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Post by Duddahs on Feb 14, 2012 14:28:15 GMT -6
Hey there  This thread is a generic catch all for all of those who have seen, loved, hated, experienced a live Stage Show of any kind. Be it Broadway, a Dinner Theater, a Grammar School recital or a Rock and Roll Concert Regional Theater, Ballet, Opera, Jazz Concert or heavens forbid even Yoko Ono performing her version of Performance Art (eeessshhhhh!) So, go for it... Explode on these pages with your feelings and experiences at that favorite bands jam session. Go for it if you went to Radio City Music Hall as a child and experienced the wonder of the Rockettes Christmas Show which now inspires you to become a Rockette in your very own bedroom when no one is around.. ONLY RULE,,, Just have fun and GO FOR IT! |
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minkit12
First Year
Meeeoooow!!!
Posts: 235
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Post by minkit12 on Feb 14, 2012 14:42:22 GMT -6
oh, Perfect!!
Ok Anyone been to a Medieval Times Dinner show? I've been to the one in Buena Park, CA at least 10 times. If you like Knights on horseback, fighting for King and Country, you'll like this one. Although I have to say-- the last few years they have put a modern spin on it, which I didn't care for. (Example-- the new helmets are gold, which doesn't fit the period at all) But there's still the same jousting, the same games, wizardry-- yes they have had Merlin the wizard there... and a falcon that flies all over...and dressage shows too. (That's sort of a horse show where they do "airs" with the horses.) Of course there's a sword fight. OOOOGHHHH Sparks fly, when swords meet!! yes, they really do that. Of course I rooted for the black and red knight, since that's my favorite color. There are six different colored knights, but ALL of them are as handsome as you please. Of course there's conflict. What would chivalry be like without that?
Medieval Times has at least 6 other places all around the USA, so if you get a chance, go to one!! They're LOADS of fun...and they got shops full of neat stuff to buy too. It's pricey, yes, but I think it's worth it.
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Post by Duddahs on Feb 14, 2012 15:22:40 GMT -6
Oh boy, this one is going to be related to your query MK but I guess a little off topic in a way too.
It is a pretty long story but heck, what else is Duddahs known for anyway? Details, details... The stuff of life.
Let's go back in time a little.
It was late Summer 1990 and the First Gulf War had just recently broken out.
Duddahs dad was voted by a major Copier/Computer company of that time to be the top Sale Dealership/Owner of their products in the New England area.
This company annually gave to their high reps and dealers lavish gifts, vacations and bonus. (remember the excesses of the 80' were still in full swing but were soon to come crashing down.)
The U.S. Vice President of this Major Company hired a firm to supply vacations to these lucky few but it was going to be very different that year.
Due to the Gulf War Break out and the US International flight bans and restrictions to the Middle East and parts of Europe, the Party Planner (that is what we will call the person who put this all together) chose to make an in the U.S. destination for the recipients.
Well, they went full bore on this vacation. We had been on many in the past and some were considered by us to be excessive but heck we were the recipients, not the one footing the bill after-all.
Well, we (the trip was for 4 people and I was one taken with my parents and my step brother).
We flew First Class to L.A. where we were put up at the Laguna Niguel Ritz Carlton Hotel.
When we were picked up at the LAX via a private Limo we knew things were afoot. Then we went into the Ritz and I was absolutely floored.
Now we have stayed in some very fine establishments around the world but this place was absurd to say the least... Marble, colored marble everywhere! The ceilings, walls, columns, plus fabrics everywhere, staff at your beck and call.
The room was the finest I have stayed in bar none, including one of my favorites, the Imperial in Japan designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Anyway, when we were shown to our suite, we found Tuxedo's and Formal Gowns for my mother on Racks in the room for us to decide which to wear for the evenings events.
We later went to leave dressed to the gills and were driven via Limo to Universal Studios where a crowd was gathered at a Red Carpet entrance... There were faked Photographers, screaming girls and guys, yelling our our names and the names of the other guests that were arriving before and after us. *apparently the studio hires extra's to do this. How bizarre, embarrassing and truly deep down fun*
We were walked into a section of the studio where the filming for the movie Dick Tracy had gone on and the street vendors were all supplying pre dinner treats, foods, salads, drinks etc..
Dancers came out and entertained us while other actors and actresses posed as Dick Tracy period street characters... It was fantastic and the food was GREAT!
After about an hour or so, we were all surprised when a Knight on a White Horse rode down the road *it all looked like 1930's New York to us*.
We were led to another section of the back-lot and to what was to be I believe Frankenstein Castle or something like that from some old movie sets.
