I recently had the opportunity to see a live production of the play based on the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee. The theater articles on The Fangirl Initiative usually consist of videos or recordings of shows that are or have been on Broadway. I think it's time for a review of an actual production that isn't Broadway or a Broadway tour. So here you are!
There is a common saying suggesting that a person should never work with children or animals on stage. But this opinion is misleading. Something special breaks into the world when a truly talented child actor shines on stage or screen for the first time. When raw, unmarred talent bursts forth to stop even the most grizzled of humans in their tracks, it is a great thing. Of course, not every child actor is blessed with the compelling power to hold attention. Some merely have an ability that can be mined to produce something great. Some try, but fizzle out before they shine, lacking the quality so many in the performing world strive for.
In Virginia Repertory Theatre’s production of Akeelah and the Bee, I saw many young actors. Some offered a future of potential, others left much to be desired. To my surprise, the lead actress and title character gave what I considered the weakest performance. I am sure others took away different thoughts from her performance. Another young actor, playing opposite her as Dylan Chiu, gave a good performance, through his movements and other characterization choices. The other child actors also produced a valiant effort, and the adults were all talented, including actress Alana Smith, who was extremely convincing as the desperate mother she played. Overall, I enjoyed the performances presented, though some performers did massively affect scenes they were a part of, not always in a good way.
The scenic design was pretty simple. A sky drop was placed behind two small apartment fronts, serving as the main character and her neighbor’s homes. The buildings were not constructed to realistic standards. The lack of detail in this design may have had to do with the fact that the play is based on a film of the same name, and the director may have wanted to convey a sense of childish whimsy, though the inclusion of gunshots over the sound system at the beginning of the show makes me doubt that. More likely, the set was simple because it was a repertory production, and other shows would have to move into the theater later.
The use of sound was interesting in this production. As I mentioned above, near the beginning of the show there were gunshots, though these sounded rather tinny to me, instead of frightening. I suppose the director may have wanted to avoid scaring children, who are this show's target audience. Sound was also used to portray the spelling bee judges in voiceover. No actors appeared on the stage in these parts, but the child actors interacted with the voices as if they were on a spelling stage, staring into the audience as if the judges were sitting among them. I thought this was a nice usage of sound.
Lastly, I want to make mention of direction. I think the director did an all right job, but I have to wonder if the lead actress might have been more natural if the director had worked with her more. I know that sometimes people ignore notes, but the fast and hard-to-understand speech she gave could have been at least partially remedied with some careful coaching. One element that may have been a directorial decision, or may have been written in the script itself, was the inclusion of various children of the cast writing out the important events throughout the show on the stage itself, in large enough letters to be read by the audience. This was a fun addition to the show. At different points during the show, cast members took seats in the audience, as if watching the other actors really participate in different spelling bees. Most notably, this occurred when Akeelah took part in the national spelling bee, and her mother called out in aggravation about her daughter’s word being more difficult than another student's. I feel this was possibly a directorial decision that added an extra element to the spelling bee on stage.
Overall, Akeelah and the Bee was an enjoyable, heartfelt show. I only wish that all of the actors in the production had matched each other more closely to make the most heart-wrenching elements, such as Akeelah’s fear of gunfire, resonate more with the audience. Still, the rest of the viewers seemed to enjoy the show, and overall, I found it to be a genuine production full of hope and possibility. All people have weaknesses, but like this show, they can become more than what is not perfect, and strive to be better.
I have already discussed the musical Anastasia, based on the classic '90s animated film, but the original Broadway cast recording was only recently released. Today, I'll tell you all about it!
"Prologue/Once Upon a December"
The first track opens with an overture, starting with instrumental music reminiscent of the next song, "A Rumor in Saint Petersburg," before transitioning to a more solemn tone. This version of "Once Upon a December" is just a tad bit different from the movie's version, but still reminiscent of the original.
"A Rumor in Saint Petersburg"
Unlike the film version, this song opens with communist soldier Gleb announcing that Saint Petersburg's name will be changed to Leningrad, an announcement that Dmitry, the narrator of this song, scoffs at. I like how this song blends the version from the movie into new material, making it different but still similar. It is scarier and more realistic than the film, though there are also some comedic bits thrown in.
"In My Dreams"
This is one of my favorites of the new additions to the musical. It is a ballad where the main character sings of her mysterious past and the future she dreams of. It is gorgeous and Christy Altomare's voice is lovely.
"Learn to Do It"
A fun song that is also in the film. I love the hints at Anya's true past and the lighthearted tone of this piece. Fun line: "And I recall his yellow cat!" "I don't believe we told her that . . ."
"The Neva Flows"
I love this new song. It isn't huge and blaring; instead, it has a quiet sense of menace to it. Unlike the movie, which uses the dead Rasputin as the villain, the musical attempted to take a more realistic tone, with the villain of the show being the communist regime, personified in the character of Gleb. This song serves as both a warning to Anya and a reminder of the stark reality of life's harshness as Gleb recalls the day the Romanov family was murdered.
"My Petersburg"
A much more up-tempo number after the solemn tone of "The Neva Flows." In this number, also new for the musical. Dmitry (played by the talented Derek Klena) describes Petersburg, his home since childhood. This song is important for Dmitry's backstory since there is a change in his character from the film: instead of being a boy from the palace, Dmitry has always been more of a street urchin struggling to survive, so the city is his home both literally and emotionally.
