We Need To Talk Pro Shots

 Pro shots are a gift, we need more of them, but we also need to preserve the ones we do have. One pro shot that is not on any DVD form or streaming service is "Legally Blonde The Musical" and I am here to tell you today why it belongs there. This is not my first time singing this shows praises, nor will it be the last as it is my favorite musical of all time. I have watched this countless times, listened the album just as much, and have seen this show live. This show means the world to me, the characters, music, and messages in this show stand head and shoulders above many, and this is proof that you can make a musical based of a non musical propriety and make something truly great. 

This show has been no stranger to it's blogs, its character and plot relatable, the music amazing, and full of heart and laughs. The musical does has some moments that does not age well, and can be acknowledged, but there is so much in this musical that does and need to be seen. The show has strong messages on finding your way, dreaming and not giving up, finding love, dealing with roles the world gives you and breaking the mold, and so much more. The show stays funny and light, while having a couple powerful moments and inspiring moments to hold this all together.

I have talked about preserving other pieces of media before, such as video games but I have never thought of preserving musicals before, but now I do. Shows are an important piece of media and need to be kept around. Pro shots are more important then ever, they are a way to keep shows, and allow people to watch them as many times as they want, whenever. This is a great way to introduce friends to shows without waiting for a show to come around on tour and is on the same level as seeing shows live. I have always appreciated them, but now when I stopped and spent some time thinking about it, I realized how important they are. 

This is way for people to see shows who may not have the money at the moment a live tour comes to their city. Or someone who discovered a show via the cast album long after the show has run and toured and want to see how the story plays out. I know there are times that after seeing a pro shot such as the one mentioned today, I wanted to see a show live and see it in person. Much like the philosophy behind listening to albums and then seeing concerts live.

So why are pro shots so rare and why do movie adaptations happen more often? Why instead of showing the Broadway cast who worked so hard on the show, performing something well, use celebrities who are some times just there to get paid?

I plan to look into this, and want to know why. Shows like "SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical", "Newsies", "Legally Blonde" and of course "Hamilton" are celebrated for having a way for fans old and new to watch the show whenever.  Sometimes a filmed version, are announced and then never released. Pro shots are a great way to preserve theater, and need to be made normal, some are on streaming services but movie adaptations are more abundant, and there are not many offerings even if you had every streaming service. There is one service that has them the most, and trust me, I will get to that soon enough. 

Newsies The Broadway Experience (Disney Plus)

 Have you ever had a musical that you have wanted other people to see that it feels like only you have. For me it is Newsies. Many people know of the movie, which is unfortunate as this is a superior version in every single way. But I have spoken to many people and only a few have seen this version, more have seen the movie, and more have seen nor heard none of this at all.  Today I am going to talk about one of my favorite Disney musicals that is on the same level as some of their best.

One of my favorite pro shots, it is expertly filmed. this is so well shot that it has been shown in movie theaters, multiple times, which I have seen once. The music is done by Alan Menkin, who has done Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and many more, including many of Disney's stage adaptations. The story of this is loosely based on real events and has all of the makings of a Disney movie. Dreamer who faces the odds, falls in love, and saves the day with help from his friends. The stage is New York in the early 1900's following a group of newsboys or newsies as they are called, a journalist, and the challenges they face. Young heroes taking on people who discredit them for their age and status. The story unfolds well and even though some elements are not well paced, namely the romance, the rest of the story is, it has comedy, heart, and some drama all mixed well together. 

The music of this show is amazing, some of the numbers are weaker then others but many are stand out wonderful pieces. The group numbers all stand head and shoulders above some group numbers from other shows, they have amazing choreography and music. "Seize The Day" and "Once And For All" are outstanding showstopping numbers that bring the whole cast together in a phenomenal way. The show begins and ends strong, the songs that hit hard, hit incredibly well. The lyrics are memorable and the fantastic and many of the solo songs are power ballads. The song taking place right before intermission, "Santa Fe" ,is powerful, full of emotion, and one of my favorite musical songs ever. "Watch What Happens" is a fun upbeat song which leads to an amazing reprise that is just as great. 

The music works well with the story, with a great amount of songs that have room to breath so they can stay with the audience. The songs are a great reflection of the characters, many which are likeable in the best way. Though some of the writing falls short, the show has way more positives then negatives. This show I have seen live, seen in movie theaters, watched back when it was on Netflix and now on Disney Plus. I have watched it countless times over the years and will again, I watch it multiple times a year. The pro shot has the original Broadway cast and each performance is spot on. This is not something worth skipping and one of, if not the most recommended pro shot I have ever given to those who can see it, after Legally Blonde. 

