Wicked - ahem, The Musical.

As busy as we are I decided this was the right time to go see a show! I got a good deal (half price!) on tickets to see "Wicked" at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.
Let me give a little bit of back story. We saw the Lion King in New York, and then saw it in Los Angeles. It was a tad disappointing. "Why?" I wondered, "doesn't the same talent pool exist here in LA?"

When Wicked came to LA I was gun shy of another disappointment. I'd just go see it in New York I told myself. Then our neighbor apparently saw it. I don't know for certain, he was a nutter and we tried to not engage him in any way shape or form. But one day, out of the blue, we were in our backyard when some crazy musical theater nonsense came blasting out of his house and over our fence. Being predisposed to disliking him, I took an immediate dislike to whatever he was playing. It was Wicked. It was LOUD. Me no-likey.
Now that was over two years ago. Everyone I know has seen it. Most of them more than once. Some of them more than 5 times. Some of them in different cities. I think they are nuts.

I read the book "Wicked" and I didn't just dislike it, I hated it. Yes, I finished it. But no, I did not like it at all. Well written. Well crafted. NOT MY STYLE.

When I heard that the Los Angeles production will be closing in January I decided, well heck, I may as well see it while it's here, clearly I am not getting to New York soon enough, and I got us tickets.

Lyle was apprehensive. "We're seeing what? That music the nut job was playing so loud over the fence? Uh... I guess if you're forcing me, I'll go."

Well shut my mouth. We both liked it!
Certainly the Gin & Tonics prior to, and during intermission helped.

The performances we saw in Los Angeles, though unique to the performers themselves, were still quite evocative of Kristin Chenowith and Idena Menzel who originated the roles on Broadway. Only in as much as I have seen clips of their performances on TV.

Upon learning that I had popped my "Wicked" cherry, the "Wicked heads" all wanted to know what my favorite number from the show was. I hadn't really thought about it, but I can say with all clarity that what I said to Lyle during the show was the I loved the number "Popular".

At our performance the role of Glinda was played by Erin Mackey and Elphaba by Marcie Dodd. Marci Dodd was the standby for her role but I never once felt underwhelmed. And while I feel that Los Angeles audiences can sometimes leap to their feet for what I felt was good but not great performance, I had no problem rising to the occasion on Tuesday night. It really was a great show.

Now for a little too much information: As a child I watched "The Wizard of Oz" as often as I could. Whenever it came on TV, whenever I played at a theater. But without fail, even in my 20's, one part of that movie haunted me in my dreams. Those damn Flying Monkeys. And though I know we had come to see the musical based on the same story the thought of those monkeys never crossed my mind... until they appeared on stage... YIKES!!! (to be fair, I am the same person who saw the Musical "Titanic" on Broadway and was so sad at the end because I had hoped they would focus on a happy ending where more people lived.)

Next up, 9 to 5 the musical on October 14th. I hear it's phenomenal!

Why I loves me some good drag

I found this via JoeMyGod. I can't help but repost it. The best bit is when she picks up that tv...

Miss Washington

Miss Washington 2007, Elyse Umemoto

Miss Washington from a previous year.

Okay, I'll freely admit that I absolutely got sucked into watching that train wreck of a show called "Miss America: Reality Check" just from the commercials featuring Michael Urie telling the ladies, "Stop it, no one waves like that."

So on the heels of investing almost four hours of my precious life to watching these 52 contestants for the Miss America title get a hefty make-over, you can bet I watched the Miss America Pageant that was held Saturday night. Of course through the magic of Tivo I watched it on Sunday.

I did not have a favorite heading in to the competition, but after the final episode of "Reality Check" I had my hopes on Miss Washington. Though I am originally from Washington State, I only chose out of totally selfish reasons. She won me over when she was asked about the "controversial" subject matter of gay marriage. Her answer revealed she was all for it because she knows that love is love and that her family included her mother and stepfather and her father and his partner, her other father. Go Miss Washington!

Then came the full pageant. and I must say that I absolutely grooved to her rendition of Robbie Williams song "Angel". I had extremely high hopes. If only she'd had Kylie Minogue design her dress she'd have had the triple threat of every gay in the universe pulling for her.

Sadly, she came in third, but here is a video clip of her winning the Miss Washington title. She was so happy!

Trying something new...

