WHAT ELSE DID APRIL BRING BESIDES THOSE SHOWERS?
WHAT ELSE DID APRIL BRING BESIDES THOSE SHOWERS?
This newsletter only covers activities from April 1 to 23, 2007. I shall type a detailed newsletter about my trip to New York City, April 23 to May 13, when I return.
HAPPENINGS IN BRIEF
SF PERFORMING ARTS LIBRARY & MUSEUM VERY GOOD
Enrico Banducci’s HUNGRY i
What a nostalgic exhibit this was: recognized most of the names that played this famous SF nightclub. Great black and white photos and the history of the place. The “i” stood for the word “id.” Great shots of Streisand singing there; as well as Mort Sahl getting his start there. Phyllis Diller was also there; her costumes and wigs are on display. Enjoyed the exhibit very much. Doubt if the youngsters of today would recognize some of the names of the performers who thrilled us in those days!
ASIAN MUSEUM EXCELLENT
Masters of Bamboo: Japanese Baskets & Sculpture from the Cotsen Collection
The baskets are just breathtaking to behold in this exhibit. All made of bamboo and with such intricate weaving and design. One could not help but linger over quite a few of the baskets and admire the work that had gone into them. The exhibit also explained the apprenticeship that goes on for years in order to reach this level of basket making.
PRINCES, PALACES & PASSION: THE ART OF GOOD
INDIA’S MEWAR KINGDOM
A little bit of this exhibit went a long way. It was quite repetitive. Colors were used quite well, but the artwork all looked the same after a while. Did not linger in this exhibit as I had at the Masters of Bamboo Exhibit.
MOVIE VIEWING:
“Babel” EXCELLENT
I loved the three stories that were interwoven in this excellent and engrossing movie. I really think this should have won the Oscar for Best Picture instead of “The Departed” (enjoyed that one also, but liked this one a bit better!). Brad Pitt was very good in this and the rest of the international cast was superb.
“Flags of Our Fathers” GOOD/FAIR
Very disappointed in this film. Too, too many battle scenes: we got the message after then first couple of battles that “war is hell.” That has not stopped the US for doing it! The actor who played the American Indian in the film was not quite up to the role. I am surprised that Clint Eastwood cast him. I am sure there are better actors out there who could have done a much better job! The film just dragged at the end and could not wait for it to be over. I have “Letters from Iwo Jima” on order and hope that it will be a better film.
“Blood Diamond” FAIR
I don’t know why, but I got very bored with this film. Too much violence and too much screaming and hollering! Story interesting, but it just did not “grip” me as much as I thought it would.
“Children of Men” GOOD
This movie is based on P.D. James’ novel about what the world will be like in Britain in 2027—not too far off, and the world is catching up rather quickly with the portrayal in this movie. A very grim and depressing film; it seems as if it is heading in the direction of the new “birth of the son of God” but that theme seems to get abandoned. Not an easy film to get through. Was not quite sure if the “journey” was quite worth it!! Nominated for several Oscars such as cinematography, etc.
“United 93” VERY GOOD
Saw this film about the plane that crashed in the Pennsylvania field on Sep 11. It began rather tediously, but when it concentrated on what was occurring on the plane, it was very good. They gathered material for the script from phone calls that had been made from the plane. Be warned: it is a tough film to get through!! Let’s hope it was a quick end for all of them.
AFTER THE WAR VERY GOOD
The true story of playwright, Philip Kan Gotanda’s family set in 1948 San Francisco. This all is set AFTER the Japanese have returned from the internment caps and the effect it has on the Japanese families. Act 1: nothing much happens on the fabulous set showing several rooms in a San Francisco Victorian house. The set rotates so that you actually get the feel of moving about the house. Act 2: so much happens that you just want to say “stop” so you can catch your breath and take it all in! Too much like a soap opera in the second half (although I love soap operas!!). By the end of the play, it ultimately does not work very well. The playwright dedicated this play to August Wilson who certainly portrayed his people with a 10-play cycle in the 20th Century.
