When I know that I am annoying my non-theatre friends because I go on long tirades about shows, performers, composers, and performances, I know I have too much information in my head. This is a passion project of mine to get what I know out in the world, and something I can reference later in life.
It has been almost a
month since my last post. Life got crazy, and honestly I wasn’t feeling super
inspired. I was listening to Hamilton A LOT, and a lot of other shows that I
like to listen to kind of fell by the wayside, which is bound to happen from
time to time, I suppose
Luckily, I haven't been
hard up for listening delights due to my vocal ensemble hitting rehearsals
really hard in preparation for our next main stage show, Encore Vocal Ensemble of San Diego brings you The Murder, Mystery, Music Show!. We are really digging into some stuff that I already love: Sweeney Todd,
Jekyll & Hyde, Young Frankenstein, and The Full Monty.
Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett, the maker of meat pies, in Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd."
Really trying to bring
some light hearted fun to some dark subjects, like murder and fear. Also some
stuff that we knew would make the fans say “I love that show!”: The Pajama
Game, The Wiz, and of course including the six merry Murderesses of the Cook
County Jail from Chicago
I have found an
unexpected treasure in a piece that wasn't written for a musical, and also has
an interesting history. The Sound of Silence had a lot of crazy ups and downs,
and has really settled into the pop culture mindset with its inclusion in the
1967 film the Graduate. I had only been aware of this song in my life. I don't
think I had ever intentionally listened to this song until we had picked it for
our fall show. It is so beautiful, and it has such poetry to it. I just love
it. I’m so glad to be exposed to this piece of music.
from the 2004 production of “Assassins”
In the planning process
for this show we were looking into a lot of music that didn't quite make it
into the show, but it was fun to think about shows that deal with dark ideas
like crime, panic, and distress. From the true life storylines that run through
Assassin’s (I was hoping for Everybody’s Got the Right) and the animated cloud of
pollution singing “Toxic Love” from Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, because who
doesn't like to think about the rainforest being destroyed? thank you 90’s
children’s movies!
I really enjoyed
thinking about these songs again. It was so much fun! One of the things that’s
so great about musical theatre, and theatre in general in the idea of talking
about (or better yet, singing about) topics that might not be appropriate in an
everyday conversation. I would love to engage an entire courtroom in the matter
of whether or not someone is Gay or European, and i think the world would be a
much better place if we could all sing about how we are “Steppin to the Bad Side”
and have every join us in a dance!
For goodness sake,
here’s a TL;DR for all my super busy friends, heading into the holiday season.
Encore’s Show is on November 21 & 22 and you should come see it
I can’t actually pinpoint the moment I learned who Laura Osnes was. I do know that one time I was listening to the Scott Alan: Live album, and the most heartbreaking song I ever heard was being sung so beautifully. “Now” is one of my favorite pieces, I have written before about it, as I am ALSO obsessed with J-Groff’s version that appears on Scott Alan’s Dreaming Wide Awake, but Laura’s voice on this, brought me to tears (I was on a city bus, too… so that was awesome).
From there, I officially entered the Osnes fandom when I heard her on the Bonnie & Clyde cast album. Some of the music affected me, made me dance a little, made me tap my toes, and adont get me wrong, I love Jeremy Jordan, it was really Laura Osnes singing “Dying Ain’t So Bad” that made me stop everything I was doing, and just listen, and feel. I thought about those words. I thought about the genius that is Frank Wildhorn, and I thought about the power behind her vocals, even when she was barely making sound. It was truly astounding. I was totally hooked!
When I listen to vocal performances, I look for something that is going to move me. I need something tender, or bombastic, or profound to stop me in my tracks, and to keep me coming back to a show, or a song again and again. I generally find these sorts of complexities in women’s voices more often then with men, and it’s why I am drawn to the likes of Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald, Lindsay Mendez, Kerry Butler and Laura Osnes. It’s not even the “screlting”, or the coloratura styled high notes that impress me, these women make me feel life when they sing. I cry, I laugh, I smile uncontrollably, and it’s like a drug-fueled high, that’s the dragon I find myself continuously chasing.