Blogger just added a new feature that allows me to post video! Oh the horrible things I can show you now without having to place things on Youtube...

But I am not certain how it will work, so here is a video of a woman working her mojo for all its worth from our recent trip to Vancouver... I should mention she is wearing some fierce heels in a blacktop parking lot that has a slight incline.

Mostly because I just had nothing interesting to say today.

Moving Pictures

I'm not a huge movie going fanatic. There I said it. As a child I couldn't fathom why my parents didn't want to see every movie that came out nor ride every ride at the dirty rotten carney that came to town twice a year, I swore I wouldn't become old fogies like them. Now it turns out I do still like really big roller coasters but dirty rotten carnies are no longer my thing. Neither is attending a movie.

I still enjoy movies. I just enjoy them at home. We have a VERY LARGE screen television. We have surround sound. We don't have any babies or sticky floors. It's nice at mi casa.

So there is one theater that I will go to. The Arclight Cinemas attached to the Cineramadome.

When they started, it was all about a premium experience. Pay more! But get more! There are NO COMMERCIALS at the Arclight. I like that.

Regular admission is $11.00 except for Friday and Saturday nights after 6pm and Sundays before 6pm and Holiday Periods when tickets are $14.00. You can purchase your reserved seat in advance, print them out at home and proceed directly to your movie of choice.

As a "member" (signed up for e-mails) I get $1.00 off Regular price and gain points towards free stuff.

From their website: "ArcLight discourages bringing small children to films they won't be interested in, and children's prices not available for R rated films or for infants under 2. Because ArcLight is an all-reserved seat environment, infants must be ticketed and are charged adult prices." And this keeps the theater a little quieter.

At full price on a Friday night for two of us to go to movie here with no discounts (but we would be gaining points) it would cost us $30.

They also feature reserved seating, better than standard snacks and have a full bar. Parking is $2 for the first 4 hours with validation.

Another theater near me is at the Grove. They do not have online ticketing. The tickets need to be purchased by a third party who adds a "convenience" fee. On arrival, you need to queue to get your tickets. Once you are inside, the theaters are smallish, no assigned seating, and they have numerous commercial before the previews and film finally start.

Ticket prices at this theater are $12.75. If you buy online you add $1 service fee. Then the parking is $4 for 4 hours with validation.

For two of us to go here on a Friday night and sit through commercials and get no loyalty program points, it would cost us $31.50. Only $1.50 more? And for such an awful experience? Why so crabby?

OK, you caught me. I hate people. I hate stupid people. Slow people. People who speak loudly. People who eat popcorn behind my head. People who talk during a movie. People who have to pee. People who can't drive. People who must have never left their home before and hove no idea how one of those "parky tower buildings" work. You catching up with me here?

Last year I missed seeing the Harry Potter Theatrical release in a full theater because it didn't come to the Arclight. I saw it first on a plane then in my house. This year, same scenario. If I was gonna see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" IN a theater, I'd have to brave THE GROVE. Ugh.

In spite of the theater, I really enjoyed the film. Though parsed of a lot of the book plot, I didn't really notice it as I read and forget quite quickly. It makes re-reading books so much fun. "I wonder what happens?!" I thought you read that book already. "I did, but I can't remember!"

Another movie I got to see recently was "The Simpsons Movie". I am a huge fan of the TV show and was ever so thrilled that this movie came to my beloved Arclight. I enjoyed it from the opening of Homer in a multiplex, to the closing humor over the credit roll. My only wish was for more of that precious angel Ralph Wiggum.

One more film and I'm all out. Playing at a theater very near my house (the Showcase) was "La Vie En Rose". I am a happy comedy pleasant ending type of movie goer. I have people that pre-screen movies for me and tell me if I can go. The monkeys in "The Wizard of Oz" gave me nightmares. Still can. I just can't do unhappy.

Well, shit if Edith Piaf's life story wasn't the most miserable event ever to take place in France in the last century. I swear there may have been at least two or three happy moments in her life, but it seems the filmmakers cut those out for a faster paced miserable fest. To be fair, I had no idea going in. Like going to see "Titanic" on Broadway, I had hoped for the sunny side of the tale. Who lived? Who survived? I enjoy Edith Piaf music and you know I love France. What's not to enjoy when the two are put together?

