Jimmy's Juke Joint

Last Show Results

There we are giving our bows for the last show of our current run, HomeGroan and the Goblet of Fire.  Standing ovation.  You are too kind!  Oh, I didn't tell you?  We performed the last show as a ballet piece.  Truly inspiring. 

First off, thank you to all of my peoples who came last night.  It was a really good sized crowd and I had a lot of fans..uh..friends in attendance.  Even those who came by themselves to support me! (Thanks, Allison!) Other friends brought people with them. I'm sure that is trepidatious, because if the show sucks, then it might end a friendship.  Luckily, they seemed to dig it and friendships were saved.  Crisis averted.

I have been worried all week about this show because my cough was not getting better.  I got through last week's show on pure adrenaline and it rocked.  This time around, I was pumping my vocals full of tonics, drops, tea and liquor!  Just like a normal night out.  During warm up, my voice was not there.  I had hope that Buddha would bring it to me.  And if he wasn't available, maybe he could send Brahma or Confucius.  I like to stick with the Asian gods.  They're usually much more reliable.  Though Zeus did come through for me once when I was having issues with this Greek girlfriend, some feta cheese and the Olympics.  Don't ask.  We had a friend of ours open the show with her song styles accompanied by guitar.  Now, not dissing here, but it just didn't make sense to me.  We had a stand up comic open other shows and that seemed to help warm up the audience to laugh.  There seemed to be some confusion as to the length of her set and it went on too long.  No excuses, but we just didn't know when we were starting.  I was backstage, all pumped up ready to go on and....oh wait, another song....okay, pumped up again...another song.  Anyway, show starts and I guess the waiting threw me out of the zone a bit and I flubbed a line.  I kind of corrected it though.  Hey, live sketch comedy!  At least it wasn't taped.  Crap.  Yes it was. Someone grab that tape before it gets sent off to Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood! Now, don't get me wrong.  It was a really rockin show!  Everyone in every show has a moment that is a little off.  We all have.  Some more than others.  Still, a good show overall!

It was a little strange because the audience was hysterically laughing in places that normally didn't get huge laughs and not laughing as much in places that usually got them! We is profeshunull, so we gots through it! I talked to many people after and was pleased to hear they not only liked the performances, but the writing as well!  Sweet!  And...big ego boost...(no surprise, I know!)...they mentioned a couple of sketches I had written as their favorites before I told them I had written them! Maybe this whole writing thing is working out!  Well, you already know that because you come here every day.  Worship these words.  One day I'll be bigger than L. Ron Hubbard.  My religion will be called simply, Jimmyism.  Fret not, it wont be long til it happens.

BIRTHDAY ALERT!  My birthday is 2 days away!  Start planning on coming to the party on Friday night!  Info in previous post below! In lieu of your presence, just send presents!  Wheeeee!!!

Last Show & Birthday Bash Invite

Tonight is the last show for HomeGroan and the Goblet of Fire!  I'm sure you're sick of seeing those same graphics over there.  Get over it.  Just come see it!  For those of you who have, thanks!  And for the slackers who have not, I expect you all there tonight!  Don't make me hunt you down and cut you!  I'm not opposed to kicking the boys in the beanbag and the girls in the baby maker!  Some people I talk to actually give me excuses as to why they can't or wont come.  "I am having a baby", "I hate you and stop talking to me!" and my favorite, "I saw the last show!"  Let's talk about this one.  Guess what, bitches?  THAT'S NO EXCUSE!  I am particularly perplexed when this statement comes from people in the theater field.  Each set of shows is different.  This current one, HomeGroan and the Goblet of Fire, is different from the last show in May titled HomeGroan: Another Bad Idea.  Or the show we did in March, HomeGroan: March Madness.  You get the idea!  We may, on occasion, repeat a number or 2, but that is rare.  So, if you saw the March or May show, THIS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!  I tried to explain this to a theater friend recently.  "If you are currently performing in RENT, it would be like me saying that I just saw you in SWEET CHARITY.  Not the same thing."  They kind of got it.  And, I gotta say, I am almost more excited about people seeing stuff that I have written and not just the performing.  Though, I realize the performing brings them in more.  Seeing me as Lil' Kim brought them in droves!  Last chance tonight!  Be there!

