Everyday - I try and I try and I try - But everybody wants to put me down

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE!!!

So the cast of GLEE has been everywhere in the media ! Just this morning Lea Michelle and Cory Monteith where on The View. Then over on Good Day LA Chris Colfer gave an interview and over on the Wendy Williams show Amber Patrice Riley was on.

Here is an interview for Entertainment Weekly with the cast of GLEE & the second video from Bonnie Hunt Show.

TONIGHTS SHOW: Episode 5: The Rhodes Not Taken

The show was so good! I loved the recap they gave very Ugly Betty of them :). By far Kristin Chenoweth was amazing!!! The part when she gets Kurt drunk was soo funny. Both Kristin and Lea sang Maybe This Time, WHO SANG IT BETTER? post you comments below. I am not sure I think I need to watch it again. Two of my favorite moments from this weeks episode where 1) Bowling: I was hoping that Rachel and Finn would kiss again and then they did! I can not wait for them to be a couple! 2)Somebody to Love: when the sing together like that I am so moved by their talent.

I can not wait for next weeks, until then check out this video.

"Everyday - I try and I try and I try - But everybody wants to put me down"-lyrics from Somebody to Love performed on GLEE

How about love?

Happy one year to the national tour of Spring Awakening!!! Here is video they put together as look back at their time together thus far.

DO NOT FORGET SPRING AWAKENING AT THE OCPAC 11/17/2009 - 11/29/2009! Click Here for more details!
"How about love?"-lyrics from Seasons of Love from RENT

Remember, whatever, It seems like forever ago

Ok, I can not get this show out of my head. I really hope it makes it to Broadway! I just found a wonderful interview of Director Michael Mayer & Producer Tom Hulce of Green Day's American Idiot at Berkeley Rep where they discuss the show. This a much watch! Here the first five videos I will post the rest as they continue of post them on the Berkeley Rep youtube channel.

UPDATE THE BERKELY REP TOOK DOWN VIDEOS SORRY





"Remember, whatever, It seems like forever ago"-lyrics from Whatsername from American Idiot

I'm gonna go to the picture show

WANT TO SEE A SHOW 4 FREE???

STANDBY LINE FOR PARADE at the Mark Taper Forum this Sunday October 4th at 6:30pm!!!

All you need to do is arrive at the box office an hour and 1/2 or two hour before show time and join the line to the left of the box office. The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center in downtown LA at 135 N Grand Avenue. Tickets become available due to cancellations and no-shows (FOR FREE). Seating is not guaranteed, but chances are very good. (I have done the line a few times and had great seats each time). Do not forget to dress up it is opening night after all!!! http://www.centertheatregroup.org/.

Parade: "Based on the true story of Leo Frank, convicted for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1913, Parade recounts the press frenzy and public outrage about Frank’s trial, and his wife’s crusade for justice. Amid religious intolerance, political injustice and racial tension, this stirring Tony Award®-winning musical explores the endurance of love and hope against all the odds."

"I'm gonna go to the picture Show "-song from Parade

We're Off to See the Wizard

DVD of the MONTH: The Wizard of Oz
If you have not seen this movie you must be living under at rock! This beloved film tells the story of a Kansas girl named Dorothy who is trying to find a way home after a tornado which took up her house and lands in the wonderful world of Oz. The movie was adapted from L. Frank Baum’s book by the same name. Directed by Victor Fleming (also directed Gone With the Wind), and scored by Herbert Stothart, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg.
The cast includes: Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman, Frank Morgan in six different roles, and Dorothy by the incomparable Judy Garland.
The Wizard of Oz won two Oscars® -- Best Song (“Over the Rainbow”) and Best Original Score -- plus a special award for Outstanding Juvenile Performance by Judy Garland.
Tomorrow 9/29/2009 Warner Home Video will release the film with a new 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition on DVD and Blu-ray. The new edition has hours of Enhanced Content, new documentaries, featurettes, a Sing-Along track, and much more.
Click Here For More Info!
"We're Off to See the Wizard" -song from The Wizard of Oz

We're opera mad in Camelot, We sing from the diaphragm a lot

Orange County Performing Arts Center is the next stop for the Spamalot tour 10/6/2009 - 10/18/2009! They are currently hosting a contest on their site to Win 2 tickets to see Monty Python’s Spamalot on Wednesday, October 14th at 7:30pm and a backstage tour before the show!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!!

