REWARDING and AWARDING

What happened to the WEATHERMAN who could at least closely predict?
We were gearing for SNOW and NOPE!
We are never sure what to expect. Back to the Farmer's Almanac?
Anyway..It seems we are heading for a Repression/Depression according to all indicators.
It will be intersting to see what happens. Especially when we see the churlsh arguing among politicians and the backhanded swats this Administration takes at oppostion.
One day Canada puts us on their TOTURE NATIONS list..and then they Bend to the will of this Administration and the USA is now Off the List.
When Helen Thomas asked at Presidential Press Conference today if we leaned on the Canadain Government? Perino said smuggly that they had "talks." Hmm, with Waterboarding?
This is a bullying process that I hope stops once the election is in full swing.
But whatever, we must survive.
And we will. Even if there is Looting and Riots in the Streets which we hope is not the case.
We are gearing up for the SAG AWARDS which looks like it might be the ONLY Awards show broadcast this season. I hear it has something to do with the SAG Union being part of the Guilds and therefore not under the same rules that strikers are fighting.
Was VERY surprised that SWEENEY TODD WASN'T nominated for AA Best Picture!
It is a beautifully constructed piece and terrifically entertaining.
Julie Christie in AWAY FROM HER breaks your heart and she is still amazingly stunning onscreen after over 40+ years! HAIRSPRAY was one of my favorites but I fear it will be swept under the Red Carpet. Michelle Fiffer's performance is so beautifully underplayed and nuanced you have to see the picture twice to see how rich it is.
Was also shocked that Christian Bale & Russell Crowe weren't nominated. I haven't seen chemistry between actors like that onscreen since Newman & Redford in BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID.
Speaking of SUNDANCE..the Festival is going on now and a friend went there this weekend. Can'twait to hear what was making people excited onscreen. Another friend's brother was listed as one of the ten new Directors to watch. He is Dan Barnes and his picture is PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND with Fellicity Huffman and Patricia Clarkson. We hope he gets a lot of action and distribution from the festival.
The acting in a great many films this season, is superb. This is true even on the TV series and Sit-Coms. They are giving us some terrific performances; Glenn Close winning the Golden Globe for DAMAGES is certainly a highend performer giving us her best and being rightly rewarded for it. Sally Field is no slouch either on BROTHERS. Alec Baldwin and James Spader among so many guys on TV are upholding a higher grade of acting standard than we have seen in many seasons. This is good for us and the Art as well.
Vanessa Williams gorgeousness and sensational portrayal on UGLY BETTY certainly deserves to be rewarded as well. Although America Ferarra is up for the same category she has won before and I think Williams deserves her chance.
I hope the Writer's Strike gets settled to everyone's satisfaction, and soon.
It is amazing how much revenue the Studios/Networks are willing to lose to NOT let the writers get only a fraction of the Online/Internet profits..ON THEIR WORK!
It is a totally unfair set up and the writer's deserve their share.
That is my Soap Box speech for today.
Must get away from the computer for today and have some physical life other than digit dexterity!
Stay Warm you New YAWKERS!
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HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY ETHEL MERMAN

HOW CAN WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THIS FORCE OF UNNATURAL TALENT ON HER 100 ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH Jan 15th 1908.
I forgot it and was reminded in numerous emials.
LOVED her and her Clarion voice. I saw her in HELLO DOLLY at the St. James on 44th St. in the last months of it's original run.
WOW WOW WOW!
Happy Be Lated Birthday Ethel.
You influenced so many perfromers and are still a Standard by which Broadway belting is measured. BRAVA!!
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NOT MUCH

