|
|
|
[This chat on Collecting Musical Theatre featured theatre columnist Peter Filichia and musical director Michael Lavine discussing their lifelong passion for musical theatre. For purposes of clarity, some of the questions and answers have been reordered to keep them together, and most of the major typos and misspellings have been corrected.] [RobertArmin] Good evening. Welcome to the Fynsworth Alley chat room. Tonight, something a bit different... [RobertArmin] We're going to discuss collecting. [RobertArmin] Records, CDs, sheet music, books -- everything to do with musical theatre [RobertArmin] My guest tonight is Peter Filichia, drama critic of the New Jersey Star-Ledger and columnist par excellence at Theatremania.com. [RobertArmin] Good evening, Peter. [PeterFilichia] Good evening, Robert! [RobertArmin] Michael Lavine, an expert on sheet music, will be joining us in a few minutes. [RobertArmin] Unfortunately, Paul Ford is currently in transit to Palm Springs to perform with Mandy Patinkin [RobertArmin] And the plane is late. [RobertArmin] He may not make it by the end, unfortunately. [RobertArmin] So, Peter, tell us about how you first discovered the world of musical theatre [PeterFilichia] Actually, it was through my mother's friends, who had soundtracks to GIGI and SOUTH PACIFIC, as well as cast albums to PAINT YOUR WAGON, THE MUSIC MAN, and -- best of all from my vantage point, MY FAIR LADY [RobertArmin] Yes, you've written about My Fair Lady [RobertArmin] and how you thought you were going to see a movie of the show. [PeterFilichia] Right, this was 1960, and there was no mivie yet! [RobertArmin] No movie, that it. Typos don't count [PeterFilichia] Yes, but the first records -- LP- I actually bought - were BYE BYE BIRDIE and FIORELLO! [PeterFilichia] That's because I had seen road shows of those shows in Boston [PeterFilichia] The ones I mentioned earlier I just taped from those friends' records. [PeterFilichia] I loved the way the albums looked, with those glorious gatefold covers [RobertArmin] So this was about 1960? [PeterFilichia] 1961 by the time I bought the records. [PeterFilichia] I still remember I saw the shows on Nov. 1 and Nov 15, 1961! [RobertArmin] Columbia was doing great covers in those days. [PeterFilichia] Well, Capitol did FIORELLO, but it was pretty lavish, too! [RobertArmin] They used to include programs in some of the Capitol lps [PeterFilichia] Yes, certainly UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, TENDERLOIN, GOLDEN BOY and BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS! [RobertArmin] You also have another unusual collection of books... tell us about it. [PeterFilichia] I will buy anything that has anything to do with musical theater. [PeterFilichia] One of my favorite shelves is the one where I put source material for musicals [PeterFilichia] For example, I have the movie EXODUS starting the shelf, because it became the musical ARI [PeterFilichia] I file them alphabetically -- by musical title, no matter the title of the book. [RobertArmin] Yes, to most people the order makes no sense [PeterFilichia] Of course, I did wonder if I should put the Bible my mother gave me under JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR or GODSPELL [PeterFilichia] At times I wonder about putting a movie like GONE WITH THE WIND up there, too [PeterFilichia] But there WAS a musical of GWTW, so it seems to count. [PeterFilichia] My rule of thumb is that I don't put any movie made AFTER the musical was done [PeterFilichia] For example the movie TRIUMPH OF LOVE -- released just this year -- isn't on that shelf, because it post-dated the musical. [RobertArmin] So you don't have the paperbacks of Bye Bye Birdie and West Side Story? [PeterFilichia] Well, I do -- but I file those on a different shelf entirely -- along with the novelization of FUNNY GIRL and PAINT YOUR WAGON too [RobertArmin] I'll be getting to a few of your questions in just a moment, but first I wanted to introduce Michael Lavine [MichaelLavine] Hello, everyone [RobertArmin] Michael is a great musical director and has the biggest collection of show music sheet music in the world! [RobertArmin] Michael, how did you get started with this amazing collection [MichaelLavine] Well, I've been collecting since I was a kid [MichaelLavine] After Arthur Siegel died around nine years ago, I bought his collection [RobertArmin] Can you remember some of the first titles? [MichaelLavine] The first sheets I got? [RobertArmin] Yes [MichaelLavine] Well, probably