"Once Upon a December"
This classic number is mostly unchanged from the film in lyrics and feel, though there may be some minute differences. Christy Altomare's voice is slightly different than the original singer's, of course, but it is still a nice rendition.
"Stay, I Pray You"
This new number is gorgeous. Because Anya, Dmitry, Vlad, and the count all love Russia so much, it's a bittersweet song too. Like other songs about homelands--"Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music and "Anatevka" from Fiddler on the Roof, for example--the song provokes whimsical, melancholy feelings about the home and has some lovely group sections.
"We'll Go from There"
Anya, Dmitri, and Vlad sing about their hopes for life in Paris as they ride the train from Russia. A very lovely number with all the characters singing different words at some moments, but everything still coming together.
"Still"
This is another Gleb song. I like the music a tad less, especially in the beginning of the song, since I feel it doesn't lend itself well to the performer's voice, whoever that may be (in this case, Ramin Karimloo). Overall, it works well as a pensive decision song for Gleb, as he thinks about letting Anya go. In the end, though, he knows he has to follow her and kill her, or else the new regime is in danger. The end has some really nice belt notes, too.
"Journey to the Past"
Another nice rendition of a classic song from the film.
"Paris Holds the Key (to Your Heart)"
Yet another song from the film. The characters have arrived in Paris and sing about its importance to their mission. Lovely and fun.
"Crossing a Bridge"
This is a pretty, new number for Anya, but I like "In My Dreams"better. Still, it is a nice song and a good addition to the show.
"Close the Door"
The Dowager Empress and Anastasia's grandmother, Marie, gets her first number here. In it, she has become disillusioned because of all the women falsely claiming to be her beloved granddaughter. This song is sad because it shows this strong woman at a point of giving up, right when her true granddaughter Anya is right around the corner. It is so sad but beautiful.
"Land of Yesterday"
Parts of this song remind me of "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin. It's a bouncy song, not quite as lighthearted as some of the earlier songs, but not quite sad either. The former Russian citizens reflect on their former lives in their homeland, and a very Russian-sounding dance even ensues, sounding similar to Fiddler on the Roof's famous dance scene.
"The Countess and the Common Man"
This song concerns the reunion of former ill-fated lovers, Vlad (played by John Bolton) and Countess Lily (played by Caroline O'Connor), and Vlad's attempt to win Lily back. It's a fun song, with jabs from Lily and Vlad still attempting to woo her.
"In a Crowd of Thousands"
This new number has such a nice build and gorgeous melody. It's another one of my favorites from the new show. In it, Dmitry describes a day when he saw Princess Anastasia during a parade. Anya joins in on the memory, imagining what might have happened, but the moment reveals her true identity when she remembers something Dmitry didn't mention: him bowing to her. It's an important moment because it establishes Anya as the true daughter of the Romanovs. But it's also a nice little romantic song.
"Meant to Be"
A very quick number, "Meant to Be"has Vlad reflecting on how much of a princess Anya looks, and then realizing that he forgot to factor love into the equation. He concludes that he shouldn't have let Anya and Dmitry dance. It's so short but so lovely.
"Quartet at the Ballet"
This number starts off up-tempo and happy-sounding as Anya, the Dowager Empress, Dmitry, and Gleb all sing. Anya sings about her future and her grandmother, Dmitry sings about Anya and pushing himself to go through with giving her over to her grandmother. Meanwhile, the Dowager Empress sees Anya and wonders if it could be her granddaughter, but shakes herself out of it, determined to give up hope. Lastly, Gleb struggles with his warring heart and mind, as he has fallen for Anya but feels he must kill her for the sake of the revolution.
"Everything to Win"
Another nice little number. Not especially noteworthy to me personally, but it's still a good song. Here, Dmitry waits outside while Anya has gone to meet her grandmother. He tries to make himself happy, but is struggling with the reality that he will lose Anya.
"Once Upon a December (Reprise)"
Similar to the same emotional moment from the movie, this reunion between Anya/Anastasia and her grandmother is so beautiful and heartbreaking in a wonderful way.
"The Press Conference"
In this fast-paced number, Countess Lily and Vlad hold off crowding reporters who want to know if Anastasia is the real princess. It's a fun, quick number that, I assume, gives the other characters time to change from their ballet outfits.
"Everything to Win (Reprise)"
In this call back to Dmitry's song, Anya begins to think of him. Though she is happy to have finally found her grandmother, she knows that will lose Dmitry if she goes through with becoming a princess again.
"Still/The Neva Flows (Reprise)"
I love this number. It is a confrontation between Gleb and Anya where he has come to kill her, trying to uphold his beliefs in the communist regime and honor his father, while Anya torments him with memories about her family's murder. It is extremely intense and has some gorgeous work from both characters. We especially get some nice work from Gleb as we see his intense internal struggle.
"Finale"
Anya decides not to reveal herself as Anastasia, choosing Dmitry instead. Her grandmother and Gleb dispel rumors of her, telling the world she is gone and does not exist anymore, brushing her off as a fairy tale so that she can live in peace with the one she loves. Her grandmother has another moment, though, still thinking about her. I really like how this ties into the historical rumors of Anastasia being alive, trying to make a plausible story of it. A very melancholy, bittersweet moment, but a lovely ending.
