In recent years (well, decades), the Walt Disney company has begun slowly taking over the world.
Well, at least the Great White Way.
What began with "The Lion King", turned into "Aladdin", which led to my personal favorite, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (which, sadly never fully made it to Broadway because of the cash cow called Frozen. I hate that movie.)
Now - with those few in mind, it makes sense that my ultimate favorite is "Beauty and the Beast".
There's a local production that I'm able to be a part of. Working as part of the ensemble is a wonderful opportunity; amazing cast members, great musical score, and a great chance to learn something new about the show.
Coming in late from a rehearsal I'm cutting this one off - sorry about anything extravagant you expected to see.
In the past few weeks I've been working a few different things. Mostly an original little piece based around the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice.
I used a few characters of my own, and incorporated music into it. (Hmmm....I might post links to the actual songs as we go along.....or not.)
So - here you have it. It's a little Greek Mythology, a little Broadway, and a lot of me.
(Note: Not a self-insert.)
The Story Draft One:
10 Years. That was a large number to think about. She'd been in the ghost realm that long - her body in a coma, more death like than sleeping. The Hat-Box Ghost had left her there, with a darkness deeper than him. Through the years they has successfully broken her memory - erasing all those she once knew and loved. Erin moved out of the spotlight position of his company. Losing her had been unacceptable. He spent 10 years trying to find a way to bring her back. Some of the dwarves had made her a glass casket; holes near the bottom and sides to keep out the elements. Part of this curse was that she wouldn't age while asleep. For her time had all but ceased moving. He would visit her every week. The place on the mountain offered a stunning view of the land still untouched by the hands of industry. "Erin, this idea is mad." The voice behind him was one of reason, one of her older, well younger brothers. "Even if you succeed, what's to say she'll be the same?" He had a plan now. He knew how to save her. The answer had been staring him in the face. It was as much of history as He, but it had worked. It would work again. "Jack's right, Erin, don't think -" "I have thought, I've been thinking of nothing else for the past ten years," his own voice, mangled. "It's the only thing I haven't tried yet. It has to work!" Erin straightened. Placing the flowers on the top of the glass he watched her. If you paid close attention you could see her slight intake of breath every few minutes. If you weren't looking for it you'd miss the sign of life altogether.
"Think of the risks man." "Jack, I appreciate the concern, but this is my fault. I'm going to do it." He stepped around the two. After the years of research he'd done, all the planning, everything was set. If Orpheus could do it to save Eurydice, surely he could do it to save Mira. "Do you know what you're going to sing to lure her back," provided this half-brained dream works, the third man thought, yet didn't say. Erin glanced back at the century (well older) old musician. They were on the campus now. "Yes, Erik. I have a playlist all set," he strode into the apartment complex. As per usual the elevator was on the rocks again. "I put it together last week." On the eighth floor he went down to the last door on the left. He could have afforded a nice house in any part of the world: instead he'd contended himself to this old building. It was close to where she was. He could have stayed at her house out in the woods, but it felt hollow. "Right, so we're doing this. What can I do to help?" Erik shook his head, "I've got everything I need. Just keep an eye on the entrance while I'm down there." A few weeks ago one of the archaeology students had uncovered, well discovered by sheer accident a tunnel in the mountain. A spirit had emerged with it, claiming it was a portal to the ghost realm. After cooler heads had come and a few Demigods confirmed, it was confirmed as a route down to where the spirits were kept. The idea to go down and bring her back had slowly stemmed from that. He would do whatever it takes. A half hour later he came to the cave entrance. Only Jack had come with him. No one else believed it would work. It was odd to think of this youth as an adult now. Ten years had gentled aged him well. As they approached the Gate Keeper slowly looked up. It was a dark cloth over the frame of a corpse. There was no smell to it, no scent. It was a thing that always stood, patiently waiting for someone to come and pass through. "What is your purpose?" "I'm here to bring back the soul of Mira Penumbra." For a moment the ravaged visage seemed to grin. Then it stepped back, waving its arm toward the opening of the cave in a showmen's gesture. From the depth a set of stone steps appeared. There was only one direction to go: down. "You know the rules Jason of the Argonauts. Break them and she is lost for eternity." "I