PRIVATE JOKES, PUBLIC PLACES ` FAIR
This play seemed like Tom Stoppard “sideways”!! Not quite as intellectually stimulating as a Stoppard play, but it tried. It gets too much into the farce category without all the doorways and running around. A Korean architect student is having her senior project evaluated by a German and English professor. Her own professor is with her. All their egos take over and they seem to forget why they are there. She has designed a public swimming pool which the evaluators just “tear apart.” I though it was quite pretentious and did not laugh very much. Merrill was with me for this play and just loved it! Different strokes for different folks: that’s why we have vanilla and chocolate ice cream!
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG GOOD
Stephen Sondheim always had a problem picking someone with great talent to write the books for his shows (SWEENEY TODD is probably the exception!?). George Furth led this show down the wrong path and the book is just a blithering muddle of mush!! The score, on the other hand, is wonderful! The songs, “Old Friend” and “Not A Day Goes By” hold up very nicely as do the rest of the numbers. Some are too long. I saw a revival of this show off-Broadway at St. Peter’s Church in NYC; it was done in all bright colors (mostly white and powder blue). This production was done with very dark sets and costumes. The lead was all wrong for the part; not good looking enough to cause all this commotion with the women in his life! Choreography was march, march, march. Not very creative. Great to see the show once more, but TheatreWorks was supposed to put on FOLLIES, but their budget would not permit it. We got this one instead. I wish someone would do ANYONE CAN WHISTLE AGAIN which only ran a week on Broadway. At least MERRILY had a two-week run!
THE MUSIC MAN GOOD
This production at Walnut Creek had lovely-to-look-at sets and costumes, but the casting could have been stronger. Professor Harold Hill was ok; he just did not seem to believe in the words he was singing. The look on his face gave off the impression that he was so glad to get through some of the classic patter songs that Merideth Wilson wrote! Marion, the Librarian, was fine. Most of the supporting cast did a competent job and some stood out as very amateurish. How wonderful to hear the score for this splendid show that still holds up very well. An enjoyable afternoon; stronger casting would have made it something special.
Cole Porter’s GAY DIVORCE VERY GOOD
This was Fred Astaire’s first Broadway show in 1932 without his sister, Adele. Porter convinced him to go it alone by playing two songs for Astaire that he was hoping would be big hits: “After You, Who?” and “How’s Your Romance?” After the show opened, the song that became the big hit was the one Porter ignored (not even a snipet of it in the overture!), “Night and Day.” After the run of this show, Astaire decided to try something new and was off to Hollywood to film a small role with a young actress called Ginger Rogers and then the film version of this show—the rest is history!! Not a bad show; were we ever that innocent in life. Quite daring in some parts with the jokes of the day. 42nd Street Moon had a fine cast and the book by Dwight Taylor (?) was quite good. Ashamed we do not have a Fred Astaire around these days to do the role!!
Easter Dinner at Mary & Denny Miller’s
Mary always has the most wonderful decorations for the holidays: this time at each place was a bird’s nest with a big chocolate egg in it! She made them herself out of twigs. The straw under the egg in the nest was edible: made out of sugar! The runner on the table was real grass turf with fake insects and eggs decorating it! All of these decorations were quite unique!!!
The guests at table: Merrill, myself, Bill Hiebert (Mary’s brother) & Ken Bragg from Rock Island, IL, Fred from Minneapolis, Dennis Butler and Joey Butler, our neighbors from across the hall, Merryll Saylon, and, of course, our hosts, Mary & Denny Miller.
We sat down at about 4:30 p.m. and began our Easter feast:
We began with a Pea Soup that was cooked with lettuce in it (Asian style) and ginger with a design of crème fresch. Quite tasty!
That was followed by individual carrot souflees with goat cheese.
