That was an AMAZING performance by Raul Esparza and the rest of the cast. Raul is such an amazing performer. He keeps good timing and .I cringe everytime I see Bobby stand on that piano. I really hope that it is not a real Steinway because I would NEVER EVER have the guts to stand on such a treasured item. What I would do to own a Steinway. But the finale left me awestruck. "Being Alive" is truly a highlight of the show.
In this production, all the actors play instruments on stage. It's so amazing how they are able to play, sing, and speak at the same time. I don't understand how they can juggle so many things at once; many actors play three instruments. On stage, with everything else going on, they need to remember lines, the music and the blocking.
Character-wise, throughout the show, Bobby seems elevated or removed from most of the action and songs. He is often standing on the piano, the cubes, or the pillar and watches the action. As well, there is not much physical contact between characters. For example, in the fighting scene, Harry and Sarah are standing on opposite sides of the stage and combating in the air. I guess that what defines "Company" as a concept musical.
I really enjoyed "Company". PBS did a great job with the filming and editing to make the show flow. This would have been a great production to see live. It has already ended, but at least there's this recording to watch over and over again.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Transformers on America's Ballroom Challenge
I'm sitting here wating for Company to begin and my friend and I are watching America's Ballroom Challenge. This pair, Ilya and Nadia, did an amazing Transformers routine. Their costume was very unconventional as was their choreography. They seemed like they were robots, mechanical, but also like ballroom dancers, graceful and supple. The side-by-side movements were also very synchronized as well. They received third for this performance.
WOW! They received first overall as the 2007 International Latin Show Dance Champions. I think. I don't get the prize awarding since I watch occasionally, but nonetheless it's entertaining.
5 more minutes until Company airs!
WOW! They received first overall as the 2007 International Latin Show Dance Champions. I think. I don't get the prize awarding since I watch occasionally, but nonetheless it's entertaining.
5 more minutes until Company airs!
Bobby, come on over for dinner!
Company is airing tonight on PBS' Great Performances series at 9pm. My friends and I are having a Company party in celebration. I'm really excited to see Raul Esparza as Bobby and John Doyle's unique staging, which has all the actors playing instruments on stage in character. Bobby plays the piano only at the end for his "Being Alive" finale.
Background
For those of you not familiar with Company, here's a little background. This show has a book by George Furth and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondhiem. The original production of Company opened on April 26, 1970 at the Alvin Theater where it ran for 7 previews and 705 performances. Dean Jones played the main character Bobby. Larry Kurt, who originated the role of Tony in West Side Story, replaced him shortly after opening night. The show garnered a record-breaking 14 Tony nominations (the most until The Producers in 2001).
This production of Company airing on PBS began at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in spring 2006. Later it opened on November 29, 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater where it played 34 previews and 247 performances. As previously stated, John Doyle directed and choreographed. The entire show was re-orchestrated by Mary-Mitchell Campbell to bring it out of the seventies and into the modern day. Raul Esparza plays the troubled bachelor Bobby.
Synopsis
Company is about Bobby, a singe man with trouble committing to a relationship, accompanied by five couples of his best friends along with three of his girlfriends. A combination of vignettes of each couple, the show is tied together by his 35th birthday celebration.
Background
For those of you not familiar with Company, here's a little background. This show has a book by George Furth and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondhiem. The original production of Company opened on April 26, 1970 at the Alvin Theater where it ran for 7 previews and 705 performances. Dean Jones played the main character Bobby. Larry Kurt, who originated the role of Tony in West Side Story, replaced him shortly after opening night. The show garnered a record-breaking 14 Tony nominations (the most until The Producers in 2001).
This production of Company airing on PBS began at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in spring 2006. Later it opened on November 29, 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater where it played 34 previews and 247 performances. As previously stated, John Doyle directed and choreographed. The entire show was re-orchestrated by Mary-Mitchell Campbell to bring it out of the seventies and into the modern day. Raul Esparza plays the troubled bachelor Bobby.
Synopsis
Company is about Bobby, a singe man with trouble committing to a relationship, accompanied by five couples of his best friends along with three of his girlfriends. A combination of vignettes of each couple, the show is tied together by his 35th birthday celebration.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The First One
Recently, I have been religiously tuning into Andrew's Blog (among others) and have been inspired to update my own blog regularly. Nothing too serious, but just the random things that happen in life. I don't know how many people will read this, but it will be my place to blog about news and events that are exciting to me (and unusual to others).
To start off, some exciting events coming up in the next week or so: the Broadway revival of Company with the amazing Raul Esparza is airing on PBS next Wednesday (Feb. 2oth). I didn't have the chance to see it during its run, but this will just as exciting. For the past couple days, I've been listening to the cast recording to learn the lyrics so I can sing along (in my head) while I watch. And to celebrate, my friends and I are having a Company party.
