aradia22

Oh, Mylanta. This is sickening. I did not sign up to watch The Bobby Brown story. We opened with one of his songs instead of hers. He wouldn't dream of touching drugs. And way too much of the dialogue seems to be in service of telling us more about him instead of about her.

Ah! Thank God for previously. I almost missed it. I'm not claiming the jerry curl is the best hairstyle in the world but what in the hell do they have on that actor's head? Lols at performing to a dark theatre so you don't see that it's mostly empty. I think she's doing a decent job of mimicking Whitney's performance and the vocals are good without being a perfect recreation but there's still a major lip-synching disconnect.

I might be wrong but didn't they write a positive review of Side Show? Everything I've heard from both the reviews and fans has been mixed so once I listen to the album, I'll try to see it. Unless they announce that it's going to close, On the Town is still first on the agenda. ;) But next week is all about The Merry Widow Live in HD and then Cabaret. We'll see what I have time for after that as I still have to squeeze in some museum visits before the end of January. I think I mentioned this before but the only version of A Little Night Music I've seen was the recent revival with Catherine Zeta Jones and Angela Lansbury. I know everyone wasn't a fan but I really enjoyed it.

It's not a big role but I'm curious. What did you think of her? By the way, I read through a bunch of those Honeymoon in Vegas reviews. I can't tell but I'm worried about the chances for that show at least from those reviews.

Sometimes I genuinely do not know what people at Fox are even upset about. O'Reilly didn't enjoy Amy and Tina's performance at the Golden Globes because they just "took Don Rickles and feminized it." Oh, so you mean they did stand up comedy from their own perspectives? How... terrible?

Is it just me or are there way too many awards shows? Golden Globes, SAG awards, Critics... How do they even find outfits for them all or write different speeches? I wouldn't discount the effect of all the competing shows in pulling focus from the Oscars.

OK, I'm going to try to make it up to you by getting back to the Theatre News Roundup. First, here's some footage from the Roundabout Into the Woods. Is it wrong that I'm not that excited about stripped down, quirky productions of most musicals? They have their place but more often than not, I'm going to the theatre looking for spectacle and impressive performances and vocals. If I wanted to see a show on a budget I'd go to the local high school. Collected reviews for Honeymoon in Vegas Some notable voices will be recording the Pasek and Paul version of James and the Giant Peach. Gigi will begin previews on March 19 at the Neil Simon Theatre and officially open on April 8. Hamilton extends off Broadway. It will start previews on January 20 and officially open on February 17 with the closing pushed to April 5. More casting news for Something Rotten. I like Heidi on certain songs but I definitely don't think she can sing everything. I haven't seen Kate Reinders in anything since Good Vibrations. (Yes, I will make shameless Good Vibrations references whenever possible.) Confirmations about the Smash cast reunion for the Actors Fund benefit concert. Good news for those of you who can't make it to NY. Gentleman's Guide is going on tour. This the most I've ever been tempted to see Chicago. Yes, I've never seen the revival. Knowing what I know about her voice, I don't think Jennifer Nettles is a natural fit for Roxie but I'm still very curious. Nevermore began previews on the 14th with the opening set for January 25. If anyone feels like heading to the Drama League for discussions/interviews Danny Burstein, F. Murray Abraham, and Andy Karl are on the schedule with tickets from $10-$35. The instrumental soundtrack version of the Into the Woods movie has been released. 65 piece orchestra. Phantom's response to the James Barbour casting. Hoo boy. Really weak ratings for Looking. I will never understand the pay cable model. Good news, Madison, Wisconsin. You'll be able to get tickets for Violet in June. NYU Steinhardt will be doing a production of A Man of No Importance. If you'll be here sometime from Feb 5-Feb 9, tickets are $20 gen admission and $5 for students and seniors. Monthly Jason Robert Brown concerts Playbill has done a weird roundup of their own highlighting some of the "big stars" in less high profile projects this season Not sure if you can actually see these productions but the Musical Theatre Factory is developing 25 shows. After a reading last week there are rumors swirling about a revival of Kiss of the Spider Woman Oh, by the way, I forgot to say that when I talked to Kate Baldwin after the 92Y concert, she said she wasn't sure if Can Can would be transferring to Broadway. As always, weigh in on anything you want and feel free to bring anything new to the conversation. Broadway.com and Playbill are the easiest sites for me to scour on a regular basis but I'm always interested to hear what you have to say.

Oh, dear. I meant to post it in the Fox News thread. I wonder how that happened. Sorry, everyone!

Julia, I think you posted this on the wrong thread.

I have not been watching this show since the first few episodes but my parents are still watching. For serious, Stalker? Eternal Flame? That's already a slow song sung by a female singer. What is the point in covering that one?

Sometimes I genuinely do not know what people at Fox are even upset about. O'Reilly didn't enjoy Amy and Tina's performance at the Golden Globes because they just "took Don Rickles and feminized it." Oh, so you mean they did stand up comedy from their own perspectives? How... terrible?

ancslove: Yup. I actually recommend that you read the article at this link and maybe we can have a chat about it. (That goes for everyone.) http://thecraptacular.com/2015/01/dear-broadway-honestly-why-the-fuck-am-i-even-here/

I tried to watch it once. I couldn't get past it. Also, I think I'm just not built for watching epics.

