It's life...it's all good.

Photo Request for HPN

2007-05-29T17:14:59Z

Hello everyone!

A quick request for Hugh Panaro's web site...

If any of you have stage door or backstage photos of Hugh (from any show), we'd love to have them posted in the Gallery pages at HPN.

You can either send me a message here, at his MySpace or e-mail me at his site: admin@hugh-panaro.net

Thank you all in advance!

Paula

Barbra Streisand tour update

2007-05-27T15:38:25Z

Just to let you all know there have been a lot of scheduling changes with the Barbra Streisnad tour. Rome and Nice are canceled, the tour will open in Zurch on June 18.

I'm adding the dates and information as it becomes available. I'm supposed to get a revised schedule from the press people sometime this week.

http://www.hugh-panaro.net/Streisand.htm

Also, a few people have asked if this tour will delay Hugh's own CD. As far as I know, it won't. Hugh and the label have both said "autumn" for the release. I'll keep you posted.

Lots of news about Hugh Panaro

2007-05-02T14:12:51Z

First, Hugh will be one of four performers touring with Barbra Streisand on her first European concert tour this summer.

http://www.hugh-panaro.net/Streisand.htm

He told me about that last week, but we needed to wait until it was official to get the word out.

Second, Hugh has had to cancel his concert appearance with Anne Runolfsson at Wolf Trap. Aaron Lazar will replace him. If you want your tickets refunded, the information is on the main page of his site.

Third, Hugh has also had to cancel his May 9 appearance at the Lincoln Square Barnes & Noble. The Any Wednesday event will take place, but he will not be performing.

Also, Hugh recently recorded "Tonight" with Kristin Chenoweth for a "West Side Story" tribute album due out in August.

~ Paula
hugh-panaro.net

Hugh Panaro & Anne Runolfsson at Wolf Trap

2007-04-13T18:09:45Z

You can't imagine how excited I am about this one - two of my favorite Broadway performers together in one concert!

Hugh and Anne will be performing at Wolf Trap in Virginia on July 21. The concert, conducted by Marvin Hamlisch is "From Hollywood To The Great White Way."

I bought my ticket the day it was announced and I know a group of lovely friends will be gathering for this. It'll be like the Bucks County group...but better since many of them are bringing friends or family.

http://www.wolftrap.org/performances/show072107.html

However, if you're interested, get your ticket soon. I went to check on sales today and got this message at the on-line ordering page:

"The event you are requesting is experiencing very high demand."

I couldn't be happier!

I thought I'd lost it!

2007-04-13T17:51:56Z

No, not my mind.

About two years ago, I had a devastating computer failure that took with it a nearly-completed book manuscript that I had been researching and writing for well over ten years.

Yes, I backed it up...on a floppy disk. After I spent the money on a USB floppy drive, I found that disk was corrupted.

But I somehow found my original files on the old computer. The draft of the book, the bibliography. All of it.

This was my big project, my baby. I'd been working on it non-stop since I got out of high school and the subject matter fascinated me much longer.

You can't imagine how happy I am to have it back. I cannot wait to finish my research (Brooklyn, here I come), make the revisions, and publish it.

I'm going to celebrate with a vanilla iced latte and poundcake.

Phantom - Two Years Later

2007-04-09T15:22:42Z

Well, I've mentioned this on MySpace and a few other places, so I might as well say it here.

Today marks two years since I first saw "The Phantom of The Opera" on Broadway. It was the matinee. It was a mixed experience. Partly because I went in with half-a-lifetime of too-hight expectations.

The rise and fall of the chandelier were great. Awesome Carlotta (Anne Runolfsson) and Piangi (David Gaschen). I didn't care for my Christine at all (Marie Danvers) and I barely remember Raoul (John Cudia).

The Phantom was some guy named Hugh Panaro. Was he any good? I have no idea. The woman behind me chattered away through much of the show. She didn't shut up until partway through "Point of No Return." Just when I was starting to appreciate his performance, this Hugh Panaro fellow spit right in my eye.

After the show, however, I had a chance to hear him sing "You're Already There" on the "Broadway's Fabulous Phantoms" CD and I've been totally enchanted by his voice ever since.

Two years later, though, I've seen the show nineteen times and it never loses its appeal for me.

And a lot of awesome things have happened since I saw it and because I saw it. I've met some interesting people and made some great friends. So many things have happend...from the Lestat premiere to flying for the first time to see "Company" in Seattle.

