Chicago is winning my heart.
Kind of against my will.
Today was a very good day. I actually got up in time to go to church, a church I liked. Then I hopped on the "L" and ended up just outside of the State Street Macy's (where there is currently a flower show) and the Oriental Theatre. So I wandered into the theatre and managed to score front row rush tickets to "A Chorus Line". Having about an hour before the show I wandered into a book store and bought a book I swear I wouldn't read, but I've decided to be brave and go for it.
Being a very smart girl I went a little early to the theatre so I could run to the rest room since there isn't an intermission in the show. Once I found an empty stall I was surprised to find "Bad Wolf" scratched into the wall next to the toilet paper dispenser. Yes, it was dorky, but it made me smile.
The production was fabulous. I love live theatre. I also love that I can just take a train and buy rush tickets.
This silly second city is surprising me daily.
Showing posts with label theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theatre. Show all posts
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
"Magic is my friend"
Oh my dear friends, if you haven't seen the SAU production of "Phantom" you are missing out on a great piece of musical theatre. It was absolutly fabulous, I haven't bit my lip as hard since the West End production of "Blood Brother" that we saw in London.
Ok, so for some back ground, "Phantom" is different from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera". It is kind of the same story, with some of the same characters. First of all Madame Giry, and her daughter Meg, aren't in this production at all and neither is Raoul. Christine is not ballerina, instead she is a random farm girl who came to Paris in search of a career.
The curtain opens on a street in Paris where we see a crowd gathered and Christine singing and handing out music she has written. Right from the beginning I was very confused. Paris? Not so much. And what year is it? I can't tell, some of the chorus members are wearing things straight out of the 80's that is the 1980's, not the 1880's. My favorite part of this opening scene is the "ladies of the night". There are three of them who we see over and over again throughout the production, and one is very funny, she has great sense of comedic timing.
As we continue we meet other influential characters such as Carlotta and her husband (both who do a wonderful job! I loved their performances!)The Count de la Chandon (Philippe) who is the love interest of Christine, the Phantom, and Gerard Carriere, the former opera manager who we later find out is the Phantom's father.
The first act moved along fairly quickly and I am sure my lip was bleeding by the time we were half way through it. If it hadn't been for Carlotta and her husband I would have died for sure. The two of them were very, very amusing. The first act closed with the Phantom appearing on the stage or something, I'm not so sure the scenery was in desperate need of help and better design, and the whole chorus runs off stage in the the audience sreaming (yes, it was wonderful, I was practically on the floor dying of laughter) and then the best part came, the Phantom picks up Christine to carry her to his "tomb" and both of them fall down and Christine goes rolling across the stage. It was wonderful. The perfect way to end the first act.
After intermission we are with the Phantom and Christine in his Catacombs. He sing of his love for her, she lays asleep on a random couch in a really ugly green dress. When she wakes up the Phantom's father tries to convince her to leave, he tells her the story of the phantom's birth (he knocked up a ballerina in the company and then left her because he was already married). Christine feels sorry for the Phantom and decides to stay and convince the Phantom to show her his face. The Phantom takes Christine on a picnic and his minions pretend to be moving trees. Then when Christine finally convinces the Phantom to show her his face she freaks out and runs away.
As you can guess the Phantom is mad, Christine is crying looking for Philippe and the Phantom's father tries to comfort his son admitting to the Phantom that he is his father ("Erik I am your father") (No joke, that is what he said, or rather, sang) The Phantom already knew, they kind of make up and then the are interrupted when the police come into the Opera house to kill the Phantom after Carlotta is found dead. The police have the Phantom cornered and are ready to take him into custody when he begs his father to save him. To save his son Gerard shoots and kills him and the curtain closes on a dead Phantom and many people crying.
It was fabulous.
Now, I don't blame the actors for everthing that was silly about this production, they really had some goofy lines to work with "Magic is my friend" "Erik I am your father" just to point out two. They also weren't given very good costumes or scenery. As I mentioned earlier I couldn't tell what year it was suppost to be or that they were even in Paris. Some of the singing was very well done, Christine had a nice voice and the girl who played Carlotta did a wonderful job with her numbers. The Phantom's voice was a little disapointing. I guess I expect more from the title role.
Anyhow, it was very fun night. I am glad I went, I needed a good laugh.