all the Sondheim shows [MichaelLavine] I remember coming to NY in the mid-70's and picking up a spiral-bound Sondheim volume [MichaelLavine] Very out of print now [MichaelLavine] It had The Boy From... and Foxtrot in it [MichaelLavine] Both of them never appeared anywhere else. [MichaelLavine] And Hansen's - a store right here in Lincoln Center - that's long gone - had a half price sale [RobertArmin] Larrrynur2 asks: Where would you go for odd show sheet music, say music from come summer or georgy? [RobertArmin] Do you have those? [MichaelLavine] I do have most of the published sheets from both shows [RobertArmin] Not surprised. [PeterFilichia] I saw both GEORGY and COME SUMMER, by the way, during their Boston tryouts! [MichaelLavine] I coach Melissa Hart who was nominated for a Tony for GEORGY [MichaelLavine] I had her sign my GEORGY sheets [PeterFilichia] met Melissa this summer. She was astonished I remembered her [PeterFilichia] I asked her if she thought she'd win the Tony [PeterFilichia] She reminded me that when Jack Cassidy announced the winner -- Melba Moore -- he announced it as "Melissa Moore." [PeterFilichia] So, I asked, did she think when she heard Melissa she had won? [PeterFilichia] No, she said, she knew it had to be a mistake! [MichaelLavine] I was supposed to call Al Hirschfeld this week to get him to sign my SWEET BYE AND BYE music [MichaelLavine] I'm so upset I waited too long [MichaelLavine] Steve Ross had hooked me up with him [RobertArmin] We're all devastated at Hirschfeld's death [PeterFilichia] Too bad they didn't rename the Beck [MichaelLavine] But Larry - to get back to your question [MichaelLavine] I found several GEORGY sheets on ebay recently [MichaelLavine] Never see COME SUMMER there - [MichaelLavine] There are several people on the East Coast who sell used sheets [MichaelLavine] Just got a list from Beverly Hamer - she has a lot of interesting sheets - all not very expensive [MichaelLavine] That's where I get a lot of my older sheets [RobertArmin] In reference to an earlier question, Stagedoor asks: Didn't ON A CLEAR DAY have a souvenir book, too, or is it my imagination? [PeterFilichia] Yes, it did have one included -- for awhile anyway -- when the cover was this strange amalgam of plastic [MichaelLavine] But I do think that things like COME SUMMER and GEORGY are the kind of interesting sheets I want more of [RobertArmin] Larry asks Michael what his most prized sheet music is? [MichaelLavine] Probably the 4 sheets I have from AWAY WE GO! [RobertArmin] That had another name, of course [MichaelLavine] Including Boys and Girls Like You and Me, which was cut [MichaelLavine] Signed by Joan Roberts [MichaelLavine] The original Laurey [RobertArmin] Wow [PeterFilichia] Wow indeed! [MichaelLavine] Also I have a CAREFREE sheet signed by Irving Berlin and Ginger Rogers [MichaelLavine] And some sheets signed by Busby Berkeley and Harry Warren [MichaelLavine] And the RED HOT AND BLUE vocal selections numbered and signed by Cole Porter [RobertArmin] I found an earlier copy of The World Around Us which was cut from The Pajama Game. Is that the right title? [MichaelLavine] Don't know that title [RobertArmin] That is quite a prize, I'm sure [MichaelLavine] I've gotten very much into signatures - whenever I coach someone who was in a show, I have them sign the sheet music [RobertArmin] Peter, anything comparable in your collection? [PeterFilichia] Maybe BODY IN THE SEINE, the concept album that was made in 1955 in hopes the composer and lyricist could land a bookwriter [PeterFilichia] The back of the album actually say: "Help wanted: Bookwriter" [RobertArmin] I tried to buy Body in the Seine recently on ebay, but lost out [PeterFilichia] I found mine in a Montclair, NJ store for $6! [MichaelLavine] That's ONE advantage of working in New Jersey, huh, Peter? [RobertArmin] My favorite story is discovering Best Foot Forward in 1971 in the subway station at Times Square [RobertArmin] It was not in with the shows [PeterFilichia] We need a new BEST FOOT FORWARD recording with an entire orchestra [RobertArmin] Hopefully, Encores will get to it one of these days [PeterFilichia] The Cadence recording is nice, but it needs more than pianos [RobertArmin] I started my collection in 1962 after seeing Carnival with the National Company [RobertArmin] Fortunately, when you start that long ago, you find many cheap cutouts along the way [PeterFilichia] Funny, I just read the source material for CARNIVAL last night -- LOVE OF 7 DOLLS, by Paul Gallico [RobertArmin] She Loves Me at 59 cents, for example [PeterFilichia] No Rosalie the Magnificent in the Gallico novella [RobertArmin] Peter, I have never seen that story, but I'm interested [MichaelLavine] When I got to New York in the late 70's, there were several used sheet music stores, like THE MUSIC EXCHANGE [MichaelLavine] And Lincoln Square Music [PeterFilichia] Funny you mention 59 cents. I guess we all remember our deep discount purchases! [MichaelLavine] You could find things like "Your Eyes are Blue" cut from FORUM - for $3.00 [RobertArmin] Stagedoor asks: Question for Michael Lavine How does a performer or student order out-of-print sheet music from you? [MichaelLavine] Like what songs? [MichaelLavine] They can call me or send me an email and I'll get back to them [RobertArmin] Do you want to give your email address? [MichaelLavine] Sure - it's broadwaymhl@aol.com [PeterFilichia] I love people who put BROADWAY in their e-mail addresses! [MichaelLavine] Well, everything else was taken! [MichaelLavine] Every permutation of my name was long gone [RobertArmin] Ron asks: anyone remember JIMMY? am looking for the cast album with Frank Gorshin and Julie Wilson? [RobertArmin] Yes, I just transferred my copy to CD as a gift for Frank Gorshin [MichaelLavine] I used to have that album - sold it to Dress Circle around 12 years ago [MichaelLavine] With all my other vinyl [PeterFilichia] I saw JIMMY on New Year's Eve matinee 1969 [PeterFilichia] Bad show [RobertArmin] I like that score although the chorus is a bit screechy [PeterFilichia] "Riverside Drive" is a nice song, though [MichaelLavine] Yes, and I occasionally hear I Only Wanna Laugh at auditions [RobertArmin] Frank Gorshin is a favorite of mine [RobertArmin] I saw him in What Makes Sammy Run? in 1966 and fell in love with the score [PeterFilichia] Michael, that brings up a good point -- what's the most obscure song you've ever heard at auditions [MichaelLavine] Well, I don't know if there's ONE that was the MOST obscure but there have been several I've been impressed people brought in [RobertArmin] Larrynur2 asks: did they ever print anymore than 3 jimmy songs/ [RobertArmin] They did a vocal selections, didn't they Michael? [MichaelLavine] Don't think they published anymore - I have a few handwritten sheets - not a selections - just a folio with those three songs [MichaelLavine] But back to your question, Peter [RobertArmin] Ah, I'm probably thinking of something else [MichaelLavine] I guess "obscure" could mean an original songs no one's ever heard before - that happens occasionally [MichaelLavine] Or an unknown Gershwin or Porter [MichaelLavine] I think they need to identify a song when it's that unknown [RobertArmin] What are some of the Holy Grails for you fellows? What are you still hoping to find? [MichaelLavine] I'd like to find the rest of the sheets from THE VAMP - I only have one [PeterFilichia] For me, the ultimate Holy Grail would be Leroy Anderson and Arnold Horwitt's score for WONDERFUL TOWN before Roz Russell ordered a new one [MichaelLavine] Also the other original AWAY WE GO sheets - these are things I have xeroxes of but it's always nice to have an original [MichaelLavine] I know when I see something on a list that it's something I've always wanted - like it's nice to complete a collection [MichaelLavine] from a particular show [PeterFilichia] Knowing you, Michael, I'm sure you'd prefer those VAMP sheets to say DELILAH on them! [RobertArmin] The My Sister Eileen score you mentioned (Wonderful Town) would be a real find, I think [MichaelLavine] I have professional copies of several DELILAH sheets - I think that at least two of those exist in actual sheet music form [MichaelLavine] Yes, I'd love those! [MichaelLavine] But after Erik Haagensen did the John LaTouche revue, I got the whole VAMP score, including around ten cut songs [MichaelLavine] All great [MichaelLavine] LaTouche was such a wonderful lyricist [MichaelLavine] I also have many cut songs from PLAIN AND FANCY [PeterFilichia] When THE APPLE TREE was COME BACK! GO AWAY! I LOVE YOU! there were musicalizations of Nat Hawthorne’s YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN and Bruce Jay Friedman's SHOW-BIZ CONNECTIONS. I'd like to hear those Bock and Harnick songs [MichaelLavine] Peter Howard, who is my mentor, has been giving me all his old sheet music - including many cut songs from [MichaelLavine] I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE [RobertArmin] I've collected a lot of rare Vernon Duke music, but