Little Mermaid Pictures

Disney just released new photos of the approaching Broadway production of The Little Mermaid. I've been a bit concerned from what I read production wise, but the third picture down of Sherie Rene Scott as Ursual makes me think everything will be just fine- it's a great photo.

Happy Halloween!

Trick or treat?

My List

My top ten favorite cast albums. The ones with the * I have seen the origianl Broadway production (live, not on tv), some of which made me rediscover the cast album. I have only seen one show without being familiar with the cd first and that was Rent- great music, but heavy topics. Feel free to add your two cents...

10. (Already, it's a tie.) Jekyll and Hyde*- my remixed version & Big River. Jekyll and Hyde went through many studio versions before moving to Broadway in the late 1990's. I know of three cast albums including the original B-way cast. When you combine all three albums following the correct plot structure subbing certain numbers for other numbers, you get an amazing story arch with sweeping melodies supporting the foundation of the emotion. Ask me if you want a copy. Big River- I'm not really into that banjo clangy- clang- clag sound, but this show (written by the late Roger Miller) is a perfect example of how a story, when put to music, should be represented the style of show/ story it is. Very catchy and fun songs that support the fun loving free spirit of Huck Finn and the emotional heaviness of the slave, Jim.

9. Disney's Tarzan- It only lasted a little over a year on Broadway (perhaps from the direction or design), but Tarzan has the fun and frolic and drum beats that make you want to go swinging on a vine of your own. Combined with the songs from the movie, this is a great soundtrack for driving long distances. It makes you go fast. The last track sung by Tarzan, "Everything That I Am" is excellent.

8. Jane Eyre- Huge dramatic score, some critics claimed this was the show's downfall- the score was too big. It didn't last very long on Broadway either. Purchasing the cd is worth the end of Act One and the finale number "Brave Enough for Love".

7. Beauty and the Beast* (four times)- Just because. How can you not love it. Especially with the addition of "A Change in Me" which was written for Toni Braxton when she was playing Belle. My most favorite song EVER!!!

6. The Secret Garden- I've had this one so long I had to buy it on cassette tape because cds weren't invented. Of course, I have it on cd now, but I wore that tape out. "Lily's Eyes" is amazing.

5. Urinetown*- The funniest show ever written (believe it or not, hardly any potty humor- just plain clever) and the music is good too. There is not one sinlge number on that cd that I skip when listening. I especially love "The Cop Song" and "Run, Freedom, Run". I think this one is calling out to be performed one day soon.

4. Side Show- Another short-lived production on Broadway. The subject matter is weird: conjoined twins performing in circus side shows in the early 1900's until they are discovered by a talent agent and taken to national stardom. I know, you are saying, "what?" Great music for anyone who has ever felt like the odd ball. Big power ballads for women and based on a true story too!

3. Les Miserables*, the Complete Symphonic Recording- There are several versions of this show on cd as well- you have to get the complete symphonic- all three hours of music! Gary Morris sings the role of Jean Val Jean- no one can compare to his voice on "Bring Him Home". There is a lot of smaller in between the big numbers music that isn't included on other cds- these are the real treaures. Especially when Eponine takes the letter to from Maurius to Cosette- beautiful and so simple compared to the rest of the score.

2. Ragtime*- I love the way that this story takes real life charaters such as Houdini, JP Morgan and Booker T. Washington and combines them with fictional characters. The most amazing score written by Stephen Flahtery and Lynn Ahrens- I don't feel worthy to listen to it- yes, it is that great. So many times you can see a show done by a group that is terrible. Don't hold it against that show, but the group. Check out the original cast album and you will see it is wonderful. "Our Children" is a beautiful piece of work.

Drum Roll please for the greatest of all time...

1. Aida* (the Elton John and Tim Rice version)- What a surprise! Good beats, dramatic love songs, driving rock and roll that actually promotes character development, a story that gets you from the beginning and holds on tight and if you saw the original Broadway production, a visual masterpiece!!! I saw this show on a Saturday and liked it so much that I bought tickets to see it again on Sunday. My favorite probably for forever. I don't see how anything will ever compare! Of course, as time goes along and the more show I see and are written, the list is going to change and albums will change position, but Aida I'm sure, will always be the best.

Fan Mail

I got a very nice letter today in the mail from a lady who lives in Florida. She wanted everyone to know how much they enjoyed AGYG and will look forward to seeing another. Their friends liked it as well. Mission accomplished.

Second Chances

After viewing the taped version of Legally Blond a second time and listening to the cd, I have to confess I might have been a bit premature to write it off as just ok. Maybe I was just in a hurry or distracted the first time. The cd is in the main tray of my car right now and I can't get some of the music out of my head- a welcomed relief from "There's No Business Like..." well, you know the rest. The best number in Legally Blond is track three- "What You Want". Give it a listen and if you didn't see the MTV version, try to see it. It is pleasant viewing and best of all ,you get to see the Broadway show with most of the original cast fo free instead of paying a hundred bucks!

There are very few shows that capture me the first listening of. Aida was one, Side Show was another, The Secret Garden stuck with me for a while too. I have a bunch a bunch a bunch of cast albums- those of you that have seen them will agree- and many of them have only been listened to once or not all the way through. The Max and Laura version of Grease is horrible- sounds like they recorded it in a mason jar. I haven't made it through that one yet and probably won't. That has me thinking- I shall put my top ten list of show albums and see if anyone agrees or disagrees. There are those cds that I didn't fully appreciate until I saw the show- those I will mark as well. Yes, I have a little time on my hands now.

