Jerry mania!

April 14/12.

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!

Hey LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADY!!!!

April 13/12.

Lucky Friday the 13th.

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).

Crazy day

August 19/11.

When it comes to holidays like this one at Fern, the only problem is, I tend to get emotional. (to which, I can clearly hear some of my friends & relatives saying something like, "No kidding Lain." Or, "Duh." I mean, I'm like that every day anyway, but toss in sunshine, beauty, nature, time to reflect and contemplate, John's manuscript, thinking about the past, about Mum and saying goodbye to friends, and I'm pretty much a goner. Goodbyes are my worst thing. (ask anybody)
Hence, my new graphic t-shirt! Hee hee.

Went to town - Orillia Square, and naturally, HAD to have this to counteract any tears. Yep. Me and horror movies. Love zombies. Always have. Always will.

The day began with Crazy D calling the morning Bingo game, with his usual Jamaican flare, - "The COOLEST LINE - I 29!!!" (the night before this, Crazy D took to the stage at the staff lip synch show and wowed EVERYONE as USHER)!! - D, you were outstanding!!!

For my pal, Pam, it was her final game, as she was leaving two days earlier than usual instead of staying till Sunday.

Her son, George, was playing too, before having to pack up and leave.

And Pam's Mum, Lenore - (engrossed in her Bingo cards) and Pam's fab bro, Rod, also had time for one last game at the pool.

But sadly, then I had to say so long to Pam and her family. They have become good friends. This time with Pam was particularly intense and unique for me, since the past year has been such a tough, trying and challenging one. Pam allowed me to share a lot of these experiences with her and also told me lots of her own amazing stories. I had SUCH a blast with her, especially all the laughs! There were moments, poolside with her, that I was practically convulsed with hysterical fits of laughter! She is very funny, lemme tell ya, but I will confess to being a very good audience!! If this past year has taught me ANYTHING, it is that laughter IS the best medicine. Without it? I would have been, "DOOMED AS DOOM CAN BE!!" (thank you Ed Grimley!!)

After crying over goodbyes to Pam, Lenore, Rod & George (who all gave me big hugs), we went to Orillia to shop!

My incredible husband, Sam, took this pic of me outside the Orillia Opera House where we have seen many shows over the years.

Wandering downtown Orillia with my fantastic son, Max! He makes life such a joy for me. Both my kids do that, with their humour, wit, musical gifts and zest for life. (Where did I go right)?? - Line stolen from Mel Brooks' The Producers!!

For many years, I bought ALL my Mum's birthday presents here in Orillia and would bring them home for her special day on August 27th. Little did I know it would be her last birthday in 2010. So, here I am, wandering the streets, looking at all the shops where I bought her prezzies, and of course, broke down crying when I hit the bird/nature store where I have spent SO much money and time, getting things for Mum, the lifelong bird lover. I just stood there and sobbed. Somebody stop me!! LOL. I wanted to take my cell phone and call her. But I can't. I can't. I can't.

Instead, I went to another store and bought some prezzies for my wonderful Auntie Ray (Mum's sister), who is now 91! At least I can still buy things for HER. Then, when I drop the gifts off at her condo, we can sit and talk about Mum, what a great person she was, how much we loved her and miss her every single day.

Back at the resort, I pulled myself together to go for dinner with the fam. The food here is unbelievable!!!

After dinner, took my friend, John Axelson's manuscript out with me to the pool patio, to read more of it and watch the sunset. Just a gorgeous evening.

It is SO unbelievable to me that I have reconnected with my old Seneca College pal after 36 years with no contact. He now lives in Nelson, B.C. and has written this astounding, engrossing book called Stalking The Average Man.

(not sure why he calls it that, since there is NOTHING average about John and there never was!!)

I sat there and read, highlighting parts I want to remember or don't understand, (so I can ask him questions later), and just had a wonderful time reading.

I stayed until it got dark and I was asked to vacate the premises!
When I got back, there was a surprise waiting for me on the laptop!

This is John - a photo taken in Victoria a day or two ago. John's significant other, Geri (whom I have never met), spent a long time talking to me in a Facebook pop-up chat. We got to know each other and she even said she thinks we are alike in some ways. I am so happy John has her in his life. She has now agreed to be FB friends with me and allowed me to have this phenomenal photo (which she took), and after clearing things with John, he said I could use it on the blog!!! Thanks to both of you.

So, the very emotional day was counteracted by the happiness of reconnecting with an old friend, and also by my family, whom I love so very much. Here is my beautiful daughter, Kate, wearing some of her acquisitions from Orillia.

After talking with Geri, I also spent some time looking at my sister, Carrie's Facebook video of her canoe trip (last week) with her boyfriend, Paul Nodwell. It is absolutely stunning and is set to the Kenny Loggins version of Rainbow Connection (one of my all-time favourite songs), which -yep, made me cry. (you already KNEW that, right??) Just kept wishing Mum could see the video and how much she would have loved it. People tell me the first year after losing a parent is the toughest. I am guessing they are correct.