We went in and there were rows and rows of wood tables laden with Pewter Plates, Metal Cups all sorts of Medieval decor. At the far end of the set which had the floor covered in hay was a King and Queen. We were ushered to be presented to the King and Queen. They turned out to be the President and his Wife of the Major Japanese company..
Then we were seated at the long tables and large Pigs on Platters were brought out and carved to order. (One poor person was given the Pigs Tail which after roasting became stiff and bone straight... I could never have eaten the tail and surrounding area no matter how good it might taste or how hungry I may have been. Thankfully I got a nice side leg piece...*
After the meal and lots of refreshments were poured into our glasses and drank, They had a complete Joust! I mean the real deal, horses, crashing, falling, everything. Other sports of medieval type and weapons only seen in Erroll Flynn movies!
After the Joust was completed and the White Knight that came to retrieve us from the Dick Tracey area had Won and was presented the Princess, who turned out to be Miss California that year to the Miss USA Competition.
It was very late now and suddenly a loud thumping sound began and lights started flashing above the open area we were seated in... Then this UFO from the movie Close Encounters hovered over the open roof of the place we were in...
Then these creatures came out with brooms and a fully lit disco floor just like the type from Saturday Night Fever lit up and the group that was playing Madrigals and Ancient type music before, now was broke into modern day club dance music...
The Knight took off his helmet and garb to reveal a White Disco outfit and the Princess removed her dress to reveal a very revealing outfit. The began to dance and the ushers urged us all to go out on the dance floor and mingle and dance prior to desert which was Flaming Cherries Jubilee and assorted pastries.
Well, that is our story for that night. It lasted well into the wee hours of the morning.
I have to say that it was one of the finest trips I have ever been on and I will never forget it till the day I loose my marbles.
Unfortunately later that year we found out hat the cost per person was somewhere in the area of $20,000.00 and the U.S. Vice President and the Party Company were promptly removed from their employment...
To this day, I have never felt as pampered or exhausted as I was on one particular vacation day..
It took my poor mother a month to recuperate..
Thankfully they had a spa at the hotel to take care of her for the rest of the vacation..
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Post by grandpalovegood on Feb 14, 2012 17:11:59 GMT -6
Hmmm? I wonder if The Carol Bernett show could be considered a tv show of plays. I just LOVED that show. The best times were when they could not keep a straight face. They litterally were cracking up during the act.
ok.... I'll get out of here. I guess the only real play I really loved and had the opportunity to watch were those taped and shown on HBO back in the old days.... Barefoot in the Park and Camelot with Richard Harris. How I wished I could be there in the audience.
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Post by grandpalovegood on Feb 14, 2012 17:16:06 GMT -6
OH MK.... Boy do I have a post to make concerning your post... You dont realize how fun it is to watch a joust unless you have experienced it in person... I'll have to comment later.. my dinner is getting cold and everyone else is already finished eating. phooey. |
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minkit12
First Year
Meeeoooow!!!
Posts: 235
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Post by minkit12 on Feb 14, 2012 19:32:04 GMT -6
Hmmm? I wonder if The Carol Bernett show could be considered a tv show of plays. I just LOVED that show. The best times were when they could not keep a straight face. They litterally were cracking up during the act. OH MK.... Boy do I have a post to make concerning your post... You dont realize how fun it is to watch a joust unless you have experienced it in person... I'll have to comment later.. my dinner is getting cold and everyone else is already finished eating. phooey. ok.... I'll get out of here. I guess the only real play I really loved and had the opportunity to watch were those taped and shown on HBO back in the old days.... Barefoot in the Park and Camelot with Richard Harris. How I wished I could be there in the audience. Doesn't matter how you saw the play--I've seen many other stage plays and operas verbatim on PBS channel, (I don't have HBO or those premium channels) So it's still enjoyable and I'd love to hear reviews, since I've not seen either of the shows you mentioned, Misscharlotte. And yes perhaps the Carol Burnett show or any other variety show could be talked about here. I too loved those shows. Are you kidding? I Know how much fun those knights on horseback are!! I've seen them many times at renaissance faires, jousting and swordfighting...etc....It's even more fun if you dress up in costume too. Goodness, I've done that. duddahs your long tale of that one special vacation was a joy to read!! Sometimes I wonder if you are related to a famous actor or actress/ or are one yourself. I would love to be able to experience something like what you described. got to go fix dinner. I'm glad we started this section. |
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Post by Duddahs on Feb 14, 2012 23:05:15 GMT -6
What does this mean MK? I have been wracking my brain to try to figure this one out but can not seem to come to a logical conclusion 
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Post by grandpalovegood on Feb 15, 2012 0:29:01 GMT -6
Hey I KNOW.... You are that guy who likes to hang around and often pick on your best pal Barney. Then later go home to your red headed son and pat your Aunt Bea on the head before turning in. He's the most famous guy in town. 
