Over the past two days, I was blessed with having multiple hours of free time. During this free period, I took in two wonderful documentary films on youtube. God bless youtube for supplying us with free, good quality movies at out fingertips (literally). The first movie that I watched was called "Every Little Step". This was an entertaining film that followed the audition process for the 2006 Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. First of all, A Chorus Line is a superb musical that I have had the pleasure to watch multiple times. It is such an intimate look into the unique lives of aspiring dancers and performers. The show captivates its audience right from the start and doesn't let go of your attention till about a week after the show ends. The documentary touches on many aspects of the creation process of the musical as well. The very first step in creating the musical was when Michael Bennett gathered a group of dancers in his living room and recorded hours of them talking about their lives. I found this very interesting and inspiring. What an original way to gain inspiration for writing. The film itself is very entertaining. I truly felt the emotions and conflicts that all of the auditionees felt. Watching this documentary was a moving experience that as an aspiring performer myself, I took away a very valuable lesson. The film itself is ironically much like the story of A Chorus Line: The struggles and successes of everyday people who just want a chance to shine.
The second film that I watched was called "First Position". This film followed seven young ballet dancers as they compete in the Youth America Grand Prix: A world wide prestigious ballet competition that awards dancers scholarships and contracts with renowned dance schools and ballet companies. Every one of these dancers are very special and gifted in ballet. They are the future stars of the ballet stage. The film documented their struggles, successes, and experiences as they prepare for the Grand Prix finals. Not all will succeed. This movie proves that you need to work insanely hard to reach your goals and sometimes you will ultimately fail. As a past ballet dancer myself, I can relate to the lives of these young dancers. I understand why they put them selves through the pain, stress, and exhaustion of training at such a young age. They do it because they can't imagine doing anything else with their lives. A person knows at a very young age whether or not they want to be a dancer.
Both of the films that I watched touch on similar themes. They both convey the message that in everything there is failure and only a few will reach the top. This is an important lesson that can be applied to all aspects of life. I learned a lot from these films and I would highly suggest that you watch them. Anyone, not just performers, can get something out of these films. There are real life lessons hidden inside.
Wednesday 10 April 2013
Monday 1 April 2013
A City On Seven Hills (Not Rome)
San Francisco was great! I had a wonderful time experiencing all of the necessary tourist attractions as well as some cool activities that are more out of the way. Probably my favourite thing that I did was visiting Alcatraz. It was really cool to wander through the jail cells. I even got to experience being locked away in isolation in the dark and small cell appropriately called "The Hole". San Francisco is completely different in every way from the city that I live in. First of all, the fact that it is built on a number of steep hills was very surprising and took a little bit of getting used to. I did not expect the taxi ride from the airport to feel like a roller coaster. The overall atmosphere of the city was very different and it was a nice change from regular life. It is hard to explain exactly what felt different, but it just did.
First things first: the food. Well, the food was incredible! My breakfasts were very american and they were very big which caused us to skip lunch. Of course, the breakfasts were delicious. Probably the best breakfast place the I could recommend, is Rose's Cafe on Union Street. For dinner we mostly ate Italian food. We ate at some very authentic, yet affordable restaurants. My favourite restaurant would have to be Scala's in Union Square. When we drove to Berkley, we ate at this really cool joint called Cheese Board Pizza Collective which serves one type of pizza per day. The one they were serving the day I was there was roasted potato with key limes. It was FANTASTIC! One of the best pizza's that I've had. If you are visiting Berkley, you should definitely go there! So, I ate very well on my vacation.
I did end up catching a show while on vacation. It was in this little studio theatre that was in the basement of some building. I didn't expect much looking around and at the stage. Boy was I wrong! I saw Foodies The Musical. It was a hilarious song cycle about everything to do with eating. My Favourite song was about using Groupons to eat at restaurants. The singing was very professional and the show has been running for six months. It is definitely a hidden gem in San Francisco. Foodies was a good laugh and a wonderfully written show!
Overall, I had a very nice time exploring San Francisco. I don't have enough space or time to write about everything that I did because I did basically everything! I like the city a lot and I will definitely have to go back some day. San Francisco treated me very well!
First things first: the food. Well, the food was incredible! My breakfasts were very american and they were very big which caused us to skip lunch. Of course, the breakfasts were delicious. Probably the best breakfast place the I could recommend, is Rose's Cafe on Union Street. For dinner we mostly ate Italian food. We ate at some very authentic, yet affordable restaurants. My favourite restaurant would have to be Scala's in Union Square. When we drove to Berkley, we ate at this really cool joint called Cheese Board Pizza Collective which serves one type of pizza per day. The one they were serving the day I was there was roasted potato with key limes. It was FANTASTIC! One of the best pizza's that I've had. If you are visiting Berkley, you should definitely go there! So, I ate very well on my vacation.