There you go. Just a few simple thoughts on the cast recording.
Have you listened to any of the songs from this album? What is your favorite?
The Tony Awards are over! The victors have taken home their awards and work is already beginning for next year's awards, I'm sure. Time to see how our predictions panned out and share some of the best moments.
Opening Number
The opening number at the Tony Awards is always a big deal, and I really enjoyed Kevin Spacey's take on the challenge.
Hello, Dolly! was a clear favorite for this one and Andrea and I both predicted it as a possible winner. 1/1 for our predictions. The show is filled with colorful costumes for colorful characters. Just look at that hat!
Scenic Design Award Winner -- Mimi Lien for Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Once again, Andrea and I predicted this show to win this award. Just take a look at this fun performance!
Featured Actor Award
Winner -- Gavin Creel for Hello, Dolly!
Once again, we were pretty on top of this one. Gavin Creel's role as Cornelius is pretty large and he's a great actor, so no surprises here. Our predictions are now 3/3.
Lighting Design Award
Winner -- Bradley King for Great Comet
I picked Dear Evan Hansen even though I thought Great Comet might win, so I guess the joke's on me. Andrea didn't choose a specific show, so I won't count that in her numbers. The lighting design for Great Comet is pretty amazing, so it's easy to see why it won. 3/4 for me and 3/3 for Andrea.
Best Original Score Award
Winner -- Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for Dear Evan Hansen
The first big surprise of the evening. I thought Comet would run away with this award, though I did have DEH listed as a wildcard (so I shall give myself half a point). Andrea picked this (as well as Come from Away). So that's 3.5/5 for me and 4/4 for Andrea.
Best Book of a Musical Award
Winner -- Steven Levenson for Dear Evan Hansen
I predicted DEH, while Andrea suspected Come from Away would steal the spot. In the end, Dear Evan Hansen pulled through. With its realistic dialogue and easy flow, I'm not surprised. 4.5/6 for me and 4/5 for Andrea.
Orchestration Award Winner -- Alex Lacamoire for Dear Evan Hansen
Bethany: Predicted Great Comet or Bandstand.
Andrea: Predicted Bandstand.
This was a surprising win, but deserved, I'm sure. Lacamoire also won last year for Hamilton. As you can see, Andrea and I were both off. Me: 4.5/7, Andrea: 4/6.
Featured Actress Award Winner -- Rachel Bay Jones for Dear Evan Hansen
Once again, I listed the winner as a wildcard pick. I predicted Jenn Colella from Come from Away, while Andrea picked Stephanie J. Block (or Jenn) to take home the trophy. Looks like we were both wrong, but since I listed her as a wildcard, I'll give myself another half point. Rachel Bay Jones does an excellent job in this tear-inducing role as a mother who isn't always able to be there for her son because she's trying to provide for him. Me: 5/8, Andrea: 4/7.
Best Director Award Winner -- Christopher Ashley for Come from Away
I predicted this one as a probable win, while Andrea didn't pick a specific show again. Me: 6/9, Andrea: 4/7.
Choreography Award
Winner -- Andy Blankenbuehler for Bandstand
Okay, I predicted Holiday Inn because I was awed by the idea of a tap number with jump ropes. I should have predicted Bandstand like Andrea. Also, this show looks awesome and their Tony performance was fabulous. Me: 6/10, Andrea: 5/8.
Actor in a Leading Role Award Winner -- Ben Platt for Dear Evan Hansen
This was all I wanted from this year's Tony Awards. Ben Platt won Best Actor and he was precious. His speech in the above video was inspiring as well. Both Andrea and I got this one correct. Me: 7/11, Andrea: 6/9.
Actress in a Leading Role Award
Winner -- Bette Midler for Hello, Dolly!
As predicted by both of us, Bette Midler won! She also did something we didn't expect: she talked right through her play-off music to thank people until the music actually stopped. It was a pretty hilarious moment that will probably live in Tony Awards infamy. Me: 8/12, Andrea: 7/10.
Revival of a Musical Award Winner -- Hello, Dolly!
I love the Revival of a Musical category. It's the moment musical classics get a chance to shine again. This year, they returned a previously cut song to the show and you can see David Hyde Pierce performing it above. I predicted this to win, while Andrea thought Falsettos might beat it. Me: 9/13, Andrea: 7/11.
Best Musical Award
Winner -- Dear Evan Hansen
Whoa. Although I like Dear Evan Hansen, I was sure Great Comet was a lock for the night's biggest award. Andrea predicted rightly, though, so our final counts are ... me: 9/14, Andrea: 8/12. We didn't do so badly, but next year will hopefully be better.
Other Highlights
Ben Platt leading the cast of DEH,just days after being on vocal rest, was lovely and emotional and great. This kid can act and sing so beautifully.
The performance from Miss Saigon was so chilling and emotional, a truly gut-wrenching performance and one of my favorites from the night.
Have to share the performance from Groundhog Day since it didn't win any awards and has a talented cast.
Lastly, I had to share this performance by two Broadway legends, Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone.
So there you have it. What was your favorite moment from the Tony Awards? Did your favorites win?
