Purrfect Play

"Cat I'm a Kitty Cat and I dance, dance, dance, and I dance, dance, dance, " and sing!

Beauty and the Beast is More Beautiful on Broadway

The first show I ever saw on Broadway was when I was in Kindergarten in New York City with my Dad and Grama. I was so amazed. It all seemed so magical to me. The lights, the music, the sets, and the costumes. I was in awe over everything that was going on on stage, and Belle was so pretty. I wanted to be her. She was so lucky, dancing up there on stage, singing along, and falling in love. I had seen the Disney movie when I was little, so the play just seemed bigger and better to me. Yes somethings were different, but looking back at it now, they had to change to be able to entice the theatergoers.

In adapting the film to the stage, Linda Woolverton (also one of the film's
writers) instituted a number of key changes: Just about every character was
given more depth (the Beast is more threatening and sympathetic; Belle, the
beauty of the title who strays into his clutches, is more determined and
headstrong), and, perhaps most importantly, the story's panoply of talking
knick-knacks were no longer servants who had been enchanted into teapots,
armoires, clocks, and so on as the result of an enchantress's spell - now, they
were gradually becoming these things.

Although I have dissed other Disney movies that have become plays. This one is different. I am a little biased because this was the first play I had ever seen, and then obviously the first Disney movie to play that I had seen. I felt that back when this play came out in 1991 the producers were a little more careful not to have the movie and the play exactly the same. I also felt that they took more time to look into developing characters, which is something that is very important for plays.

You're Roar For More

Broadway is about to "Crank Dat Lion King".

Bush On Broadway

Making fun of people can be fun, especially when almost the entire nation makes fun of the same person. I am referring to George W. Bush. After 8 years of being president, it seems like he has gotten the most shit from the country. He has books written about him, websites, and a movie, and none of them have particularly anything nice to say about him.
And now the stupidness (haha) of W. Bush have reached Broadway. George W. Bush was not good enough to play himself for the production, so instead Will Ferrell will take the lead. "You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush" is a "show picks up after the 43rd President has lifted off from the White House lawn. Director Adam McKay ("Step Brothers") and Ferrell fashion that into a brilliant entrance for Dubya, who recalls his life at Yale, Crawford, Tex., and in the Oval Office." I would love to see this play and laugh along as Ferrell and the rest of the cast totally humiliate Bush.
"The stage is mostly bare, with just a few props and video screens where images of places, faces and ruder body parts help set the scene. If some sequences run out of steam, another laugh is looming just around the bend." Yes at some point in the play you will get the opportunity to see Bush's penis (of course it's not truly his) which has caused some not so happy theatergoers to leave before the play is over.
I have loved Will Ferrell in pretty much every film he has been in, from "Elf" to "Old School".
"Ferrell has Dubya down pat - the stance, butt head chuckle, constant squint and tumbleweed twang, which sparks one of the shows best jokes."
I really want to see this play. Anything making fun of "Dubya" has to be great.

Good Witch, Bad Witch Beginning

"Wicked", the side of the "Wizard of Oz" that was not told.

Offensive Is Funny

With lyrics like, "all these guys unzip their flys for porn, porn, porn" and "the Jews have all the money and the whites have all the power. And I'm always in taxi-cab with driver who no shower!", you would think that theatergoers would find "Avenue Q" extremely offensive and disgusting, but instead people find it absolutely hilarious. The play is done with actors and puppets.

An interesting thing about the presentation of the show is that you can see the
puppeteers at all times. You could easily watch this show twice once
watching the puppets, and once watching the puppeteers who are easily as
animated as the "actors" they control.

It's very interesting because even though they are puppets, as a audience member you watch them and connect with them as if they were real.
One reason I think everyone really enjoys this play is because they connect with it. Everyone finds that certain "actor"/puppet to feel for and everyone understands and connects with the different topics and songs. Many of the things discussed in "Avenue Q" are topics that people agree with 100% but it's "not right" to talk about it in public.
The funny thing is, is that the theatergoer can see that this play is based on "Sesame Street", but instead of centering it around children it's for adults that can handle topics involving racism, sex, porn, etc.