Laura Osnes and Patrick Hinds of the Theater People Podcast January 26, 2015, the Theater People Podcast their 30th episode which was recorded live at Fontana's Bar in New York City as part of the NYC Podfest
Well, shortly after my obsessive listening to the Bonnie & Clyde cast album on a loop did I discover the Theater People Podcast (that’s theater with an “E-R”) and listened to her be interviewed by my now personal idol, Patrick Hinds. Their interview was fun, funny, tender and above all else interesting. I listened to the Cinderella Revival which I love (Santino Fontana? Yes, please!) And rediscovered my love for Anything Goes!
I also found that she popped up in a few other musical theatre recordings that I love. Kerrigan and Lowdermilk’s “Our First Mistake” has her dueting with Meghann Fahy and also on the “K-L Live” album singing ‘The Girl Who Drove Away’. She’s everywhere!
As far as being with her from the beginning, the idea of the show “You’re the one that I want” as a tv show bugged me to begin with, so I kind of steered clear of it all together. I am a huge fan of the original stage version, but now that I know that Laura won, and also that Lindsay Mendez was in the cast, I regret my choices. I have since listened to the cast album, and relieved my personal connections with that score. I’m glad she was such a fan favorite, and I can totally see why.
I guess this was inevitable considering Hamilton was dropped
late September. NPR does like NPR likes to do, and offered the entire album to
stream and to enjoy the week before the entire album was available for digital
download and purchase.
I listened to it all in one stretch while doing some other
things, thinking I could absorb it through osmosis. Some songs stuck out to me
(“Helpless”), some specific parts stuck out to me (Angelica rapping in
‘Satisfied’), and some music just hit me in all the feels (the ensemble singing
“Quiet Uptown”. I’m actually getting goosebumps just typing about it,
honestly).
Fortunately for anyone who loves Musical Theatre, there is Facebook,
and my circle of friends started buzzing almost immediately:
“Can I See This RIGHT
NOW!”
“First '1989' was released, and now
this?!? I'm in heaven.”
I wanted to take this opportunity for
anyone who just needs MORE to suggest some shows. So, in the spirit of Buzzfeed:
If You Love Hamilton, You Might Want to Check Out These 8 Cast Albums
If
you like Hamilton for the History:
1776 - This is probably the obvious choice, and
also the one that I am probably not the most qualified in discussing, in that I
don't actually know it very well. However, this show is LITERALLY about the
construction of the Declaration of Independence. Also, I just learned that Alexander Hamilton did not sign the Declaration
of Independence; he was considered a Founding Father due to his role in framing
the Constitution. The show won the Tony in 1969 along with several others
fairly prestigious awards
Ragtime - I personally think that Ragtime is one of
the best, most emotional musicals I have ever seen and heard in the time that I
have been obsessed with musical theatre. Aherns and Flaherty brought to life
the 1975 novel that tells 3 very different stories about three groups in the
early 20th century and the struggles the faced. Although the main characters in
the show are fictions, there are plenty of real-life characters in the cast who
lend a voice, including Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit and Emma Goldberg
Keep an eye out for a young Lea Michele
Parade- A heartbreaking true story about Leo Frank
who had been accused of raping and murdering 13 year old Mary Phagan in
Marietta Georgia. The show follows his arrest, subsequent trial, sentencing,
and unjust death. It is rumored that Director Harold Price turned to Jason
Robert Brown after Stephen Sondheim turned the project down
Lin-Manuel
Miranda is the composer for you:
In the Heights - I take back my statement about 1776… The
obvious choice for your listening pleasure if you love Hamilton is In the
Heights. This show highlights the life and loves of a group of neighbors in Washington
Heights over a few days featuring a score of hip-hop, R&B, salsa, and good
old fashion Broadway. LMM has written and spoken extensively about what In the
Heights means to him, and what it means to Broadway. His starring as the main
character, Usnavi, got him a Tony nomination for Best Leading Actor in a
Musical, and he also won for his composition of the score for the show.
Bring It On - Working with Tom Kitt and Amanda Green,
Miranda composed this show loosely (and
I MEAN LOOSELY) basing it on the 2000 film starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle
Union. I only recommend this show if you have already listened to, and fell in
love with both In the Heights and Hamilton. Finding the same music licks and
ensemble cadences in the score is so much fun (even though this was before
Hamilton, but whatevs)! Also, cheerleaders! Important sides note about this
show, it holds the first time a transgendered character was featured in a
musical on Broadway.
