Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A letter, and apology.

Dear readers,
Sorry it’s been so long since I last reviewed a show. I’ve been so busy. If you follow me, you know that I was super stressed what with lock-in, IBET, and some super irritating people. But I found time to write this. I’ve been listening to shows a lot. Kind of. But I got behind on reviewing and then it seemed daunting to try to catch up. I’m like 13 days behind! (Thirteen! Every thing switches. Thirteen!) and so I decided that rather than write 2 line reviews that nobody cares about, I’d tell you what shows I’ve been listening to and then call it even and pick back up tomorrow. During lock in I listened to Hair, October 18th 2009 with Nicole Lewis as Dionne. Nicole was nowhere near as strong as Dionne should be. But as usual the rest of the show was good. I think I was watching Wall-E while listening, so, oops. Also during Lock-In I listened to In the Heights, January 18th, 2010. I fell asleep during it. I don’t know why but I always get bored and lose focus during Pacienca y Fe. Why is that? It’s a good song. What seems like forever ago I listened to American Idiot 4/3/10. And loved it. You know, it’s funny that the show has so little dialogue and I love that! More often than not dialogue is what I skip, but with American Idiot I’m skipping what? Johnny’s intro, the part before Boulevard of Broken Dreams and that’s like it. Also I listened to Legally Blonde 8/21/09. Whoever Elle was, I didn’t like her voice so much. And Hair 2/22/10 which I was impressed by the show in general. Also a long time ago I listened to Chase as Moritz (8/7/09) which was really good, but Song of Purple Summer was the true star with harmonies that could kill you. Rock of Ages 12/6/09 was all the way back when I first got strep! I liked the Sherrie and hated Tom. I finished Rock of Ages the Friday of my balcony scene before I even got to school (I missed the bus) and then I started with Marvelous Wonderettes 6/7/09 which was cute and fun. The week before that I listened to the Chicago OCR and Broadway Miscast to shake things up. Neither one really drew me in. All the way back on April 12th I spent the entire day searching for the next Elle Woods. Yep, I watched episodes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in one day. I had a lot of fun and wanted to be Elle Woods by the time I was done. That left me on a Legally Blonde high, I snapping constantly and cheery and crazy. We even taught Saemi how to snap! She doesn’t have it yet. And with the rest of my time I’ve been listening to the American Idiot OBCR which I am sadly obsessed with. Oh my god, I love listening to it and rocking out. What’s not to love? The voices are amazing and so is the music. Rebecca Naomi Jones is a freaking god! Honestly, American Idiot is the 2010 Hair. Last year I had Hair to constantly listen to and obsess over. And I think I’ll be rooting for AI the same was I rooted for Hair last year. I’ve also made a lot of exercising playlists, because I have to go to the gym thrice a week. One playlist had Totally Fucked, Bitch of Living, So Much Better, Whipped Into Shape, Ohmigod You Guys, Hair, Black Boys and songs like that. Then I made a playlist that would be exactly 15 minutes (the amount of time I bike for) that had So Much Better, Totally Fucked, Three Five Zero Zero, I Don’t Care and maybe something else. But then I found the true key. Know Your Enemy. Seriously, all I need is Tony Vincent and I’m biking over 100 RPMs. So I calculated how long it was and how many times it went evenly into 15 minutes. According to my calculations, if I bike for 10 seconds and then press play I will listen to it exactly 7 times and be done right on time. I biked 4.32 miles in 15 minutes! That’s hella fast. The only downside of American Idiot is it makes me a little more hateful and angry, while Hair makes me love and Legally Blonde makes me perky and SNAPS!!! Did I mention Glee yet? Both of the last episodes suuuucked. Okay, with the Madonna one the only thing I liked was 4 Minutes. It’s a good song and it didn’t have Lea. Groff made me smile in that episode too. But then last night, no Groff to really speak of and it was so awfully preachy. I don’t like preachy. But you know why it’s preachy? To cover for the fact that they have no real plot to speak of. So hey, let’s make Mercedes have weight problems and Kurt have Daddy issues. I don’t care. Really, I have daddy issues and I don’t care. As Barney Stinson taught us, Daddy issues help you get laid.

