Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Chorus Line
So last weekend I saw this musical at Butler's Performance Hall. This play was about a group of performers, mostly dancers, who were auditioning for a place in the chorus of a musical. The entire musical showed how strenuous and difficult the life of a dancer really is. During the play, each person would talk to the director about his or her life. Each person had a different background, and it was quite interesting listening to the people's stories.
My Thoughts:
Overall, the play was pretty good. The musical was just not my type of musical because there really wasn't that much singing. The play was mostly dialogue, dancing, and there was monologues galore. The play was very long, and there wasn't even an intermission! I had to keep shifting in my seat because my legs kept falling asleep. It also didn't help that the man in front of me had a ginormous head. It was quite ANNOYING! I also didn't like how there was inappropriate references that were incorporated in the plot. It made me feel quite uncomfortable because I my dad and my aunt sat right behind me. I thought that the song that discussed women's body parts was completely out of line. I was appalled, and I could not imagine what my grandmother would have said. The best part of the show was the finale where the chorus comes out in gold sparkly outfits and actually SINGS! I loved the end, but the middle was a little bit raunchy. I probably would not see this musical again.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Beauty and the Beast
Yes, I know. I have decided to blog on another Disney made musical. I'm sorry. I'm obsessed!!!! Disney just has a way to entertain an audience that is unlike any other musical corporation. I just love Disney!
Beauty and the Beast is my absolute favorite Disney musical story of all time! I just love how the story is classic and timeless. For those who do not know, the story is about a girl named Belle who is retained in a castle by a horrid beast. The castle is not just an ordinary castle; it's enchanted. There are talking clocks, candlesticks, wardrobes, feather dusters, and other inanimate objects. Belle has to learn to love the beast in order for all of the objects to become human again.
My Thoughts:
I absolutely love the music in this musical! It is the classic Disney princess movie and musical as well. I love the song "Belle" which takes place at the beginning of the story which showcases all of the ensemble and main characters as well. The story takes place in France and the lyrics of the song have the french flair. My favorite part of the song is when Belle runs out into an open field and sings "There must be more than this provincial life". She spins around and dreams about what her life could be like. The orchestra goes crazy with difficult arrangements which beautifully give the backdrop to Belle's pure-sounding, soprano voice. I also love that this musical has comic relief with Lumiere and Cogsworth. I especially love the character of the wardrobe because she is an opera singer. (I am entraced with opera singers because of the incredible control and power they have over their voices.) Overall, I love this musical because of the Disney magic and because of the goregous arrangement of the musical scores.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Lion King
The Lion King is one of the most well-known Broadway shows. The original movie was the backboard for this amazing musical. The story is about a young lion who cannot wait to become king of the pride. Unfortunately, his uncle, Scar, decides to set Simba up for killing his own father. Simba runs away because of the fear of what he has done. He stays away from the pride for years. He befriends hog and a meerkat, and he is happy in the jungle for years. Then, Simba finds out that his uncle has taken over his pride. Simba goes back and defends what is rightfully his. Then there is rejoicing in the kingdom.
My thoughts:
I absolutely love this musical. The songs are all very cultural, and one fills immersed in the African culture when they listen to all of the songs. Additionally, the costuming is AMAZING! All of the actors are animals. The costumers dress the ensemble in a variety of different creatures that would prance about the grasslands of Africa. My favorite part of the musical though is the song "Shadowland" which is sung by Nala, Simba's love. Her voice range is incredible, and every time I hear the song I get chills. The musical as a whole is funny and lively, and I love the cultural influence.
The Little Mermaid
This delightful musical retells the beloved story of princess Ariel, the little mermaid. This musical stays true to the Disney version of the story.My thoughts:
I actually saw this musical in New York City! It was amazing! I was a little skeptical because I thought I already knew the story, and I had seen "The Little Mermaid" a thousand times before on VHS. Somehow, the Broadway version sparkled. Every single person's voice was beautifully trained. I was especially impressed by the character "Flounder". Flounder was a seven year old boy with the most spectacular voice. He sang the song "She's in Love", and he blew the audience away. I bought the soundtrack just so that I could capture his voice. I also loved all of the new songs added to the musical that were new to the beloved story. The songs were all fun and catchy, and I would most definitely see the musical again.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wicked
Wicked the musical has taken the musical facet by storm. Everyone has been lured into the musical craze by this delightful tale of Elphaba, the future wicked witch of the west. The entire musical is based on the story of Elphaba before Dorothy comes to Oz. The entire story is quite clever weaving information from the beloved story the "Wizard of Oz" with new background info that the audience has never heard of before.
My Thoughts:
Music: The music in "Wicked" is absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! I love almost every single song. This particular musical is upbeat, and the music is supplementary to the witty lines in the actual script of "Wicked". The songs are all fun to listen to, and the songs differ from song to song which makes the entire musical fun to listen to. The two leads, Galinda and Elphaba both have different types of voices. Galinda's voice is more operatic while Elphaba's voice is strong and pop-ish. Somehow the two voices blend beautifully together which makes for a fantastic show.
(I decided to include a youtube video of a performance of "Defying Gravity" during the Tony Awards. This song, in my opinion, is the best part of the musical. While this performance is not her strongest, Elphaba still shows her off her incredible voice to the mass viewers. Enjoy!!)
Phantom of the Opera
Why hello avid musical fans!!! I am so excited to be critiquing my favorite musical, Phantom of the Opera.
Christine Daae is the main character in the musical and she has been taught to sing by a disfigured man. She believes that he is the angel of music that her father promised to bring to her when he died. The phantom, the disfigured man, falls in love with Christine but she falls in love with her childhood sweetheart, Raoul. The phantom, in a fit of rage, kidnaps Christine in attempt to force her to marry him. In the end, the phantom lets her go with Raoul, and the phantom disappears.
- My Thoughts:
Music: The music in this musical is absolutely breath-taking. Each piece was written by the master of music himself, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Every single song is sweet and flowing. Christine's role calls for the soprano to have a high range of singing abilities. Her voice is quiet and soft with little to no vibrato. It is similar to an what an angel would be expected to sing, hence the well- known song "Angel of Music". Her voice is pristine and beautiful, and the classic style of singing brings chills to audiences of all ages. The phantom's role calls for an actor to take on the role of a deranged man singing. His voice inflections and personality must be psychopathic. His voice must also be pristine because he teaches Christine how to sing with elegance and grace. The phantom's deep voice is most beautifully displayed when he sings "Music of the Night". What is most impressive is the phantom's control of his own voice. In the song, he holds out the word "night" for several measures, and he finally fades out with the orchestra playing sweetly in the background. The entire musical score as a whole is written so beautifully and eloquently.
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