Chewing the Fat with Jeff Fisher - Ep 176 | Remembering Princess Diana | Guest: Karen Sokolof Javitch

Episode Date: August 16, 2019

August marks the 22nd anniversary of the passing of Princess Diana and many will be remembering the life of Princess Diana. Karen Sokolof Javitch has written Princess Diana: The Musical which brings to life the Princess’ relationship with Prince Charles - focusing on their courtship, marriage and divorce.  Karen wrote the 27 songs for the musical. The songs reflect Diana’s transition from being an unknown 19-year old to becoming the most famous woman in the world. “I wrote the show because I was devastated when she was killed in a car crash (Aug. 31, 1997).  I sat down at the piano to console myself and wrote many songs for her and about her, now knowing that someday I would put them into a musical.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Saturday edition of Chewing the Fat with yours truly. Jeff Fisher. Thank you so much for coming along for the ride today. Remember, you can follow me on Twitter at Jeffrey JFR. Facebook and Instagram is Jeff Fisher Radio. And you can always email me with anything you want at Chewing the Fat at theblaze.com. Chewing the fat at the blaze.com. But first and foremost, you should subscribe to Chewing the fat. It's 22 years.

22 years since. Princess Diana passed away on the 31st of this month. And, you know, that's one of those events that most people that were alive at the time, 22 years ago, remember where they were. We are not talking to a Royal Whisperer about it today, but we have talked to the Whisperer about it in the past. Today we're going to talk to Karen Javich. Karen has written songs and a musical about Princess Diana,

and the musical has traveled all around the country because it's up for other playhouses and music houses around the country to take the play or the musical and produce it and perform it at their leisure for their crowd. I know that there's big talk about a new Princess Diana musical playing on Broadway, next year. And I'm pretty sure Karen doesn't have anything to do with that one. But it wouldn't surprise me that she becomes involved in it because she's the leading driver in the Princess Diana musicals that are going around the country. So I had an opportunity to talk to her for a couple of minutes and I enjoyed it. I hope you do. For those of you that are still saddened by the 20

second anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, amazingly, 22 years ago. It seems, I mean, I still remember seeing the news flash of Princess Diana's car, the wreck and the flash in France and nobody knew what happened. It was, it was striking newscast. But people are still, you know, they love Princess Night. And we, of course, here at Chewing the Fat. I mean, we are all about the royals. Well, we do have a, you know, royal whisper. We have the Royal Whisperer.

We do have some inside. However, the Royal Whisper didn't give us this information. That there's soon to be a musical about Princess Diana. Princess Diana. I think I'm trying to help a little bit with the songs. Karen Javich joins us on Chewing the Fat. Karen, welcome to the broadcast. You not only have created other musicals, and yeah, we'll get to those, blah, blah, blah.

But I mean, you've created something now that is world-class with Princess Diana. What's happening with that? Well, you know, I wrote it probably 20 years ago. I wrote it with a friend of mine. But, you know, we just loved her so much, like so many millions of people. I just sat down at the piano and started writing these songs, you know, after she died for her and about her, not realizing I'd put them into a musical. And then, you know, a couple years later, we did it.

And it's, we've changed it so many times I can't. You know, you're never done, you know, when you write something. Right. So hopefully it's better. I don't know. So you've got about, how many songs? 20 songs or so in the musical? Yeah, there's like 27 in the musical.

Wow, 27. Is one of them, Charles is a bastard. Is one of those? Something like that. Well, sort of. It goes, Charles, I need help. I can't do this on my own. Yeah, but you're.

good. Thank you. Thank you. I know. Yeah. Right. Chalk in the horse barn. Something like that. You know. Right. Oh my gosh. I mean, your place got to be out at the horse barn, right? You have to be. That's part of the musical. It's got to be one of the scenes. Absolutely. You know, maybe act two, scene three. We pull out, we pull out, where they're back at the horses or something. So, how's it going? I mean, have you, you've created this musical now. So what's the process? You've got it, you've got the songs and you, You've got the idea, you have the script, you have the script, I'm guessing, already ready to go. Do you have, have you auditioned and we're ready to hit the ground running, or are we still in the work for that? No, we've, you know, we've done the show many times, like three times in Omaha, and then it's been in about 15 cities around the country at community theater. Because when you think of musicals, you think of Omaha. I mean, I know that.

That's a good one. I'm sorry about that, Omaha, but, you know, it's just... Well, maybe you will now. I will now. I guarantee, I promise you, anytime I think of musicals now, I'm thinking of Omaha. Oh, that's pretty good. So you've done...

So the show's already been produced. I mean, you're up and running. Yes, it's already produced, but of course we're going to change it again. Oh, no. Because it's never, it's never ending. But, you know, it's basically the same. Well, yeah, I mean, it ends the same. Perfect it.

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Unfortunately, the end is the same, right? Yeah, that is true. Isn't it amazing, though, how much we still love her? Yes. Yes, it is. It really is, and how much she is still, you know, still remembered and revered.

Yeah, a part of us, a part of our lives. And I think part of that has to do with the sons as well. You know, I mean, they're so prevalent in the news that it's hard to talk about them. and not talk about mom, right? That's got to piss Charles off, so put that in your musical too. Anything that makes him mad, I'm all for her. Well, I don't think he's a bad guy, Jeffrey.

They were not meant for each other at all. Yeah, no question. And he married her for the wrong reason, so she did get a bad deal. Yes, she did. So are you using the same people? I mean, if you are used, Or do you have, are you hiring?