Then came Halibut Filet over Japanese noodles; chopped fennel; grilled asparagus
To cleanse the palate, came a springtime, homemade lavender sorbet
We continued with a fresh mixed green salad with sliced fresh beets and candied
mangos sprayed with chili pepper to add a bit of spice!
Dessert was a family favorite of Mary’s: rhubarb-custard meringue pie. Heaven!
We enjoyed white wine with the meal. Cappucino to end it all.
As an extra added treat: a chocolate Easter Egg from an Italian bakery in Rock Island, IL
One smashes the chocolate egg covering with a hammer and there are
all little wrapped candies in the egg with tasty fillings!
A lovely meal with lots of wonderful flavors and such good company!! It was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon and by the time we completed the meal, it was dark!!
OTHER HAPPENINGS
Bill Hiebert & Ken Bragg were with us for five days; Bill is Mary’s brother. Good to see them both. ….. Dad continues to adjust to the nursing facility. Had a conference with the staff as all is going as well as can be expected. …… Took on the 50th Anniversary Reunion Plans (2012) and hope I can get it all done. Typed out a 34-page report which I have forwarded to the college. They will not update and try to find missing alumni. When I return from NYC, hoping there will be some information for me. I must get on Google to try to find “lost” alumni. …… The Broadway Spring Theatre Season seems to be dull, dull, dull. THE PIRATE QUEEN got panned royally and mediocre reviews were given out for Vanessa Redgrave as well as Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehey in a revival of INHERIT THE WIND. ….. Returned to the Spanish Restaurant, Colibri Mexican Bistro, for lunch: wonderful guacamole with warm, freshly made, corn tortillas; then a great chicken chic pea soup with condiments of lettuce, raw sweet onion, oregano, and cilantro. Very tasty. Then had Mexican rice pudding with sweet yellow raisins: all in a wonderful liquor. …… Returned to one of our favorite restaurants in the Bay Area, Lalime’s. It was tapa night, but decided to order off the regular menu: began with a lovely pizzetta with garlic pesto, black olives and mozzerela cheese. Then two pieces of petrale sole done in brown butter and plenty of lemon with cauliflower and a salad on the side with the most wonderful vinegarette. For dessert had a lemon custard-chocolate crusted tart. We were celebrating David Snow’s 70th Birthday. ….. We have truly reached the 21st Century: Tivo has been installed and I hope this will work when I travel. I try to set up programs to record before I leave on the VCR and also have Merrill follow through, but something invariably goes wrong and it gets all messed up! We shall see what happens when I am on this trip to NYC!? ….. Kitty Carlisle Hart passed away at age 96! What a great life she led. She is truly the last link to the wonderful theatre days of the 20s, 30s and 40s. I met her a few times in NYC at the Tony Awards and at several Memorial Services for deceased theatre people. She always had a kind word and looked so wonderful. May she rest in peace! …… Marcello’s still makes the best pizza in town. Had lunch there one day before leaving on my NYC trip. NYC pizza is quite different. ….. Getting details planned for future trips coming up in May, June, August and Sep/October. I thought I would be cutting down on my traveling this year, but it looks like I shall be on the go after all. ….. Still behind in our rainy season. Doubt if we shall get caught up to the 23” of rainfall that we need; so far we have received almost 13” of rain. The rainy season should be ending by the end of April. ….. Sandy & Karl Stauffer were with us for dinner one evening. They shall be going off to their house at Fallen Leaf Lake the end of this month; they usually stay up there until the end of October. Maybe we shall get up there for a long weekend in the fall. ….. 32 dead at Virginia Tech is an American tragedy, but gun legislation must be passed in this country or someone will try to break the record of 32!! Counselors in schools have their hands tied dealing with “crazy” students: afraid of lawsuits! Parents protect their children even when the children desperately need help. …..
I shall be away from April 23 to May 13 (HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY) so please do not send e-mails!? Hoping the weather in NYC will improve and that I will be able to see a lot of shows.