Contemporary
Pop shows rock your ear-buds:
bare: a popopera - Hamilton has an
amazing score that is basically entirely sung through, and I love that. bare: a
pop opera also utilizes this model with a contemporary pop score (obvi) and has
a lot of emotional highs and lows with a Romeo & Juliet-esque twist. There
is also a rap (yeah, only one) and a Rave dance (remember raves??)
Venice - This is a “new to me” musical that I really
want to share with everyone! It came to me as an “If you love Hamilton, you’ll
love” and I DO!! It also stars Leslie Odom, Jr. and features a score with a lot
of Hip-hop and R&B. Uzo Aduba is also KILLING it in the cast recording. It
touches on a lot of emotions, and tells a very interesting story that focuses on the dystopian near-future fictional
city of Venice as it struggles in the grips of war. And I love me some
dystopian future stories. Not going to lie. Jennifer Damiano also stars in this
show that has some roots in Othello
Bloody, BloodyAndrew Jackson – Originally developed
as an experimental theatre project, BBAJ tells Andrew Jackson’s story through
Rock & Roll and Pop. The show
redefines America’s seventh president, the man who invented the Democratic
Party and doubled the size of our nation, with a raucous blend of outrageous
comedy, anarchic theatricality and an infectious rock score. The plot tracks
Jackson from the death of his parents as a child through his initial struggles
as a general to the loss of his wife Rachel. Fun Fact, Meryl Streep’s
Son-in-law Benjamin Walker starred as the rock star himself on Broadway.
Honorable Mention
Dogfight – In a fictional story that takes place in a Vietnam
era San Francisco this show based on the 1991 film starring River Phoenix andLili Taylor. The Folk-pop score by Pasek and Paul was probably my favorite
BEFORE Hamilton took over my life, but I still love it. Even though it’s not
something that actually happened, and it’s not a hip-hop score, it is amazing,
and I just assume everyone will love it the way I love it.
What show(s) did you see on Broadway on your latest
trip?
A New Brain at Encores Off
Center, Friday, June 26, 8pm. Starring Jonathan Groff, Aaron Lazar, Ana
Gastayer and Dan Fogler (It technically wasn’t a “Broadway show” but I am going
to include it here because it was awesome).
Something Rotten at the St James Theater,
Saturday, June 27, 2pm. Starring (my biggest Broadway crush) Brian D'Arcy
James, John Cariani, Heidi Blickenstaff and Tony Award Winner Christian Borle.
Fun Home at the Circle in the Square Theater, Saturday, June
27, 8pm. Starring Beth Malone, Judy Kuhn, Tony Award Winner Michael Cerveris,
Emily Skeggs and Sydney Lucas
What stood out to you most about the theatre when you
got there?
Encores shows are performed at City
Center, which is in Midtown, but a little bit more uptown from the heart of the
theater district. I wore new shoes on the walk up to the theater, so I was
paying more attention to my aching feet than the decor when I first walked in.
However, Once I sat in my seat, I had a little time to take in the view, I
noticed the amazing ceiling details. It is always a treat to look up and see
beautiful details like this:
I
arrived an hour before curtain to see the pre-show in the mezzanine lobby,
arranged (and introduced by) Jeanine Tsori (who is not only the Tony Award
winning composer of Fun Home, but is also the artistic director of Encores
Off-Center). The Lobby Project is a free pre-show performance from artists and
performers that is relevant to the main stage production that you are about to
see. The night I went, a "clown doctor" shared a sketch about his
experience in becoming a clown doctor and healing people with laughter.
Yep, just like Patch Adams.
Supposedly the following night, Jonathan Groff was just
going to be singing (which would have been amazing to see in that intimate of a
space). It was really neat, and helped set the tone for the evening.
The St James Theatre opened in
1927 and has had many historic shows pass through its wings. Most recently, the Academy Award winning movie (and one of my favorites from 2014) Birdman took
place almost exclusively in the theater and the surrounding blocks. This was
another beautiful theater with lots of eye candy. One thing that stood out to
me here was just how much is costs to purchase alcohol and bring it to your seat;
I believe I paid $15 for one beer. Crazy!