I did end up catching a show while on vacation. It was in this little studio theatre that was in the basement of some building. I didn't expect much looking around and at the stage. Boy was I wrong! I saw Foodies The Musical. It was a hilarious song cycle about everything to do with eating. My Favourite song was about using Groupons to eat at restaurants. The singing was very professional and the show has been running for six months. It is definitely a hidden gem in San Francisco. Foodies was a good laugh and a wonderfully written show!
Overall, I had a very nice time exploring San Francisco. I don't have enough space or time to write about everything that I did because I did basically everything! I like the city a lot and I will definitely have to go back some day. San Francisco treated me very well!
Sunday 24 March 2013
San Francisco...Here I Come!
Well, for spring break, my family and I will be travelling to San Francisco. We will be seeing some of the top tourist attractions like Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's going to be packed with activities. I am really looking forward to taking in some arts and culture and maybe even a shows! I am most excited to taste the food there. I have heard from many people that San Francisco has some of the best restaurants. So, when I get back from my trip, I will be blogging about my experiences and adventures that I had. Hopefully I'll come back with some great stories. Bon Voyage!
Life Is a Cabaret
Wow! Cabaret was AMAZING! I was very moved by the story and very entertained by the powerful voices of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey. I especially thought that Joel Grey's character was expertly developed. His portrayal of the MC had the perfect balance of mystery, flamboyancy, quirkiness, and truth. However, the real standout was Liza. She made me laugh and cry with everything that she did. Her character Sally Bowles inspires me to make sure that I enjoy life as it is. Sally Bowles represents the young and free part of society. I think that her character teaches us an important lesson: Life is short, so we need to enjoy it while it lasts. As the Beatles say: "Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend".
The most powerful part of the film was the scene at the picnic. A young adult begins to sing a beautiful melody. I was rather enjoying the song. As the camera panned out, we can see that this singer is wearing a swastika. The tone of the song immediately changed for me. The message was the same: Tomorrow belongs to me. But, the meaning was different. Soon, more and more people join in to the singing of the nazi anthem. Eventually, everyone is chanting the words as though they have just been brought in to the nazi movement.
My favourite song in this musical was the finale song "Life Is a Cabaret," sung by Liza Minnelli. The reason I found this song so great was because of how true the message was. Life really is like a cabaret. You never know who is going to enter your life and you never know what is going to happen in your life. A cabaret club is a very rough place where anything can happen. Liza sings the lyrics to this song so stunningly and surprisingly cheerfully. She takes the excitement and mystery of life and turns them into positive energy. That is why her performance is so perfect. Her performance is one of the most treasured performances in musical history. Her final song really caps off her expert performance on a good note (literally). Her performance was filled with so much truth and power that it was impossible not to realize what she meant.
Overall, I give this film two thumbs up. Liza Minnelli definitely deserved that academy award. The message that this movie conveys is a lesson that I will take to heart. I will try my best to convey that message to the rest of the world by always following it. This film is a classic that will always be a gem in the world of musicals.
The most powerful part of the film was the scene at the picnic. A young adult begins to sing a beautiful melody. I was rather enjoying the song. As the camera panned out, we can see that this singer is wearing a swastika. The tone of the song immediately changed for me. The message was the same: Tomorrow belongs to me. But, the meaning was different. Soon, more and more people join in to the singing of the nazi anthem. Eventually, everyone is chanting the words as though they have just been brought in to the nazi movement.
My favourite song in this musical was the finale song "Life Is a Cabaret," sung by Liza Minnelli. The reason I found this song so great was because of how true the message was. Life really is like a cabaret. You never know who is going to enter your life and you never know what is going to happen in your life. A cabaret club is a very rough place where anything can happen. Liza sings the lyrics to this song so stunningly and surprisingly cheerfully. She takes the excitement and mystery of life and turns them into positive energy. That is why her performance is so perfect. Her performance is one of the most treasured performances in musical history. Her final song really caps off her expert performance on a good note (literally). Her performance was filled with so much truth and power that it was impossible not to realize what she meant.
Overall, I give this film two thumbs up. Liza Minnelli definitely deserved that academy award. The message that this movie conveys is a lesson that I will take to heart. I will try my best to convey that message to the rest of the world by always following it. This film is a classic that will always be a gem in the world of musicals.