Now, if you can stand all the misery, I actually do recommend going to see it. Marion Cotillard absolutely inhabits the role (and that's the only way to describe it, INHABIT, not acting) is unbelievable. Perhaps that was why it was so sad. Oh, and the film is French with subtitles. And has a very French non-linear way of story telling. Oh, the French!

Oh, and the reason I was able to suddenly break out and go see all these movies? Because I was too sick to go to the gym and too tired to argue about not going to my beloved Arclight. people around me just made decisions for me and I got in the car and rolled with it. Thank you people!

Bassey Belts

A few years back I was watching a concert/documentary with Shirley Bassey (as the subject, not sitting next to me on the sofa), and Dame Shirley Bassey refers to a review someone wrote about her in which they said, "Bassey Belts." I've always thought that would be a good name for a line of pant cinching instruments.

In 2006, Marks & Spencer in Britain had an ad campaign with Shirley Bassey singing Pink's hit "Get This Party Started." It was BRILLIANT.

I've been wishing I could own it ever since then... and now we all can. Miss Bassey has released a new album. Sort of. One new song and a bunch of remixes. I don't care. I must posses it.

Oh, and our dear girl Shirl is 70. I've got to discover her secret...

Storming the Bastille

storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. The storming of the Bastille was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French “nation” and though some opposed marking a day of bloodshed as a national holiday (the 1789 uprising) others noted it should be an observation of the more peaceful anniversary the happened in 1790 and the celebration is all about the unity that the second date holds for France.

Unless you are not French and do not live in France. For us, it is an opportunity to celebrate all things French, hold a summer party and not compete for guests who might be otherwise occupied on the 4th of July. In other words a big gay party.

Lyle and I had been discussing the idea of a Bastille Day party since early April. We will have been in our new digs one year as of July 1st and finally (FINALLY) we felt the house was ready to show off. In May, our friend Ellys phoned asking questions about restaurants to hold a birthday party in for his boyfriend Phillip. After I gave him some suggestions I said, “Oh by the way, save the date of July 14th. We’re having a Bastille Day party and I wanted to invite you both.”

“No way. That is Phillip’s birthday! I am inviting you both.”

“No,” I told him, “you will come to MY party.”

“No,” he told me, “MY party.”

“MY PARTY!”

“MY PARTY!!!”

“I Said it first!!!!” (I can be so childish.)

“Girl,” (he can be so gay), “we should COMBINE our parties.”

Et Voilá, it all began.

Party preparations were well underway by Thursday of last week. Gallons of French Vodka (seriously, GALLONS) had been acquired. Over 100 bottles of Kronenburg Beer (French of course) were procured from 4 different BevMo stores in Southern California, mixers, water, mini-quiche, baguettes, grapes, cheese cubes and a birthday cake were all headed for the homestead.

Lyle specifically requested no colored liquids consumed over his carpets. So the mixers were white cranberry juice, grapefruit juice and tonic water.

I built a 6 hour playlist of classic French tunes. If you’re having a French party let me know...
A small sample of which:

Maurice Chevalier - I Love Paris
Josephine Baker - En Avril Paris
Triplettes de Belleville - Belleville Rendez-vous
Brigitte Bardot - Je me donne à qui me plait
Charles Aznavour & Edith Piaf - Le Blue De Tes Yeux
Gilbert Bécaud - Je reviens te chercher
Edith Piaf - Non, je ne regrette rien
Jacqueline Francois - Paris Je T’aime
Pink Martini - Sympathique
Les Damoiselles Du Rochefort - Chanson des jumelles
In-Grid - Tu Es Foutu
Dalida - Laissez-moi dancer
Charles Aznavour - Non Je N’ai Rien Oublié
Francis Lai - Un homme et une femme

To some it may be shocking that I have 6 (plus!) hours of French party appropriate music, but remember I have over 20,000 songs in my i-tunes library. Okay, even I was surprised. I also mixed in some very French feeling lounge music then paired it in i-movie with video clips from French movies or movies with Parisian scenes. Beauty & The Beast (en Français, bien sur), Funny Face (Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson est tres magnifique) , Moulin Rouge, Amelie, The Devil Wears Prada and the James Bond flick View To A Kill (or as I called it, that one with the Duran Duran song and Grace Jones jumping off the Eiffel Tower).

