Haines His Way

Archives => Archive 2 => Topic started by: bk on June 23, 2004, 11:59:53 PM

Title: PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 23, 2004, 11:59:53 PM
Well, you've read the notes, you've made the notes disappear, and now you're ready to post until the one trick cows come home.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JoseSPiano on June 24, 2004, 12:06:44 AM
Good Morning!

Pasta Salad:  Now there has to be an Alton Brown, "Good Eats" recipe for pasta salad somewhere!?!?!

If not...  Whenever I make a pasta salad, I basically make an antipasto type of salad.  And everything either comes out of a bottle or can - or a box (the pasta).

First I boil said pasta until al dente - or a little past al dente.  I like using shells, elbows or even fusilli - orechiette works nicely too.  Shortly after the pasta has been drained and it is still hot/warm, I put it into a bowl and pour over some very good bottled Italian salad dressing.  I usually use Newman's Own (original).  I pour just enough to "slick" the pasta up.  Then I set this aside in the fridge to cool - and to let the salad dressing soak into the pasta to season it.  Then it's more or less cook's choice:  bits of bell pepper (red, green, yellow, orange); onions (yellow or red, and usually soaked in a cold water for a couple of minutes to soften the "bite"); peas (frozen and defrosted under cold running water); broccoli (chopped - raw or parboiled); carrots (raw or parboiled); artichoke hearts (plain or marinated); olives (black or green); bits of salami, mortadella, pepperoni; small cubes of cheese (cheddar or mozzarella - those small ball of fresh mozzarella, bononcini, if you really want to splurge); etc.  The possibilities and variations are endless.  Then I pour over some more salad dressing to finish the salad off.  Spices, herbs, salt and pepper are added to taste.

*If you want to rich-en this up, just add a few dollops of mayonnaise and/or sour cream.  -But I usually prefer oil-based pasta salads.  So...

For a more traditional combination: pasta, pesto, pine nuts, chopped broccoli rabe (cooked before hand), and red pepper flakes.

Whew!  I'm glad I copied this post before posting since I had the sneaking suspicion I wasn't going to make "yesterday".
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Tomovoz on June 24, 2004, 12:20:26 AM
Favourite singer/songwriters: Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Roy Orbison, Carly Simon, Carole King, and James Taylor.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 12:25:51 AM
I'll just add Rupert Holmes, Tim Moore and Elton John.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 12:26:07 AM
And Randy Newman.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JoseSPiano on June 24, 2004, 12:35:26 AM
Hmmm... When I first checked the Topics listing, today's topic appeared under yesterday's topic.  But they're in the correct order now.  In any case...

Magic Tricks:  I caught some of "T.H.E.M." on NBC last night.  Totally Hidden Extreme Magic.  Basically, it's a candid camera type show where a team of magicians go around playing and performing tricks for and on unsuspecting members of the public.  Some of the tricks were actually quite impressive; kind of along the line of David Blaine's feats.  -There was one where the guy had flies coming out of his mouth - eeewww!  But it was effective, and the set-up was simple, imho.  And for the reveal, the magicians would say, "I'm one of THEM."  I guess that's a good hook. ;)

Otherwise, I'm still a fan of a good ole card trick.  Some of the Penn & Teller routines totally bewilder me.  But even the classic tricks still bring a smile to my face.  There's a guy who sets up a small table in Carytown every now and then, and he just performs tricks for passers-by on the sidewalk.  Very entertaining.  And if I happen to walk by a magic shop - which are few and far between - I always check to see if a trick is being demonstrated.

I remember buying Magic Magazine when I was nine and ten years old.  Is it still around?  Hmm.. and I seem to remember an article on Shari Lewis in it - ???  I even put on a small show for my fourth grade class.  Some card tricks, the cups and balls, etc.  Strangely enough, I could never master some of the more "finger dependent" tricks - I guess that's related to the fact that I can't play video games either - my fingers just don't work that way.  But put some Chopin in front of me...

Singer/Songwriters - The piano men: Elton John, Billy Joel ("Until the Night" is my favorite), Joe Jackson, Randy Newman, Ben Folds (I currently find I'm singing "The Luckiest" to myself now and then for some unknown reason).  The guitar player: James Taylor.  Elvis Costello.  And I like his wife's new album and material, Diana Krall.  I like Tuck & Patti's self-written material, but I much prefer their renditions of jazz and pop standards.  And I guess I should also include Barry Manilow mainly for "When October Goes".  And though most of his material is sung by others, he does sing and play his own stuff in concert: Jason Robert Brown.  Oh, and William Finn too.  And just to round everything out: Prince (or whatever name or symbol he's going by now).

Hmm... That list was longer than I thought it was going to be originally.

Oh! ... And I never tired of listening to the classic Fats Waller recordings either!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 12:40:59 AM
Dear reader Panni must be writing a novelette.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Tomovoz on June 24, 2004, 12:55:45 AM
Best known for singing songs by others but a great talent and a very successful song writer was Bobby Darin. Paul Anka wasn't too bad either. Sedaka also wrote nearly all his own pop songs.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JoseSPiano on June 24, 2004, 01:00:15 AM
OK - "Iron Chef" is over.... I can go to bed now. ;)

Goodnight.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 01:08:18 AM
The Magic question made me think of the following... When I was  5, my mother and I went for a weekend to a resort outside of Budapest. My father had recently died, so I guess one reason we went was as a break from the real world. The big treat of the weekend for me was an outdoor evening magic show at the resort. Any kind of performance was exciting, but I had never seen a magic show AND I was being allowed to stay up way past my bedtime. I wore a pretty dress and ribbons in my pigtails. We sat in the very front row. I was absolutely transported. The magician's big trick had to do with a Houdini-like escape from some kind of steel or iron rings. To prove that the rings were not fake, he dramatically threw them into the front row. I reached out for one. Now, I have small hands even today - so at 5, you can imagine how tiny they were, plus I was really thin because of recent events. -- So instead of catching this thing, I sort of intercepted it with my fingers. And it really really hurt. But I was afraid that if I told my mother, she'd make us leave. So I sat through the whole show, my hand throbbing, not crying, not saying anything.
After the show, we walked back in the dark to our room at the resort. My mother turned on the lights and saw my hand, which by then was swollen and purple. She couldn't believe I hadn't said anything and was pretty angry at me. I, on the other hand, couldn't imagine saying something and leaving the  show!
...And that was my first and last magic show. If I were an armchair shrink, I'd also say it set up a pattern of behavior for years to come.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 01:08:48 AM
And that post, magically, took about twenty-five minutes to write.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 01:10:44 AM
Yes, I was writing a novelette. I was thinking about something I hadn't thought of for years and indulging myself in writing about it.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 01:11:15 AM
I also didn't think anyone was around. Who stays up this late??
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 01:13:54 AM
Isn't it amazing how you can type words and those words become sentences and those sentences become paragraphs and those paragraphs become - what DO they become?  What do paragraphs become?  What becomes a paragraph most?  Do paragraphs become posts?  Novelettes?  Novellas?  Novels?  Short Stories?  Whatever they become - it's magic.

Now, as my close personal friend, Mr. Stephen Schawartz once said, we've got magic to do.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 01:15:01 AM
And now, presto-chango, I shall now disappear until morning.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 01:15:58 AM
I tried to watch THE REAGANS tonight -- one of my Emmy tapes. It was actually interesting - James Brolin was good - but there was something wrong with the tape, so I had to stop. Skammen.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 01:17:05 AM
I guess I should go to bed, too. I'll probably dream about Ronald and Nancy.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Tomovoz on June 24, 2004, 01:52:56 AM
I loved "magic" tricks when I was a kid. I should never have watched those "Magic Explained" type shows on TV over this last decade. I of course knew it was all trickery but I didn't want to know how.
I am reminded now of a Paul Gallico fable about Magic. Can't remember the title. Must investigate.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Tomovoz on June 24, 2004, 01:59:20 AM
"The Man Who Was Magic". Paul Gallico.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 03:53:47 AM
Good "leave on time and have a safe journey" vibes, Jason. We're looking forward to reviews, updates, and recipes.

Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 04:17:52 AM
I think my favorite trick is called Metamorphsis. This is the one where the magician is handcuffed, put in a bag, the bag is tied and then they are placed in a trunk. The trunk is then locked. The assistant then stands on top of the trunk. They take a circular curtain bring it up to the chest. They count to three on three they raise it over their head and bring it down again rightaway. The magacian and the assistant have changed. Even though I have read and seen how it is done it still holds a fascination for me.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 04:18:53 AM
Safe Journeys to you Jason and as Trigger used to sing "Happy Trails To You"
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 04:31:52 AM
There are some wonderful tricks in THE MAGIC SHOW, and that DVD is available for rental or purchase. The score is not so great, but the magic is.

I appreciate Elton John now much more than I did when he was new to the scene and really hot. And Barry Manilow is really much more my speed. And I like isolated songs by Billy Joel and Randy Newman, too.

Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 04:33:27 AM
Speaking of John Frankenheimer, does anyone else here like THE TRAIN as much as I do? I think THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is his masterpiece, but I think THE TRAIN is almost its equal in entertainment value. What a brilliant and gripping film.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 04:35:08 AM
Speaking of magic, did any of you NYCers (or others who might have been visiting during its run) see MERLIN? It didn't play very long, but I suspect it had some fabulous tricks in it, too.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 04:39:46 AM
My favorite singer-songwriter is Pete Seeger ("Where Have All The Flowers Gone").  
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 04:49:21 AM
Trivia q: Who made his Broadway musical comedy debut in Merlin, playing Prince Fergus?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 05:09:00 AM
I didn't see the show, but it's got to be Nathan Lane.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ben on June 24, 2004, 05:14:07 AM
Answer: Mr. Nathan Lane. I didn't see Merlin but I did see NL  in his Broadway debut in Present Laughter at the old Circle in the Square Theatre. The production was excellent, but Lane was a standout. The audience was screaming with laughter every time he stepped on stage.

Another trivia question (or three) regarding Merlin.

Which member of Mr. BK's Resident Recording Repertory company also appeared in Merlin (there are 4 CDs by this performer all produced by BK)?

Question 2, which Brat Pack member played Young Merlin/Arthur in this show?

Question 3. Who went from producing and directing Merlin to spreading Marshmallow Fluff all over the Upper West Side of Manhattan a year later?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ben on June 24, 2004, 05:15:04 AM
Wow, 28 posts at only 8:15. It may be a busy day here at HHW.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 06:00:03 AM
I love magic!  

I love mystical magic, natural magic, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and I Dream of Jeannie/Samantha Stevens magic.  I especially love magic acts.  I love everything from the simple, close-up slight-of-hand tricks of Harry Blackstone (Jr and Sr) to the extravaganvic illusionist acts of David Copperfield.  When I see a good trick, I instantly revert to kid-mode, my mouth agage and blurting "How did he do that?"  

What I don't like are all the David Copperfield clones that popped up over the years--good looking guys who have no feel or panache for magic.  Likewise, I don't like the latest bumper crop of punk magicians who are David Blaine knock-offs (I don't really like Blaine, for that matter.)

I can do two good magic tricks--I can make a quarter cry, and then I can rub it into my elbow and make it disappear.  I can get away with doing these tricks once in front of adults.  Twice, in front of kids and dumb adults.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 06:04:09 AM
Page Two Pasta Salad Ingredients Dance!

(http://img42.photobucket.com/albums/v130/WandaDuck/cook_salad.gif)

SWW, for a good pasta salad, make a Greek salad without the lettuce.  In its place add shell or penne pasta and some sauted spinache.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 06:06:49 AM
Dan (the Man),

I think your pasta salad is going to be tonight's dinner. For once I have all the ingredients on hand.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: William E. Lurie on June 24, 2004, 06:10:33 AM
Even though I don't care for the show itself, some of the magic is THE MAGIC SHOW is really remarkable... and I saw it at a theatre which was in the ¾round.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Stuart on June 24, 2004, 06:17:18 AM
Never cared much for magic, so I don't have anything to add to today's TOD.

Never much cared for pop music (I like it alright, but to this day, I don't really own a rock/pop album by any of the singers/composers/lyricists named above), so I don't really have anything to add to todays's sub-TOD.

My DP (dear partner, in internet lingo) makes a pasta salad similar to BK's, except he also adds chopped celery, chopped seeded cucumber, julienned carrots, and shredded cheese, usually mild cheddar.  All topped with a fancy sprinkling or two of paprika.  It's yummy, and I could eat it all day.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 06:18:11 AM
BTW, I do think "Magic to Do" is one of the most ingratiating opening numbers in the history of Broadway.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 06:24:39 AM
In this week's ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, the editors have chosen THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (the original) as one of their Hot 100 or some other such silly label.

In the write-up for why it was chosen, there are some quotes by Angela Lansbury who expressed her dismay with the very notion of remaking the film and her extreme disappointment with Meryl Streep for agreeing to be in it. You could sense intensely Angela's deep frustration that "her" film had been remade and that an actress the calibre of Meryl Streep would think it was a good idea.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 07:10:54 AM
Aside from most of the singer/songwriters already mentioned, I also like Dave Matthews and Suzanne Vega.  
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: mrkdl73 on June 24, 2004, 07:12:25 AM
As a child I was very much into magic tricks and had several, most of which came from the toy store and were made my Fisher-Price, so you can only imagine what bright colors they had.  I used to put on magic shows in my backyard,  along with circuses.  (When I put on my musicals, they were always in my living room, too sophisticated for the outdoors.)  

Anyway, I think my favorite magic is one called "Origami" where there's this box, the magician unfolds it and it becomes bigger, a girl gets in, said box is refolded down to a smaller size, has three or four "swords" inserted into it, said swords get removed, box is unfolded and the assistant jumps out, (in a whole new costume, mind you).  It bothers me that I don't know how it's done.  I could watch it for hours.  I could never be a magician's assistant or do a show with magic in it, because I don't think I could keep the secrets and the last thing I would want is some magician to be mad at me.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: MBarnum on June 24, 2004, 07:16:05 AM
TCB, to answer your question from last night, Rhodes Reason played the sheriff in the TV series Bus Stop.

Welcome back Bad Penny JRand53! Keep an eye on today's mail!

Have a great trip Jason!!!!

Jose, has Matt Battaglia appeared on your TV screen yet?

I love magic and magic shows! Don't have a favorite trick..at least not of the magical variety!

I don't know who writes there own songs so I don't know if I can answer todays subTOD...my only thought is Mac McAnally (although I think I have spelled his name wrong)...but I love him as a singer and I do know he has written a number of songs.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 07:27:23 AM
Good morning. Singer-songwriters: Leonard Cohen!!! I love his music and the eccentric way he sings it. While we're talking about Canadians...How about Joni Mitchell? Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young.

I think Dylan has already been mentioned. John Lennon.
And Tom Paxton. We could use another Tom Paxton today.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ron Pulliam on June 24, 2004, 07:50:03 AM
My favorite pasta salad:

Boil water.  Add a serving of premium grade spaghetti noodles.  Add some salt about three minutes before cooking time is up.

