Live shows I Want To See

After thinking more about " Rent" live ( or prerecorded, I don't even know), and now Fox's announcements on their plans of making their own live shows, airing them on T.V., and then giving out rights for them to be staged, I am still processing all the information that has been circulating.  I personally would want Fox to rethink some strategies and still put on preexisting live shows, but who knows, and with NBC planning " Hair" and a few other live shows in the near future, there is hope as well as uncertainty.  Here are some shows that I would love to see given the live T.V treatment, to introduce the audience to new experiences, stage shows that have not been staged in some time, and have more live shows. Here are the musicals I would love to see put on live television.

Music Man

Guys And Dolls 

 Funny Girl

Mama Mia 

Jersey Boys

Into The Woods

Annie

These shows could be fun, some are more mainstream or modern than others, but could still provide entertaining and new experiences, while introducing newer generations to great musicals. Until next time, I hope your day is  showtopper

Rent Live And Live Shows In General

So I just finished watching " Rent" live on Fox, it was not without flaw but there were a few parts I genuinely enjoyed, It was not without issues, but plenty of the heart showed itself when the occasion arose. The set was something else, it was different but it was really cool, and led to some imaginative and awesome choreography. I feel like the microphones could have been louder, there were a few moments too many that the crowd drowned out the performances. The " Will I ?' and " I'll Cover You Reprise", and the original cast performing, was so well shot and acted that they were highlights for me, they were simply beautiful and well done, these were my personal highlights.

Even with the flaws, and the flaws of other live shows. I hope we continue to get more live shows.  Some are in movie theaters, some on streaming services, some on tv, and sometimes multiple platforms. But this way is a great way to make shows more accessible to the public whether in cost or in the case that the show is not nearby or not running. These keep the shows in their purest form, the way they are portrayed on stage. Love shows introduce new generations to shows, inspiring them to create, and it helps if they don't have the funds to go. Even with tech flaws, or performers that were not the best pick for a role, we need them.If they continue, they could very well inspire someone to write the next big musical that will  eventually get a live adaptation  Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper/

Judging A Show By Its Cast Album: Freaky Friday The Musical

                                                 Image Source: Disneyplus.com 
Finally, after months of procrastination, I have gotten around to listening to and am ready to review the cast album for " Freaky Friday The Musical". The first " Judging A Show By Its Cast Album" of the new year and after two months, I am ready to review some more cast albums and see if I would see the show or not. This is a show I originally planned to review last year, as well as the filmed adaptation on Disney Channel, but alas I was distracted and decided to take some time for self-reflection and refocusing as last year ended. With a new perspective, I plan to review cast albums that I have been putting off, as well as new ones I discover this year, from current shows or from years past, beginning with this one, with a review with the live adaptation sometime in the future.

This Album will be an interesting review because after the Disney adaptation aired, licensing rights for the show went live for schools and other theater companies large and small can take a crack at this show if they choose to. So keep an eye out for civic theater or school productions, if you choose to check out the album you just may want to see it.

I have some memories of the movie from 2003, but with one look at pages for both on Wikipedia, there are multiple differences in them both. Fans of the film will be surprised and may be baffled by the changes made, I for one wasn't the most attached to the film, there were other live-action Disney films from that era I was more attached to.

The plot revolves around a mother and her daughter on the eve of the mother's second marriage learning to walk a mile in each other's shoes literally as they switch bodies, and learning to appreciate each other along the way as wacky shenanigans ensue.

This album was hit and miss for me, There were some songs that I really enjoyed, but others that I was fine listening to once and then was done. A decision I found odd was that there were songs dedicated to some characters that I felt could have benefited others. For example, the soon to be step dad to our lead may have needed another song or two to expand on his character it also could have added an outsider perspective, there is also this focus on a scavenger hunt that was not in the original movie that takes away for a character moment or two. Some songs I will say add comedy, some have good emotional moments very well on top of being catchy, but I didn't find myself getting hooked on every song. But as I always recommend, listing to the cast album and you may enjoy songs that I didn't. Here are the ones that I found myself enjoying.