A while ago I did a post on musicals that were eligible for Tony nomination. A few weeks ago the actual nominations came out, and today we're going to take a look at the nominees for Best Musical!
Bright Star
Bright Star is a musical taking place in North Carolina. Two plotlines revolve throughout the story. One involves a young aspiring writer and the literary magazine editor he hopes will publish his story, the other shows the editor as a young girl and her various struggles. The music is heavily influenced by bluegrass. Actress Carmen Cusack was also nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of the editor.
Hamilton
If you haven't heard about Hamilton by now I'd be surprised. Telling the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton with music of various styles, including rap and hip-hop, with a few ballad numbers for the theatre purists? It's no wonder this show has broken the record with sixteen Tony nominations. Many fans are expecting a sweep but I'm keeping my eye on the underdogs. We'll see what happens.
School of Rock
Based on the film of the same name, School of Rock is an obviously rock influenced musical about a slothful man who turns a group of school children into a band. Along with a best musical nomination, the lead actor, Alex Brightman, was also nominated for best actor.
Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
I'm unfamiliar with this one, though it was nominated for ten awards. Shuffle Along is actually about the creation of a real revue called Shuffle Along that took place in 1921. You could say it is the story of a show within a show. It stars Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, both from the original cast of Ragtime, so I can see why it could be popular. Keep an eye on this one.
Waitress
Another one that's been picking up in popularity recently is Waitress, a musical based on a film of the same title. Waitress follows a pregnant woman in an unhappy marriage who has to find her way. I've heard great things about this one, though I still need to give the recently released cast album a listen. The actress playing the titular waitress, Jessie Mueller, was also nominated for Best Actress. The show also garnered some other nominations.
So there you have it. The Tony Awards air on June 12. Are you planning on watching? Which of these musicals appeals to you the most?
The 1940s were an interesting time for musicals. In the early forties, the United States and several other countries were in the middle of World War II, but the people still needed a good story to fall back on. Below are my top six musicals of the 1940s with the knowledge that I need to familiarize myself better with this decade. As always, the ranking is my personal preference.
6. Carousel (1945)
This show was the second collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein. It's never been one of my favorites of their shows, but it does have some catchy music. The show is about a carousel barker who falls in love with one of his riders. Unfortunately, he falls into bad company and in the end has one chance to try to make his mistakes right.
5. South Pacific (1949)
This is yet another Rodgers and Hammerstein show that I'm not as familiar with as I should be. In fact, when I was reading the synopsis to remind myself of plot points, I realized I had a major plot point all wrong. Whoops. Anyway, this is the story of a Navy nurse who falls for a French plantation owner who lives on an island. One of those early "will they or won't they" couples, you'll probably spend a bunch of the show/film adaptation wondering if things will work out.
4. Wizard of Oz (1942)
After the success of the film starring Judy Garland, the movie was adapted into a stage musical with the same songs. Having participated in this adaptation, I can say that it is pretty much the same as the film with a few slight changes, perhaps. The photo at the top of this post and the one directly below this section is from the production I was in where I played Glinda and Auntie Em.
Brigadoon is a show I've watched more recently. I actually watched the film version starring the fabulous Gene Kelly of Singin' in the Rain fame. I really love the Scottish flavor and beautiful dance of this show. I think it is a very creative and well-done concept. It tells the story of a man who must choose between the woman who loves (she comes from a town that only appears once every hundred years) and the real world. It's quite fun.
2. Oklahoma! (1943)
If you say Rodgers and Hammerstein, many people will think of Oklahoma! While doing this series I've realized that I just need to pull out all my Rodgers and Hammerstein films and rewatch them. This one is classic musical theater, the very first that the famous team created together. It tells the tale of a cowboy and the farm girl he loves.
1. Annie Get Your Gun (1946)
This is one I personally love. I enjoy the music, especially the song above. The song "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" comes from this show. Annie Oakley can shoot better than most anybody, but she hasn't had the best of luck with men. All of that's about to change, however, when she meets her biggest rival and possible love of her life.
The forties were a big classics year. Any Rodgers and Hammerstein fans here? What's your favorite musical from this decade?
I love the 1950s. Whenever I think about the 50s, I see picturesque homes and my favorite classic films. Everything may not have been all sunshine and roses, but there seems to be a kind of quaint charm to this decade that I enjoy. That charm certainly crossed its way into the world of theater. Here is my ranking of eight of the shows the 1950s gave us, each of them a classic loved by many. Because the musicals of this decade are so well-written, I have ranked them as least favorite to favorite.
8. West Side Story (1957)
It's been a few years since I watched the film version of West Side Story that came out a few years after the musical. I wasn't a tragic love story fan at the time, never really going for the Romeo and Juliet deal, but I liked this one okay. It is essentially the story of two gangs, one full of white teens, the other Puerto Rican immigrants. Tony, one of the white youths, falls head over heals for Maria, the sister of the opposing gang leader. This romance becomes very complex and pretty tragic for several of the characters involved. The story is an important social narrative to America today as well as it was in the 1950s.
