That I had to use a calculator to figure out how long ago Howard died is surely testament to my lack of basic computational skills. It is also testament to the power of time. I go from, “it was just yesterday” to “it was so very long ago” a few times a day over matters as pedestrian as buying milk and as singular as personal loss.
Read MoreIn 1982, the 92nd Street Y hosted an interview with a few theater luminaries. They’re all talented, relatively new guys on the block, with relatively recent hits. People like Maury Yeston (Nine) and Jimmy Kirkwood (A Chorus Line) and Howard Ashman. With a poster of Little Shop behind his head, Howard looks intense and solemn and maybe a little uncomfortable.
Read MoreMaybe you haven’t noticed, but I’ve been struggling mightily with sustaining this blog. I don’t know if it’s writer’s block or just plain laziness but I find myself with all sorts of more important things to do lately.
Read MoreI don’t remember the first time I met Alan Menken. No doubt it was at a rehearsal or early performance of God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, but I’m sure I was much more excited about the possibility of being in the same room as Kurt Vonnegut than about meeting some new composer. That was 34 years ago. We’ve had a chance to get to know each other since then.
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