Monday 18 March 2013
CABARET!
This week is the first week of spring break! I have a lot of time on my hands so I have decided to watch as many movie musicals as I can in the next two weeks. I love movie musicals and there are so many popular ones that I have never seen so I am really looking forward to this challenge!
The first one that I will watch is Cabaret. This Oscar winning movie stars Joel Grey and Liza Minneli. The film is largely set in a nightclub with a larger than life MC brilliantly portrayed by Joel Grey. The movie expertly symbolizes the conflicts in Germany and the rest of the world in the 1930's with the growing Nazi Party.
From what I have heard, this movie is superb and very thought provoking. It is masterfully scored by Kander and Ebb (Tony Award winning composers and lyricists for Chicago) and directed by the great Bob Fosse. I am really excited to watch this film and I will report back my thoughts and feelings of the film next week. Wish me luck!
What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret.
Put down the knitting,
The book and the broom.
Time for a holiday.
Life is Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret.
Come taste the wine,
Come hear the band.
Come blow your horn,
Start celebrating;
Right this way,
Your table's waiting
No use permitting
soem prophet of doom
To wipe every smile away.
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret!
I used to have a girlfriend
known as Elsie
With whom I shared
Four sordid rooms in Chelsea
She wasn't what you'd call
A blushing flower...
As a matter of fact
She rented by the hour.
The day she died the neighbors
came to snicker:
"Well, thats what comes
from to much pills and liquor."
But when I saw her laid out like a Queen
She was the happiest...corpse...
I'd ever seen.
I think of Elsie to this very day.
I'd remember how'd she turn to me and say:
"What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret."
And as for me,
I made up my mind back in Chelsea,
When I go, I'm going like Elsie.
Start by admitting
From cradle to tomb
Isn't that long a stay.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Only a Cabaret, old chum,
And I love a Cabaret!
The first one that I will watch is Cabaret. This Oscar winning movie stars Joel Grey and Liza Minneli. The film is largely set in a nightclub with a larger than life MC brilliantly portrayed by Joel Grey. The movie expertly symbolizes the conflicts in Germany and the rest of the world in the 1930's with the growing Nazi Party.
From what I have heard, this movie is superb and very thought provoking. It is masterfully scored by Kander and Ebb (Tony Award winning composers and lyricists for Chicago) and directed by the great Bob Fosse. I am really excited to watch this film and I will report back my thoughts and feelings of the film next week. Wish me luck!
What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret.
Put down the knitting,
The book and the broom.
Time for a holiday.
Life is Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret.
Come taste the wine,
Come hear the band.
Come blow your horn,
Start celebrating;
Right this way,
Your table's waiting
No use permitting
soem prophet of doom
To wipe every smile away.
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret!
I used to have a girlfriend
known as Elsie
With whom I shared
Four sordid rooms in Chelsea
She wasn't what you'd call
A blushing flower...
As a matter of fact
She rented by the hour.
The day she died the neighbors
came to snicker:
"Well, thats what comes
from to much pills and liquor."
But when I saw her laid out like a Queen
She was the happiest...corpse...
I'd ever seen.
I think of Elsie to this very day.
I'd remember how'd she turn to me and say:
"What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret."
And as for me,
I made up my mind back in Chelsea,
When I go, I'm going like Elsie.
Start by admitting
From cradle to tomb
Isn't that long a stay.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Only a Cabaret, old chum,
And I love a Cabaret!
Monday 11 March 2013
Symbaloo
So another component of the PLE project is that we must create our own personal dashboard. A dashboard is basically a conglomerate of website streams and links that is central to you PLN. I used a program called Symbaloo to make my dashboard. Symbaloo uses a button interface to set up links that take you to certain websites. I find Symbaloo to be very useful. I have made my home page of Safari set to Symbaloo because it makes internet surfing a lot more efficient. I use Symbaloo every day. I think that a dashboard is very important in a PLN because it ties everything together. I strongly suggest using Symbaloo or other dashboard systems if you visit many websites on the internet. Symbaloo made my life so much simpler!
Here is the link to Symbaloo:
http://www.symbaloo.com/
Happy Spring!
Here is the link to Symbaloo:
http://www.symbaloo.com/
Happy Spring!
Sunday 24 February 2013
The Final Favourite!
Okay everyone, here it is! This is the final blog of my favourite five. It's about item that I finish this. Other people that are participating in this project finished this step almost a month ago. Finally, I am caught up.
