
I spoke on the phone with a famous writer about possibly being the reader of the stage directions.
Liz Smith mentioned the show again today, this time in her print column in The New York Post and Variety. Way to go, Liz!
I put this picture here apropos of nothing, except that Scott Wittman sent it to me via Facebook. He put a funny caption with it, but unless you speak Crawfordese, it would mean nothing to you. (We really have our own language, our group of Crawfordites.) I wrote him back and told him that I've actually had that wig on my head! When "the twins" were selling off some stuff in 1993 Entertainment Weekly asked me to pose wearing some of the items, and that wig was among them!
I suppose Leatrice Monsee likes to knit in her spare time, too.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 11, 2009
Today I attempted to resolve the original music arrangement question. I resolved it to my satisfaction, but I don't know yet that I resolved it to others' satisfaction.
I also spent some time reformatting the script into what we are calling the "Reader's Version."
Fran Lebowitz has been on my mind. She's mentioned below in my first post. She came to see my first Off Broadway show "I Could Go On Lip-Synching" 20 years ago. She came with my friend Marc Balet and they happened to be there on the same night that the talented and funny dress designer Clovis Ruffin brought Kaye Ballard, Louise Lasser and Virginia Graham! Virginia, of course, marched right backstage and bellowed, "What did you have to eat today?" (I was really skinny then.) I told her and she said, "It was all gas. Did you have any bread?"
After Kay, Virginia and mild-mannered Louise left with Clovis, Fran turned to me and said, "So what's the matter? Peggy Cass wasn't free tonight?"
If I had been quick enough, I would have said, "No, and neither was Pat Carroll!"
On a personal note, I would like to announce that after complaining to my building superintendent for a long time about the so-called water conservation toilet that was installed in my bathroom about 16 years ago, I finally got a new one today! It seems to be much sturdier than that piece of junk I have lived with for so long.
Here's Virginia Graham.
I also spent some time reformatting the script into what we are calling the "Reader's Version."
Fran Lebowitz has been on my mind. She's mentioned below in my first post. She came to see my first Off Broadway show "I Could Go On Lip-Synching" 20 years ago. She came with my friend Marc Balet and they happened to be there on the same night that the talented and funny dress designer Clovis Ruffin brought Kaye Ballard, Louise Lasser and Virginia Graham! Virginia, of course, marched right backstage and bellowed, "What did you have to eat today?" (I was really skinny then.) I told her and she said, "It was all gas. Did you have any bread?"
After Kay, Virginia and mild-mannered Louise left with Clovis, Fran turned to me and said, "So what's the matter? Peggy Cass wasn't free tonight?"
If I had been quick enough, I would have said, "No, and neither was Pat Carroll!"
On a personal note, I would like to announce that after complaining to my building superintendent for a long time about the so-called water conservation toilet that was installed in my bathroom about 16 years ago, I finally got a new one today! It seems to be much sturdier than that piece of junk I have lived with for so long.
Here's Virginia Graham.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February 10, 2009
Liz Smith mentioned the "Legends!" event today here. Excellent! Thank you, Miz Liz. Whoopi also writes for that blog.
The event was also mentioned here on this black entertainment news page. Their mention, which is positive, says that Whoopi is playing a "servant." I thought, "Surely that word was not in our press release." But I checked the release again, and it's there. It sounds so demeaning out of the context of the release. I'm surprised there hasn't been a complaint about it.
Are people called "servants" still? Maybe they are called "service personnel" or something more politically correct.
Pondering all this made me think I should post here some information about how the text for the upcoming event has evolved. During the original production of the play, there were complaints that the role of Aretha the housekeeper was treated poorly. And when we did the reading in Sag Harbor (see below) I got the feeling that Brenda Denmark and Sean Watters, the actors who played Aretha and Boom-Boom, were not completely happy with the race issue in the text.
Rather than ignore this issue in my adaptation, I have made it more outrageous and, hopefully, have made it more of a statement. Also, it was and is my belief, that if the role is bigger and made more of a "star" part, and a star is hired for the part, then the taint of racial discrimination disappears. Especially when the African-American star's persona is familiar to everyone, and therefore the audience is comfortable knowing that she can, AND WILL, give as good as she gets! And that is why I sent the play to Whoopi, who is a star and has in the past enjoyed poking fun at racial stereotypes.