Subtly but essentially, Moore has transformed a "Sesame Street" episode
self-consciously seen through a glass darkly, into more of the genuine article.
Rather than receive a watering-down, the show is stronger for his labors. Both
humans and puppets are so ingenuous, so wide-eyed and naive in an authentically
Children's Television Workshop way, that all the R-rated material becomes
paralyzingly funny, and the dicier the topic the funnier it gets: the sex
between needy Princeton and woeful Kate Monster (Kelli Sawyer) is pushed to the
limit, but the human actors' who-me? openness renders it utterly
unobjectionable.

Chicago Will Blow Your Mind

I have never seen the play Chicago, but have always wanted to and hopefully someday will. I've seen the movie (which I loved) so I obviously know the whole summary of it. It is a very dark, fosse production that makes you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. While I have never seen the play, I have performed different numbers from it for high school theater competitions. I absolutely love the type of dance in this play. Fosse is unlike anything else. It is very rigid while also being sexy. It's very hard to describe, but you should take a look. Chicago is very easy to sing (and dance) along to. With songs like "All That Jazz", "When You're Good to Mama", and "We Both Reached for the Gun" there's always something to look forward to. After reading a review, I got a real inside look into what caused such a spark with revival of Chicago compared to it's not so praised about first production.

"the original production had the misfortune to appear in the wake of
Watergate and Vietnam when dark and cynical were out of vogue. “Chicago” also
appeared the same year as “A Chorus Line,” a more upbeat and optimistic dance
show that ultimately had far more appeal for critics and audiences"

"What spawned the revival of “Chicago” in the mid-1990s was former football star O.J. Simpson going on trial for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman. After assembling a “Dream Team” of celebrity lawyers, Simpson was ultimately acquitted of murder charges and parallels between Simpson’s circus-like criminal trial and the characters in “Chicago” were immediately drawn by entertainment pundits and became the catalyst for the “Encore!” revival. Even today and despite the fact that “Chicago” is based on actual events from the 1920s, the memory of the O.J. trial—and other celebrity trials since, including Phil Spector and R. Kelly—keeps “Chicago” plausible and entertaining."

Way To Be "Mary" During This Trying Time

"Mary Poppins" is a very family oriented play that will have you singing "Let's Go Fly a Kite" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". It is a feel good Broadway play that has lasted the test of time. Something very interesting, is that the book "Mary Poppins" was written in 1934, while the Great Depression was going on. Maybe then Mary Poppins is just what the United States needs to get get out of this rut, that and "A Spoonful of Sugar".

Miserable Play

"Les Miserables" is a miserable play. When I saw it, I was so bored out of my mind that I ended up falling asleep during it. In the review it says that "this is a great show to see, whether it's your first time (like my husband) or you've seen it many times before, read the book and seen the movie." I completely 100% disagree. I think any person that were to see this as their first play ever would be scared away from theater. It is rather intense and not the most exciting play to see for your first time, or your second, or your third... I think you see where I'm going with this.

Dolly Parton Is Working 9 to 5 But Should Retire Instead

The play 9 to 5 is out on Broadway starring... Dolly Parton who I'm pretty sure is 95 years old, or maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But really, did she need to jump into the Broadway play business too.

OPt Out OPera

Passing the 6,000 performances landmark is a huge accomplishment, but that doesn't make me want to fly to NYC and see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I will OPenly say that I OPt out of this OPera, but of course that is only my OPinion to OPose the play and it's definitely your OPtion whether you chose to see it or not.

Racial Stereotypes Don't Make For Good Play Topics

When it comes to plays like "West Side Story" a good chorus is most important. Without that the audience will be bored out of their mind. But just because there is a good chorus and the set and costumes look great that doesn't mean the play is a good one. I first saw the movie version of the play in my middle school Spanish class. I think that's a little too young to really "enjoy" the whole point of it. Once you have a bad image of something, it''s really hard to change someones attitude about something, and that's definitely how it was for me. I never particularly liked the whole concept of it. Gang vs. gang, and the whole hating people based on race. I mean I know that it was definitely a factor in the time period that the play is based on (and is still kind of a factor today) but do I really care to be reminded about all the bad happenings between different races. I don't really care to spend money to watch something depressing that I could watch on the news in the convenience of my own home for free.