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Post by Duddahs on Feb 15, 2012 14:39:37 GMT -6
Hey I KNOW.... You are that guy who likes to hang around and often pick on your best pal Barney. Then later go home to your red headed son and pat your Aunt Bea on the head before turning in. He's the most famous guy in town. Who ME?  Still waiting for MK to explain that comment though.  |
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Post by grandpalovegood on Feb 15, 2012 16:10:26 GMT -6
Yes.... I'm gonna start calling you Andy. Wait... can't do that. That is Fangsfan's dog.  OH well. |
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minkit12
First Year
Meeeoooow!!!
Posts: 235
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Post by minkit12 on Feb 15, 2012 17:27:25 GMT -6
What does this mean MK? I have been wracking my brain to try to figure this one out but can not seem to come to a logical conclusion well duddahsCheck your PM ok? |
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Post by grandpalovegood on Feb 16, 2012 5:42:56 GMT -6
maybe she's saying that she would like to have been treated like royalty? to have people cheer when she walked into some establishment even if it were paid actors being the crowd like yours? OH MK.... Boy do I have a post to make concerning your post... You dont realize how fun it is to watch a joust unless you have experienced it in person... I'll have to comment later.. my dinner is getting cold and everyone else is already finished eating. phooey. I have not forgotten.... I see going to one of those faires you mentioned as more like an upscale play of sorts. Several years ago, I met up with some of my online Harry Potter friends. We all attended one of those faires located up north. NOt only did our group go in costume, all of the venders were as well. It was fun to walk down the street seeing all of the shops selling their wares as if things were back in those times. There was one tent set up to show us the types of weaponry and types of cruel punishments for those who break the law. We went into an apothacary... saw a man blowing glass bottles right before our eyes... farmers with their goats, geese and chickens, a guy selling smoked turkey legs as he walked down the dirt... or muddy road. There were people all in character in groups walking everywhere. Sometimes in the middle of the village square... or on various roadways, there was a skit in a way to tell us events that were coming up soon... the times and where to see the performances,. There was a parade where the Queen of England was escorted through the town as she went to this event. Then at a certain time, we all went to sit in bleachers to watch a real joust. I've seen these on tv but being there was so much more exciting. Yes... it was a play but still it was quite fun. King and Queen, knights and beautiful Ladies as well as the run of the mill men and women who were servants or regular people of the town. Then to be in costume ourselves we got to be a part of it as well. What fun! I'd love to go to another if we had them in my neck of the woods. I still have my dress that I made myself... and my hooded cloak.. Forest green, lined with silver and gold colors.. I'll bet I can even find my snood to wear in my hair. My hair was very short back then, now it's very long and would fit more properly for the period to dress for. |
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minkit12
First Year
Meeeoooow!!!
Posts: 235
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Post by minkit12 on Feb 16, 2012 14:09:52 GMT -6
maybe she's saying that she would like to have been treated like royalty? to have people cheer when she walked into some establishment even if it were paid actors being the crowd like yours? (said by misscharlotte)
Misscharlotte is right-- duddahs that's what I meant.
Ohhh Miss Charlotte your experience was amazing. Were you dressed as a lady, or as a peasant? (They had a hierachy of classes back then.)
I recall one time I went--It was to celebrate a King's time period-- I can't recall which king. But...the king was walking down a dirt path with his entourage, and he saw me, and since I was dressed in costume, I curtseyed to him. Yes, I went quite low!! He bade me rise, and then he invited me to come sit at his table with him!! OOHHH He was blond-haired and blue eyes..shiny gold crown upon his head---..and we feasted on vegetables, apples, pears, etc.
I've seen queen elizabeth at ren faires too--and of course I paid her due respect when she walked past me. It is SOOOOOO much fun to dress up, to curtsy to the nobles as they walk past you... and yes, I still have a few of my costumes too.
But now I live so far away from these ren faire locations that I haven't gone to them in 3 years. I miss them.
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Post by Duddahs on Feb 21, 2012 10:46:14 GMT -6
For those of you who are able to come to Broadway, one of my favorite Broadway Shows of all time is coming to the stage once again.
Evita starring Ricky Martin!
Yep, we will be there.