Oh, I wanted to add the conclusion that I came to during the first act listening to Losing My Mind. I think it's harder when you isolate Sondheim songs out of context compared to a lot of other composers because often the impact of the songs relies on the actors and audience getting to a certain place. It's unreasonable to expect the actors to just jump to that emotional place and to expect yourself to have the same feeling without the context of the entire show. I did think that David Loud's narration didn't really give me a good sense of these shows.

O'Reilly's brilliant new argument. Wah. The left won't criticize "Islamic terrorism" but they will criticize "Christian fundamentalism." How dare you worry that idiots will believe that all Muslims are evil (when we say it constantly) when no one worried that practicing Catholics would be criticized in the wake of the priest molestation scandal?

Back from the concert. It was a fun night. I will give you a review if you want tomorrow but there's not a ton to say. I think I just have to resign myself to the fact that nothing's going to live up to that Ted Chapin hosted Rodgers and Hammerstein night. The night was devoted to the Hal Prince/Stephen Sondheim collaboration. It was about his direction so I think that's why they skipped Forum. The performers were great but it's hard to sing a whole night of Sondheim (picking all those big songs) so there were high points and low points. For instance Heidi was breathless at the very beginning of Another Hundred People but she rallied later in the night. Two exciting things to report. Stephen Sondheim was there! I don't know if he was in the audience but he was watching and took a photo with the actors on stage after the audience had left. This is the closest I have ever been to him so I found it exciting even if none of you do. Also, I was seated next to Marin Mazzie during the entire performance... just by chance. What? Yes. OK, I have to work tomorrow so I'm off to bed.

Yes, sorry for the vagueness. I was talking about Merrily. It's a shame there's no easily available filmed version. I listened to the OBC of Forum. OK, I have to go get ready for the concert now. I'll let you know how it goes if there's anything interesting to report. That sentence is a bit convoluted but my brain is a little frazzled after work.

I decided to follow up Merrily with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum instead of the heavier choices. I think I new one or two songs going in but not more than that. It was sweet and breezy. Philia seems like a great part to play. I enjoyed both of her songs as well as the reprise of Lovely. It made me laugh even just on the soundtrack. I'd watch a revival.

OK. I tried to follow the plot with the synopsis on the wikipedia page but I can't make heads or tails of it. I did listen to the album though. It's got an interesting brassy forward momentum. Very trumpety. Then there's the xylophone. I don't know. I'm kind of into it but a little caught off guard. Kind of like listening to instrumental jazz. I didn't dislike it but it hasn't supplanted other Sondheim shows like A Little Night Music or Sweeney Todd or Into the Woods in my estimation. Anyway, do any of you know of a version of Merrily We Roll Along I can look up? I know they aired that West End version in theaters a while back but I could never figure out that website.

The antics as Zig and Tiny tried to get that girl's number were classic Degrassi ridiculousness. I really enjoyed how stupid it was. Where are the adults? Why are people just taking their shirts off? I don't know. Who cares? It was so hilarious. It was nice that he still stuck up for Zoe though. I loved Frankie calling Winston out for meddling. Winston is the worst. Calling her the "oomphchat madam" though was the best. Oh, Degrassi. I like this cold, intense Zoe. I mean, I don't agree with her actions but the actress is really shaping up to be one of the star players of the new cast. The silliness with Clare's nightmare wasn't as fun but it was cute enough. At least she's finally taking this a little more seriously. Also, I appreciated the belated shout out of Jenna's pregnancy. I guess we're not going to deal with the baby not being Drew's until next week. Awww. I kind of love Zig and Zoe. I wish they hadn't wrecked Zoe's character so much and just let me enjoy a relationship between the two of them (which is something I find myself saying about way too many shows) but I can see why they saddled her with so many heavy plots given the fact that she's one of the better actors they've got at this point.

Does the timeline work out for that or is it just an unfortunate coincidence? The flip side of that is her showing off that she can sing as well (and high) as Ariana (which again, I'm not sure I believe given her previous performances).

Theatre News Roundup This seems too soon. Yup. The Color Purple is coming back with Jennifer Hudson. As expected, If/Then is closing March 22 after Idina's contract is up. Bend It Like Beckham musical for the West End. Miss Saigon is extending on the West End. ebk57, this might be something for you. What about trying to get tickets for Cheyenne Jackson at Cafe Carlyle?

I actually saw him recently at the closing night of Side Show. He doesn't look bad in person. But maybe that's because I'm getting old. ;)

Ha! I enjoyed that, too. I think they made a good point that while he's not unrecognizable, he just doesn't feel like Blaine when he's dressed like himself.

No, but Harry might be working on other projects more than the others (besides Lea, Chris, Blaine, Matthew who had to come back). I think he was in a movie or two but I forget when they were filming.