The Flatline October 2, 2008

   So my school’s newspaper is called the Heartbeat (a Sacred Heart school, Heartbeat… it’s supposed to be clever), and this year a group of kids started an independent newspaper called the Flatline. And while most of the writers are writing about sports scores, the newest rap album, and crazy new school policies, I am being daring and radical writing mine as a review of Spring Awakening. Now here’s what I need form all of you out in TV Land!

1. Please read it over and give me your honest opinion. I don’t care if you tell me I suck and should crawl into a hole and never write again, or if it’s the most fabulous piece of editorial writing you’ve ever read and you’ll draw me up a contract with the New York Times. Just tell me what you think.

2. Give me a quote about your honest opinion of the show.

Thanks! (It’s not done yet, btw…)

 

         “As the lights in the house dimmed, the lights on stage rose and the opening violin chord sang through the theater, I feel my heart begin to race. I was about to witness what had been described as “the best new musical of this generation”. I am, of course, talking about Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s riveting new musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s most famous and controversial play. The musical takes the plot of a repressed society in 19^th century Germany and juxtaposes it with a modern score and choreography. It tells the story of Melchior Gabor, the brilliant, rebellious heartthrob who’s insatiable thirst for knowledge often gets him in trouble, and his journey from childhood to adulthood through sexual awakening. With an all-star cast featuring Kyle Riabko (Instant Star; “The Parkdale Sessions”), Blake Bashoff (Lost), and Steffi D (5^th runner up on Canadian Idol), it’s no wonder the touring cast has been such a success here in San Francisco. But even more than that, it’s probably because it appeals to a mass audience different from that of many of the shows on Broadway right now – teenagers. Teenagers have been flocking to theaters all around the country to see this new phenomenon. “It related to every single thing a teenager has to deal with and I connected so strongly to it,” CJ Morrison says, and with good reason. It deals with everything we may be encountering now or in the near future– school issues, sex, and most of all, our lackluster relationships with our parents.”

AWAKENED AT LAST!! September 15, 2008

I FINALLY SAW SPRING AWAKENING! I saw it at the Curran Theatre, and it was AMAZING! I was amazed at how the songs truly come to life, and the passion behind every song. I found myself in tears twice, and in utter shock by the end. I nearly cried out of joy when the show began, just because I was so excited to see it (I did cry with the Sweeney Todd revival cast, which is a little embarrassing, but true). Kyle Riabko and Blake Bashoff ROCKED, but Christy Altomare, though fabulous, lacked something. She had an amazing voice, but I didn’t feel the passion that I felt with the other leads. Plus, everyone was so nice at the stage door, particularly Sarah Hunt (Martha), Andy Mientus (Hanschen), Ben Moss (Ernst), and Kyle Riabko (Melchior). Then, later, as we were waiting for my dad to bring the car around, we ran into most of the cast on their way to Max’s, and just struck up a conversation. Anyway, I now feel complete, or, as I heard a girl say while leaving the theater, “My life has been forever changed.”

Me and Kyle Riabko

 

 

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Where: home

Currently Reading: The God Box by Alex Sanchez.

Currently listening to: “Touch Me” from Spring Awakening

Current Nail Polish Colour: A purply grey with brownish orangey shimmer and confetti glitter stuff

The Fabulous Weirdness of Grey Gardens September 10, 2008

I finally saw Grey Gardens a little less that a week ago. It is VERY cool. The first act lags a bit, but has some stellar songs (“Daddy’s Girl” and “Two Peas in a Pod” are two fabulous examples), but the second act is FABULOUS! The songs are amazing, with dark undertones, very reminiscent of Sondheim (always a favorite), and the acting is phenomenal! 

For those who don’t know, Grey Gardens is the story of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie Beale, aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who shut themselves us in their decaying estate, Grey Gardens, with 60 cats. These women are utterly fascinating. What would make two outgoing, beautiful, talented women recluse themselves in their massive estate? Big Edie was a singer from a wealthy family, and Little Edie was a beautiful, flirtatious model/singer once engaged to a Kennedy! It is fascinating, interesting, and made me want to come home and do my research! And I found that there will be a movie adaptation coming starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. Hmmm… Drew? Really? I mean, she’s very cute, but Little Edie is such a powerful and difficult role. And Drew’s not really and AMAZING actress. She’s a fine actress, probably better than me, but can she handle Grey Gardens? I dunno, but I’m rooting for her!

Drew as "Little" Edie Bouvier Beale

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Where: homee

Currently Reading: The God Box by Alex Sanchez.

Currently listening to: “I Am Aldolpho” from The Drowsy Chaperone

Current Nail Polish Colour: A purply grey with brownish orangey shimmer

Spring Awakening Forum September 8, 2008

Today I went to this thing at the Curran Theater in San Francisco. It was this special thing where the producers, directors, and Steven Sater came and talked about the creative process that lead to beatiful thing that is Spring Awakening. It was awesome. Sadly, I have yet to even see the show, but I knew enough about it that I could follow perfectly fine. They talked about how the show appealed more to young people than to older people, but I say that’s not true. I think that Spring Awakening is for my generation what Hair was for my mother’s generation (Ironically, Jonathan Groff, who originated the role of Melchior on Broadway, is now in Hair). I think that it opens up a dialogue between children and their parents. Though in a rather exaggerated way, we go through many of the things that Melchior, Wendla, and Moritz go through. We have questions, confusion, we want to do thing, try things, and learn about things. I think the show will broaden the minds of those who see it, and encourage people to talk with their kids and teach them the things they need to know.