Drain cooked noodles.

Return to pot.

Add pre-cooked meat sauce and toss.

Serve with crunchy hunks of garlic bread slathered in butter or olive oil.

Voila!  Pasta Salade Bolognese (or, spaghetti with meat sauce).
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ron Pulliam on June 24, 2004, 08:04:02 AM
My candidate for "most-needs-plastic-surgery":

Robert Redford.  Not aging well...atall.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 08:14:55 AM
My candidate for "most-needs-plastic-surgery":

Robert Redford.  Not aging well...atall.

Well, freckled blondes often don't age well, and the fact that he spends so much of his time skiing and out in the sun doesn't help his complexion either.

He's so heart-stoppingly gorgeous in THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR, BUTCH CASSIDY, and THE STING that to see him now is something of a shock.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 08:16:14 AM
Mr. Sprinkler Man is out in back fixing what needs to be fixed.

No one can answer the various Merlin questions (save for the Nathan Lane one)?  Skammen.

Glad our Jrand is back!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 08:17:42 AM
Is our Jrand back?  I don't see any posts by Jrand.  Or is he just reading?  If so, we miss his posts and wish he would get his butt cheeks back on here.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JMK on June 24, 2004, 08:21:34 AM
Re:  TOD.  Well, let's go to Brasil, shall we, and mention the inimitable Milton Nascimento, Marcos Valle and Ivan Lins (just for starters).  Brasilian "pop" music is, I am humbled to admit, head and shoulders above 99% of the dreck we have been exposed to here for the past 20 or so years.  Lins' use of altered V7 chords in particular is so incredibly brilliant I can't stand it most of the time (some of you may be familiar with his tune "The Island," which has been recorded by everyone from Sergio Mendes to Johnny Mathis).

Re:  yesterday's trivia question for DR Charles Pogue:  the connection between Out of the Past and Toast of New York is the music!!  The song which keeps playing on the radio and in the underscore of Out of the Past is none other but "The First Time I Saw You," sung (kind of--she never claimed to be a singer) by Miss Frances Farmer at her lovely harp to Mr. Cary Grant in Toast of New York.  RKO recycled its music library almost as much as Universal, LOL.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: MBarnum on June 24, 2004, 08:22:43 AM
JRand posted late last night. He must be sleeping in this morning or perhaps is immersed a thrilling episode of Hawaiian Eye!

Maybe we might have an Allison Hayes picture of the day today! That would be nice (for me anyhow! LOL!)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Noel on June 24, 2004, 08:33:51 AM
Which member of Mr. BK's Resident Recording Repertory company also appeared in Merlin (there are 4 CDs by this performer all produced by BK)?

Question 2, which Brat Pack member played Young Merlin/Arthur in this show?

Question 3. Who went from producing and directing Merlin to spreading Marshmallow Fluff all over the Upper West Side of Manhattan a year later?

Question 3 would be Ivan Reitman, who directed Ghostbusters.  I remember how hard it was to get the Marshmallow Fluff out of my hair.

Question 2 I'd bet it was Christian Slater, who did plenty of musicals as a mere boy.

Question 1 I really don't know, but that Brent Barrett certainly did a lot of BK recordings.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ben on June 24, 2004, 08:35:34 AM
Two correct answers for our recently returned Noel (are you back, or posting poolside from LA?)

A clew (or clue) for the first question-Think carTOONs
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 08:41:05 AM
All is well with sprinklers.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JMK on June 24, 2004, 08:41:55 AM
Is anyone else going crazy with the 20% off sale at Deep Discount DVD?  I have gotten tons of Criterions for as little as $17.00!!  You have to wait a while for delivery with the free shipping option, but it's still a great deal.  I am loathe to admit how much I've spent in the past few days (don't tell my wife--oh wait, she already knows).  :)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 08:45:22 AM

A clew (or clue) for the first question-Think carTOONs

Then it would be ....

Michelle Nicastro.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 08:48:45 AM
Michelle sings one of her Merlin songs (Beyond My Wildest Dreams) on one of the Unsung Musicals albums (probably UMII).
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JMK on June 24, 2004, 08:49:49 AM
TOD #2 (or #1, depending on which you answered first):  did anyone else catch the truly abominable new show last night on NBC, THEM?  (Totally Hidden Extreme Magic).  I'm sure the pitch was "It's Candid Camera meets David Copperfield."  Oy.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 09:08:10 AM
New column up at http://dvds.allaccessworld.com - about our birthing pains, new look and name, and also a bit about the Dame Edna DVD.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JoseSPiano on June 24, 2004, 09:27:58 AM
Good Morning!  Oh - It's already Good Afternoon!

DR JMK: If you check one of my early morning posts, I did catch "THEM" last night on NBC.  I kind of liked it.  However, the amount of editing did drive me crazy - you never really got to see any of the tricks straight through since they kept going back and forth between the various "victims".  I'll have to check out the overnight ratings... Not! ;)

-Why, oh why did I buy a bag of Boston Baked Beans last night at the grocery store?!?!?  Why?  Well, they were on sale, but that wasn't the only reason of course.  Ah, well...

WOW!  The Noon News here on the NBC affiliate just ended - it's just 12:26pm - at least according to their on screen clock?!?!?  Hmm...  They usually go right to 11:30, or at least 11:29 - slow news day I guess.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Emily on June 24, 2004, 09:36:00 AM
Good morning all!

In honour of it being St-Jean-Baptiste Day (the national fête of Quebec) I proudly present....

Virtual Poutine:


Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Emily on June 24, 2004, 09:36:51 AM
oooh... and I have to agree with Jose about Ben Folds.  His music is so much fun to listen to.

How great would a Ben Folds musical be?  Maybe we should start a letter writing campaign :)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 09:38:44 AM
Singer/Songwriters.  McCartney.  Lennon.  Kenny Loggins.  Jim Webb (better known for others singing his songs, but I like his versions).  Mason Williams.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 09:40:02 AM
Good morning all!

In honour of it being St-Jean-Baptiste Day (the national fête of Quebec) I proudly present....

Virtual Poutine:
Emily, you're scaring me!



 ::) ;D 8)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 09:48:06 AM
And what about Peggy Lee (Fever, Siamese Cat Song, Manana)?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 09:50:13 AM
Emily, you're scaring me!



 ::) ;D 8)

This from someone whose "new love" is scrapple?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ben on June 24, 2004, 09:58:46 AM
What's all this about me folding. I don't fold (except my laundry). Wha choo talkin' bout Willis?

Oh, BTW, DIT was right (Michelle Nicastro), if you didn't already get that.

P.S., I have heard of the band, I have just not heard their music.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 10:10:39 AM
I was scrolling through the "Peggy Lee songwriter index." I think it's the most comprehensive and interesting such list that I've seen.

http://www.jazzdiscography.com/Artists/Lee/PLSongIdx.html
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 10:13:40 AM
oooh... and I have to agree with Jose about Ben Folds.  His music is so much fun to listen to.

How great would a Ben Folds musical be?  Maybe we should start a letter writing campaign :)

"Rockin' the Suburbs" was the best least-played-on-radio song when it came out two years ago.  True, some of the lyrics might have had something to do with that, but it was too catchy not to have gotten more airplay.  It sounds like some of it is used in Shrek 2 (in the promos, at least.)