I saw it with Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone in the original version way back in the 1970's. It was Brilliant and I look forward to this version with just as much anticipation for a great show..
Spring on Broadway.. Not too many things better.
Oh and as always, Pergola d'Artiste and Christian will surely take care of us as always.
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minkit12
First Year
Meeeoooow!!!
Posts: 235
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Post by minkit12 on Feb 26, 2012 13:09:29 GMT -6
I look fwd to your review duddahs. I'vew never been to New York, so I want details!! I'm familiar with Evita.
Anyone ever seen ONCE UPON A MATTRESS? I saw it off broadway here in my little town's live theater. Lovely. I also have the movie with Carol Burnett as the queen and Tracey Ullman as Princess Winnifred. I would LOVE to have seen the broadway play where Carol played the princess. A very old take, on the PRINCESS AND THE PEA fairy tale.
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Post by Duddahs on Feb 26, 2012 14:37:40 GMT -6
We saw Once Upon a Mattress, (based on the Princess and the Pea) back in the mid 1990's and it starred Sarah Jessica Parker...
She was wonderful and I was stunned at how good of an actress she really was.
We also saw her in one of my favorite Broadway Shows of all time around that time period too.
That show was called Sylvia and it had Sarah Jessica Parker in the lead role as a Dog! Yes a Bow Wow type of Dog.
If you ever get the chance to see it, you must.
The song Every time I say goodbye, from the show haunts me to this day. As a major Dog Lover,, it rocked me to my core.
One of my Adult Skating Students (he is a 5 time adult national champion) also was a director at a regional live theater. He also brought this same show minus SJP to the theater and it was a hit for them as well.
Their big successes were the Nun Sense series.. Hysterical to say the least. This student now has moved to be closer to his ailing parents and runs a theater near his new home. He ran Nunsense there as well and I believe that he had Sally Struthers star in one of the shows for them.
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Post by rin68nyr on Feb 29, 2012 20:19:04 GMT -6
I've only just found this thread...lol I have only read the first couple of posts. Minikit talked about the midieval show with the dressage...brought back memories for me! I used to ride horses when I was young(er), and my friend had 2 ponies. We would take them to the 4H fair horse show, and compete. We even tried our hand at dressage! The ponies weren't quite trained for it...and neither were we...but it was fun trying! Also, on the last day, they had a costume class just for fun. My friend and I dressed up her white pony with a royal blue blanket. We put tin foil on his hooves to make them fancy. I put on a dress and sat side saddle (but with no saddle), and she wore a knight's costume we had made, and sat behind me. We had so much fun with that! lol
Erin
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Post by Duddahs on Mar 2, 2012 19:22:47 GMT -6
OK, this is going to sound a little odd to some, but it is normal for me as it is how I was brought up.
Half of my family is from New York City, Staten Island to be exact while the other half is from Newport Rhodes Island.
Growing up, we had always gone to Broadway shows on a somewhat regular basis as they were not too expensive back then. My mother grew up going to B'way shows and to the movie houses in Manhattan too. She tells us how she and her sisters would go to New York to work every morning on the Staten Island Ferry and then after work on Friday's they would go to places like Roseland and the Roxy.
It must have been a truly magical time to have lived back then. During the height of the big band era.. She regails of going to the Roxy and seeing Frank Sinatra as a very young singer.
My Dad sings very well too and he and my mother would get invited to weddings and other functions to eat for free just in trade for him to get up and sing a few songs for the party. They would almost never know the people personally or any of the guests but they got to go to some really swank parties because he sounded so much like Sinatra did too! I think that this might be what my Mother first liked about him (she says she he first dated her sister and she could not stand the sight of him because we was just too cocky for his own good. He was just too good looking and well maybe he really was too cocky as he does have a bit of a flare still to this day now that he is in his mid 80's.
Anyway, we have been going to Broadway for my entire life and have gotten to see some of the best and some of the worst shows of the 60's right up to the present day.
My parents also were among some of the founding members of a local Theater where I grew up. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward and a number of other very well known actors, actresses and singers were also part of the company or performed in the plays, musicals etc that are held there. What did I know as a kid? They were just people who lived near us and were friends with my parents. I do not think any of them were any different than you or me to be honest with you. Mostly just nice people for the most part, well all except for the random stinker once in a blue moon.
Even our first house in Wilton turned out to be in a little bit of a history of the Theater. The original Theater in the Woods was on the Wilton/Norwalk line right behind our house and the original Arts and Crafts estate manor that the house was built on..
