What am I here

$10 tickets to see Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo on May 7 at 8pm. This offer will end at midnight on Sunday (05/02/10) or until discounted supplies last. May not be combined with any other offer. FOR ON LINE SALES ONLY.

CLICK HERE

THE SHOW WAS JUST A FINALIST FOR THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR DRAMA 2010!

"Why am I Here"-lines from Bengal Tiger

Belle

DVD of the Month: Beauty and the Beast!
I have chosen this beloved Disney classic as this month's DVD because it is just a plain old feel good musical with songs that stick in your head for days. Growing up as a child of the 90's Disney musical meant the world to me. I remember going to the movie theatre to see this on the big screen with a packed house. I wanted to be Bell as soon I heard the 1st song.

Bell sings "Little town
It's a quiet village
Every day
Like the
one before
Little town
Full of little people
Waking up to say"
Townsfolk: "Bonjour!
Bonjour!
Bonjour! Bonjour! Bonjour!"

The story of Beauty and the Beast's story is based on a fairy tale about a prince who is transformed into a beast to be taught a lesson. The Beast imprisons a young beautiful woman named Belle in his castle to keep him company. The two build a friendship and fall in love over time. The film features only 8 songs but they are songs that you fall in love with.
1:Belle
2:Belle (Reprise)
3:Gaston
4:Gaston (Reprise)
5:Be Our Guest
6:Something There
7:Beauty and The Beast
It was the first Oscar nominated animation feature film. It was the first animated picture to win best Musical or Comedy motion picture at the Golden Globes. The fairy tale was adapted into an animation screenplay by Linda Woolverton and featured music composed by the Disney hit makers Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The film was such a hit that they turn it into a Broadway show in 1994 and premiered at the Palace Theatre in NYC. The show was not a critical success but was a commercial one featuring Broadway stars like Terrence Mann, Susan Egan, Kerry Butler, Ashley Brown, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, John Tartaglia, Christopher Sieber, and Marc Kudisch (to name a few).

If you have been living under a rock for the past 19 years then you own it to yourself to see this musical!
"Belle"-song from Beauty and the Beast

Leap of Faith

So It sounds pretty official? RAUL ESPARZA is headed to Los Angeles to play the lead in A LEAP OF FAITH!!! Director Rob Ashford who is set to director the new musical based on the Steve Martin film, recently announced in an interview with playbill.com writer Harry Haun that Esparza was part of the cast. I am so happy to hear this news. About a year ago I put out a list of my top 50 stage actors of all time. Since then my goal has been to see all the people on my top ten and Raul is on that list so I hope this is true! Click Here to read the article.
"Leap of Faith"-lyrics from Over the Moon from RENT

Maybe (Next to Normal)

LOVE IT! Next To Normal is an emotional roller coaster that leaves audiences shaken up and wanting more from this A+ cast! If you do not cry at least once at one point during this show then you do not have a heart.

I first heard about this show a year ago when I read an article on show’s opening night. I was initially drawn to the piece because of the director Michael Greif (of RENT fame). But as I started to learn more about the production I realized how long this show had been the works and how many big Broadway stars tried their hand at the different roles. With music written by Tom Kitt and Book/ Lyric written by Brian Yorkey the original title of the show was entitled Feeling Electric. That production of Feeling Electric as was first seen in a 2002 reading at NYC’s Cutting Room. The role of Diana had been played by Sherie Rene Scott (Everyday Rapture/ Aida) and Amy Spanger before Alice Ripley stepped into the role for a workshop at the Second Stage Theatre. The role of Dan had been played by Norbert Leo Butz, Joe Cassidy, and Brian d’Arcy James (Sherk) (who returns to the role in May) before J. Robert Spencer came in as a replacement off-Broadway and continued with the show on Broadway. Before Louis Hobson stepped into the role of Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden the roles was played by Deven May (Jersey Boys), Anthony Rapp (RENT) and Asa Somers. Skylar Astin (Spring Awakening) played Henry before Adam Chanler-Berat became perfect for the role. The role of Gabe has been played by Aaron Tveit who played the role off-Broadway before playing on Broadway. Kyle Dean Massey stepped into the role of Gabe on Broadway after Tveit left. And last but not least before Jennifer Damiano took the role of Natalie she was played by Mary Faber (American Idiot, Avenue Q), Phoebe Strole (Spring Awakening), and Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked).

