Friday, September 30, 2011

That Championship Season

That Championship Season - Bernard Jacob Theatre (Viewed: May 2011)
This play ran from March-May. It starred a stellar group of actors: Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Chris Noth, Jim Gaffigan and Brian Cox. However, there isn't much to rave about on this particular play. Here are my takeaways:
  • I was bored and wanted to walk out during intermission; I love Mr. Noth and Gaffigan though, so I fought through it. 
  • The only thing that intrigued me was the fake ice cubes (they were big!) and how they tossed around the cubes in their scotch drinks...
Other than that, it was not that appealing for me. I did buy the theme of friendships, but the story, itself, was drab.

Story Overview
That Championship Season centered on a group of former high school basketball stars who return home (Scranton, PA) for a reunion 20 years after they won the state championship. This is set in 1972.

American Idiot

American Idiot - St. James Theatre (Viewed: January 2011)
I have always been a fan of John Gallagher, Jr. (Tony-Award-winner for his role in Spring Awakening) because I love the characters that he plays (e.g., besides Moritz from Spring Awakening, he was also in Jerusalem), and he STILL AMAZED me in American Idiot. Although it has closed shop on Broadway, the national tour launches this December, so anyone, who couldn't get their bums to NY, now has the chance to see it at a city near you...

**More raving...** This story was incredible! With so many shows currently set in past decades, this was the 90s, baby - our time! Punk, suburbia, loud music, some drug influences, etc. If you love Green Day, which I definitely pre-teen-rocked-out to Dookie in junior high, you'll love seeing a show put the music to life. The choreography and set took me away, too.

The special treat was seeing Billy Joe Armstrong, himself, play the role of St. Jimmy. He was powerful! I was sucked in. MUST SEE!

American Idiot won two 2010 Tony Awards®: Best Scenic Design of a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. It won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Story Overview
American Idiot was adapted off of punk rock band Green Day's American Idiot album (among other songs from past albums). The story (and album), revolved around the lives of Johnny, Will, and Tunny. Johnny and Tunny escape suburbia to experience the big, exciting world out there. Will's girlfriend becomes pregnant so has to stay back to work out his relationship. Tunny quickly gives up the city and joins the military. Johnny goes through a period of changes, including his "meeting" with St. Jimmy and a relationship.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Promises, Promises

Promises, Promises - The Broadway Theatre (Viewed: Fall 2010)
Four names: Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Hayes, Tony Goldwyn, Molly Shannon. A powerhouse FOURsome, yes, leading a musical comedy and throwback to the 1960s. The costumes (gee, I wish I lived in this decade, I'd wear those dresses/skirts any day) and songs by these key players were a real treat, and just seeing them act live was a thrill. Not a standout storyline [for me], but entertaining, nonetheless!

Favorite songs:
  • I Say A Little Prayor For You
  • A House Is Not A Home
Although not having a long run (it ended in January 2011), Promises, Promises did win one 2010 Tony Award® (Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Katie Finneran).

Story Overview
Promises, Promises is a musical based on the 1960 film The Apartment (via Wikipedia). The story revolves around Chuck Baxter (Hayes), a junior executive at an insurance company, looking to climb the corporate ladder by allowing his married bosses use his Upper West Side apartment for trysts.

Memphis

 
Memphis - Shubert Theatre (Viewed: Summer 2010)
This is another musical I saw last summer. The group I went with loved this show... however, this is definitely not one of my favorites. Although the story was powerful, I just didn't love the lead male character. Honestly, for me, he was just annoying.

However, don't down this musical just because of my opinion - as it did win quite a few 2010 Tony Awards® (Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations). So it's worth seeing - just not on my top 5 list.

Story Overview
Set in the 1950s, Memphis touches on Rock 'n Roll and racial tension. The lead characters are Huey Calhoun, a white radio disc jockey (DJ), and Felicia Farrell, an African-American [local] singer, who is aimed at making it big. Huey (the part I really loved about the show) is hard pressed on playing African-American rock music, being that it's GOOD. And in doing so (being the era that it is), his choice of music isn't well-received... I won't ruin it any further, but there is a love story and more great music/singing/dancing.

Note via Wikipedia: It is loosely based on Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

In The Heights

In The Heights - Richard Rogers Theatre (Viewed: Summer 2010)

I saw this over a year ago, but I remember thinking two things:
  1. Corbin Bleu was actually quite incredible and played a role that was a nice departure from his High-School-Musical-days; 
  2. This was an energy-charged musical full of hot salsa moves and a great story-line!
I really enjoyed it... and to this day, the theme song, "In The Heights", is still vividly playing in my head... I should add this soundtrack to my Spotify list...

Story Overview
In a three-day period, In The Heights runs through the Dominican-American characters' lives New York City. The story gives heart and insight [in a playful way] of every day life for those living in Washington Heights - a predominantly Dominican-American neighborhood. It is unique with the freestyle rap, mention of bodegas (in which most of the U.S. doesn't even know what that is) and lots of sexy salsa numbers.

The musical won four 2008 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. In my opinion, very well deserved!

A Little Preview...

I have a passion for seeing anything live - be it music, a speaker, a dance, etc... I am not one to jump in and join, but have always had an appreciation for watching the action and the craft of the talent to do what is being projected in front of me.

Therefore, since moving to New York over a year ago... I have actively grabbed any opportunity to see a Broadway show or play, et. al. Note that I do not have any singing talent or an acting bone within me - BUT I proudly am a sister to two musically-inclined pianists and singers, which is why I can keep up with the best of them when talking "shows".

That being said, please enjoy this blog where I will capture the memory of the shows I attend - this will start with some outdated news, but nonetheless, share and share, I will do!

Cheers!