Pic Of The Day - 06.07.15 - It Looks Like A Margarita

So...on Saturday I purchased these but waited until Sunday night while I was watching The Tony Awards to do my first taste testing. I tried the strawberry flavor and it was OK. I think I was expecting something sweeter.

And speaking of the The Tony Awards...I enjoyed them. I still missed Neil Patrick Harris and Hugh Jackman. To me, the funniest moment of the evening was when Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth were going to introduce Fun Home and she came out as E.T. ("phone home").

I love and hate The Tony's. Love them because I get to see hear and see highlights from shows that I may or may not have heard of. Hate them because it makes me want to live in NYC and be at the theatre all of the time but then I'd have to have a high paying job that allowed me that luxury.

Such is life.

And So It Goes

On Friday, the legendary Betty Lynn Buckley makes an appearance in Houston at The Wortham Center-Cullen Theatre.  Brilliant Lecture Series is bringing her for a one night appearance.

I had the opportunity to see her in Fort Worth at Bass Hall in 2000.  It was a wonderful evening with just her and a small combo on stage.  It was also great to see her perform on her home turf.

Betty was born in Big Spring, TX, but was raised in Fort Worth, TX.  She is the daughter of Betty Bob & Ernest Lynn Buckley.  (Don’t you just LOVE the Texas names?)  Her Fort Worth roots are deep.  She attended Arlington Heights High School, TCU, was crowned Miss Fort Worth in 1966 and was runner-up in the Miss Texas Pageant.

Betty landed her first role on Broadway her first day in New York.  She was Martha Jefferson in 1776.  She won a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella in Cats.  She received a Tony nomination for her performance in Triumph of Love.  Betty received an Olivier Award nomination for her role as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard and went on to replace Glenn Close on Broadway.

One of the roles I would love to have seen her perform is Mama Rose in Gypsy at Papermill Playhouse.  However…if you listen to Betty Buckley An Evening At Carnegie Hall you can hear the showstopper Rose’s Turn.  The cd is by far one of my favorites and includes my favorites As If We Never Said Goodbye, With One Look and Seasons of Love.  There are two songs that form a medley on the cd that I always hum when I think of Betty and the songs are And So It Goes and Everything Must Change.  If you expect to hear her haunting, award-winning rendition of Memory, you’ll have to purchase Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast).

What’s funny (to me) is that when I mention her name, most of my contemporaries remember her as the mom on the television series Eight Is Enough or her role in the movie Carrie.  This just goes to prove she has a wide range of talent and a wide-reaching fan base.

There is still time to purchase tickets to see this native Texan Broadway legend.  Tickets can be purchased through the box office at The Wortham and more information about the performance can  be found on Brilliant Lectures' website.  AND here's a special deal for you...

There's a promo being run through CultureMap.  You can save 50% by using promo code: GIFT2

Don't forget!  She's from Fort Worth...not Dallas.  So Houston, come out on Friday night to get give Betty Buckley a warm Houston welcome.

Kinky Boots

Well...this totally blew me away!  I purchased a ticket for this Tony Award winning show thinking it was all about shoes and boots and little did I know that there is a moral to the story.

When the ensemble came out at curtain call, I was one of the first people on my feet.  That is so not me.

I even stayed after the show and waited by the stage door to meet members of the cast.  I was totally thrilled to meet Billy Porter and to get his autograph.

If you're in New York and only have time to see one show, make it Kinky Boots!  It's a show with a  sole.

 

No Bad News

So...it's been a while since I've been on here and tomorrow are the Tony Awards and this has been a hectic few weeks so here I am!  And no, I'm not going to repost I'm Still Here but I am going to post this video from The Wiz.  'cause if one more person brings me some more bad news, well...I'm going to...hmmm....break out in song!

Jukebox Wednesday

Whoa! I just realized I haven't posted anything here since Sunday when Kathy Griffin and Bette Midler got me laughing. I've been running, spinning, working out (all in the name of trying to lose the winter weight).

I'm still a pit p!ssed off at NTB; let a grudge go, I know. You see...

A couple of months ago I needed a battery so I went National Tire Battery (NTB). I took three hours to replace a battery because they didn't have one for the The Cal Mobile! Uh...isn't battery part of your name? THEN for a third of the cost, I probably could have replaced it myself.

So while I was there the guy tells me that I need two new tires. He said my car would never pass inspection.

So I needed to get The Cal Mobile inspected and in these Tough Economic Times I really wasn't looking forward to spending several hundred dollars on tires. Now, I'm not a mechanic and I don't play one on tv but I do know something about tires.

So yesterday I was looking at the tires and I couldn't remember which two he said needed replacing because they all looked the same to me.

