Songs We Love: Tonight /Tonight ( Quintet)

Some cinemas will be showing " West Side Story" in the coming weeks, the classic Stephen Sondheim telling of " Romeo and Juliet"  but in the streets of New York. Today I wanted to talk about two versions of the same song that are both amazing.

The first version of " Tonight" starts slow and builds, becoming an amazing love song, perfectly describing the feeling of finding the person you have been waiting for. The other is an epic build up before a major event that will change the course of the story, and also a great lead up to intermission. 

Both of them have similar instrumental themes but both are different enough to be two separate songs, and the instrumentation is nothing short of amazing. paired with fantastic lyrics as well. They both stir up great emotion and get you excited to see what comes next. The quintet is so great at using the whole cast, in an amazing harmony. The two part harmony in the other version is also nothing short of incredible. 

Both versions are amazing, I say look into them, both for different versions, both should not be overlooked. Until next time, I hope your day is showstopper. 

Movies That Could Make Good Broadway Musicals ( Reprise)

There is news going around that " The Greatest Showman" is getting a Broadway adaptation, which I hope is true, that would be amazing .T hat got me thinking what movies could be made into musicals. Here are some ideas, and feel free to share the movies that you think could make great musicals.

The Nutty Professor : " Jekyll and Hyde" is pretty popular, why not the comedic counterpart? It could be a ton of fun

The Parent Trap :  Disney made " Newsies" and " Freaky Friday" into well received Broadway adaptations besides the adaptations based on animated movies, I think this one could be tons of fun, and have great duets.

The Princess Bride:  One of my favorite movies of all time, a great classic, and it has so much comedy, wit, charm, and memorable characters that a musical adaptation could be cool. 

Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper 

Broadway Songs To Dance To

So your'e at party, and they are taking song requests, Here are some show tunes to get everyone dancing, or some Broadway hits for that one person dance party. Also feel free to share your favorite  Broadway songs to dance to?  Here are mine

The Beat Of Your Heart (L) ( The Band's Visit)

King Of New York ( Newsies)

You Can't Stop The Beat (L) ( Hairspray)

Your'e One That I Want ( Grease)

The Schuyler Sisters ( Hamilton)

Dancing ( Hello Dolly)

Had The Time Of My Life ( Dirty Dancing)

Footloose ( Footloose)

I Got Rhythm ( An American In Paris)

Freak Flag ( Shrek The Musical) 

Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper  

Broadway Summer Plans

Many areas have their Broadway seasons coming to close, here are some ideas to still have a summer full of theater and all that jazz 

Check Out Your Local Civic Theater

Civic theaters usually go all year round, see some fun shows, maybe discover a new favorite, or be a part of show whether it be acting or behind the scenes. 

See Musical Movie Events in Your Local Movie Theater

Some live recordings of shows such as " Bandstand" and " Newsies " are coming to local movie theaters, which could be a fun outing and you would still be seeing a show, speaking of live recordings...

Check Netflix/ Broadway HD

Sometimes you don't have to leave your own home to watch some great plays and musicals, Netflix has some live recordings, movie adaptations, and concerts, and Broadway HD has plenty of shows to watch.

Write A Play

Maybe you have an idea worth sharing, you could write a musical or a play, it could be super fun and you never know, it could be performed at your local civic theater, and even more. 

Throw A Broadway Themed Party 

Referring to a post I made recently, get some friends together and have a musical party. 

Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper.  

Judging A Show By Its Cast Album : The Band's Visit

When the Tony Awards began there was a show that I knew of but did not really look into, admits all my hype for " Spongebob Sqaurepants The Musical" and " Mean Girls The Musical".  A few days before the ceremony I began to listen to the soundtrack, and after an amazing performance at said ceremony I listened to the rest of the cast album shortly after. Now that I have listened to the songs plenty of times, would I pay to see this show, not including the amazing performance at the Tonys. Let's find out

The plot follows an Arab police band from Egypt as they are taken to the wrong location for the gig, in a town in the middle of nowhere with a primarily Jewish population. The show is a comedy with a heartfelt message of unity.

The music is great and one of a kind, the instrumentation is fantastic and there are some tracks that are only instrumental which are incredible.  When there is singing it is nothing short of phenomenal, all the singers are amazing, with great lyrics, that either have great emotional movements to relate to, and some times infuses some comedy. The songs all have great pacing and flow, all sounding unique. Here are some of my favorites that had me tapping repeat over and over.

Waiting

Welcome To Nowhere (L)

The Beat Of Your Heart (L)

Soraya

Omar Sharif

Haj-Butrus

Papi Hears The Ocean

Haleds Song About Love

Something Different 

Answer Me

The Concert

I would see this show,  I am so glad I listened to this, so many of the songs have been added to my playlist, I loved the soundtrack and the premise. I highly recommend giving some of these songs a listen, they are great and some of the love songs are nothing short of heartfelt or beautiful, sometimes funny too.  Great melodies, great lyrics. Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper.

Source: Band's Visit Cast Album Cover

The Bands Visit.com 

The Tony Awards

Last night the 72nd Tony Awards were a fantastic time, there was not a single weak performance but instead of recapping every performance like I did last year I thought i would just share my favorite moments.  

Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles 

From the amazing and catchy opening song to the banter throughout the night, these two were amazing, hilarious and all around great 

Sponegbob Sqaurepants The Musical Performance

An amazing tap number, super fun and a great showcase of what the musical is all about

Carousel Performance 

Amazing choreography and fantastic singing, I've never seen nor listened to " Carousel" but now I am very interested 

Honoring The Parkland Teacher/ Marjory Stoneman Douglas Students Performance

This was beautiful, an amazing and powerful tribute, in the face of tragedy using art to heal was a central theme of last night and I could not agree more. 