If you love the feel of classic Disney movies, and love a great musical, and have Disney Plus, this is a must watch. The movie is not worth your time, but this version is. There are two Newsies options on the service, but this is the one to pick. The soaring music, fun story, and fantastic group numbers are not to be missed.

Come From Away (Apple T,V)

 Pro shots are a gift. Even though I wish we would see them more, we more often then not see movie adaptations, never the less it is a special occasion when we do. One instance that really shined through was in 2021 when theater was limited for some, and non-existent for many, but Apple T.V gave us a pro shot of "Come From Away" and I was excited. I even saw this show live in 2022 and will share on that story at some point, but for our streaming service musical journey, this is where I thought the next best stop could be.  This came out at a time where Encanto, Tick Tick Boom, In the Heights and a couple other musicals were keeping most of us happy with some new content on streaming services as most of the stages remained closed. Let's boot up the streaming service, get comfy and dive into the pro shot of Come From Away.

The special opens mentioning about how theaters have been closed, and the anniversary of the time period the show takes time during. This show follows how the events of September 11th and how the flights were diverted to many towns in Canada, and how the locals of many towns doubled in size. Those who welcomed in people who were scared and struggling and showing real hospitality. This show documents real stories and follows many people both from the planes and those who took them in. This show has many powerful and encouraging moments, with some light hearted comedic moments, mixed with serious dramatic moments. 

The story is well told even though the show has a run time of about an hour and half. The show is one act and has no intermission. But everything works and the moments and songs from one to another. The cast is small with all of them playing multiple characters and doing it so well, showing their range. And the range does not stop at the acting. The music and songs in this show are phenomenal and have a great range as well. There are big group numbers, sweeping ballads, fun numbers, and numbers with a lot of power and heart. There is not a weak song in this show, and if you happen to not like a song, some of them are very short. The songs are abundant but there is still plenty of room for well acted dialogue and sharing the stories with the audience. 

If you are interested but do not have the streaming service, the album is a great way to give the show a try, some of the dialogue made it into the album and it is a great display of what the show is. If you decide to see the show live or watch this pro shot, it adds more. This pro shot is well acted and well performed, there is some censorship but the show is presented as seeing it live. This show is fantastic, and this pro shot captures how amazing it is. This show deserves to be preserved, it shows a bright moment on a dark period of history, with a story worth telling. 

This pro shot is worth the watch and is well acted and performed, there were many moments that caused me to laugh, cheer, and tear up. The performances, excellent and seeing this show play out was great. This was able to show me a show I wanted to see before I had the opportunity to see it. And even though I have seen this show live now, this is still worth keeping. For those who can see the show it is a great way to relive it and see the wonderful story, for those who can not it is a great way to see it. 

This is a fantastic pro shot, and further proof that pro shots are a great form of theater and we need more of them. I tried to not go into too much detail because this is a great story with great music that should be witnessed. Seeing a show that I longed for in a time where I was not able to make it to the stage and now I can relive the amazing show. The only problem is that this is on Apple T.V and some amazing proshots like this are trapped on streaming services and not available for purchase, but this is still worth a watch.

The Masterpiece Of All Star By Smash Mouth

 A song that transcends decades, a song that inspires many, while exploring deeper themes. One of those songs has to be the timeless hit by Smash Mouth, "All Star". This song gives us the embodiment of a dream we all share, which is to be a star. But what does it mean to be a star, let alone an All Star.

The song opens with our hero at an all time low, facing the harsh reality of the world around him. No more of a crushing defeat then a girl gesturing an L shape on her forehead towards oneself.  The song shows what it means to go from the bottom. To start at zero and then be a rockstar and maintain it. This lifestyle means saving money and not giving it to strangers for gas money, rocking out no matter your social status, and teaming up Ben Stiller and some other misfit heroes to save that day. 

This song shows the dreams we all have, wanting to be something more. Sometimes we have to seize the day, kick out the door of the outhouse and live the best life we can with this song playing. This song shows that anyone can be an all star if they live like one. Rocking out shows and just keep coming and don't stop coming when it comes to the hits.

Hit the ground running and never stop going. One may think of the tale of Icarus when hearing a ballad as passionate as this, but I feel as this will be held in the same echelon as the greatest works. We will compare that of the golden age of music, the all time greats, to this. This song resonates in the hearts of all living beings and will be immortalized as something that should never be forgotten. Words to live by and strive for as one wants to become more then just a star, but rather ascend to that of an all star. Being able to say no to strangers asking for spare change, and overcome crushing defeats of having an L shape on the forehead directed at you.

The song will never cease in its ever growing relevance. and I hope you can see it too.

APRIL FOOLS!