I don't want to give too much away, but I made some other significant changes to the text with all this in mind. You'll just have to come see the show to find out what I'm talking about. And the truly conscientious will want to compare my adaptation with the original published version you can get here .
The event was also mentioned here on this black entertainment news page. Their mention, which is positive, says that Whoopi is playing a "servant." I thought, "Surely that word was not in our press release." But I checked the release again, and it's there. It sounds so demeaning out of the context of the release. I'm surprised there hasn't been a complaint about it.
Are people called "servants" still? Maybe they are called "service personnel" or something more politically correct.
Pondering all this made me think I should post here some information about how the text for the upcoming event has evolved. During the original production of the play, there were complaints that the role of Aretha the housekeeper was treated poorly. And when we did the reading in Sag Harbor (see below) I got the feeling that Brenda Denmark and Sean Watters, the actors who played Aretha and Boom-Boom, were not completely happy with the race issue in the text.
Rather than ignore this issue in my adaptation, I have made it more outrageous and, hopefully, have made it more of a statement. Also, it was and is my belief, that if the role is bigger and made more of a "star" part, and a star is hired for the part, then the taint of racial discrimination disappears. Especially when the African-American star's persona is familiar to everyone, and therefore the audience is comfortable knowing that she can, AND WILL, give as good as she gets! And that is why I sent the play to Whoopi, who is a star and has in the past enjoyed poking fun at racial stereotypes.
I don't want to give too much away, but I made some other significant changes to the text with all this in mind. You'll just have to come see the show to find out what I'm talking about. And the truly conscientious will want to compare my adaptation with the original published version you can get here .
Sunday, February 8, 2009
February 8, 2009
At 6 p.m. I started editing the music cues for "Legends!" as planned with Alex Noyes, my preferred audio engineer, at Splash Studios on West 23rd Street. We finished about 8:30. I have done what I promised to do with sound cues. Okay, that's done.
The Text and The Fur
One of the AllThatChatters on www.talkingbroaday.com mentioned something about the the play "Legends!" being "awful." I want to point out that the text we are doing on March 23, 2009 is not the version of the play that was published, and not the version that was performed by Carol Channing and Mary Martin, or Joan Collins and Linda Evans.
The agent for the Kirkwood estate and the literary executor are (so far) allowing my adaptation of the play to be performed for only this one night. Whether or not I have improved the play will be a decision voiced by many. I hope I have, and at the same time preserved Mr. Kirkwood's sensibility while injecting some of my own. The arc of the play is exactly the same as the published version.
On the surface, the play is a romp, a frolic. I do believe there are some universal, submerged themes in the play, but I'm not going to say what I think they are. In Uta Hagen's book "Respect For Acting" she says that the actor should keep his subtext to himself, adding to the mystery of the performance. So, as an actor and a writer, I would rather not say what I think the play is really about. Also, you might think be thoroughly pretentious if I told you!
It has occurred to me that some people might complain about the fact that in our marketing image for this event Whoopi, Charles and I are wearing real fur. We wanted the image to be a parody of the Blackglama mink print ads and we were having a hard time finding a wardrobe stylist for the photo shoot. And people were telling me that it would be difficult to find fake fur pieces that were glamorous enough. We finally did find a stylist and Whoopi is wearing the stylist's own fur coat.
A few days after the shoot I bumped in my friend Dan Mathews, publicist for People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA). I told him, "Dan, you're going to hate me. I've just been wearing fur in a photo shoot." I explained to him what we were trying to do with the image and that fur is a rather important part of the text of the play. He suggested that PETA donate fake fur for the actors to wear in the actual performance. So that's what we're going to do. The fake fur for the fur pieces in the show will be donated by PETA and a fake fur company called www.fabulousfurs.com.
Someone has posted on my Facebook page that after reading this blog he realized I deserve a medal for fortitude. I'm sorry I haven't kept a record of everything involving this production. You just can't imagine!
