Message Board Celebrity Of The Day 11/16/07 - Jilani- Page 46

[D2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 12:17am

Congratulations, WW11 - enjoy yourself. It's fun, isn't it?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 12:22am

Yes it is Deet.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 2:08am

Since it is very likely I won't be up at 10 tomorrow (I'm still here at 2:00) I'm going to name the new celeb now.


And it is:





ray- andallthatjazz86

You're always great to talk to in the chat, and I love reading your posts on the board. Congrats!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 3:41am

Awww, thanks so much, WonderfulWizard. You're the sweetest, I usually wake up past noon so I'm nodding to everyone now and probably won't get online till after 1pm or so

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 3:46am

Congrats! Expect a lot of questions coming your way!

[shameless]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:31am

Congrats, ray! Enjoy your weekend reign!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 10:52am

Congratulations, Ray!

[tazber]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:04am

Yay for Ray!!

you get to be celebrity for the whole weekend!

Which character from a play (musical or straight) do you most identify with? Why?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:07am

Congrats!

I thought you had been a celebrity already...

I guess I was wrong.

5 shows you loved/5 you hated?

Did Donna remember you after Lovemusik?

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:11am

well done, i always enjoy your thoughful posts!

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:24am

RAY!!!!

It was really awesome to run into you at LoveMusik! And really odd that I recotgnized you, considering that I've never seen you or anything. Congrats!

Ooh questions.

1) What showtune has been the most influential to you in your life?
2) What performer would you see in anything?
3) What's your favorite thing to do besides anything theater related?
4) What one food could you eat every day for the rest of your life?
5)If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
6) Can you eat with chopsticks?
7) How was your trip back to florida?
What is your most played cast album?
9) I can't think of anymore, but Love Ya! *hugs*

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:26am

What is your perfect day?

Your favorite theatrical experience?

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Coke or Pepsi?

Cats or Dogs?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:28am

Ray,

If you could hold one BWW poster so that Patti Lupone could kick their teeth in, who would it be?

[justagirl2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:30am

Hooray for Ray!

What's the strangest dream you've ever had?

[shameless]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:52am

What has given you the most pleasure in the last year?

What's something that we would be surprised to learn about you?

If your house were on fire, what material possessions would you grab on the way out?

If we asked an important person in your life to describe you, what would he or she say? How accurate would it be?

What’s something that you’ve never done, but have always wanted to try?

What’s the last great gift that you gave someone? And, that you were given?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 11:59am

Thanks, guys!
I didn't even realize I got to be the celebrity for the whole weekend.
Rockabye, how fun was to bump into each other at the LOVEMUSIK stagedoor.

Here are my answers to your questions so far:
Which character from a play (musical or straight) do you most identify with? Why?
I'm a writer so I have to say I feel very much identified with George from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, but also in terms of certain identity issues I feel close to Emmie Thibodeaux (sp?) from CAROLINE, OR CHANGE

5 shows you loved/5 you hated?
5 shows I love: 1-FOLLIES, 2-PASSION, 3-SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, 4-NINE, 5-CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
5 shows I hate: 1-DISNEY'S ON THE RECORD, 2-VINCENT IN BRIXTON, 3-RENT (though I did use to love it), 4-THE PRODUCERS, 5-WOMAN IN WHITE (the score, never seen it live).

Did Donna remember you after Lovemusik?
No, she did ask me for my name again and was as classy and lovely as she was the first time.

What showtune has been the most influential to you in your life?
Wow, that's a tought one, Rockabye (and a great question). I would have to say it is a tie between "America" from WEST SIDE STORY and "Rose's Turn" from GYPSY because both made me realize the kind of effect, themes, and performances that musical theater could create through music and lyrics.

What performer would you see in anything?
Donna Murphy and Meryl Streep without a doubt.

What's your favorite thing to do besides anything theater related?
I love watching the SEX & THE CITY DVDs with my roommate while we drink margaritas and eat take-out.

What one food could you eat every day for the rest of your life?
Shrimps or salmon...definitely something involved with seafood.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
Either London or New York because I love the feeling of a fast-paced city where I am able to go out at 3 in the morning and find people on the street, or where theater matters to people, or where there is someone or something new to get to know every day.

Can you eat with chopsticks?
Yes! My cousin taught me when I was 15 and it comes in handy since I love most Asian food.

How was your trip back to Florida?
It was great! I stood-by for an earlier flight and had no trouble getting in. I did get slightly off on the subway on my way to the airport but no biggie.

What is your most played cast album?
Since I got my iPod, I rarely listen to any full recordings any more (except for when I get a new one). It would probably be a tie between FOLLIES (can't say which version as we can't discuss certain things on this thread ) and the CAROLINE, OR CHANGE cast recording.