This blog has everything: reviews, trivia, and funny articles about Broadway and what-not. This blog is the ultimate guide to all things Broadway. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!
http://thecraptacular.com/
Enjoy!
This blog has everything: reviews, trivia, and funny articles about Broadway and what-not. This blog is the ultimate guide to all things Broadway. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!
http://thecraptacular.com/
Enjoy!
Saturday 23 February 2013
The Musical Theatre Dictionary
This blog is genius! Basically it's a dictionary for all the terms, sayings, and slang that are used in the world of theatre. It is very clever and actually very useful. From reading it, I ended up learning a lot!
So, check out this blog to discover the language of theatre:
http://mtdictionary.blogspot.ca/
Have fun!
So, check out this blog to discover the language of theatre:
http://mtdictionary.blogspot.ca/
Have fun!
Friday 22 February 2013
Defying Gravity
This is the story of my favourite Broadway show: Wicked
My family was on vacation in New York a couple winters ago. The first night, we saw The Lion King. Wow! I didn't think that anything could top that! However, that night, we went to the Gershwin Theatre to see Wicked. I was stunned. The lyrics, music, set, and characters were all so mesmerising. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. It took a while for it to sink in. I realised that my life had changed after seeing Wicked. I have a new perspective on life. I look at things from the point of view as Elphaba, someone who is unique. I can relate to Elphaba in that way. I haven't been the same since that night at the theatre.
I have since seen the touring production of Wicked when it came to my city. Seeing it again made the experience happen all over again and I left the theatre that day feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. The touring production was much more intimate and I felt closer to the action and the story. It was a whole new experience for me. I will never forget seeing this show.
I can barely explain what Wicked means to me. It is a metaphor my life and so much of my life is influenced by Wicked. I will learn something new about myself and life every time I see Wicked, which, hopefully, will be many more.
This is an inspiring song that is sung by Elphaba at the beginning of act one. It represents that no matter who you are, you can do anything that you put your mind to. Anyone can reach their goals. Even a girl who is hated by practically everyone.
The Wizard and I by Stephen Schwartz
Did that really just happen?
Have I actually understood?
This weird quirk I've tried
To suppress or hide
Is a talent that could
Help me meet the Wizard
If I make good
So I'll make good
When I meet the Wizard,
Once I prove my worth,
And then I'll meet the Wizard
What I've waited for since, since birth!
And with all his Wizard wisdom,
By my looks, he won't be blinded
Do you think the Wizard is dumb?
Or, like Munchkins, so small-minded?
(Spoken: No!) He'll say to me,
"I see who you truly are -
A girl on whom I can rely!"
And that's how we'll begin
The Wizard and I:
Once I'm with the Wizard
My whole life will change
'Cuz once you're with the Wizard
No one thinks you're strange!
No father is not proud of you,
No sister acts ashamed
And all of Oz has to love you
When by the Wizard, you're acclaimed
And this gift or this curse
I have inside
Maybe at last, I'll know why
When we are hand in hand -
The Wizard and I!
And one day, he'll say to me, "Elphaba,
A girl who is so superior,
Shouldn't a girl who's so good inside
Have a matching exterior?
And since folks here to an absurd degree
Seem fixated on your verdigris
Would it be all right by you
If I de-greenified you?"
And though of course,
That's not important to me
"All right, why not?" I'll reply
Oh, what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and I;
Yes, what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and...
Unlimited
My future is unlimited
And I've just had a vision
Almost like a prophecy
I know - it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision's hazy
But I swear, someday there'll be
A celebration throughout Oz
That's all to do with me!
And I'll stand there with the Wizard,
Feeling things I've never felt
And though I'd never show it,
I'd be so happy, I could melt!
And so it will be
For the rest of my life,
And I'll want nothing else
Till I die
Held in such high esteem
When people see me, they will scream
For half of Oz's favorite team;
The Wizard
And I!!!
My family was on vacation in New York a couple winters ago. The first night, we saw The Lion King. Wow! I didn't think that anything could top that! However, that night, we went to the Gershwin Theatre to see Wicked. I was stunned. The lyrics, music, set, and characters were all so mesmerising. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. It took a while for it to sink in. I realised that my life had changed after seeing Wicked. I have a new perspective on life. I look at things from the point of view as Elphaba, someone who is unique. I can relate to Elphaba in that way. I haven't been the same since that night at the theatre.
I have since seen the touring production of Wicked when it came to my city. Seeing it again made the experience happen all over again and I left the theatre that day feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. The touring production was much more intimate and I felt closer to the action and the story. It was a whole new experience for me. I will never forget seeing this show.