Now that you know a little about the history of who was apart of making this show happened let me tell you why all of these fine actors worked so hard to get it to Broadway. This show is so personal that it gets under your skin and you can not help but want to run up on stage to give someone a hug. Tony Award winning Alice Ripley knows just how to captivate an audience to make you love, hate, and help her all at the same time. Ripley plays Diana, the mother who is dealing with mental illness and the effect it has on her family. She plays the perfect suburban wife who underneath has layers of complexity; dealing with loss, suicide, drug dependency and hallucinations. She truly will shake you up inside and wonder if maybe we are all a little bit like Diana, crazed. In the performance I saw on 4/18 the role of Dan was played by Michael Berry. (Interesting side note he understudies for Dan and in real life he is married to Sarah Uriarte Berry who understudied for Diana a period of the Broadway run). Michael did an outstanding job at playing the core of the family; who is also internally falling apart trying to keep everyone together. Meghann Fahy filled in the role of Natalie and kicked ass as the troubled teen trying to get the attention and love of her family. He “perfect” and supportive boyfriend played by Adam Chanler-Berat won over the audience with his performance of “Perfect for You” a song he sings to win over Natalie. Chanler-Berat plays the rock in Natalie’s life and mirrors Dan in many ways. Louis Hobson is the best doctor I have ever seen on stage. He is so personable and his voice is so authoritative in the songs he sings yet you still find in trustworthy. Gabe played by Kyle Dean Massey is gave one of the creepiest yet compelling performances I have ever seen on stage. You want to be mad Gabe for tormenting Diana his mother in her imagination but you can not help but feel for the lost son clinging just to be remembered by the family.

Overall this musical is AMAZING. If you asked me hey I am headed to Broadway what should I see? I would say NEXT TO NORMAL (or American Idiot) but if you really want for your mind to be blown away go see NEXT TO NORMAL! Everyone who I have recommended it to has LOVED IT. So go see this production! The show will be heading out on it’s 1^st national tour starting this fall in Los Angeles. Next to Normal will play at the Ahmanson Theatre November 23^rd 2010 through January 2^nd 2011. Click here for more info on the Southern California stop.

All the pictures in this post are from my personal camera from stage door after the 4/18 show. The photo of the two random guys are actually two band members that crazy fans asked for their autographs at stage door(usually they only ask for the actors but the music is that good!). I thought it was cute so I took a picture. I got almost the whole cast to sign my playbill (no Kyle). They were all so nice and so thankful to all the fans who waited out for them.

I want to send a big THANK YOU to the Booth Theatre staff! My friend Rose and I showed up a bit late to the 7:30 Sunday night show (we thought it was a 8pm), but the Booth Theatre staff were so understanding and still let us take our seats. They also offered to fill us in on the three songs we missed.

"Maybe (Next to Normal)"-song from Next to Normal

I Hope I Get It

We are days away from the 2010 Tony nominations being announced!!! They will be announced by Lea Michele and Jeff Daniels on May 4th

8:30-8:50am EST Live webcast @ tonyawards.com

"I Hope I Get It"-song from Chorus Line

When You're Home

IN THE HEIGHTS!

So I did not plan on seeing In The Height during my stay in NYC but I decided to stop by the box office on Sunday afternoon just to see if they had any discount tickets for sale. At first they said all they had at $58 tickets for back of the balcony. I asked to see if there were any other discounts available and they said they could to $48!!! I said SOLD! I seat front row in the balcony section but to me it was the best seat in the house and for one of the best shows on Broadway!