HAPPY SPRINGTIME
and
will be in touch again in May!!!!!!!
This newsletter only covers activities from April 1 to 23, 2007. I shall type a detailed newsletter about my trip to New York City, April 23 to May 13, when I return.
HAPPENINGS IN BRIEF
SF PERFORMING ARTS LIBRARY & MUSEUM VERY GOOD
Enrico Banducci’s HUNGRY i
What a nostalgic exhibit this was: recognized most of the names that played this famous SF nightclub. Great black and white photos and the history of the place. The “i” stood for the word “id.” Great shots of Streisand singing there; as well as Mort Sahl getting his start there. Phyllis Diller was also there; her costumes and wigs are on display. Enjoyed the exhibit very much. Doubt if the youngsters of today would recognize some of the names of the performers who thrilled us in those days!
ASIAN MUSEUM EXCELLENT
Masters of Bamboo: Japanese Baskets & Sculpture from the Cotsen Collection
The baskets are just breathtaking to behold in this exhibit. All made of bamboo and with such intricate weaving and design. One could not help but linger over quite a few of the baskets and admire the work that had gone into them. The exhibit also explained the apprenticeship that goes on for years in order to reach this level of basket making.
PRINCES, PALACES & PASSION: THE ART OF GOOD
INDIA’S MEWAR KINGDOM
A little bit of this exhibit went a long way. It was quite repetitive. Colors were used quite well, but the artwork all looked the same after a while. Did not linger in this exhibit as I had at the Masters of Bamboo Exhibit.
MOVIE VIEWING:
“Babel” EXCELLENT
I loved the three stories that were interwoven in this excellent and engrossing movie. I really think this should have won the Oscar for Best Picture instead of “The Departed” (enjoyed that one also, but liked this one a bit better!). Brad Pitt was very good in this and the rest of the international cast was superb.
“Flags of Our Fathers” GOOD/FAIR
Very disappointed in this film. Too, too many battle scenes: we got the message after then first couple of battles that “war is hell.” That has not stopped the US for doing it! The actor who played the American Indian in the film was not quite up to the role. I am surprised that Clint Eastwood cast him. I am sure there are better actors out there who could have done a much better job! The film just dragged at the end and could not wait for it to be over. I have “Letters from Iwo Jima” on order and hope that it will be a better film.
“Blood Diamond” FAIR
I don’t know why, but I got very bored with this film. Too much violence and too much screaming and hollering! Story interesting, but it just did not “grip” me as much as I thought it would.
“Children of Men” GOOD
This movie is based on P.D. James’ novel about what the world will be like in Britain in 2027—not too far off, and the world is catching up rather quickly with the portrayal in this movie. A very grim and depressing film; it seems as if it is heading in the direction of the new “birth of the son of God” but that theme seems to get abandoned. Not an easy film to get through. Was not quite sure if the “journey” was quite worth it!! Nominated for several Oscars such as cinematography, etc.
“United 93” VERY GOOD
Saw this film about the plane that crashed in the Pennsylvania field on Sep 11. It began rather tediously, but when it concentrated on what was occurring on the plane, it was very good. They gathered material for the script from phone calls that had been made from the plane. Be warned: it is a tough film to get through!! Let’s hope it was a quick end for all of them.
AFTER THE WAR VERY GOOD
The true story of playwright, Philip Kan Gotanda’s family set in 1948 San Francisco. This all is set AFTER the Japanese have returned from the internment caps and the effect it has on the Japanese families. Act 1: nothing much happens on the fabulous set showing several rooms in a San Francisco Victorian house. The set rotates so that you actually get the feel of moving about the house. Act 2: so much happens that you just want to say “stop” so you can catch your breath and take it all in! Too much like a soap opera in the second half (although I love soap operas!!). By the end of the play, it ultimately does not work very well. The playwright dedicated this play to August Wilson who certainly portrayed his people with a 10-play cycle in the 20th Century.
