My Crush is Gone

I was saddened to hear this morning that composer Marvin Hamlisch had died at 68.

He was a much lauded American composer.  He is only one of two people who have ever been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars and a Tony Award, as well as the Pulitzer Prize.(Richard Rodgers was the other person.)  Marvin also won 2 Golden Globe Awards.

If you went to the movies you may not recognize his name but you'd recognize his work.
Like this one.....



Or this one.....



Or follow this LINK to a medley of his hits.


But this is how I remember Marvin.....


Back in 1975, when I was a 16 year old high school student who was working toward a career in the Theater and dreamed of making it to Broadway, Marvin Hamlisch was a god.
"A Chorus Line" had hit the boards and it was the biggest thing in the Art World.  It single handedly revitalized a dying Musical Theater industry.

Marvin Hamlisch was everywhere in the media.  A constant guest on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show along with every other talk-type show.

He was twice my age but I thought he was about the sexiest thing on two legs.  I guess my "type" of man at 16 was an older Jewish geeky looking man with glasses and an unglamorous name.

But I'll tell you, there is nothing sexier about a man as what is between his ears.
This is my words of wisdom for all you young people out there who lust after all those hard bodied hotties.

This man was talented!  From what I ever saw, he was genuine and a class act.  He also had a great sense of humor.

And it didn't hurt that he looked mighty fine in a tux back in the day.....

Marvin occupied many a nightime dream of my 16 year old self.
I know this is too much information but I had this recurring dream that I went to New York and auditioned for a show and Marvin was playing piano accompaniment for the auditioners, including me.
He saw and heard me and fell in love with me, whisking me away into his world of theater, art, and the New York society world and we would have a torrid love affair.

I guess you know that things didn't quite work out that way for me. ;-)


Here's an interview with Marvin about his Audition at 6 to Julliard Music School.


 And here is some more Marvin love in an interview I found online. (It's about a 1/2 hour long, but worth it if you have the time.)





R.I.P. Mr. Marvin Hamlisch


Sluggy

Friday Fun!

I hope everyone has something awesome planned for the weekend.
Me?  Not so much.
The Daughter is coming home later today so I'm just trying to get some cleaning done before Hubs gets home with her.  Then I am off to nap and get ready for the many many hours of "what am I going to do with my life?" talks to follow.


I need some laughter today, so I am sharing this clip I found.  It's the original cast of Spamalot with David Hyde Pierce and Tim Curry.

If you are reading this Joe Z., this is for you.....




Sluggy

T-T-T-Tony Fun

Having been a thespian from an early age, I always try to catch the Tony Awards show each June.
Not so much anymore to catch glimpses of the work of people I had known in my younger days who went on to accolades and successful careers in the theatre but just because I enjoy watching people who have devoted their lives to legitimate theatre with little regard for being a 'star'.

Nowadays I enjoy watching the musical numbers, especially when there is a year which produces a bountiful, high quality crop of shows.
And this year did not disappoint!

I'm not sure what I thought of the Opening number.....what do you think?

This was the year of religion.
Yes, there was something for every persuasion.

From Catholic nuns.....

To Mormons.....

To Capitalists....
Harry Potter can sing and dance......who knew?!?!

This was one of the more fun numbers from a show based on a movie from 1994.....

And this number, while NOT from a Broadway show(it was a limited run NY Philharmonic engagement) was certainly a tv viewer favorite.
Once I got past Neil Patrick Harris' major note/pitch flub at the beginning it was good--not as good as the production a few years ago with Raul Esparza in the NPH role, but enjoyable.
See how many famous or semi-famous people you can pick out here....

Starting June 15th, this production of Company will be showing at select cities around the country too. You can find out where and when HERE


But my favorite has to be this number.  I became a big fan of Norbert Leo Butz a few years ago when he was in the Broadway adaptation of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels".  Even though I hadn't heard/seen any of the Broadway remake of the Tom Hanks/Leo Dicaprio film "Catch Me If You Can", as soon as NLB opened his mouth I knew who it was playing the Tom Hanks role.

It's a rousingly hot production.
And tell me that Norbert is NOT channeling Jimmy Cagney in this number......

Sluggy