I'll always remember being in Earl Haig Secondary School's production of Li'l Abner (I was one of the wives...) and hearing Appassionata Von Climax say to General Bullmoose "You forgot to take your Norman Vincent Peale Pill..."

I never knew what it really meant but it stuck with me for some reason.

Over the years I came to know about him and his famous book "The Power of Positive Thinking". And this summer, on one of my many long walks (this one from 75th down to 15th to see Amanda McBroom's "A Woman of Will") I happened to walk by the church where Dr. NVP had been a minister, and had developed this outlook as part of his ministry.

Then just the other day my fabulous husband gave the recently released DVD of L'il Abner. The kids and I had a great time watching it, and the not-so-subtle, but very funny pokes at government and nuclear bombs were much more obvious to me than they were back in my teens. The kids didn't get all those references, but they certainly enjoyed the music and the idea of a Sadie Hawkins Day Race! And being very musical savvy, they immediately said of Marryin' Sam -- "hey isn't that the guy from Guys and Dolls?" Indeed, it was Stubby Kaye! Kids these days!

On the very same day I noticed my husband had brought home a copy of "The Power of Positive Thinking" (over 5 million copies in print, no less...) in which the good doctor demonstrates "faith in action". Coincidence? I think not!

Hey, if I had my druthers, and I would rather have 'em, somebody should bring a revival of L'il Abner to Broadway. I guess I just have to think positively!

Technorati tags: Broadway Music Movie Musicals Musicals Blog Blogs Theater Theatre Entertainment