I can barely explain what Wicked means to me. It is a metaphor my life and so much of my life is influenced by Wicked. I will learn something new about myself and life every time I see Wicked, which, hopefully, will be many more.
This is an inspiring song that is sung by Elphaba at the beginning of act one. It represents that no matter who you are, you can do anything that you put your mind to. Anyone can reach their goals. Even a girl who is hated by practically everyone.
The Wizard and I by Stephen Schwartz
Did that really just happen?
Have I actually understood?
This weird quirk I've tried
To suppress or hide
Is a talent that could
Help me meet the Wizard
If I make good
So I'll make good
When I meet the Wizard,
Once I prove my worth,
And then I'll meet the Wizard
What I've waited for since, since birth!
And with all his Wizard wisdom,
By my looks, he won't be blinded
Do you think the Wizard is dumb?
Or, like Munchkins, so small-minded?
(Spoken: No!) He'll say to me,
"I see who you truly are -
A girl on whom I can rely!"
And that's how we'll begin
The Wizard and I:
Once I'm with the Wizard
My whole life will change
'Cuz once you're with the Wizard
No one thinks you're strange!
No father is not proud of you,
No sister acts ashamed
And all of Oz has to love you
When by the Wizard, you're acclaimed
And this gift or this curse
I have inside
Maybe at last, I'll know why
When we are hand in hand -
The Wizard and I!
And one day, he'll say to me, "Elphaba,
A girl who is so superior,
Shouldn't a girl who's so good inside
Have a matching exterior?
And since folks here to an absurd degree
Seem fixated on your verdigris
Would it be all right by you
If I de-greenified you?"
And though of course,
That's not important to me
"All right, why not?" I'll reply
Oh, what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and I;
Yes, what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and...
Unlimited
My future is unlimited
And I've just had a vision
Almost like a prophecy
I know - it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision's hazy
But I swear, someday there'll be
A celebration throughout Oz
That's all to do with me!
And I'll stand there with the Wizard,
Feeling things I've never felt
And though I'd never show it,
I'd be so happy, I could melt!
And so it will be
For the rest of my life,
And I'll want nothing else
Till I die
Held in such high esteem
When people see me, they will scream
For half of Oz's favorite team;
The Wizard
And I!!!
Thursday 21 February 2013
PLE Progress
So as you know, this blog was created in participation with a PLE project. So far, the project has been going rather well. I am enjoying having a blog as well as the other social media tools that are required for my PLN. It is sometimes hard to stay on top of things, but I've been managing okay. I haven't noticed a change in my productiveness or learning, but I am still in the early stages of the project! I will definitely be more dedicated to in keeping up with blog posts!
There's Nothing Like A Broadway Show!
Hi everyone! Sorry that I haven't written anything recently, but I have a whole lot of stuff on my mind that I need to share, so brace yourselves for a bunch a posts! Firstly, I need to get a move on with my PLE project. I'm falling a bit behind! So, to quicken things up, I'm going to blog about my next to favourite blogs right now!
Both of these blogs are independent reviewers for New York theatre. The first is an blogger who reviews off-off Broadway shows by small theatre companies. It is really neat to read about these lesser known shows that could be hidden gems in the New York theatre scene. It is very hard for these shows to get publicity and this blog advertises them very well. I suggest that you view this blog to see what cool, alternative shows are playing in the city. It would be a great experiment and hopefully a good experience to go see a show that is not mainstream.
Here is the link:
http://newyorktheatrereview.blogspot.ca/
This next blog is hilarious. While this blogger is slightly more negative towards the theatre, he adds a needed sense of reality to the Broadway stage. This blog puts a satirical spin to the shows and events on Broadway. My favourites are parodies of the scripts from Wicked and the 2012 Tony Awards! If you want to have a good laugh, please visit this blog. Warning: Not for the easily offended!
http://www.broadwayabridged.com/
So, I hope you take pleasure in reading these blogs and I promise that I'll be back soon with more personal stories and my final two favourite blogs!
There's Nothing Like A Broadway Show from The Producers
The overture is over,
The curtain starts to rise
You're suddenly in clover
You can't believe your eyes
You're sitting on the aisle
You break into a smile
Why this magic feeling
And then you realize
That there is nothing like a show on broadway
Nothing like a broadway show
Hearts will skip a beat on broadway
If you're feeling blue
I'm telling you
Thats the place to go
Movies drag
Their ending's sag
TV's just a bore
So hit the street
And move and your feat
To the place we all adore
Because...
There's nothing like a show on broadway
Nothing like a broadway show!