So I think I’ve gotten all caught up in my life of musicals and shows. What next? I miss Next to Normal so I think after Bio is over (In 12 minutes) I will listen to the OBCR.

And I’ll leave you all off with a thought. Can you imagine that in 15 years Next to Normal, Spring Awakening and American Idiot will be old and possibly be considered classic? Can you imagine what shows will be around in 20 years. And don’t you tell me that Broadway will be gone, because that’s not going to happen.

Much Love,
ATUGIRL.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Answer to BroadwaySpotted's Contest

If I could be any role in any show on Broadway, I'd want to be Jeanie in Hair. Not only are the songs in the show amazing and fun, but I also feel personally close to Jeanie. Some people (definitely not me!) might look at her and the first thing they think is that she's stupid, high or delusional. Because I'm sometimes thought of the same way that Jeanie might be I know that there's more to her than that. Jeanie's life isn't perfect and there's a sadness that she might feel--sadness about how her life and her love aren't deal--but she's a fighter and she tries to think on the brighter side of things. People may think she's delusional when she says things like that Claude loves her. But I think her and I both know that sometimes when nothing's going your way that it helps to have an alternate reality of sorts to take solace in. Your alternate reality is what keeps you happy and prevents you from getting too hurt. Jeanie and I are both very observant of how other people act and feel. But people don't even realize how observant because sometimes we seem so off-in-our-own-world that people don't consider us. After a lot of thought and self-reflection I think Jeanie would be one of the greatest roles for me because it would put me in touch with who I really am. And for the first time ever, people would actually see the real me.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Day 147-4/15/10

Glee "Hell-O"

Okay the opening "here's what happened part" sounded mega rushed. The Sue/Figgins scandal is disturbing and lame. I got so excited when I saw Jonathan Groff in the opening credits! The Doors song was decent, but I like the Doors so much more. Lea/Rachel irritates me. Did not like Gives You Hell. I like that song but it took a semi irritating song and made it mega irritating. Actually, I like the part that is everyone together! I hope that's on the CD and that it's not just Lea. Actually I kind of liked it a lot, except Lea. But Will's speech afterward was just a buzz kill. Jonathan Groff! He's so sexy seductive! Groff! Hearing him sing was awesome. And although she made it worse, it had nice memories! Groff's song was pretty awesome. I wouldn't pick him for ACDC, but that's why I love Groff. And hm, Idina as the director was actually decent. It was so much better than her being related to Rachel. But Will and Idina...not something I cared for. Seriously? The ganging up on Rachel was so done before. Wasn't nuts about the Emma/Terri thing. Done before. Groff makes me smile again. Secret romance? Really? DONE BEFORE. And bleeech at Finn deciding to win Rachel. And why is it that they already perform a really well known song in strange costumes at the end of the show and it always seem like Lea is in extreme pain in this number?

Day 146-4/14/10

Show: Bye Bye Birdie
Date: 1/3/10
Cast: OBC
Type: Audio

I don't know why, but now I'm a little bored of this show.

Day 145-4/13/10

Show: Addams Family
Date: 3/18/10
Cast: OBC
Type: Audio

Again. I loved it. I laugh so much at Grandma's lines. Hilarious.

Day 144-4/12/10

Show: American Idiot
Cast: OBC
Date: 3/6/10
Type: Audio

Loved this!

Day 143-4/11/10

Show: Legally Blonde
Date: 12/15/07
Cast:
Type: Audio

Great fun as usual! I love this show and get into it always!

Day 142-4/10/10

Show: Hair
Date: 7/30/08
Cast: Caren Lyn Manuel, Patina Miller, Jonathan Groff, and the normal revival cast
Type: Audio

Oddly, Groff does not sound all that different from Gavin. Which is weird, because I thought opposites attract. I really like Patina, she’s a little less extreme than Sasha. And there was also something I liked about Caren. She sounded so mature, yet like she really did like Berger. I didn’t like how Easy To Be Hard started as Berger was saying “I hate yellow.” There were other things that seemed a little different, which I loved. It shows that they really made it setting appropriate (They made some changes in lines to go for a theatre instead of an outdoor area) and they also just really make it all special.

