Phantom at 19

I forgot to mention last week that the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera turned 19 on January 26. Wow! That's a lot of fog!

Happy Birthday Scotty & Nikki!

Fresh Starts

It is a time of fresh starts. The new semester begins tomorrow, it is now time to role out the Footloose scripts and I am about to begin another year of my life. New things coming in every direction- some I'm excited about, some I hope I can be excited about and some I approach with uncertainty, but I know that it will all work out. Each time new things begin, I have a tendency to look to the past for my answers. If only it were as simple as it was when I was a little kid- each night I would go to bed and the next day was just that- the next day. Now every decision I make is affected by yesterday and tomorrow is a result of today and you sometimes don't know if you made the right choice until you see tomorrow. Choice, that is a big word and most people don't realize how big it is. I heard a man I respect greatly speak on choice a week ago. Every choice I make, big or small creates ME. It creates my future, my past, who I love, who I don't, who I respect, who influences me and so on- it is all by the choices I make. Living life itself it a choice that we don't fully grasp until we aren't given that choice anymore. During our Christmas show, I was going through the scripture we were going to use during the Nativity sections and I read the part where the Gabrielle comes to Mary and tells her she is going to give birth to Jesus. She doesn't say, "can you come back later", or "oh, I don't think I can handle that." Instead she said, "be it unto me according to your word." In otherwords, a choice had been made FOR her and she said very simply- ok. I've read that a hundred times and heard it read even more, but I had never really let it sink in. My prayer for all the fresh starts that another year brings is that I make the correct choices I have to make and those choices that are made FOR me, I have the wisdom to accept with a simple and faithful ok.

Noooooo! Say it Ain't So!

I got up this morning with a pleasant surprise- snow and no school, well actually a work day, but still just the same- no kids. I made my rounds and visited various people then came bacl to my office to check and answer emails and such. Everyday at lunch I visit broadway.com and theatremania.com to keep up with the goings on of the theatre world and today my parade got rained on. After thirteen years on broadway, Beauty and the Beast is closing on July 29. I don't think it is because of lacking attendance, but rather they fell it has just done its thing and they are making space for The Little Mermaid to move into that theatre in December. Read the article here. As pathetic as it sounds, I feel like I've lost a friend today- ok, maybe that's a little cheesy, but you know what I mean. That story was always my favorite fairytale when I was growing up and it is easily the best animated feature that Disney has produced and the show is amazing and beautiful with a score that gives me chills still to this day. That show also produced my most favorite song ever, "A Change in Me", so I have the right to be a little sad. I've seen it four times, but could stand one more... any takers?

Mamma-Mia

I just read that Meryl Streep will be playing the lead role of Donna in the movie version of Mamma-Mia which is to begin filming this summer in Greece. Sounds fun!

"Tigger Beat Up My Kid"

I imagine most of you have seen that whole "Tigger beat up my kid story." Well, all I have to say is it looks as if your kid is a punk that didn't get spanked as a child and thinks he can do anything he wants and then whine about it when it is done. If you watch closely, the kid is doing something to the back of the guy in the costume. When are parents going to take responsibility for their lack of parenting and quit blaming everyone and everything in society for trying to cause their children harm? Then to make it better, let's send the video to every major news organization so everyone can see that Tigger had it out for his teenage son while expecting monetary compensation for the "trauma" that the poor boy has gone through. If I was the kid, I'd be embarrassed that everyone saw Tigger beat me up! That would be enough to keep the video hidden for forever! Everybody want's something for nothing- get over it, get a life and quit trying to ruin others around you. What's next? Is he planning to sue Disney because the teacups made his son dizzy? Well, he shouldn't have spun so fast, like he should have touched Tigger the way that he did. Just imagine the next time you go to have your picture taken with Mickey and he's behind a piece of plexiglass. Let the freaks rule the world? No, just sterilize them so they can't create more freaks!

Grease: You're the One That I Want

What are these people thinking? They can't sing, they can't dance yet they want to be in a Broadway musical. I've always said, the greatest trait an actor can ever have is knowing what part they CAN'T play. There are so many parts I would love to do, but because of physical size, age, ability- I know I can't and I accept that. One of my favorite theatre critics wrote an interesting article about this show today. Read it here.

Hairspray, the Movie

I found an interesting website today about the new hairspray movie, which is based on the musical, which is based on the movie. There is not much thereyet, but a nice intro of a picture montage with Queen Latifa a Motor Mouth Mabel singing "You Can't Stop the Beat". It looks to be great fun. There is also a production blog which is fun to read. Check 'em out!