So I decided that before I went and spent several hundred dollars on two tires I was gonna see if the car would pass inspection. And guess what? It did! And they said my tires were fine!

So my advice to you: Don't patronize NTB!

Now about Jukebox Wednesday...

I figured y'all were due a showtune and today's selection is an abbreviated version of Rose's Turn from Gypsy. Bernadette Peters performed this at the Tony Awards one year.

When she was on Broadway, USA Today did a review of her performance and also interviewed her husband. She got rave reviews. Her husband said that it was eerie to watch her transform herself each night on stage; it was a person he didn't know.

So for your viewing pleasure, here is Bernadette Peters!

The Gayest Show On Earth

Yesterday, David Dust did a pictorial editorial about the Tony Awards. I was too consumed with amazement at Miss Ginger Grant's prowess in raising funds for Legacy at Miss Ginger's Roundup. So in the spirit of David Dust, here is my commentary on the 2009 Tony Awards.

I have always said that if the Academy Awards are The Gay Superbowl then the Tony Awards are The Gay World Series. The Tony's have always had a gay tinge to them but there was a turning point a few years ago when Tony came out of the closet. I think someone kissed his partner on air or publicly thanked his partner or something like that. And then of course there was the year Hugh Jackman performed a number from The Boy From Oz and totally camped it up for our viewing pleasure.

And it didn't hurt that in the past they have hired Mr. Eye Candy "I'm Not Gay And My Wife Will Tell You So" Jackman to host. And even though the Tony's came out of the closet a few years ago, this was the year the closet door and the hinges were demolished. No one is complaining.

I watched the Tony's with Running My Mass Off, her husband and her father. It was a wonderful time and we all had our opinions on the nominations and winners. We did concur that the sound sucked!

It wasn't until the next day that I realized Bret Michaels missed his mark and got hit on the nose when the set was descending. He definitely kept his sense of humor and added credibility to the fact that this is The Gayest Show On Earth. From People.com:

"Bret Michaels may have broken his nose and busted his lip during a scenery-related malfunction at the Tonys on Sunday – but the Poison frontman and Rock of Love star left with his sense of humor intact.

"He told me, 'All I remember is Shrek and the donkey helping me up, and Liza [Minnelli] giving me a towel,'" says his rep, Joann Mignano. "And Bret was laughing when he heard [Tonys host] Neil Patrick Harris said he gave new meaning to 'headbanging.' "

The evening was filled not only with gays but with gay icons, some eye candy for the gays, and fashionistas but before I get to that...

In a more serious matter, a tribute was paid to those who have died and helped make Broadway what it is. Bebe Newirth introduced the tribute and it started with Natasha Richardson.

AP Photo

Even though this is how it ended, I think this sums up the whole show!

Reuters Photo

(All of the following photos are from Getty Images.)

I don't understand why the gave Liza so much airtime. Here she is:
And here she is again!

I'll let the rest of these photos speak for themselves!

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 13.1

World AIDS Day Houston 2008

The first meeting to start making plans for World AIDS Day Houston 2008 will take place tomorrow (June 17). The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Montrose Counseling Center (401 Branard Street, Houston, TX 77006). If you are interested in helping make plans for December 1, please attend or get in touch with me. Bring your ideas and suggestions

Tony Awards

OMG! Patti LuPone (La LuPone as I like to call her) cracks me up! I am so glad that she won for her role as Mama Rose. The reviews that I have read say that she knocks the socks off of you. Her intensity last night in Everything's Coming Up Roses made me ooze just thinking about what she must do with Rose's Turn.

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

What had me laughing though was when she wouldn't shut up! LOL Sort of like Elaine Stritch a few years ago. La LuPone said that she had waited all of these years to finish thanking people. You see...

Her only other Tony (hard to believe she only won one other time) was for Evita in 1980.

It was great to see the original cast from RENT. I need to do some research but I'm sure all of them were in the show when I first saw it on Broadway. Watching them perform put a lump in my throat. The enthusiasm of Laura Benanti for her winning an award for her role in Gypsy also put a lump in my throat. I just love live television!

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

Speaking of live television...Did anyone else see the stagehand run out and pick up Stew's microphone? You see...

At the beginning of the performance for Passing Strange, Stew was jumping up and down. He isn't light on his feet and the vibration made the microphone fall off of the stand. I wondered if Stew was going to pick it up but instead a stagehand ran out and put it back on the stand.

And I really liked the comic relief that Whoopi brought to the awards. I think she needs to be put on the rotation for hosting the show. They haven't had a real host since Hugh Jackman.

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

It was fun watching the show and emailing and texting Running My Mass Off. We had comments on everything!

OK...last night in the production number for Xanadu, Cheyenne Jackson was wearing Daisy Dukes and not knee length cut-offs. Running My Mass Off took notice of his legs. I thought I had nice legs until I saw him. Guess I'll start wearing Clam Diggers.