"We're opera mad in Camelot, We sing from the diaphragm a lot"-lyrics from song Knights of the Round Table from Spamalot

It's got to happen, happen sometime, Maybe this time I'll win

In case you missed it Kristin Chenoweth, fresh from her Emmy win for Best Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series, on The Late Show with David Letterman 9/24/09 (She will be on this week's GLEE!)

"It's got to happen, happen sometime, Maybe this time I'll win"-lyrics from Maybe This Time from Cabaret

Where I go when I go there, No more shadows anymore-

Spring Awakening coming to the Orange County Performing Arts Center this November 17-29!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

Meet some of your new Spring Awakening Cast Members who will be at that stop.

"Where I go when I go there, No more shadows anymore-"-lyrics from Touch Me from Spring Awakening

Paciencia y Fe

National Tour Cast for In The Heights just announced:

Kyle Beltran (Usnavi), Daniel Bolero (Kevin), Rogelio Douglas Jr. (Benny), Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer (Vanessa), Arielle Jacobs (Nina), Jose-Luis Lopez (Graffiti Pete), Genny Lis Padilla (Carla), Isabel Santiago (Daniela), Elise Santora (Abuela Claudia), Shaun Taylor-Corbett (Sonny), Natalie Toro (Camila). Ensemble; includes: Sandy Alvarez, David Baida, Christina Black, Natalie Caruncho, Oscar Cheda, Dewitt Cooper III, Daniel Cruz, Wilkie Ferguson, Kristina Fernandez, Rayanne Gonzales, Dominique Kelley, Rebecca Kritzer, Morgan Matayoshi, Joseph Morales, April Ortiz and Carlos Salazar.

To find a stop near you Click Here!

Jun. 22 - Jul. 11, 2010

Los Angeles, CA Pantages Theatre
Click here or call 866-755-3075.

Jul. 27 - Aug. 1, 2010
San Diego, CASan Diego Civic Theatre
Click here or call 619-564-3001.

Aug. 3 - 15, 2010
Costa Mesa, CA Orange County Performing Arts Center
Click here or call 714-755-0236.

"Paciencia y Fe"-song from In The Heights

Sherry

Jersey Boys on Oprah in case you missed it.
"Sherry"-song from Jersey Boys

Life is a Cabaret, old chum

Catch Alan Cumming at the Geffen Playhouse before he heads to Broadway to star in the new Spiderman the Musical with music by U2. There are only 8 Performances September 29 - October 4 at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse(135 seats).! The name of the show is: I Bought A Blue Car Today. For this part musical part memoir he mixes witty banter, hilarious stories and show stopping songs. Receive 10% off tickets with the code TMAC10 (Reg. $55 - $75)

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFO

For more Info on Spiderman the Musical Click Here.

"Life is a Cabaret, old chum"-lyrics from Cabaret

Before the Lobotomy

One more set of AMERICAN IDIOT stuff:
Here is a video clip of the show, since some people wanted to see more, rather than just read about it:

MTV Shows

Also by request, here is the full set list from the show:

Is it bad that I want to road trip it again to see this show? I listened to the Full American Idiot CD in my car today on the way to work; stuck in LA Traffic. I just felt sooo good rock'n out to it and made me long to see it again! Why does Berkeley have to be sooo far away???

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFO!!!!

PS: YES, the American Idiot cocktails were yummy! I had the Whatsername and my brother had the Letterbomb!
"Before the Lobotomy"-song from American Idiot

Taking Chances

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE!!!

GLEE MEMBER OF THE WEEK CHRIS COLFER: I must say that Kurt is my new favorite character from GLEE! Kurt is a young GLEE member trying to fit in, wth a great sense for fashion, and dealing with coming out to the world. Chris is one of the youngest cast members of GLEE at only 19 years old he is well on his way to being a STAR! CLICK HERE FOR HIS TWITTER!

Here are 5 random things you need to know about Chris Colfer (thanks to the http://chris-colfer.com/ ) :

1) Chris holds many Speech and Debate Champion titles. During High School, he was involved with Speech & Debate, Drama, the FFA, was President of the Writer’s Club, Editor of the School Literary Magazine, and Captain of Destination Imagination.

2)He doesn’t like blue cheese.

3)He’s in love with Kristin Chenoweth.

4)Chris can’t tan. He only freckles and burns.