Too bored to bother lately. Readjusting to the new year and trying to consolidate and coordinate daily has taken a lot of energy and time.
Have been neglectful in writing to this blog. SO!?
Been trying to get work and be progressive and productive and not really achieving more than a slow pace toward it all.
Don't know whether it is the new year or what, but I am less depressed and have the feeling of new horizons and fresh starts.
I am already more hopeful
The Primaries are a Circus of curiousity.
Obama and Hillary are the focus of the Media while Edward is being bypassed for no reason other than what seems to be an effort to make him invisible and not viable. BUT he seems to come in close to these 2 in all races. We'll see what happens when the stretch is in. McCain, that strange man and the other Odd Republican zealots are so ready to pander and promise anything and all things to whatever faction involved it is a sorry and obvious ploy for political profit. Their twisted thinking and twisted speeches with mangled and obtuse logic is a variation of the childhood game of CHUTES & LADDERS. Huckabee wanting the Conntitution to be rewritten to the Biblical standard and Romney just the weirdest with that statement about seeing his father March with Martin Luther King. It was a lie and indicative of the entire methodology of this campaign. Which is to me : DO ANYTHING TO WIN. SAY ANYTHING TO WIN.
And I think this is true of both sides.
The exclusion of Kucinich from the Democratic Debates was absolutely a misstep of huge proportions. And the fact that the Democratic candidates ignored that exclusion and didn't mention it was showing an alligiance to foul play that makes one question their honesty and ability to lead us with impunity.
Ahh..However-- anything that comes along in the next election cycle has to be better than the last years of economic torment and literal torture.
VOTE VOTE VOTE!!
We must fight against the use of electronic voting machines and must hold candidates accountable and responsible for their words, actions and promises!
It might be a good thing or an incentive for a candidate to be able to be de-throned once in office if he/her starts to NOT make good on his campaign promises. It's a thought!
That's my Soap Box speech for this cold January night.

Have you seen the candidates for the SAG Awards?
My favorites from what I have so far seen are:

SWEENEY TODD
3:10 TO YUMA (no Kidding what a cast and terrific acting and direction)
HAIRSPRAY (IF ONLY they would categorize the musicals /Comedies & Dramas better)
ATONEMET (GORGEOUS FILM ALL AROUND)

Liked
AWAY FROM HER (Julie Christie a Jewel still shimmering since the 60's!)
INTO THE WILD

and Daniel Day Lewis' performance in
THERE WILL BE BLOOD..amazing acting ...I found the film hard to watch it had a meanness that was difficult to endure.

I also really enjoyed
LUST...CAUTION the ANG LEE film. Gorgeous to view and beautiful acting as well. A bit long..but I didn't mind that.
There are a few we have yet to see and I hope I can grab them before the Awards need to be in next week.
Hope you all stay warm and cozy and of course SAFE.
Oh, If you have the time, money and chance try DOVETAIL restaurant on 77th and Columbus. It is SUPERB. One of those special places that is best done with friends who appreciate VERY FINE dining.
I also had a terrific dinner at Isabella's on 77th and Columbus, literally across the street from DOVETAIL. It is also a very good place but not as high end.
Since I am going to try and lose about 10-15 pounds I will likely be cranky and on a lot of caffeine. So pardon my spelling and syntax!

