Musical Moments Of 2018

2018 was a wonderful year for musicals, on stage, and on screen. The year started strong with " The Greatest Showman" and had other musical hits such as " Mama Mia, Here I Go Again " and " Mary Poppins Returns ". " Hamilton " and " Dear Evan Hansen" continued to wow larger crowds and expand to two casts on top of their Broadway counterparts in New York. New shows like " The Band's Visit" which swept the Tonys and appearance" The Prom"  made big splashes while revivals such as " Once on This Island" brought wonderful classics to new audiences.  Musicians like Cher and Donna Summers got musical depicting their work to join ranks with " Beautiful The Carole King Musical" and  " Jersy Boys".  2018 showed rising audiences for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and other theater companies as more people discover again and again this wonderful escape from the everyday.

I myself discovered new songs to listen to for years to come, saw a show or two on different fronts from traveling Broadway casts to the civic theater,  and listened to albums of shows I will hopefully see performed in some shape or form. I looked shows I may have skipped over or musicals that I had only heard about and found some wonderful performances and melodies.

In the end, theater really is fantastic, and I hope the next year you can find a new favorite cast album and perhaps see a show or two, whether it be a favorite ot something new. I hope this new year is a showstopper for you.

happy new year

happy new year, may you have a showstopping 2019 and a wonderful happy new year

Musical Idea: Home Alone The Musical

A thought has seemed to come across my mind on multiple occasions when thinking about Christmas musicals " Christmas Story and Elf have a musical, why doesn't home alone?" I feel that the show could much like " Christmas Story The Musical" could have a huge appeal to families during the holiday season, the film is considered a holiday classic, and you could have a nice big ensemble cast with the family members and cut back and forth between them and Kevin. The villains would be delightfully entertaining and goofy, plus with the themes of family and the holidays, there is also plenty of room for heartfelt moments. I think it could work and would fit in with the other holiday musicals, but it's just an idea. I do enjoy pitching musical adaptations for movies that were not musicals to begin with, and with no sign of stopping in the trend of making these adaptations, some of these pitches just may come true

Elf The Musical

As we are approaching the holiday season, I look back on a musical that I used to listen to, in fact, " Elf The Musical" was the first musical I listened to that was based on a movie that was not a musical beforehand. I enjoy the show. The songs fit well with the tone of the source material and some of the songs a part of my holiday Broadway playlist. Returning to it after some time away from it, I still find plenty of the songs enjoyable, the plot doesn't stray from the movie and keeps the tone light which knowing the original source material is a must. Some of the songs have heartfelt moments and fit so well, while some of the other numbers are big and like to add a layer of pizzaz to the holidays.
I recommend the show if you loved the film and want a fun show to celebrate the holidays.
If you find a local production of it, but do not know if you want to see it, here are a few songs I recommend that showcase the show very well.

Christmastown

World's Greatest Dad

Sparklejollytwinklejingely 

I'll Believe In You

A Christmas Song

The Story Of Buddy The Elf 

I hope your holidays are a showstopper

Musical Gift Giving ( Specifics)

As I work on a few posts and reviews I thought I could explore this topic in greater detail and give some specific musical gifts you can give to bring all the glitz and glamour under the tree.

Movies

The Greatest Showman

Grease

Mama Mia: Here We Go Again ( Some Versions Are Bundled With The First Movie)

Hairspray ( Movie Adaptation or Live Adaptation)


Books

Failing Up - By Leslie Odom Jr. 

Good Morning Good Night - By Lin Manuel Miranda 

Hamiltons The Revolution - By Jeremy McCarter and Lin Manuel Miranda 

Must See Musicals: 50 Show-Stopping Movies We Can't Forget - By Richard Barrios 

Soundtracks

The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman ReImagined

Mama Mia Here We Go Again 

Dear Evan Hansen

Hamilton

Spongebob Squarepants The Musical 

So there are just a few of many recommendations to place under the tree and stuff some stockings. Until next time, I hope your holiday season is a showstopper

Broadway Holiday Gift Ideas

As that time of year fast approaches time to celebrate the holidays, and for some, it's time to get some gifts for those special people in our lives, these are my gift suggestions for the Broadway lovers in your life

Take Them To A Show ( Any Kind)

Whether it is a touring Broadway cast or a holiday show at your local high school Christmas  Show to add to the Christmas season, It could create some great memories

A Musical Movie Or Live Performance Tape

The next best thing, especially if the weather is less then ideal, buy a DVD of a movie adaptation, live performance, or taped Broadway concert, a great gift to have an amazing show whenever you want to watch it

Broadway Posters, Shirts, Merchandise, Books, And Of Course Cast Albums

Many websites have great offers on all the perfect gifts and stocking stuffers, from pins to posters, to cast albums and beyond, or if you find yourself at a show a friend of yours couldn't make it to, you could pick up a shirt or poster from the wonderful gift shop

Recreate A Beloved  Prop

If you are the fan of making arts and crafts, maybe recreate a beloved prop from your friend's favoeite show

Until next time, I hope your Holdiaies are a showstopper