Just One Day (L) 

I Got This

Busted

Just One Day ( Reprise)

No More Fear

Today and Ev'ry Day

This was not my favorite musical, but it could be a good first musical, maybe even for middle schoolers, there are some jokes that only adults will understand, but the lack of language and heavy themes could be perfect for a younger audience. Judging by the album the story is light and full of comedic and sometimes touching moments about family, there is even the live version which I have seen on DVD, if you want to see the album played out. And those were my thoughts, it felt good to review a cast album again. As stated earlier I hope to review more in the future, some from last year, some form this year, some I have been putting off, and some I have yet to discover from years passed. Until then I hope your day is a showstopper


Sources

Wikipedia
. Freky Friday ( 2033 Film)
, Freaky Friday ( The Musical)
. Orginal Cast Album, Freaky Friday The Musical

5 More Amazing Opening Songs

I was thinking about some more opening songs not mentioned in my old top ten, and I wanted to discuss more opening I have discovered since that post. Openings are important, they can grip the audience and introduce you to the world of the show or maybe show important themes in the story soon to play out. So I picked 5 more openings that are a perfect way to start your day, start a project, or just relax.


5. What I Was Born To Do ( Bring It On The Musical): Introduces the cast well, has a great mix of comedy with great energy

4. Live In Living Color ( Catch Me If You Can The Musical): This one is a great introduction to the character in an unforgettable upbeat song.

3. I Got Rythm ( An American In Paris): Giant, wonderful tope tapping song, that makes you want to get up and move.

2. Waiting ( The Band's Visit): This song is beautiful, simple and great way to show off the cast and open this fantastic show, also showing off the beautiful, unique musical style. 

1. Carrying The Banner ( Newsies): With this show being one of my absolute favorites I will continue to find reasons to talk about it, I don't know what I was thinking this really should have been on the original list. This opening has character, heart, amazing choreography, wonderful lyrics, and a sweeping score. Even though it is not the very first song performed it is an opening number that really shows off the world and cast well.

There is another list down, I am certain I will revisit the topic as I discover more incredible openings.  Until then I hope your day is a showstopper

Brief Update

All of the title of the posts known as  " Judging A  Book By Its Album Cover" has been changed to " Judging A Show By Its Cast Album " I came up with the new title and thought it felt better, also it summed up the purpose of the series. That is all, until next time I hope your day is a showstopper

Musicals To Fight Winter Blues

It's January and we are two weeks into the new year but in many areas of the world including mine, the weather is completely dull in gray as we approach the second month of winter. So to keep people motivated including me to keep pushing on and not settle in for a long winter's nap. Here are a couple of musical soundtracks I recommend to bring some sunshine to this gray season. The shows listed contain predominantly upbeat songs. My reasoning is that these shows can help you stay upbeat and motivated even when the weather inspires an overall feeling of being passive. Enjoy the shows, some modern, some classic, and some with multiple adaptations.

Mama Mia

Newsies

Hairspray

Hamilton

In The Heights 

Bring It On

The WIz

Mary Poppins 

Aladdin

Music Man 

Until next time I hope your day is a showstopper

Musicals About The Arts

I was listening to " Sunday In The Park With George" yet again ( I promise I will listen to something new and review it soon), as I listened to it I realized that I love shows about creating and making art. Whether it is writing and producing a play, making art, or following an artist's life real or fictional is pure joy. I love songs that talk about the joys of creating or the struggles of creating. A song that details balancing your work with your personal life, the struggle of making something new, or the wonderful moment when the lightbulb goes off as you create something you are proud of. 

I hope to discover more shows that revolve around the arts or creating them, old and new. Two songs I recommend that embody the themes I just suggested would be: 

Opening Doors ( Merrily We Roll Along)

Putting It Together ( Sunday In The Park With George) 

There are many version of these two songs as well as a cover or two as well. These two songs really capture the high and low points of creating, they are two of my favorites, the former talking about writers and the latter following an artist at an exhibit, both song shaving the singers navigating trails and both written by Stephen Sondheim. 

