Musicals

[Nrthwnd]

This is such a trippy find. (posted Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:32 pm)

Just picked up a ticket to see this lauded

production at local professional theatre...

 

RIDE THE CYCLONE

 

Got to http://www.artsclub.com/index.html to get the real back-story on this

unusual musical, but this is their second time here, and it's rumored that the

production may be heading to New York too!

 

Let's just say, it's about a teenage choir...and a roller coaster accident.

 

 

(Edit to add: Am so hoping there's some kind of cast recording of it. If not, will wait for NY.)

 

And so ~ FINALLY ~ it's off to New York, Off-Broadway, opening this coming month(s)!

 

 

I don't know if the Arts Club link will still get the backstory of this musical, but http://www.Broadway.com is my best site to go to,

for Broadway and Off-B news, photos, videos, etc. Excellent site.

 

But for those of you in or near New York...See - This - Musical! It's amazing, very funny, and horrifying at the right moments. Great show!

And this also sort of, maybe, hopefully, guarantees some kind of Cast Recording, once it's opened.

 

#fingerscrossed

 

EDIT: Found the archived show here: http://archives.artsclub.com/show.aspx?PerfNoStr=11079

The programme cover for the past Vancouver production.

Edited October 8, 2016 by Nrthwnd

[Guy T. Koepp]

Never really got all the hype for RENT. Aside from the one song, I found it relatively mundane.

[bert425]

Never really got all the hype for RENT. Aside from the one song, I found it relatively mundane.

 

I guess it depends on the person. . it really struck a nerve with certain communities (in particular the LGBT community) as those characters are front and center, and they are dealing with a disease that was still absolutely devastating the artists/creators/shining lights in those communities, with little regards from anyone who was not *part* of those communities.

 

viewed thru that prism?. . . yeah, i TOTALLY get why it's such a loved show (and why I love it so much).

 

it speaks to me, and I KNOW/KNEW many of the characters. . .

 

(does that help any?).

[Guy T. Koepp]

Never really got all the hype for RENT. Aside from the one song, I found it relatively mundane.

 

I guess it depends on the person. . it really struck a nerve with certain communities (in particular the LGBT community) as those characters are front and center, and they are dealing with a disease that was still absolutely devastating the artists/creators/shining lights in those communities, with little regards from anyone who was not *part* of those communities.

 

viewed thru that prism?. . . yeah, i TOTALLY get why it's such a loved show (and why I love it so much).

 

it speaks to me, and I KNOW/KNEW many of the characters. . .

 

(does that help any?).

 

Totally get all that, and it was groundbreaking for it's recognition of all that. I just didn't find it to be that entertaining. I do realize that I am in the minority here. I am one of the ostracized few that hates Les Miserables

[Nrthwnd]

^ That, and also Miss Saigon. Sorry to whoever loves Miss S.

 

Don't hate Les Miz. It's just that...once to see it, was enough for me.

 

Same with Phantom, too. And Cats. We enjoyed them,

but there were other shows to enjoy, too.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

^ I have to agree here. Les Mis, Miss Saigon, Cats, and Phantom were all disappointments. Too much hype, not enough substance. I liked Rent, though. Maybe it's that I don't really know a lot of people affected by the AIDS epidemic, but I have a number of gay friends, and I have a huge amount of respect for those who were fighting the good fight and paved the way for us now to say that love is love. Rent really opened my eyes to understand at least a little of what was going on in the LGBT community, and for that, it's a very important show. I really hate for any show to re-open wounds, but if it helps me and other straight allies to understand a little of what was happening, then that really helps move us all forward.

[bert425]

Totally get all that, and it was groundbreaking for it's recognition of all that. I just didn't find it to be that entertaining. I do realize that I am in the minority here. I am one of the ostracized few that hates Les Miserables

 

I've never been able to sit thru Les Miserables. . . .LOL . tried twice in theater productions (both times left after 1st act), and I even tried to sit thru the film version MULTIPLE times.

 

it's just not my cuppa.

[bert425]

^ I have to agree here. Les Mis, Miss Saigon, Cats, and Phantom were all disappointments. Too much hype, not enough substance. I liked Rent, though. Maybe it's that I don't really know a lot of people affected by the AIDS epidemic, but I have a number of gay friends, and I have a huge amount of respect for those who were fighting the good fight and paved the way for us now to say that love is love. Rent really opened my eyes to understand at least a little of what was going on in the LGBT community, and for that, it's a very important show. I really hate for any show to re-open wounds, but if it helps me and other straight allies to understand a little of what was happening, then that really helps move us all forward.

 

if you weren't aware, "Rent" is based on the opera "La boheme". . . Larson took the basic story structure and re-imagined it to set it during the health crisis among the Bohemian community in New York.

 

check out the plot. .it's close

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_boh%C3%A8me

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I've seen La Boheme, but never really made that connection. How cool!