One last thing, UrInTown's official store will open tomorrow! From what Andrew said in his post, Andrew's Blog and The Battery's Down merchandise will be on sale. Some items include leg warmers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and possibly a tote bag that says "Totes". :) Can't wait! If I see anyone wearing Andrew's Blog or TBD merch, I will seriously go up and hug them. Maybe not...cause I might seem a little crazy.
-andrew
To start off, some exciting events coming up in the next week or so: the Broadway revival of Company with the amazing Raul Esparza is airing on PBS next Wednesday (Feb. 2oth). I didn't have the chance to see it during its run, but this will just as exciting. For the past couple days, I've been listening to the cast recording to learn the lyrics so I can sing along (in my head) while I watch. And to celebrate, my friends and I are having a Company party.
One last thing, UrInTown's official store will open tomorrow! From what Andrew said in his post, Andrew's Blog and The Battery's Down merchandise will be on sale. Some items include leg warmers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and possibly a tote bag that says "Totes". :) Can't wait! If I see anyone wearing Andrew's Blog or TBD merch, I will seriously go up and hug them. Maybe not...cause I might seem a little crazy.
-andrew
Friday, January 25, 2008
Off to Skid Row
Tonight, I am off to see AMT's production of Little Shop of Horrors. If you don't know what it's about, here's a basic idea. Little Shop is about Seymour Krelborn, a nerdy assistant floral assistant who finds love with the help of a monstrous, man-eating plant planning to take over the world. It was originally a 1960 film directed by Roger Corman. Later, it was transformed into a musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. The show debuted off-Broadway in 1982. In 2003, a revamped show opened on Broadway with new songs, updated orchestrations, and a more "realistic" plant. Some notable stars included Hunter Foster and Kerry Butler.
I'm so excited to see the show. I am watching it with my two friends who have no idea that I'm going. They went ahead and bought tickets without me since I told them that I would be too busy to watch. Without their knowing, I went ahead and bought a ticket. And they still have no clue. It will be interesting to see their reaction when I tell them that I will be in fact be joining them tonight.
In addition, Izetta is playing Ronette, one of the urchins. She choreographed our school's last two musicals, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Cabaret. It will interesting to see her on stage performing. Thespians are going on Tuesday, but there is no way I can make a weekday show and I cannot miss the show.
I'm so excited to see the show. I am watching it with my two friends who have no idea that I'm going. They went ahead and bought tickets without me since I told them that I would be too busy to watch. Without their knowing, I went ahead and bought a ticket. And they still have no clue. It will be interesting to see their reaction when I tell them that I will be in fact be joining them tonight.
In addition, Izetta is playing Ronette, one of the urchins. She choreographed our school's last two musicals, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Cabaret. It will interesting to see her on stage performing. Thespians are going on Tuesday, but there is no way I can make a weekday show and I cannot miss the show.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Jersey Boys (SF/Vegas Cast)
I had the chance to see Jersey Boys in San Francisco twice last week. The first time was the matinee on the 26th and the second time was the matinee on the 30th. It was a pretty amazing experience and I'm sad to see the cast leave. Most of the cast will be heading to Las Vegas; however, Bryan McElroy (who plays Tommy DeVito) will be heading to Chicago to reprise his role.
Joseph Leo Bwarie (who plays Frankie Valli alternate) played Frankie Valli. And I must say I had chills whenever he had his solos. He was entertaining to watch and played his character well. I waited three hours for rush and sat in seat B13 and it was worth every minute of waiting. It was a close shave since my friends and I, luckily, got the last four rush tickets. We were split, but it didn't matter since we got the tickets.
After the show, my friends and I got to meet the cast at stage door. I wanted to purchase a window card, but they were sold out. :( We got photos and autographs with everyone except Andrew because he slipped away early. Bryan was really nice and he signs in the same spot every time "so people will know it's real, not like it's worth anything." After he said that, it took me a while to comprehend, but his autograph was worth more than he thought. However, I didn't react quickly enough to respond back. Joseph was the last guy to come out. He saw that we were missing one guy (which was Andrew) and he said that we could maybe come back after the evening show, but it might be too late. But I was determined to come back and get his autograph before closing night.