7. The Music Man (1957)
The Music Man is one of the first musicals I remember seeing back in the day when I didn't understand what a musical was. It isn't my favorite show, but it does have some pretty catchy songs, and it was made into a film twice (the above video is from the 60s incarnation). Music Man is the story of a salesman who cons towns into purchasing musical instruments and uniforms under the impression that he will start a boy's band, teaching the youths who join how to play their instruments. After the instruments have been purchased, he skips town to fool another group of people that he will teach their children to play instruments. When he stops in a town called River City, Iowa, he has no idea how his plans will change.
6. Cinderella (1957)
This one is a bit tough to pinpoint. Originally, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was written for television. In fact, it was one of the earliest live productions of a musical, and it starred the young Julie Andrews. I include it here because it was an original production and it did eventually make its way to the stage in 2013. Looking back, I realize that some of the book was changed, but the timeless music remains. It is the classic tale of one of the most famous princesses in literature.
5. Once Upon a Mattress (1959)
I only discovered Once Upon a Mattress in the last few years, but I immediately fell in love. This show is a rollicking, hilarious retelling of "The Princess and the Pea." Prince Dauntless wants to get married, but his mother doesn't want him to, so she assigns impossible tests for every suitor until there is only one eligible princess left: Princess Fred, the irreverent princess of a swamp kingdom, the worst of them all. This one is a lot of fun.
4. My Fair Lady (1956)
My Fair Lady is another classic, a true piece of musical theater. The original cast starred Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle, a sort of crass, cockney girl that Professor Henry Higgins decides to use for an experiment, hoping to turn her into a lovely and cultured young woman. Things go awry as they often do, but along the way to Eliza becoming a lady, we are introduced to such brilliant numbers as "Just You Wait," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "Show Me." This is a very memorable show. The above clip is from the film made starring Audrey Hepburn (unfortunately her singing was dubbed over).
3. The King and I (1950)
It's been a few years since I watched the film made based on this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. When I was younger, I watched and enjoyed this. The King and I is a unique story telling the tale of a British school teacher who is called to be the tutor of the king of Siam's children... well, those who are in his favor, at least. This show presents another culture with a bit of history, and I love it. It certainly isn't the happiest show ever created, but it is charming and beautiful in its own way.
2. Peter Pan (1954)
I was tempted to place this vibrant musical in the first slot but finally decided to place it here. I discovered Peter Pan (the musical) in 2010 when I saw a youth theater perform it. Since then, it has become one of my favorites, and I've seen more than one adaption of it, including another performance this past weekend with the same theater company who did it five years ago. The show is filled with high-flying (literally) fun, hilarious pirates, and some difficult dances. I recommend the 1995 Cathy Rigby filming which the clip above is featured from. Great show.
The Sound of Music (1959)
One of the most classic musicals anyone can remember, some might think The Sound of Music is overrated, but I love this story of an Austrian postulant, who goes from trying to become a nun to being governess of seven children. The fact that the children are ruled by a strict father and the story takes place during some of the darkest years for Europe with World War Two looming only adds extra conflict. When I think of classic musicals, this one immediately pops to mind, and that's for a reason. I have always loved The Sound of Music, and I always will. Clip is from the film version starring Julie Andrews.
Recognize any of these classics? What's your favorite musical from the 1950s?
When it comes to decades, the 60s have the trademark on strange. In the 60s, hippies became popular, and people started to leave from traditional values in small or large ways. Most importantly for this post, the 60s brought the end of the classic age of musical theatre. Like any post of this sort, deciding specific rankings was tough, but they are arranged in order of my affection for them as well as my personal judgement of quality. Unfortunately, the 1960s is not my favorite musical decade, so many musicals that I hear are great like Hello, Dolly!, Cabaret, and Funny Girl are off my list until I know them a little better.
5. Bye Bye Birdie (1960)
This sort of teenybopper love story was never one of my favorites. I suppose it has it charms, and the music is quite catchy. The above clip is from the film based on the musical. The teenage Kim has just been "pinned" as a sign of entering a serious relationship. Unfortunately for her boyfriend, the teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie is is about to roll into town when Kim wins a goodbye kiss from him after he is drafted. Hijinks quickly ensue. Dick Van Dyke is one of the many talents featured in this musical. He was also a part of the original Broadway cast.
4. Camelot (1960)
Camelot is a good example of the Golden Age of theatre that probably ended around 1965. I'm not as familiar with this musical as with others on this list, but I have enjoyed listening to the original cast that includes the always wonderful Julie Andrews and Richard Burton. Camelot is the story of King Arthur, the one we all know so well. The above video is Burton and Andrews's Arthur and Guinevere pondering simple life. The musical was also made into a film, which I intend to review.
3. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968)
Joseph is a high energy and eclectic musical. It tells the biblical story of Joseph through a variety of musical styles including country, classic rock, calypso, and French inspired. The musical is also almost completely sung through, a bit like Les Miserables but goofier. I recommend looking up some of the songs to listen to the clever blend of musical stylee. Although the full production wasn't actually put on until the early 1970s, the concept album was created in the 60s, which is why it makes this list. Joseph was created partly by Andrew Lloyd Webber, famous for Phantom of the Opera and several other shows. The above clip is the Western addition to the show, portraying Joseph's brothers explaining his "death" to their father. I actually had the opportunity to be in this show when I was a bit younger. It was the first and only time I played a man. Please enjoy this image of me in a beard.
