I never imagined I'd get another chance to see my childhood idol, Jerry Lewis again in my lifetime, but it happened at Casino Rama in Orillia on Friday night - (the 13th - always a lucky day for me). Sincere thanks to my old pal, Media Relations manager Jenna Hunter for generously offering to comp me in, despite my strong request to accept my credit card number! Without her major league box office clout, could NEVER have had such a fabulous close-up view of Jerry's 86-year-old antics. Haven't been this excited about a show in years!
Audience members were advised not to take photographs, but this is pretty much how he looked at the show. Just terrific!
Beforehand, around 6 p.m., checked into the Stone Gate Inn to get changed for dinner & show.
It's a lovely, all-suites hotel. (this is the pretty lobby)
Then, (dressed in black velvet), over to the Grape & Olive for a delicious 6:45 p.m. pre-show dinner.
For those who think I don't eat, - I DO! Ordered the maple butter seared salmon, sweet potato fries and broccoli. (didn't have the sauces...a bit too much), but everything else was incredible!
On the way out of the restaurant, the sun was just setting. Received a text from Kate, saying she's been accepted into Ryerson's journalism course for September! Wow. Friday the 13th rules again! Congrats Kate! Fabulous news.
Next, over to Casino Rama,
to look for a parking space. (not easy to find)!
The slot machines were calling out to me! Loud & clear. But it was almost showtime.
And Jerry was calling louder!!!!! "Hey LAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINEY"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And when Jerry yells your name,
and commands you to be an audience member, I'm afraid slot machines are the losers!
This shot was taken just moments before entering the showroom to see Jerry, for REAL!!!
My seat number? 13!!!!!!!!! - At exactly 9 p.m., 16 orchestra members made their way to the stage, and then, we heard, "Ladies & gentlemen, - Jerry Lewis!" (somebody sent me this horrible shot). When I saw him step out from stage right, my heart was racing and I think I led the standing ovation. It took several minutes before the applause subsided and Jerry was finally able to launch into a series of jokes. Sometimes, sadly, he forgot the punchlines altogether, admitting to one and all, getting old sucks, big time.
He had me caught directly and dead centre between laughter & tears throughout the entire performance, discussing his health woes,
his memories of great times with Rat Pack pals Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. & Frank Sinatra,
and the longtime special relationship he shared with stage & screen friend/partner & "surrogate brother", Dean.
He showed clips from the past, including the infamous surprise 1976 MDA telethon reunion with Dean, (set up by Ol' Blue Eyes). Not a dry eye in the house on that day!
I'd been hoping against hope he'd perform CUTE from Cinderfella (my all-time favourite Jerry scene), but since it's SO physically challenging, I didn't expect it would happen. However, Jerry delighted everyone when he called for a bar stool, sat down, and recreated his famous typewriter scene from Who's Minding the Store? (1963).
I never saw him perform it LIVE before, so it was a real treat. Just beyond phenomenal. No, it didn't quite have the inane energy of this unforgettable movie version, but I DEFY any other 86-year-old to EVER do it better!
Jerry invited audience members to approach microphones, set up in the aisles, to ask him questions. He tried to verbally tackle about 40 queries. (None screened or rehearsed). Most turned out to be requests for autographs or photos, which didn't thrill him in the least. But about 8 fans asked thoughtful and legit questions, receiving kind and intriguing responses in return. (autograph seekers were comically threatened or asked to take a hike, in true ornery, combative Jerry fashion). Look out!
I left the showroom in an emotional state, feeling I won't see Jerry in person ever again. Worth the trip to Orillia, for sure. (My late Uncle Ev used to say, "Once you're in with Lainey, you're in for LIFE").
It's true.
Before departing the casino, I played 2 cent slot machines for a few minutes (made 8 bucks in the process).
Then bought two items in one of the gift shops - a sparkly blue necklace and a hand-crafted stone, containing a colourful, glittering dragonfly and the word WISH carved on the side of the rock. - To quote George Harrison in A Hard Days Night, they "loom large in my legend." (Dragonflies, I mean). Will explain why some other time.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Craig Ferguson was patiently waiting for me - on a mega flatscreen TV in the living room, (ha ha!)
and on ANOTHER flat screen TV in the bedroom!
Made myself right at home, throwing clothes all over the place,
filling the bathroom with every product I could possibly drag here from Toronto, then taking a hot & bubbly Jacuzzi,
using the mini-kitchenette to make a drink,
peeking in thru the fab French doors to the large comfy bed, (with a chocolate left on the sheets!),
finding a fluffy white robe in the closet & wearing it after the Jacuzzi, - and then,
back to the laughs with Craig & special guest
Sean Hayes ("Jack" of Will and Grace fame),
(who plays Larry in the new Three Stooges movie - Oh, a wise guy, eh?) - Why I oughta see you on the big screen real soon!
As for YOU, Jerry, - wherever you are,
cheers and thanks for ALL the laughs! What a night!
Driving to Orillia today to see Jerry Lewis perform live on stage at Casino Rama!
He's been my comic hero since I was 11 and caught him in Cinderfella.
Then got addicted to his annual MD telethons,
& watched The Nutty Professor about eleventy billion times. - Professor Julius Kelp with Miss Purdy
(Stella Stevens).
What were the odds the new Three Stooges movie would open in theatres on the same day as Jerry's only show? - Spread out!!!!!