[Nrthwnd]

Not musical, but strictly amazingly fabulous dance, as we have tickets to the upcoming

 

Ballets Trocaderos de Monte Carlo....or something queeny like that.

 

The Trocs are coming back to Vancouver, after several years' passing. We saw them at least

three times in their original touring, back in the late 1970s. A great art form, elevated in the

most amazing, funny, and artistic ways possible for an all-male troupe En Pointe dancers.

 

We don't see them until the end of January, but I am ready to buy their merchandise booth out, LOL!

 

Coming back to us in late January. Les Trocs!

Edited October 20, 2016 by Nrthwnd

[Nrthwnd]

If you are a David Bowie fan, like I know I am...

 

I just discovered this off-Broadway musical called Lazarus, which is based on "The Man Who Fell To Earth,"

and was co-written by Bowie, himself. He passed away, the day before the cast was going to record the cd.

The musical was produced between December 2015 and January 2016.

 

It's being released on October 21. Available at Amazon.com - I ordered a copy.

[Nrthwnd]

This was just posted at http://www.Broadway.com

Airing on December 7.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Let's discuss Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again!

 

This show is so much a product of the 1970s, and Tim Curry is such a legend, that it seems any remake would never be able to stand up to the original. And so it seems has happened. Yet if you take it not as a movie remake, but as a revival, live theatre style, it's very enjoyable.

 

I loved the live theatre feel to this one, which I think stands out even more than the original does. It felt like I was watching a live performance more than a movie, which is a rare and exciting opportunity. On the other hand, there was a very dated feel to it, seemingly a stylistic choice to update nothing from the 1970s version. It was a little strange; I was honestly expecting some things to be updated, especially the use of the word "transvestite"--I know that's part of the original show, and it was edgy at the time, but it seems out of place in a world where gay marriage is legal and we understand the concept of a gender spectrum. If there had been a musical with a song called "Sweet Retards," I would expect that would be changed as well.

 

Still, the show was quite enjoyable for what it was, and casting Tim Curry as narrator was fun. It's a rare occasion to see a musical on television, and for what in essence was free live theatre, I can't complain too much.

[Nrthwnd]

^ We enjoyed it, although it was a bit sad to see Tim Curry as he was, since he'd had a stroke several months ago.

To equate him as the original Frank'n'Furter back in the '70s was I'm sure, a bit of a stretch for the younger viewers.

But it was cool to see him in it, nonetheless.

 

Ashford was wonderful as Columbia. Just loved her. Lambert overdid Eddy pretty good. We were wondering how he was

going to fit some high notes into his one number, heh. And he did it! And Fox was soooo different as Frank, I really

wasn't too sure how this would work out with her. But - cool voice (espeically those low notes!), lovely long legs,

and a very expressive face. And then some, LOL!

 

We did miss The Wedding Bed, though. (o; And I was wondering if anybody else noticed, that at one point during the scene

with Dr.Scott, (Great!) a sweet little bit was done, by a dancer beside his wheelchair. In a definite "Bob Fosse pose." Because

Ben Vereen (Scott!) was the original Leading Player in Fosse's original PIPPIN (1973). It was quick, but a nice gesture.

 

Oh, and in the last half hour of it, commercials kept popping up in the dumbest spots in the show. I don't know if this was

happening in the USA, but we couldn't believe how it appeared like it was a last ditch effort to fit as many commercials into

this last time frame, as possible. Very poor decision, we felt. The beginning of the show, everything was nicely spaced out,

usually after a number, or a clean break between scenes. But not in that last half hour.

Now available. "With your hands on your hips..."

[Nrthwnd]

And, not to be outdone....

Available December 20, for that perfect... New Year's Gift! (o;

[disneyfan1313]

Tonight we got to see the second show of the 2016/2017 Broadway In Orlando series - "The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time" at the beautiful Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. This show won the Tony Award in 2015 for best new play and it is a tremendous example of how to make a play engaging and appealing as a musical.

 

From the official website: "Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever."

 

This show deals with some *VERY* heavy topics, Autism being its most central, yet it doesn't feel heavy and depressing at any point. It is a prime example of modern and impressive stagecraft with an AMAZING set that utilizes lighting and projection to enhance and tell the story while using minimal props. In fact, they often substitute people for props and set design in fascinating ways! The acting is incredible and really feels like you are seeing the opening cast on Broadway - it is a relatively small cast and the main character is on stage for 99% of the show which is incredibly impressive. This is one of these shows that you will regret not seeing - it is worth taking a chance on EVEN if you are not generally someone who is into plays. The story is SO solid and the stagecraft is almost worth the price of admission alone. I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but it also helped me to understand what being in the mind of someone who is autistic must be like.

 

"The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time" is part of the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Broadway series which you can find more info about here: www.drphillipscenter.org/ Tickets are available in Orlando through November 6th.

