The Lost Blog From Mother's Day

This crazy entry took a walk on the wild side and blew away. Here it is again from May 11, 2010.
The semi-disappointment of my Mother's Day was the "Turkey Lurkey" number in "Promises, Promises" on Broadway. I took my lovely Mom to see the show. (…and, yes, you meanies out there, I do have a mother who is kind, leads by example and for short, I call her "Google" because all I have to do is ask her anything and she knows. There's just no substitute for experience and impeccable intuition. She's a living genius. She's that rare quality of book sense AND common sense—a remarkable person. But just like you out there, at times she finds me boorish, silly and crazy but that unconditional love thing keeps her from putting me away, I suspect. Now, she saw the original production back in 1968. Her and my Dad used to go to the theatre so much until they used to have to wait for new shows to open on Broadway. They saw them all. I just had the cast album of "Promises, Promises" in my youth (no jokes from you, CM). It's always kinda fun to go into the show knowing the lyrics to the bulk of the songs. This production touted additional Bacharach and David pop tunes of "Say A Little Prayer" and "A House is Not A Home" which weren't in the original production. I had read the review in the NY Post by Elisabeth Vincentilli in which she said, "… Ashford underwhelms as choreographer, which is odd considering the bang-up dances he created for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Cry-Baby." The biggest letdown is "Turkey Lurkey Time," an ensemble number with a single purpose: to kill. Here, it delivers only a flesh wound." I wished with all my fiber that this wouldn't be true. I was so looking forward to it. But alas, I must agree, clutching my pearls that Elisabeth was right. The "She Loves Basketball" number was the better of the Rob Ashford choreography in the show numbers. People, check out the original Michael Bennett choreography with that darling, Donna McKechnie (as Gwen Verdon was to Bob Fosse) to "Turkey Lurkey Time" on YouTube—it's dynamite!~ This revival is comme ci, comme ça. The Jonathan Tunick arrangements are smokin' and that's what will guarantee a sale from me of the original cast album.
Sean Hayes was yummy and nothing like “Just Jack”.
But here's the real jewel in the crown if you're a big Bacharach and David fan like I am and want to hear songs from the show like "Wanting Things," "Whoever You Are" and of course, "Promises, Promises" do yourself a favor and check out Dionne Warwick's (Whitney Houston's cousin) "Promises, Promises" album released in 1969 on Scepter Records. It's one of my favorite albums (yes, album, as it was called then—not CD) of all time.
Bacharach and David songs with that trademark Flugelhorn line –just like an analgesic balm on your sore and aching heart.
I once had a musical theatre audition session for representation a few years back and I gave anyone who wanted to come in and sing a choice of two songs to prepare. One was "Promises, Promises" and the other was "Anyone Who Had a Heart" (another Bacharach and David) song. Well, low and behold, I got this screwball accompanist who played the piano like Ed Norton and would play this ridiculous intro much like "Swanee River" just in different keys before going into the songs. It was just ridiculous. These were tough songs to sing for most and I knew that to be the challenge. I didn't acquire any new musical theatre talent from that day.
Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield are the quintessential singers of the interpretation and phrasing of Bacharach and David songs as Barbara Cook is to Sondheim.
Kristin Chenoweth is a phenomenal talent and singer. This show is not Chenoweth's singing lane. What happened to that Dusty Springfield project in which she was going to play the title role? Was it scrapped? After this, I may know why.
I'll be seeing "Sondheim On Sondheim" before the Tonys and I'll let you know what's up with that…Love me some Sondheim!
I aspire to be a Tony Voter one day after this chapter of my life is closed.
..And here are some of my favorite Broadway tunes (popular and obscure) that are the perfect marriage of song and singer—meaning I haven't heard anyone sing a better rendition of the following:
Barbra ("hello gorgeous") Streisand—"My Man" from "Funny Girl"
Nancy Wilson singing "Fireworks" from "Miss Liberty"
Julie Andrews singing "Crazy World" from "Victor/Victoria"
Liza Minnelli singing "I Had A Dream" from "Gypsy"
Chita Rivera singing "All That Jazz" from "Chicago"
Stephanie Mills singing "Home" from "The Wiz"
Sammy Davis, Jr. singing "There's A Party Going On" from "Golden Boy"
Len Cariou singing "Pretty Women" from "Sweeney Todd"
Robert Goulet singing "If Every I Would Leave You" from "Camelot"
Larry Kert singing "Something's Comin'" from "West Side Story"
Sarah Vaughn singin "Maria" from "West Side Story"
John Raitt singing "Oh What A Beautiful Mornin'" from "Oklahoma"
Yvonne (Lily Munster) DeCarlo singing “I’m Still Here” from “Follies”

…and I'll keep sharing these renditions as the blogs go on and on and on…

--Posted By Karen Gunn @ Soiree Fair to Karen Gunn's Gabfest @ Soiree Fair at 5/11/2010 01:38:00 AM

The Back Stage Story

For the remaining dozen or so friends and colleagues that didn’t know, here is a link to the “Ask the Manager” column in the national edition of “Back Stage” that I was asked to participate in. If you have the actual paper it is the May 20-26, 2010 issue (with the photo of that dreamy Matthew Fox of “Lost” on the cover) on page 7. It was very flattering to have been asked. Thanks to Simi Horwitz and shout out to Dan Lehman over at “Back Stage”. You guys sizzle with professionalism and know-how. As a result, I signed up for a subscription and I urge all you theatrical types to follow suit. The articles are magnificent with information and insight and there’s an ad for anything or anybody you might need to make it to the big time. Big, big thanks to those who checked it out. Thanks for your time to read. Yippeee!
http://www.backstage.com/bso/advice-ask-a-professional/whom-to-recommend-plastic-surgery-for-1004092675.story