Few people know the name of Michael Ritz, which is unfortunate because the man was a musical genius. And even fewer people are familiar with Moose Talking, though many more are familiar with the term horse whisperer, the man who could tame the wildest mustang with a few sweet nothings delivered gently to the ear of the recalcitrant animal.

Mike, though, knew a moose talker who could tame even the wildest bull moose during the middle of the rut, or mating season. So he wrote a musical on the subject. I myself can attest that it has some of the most beautiful lyrics and music ever conceived. Alas, though, it was only staged once because Mike insisted on a set where the only exit and entrance was via the chimney of a fireplace set upstage center. No one could deter him from this quirky direction in his musical and he refused to license it for production unless the stage directions were followed to the letter. And it was almost impossible to find a full troupe of singer/dancers who were all thin enough to make the entrances and exits.

The one time it was staged, though, it was billed as "Mike Ritz's Moose Talking is Sung by the Chimney Width Choir."

And I hope yours is too.

Take the nacilbupeR pledge: I solemnly swear that I will help back out all Republicans at the next election.