2. Oliver! (1960)
Another classic musical based on a classic book, Oliver! has always had a soft spot in my heart. The music might not be the most epic, but the diverse characterization and heart put into those songs make them the special thing that they are. This story about an orphan boy trying to find his place in the world and the many people he meets might make you laugh at some points and cry in others. Highlights include the mischievous thief the Artful Dodger and the tragic Nancy (a part I would love to portray one day). The clip above is from the movie that was made based on the musical.
1. Fiddler on the Roof (1964)
One of my all-time favorite musicals, Fiddler on the Roof, tells the story of a small village of Jews living in Russia at a time when the country is teetering near the edge of communism. The dairy man, Tevye, is the main character. Throughout the musical, he struggles with his three oldest daughters moving further away from Jewish tradition with the men they fall in love with. The show deals with persecution and change. I have loved it ever since I was a child, and I will never tire of this story that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. I highly recommend the film that was made based on this. The photo at the top of this post was a production I had the opportunity to be a part of.
Are you familiar with any of these shows from the 1960s? Any of your favorites that I missed?
Peter Pan is one of my favorite things. If you ask people who know me, they will tell you that this love is real. One of my friends drew Peter Pan for me as a Christmas gift a couple of Christmases ago. What is it about Peter Pan that I love so much? Perhaps it is his smug smile or his endearing sense of adventure, or maybe it is the depth in J.M. Barrie's original novel. I couldn't tell you. One day I would like to talk all about Peter Pan. In fact, I'm sure I will in the future, but for today I want to talk about Finding Neverland.
When I started my series on musical theater through the decades, I hadn't listened to Finding Neverland yet. I don't remember my reasoning since I love the source material so much, but it might have had something to do with being busy with school and wanting time to really enjoy the soundtrack. I did listen to it eventually, but it was too late for me to talk about it in the decade it belonged to. Finding Neverland just made its Broadway appearance last March.
This story goes beyond the Great White Way, though. Some of you might know that a film version under the same title starring Johnny Depp was released in 2004.
You, like me, may have thought that this was another adaptation of Peter Pan. When I was young and first borrowed the DVD from the library, I was excited to get another glimpse into the fantasy world of Neverland I was so enthralled with. Boy, was I wrong. The story wasn't about Neverland, and it wasn't even about Peter Pan, not really. In the end, that didn't matter because I fell in love with it anyway.
Finding Neverland is the story of Scottish writer J.M. Barrie. In a low point in his career, he meets a family who inspire him to pen his most famous work, Peter Pan. It is a super touching story about grief and love and believing in something greater than yourself.
Another fun fact: Peter Pan and the Darling boys were based off of children from this family, even down to their names. In the film and the musical, Barrie helps the young Peter come to terms with some tragedies in his life. I think one of my favorite moments is when Peter gets to come to the opening of Barrie's play (a play everyone thinks will fail) and he is absolutely astounded by it.
The musical takes the source material and builds its gentle music into a symphony, getting you excited with numbers like "Believe" and "Stronger" and making you melancholy with touching songs such as "Sylvia's Lullaby" and "The Finale."
I've listened to all of the music, and I would love to see this show live. It has such a good mix of joyful childhood and the sadness of life. Here is the catchy song "Believe."
And before you think you can escape without at least two videos, here is one of my personal favorites that has been filmed. In the number "Stronger," Barrie must overcome his personal struggles to create Peter Pan with the help of a familiar future villain. I absolutely love the staging. Enjoy!
Are you a fan of Finding Neverland, film or show? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
This week I came up with exactly ten titles for my Ranking Musicals series. I know some of these titles better than others, so that affects the order. As always, this list reflects my personal opinions. I had an incredibly hard time arranging this list because I love so many of the musicals here.
10. Phantom (1990)
This is the less popular musical based on The Phantom of the Opera. It is also the musical that seems to have created the popularity of the name Erik for the Phantom. Where the more popular musical is a pop opera, Phantom is more classical in style. The songs remind me of an actual opera. If you really listen to it, the music is lovely. There was a mini-series that goes hand in hand with this.
9. Footloose (1998)
I'm not that much of a fan of this show (based on a film of the same name starring Kevin Bacon). However, I saw it live once and it was great. They took the song I Need a Hero and turned it into a superhero/villain showdown. Good times. If you like dancing, you'll probably love this musical. For the most part, that's what this show is: dance. There are some pretty fun parts too, but I don't enjoy it nearly as much as others on this list.
8. Honk! (1993)
Honk! is a cute musical for all ages. If you are a fan of the old Ugly Duckling story, it might hit you right in the nostalgia. The songs are catchy, the story is actually quite riveting, and there are plenty of themes that can be played upon. I saw this show live and loved it. If someone near you is doing Honk, treat some kids you know and go see it.
7. Aida (1998)
If you watched the above clip you can probably already tell why I love this musical. It is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet in a way. It tells the story of an Egyptian soldier and a princess from Nubia, the country Egypt is trying to conquer. Of course they fall in love, which brings consequences and all kinds of good stuff. Or bad, depending on how you're looking at it. The music is kind of rocky, so it is an acquired taste, but the story is kind of beautiful. Aida is one of my favorite musicals to use for audition pieces because of the raw power of some of songs. I'm not a huge fan of some of the plot aspects, but I encourage you to look deeper into this. It has so many lovely songs and Heather Headley (a star from another show that will be featured on this list) knocks it out of the park as the titular Aida.
