12 Days of a Jersey Christmas

MUSIC MONDAYS: Christmas Albums from your favorite Broadway Stars. Here are a few you should check out.

1)A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas by Kristen Chenoweth. She covers songs such as I'll Be Home for Christmas, What Child Is This, and Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World (with John Pizzarelli).

2)Tie between Harry Connick Jr's (he has more): When My Heart Finds Christmas were he covers such songs as Sleigh Ride, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, O Holy Night. Harry for the Holidays were he covers Frosty the Snow Man, The Christmas Waltz, and Silent Night.

3)Noel by Josh Groban. Songs includes The Christmas Song, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, and Thankful.

4)Broadway Cares - Home for the Holidays: Featuring BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - LIZA MINNELLI & ALAN CUMMING, SANTA BABY - JANE KRAKOWSKI , PEACE ON EARTH / LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - ANTHONY RAPP & EVERETT BRADLEY, WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS - PATRICK WILSON , NEW YORK STATE OF MIND - ADAM PASCAL, and HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS - CHRISTINE EBERSOLE, to name a few. (would make a great present to a Broadway lover hint, hint)

5) BROADWAY'S GREATEST GIFTS: CAROLS FOR A CURE 2009, Volume 11 - 2 Disc CD Set Features:Altar Boyz: "O Chanukah, O Chanukah", Avenue Q: "Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)", Hair: "Da Pacem Domine", Next to Normal: "This Little Light of Mine", Jersey Boys: "12 Days of a Jersey Christmas", Finian's Rainbow: "O Little Town of Bethlethem", and In the Heights: "Campana Sobre Campana". (also would make a great present for a Broadway lover, hint hint)

"12 Days of a Jersey Christmas"-song from Broadway Greatest Gifts: Carols For A Cure 2009, Volume 11.

Deck the Hall

SET YOUR TIVO'S for THE CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER THIS WEDNESDAY AT 8PM! (BEFORE GLEE)According to the NBC website: "NBC continues to roll out the holiday festivities with a dazzling display of musical talent and the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree during the 12th annual "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" telecast. Co-hosted by NBC stars Jane Krakowski ("30 Rock") and Zachary Levi ("Chuck") and broadcast in high definition, the star-studded tree lighting celebration will feature Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, The Roots, Shakira, and The Radio City Rockettes performing a mix of current hits and holiday classics from beautifully ornamented stages around Rockefeller Center in New York City. One of the season's most treasured traditions, the 77th annual tree lighting extravaganza will also include a performance by co-host Krakowski with The Roots and appearances by Taylor Schilling (NBC's "Mercy"), James Tupper (NBC's "Mercy") and Brian Williams ("NBC Nightly News"). Find out more, click here. "
"Deck the Hall"-christmas songs

In the midst of this nothing. This miss of a life.

"Boys Will Be Girls Will Be Boys" at Upright Cabaret at the Vermont. National Tour Cast of Spring Awakening sing to benefit BC/EFA.
"In the midst of this nothing. This miss of a life."lyrics from My Junk from Spring Awakening

Walking in Space

Here are some video clips from this past Sunday of Jonathan Groff & Lea Michele. The two reunited to performed a mash-up of "The Word of Your Body" from SPRING AWAKENING and "Walking in Space" from HAIR and Jason Mraz's Lucky I Fell In Love With My Best Friend at the True Colors Cabaret at Feinstein's at the Regency. I can not wait to see these two interact on GLEE.


"Walking in Space"-from Hair

Practically Perfect

MARY POPPINS: LOVE ITLA you must go see this musical. This play will make you want to bust out all of your old Disney films and make you want to be a child again. I have wanted to see this show ever since it's debut on Broadway and it was well worth the wait. The show is full of the Disney magic that they are so good at creating.

I attended Friday night's performance and it was a truly magical experience from start to finish. There is something in the air at the Music Center during the holidays. There where tons of families there (old and young) dressed in their Sunday best walking around with hot chocolate and taking pictures at the Christmas tree in the plaza. The Ahmanson Theatre was sold out there was not one empty seat in the whole place. There was a buzz in theatre before the show started. When the Overture started to play the place went silent yet the excitement came over me as those famous notes rang out. The musical itself stays true to the story of the books and the Disney Movie. The two leads straight from Broadway really carry the show, Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert. My favorite acts from the show were #1: Step In Time (this dance number took my breath away), #2: A Spoonful of Sugar (my mom used to sing that song to me when I did not want to take my medicine) and #3: Jolly Holiday (most fun filled number that makes you want to sing-a-long).