In other news, I had an interview this morning, it went ok, I thought the one interviewer was kind of weird and was putting words in to my mouth, which was frustrating, so I guess we will see. If I don't get it I guess that means there are bigger and better things waiting for me!!!
Happy Friday the 13th!!!!
Ok, so for some back ground, "Phantom" is different from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera". It is kind of the same story, with some of the same characters. First of all Madame Giry, and her daughter Meg, aren't in this production at all and neither is Raoul. Christine is not ballerina, instead she is a random farm girl who came to Paris in search of a career.
The curtain opens on a street in Paris where we see a crowd gathered and Christine singing and handing out music she has written. Right from the beginning I was very confused. Paris? Not so much. And what year is it? I can't tell, some of the chorus members are wearing things straight out of the 80's that is the 1980's, not the 1880's. My favorite part of this opening scene is the "ladies of the night". There are three of them who we see over and over again throughout the production, and one is very funny, she has great sense of comedic timing.
As we continue we meet other influential characters such as Carlotta and her husband (both who do a wonderful job! I loved their performances!)The Count de la Chandon (Philippe) who is the love interest of Christine, the Phantom, and Gerard Carriere, the former opera manager who we later find out is the Phantom's father.
The first act moved along fairly quickly and I am sure my lip was bleeding by the time we were half way through it. If it hadn't been for Carlotta and her husband I would have died for sure. The two of them were very, very amusing. The first act closed with the Phantom appearing on the stage or something, I'm not so sure the scenery was in desperate need of help and better design, and the whole chorus runs off stage in the the audience sreaming (yes, it was wonderful, I was practically on the floor dying of laughter) and then the best part came, the Phantom picks up Christine to carry her to his "tomb" and both of them fall down and Christine goes rolling across the stage. It was wonderful. The perfect way to end the first act.
After intermission we are with the Phantom and Christine in his Catacombs. He sing of his love for her, she lays asleep on a random couch in a really ugly green dress. When she wakes up the Phantom's father tries to convince her to leave, he tells her the story of the phantom's birth (he knocked up a ballerina in the company and then left her because he was already married). Christine feels sorry for the Phantom and decides to stay and convince the Phantom to show her his face. The Phantom takes Christine on a picnic and his minions pretend to be moving trees. Then when Christine finally convinces the Phantom to show her his face she freaks out and runs away.
As you can guess the Phantom is mad, Christine is crying looking for Philippe and the Phantom's father tries to comfort his son admitting to the Phantom that he is his father ("Erik I am your father") (No joke, that is what he said, or rather, sang) The Phantom already knew, they kind of make up and then the are interrupted when the police come into the Opera house to kill the Phantom after Carlotta is found dead. The police have the Phantom cornered and are ready to take him into custody when he begs his father to save him. To save his son Gerard shoots and kills him and the curtain closes on a dead Phantom and many people crying.
It was fabulous.
Now, I don't blame the actors for everthing that was silly about this production, they really had some goofy lines to work with "Magic is my friend" "Erik I am your father" just to point out two. They also weren't given very good costumes or scenery. As I mentioned earlier I couldn't tell what year it was suppost to be or that they were even in Paris. Some of the singing was very well done, Christine had a nice voice and the girl who played Carlotta did a wonderful job with her numbers. The Phantom's voice was a little disapointing. I guess I expect more from the title role.
Anyhow, it was very fun night. I am glad I went, I needed a good laugh.
In other news, I had an interview this morning, it went ok, I thought the one interviewer was kind of weird and was putting words in to my mouth, which was frustrating, so I guess we will see. If I don't get it I guess that means there are bigger and better things waiting for me!!!
Happy Friday the 13th!!!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Goals:
I made a little mental goal at the beginning of the month, I was determind to write a post everyday. Well, as you can tell I didn't make it, I have already missed a day or two, but I am still going to do my best to post something often, even if it is really, really boring.
So for today's news I have an interview with the JD library system on Friday, it's just a library assistant position, but at least it's something! Thursday evening I am suppost to go see "Phantom" at SAU with my Mom and Aunt. Saturday we are doing a birthday breakfast with my Brother who is turning 21. I am just hoping he isn't too hung over from the night before, and then on Sunday I am going to the east side of the state to meet Regan for the first time.
I sound busy, but it doesn't feel that way!
Hopefully one of these events provides an exciting story to tell you!