Hairspray Movie Web Site

Hairspray Movie Blog

The Magic Kingdom

We had beautiful weather the entire week. Shane took this picture- wow!
Now Pirates of the Carribean has Jack Sparrow plugged several times through out the ride. I don't like the idea of messing with a classic, but what are you going to do? It is really amazing how much he looks like Johnny Depp.
Yes, we ride It's a Small World everytime for my Dad. This is the place where everytime since the first time I ever rode it I throw in a penny and make a wish. With the amount of times I've been to Disney World and ridden that ride throwing pennies, I could now own a small estate.
Ah, the fairest of them all... no, I'm not talking about me. Snow White was the first ride I ever rode in Disney World, so naturally as tradition I have to ride it each visit. Although she has had a face lift since the first time- she is still a beauty.
We ended up riding Splash Mountain four times- I think, I've lost track. Two of those times being at 1:30am on New Years. Some of us got a little wet, others of us (me!) got soaked everytime. Look at that sly little smile... I'm talking about the fox... I mean the guy in the suit.
Around the world tonight a symphony of Spectro Magic.. great!
And as always, fireworks to send us to bed at the end of the day.

Epcot

When I was younger, I really didn't enjoy Epcot that much. But now, I love it! Test Track and now Soarin' are two great rides that are not to be missed. I had done test track several times, but soarin' was all new. It was like you were taking a hang gliding tour across the hills and valleys and ocean shores of California- it was great! This park is a very visual place- lots of walking too. Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow... but we know it means Every Person Comes Out Tired.
I got into taking pictures that matched our last visit. It is fun to look at them then and now in the same setting.
I love this picture. I took it as we were leaving our first night of visiting Epcot.

Fun Times

Jake and Kaycee share a dance as they count down the hours to midnight on New Years Eve. Those are noise makers, not cigarettes- they both have decided to quit smoking as their resolution.
Can't leave without a bunch of fun headgear...
One day we were walking down Mainstreet USA in the Magic Kingdom and Nikki stoped suddenly- yes, she found her long lost sister sitting in a store window. It was a beautiful reunion, but not a bit of dust was moved- they just sat around and looked pretty.
Whose the leader of the club... you know the rest.
Kaycee and Kaylee being abducted by large rodents.
Kaylee was even brainwashed into becoming one herself.
One day we went to the Grand Floridian resort and looked at the life size gingerbread house. Everything about could be eaten! All three kids became suddenly bad and irreverent. We later found out it was only a ploy because they were trying to get grounded and sent to the corner where they could hopefully eat their way to freedom.

Disney MGM Studios

We had a great time at the studios one day. There is nothing new there to experience, but this new display from the Narnia movie. We got to see costumes, sets and props like the sleigh of the White Witch and some of the frozen statues from her court yard. The armour and weapons were also on display- the detail was amazing and beautiful.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Although not my favorite park, I always enjoy going to the Animal Kingdom just for a bit. The Festival of the Lion King show is one of the best on the property and It's Tough to be a Bug is the best in 3D entertainment- I know what is going to happen and it still creeps me out at times.
We went on the safari early that morning and saw a lot more animals than we usually do. We saw lions, hipos, giraffes, everything you could think of including several of theses huge silver back gorillas. They were the most interesting to watch and at the same time a little scary. I think they could break all of us in half just from looking at us.
This is Expedition Everest, a new roller coaster. I was all pumped and ready to ride it until I saw it up close and then chickened out because I knew most of it was in the dark and backwards- so Nikki and Kaylee rode it. Yes, I am ashamed, a nine year old girl rode but I didn't. That is all we will say about that.

New Years at Disney

What's New Years Eve without party hats?!?!?!?

Happy New Year Disney style... lot's of pyro!

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Happy New Year!

Wow, 2007 already! I had a great Christmas and a great New Year! My family took our trip to Disney World and had a blast. I rung in the New Year right in front of Cinderella's castle. I had great plans to keep each day documented, but when I got to the resort it cost extra to hook up my lap top. I decided better to just wait, so tomorrow after I have time to go through some pictures tonight, I will give a brief history of our fun week. The weather was beautiful! Everyday was in the high 70s, low 80s with a slight breeze. It was painful to get up this morning with frost on my car. After such a great begining, how will I make it the next 362 days exciting? I think I will find a way...