5)Wrote & Directed “Shirley Todd,” a musical spoof of “Sweeney Todd” during his senior year of High School, & starred as “Mr. Lovett”.

This weeks episode was soooo good; Much Much better then last week's. All the "Single Ladies" amazing! Did your heart break when Quinn told Finn that she was pregnant? And then to know he is not the father! OMG soo good. Will shined again as such a great teacher and father figure to Finn in his time of need. And Kurt's relationship with his father was great to watch develop as the episode went on. I hope we see more of that father son dynamic in the rest of the season. I love how the storyline gave us more insight into these characters and was a heavy/serious yet did not lose the overall tone of the show. SOOO GOOD! I can not wait until next week! Apparently this weeks episode is one of the casts and crew's favorites and we can all see why.

IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD YET........................... GLEE HAS BEEN PICKED UP FOR A FULL SEASON!!! This is huge for a show who at the time only had three episodes out when the announcement was made. Lets keep this show going!

"Taking Chances"-song performed on GLEE

We've all got our junk, and my junk is you.

SPRING AWAKENING'S COSTA MESA GUILTY ONES IS NOW UP AND RUNNING JOIN NOW:

The way it works is you do different tasks to promote the run at the Orange Country Performance Arts Center. The more you do, the more points you get, the more you get rewarded (such as being able to buy onstage seats for $25!). CLICK HERE TO GET FULL RULES. Remember when you sign up put down my name and tell them I recruited you! (Krystal Alvarado)

"We've all got our junk, and my junk is you."-song from Spring Awakening

Run And Tell That!

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL is this for real?

Yes it is and before you cross it off your list here is the creative team behind the project:

• Andy Blankenbuehler (Tony Award-winning choreographer of In the Heights) will direct and choreograph the new musical.
• Book by Avenue Q Tony winner Jeff Whitty.
• Music by In the Heights Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda and Next to Normal Tony winner Tom Kitt.
• Lyrics by High Fidelity's Amanda Green.
• Tony Award winner Alex Lacamoire (In the Heights, Wicked) will serve as orchestrator, arranger and music supervisor.

Now what do you think? I love the creative team but really, Bring It On? We can see the first production as early 2011, with a national tour to follow. No cast has been announced yet, I can not even think of who they might ask? The musical is being co-produced by Universal Pictures Stage Productions. (Universal distributed the original film in the U.S.) Also producing are Charlie Lyons and Armyan Bernstein of Beacon Communications. I guess we just have to wait and see.

"Run And Tell That!"-song from Hairspray

The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long THIS SATURDAY!

6:00pm Preshow 7:30pm Film
"The Hollywood Hills are alive with The Sound of Music! Everyone’s favorite sing-a-long returns to the giant screen at the Bowl – the world’s largest outdoor movie theater. Bring your costume (for the pre-show parade) and warm up your vocal cords for this beloved and always sold-out event." CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
If you are a fan of the film like I am you need to go to this event. I attended this last year and it is well worth it. They hand out fun prop bag for you to play along to the movie. Bring some friends, food, wine and have a great time!

"The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music"-lyrics from The Sound of Music

Tales of Another Broken Home

Part 3: Meeting John Gallagher Jr. and the cast of American Idiot.

So I was planning to do stage door if the theatre did one. I brought with me my Spring Awakening: In The Flesh book in case I could get Michael Mayers, Gerard Canonico, Brian Charles Johnson and of course John Gallagher Jr's autographs. I felt like a total dork with my book but I thought "Hey this might be my only chance to meet these guys". Book in hand I boarded the B.A.R.T (aka Metro/Subway system in the Bay Area) to head to the theatre from San Francisco with hopes to get there early pick up tickets and get some food before the show. When I got off my car in the station I heard this voice, I do not know what he said but I turned and said John Gallagher Jr.? To which he made eye contact with me and said yes.... I tried not to flip out because then I saw about a hand full of American Idiot cast members with him. I told them I was a big fan and that I was coming to see the show. The cast were all so nice and told me they hope I enjoy it, etc. I then proceeded to ask John for his autograph and I took the Spring Awakening book out to which he knew exactly where he wanted to sign. I do not even remember what I said to him but I did built up the courage to ask the dreaded question I hate to ask anyone I admire for their body of work, "Can I get a photo with you?". He was like of course. We took three attempts to take a photo. First attempt did not work because my camera was set to video (see below). Then I fixed the setting, took photo to which no flash, then changed setting again to which I now have a photo with Mr. Gallagher Jr. himself! He told me to enjoy the show, have a great time. etc. He was nothing but nice to me and my brother the whole time.