PRIVATE JOKES, PUBLIC PLACES ` FAIR
This play seemed like Tom Stoppard “sideways”!! Not quite as intellectually stimulating as a Stoppard play, but it tried. It gets too much into the farce category without all the doorways and running around. A Korean architect student is having her senior project evaluated by a German and English professor. Her own professor is with her. All their egos take over and they seem to forget why they are there. She has designed a public swimming pool which the evaluators just “tear apart.” I though it was quite pretentious and did not laugh very much. Merrill was with me for this play and just loved it! Different strokes for different folks: that’s why we have vanilla and chocolate ice cream!
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG GOOD
Stephen Sondheim always had a problem picking someone with great talent to write the books for his shows (SWEENEY TODD is probably the exception!?). George Furth led this show down the wrong path and the book is just a blithering muddle of mush!! The score, on the other hand, is wonderful! The songs, “Old Friend” and “Not A Day Goes By” hold up very nicely as do the rest of the numbers. Some are too long. I saw a revival of this show off-Broadway at St. Peter’s Church in NYC; it was done in all bright colors (mostly white and powder blue). This production was done with very dark sets and costumes. The lead was all wrong for the part; not good looking enough to cause all this commotion with the women in his life! Choreography was march, march, march. Not very creative. Great to see the show once more, but TheatreWorks was supposed to put on FOLLIES, but their budget would not permit it. We got this one instead. I wish someone would do ANYONE CAN WHISTLE AGAIN which only ran a week on Broadway. At least MERRILY had a two-week run!
THE MUSIC MAN GOOD
This production at Walnut Creek had lovely-to-look-at sets and costumes, but the casting could have been stronger. Professor Harold Hill was ok; he just did not seem to believe in the words he was singing. The look on his face gave off the impression that he was so glad to get through some of the classic patter songs that Merideth Wilson wrote! Marion, the Librarian, was fine. Most of the supporting cast did a competent job and some stood out as very amateurish. How wonderful to hear the score for this splendid show that still holds up very well. An enjoyable afternoon; stronger casting would have made it something special.
Cole Porter’s GAY DIVORCE VERY GOOD
This was Fred Astaire’s first Broadway show in 1932 without his sister, Adele. Porter convinced him to go it alone by playing two songs for Astaire that he was hoping would be big hits: “After You, Who?” and “How’s Your Romance?” After the show opened, the song that became the big hit was the one Porter ignored (not even a snipet of it in the overture!), “Night and Day.” After the run of this show, Astaire decided to try something new and was off to Hollywood to film a small role with a young actress called Ginger Rogers and then the film version of this show—the rest is history!! Not a bad show; were we ever that innocent in life. Quite daring in some parts with the jokes of the day. 42nd Street Moon had a fine cast and the book by Dwight Taylor (?) was quite good. Ashamed we do not have a Fred Astaire around these days to do the role!!
Easter Dinner at Mary & Denny Miller’s
Mary always has the most wonderful decorations for the holidays: this time at each place was a bird’s nest with a big chocolate egg in it! She made them herself out of twigs. The straw under the egg in the nest was edible: made out of sugar! The runner on the table was real grass turf with fake insects and eggs decorating it! All of these decorations were quite unique!!!
The guests at table: Merrill, myself, Bill Hiebert (Mary’s brother) & Ken Bragg from Rock Island, IL, Fred from Minneapolis, Dennis Butler and Joey Butler, our neighbors from across the hall, Merryll Saylon, and, of course, our hosts, Mary & Denny Miller.
We sat down at about 4:30 p.m. and began our Easter feast:
We began with a Pea Soup that was cooked with lettuce in it (Asian style) and ginger with a design of crème fresch. Quite tasty!
That was followed by individual carrot souflees with goat cheese.
Then came Halibut Filet over Japanese noodles; chopped fennel; grilled asparagus
To cleanse the palate, came a springtime, homemade lavender sorbet
We continued with a fresh mixed green salad with sliced fresh beets and candied
mangos sprayed with chili pepper to add a bit of spice!