As soon as I got my ticket this sense of excitement over came me. I knew I loved the musical from listening to the soundtrack non-stop, but I had no idea how I would react to seeing the show live in front of me. As soon as the show started, I felt a strong emotional connection to the piece. I felt proud to be a Latin American and fan of the arts for the 1st time in my life. Back home there are very few Latinos who have a love of theatre. I always felt like an outcast within the theatre community but this show is proof that I can be Latino and have a voice in the arts. The other connection I felt with the show was coming to terms with who you are when your parents/grandparents came from another country for you to have a better life and feeling an obligation to make them proud. One of the themes of In The Heights is the finding the meaning of "Home". The lyrics in When You're Home put into words the feeling I have always had about my Mexican roots.

"When I was younger I'd imagine what would happen if my parents had stayed in Puerto Rico
Who would I be if I had never seen Manhattan
If I lived in Puerto Rico with my people?
My people...
I feel like all my life I've tried to find the answer
Working harder, learning Spanish, learning all I can
I thought I might find the answers out at Stanford
But I'd stare out at the sea
Thinking, Where am I supposed to be?
So please don't say you're proud of me, when I've lost my way" - When You're Home

The cast featured three of the original cast ANDRéA BURNS as Daniela, PRISCILLA LOPEZ as Camila and ELISEO ROMAN as Piragua Guy. Each of them blew my mind and are so talented. New comer's CORBIN BLEU as Usnavi and DAVID DEL RIO as Sonny brought new things to their characters that I loved. I was worried about seeing anyone else play Usnavi other than Lin but Corbin did a great job at respecting the character Lin created on stage and on paper. Overall this cast on Broadway is a 15 out of 10!!!

If you can not make it to Broadway to see this amazing cast do not worry, In The Heights is currently on a national tour with two stops in Southern California at the Pantages Theatre June 22nd- July 11th and the Orange Country Performance Center August 3rd-15th.

Please, please, please see this show! Even if you are not a Latin I promise you will find something in this show to connect with and that you will love. If you are unsure if you will like the show check out the PBS special on the making of the show. CLICK HERE

"When You're Home" Song from In The Heights

Too Much Too Soon

AMAZING Video from Opening Night!!!

Also did you heard that Green Day also made their on stage Broadway debut?

"Too Much Too Soon"-song from American Idiot

There's a world, there's a world I know

CENTER THEATRE GROUP JUST ANNOUNCED THERE LINEUP FOR THEIR AHMANSON THEATRE 2010-2011 SEASON!!!
The season will include four productions:

"Leap of Faith" (Sept. 26-Oct. 17), a musical based on the 1992 Steve Martin movie about a fake faith healer. The production will feature a score by Alan Menken and will be directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford. Casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

"Next to Normal" will kick off it's national tour with a stop at the Ahmanson on Nov. 28 through Jan. 2, 2011. The musical just won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The musical tells the story of a suburban mother's psychological problems and the effects it has on her family. No cast listing has been released for the tour yet but it is rumored that Alice Ripley might a part of the project.

"God of Carnage" will run April 27, 2011-May 29, 2011. Yasmina Reza's play will have its L.A. debut in a new production straight off its heels of the Tony-winning production in NYC. The play follows two couples brought together by a brawl between their kids.

"Les Misérables" will wrap up the season with a run from June 17, 2011-July 31, 2011. The musical will be celebrating it's 25th anniversary. More news on the tour will released soon.

CLICK HERE for more info.
"There's a world, there's a world I know"-lyrics from song There's a World from Next to Normal

Time of Your Life

Green Day’s American Idiot the musical is one of the great masterpieces of modern theatre ever created. This past Monday night I attended the last night of previews of the new Broadway musical American Idiot. It was the night before their opening and the St. James Theatre was buzzing from wall to wall. The theatre was sold out and the audience was ready to experience something like they have never seen before. A new rock era arrived on stage as soon as the curtains rose with the TV's running wild and that 1st line was blasted out "Don't want to be an American Idiot!"