 

And if you're interested in seeing the show while on tour in another part of the country, you can visit their website at www.curiousonbroadway.com/

I know I say it every time, but I am SO glad we have such a beautiful performing arts center in Orlando. And today they announced funding was approved for their final expansion!

This is where we will be tonight! Love the lighting in this venue.

But first a stop for a cheese plate! This is our favorite pre-theater snack!

It's showtime!

The first 1/2 of the show really focuses on the relationship between Christopher who is autistic and his dad.

There is really no way to capture the beauty of the staging in photos. This is a pivotal moment in the story and it is done so beautifully.

The second act takes Christopher on a journey like nothing he has ever experienced before.

[Nrthwnd]

^ This play (and others) has got me to thinking about why Broadway Across Canada doesn't include plays here and there,

along with their musicals? For Vancouver, I mean. I do know there are touring productions of this play and others, through the U.S.

And they have been doing onscreen showings of some really great British plays (i.e. One Man Two Guvnors; The Interview;

War Horse). Which really does put you there "at the theatre LIVE" and all that, heh. The National Theatre has been responsible

for that, and I applaud their efforts.

 

Musicals do not have that luxury for some reason or other. The last one we saw on the screen was "Memphis". Then, they released

the DVD of it, and it sold! I would love to see SHREK actually on the big screen. We already have the DVD of it onstage, but still.

And why not make the MTV "Legally Blonde" DVD available to be shown on big screen, too? That was Live Theater as I remember

being that close to it, lol. And now we have "Hairspray" on TV coming up so.....? Hello, Cineplex? (Canada)

 

Anyway...

 

Well, when we see Kinky Boots in mid-February, I shall 'suggest' some plays to the nice lady who does the table work,

while the tours are showing, at the Q.E. Theatre. Very nice lady. We've had some good musical theatre conversations,

something I don't get to do too often, around here.

 

Until the next musical rolls into town.

In the mean time....

Edited January 5, 2017 by Nrthwnd

[Nrthwnd]

Wish I had been there at Carnegie Hall, for this...

 

 

(With thanks, photo and caption from http://www.Broadway.com )

"The queen sits on her throne! Broadway legend Chita Rivera, Richard Amaro, Robert Montano,

Raymond Del Barrio and Lloyd Culbreath wow the crowd during Rivera's Carnegie Hall debut."

[Nrthwnd]

Found this on Amazon.com....

 

Joel dedicates Cabot Cove to everyone with the courage, love, and tenacity to say 'yes' to their own ideas, 'yes' to the aspirations of their friends, and 'yes' to their 10-year-old son who so desperately wanted to go on a theme park ride that starred Dame Angela Lansbury, circa 1992.

 

WTF?

A musical...I think.

[Nrthwnd]

Coming to New York in March....

 

#Love2Divas

THIS is The Musical of The Season I would sell a leg for, to get a front row seat to this.

[Nrthwnd]

 

Good night, Irene.

Her one Broadway musical back in the early 1970s.

And George S.Irving, a staple character actor in

several musicals, also passed away, last week. )o:

[jray21]

We're going to see Motown in a couple of weeks. I've heard good things about it. Should be a good show!

[Nrthwnd]

^ Have a great time! I love the cast cd of it. So much musical power and intensity on practically every track.

 

And I just noticed that the "Midler/Dolly!" signs are up on the Shubert Theatre, original home of A Chorus Line.

"Back Where They Belong" I love the tag line for this. Previews start March 15th.

[Nrthwnd]

Found this item at Broadway.com ...

 

Frenchie Davis & More Set for "The View UpStairs"

 

A musical about a ‘70s gay bar in New Orleans starring Frenchie Davis? We’re there. Max Vernon’s new musical The View UpStairs will begin performances at off-Broadway’s Lynn Redgrave Theater on February 15. The show centers on a young fashion designer who begins a journey of self-exploration when he buys an abandoned space that was the site of an attack on the LGBTQ community in 1973. Scott Ebersold directs the cast, which also includes Michael Longoria, Jeremy Pope, Nathan Lee Graham, Benjamin Howes, Ben Mayne, Doreen Montalvo, Randy Redd and Anthony Alfaro. The production, which opens February 26, features choreography by Al Blackstone. The limited engagement will run through May 21.

 

I hope they eventually put a cd cast recording out, since I won't be able to go to a performance.

 

And I got this notice in my email box. From our "Broadway Across Canada" account...

 

Happy New Year Broadway Friends!

 

Watch your inbox Monday for our spectacular

17/18 Season Announcement.

 

Which means, I am assuming - the new 2017-18 shows schedule to be announced!

 

 

 

(This is more exciting, than finding out the opening year of a "particular" Cedar Point coaster!)

[Nrthwnd]

The 2017-18 Broadway Over (Western) Canada Season was announced!

 

We're happy about two, Motown and Jersey Boys.

 

One we're 'okay' with, Phantom.

 

And the other, Sound of Music....eh. We'll see.

Coming to Vancouver, Canada....eventually.