"Still Fighting It" is a great song, too, from the same album.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JMK on June 24, 2004, 10:16:02 AM
BK:  your DVD column has a strange set of question marks after virtually every period.  I kept wondering what the proper inflection of your column should be.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Noel on June 24, 2004, 10:24:51 AM
Yes, I'm back, and scrolling through some of the posts I missed while I was away (with limited internet access), I came across:
   
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Quote from: Dan the Man on June 22, 2004
Quote
And from "West End Avenue" (The Magic Show), this great Stephen Schwartz rhyme:
Delis and laundromats and gay bars
West End Avenue
Only a block away from Zabars

I think we've been through this before.  My mother grew up on West End Avenue, exactly a block away from Zabars.

But how great a rhyme is it when you know that West End Avenue has neither laundromats or gay bars on it.  There's very few stores of any type: delis at 72nd and 96th (near highway off-ramps) and the only bar is The Underground, across the street from me.  I'm sad to report it's not gay, but instead features third tier stand-up comedians.  Weekend eves they hawk it on street corners: "See a stand-up who's appeared on the Kimmel show!"  Yeah, whatever that is.  The constant barking annoys me, and I'm tempted to say "There's too much comedy in my life already.  The moment you have people standing up doing poignant dramatic monologues, I'm there."

Near West End Avenue, in the 70's, there were a couple of gay bars.  Just not on it.  Nothing much is on it; it's residential.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 10:33:33 AM
BK:  your DVD column has a strange set of question marks after virtually every period.  I kept wondering what the proper inflection of your column should be.

BK has gone valley girl?

For me, it's like, appropo?  'Cause, like, I found this real cool web radio site?  And I'm listening to an all-80s channel?  Like, right now, they're playing Bowie's "Modern Love"?

I had the bestest sandwich for lunch?  Chunky chicken salad?  With a creamy pesto dressing?  Served on toasted raisin bread?  It was sooooo good I, like, scarfed the whole thing down and I wanted another?  Am I annoying anyone who's trying to read this yet?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 10:37:12 AM
Yes, I'm back, and scrolling through some of the posts I missed while I was away (with limited internet access), I came across:
   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from: Dan the Man on June 22, 2004
Quote
And from "West End Avenue" (The Magic Show), this great Stephen Schwartz rhyme:
Delis and laundromats and gay bars
West End Avenue
Only a block away from Zabars
I think we've been through this before.  My mother grew up on West End Avenue, exactly a block away from Zabars.

But how great a rhyme is it when you know that West End Avenue has neither laundromats or gay bars on it.  There's very few stores of any type: delis at 72nd and 96th (near highway off-ramps) and the only bar is The Underground, across the street from me.  I'm sad to report it's not gay, but instead features third tier stand-up comedians.  Weekend eves they hawk it on street corners: "See a stand-up who's appeared on the Kimmel show!"  Yeah, whatever that is.  The constant barking annoys me, and I'm tempted to say "There's too much comedy in my life already.  The moment you have people standing up doing poignant dramatic monologues, I'm there."

Near West End Avenue, in the 70's, there were a couple of gay bars.  Just not on it.  Nothing much is on it; it's residential.

Hmmm...Noel, I don't remember saying that.  But then again, I have been having blackouts again.  Was I flashing a switchblade and going "Grrrrrr!  Grrrrrrr!  Grrrrrr!" when I said that?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 10:37:28 AM
Noel,

It was in-Toronto and not (the Man) who highlighted the Zabars/gay bars rhyme. To be honest, I know only the snippet and not the song - remembering the passage from a NY Times review of the show when it opened. Do the lyrics actually place the delis, laundromats, and bars on West End Avenue, or is the singer commenting on Manhattan generally?

I also remember a review of Darling of the Day, in which the critic asked rhetorically, "Who else but E.Y. Harburg would rhyme uppity and cup-a-tea?" "Lionel Bart," I shouted back to the newspaper.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Noel on June 24, 2004, 10:37:35 AM
How great would a Ben Folds musical be?  Maybe we should start a letter writing campaign :)

All I know of Ben Folds is that when Ben Folds Five first came on the scene, some people thought the name referred to a lousy poker hand.

But I don't know about urging popular songwriters to try musical theatre.  Musical theatre writing is a very different skill than pop writing, and a great talent for the latter doesn't often translate to stage success.  Randy Newman's "Faust" and Paul Simon's "The Capeman" are two notable examples.

And I'd list Simon among my favorite singer/songwriters.  I'm not so fond of Newman's vocal growling.  Craig Carnelia sings beautifully (and is one of the best composer/lyricists around), and I like Johnny Mercer a lot.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Charles Pogue on June 24, 2004, 10:41:49 AM
I confess Magic doesn't thrill me all that much, simply because I know it's a trick, however complex.  Though once when I was the assistant entertainment director for an amusement complex in Dallas, I had to give my young magician stage presence.  I gave him lots of jokes and schticky bits of business to do.  I also got to see how a lot of well-known illusions worked.

Songwriters who sing their own stuff.  I adore early Tom Waits.  I right partial to John Prine.  I confess a weakness for Rod McKuen, though I'd still prefer other people to sing his songs.

Jose, The Lovely Wife makes a killer Curry Chicken Pasta Salad, that I don't know the recipe for.  She usually whips up a batch for the Hollywood Bowl.  We take it with a couple of bottles of wine and head for the nose-bleed section of the Bowl (we drive and park on back residential streets about a mile away and then walk to the Bowl, so we don't have to deal with parking) and we sit in the back, get blissfully, slightly wozzled, gorge ourselves on pasta, and look at the gorgeous night and listen to the gorgeous music.  There is no better, inexpensive entertainment for a summer's eve.  The cheapest seats way in the upper tiers still only go for three-four bucks.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Noel on June 24, 2004, 10:51:21 AM
Do the lyrics actually place the delis, laundromats, and bars on West End Avenue, or is the singer commenting on Manhattan generally?

I also remember a review of Darling of the Day, in which the critic asked rhetorically, "Who else but E.Y. Harburg would rhyme uppity and cup-a-tea?" "Lionel Bart," I shouted back to the newspaper.

That's very funny, Dan-Whom-I-Confused-
For-Another, I would have shouted the same.

While West End Avenue does have a metaphorical sense, the lyric clearly establishes that the laundromats and gay bars are ON WEA while Zabars is a block away.  Which is true of Zabars.

Thinking about Zabars reminds me of the Yogi Berra quote "It's so popular nobody goes there anymore."
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Jrand74 on June 24, 2004, 10:56:31 AM
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....I liked the magic trick that DRMichael Shayne was talking about....the trunk, the assistant, and the changing of places.  I also like a comedian/magician called, I think, the Amazing Kobe....who got behind some cloth and kept getting taller and taller AND taller!!!  I have only seen this guy once, but he was terrific.  Has any other DR seen him?  8)

Singer-songwriters....Melanie, Paul Simon, Carol King....that is a start.   ;D


Here is your Allison Hayes Picture of the Week.....
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 11:08:30 AM
I had the opportunity to see Merlin. The producers should have put the foot down and not allow Doug Henning on the stage. Henning was a triple threat. Couldn't sing, dance or act. They should have gotten an actor to learn the magic and allowed him to do the show. I think it might have been more successful. With all the tinkering they did to hid Henning's deficiatncies (sp?) they may have had a better show. The Magic Show continued to run without Henning and I am sure Merlin might have been more successful without him on stage. They did surround him with great performers: Chita Rivera, Nathan Lane, Edmund Lyndeck, George Lee Andrews and Michelle Nicastro and in doing so pointed out those weakness even more.
What is interesting  is that Henning recycled some of the illusioned he did in Merlin and put them in the "movie" version of The Magic Show. So some of the illusions in The Magic Show were not the originals.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 11:09:41 AM
I wonder is Merlin the only musical ever to be nominated for the Best Musical of the Year (Tony Awards) that has never had a (official) complete recording?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 11:11:20 AM
And from "West End Avenue" (The Magic Show), this great Stephen Schwartz rhyme:
Delis and laundromats and gay bars
West End Avenue
Only a block away from Zabars

I have seen the sheet music and Stephen Schwartz has written alternate lyrics that eliminates the gay bars references
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 11:18:37 AM
Some Best Musicals Never recorded

Dancin' which was a revue of pre-existing material was never recorded. As was Big Deal although some of the material  from Dancein and Big Deal was used in Fosse which was recorded.

