Classic Stories and Modern Tales
I’m going to do something a little bit different this time. This is going to be the first in my series of Broadway dreamcasts. I love Broadway, and I love dreamcasting, so I figure this is a perfect fit. Today’s dreamcast is Beauty and the Beast. I saw a touring production of it back when I was in junior high school, but more importantly, the movie happens to be my favorite. With all of the hubub about the remake, I thought I’d cast my dream Broadway performers in the roles I picture them in.
For my inaugural post on my new website, I decided I would talk about overtures. Overtures set the tone for the movie or the musical or whatever, just like I am (hoping) this post sets the tone for this website. Maybe. I don’t know. So I present to you: My favorite musical overtures (just three this time, no order, because I know there will be more).
I got to New York City a few times a year (lucky me!) to get last minute tickets to however many shows I can in whatever time I have. I’ve been doing this a long time and have seen dozens of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Last week, I made a journey there, where I caught three wonderful shows.
If you haven’t been following this blog, you don’t know that I am about to move for a new teaching job, and I’m about to start a whole new phase in my life. Because of that, I don’t have much time to blog. So this blog is like when your favorite TV show is on a break and you see a rerun. It’s a rerun blog. Enjoy some of my favorite posts I have made in the past. And hopefully I will return next week!
It’s no secret that I am a bit of a Broadway nerd (though “bit” might be an under-exaggeration). I’ve only seen a few shows this season (King Charles III, A View From the Bridge, School of Rock, Disaster!, and She Loves Me), but that didn’t make me any less excited for Sunday’s award show. It told me what cast recordings I need to buy, what shows I need tickets for (I GOT HAMILTON TICKETS FINALLY), and it’s just all around a fun time. I’ll be watching the clips on YouTube for weeks. So indulge me while I share my very favorite moments.
Here’s a break from your regularly scheduled blogging for you… I don’t check into this site as much as I should, but with summer break on the horizon, I want to turn that around.
So what blogs should I follow? What blogs should I read? I love books, teaching, writing, pop culture, movies, Broadway, adulthood struggles… You name it.
Tell me what to check out. Comment here. Promote yourselves if you want to. Why should I check out your blog? I want to! Here’s me breaking out of my shell.
Something I don’t think I’ve talked about on here at all (which is crazy, since I’m a little nutty about it) is my love of all things theater.
It stemmed from when I was a kid, when I used to dance and perform in my school plays. And heck, when I used to put on plays for my friends and family on my front porch. I was never very good… I was okay, but I LOVED it. (In a way, I think my writing comes from that. I’m not telling stories on the stage, but rather on the page… Okay, I didn’t mean to make that rhyme.)
Since high school, I’ve become kind of a theater watcher. Which is good. I’ve seen over 60 shows on Broadway. I listen to lots and LOTS of showtunes. And I watch every musical I can get my hand on. In fact, my current novel is about some (made-up) Broadway actors. And it’s been a lot of fun letting myself live in that world.
There’s something about the theater that transports you. For two hours, you’re in a different world. You’re moved by words and music. You forget the outside for a while. You see magic (sometimes literally) on the stage. And it’s stories. Beautiful stories, all wrapped up in a neat package. A beginning, middle, and end. Satisfying or not. Told by someone gifted, who becomes the character on stage. Can you tell it’s one of my favorite things?
I don’t live in New York, though I try to get down there as much as I can. So I love it when shows are filmed and put on DVD. Or TV (wasn’t The Wiz fantastic? And I’m no fan of that show.) Or the Web. Tonight, I am watching the “first-ever” live theater livestream. And it’s great. So far, Daddy Long Legs is a beautiful musical. I hope there are more of these in the future.
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