And then there's that guy...Hugh Panaro. I've gotten to know him pretty well since then. He is, without question, the most beautiful person I've ever met. And I'm not talking about his looks, though he's certainly gorgeous. I admire him for his amazing talent. I love and respect him for the smart, funny, caring wonderful he is. Alice Ripley was right when she described him as a "walking heart."

But he still won't say he's sorry for spitting in my eye. Said it's my fault for sitting in the front row.

Oh, well...I still feel blessed to know him.

Now, back to working.

*****************

And don't forget, Hugh is asking for song suggestions for his CD. Let's get some ideas that aren't Broadway or pop...let's give him a chance to show off that magnificent voice. E-mail me at songs@hugh-panaro.net and I will forward them to him.

panarophile @ 2007-04-08T15:41:00

2007-04-08T19:52:11Z

To all of my friends here who celebrate it - Happy Easter!
To all of you who celebrate it - Happy Passover!

I'm unusually nostalgic today. It snowed this morning. And it's the first "white Easter" I can remember since I was four. Not that I remember it myself, but for a photo.

In it, I'm in my little winter coat and my little red boots. I'm standing on the steps of the Old State Museum building near the church I used to go to. I'm smiling and holding up my Easter basket.

For about ten years, I'd look at that picture and wondered what happened to that smiling child, wonder how the heck I got so cynical and shy. But, over the past two years, I've come full circle. The cynicism is gone, for the most part. And the shyness? It's probably still there, but I've dealt with it.

I've become the woman that little girl was meant to be. And to those who've helped me reach this...those two who won't even know I've posted this...thank you so much.

*******

On a totally unrelated note...how awesome is Betty Buckley as a concert artist? I had the chance to see her perform a month ago at the City Center's Broadway For Medicine benefit. Her "With One Look" was just astounding...and this is coming from someone who didn't care for the musical version of "Sunset Boulevard" (though I love the film) and she totally reclaimed "Memory" for me...I'd gotten sick of the song as badly overdone in recent years. She was amazing and I'm so glad I didn't let the immature behavior of others discourage me from going that night.

*******

Now, if you don't mind...I'm going to spend some quality time with my iPod and coffee.

Oh, and my new icon...

2007-04-04T17:21:52Z

It's a Common Loon, a beautiful bird. When I was a little girl, I wanted one as a pet. Not that I'd even seen a live one. The Hall of Birds at the NYS Museum had one on display and I suppose that's what got me interested in them.

Somewhere along the way, I had a gorgeous plush loon, too.

But, it wasn't until I was in my early twenties and I saw loons and a shooting star at once.

However, I'd forgotten loons until I dreamed of them recently. Or, rather, dreamed I told a friend that I wanted to see loons "dance" on a lake. After I had that dream, I talked to an old acquaintence of mine. He's part Ojibwa, part Kanienkehaka. He's a native drummer and his knowledge of legends and lore is dizzying. His mother and grandmother were honored as great storytellers.

I asked R------ about loons. He told me that a loon's dance is not a mating ritual or some random way of showing off. He said the loon, in legen, represents protection. A loon will rise up and beat its wings endlessly on the water to protect its eggs, its young, its nest, other loons, or even the lake itself.

In many ways, I must be a Common Loon. I will see this dance through as long as I must.

I didn't need this...

2007-04-04T17:15:38Z

To tell me what I already know. But it's a cold, rainy day and I want an excuse to avoid that pile of research and footnotes on my desk.

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Drama Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Social Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Musician
Science/Math Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Update on Hugh's song request and a plug for my favorite cafe

2007-04-02T22:09:29Z

It's been almost a week, so it's time for a little update on Hugh's request for songs suggestions for his debut solo album.

We've had well over one hundred songs so far and, for the moment, I'm all caught up on forwarding them to him.

He did say his label isn't interested in Broadway songs for this CD, but the majority of songs have been...you guessed it...Broadway.

But, really, we've had people offer everything from Puccini to Ozzie.

The most requested songs are "The Music of the Night," "Con Te Partiro," "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables," and "Being Alive."

One of the more original requests is "Promise of Another Day" from "Broadway Damage."

As Hugh said, this should be an interesting experiment at least.

But, PLEASE, keep the suggestions coming...especially non-Broadway, classical, and semi-classic pieces...let's give Hugh a chance to really show off his amazing voice.