mostly photocopies, unfortunately [MichaelLavine] ANNIE [MichaelLavine] APPLE TREE [MichaelLavine] FIDDLER [RobertArmin] One song was so obscure that the publisher asked me for a copy [MichaelLavine] SHE LOVES ME [MichaelLavine] I pride myself on having sheet music to many cut songs from many shows - love showing them to people [RobertArmin] Ron has a question: is there a CD with original lyrics to songs that were never included on Cast Albums? [MichaelLavine] Don't know of such a thing - good idea, though [RobertArmin] The cast album of The Good Old Bad Old Days has lyrics to songs that were not recorded, I know that. [PeterFilichia] Oh, Michael do you have from APPLE TREE, "I'm A Happy Man"? Alan Alda opened the show with it in Boston. Nifty tune! [MichaelLavine] Yes, I like that song [MichaelLavine] I got it at the Library of Congress [MichaelLavine] Where I also got many cut songs (and revised lyrics) from COMPANY and FOLLIES [MichaelLavine] Maybe I should gather some terrific singers and put something out [PeterFilichia] Did you get "A Trip to the Library" on your trip to the Library? [MichaelLavine] No, but I got My American Drug Store, which was replaced by Grand Knowing You [RobertArmin] Hard to think of others, because not that many had lyrics in the old days [MichaelLavine] But a very good song for a Kodaly type [MichaelLavine] McGillin, don'tcha know, David [RobertArmin] Ken asks: Have you got a copy of Lieber & Stoller's Humphrey Bogart, not to be confused with the Humphrey Bogart Rhumba? [PeterFilichia] Sheldon Harnick once recited that lyric at a panel discussion I was conducting on SHE LOVES ME-- and stopped mid-lyric to say, "Good thing we replaced that!" [MichaelLavine] I still think it's a terrific song but Grand Knowing You is much better for the moment and the character [MichaelLavine] I think Sheldon would still say that [MichaelLavine] I think I do have both Humphrey Bogart songs [RobertArmin] pbulius87 asks: Is there an original cast recording of LOOK TO THE LILIES? [PeterFilichia] No. Warner Brothers had the cast album rights, though, to LOOK TO THE LILIES [RobertArmin] No, but there is a live recording [RobertArmin] Several, in fact [RobertArmin] A bootleg lp included much of the score [PeterFilichia] Too bad, because Shirley Booth was terrific in it [RobertArmin] And more recently, a fuller live recording has surfaced [RobertArmin] TheatreGuy32 asks: How do you get music from the Library of Congress? [MichaelLavine] Believe it or not, you can copy to your heart's content there - I've been going there for almost 20 years [PeterFilichia] As Lee Adams said "What a country!" [MichaelLavine] They have three big copiers and several soundproof rooms with grand pianos to play unfamiliar music in [MichaelLavine] And they have much unpublished and cut songs - I've gotten xeroxes of some pretty rare and handwritten stuff there [RobertArmin] The Library of Performing Arts has lots of great music, but if it is in the reserved section, you often need a letter from the copyright holder to copy it. [RobertArmin] I did that for the Vernon Duke material [RobertArmin] It can be difficult because of the tight restrictions. [RobertArmin] But much of the music is available in the circulating library [MichaelLavine] Library of Congress usually has much more interesting things than Lincoln Center [RobertArmin] And you can just copy it [MichaelLavine] Yup [MichaelLavine] There are "copyright deposits" that you need similar permission for [RobertArmin] Ron asks: weird question, but one I will be interested in the responses....what would you guys like to see musicalized as far as movies, tv, books, etc [PeterFilichia] THE CLOCK, the Judy Garland movie in which she DIDN'T sing [MichaelLavine] For example, in the Bob Fosse files, I saw a copy of "Loopin' the Loop" (lyrics to the CHICAGO overture!) [MichaelLavine] But I needed a letter from John Kander to get a copy of it [MichaelLavine] Never really thought about it - I'd love to see what other people come up with [PeterFilichia] I'd also like to see a musical of THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, which is what MR. PRESIDENT should have been. [RobertArmin] Stagedoor asks: What's the matter with the Rodgers and Hammerstein organization? Can't they, or anyone else, get a CD release of "By Jupiter," a Rodgers and Hart gem? [RobertArmin] Actually, Bill Rosenfield was about to reissue it when he was fired. [RobertArmin] RCA is not reissuing anything at the moment, it seems. [RobertArmin] But