Day 141-3/9/10

Show: Matt Doyle's Concert at Joe's Pub
Date: 8/17/09
Cast: Matt Doyle, Jodie Moore, Alice Lee, Blake Daniel, Wesley Taylor
Type: Audio

There are some songs that I absolutely loved, and then there are some that I didn’t care for. I loved Cathedrals, A Change is Gonna Come, Hey Jude, With A Little Help From My Friends, You and I Both, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Semi-Charmed Life, and Unexpectedly. Also some of the audition songs. There were others that I didn’t like as much.

Day 140-3/8/10

Show: Want the Change concert.
Date: 12/8/08
Cast: Spring Awakening cast!
Type: Audio

There are some songs that I absolutely loved, and then there are some that I didn’t care for. I loved Cathedrals, A Change is Gonna Come, Hey Jude, With A Little Help From My Friends, You and I Both, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Semi-Charmed Life, and Unexpectedly. Also some of the audition songs. There were others that I didn’t like as much.

Day 139-4/7/10

Legally Blonde Search for the Next Elle Woods. Episode 2

So I don’t think this was quite as interesting as the last one, because there’s something a tad more interesting about watching singing and dancing. But first thing is that I don’t know how I feel about them telling Bailey to speak without an accent, just because that’s very hard and maybe that’s why it doesn’t always sound completely natural when I listen to her. I found it a little irritating that they had Nikki Snelson mess up, because come on, nobody would know what to do on their first performance. They might know what to do after a while when they’ve gotten used to each other and gotten a chemistry and comfort. I didn’t like who they sent home, but I won’t spoil it.

Day 138-4/6/10

Legally Blonde Search For The Next Elle Woods. Episode 1

First off, this show makes me want to play Elle Woods. Also, watching these girls dance and learn the moves seriously made me miss dancing. I signed up for my dance class to do what they do and that’s not what I’m getting. Onto the people. First, I hate Haylie Duff. Someone introduces her by saying she’s a talented actress, singer, and dancer. Really, she’s none of those. Also, everything that Seth says in his deconstructions get stuck in your head. I haven’t decided about all of the girls yet, because I mostly paid attention to the ones who I thought had a chance making it to the next episode. Rhiannon is really cute, but her singing just sounds to childish. Bailey looks and sounds like Carrie Underwood so I feel like I should like her because she’s a country sister. I loved Cassie O’s singing. And Autumn was also someone who I thought was really good.

Day 137-4/5/10

Show: Wicked
Date: 2/28/10
Cast: Teal Wicks.
Type: Audio

Not great. Just not.

Day 136-4/4/10

Show: Hair
Date: 1/24/10
Cast: Jackie as Sheila and Josh as Maggie
Type: Audio

This is the show that my dumb slut cousin saw and then wouldn’t give me and more information than that it was good. Jackie sounds gorgeous. And Josh is awesome. Such a great performance

Day 135-4/3/10

Show: Xanadu OBCR

There was something about this that was very reminiscent of Disney’s Hercules to me. I wasn’t really attracted by this.

Day 134-4/2/10

Show: Spring Awakening
Date: 12/16/07
Cast: OBC
Type: Audio

Awesome. Nothing like OBCness to make you happy. Lauren’s Ilse was definitely beautiful. And it’s sad to listen to Johnny’s last Moritz because he really had his own way of doing it.

Day 133-4/1/10

Show: Spring Awakening
Date: 8/15/07
Cast: Jenn Damiano as Martha. Robi Hager as Otto
Type: Audio

They were both really good. Jenn’s Martha is really moody just like her Natalie and Robi’s Otto was, well no more interesting than other Ottos. But vocally it was good.

Day 132-1/31/10

Show: In the Heights
Date: 12/4/09
Cast: Tour I think
Type: Audio

Good once again. IDK, I haven’t quite gotten bitten by this show yet. But I’m waiting. I feel like it might happen eventually.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Excercise

"Come on" Marcus made a puppy-dog eyed face.
Sarah shook her head. "Hmmm. Don't think so."
Marcus grabbed her hand "Ah, come on. Oh, I entreat you to do this!"
Sarah only shrugged.
"I need to work out. And you could make it fun."
"I'm not convinced"
"If you run with me I'll bike with you tomorrow"

A half hour later Sarah walks out the door to see Marcus standing outside stretching.
"Ready?" He asked her excitedly.
She shrugged "Let's just get this over with"
Marcus beamed and started jogging "Be positive."
Sarah sighed and slumped after him.