My family did stage door afterwards and to my surprise the stage door was made up of ten people. We got to meet Ashley Brown who could not be any nicer. She took a photo with my niece and nephew and even singed our programs. My niece and nephew also got umbrellas from the Mary Poppins store (thanks to my mother). The two of them were obsessed with Wicked and told me that now Mary Poppins is there favorite or tied as favorite musicals they have seen.

For Tickets and more info CLICK HERE! The show only runs until February 7th so get your tickets today!

"Practically Perfect"-song from Mary Poppins the musical

Gray skies are gonna clear up, Put on a happy face

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE!

So I give this year's parade a 7 out of 10 compared to previous years. I liked it but I didn't LOVE it. So of the highlights were the BYE BYE BIRDIE cast performance, The cast of HAIR (even though they should have done another song like I've Got Life or Hair), Cheynne Jackson, and Jane Krakowski. What was missing? GLEE

One year I will make it out to NYC to see the parade in person until then I have to depend on my East coast friends to supply me with tons of pictures and recaps of their adventures in NYC. My college buddies Ashley and Craig went to the parade with friends and loved ones. The pictures in this blog entry are from Ashley's camera, to read her recap of her parade day on her blog click here.

Below is my favorite pefromance for the parade.

"Gray skies are gonna clear up, Put on a happy face"lyrics from Put on A Happy Face from Bye Bye Birdie

Step In Time

OMG I just saw Mary Poppins FULL REVIEW ON ITS WAY
until then watch below

"Step In Time"-Mary Poppins

Imagine

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE!So I am a little late sorry (holiday craziness)

Episode 11: Hairography

I give this episode a 8 out of 10. There were some great comic moments such as Kurt and Quinn talking about Rachel's makeover, the boys in wigs, Rachel dressed up as Sandy from Grease, and the whole Bootylicious performance. The episode was also filled a lot of touching moments such as Kurt and Rachel releasing they will never be second place for Finn, Quinn realizing she can not keep her baby, Will giving up his dream car for his kid, the Imagine performed by the Deaf Choir & New Directions, and True Colors performance.

NEW GLEE GAME: (6 people plus)

What you need: pen, a timer, index cards, a hat

Set up: write down all the glee songs down on a idex card, fold them in half and put them in the hat

How you play:

1) you spilt the players into two teams

2) you sit down in a circle, one your left and your left should be players from the other team (team 1, team 2, team 1, team 2 etc)

3) round one: each player has 30 seconds to pick a song out of the hat sing or humm the song, if they pass then their team loses a point, if their team can guess what GLEE song it is they get a point, if they do not guess it in time then no points are gained or lossed but the song is returned into the hat. Once you turn is over you pass the hat to the other team. You play untill all the songs are done. Tally points and see who is in the lead.

4) Round 2: in this round each player must act out the song within 30 seconds. Same point system from last round.

5) Round 3: In this round each player has 20 seconds to say only one word in order for their team to guess which song it is. Same point system from last round.

I love that Jane Lynch is now doing Ad's from XBOX 360. see below

"Imagine"-performed on GLEE

Bohemian Rhapsody

Take That GLEE:

"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen Performed by the Muppet's

Palestine New Mexico

"Palestine New Mexico"-title of show.

Riverbottom Nightmare Band

DVD of the Month: Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas.

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas was a children's storybook by Russell Hoban written in 1971. In 1977 it was adapted into a television special by Jim Henson with songs by Paul Williams for HBO. The original TV special was hosted by Kermit the Frog but later it the film was edited taking out the frog's narration due to legal issues. The special later aired on ABC in 1980 and on Nickelodeon throughout the 1990s. Finding a copy of the TV special was hard to find until 2005, when it was re-released on DVD with Never-Before-Seen Footage and a behind the scenes documentary.