Send them to songs@hugh-panaro.net

I'll keep you updated and, in the meantime, check for the latest at http://www.hugh-panaro.net/Album.htm

(And, while you're at it, feel free to join the HPN forum...the link is on the site).

Now, I have to give a major plug to Scratch Bakery in Albany, New York.

I cannot say enough good things about this tiny, cute cafe on Madison Avenue near Washington Park. They have the best coffee I've had outside of Seattle (and y'all know I loves me some good coffee). They've got awesome grilled sandwiches, pasta salads, soups. Everything is nice and fresh...made from scratch, hence the name. They've got amazing baked goods, too. I'm madly in love with the strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting.

And, from the owner to the lady who works there on weekday evenings, the entire staff is so incredible and nice!

Check them out!

http://www.scratchbakerycafe.com/

A request from Hugh Panaro

2007-03-28T15:15:52Z

So, I had a chance to catch up with Hugh on Monday night after the Broadway Musicals of 1938 concert at Town Hall on West 43rd.

It was typically hectic conversation...poor Hugh was late getting to the after-party at Tony DiNapoli's and he probably kept the BroadwayWorld.com photographers waiting.

But it was a fun time. I really love watching Hugh interact with people after shows. It's almost as good as the shows!

He did a little video for his site...it almost didn't happen thanks to a memory card that decided to run out of space at the wrong moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaZBLoq2Hk0

Well, you heard him...he'd like some song suggestions for his album.

I've added a new e-mail - songs@hugh-panaro.net and added the the video and this request to the site:

http://hugh-panaro.net/Album.htm

He said the powers-that-be at his music label aren't interested in Broadway songs and, please, no silly requests like "The Wheels On The Bus."

So, if you have any ideas, please let me know and I'll forward them to him right away.

Thanks in advance!

~ Paula

The Thin White Duke in the Serious Moonlight

2007-03-22T22:06:35Z

So, I was supposed to run some errands after work today. But I'd left some things at home and, by the time I went back for them, the weather was blah and I didn't really feel like going out again. Nothing pressing, nothing I can't do tomorrow.

But boredom kicked in after an hour of catching up on some footnotes and lovely mundane projects. So I decided to sort out some of the boxes in the closet of my old bedroom in the back of the house.

I found my box of David Bowie things. It's been a fun, sentimental afternoon. All those old albums...we're talking vinyl and tapes here...and VHS recordings of shows like the Serious Moonlight tour.

I found my t-shirts from the Glass Spider and Sound+Vision tours. I missed both, but friends picked up the shirts for me.

David Bowie is my favorite rock star I've never seen live. But it's great going through the old clippings...I still love that picture of him in a leather jacket and white t-shirt from that issue of InFashion. I had that hanging in my locker...probably my only non-POTO decoration back then. And my poster from the Never Let Me Down album...it just to hang opposite my Michael Crawford-as-the-Phantom poster.

And I'm having a wonderful time listening to the old albums. In some cases, I feel like I'm hearing these songs for the first time since I was a little too young to really understand some of them.

I'm older and, hopefully, wiser now...as opposed to the twelve-year old girl who saw "Labyrinth," heard him sing "Underground," headed to the nearest record store, spent her saved money on all the albums she could find, and became a fan for life.

Looking back, I actually see a bit of Bowie's influence in some of the poems I've written and published. I think he gets a lot of credit for inspiring me to write at all, though I am totally clueless about music.

And, for the first time ever, I found myself tearing up a little at live versions of "Heroes," "Absolute Beginners," and a later favorite, "Strangers When We Meet."

"In this age of grand illusion you walked into my life out of my dreams
I don't need another change, still you forced away into my scheme of things."

panarophile @ 2007-03-20T07:41:00

2007-03-20T11:53:18Z

I tend to forget I even have this LiveJournal except when I post to Phanwank. I'm not really much of a blogger, I suppose.

But I suppose it's time for a quick update.

It's freezing cold up here. Hard to believe we're poised on the edge of spring, especially after having to climb a snowbank just to put the trash out last night.

I renewed the hosting plan for Hugh's site yesterday. It was an interesting moment because, when I first set off on that journey, I had NO idea how the site would grow. But, now, we're closing in on 250,000 visits and who knows what's next?

Can't say it's always fun. Those of you know me know what I'm referring to...certain people who feel the need to lash out and warp things and be hateful. I refuse to let them drag this down. And I'm going to take a cue from Hugh when he said to stay "strong and positive" about things.