It's often been said that theatre is dead
The critics repeat it en masse
But the theatres alive
It's gonna survive
Although it's a pain in the ass.
You waited forever,
And finally got tickets,
To get to your seat you gotta cross pickets,
The guy to your right is frightfully tight,
The guy to your left appears to have rickets!
The music's yuck,
The lyrics suck,
And the casting's all wrong!
And when you reach the bathroom the line is 5 miles long.
But still there's nothing like a show on broadway.
There's nothing like a broadway show.
You swear you'll never go again,
It's simply not worthwile.
You make that vow, and then somehow...
...You're back there on the aisle.
That's why there's nothing like a show on broadway.
There's nothing like a broadway show.
There's nothing like a broadway show.
And though it is expensive at a 100 bucks a throw!
there's nothing... like a broadway show!
Both of these blogs are independent reviewers for New York theatre. The first is an blogger who reviews off-off Broadway shows by small theatre companies. It is really neat to read about these lesser known shows that could be hidden gems in the New York theatre scene. It is very hard for these shows to get publicity and this blog advertises them very well. I suggest that you view this blog to see what cool, alternative shows are playing in the city. It would be a great experiment and hopefully a good experience to go see a show that is not mainstream.
Here is the link:
http://newyorktheatrereview.blogspot.ca/
This next blog is hilarious. While this blogger is slightly more negative towards the theatre, he adds a needed sense of reality to the Broadway stage. This blog puts a satirical spin to the shows and events on Broadway. My favourites are parodies of the scripts from Wicked and the 2012 Tony Awards! If you want to have a good laugh, please visit this blog. Warning: Not for the easily offended!
http://www.broadwayabridged.com/
So, I hope you take pleasure in reading these blogs and I promise that I'll be back soon with more personal stories and my final two favourite blogs!
There's Nothing Like A Broadway Show from The Producers
The overture is over,
The curtain starts to rise
You're suddenly in clover
You can't believe your eyes
You're sitting on the aisle
You break into a smile
Why this magic feeling
And then you realize
That there is nothing like a show on broadway
Nothing like a broadway show
Hearts will skip a beat on broadway
If you're feeling blue
I'm telling you
Thats the place to go
Movies drag
Their ending's sag
TV's just a bore
So hit the street
And move and your feat
To the place we all adore
Because...
There's nothing like a show on broadway
Nothing like a broadway show!
It's often been said that theatre is dead
The critics repeat it en masse
But the theatres alive
It's gonna survive
Although it's a pain in the ass.
You waited forever,
And finally got tickets,
To get to your seat you gotta cross pickets,
The guy to your right is frightfully tight,
The guy to your left appears to have rickets!
The music's yuck,
The lyrics suck,
And the casting's all wrong!
And when you reach the bathroom the line is 5 miles long.
But still there's nothing like a show on broadway.
There's nothing like a broadway show.
You swear you'll never go again,
It's simply not worthwile.
You make that vow, and then somehow...
...You're back there on the aisle.
That's why there's nothing like a show on broadway.
There's nothing like a broadway show.
There's nothing like a broadway show.
And though it is expensive at a 100 bucks a throw!
there's nothing... like a broadway show!
Wednesday 6 February 2013
Blog #1
As part of my PLE assignment, I have to find at least five other blogs that I can blog about to create my Personal Learning Network. So after a very brief search, I stumbled upon a blogger who's blog is entitled "Broadway & Me". This person clearly is a much better blogger than myself and has a ton more information, especially in the topic of current broadway news. To be frank, her blog is simply amazing! I am suggesting this blog beacause I think that "Broadway & Me" conveys a similar message that I am trying to show: There is nothing bettter than a Broadway show! I can learn a lot from this blogger and I hope that you will too!
So, without further adieu, the link to "Broadway & Me"- http://www.broadwayandme.blogspot.ca/
I strongly suggest that you follow this blog! Enjoy!
So, without further adieu, the link to "Broadway & Me"- http://www.broadwayandme.blogspot.ca/
I strongly suggest that you follow this blog! Enjoy!
My PLE
So, I should clear something up. I have created this blog not only to share my passions with the world, but also to participate in my school's PLE (Personal Learning Environment) project. I will be creating a network of information about my intersts as part of a study to see how social media affects learning. As part of my Learning Network, I will be posting links to other blogs about my topic in order to create a vast network of info. I just thought that my readers should know everything about what this blog is for! Thanks!
There's no business like show business like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing, everything that traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow
There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold, you may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold, let's go on with the show
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Are secretly unhappy men because
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Get paid for what they do but no applause.