Not even an hour later, Marcus had his hand deep in the freezer grabbing as much ice as he could. He handed the bag of ice to Sarah who was lying on the bed.
"I'm sorry."
Sarah only moaned sadly.
"Thanks for running with me."
"Least I could do" Sarah cracked a smile. One of her smiles that was so much more than they looked. "Just wait for tomorrow" She threatened.

The next morning Marcus and Sarah woke up close to the same time and headed to the gym together.
"Okay, so I have a special playlist for biking. The goal is to go as fast/far as you can. Person who gets the furthest in the time wins."
Marcus exhaled deeply "Alright."

The last song had come; So Much Better. Marcus was practically slumping on the handlebars as Sarah remained upright and perky. Maybe it was because of the mirrors that gave her a boost, Marcus surmised. At the very end of the song at the huge note, Marcus had gotten completely worn out while Sarah was pedaling her heart out. Finally the song ended and Marcus completely collapsed. Sarah stopped and exhaled enthusiastically.
"That was fun."
Marcus nodded and took a huge breath "Yeah. It was. You totally won."

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Something I wrote

Sara: I wish you wouldn't go. You really don't need to.
Jake: (ignores her) Stay out of sight. If anyone comes, hide.
Jake kisses Sarah's hand and walks away slowly. He stops at the door, part of him wants to stay. He opens the door and walks out without turning around. When he closes the door he finally turned around and looked at the door sadly.

Sara looks around the tiny motel room, but still it feels huge. She looks at the door miserable. After a moment she drops her head and cries.

As time passes the dark room just gets darker. Sarah watches the door the entire time. It's completely dark when Jake returns.

Sara: You're back.
Jake: Yeah. Are you okay?
Sara nods
Sara: Come here. Be with me.
Jake walks to Sara and sits down. The side of his face catches the light
Sara: (gasps at seeing his swollen face) My gosh, what happened?
Jake: Nothing. I'm fine.
Sara: Are you sure? (Touches him gently)
Jake: I can be.
A painful pause as Jake looks like he might cry
Jake wraps around Sara. Both of them stay silent, but the quiet eases.

A while later.

Sara: Can I ask you something?
Jake: I think so.
Sara: What was it like when you realized that you did...what you did?
Jake: Oh. Um. I guess I knew what I was doing right when I was doing it. I know it wasn't a good thing to do, but it felt like something fine because she wanted me to do it. I thought she had good reasons and we could be together. But when I found out it wasn't, I couldn't believe myself. I was devastated. Clearly. Then you, I don't even know what I was thinking. I got so messed up. (shakes head) What about you?
Sara: (Sighs nervously) I don't think it's fully sank in. They kept showing me the pictures or I saw them on the news and I feel like that can't be me. I mean, those girls were my friends. Or people I passed in the hallway. Or facebook friends. And now. Now they're not? They're accounts have been deactivated. (sighs heavily)
Jake: It's not your fault.
Sara: But it is.
Quiet again.
Jake: I feel like I should tell you what happened.
Sara: (Forcefully doesn't blink) Okay
Jake: But also feel like I shouldn't.
Sara: I don't know.
Jake: I know you should know. But I know that once you know, it'll be bad.
Sara: Either way's fine. (Holds his arm) Really, either one.
Jake: Okay.
Jake narrates while it happens
Jake: I walked to the hotel, I prayed that nothing would happen. But I got there an he was there at the bar. He grabbed me tight and led me to his room. He gave me a glass. I didn't want to take it, I thought there would be something in it. But he forced me to drink it. There must have been some kind of drug in it because I was slow and wasn't thinking straight. And then, well, lets just say he wasn't bluffing.
Sara: I am so sorry.
Jake: I shouldn't have told you.
Sara: No, it's fine.
Jake: But now I've ruined it. Us.
Sara: (shakes her head) No. You're still, everything. The only thing. I don't know anybody who would do that for me. I don't even think I knew anyone who would.
Jake: You're worth it. Because you're all I have.