When it comes to theatrical experiences, who hasn't at least once hummed the Rocky or Chariots of Fire theme song when doing something mediocre, such as, getting the mail, trying to run up a hill or sprinting to the clothesline without a bra before your neighbours catch you.
Let's get MUSICAL!!!
How can the words "I love you" get the maximum effect? I know! Sing it loud and proud at the top of your voice, throw in "always" and allow for a few key changes inserted with maximum precision.
Did I mention I saw The Bodyguard - The Musical last week when I was in London? Well I did and it was awesome...I also saw my favourite musical, Singin' in the Rain, my not-so-favourite, A Chorus Line and the brilliant play, The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie.
A while ago, when I was a journo in Toowoomba, I wrote an entire column trying to incorporate as many names of musicals as possible...clever? More like, time consuming and a mental challenge!
Since then, I've studied a bit of musical theatre, so I hope I can do it better than before and in only ten minutes! Challenge accepted. So, here is my review of the musicals I saw..and while I review I'll try not to be too Ruthless (there we go!) .... and won't touch Google for inspiration!
The Bodyguard....amazing. It would have been too easy for The Producers to get carried away with aesthetics such as the performers' Hair lacquered with Hairspray or Grease, but I think they did a brilliant job bringing the drama, fear and strength of the characters to stage....I wonder if it took The Last Five Years to develop this brilliant show. Even though the songs are mostly Whitney's from the nineties, they seem like Songs For A New World.
The main actresses, Heather Headley (assuming the role of Rachel...played by Whitney Houston in the movie) and Debbie Kurup (playing Whitter's sister) are a couple of Dreamgirls. Headley assumes Rachel's character brilliantly and is anything but Next To Normal in the massive numbers including "I will always love you" and "I have nothing". The musical really refreshed my love for The Sound of Music.
Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner's character, this time played by Lloyd Owen) is as stubborn as a Lion King and exerts the ultimate protection over Rachel and her son. The actor is great, although his accent seems to emulate Peter Griffin's from Family Guy (well the opening track is musical!). I can't put my finger on the accent, perhaps it's from Chicago, Brooklyn but definitely not Oklahoma.
The man playing the stalker...was his name Oliver? No it was actually Mark Letheren, he seems to watch over the occurrences of the production similar to a Phantom or a Ghost...he was very, very Wicked.
If you've seen the movie, this won't be ruining the story for you. I have to mention it Just So you can somehow paint a picture in your mind. The show culminates in a stunning Oscar performance by Whitney's character. The stalker gets his vantage point for sniper practice, but fortunately, Rachel is in good Company. If it wasn't for The Bodyguard it could have been Tick Tick Boom for the star, embroiled in Fame. Fortunately, the stalker does not "Mame" (almost spelt correctly for the context) the singer, and when he takes off it's like Catch Me If You Can!
While all the characters could be Les Miserables from the dramatic series of events, they jump back into life as if boarding a Carousel. They move on with their lives even though the stalker has scared the Jesus Christ Superstar out of each of them. Frank Farmer has to leave to go protect the president, wherever he lives, either Pennsylvania Avenue or Avenue Q, and ignores how he wants to tell Rachel: "I'm Crazy for You."
This leads Rachel to have an epiphany...no...it was a Spring Awakening, and sings the power ballad of "I will always love you" which proves to the world Love Never Dies.
Now...Singin in the Rain..actually, my brain hurts! That'll have to be another post as I have to get ready for work tomorrow. How else will I be able to work from 9 to 5 and explain to my work colleagues, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (yes you've caught me out, I write this the night before)?
Weekly invention: A dream catcher that actually catches dreams. My most creative moments are when I'm sleeping. I thought of about five ideas for inventions last week, remembered them for about five minutes upon waking and then they were gone!... leaving me with this rather hippy invention...
Anyway, until next week, I might see...all you Guys n Dolls....soon.
Let's get MUSICAL!!!
How can the words "I love you" get the maximum effect? I know! Sing it loud and proud at the top of your voice, throw in "always" and allow for a few key changes inserted with maximum precision.
Did I mention I saw The Bodyguard - The Musical last week when I was in London? Well I did and it was awesome...I also saw my favourite musical, Singin' in the Rain, my not-so-favourite, A Chorus Line and the brilliant play, The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie.
A while ago, when I was a journo in Toowoomba, I wrote an entire column trying to incorporate as many names of musicals as possible...clever? More like, time consuming and a mental challenge!
Since then, I've studied a bit of musical theatre, so I hope I can do it better than before and in only ten minutes! Challenge accepted. So, here is my review of the musicals I saw..and while I review I'll try not to be too Ruthless (there we go!) .... and won't touch Google for inspiration!
The Bodyguard....amazing. It would have been too easy for The Producers to get carried away with aesthetics such as the performers' Hair lacquered with Hairspray or Grease, but I think they did a brilliant job bringing the drama, fear and strength of the characters to stage....I wonder if it took The Last Five Years to develop this brilliant show. Even though the songs are mostly Whitney's from the nineties, they seem like Songs For A New World.
The main actresses, Heather Headley (assuming the role of Rachel...played by Whitney Houston in the movie) and Debbie Kurup (playing Whitter's sister) are a couple of Dreamgirls. Headley assumes Rachel's character brilliantly and is anything but Next To Normal in the massive numbers including "I will always love you" and "I have nothing". The musical really refreshed my love for The Sound of Music.
Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner's character, this time played by Lloyd Owen) is as stubborn as a Lion King and exerts the ultimate protection over Rachel and her son. The actor is great, although his accent seems to emulate Peter Griffin's from Family Guy (well the opening track is musical!). I can't put my finger on the accent, perhaps it's from Chicago, Brooklyn but definitely not Oklahoma.
The man playing the stalker...was his name Oliver? No it was actually Mark Letheren, he seems to watch over the occurrences of the production similar to a Phantom or a Ghost...he was very, very Wicked.
If you've seen the movie, this won't be ruining the story for you. I have to mention it Just So you can somehow paint a picture in your mind. The show culminates in a stunning Oscar performance by Whitney's character. The stalker gets his vantage point for sniper practice, but fortunately, Rachel is in good Company. If it wasn't for The Bodyguard it could have been Tick Tick Boom for the star, embroiled in Fame. Fortunately, the stalker does not "Mame" (almost spelt correctly for the context) the singer, and when he takes off it's like Catch Me If You Can!
While all the characters could be Les Miserables from the dramatic series of events, they jump back into life as if boarding a Carousel. They move on with their lives even though the stalker has scared the Jesus Christ Superstar out of each of them. Frank Farmer has to leave to go protect the president, wherever he lives, either Pennsylvania Avenue or Avenue Q, and ignores how he wants to tell Rachel: "I'm Crazy for You."
This leads Rachel to have an epiphany...no...it was a Spring Awakening, and sings the power ballad of "I will always love you" which proves to the world Love Never Dies.
Now...Singin in the Rain..actually, my brain hurts! That'll have to be another post as I have to get ready for work tomorrow. How else will I be able to work from 9 to 5 and explain to my work colleagues, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (yes you've caught me out, I write this the night before)?
Weekly invention: A dream catcher that actually catches dreams. My most creative moments are when I'm sleeping. I thought of about five ideas for inventions last week, remembered them for about five minutes upon waking and then they were gone!... leaving me with this rather hippy invention...
Anyway, until next week, I might see...all you Guys n Dolls....soon.
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