What is your perfect day?
Honestly, it can vary. Ideally, if I could sleep in, go have a nice lunch with my parents, my brother, and my sister, then go out to the theater at night (and see a good show), and then go out for dinner and drinks with my close friends I would think I had the perfect day.

Your favorite theatrical experience?
I think nothing could beat the opening night performance of the Encores! FOLLIES concert: seeing the women doing their poses and cheering for each one of them during "Beautiful Girls," the overcoming excitement watching "Who's That Woman?", and seeing Donna Murphy stop the show with her "Could I Leave You?" (not to mention her exquisite star turn during "Lucy and Jessie") was just the highlight of my year.

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla, I'm not too fond of chocolate.

Coke or Pepsi?
Mmm, whichever is cheaper at the store.

Cats or Dogs?
Cats, most definitely cats.

If you could hold one BWW poster so that Patti Lupone could kick their teeth in, who would it be?
TheatreDiva, I thought you'd never ask. I'm not one for name-calling but God, if I could I'd hold dream on/Virgo and Patti can have her way with him/her.

Thanks for your questions and congratulatory messages. I'll keep answering more when I get back from lunch.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 12:01pm

Happy Celeb Weekend!

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 12:19pm

Congrats Ray!

Will you do anything extra special?

[Kringas]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 12:31pm

Congratulations!

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 1:07pm

Congratulations!

Straight plays or musicals? Is there any particular reason for your preference?

Do you prefer to sit on the balcony or the orchestra? Why?

I adore your avatar by the way.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 1:45pm

Ray, ok, if we they were doing gay male versions of these following shows, and we were actors/singers/dancers, which we aren't.
What role do you think you and me would play?

-The Rink
-Chicago
-Wonderful Town
-Kiss of the Spider Woman
-Sex and the City
-Closer
-Little Children
-The Apple Tree

[C is for Company]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 4:24pm

Okay Ray, I thought of some for you-

1. You get to lead a famous dance number, which would you pick?
-Story of Lucy and Jessie
-Mein Herr
-All That Jazz
-Where You Are
-Rich Man's Frug

2. Which object from Caroline would you most want to sing as?

3. Which songs would you put into an imaginary solo act of yours?

4. Who is your favorite Sally Bowles of all time?

5. Who is your favorite party guest in LaChiusa's Wild Party and why?

6. What Tony Award win/loss aggravates you most?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 6:02pm

Wow, I am loving all these questions. They are so much fun. I just started playing my newly-acquired 110 IN THE SHADE cast recording and writing answers. Who knew being a celebrity could be this exciting?
Here are my answers to questions so far:

What's the strangest dream you've ever had?
Very recently I dreamed that all the gay people where I go to college at got tired of discrimination and decided to kill the straight people, including my family and me and my roommate were the ones protecting the "good" straight people. It was so bizarre.

What has given you the most pleasure in the last year?
Being able to travel to New York by myself twice in the same year. Quite thrilling.

What's something that we would be surprised to learn about you?
I loathed musicals when I was a child, I used to fast-forward through the musical numbers in all movie musicals my mom made me watch until one day my grandma, my mother, and me sat down together to watch WEST SIDE STORY and I was hooked. Life has never been the same since then

If your house were on fire, what material possessions would you grab on the way out?
My laptop and my cell phone.

If we asked an important person in your life to describe you, what would he or she say? How accurate would it be?
He or she would probably say I'm shy, quite the drama queen at times, too impatient, trust-worthy, incredibly passionate about what (or who) I like, and that I never pick up my phone...most people would say this about me and they would be very much accurate.

What’s something that you’ve never done, but have always wanted to try?
Take voice or acting lessons. I'm too self-conscious of my accent to try *blush*

What’s the last great gift that you gave someone? And, that you were given?
I once burned a CD to the only guy I've been in love with when he was moving to LA, it was full of showtunes about parting ways, loving someone who has to leave, or enjoying the time you have with the person you love. It may seem cliched, but he cried listening to some of the songs and they have become very personal to us. The last great gift I got was a ColdStone birthday cake from my brother last night because my birthday was on Wednesday and I told him that I wished I had gotten an ice cream cake so last night he showed up with one for me. It was very touching.

Will you do anything extra special?
Haha, I just poured myself a glass of wine, those who know me well know how wine makes me smile

Straight plays or musicals? Is there any particular reason for your preference?
That's complicated and a very good question. I think I prefer musicals though I love straight plays. I just read an essay by Tony Kushner that is the prologue to the CAROLINE, OR CHANGE libretto where he explains that by writing a musical for the first time he learned how music can provide layers and nuances to words that cannot be reached on a straight play. Also, with musicals you can take a part of the experience on a cast recording which can't be done with a play.