Will soitenly see these 3 knuckleheads on the big screen ASAP!!! Hopefully with someone who appreciates them as much as me!! Nyuk nyuk nyuk!
For now, it's Jerry all the way tonight. I'm told there's NO opening act. All Jerry. All the time. Can't wait.
This has always been my very favourite Jerry scene. It's from Cinderfella, (and ya, I know, I've posted it
more times than I can count).
Jerry Lewis! He's 86 today! - And he's coming to Casino Rama to do a live show on April 13th at 9 p.m.!
Here's a link to order tickets for Jerry's show.
I first fell in love with Jerry when I was 11 years old and saw him do this fabulous number called CUTE in the movie Cinderfella. It's the Count Basie classic, written & arranged by Neil Hefti. Flute solo by Frank Wess, drum solo by Sonny Payne. The rest? ALL Jerry, ALL gold! My favourite part is from 1:24 to 1:47 (but really I love EVERY SECOND of the scene). Absolutely brilliant - and I've watched it eleventy billion times!
Have the best birthday ever Jerry! Hope to see you in April!
Today is also my cousin, Sacha's birthday - have a great one! Will have a prezzie for you later! (Unlike Jerry, she's shy about having her picture on blogs, even though she's stunningly gorgeous!)
Today, had lunch with my lovely friend,
MaryLenore Arsenault, publicist extraordinaire! Her outfit is classy, while mine makes me look like I dropped down from another planet - (maybe with Mork from Ork?) The reason? MaryLenore writes a blog called Moss Park Fashionistas. She told me if I wore something vintage, she'd put me in her blog. So, just for her, I wore a "vintage '70s "flower power" button-up shirt over a lacy coral peek-a-boo shirt, teal mini-skirt, black studded tights and vintage red Mexicana cowboy boots with stars. (the boots belong to Kate). Now THAT'S fashion! (not!) Meanwhile, MaryLenore looked like a million bucks in her floral top and matching floor-length skirt! Perfect for spring.
(Fashion credit for MaryLenore: Satin floral skirt & jacket by Betsey Johnson - purchased at F/X Clothing - now called Original) on Queen Street West).
The restaurant is right across the street from the famous flatiron building, (Gooderham building), created in 1892.
MaryLenore always has fantastic ideas, and had a few for me regarding some of my job aspirations. It was a beautiful day outside.
We even asked our go-getter waiter, Vovan, to pose with us. (he was very excited about the prospect of being featured in TWO blogs!) Vovan has been working at Le Papillon for 15 years, speaks French (mais oui!) and recommended the crepes. He was right. The black forest ham with apples crepe was delish. MaryLenore had the bacon and apple crepe served with maple syrup, (but I stole all the syrup, since she wasn't using it).
(Fashion credit for MaryLenore's vintage purple velvet opera coat - Bought at Ephemera Heirlooms Antiques at St. Lawrence Market)
(Fashion credit for Vovan - unknown, but HE LOOKS MAH-VE-LOUS!!)
After lunch, we stopped into a couple of stores. A really cool magazine store had all kinds of funny things including these coin banks,
and some really pretty notebooks.
I bought some cute and colourful tissue paper plus a gift bag, all 50 percent off.
Also went to a hair/makeup supply store to look around.
Bought a bottle of something called Paul Mitchell Taming Spray - (described as ouch-free detangler for kids). At $8.95, it's WAYYYYY cheaper than the stuff I usually buy, called I.C.O.N. CURE to comb through my birds nest of tangles after a shower. The clerk there swears it will work for me, but if not, says I can return it for store credit. We'll see! I've yet to find ANYTHING but CURE that will allow even a wide-toothed comb to tear through this mop, so I have my doubts! If not, it's going back! (I really should become a product tester as a profession!)
Then it was off to Urban Nails on the Danforth, where my new favourite manicurist, Kelly, acetoned and scraped off the old shellac, then fixed me up with a new, shiny pale pink shade. (I just can't get over having nails after biting them for decades)! That's TWO things I've given up lately - biting my nails, and wine. Not sure if the latter will last forever, but I'm trying! Next steps? Making some big decisions about looking for work. I think it's time to move forward.
Life throws curveballs.
I was a reporter/newscaster at 680 News; entertainment reporter at Global Television for 18 TV & movie star-filled years.
Got married. Had 2 fantastic kids, both now in their twenties.
Kate, a writer, sex blogger, educator and singer/songwriter.
http://katewritesaboutsex.com/
Max? - FAB drummer, guitarist, teacher, singer/songwriter. Check out his band,
Goodbye Honolulu. http://www.goodbyehonolulu.com/videos/
I stepped out of the spotlight (ha!), to help as caregiver for our ailing mother. My sister, Carrie, a professional singer, was co-caregiver, thank goodness.
In 2010, Mum passed away.
Five months later, still grieving her loss,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a lumpectomy and 16 rounds of radiation at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Seven years, cancer-free. (knock wood).
Discovered cancer messes with the mind. Dealt with some pretty out there,
over-the-top thoughts, ideas, emotional highs, lows, and let my freak flag fly!
Launched Lain's Log to chronicle experiences. My goal? - As a reporter, to TELL IT LIKE IT IS! - NO candy-coating.
To life!
elaine.loring@rogers.com
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