Songs include:

"The Bathing Suit That Grandma Otter Wore"
"There Ain't No Hole in the Washtub"
"When the River Meets the Sea"
"Bar-B-Que"
"Our World"
"Brothers"
"Riverbottom Nightmare Band"

It is a family tradition at my house to watch Emmet Otter Jug-Band Christmas to kick off the holiday season. You can bet that we will be watching it this year on Thanksgiving Day. My brother Chris and I quote this movie year round. Some of my favorite lines are "Im not Hungry I'm Hunnnnnngggrrrrrrry", "Don't just stand there you got work to do", "If they didn't want these things to roll they shouldn't have made them round", and last but not least "half of fifty cents, half of fify cents". I have even forced most of my friends to watch the film as well, so don't make me make you. lol

I love this movie I hope you buy it off of amazon and fall in love with it too.
"Riverbottom Nightmare Band"-song from Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

Cheek to Cheek

Music Monday: Songwriters I am Thankful for!

So often people focus of the performer when they think of their favorite songs from a musical. But this week I am going to break out of that mold and honor those men and women who wrote the music and lyrics to the songs we all love. When I think of standards that set the bar in American Musical Theatre theses music and lyricists come to mind. I have also listed my two favorite song from each of their catalogues.

1) Stephen Sondheim: My two favoirte songs from this mastermind are "Being Alive" from Company and "Move On" from Sunday In The Park With George.

2) The Sherman Brothers: (Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman)They are two brothers behind Disney hits such as "Little Black Rain Cloud" from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room" from Disneyland.

3) Rodgers and Hammerstein: These men wrote such classics as "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific and "Edelweiss" from Sound of Music

4) Irving Berlin: A man who wrote over 800 songs in his life time such as "There's No Business Like Show Business"from Annie Get Your Gun and "Cheek to Cheek"from Top Hat.

5) Ira and George Gershwin: These brothers brought showstoppers such as "'S Wonderful" from Funny Face and "Someone To Watch Over Me" from Oh, Kay!

"Cheek to Cheek" song from Top Hat

Who knows what will find?

Do you love Shrek/Avenue Q star John Tartaglia as much as I do?
Then you need to get yourself on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas cruise ship where Tartaglia's new family musical Imaginocean! is making it's debut. It began on Nov. 20. 2009.
The new musical features a book by Tartaglia with music and lyrics by William Wade, directed by Donna Drake. The puppets were built by The Puppet Kitchen in New York City. They describe the show as a "innovative black light musical production to life on the high seas." It reminds me of Blues Clues meets Finding Nemo. Tartaglia even voices one of the characters, other characters are voiced by Donna Drake and Michael Shawn Lewis. (PS. the ship this show is on also has a full production of HairSpray!)





"Who know's what will find"-line from Imaginocean

How Could I Ever Forget?

I want to say a BIG thank you to Allyson for bringing me back a Next to Normal playbill, Next to Nomal Pill case and Sherk the Muscial playbill from your last trip to NY. Thanks ALLYSON!

"How Could I Ever Forget?"-Next to Normal

Not too runny

Last Night thanks to my friend Allyson I attened the West Coast Premiere of Noah Haidle play SATURN RETURNS at the South Coast Repertory Theatre in Orange County. The play was directed by David Emmes and ran October 23 - November 22, 2009 (So I attened it's closing night performance). The show looks at a man's life at three periods in time; when he is 88, 58, and 28. At 88-year-old he is crabby and physically healthy but emointionally broken. He lives in a home that echoes the ghost of the women he loved. Overall I was not impressed by the production. It was funny at times and even heart warming. But I could not stand the lead actress Kristen Bush, who played all three women in the play. Maybe it was comination of not liking her acting nor the characters she was playing. Click here to see photos from the play.

This was the second play that I have seen at the SCR and it was the 2nd once that I did not like. The last play I saw there was the 2005 production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht. What I did release while looking at the poster in the lobby of past productions was that Daniel Breaker was in the producation of The Caucasian Chalk Circle that I saw. If you do not know who Daniel Breaker is, he is currently staring on Broadway as Donky in Shrek the Musical and was in the Tony Award winning production of Passing Strange. The Caucasian Chalk Circle was so bad that I blocked it out of my mind and did not even remeber who was in the cast.

Maybe the third time is the charm with SCR. I will need to see one more production there to find out.

"Not too runny"-line from Saturn Returns

Totally F*ucked!

Spring Awakening!
This past Saturday I attended the matinee performance of Spring Awakening at the OCPAC. It was my 5th time seeing the show and it was just as good as my very 1st time. The touring cast does an amazing job at feed off the audience and each others energy to bring this musical to life. I did miss Kyle Riabko and Blake Bashoff who left the cast this past summer to do other projects. They had been my Mortiz and Melchior everytime I had seen the piece (Broadway, San Diego, twice in Los Angeles) so it was hard to see them replaced. By far the best current cast member is Sara Hunt who plays Martha. Her voice stands out above the rest of the cast. Congrats to Lucas Wells who went on for Melchior twice last week. The photo above is Lucas with former Spring Awakening Broadway alumni Jenna Ushkowitz and Skylar Astin.