Do you prefer to sit on the balcony or the orchestra? Why?
I prefer the orchestra because I have major problems with my vision and I like capturing the details of an actor's expression or the set design, or the costume and that's easier for me to see if I'm sitting closer.

What role do you think you and me would play?
Oh, muscle, how much fun I am having with this question. You rocked with this one. I must say we should be the stars because we're that fabulous so if we could be in the gay male version of those shows we would play:
-THE RINK: You-Angel, Me-Anna (yes, you're older, but still)
-CHICAGO: You-Roxie Hart, Me-Velma Kelly
-WONDERFUL TOWN: You-Eileen, Me-Ruth though this one is up for debate, lol, I can play Ruth first in the Donna Murphy way then you can replace me and play Ruth in the Brooke Shields way.
-KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN: You-Aurora/Spider Woman, Me-Molina
-SEX & THE CITY: You-Samantha, Me-Carrie
-CLOSER: You-Alice, Me-Ana
-LITTLE CHILDREN: You-Jennifer Connely role, Me-Kate Winslet's role (I forgot the names).
-THE APPLE TREE: You-Adam, and the other male principals, Me-Snake/Balladeer/Narrator

You get to lead a famous dance number, which would you pick?
-Story of Lucy and Jessie
-Mein Herr
-All That Jazz
-Where You Are
-Rich Man's Frug

Oh, C for Company I love this question. As much as I love Fosse and Kander & Ebb, there is no competition, "Story of Lucy and Jessie" wins by far with "All That Jazz" being a very far second. I already know the tricky lyrics to "Lucy and Jessie" and how I would love to do that number.

Which object from Caroline would you most want to sing as?
Oh, God, this is great. I would love to be The Radio, I would feel so lucky to sing the lead in "Salty Teardrops," such an amazing song.

Who is your favorite Sally Bowles of all time?
I'm a Liza Minnelli guy though I do like Natasha Richardson.

Who is your favorite party guest in LaChiusa's Wild Party and why?
Though Queenie is my favorite character she is not a party guest, of the guests I would have to say Kate is my favorite because I find her quite manipulative and assertive yet very vulnerable and scared, it's an interesting combination and I love Tonya Pinkins' portrayal on the cast recording.

What Tony Award win/loss aggravates you most?
John McMartin's FOLLIES snub is absurd and I still don't get how Anita Morris lost the Tony for NINE in 1982. Then there's the recent awards, Heather Headley's Tony really unsettles me especially when she won over Toni Collette's Queenie. Also, Bernadette Peters loss for both SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and GYPSY aggravate me. Finally, the one that bothers me the most from recent years is Idina Menzel's victory over both Tonya Pinkin's Caroline and Donna Murphy's Ruth Sherwood, I don't get it.

Which songs would you put into an imaginary solo act of yours?
Oh, here is my long list, the theme would be roles that I could never play:
1)"Lot's Wife" from CAROLINE OR CHANGE
2)"I Hate the Bus" from CAROLINE OR CHANGE
3)"I'm a Stranger Here Myself" from ONE TOUCH OF VENUS
4)"Surabaya Johnny" from HAPPY END
5)"Pirate Jenny" from THREEPENNY OPERA
6)"Speak Low" from ONE TOUCH OF VENUS
7)"Daddy's Girl" from GREY GARDENS
"Cornet Man" from FUNNY GIRL
9)"Sadie, Sadie" from FUNNY GIRL
10)"Remind Me" from ONE NIGHT IN THE TROPICS
11)"Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine" from SHOW BOAT
12)"I Want to Go to Hollywood" from GRAND HOTEL
13)"A Call from the Vatican" from NINE
14)"Could I Leave You?" from FOLLIES
15)"Story of Lucy and Jessie" from FOLLIES
16)"One Hundred Easy Ways" from WONDERFUL TOWN

LOVING the questions, you were right you would find good questions C for Company
Thanks to everyone, keep 'em coming.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 6:20pm

If you could see any performance that you haven't seen, what would you see?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 6:37pm

Oh that's a long list:
Mary Martin in SOUTH PACIFIC
Ethel Merman in GYPSY
Jennifer Holliday and Loretta Devine in DREAMGIRLS
Raul Julia, Anita Morris, Karen Akers, Shelly Burch, Liliane Montevecchi, and Kathi Moss in NINE
Anita Morris in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
Donna Murphy as Drood in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD
Anika Noni Rose and Bebe Neuwirth in THREEPENNY OPERA
Jane Krakowski in GRAND HOTEL