I
had previously seen the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in
the Circle in the Square Theatre, so I felt like I knew the lay of the land
going in. This theater is below the Gershwin Theater, and you have to take an
escalator/elevator underground to the space. Built in the 1950’s, this is a
more contemporary looking theater, without the ornate details of theaters like
the City Center or the St. James. One thing that stood out was the bathroom
space. It is downstairs, just off of a room full of lockers and photos of
previous shows. The line for the women’s was SO LONG prior to the start of the
show. Since there was no intermission, the pressure was on to empty your
bladder prior to show time. The actual playing space was arranged in-the-round
as opposed to the traditional proscenium arrangement, which was very neat. This
allowed for very creative staging, and made it so you could always feel a
connection with a character on stage, even if it wasn’t the main character of
the scene.
Did you enjoy the show? Was there a
technical or a musical/orchestral aspect of the show that stood out?
I
loved all three shows so much. When planning my trip, I had a really hard time
deciding on what show to see. It was such an incredible season of shows, and we
purchased our tickets before Tony nominations, so we were taking a risk that
these shows would even still be running, let alone Tony winners. We ultimately
planned our trip around A New Brain, since it was only running for one weekend
only, and it is one of my all-time favorite shows.
Just a brief background on Encores Off-Center: it is a program during
the summer, where shows that were performed off-Broadway get another chance to
shine. Since the commitment is only one weekend, there are often movie and Broadway
stars attached to these shows. And the audience is usually full of industry
big-wigs. It is a really neat experience. Tickets are also usually half the
price of most Broadway shows.
One
of the things I have noticed that often happens at Encores, is the original
composer or a guest arranger will use this opportunity to make some changes to
the original score or book, some times subtle, some times drastic. What stood
out the most to me was that some songs in the original A New Brain production were
completely removed from the show (“Calamari,” “Whenever I Dream,” and “Eating
Myself Up Alive”). Because of this, the opening scene took place at Gordo’s house
(or music studio?) as opposed to a restaurant, and some lyric changes were made
because of it. The “Brain Dead” montage was also vastly different, mostly
because two songs were missing, but in their absence, the tango (the song
“Brain Dead”) was extended and featured the entire cast tangoing with medical gear.
The cast was great, the modest staging was perfect, and it really was a treat
to get to see this performance. Definitely was on my top-three
all-time-favorite nights of theater.
I
went into Something Rotten without knowing ANY of the music, which I did
intentionally so I could be surprised by the show. I didn’t even watch their
performance on the Tony’s (talk about Will Power!) I was SO pleased that I held
out. Everything felt fresh, and new. The show didn’t have many technical
aspects that stood out, other than the larger than life set pieces. One of my
favorite sets were for the Shakespeare in the Park scene, where they performed
the song “Will Power.” This show relied more on the humor and content of the
songs as opposed to technical gimmicks, which I appreciate. The costumes were also
very impressive.
Fun
Home was just an overall amazing show. I went into this show knowing every word
from the off-Broadway recording, so I knew the moments that would musically
impact me the most (Days and Days, Telephone Wire). I was also surprised that
some of the songs were cut (the song that young Allison sings about calling her
“Al for short”). What I was the most
impressed with in Fun Home (technically) was the staging, and how different set
pieces moved around, and came out of the ground to just create a seamless
masterpiece. Since this was based on Allison Bechdel’s graphic Novel, I was tickled
when they started incorporating more of a “comic book” feel to the staging,
around the second half of the show when the character of Allison really starts
working on her graphic novel. Panels of light would shine down on the ground in
the outline of a square or rectangle, and different characters would stand in
them saying their line. It was tasteful and didn’t feel gimmicky.
Were there any stand-out performances from particular
performers? Did you recognize any of the performers in the program or once you
saw them on the stage?
I
was very lucky to see all of the original Broadway cast members for Something
Rotten and Fun Home, so I was familiar with who was playing all the leads.