They'd gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye for anything theatrical and why?
There's no business like show business and I tell you it's so
Traveling through the country is so thrilling, standing out in front on opening nights
Smiling as you watch the theater filling, and there's your billing out there in lights
There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack, and when you lose it, there's no attack
Where could you get money that you don't give back? Let's go on with the show
(There's no business like show business like no business I know)
You get word before the show has started that your favorite uncle died at dawn
Top of that, your pa and ma have parted, you're broken-hearted, but you go on
(There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low)
Yesterday they told you you would not go far, that night you open and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star, let's go on with the show!!
There's no business like show business like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing, everything that traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow
There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold, you may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold, let's go on with the show
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Are secretly unhappy men because
The butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk
Get paid for what they do but no applause.
They'd gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye for anything theatrical and why?
There's no business like show business and I tell you it's so
Traveling through the country is so thrilling, standing out in front on opening nights
Smiling as you watch the theater filling, and there's your billing out there in lights
There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Angels come from everywhere with lots of jack, and when you lose it, there's no attack
Where could you get money that you don't give back? Let's go on with the show
(There's no business like show business like no business I know)
You get word before the show has started that your favorite uncle died at dawn
Top of that, your pa and ma have parted, you're broken-hearted, but you go on
(There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low)
Yesterday they told you you would not go far, that night you open and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star, let's go on with the show!!
Monday 4 February 2013
Lullaby of Broadway
I want to put lyrics to a Broadway song with every post. I forgot to add some for my last post so here is "Lullaby of Broadway" from 42nd Street!
Come on along and listen to
The Lullaby of Broadway
The hip hooray and bally hoo
The Lullaby of Broadway
The rumble of a subway train
The rattle of a taxi
The daffodils who entertain
At Angelo's and Maxie's
When a Broadway baby says good night
It's early in the morning
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight
Until the dawn
Goodnight, baby
Goodnight, the milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day, hey
Come on along, listen to
The Lullaby of Broadway
The Copacabana, Birdland to
The Lullaby of Broadway
The band begins to go to town
And everything gets hazy
You rock-a-bye your baby 'round
To Ellington or Basie
When a Broadway baby says good night
It's early in the morning
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight
Until the dawn
Goodnight, baby
Goodnight, the milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day
But listen to the Lullaby of Old Broadway
Come on along and be a Broadway
Broadway
Goodnight, baby
Goodnight, the milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day
But listen to the Lullaby of Old Broadway
Come on along and listen to
The Lullaby of Broadway
The hip hooray and bally hoo
The Lullaby of Broadway
The rumble of a subway train
The rattle of a taxi
The daffodils who entertain
At Angelo's and Maxie's
When a Broadway baby says good night
It's early in the morning
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight
Until the dawn
Goodnight, baby
Goodnight, the milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day, hey
Come on along, listen to
The Lullaby of Broadway
The Copacabana, Birdland to
The Lullaby of Broadway
The band begins to go to town
And everything gets hazy
You rock-a-bye your baby 'round
To Ellington or Basie
When a Broadway baby says good night
It's early in the morning
Manhattan babies don't sleep tight
Until the dawn
Goodnight, baby
Goodnight, the milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day
But listen to the Lullaby of Old Broadway
Come on along and be a Broadway
Broadway
Goodnight, baby
Goodnight, the milkman's on his way
Sleep tight, baby
Sleep tight, let's call it a day
But listen to the Lullaby of Old Broadway
The Hiding Place
This is the story of my very first experience with watching theatre:
I was about five years old when my mother took me to a heritage village and museum for a day trip. One of the attractions at said museum, was a show about a small town during the gold rush. I was engaged throughout the whole performance which is uncharacteristic of a five year old. There was something about the coming together of actors on a stage that grabbed my full attention. The fact that artists can come together and communally create a magic onstage was breathtaking for me. The show stole my heart and it has never given my love back.
One of the coolest things that I found about that show, was how the actors would leave the stage via the wings and later return to the stage from a different part of the wings and sometimes even in a different costume. This was the most exciting thing that I had ever seen. Being the feeble-minded child that I was, I believed that this occurrence was pure magic! Out of my excitement, I named the backstage area the "Hiding Place". After all, this was where the actors hid from the audience. This term stuck with me for many years and that is what was known to me.