They did add new lyrics during Whispering sung by Melchior. I thought that the new lyrics added so much to the piece and made Melchior more human. My top three favorite scenes are: 1) I Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind I love when Mortiz rocks out his inner rage. 2) Totally F*ucked becuase I have to force myself to not stand up and dance along. 3) Purple Summer when the music stops and the cast harmonizes. It takes my breath away every time.

There is still one more week for you to see this Tony Award winning show. It is a must watch! I mean it do not miss this chance to let out your inner teenage angst. Click Here to get Discount tickets or if you are a studnet then show up 1 hour before show time and ask for student tickets at a speical discounted rate.

"Totally F*ucked"-song from Spring Awakening

Endless Love

Your ultimate guide to hosting your own GLEE party.
Games:
Who am I?:Buy index cards and put all of the GLEE character names on the cards. Then you set people up in partners and have one person place the card on their head without looking at the card. The other person must give clues as to who they are without saying their name.
If you want to make it more challenging then you can play name that GLEE song. See list of songs below.

Karaoke: Love to sing then have a GLEE karaoke night where you sing you own renditions of GLEE songs. Here are some song suggestions:
Song Name: Don't Stop Believin': Original Performer: Journey
Song Name: Rehab: Original Performer: Amy Winehouse
Song Name: On My Own: Original Performer: Les Miserables Cast
Song Name: Respect: Original Performer: Aretha Franklin
Song Name: Mr. Cellophane: Original Performer: Cast of "Chicago"
Song Name: I Kissed a Girl: Original Performer: Katy Perry
Song Name: Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat: Original Performer: Cast of "Guys and Dolls"
Song Name: Can't Fight This Feeling: Original Performer: REO Speedwagon
Song Name: Gold Digger: Original Performer: Kanye West
Song Name: Take a Bow :Original Performer: Rhianna
Song Name: Push It: Original Performer: Salt-N-Pepa
Song Name: Le Freak: Original Performer: Chic
Song Name: I Say a Little Prayer: Original Performer: Dianne Warwick
Song Name: Bust Your Windows: Original Performer: Jazmine Sullivan
Song Name: Mercy: Original Performer: Duffy
Song Name: This is How We Do It : Original Performer: Montell Jordan
Song Name: Poison: Original Performer: Bel Biv Devoe
Song Name: La Camisa Negra: Original Performer: Juanes
Song Name: I Wanna Sex You Up: Original Performer: Color Me Badd
Song Name: Single Ladies: Original Performer: Beyonce
Song Name: Taking Chances: Original Performer: Celine Dion
Song Name: Tonight: Original Performer: "West Side Story"
Song Name: Somebody to Love: Original Performer: Queen
Song Name: Maybe This Time: Original Performer: "Cabaret"
Song Name: Alone Original Performer: Heart
Song Name: Last Name Performer: Carrie Underwood
Song Name: It's My Life/Confessions Pt. 2: Original Performer: Bon Jovi/Usher
Song Name: Halo/Walking on Sunshine: Original Performer: Beyonce/Katrina & the Waves
Song Name: Hate on Me: Original Performer: Jill Scott
Song Name: No Air: Original Performer: Jordin Sparks
Song Name: You Keep Me Hangin' On: Original Performer: The Supremes
Song Name: Keep Holding On: Original Performer: Avril Lavigne
Song Name: Bust a Move: Original Performer: Young MC
Song Name: Thong Song: Original Performer: Sisqo
Song Name: Sweet Caroline: Original Performer: Neil Diamond
Song Name: I Could Have Danced All Night: Original Performer: "My Fair Lady"
Song Name: Defying Gravity: Original Performer: "Wicked"
Song Name: Dancing With Myself: Original Performer: Billy Idol
Song Name: Proud Mary: Original Performer: Ike & Tina Turner
Song Name: Lean on Me: Original Performer: Bill Withers
Song Name: Endless Love: Original Performer: Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross
Song Name: I'll Stand By You: Original Performer: The Pretenders
Song Name: Young Girl Original Performer: Gary Puckett...Union Gap
Song Name: Don't Stand So Close to Me: Original Performer: The Police
Song Name: Crush: Original Performer: Jennifer Paige
Song Name: [You're] Having My Baby: Original Performer: Paul Anka

GLEE drinking game: If you are of age here is a list of suggestion of when to take a shot, while watching the show. If you are not a big drinker you can take sip of a drink.