A Lot Of Spam Is A Tasty Treat For Play Lovers

This past summer I saw "Spamalot" in New York City with my dad and boyfriend. I had never seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail so I was not really sure what to expect. I absolutely loved it. It was really entertaining and kept me laughing the whole time. Some parts were a little awkward, when it makes joke about anything related to sex, because I was sitting next to my dad. But I got over that really fast. I was even happier that my boyfriend liked it (he's not a huge fan of musicals). I think it definitely is a play for anyone and everyone.One thing that I was not too happy about before I went and saw the play was the fact that Clay Aiken was a lead in it. I have never been a fan of his. I didn't like him on American Idol and there was always just something about him that made me creeped out by him. After seeing him in Spamalot though, I have a new appreciation for him. His role was 100% perfect for him and he definitely connected very well with his character (way more than most Broadway actors and actresses do today). The role he played was basically just a "sarcastic ass" kind of guy, and he delivered very well. It almost seemed like that role was meant for him. His singing was great too. As I said before, I didn't like him on American Idol, but I think he finally found his range and what type of music he can truly do his best at. He also had many great one line jokes that stuck with me throughout the entire play. Spamalot was better than I could have ever imagined. It had me laughing and singing along the whole way.

525,600 Thumbs Up

Rent it or buy it, however you like it, "Rent" is a must see.

Seems More Like A Concert To Me

The theater is a place that should be respected not a place for "rock legends" songs to live on (think Journey, Poison, and Styx). Passing out plastic lighters and allowing beer in the theater is a disgrace to Broadway and all the hard work that these actors and actresses put in. "Rock of Ages" seems like it would fit better on a outdoor stage with drunk adults running around trying to relive their youth, than at a theater. "Rock of Ages" just needs to rock onto somewhere else where it fits in, which is definitely not 42nd Street NYC.

This Hairspray Won't Keep You In One Place

"Hairspray" is one of those plays that just makes you feel good and makes you want to get up and dance. "You Can't Stop the Beat" of the song from playing in your head and it just might make you scream "Good Morning Baltimore" (or insert your own city here).

Mamma Mia Here I Go Again.. And Again.. And Again..And Again

Mamma Mia. Two words come to my mind when I think of the movie/play/songs from the movie/play. Annoying and repetitive. What did I say? I said annoying and repetitive. A little less, a little more, but for the most part annoying and repetitive. I think you get my point. But if not I found a review that might help you understand,

If you want to see a play with energy to spare, go see "Mamma Mia!" If you want
to see a play full of comedy and romance, go see "Mamma Mia!" If you want to
hear delightful songs sung by super talented performers, go see "Mamma Mia!". If
you want to have a night at the theater that will send you home with a smile on
your face and a song in your heart, go see "Mamma Mia!"

Wow that made me so happy I could just scream, Mamma Mia!!!

It's Hard Being Ugly On Broaway, Except For Shrek

Seems like a trend. Once a movie's fame has decreased then Broadway takes over and turns it into a play. Shrek (the movie) is now Shrek: The Musical. How witty of them! Seems like that's all they do these days. Producer thinks, "I'm not creative enough to write my own play, so let's just take someone else's plot from a movie and put it on Broadway." Even though Shrek isn't cute in the movie (I mean come on he's an ogre), wait til you see him in the Broadway version. Seems like kids will be scared of the green ogre when they see him on stage. It seems some people do like the play, but they're the same people that enjoyed The Little Mermaid the Musical. I mean without such great voices as Mike Meyers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), and Eddie Murphy (Donkey) what else is there to enjoy. Yay, an ugly ogre dancing around on stage played by Brian d'Arcy James (who the hell is he?) sounds like a great time.

Peanuts Play?