Fynsworth or some other label might eventually license it. [PeterFilichia] I wish they would reissue BY JUPITER, because my copy is on 8-track tape [RobertArmin] I hope [RobertArmin] It's a great album [RobertArmin] I recently bought a great stereo copy on ebay! [RobertArmin] Love that ebay! [RobertArmin] Larrynur2 says: i'd love a musical version of dennis potter’s dreamchild!!! [RobertArmin] Is that the film about Alice of Alice in Wonderland? [RobertArmin] Larry says, yes it is. [RobertArmin] Interesting film, it was on recently. [RobertArmin] Larry adds: alice old, alice young and alice with the wonderland characters [MichaelLavine] So many musical versions of the ALICE story [MichaelLavine] But that would be an interesting twist [PeterFilichia] I saw an off-Broadway musical of ALICE IN WONDERLAND in 1977 called FOR THE SNARK WAS A BOOJUM, YOU SEE. [PeterFilichia] Terrible [RobertArmin] I have a complete recording of What's A Nice Kid Like You Doing In A Place Like This? - Strouse and Adams score [PeterFilichia] I can still hear Sammy Davis singing that one! [RobertArmin] I recorded off the tv when I was a kid [RobertArmin] With Barney and Fred and the caterpillar! [RobertArmin] Flintstone and Rubble that is. [RobertArmin] Ron says: The Long Hot Summer is the one for me [RobertArmin] That's in reference to shows he'd like to see musicalized [RobertArmin] There are some similar failures in the past [RobertArmin] Angel was based on Look Homeward Angel [MichaelLavine] I like to see original musicals not based on any previous material [RobertArmin] I has a recording for years I never listened to. [RobertArmin] I just discovered it was actually the original Broadway cast album [PeterFilichia] There is one instrumental cut on the second side that's nice. [RobertArmin] with Fred Gwynne and Frances Sternhagen included! [RobertArmin] What a delight to discover it on my shelf [PeterFilichia] Not a bad show -- I saw it twice -- but not a good one [MichaelLavine] ANGEL had a privately printed vocal selections that wasn't available in stores, only from the producer directly [MichaelLavine] Beautiful score - with some great uptempos and ballads in a contemporary vein for young singers [MichaelLavine] Don'tcha think, Peter? [RobertArmin] Blueskyfox asks: Hi--are we talking strictly about recordings collecting here tonight? [RobertArmin] No, anything to do with musicals. Ask away [PeterFilichia] I think you like it more than I, Michael! [MichaelLavine] Just a few of the songs, I meant [MichaelLavine] Not the show as a whole - I have some students who do real well with I Got A Dream to Sleep On [MichaelLavine] And a slightly older girl would do well with If I Ever Loved Him [PeterFilichia] Remember the LOVE ballad that Joel Higgins sang about his girlfriend -- "I call her Fatty ..." [MichaelLavine] Well THERE'S one I wouldn't recommend [MichaelLavine] But I like Astoria Gloria, too [PeterFilichia] I once met a politico from Astoria named Gloria and told her she should use the song for her next campaign [MichaelLavine] Absolutely! [PeterFilichia] She couldn't have been less interested [RobertArmin] Speaking of flop shows, The Grand Tour has a marvelous score and is now reissued on Fynsworth Alley. [RobertArmin] Stuart Zagnit, who starred in the successful off-Broadway version [RobertArmin] is directing and starring IN a new production in January [RobertArmin] with many of the originals from the Off-Broadway cast [RobertArmin] It's a lovely score that deserved a better original production [RobertArmin] Blueskyfox has an interesting question: How can I go about authenticating a Tony Award? I purchased what I believe is Alexis Smith's Tony from FOLLIES last year but I've never got around to verifying it. [RobertArmin] My guess is that you'd have to contact the theatre wing to authenticate it [RobertArmin] I guess Tonys are not protected against resale the way Oscars are [PeterFilichia] Ask Isabelle. She was around to see all of the awards, so she might recognize that one! [RobertArmin] Stagedoor asks: Any recording of "Buck White," the Broadway musical which stared Mohammad Ali when he was Cassius Clay? [PeterFilichia] No, but they did "We Came in Chains" on ED SULLIVAN -- after the show closed [PeterFilichia] The album was to be recorded on Buddha, I think [RobertArmin] But I've never seen it. I worked for BMG when they bought the Buddha catalog and it wasn't there or I would have noticed [PeterFilichia] By the way, he WAS already Muhammad Ali then, but the