Category: Musical

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Cruel Intentions

I had a fun evening at Cruel Intentions, the 90s Musical Experience!!! The show is playing at (le) Poisson Rouge through February. Go check them out!

Carrie St. Louis, Constantine Rousouli, and Jessie Shelton were amazing as Annette, Sebastian, and Cecile. Glad to see Lauren Zakrin again too. (Still so bummed that the Great Comet closed so abruptly!)

Delivered mostly without props, the show is catchy and filled with a non-stop stream the best of 90s music. Backstreet Boys! Sixpence None the Richer! I love how the show skillfully mixed the lyrics and the script, turning them into singing duals, and played with the words to create memorable moments in the story line (e.g., No Scrubs!).

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17c

17c at BAM on Saturday night involved significantly more reading (of select text from a 17th century diary) than dancing (which lasted only a few minutes).

The show made heavy of multimedia engagement, including presentation (e.g., six large LCD displays on either side of the stage, a large projector display onto the stage) as well as live streaming (e.g., overhead and point-of-view cameras).

However, the additional pixels didn’t add much to the production, were distracting at best, and in a few cases, undermined the live performance.

For example, displaying the text “they are dancing about their relationship” on the six large LCD screens as a husband and wife danced… (1) felt distracting; (2) made me wonder if the dancing was so empty that it must be supplemented by text to explicitly describe what the dancing meant; (3) took away my ability to interpret the dance; and (4) as a result, made the dancing feel completely empty.

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An American in Paris

I got tickets to “An American in Paris” at the West End three months ago, on the very day I found out I’m coming to London.

So happy to experience one of my all-time favorite musicals again.

On a different note, crazy insane major congratulations to my ballet teacher Deanna Doyle who debuted as Lise on the US national tour of “An American in Paris” last night. 🤗😃😍

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The Band’s Visit

Preview of a new musical on Broadway.

Lovely singing and music in this story of a group of Egyptian musicians who mistakenly travelled to a small Israeli town in the middle of the desert. Wonderful performance by Katrina Lenk as Dina. However, the plot felt a little cliché (e.g., falling in love in one evening), slow, and some subplots didn’t add much to the story… just prolonging the wait time between the beautiful songs. Make sure you stay after the curtain bows for more music!

On a separate note, very very detailed “props” with actors cutting watermelons and eating real bowls of salad on stage.

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A Bronx Tale

A Bronx Tale… with life lessons about fulfilling your potential, about love and fear, about doing what’s right, and about following your heart.

Many subplots run through this musical, as we follow Calogero growing up in an Italian neighborhood in the Bronx through 1960s. Nothing is easy, nor black and white, for the 9-year-old who eventually turn 17 by the end of the show.

Various character developments were too overly simplistic. I am slightly uncomfortable with the patriarchal theme of “being a man” but understand that’s what one needs to survive in a tough hood. At the same time, there’s no significant female role in the show, which is regrettable for a coming-of-age story.

At the end, I felt scared for the teenager, conflicted, and confused alongside him. I cried for the mafia boss despite everything he did. The message about looking to your heart shone through. Love prevailed over fear. Calogero found his way in life, and became somebody. And that, I suppose, is what’s truly important.

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Feeling imaginative and adventurous after a tour of the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory.

What an uplifting musical! To know it’s okay to dream. To see things that aren’t there. To make something out of nothing. When others say “it shouldn’t be done”, you say “but it can be done!”

Amazing job by Paul Slade Smith and Ryan Sell as Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket. Gorgeous dancing by Emma Pfaeffle. Also, love the ensemble and Oompa Loompas throughout the show including It Must Be Believed To be Seen, Veruca’s Nutcracker Secret, and the final tap piece. Bravos!

Kudos to the creative set, lighting, and Oompa Loompa puppet designs as well. They add an incredible sense of mystery and magic to the chocolate factory.

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Aladdin

Saw the talented and gorgeous Jamie Kasey Patterson perform on Broadway tonight. Congratulations, Jamie! You’re amazing!!!