The play "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" seems like your average play. It wasn't a book turned into a play or even a movie turned into a play. It just seems like a normal play that some random person decided to craft up in their head. Until you find out that it's a play based on the Peanuts comic, except this time their all grown up. In a review by the NY Times writer Jason Zinoman says that:

It's 10 years later, and - prepare yourself - Snoopy has been put to sleep after
killing Woodstock. Linus has become Van (Keith Nobbs), a stoner who smoked the
burned remains of his security blanket. Pigpen has cleaned up into a violent
jock (Ian Somerhalder, from "Lost"). Lucy, known only as Van's sister (Eliza
Dushku, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), is a lithium-addled pyromaniac who has
slept with, believe it or not, Charlie Brown, or CB (Eddie Kaye Thomas), as he's
called, a popular kid with a mean streak.

So pretty much it's nothing like the comic strip at all. It makes me think of how I loved the show Rugrats on Nickelodeon, but then they decided to make the Rugrats All Grown up show and it was horrible. Sometimes you just got to stick with the original. When you try and milk something for all it's worth, normally the second thing is not as good as the original. The fact that it deals with so much "normal teenage life experiences" makes me feel like it is pushing it. Homosexuality, drugs, sex, violence, suicide, and teenage rebellion are all themes that can be found in this play. Seems a little over the top to me. I mean when you place all of these themes in a 2 hour play it seems like it definitely trying to get the "awe factor" which can be very annoying. I'll leave you with a quote that Charlie Brown (CB) says in the play which seems to show the stupidity of the show.

"Do you ever feel like you're not a real person?" CB asks his sister. "That
you're the product of someone's imagination and you can't think for yourself
because you're really just like some creation and that somewhere there's people
laughing every time you fall?"

The Little Mermaid a Flop

Yes we see it again, another Disney movie brought onto Broadway. Only this time, watching the movie at home could provide better entertainment than going to see Arielle "in person" on Broadway. Sometimes you just got to let some swim with the fishes.

FAME Or Shame

"FAME" was my second play that I saw in London. I absolutely loved it. It is so upbeat and fun. It made me want to gte up on stage and dance with them. I think it is a great show, especially for younger people. Older people may not like it as much because they might want it to be more like the movie, which it is not. But all I have to say is, out with the old in with the new, "FAME" has got a brand new view.

Bang Bang Choo Choo Car? Come On Chitty Do Your Thing

When I was in London the summer after 8th grade, my mom said I could pick two plays to see. One was "FAME" (which I will talk about in my next post) and the other one was "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". Based on the movie, of the same name, there are many similarities between the two, such as the music. They are only missing "Lovely, Lonely Man", but added six new songs. Many times "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is compared to "Mary Poppins", especially the movie form because they both used Broadway actors to play the leads. I loved the play! It was one of my first plays I had ever seen, which is one reason why it is such a special memory to me. Another reason that made it even more special was the fact that I got to see it in London. The best part about the whole movie is that the car actually "flies" and flies over the audience. It is no longer on Broadway but for the time that it was, it sure made a "bang"!

Musicals Are Music To My Ears

While I am a fan of any type of play, there is just something about musicals. I think the two main things are the combination of singing and dancing. It is just so magical, and there seems to always be something going on. Also musicals normally have a bigger cast which I really love because I am a loser and love to watch every single character, from the lead to the actor with only one line. When plays have many characters, like most musicals, it gives me something to look forward to because I never know when someone new may appear. Another great thing about musicals is the costumes. Because of the fact that there are so many actors as well as songs and dance routines, there is always a change of costume which is very exciting. Many times musicals are very up beat, which is another plus, and this also means very creative costumes and dance routines. There is just something about musicals that keep me coming back for more.

Harry Potter Has Moved On To Bigger And Better Things

Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter, "exposes all of his talent" in the Broadway play "Eqqus". Some people just aren't prepared to let the young wizard grow up, while others are enjoying this new type of scenary.

Sometimes You Just Got To Give Your Top Ten

Top Ten Favorite Musicals (in no certain order):

42nd Street

Lion King

Beauty and the Beast

Legally Blonde: The Musical

Hairspray

Wicked

Spamalot

Avenue Q

Chicago

Fame

At some point in the near future, I will get around to blogging about each musical individually but for now I just thought I would give you something to look forward to.

