Ooh - I *love* reviews of NY by people I like! Can't wait! And I'm almost totally with you there about Sondheim, BUT there are two shows of his I adore - "A Little Night Music" based on - oh, what's his name - the Swedish film director? - his movie "Smiles of a Summer's Night". The musical is rarely done well, and you should only see it if it is done really well! It is a poofball of a lightweight sex farce, while weaving the most stunning melodies, harmonies, rhythms and themes. It must be done as a comedy by actors who sing (not vice versa). And all the tunes are waltzes! I loved the original (as done in LA)of "Sweeney Todd" with Angela Lansbury - god, what a gift to the stage she was!
Unlike "A Little Night Music" - which I've listened to at least 100 times, I've never listened to "Sweeney Todd" - didn't know the words or music or story, and won't see it again, but that one performance in LA! The chorus's harmonies sounding like a grand assault on the ears, yet beautiful in an ugly way... I'll never forget that night, all these years later. (But you should know Sondheim could be a funny guy. A piece of trivia: he wrote the words to a parody song "The Girl from Ipanema", called "The Boy from Tacarembo la Tumba del Fuego Santa Malipas Zacatecas la Junta del Sol y Cruz" in a little, funny review called "The Mad Show". If you can find it, it's a funny parody.)😊
Anyway, love your Saturday updates. I still feel like you've taken me (us all) into your circle of girl friends. 😊❤️
I saw A Little Night Music, but so long ago, it doesn't count. I must see it again. I want to understand Sondheim, even if I don't go all in, or all the way to love. BTW, I can really imagine Angela Lansbury in the role in Sweeney Todd - wow, I bet she was amazing. I will look for the Sondheim parody of Ipanema - that sounds hilarious.
I saw you in Spokane Washington on March 26, 2022 when there was a taping for your movie coming out on Netflix. Is that still in the works? I think you are a gift to the world!
Brooks! Hello, and thank you for responding. I am actually going to release the film here on Substack. I am going to announce a date - probably September. I will let you know. I appreciate your interest. xoxo
Geez, sounds great, but what did you do with all the rest of your free time over the weekend - watch tv or something? Is that why your husband is sound asleep? Exhausted? Nice of you to let him rest up while you do...this! Lovely...
Julia--what a great NYC/Saturday update (oh, hello, Michael). I love your Substack and am subscribing this week! I watch and LOL, oohh&ahhh and take notes. I lived on the upper west side and am always happy there, too. The tattoos--do keep us posted. Our daughter lived in CapHill, Seattle and was so drawn to the area, she got a PNW tattoo: a small stand of evergreens in a verdant green, under her arm on her ribcage (fyi). It's not Indigenous but she loves it! Thanks for the update--enjoy the city.
Jane! I didn't know you lived on the Upper West Side! That's cool. We just walked through the Village and that is equally great. Well, no big enormous park. But still, I do love NY.
I enjoyed Lives Like Loaded Guns! Now, I’m circling White Heat, another Dickinson biography focusing on her relationship with Higginson. Did you ever see Dickinson, the Apple TV series? I liked it. Jane Krakowski plays her mom. I also liked Molly Shannon’s Dickinson movie. I recommend touring Emily’s house if you ever get to western Massachusetts. They’re really investing in preserving her home, and now focused on her brother’s, next door. I also walked around the block to see Mabel’s house. It still exists, but they moved it across the street. Not too close by, but Edith Wharton’s house is a fun tour, as well.
I'm going to read Open Me Carefully next. I started the Dickinson series but didn't connect with it, but I'm going to give it another try when I get home, now that I know so much more. And yes, I'm already planning, already have planned a trip to the Dickinson house, the Edith Wharton House, The Melville House and the Mark Twain house (Which I've been to before, but can't wait to go back.) In June. I'm going to report on how it all is. I do want to see Mabel's house - what a complicated, awful, and yet still sympathetic (sometimes) character. OMG Mabel, Mabel. And Austin. Ugh.
Hey there. I heard you on Lovett or Leave it, I’m British so I had to look you up 😁. I watched some Pat sketches and they were really good. From one writer to another, I think had you given Pat a monotone voice instead of the weird one, it would have stood the test of time. I think the voice is the thing that could be seen to be diminishing Pat and encourages the idea that we should be laughing at Pat I think because the writing is great, the voice didn’t add to the humour, simply made it feel dated.