And just for laughs, they rolled out Liza. Poor thing. Seriously though, I'm glad she was able to walk out on her own.

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

For a list of all of the winners, click here.

Conversation
This is how my day started at 5:45 a.m.

Me: Hold on. I need to tighten up my shorts. They're falling.

Running buddy: How old are they? They look new.

Me: I bought them after Tropical Storm Allison. Jerry at RunSport had placed an order for a track team and part of the shipment got damaged so he had them on sale.

Running buddy: So the elastic is all stretched out.

Me: You could have said, 'You've lost some weight, guess that's why they're loose.'

Running buddy: LOL

Me: Thanx

There's A Little Bit Of Broadway In Everyone

Don't have much time to say much of nothing. I do want to remind you that tonight at 7:00 p.m. (CDT), CBS will be airing The Tony Awards!

Although I have not viewed any of the nominated shows, I will still watch because the awards can help determine which shows get an extended run on Broadway and which shows will also go on tour. Plus, they're doing a tribute to RENT since it is closing in September.

Oh...and La LuPone will probably win for her role in Gypsy. I like her. :-)

There's No Business Like Show Business

OK. That previous post made me feel much better (even though I don't have a new pair of shoes). It's not 900A yet so most stores are still closed although I could shop online (but then I won't get the instant gratification.)

So let's think happy thoughts and take deep breaths and put the bad thoughts into a hot air balloon and float away. Uh huh...sure...right...whatever.

Can someone answer this for me. Why do people embrace Anne Heche? She is absolutely crazy and yet, there she is last night strutting across the stage at the Tony Awards. Why did they even invite her to be live on the telly?

My favorite moments from last night's telecast:

1. The opening number featuring the cast from A Chorus Line.

2. Watching the Underdogs win: David Hyde Pierce for Best Actor In A Musical (Curtains) and Julie White for Best Actress In A Play (The Little Dog Laughed). I haven't seen either production but their reactions were truly heartfelt and I love live television.
3. Seeing Bernadette Peters.
4. All of the production numbers.

Last night's telecast got me to thinking about my introduction to live theatre. There are two moments and I can't remember which came first but they both occurred at Casa Manana in Fort Worth when I was a mere tyke in short legged pants.



Aunt "D" took me to see Aesop's Fallibles (no, not fables) and when Joe & Helen took me to see Ruta Lee in Hello Dolly! There's something about the intimacy between the actors and the audience that I love and of course throw in some showtunes for good measure.


Believe it or not, the only time that I have actually appeared in a stage production was my senior year in high school when I portrayed Linus in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.

During the awards show last night, my yard boy (aka Everyday Italian) called between commerical breaks. We were both wishing we were there and both wished that we were going to Broadway Bares next week.

I guess it's true what they were saying during last night's show: Everybody has a bit of Broadway in them.

I *heart* Broadway!

The scoop on Tony's big night — and we're not talkin' Soprano
By EVERETT EVANSCopyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Add up all the things you love or hate about the annual Tony Awards broadcast. It's still indispensable to theater fans.

I mean, when else does network TV devote three hours to the theater?

Celebrating a strong season that has generated its share of artistry as well as entertainment, this year's ceremony should make an entertaining broadcast.

At deadline, expected excerpts from nominated musicals were as follows:
• The young cast of Spring Awakening will unleash a tight medley from that rocking paean to adolescent hormones.

• Christine Ebersole will demonstrate batty fashion sense in The Revolutionary Costume for Today from Grey Gardens.

• David Hyde Pierce and the Curtains cast will strut through Show People.

• Mary Poppins will segue from its Step in Time dance spectacle to Anything Can Happen, one of the stage version's new songs.

From revivals, Raúl Esparza will sing Being Alive from Company, Audra McDonald will perform Raunchy from 110 in the Shade and there will be the inevitable One from A Chorus Line.

American Idol winner Fantasia is slated to sing a number from The Color Purple, one of last season's hits. She recently took over the starring role of Celie to enthusiastic reviews.

For the second year, the show will fly without a host, but with a slew of celebrity presenters. Among them: Zach Braff, Matthew Broderick, Harry Connick Jr., Jeff Daniels, Brian Dennehy, Harvey Fierstein, Neil Patrick Harris, Judd Hirsch, Felicity Huffman, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Bebe Neuwirth, Cynthia Nixon, Bernadette Peters, Kevin Spacey, John Turturro, Ben Vereen, Usher, Sam Waterston, Vanessa Williams — to name a few.

The Tony Awards can be found on your local CBS station tonight starting at 800P EDT/700P CDT. Tape delay on the West Coast. You get updates on the Tony Awards website.