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WINTER WONDER LANDS

We here in the Big Apple are experiencing the warmest wetaher. It was 64 degrees today!! And will be 59 pr so tomorrow.
Where is WINTER?
In truth who really like fighting the bitter cold and wet slush that cloggs the sewer systems to ankle deep corner crossings? NO ONE REALLY. BUT if you are like me you LIKE the SEASONS. We have been cheated out of Autumn which was a reflective time of year and softly floated us into the brisk breath of winters. Not so anymore.
We have abrupt changes and are into a season without transitions.
The hardest thing to deal with is not to over dress and sweat and not to underdress and freeze. This can be a conundrum in one day's worth of weather here.
We were loving the mild evening yesterday and walked to the Metropolitan Room at 6PM for a 7PM show. Teri Ralston who is of COMPANY, NIGHT MUSIC and BAKER'S WIFE fame among others was appearing there.
We had a great time as she is a terrific showman. She even invited Pamela Myers into the act and Pam blew us away with ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE which made her a Broadway legend in the 70's.
Teri sang with that amazing isntrument of a voice in all ranges and timbres. She also sang her BLESS THIS DAY from COMPANY and a song written for her from BAKER'S WIFE and time reversed.
It was an easy task as the full room was loaded with many performers from the days when innovative and NEW YORK type shows were a vanguard to mesmerizing fantasies both vocal and scenic. COMPANY. A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, FOLLIES...all Hal Prince and Sondheim vehicles populated by the most wonderful and capable performers.
A lot of them were in attendance at the Metropolitan Room last night : Kurt Peterson of FOLLIES & BAKER'S WIFE, Victoria Mallory..looking gorgeous..of FOLLIES & NIGHT MUSIC. Donna McKechnie of A CHORUS LINE,HOW TO SUCCEED, PROMISES, PROMISES, COMPANY etc.., and Harvey Evans who is a Legend and a Pal and has probably done more Broadway shows than all of us put together. It was his 70th Birthday last evening. WOW! God Bless him. He looks great and still full of Joy and Energy.
Christine Andreas was there too looking terrific as well. She was the lead in so many shows SCARLET PIMPERNEL, MY FAIR LADY, OKLAHOMA to name a few. She visited Harvey's table where his good friend and pal Dr. Barry Kohn also sat. Barry is a great guy and a great help to the theatre community. He started the clinic for actors and still administers Flu shots every year to every arm needing or wanting it in the industry. Celebs included.
It has been a year full of allsorts of stresses and strikes..we all need a SHOT of something good I think
WE hope the Writers get their residual rights and monies and that 2008 is not just a rhyme for GREAT but atually is.
Walked from Broadway & Spring Street to 21st & 9tha Avenue yesterday and it felt good.
I guess I couldn't have done that as easily if the WINTER had decided to visit in her glory.
This year friends and fun are in store along with a welcome and needed change in the politcal air as well as well as in the weathered air.
I look forward to seeing you all on the Streets of Ole NY ..and New NEW YORK too.
Teri Ralston is at the Mtropolitan Room on Jan 13th one more time.
I suggest it as a great and fun and enthralling event.
check the link:

http://www.metropolitanroom.com/index.php?option=&Itemid=1&extmode=day&date=2008-01-07

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TOO OH OH ATE

HAPPY NEW YEAR..2008
Hope all have had a terrific segue into the new year.
Friends visited and family descended and way too much food and drink embellished the passing of 2007. I considered it a Wake.
We are looking forward to some progress and HOPE for a better nation and stronger programs for those in need.
New York was jammed with visitors 6 people deep in front of the Holiday Wondows at SAKS and the congestion at Rockefeller Center on Dec 30th was impassable and impossible.
We gathered with pals and family at a friend's apartment with a lovely view south from 23rd Street. Saw some of the Fireworks from downtown through the all too many buildings now obscuring the skyline.
Watched the Cadaver of Dick Clark sputter something on TV during the BALL DROP and at teh midnight jumped off a chair with Money in hand; a custom my Mother insisted on to insure Prosperity in the New Year.
Was put off by the sparse amount of Confetti flying at eh stroke of midnight. It was more festive in years past. I notice that becasue my good friend used to own the company that supplied most of that and has now retired.
It still intrigues me to watch all those people gathered to celebrate..but the corralling of people behind police barricades takes the free joy and spirit away from the event to my thinking.
But that is because I saw pictures and broadcasts over the years of the huge crush of party merymakers in Times Square jammeed happily together and all looked perfectly capable of enjoying the event without ominous regimented police presence.
I hope you all took and are taking advantage of the sales about town.
MOMA has some great deals or did on Dec 30th!
Had dinner the other evening at Becco with cousins from Las Vegas and enjoyed it a lot!
The food quotient went UP and so did Calories and Weight.
SO 2008 will be a WEIGHT-LOSS conscious raising time for me!
Hope you all had fun and joy.
Go see SWEENEY TODD : AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
ONWARD

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