Hey Memphians –
First, I have to give a big Flordian shout-out to Kevin Covert of “The Covert Report” (oh yeah, and also “Memphis”) because as any of you blog followers know, Kevin is not happy that A) New York gets cold in winter and B) New York gets dark early in the winter. So every time a bead of sweat runs down my forehead here in toasty warm Miami, I think of Kevin and laugh send him thoughts of hot sunshine. And though it may be chilly outside in New York, rest assured that Kevin and the whole Memphis crew generate enough heat inside the Shubert Theatre to melt every drop of snow that falls in NYC. So keep up the awe-inspiring work, Kev & crew!
But back to me in much warmer Miami. So after the soundcheck, I rushed to my room to make sure I had my speech together. The way I rehearse a speech is I frantically pace around my room for an hour, holding a pen for a microphone and lipsync-ing to “Dreamgirls” reciting my speech over and over. The only being who has ever witnessed this sorry spectacle is my dog, Rocco, who generally sleeps through it.
When presentation time came, I rushed to the presentation ballroom to meet Montego (looking gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Does that woman have a bad angle?) and Chad (looking very handsome in a casual way that subtly says, “I just threw this on with no effort whatsoever and I still look better than you.”)
But it was showtime (or ‘presentation-time,’) and any nerves I might have had were calmed by the knowledge that even if my speech was totally inept, Chad and Montego would follow me and raise the roof.
John Gore, the head of “Broadway Across America,” has been a great fan (BAA is also one of the producers of “Memphis,”) and he gave us a terrific introduction, inspiring the audience of Theatre Bigwigs and Grand Poohbahs to give me (well, the show really) a very welcome reception. So I strode out and started speaking, but I quickly noticed that I didn’t seem to have the whole rooms attention, which was odd since I had a microphone in my hand. Things began to look up though when someone in the front row yelled, “Move over, you’re not standing in the light!” Yes, it turns out for about two minutes I was rattling on in the dark, wondering why no one was responding to my excited tales of Memphis.
Anyhoo, I listened to the heckler and stepped into the light. I then began to read Davd’s unused Grammy acceptance speech (see my previous blog if you have no idea what that means.) Now, trying to do a comedy bit in front of an audience of jaded, semi-drunken industry honchos is a little dangerous ’cause crowds like that tend to be tough, tough, tough. But I reached into my back pocket and removed a slip of paper and started reading —
“Oh my God, this is such a surprise! Thank you, members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences! I am thrilled to be here among you — (note to self: give shout out to Beyonce) – Hey Beyonce girl! – But as thrilled as I am to be here, I would much rather be at the glamorous Broadway Across America Theatre Conference, held in always sunny Miami.
To be best honest, compared to the music industry, the great people at the Broadway Across America conference are smarter, better looking and
much less coked up. And I am so proud to say that I have show on
Broadway now called, “Memphis.” (Note to self: give shout out to Bono and The Edge, but try not to make it about Spiderman.) “Hey, Bono! Hey The Edge.”
And though I normally take full credit for “Memphis,” I have to acknowledge my collaborator, Joe DiPietro. Dear, funny, little Joe. What nasty thing can I say about him that the New York Times hasn’t said already? I’m so kidding, ha, ha. Joe and I have a great partnership with several future shows planned. Original stories with original scores, we like to think of ourselves as a rock ‘n roll Rodgers & Hammerstein, except with less wives.
We also believe in only working with insanely talented people, like the two magnetic young stars of Memphis, Chad Kimball and Montego
Glover. They’re both absurdly talented, and I have no idea why they’re not huge pop stars. So thank you, Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, though I wish I was partying in Miami with the crazy MoFo’s who tour Broadway shows. By the way, this is my real hair.”
Happily, the honchos gave up some nice laughs. And then, after a brief video of “Memphis” highlights, Montego came out and sang “Colored Woman” (and totally brought the house down,) then Chad came out and sang “Memphis Lives in Me” (and totaly brought the house down,) and then we all took a bow and our fantastical Memphis producers Randy and Sue took us out to eat and drink at a fancy place to eat and drink.
Oh, here’s a Memphis “fun fact” (to use blogger-extraordinaire Carolyn’s phrase) — turns out, Montego is like this wine expert. My wine ordering skills generally are limited to “Give me your cheapest Merlot,” but Montego studied the wine list at length and then asked the waiter some informed questions and then proceeded to order us delicious bottles of red and white. Chad did his part by drinking much of what Montego ordered.
But it was a great night, and early this morning Chad and Montego hopped a plane back to join Kevin Covert and company for Tuesday night’s performance of Memphis (our 121st!) I, on the other, realized that since I didn’t have to perform in Tuesday’s 121st performance of “Memphis,” I may as well stay in Miami where it is sooo much warmer. Sometimes, it’s good to be the author. Rock on, Memphis!
With much love, poolside,
Joe
Joe you are just too damn funny!! Reading Davids acceptance speech was hysterical. I for one was glued to the TV Sunday night hoping to get to hear the real deal but alas it was not meant to be. After all how could a socially conscious and powerfel song like We Weren’t Born To Follow ever hope to stand up against a rip your clothes off and make out at a party song like I Gotta Feeling(note my sarcasm there). No matter I’m sure David still had a good night and I’m glad your Miami trip has been warm and productive.
Hi to Rocco ;-)
Comment by Chris Ruta-Popow — February 2, 2010 @ 8:45 pm
Volontairement ce post sera en français car il est important que tous les touristes français comme moi sachent que s’ils viennent voir votre spectacle, même s’ils ne parlent pas américains, passeront un merveilleux moment.
C’est la première fois que mon épouse et moi venont à New York City tout est magnifique et franchement votre spectacle c’est la cerise sur le gâteaux, bravo à tous, nous attendons avec impatience le D V D et peut être une tournée en France !!! A bientôt, Pascal et Muriel
Comment by pascal & muriel — February 3, 2010 @ 7:52 am
Les touristes français doivent venir vous voir, New York est déjà une ville formidable mais votre spectacle c’est la cerise sur le gâteau, c’est franchement merveilleux, avec votre show notre premier voyage est une réussite.
Nous attendons le D V D et peut être une tournée en France. A bientôt Bises de Muriel et Pascal
Comment by pascal & muriel — February 3, 2010 @ 8:05 am