This was my second time seeing the piece created by the Broadway genius of the 21 century Michael Mayer. I traveled up to Berkeley last fall to see the world premiere of American Idiot and fell in love with Green Day and this creative team all over again. How did this show come to be you might ask? Well, Michael Mayer had the idea about turning the 2004 hit album into a musical just from listening to the record and seeing the story unfold before him in his mind. He asked Green Day to visit Broadway to see Spring Awakening, Mayer’s last project and Tony Award winning musical. The band fell in love with his work and signed on to work alongside Mayer on bringing American Idiot to life. With a successful three times extended run in Berkeley the team knew they had a hit and the transfer to Broadway only seemed natural.

The show follows three boys as they venture out into the world to find themselves and their meaning in life. The Broadway production did change a bit from the Berkeley run but all the changes did nothing but enhance the show. One note I made about seeing the piece up at Berkeley was that there were holes in the storyline. The majority of the story is told through song with short dialogue in the form of letters back home from the main character Johnny (played by Tony Award winning John Gallagher Jr.). They rearranged some of these dialogue breaks and added in a couple of new songs that cleared up the piece and helped it flow better. The talented John Gallagher Jr. really carries the show and helps narrates the piece with as little as a sentence of dialogue to a facial expression which speaks louder than words. The new production brought in Stark Sands as Tunny who is conflicted with his life and joins the army. Sands performance of Tunny won me over and when we sang one of my favorite songs from the American Idiot album the hauntingly beautiful Are We The Waiting he gave me chills. I spoke with ensemble member Miguel Cervantes who told me they had cut his piece as the rock n roll boyfriend from the piece for Broadway production but had re-added it at the last minute which made me really happy to see it left in.

Like I said the first time I saw the show the cast is what makes the piece shine. From Gerard Canonico’s rage on stage to Joshua Henry’s hot body and rockin voice that makes the girls go wild, to Rebecca Naomi Jones passion and vulnerability as Whatsername, these cast members are perfect at each and every turn. The person who steals the spotlight through is Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy. Vincent piercing rocker voice alongside Gallagher during St. Jimmy number blew my mind. The audience clapped for about two minutes straight before the cast could continue with the show after the St. Jimmy number.

Overall I LOVE this show and really wish I could see it again and again! The reviews are pouring in since the show opened on Tuesday and they have been great! The cast recording has been released and is currently number 3 on the itunes charts!
If you want to see a performance from the show then set your DDR/ Tivo for Monday April 26^th for Regis and Kelly where the Boys from American Idiot will perform Wake Me Up When September Ends as part of their Broadway week.

Last but not least watch my Video interview from the afternoon of Opening Night with Brian Charles Johnson and Ben Thompson.

For my past review of the Berkley run click below:

Part 1 Road to the show

Part 2 American Idiot review

Part 3 Meeting the cast

"Time of Your Life"-song from American Idiot

New York, New York!

JUST GOT BACK!!!
Working on posts. Since I have sooo much to write about I will be adding my recap from NYC through out the next week. So check back for a new posts!
Post will inculde:

• American Idiot opening night/ pre-opening night pefromance
• In The Heights w/ Corbin Bleu
• Next To Normal cast encounters
• Under the sea with Imagin Ocean
• Promises Promises with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth
• A Meeting with Sh-K-Boom/ Ghostlight Records
• Tips for NYC theatre

"New York, New York"-self titled song from movie New York, New York

IN FULL REPORT WHEN I GET HOME!!!

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER DURING MY STAY IN THE BIG CITY!

Glass breaks so easily. No matter how careful you are.

My favorite play of all time is The Glass Menagerie, and what is cool is that there is a new production of the play which is set to play from coast to coast!