6. Jekyll and Hyde (1997)
I'm not the most familiar with this musical, but it has some great pieces of music. My brother and I tried finding a suitable version of the song "Confrontation," but came up empty. If you're at all familiar with the classic novel, you probably already know the basic story line. This guy named Jekyll decides to make a potion for good, but instead unleashes his evil second identity. This second identity, Hyde, decides to try to take over for good, bringing mayhem in the process. I do recommend looking up "Confrontation," but try listening to the Broadway soundtrack of it once you understand just what in the world is going on in the song. The above video is a song set just before Jekyll tries his potion, when he thinks good things will come of it. Poor Jekyll.
5. The Lion King (1997)
Many people love the Disney film, The Lion King. It isn't my favorite, but no one can deny the unique and exciting use of puppetry put to use in the musical version. The video from above is actually an Australian version, but Heather Headley (from Aida) is Nala in the original Broadway cast. In the musical there are added songs that bring a lot to the story like Shadowlands sung by Nala and others. If you like The Lion King or want to see some breathtaking visuals, this might be the show for you. It's pretty amazing.
4. Beauty and the Beast (1994)
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite Disney movies and it is my absolute favorite Disney stage musical. I love the added songs and story line. This beautiful story about inner beauty is a true classic for Disney fans and anyone. If you haven't heard them yet be sure to look up the new songs in this show, "Me," (a stupendous song Gaston sings about himself) "Home," "No Matter What," "If I Can't Love Her," "Human Again," and "A Change In Me." They are beautiful or fun or both. Fun fact: Susan Egan, the original Broadway Belle, would later play Megara in the Disney film Hercules.
3. A Christmas Carol (1994)
I'd had about my fill of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol when I suddenly found myself performing in this show. After that I was hooked into this beautiful musical with music by Alan Menkin. It has become my favorite show to perform in. There are just so many beautiful numbers and parts to play. I was incredibly busy during this production and had six costumes! That's quite a few. Next time you want to watch a Christmas classic, I recommend the musical version of this film. Right now, the film based off of this musical is on Youtube in full starring Kelsey Grammer. This is my favorite adaption of this story. It's powerful.
I could share so many great pictures from our production, but I'll keep it to a minimum and hope it makes you want to see this great show. The cover photo of this post is me in a really big dress with interesting headgear, and here is another great image of the show from the song featured above.
2. Ragtime (1998)
This musical is almost to epic proportions. The story is a compelling narrative on the social restrictions that bind us, keeping one class separated from the other. The story focuses on three groups of people: Upper class white Americans, the African-Americans of the Harlem Renaissance, and immigrants to America. These three groups of people are represented by Mother--a housewife, Coalhouse Walker--a musician, and Tateh--a Latvian immigrant of Jewish descent. The story shows how their paths collide and the evolution of their characters through the production. This musical deals with some pretty serious stuff. There is death, there is anger, there is murder. But there is also hope, and that is the most important discovery of this story. As it takes place in the era of ragtime music, that is the type of melody that underscores much of the show, giving it its title. Fun Fact: Audra McDonald, featured in the video above as Coalhouse Walker's love, Sarah, won a Tony for her performance.
1. The Secret Garden (1991)
There are many, many, many reasons I love this show. The music is absolutely gorgeous. It is another classic story about a little girl who comes to live with her distant uncle, Archibald Craven, after her parents die. She discovered an overgrown garden and the secrets buried there. In case you can't tell from the above video, Mandy Patinkin (famous for being Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride) plays Archibald Craven. If you look up some of his beautiful solos (and duets) from this musical you will be amazed. This musical also features the purest soprano voice I have ever heard and so many amazing songs. This is one of my favorite things to listen to. You should look up "Lily's Eyes" right now and enjoy it. You're welcome. Also, Daisy Egan won a Tony for playing the young Mary Lennox. I have to share her acceptance speech because it is the most adorable thing ever. To avoid clouding up this post more, here is the link. Trust me on this one. This musical is worth your time.
And there you have it! That's my list for the 1990s. This was a strong decade for musicals. There were so many more that I haven't listed and many that I have to look at myself. This was a popular decade for remaking classics and for some really powerful musical. Next we shall see what the '80s have to offer.
Are you familiar with any musicals from my list? What are your favorite musicals from this decade?
I've already talked about theater a bit, but I want to spotlight my favorite kind of theater: the musical variety. So I thought it might be fun to discuss some of the musicals through the decades. I may do this every time I post for a while, or alternate, we shall see. Today I'm focusing on the 2010s. So, basically, musicals from 2010 - 2015. I decided to go backwards by decade just because. ;)
I originally set out to make a list of "the best musicals of the 2010s," according to my opinion. When I looked up the musicals within the parameters I set, I realized I was only familiar with a trifle few, so I can only list those that I have at least a little bit of an opinion of. Sigh. But before that, can you believe that there are actually musicals based on Barack Obama and Bill Clinton? It's true. Look up Hope - Das Obama Musical and Clinton the Musical. Weirdest things.