My birthday is this Friday, December 9th.  I usually advertise a month in advance, have fliers, massive emails, websites, billboards, etc.  I was a bit behind in the party planning stage this year due to my show and going out of town for Thanksgiving.  I have the party place all picked out.  If you've been to any of my past bashes, you know how much fun will be had. I've had swing dancing, many kisses, clowns, boob grabbing, lotsa drinks, belly dancers and yes, strippers.  It's always a fun mix of my various groups of friends.  Yes, I'm that popular that I have various groups of friends.  Come and be part of the craziness.  Here's the info!

JIMMY'S BIRTHDAY JAM! - Friday, December 9th at 8 p.m.

Where:  LUXIA 315 W. 48th St. (b/w 8th & 9th ave., closer to 8th)

Dinner is at 8 p.m. but if you are too cheap to eat with me, then just show up around 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. for drinks.  Soon to be followed by much debauchery.  I'm sure we'll take it elsewhere later.  Perhaps ending at some sort of "gentleman's" venue.  That's what they tell me.  I, of course, would know nothing about that!  It's the first big holiday to kick off the holiday season!  Do it right.  Do it with me.  Wait...that sounds like..well, hey...maybe I will get a good birthday present after all!  Speaking of...I'm not going to pretend that I don't like gifts!  If you must, and oh you must, I am one of those rare few who actually like gift cards.  Just so ya know!  Oh, my age?  You'll have to beat it out of me.  And you know daddy likes that.

2 big Jimmy events in one week!  Can you handle it?  I think so.  Hope to see you at both!

Jimmy & the Goblet of Fire

Yes, I have replaced Harry Potter in the Tri-Wizard tournament!  That pansy couldn't handle it anyway!  But, to be fair, I will review the movie that he stars in. Mine will be better.  Or better yet, come see HomeGroan and the Goblet of Fire!  Our last show is on Tuesday!  Check it!  Okay, here we go. 

Look at the angst on their face?  You know this is going to be a much darker movie.  Sure, still some fun kiddie stuff, but some adult themes are creeping in.  Harry, Ron and Hermione finally learn what Spin the Bottle is and take a magical sex ed. course.  No, no.  We haven't gotten there yet.  Soon, I'm sure. 

Let me just start off by saying that I haven't read any of the books.  I can't read 'less its gots pictures!  For all the reviewers who say, "it isn't true to the book, they should have made it 2 movies, etc."  That doesn't apply to me.  I went in blind.  Seriously, I burned my corneas by looking directly into the eclipse.  Luckily, it cleared up as soon as the flick started. Guess what?  I liked it.  A lot.  I have enjoyed all of the films in the series.  The books don't exist to me.  And for that matter, what movie ever lives up to the original incarnation?  It's creative license, bitches.  Don't be hatin' so much. 

The characters are delving into things like love and death.  The true initiation into adulthood.  And I suppose it could be argued that the tests that Harry goes through for the tournament are a metaphor for the trials and tribulations one goes through to reach adulthood.  Teen angst.  That's heavy. 

Short review here, folks.  Get over it.  I liked it.  Go see it.  You'll feel magically delicious afterwards. 

Jimmy for RENT

Am I for lease?  Have I finally turned into a whore?  What's the deal?  As far as I know, I haven't.  The title is a bit deceiving.  I just personalized it with one of the movies I saw last night.  Which movie?  If you seriously have to ask....then you're an idiot.  If no one's told you that until now, then consider this my gift to you.  I have been way behind in the movie department.  I thought I'd get 2 in one night to try to catch up.  Tune in tomorrow for the review of the other movie I saw. First up:

RENT.  The movie based on the 1996 Broadway musical that won every major award including The Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Musical.  It in turn, was based on Puccini's opera, La Boheme.  I remember when this musical was work shopping in NYC.  It had a lot of buzz around it.  When it finally hit Broadway, it was pretty much a guaranteed success.  At the time, I was away doing West Side Story.  Our cast got the cast recording as soon as it came out and learned every word.  We anxiously awaited our chance to see it.  And when we did.  Whoa.  Powerful.  Moving. Timely. Resonant.  The rock musical was back!  Great music and lyrics.  For years they talked of a movie.  Not sure why it took 10 years to make.  I'm sure there was a lot of red tape to deal with. 