1) Sue wears new track suits

2) Rachel storms out

3) If a Broadway song is performed

4) Cast wears matching outfits

5) Finn gets caught looking at Rachel

6) Kurt gets caught looking at Finn

7) Someone calls Will, Mr.Shu

8) Lady chronic is in the show

9) Someone gets thrown in the dumpster

10) Kurt fixes his hair

11) Mercedes rocks the house

12) If they reference FOX (or anything by FOX co.)

*two shots if you cry

*two shots if Finn finds out Puck is the father

Food suggestions:
-Cupcakes (but not the kind Puck made lol)
-Slurpee (watch out you might get one in your face)
-Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches (that’s what Emma would make Will)
-Peppers (In honor of Suzy Peppers)
-Grasshopper pie (Terri craves it)
-Protein Drinks: (Sue would approve)

Other ideas:
BEST DRESSED: have your guest dress up as their favorite character and give a prize to the best dressed. Here are some ideas of how easy it is:
Artie: Wheel Chair, polo shirt, glasses and suspenders.
Sue: Track Jacket
Tina: anything Gothic
Terri or Quinn: pregnant
Puck: Mohawk

GLEE party favors: GLEE Gum, Sourpatch kids (Finn loves them), star stickers (Rachel brings them everywhere)

Craft Time: you can put a puzzle together or make your own candles all in honor of Terri.

DANCE PARTY: you can learn all the moves to Single Ladies or freestyle to Hate On Me.

Facial: Kurt does one every night before he sleeps.

THROW Finn and Quinn a baby shower: have a cake, do baby shower games, give name suggestions.

Have more ideas? Let me know. I will add them to the list!
"Endless Love "-performed on GLEE

Whenever You're Away From Me

ON-STAGE SEATS FOR Use promo code 10734 to get your on-stage seats for Xanadu. Promo code won't be active until Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 10am. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Center's Box Office or via phone at 714.556.2787. Not valid online and with any other offer. Limit two ticekts per person while supplies last. ON-STAGE TICKETS ARE VOID IF RESOLD. They are $20 and $25 depending on the performance.
Orange County Performing Arts Center DEC 14 to DEC 27 2009.

"Whenever You're Away From Me"-song from Xanadu

Young Girl

WEEKLY GLEE UPDATE!!!

Episode 10 (can you believe it?):Ballad (AKA Mr. Shu is HOT!)

What a show tonight! Every time I watch this show I think that that week's episode is the best and tonight I had the same feeling. So much happened, 1st Rachel develops a crush on Will aka Mr. Shu, we learn about another student who had a crush on Mr. Shu (peppers), then Kurt gets paired with Finn for ballads partners and tries to make him forget about girls and become gay, Finn's mom finds out about the baby which heads to Quinn's family learning about the baby through song (long story) gets kicked out of her house, and Mercedes learns that Finn is not the father but Puck is! WHAT!

So much jam packed in one episode with 7 songs!!!

Song Name: Lean on Me Original Performer: Bill Withers Performed on Glee by: New Directions Buy on iTunes

Song Name: Endless Love Original Performer: Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross Performed on Glee by: Will & Rachel

Song Name: I'll Stand By You Original Performer: The Pretenders Performed on Glee by: Finn

Song Name: Young Girl Original Performer: Gary Puckett...Union Gap Performed on Glee by: Will

Song Name: Don't Stand So Close to Me Original Performer: The Police Performed on Glee by: Will

Song Name: Crush Original Performer: Jennifer Paige Performed on Glee by: Rachel

Song Name: [You're] Having My Baby Original Performer: Paul Anka Performed on Glee by: Finn

Overall what a great episode!!! I attended a GLEE Chipotle Burritos night viewing hosted by the Gannon's. They made homemade Chipotle inspired burritos which were sooo good and then we watched GLEE as a group. Amazing! Thanks guys for great company and lots of laughs. Next week we will also be hosting a GLEE night with drinks. I will share all the details on how you can do the same at your house. That's right coming this Sunday I will give you a full entry on ideas to throw you own GLEE party!!! So check back for that entry!