Summer; The Donna Summers Musical Performance

I was dancing along, I definitely want to see this show, also amazing choreography. 

Once On This Island Performance

This show has a one of a kind atmosphere, I am definitely interested and the vocals were fantastic, great setting. 

The Band's Visit Performance

Beautiful and amazing, the song was moving, with great lyrics, descriptions, and fantastic vocals, a great way to showcase the show, also the band playing also did great. 

Overall this was a very good Tony Award's, all the performances were good, many different shows won awards, with some winning more then others, but still it's a night to remind us of why we love theater. Introduce us to new songs, new shows, new experiences. Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper 

Broadway Songs About Freindship

Today is national best friends day, so I decided to share some of my favorite show tunes about friendship, songs that give us a few people to think about, our lifelong companions , whether seeing a show together or just grabbing lunch. Feel free to share your favorite Broadway songs about friendship, that bring us together.

B.F.F ( Spongebob Squarepants The Musical)

Best Day Ever  ( Spongebob Sqaurepants The Musical)

Friendship ( Anything Goes)

Old Friends Part 1 and 2 ( Merrily We Roll Along) 

Don't Let Me Go ( Shrek The Musical) 

Drink With Me ( Les Miserables)

The Story of Tonight ( Hamilton)

For Good (Wicked)

You Got A Friend ( Beautiful : The Carole King Musical)

Friend Like Me ( Aladdin) 

Seize The Day ( Newsies) 

Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper

100th post: Thank You

this blog has been quite the journey, it reminds me why I love theater as well as help me discover more new favorites every time I have an idea to share. Thank you for reading, I hope you have discovered some new favorites as well, or a song that you overlooked. I Hope your day is a real showstopper

Songs That We Love : Before the Parade Passes By

Today I would like to discuss the dong " Before The Parade Passes By" from the classic show " Hello Dolly". this song has inspiration, as well as creative and catchy lyrics.


This song is nothing short of inspiring. Wanting to live life to the fullest and comparing it to a parade that can bring joy to your life is a great allegory.  The lyrics talk about sitting on the sidelines for too long but joining in the parade just int time. Much like " Open A New Window " from " Mame" the melody has that classic feeling, that still uses many instruments to create an anthem, as you want to join in and sing along. The lyrics inspire the listener to follow suit, and not give up. This is a classic that should not be looked over.

Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper.

Favorite Lyric: 
                             With the rest of them
                              With the best of them
                              I can hold my head up high
                              For I got a goal again
                              I got a drive again 
                              I can feel my heart coming alive again
                              Before the parade passes by 

Spongebob Squarepants The Musical : Revisit

Recently I decided to look back into " Spongebob Squarepants The Musical"  and I must say, the show has grown on me, I originally said I was half and half on the show, but as I listened to the soundtrack more, I realized that it is fun, enjoyable and has plenty of heart. Sure I'm not a fan of every song, but just like " Mean Girls" the songs I like, I really like. This show has proven that if enough heart is put into something, you can make a musical out of anything, even a cartoon. I changed my mind, instead of maybe wanting to see it, I definitely would see it if given the chance. 

This show has won me over, and it has given me the idea of maybe revising other shows I have written off for whatever reason. 

Until next time I hope your day is a showstopper 

Quick Thoughts: Countdown To The Tony Awards

The Tony Awards are upon us, I am incredibly excited. I really don't know what show will walk away with more awards, I have only listened to a handful of the shows that are up for nominations, so I hope the performances introduce me to some new favorites, just in time for summer. Will Sponegbob take a tony back to his pineapple under the sea? Or will the plastics be ruling the night? Maybe the band will play a tune of victory. only time will tell, for a fan of theater, the Tony Awards feels like the super bowl. I am incredibly excited

Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper

Broadway Party Ideas

Summer is here. Time to grab some friends and throw a Broadway themed bash. Here are some fun Broadway themed party ideas based on our favorite shows. 


Hairspray/ Grease Era Party: Why not go back to the 50's and 60's. have some dancing and some punch, and wrap it up by watching the live versions of the respected show you picked

Tony Awards : Grab some snacks, get some friends together, make super bowl style predictions on the winners and maybe have prizes, watch fun performances and discover new shows together.

Costume For Your Show Of Choice: Maybe a masquerade just like in " Phantom of the Opera" or dress up like fairy tale characters and watch " Into the Woods" plus with the multiple versions to watch this could be fun. 

Whether you take my ideas or different ones, these are fun to try. Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper

Can T.V Shows Be Made Into Broadway Musicals ?

After listening to " Spongebob Squarepants The Musical" and remembered " Addams Family The Musical" I wondered could more television shows be made into Broadway musicals. Could they just be like extended episodes of their respected shows. Plenty of movies get musical adaptations and I wondered if television could too. If Spongebob continues to do well I think we just may, and as long as the story is good and interesting, and the music is good I don't care if the concept is original or based off of an existing property, there is so much variety in theater that there is something for everyone.  Here are some T.V shows that I think would make good musicals

I Love Lucy :  A fun musical comedy, with great romance and comedy. I would be thoroughly interested if someone tried this.

Seinfeld: A musical comedy about nothing

Cheers: A fun musical that would have comedy and a ton of heart

Smash: A musical show, it could potentially transfer to the stage well. Plus a show about theater would be fun, shows about putting on shows are always great to remind us why we love theater to begin with. 

Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper