"The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd"

Way to dust off that musical from the 60s, eh? I must confess that I never saw it, but the title and music always stuck with me because we sang selections from it in JH or HS choir (I can't remember which one - it was the same Choir Director for both). I immediately loved the transposed title. But I had problems with the signature song, so I would secretly sing "Who Can I Turn To?" as "To Whom Can I Turn?"  It works, right? Being the smart ass I was (was? am?) I informed the Choir Director that the song was grammatically incorrect but she rambled off something about lyricist license (sort of like poetic license, I imagine) and that was the end of that. I am not sure what Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley were thinking. But that's another post for another time.

Anyway, regarding that JH/HS Choir "career" - here is a fact that is no secret to anyone who knows me well: I cannot sing and I cannot dance. No, seriously. I cannot sing and I cannot dance. Regardless, I was a kick-ass President of my HS Choir, and thankfully, that position did not require the abilities of singing and dancing. I just needed to be a suck-up to everyone so they would vote for me. Actually, it was just my usual charm and personality that won me the election, but I digress . . . as usual. Anyway, I cannot sing and I cannot dance. But I don't need to be able to do either to LOVE and appreciate Broadway and its performers, writers, production teams, etc., so Bring It On!  See?? Life is Like a Showtune!

Broadway Musicals and Showtunes simply speak to me. They take me someplace else,  they offer comfort, and they never let me down. For instance, right now as I draft this entry I am watching Funny Girl. Perfect way to bring in the New Year. Yes, on the first day of the new year, I am watching my version of the "Bowl Games" --  the musicals on AMC. Funny Girl  is a standard. Seeing and listening to Barbra Streisand fills my heart, triggers so many memories, makes me think of so many people, and just makes me feel good! She is incomparable and iconic. Yes, she even rates above Bette Midler. But Bette will get her tributes throughout this Blog, no worries there! Sadly, I didn't make it through the rest of the AMC showings (My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Hello, Dolly! filled out the rest of the "Bowl Line-Up"). Duty called, people. But I did get to see a little Streisand and be energized by her awesomeness. I look forward to seeing the much talked about Funny Girl  revival supposedly hitting Broadway one of these days (shameless plug for Lea Michele as "Fanny Brice" - FYI). Now, watching these musicals on television is awesome and entertaining and all of that, but just like a Shakespearean Play, the true appreciation and understanding comes from seeing a live performance.

My favorite seats are up close where you really can hear/smell the "Roar of the Greasepaint and the Smell of the Crowd" (duh - that is  the title of my post, after all).  My first live musical on  Broadway was A Chorus Line, and I still remember being able to smell the "greasepaint" from my front row seat, as well as hear and see every little detail on the stage - and more! The experience was so life-changing and memorable that I know it's the reason I can never sit anywhere else other than in the Orchestra seats. That seating isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it certainly is mine! I know that my Cbus friend Edwin concurs. He is the champ of Broadway attendance -- I can only dream of similar Broadway splurges such as his when he visits the Great White Way. He is also a beast with his Stage Door stalking, but that is also another topic for another day.

A list of the musicals I have seen "live" is found in the left-hand column of my Blog. This list is a work in progress, as I will add the new ones I see - as well as the old ones I have forgotten and then later remember! I could also include the Plays I have seen (there are musicals and there are plays, people). But that lesson is for another time and another post.

I hope you enjoyed this second entry. I have many more in draft form waiting in the wings. Stay tuned for entries such as "Consider Yourself," "Memory," "I'm Not That Girl," and "You'll Never Walk Alone." They are still in "Previews."

"Anything Goes!"

I often say,  “Life is a Like a Showtune,” usually following some inane comment I just rattled off  similar to, “Hey, Anything Goes!”  My mind is a junkyard of many things, including my nonsensical proverbs courtesy of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Jonathan Larson, and even Lin Manuel Miranda, just to name(drop) a few.  Some people quote dialogue from movies, literature, television shows, songs, and the Bible,  I am quite sure I have been known to quote from all of the above and then some.  But quoting lyrics from a Showtune? I am going to guess that is left to me and my gay brethren. Oh, sure, I have my Showtune Sistren out there, too, but we are a rare breed.

It seems fitting that my Blog should bear lyrics and content from Showtunes.  And yes, I will capitalize the word “Showtune(s)” until the day I die. It is that important to me. Now I am not sure where this blogging will take me, how consistent I will be, what my topics will be, and whether I will attract any “Jan-Fans.”  Hey – I have coined my first club for groupies!  But it is a process and undertaking which I am eager to pursue, and there really needs to be no definite parameters at this time. The most important thing is that I AM doing it!   So, please join me as I begin my blogging journey.  I do hope you enjoy this adventure as much as I plan to enjoy it! Feel free to comment here and there as we take this verbal trek together. And truly, "Anything Goes!"

**Author's note: I started another blog back in 2009. I revisited it from time to time, but never for posting purposes to you, my adoring public. The above entry is taken from that initial venture -- with a little editing here and there. And now, "On with the Show!"