Yeah, that's always different. And I have nothing to do with the shows when they're in other cities. The community theaters, they just do them and they audition. Sometimes I go to see them, which is great for me. I love to do that. So the show that you have produced and put together in the musical town of Omaha, that's your show. Yeah, it's my show.

And then it's published by a company called HitPlays.com. and anybody can, you know, rent the show from them and perform it, you know. Right. It's very hard, though, Jeffrey. Let me tell you. It's not easy. Why is that? And I'm not, you know, I understand the process, but I mean, what makes it, what makes

this harder than others? Like if you produce, you know, numerous musicals and, you know, put them out there. Right. But that's what I mean. The whole process is difficult with any musical. It doesn't have to be about Princess. Diana, you know, because the musicals take more money to put on. And like you said, I'm in Omaha.

Right. The musical capital of the world. Thank you. Yeah, well, obviously that. I mean, that's in the heart of America is Omaha. Right. So I'm trying my best, and we're trying our best. So, you know, it's rolling.

It's rolling. And I don't like to take money for her show because, you know, she was such a wonderful person and philanthropist. So like the first time we did it, we raised $26,000 for Red Cross and AIDS, you know, two of her favorite charities. And I just, I want to continue what she did, you know. That's great. Have you ever been in contact? Let's say another person that's made a fortune.

And I say this, you know, he's done it greatly. But a guy by the name of, what's his name again? Oh, yeah, Elton John. Have you reached out to him and said, hey, I put this musical. together, maybe you know, throw something together for me, Elton, put a little song together for me? No, I haven't tried to reach out to him because, you know, he's got his, he's a little busy. Yeah, he's, yes, you. That's from another musical, though.

That wouldn't be for Diana. He's so good. Did you see his movie? It was so good. Yeah. On Elton John. I know. So.

Yeah, they were quite close in Princess Diana. So rumor has it, by the way, and you may know this being a musical insider that Elton is like the godfather to Harry and Harry and Megan's baby. Oh, really? That's so cool. Now, that's rumor. That's rumor has it. We don't know that for sure. That's a Windsor Whisperer coming through.

So we don't know that to be fact, but it's possible. That's so neat if it's true. I agree. So what's next on your plate? You know, you've been so busy, Karen, and you've got this musical up and running and it's done. Seriously, no joke. Now, you've got this done, and you want it out there, and you want people to perform it, obviously.

And especially now, I mean, this would be a perfect time for, you know, playhouses around America to do it in honor of Princess Dye. Do you ask, if they do the play, do they have to donate it to charity, or is that just a thing to do? No, no, that was just me when I put it on. Okay. They make their own money. Right.

So what's next? I mean, what's next for? Karen Javich. Well, I always write songs, but really today I completed a song about President Trump. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. So, and I really like it, though. Karen, Karen, Karen. Aaron, is this, you can't, you can't just, you can't just tease us with a, with a thrown, hey, I just completed this song without actually, you know, do it. We have to, we have to hear some of it. Can we send it to you after this show? Man, well, I wish that was possible, but no.

The mail is completely shut down. There's no postal service and FedEx, all those places. Amazingly, the government has shut those completely down. So the only way to do it possible now is over the phone lines here from the musical capital of the country, Omaha, to Dallas. Yeah, thank you. So, I mean, do you have your piano there? Well, no, I'm in the car, but I can sing something for you. Absolutely.

Are you driving? No, I'm actually parked. Okay, good, good. Because I was just going to say, let us know when you're going to hit the guardrail, but you're fine. You've pulled over, so. Anyway. Absolutely. Is this song have a title yet?

Is there a working title? It's a long title. Why do so many people hate or love President Trump? I mean, it's a good question. question. I don't know if it's a good song title, but it's a good question. Yeah, it is. So is there, I like you to sing part of it? I absolutely want you to sing part of it. I'm not sure I want to do this. Oh, you, yes, you do. There's, yeah, I mean, you're okay. I don't find it here because I'm in the car. Right. Just remember like you're singing, so you want to just hold the phone microphone just a little bit away so that we get the full vibrato of Karen Javich.

it. All right, here goes. Anyway, why do so many people hate President Trump? He's got so many licks and so many bumps. Why do so many people hate President Trump? Why don't we give him a break? Although, let's say, although a bit uncouth and rough around the edges, he says what he thinks, and he does what he pledges. I don't tell many friends that Trump is where I stand Because I know they won't understand I'm afraid to wear a bag a hat for fear of reprisal Whenever he makes a guess Of course it goes viral

Big media attacks him in the daily cycle I don't know how he takes it He's a master of survival Fantastic Fantastic I mean that fantastic And again the title of that song is Why do so many people hate or love President Trump? I think it's a hit.

I just finished it like an hour ago. I think it's a hit. Yeah, I think it's a hit. Absolutely. It's on the charts already with a bullet. Oh, can I say the president with? So, Karen, thank you so much for joining us. I appreciate it.

I am in a love, if you have new plays or new songs that you want to share with us, we are here for you at Chewing the Fat. All right, Jeffrey. I really appreciate it. And listen, you know, be safe out there in the music. musical capital of the country, the heart of the country of Omaha, Nebraska. I love that. There's nothing that surprises me more than people thinking that Omaha is not the musical capital of the country.

It's embarrassing. Karen Javis, thank you very much. I really appreciate it. All right. Thanks, Jeffrey. Bye.