Work has been unbearably boring. Enough said there.

Cannot wait to get back to NYC this weekend. Not only am I going down there for Hugh's next concert, I get to see one of my dearest friends that weekend, too. Plus, I miss the City in between visits. My aching feet don't.

Still haven't seen "300" yet. Between the City Center benenfit last week, the weather, and few little writing projects I wanted to deal with, I haven't been able to wander up to the cinema.

I'd write more, but my coffee is getting cold and my dog is wondering where his breakfast is.

Show support for the Lestat cast and recording!

2006-07-07T04:23:30Z

OK, I'm going to start out with an excerpt from a long-overdue rant I posted at another board in response the question, "Any news on the cast recording?"

***

Apparently sending out one simple press release either giving an actual release date or saying, "Tough beans, we're scrapping it" is too much courtesy to ask. Since the official site is still up and running, would it kill them to post one or two sentences to let people know what's going on with the cd?

And, you know, they do owe that common courtesy to people...to the fans who DID spend money on tickets and stood by the show from the day it was officially announced last August 23 to the final curtain call on May 28...to the people who did pre-order the cd when they had the chance (even though credit cards don't get charged until when and if it ever ships)...

And they owe it to this wonderful cast. Yes, they got paid for their day in the studio. But that was also supposed to be their day off. Their one day off a week that they all needed to let their voices rest...to recharge emotionally and physically...instead of doing four full sessions in studio (nevermind this should've been done a couple of weeks sooner...shows that opened after Lestat already have their albums out or coming soon).

***

I'll spare you the rest of the tirade. I was on my soapbox and some of it was a bit more personal.

And there's interest in it. Guess what pages of Hugh-Panaro.net have gotten the most hits since the week the closing was announced? The Lestat page and, once it was added, the page of photos of the cast in studio. After keywords like "hugh panaro," guess what some of the most common search terms appearing in my site stats reports since that week? Things like "lestat cast recording," "panaro lestat recording," "lestat broadway cast cd hugh panaro."

I used to know a cranky older lawyer with a lot of experience in government and consumer relations. He told me that a letter carries more weight with a company than a phone call or an e-mail. Because a letter means you took the time to sit down and write, to find an envelope and stamp, to go and mail it. And he always said address it to the person at the very top of the food chain. He said even if that person doesn't read it, it'll be directed to the proper person to handle it. And he said if you don't get a response in two to three weeks, do it again. Don't harrass, but generate paperwork for them to deal with. I've tested his advice once or twice in the past and it's always gotten results.

Keep it polite and to the point. The last thing we want to do is come across as a bunch of crazy fangirls. We're rightfully angry over this, not nuts. Otherwise, they'll just dismiss us. If we're lucky, our concerns will be forwarded to the people who are supposed to be handling this and we can at least get a straight answer. Because, at this point, that's all I want...a yes or no.
The show is closed, don't spend to much time ranting about that. Just let them know that there's interest in the cast recording and that we'd just like to know IF it's going to be released at all and WHEN.

All we want is a little certainty and respect.

As soon as I switch to the other computer, I'm going to post a page for this at the site and make some banners if anyone wants to help me get the word out about this. And, if you know anyone who isn't part of this forum, but was planning on seeing Lestat or interested in getting the cast album, please tell them to do this, too. Because I intend to get the word out about this as much as I can and at as many places.

Now, go for it.

EDIT - the new addresses to write to are at www.releaselestat.net - so far, no one has gotten a reply! How rude!

Gone to my happy place..

2006-05-13T16:03:13Z

Someone said something nice about me. Nevermind who it was or what was said. It was just a little thing, really. But...well...you know the old saying, "Consider the source." That's why it means a lot. It's a lovely thing and it comes from a genuinely beautiful person. And I know I'm going to be smiling for days because of it. No matter what goes wrong...nothing can ruin this mood.

panarophile @ 2006-05-09T13:12:00

2006-05-09T17:16:31Z

Well, it's been ages since I've bothered to update this journal. But, since it exists, I might as well make use of it.

Let's see, what's happened since I updated.

Well, Hugh Panaro is back on Broadway with Lestat. And it's great for us East Coast Panarophiles to have him back "home."

I've seen the new show six times by now and I'm going back next week. I'll post my thoughts on the show...and the opening night party, maybe, when I have a bit more time.