Christian Borle won the Tony award for his performance as Will Shakespeare in
Something Rotten, so he was obviously a stand-out performer in that show. I also
just love Brian D’Arcy James (BDJ), and I have always wanted to see him perform
live. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the performance of John Cariani, the
love-struck, Shakespeare obsessed, poet brother of BDJ. The women of the show
were also phenomenal (I mean, Heidi Blickenstaff? Come on, she is amazing). The
ensemble was fantastic as well. One thing that stood out to me was the
incredible diversity of the ensemble. You could tell there were people of all
different ages, sizes and ethnicity, all clear triple threats. I really
appreciated that, and it really made it feel more like a village, as opposed to
a Rockette show.
As
with Fun Home, I knew all of the performers going into the performance. Beth
Malone, who plays the adult Allison was just captivating from the moment she
walked on stage. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She was so committed, 100%
of the time to what she was doing (and she was the only one who never left the
stage). I also felt that Michael Cerveris did a phenomenal job as the Bechdel
family patriarch/funeral director/high school English teacher/closeted
homosexual/home restoration enthusiast. It was obvious why he won the Tony
award for this performance, it was so haunting, and honest and at times, even
disturbing.
Most musical theater does not have characters as complex as you
will find in Fun Home. The music, lyrics, and book really allow you to see
these characters grow, and as an audience member, you have time to connect to
each of them. The rest of the cast was amazing too. One surprise performance
was from Roberta Colindrez, who played Joan, Allison’s first girlfriend in
college. She was just so cool and played the part so well. She is perfect at
playing the cool girl who you either want to be or want to be with. One
disappointment (that turned into a nice surprise) was that we did not get to
see the critically acclaimed Sydney Lucas play Small Allison. We got to see her
understudy (and now replacement) Gabriella Pizzolo portray the role. I was
really bummed when I saw that little piece of paper in my program, but she had
me the moment she ran onto the stage demanding that her father play airplane. Not
gonna lie, her honest and beautiful performance definitely made me tear
up.
One
of the super cool things about the timing of my trip, was the very first day I
was there, the supreme court ruled in favor of gay marriage, so the city
practically erupted in joy and rainbows. It also just-so-happened to be Pride
weekend. That night, many of the lead performers made an announcement after
curtain call, or they had rainbow flags or other signs of support. That night,
I went to see A New Brain, and you could tell that the performers were on cloud
nine and giving the performance of their life. Especially at the end of the
show, when singing the lyrics “What was dark so long had felt like winter,
finally there’s sun. And so I sing, that I feel so much spring.” I felt like it
reflected what was currently going on, and it was beautiful.
Jonathan
Groff was just amazing. He was such an incredible Gordo, however that was
expected J I was surprised by
how great Ana Gastayer was as his mother. I mainly know her from SNL, and often
forget that she played ELEPHABA in Wicked (translation: girl can sing). Some of
the minor characters also really blew me away, especially the “Nice Nurse”
played by Josh Lamon. He was hilarious. I can’t imagine a more perfect (yet
completely different) version of “You Boys Are Gonna Get me in Trouble” or the
sponge bath scene. I was also really impressed with the doctor, played by
Bradley Dean, who also doubled as Gordo’s dad.
He brought an amusing arrogance to the role that I didn’t get before.
Were you familiar with the show? If you were, was
there a song, or ‘moment’ that you were particularly looking forward to?
I
was very familiar with A New Brain and Fun Home prior to the show, and was
mostly just looking forward to experiencing the show live. For Something
Rotten, all of it was new to me. I was really looking forward to “A Musical”
because I had heard about the “amazing musical number halfway through act one
that received a standing ovation.” I also know this was the number performed on
the Tony Awards, which I skipped over, so I was really looking forward to
finally seeing it. I was also looking forward to seeing Christian Borle in this
role, since the promo videos I saw looked so funny.
Was there any big surprise moments in the show for you
(scripting, musically, emotionally?)
The
music changes in A New Brain that I discussed previously were the biggest
surprises to me. I was surprised by how emotionally connected I was to this production;
I think I had tears in my eyes the majority of the show (which for me, is a
great thing).
Something Rotten was just one big surprise. I
think I went in with low expectations, because with shows like this (ie.
Splashy, over the top comedies, like Spamalot and The Producers), I am always a
bit disappointed that it wasn’t funnier, or I often feel it doesn’t live up to
the hype (or in my mom’s case with The Book of Mormon, she knew all of the
jokes from the soundtrack prior to seeing the show). However, I was laughing
out loud pretty much the entire show, and had a giant smile plastered on my face.
