JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

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Broadway musicals open. Some become successful. Those that do are followed by an album.

Jesus Christ Superstar a Broadway smash hit. The album came first, however. There were economic and other problems getting the show on Broadway. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice decided to come out with the album first.

The album was released on this day in 1970. An instantaneous hit!

The Broadway show followed. Likewise a hit.

I was into Broadway musicals in the 1970’s. I was fortunate to get tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar the second week of its opening. Blew me out!

The Chart Room first last night. John back bartending. He was off the previous 3 nights. Done in by all the partying.

Some friends from the previous evening. Scott the trial lawyer. Ted and Terri.

Ted is a Cazenovia friend. Visits Key West twice a year. Here with his friend Terri. They had spent the day fishing. Ted goes out every day. They went 40 miles into the Gulf to fish. On the way passed Ballast Key, one of David Wolkowsky’s homes. Ballast sits 16 miles west of Key West.

David entertained world and national leaders, movie stars, persons of brilliance, at his beloved Ballast Key. The menu always the same. One that only the very rich could provide. Turkey hot dogs, potato chips, and champagne.

A Fantasy Fest partier at the bar. An engaging woman. Between 35 and 40. Lovely. Attired only in a black thong. Magnificent breasts. Her body well tanned.

My one and only moment of Fantasy Fest excitement this year.

Not quite. On my way through the Pier House to the Chart Room, I passed 2 women totally body painted. Head to toe. One silver and one chartreuse.

They were arguing with their husbands or boy friends as I walked between them. I stopped. Complimented the ladies on their beauty and told the four of them not to waste a beautiful evening. They looked at this crazy guy, smiled, and then laughed.

Over to Blue Macaw after the Chart Room. John and Fiona in with 3 house guests. The five having a roaring good time. I had a drink and ate something before leaving for home.

I have been stopping in front of the Hemingway House each night on my way home. Have not seen Hemingway’s ghost yet.

The Fantasy Fest Parade tonight. The biggest event of Fantasy Fest. Floats galore. The sidewalks packed. Sixty thousand expected. Everyone yelling for beads to be thrown to them from the floats.

I was fortunate many years ago to ride on a float. Once was a enough! Throwing beads is hard work. I was exhausted at the end of the parade and went straight home.

The float was Howard Livingston’s. It was Howard’s first year as an entertainer. He was trying to break into the business. The theme of the float obviously was musical. Howard playing his guitar and singing. Pirate themed also. I was dressed as a pirate. Howard stood me next to a water pipe. Periodically, I was to suck on it as if smoking pot. I would like to say I got stoned. However, there was nothing in the water pipe.

Howard did a good job. The float won the prize for Best Musical. Howard was all excited.

Last night was the Masquerade Parade. A strange event. Began years ago primarily with locals. Now a combination of locals and tourists.

Everyone dresses. Great costumes. They walk. It is simply a long walk. The participants boisterous and happy. The parade begins at the cemetery. Weaves up Fleming. Then to other streets. Ending up somewhere on Duval.

From a handful of locals, the parade is now more than 10,000 doing the walk. One of the more successful Fantasy Fest events.

Though I costumed twice over the years for Fantasy Fest, I have never participated in the parade. There is another facet to the parade. More to my liking. People party on their porches as the parade passes by.

Great parties! Food and booze galore. Good company. Parade participants occasionally running up to one of the porch parties to tank up before traveling further.

Key West’s Police Chief is Donnie Lee. I never met him. He is retiring. December 3. He has been a member of the force 24 years. His accomplishments many. Well respected.

Most significant in his background is that he is a Conch. A fifth generation Conch. Being a Conch a big deal. Means one was born in Key West. I find it exciting for Robert and Ally that they are Conchs.

Syracuse/North Carolina State tonight at 7. ESPN 2. I will be staying in. Watching the first half from an easy chair and the second from my bed.

Powerball Lottery drawing tonight at 11. Forty four states participate. $750 million to the winner!

The odds of winning 1 in 292 million. Could be worse!

Enjoy your day!

 

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR IN CONCERT…..OUTSTANDING

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NBC did itself proud last night. Its presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar In Concert. The most recent interpretation of the rock opera which opened on Broadway in 1971.

Some of the comments describing last night’s show: Absolutely incredible…..Electrifying…..Emotional climax…..A resurrection of the inner spirit…..The end miraculous.

I saw the Broadway hit in 1972. The movie in 1973. The TV version last night. Each unique in its own way. Each pleasing, Last night’s perhaps the best.

The scaffold setting added another and different dimension to the show.

A perfect ending to Easter Sunday.

My Easter Sunday began at 9. Breakfast with Lisa and family.

I started a tradition when my children were small. An Easter egg hunt. Outside or inside depending on the weather. We often still had snow in upstate New York on Easter.

When the kids got too old, my wife and I did the hunt. Sometimes, my parents. Everyone whooping it up on the sidelines.

Then came grandchildren. The tradition continued.

Lisa continues the tradition with her children. At 13 and 12, they are too old to hunt for Easter eggs and baskets. Today, items teenagers can use. A new cellphone, items of clothing, etc.

Breakfast was at 9 at the conclusion of the hunt. Still fun.

I noticed Robert was now a young man when I saw him a few days ago.

Ally was a young lady yesterday. Dressed beautifully. Hair done. Carried herself with a bearing. As contrasted with a year ago when she did not care her hair was messy, her clothes equally messy, her conversation less than brilliant. Yesterday, she spoke with the adults like an adult.

Which means I am getting older. I grow as they grow. More an old man each year.

I rose at my usual 6 am  yesterday. Spent two hours researching for yesterday’s blog. Did not write it at the time. Showered and hustled over to Lisa’s.

Returned home at 12:30. Did the blog. Published late. Finished the blog at 2:30.

The balance of the day was one of rest.

Saturday evening I was out. The Sons and Daughters of Italy had a fundraiser for the organization’s scholarship fund. A bocce evening.

This was the second year for the bocce event. Last year considered a success because although for a first time, the club made money.

Saturday night better than last year. Last year, only 3 courts used. Saturday, all 7. The overflow walking around, watching the bocce games, enjoying sausage sandwiches washed down with beer or wine.

Most of those playing bocce were novices. They come to learn. Two experienced bocce members on each court teaching the participants the ropes.

Many worked to make the event a success. Bob Farrow headed the group. He and his helpers deserve much credit.

I tire easily. Saturday night made me feel tired sunday afternoon. I spent the rest of the day in bed. Watched Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments. What would we have done without  Charlton Heston?

Then at 8, the magnificence of Jesus Christ Superstar!

For basketball enthusiasts, tonight the night of nights! The final game of the NCAA tournament. The championship Final Four game. The best of the best in men’s collegiate basketball to be determined.

Michigan/Villanova. At 9:20.

Villanova favored by 6.5 points. If Villanova sinks 3’s as the team did saturday night, Michigan does not stand a chance. On the other hand, I question whether Villanova can shoot that well two games in a row. Add to the mix that Michigan has reached this point with a stellar defense.

Should be a hell of a game!

Enjoy your day!