I'm going to rank these musicals in order of how I like them, so prepare for some musical theater overload... I mean fun. ;)
5. Love Never Dies (2010)
In theory a sequel to the immensely popular The Phantom of the Opera (we'll talk about that later) doesn't sound like that bad of an idea... or maybe it does? Regardless of my thoughts on the subject, a sequel was created over twenty years after the creation of the original. Initially, I was excited as I had fallen in love with the original story. If you watch the above video you'll see what was right with Love Never Dies. Ramin Karimloo is the fantastic performer who played the Phantom many times, so it was natural that he was signed on to play the famous character in the sequel. And he was beautiful. His voice has a rich and lovely tone. Ramin Karimloo wasn't the problem and neither were the other performers. The overall music of the show was quality, catchy stuff. The problem with this production (I actually saw the Australian version so not the original cast) was that it changed the core of the original story, making its message and plot line as well as some important character aspects completely different. The original story is actually based on a classic novel, so the huge changes this sequel made were sort of a slap in the face to the original book and musical. While I can complain about this musical for many points and refer to it as fanfiction, I do occasionally enjoy it for some of its music (written by the original composer) and as a sort of... alternate universe. But don't tell anyone. ;)
4. The Wizard of Oz (2011)
Okay, so the last one and this one were kind of even in my mind. I like Love Never Dies if you take away the roots of it. On the other hand, I've never been the hugest fan of The Wizard of Oz. I like it fine, but it's always been a bit meh to me. In 2011 Andrew Lloyd Webber (famous for Phantom, among other things) was involved in the creation of a new version of The Wizard of Oz. The new musical included the beloved original songs but changed a lot of the dialogue and added several new songs. I'm actually a fan of the new songs. Above is one of these songs, Wonders of the World, showing Dorothy's first meeting with Professor Marvel of the story. Michael Crawford is part of the video, famous for being the original Phantom. Yes, I promise not every one of these will connect to Phantom of the Opera. I performed in Wizard of Oz when I was seventeen, and we added several of the newer songs. I played Glinda and Auntie Em, so I advise you to go look up Already Home from this musical. It's fabulous. My brother was Professor Marvel/The Wizard. Perhaps one day I'll share some clips from that, but for now know that I love the new songs in this classic show.
3. The Addams Family (2010)
Okay, this is a pretty weird musical, just putting that out there. But through its weird, creepy exterior there are some catchy tunes and somehow funny sequences... that really shouldn't be funny. This musical is based on the classic TV series and nineties revival films of the famous dark family. Some of the dark humor employed is viewed in the clip from my favorite song in the musical, Pulled, featured above. While singing about falling in love, the usually sour-pussed Wednesday is... torturing her brother? And he's happy about it? Like I said, weird. But somehow the weirdness works for this musical, even if it's a little too weird for me.
2. Matilda (2010)
Speaking of weird, this one is that. But it's also incredibly adorable. It seems that shows based on classic movies and literature have been popular this decade. This one is based on a little British girl who is determined to write her own story, or Matilda by RoaldDahl. In the above clip, you see the four young actresses who played the title role during an awards show. These are the British Matilda's, not the American ones, as the American production didn't start until a bit later. They didn't play the part at the same time, but they are each comfortable and bright young actresses. The show itself is whimsical and fun with a few weird bits thrown in for good measure. Whatever else it is, it's been a popular show in the last couple of years.
1. Newsies (2012)
I loved the Disney movie Newsies before I ever heard of it being turned into a stage show, so it's probably obvious that I love this musical. The original 1992 film starring Christian Bale was a certified flop but gained much cult acclaim. The nineties apparently weren't the time for musicals about newsboys striking against newspaper moguls. The music was written by Alan Menken, famous for such films as Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Someone had the bright idea to transfer it to the stage twenty years after the movies initial release, and the results were amazingly opposite. Newsies was a hit, meeting with both popular and critical acclaim. And it's no wonder. With wonderful music, flawless choreography, and lots of talented young men, it was built for the stage. I always dreamed to see the show on Broadway, but I still haven't been able to make that trip up to New York that I've been dreaming of. So when the show shut down so that it could go on tour, I was a little disappointed--until I realized that they were coming to a city very near me. That means I get to see this energetic show in November! In the above video, you'll see a mash-up of one of the songs, The World Will Know, during recording and on the stage.
So there you have it. I obviously need to extend my repertoire on musicals from this decade. A few that I'm enjoying now and may have to spotlight in future are Finding Neverland, Amazing Grace, and The Count of Monte Cristo.
What about you? What's your favorite musical from the 2010s? Did you hear about any newer ones from me, or are these all old news? Let me know!
![Anastasia_Broadway_Production_Photos_2017_[0185]_Ramin Karimloo, Christy Altomare in ANASTASIA on Broadway, Photo by Matthew Murphy, 2017_HR.jpg](http://static.playbill.com/dims4/default/c4a0283/2147483647/resize/800x450/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.playbill.com%2F75%2F01%2Fa41d98a945a6b359bec7437b5ff7%2Fanastasia-broadway-production-photos-2017-0185-ramin-karimloo-christy-altomare-in-anastasia-on-broadway-photo-by-matthew-murphy-2017-hr.jpg)