Add Quilters to a show that was never recorded (that i know of)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: TCB on June 24, 2004, 11:20:23 AM
I guess I should go to bed, too. I'll probably dream about Ronald and Nancy.


As long as you didn't dream that Ronald Reagan was kissing Barbra Streisand.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 11:21:35 AM
Songwriters who sing their own material: Melissa Manchester, Janis Ian, John Lennon
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: TCB on June 24, 2004, 11:28:12 AM
Well, freckled blondes often don't age well, and the fact that he spends so much of his time skiing and out in the sun doesn't help his complexion either.

He's so heart-stoppingly gorgeous in THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR, BUTCH CASSIDY, and THE STING that to see him now is something of a shock.

And in THE WAY WE WERE.  I could stare at him in that movie forever!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 11:40:49 AM
Some Best Musicals Never recorded

Dancin' which was a revue of pre-existing material was never recorded. As was Big Deal although some of the material  from Dancein and Big Deal was used in Fosse which was recorded.

Add Quilters to a show that was never recorded (that i know of)

Also The Lieutenant and the '77 Happy End.  And if you're talking about nominees that never had a Broadway recording, then you'd have to add shows like Mamma Mia and Miss Saigon.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Jay on June 24, 2004, 12:02:35 PM
The cheapest seats way in the upper tiers still only go for three-four bucks.

Believe it or not, tickets at the Hollywood Bowl for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Tuesday and Thursday night classical concerts can still be had for one dollar.  

As a point of reference, tickets for the Simon and Garfunkel concert at the Bowl on July 1st start at $58.50 and go up to $354.50.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Robin on June 24, 2004, 12:17:28 PM
My last act of prestidigitation was becoming a HHW God.  

My favorite magic trick was performed by Penn and Teller, which was a variation of pulling a rabbit out of a hat; just after they pulled the rabbit(s) out of the hat, they tossed the l'il critters into high-powered industrial fan...yikes!  (It was just a trick folks...no rabbits were harmed...)

As to favorite singer/songwriters: Randy Newman, for sure.  Paul Simon and Frank Zappa, definitely.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 12:21:34 PM
CONGRATS ON YOUR ASCENSION ROBIN ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 12:26:49 PM
Welcome to the heavens, Robin!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 12:33:18 PM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]WELCOME TO THE PANTHEON, NEW HHW GOD ROBIN![/move]
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Sandra on June 24, 2004, 12:35:20 PM
My favorite pasta salad is also my favorite soup. Mix together gazpacho and pasta. It's called gazpasta.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Jennifer on June 24, 2004, 12:45:07 PM
Well yes today is the St. Jean Baptiste holiday.  And all stores are closed, except for grocery stores.

Spent the morning loading up my sister's credenza.  Her hubby put together their new BBQ.  Then we had chicken pizza for lunch.

My aunt and uncle came over with their poodle to see the house.  It's coming together slowly.  But there are still boxes all over the place.   They have only 8 more days to get it together until my brother-in-law's sister, hubby and 2 kids show up for a month from Nunavut.  I cannot wait (since my sis and I are both close to them. the kids call me auntie too!).

Oh well, need to go water the flowers and then make a BBQ.  Wonder if there are any good fireworks around here tonight.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: MBarnum on June 24, 2004, 12:45:39 PM
Welcome to the clouds Robin!!!

                                      (http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/engel/angel-smiley-033.gif)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ann on June 24, 2004, 12:57:19 PM

I had the bestest sandwich for lunch?  Chunky chicken salad?  With a creamy pesto dressing?  Served on toasted raisin bread?  It was sooooo good I, like, scarfed the whole thing down and I wanted another?  Am I annoying anyone who's trying to read this yet?


That sounds, like, so totally yummy!  
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 01:20:42 PM
I must figure out what to have for lunch. I don't feel like leaving the home environment, but there is nothing here I want. A problem. To quote Jose, "Hmmmm...."
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ron Pulliam on June 24, 2004, 01:27:55 PM
Just back from a really tasty lunch:

Blackened trout
Fresh steamed veggies
Herbed Rice
Fresh salad with vinaigrette. (Two of my three companions had shrimp bisque instead).

Very yummalicious!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 01:32:00 PM
My last act of prestidigitation was becoming a HHW God.  
[size=20]HAPPY GODLINESS TO ROBIN![/size]
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Jrand74 on June 24, 2004, 01:38:01 PM
Welcome to new HHW GOD ROBIN!!!!

Whew....I am going to make a lobby display case for the Children's Workshop....they are doing THE TEMPEST (older group) and MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (younger group)....cut versions of course.  I designed the makeup for them....and I shudder to think of my makeup room when they are done on Saturday....but if just one kid is inspired or learns something...welll it will be worth it...and then some.

Being measured for my tuxedo for FATHER OF THE BRIDE...and am trying to find my birth certificate.  I bought a copy when I got my passport 16 years ago....but it is nowhere to be found.  So I will have to buy another one.  Oh well....  

Back after rehearsal.  IAC.  
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 01:53:00 PM
Yes, I'm back, and scrolling through some of the posts I missed while I was away (with limited internet access), I came across:
   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from: Dan the Man on June 22, 2004I think we've been through this before.  My mother grew up on West End Avenue, exactly a block away from Zabars.

But how great a rhyme is it when you know that West End Avenue has neither laundromats or gay bars on it.  There's very few stores of any type: delis at 72nd and 96th (near highway off-ramps) and the only bar is The Underground, across the street from me.  I'm sad to report it's not gay, but instead features third tier stand-up comedians.  Weekend eves they hawk it on street corners: "See a stand-up who's appeared on the Kimmel show!"  Yeah, whatever that is.  The constant barking annoys me, and I'm tempted to say "There's too much comedy in my life already.  The moment you have people standing up doing poignant dramatic monologues, I'm there."

Near West End Avenue, in the 70's, there were a couple of gay bars.  Just not on it.  Nothing much is on it; it's residential.
Noel, the song was written in the 70s.  The Magic Show opened on May 28th, 1974 (the OCR released the same year) and ran 1859 performances, in spite of middling-to-lousy reviews (Walter Kerr referred to "gratuitous and even monotonous songs by Stephen Schwartz," but I've never found Walter Kerr hummable).  The OCR, which wisely kept Doug Henning away from the microphone but kept Anita Morris, David Ogden Stiers and Dale Soules (who got to introduce "West End Avenue") was one of my favorites during my college years.

Der Brucer may have some reminiscences to share on this, since he was familiar with NYC at that time.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Tomovoz on June 24, 2004, 02:08:50 PM
My first task of this new day:  Welcome and congratulations Robin. (Well, it's a new day here in OZ).
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 02:25:32 PM
Was LEADER OF THE PACK recorded?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Tomovoz on June 24, 2004, 02:26:52 PM
Indeed it was Matt. - a 2 disc set by Elektra. Don't know if it is on CD.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 02:28:20 PM
I spent another afternoon at my friend's pool. There wasn't a lot of sun today with a fairly frequent cloud cover and very moderate temperatures. It was kind of nice actually, to be in the pool and in deck chairs without roasting.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 02:52:19 PM
Update Chez Panni: I left the home environment and did some food shopping.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 03:04:00 PM
Indeed it was Matt. - a 2 disc set by Elektra. Don't know if it is on CD.