producers feared the audience might not recognize -- or cotton to -- that name [RobertArmin] Larrynur2 asks: was sarah plain and tall recorded, beautiful show [PeterFilichia] Oh, how I wish it had been! I agree -- a quality piece of work [RobertArmin] More and more shows are getting recorded by the writers. Hopefully that will happen here [PeterFilichia] Though I'd like to see a full recording of LOVE LIFE first! [MichaelLavine] I think they did do an unofficial recording of SARAH PLAIN AND TALL [PeterFilichia] Well, let's make it official! [RobertArmin] Kenward Elmslie told the story of how he and Claibe Richardson recorded the score of The Grass Harp in Cologne, Germany [RobertArmin] Jonathan Tunick, who orchestrated it, also conducted! A little known fact! [RobertArmin] It's a great album [RobertArmin] Let's talk a bit about Ben Bagley. I assume you have many of his albums? [RobertArmin] When I was young, he was the one most responsible for introducing the rare and lost songs of the musical theatre greats. [PeterFilichia] Ben once wrote on the back of his albums that 9,000 people bought his albums the first few weeks they were out -- but he later confessed to me that most of them never remotely approached that figure [PeterFilichia] But that's a shame [RobertArmin] Unfortunately the number was closer to 2,000 for the best albums, I think [RobertArmin] Ben exaggerated a bit -- or it was just wishful thinking [PeterFilichia] Maybe the RODGERS AND HART and COLE PORTER discs [RobertArmin] When RCA reissued Happy Hunting, I am told, they only sold about 700 copies when it first came out [PeterFilichia] And Bill Rosenfeld said that people used to call him every day for that one! [PeterFilichia] But if you get a call a day for three years, that adds up to what they sold [MichaelLavine] And tell the Jeffrey Dunn WHOOP UP story [RobertArmin] That's why the labels are sometimes reluctant to reissue the old cast albums [PeterFilichia] I can't say I know the WHOOP UP story [RobertArmin] You tell it , Michael [MichaelLavine] He dared someone to reissue it and they did [RobertArmin] That was an amazing album, too [RobertArmin] With lots of extras [PeterFilichia] Well, I bought WHOOP UP album as they were unloading it off the truck! [RobertArmin] It must have sold, though, because it's impossible to find now [MichaelLavine] I know [PeterFilichia] Yet WHOOP UP will never die [PeterFilichia] It's the first cast album I ever heard that made me say, "Oh, they're NOT all wonderful, are they?" [RobertArmin] Assuming that you could get Encores or someone else to do it, what are the lost scores you would most like to hear? [PeterFilichia] Jule Styne's first show, GLAD TO SEE YOU. [PeterFilichia] Lerner and Loewe's THE DAY BEFORE SPRING [MichaelLavine] THE BODY BEAUTIFUL - Bock and Harnick [PeterFilichia] THE FIREBRAND OF FLORENCE, too -- though they should have kept the original title MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVE [MichaelLavine] THE VAMP [MichaelLavine] ALL KINDS OF GIANTS - do you know that show, Peter? [MichaelLavine] It's got some fun songs [PeterFilichia] I'm up for PLEASURES AND PALACES, too [MichaelLavine] Off-Bway 1961 [PeterFilichia] I know the title, but not the show. David Baker, was it? [MichaelLavine] No, Milton Setzer [MichaelLavine] Don't know too much about it [RobertArmin] Blueskyfox asks: Will we ever get to see FADE-OUT, FADE-IN on cd? [PeterFilichia] I've been asked to write the liner notes for FADE OUT, FADE IN, so I think it's finally happening [MichaelLavine] I think FADE OUT is scheduled, no? - I know they've also done several readings of it [RobertArmin] How about Baker Street? [PeterFilichia] No plans yet [RobertArmin] That's on the list of possibilities as Decca, but I think there is a rights problem [PeterFilichia] Betcha the Richard Burton "A Married Man" would be a bonus cut [MichaelLavine] Glad to finally see FAMILY AFFAIR [PeterFilichia] I am, too! [RobertArmin] I love that MGM album that includes songs from She Loves Me and misc Baker Street songs, just so they could put out the Burton song [MichaelLavine] Your friend Josh Prince is in it [PeterFilichia] Yes, and he'll be terrific in the Larry Kert role [MichaelLavine] I think Leslie Kritzer's in it, too [MichaelLavine] She called me today from the York [RobertArmin] I'm not holding my breath for a reissue of Family Affair, however, [MichaelLavine] Though maybe this little concert will drum up a little interest [PeterFilichia] Oh, how wonderful for Leslie -- a great