I did lunch, walked around town and then went into the theatre. Then I saw him MICHAEL MAYER!!! This is where I lost it. I am not sure what I said but somewhere in there I got out that I was a huge Spring Awakening fan, loved what he has done for the theatre, and asked him to sign my book. He was in a hurry to get back stage but was so nice even though I know I did not make any sense. I had the chance to meet him once before in San Diego after the National Tour of Spring Awakening performance but was too nervous to say a word. And when I do talk to this amazing director and at a lose for words.

After the show I proceed to the area in which Mr. Mayer had told me to go in order to get the cast signatures afterwards. There was only four of us who stood but we four got almost everyone's signatures as they came out on their run to eat dinner before the next show. When Gerard saw my Spring Awakening book he said he knew exactly where I wanted him to sign. Brian could not believe how long it had been since the last time he was asked to sign one of those books. All of them were soooo nice. Rebecca Naomi Jones came up to me and said hey we rode the B.A.R.T. together right :). Last person to come out was John Gallagher Jr. He spend about 5 minutes talking to each of us individually who where there waiting for autographs. He asked where we were from, if we liked the show, why he signed on to the project, how much he hopes the show will have a run in NYC, how he wished more of his friends could see it, etc. He was nothing more then a gentlemen and went above and beyond what most actors do at stage door.

I told him about the Blog so John if you read this THANK YOU for making my trip a blast! Here is the video of the photo we were attempting to take on the wrong setting. ( I think I am saying there was not light lol)

"Tales of Another Broken Home "-song from American Idiot

21 Guns

Part Two: American Idiot Review:
I LOVE IT: American Idiot is just another example of where American Theatre is heading, building a new generation of theatre goers who will see the performing arts for more than just big flashy dance numbers, Tops Hats, and Cats on stage. American Idiot follows the lead of many other rock musicals which have made big splash on the great white way, such as Passing Strange, Spring Awakening, Hair, In the Heights, RENT, etc. These musical do more then just entertain they speak to us on a human level.

The story of American Idiot the musical is based on the Green Day album by the same title as well as their newest release 21st Century breakdown. It follows three working class characters (Johnny, Will, and Tunny) from the suburbs to the city, on their journey to find redemption in a troubled/crazy world. The lead character is Johnny (aka the Jesus of Suburbia) played by the ever-so-talented Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. No one else could make sense in that role, no one. Gallagher is a ball of energy on stage and made all the Green Day songs which he sings his own, which is a huge task especially for diehard fans of Green Day who are ingrained with Billy Joe’s voice in their head. Now when listen to the album, I cannot help but think Gallagher’s renditions and rocker dance moves. When he started to sing Jesus of Suburbia my breath was taken away by his voice, his presence on stage, and his passion. My favorite song he sings is When It’s Time; please make a cast album so I can listen to Gallagher sing that song over and over again. Michcel Esper played Will a young man forced to grow up too soon with news of his girlfriend being pregnant. It broke my heart to watch Esper’s transformation from a man full of life to a man wondering where his life went. Matt Caplan played Tunny who abandons Johnny in the city to join the army. Caplan brought so much to the character and his rendition of Extraordinary Girl left wanting to hear more from him. Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy Johnny’s alter ego, brought it on stage! I could not help but think to myself throughout the performance that Vincent would make an excellent Hidwig (hint hint casting directors)! Last but not least Rebecca Naomi Jones as Whatsername, she blew my mind! When she sings 21 guns/ Letterbomb I wanted to run on stage and rock out with her and her chorus of girls in rage.

The play just opened just this past Wednesday September 16th and is scheduled to run until November 1st with record breaking ticket sales for the theatre. Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre is a perfect place for this stage production which allows the audience to get up close and personal with the in your face rock show taking place on stage. It is a small theatre and it must have been sold out because that place was packed with people young and old. I must say that Michael Mayer of Spring Awakening fame did an excellent job turning Green day’s hit record American Idiot to life on stage (No wonder why this man is aTony winner)! It has the feel of Spring Awakening but stand on its own as piece of history in American Theatre and Rock Music. The Orchestration, Arrangements, and Musical Supervision by Tony Award winner Tom Kitt (of Next to Normal fame) was amazing. Overall this creative team rocked it.