Norm in Hairspray

George Wendt (remember, Normo in Cheers?) began performances of Edna in Hairspray on Broadway this week. From looking at this picture, he seems to be thrilled. Maybe it's just the girdle.

Macon News Photos

If you haven't been to the Macon News web site lately, check it out here (this links you directly to the photo page). There are more fun pictures of AGYG, some of which are in yesterday's edition- including a really funny picture of the kids that Avery has her eyes crossed tootin' away on that bottle.

Stare Down

Taylor loved this picture and wanted me to share it with everyone.

AGYG Show Photos

AGYG Cast Party

Food, fun and a bug eyed boy with a ball cap. No Everett don't worry, you weren't caught doing anything you shouldn't be.
"I like to wear my letters next to my tinny tin badges reight below my tooney pins."

Too bad he's not a vet. No leg dog with egg... I mean Egge.

Like we've never seen this before.

What's her "net" worth. Ha! I kill me!

About right now that paper is sloppy wet.

Jessie, Nellie, Little Jake, Colton and Minnie with their slinkies also made of tinny.

Don't worry, he can pick that lock in no time flat.

Great! Now Betsey will be hanging around all the time!

Get no ideas Camila... no ideas!

The Curtain Has Closed

Tonight is the cast party for Annie Get Your Gun. Even though the show is done, the set is torn apart and the costumes are being washed and stored, the show isn't officially over until the cast party. It is our time to laugh, remember and pretty much make fun of one another's foibles and goof-ups (some of US have few, others of YOU have many- it is hard to maintain perfection). Over all it was a fun show, not one I wanted to be doing sometimes and not because of the rehearsals or people involved directly with the show. Rather it was all due to outside people with personal baggage trying to blame us all on why they were not loved enough as children and therefore must spend most of their days trying to dictate and thrive upon conflict. Sad people. Sad world they live in. Eat my dust.
Some may moan, but this year I have broken with tradition and decided not to pass out paper plate awards... what, you say?... Yes, no paper plate awards. Understanding those people that have tried to make this production difficult, I didn't want anymore negativity to come into the wrapping up of this event. Rather I have created some self-help "props" to assist those of YOU who are not as perfect as ME. IT should be fun... hahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!

Frankenstein, the Musical

As Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein opens on Broadway at the beginning of next month, not far down the street off-Broadway, Frankenstein, the musical opens. I've heard some of the music for this version and it seems quite nice. It is a very simple set and the "monster" has no make-up or padding or anything special-effective about him. The creative team say they are cutting back on the stereotypical expectations so that the story will come through rather than a bunch of prosthetics. As long as they keep the fog...

Frankenstein stars Hunter Foster as the Doctor- Bobbie Strong from Urinetown, and Steve Blanchard who recently completed his eight year run as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, plays the monster.

The Little Mermaid Photos

New photos of Sierra Boggas as Ariel in the Broadway bound The Little Mermaid, the musical.
Sherri Rene Scott as Ursual, the sea witch. She was the original Amneris in Aida- she get major points from me for that.

The boat sailing above the undersea world (and the stage). From what I've read and seen, the boat hovers over the stage from the loft as some of the action takes place below.

The Big Day Out

Dinner- great. Wedding Singer- ok, not my favorite. Speeding ticket through Clayton- bad. Oh, well.

Colors

Enchanted

Enchanted opens November 21st and looks to be great fun for Disney movie buffs or people who just love silly fairtale stories. The movie's plot revolves around a cartoon princess that is zapped into the 21st century and how she has to deal with the problems she encounters while trying to get back to her world. It stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden and Susan Sarandon- not a movie of small potatoes, I say. I found a couple of trailers and a short featurette on villians and how the production team came up with ideas of modernizing the classic Disney villian. Check it all out here.

Free Night

Ah, to have a night off. Happy fall!

Legally Blond

I saw the MTV televised version of Legally Blond, the musical this weekend (thank you tivo). It was enjoyable, however, I'm glad I didn't have to pay for a ticket to see it. There were no stand out numbers that made me want to rush out and buy the cd or even watch the show again on tv. Good show, but not great.

One Weekend Down

So the show opened and we can be happy with the response. Tickets were sold and people still clapped no matter how many yolks were shot with out breaking the yolk and little dogs legs were shot off and buck shot and heaven know what else was had for supper. That's what makes it so fun, knowing that the whole experience is then and there only and will never be then and there in the exact way again. You may want to print this so you can wear it later.

Moving Day

Nothing like waking up knowing that before the night is over you are going to be so tired you can't stand it. Quit complaining, I could have the life of a boring person who has to trudge through so much crap brought about by the world around them. Instead, I create my own crap to trudge through. Better your own, than someone elses.

AGYG

Show picture!

Happy Birthday (Late)

On October 1st EPCOT turned twenty-five years old. I can't believe I forgot to post that big announcement that day- I guess I was busy with a show or something that was keeping me side tracked. Anyhow, I remember the first time I walked onto the EPCOT property and the music that was playing- most people associate their memories with smells or sights, I do with music. It was not my favorite then, but as I've gotten older I love to go there for a relaxing day of strolling through World Showcase and eating at each country. Great stuff!

Let's Go On With the Show

One week till show time. Working hard. Tired, but not sick like some others. Tickets are selling well. One more morning and I can sleep late.

Too Much Rehearsal?