Archive for December, 2008
The Off-Broadway League has taken what we know theatre to be, an experience, and were clever enough to make their website a fun experience.
Upon entering the site, click on the I’m in the Mood For… tab under the Find a Show header.
“A show that’s romantic; I really like the date I’m bringing “;
“A show that makes me cry so hard — I can’t get out of my seat by the end“;
and “A show that I can bring my elderly aunt to” are just a few of the many categories listed.
Talk about target marketing!!!
–Sue
December 29th, 2008
I just saw Wall-E with my hubby, and I can’t even begin to describe the experience. If you want to remember what it is to actually feel again when watching a movie, rent this movie — or go one better and buy it, so you can see it when you need a reminder.
(Neither Disney nor Pixar has asked me or paid me to say/write this… Wall-E is just that good, and I’m asking you to see for yourselves.)
What touched me most, as a lyricist, librettist, and romantic was the physical need for music and the integration of a Broadway classic in a sweet and simple robot’s life.
As the only one left on the planet (accept for a sprightly cockroach), Wall-E’s will to keep working and live was spurred by music, Jerry Herman’s “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” from “Hello Dolly!“
Wall-E needed music to live as much as he needed shelter and sunlight.
He also needed music to reach for the stars. His will to dream, and ultimately to love was inspired by “It Only Takes a Moment” (also from Dolly).
This movie is as big as outer space, but as small as a breath to hum the bars of a song.
We’re rooting for you, Wall-E!!!
–Sue
December 29th, 2008
In March, I wrote about Carolyn Leigh’s legacy and her amazing lyrics — my favorite being “The Best is Yet to Come.” The song is such a favorite of mine that I often wrote it in greeting cards to my husband.
The meaning I invested in the phrase was “It’ll just keep getting better from here, Baby.” But I realized this past week, celebrating Scott’s birthday, that that’s not exactly what the phrase really means…
I ended up crossing it out, and writing “The Best is Already Here.” On many accounts, a lot of the dreams we have together came true, or are coming true. And I didn’t want to keep living my life into the future anymore.
I didn’t want to keep thinking: “Once this happens, then we’ll be happy.” Or “Once that happens, then we’ll have made it.”
The problem with that thinking is that you always end up chasing something that seems just within reach, but never quite get it. And that’s not a life for me, or (and I think he’d agree) for us.
So… I’ll still love the song, but it’s no longer an anthem in our lives.
Anyone have a suggestion for a new theme song?
–Sue
December 22nd, 2008
Flipping through channels tonight on TV, we caught the tail end of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” AMC brilliantly added footnotes about the production, making it an even sweeter experience.
My favorite footnote was about the last line of the movie, which was originally “Yippee!” The director, Mel Stuart, wasn’t satisfied with that, and neither was anyone else. Rewrites were in order.
In the film, Willy Wonka says, “Now, Charlie, never forget the story of the man who got everything he ever wanted…he lived happily ever after.”
Gene Wilder later said that last line “gave him chills.”
Screenwriter David Seltzer wrote that line on the spot, and there’s no better way to end the movie…or live a life.
–Sue
December 6th, 2008
In bed last night, before we went to sleep, I was chatting with my hubby. (A hold over from my days of sharing a room with my sister and our never-ending sleepovers.) :)
I said, “I had an amazing realization today, Honey.”
“No offense, but you always have amazing realizations.”
“None taken, I’m more introspective than the average bear.” (That comes with being a writer.) And then I laid it on him, “I’m a problem solver.”
“Yes, you are,” he agreed.
“I like to solve problems. It’s like a puzzle.” He kept listening. “But what if my biggest problem, not getting my work fully produced, went away?”
“That’s an excellent question,” perhaps a little surprised I’d lay it out so bluntly.
“I don’t know who I’d be, I’ve been a problem solver for so long. But wouldn’t it be great if I got my work out there? …but what if it wasn’t good?”
“But, c’mon,” he said, “of course you know your stuff is good.”
And that’s when I had the second epiphany of the day…
We do this, as artists, as women, (and maybe as people… guys, feel free to chime in here… this is an equal opportunity blog) we wait for someone else to tell us our worth — with compliments about our hair or the chicken we just made, with reviews about our art…
So, my husband told me I’m a “good” writer, so what? (He does have to share a bed with me after all…) What is that going to do for me in the grand scheme of things?
He’s someone I love and respect, and it didn’t do much… What if a stranger, even if it’s a theatre critic, tells me my work is good? …or tells me my work is horrible? Am I going to stop creating? It would take more than a speeding Mack truck to stop me…
Because I’ve been in the game for so long now, because I’ve heard a lot of this stuff along the way… I’m finally done ‘waiting for my big break’… waiting for someone to say, “Hey, you know what, you’re pretty damn good.”
I know I am, or I wouldn’t have stuck it out as long as I have.
Now I just have to own it!
–Sue
December 4th, 2008