Oh, if you're a user of Panarophiles.net...we've moved. To http://www.hugh-panaro.net

And the message board had to move, too, this week. Damned hackers.

Shutting up for the moment...my laundry needs attention.

The story of those roses continued...

2005-11-07T01:19:29Z

Well, I am determined NOT to finish the whole story tonight. Because I am sadistic with cliffies.

But here's a bit more.

So, there I was on the morning on September 10. I had just gotten off the bus at Port Authority and was walking up 8th Avenue. I was going to stop at the flower market on the corner of 8th and 43rd Street to pick up those red roses. Then I was going to kill an hour or two at the nearest Starbucks before meeting Bonnie and Jessica at the Majestic alley.

I probably stood there forever at the flower market, just picking out the nicest bouquet of red roses I could find. As I paid for them...I had a sudden, random, out-of-the-blue, out-of-character impulse to get him a second bouquet. From myself. And my two friends.

To be continued...

O.K...headache is gone...

2005-11-06T22:25:38Z

Spent a few hours seriously tempted to bang my skull into the wall a few times in a melodramatic attempt to get rid of a rare, but bad headache.

All better now. Except the phone is ringing...and I am ignoring.

O.K...because at least one person needs to know...the story behind the photo in my previous entry.

It all started on a July afternoon. I was with a friend, Bonnie, waiting at the stagedoor of the Majestic to see Hugh Panaro. I didn't know him then. Had only met him once (briefly) for an autograph after a matinee a month earlier. But Bonnie had a drawing for him and I wanted to see if he was OK with the idea of a web site (shameless plug...it's www.panarophiles.net).

Well, one of the many Hugh admirers I've met on-line lives way up in Alberta, Canada. And there was no chance of her seeing Hugh before he left Phantom. So, I grabbed a spare Playbill and brought it with me that day. And asked him to sign it for her. Which he did. Because he's a total sweetheart.

I sent it to her and she was quite happy about that!

Not long after that, we decided to do some green wristbands that read "Panarophile" for the wonderfully crazy people at my site's message board. Our Canadian Panarophile wanted one, but only had a $20 to send. So, we talked it over and decided that the next time I went to see Hugh, I'd pick up some flowers as a thank-you on her behalf. Red roses was the classic choice.

But that's only the first half of the story.

I could finish it now.

But I've been called the Queen of Cliffies in the past and I need to live up to that regal title.

panarophile @ 2005-11-05T19:08:00

2005-11-06T00:17:52Z

So, it was a gorgeous day. Indian Summer, I suppose. But I had some "business" to deal with on-line...so I only ventured out long enough to grab coffee (good) and a chicken pot pie (not so good).

Saw one glorious sunset, though. Which made me ever so slightly sentimental. And accounts for my current mood, contemplative.

Plus contemplative is such a pretty word.

And I had two hilarious phone calls. It seems Hugh's replacement as the Phantom is everything we'd feared. Oh, well...here's to seeing Hugh in "Lestat." I can hardly wait.

Oh, and the photo in my icon...here's the original of it...my favorite photo ever...

There's a sweet little story behind that picture...

*peers at Friends list*

But most of you already know it.

Time to get acquainted...

2005-11-05T04:09:54Z

So...it's later isn't it?

And I still need to introduce myself.

I'm the founder of panarophiles.net, a site dedicated to the marvelously talented Hugh Panaro...see my icon for a visual reference. More to follow in a future entry or two.

I'm a longtime fan of "The Phantom of The Opera" (and other musicals), but Hugh was the first Phantom I was able to see live. And he was simply amazing. I had a chance to meet and get to know him this summer. He's not only incredibly talented, he's also an absolutely lovely person. And...well...one thing led to another and the web site was born.

Because of the site, I've met some the nicest friends and had some great adventures...including a wonderful gathering of Panarophiles for his final performance as The Phantom on October 1, 2005. What a sad, but incredible time that was.

As for the rest...I'm just a freelance writer/amateur historian/film consultant who simply LOVES her dog and her work and her old books.

I might as well...

2005-11-04T16:39:45Z

*peers cautiously at livejournal*

Well, I really just signed up because a friend from my board has been...um...er...promoting my beloved web site at the hughpanaro LJ (thanks ocean_x_soul)

But...now that I'm here...I suppose I should write something. At the moment, though, I'm too lazy.

I'll introduce myself later.