Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I've not personally played in the pits, but I have performed on the stage. I have played: Eddie - Rocky Horror Audrey 2 (The Plant) - Little Shop of Horrors Daddy Warbucks - Annie Officer McClusky - West Side Story Mother Superior - Sound of Music Tevia - Fiddlers on the Roof Winnie the Pooh - the many adventures of Winnie the Pooh. And many dramas/comedies And sat in the pit while Dad played at: Cats Time Rocky Horror (the real one) Phantom Starlight Express West Side Story Miss Saigon Le Miserables And I've been to countless shows across the West End, Edinburgh fringe and we used t go to San Francisco shows all the time.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct davewasbaloo, I would LOVE an afternoon to hear some theater stories from you!! "WOW" is all I can say. I would love to hear more about Rocky Horror. I have been a fan since I heard the movie soundtrack in summer camp in 1977-78. I also got to see the revival in NYC before 9-11 took away tourism and closed many shows. I wished I had a chance to see BAT BOY in Union Square Are you familiar with De La Guarda? They are opening a new show. You come from a very talented family it seems. I am looking forward to some upcoming shows in NYC. We just saw the revival of THE RITZ. This November we are seeing YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and LITTLE MERMAID. Did you see MARY POPPINS? If so, what did you think?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Dennis - you have always been on my wish llist for people to meet. Something tells me after all these years, we would have some GREAT conversations (also we have some mutual friends whom I adore, which is also a great sign). I have heard good reviews of De la Guarda's work, but sadly I have not seen it first hand. I have a real passion for theatre, but with two little ones an erratic hours due to my career, it does make it difficult to indulge in my passion. I really want to check out the Lord of the Rings musical here in London, it's getting rave reviews. As for Mary Poppins, I must confess I have not seen it. I hav seen some clips, and although I love different aproaches, I have to say I was so obsessed with Julie Andrew's version, I could not bring myself to see this other version. It leaves in 3 months, so we are reconsidering, but we are going to Spain in November, and California in Feb, so finances and time may get in the way. I do wish I saw Broadway's Tarzan before it left though. To give you a view of my tastes though, my fav musicals I have seen live are: Lion King Phantom of the Opera Pirates of Penzance Hon mention to Beauty and the Beast, Singing in the Rain and Les Mis.
Originally Posted By Mr X Nice list, Dave...I would agree with all the ones I've personally seen (Lion King, Les Mis (many times), and Phantom...can't comment on the other three since I've not had the pleasure (a couple of other favorites of mine have been "The Secret Garden" (Mandy Patinkin rocks! And I love the score), and "Tommy". And yes, you are extremely correct in guessing that Dennis is an AWSOME person to meet (as is his entire family!). See ya next month, Dennis. (Foxwoods...then Boston, then NYC, right? )
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct Hi davewasbaloo - I want to see Lord of the Rings too. I remember seeing the theater in London last April. We did a quick day trip from Paris. It felt really cool to see the London theater district. Now, if the US dollar wasn’t so poor as compared to the pound, we might just book a vacation in London. I like your list too. I have never seen Pirates of Penzance. HAIRSPRAY and WICKED are also worth seeing and well done. <<< I do wish I saw Broadway’s Tarzan before it left though.>>> Urgh. No you don’t. Aside from the first 20min., it was an embarrassment. I hear it was retooled a bit for Europe and better. In all fairness, the show was designed to be presented in a “theater in the round†and was put in a traditional space instead. And yes Mr X!! We will see you next month. NYC indeed ... I am a fan of Mohegan Sun not Foxwoods - but whatever ... most people say the “win bigger†at Foxwoods!
Originally Posted By Mr X **Now, if the US dollar wasn’t so poor as compared to the pound, we might just book a vacation in London.** Well, Dennis, the old buck ain't holdin up too good against ANY other currencies these days (it's actually not doing horribly against the yen though).