What fun to fly through the Broadway night sky on a magic carpet with Aladdin.

A high-energy musical with numerous big dance pieces that fill the stage. Wonderful leads in Aladdin (Telly Leung) and Jasmine (Courtney Reed), and a beautiful love story that ends in equal partnership. Genie (Major Attaway) was fantastic with his attitude and pumping up the house throughout the roof. Great comedy and acting from Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) and Iago (Don Darryl Rivera). Fabulous dancing from the entire cast. Plus, some real magic behind the stage props, trap doors, and the flying carpet. Thank you all for an incredible night!

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The Phantom of the Opera

I saw my wonderful ballet teacher Deanna Doyle perform on Broadway. Deanna: You looked great! I wish I could have seen you as Meg Giry though. 😉

About time I caught the longest-running Broadway musical. I had expected the many familiar songs: Think of Me, Angel of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, and so on. I was curious how the chandelier would fall in live theatre. However, I wasn’t quite prepared for the other special effects like the columns of fire on stage. I suppose there’s a reason why Phantom is referred to as the ultimate mega-musical.

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Cats

At the Jellicle Ball with the Jellicle Cats: Memory, happiness, and lots of fabulous dancing.

I’m quite certain I’ll be hearing “memory” in my head for the rest of week. Grizabella (Mamie Parris) sends shivers down my spine with her gorgeous voice.

Asparagus (Christopher Gurr) gives an amazing performance from his initially stuttering as an aged theatre cat, to reliving his former glory as East Lynne, Firefrorefiddle, and Growltiger. Wow!

Loooooove Jellylorum (Sarah Jane Shanks) for her heartfelt introduction of Asparagus. Her every gesture, every facial expression, every glance is filled with care and admiration for Gus. Sitting in the audience, we learn to respect Gus because of Jellylorum, before Gus even utters his first word. I can’t think of a better way to open the scene. Bravo!!!

Kudos to Sillabub (Jessica Cohen) for her moments of happiness, for her beautiful movements, and for her lovely voice in memory. You are my favorite cat of the night! ❤️❤️❤️

I also love the chemistry between Mungojerrie (Zachary Daniel Jones) and Rumpelteazer (Haley Fish). If I ever get robbed by a cat, I hope I am robbed by you. At least I’ll be well entertained.

Best dancers go to Mister Mistoffelees (Corey John Snide) and Victoria (Claire Rathbun), though every cat is dazzling tonight. This is such a musical for dancers. Great job, everyone! 😍

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Anastasia

An entertaining evening with gorgeous costumes, a lovely White Ball, wonderful singing, and stunning visuals. Also, Christy Altomare could make anyone fall in love with her and bow to her highness.

Costuming in Anastasia is gorgeous beyond imagination, especially for me as a vintage dancer whose favorite dance period is 1800s through 1910s.

Love all the waltzes, polkas, and gallops at the White Ball in Saint Petersburg. Coincidentally, I had originally registered to attend a historical dance week in Russia next week (but cancelled due to a work conflict). The signature event of the week is a White Ball in Saint Petersburg. Awwwwww…..

Christy Altomare is perfect as both Anastasia and Anya. Love the amazing chemistry between Christy, Derek Klena (Dmitry), and John Bolton (Vlad Popov) that make the story so heart-felt.

Wonderful singing from everyone in the cast.

Finally, bravos to Sissy Bell as Odette and the other dancers for staging Swan Lake in the middle of a musical. The ballet appears to be danced on the marble floor on stage though!?!?!?

This one is for you, Anita Mannings: Anya is feisty, strong, and determined to find her identity. As she recalls more of her past, Anya starts to think she really is the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. More than having just memories and royal demeanors, however, she must be recognized by her grandmother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, to become a true princess. In order to pass the test, her grandmother reminds her: “You must convince yourself, before you can convince others.” All the best in London! Believe in yourself. You’ve got it!!