The agent for the Kirkwood estate and the literary executor are (so far) allowing my adaptation of the play to be performed for only this one night. Whether or not I have improved the play will be a decision voiced by many. I hope I have, and at the same time preserved Mr. Kirkwood's sensibility while injecting some of my own. The arc of the play is exactly the same as the published version.
On the surface, the play is a romp, a frolic. I do believe there are some universal, submerged themes in the play, but I'm not going to say what I think they are. In Uta Hagen's book "Respect For Acting" she says that the actor should keep his subtext to himself, adding to the mystery of the performance. So, as an actor and a writer, I would rather not say what I think the play is really about. Also, you might think be thoroughly pretentious if I told you!
It has occurred to me that some people might complain about the fact that in our marketing image for this event Whoopi, Charles and I are wearing real fur. We wanted the image to be a parody of the Blackglama mink print ads and we were having a hard time finding a wardrobe stylist for the photo shoot. And people were telling me that it would be difficult to find fake fur pieces that were glamorous enough. We finally did find a stylist and Whoopi is wearing the stylist's own fur coat.
A few days after the shoot I bumped in my friend Dan Mathews, publicist for People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA). I told him, "Dan, you're going to hate me. I've just been wearing fur in a photo shoot." I explained to him what we were trying to do with the image and that fur is a rather important part of the text of the play. He suggested that PETA donate fake fur for the actors to wear in the actual performance. So that's what we're going to do. The fake fur for the fur pieces in the show will be donated by PETA and a fake fur company called www.fabulousfurs.com.
Someone has posted on my Facebook page that after reading this blog he realized I deserve a medal for fortitude. I'm sorry I haven't kept a record of everything involving this production. You just can't imagine!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
February 7, 2009
Other than emailing a certain TV star to find out if he is going to be the reader of the stage directions, I took the day off from "Legends!" (He responded, and he's not sure he's available at this time.)
I went to see "Music in the Air," part of the Encore series at City Center tonight. The book is terribly dated, of course, but the cast did what they could with it and the two leads - Douglas Sills and Kristen Chenoweth - were fun. I had never seen her onstage. And although I have met delightful Douglas in professional situations, I had never seen him onstage either. The two of them should star in "On The Twentieth Century" with Andrea Martin as Mrs. Primrose.
Tomorrow I will try and take time to write here about 2 subjects regarding "Legends!"
I went to see "Music in the Air," part of the Encore series at City Center tonight. The book is terribly dated, of course, but the cast did what they could with it and the two leads - Douglas Sills and Kristen Chenoweth - were fun. I had never seen her onstage. And although I have met delightful Douglas in professional situations, I had never seen him onstage either. The two of them should star in "On The Twentieth Century" with Andrea Martin as Mrs. Primrose.
Tomorrow I will try and take time to write here about 2 subjects regarding "Legends!"
Friday, February 6, 2009
February 6, 2009
LEGENDS! was in The New York Times today as well as playbill.com and plenty of other dot coms, and it was on the cover of Variety with a photo of Whoopi.
I met briefly with Fabio Toblini, the costume designer, to look at swatches, before he goes off to see his sister in England for 10 days. Charles has seen his swatches and okayed them. We each have muslin fittings scheduled in a couple of weeks. I'm at Eric Winterling, Inc. and Charles is at EuroCo, Inc., the same company that built the costumes for "The Third Story."
I dropped some recordings off for Alex Noyes at Splash Studios on West 23rd Street. He will load them into the computer and we will edit Sunday night. These are for music cues in the show.
After crabbing about it for weeks, the Ticketmaster link is up and running for the show. Whew!
I hope to sleep tonight.
I met briefly with Fabio Toblini, the costume designer, to look at swatches, before he goes off to see his sister in England for 10 days. Charles has seen his swatches and okayed them. We each have muslin fittings scheduled in a couple of weeks. I'm at Eric Winterling, Inc. and Charles is at EuroCo, Inc., the same company that built the costumes for "The Third Story."
I dropped some recordings off for Alex Noyes at Splash Studios on West 23rd Street. He will load them into the computer and we will edit Sunday night. These are for music cues in the show.
After crabbing about it for weeks, the Ticketmaster link is up and running for the show. Whew!
I hope to sleep tonight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)