BUT…. Here is one problem I see with the show. Because the show relays so heavily in the lyrics in the songs to tell the story, older crowds and people who are not familiar with the album many have a hard time understanding it. Also this is story about this generation and the problems/issues we have in today’s society, because of the generation gaps between older crowds they may have a hard time understanding why there is so much frustration and anger in this coming of age storyline. I overheard one older couple having this conversation. Wife said “I understood the story but I do not understand why they were so in rage against the world?” Husband to the wife “Well you got to remember these kids are not from our generation. They grew up with so many other things to worry about besides themselves, in a different world, with more issues with the mass media, politics, and society as a whole. Those are things our time did not have to deal with.” Wife “That’s true, I guess I would not know what it is like to be young in today’s world”. I overheard another conversation between two women. Women 1 “I wish I could knew the lyrics before seeing the show, I would have understood what they were yelling about”. Women 2 “Yeah, I think if I knew the songs I would understand the story”.

Overall, if you can figure out away to get up to the Bay Area before November 1st comes around DO IT! I hope that the powers at be will let this show make it to Broadway, and if not a film at least. But please whatever happens please try to keep as much of this cast as possible because they truly are sooo talented and make this show what it is!

"21 Guns"-song from American Idiot

Homecoming

PART 1: My Road to the show:
I had heard a rumor about Green Day’s American Idiot being turned into a musical for the last year or so. I was excited to hear that a band that I grew up on was working in theatre. I currently work in the radio industry, so besides my passion for theatre, a lot on my time is spend on my other passion music. Green Day has always held a special spot in my heart. They are a band that at a young age I connected with, understood and felt as if they were my band singing about how I felt. I remember in 8th grade begging my teachers at my catholic school to allow Green Day’s song "Good Riddance" be our graduation song. And the boys in my middle school being shocked when I told them I was a Green Day fan and knew all the words to "Hitchin' a Ride" (it was my punk/ alternative rock phase. I even had a chain necklace which made me feel like a rock star!). American Idiot came out in 2004, during my first year of college, my first time voting in a presidential election. I felt Green Day wrote the lyrics to how I felt about my country, myself, the world, etc, so I instantly connected with the piece. Hanging out with the radio kids who LOVED music, many of which had mixed feelings about, I felt a bit torn that they did not see the beauty of story in the album aside from the political statements it was making. As time went on I grew as a person and away from that album and some of those feelings. When I listen to it now it reminds me of that time in my life where I felt like a displaced young person facing the real world on my own for the first time.

So the story in American Idiot made sense to me for a musical adapted for the stage but I had no idea who the cast or crew was working on the piece. Then I heard the announcement that the World Premiere of American Idiot was coming to the Berkeley Rep and I was shocked that it came together so fast and with the band on board too. Then I heard the creative team: with the Book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, Music by Green Day, Choreographed by Steven Hoggett, Orchestration, Arrangements, and Musical Supervision by Tom Kitt, Scenic Design by Christine Jones, and last but on least Directed by Michael Mayer! I could not believe it! I knew that with this team behind the project that it would be amazing. But I knew it was too far away to go, so that was that and I moved on.

Then came the announcement to the cast: Tony Award winner John Gallagher, Jr. as Johnny, Matt Caplan as Tunny, Michael Esper as Will, Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy, Mary Faber as Heather, Rebecca Naomi Jones as Whatsername, and Christina Sajous as Extraordinary Girl,

Declan Bennett, Ensemble, Andrew Call, Ensemble, Gerard Canonico, Ensemble, Miguel Cervantes, Ensemble, Joshua Henry, Ensemble, Brian Charles Johnson, Ensemble, Chase Peacock, Ensemble, Theo Stockman, Ensemble, Ben Thompson, Ensemble, Alysha Umphress, Ensemble, Morgan Weed, Ensemble, Libby Winters, Ensemble, Lorin Latarro, Swing, and Omar Lopez-Cepero, Swing. I knew instantly that I wanted to go see this production. Creative Team amazing, cast amazing, and last but not least GREEN DAY’S MUSIC.