Also have a nosy around the app to see what IMovie can do. I use it for everything and it has some amazing features. It’s really quite intuitive.
Amanda! I agree with you about the voice - so many small tweaks could have helped Pat, actually. I didn't know the podcast was up yet - wow that was fast. I am going to learn iMovie, I really want to be able to do more complex videos.
Hey Julia, this is Alida from Frizzlit. Next time you are needing a place to stay on the UWS, you are welcome to use our place. Ask Christopher how to get in touch. If you ever go back, of course! Thanks so much for the Chinese restaurant tip and the theater suggestions. We will be there next week. Just signed up, but loving your Substack!
Cheers from Seattle! (I am from California, though 40 yesrs here.)
Alida! Hello!!! I will get your info from Chris. I do want to come back here, so let's talk. I am having a grand time. It has been heaven here. We went to the Cloisters today - haven't been there in so many years... It was just as magical as I remembered it. Oh, and... The Chinese restaurant's name is actually Atlas Kitchen. You must go. It's incredible.
You with "nothing to say" is better than 99.9 percent of people who think they have something to say : ) --Julia Sweeney Makes Case for Late-in-life Tats!
Julia, I adore you! In my mind we are twin sisters from other misters. (You got all the talent!) We are almost exactly the same age , both from the PACIFIC Northwest 😉, and I just got my second tattoo. The first one is only a year old. It was so fun to see you in Seattle at the Older & Wider show with FrizzLit folks. Love your Substack. And you!
So sorry about Lucerne; yes, you WILL here people in the hallway. It DESIGNED that way! Next time check out the Beacon at 74th and B'way. THE BEST!! I grew up on W. 83rd st. and spent cold and rainy winters in the Museum of Natural History. Is that mangy brown bear still standing up scaring the stuff out of 5 year olds?
My brother is still in those parts in Scarsdale; I sent him your restaurant review and he's going to try it.
Ooh - I *love* reviews of NY by people I like! Can't wait! And I'm almost totally with you there about Sondheim, BUT there are two shows of his I adore - "A Little Night Music" based on - oh, what's his name - the Swedish film director? - his movie "Smiles of a Summer's Night". The musical is rarely done well, and you should only see it if it is done really well! It is a poofball of a lightweight sex farce, while weaving the most stunning melodies, harmonies, rhythms and themes. It must be done as a comedy by actors who sing (not vice versa). And all the tunes are waltzes! I loved the original (as done in LA)of "Sweeney Todd" with Angela Lansbury - god, what a gift to the stage she was!
Unlike "A Little Night Music" - which I've listened to at least 100 times, I've never listened to "Sweeney Todd" - didn't know the words or music or story, and won't see it again, but that one performance in LA! The chorus's harmonies sounding like a grand assault on the ears, yet beautiful in an ugly way... I'll never forget that night, all these years later. (But you should know Sondheim could be a funny guy. A piece of trivia: he wrote the words to a parody song "The Girl from Ipanema", called "The Boy from Tacarembo la Tumba del Fuego Santa Malipas Zacatecas la Junta del Sol y Cruz" in a little, funny review called "The Mad Show". If you can find it, it's a funny parody.)😊
Anyway, love your Saturday updates. I still feel like you've taken me (us all) into your circle of girl friends. 😊❤️
I saw A Little Night Music, but so long ago, it doesn't count. I must see it again. I want to understand Sondheim, even if I don't go all in, or all the way to love. BTW, I can really imagine Angela Lansbury in the role in Sweeney Todd - wow, I bet she was amazing. I will look for the Sondheim parody of Ipanema - that sounds hilarious.
Dear Julia,
I saw you in Spokane Washington on March 26, 2022 when there was a taping for your movie coming out on Netflix. Is that still in the works? I think you are a gift to the world!
Brooks! Hello, and thank you for responding. I am actually going to release the film here on Substack. I am going to announce a date - probably September. I will let you know. I appreciate your interest. xoxo
Geez, sounds great, but what did you do with all the rest of your free time over the weekend - watch tv or something? Is that why your husband is sound asleep? Exhausted? Nice of you to let him rest up while you do...this! Lovely...
Also you can say you're from a specific northwest
🥰
Ask Michael about icosahedrites!
I will!