Until next time I hope your day is a showstopper 

Crash Course Theater

Just as a heads up,  the wonderful education based youtube channel " Crash Course" has had a drama unit for some time now, I have finally got around to looking into it and it is great entertaining fun as well as education on drama history and styles. I highly recommend it, and who knows, if you check it out you may find enjoyment on the plethora of subjects that they have just completed or are currently covering. Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper

Some Extended Thoughts On Disney Musicals

With the debut and the release of rights to " Freaky Friday" last year, I wondered if Disney will release any other musicals based on animated or live action movie whether it is a musical, to begin with, or not.  I wonder if we will see a revival of " Mary Poppins"  with the success and acclaim of "Mary Poppins Returns" So I figured I would discuss this idea and then some shows that I think we may see for one reason or another.

At the moment Disney is having a very successful Broadway run with it's adaptations of " Newsies" even more so with the filmed version hitting movie theahters twice before going to netflix and digtal stores. " Aladdin"  " The Little Mermaid", " Beauty And The Beast"  " Lion King" and now " Frozen" all proved that animated features could make a transition to the stage adding new songs or story elements to give the show a longer run time yet also retaining why everyone loved the originals. " Mary Poppins " had a good run as well on stage, but I was interested when " Freaky Friday"  did not go to a New York stage, but instead was playing in select cities, had a version taped for Disney channel, and released the performance rights all in the same year despite glowing reviews. I wonder if Disney will adapt and give smaller shows the same treatment as " Freaky Friday" saving larger scale productions fro the great white way.  Disney is also a unique factor to Broadway because they are able to have multiple shows running at once.

So with my summary out of the way, what stories do I think will get an adaptation? Here are a few as well as my thoughts on why they would be as well as the scale of the production. This is all just blind guessing, but why not, it's fun to guess sometimes.

Mulan: I feel like this would have enough nostalgic value, plus benefits with a longer running time to flesh out characters and add a couple more songs to make an unforgettable stage experience. The choreography would also be top notch, and yes there are some large-scale effects that could prove to be challenging but with the right team, I feel like this would fit right in with other animated adaptations.

Parent Trap: Yes I have mentioned this idea multiple times, but I really feel like it would work and be a cute family show. I would at least be interested to see the songs, what was changed, and what was kept the same. I could maybe see this going the same route as " Freaky Friday"

Tangled: This is one that I am very surprised has not been announced or tried yet, there would need to quite a few more songs added since the original only clocked in with eight songs and three of them being a reprise, there would be a lot more needed to fill out a three-hour show, but I feel the sets would be amazing and the movie is quite beloved so I am sure many people would love to see it on stage.

Alice In Wonderland: This story has been adapted multiple times and is quite beloved, why not the musical route... also the sets would be insane

So those are my thoughts, I am sure this will not be the last time I discuss Disney I love the company, bbut until next time I hope your day is a showstopper

January Broadway Recommendations

January, ushering in a new year and a feeling of freshness as goals are strives towards, discovered, it picked back up. With all the new years resolutions we need some musical songs to keep us going, so here are the songs I will be welcoming the new year with as I work towards my resolutions

Watch What Happens ( Newsies) 

Seize The Day ( L) ( Newsies)

Watch What Reprise ( L) ( Newsies)

Once And For All ( L ) ( Newsies) 

My Shot ( L) ( Hamilton) 

Schuyler Sisters ( Hamilton)

Nonstop ( Hamilton) 

I'd Rather Be Me ( Mean Girls The Musical) 

I See Stars ( Mean Girls The Musical)

Me and The Sky ( Come From Away)

Don't Rain On My Parade ( Funny Girl)

Open A New Window ( Mame)

Oh The Thinks You Can Think ( Seussical)

Opening Doors ( Merrily We Roll Along) 

Our Time ( Merrily We Roll Along)

Something's Coming ( West Side Story) 


Here are some classic and modern songs that are sure to inspire you, whatever your resolution is, I hope your day is a showstopper