February 2, 2007
-
The Daily News
1 Ho hum.2 Happy Groundhog Day.
3 Meh.
4 This day is always more remarkable to moi than it's title because Groundhog Day is not only my late grandfather's birthday, but it's also my parents' anniversary.
5 So grandpa, Happy Birthday guy. You're still here in my book.
6 And Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary. I won't give away which one it is, because I always think of you as newlyweds!
7 This one is a big-gig one, so we're going to have a big she-bang for them tomorrow night. I can't wait. And you, in the meantime, are just watching a guy pour air out of a Dixie cup.
8 Moving on: I want to remind everyone that the AMTSJ brings in Camelot again this weekend and next, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 11.
9 That includes the remarkable Michael York as King Arthur. I'm not sure how that will play, but just being able to see Michael York in person should be worth the investment. I absolutely love his acting. And let us not forget that he worked with the immortal Richard Burton in Franco Zefferelli's Taming of the Shrew, playing the part of Lucentio.
10 Yesterday's Eye section in the Merc News gave it a pretty good review. Tickets are $13.75 to $73 and you can get them by calling (888) 455-7459, or (408) 453-7108, or you could go straight to their website which is www.amtsj.org.
11 The only thing about the review that bothered me is that they took out the beautiful Lerner/Lowe classic I Loved You Once in Silence, one of the loveliest songs ever written.
12 There is mention in the review of an "overall new retooling by Michael Lerner of his father Alan Jan Lerner's original script." Well, I always felt the Camelot script always needed re-tooling, so this could be a good thing.
13 On Broadway, it originally opened to terrible reviews, quite possibly because the script leaves a little to be desired, particulary the role of Lancelot. Word has it that the cast members, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and brought both Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe with them, and that the very next day Camelot became the toast of Broadway.
14 There never was any denying the strength of the cast nor Fritz Lowe's amazing score. A quick sidebar about Lowe: he was also a boxer! Who knew, and who cares? I think it's a fun tidbit.15 The entire concept of the King Arthur legend looms larger than any film or staging. Just read Tennyson's Idylls of the King and you'll see what I mean.
16 But the entire concept of "one brief shining moment" maintains its allure. Camelot is the sort of musical where you find yourself leaving the theatre whistling the songs.
17 Something to do this weekend.
18 Oh yeah, and there is the little thing of that football game.
19 It's getting late, or early so I think I'll just take a bow now and see you next time.
20 Meanwhile, my suggestion to you is that you get the CD of Camelot, listen to it over and over, and then go see it next week.
21 I'm going to go pop it on and sink off to sleep listening to it, just because.
22 Arthurian fog and dreams of knights and maidens, and one of the most beautiful legends ever.
23 See you all Monday.
24 Peace.
Gustave Dore, Lancelot and Elaine
from Tennyson's Idylls of the King
Recent Comments