GLEE IN THE MEDIA CLIPS:
I can not stand Tyra but GLEE was on so I had to watch the clip!


Great interview from USA TODAY of Chris Colfer.

"Young Girl "-song performed on GLEE

Baby Talk To Me

The New York Times just came out with a great article entitled: A Market Segment ‘Glee’ Can Call Its Own: Theater Folk

The article talke about "the high school-age cast of Broadway’s “Bye Bye Birdie” had gathered to watch “Glee,” Fox’s hourlong musical comedy series that has become a cult favorite among the theater community in New York. " CLICK HERE TO READ

"Baby Talk To Me"-song from Bye Bye Birdie

Liebeslied (love song)

Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today will return to the Geffen Playhouse for eight shows Dec. 13-18. Tickets are on sale now through the Geffen box office.
The Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 8 p.m. Dec. 14-17, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 18. $65-$85. (310) 208-5454. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. Click Here for Tickets

"Liebeslied (love song)"-Threepenny Opera

There's a moment you know you're...."

MUSIC MONDAY: Favorite lyrics from Spring Awakening. In honor of the show's run at the OCPAC. Here are some my favorite lines.

1) "There's a moment you know you're f*ucked Not an inch more room to self-destruct No more move oh yeah, the dead-end zone Man, you just can't call your soul your own" -Totally F*ucked

2)"I'm calling To know the world's true yearning The hunger that a child feels for everything they're shown"-All That's Known

3)"This can't be it Oh God, what a bitch!"-Bitch of Living

4) "They'll freak, or won't You toe the line You tell your soul, Just kill some time.Will it quit? It will until they don't They're not my home, not anymore Not like they so were before Still, I'll split, and they'll like Well, who knows?"-And Then There Were None

5)"'Cuz you know I don't do sadness,Not even a little bit.Just don't need it in my life.Don't want any part of it."-I Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind

Honorable mentions all the lyrics to Purple Summer

"And all shall fade the flowers of spring the world and all the sorrow sat the heart of everything but still it stays the butterfly sings and opens purple summer with a flutter of its wings the earth will wave with corn the grey-fly choir will mourn and mares will neigh with stallions that they mate foals they've borne and all shall know the wonder of purple summer...And yet, I wait the swallow bringsa song to hard to follow that no one else can sing the fences sway the porches swing the clouds begins to thunder crickets wander, murmuring the earth will wave with corn the grey-fly choir will mourn and mares will neigh with stallions that they mate foals they've borne and all shall know the wonder I will sing the song of purple summer and all shall know the wonder I will sing the song of purple summer all shall know the wonder of purple summer..."

"There's a moment you know you're..."-Totally F*ucked from Spring Awakening

The Addams Family

First look at the new musical The Addams Family in previews now in Chicago!

"The Addams Family"-theme song

All Over the World

Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson joined the cast of the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series "30 Rock" as a recurring character or even potentially as a future permanent fixture!!! The first episode was on TONIGHT on NBC and was amazing!!! The storyline for Cheyenne so far is that he is hired to join TGS (the fictional show in the show) to fill the void in the show of what Jack Donaghy calls "real America,". He was street dancer before with no acting experience. Kenneth helps him become and actor by treating him bad. "Cheyenne will be appearing from time to time and their is even a rumor of a duet with him and Jane Krakowski. Creator and star Tina Fey recently said that Jane Krakowski's character would be getting a new love interest (maybe Cheyenne?). No word on how many episodes he will be a part of or official work as to if he will be a series regular.

Cheyenne Jackson is currently starring as Woody in the new Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow at the St. James Theatre. Other work includes Sonny Malone in Xanadu (Drama League, Drama Desk nominations) on Broadway, Off and on Broadway as Joe Hardy in the New York City Center production of Damn Yankees opposite Jane Krakowski and Sean Hayes, Nicky Silver's The Agony & the Agony with Victoria Clark, All Shook Up (Theater World Award, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle nomination) the premier cast of Altar Boyz, Aida, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Cartells, On The 20th Century and The 24 Hour Plays.

"All Over the World "-song from Xanadu

I Believe

Spring Awakening Upright Cabaret's Benefit!!!

On Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 9pm - Join the touring cast and musicians of Spring Awakening for a night of music, nostalgia, and charity to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Only at Upright Cabaret! Springs Awakening sings to benefit BC/EFAONE NIGHT ONLY

Mon, Nov 23rd, 2009 at 9pm Upright Cabaret on Vermont1714 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046Tickets: $25 online, $30 at the door (if available). Table minimums apply. Tickets purchased online receive first priority in seating. More information including tickets and showtimes at www.uprightcabaret.com

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provides support to six programs at The Actors Fundincluding The AIDS initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic and more, all of which provide essential social services to everyone in the entertainment industry. Broadway Cares also makes grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations across the country, supporting hundreds of food banks, health clinics and housing programs nationwide. Locally, BCEFA supports the Bickerstaff Pediatric and Family HIV Center, AIDS Project Los Angeles, Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team, BIENSTAR Human Services, HIV & AIDS Legal Services Alliance Inc., Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Services Center, PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), Project Angel Food, AIDS/HIV Health Alternatives, Friends Research/Safe House, Valley Community Clinic, Aid for AIDS, Being Alive: People with AIDS Action Coalition, Center for Health Justice, and Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS/LA).

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!!!

"I Believe"-song from Spring Awakening

Proud Mary

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE!!! Episode 9 Wheels: GLEE IS BACK! What a great episode!!! This might be in tie with Preggers as my favorite episode so far. Here are my five favorite things about this episode.

1) Artie got his own back story and 1st solo song Dancing With Myself! He did an amazing cover of the famous Billy Idol song as well as had some awesome wheels moves!!! Then his love story with Tina. Way to go Tina, you got to win back Artie. They were such a cute couple.

2) The Diva-off: Defying Gravity. Rachel and Kurt both rocked it in their rendition of the Wicked number. I loved that Kurt fought for the chance to try out for the song and that Kurt's dad fought for his right to try out too. When Kurt gave Rachel that look during his turn you just had to know how much he wanted to win. Yet Kurt does not hit the high note because he does not want to put his dad through the shame of his gay son in the spotlight. I love how supportive they are of each other.

3) Special brownies: Puck would be the one to make special brownies for the GLEE bake sales with help from chronic lady :)

4) Everyone in Wheels. It was great that they shed some light on people with disabilities in a funny yet respectful way. Also they performed a wonderful rendition of Proud Mary on their wheels.

5) SHOCKER: Sue does have a heart. We found out the Sue has a sister who lives in a care home with special needs. It was truly the 1st time we see Sue being nice not because she had too but because she really cares.

NEW RELEASES!!!

Season 1:Part 1 the Road to Sectionals on DVD will be released on December 29th 2009!

Also GLEE Soundtrack Volume 2 will be released on December 2nd 2009.

Here is the

Track Listings
1. Proud Mary
2. Endless Love
3. I'll Stand by You
4. Don't Stand So Close to Me/Young Girl
5. Crush
6. (You're) Having My Baby
7. Lean on Me
8. Don't Make Me Over
9. Imagine
10. True Colors
11. Jump
12. Smile
13. Smile
14. And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going
15. Don't Rain on My Parade
16. You Can't Always Get What You Want
17. My Life Would Suck Without You

You can pre-order volume 2 of the soundtrack and season 1 part 1 now on Amazon as well as volume 1 of the soundtrack on Amazon for a discounted rate. Click here to see how.

Here are some video about this weeks episode and about the upcoming episodes!

"Proud Mary"-performed on GLEE

The Dark I Know Well

UPCOMING SPRING AWAKENING EVENTS!

BLOOMINGDALE'S CONCERT AND POSTER SIGNING! Members of the cast from Spring Awakening will perform “Don’t Do Sadness” and “Blue Wind” at Bloomingdale in South Coast Plaza next Thursday, Nov. 19 at 3pm. The event will be located at the cosmetics entrance on the second level of Bloomingdale’s. Additionally, customers who spend $200 in the Y.E.S. Contemporary Sportswear Department between Saturday, November 14 and Thursday, November 19 will receive a 50 percent discount coupon for selected performances of Spring Awakening.

TALK BACKS AND DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SHOW:With Members of the Spring Awakening Cast:

Wednesday, November 18

Tuesday, November 24

With Center President Terry Dwyer and a panel of experts:

Tuesday, November 17

Saturday, November 21 (Matinee)

YOU CAN WIN FREE TICKETS! Win a free pair of tickets to opening night in Costa Mesa. Just tell us your most memorable/ funny/ awkward coming of age moment at OCArtsandCulture. Entries due by midnight on 11/15: http://ocartsandculture.com/2009/11/spring-awakening-contest/

EXTEND THE FUN AFTER THE SHOW! Show your Spring Awakening ticket stub and get discounts on these great restaurants and bars after the show:

Scott's Seafood 3300 Bristol St.Costa Mesa, CA 92626714-979-2400www.scottsseafood.com Offer: $1.00 off any drink, excluding already discounted Happy Hour specials.