I told my fellow theatre buddies about the show but no real takers on wanting to road trip it up to the bay area from So. Cal. Then randomly my brother says to me one day I want to go to San Francisco and instantly said I will go with you if we can see a play at the Berkeley Rep. while we are there. He said what is it… I said its GREEN DAY you’ll love it! He said ok, and then reality set in, no $$$. After about a week of thinking about it I remembered my motto (thanks to RENT) “NO DAY BUT TODAY”. I strive to live my life in the now, not having regrets, taking chances when it seems right, etc. I knew that I just had go for it. And for a chance to met John Gallagher Jr., Michael Mayer, and the rest of the cast and creative team…. How could I pass that up? So that is what I did, I bought a ticket forced myself to figure out a plan to pay for it all.

OTHER PHOTOS FROM TRIP CLICK HERE!!!

"Homecoming"-song from American Idiot

Starry nights city lights coming down over me, Skyscrapers and stargazers in my head

OK so my report from American Idiot will be in three parts: Part 1: My Road to going to see the show. Part 2: American Idiot the musical review. Part 3: Meeting John Gallagher Jr. and the cast of American Idiot.

Here is a little teaser.

"Starry nights city lights coming down over me, skyscrapers and stargazers in my head"-lyrics from Are we the Waiting song from American Idiot

Hurt Feelings

Emmy Love! So because I was out of town I just watched the Emmys on DDR (a day late). Here a few highlights!

• First off NPH was great! His opening number was funny, so true, and so classy!
• I loved the set of the stage and that they gave each genre its own spotlight.
• Kristin Chenoweth sooo cute when see won. She deserves it! BRING PUSHING DAISIES BACK!
• Flight of the Conchords should have won for something :(
• Justin Timberlake should be on SNL more
• Dr. Horrible!!! Yes, the sing-along-blog made it to the telecast! They got the whole cast together too.
• Jessica Lange wins for Grey Gardens! YAY! And the Grey Gardens wins for Best Made for TV Movie
• Jimmy Falon's musical number or attempt at one was soo good!
• Academy Awards opening musical number won an Emmy!

"Hurt Feelings"-song from Flight of the Conchords

My Mother's Eyes

JERSEY BOYS ON OPRAH

THIS MONDAY!!!
Oprah takes a trip back in time to the '60s and the cast will perform!
"My Mother's Eyes "-song from Jersey Boys

That girl is poison

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE:
So episode 3 season 1: Acafellas.
It was a good episode but not as good as it's predecessors. The guest stars are what made this weeks episode shine. John Lloyd Young was soo funny as tumbless woodshop teacher Henri St. Pierre (who knew, I always took him to be so serious?). Victor Garber is perfectly casted as Will's father and Debra Monk as Will's drunk mother was amazing. Lastly Josh Groban was too funny and added a fun twist to things and the end to the Acafellas :(.
BUT...The storyline for this weeks show was weird? Will who has soooo much passion for GLEE leaves it behind so fast to start up a boy band, really? I would believe the storyline more if we were maybe 8 or 9 episodes in to the season. They needed to establish Will's commitment to the club more before he can just leave again (didn't he leave GLEE in the plot already???). I give this week's episode a B-. .
Here are some photo's from last nights show
"that girl is poison"- lyrics from song Posion which was performed on GLEE

Don't want to be an American Idiot

Ok, ok, I know I can not shut up about seeing American Idiot this weekend. But this video just made me 10 times more excited to see it. I think I might be setting me expectations too high but I mean come on it's John Gallagher Jr., Michael Mayer, and Green Day! The show has it's Opening Night tomorrow! Break a Leg!

"Don't want to be an American Idiot"-from American Idiot

One Last Kiss

The 2009 revival of Bye Bye Birdie is currently in previews at the Henry Miller's Theatre in New York and will have its Opening Night on October 15th! Here is a 1st look at the show back on Broadway! The sets look simple but the costumes look amazing!!! (click here to go to their official website)
"One Last Kiss"-song from Bye Bye Birdie

St. Jimmy

I am headed up north to the Berkeley Repertory Theatre to see American Idiot this weekend but here is your 1st look at the show. I will have a full report for you all when I return.

(Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com and mellopix.com)

ALSO while exploring the Berkeley Rep. website I found out that at the Concessions they sell yummy American Idiot Cocktails:

• Letterbomb:A classic cocktail gets a rock-and-roll makeover. Jack Daniels and Coca-Cola are bombed with a liquor-soaked cherry and a splash of cherry juice! ($8)
• Jesus of Suburbia: Find salvation in this surprising mix of Skyy vodka, Midori melon liqueur, a splash of pineapple juice, topped off with bubbly club soda. ($8)
• St. Jimmy:Taste the sweet and sour of life with this edgy mix of Jim Beam bourbon, sour apple schnapps and cranberry juice. ($8)
• Whatsername:Enjoy an urban romance with this delicious blend of Absolut Ruby Red Vodka, Torani pomegranate syrup and orange juice, served on the rocks. ($8)

"St. Jimmy"-song from American Idiot

Mama who bore me

In honor of my new nephew being born this weekend, here are some cute kids and future Broadway stars!



"Mama who bore me"-song from Spring Awakening

You'll See

Apparently Adam is not the only one on the Rent Cast who is excited for their stop in Costa Mesa, Gwen can not wait.

"You'll See"-song from Rent

Oo wee oo wee oo walk

Last Night the Las Vegas cast of the Jersey Boys performed on America's Got Talent 2009. Here it is in case you missed it (GLEE was on at the same time).
"Oo wee oo wee oo walk"-lyrics from Walk Like A Man from Jersey Boys

Brave Sir Robin

Jane Leeves, Alan Tudyk and More in An Evening Without Monty Python runs September 23rd & 24th at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre (Los Angeles, CA).

Jane Leeves from Frasier, Alan Tudyk from Death at a Funeral, Jeff B. Davis from Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Rick Holmes and Jim Piddock star in this night of the best sketches and songs from Monty Python's Flying Circus from the creators of Tony Award-winning Spamalot. Directed in part by Eric Idle & BT McNicholl, and starring a group of non-Pythons who are eerily Pythonesque.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO GOLDSTAR for DISCOUNT TICKETS. Hurry before they go!

"Brave Sir Robin "-song from Spamalot

The Picture Show

Buy your ticket now for Parade at the Mark Taper Forum. With book by Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford. The Cast incudeles Brad Anderson, Michael Berresse, Will Collyer, Charlotte d’Amboise, Karole Foreman, Davis Gaines, Laura Griffith, P.J. Griffith, Curt Hansen, Deidrie Henry, Christian Hoff, Sarah Jayne Jensen, T.R. Knight, Lisa Livesay, Hayley Podschun, Lara Pulver, David St. Louis, Rose Sezniak, Phoebe Strole, Josh Tower, and Robert Yacko.

Get tickets that starting at $20 with code LEO.

I was able to get behind the scenes look at the stage as it is being built and let me tell you after just seeing the set I want to see this show. The set up is so intimate and there is no bad seat; so do not worry about where you seat just get a tickets before it goes.

Parade runs Sept 24 - Nov 15, 2009. Click Here for CTG website.

Upcoming events for the production:

• Monday September 14 at 7:30 pm at USC Hillel: A Discussion with Alfred Uhry, Jason Robert Brown, Rob Ashford, & CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie on Parade & Turning Jewish History into American Theater. FREE event; please email rsvpusc@centertheatregroup.org to attend.
• Monday September 21 at 7 pm at the Paley Center for Media: Inside Parade: The True Story that Inspired the Tony-winning Musical. A panel featuring Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown, moderated by Variety theatre critic Robert Hofler. Also featuring clips about the Leo Frank trial from the PBS mini-series The Jewish Americans and the TV movie The Murder of Mary Phagan. Tickets $10; for more information, visit www.paleycenter.org.
• Wednesday September 30 at 7:30 pm at UCLA Hillel: A Discussion with Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown on Parade, Leo Frank, and Jewish Life in the South. Presented by CTG in association with the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel. FREE event; please email rsvpucla@centertheatregroup.org to attend.