I loved the show so much that I decided to watch it again on closing day. This time I rushed again and got to the theatre an hour earlier. I was afraid there would already be a long line, but thank goodness I was seventh in line. A man was selling orchestra tickets rows 1 through 10 with "upgrades available." Many people were curious so they walked up to him and asked. Apparently, the tickets were $200. I didn't know if it was for the pair or just a single ticket. Never would I spend $200 tickets when I can wait in line and buy them legally at the box office. Never. Waiting in line is part of the experience. Ironically, I was next to the blonde lady who cut in line at the Wednesday matinee. She was nice though. Also, the guys who waited behind us with chairs for the matinee rush were know in front us. What a coincidence. A lady was in line in front of us, next to the blonde lady, waiting for evening rush tickets. She had waited for evening rush on Wednesday and was one off from getting tickets. So this time, she decided to play it safe and began waiting at 7:30am.
I thought Rick Faugno (who was Frankie Valli understudy and later alternate for the first national tour) did a fairly good job, but not as good as Joseph. The falsetto was still amazing, but there was just something about his voice. And this time around, I finally noticed Andrew Rannells voice when he sang "Cry For Me." His rendition was really something. I wished I had seen him when he played Link Larkin on Broadway because he would have made a good Link.
This time, I was determined to get a window card AND get Andrew's autograph. The girl at the merchandise booth recognized me and told me she saved one for me since I missed it last time. I got one for my friend too. At stage door, I caught Andrew, but unfortunately, I left my memory card at home which sucked. Oh well, but he was nice about it. Maybe I'll go and find him in Vegas at the Palazzo. I had made copies of the photos for the cast members. Bryan really liked it and thanked me quite a lot. I asked him to sign it and in turn, he asked for my autograph too. HAHA. He's an interesting guy.
But overall, I enjoyed the experience. Waiting in line for hours on end was actually a fun part of the experience. I would never buy tickets from someone off the street just so I didn't have to wait hours on end. It was fun being with my friends and family, chatting and having a good time. I had so much fun, I can't wait to do it again!
Joseph Leo Bwarie (who plays Frankie Valli alternate) played Frankie Valli. And I must say I had chills whenever he had his solos. He was entertaining to watch and played his character well. I waited three hours for rush and sat in seat B13 and it was worth every minute of waiting. It was a close shave since my friends and I, luckily, got the last four rush tickets. We were split, but it didn't matter since we got the tickets.
After the show, my friends and I got to meet the cast at stage door. I wanted to purchase a window card, but they were sold out. :( We got photos and autographs with everyone except Andrew because he slipped away early. Bryan was really nice and he signs in the same spot every time "so people will know it's real, not like it's worth anything." After he said that, it took me a while to comprehend, but his autograph was worth more than he thought. However, I didn't react quickly enough to respond back. Joseph was the last guy to come out. He saw that we were missing one guy (which was Andrew) and he said that we could maybe come back after the evening show, but it might be too late. But I was determined to come back and get his autograph before closing night.
I loved the show so much that I decided to watch it again on closing day. This time I rushed again and got to the theatre an hour earlier. I was afraid there would already be a long line, but thank goodness I was seventh in line. A man was selling orchestra tickets rows 1 through 10 with "upgrades available." Many people were curious so they walked up to him and asked. Apparently, the tickets were $200. I didn't know if it was for the pair or just a single ticket. Never would I spend $200 tickets when I can wait in line and buy them legally at the box office. Never. Waiting in line is part of the experience. Ironically, I was next to the blonde lady who cut in line at the Wednesday matinee. She was nice though. Also, the guys who waited behind us with chairs for the matinee rush were know in front us. What a coincidence. A lady was in line in front of us, next to the blonde lady, waiting for evening rush tickets. She had waited for evening rush on Wednesday and was one off from getting tickets. So this time, she decided to play it safe and began waiting at 7:30am.
I thought Rick Faugno (who was Frankie Valli understudy and later alternate for the first national tour) did a fairly good job, but not as good as Joseph. The falsetto was still amazing, but there was just something about his voice. And this time around, I finally noticed Andrew Rannells voice when he sang "Cry For Me." His rendition was really something. I wished I had seen him when he played Link Larkin on Broadway because he would have made a good Link.
This time, I was determined to get a window card AND get Andrew's autograph. The girl at the merchandise booth recognized me and told me she saved one for me since I missed it last time. I got one for my friend too. At stage door, I caught Andrew, but unfortunately, I left my memory card at home which sucked. Oh well, but he was nice about it. Maybe I'll go and find him in Vegas at the Palazzo. I had made copies of the photos for the cast members. Bryan really liked it and thanked me quite a lot. I asked him to sign it and in turn, he asked for my autograph too. HAHA. He's an interesting guy.
But overall, I enjoyed the experience. Waiting in line for hours on end was actually a fun part of the experience. I would never buy tickets from someone off the street just so I didn't have to wait hours on end. It was fun being with my friends and family, chatting and having a good time. I had so much fun, I can't wait to do it again!
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