Henriette Wakefield and her husband Greek Evans were principal singers at the Met and they were our next door neighbors on one side, they had built that grand A&C home and created the original Theater in the woods on the back of their property.
It is so bizarre when I think back to the trunks and trunks of theatrical costumes and props that were in the house that my parents purchased that we as kids just used to death to play with and destroyed so much of what was there. None of us knew that it would some day be considered Theater Ephemera and worth something.
I just loved dressing up in the over-sized outfits from the medieval opera's and my sisters in the stupid looking hats and costumes, jewelry, swords and other bizarre props that Greek Evans and Henriette Wakefield had accumulated.
MK and Erin, your discussions here have brought back so many happy childhood memories of us as innocent kids just having fun and putting on little plays for family and neighbor friends.
The neighbors on the other side of us were a middle aged gentleman by the name of Jack who to this day is one of my happiest childhood memories. Jack was one of the major contract attorneys for NBC and he was the personal attorney for a young and then later Barbara Walters. He had chosen to bring a very talented artist and his mother to live in his large home along with Jacks elderly parents. His parents had traveled the world and had a huge addition put on Jacks home when they decided to stop traveling on the grand tours they had enjoyed in their retirement years.
I remember so well putting on plays with my sisters and the joy and pleasure that everyone seemed to have derived from our ridiculous antics.. Well, my sisters were Dancers, one Theatrical/Jazz while the other was mostly Ballet. I can tell you that they always had the dancing roles and for some reason, I think I was always killed off in the end of those plays. Well maybe they just wished to kill me?
I was cool with that because I felt the one who dies in the end is the one who had the most attention on them and thus, the one that everyone really wanted to see. Boy was I delusional!
Anyway, thanks so much for these memories down crazy childhood lane of mine.
I have to say, I do miss Jack and the artist whose name was Marvin. (Marvin is a whole nother story in himself, trust me) sold the house some years after Jack died and left it to him and Jacks niece. Marvin now lives happily in Manhattan right on Columbus Circle and we do get in to see him still from time to time. He works as one of the resident artists at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Thanks for making this ole bird feel a little less under the weather from where he has been of late.
Sorry for such a long thread but when these memories come back, they are so vivid and rich that I only wish everyone could come and share in the pleasure they bring to me.
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Post by rin68nyr on Mar 2, 2012 20:59:50 GMT -6
Awesome, Duddahs! I once "met" Paul Newman. He was at Maison Square Garden at the annual horse show, which his daughter was riding in. We sat near him, and us giggly pre-teens sat nearby and oggled him...I'm sure we were pretty annoying. I also once rode at the horse farm they owned in Westchester, The Hill. I heard very nice things about Joanne Woodward there.
Erin
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Post by Duddahs on Mar 6, 2012 18:19:48 GMT -6
That must have been fun Erin. I remember their daughter having been with them a great deal back in the day too.
As for Joanne Woodward, she was one of the nicest and sweetest persons one could ever wish to be introduced to. She also spoke at my school when I was young. You see, she took off from her acting career for many years in order to raise her children.
All I can remember is how unlike a movie star she seemed to me. But boy, she was one of the finest actresses ever!
We have had and still do have our fair share of celebrity in our area and where I grew up and where I originally practiced in the Optometric field. You see Westport is chock full of writers, actors, actresses, producers, directors, it runs the gambit.
I believe that I mentioned to my utter dismay and embarrasment how I had been servicing Jackie Kennedy's sister Lee for many years only to find out later that it was Lee herself.. I made such an idiot out of myself having confided in her that she looked so much like Jackie O but I thought she was actually prettier.
Wow was I an idiot and so utterly gobsmacked when I found out who she really was...
We were trained to keep our cool with people of note. Heck they had to be treated with privacy and respect just like everyone else and that is why I guess they came to us in the first place.
It is funny, one of my earliest students now has a somewhat local but syndicated T.V. Show in the New York, Fairfield County area... It is so bizarre to think that I would have never have thought him to become anything more than the Bank Teller he was when I last worked with him. Low and behold, he is now being touted as the next Martha Stewart!
Oh she is one that I knew before she was Martha Stewart.. I worked as a Bartender for her summer parties when I was in my late teens and she ran an up and coming catering business out of her garage. I really like her then and like her to this day. I never saw her as anything other than a strong woman boss who took no bull from anyone. Do as she said and she rewarded you and invited you back to work again for her. Slack off or take advantage of her and she could be your worst nightmare.. That is how it should be in the business world. She was not there to be our best friend but our boss. She worked, we worked. She got paid and so did we.. Made for some fun times though.
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