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's 3333 Bristol StCosta Mesa, CA 92626-1873(714) 352-2525http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/CharliePalmerAtBloomingdales/Offer: One free glass of sparkling wine with the purchase of any drink, appetizer, or entree.

Bluewater Grill 2409 Park AvenueTustin, CA 92782Phone 714 258 3474http://www.bluewatergrill.com/locations/tustin.htm Offer: $5 for your first cocktail or martini

THANKSGIVING DAY SPECIAL PLUS FOOD DRIVE: You can get discounted tickets on Thanksgiving Day if you bring a few cans of food for our food drive. The Orange County Performing Arts Center is offering a limited number of specially priced tickets to the November 26 Thanksgiving Day performance. These tickets are $10, $20 and $30, and may be purchased now at OCPAC.org, at the Center’s Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa of by calling 714.556.2787. When purchasing tickets, patrons need to use the promo code THANKS. Patrons who take advantage of this special opportunity should bring non-perishable food items to the performance where Orange County Food Bank will be accepting donations on behalf of the Center and Spring Awakening.

Spring Awakening will be the Orange County Performing Arts Center 11/17/2009 - 11/29/2009!Click Here for Tickets.

" The Dark I Know Well"-song from Spring Awakening

Television dreams of tomorrow

When is AMERICAN IDIOT coming to Broadway?Well just today a casting notice made public for the show to come to New York. This indicates that producers are indeed planning a Broadway move for the show which is rapping up it's extended world-premiere run in Berkeley, CA. The show is set to close this Sunday Nov. 15. Michael Hartman a spokesman for the say told playbill.com "There is a Broadway future for the show, but at this time no dates or theatre are confirmed,".

I can not wait to see this show on the Broadway stage. I was able to see it in September and I am sad that I was not able to make it to Berkeley to see it again. American Idiot has music by Green Day, lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong and book by Armstrong & Michael Mayer. Mayer will direct the Broadway production just as he did the Berkeley run, with choreography by Steven Hoggett, music supervision by Tom Kitt, music direction by Carmel Dean, general management by Abbie M. Strassler and casting Jim Carnahan & Carrie Gardner.

So cast of American Idiot Break a leg this last week of you run and rock it!

"Television dreams of tomorrow"-lyrics from American Idiot from show by same title

Jolly Holiday

JUST IN: There will be a standby line for Mary Poppins this Sunday!* WAHOOOO! The show is this Sunday November 15th at 6:30pm. All you need to do is arrive at the Ahmanson Theatre box office, at least 2 hours before the show (or earlier to be safe). The line is to the left of the box office located at the Music Center in downtown LA at 135 N Grand Avenue. Parking is $9 a car.

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!!! I am bring my lunch and some wine with me for the long wait! Hope to see you there!

*NOW CONFIRMED BY CTG!!!

"Jolly Holiday"-song from Mary Poppins

When you Wish upon a Star

Music Mondays: My top ten Disney songs!

In honor of Disney's Mary Poppin's opening this week in LA here is my list of my favorite Disney songs! Because I have so many I have made my list a top 10.

1) A Whole New World from Aladdin

2) When You Wish upon a Star from Pinocchio

3) Circle of Life from The Lion King

4) Belle from Beauty and the Beast (opening number)

5) Kiss The Girl from Little Mermaid

6) Step in Time from Mary Poppins

7)A Dream Is Wish Your Heart Makes A from Cinderella

8)I Won't Say (I'm In Love) from Hercules

9)Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah from Song of the South

10)The Bells of Notre Dame from Hunchback of Notre Dame

"When You Wish upon a Star"-from Pinocchio

If I loved you

3-Day Sale on the upcoming 2010 Reprise Season!!!

SAVE 25% ON ANY TICKET* WHEN YOU USE CODE: "STB25"

*Restrictions may apply. Discount available November 9 - 11 only. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Ticketmaster fees apply to all orders. Must mention code STB25.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel: Jan 26 - Feb 7
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Mar 16 - 28
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: May 11 - 23

"If I loved you"-song from Carousel