Julia--what a great NYC/Saturday update (oh, hello, Michael). I love your Substack and am subscribing this week! I watch and LOL, oohh&ahhh and take notes. I lived on the upper west side and am always happy there, too. The tattoos--do keep us posted. Our daughter lived in CapHill, Seattle and was so drawn to the area, she got a PNW tattoo: a small stand of evergreens in a verdant green, under her arm on her ribcage (fyi). It's not Indigenous but she loves it! Thanks for the update--enjoy the city.
Jane! I didn't know you lived on the Upper West Side! That's cool. We just walked through the Village and that is equally great. Well, no big enormous park. But still, I do love NY.
I enjoyed Lives Like Loaded Guns! Now, I’m circling White Heat, another Dickinson biography focusing on her relationship with Higginson. Did you ever see Dickinson, the Apple TV series? I liked it. Jane Krakowski plays her mom. I also liked Molly Shannon’s Dickinson movie. I recommend touring Emily’s house if you ever get to western Massachusetts. They’re really investing in preserving her home, and now focused on her brother’s, next door. I also walked around the block to see Mabel’s house. It still exists, but they moved it across the street. Not too close by, but Edith Wharton’s house is a fun tour, as well.
I'm going to read Open Me Carefully next. I started the Dickinson series but didn't connect with it, but I'm going to give it another try when I get home, now that I know so much more. And yes, I'm already planning, already have planned a trip to the Dickinson house, the Edith Wharton House, The Melville House and the Mark Twain house (Which I've been to before, but can't wait to go back.) In June. I'm going to report on how it all is. I do want to see Mabel's house - what a complicated, awful, and yet still sympathetic (sometimes) character. OMG Mabel, Mabel. And Austin. Ugh.
Hey there. I heard you on Lovett or Leave it, I’m British so I had to look you up 😁. I watched some Pat sketches and they were really good. From one writer to another, I think had you given Pat a monotone voice instead of the weird one, it would have stood the test of time. I think the voice is the thing that could be seen to be diminishing Pat and encourages the idea that we should be laughing at Pat I think because the writing is great, the voice didn’t add to the humour, simply made it feel dated.
Also have a nosy around the app to see what IMovie can do. I use it for everything and it has some amazing features. It’s really quite intuitive.
Enjoying your Saturday updates. 😁
Amanda (https://keramikslu.substack.com/)
Amanda! I agree with you about the voice - so many small tweaks could have helped Pat, actually. I didn't know the podcast was up yet - wow that was fast. I am going to learn iMovie, I really want to be able to do more complex videos.
Btw https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lovett-or-leave-it/id1216346463?i=1000611964771
Well if you need any iMovie tips, just ask 😁
Hey Julia, this is Alida from Frizzlit. Next time you are needing a place to stay on the UWS, you are welcome to use our place. Ask Christopher how to get in touch. If you ever go back, of course! Thanks so much for the Chinese restaurant tip and the theater suggestions. We will be there next week. Just signed up, but loving your Substack!
Cheers from Seattle! (I am from California, though 40 yesrs here.)
Alida! Hello!!! I will get your info from Chris. I do want to come back here, so let's talk. I am having a grand time. It has been heaven here. We went to the Cloisters today - haven't been there in so many years... It was just as magical as I remembered it. Oh, and... The Chinese restaurant's name is actually Atlas Kitchen. You must go. It's incredible.
You with "nothing to say" is better than 99.9 percent of people who think they have something to say : ) --Julia Sweeney Makes Case for Late-in-life Tats!
Julia, I adore you! In my mind we are twin sisters from other misters. (You got all the talent!) We are almost exactly the same age , both from the PACIFIC Northwest 😉, and I just got my second tattoo. The first one is only a year old. It was so fun to see you in Seattle at the Older & Wider show with FrizzLit folks. Love your Substack. And you!
Julia, I love your substack. I feel like I'm in the inner circle. Smiling the whole time!
You make me smile and laugh. Thanks!
So sorry about Lucerne; yes, you WILL here people in the hallway. It DESIGNED that way! Next time check out the Beacon at 74th and B'way. THE BEST!! I grew up on W. 83rd st. and spent cold and rainy winters in the Museum of Natural History. Is that mangy brown bear still standing up scaring the stuff out of 5 year olds?
My brother is still in those parts in Scarsdale; I sent him your restaurant review and he's going to try it.