At some point in the show, I was really worried if they could make the
breakfast theme of the “omelette” show actually funny, and then was surprised
when they performed their show (within the show) and it ended up being probably
one of my favorite moments of the show. I was also surprised with just how much
tap dancing was in the show. I mean, I went into it KNOWING that Casey Nicholaw
did the choreography, but for some reason, my brain didn’t register that with
tapping. One of my absolute favorite moments of my trip was just before
intermission, in the song “Bottom’s Gonna Be On Top” Christian Borle and BDJ
had a “tap-off” that was perfectly executed…and hilarious.
Overall,
the staging in Fun Home was the most surprising to me. It was just so clever.
Also, some of the most heartbreaking and creepy scenes are not included on the
cast album (as most of the dialogue is included), so I was pleasantly surprised
by those little nuggets that were completely unexpected. One moment in the show that I was impacted the most by
was right before the song “Telephone Wire,” where adult Allison, who has been
almost like a ghost telling the story from afar, steps into the story and
interacts with her father as she recalls her last car ride with her father and
contemplates what she could have done differently and if it would have
prevented his impending suicide. It wasn’t necessarily breaking the fourth
wall, but definitely went through a boundary that was set early on in the show,
which was very neat.
How would you describe this show to a friend of yours
who had never heard of it?
A
New Brain is a musical comedy about a children’s show song writer who suddenly
collapses. This is the story of the time he spends in the hospital and how he
maintains his role of son, boyfriend, musician, and friend while coming
face-to-face with his mortality.
Something
Rotten tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two renaissance playwrights
who are trying to create the next best thing and become better than the best
(Shakespeare). Nick visits a Soothsayer who tells him Musicals are the next big
thing, so they set out to create the first musical.
Fun
Home is the true story of the life of a middle aged, lesbian, cartoonist, who
is writing a graphic novel about her childhood and examining life with her
father, who was a closeted homosexual. The story is told as one big flashback
to different periods in her life, when she was growing up in a funeral home,
and when she was discovering her sexuality in college.
Anything else you’d like to mention about the show, or
your experience?
View of Kinky Boots at the Al Hirshfield Theater from our room
I
not only had a great time at the shows, but the hotel we selected was perfect
for what we needed. Right in the heart of the theater district, ROW NYC is the
perfect place for a quick shower and to rest your head at an affordable price.
It was literally right around the corner from the St. James Theater, which was a
perfect location.
I
also want to give a shout out to the hosts of my two favorite podcasts (The
Ensemblist and The Theater People Podcast) for giving excellent restaurant
recommendations, all in the theater district. The Glass House Tavern was
perfect for post-show drinks, especially since it was also very close to our
hotel room. Great drinks and delicious appetizers for a nice night cap. We went
back the following morning for breakfast (which was also A+). Before we saw Fun
Home, we went to 5 Napkin Burger, which really helped me feel like I was at
home in San Diego (the craft beer capitol of the world). My favorite restaurant
we ate at was Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, which you just have to see to
believe. Huge vaulted ceilings, antique furniture, stained glass murals, just
absolutely beautiful. We had cocktails and dessert, and then decided to come
back the following day for breakfast. Loved Lillie’s.
Is this your first trip to Broadway?If not, how many
times have you been in the past? What have you seen? What’s one moment that
sticks out for you?
This
was my second trip to NYC. I went 10 years ago, and stayed for a bit longer,
allowing me to see more of the city (and more shows!) That trip, I saw Sweet
Charity with Christina Applegate and Dennis O’Hare, Fiddler on the Roof with
Harvey Firestein, Rent, Avenue Q (Original Broadway Cast), Spamalot
(Original Broadway Cast), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels(Original Broadway
Cast), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Original
Broadway Cast), and Phantom of the Opera (obviously not the original Broadway
cast). From that trip, my biggest regret was not getting to see The Light in
the Piazza. I have grown to love that show so much in the years after my trip,
and to have missed the opportunity to see Victoria Clark, Kelli O’Hare and
Matthew Morrison at Lincoln Center just kills me.