After that first show, I was hooked. Theatre has since been a grand and special experience for me. The days leading up to see a new show are always exciting. Seeing shows are my favourite thing to do. Shows bring me to a new world of adventure where my current problems and worries can leave me. I get to sit back in my chair and enjoy the talents of others who entertain me. I hope there are others in the world who share this love of mine. Theatre is a gift that not everyone has the luxury of receiving. Some people don't appreciate theatre as it should be appreciated. Theatre is not to be taken for granted, but it is definitely something that will change a person's life.
I was about five years old when my mother took me to a heritage village and museum for a day trip. One of the attractions at said museum, was a show about a small town during the gold rush. I was engaged throughout the whole performance which is uncharacteristic of a five year old. There was something about the coming together of actors on a stage that grabbed my full attention. The fact that artists can come together and communally create a magic onstage was breathtaking for me. The show stole my heart and it has never given my love back.
One of the coolest things that I found about that show, was how the actors would leave the stage via the wings and later return to the stage from a different part of the wings and sometimes even in a different costume. This was the most exciting thing that I had ever seen. Being the feeble-minded child that I was, I believed that this occurrence was pure magic! Out of my excitement, I named the backstage area the "Hiding Place". After all, this was where the actors hid from the audience. This term stuck with me for many years and that is what was known to me.
After that first show, I was hooked. Theatre has since been a grand and special experience for me. The days leading up to see a new show are always exciting. Seeing shows are my favourite thing to do. Shows bring me to a new world of adventure where my current problems and worries can leave me. I get to sit back in my chair and enjoy the talents of others who entertain me. I hope there are others in the world who share this love of mine. Theatre is a gift that not everyone has the luxury of receiving. Some people don't appreciate theatre as it should be appreciated. Theatre is not to be taken for granted, but it is definitely something that will change a person's life.
Friday 1 February 2013
Overture
Hi Everyone! This is my first post on my first blog ever so...here we go!
My name is Brian and I am a theatre nut! That's basically what this blog is about: Theatre.
I love every type of theatre: musical theatre, drama, puppetry, experimental, dance, mime, clown, etc.
So I'll be sharing my various experiences with the theatre whether it's onstage, or in the audience!
I'll also share a lot of information on theatre history and what's going on with theatre in the world currently.
Broadway is my happy place. That's where we'll be most of the time on this blog. I hope that many of you will find my experiences and writing interesting and you'll subscribe my blog! Enjoy the ride with me through the glorious world of theatre. To close off my first post ever, I will share some of the lyrics to a very fitting song: On Broadway by George Benson
THEY SAY THE NEON LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT ON BROADWAY
THEY SAY THERE'S ALWAYS MAGIC IN THE AIR
BUT WHEN YOU'RE WALKIN' DOWN THE STREET
AND YOU AIN'T HAD ENOUGH TO EAT
THE GLITTER RUBS RIGHT OFF AND YOU'RE NOWHERE
THEY SAY THAT I WON'T LAST TOO LONG ON BROADWAY
I'LL CATCH A GREY HOUND BUS FOR HOME THEY ALL SAY
BUT THEY'RE DEAD WRONG I KNOW THEY ARE
'CAUSE I CAN PLAY THIS HERE GUITAR
AND I WON'T QUIT TILL I'M A STAR ON BROADWAY
My name is Brian and I am a theatre nut! That's basically what this blog is about: Theatre.
I love every type of theatre: musical theatre, drama, puppetry, experimental, dance, mime, clown, etc.
So I'll be sharing my various experiences with the theatre whether it's onstage, or in the audience!
I'll also share a lot of information on theatre history and what's going on with theatre in the world currently.
Broadway is my happy place. That's where we'll be most of the time on this blog. I hope that many of you will find my experiences and writing interesting and you'll subscribe my blog! Enjoy the ride with me through the glorious world of theatre. To close off my first post ever, I will share some of the lyrics to a very fitting song: On Broadway by George Benson
THEY SAY THE NEON LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT ON BROADWAY
THEY SAY THERE'S ALWAYS MAGIC IN THE AIR
BUT WHEN YOU'RE WALKIN' DOWN THE STREET
AND YOU AIN'T HAD ENOUGH TO EAT
THE GLITTER RUBS RIGHT OFF AND YOU'RE NOWHERE
THEY SAY THAT I WON'T LAST TOO LONG ON BROADWAY
I'LL CATCH A GREY HOUND BUS FOR HOME THEY ALL SAY
BUT THEY'RE DEAD WRONG I KNOW THEY ARE
'CAUSE I CAN PLAY THIS HERE GUITAR
AND I WON'T QUIT TILL I'M A STAR ON BROADWAY
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