Dessert was a family favorite of Mary’s: rhubarb-custard meringue pie. Heaven!
We enjoyed white wine with the meal. Cappucino to end it all.
As an extra added treat: a chocolate Easter Egg from an Italian bakery in Rock Island, IL
One smashes the chocolate egg covering with a hammer and there are
all little wrapped candies in the egg with tasty fillings!
A lovely meal with lots of wonderful flavors and such good company!! It was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon and by the time we completed the meal, it was dark!!
OTHER HAPPENINGS
Bill Hiebert & Ken Bragg were with us for five days; Bill is Mary’s brother. Good to see them both. ….. Dad continues to adjust to the nursing facility. Had a conference with the staff as all is going as well as can be expected. …… Took on the 50th Anniversary Reunion Plans (2012) and hope I can get it all done. Typed out a 34-page report which I have forwarded to the college. They will not update and try to find missing alumni. When I return from NYC, hoping there will be some information for me. I must get on Google to try to find “lost” alumni. …… The Broadway Spring Theatre Season seems to be dull, dull, dull. THE PIRATE QUEEN got panned royally and mediocre reviews were given out for Vanessa Redgrave as well as Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehey in a revival of INHERIT THE WIND. ….. Returned to the Spanish Restaurant, Colibri Mexican Bistro, for lunch: wonderful guacamole with warm, freshly made, corn tortillas; then a great chicken chic pea soup with condiments of lettuce, raw sweet onion, oregano, and cilantro. Very tasty. Then had Mexican rice pudding with sweet yellow raisins: all in a wonderful liquor. …… Returned to one of our favorite restaurants in the Bay Area, Lalime’s. It was tapa night, but decided to order off the regular menu: began with a lovely pizzetta with garlic pesto, black olives and mozzerela cheese. Then two pieces of petrale sole done in brown butter and plenty of lemon with cauliflower and a salad on the side with the most wonderful vinegarette. For dessert had a lemon custard-chocolate crusted tart. We were celebrating David Snow’s 70th Birthday. ….. We have truly reached the 21st Century: Tivo has been installed and I hope this will work when I travel. I try to set up programs to record before I leave on the VCR and also have Merrill follow through, but something invariably goes wrong and it gets all messed up! We shall see what happens when I am on this trip to NYC!? ….. Kitty Carlisle Hart passed away at age 96! What a great life she led. She is truly the last link to the wonderful theatre days of the 20s, 30s and 40s. I met her a few times in NYC at the Tony Awards and at several Memorial Services for deceased theatre people. She always had a kind word and looked so wonderful. May she rest in peace! …… Marcello’s still makes the best pizza in town. Had lunch there one day before leaving on my NYC trip. NYC pizza is quite different. ….. Getting details planned for future trips coming up in May, June, August and Sep/October. I thought I would be cutting down on my traveling this year, but it looks like I shall be on the go after all. ….. Still behind in our rainy season. Doubt if we shall get caught up to the 23” of rainfall that we need; so far we have received almost 13” of rain. The rainy season should be ending by the end of April. ….. Sandy & Karl Stauffer were with us for dinner one evening. They shall be going off to their house at Fallen Leaf Lake the end of this month; they usually stay up there until the end of October. Maybe we shall get up there for a long weekend in the fall. ….. 32 dead at Virginia Tech is an American tragedy, but gun legislation must be passed in this country or someone will try to break the record of 32!! Counselors in schools have their hands tied dealing with “crazy” students: afraid of lawsuits! Parents protect their children even when the children desperately need help. …..
I shall be away from April 23 to May 13 (HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY) so please do not send e-mails!? Hoping the weather in NYC will improve and that I will be able to see a lot of shows.
HAPPY SPRINGTIME
and
will be in touch again in May!!!!!!!
posted by Gennaro (Gerry) DeVito | 6:00 AM
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