The
moment that sticks out the most to me was going to see The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, I was chosen as one of the few audience
member spellers, so I was on stage for half of the show, interacting with Dan
Fogler, Celia Keenan Bolger and all the rest of them. “Amanda is going on a
fashionable safari” is the only quip I remember them saying about me when I
went up to spell (which was pretty spot on as I was wearing a blend of khaki’s
and browns). I was first asked to spell “COW,” which ended up starting the song
“Pandemonium.” I later got out on the word DENGUE (explosive diarrhea) and I
now forever will know how to spell it. That was my most memorable night at the
theater, ever.
Do you tend to have a favorite ‘type’ of musical?Is there a type of musical you really
don’t like?
I
usually like contemporary dramas. If a musical makes me cry, It is alright in
my book. That is truly my test for how much I like a show. In general, I really
like dark pieces, like Sweeney Todd (and is probably why I like A New Brain and
Fun Home so much) and ones with more of a rock vibe, like Jesus Christ
Superstar and Tommy.
I'm not a super huge fan of juke-box musicals in general, there are only a few that I
really like. I think the main thing for me is that the show can’t be hyped up
too much before I see it. That always ruins it for me.
Do you have a dream show?One of your favorite musicals with
your favorite stars that has yet to happen?One
that has?
My
favorite show of all time is Jesus Christ Superstar, and I feel that it was in
its perfect state with Carl Anderson, Ted Neeley and Yvonne Elliman as the
leads. I have seen it so many times and nothing compares to them. Perfection.
Lucky for me, if I want to see them, I can just watch the film in all of it’s
hippy glory.
I
really hope one day someone makes a Wreck it Ralph musical (side-note, people have opinions about this). The dream cast:
Brian D’Arcy James as Ralph, Stark Sands as Fix-It Felix, Cady Huffman as Sergeant
Calhoun, and Joel Gray as King Candy. I don’t know who would play Vanillope,
maybe Jenni Barber, or Krysta Rodriguez? I don’t know…either way, MAKE IT
HAPPEN DISNEY!
How long have you been a fan of musical theatre? Was
there a show you remember listening to or seeing? What was the first time you
remember obsessing about a particular show, or performer? Do you know why?
My
mom and grandma both love musical theater, so I grew up listening to it and
going to plays and musicals with them since as far back as I remember. When I
was in Kindergarten, my mom brought my brother to go see Phantom of the Opera in
Los Angeles, and I spent the whole night crying because she didn’t bring me. They
brought back an official show program and I just devoured it on a daily basis.
It just looked so cool to me. I was especially fascinated with what the Phantom
looked like without his mask on. My dad finally brought me to the touring
company production in San Francisco when I was in 5th grade. It
might have been the best night of my life (up to that point).
Not sure what my FIRST live show was, it might
have been West Side Story or Into the Woods at a local high school, or it could
have been something else at a local professional theater (Starlight) that my
mom had season tickets to. I was really
big into watching movie musicals growing up. I would watch classic Rodgers and
Hammerstein shows like Carousel and The King and I with my grandma (I never cared
for State Fair or Oklahoma). West Side Story was one of my favorite movies, and
I would watch it non-stop. Love the iconic choreography of Jerome Robbins.
I
also have always loved the Jesus Christ Superstar movie (which I know is a very
polarizing topic). I DO remember going
to the touring production of the show, it must have been 1992? Maybe 1993? And
all I remember is that the King Herod wore pants VERY SIMILAR to Prince at the
1991 VMAs (if you weren’t around for it, look it up). I just thought it was
pretty cool
Is there a reason why you love Musical Theatre so
much?
Because it makes you feel things and see stories
that you don’t experience in every day life. It transports you to a truly
magical place where anything can happen.
My friend Summer and her boyfriend Chad recently spent some time in NYC and she saw her first Broadway show! Actually she saw TWO! What a lucky lady! I caught up wit her and asked her about her experience
What shows did you see on Broadway?
I saw two shows on Broadway, Wicked on September 13th at 7pm,
and Phantom of the Opera on the 14th, at 8pm.
What stood out to you most about the theatre
when you got there?
I loved the Gershwin Theater
that Wicked was in! It had an escalator to make it easy for everyone to get to
the second floor and had pictures of stars that had played there along the wall
(that was nice to look at while waiting for the bathroom).