"The Picture Show "-song from Parade

I'M IN CHARGE NOW

As promised a full report of August Osage County at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.
I LOVED the play from start to finish especially because it is a story has so many twists and turns. The play is about the Weston family from Oklahoma reuniting to find their missing father. The play deals so many issues such as drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide, death, aging, generation gaps, racism, incest, etc. I know that is some heavy stuff to deal with but do not think this show is depressing because that is not true! This show is a ball of emotions from funny to electrifying to sad to unsettling etc. I left the show not knowing how to feel.
The play has three acts and is very long (drink coffee!). But each act ends leaving the audience even more moved then the last; at the edge of theirs seats wondering whats next? The audience members seated next to me where every vocal about their feeling towards the play after each act and even during the play itself. The lady next to me turned to me several times during the show to tell me how well the cast was, how great the dialogue was and even to tell me "that's a line I am gonna use". A guy sitting on the other side told me after act two to hold on because we were just getting started on the craziness in this story (he was right).
The national touring cast is prefect. They are so believable in their roles that you want to go up on stage to give them a hug at times or throw a plate along side them. The cast is lead by Estelle Margaret Parsons as Violet Weston the matriarch of the Weston family, who is addicted prescription drugs. Shannon Cochran plays Barbara Fordham the oldest daughter of Estelle who is separated from her husband. Both women were the standout performances of the whole piece. The rest of the cast includes Jon DeVries, Libby George, Stephen Riley Key, Emily Kinney, Laurence Lau, Marcus Nelson, Paul Vincent O'Connor, Jeff Still, DeLanna Studi, Angelica Torn, and Amy Warren.
Also I just want to say that the set, designed by Todd Rosenthal, works so well for this piece and was just beautiful to look at. The set is complemented so well by lighting designed by Ann G. Wrightson.

DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW WHILE ITS IN LA!
The show runs at the Ahmanson Theatre from September 8th to October 18th. So go get your tickets for the show. NOTE: due to the fact that they play is three-acts long they do have special performance times that vary depending on the day so check the site for start times.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE Center Theatre Groups Website!
"I'M IN CHARGE NOW"-line from August Osage county (best line of the whole play)

Oooh Baby Baby

GLEE LIVE BLOG!!!

• "Showmance" episode two, season 1
• OMG I am sooo late with this GLEE LIVE BLOG. I am so sorry
• I love it so far. THEY NEED 12 members who will join?
• I love Will's back story with his dad
• Thoses kids are crazy! Poor Will :(
• Terri is crazy and yet Will is soo good to her.
• LOL Cory is learning to walk and sing at the sametime
• GoldDigger! GO MATT
• All By Myself (classic)
• What did they do? (Rachel and Cory)
• LOL 17 copies (Ohhh Sue)
• Everyone Loves Disco
• Anyone else want to slap Terri right now? Poor Will
• celibacy club amazing
• Balloon dancing
• Go Rachel! You tell them!
• Will and Emma too cute
• Awwwwwww
• Rachels great idea Glee will give them sex
• PUSH IT number soo good!
• Emma's dancing during Push It number priceless
• Oh Sue, really?
• Songs about the Circus??? I hope not.
• TOTAL SIDE NOTE (Jersey Boys on America's Got Talent, yes i turned the channel but I'm back to GLEE)
• Emma cleans everything.
• Awww Cory and Rachel too cute "Your heart on the other side of your chest"
• Cory and Rachel Kiss and Cory's reaction is Priceless
• Terri not pregnant (big surprise)
• Is it just my TV or is anyone else having volume issues?
• Quinn and her friends can sing "Say a Little Prayer"
• Quinn and Sue sounds like trouble
• Emma do not give up
• Terri is not gonna be able to pull this off
• Quinn get's the solo for Don't Stop Believing WHAT!!!!!!!
• Rachel's singing can get out of hand at home I guess
• Go Rachel (Lea is amazing and sings her heart out)
• DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN BUY THE SHEET MUSIC TO THE SONGS FEATURED ON GLEE: click here to do so.
• Sneak Peak looks sooo good
• That's all 4 tonight thanks for reading! Looking back this entry does not make sense unless you are watching the episode at the same time. lol
• Behinds the scenes video of this weeks episode CLICK HERE

"Oooh Baby Baby"-lyrics from Push It peformed on GLEE

life is very long. . .

So, I just got back from seeing August Osage County at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre, and it was amazing! The story had so many twists and turns. I felt like I was watching a bad train wreck, I could not stop watching it, or thinking it could get worst but it did. I was so moved by the performances of this cast, they made me laugh and cry. I am too sleepy to go into all the details right now and have to wake up early. Full report on its way.

FREE TICKETS FOR THE 9/9/09 SHOW!!!

It is the plays official opening so you know what that means: STANDBY LINE! Standby line takes place next to the box office. Get there no later than 5:30pm, numbers get handed out around 6:30pm and show is at 7:30pm (special times). Its a long show so be prepared to be there until 10:45pm.

"life is very long. . . "-line from August Osage County (T.S. Elliott)