Remembering that embarrassing segment on the Tonys the year it was nominated, maybe I'm glad I missed this set!  :D
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Noel on June 24, 2004, 03:19:14 PM
Noel, the song was written in the 70s.  

I'm aware West End Avenue was written in the 70s.  I said that there may have been gay bars near West End Avenue in the West 70s of Manhattan.  For instance, the (in)famous Continental Baths on 74th might be considered a bar.  And that block of 72nd Street is certainly ever-changing.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Robin on June 24, 2004, 03:29:16 PM
It's fun bein' a God.  I recommend it.  
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Robin on June 24, 2004, 03:34:22 PM
Is anyone else on HHW a Jeopardy! fan?

If you've been watching this for the past three weeks, a young fellow from Utah named Ken Jennings has been doing some serious winning.  Today was be his sixteenth victory, and he's won over half a million bucks.  

This kid (I swear, he looks like he's fifteen!) seems to know everything about everything.  He's a real know-it-all.  I don't know whether to root him on or bitch-slap him out of pure jealousy.  
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: George on June 24, 2004, 03:36:19 PM
I'm at home and have been all day.  I called in sick (I have a gazillion hours of sick leave).  I'm not really sick, just a touch of the runs.  TMI!  TMI!  I seem to be fine now, but I'm glad I'm staying home.  I rearranged my living room a bit and was able to hook up my stereo system!  The speakers work and everything else too!  I even hooked it up to my computer and can make CDs of my records again!  Yea!

Also The Lieutenant and the '77 Happy End.  And if you're talking about nominees that never had a Broadway recording, then you'd have to add shows like Mamma Mia and Miss Saigon.

And The Phantom of the Opera.  Were Starlight Express or Aspects of Love nominated for best musical?  They didn't get cast recordings, either.

TotD:  Craig Carnelia, Stephen Schwartz (who also wrote a song called "Prestidigitaion"), Carole King, Billy Joel, Elton John.

I don't mind watching magic or "illusions," but I won't go out of my way to see it.  It's just okay.  I was in a series of locally (and very well) written shows where I played a bartender who is supposed to like magic.  I didn't and still don't.  I tried, but I just couldn't get into that aspect of the character.  Oh, well.  Maybe I'm just too jaded and cynical to "believe" what I see.

[move=UP,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
"WELCOME" TO THE LATEST HHW GOD, ROBIN!!
[/move]
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Tomovoz on June 24, 2004, 03:38:05 PM
DR Robin: Given your new position you should be able to smite him. That is of course the more godly term.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 03:45:19 PM
           


                       MESSAGE FROM BK

BK says a fond hello to all hainsies and kimlets. He is not posting because his internet is down and Adelphia is - surprise - being less than helpful.
This on top of the power outage a few days ago does not make him a happy camper.

Might be an idea to send **good internet vibes** his way.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JoseSPiano on June 24, 2004, 04:22:14 PM
Good Evening!

WHOA?!?!? What happened to my afternoon!?!?!?

What an interesting day I've had today.  I've done nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  My sinuses kind of kicked back in last night, and I spent most of today just laying on my couch watching TV and/or napping.  The latest nap lasted four(!) hours, so...  I finally got up and got some dinner - the rest of the spaghetti carbonara from last night - and now I'm back here.  I need to go for a walk sometime later at least.  I'm feeling OK, just not physically motivated to do anything.  But rest is a good thing.  -Yeah, that's the ticket!

In other news...  Just some interesting tidbits from playbill.com - Dracula delaying their previews by a week; The Boy From Oz closing when Hugh Jackman's contract is up; the "final" dates for the Sweet Charity revival; yadda-yadda-yadda...
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 04:32:02 PM
I'm back on.  Despite Adelphia's trying to always make you feel it's not their problem, it obviously is, since I'm back on and have done nothing differently.  Don't know if it's all better, but hopefully it is.  Blechhh.

Congrats, Robin!

Now, where in tarnation IS everyone?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 04:34:45 PM
Went to the DVD Place and didn't see any question marks or anything untoward.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JMK on June 24, 2004, 04:56:58 PM
Went to the DVD Place and didn't see any question marks or anything untoward.

Pow-la, what have you done with the lovely question marks?  Oh, Pow-la.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 04:57:22 PM
RE magic TOD...  Dear  Daughter told me of a magic trick which I can't figure out. A young woman she knows went to a David Copperfield show and was called up on stage with another woman. Copperfield said he would switch the two women's underpants - and did. Each wound up wearing the other's. (An unsanitary trick, if you ask me, but nobody asked me.) The young woman DD knows was not in on the trick. She said she felt it happening - and was suddenly wearing the other woman's undies. Now I don't know what else was involved - if the lights went out, if there was smoke, if they had to sit on some special platform or were just standing there ...Have no idea. But it does sound bizarre. Anyone know of this strange trick and how it's done?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: François de Paris on June 24, 2004, 05:07:00 PM
Hi,all!

I'm catching up on 4 days of posts and reading Panni's posts re: Mr Ismael Merchant which reminded me of a recent encounter...

One evening, some months ago, three gentlemen were lurking at the hotel where I nightaudit, when finally one of them came in and made a reservation for a room.

Some guests friends of mine from the US where in the lounge and when the man left, the lady friend came to me and said:

"Do you know to whom you just talked ?"
Well, I sure had not recognized Mr Merchant but it did was him...

A few days later, the room reservation was canceled...
I hope I had not said anything wrong!! ;)

Ain't that just too too?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on June 24, 2004, 05:10:34 PM


"Do you know to whom you just talked ?"
Well, I sure had not recognized Mr Merchant but it did was him...

A few days later, the room reservation was canceled...
I hope I had not said anything wrong!! ;)




Maybe the room didn't have a view.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 05:22:37 PM
Maybe the room didn't have a view.
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Jay on June 24, 2004, 05:35:28 PM
I'm aware West End Avenue was written in the 70s.  I said that there may have been gay bars near West End Avenue in the West 70s of Manhattan.  For instance, the (in)famous Continental Baths on 74th might be considered a bar.  And that block of 72nd Street is certainly ever-changing.

I can speak with some authority about the location of gay bars on the Upper West Side during the '70s.  The gay bar closest to West End Avenue was The Candle, a dive bar on Amsterdam Avenue (two blocks--that is, one long avenue block broken up by Broadway--east of WEA) between 74th and 75th (or was it 75th and 76th?).  Another long avenue block to the east, on Columbus Avenue, was The Works, a video/preppie bar in a building owned by Columbia University.

Go, Lions, Go!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: TCB on June 24, 2004, 05:36:49 PM
RE magic TOD...  Dear  Daughter told me of a magic trick which I can't figure out. A young woman she knows went to a David Copperfield show and was called up on stage with another woman. Copperfield said he would switch the two women's underpants - and did. Each wound up wearing the other's. (An unsanitary trick, if you ask me, but nobody asked me.) The young woman DD knows was not in on the trick. She said she felt it happening - and was suddenly wearing the other woman's undies. Now I don't know what else was involved - if the lights went out, if there was smoke, if they had to sit on some special platform or were just standing there ...Have no idea. But it does sound bizarre. Anyone know of this strange trick and how it's done?


Well, I know the same thing happened to me and another guy in the back seat of a '64 Mustang!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 05:49:22 PM
FOR FANS OF OUR BELOVED DU-PAR'S...