new talent [MichaelLavine] Yes - [RobertArmin] not after the Promises Promises and Sugar incident [RobertArmin] They lasted barely a year on the market [RobertArmin] Too bad. [RobertArmin] Not because they weren't good or wanted. Just label problems [MichaelLavine] Leslie had some great auditions for LIZA in BOY FROM OZ [MichaelLavine] But ultimately was told she was too short [PeterFilichia] Maybe we'll get a SOME LIKE IT HOT: THE MUSICAL cast album! [PeterFilichia] Liza's pretty short [RobertArmin] Leslie was understudy to Alice Ripley in DC recently for Tell Me On A Sunday, but I don't think she got to do it [RobertArmin] Would have been nice to see the understudy rehearsal, though! [MichaelLavine] Yes, I heard that [PeterFilichia] Every now and then Paper Mill talks about doing MATTRESS for her [MichaelLavine] Apparently, Liza's not as short as Leslie! [RobertArmin] Alice was terrific [MichaelLavine] That would be fun [MichaelLavine] I'll have to ask her about that [PeterFilichia] She seemed short to me when I last saw her -- though she wasn't short WITH me [RobertArmin] Larrynur2 writes: heard the time and again demo. very nice. is that show dead? [PeterFilichia] Apparently, but yes, terrific demo [RobertArmin] Without an official cast album, it's hard to get other theatres to do it [RobertArmin] That's why The Grass Harp is so popular outside of NY, at least, because of the album [PeterFilichia] Relatively speaking! [RobertArmin] Well, true. But it may be the next She Loves Me -- at least, we can hope. [RobertArmin] It took thirty years for She Loves Me to be "rediscovered" although I loved it all the time. [MichaelLavine] I think we can thank Scott Ellis in part, no? [PeterFilichia] Nice that SHE LOVES ME got that British TV version [MichaelLavine] I enjoyed that British tv version [PeterFilichia] Sure, let's thank Scott. Why not? [MichaelLavine] And I guess our CD of HONK! has led to many productions all over the country [MichaelLavine] It's one of MTI's most popular shows, I heard [PeterFilichia] WONDERFUL! Let's see it on Broadway. [RobertArmin] Larrynur2 asks: floyd collins, time and again. mtc's wild party. why didn't these shows transfer when junk does? [PeterFilichia] Guess the junk has more dedicated producers. Or stupider ones [MichaelLavine] Well, the reviews didn't warrant moving - didn't make financial sense when you didn't have a good enough review from the Times [MichaelLavine] Doesn't mean they're not good shows [RobertArmin] Violet supposedly was all set to transfer until the New York Times came out with a lukewarm review. The plans died instantly! [RobertArmin] That's the way it goes. [MichaelLavine] My first cult musical was MOONEY SHAPIRO SONGBOOK - loved it on Bway - thought it would run forever [MichaelLavine] Closed opening night [RobertArmin] I loved that show! [PeterFilichia] And they tore down the theater after it! [RobertArmin] I still have the poster [MichaelLavine] Same with WILD PARTY [MichaelLavine] Yes, me, too [RobertArmin] Jeff Goldblum, Judy Kaye, etc [MichaelLavine] And I have the whole score - some great songs [MichaelLavine] Gary Beach [MichaelLavine] Tim Jerome [MichaelLavine] Annie McGreevey [PeterFilichia] Love the Beatles parody, "I Found Love" [MichaelLavine] Yes, I can still sing that [MichaelLavine] And Happy Hickory - the FINIAN'S parody [RobertArmin] One show I remember fondly, though I'm not sure why, is Censored Scenes From King Kong. Do you have any of those songs? [MichaelLavine] Don't have anything from that - I guess I'd like anything from that just to see it [PeterFilichia] Carrie Fisher had a good one [RobertArmin] I loved Carrie in that. [RobertArmin] Peter Reigert and several other great performers, as well, as I recall [MichaelLavine] I do have some songs from PHINNEY'S RAINBOW [MichaelLavine] written by 18-year-old Stephen Sondheim [RobertArmin] Who? [PeterFilichia] Would Sondheim have ever believed that you could go in a store and buy a greeting card that has PHINNEY'S RAINBOW on it? [MichaelLavine] I know! [MichaelLavine] Or a refrigerator magnet [MichaelLavine] Well, he published it [RobertArmin] Ah, nostalgia. [PeterFilichia] It's what's holding my refrigerator together! [MichaelLavine] I have an original sheet to that [MichaelLavine] Pretty rare, I imagine [PeterFilichia] Old shows never die, and they don't even necessarily fade away! [MichaelLavine] Also an original sheet from EVENING PRIMROSE [RobertArmin] Blueskyfox asks: Was there ever a recording of TRIXIE TRUE, TEEN DETECTIVE? I