They also had winning
dresses on display from “Project Runway” that Elphie and Galinda wore which I
particularly enjoyed
The theater Phantom
was in, the Majestic, I was less impressed with. It felt kind of old and
outdated, and with only four doors to get in the entrance, it made the wait
outside over 15 minutes long, while we just walked into the theater for Wicked.
Did you enjoy the show? Was there a technical
or a musical/orchestral aspect of the show that stood out?
Chad & Summer in the Audience for Wicked 9/13/15
I was super impressed with Wicked! First time seeing it and I
thought it lived up to the hype and then some!! The music takes you to another
place, and I thought the ensemble was just as talented as the leads. I was
particularly impressed with the Elphaba and how you could tell she started singing
with some restraint in her first few songs and then built it up and let it all
out in act 2.
Again, Phantom was a
bit of a letdown. I thought while the orchestra was good, the actors were less
than. During the title song, 'Phantom of the Opera,' they use different actors
who look like Christine and the Phantom, but you can see them waiting in the
wings. The illusion is completely lost. On top of that, you can clearly see
they are lip syncing and that takes you out of the fantasy.
They also had
technical problems with their hearing impaired system. There were translating
ear phones available but they worked very poorly, and multiple people had them
on. So almost the entire show you heard muffling which sounded like someone had
left a microphone on back stage.
Were there any stand-out performances from
particular performers? Did you recognize any of the performers from the program
or once you saw them on the stage?
I didn't recognize any performer in either of the two shows,
although Elphie and Fieryo were definite standouts! I thought they had great chemistry and voices were fabulous. Really brought me into their world!
Playbill shot - Phantom of the Opera 9/14/15
I was very
disappointed in the Phantom of the Opera cast, especially the leads, Christine
and the Phantom. Maybe I’ve seen the show too many times, or had higher
expectations after seeing Wicked, but they just weren't good. Zero chemistry
between the two and it felt very rehearsed. The Phantom while having a great
voice, he portrayed himself almost as if he was making fun of the Phantom and
not embracing his character. Christine was just plain awful. She didn't hit all
her notes and I swear I saw her looking down to see her blocking strips. Later,
I read in the program that she was only Christine on Mondays, and while I was
glad she wasn't the regular, I was disappointed to see someone who couldn't
carry the role. Hard to believe Broadway couldn't find someone stronger to play
the part.
Were you familiar with the show before seeing
it performed? Was there a song, or a ‘moment’ that you were particularly
looking forward to?
I had never seen Wicked,
and really only knew some of the music (because of how insanely popular the
show is), and the basic story of how the good witch became good and the bad
witch became bad. I know I was going to hear "Popular' and 'Defying Gravity'
and they didn't disappoint!
I was looking forward to
“Masquerade” in Phantom, and while it was still my favorite part of the show,
it was lackluster. I hate that they used fake statues to give the illusion of
having more performers on the staircase. A Broadway show should never look low
budget and it was very disappointing (I feel like I’m using that word a lot)
Were there any big surprises in the show for
you?
I was totally shocked when Elphaba wasn't really bad at all, and
loved that she didn't really die at the end and got to have her *spoiler alert*
Scarecrow. The origin of the Scarecrow, the Tin man, and the Cowardly lion was
another great surprise! I often felt swept away during the performance and
forgot where I was a few times! The whole show really just made me feel good!
The Audience and Opening backdrop of 'Oz' Wicked 9/13/15
How would you describe this show to a friend
of yours who had never heard of it?
I would describe Wicked
as a marvelous feel good prequel to The Wizard of Oz with some wonderful music
and delightful twists
I would describe Phantom
of the Opera as a musical about a phantom who haunts an opera house and has the
hots for his muse. She is in love with a guy she met ten years ago who is now a
count and she loves him after seeing him one time.
Anything else you’d like to mention about the
show, or your experience?
Overall Wicked was
wonderful and Phantom disappointing. Phantom has been a favorite of mine since
I was a little girl, but it did not live up to my standards and I have seen
much better productions of it in Sacramento and San Francisco. Wicked was
beyond amazing! I immediately bought the soundtrack when I got home and can't
stop listening to it in my car. Would see it again in a heartbeat!
I'm glad Summer had such a wonderful trip to NYC. Hopefully more of you will want to share your experiences on the Great White Way!