True "American Idiots"

Is Green Day's next move only for the "green"? Or maybe they truly think that "American Idiot: The Musical" isn't an idiotic idea.

Girls Just Want To Have Fun: So Screw You Boys

Some people just do not know how to have a good time, and when I mean a good time, I mean a fun loving, giggling and singing, pretty in pink good time. Broadway plays don't have to be all serious 24/7. Of course there are the serious plays that deal with poverty, love and loss, and sickness, but then there are many funny musicals out there such as Avenue Q and Spamalot. But they don't say anything bad about them. On the other hand though "Legally Blonde: The Musical" always gets a bad review because it's "too pink", "for bimbos", and because "there's no real meaningful story behind it".Maybe the mocking and making fun of that goes on so much with “Legally Blonde” is the fact that it’s not for guy’s whatsoever. Well they just need to get over that. It's not like they don't know what it's going to be like before they go and see it. I mean come on it's modeled after the movie and that's pretty pink as well. Yes, I would agree it is a girl play, which is probably why the person from my article that reviewed the play didn't like it.. because he is a guy! How horrible to have a play for women. Wow! You know what, who cares, then that just means that the guys aren't being dragged to one more play that they don't want to see. There are allowed to be different plays for different sexes. Maybe they'll make a "300: The Play" for all the men to enjoy. Going back to the fact that "Legally Blonde: The Musical" is too pink for the "intelligent" person to enjoy, maybe you should just live a little (and by you I mean Ben Brantley from the NY Times), or is it too hard for someone like you to have fun.

Guys and Dolls - Good or Dud?

I have never seen the play "Guys and Dolls", but it is my Dad's favorite play. He called me the other day to tell me that is now on Broadway and that he wants me to come up over the summer to see if with him. I told him that I would love to cause I'm always up to see another show, but I was curious to know more about the play, so I looked it up online. I'm not to a big fan of reviews, but I figure it's better than nothing. Well a review in the New York Times said that it was very bland and they did no feel that the actors were professionals, because of the lack of character connections. Then at the bottom somone commented on the article saying that they completely disagree and that they thought it was put togetehr very nicely. That just shows how it's so hard to truly trust a review because people's feelings, attitude, and opinion can be opposite from your own. I guess I'll just have to see it this summer for myself. I'll keep you posted on what I think.

It Will Tap It's Way Into Your Heart

My favorite broadway show is "42nd Street". I have never gotten to see it on Broadway but hopefully someday I will. In high school though I was in Drama and we performed "42nd Street" my junior year. It was by far my favorite play that I have ever performed. The music is amazing, very catchy and upbeat, and the costumes are amazing! There are so many scenes which then means that there are so many costumes. Performing it, I remember how many quick changes I had to do, and I had a total of about 7 costumes. It seemed like every couple of minutes there was a new costume on stage, which makes for a very exciting play. The best part of the entire play though was the tapping. Tap dancing is so amazing and is alot harder than it looks. Having 50 people all doing the same time step at the same time is the most beautiful and astounding sound. It just makes me want to smile.
If you have never seen it, it is definitely worth seeing someday. Here's one of the numbers called "We're in the Money". I bet after watching it you'll not only be dying to see the play, but also take up tap dancing.

New Play Will Get You Caught In It's Web

So I have seen many broadway plays in the past, but one that I am really excited to see is "Spiderman". I loved the movie and it's always interesting to see a movie be changed into a play. They delete stuff here and there and add other things. I am also very interested to see how they will make Spiderman do all of his crazy Spiderman tricks in a live theater performance. I know it can be done though. Plays always pull out any trick to make the play the best that it could possibly be to wow the audience. I mean if they can make a car fly in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" I'm pretty sure they can make a man fly. I'm excited because Evan Rachel Wood will be playing Mary Jane and she is one of my favorite actors. There is no telling if it will be as good as the movie, but I guess I'll just have to see it to find out.