Blog Archives
…play a dangerous game
Thank goodness it’s Friday, which usually would mean a movie review, but this Friday, I thought I’d take a bit of a detour and throw a theater review in the mix.
First, some insights: Any and all visitors to this site can tell 2WC has an affinity for film, but our first love is theater. Particularly musical theater, but for various reasons, we simply can’t see enough theater to populate this blog with it as much as we’d like. That, and as much as I love it, a part of me hates reviewing it.
Why? I’m completely and totally biased, even the most horrible of theatrical performances will still hold a special place in my heart. Perhaps it’s the immediacy, the intimacy, and the vulnerability of a live performance.
Seriously, a show would have to be overtly offensive, cruel, and physically abusive/harmful for me to hate it…that doesn’t mean I can’t see faults in a show.
So, you can probably see where this is headed—my review of the Broadway-bound tour of Jekyll & Hyde. It’s a show with a history (that involves David Hasselhoff, so take that as you will). Some love it, some hate it, and now it’s returning to the Great White Way.
Personally, it’s a show I’ve listened to for years and always wanted to see. Here’s what I thought:
…Hold On To That Feeling
It’s the mid to late 80′s, and anyone with a rock dream and a decent amount of hair is in Los Angeles, California. The perfect setting for a fun, crazy musical about one thing…rock.
Jam packed with rock hits from Journey, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon and, well, more rock groups than you can shake Styx at, it’s nearly impossible not to have a good time at “Rock of Ages.”
It’s a rock concert with a Broadway musical soul, and it comes complete with everything you need for a Broadway hit:
A love story—Sherrie (Shannon Mullen) and Drew (Dominique Scott) fit the bill as the young starry-eyed couple who mess up a few times, but keep rocking.
A narrator—Lonny (Justin Colombo), the rock and Bourbon Room devotee who keeps the show moving and educational (at times).
The villian—Stacee Jaxx (Matt Nolan) the rock icon of the age, who turns out to be a jerk, but sure knows how to captivate an audience.
The show stealers—this one goes to Franz (Adam Fane) and Regina (Katie Postotnik) who steal the show so many times that they might actually be the leads.
This touring production may be a long ways from Broadway, but it’s lost none of the energy. Performed on the smaller stage at the Broadway Playhouse, this production just explodes off of the stage.
Whether you’re a fan of rock or a fan of musicals or you fall somewhere in the non-commital middle, this show has something for everyone. It’s funny, sweet, mildly offensive and over-the-top. To put it simply, it rocks.
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More on the Story:
What: “Rock of Ages” the national tour
When: Now through Aug. 8th
Where: Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place — Chicago, IL
…just for fun:
…Hit the Heights
It’s Tony night once again. Time for the best of Broadway to celebrate the best of theater from the past season, and the rest of us to anxiously sit on our couches, and proudly state our opinions on shows that we have yet to see (for the most part).
This year’s line-up includes a bunch of musicals based on movies, some musicals without music (plays) and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris.
Who will win? Well, who knows. True, we haven’t seen any of the nominated shows (we did see the movies…does that count?), but that won’t stop us from weighing in.
So, without further ado, our picks for tonight’s top awards:
Best Musical:
Zer- “Newsies”
Stephanie-“Newsies”
…are you sensing a theme? We’re holding out for a surprise duet with Christian Bale…
Best Play:
Zer- “Peter and the Starcatcher”
Stephanie- “Peter and the Starcatcher”
…we’re suckers for a good Peter Pan story…
Best Revival of a Musical:
Zer- “Porgy and Bess”
Stephanie- “Porgy and Bess”
…Audra McDonald is one of the best things you will hear…ever…
Best Revival of a Play:
Zer- “Death of a Salesman”
Stephanie- “Master Class”
…complete guesses…slightly influenced by Andrew Garfield (for some)…
With that we leave you to agree or disagree (respectfully so of course) but definitely share your thoughts with us and tune in tonight…it’s culture, it’s good for you…
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More on the Story: Tony Nominees
…just for fun:
What can we say…we’re Disney kids at heart…
…because we mentioned…
…set the stage
It’s finally here (sort of), the Tony Awards’ nominations were announced this past Tuesday, and you know 2WC has to weigh in.
For those of you who thought that awards season was long over, well, you’re probably not theater fans (prepare to be converted).
Since it’s Sunday, and it’s been a while since we’ve split up our writing duties, we’ll dish in traditional 2WC style:
Zer- Okay, I admit it. The only show I really cared about this year was “Newsies” (nominated for ”Best Musical”). So, I kind of glossed over the other nominations. Although, it is nice to once again see a not too Hollywood heavy list of nominees (with the exception of “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play”). While I’d like to see Jeremy Jordan (Jack in “Newsies”) and “Newsies” pull a sweep, let’s face it Neil Patrick Harris is hosting, it’s going to be a good show.
Stephanie- As Zer made very clear, the unquestionable headliner this season, assuming you are a child of the 90′s with a strong Disney upbringing, is “Newsies.” Is it the only show worthy of praise, or worth seeing, or worth humming along to. No, but what can I say, 2WC (myself included…obviously) are suckers for nostalgia. If you haven’t seen this cult-classic movie, you should. It is the reason why many of us are secretly hoping Batman (Christian Bale) will burst forth in song in “The Dark Knight Rises.” It could happen.
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…bi-daily smile…
…Hear The People
A little piece of musical theater fans everywhere died this week (or at the very least, was put on life-support with a one percent chance of survival).
For months casting announcements have been slowly leaking out about the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Les Miserables.”
Hugh Jackman as Valjean (cautiously excited), Russell Crowe as Javert (well done), Eddie Redmayne as Marius (another good choice)—and so the list continues, with no strong objections from the legions of Les Mis fanatics.
However, this week, things went horribly wrong with two simple words: Taylor Swift. Which were followed by an even more startling word: Eponine. And now we, “the people,” must appeal to the producers and casting directors better nature. I’ll start:
We get it (sort of), Taylor Swift, most definitely has the waif look down. She’s also a very pretty girl who will look gorgeous on all of the promotional posters.
She may also be able to sing well enough to scrape by on the songs.
And it’s not that we don’t want Taylor Swift to be Eponine, it’s just that we’d rather have anyone else play the part (seriously).
I’m all for giving the young people a shot, but we all saw “Valentine’s Day,” or at least the trailer. That shot has already been fired.
Considering this film is 37 years in the making, do you really feel comforable with your choice? Eponine is one of the most iconic roles in musical theater. I don’t think she’ll grow on us quite the same way Mr. Brosnan did.
And here it is, my last ditch effort: Having mastered “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Scarlet Letter” you decided it was time to graduate Miss Swift to some light reading from Victor Hugo?
I just hope you all can live with yourselves.
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More on the Story: CBS News
…just for fun:
Zer
Stephanie
The2Women