So for today's news I have an interview with the JD library system on Friday, it's just a library assistant position, but at least it's something! Thursday evening I am suppost to go see "Phantom" at SAU with my Mom and Aunt. Saturday we are doing a birthday breakfast with my Brother who is turning 21. I am just hoping he isn't too hung over from the night before, and then on Sunday I am going to the east side of the state to meet Regan for the first time.
I sound busy, but it doesn't feel that way!
Hopefully one of these events provides an exciting story to tell you!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Weird Alignment
I am so ready to give up. I can't find a job, the play was cancelled because only 6 people auditioned.
I am going to run away...
Far, Far away...
Moi, Toi, who's available? I'm going to crash your place. I promise to cook you yummy things!!!!
Oh, and MMM, I love your quiz results it is totally true! You always manage to make me laugh!!!
Alright, enough of me complaining.
I found a present for my brother!!! Check it out here. I know it seems kind of dorky, but he will love it. Hopefully more than the Che t-shirt from France. Oh and that site, Zazzle, I have used a couple of time to create my own stuff. It's pretty fun and it is where I made the pins for Intern Edition. I actually have an account there with some of my designs, they are pretty cool! You can check those out here. Ok there is only a few designs and they are all French Themed, but at least it entertains me!
I am going to run away...
Far, Far away...
Moi, Toi, who's available? I'm going to crash your place. I promise to cook you yummy things!!!!
Oh, and MMM, I love your quiz results it is totally true! You always manage to make me laugh!!!
Alright, enough of me complaining.
I found a present for my brother!!! Check it out here. I know it seems kind of dorky, but he will love it. Hopefully more than the Che t-shirt from France. Oh and that site, Zazzle, I have used a couple of time to create my own stuff. It's pretty fun and it is where I made the pins for Intern Edition. I actually have an account there with some of my designs, they are pretty cool! You can check those out here. Ok there is only a few designs and they are all French Themed, but at least it entertains me!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
I think there is something funny going on...
You Are a Playwright |
 You are a highly literate wordsmith. You love both reading and writing. You are also a natural storyteller. You can turn a mediocre anecdote into a riveting tale. You find people and all aspects of life fascinating. No topic is off limits for you. In modern times, you would make a good filmmaker or novelist. |
Thank you Moi and Toi, now I am sure that there is something really weird going on in the universe...
All the World's a Stage...
Have you noticed that my post have become more "theatre" themed? It's kind of funny because so has my life...
I spent too much money at the candle party. I bought this (the little candle holders in the upper left hand corner), and some raspberry &thyme scented tealights. I was very close to buying this for Moi, because I know how much you love baby elephants, but I wasn't sure if you would really like it. If you do let me know, maybe it will be a birthday present!!!
In baby news, Veronica and Brandon, two fellow members of the class of 2004 had their first baby this past week. Sophia Mae. And I just learned today that Sara, another member of the class just got married and is expecting twins. She is due in July and I kind of think that she may have been knocked up before they got married, I saw her only last month and she had gained a lot of weight and said she wasn't feeling well and this was before she left to marry the fiance who is in the army or something.
My final piece of news for the month of January is that I auditioned for a play, just to be nice to the director, and I think I have a part, meaning until the middle of March I need to stick around this area for rehearsals. I'm excited but it's kind of frustrating because I was hoping to do a trip out to DC very soon to do some more job hunting. I guess I will focus on job research and come up with an attack plan for DC. OH, Moi, that means I will be going through Pitt!!! Yay!!!
I spent too much money at the candle party. I bought this (the little candle holders in the upper left hand corner), and some raspberry &thyme scented tealights. I was very close to buying this for Moi, because I know how much you love baby elephants, but I wasn't sure if you would really like it. If you do let me know, maybe it will be a birthday present!!!
In baby news, Veronica and Brandon, two fellow members of the class of 2004 had their first baby this past week. Sophia Mae. And I just learned today that Sara, another member of the class just got married and is expecting twins. She is due in July and I kind of think that she may have been knocked up before they got married, I saw her only last month and she had gained a lot of weight and said she wasn't feeling well and this was before she left to marry the fiance who is in the army or something.
My final piece of news for the month of January is that I auditioned for a play, just to be nice to the director, and I think I have a part, meaning until the middle of March I need to stick around this area for rehearsals. I'm excited but it's kind of frustrating because I was hoping to do a trip out to DC very soon to do some more job hunting. I guess I will focus on job research and come up with an attack plan for DC. OH, Moi, that means I will be going through Pitt!!! Yay!!!
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