If only I could see it already…

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Where: Home, sweet, home

Currently Reading: The God Box by Alex Sanchez.

Currently listening to: “Yesterday” by the Beatles

Current Nail Polish Colour: TEAL!!

Tony Awards June 27, 2008

OH YEAH!

So I forgot to talk about the Tony awards. Let’s go over the big ones:

Musical Revival:

 

Grease: Oh, gag. Is this for real? I mean, Grease is cute and fun, and will always be a classic, but I watched that show on NBC, “You’re the One that I Want”, which was very similar to the Legally Blonde show, and it was AWFUL! Ok, not awful, just not my type. And when you’re up against two Sondheims and one of the most famous shows of all time, you pretty much don’t stand a chance.

 

Gypsy: This was my vote. First, I love Sondheim. Second, I love Patti LuPone even more. So combined, this should have been the most spectacular show in history. But I guess it wasn’t. Anyway, I’m happy because Patti got Best Actress. Her speech made me cry! It was so amazing! She totally deserved it. She’s brilliant! *My prediction*

 

SOUTH PACIFIC (winner): I, personally, am not particularly fond of this show. I don’t know, I guess it’s just a little boring, in my opinion. It always seemed pretty dated, but now, I think it’s becoming a little more relevant. I mean, the idea of disliking and discriminating against someone based upon what they look like doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore, which is horrifically sad. Anyway, apparently everyone else thought that South Pacific was as relevant and, well, poignant, as when it was written.

 

Sunday in the Park with George: Another Sondheim, which basically makes it awesome. I don’t know much about it, but I love the music from the original. It seemed interesting, with an innovative use of media (the entire set was a screen, on which they projected paintings, scenes, etc.).

 

Best Play:

 

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (winner): Sounds fascinating! A dark comedy about drug use, affairs, rebellious teens, and family secrets. The tour kicks off in San Francisco, and I can’t wait to see it! Plus, there is said to be a movie in the works! *My prediction*

 

Rock n’ Roll: Another awesome play that I cannot wait to see. A story about the connection between rock and a rebellion in Eastern Bloc Czechoslovakia. Plus, I love the music featured! 

 

The Seafarer: I don’t know much about this one, but apparently it’s fantastic!

 

The 39 Steps: WOW! A comedic play adapted from the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock thriller, with a cast of four. I am not kidding. That fact absolutely blew my mind.

 

BEST MUSICAL (THE BIG ONE):

 

Cry-Baby: Oh blah. Very Grease-esque; Good girl falls in love with a bad boy. Been there, done that. The movie’s not even that good (I only like it because it has Johnny Depp *swoon*).

 

IN THE HEIGHTS (winner): Follows three days in the lives of several people living in the Heights. About struggle, love, and acceptance. I’ve heard the music, and I think it’s great! An interesting fusion of hip-hop, soul, rap, salsa, and merengue. I totally approve. *My prediction*

 

Passing Strange: Eh. The music is decent (not really my style), and I don’t know much about the plot, but I love the moral: accepting who you are. My mom thought this would win.

 

Xanadu: Oh barf. Do I really need to even talk about this? Venice Beach, roller disco, and the 1980s? The epitome of tacky. I would have killed myself if it had won.

 

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Where: Piura, Peru

Currently Reading: Anna Karenina, Lolita, and The Scarlet Letter (yes, all at the same time).

Currently Listening to: “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” by The Beatles.

Current Nail Polish Colour: Blue!

 

Spring Awakening June 27, 2008

Okay.

WOW.

So I’m a major Broadway fan, and I’m usually on top of things like this, but I somehow managed to wait an entire year after it won the Tony to get the Spring Awakening soundtrack. AND IT IS AMAZING!

I bought it after this year’s Tony awards (along with Passing Strange, and this year’s winner In the Heights), and listened to it on the way to Peru, and I am obsessed! Its lyrics are wonderfully dark (almost reminiscent of Sondheim), and it’s score is brilliant. Even my little brother, who hates theater, listened to the music and loved it (well, that, and he thought the fact that there was a song called “Totally Fucked” was hilarious). And, it stays fairly true to the play, which is another bonus. I’d heard a lot of hype about it, and was worried I would hear the music and be disappointed, but I was thoroughly impressed. The touring cast comes to San Francisco in September. Unfortunatly, most of the cast has left the show to do more projects (nearly all of the leads… Wendla Bergman, Melchior Gabor, maybe even Moritz Stiefel have been replaced). Nonetheless, I can’t WAIT to see it!

Plus, Jonathan Groff is a BABE.

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Where: Piura, Peru

Currently Reading: Anna Karenina, Lolita, and The Scarlet Letter (yes, all at the same time).

Currently Listening to: “Don’t do Sadness/Blue Wind” from Spring Awakening

Current Nail Polish Colour: Blue!