Mr. Darcy vs Mr. Manilow

The last few days I've spent time reminiscing about the "good ole" days with a good friend. We've been living it up talking, eating and enjoying watching human theater (something I dearly miss from the days at the Hilton).

Today we discovered a movie theater that showed "art" films and decided to take our chances and go see "Austenland". In the first few minutes of the movie, we were the only ones in the theater laughing. Why? The main character was a Jane Austen fan. She lived and breathed Jane Austen. She wore Jane Austen t-shirts, drank out of a proper tea cup from the period, had her walls plastered with photos of Mr. Darcy. Her bedroom was filled with Jane Austen references: the most notable was a life-size cutout of Mr. Darcy. When she walked up and kissed the cutout, I almost fell out of my chair. For those longtime Manilow fans, you will get the reference.

After several "real-life" romances failed, she invests all her money in a Austenland vacation. Actors played the characters from Austen's book and the guests were immersed in the tradition of that time. She went there hoping to find love and realized that it's difficult to discern what's real when you are so consumed with the fantasy.

Here's a rhetorical question--Do you see any correlation within the Manilow world?

And then there's Harmony. A musical show written by Barry and Bruce. It's not a concert. It's a theater production of a play. And yet, those immersed in the fantasy world can't seem to differentiate between the two. Take a look at YBA's review of opening night. It's an example of a fan who "gets it" and knows the difference between reality and fantasy. Read the entire review but especially take note of the final paragraph.

There's fantasy and there's reality. And some Manilow fans just don't see the distinction. I'm glad that I do.

Content in reality,
Texas Fan

And then there was Harmony (an answered prayer)

Harmony opens tonight. It's something that's been a long time coming and I'm happy for Barry. I really am.


For years many of us have been praying for God to move and allow Barry to pursue this dream that was taken away so abruptly. It wasn't just the play we were praying for, or even just Barry. We prayed that the message of Harmony would be received by all those who attend as a reminder that music can overcome all our differences and transform our lives.

Hats off to Barry and Bruce tonight. But for me, it's hats off to God for once again answering the many prayers of fans who were faithful and persistent to bring their requests to God and believe that He would answer our prayers.

God really does care about ALL our needs. Break a leg guys and know that without God this never would have happened.

A grateful prayer warrior,
Texas Fan