And the decision to keep most of the original cast was not universally accepted.  10 years later.  They're all 10 years older.  Not these youthful lower east side squatters that they portray.  But, full blown adults.  I wrote a spoof titled "Too Old For Rent" (to the tune of "Seasons of Love") about that in our current sketch comedy show.  Last show next Tuesday! (End shameless plug.) The one big name added to the cast was Rosario Dawson as "Mimi".  Originally played by Daphne Rubin-Vega who was earmarked to be the big break out star of the original production.  Where is she now?  All I know is that she was looking a little haggard last I saw, so good choice on Rosario!  How did she do?  She rocked.  The other new girl, Tracie Thoms, in the role of "Joanne" soared as well.  Her voice stood out through many of the group numbers and solos.  Some of the original cast, okay, all of them, definitely looked older and not the age they should be playing.  Not that big of a deal.  They all stepped back in to their roles with ease. Being able to emote and sing on a lot bigger set than just the stage certainly opened them all up.  Wilson Jermaine Heredia soared in his reprisal as "Angel", the AIDS stricken drag queen with a heart of gold.  Jesse L. Martin also excelled as "Tom Collins", the brainy bohemian boyfriend of Angel.  The only original cast member that fell short for me was Idina Menzel as "Maureen."  Which is ironic, since she was my favorite from the Broadway production.  She was funny and her voice is still in the stratosphere, but there just seemed to be something missing.  Probably just me. 

I had forgotten how many moving moments in the show that there were.  Sure, the musical is all sung.  A rock opera, if you will. The movie had both the singing and the talking.  It worked.  Several times, this weird water almost came out of my eyes.  Luckily, I was able to stop it up.  Not sure what that was all about.  One of my favorite moments in the musical and doubly so in the movie is the short musical round robin sung during an AIDS support group meeting.  "Will I lose my dignity?  Will someone care?  Will I wake tomorrow, from this nightmare?"   Haunting and beautiful. 

I have heard people complain that the movie isn't timely any more.  In the age of computers, etc...it doesn't make sense.  Well, dumb asses...it clearly starts off saying it is 1989 in the movie! Pay attention next time!  And, I'm sorry.  Did we cure AIDS?  I must have missed that.  Yeah, addressing AIDS is soooooo 10 years ago.  Not a problem at all.  Idiots.  Sure, there were some minor hitches here and there.  I missed the "Alexi Darling" sing songy answering machine messages from the Broadway show.  However, it was a treat to see Sarah Silverman playing this character in the movie!  No singing, but cute and funny, albeit brief.  Director Chris Columbus (yes, him) did a great job of showing the NYC of 15 years ago and weaving these sad tales together. 

It's a hard movie to sell, I'm sure.  Which is why you don't even know it's a musical when they advertise for it.  As with the show, it did great in NYC, but struggled on the road.  AIDS, homosexuals, lesbians, drug addicts, drag queens, homelessness, etc.  Hey, that's America, bitches!  It ain't just the lower east side!  While a sad and tragic story, it has the 4 simple words that scream out in hope.  "No day, but today."  I had forgotten about that.  What a great message.  The movie showed this through people with fatal diseases, dying, tragedy, etc...yet there was a small glimmer of hope shining through.  Sure, sappy if you will.  But, I'll take that over the bleak desolation of some peoples outlook on life.  As bad as I have had it in my life, I always have a small amount of hope that gets me through.  Things will get better.  Life is good.  Live each day to the fullest because you never know what may happen.  Not fatalistic, but idealistic.  Perhaps naive?  I'll give it to you.  But, I'll take "No day, but today" over "There is no tomorrow"  or "Life sucks" any time. 

"There's only us
There's only this ...
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
No other road
No other way
No day but today"

RENT.  Go see it.