would want it just for the poster art... [PeterFilichia] No, alas, and the show was GREAT [RobertArmin] Michael, any music from that? [MichaelLavine] Yes, great artwork - I'm friends with Bill Gile, who directed it - I musical directed a production at a Catholic Girl's school in 1985! [MichaelLavine] I have the score, but nothing was ever published from it [PeterFilichia] There was another good teen detective show, SALLY BLANE, GIRL DETECTIVE -- but it didn't even do as well as the fast-closing TRIXIE [MichaelLavine] Reminds me of BULLSHOT CRUMMOND, which I recently saw in LA - not a musical but a lot of fun [RobertArmin] Charles Strouse is my guest next week -- what special treats do you have of his work? [PeterFilichia] The APPLAUSE demo from which a few cuts were included on the recent OBC CD -- but not nearly enough [MichaelLavine] I have a lot of Charles's music, including the 2 cut APPLAUSE songs, both of which were published [MichaelLavine] Lots of stuff in his handwriting, which is fairly indecipherable [PeterFilichia] Charles once told me that a song on the demo "The Loneliest Man in Town" was originally written for Cassidy in SUPERMAN, later replaced by "The Woman for the Man" [MichaelLavine] He told me he'd sign all my music - I must call him to arrange that [RobertArmin] Well, he'll be here next Monday night! [MichaelLavine] To talk about MARTY? [MichaelLavine] Among other things [RobertArmin] Sure, of course. [RobertArmin] Larrynur2 has a comment about Applause: I saw it in previews in Baltimore with a different Eve who did a nude dance in front of a mirror [PeterFilichia] Well, I saw it in Balto, too - the lady's name was Diane McAfee -- but I sure don't remember a nude scene! (Wish I did!) [RobertArmin] Marty will probably get produced now that John C. Reilly is hitting it big this year! [MichaelLavine] I'll say! [PeterFilichia] I wish it well! [PeterFilichia] By the way, of the 100 or so tryouts I've seen, I'd rank APPLAUSE in the best shape. Not the best show, but in the slickest shape [MichaelLavine] Wish I'd seen it [RobertArmin] Larry adds: it was the first preview. The dance was cut the next night [PeterFilichia] Ah, I was there the first Saturday matinee at the Mechanic! [RobertArmin] I was in the LA production of Gone With The Wind and a lot of music was cut after the first performance -- including the Overture! [PeterFilichia] But "Smashing New York Times" and "Love Comes First" were still in APPLAUSE on that Sat mat [RobertArmin] Everyone lost music except Pernell Roberts [RobertArmin] I love Jason Graae's recording of Smashing New York Times. [MichaelLavine] People who write shows hate it when people like us come to first previews - but we want to see the cut songs performed!! [RobertArmin] Right! [PeterFilichia] Paper Mill tells me that not a season goes by that they don't talk about doing GWTW [RobertArmin] Larry adds: for once it pays to live in Baltimore [MichaelLavine] I saw MERRILY ten times in previews - 10 completely different performances [MichaelLavine] I saw SMILE in Baltimore [PeterFilichia] I saw CANTERBURY TALES, NO SEX PLEASE WE'RE BRITISH, THE FLIP SIDE all in Baltimore-- and a nifty musical at Center Stage by Barbara Damashek called TWO somethings! I don't remember the last word of the title [MichaelLavine] We could look it up in Ken's book [RobertArmin] Blueskyfox asks: Speaking of GWTW--is the Columbia recording sung in Japanese or English--I'm always hesitant to buy this on eBay [PeterFilichia] English. The Japanese recording is SCARLETT [PeterFilichia] And Harold Rome's wife wrote a book about the experience called THE SCARLETT LETTERS [RobertArmin] There's also a wonderful -- if strange -- recording of the songs sung by Harold Rome [RobertArmin] He does all the parts himself [RobertArmin] Sometimes four or five at once! [PeterFilichia] Frankly, my dear, I do give a damn about it [RobertArmin] Rome was a dear man -- he signed a copy of his album for me and his wife Florence did the same with her book [MichaelLavine] Don't see the Damashek show in Ken's book, Peter [RobertArmin] Okay, fellows, it's 10 PM. Time to wrap it up. [MichaelLavine] Well, it's been fun - thanks for asking us [RobertArmin] Thank you so much for joining me tonight. This was a very active chat! [PeterFilichia] It's been grand knowing you [RobertArmin] Thanks Mr. Cassidy! :-) [MichaelLavine] Likewise, Peter [MichaelLavine] Hope to see you soon [MichaelLavine] And you, Robert [RobertArmin] Goodnight everyone. [MichaelLavine] Goodnight.
|