Du-par's Changing Hands but Not Heart or Soul (EXCERPTED)

By Patricia Ward Biederman, Times Staff Writer

"Today's egg day," Erwin Abrams explained Wednesday, savoring a lunch-hour order of fried eggs, with a side of mashed potatoes, at the original Du-par's in the Farmers Market.
Abrams, 80, has been coming to the eatery at 3rd Street and Fairfax for 54 years.
"Tomorrow's fried-chicken day, and I'll probably be in on Friday and have some macaroni and cheese," said Abrams.

Like dozens of other regulars at the first Du-par's, Abrams was relieved to learn that the 66-year-old institution will continue, its name and hot cakes unchanged, after its sale to the Naylor Establishment.

The sale of the three Du-par's (the others are in Studio City and Thousand Oaks) was announced Wednesday by Shirley Oberst Kauffman, whose family has owned the restaurants since 1984, and W.W. "Biff" Naylor, whose family started Biff's Drive-In and the Tiny Naylor's chain of diners in Los Angeles.

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the assets included Du-par's recipes, Kauffman and Naylor said.

Abrams cites "the excellent coffee" and sourdough French toast and the accommodating staff as reasons he makes Du-par's a near-daily ritual. But Kauffman, who has a doctorate in psychology, thinks tradition is an important part of the venerable chain's appeal.

"It's a very homey place," she said. "We've tried to keep the menu current by putting on new items without taking off the old favorites."

Many of the regulars began visiting Du-par's decades ago, in a more innocent time when people worried less about the state of their arteries than about pleasing their taste buds. Many patrons acquired a taste for such retro staples as buttermilk hot cakes with boysenberry topping, steak-and-kidney pie, and banana splits.

Even most regulars don't know that the restaurant was named for founders James Dune and Edward Parsons.

Kauffman said selling the business was bittersweet, but she was confident it would thrive under its new ownership.
Naylor has known Kauffman and her family since she was a child and said he was eager to keep the Du-par's tradition alive.

"I come from the old school too," said Naylor, who likes to say he was the only one in his grade school to have a restaurant named after him (Biff's Drive-In).

He said he planned to renovate the Farmers Market location, adding a patio and other amenities, but the ambience and the menu would remain largely the same.

All three locations will temporarily shut their doors at the end of August when escrow closes, Kauffman said. The Farmers Market location will remain closed for two months or more for renovation. The others will reopen in a week or two.

All 105 employees will need to reapply for jobs with the new owner, including Leathon Lacy, 68, who has been baking pies at the Farmers Market Du-par's for 48 years.

September and October aren't going to be easy for Joe and Edith Willins, who have been regulars for 40 years and now eat there twice a day. He's 85; she is 91.

"If they don't come in, we worry about them," Kauffman said.

Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ben on June 24, 2004, 06:01:09 PM
Yes, Robin, I have been watching Jeopardy all week. When Jennings started his winning streak I tried to tune in but this week since it's been such a long streak I make a point of watching. If we go out tomorrow evening (not sure yet if we will have tickets to a Joan Morris performance) I will tape Jeopardy. I thought for sure today was the day it was over but he pulled through in the Double Jeopardy round.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Robin on June 24, 2004, 06:29:58 PM
Page Five Dance!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: MBarnum on June 24, 2004, 06:35:22 PM
LOL! That gave me quite the laugh DR Robin!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Robin on June 24, 2004, 06:38:01 PM
For more about Ken Jennings, super-genius:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5280478/
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Jennifer on June 24, 2004, 06:44:04 PM

Speaking of email problems, I cannot send messages.  Now at least I can get into my account and read my messages.  But they are doing something to the server. And didn't bother to let me know until today.  I think that is not very nice.  I mean, yah it's a holiday here.  And I don't actually need to send a message (and I can from yahoo if I have to).  But it just really bugs me that they didn't bother to let me know.

:(

I hear fireworks going off. I want to see fireworks!

Okay I just realized how weird it is to hear fireworks. They always go off after 10pm and it's only 9:44pm. Plus there was thunder and lightening just a few minutes ago. I wonder if they are expecting more storms and they decided to do the fireworks early (I think maybe the rain has stopped).
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Emily on June 24, 2004, 06:57:47 PM
I was supposed to go down to the old port to see the fireworks but got scared away by the weather.

Oh well... there's always Canada Day a week from today...

Plus the July 1st fireworks get set to music, which is always more entertaining than the non musically-choreographed version for the Fête Nationale.  There's something stirring about hearing "The Maple Leaf Forever" interspersed with loud bangs and pops :)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Noel on June 24, 2004, 07:22:01 PM
Plug: I'll be teaching a 4-session course in song improvisation at Second City/ny July Tuesdays.  Bound to be fun.  Visit: http://www.secondcity.com/training/newyork/course/index.asp (http://www.secondcity.com/training/newyork/course/index.asp) (bottom of the page)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Sigerson Holmes on June 24, 2004, 07:26:00 PM
Has anyone mentioned Paul Williams for today's "singer-songwriter" topic?  I like him a little better as a writer than a performer, as some of his pronunciation and general persona is a little eccentric for my taste.  However, his contribution to "The Muppet Movie" alone puts him on my long list of favorite guys.

Also:

*What if modern digital technology (and tell me if I'm wrong, but I think the procedure DOES EXIST) could correct the focus in the famous "Manchurian Candidate" Sinatra close-up?  Would the late Mr. Frankenheimer approve of such a thing?  Or, would YOU, nobody in particular?

*Why is ANYONE the least bit afraid of a remake of "The Manchurain Candidate," when it's being directed by the same genius who remade "Charade" into "The Truth About Charlie"?  (MWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAHHH!!!!!)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Robin on June 24, 2004, 07:28:49 PM
*What if modern digital technology (and tell me if I'm wrong, but I think the procedure DOES EXIST) could correct the focus in the famous "Manchurian Candidate" Sinatra close-up?

Well, now that Mr. Frankenheimer is dead, and therefore unable to make such a decision, his movies should remain untouched.  
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Dan (the Man) on June 24, 2004, 07:29:08 PM
Is anyone else on HHW a Jeopardy! fan?

If you've been watching this for the past three weeks, a young fellow from Utah named Ken Jennings has been doing some serious winning.  Today was be his sixteenth victory, and he's won over half a million bucks.  

This kid (I swear, he looks like he's fifteen!) seems to know everything about everything.  He's a real know-it-all.  I don't know whether to root him on or bitch-slap him out of pure jealousy.  

David Letterman's been doing a very funny running bit this week on the Jeopardy guy.  Letterman says that he's been watching the winning streak but that he thinks there's something fishy going on.  Then he shows an edited  clip where Alex Trebek reads a clue and then the guy gives the correct answer to an entirely different question.  Letterman then rants and raves about how this stinks to high heaven and that Trebek is heading for a few years in the Big House.  The editing on the clips is right on the money as they run at the same breakneck pace as an actual Jeopardy round.   And the mismatched questions and answers are funny in of themselves.

I love Letterman.  I shouldn't be staying up that late but it's always worth it.  His show is never a waste of time.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Jennifer on June 24, 2004, 07:34:08 PM
Well I can now send email again.  But there is still one last thing wrong.  The tech guy wanted the password to my account.  Now I've dealt with him before, and he went right in and fixed my first problem.  But I cannot wait to change my password.

I'm sure he's being good (and it is a small local company) ... and they do have most other clients' passwords.  But I cannot wait to change my password once my last problem is fixed!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 07:41:29 PM
Also The Lieutenant and the '77 Happy End.  And if you're talking about nominees that never had a Broadway recording, then you'd have to add shows like Mamma Mia and Miss Saigon.