understand." Erik took a breath and stepped inside. He'd read, studied, been told the tale, yet finally going down seemed surreal. There was no echo of his step on the stores, no lingering echo to fade into the encroaching black. The light was dim, coming from sources he could not place. As he made his way down and further down still he began to see the signs of a vast dwelling. He knew that was where her soul, her spirit would be. Leveling out on the ground he looked behind him - there was no trace of the entrance. High above him the world lay, full of light. He was in the pit of night. "What is your purpose here, mortal?" Turning back to the path leading to the underground castle he saw a guard. "I've come to free the soul of Mira Penumbra." He didn't know if he imagined it, but the guard seemed to grin. "Right this way." Through a door of black granite was an outdoor throne room. Upon a throne of pure obsidian sat a figure framed in shadows. Erin couldn't make out any details about the form. Around him in the courtyard were the souls of those who had dearly departed their mortal coil. These spirits were grey, hazy as though they might vanish forever. When he looked near a broken and barren willow tree he saw a spirit that appeared brighter than the rest. He knew it was her. "What is your purpose here, demigod?" He faced the throne, stepping before it. "I am Jason, leader of the Argonauts. I have come here to return the soul and spirit of Mira Penumbra, who is not fully deceased. I am here to bring her back." The mass of shadows moved, swirling and slithering like snakes. "Come forward." Erin watched as a spirit, brighter than the others, stepped up next to the throne. He withheld a gasp as he recognized her. She hadn't aged a day in ten years, still wearing the dress she'd been in. Everything about her was the same, except the gleam in her eye was gone. Instead she appeared lost. "You know the rules Argonaut: you will walk forward, she will follow. If you look back once, she remains here. Forever." There was a grin in the shadows voice, "You are free to persuade her however you choose." Tune in next week - when I'll finally be back on track!
Last Saturday I was able to usher a show that I've been waiting to see for a few years. Literally. Each year it came I was out of the state, so I was already hyped up when I heard it was coming. I will do my best to find some decent pictures from online (no photography at live productions!), and a few videos from the Broadway production.
"The Little Mermaid."
When the movie came out in 1989 it sent a wave through all little girls. The music was sung often, the lines were quoted often.
18 years later it would open on Broadway, featuring stunning sets, costumes, and new musical numbers.
Though it has been reworked since it's opening, some new songs added others taken away, it has seen a while new touring company. Reaching various fans around the world.
With innovating new designs, see that ship! It's amazing!! It easily managed to capture the magic of the movie in a whole new prospective.
Not to mention the wigs that must be used to make a wonderful sea witch. (And the actress playing her always manages to nail it!)
Oh - and have I mentioned how amazing Chef Louis is? This entire scene takes the hidden crab to a whole new level.
Oh - and Prince Eric? He has not one but TWO! That's right, TWO solo numbers all to himself. When I first heard the soundtrack I was floored. It finally gave some depth and added more character to the sea-faring prince. (And makes you love him just a lot more.)
Though it has been reworked (no more wheelie shoes!) to a final story, the stage version of this movie still manages to capture the essence of the Disney Movie.
Go take a swim and find a local production near you!
As a bonus, here are some of my favorite songs from the show (in English and Dutch!).
And Eric's other song - complete with visuals!
(I do not own any copyright, nor is infringement intended. Honestly Disney, I just love the musical more than the movie and want to help promote it .... for free.....)
This past Sunday the theatre community celebrated our favorite Award's Ceremony.
Named after an actress from the 1940's, the Tony Awards have come to be one of the biggest events for live theatre. It's a time to celebrate new performances, old shows, new presentation, lighting, sound, costumes, music, and the endless amount of time and talent it takes to make eight shows a week.
This years award show - the 70th annual - had a few returning shows, and some new ones that knocked it out of the park. While I could go on and on about the current season, let's take a delve back into the origins of the ceremony.
When the Tony's first began, it wasn't a big song and dance, televised spectacular.
The first award night was a gala dinner in New York with barely around 1,000 people in attendance.
The next 18 years the venue would change to include the ballrooms of the Plaza, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Aston.
Back then the awards were broadcast over the radio - television coverage wouldn't begin until 1956, when it was first cast locally.