Originally Posted By barboy "My visit to all the Disney Parks is now complete!" Welcome to the "All World Club" Roger. About the quality of maintenance at DLRP(or should I say lack thereof?)did you notice anything unusual about the Robinson Treehouse? In April of this year when I was there 3 or 4 of the wooden planks(treads) were alarmingly rotten which was great in terms of adding to the realism of the attraction but a bit unnerving as to safety. I could totally picture a heavier gent of rambunctious child falling through and plummeting 20 or more feet. One would never see something so overtly potentially dangerous at Disney parks in the US.
Originally Posted By barboy "Mr X - if you do ever make it to DLP, I will try to give you the tour of your life." Dave, Wife and I are looking into another trip over the Atlantic soon as in Nov. or Dec. ---- she wants a piece of Italy this time and I want DLP(obviously!) So what are the odds of getting one of those tours of a lifetime? We are in the infant stages of putting this trip together.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Poor timing I'm afraid barboy - we are in Spain in November and California (want to hook up?) in February/March. Can meet in England potentially, or a DLP trip late next year.
Originally Posted By barboy Yes, we will be hooking up in Cali.--- I saw your itinerary and I am a very jealous(most notably about your Grand Califonian stay). You are going to have one seriously high caliber, fun homecoming.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well, it's probably the last big travel blow out till my 40th. The kids start school soon, so I thought we would do it in style.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Welcome to the "All World Club" Roger. About the quality of maintenance at DLRP(or should I say lack thereof?)did you notice anything unusual about the Robinson Treehouse? In April of this year when I was there 3 or 4 of the wooden planks(treads) were alarmingly rotten which was great in terms of adding to the realism of the attraction but a bit unnerving as to safety. I could totally picture a heavier gent of rambunctious child falling through and plummeting 20 or more feet.>> I saw this in all three of my visits in the last 18 months. I wrote about it after my first visit. You'd think they'd have taken care of it ... but that place is severely mismanaged. That is a tragedy waiting to happen. And while I get bashed for putting execs feet to the fire on the WDW and DL Boards, I'd say this is just an example of why WDW retreads (Karl Holz and George Kalogridis) have no business being in charge of anyplace where people's safety is an issue. <<One would never see something so overtly potentially dangerous at Disney parks in the US.>> No. The US parks are lawyered up to an absurd degree, which I don't like. But this other extreme is very bad too.
Originally Posted By Mr X Perhaps Asia is the happy medium? Kids can still play on the rocks at Tom Sawyer Island and they don't bother with air gates (since only an idiot would need one), but maintenence issues are dealt with pretty carefully. That's the way I see it, anyway. Hong Kong seemed just as good as Japan, but that's a brand new park so we'll have to see how well they keep it up over time.
Originally Posted By Zarniwoop <<About the quality of maintenance at DLRP(or should I say lack thereof?)did you notice anything unusual about the Robinson Treehouse? >> Robinson Treehouse was about to receive a full renovation three years ago, but it was put on hold. I suppose the costs rose too high. They know the problem but are not allowed to fix it now. Prehaps they're thinking to retheme it (Pirates or something else) and get a separate funding for it. And that takes time in current financial situation.
Originally Posted By barboy I used to buy homes specifically because they had dry rot problems(as well as bug infestation)so I am well versed in what rotten wood looks like and its relation to the general integrity of the structure. Those planks were indeed rotten and any city or county building inspector in the US would have "red tagged" the treehouse---meaning that they would have found it too potentially dangerous for use. "Robinson Treehouse was about to receive a full renovation three years ago, but it was put on hold. I suppose the costs rose too high." But the costs to replace just 3 treads is absolutely nothing..... pressure treated fir, redwood, cedar it doesn't matter... the costs are so very negligible. Heck I could have done the job for $300 or less and I personally am not terribly efficient at doing repair work.
Originally Posted By barboy "The US parks are lawyered up to an absurd degree, which I don't like." I totally agree that there is a safety overkill on US soil. And X you are correct about Asia being a good solid happy medium--- enough safety where only the truly wreckless or sheerly stupid can get hurt.