So with a video music multi-media presentation on our hands, we hauled out the projector TV and screen from the living room and installed it on the patio. Oh yeah, the whole party took place outside.

Now let’s back up just a little and give out some thanks to people. Ellys came over Thursday night (in secret) and helped prep the space with furniture arrangement, bar tables, curtain hanging (oh yeah, I borrowed a bolt of red velvet drapery from a friend and we wrapped the outdoor patio in red drapery. That would also help dampen the noise bleeding over to the neighbors- strangely no one else in the neighborhood seems to consider that when they throw parties or have blow out fights where I can hear them. Anyway... On Friday I picked up my brother Scott at the airport and he began his indentured servitude of following me around and running errands for Lyle and I. Including building the bar we bought at Target, additional beer pick up, ice run and so much hand holding. Merci!

From the moment you arrived your party experience began. The driveway was stantioned off so no cars could park there. Over the archway of the driveway hung a large French flag, candelabras flanked the sides of the entrance and a red carpet was laid down for you to walk across.

Down left side of the fence hung red crushed velvet fabric interspersed with large gold fleur-de-lis. Above you, ribbons of bright white LED Christmas lights led you back towards the bar, and the party space.

Ellys hired a cute bartender to serve the guests and freed us all to mingle. We brought in our housekeeper to man the kitchen, keep the food moving to the table outdoors, keep stragglers from touring the house unattended and clear things as needed. Again, very freeing as owners of the host house.

The invitation said we started at 8 p.m. This being L. A. that meant no one showed up until 8:45.
Marie Antoinette greeted the arrivals with a wave of her fan and photos were plenty. If only they were also in focus. I am hoping to get some more photos in the next few days from other party attendees.

At 9:15, the birthday boy was brought in, blindfolded to our back deck. Or as it was now being called, The Stage. Our borrowed Klieg lights were flicked on the blindfold was removed and Phillip was blinded by light and still had no idea where he was. As the shock wore off and the realization downed on him that he was practically in Paris for his birthday, a 3 minute birthday video played on the screen (9:38 on the dot).

At 10 o’clock the Klieg lights were once again turned on for the stage and three performers took their places for a ten minute dance spectacular. Ellys used to dance with a troupe and hired us a phenomenal group of women to perform on our back deck, er, brand new stage.

Though we had invited the neighbors just North (who would most be affected by the lights and noise) to come by for the party, they didn’t come by. However during the show, I did see one of them poke her head past the back curtains and take a gander. Then the back door came open and she threw something out into her garbage... and kept the door open and watched from the safety of her back door. The next day, she and Lyle were exchanging pleasantries over the back fence and she told him we had “very pretty ladies” at our party.

One of our guests mentioned how sorry she was that she had missed the performance. She had arrived about 10:15. I told her the invite said special performance at 10 p.m. It went off at EXACTLY 10 p.m. I run a prompt party!

Show completed, birthday cake presented and guests soaked in booze, I could finally relax and enjoy.
Part of the beauty of pre-planning all the video and music is you can light a party, build a party, and then kill the party. At 11:30 the music turned mellow and people starting bidding us adieu. The video stopped being moving pictures and went to one steady photo. Our circle shrunk to about 10 of us. And that is when we started talking trash about everyone who had attended.

That’s not true. We finally put our feet up and sat down! We had been running in the 90˚+ heat all day long and it was bliss to stop and relax. Phillip opened a few gifts and before you knew it, it was 2 a.m.

A few people who weren’t able to attend, sent their deepest regrets and said they’d make the next party. Lyle told them he’d keep that in mind in five years when we considered doing this again.

It took all the next day to tear down what had taken three days to put up, but what a good time we had.

Happy Bastille Day!

Something new?

Okay, I'm gonna try something new.

Went out last night and saw some music videos I thought we really fun. Now the annoying part is, I'd had a couple of beers (yes, I said beer - cheaper than water here) and can only remember two of the three I liked best. It's not that I was super drunk, I think the DJ was. He kept cutting away the video before the end of the songs to put on a new video. So I never got to read the artist's name or song name.

Luckily, I knew who two of the three were and was able to find the video without knowing the song name. The final one, I will continue to seek...

Now, let see if I can get them to post here. One is by Take That and the other is by Freemason.





A-Ha! I found the third one (only took about an hour of searching) and it's by Princess Superstar adn lordy, this video is odd.