CAMELOT (VIdeo)

Some things are fun to discuss, for instance, how in the world John Cullum, who was not a singer, managed to get his first job in a Broadway musical.

Back in those days, John Cullum was working mostly as an understudy, doing bit parts for Joseph Papp's "Shakespeare in the Park," and going to auditions for musicals that he invariably flubbed!

Casting people asked auditioning actors to sing an up-tune, and a ballad. JC's up-tune was "Luck be a Lady" (from Guys and Dolls). He performed it with Em's choreography and it was exciting. But, the ballad he picked was "There But For You Go I," (from My Fair Lady), and the way John Cullum performed it was ... okay, but not wonderful.

And then ...

FRESH OUT OF MONEY

This is us, years ago.

We were in my "old" studio on the top floor of the building which we bought later on, and later turned into an attractive home..

JC didn't have a job yet. In the background, that's him with his head bowed, worrying about unpaid bills, as I was talking to the PR guy whom we couldn't pay, who was trying to sell a story about the Cullums to "Life" Magazine.

Even though we're much older and wiser now, and secure financially, and we both have good work to do, when I'm nervous, I'm like a child again -- like that day when we were behind in the rent, and I couldn't pay the $15-a- week rehearsal salaries for the eight dancers in my dance company.

My stomach was churning.

Click, and you'll find out how things got worse, when Mrs. Moglia called.
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HILLARY CLINTON

I want to write about Hillary.

Last week, before the actual Middle East peace talks in Washington, D.C. began, there she was -- and our Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton was perfect.

Yes! She was perfect in look, tone, and manner. She was gracious and comfortable, sitting in the center, between two leaders, She was completely in control, believably sincere, and radiated warmth, as she welcomed two deeply opposing, powerful men.

What a moment -- a confident but relaxed woman, hostessing two men who had not talked with each other for nearly two years -- two stocky, sturdy males with the anchored-to-the-ground demeanor of successful negotiators -- Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu, and Palestinian President, Abbas.

I knew they were there to hack out, if possible, a framework for compromise, a way of overcoming the deep disputes between Israel and Palestine and maybe, (please God) just possibly, achieving lasting peace.

As their facilitator-in-chief, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made a brief speech -- not boring, not cliche -- an absolutely perfect speech urging them to rise above the suspicion and skepticism that has blocked peace efforts for decades. "By being here today, you each have taken an important step toward freeing your peoples from the shackles of a history we cannot change," she said.

The meeting was the beginning, the first in a series of meetings that Israel and Palestine and the U.S. have committed themselves to having, to see if there is any way a sovereign Palestinian state can exist next to a secure Israel.

The world will be listening and watching.

Hillary reached across the table. The men reached to each other across the table. That's what we saw, and I was thrilled by it.

How does she do it -- continue to grow, to take on the job and re-design herself, enable herself to handle it so well?

You can't NOT think, what would have happened -- where would we be now, if she had won, and become the candidate, and become the President.

Hillary the wife of Bill, the mother of Chelsea, the brilliant idea-person behind the scenes, who supported, loved, succored and worked with and for President William Jefferson Clinton -- stood by him through thick and thin -- that astoundingly shocking series of errors her man made and yet, gave us, shared with us, gifted us with a woman's love for a husband till death do them part.

Hillary the senator, Hillary the candidate, ever-expanding herself, and sharing and gifting us, gifting ME, with who she is and what a woman-person can do.

What a person with the dimensions -- knowledge, sensitivity, tactical mind, powers of observation, ability to absorb and adjust to changing circumstances, changing ideas -- what a Hillary-candidate-person and/or a Barack Obama-candidate-person can do!

I am blessed and privileged by my knowledge of her, and him -- Mr. Obama and Madame Clinton.

I don't know, no one knows if the two opposing foreign countries can come together but they're giving a try.

I don't know if the country and my friends -- and all the people who are vacillating, double-thinking, re-examining their feelings about where our President is taking us -- can regain a centered firm, strong sense of trust, and let the President do the job.

I do know that Hillary Rodham Clinton has given me a larger, clearer vision of who I am and what I can try to achieve and the zest -- thank you, thank you Hillary -- the zest to do my job.

FAN LETTER

Dear Mr. Beck.

I am sure you know that you are appreciated, revered by many people, and don't need my approval and applause.

You've done so many important things -- organized and created pro-and-con movements, been a strong presence in the media, and a stalwart promoter of ideas, ways to fix taxes, education, racial problems, immigration, and unemployment.

Your practical plans for reforming Wall Street Reform and Health Care Reform, reducing the size of the government, re-establishing and maintaining the successful elements of the status quo, will give us back the security, the peace of mind that we've lost -- and restore America to her position as the most powerful nation in the world

Having heard you express your strategies for handling nuclear threats, solving the problems in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, India, and Pakistan, recognizing your vast knowledge and understanding of foreign affairs, I am hoping and praying your advice to the President will be heeded -- (even though he is [as you say], incapable of resolving specifics, perhaps the Glenn Beck vision of democracy today can inspire and galvanize the White House).

Because you, Mr. Beck, have succeeded in just about every project you have ever undertaken -- acquired status, wealth, homes, investments, and personal security for yourself and your family as well as your many employees -- I know that you are not only blessed, but also, you are a most beloved commander.

I am writing to tell you how impressed I am by your new Website, "Blaze," which I plan to peruse daily, because it will keep me in tune with the times.

Perhaps, Mr. Beck, as you make plans for 2011 and 2012, you will conclude that we the people, your fellow Americans, do not need a Democracy right now, but a Commander in Chief -- a Glenn Beck -- a man who can dictate to everyone in the government, what they need to do.

Sincerely yours,

EM of Em's Talkery