Actually there was a recording of the Lieutenant. I am sure there has been recordings of Happy End haven't there? I was looking for shows that were never recorded. So if they had a london cast recording or any other cast recording there has been one.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Michael on June 24, 2004, 07:44:47 PM
Is anyone else on HHW a Jeopardy! fan?

If you've been watching this for the past three weeks, a young fellow from Utah named Ken Jennings has been doing some serious winning.  Today was be his sixteenth victory, and he's won over half a million bucks.  

This kid (I swear, he looks like he's fifteen!) seems to know everything about everything.  He's a real know-it-all.  I don't know whether to root him on or bitch-slap him out of pure jealousy.  

Not the actor Ken Jennings who created Tobias in Sweeney Todd and was also in GRand Hotel?

Just read the above article. I guess not.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: JoseSPiano on June 24, 2004, 08:05:45 PM
Good Evening!

Well, since this has been a sleepy day, I guess I should get some sleep...

???  ???  ???

WOW!  11:05pm!?!?!?  This is early(!!!!) for me...

-Oh, but I'll finish the news at least...

Goodnight.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 08:23:27 PM
"And The Phantom of the Opera.  Were Starlight Express or Aspects of Love nominated for best musical?  They didn't get cast recordings, either."


They were nominated for Best Musical and they had London cast recordings as did THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. In every case, they deliberately didn't make Broadway cast recordings though the shows ran long enough to merit one. (Quality-wise, it's another story.)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Matt H. on June 24, 2004, 08:24:40 PM
I was up very early this morning with my house guest, so I will be making it an earlier night tonight. Good night, all.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 09:21:45 PM
Last post one hour ago - I gotta tell you, it's a little slow around these here parts the last couple of days.  However, with posts this cherce that's just fine.  However, I need more reading matter.  However, an hour has gone by without a post.  However, perhaps someone will get off their lazy butt cheeks and write something for our mental delectation.  However, maybe another hour will go by without a post.  However, that will be cause for bitch-slapping.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: DERBRUCER on June 24, 2004, 09:24:23 PM
Der Brucer may have some reminiscences to share on this, since he was familiar with NYC at that time.

Well, Zabar's was just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Continental Baths but it was going co-ed when Magic Show was running.

der always-clean Brucer
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: DERBRUCER on June 24, 2004, 09:31:00 PM
Singer song-writers:

Amanda McBroom
Gretchen Cryer
Melissa Manchester
Dan Fogelberg
John Denver
Don McLean
Guy Haines (?)

der Brucer


Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: DERBRUCER on June 24, 2004, 09:37:55 PM
Saw a wonderful T-Shirt for Jennifer:

Alcohol
  Tobacco
  Firearms

Whose Bringing the Chips?
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ann on June 24, 2004, 09:54:07 PM
I have little to write in the way of mentally delectable words.  Today has be a lousy day from start to finish.  Ah well, everyone has lousy days.  I shall not dwell, oh no I shall not.  Instead I shall eat popcorn and try to find something decent to watch on television.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: DERBRUCER on June 24, 2004, 10:03:52 PM
Instead I shall eat popcorn and try to find something decent to watch on television.

Try something light and cheery - like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 10:29:53 PM
I'll write something delectable: I just had the most delicious delectable  cookie - two actually. Ginger cookies that my daughter brought back for me from San Diego. Yummy. Coooo-keeee.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Ann on June 24, 2004, 10:45:46 PM
mmmm....love ginger cookies!  Also molasses cookes.  My grandmother used to make the best molasses cookies in the world.  Hmmm...now I'm hungry :)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 10:48:32 PM
mmmm....love ginger cookies!

See? Cheered up! The cookies have done their job.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 10:54:24 PM
If Broadway, as it is generally referred to, is a neighborhood in NYC known for it's theaters, in spite of the fact that most of the theaters are not located on Broadway itself, and in spite of the fact that the street named Broadway extends the length of Manhattan, so that even if you're on Broadway you might not be in the area known as Broadway...

Then it is logical that "West End Avenue" also refers to a neighborhood, in spite of the fact that not everything in that nieghborhood is on West End Avenue itself, and that the Avenue extends beyond the neighborhood referred to.

Therefor, when Stephen Schwartz wrote the lyric line "Delis and laundromats and gay bars" in 1974, he was being accurate.  Most people would have understood what he was writing.

Besides, it's the universality of the song, the conundrum of wanting to leave home yet finding oneself unable to leave, that Schwartz was writing about.  His use of specifics, such as "And you subway to school with kids whose folks all live in twenty blocks/ In a high-rise rented carton or a co-op brownstone box," is easy for listeners to relate to, in spite of the fact that most students don't ride to school on subways, or live in a brownstone.  I always walked to school; the grandlads ride on a yellow school bus.  They live in a two-story house in the woods; I grew up in a single-family house in what was then considered a suburb, or at least a "bedroom community."  All the same, the monotony of life growing up anywhere, the desire to break out of that monotony, and the irritating knowledge that "home" would be waiting for me, these things were all identifiable as part of life.  This is what Schwartz was writing about, and in a very real way what he wrote was comforting to me, as he helped me recognize that I wasn't alone, that people leading very different lives than mine on the outside could be leading the same life as mine on the inside.

The song is quite accurate.

(Edited for punctuation.  Dash it all.)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 10:58:41 PM
If anyone is not familiar with the song "West End Avenue," I suggest the recording our own BK produced, on The Stephen Schwartz Album, as performed by Kristin Chenoweth Alice Ripley.  She nailed it, as if it had been written for her.

(Edit: My bad.  Kristin nails "Lion Tamer" on TSSA, Alice nails "WEA."  They both nail.  Get the disc, make your ears happy.)
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 11:11:16 PM
Well put, SWW.
"as he helped me recognize that I wasn't alone," - I've often said that that's one of the main functions of theater and film.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 11:12:56 PM
Do you think we'll actually make it to Page Six?...
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 11:13:21 PM
Only two more posts...
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 11:15:32 PM
And one for G.M!
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: bk on June 24, 2004, 11:23:56 PM
Kristin didn't do West End Avenue, she did Lion Tamer, brilliantly I might add.  Alice Ripley did West End, brilliantly, too.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 11:35:20 PM
Kristin didn't do West End Avenue, she did Lion Tamer, brilliantly I might add.  Alice Ripley did West End, brilliantly, too.
I corrected, before reading your correction.

Great album.  There's only one track I dislike, and that's because I dislike the song.  More accurately, I don't like "Meadowlark's" lyric.  Wonderful melody, and Susan Egan sings it beautifully, but I can't get over how the song is about a woman finding a reason to make the wrong choice in her life.  But there's lots of people who love the song; beyond the two cast albums of The Baker's Wife, it's on three other discs I own.  Consider me a horseracer.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: Panni on June 24, 2004, 11:37:34 PM
Yes, Lion Tamer is wonderful. I've listened to it dozens of times in the car.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: S. Woody White on June 24, 2004, 11:44:55 PM
Time for a short break.  I'll be back after the new notes go up...or maybe a little later.
Title: Re:PRESTIDIGITATION
Post by: George on June 24, 2004, 11:57:01 PM
Great album.  There's only one track I dislike, and that's because I dislike the song.  More accurately, I don't like "Meadowlark's" lyric.  Wonderful melody, and Susan Egan sings it beautifully, but I can't get over how the song is about a woman finding a reason to make the wrong choice in her life.  But there's lots of people who love the song; beyond the two cast albums of The Baker's Wife, it's on three other discs I own.  Consider me a horseracer.

I have 14 different recordings of this song. ::)