For an Important announcement..
Theatre actor Brian D'Arcy James is the titular character in the new musical adaptation of "Shrek."
This just keeps getting better.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Cracka Slam, Into a Matrix: A Musical Retrospective- Part 1: William Finn's awesomeness
What comes to mind when you hear the name "William Finn?"
How about, crazy lyrics, Jewish and homosexual themes, and very addictive music? Yes, all of those things, and more even.
William Finn is an amazing composer, whose songs are both hilarious, and emotional. Finn has recently been represented on Broadway by the Tony-Winning musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." While not as good as his other shows, it was still with the visit.
Finn's first show was "In Trousers," the story of Marvin, an extremely confused man, when dealing with women. The show starts off with the zany song "Marvin's Giddy Seizures," so yeah, you know where this is going. But it's zany in a good way. And with an amazing cast, including, Chip Zien, and my favorite diva, Mary Testa.
He then went on to write "March of the Falsettos," and "Falsettoland," which were later combined into "Falsettos," which won the Tony Award for Best Score, and Best Book.
Other such works, like "A New Brain," and "Elegies," have furthered his greatness in the world of musical theatre.
Coming Soon: Jason Robert Brown, and Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty.
How about, crazy lyrics, Jewish and homosexual themes, and very addictive music? Yes, all of those things, and more even.
William Finn is an amazing composer, whose songs are both hilarious, and emotional. Finn has recently been represented on Broadway by the Tony-Winning musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." While not as good as his other shows, it was still with the visit.
Finn's first show was "In Trousers," the story of Marvin, an extremely confused man, when dealing with women. The show starts off with the zany song "Marvin's Giddy Seizures," so yeah, you know where this is going. But it's zany in a good way. And with an amazing cast, including, Chip Zien, and my favorite diva, Mary Testa.
He then went on to write "March of the Falsettos," and "Falsettoland," which were later combined into "Falsettos," which won the Tony Award for Best Score, and Best Book.
Other such works, like "A New Brain," and "Elegies," have furthered his greatness in the world of musical theatre.
Coming Soon: Jason Robert Brown, and Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Cracka Slam, Into a Matrix: A Musical Retrospective- Intro
What makes a good musical?
Well, various factors. The physical "look" of the show, the performers, the book. But the one thing that, in my opinion, makes or breaks a musical is, well, the music.
The real joy of a musical, the thing that makes it so wonderful, is the mere definition of what a musical is. In the majority, if not all, cases, a musical is a story, told through song. And if the music that is supposed to carry you through the performance is not good, or enjoyable, then, in my opinion, you have a very weak show.
Throughout the next few posts, I will be discussing some of the greatest composers of all time, while also talking about some composers that I don't like.
It should be known that I'm a very big fan of the "New School" of composers. In fact, there are not many B'way shows that are like that were produced in the theatre before 1970. The only "classic" composer I like is Ste... well, that will be discussed in a later post.
So, sit back, relax, and eat your potato chips, homeskillet. Cus' it's gonna be the ride of your life.
Except. Not.
Coming Soon: Part 1: William Finn and Jason Robert Brown.
Well, various factors. The physical "look" of the show, the performers, the book. But the one thing that, in my opinion, makes or breaks a musical is, well, the music.
The real joy of a musical, the thing that makes it so wonderful, is the mere definition of what a musical is. In the majority, if not all, cases, a musical is a story, told through song. And if the music that is supposed to carry you through the performance is not good, or enjoyable, then, in my opinion, you have a very weak show.
Throughout the next few posts, I will be discussing some of the greatest composers of all time, while also talking about some composers that I don't like.
It should be known that I'm a very big fan of the "New School" of composers. In fact, there are not many B'way shows that are like that were produced in the theatre before 1970. The only "classic" composer I like is Ste... well, that will be discussed in a later post.
So, sit back, relax, and eat your potato chips, homeskillet. Cus' it's gonna be the ride of your life.
Except. Not.
Coming Soon: Part 1: William Finn and Jason Robert Brown.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Lack of Conflict In The Heights.
No, I haven't SEEN "In The Heights," the new musical about life for Latinos in Washington Heights. But, from what I hear, it's a very happy, positive, show, with a lot of energy, and such. But what I ALSO hear is that there is not really a conflict in the plot.
That's....not good.
Now, when I say conflict, I mean a REAL conflict, not like some minor plot element that seems negative to a character's motivation, if you get what I'm saying. In my opinion, if a show doesn't have a major conflict within itself, then, what direction is the show going to go in? You can't just have everything going well for the characters, and just have their accomplishments as the basis for the plot.
Hopefully, I'll get a chance to see "Heights," so I can bring some validity to this claim. Until then, speculation all around.....
That's....not good.
Now, when I say conflict, I mean a REAL conflict, not like some minor plot element that seems negative to a character's motivation, if you get what I'm saying. In my opinion, if a show doesn't have a major conflict within itself, then, what direction is the show going to go in? You can't just have everything going well for the characters, and just have their accomplishments as the basis for the plot.
Hopefully, I'll get a chance to see "Heights," so I can bring some validity to this claim. Until then, speculation all around.....
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sunday In The Park With George... Again???
So, the word on the street is, I'm going to see "Sunday" for a, hold your breath fellas, second time!!!
Dun, Dun, Duuuuuuuuun.
So, excitement for that, and hopefully, I'll get to see "Passing Strange" again.
-Awesome news for the always amazing Michael John Lachiusa. Apparently, he is not only writing a new musical called "Giant," but he is also apparently writing something for the Metropolitan Opera.
-I recently saw the Japanese animated film "Paprika."
Not so good.
That's it for now. Sorry for not posting for a while.
See yas.
Dun, Dun, Duuuuuuuuun.
So, excitement for that, and hopefully, I'll get to see "Passing Strange" again.
-Awesome news for the always amazing Michael John Lachiusa. Apparently, he is not only writing a new musical called "Giant," but he is also apparently writing something for the Metropolitan Opera.
-I recently saw the Japanese animated film "Paprika."
Not so good.
That's it for now. Sorry for not posting for a while.
See yas.
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