During it's first few years on TV entertainment was provided by various artists including: Joan Crawford, Shirley Booth, Carol Channing, Joan Fontaine, Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Robert Goulet, and Henry Fonda.
Rough waters were ahead when the chairwoman, Helen Menken, passed away before the 1966 awards. Instead of a lavish affair, it was a simple ceremony in the Rainbow room.
When Isabelle Stevenson assumed the reigns the following year the ceremony went back to being a lavish gala - but there was a new difference.
Not only would the gala resume, continuing to be broadcast on live television, but the League of New York Theatres (now known as The Broadway League), were invited to co-present the awards in 1867.
By today's standards an award ceremony of any kind is at least three hours, not including the Red carpet walk.
Fun Fact: the first combined broadcast of the Tony's was only ONE HOUR long.
One hour! Can you believe that?
CBS didn't start carrying the ceremony until 1978 - and has claimed the Tony's as it's own ever since then.
In 1997 it was aired beneath a unique partnership with PBS. A PBS special covered 10 awards, followed closely by the CBS broadcast.
Beginning in 2003 - CBS gave an entire three-hour time slot to the Tony's (which still isn't enough because my DVR decided to cut anything after that mark this past week - meaning I missed the last quarter of the awards. I'm not bitter. .... mostly.)
There was a milestone for the Tony's in 1997 - when the ceremony moved away from Broadway for the first time in three decades. All but one years between 1997 and 2010 was held at the Radio City Music Hall.
Since 2011, however, it had either been held at Radio City Music Hall, or the Beacon Theatre on Manhattan's Upper West Side (which is a small venue compared tot he Radio City Music Hall).
In 2000 IBM joined the game and launched TonyAwards.com - which became a definitive resource for information about the Awards.
The last thing I'm going to go over for you is the brief history of the Medallion - the award - the statue with a spinning disc that so enthralled Cyndi Lauper back in 2013 for "Kinky Boots".
Now - when we first started there was no official "Tony Award". It was a scroll with either a gold money clip for the gents, or a compact for the gals. Nothing too fancy.
In 1949 the United Scenic Artists sponsored a contest for a more suitable award.
The winning award is the one we see today - designed by Herman Rosse. The Medallion depicts the Greek comedy and tragedy masks on one side, and the profile of our wonderful lady who inspired the awards - Antoinette Perry - on the other.
Since 1967 - the medallion has been mounted on a black pedestal with a curved armature.
After the ceremony is over, and before all the parties begin, each one of the awards is numbered for tracking purposes, and engraved with the winner's name.
I hope you enjoyed our little trip into the world of the Tony Awards. Now for your viewing pleasure, some videos of my favorite performances (in no specific order as that would be too much to decide):
BONUS: This is the video they discuss before Josh comes out - the entire performance can be found on youtube. BEST. HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION. EVER.
I love the 20's.
Still upset with the guy, but can't hate the show.
From the novel that gave us, "You've Got Mail", the musical that it also inspired!
Who knew Steve Martin could play the banjo....?
From Ghosts of Tony's Past!
Ooooo, didn't mean for that before this one.......okay, maybe.
And - from the people who brought you, "Into the Heights", I give you, "Hamilton"
Note: I am not paid for any name dropping, reference, or anything like that. (Wish I was though.)
Last Wednesday I was able to usher the phenomonal touring production of, "Beauty and the Beast."
I have been dying to see this live ever since I realized it was amazing - well, since I snagged the original cast album (OBC) with Terrance Mann.
The production was everything I'd hoped it would be .... that is until I realized they had taken numbers out of the show. I was sad to see they removed both, "No Matter What" and "Masion Des Lunes" from this touring production. I was actually looking forward to those songs! *fist shake*
Not only that but the final battle completely skipped out on the castle workers fighting and scaring off the villagers! I was ready for Lefou's little screams!
But - I can't knock it even though it took things out. It was still an epic production - and the scenery was FANTASTIC! The closed curtain that had a beautiful blooming rose on the moon, the swirly set floor, the moving staricases, the doors of the village that turned and moved!
It was all so - magical.
(It had to be be done.)
I HIGHLY reccommend going to see this if it is anywhere near where you live. You will not regret this!
*Possible extra post this week to better elaborate on this post, because I'm a fickle one and managed to be busy all day long until the beloved hour of 11:55.
