That’s excellent, Mr. Burns
Edward Burns is creator, writer, director, producer, star of the new film “Summer Days, Summer Nights.” He’s maybe even theater usher.
“It’s set summer of ’82. We filmed Rockaway Beach, Long Beach, Atlantic Beach. It’s romantic, nostalgic, coming of age. It’s kids making big decisions. Summer jobs, hitting Labor Day, finding work. It’s the challenge being never enough money or time. Youngsters without enough cash to go to Yankee games and not believing they must work so hard. It’s young kids hoping to meet the girl or guy of their dreams.
“What was great was hiring a young terrific cast. Day 1. The very first scene we shot was a massive one. It was the actors in a car talking sex, rekindling wilder younger days and old sparks. Filming was in the Atlantic Beach Club and we had weather challenges. Rain. Cold. On the beach in skimpy bathing suits. Shivering. Between takes the cast wore winter coats.
“We shot this right before the pandemic but, then, because of CV nobody could see it. The film sat on the shelf for over a year.
“Look, I live, work and love New York. My first passion was writing. In Hunter College, I wanted to be a novelist. Then, in film school I wanted to direct. I love what I do.”
B’way has its act together
So, Broadway geniuses on handling the theater scene: Epidemiologists who study crowds installed testing protocols. Vaccination and mask required. Temperature? Coughing? Sneezing? Don’t go. Backstage personnel — performers, techies, assistants, even pit musicians are in a bubble. Daily checkups. Mandated by the Actors’ Equity union is each actor gets vaccinated. Some houses have enlarged their seats. Onstage people will not intersect with audiences. Actors stay cloistered. Near them are only those in the production. If you work on shows, to get in you need to be rapid tested. And no friends backstage. The best scientists are on the case. En route is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new London musical hit “Cinderella,” whose ads emphasize that anyone US-based can jet over the ocean and see the show without having to quarantine. The wording that promotes international tourism is also a shove to hype the production ahead of an Atlantic crossing. Broadway’s musicals are starting to rev up. Look, if there is no Broadway there is no New York.
Money makers
Now, about these names, semi-names, ex-names, actors, singers, athletes, convicted felons, former mayors, etc., who newly hustle their hellos, bye-byes, messages or congrats on something called Cameo.com. They burble for a price: George Foreman, $800; Mariano Rivera, $750; Barbara Corcoran, $999; Troy Aikman, $750; Mike Ditka, $600; Rudy Giuliani, $400; Michael Cohen, $100 (a cheapo because he’s still under house arrest); Gianni Russo, $199; Tom Arnold, $139; Stuttering John, $75; Jackie Martling, $50; Bob Saget, $349; George Wendt, $125; Tommy Chong, $150; Gary Busey, $350; Gilbert Gottfried, $175; Ivan Lendl, $150; Don Johnson, $500 (says he is raising money for PATH — People Assisting the Homeless); Kevin O’Leary a k a Mr. Wonderful, $1,500.
Help a pal, doc
There exists a current ad for a new non-prescription pain remedy we’ve not known before. It’s being hyped and advertised by Dr. Mehmet Oz. Allegedly, established pharmaceutical companies are not accepting it. My longtime friend Val Kilmer — now on the cover of People’s new issue and whose life, career, fame and illness are currently on display in an extraordinary documentary — asks me if I know Dr. Oz. Yes. I do. Reach out, doc.
I apologize for this one: Patient: “I dream one night I’m in a teepee, another night I’m in a wigwam.” Psychiatrist: “The problem is, you’re two tents.”
Only in New York, kids — before I get fired — only in New York.