Currently running this spring in NYC the Roundabout Theatre Company is running revival of Tennessee Williams’ classic The Glass Menagerie. Director Gordon Edelstein must be doing something right because the new production is getting great reviews. The same production will then transfer to Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum will run in the fall. Here is a look inside the current NYC run:

"Glass breaks so easily. No matter how careful you are."-lines from the Glass Menagerie

Hello

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE!!! Ok to start, I LOVED the 1st episode back of GLEE. Jonathan Groff and Idina Menzel where such great guest stars. From start to finish it left me in aww. Highlights Kurt's how do you say hello on the phone "No she is dead this is her son", Hello sung by Michele and Groff, VOGUE during the break, the Hello, Goodbye performance at the end, and Britney's comment about how dolphins are just gay sharks. AMAZING

GLEEKS take a pic in the GLEE PHOTO BOOTH!!!

You can add in your own picture to mix in with cast photo and post them on facebook, print them and put them in your office like I did, make wallpaper for your desktop or send them to a friend in an e-mail.

PLAY AND WIN: There is a new GLEE contest hosted by Dove Hair products where you can win GLEE merch or even a tour of the set with a meet and greet with the cast! Each day though the run of the contest you have three chances to spin and win instantly! Click here for more info!!!

As you might know GLEE is hosting a nationwide talent search for new cast members to join for second TWO! Here is my Vote!!! BRUCE click here to check him out!!! BREAK A LEG BRUCE!

NEXT WEEK IS MADONNA WEEK!!!

"Hello"-song performed on GLEE

Gives You Hell

FULL GLEE REPORT ON ITS WAY!!! "Gives You Hell"-song perfomed on GLEE

Another Hundred People

MUSIC MONDAYS:
Best songs about New York! I am headed to NYC very soon and on that note here is my playlist for my visit to the city that never sleeps. Enjoy!

1) New York, New York from self titled movie musical sung by Liza Minelli

2) New York, New York from On the Town sung by Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Jules Munshin.

3) 42^nd Street title song from show 2001 Broadway revival cast lead by Kate Levering.

4) Two Nobodies in New York from Title of Show sung by Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen.

5) Another Hundred People from Company sung by Angel Desai.

"Another Hundred People"-song from Company

Maybe if you whistle, Whistle for me.

HOW I WISH I WAS IN NYC THIS WEEK!!! UGH!Anyone Can Whistle preview for press. Raul is soo cute, I would just die if I could see him live!

"Maybe if you whistle, Whistle for me."-lyrics from the self-titled track Anyone Can Whistle

Listen To Your Heart

ITS OFFICIAL!!! Sutton Foster will play the Kirk Douglas Theatre April 29th & 30th!!!

Tickets are on pre-sale now with code word MUSICALPATRONS. Tickets go on sale to public on April 13th!!! This could not be a better venue to see Sutton because it very small giving you an up close and personal performance. Also the venue is located in the heart of Culver City. It would be a great date night for your are your Loved One! More Info Click Here.

"Listen To Your Heart"-song from Young Frankenstein

I am flame and I am fire, I am destruction, decay, and desire

Remember a couple of months ago I reported that Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey went to the Next to Normal Twitter page to get suggestions to write a new song for Next to Normal that the fans felt was missing from the show. NOW they gone to YOUTUBE for their next interactive project for Fans: NEXT TO NORMAL's YouTube Mash-Up Project. The goal: To create the ultimate Broadway music video, starring YOU! You will be able to dance, sing, perform your favorite songs for the show see the video below for more info!

"I am flame and I am fire, I am destruction, decay, and desire"-lyrics from I'm Alive from Next to Normal

Hello Again

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE!!!
SEE A OUTDOOR SCREENING OF GLEE THIS SATURDAY @ THE GROVE, Los Angeles. Event runs 7pm-10pm. Click Here For More INFO
DID YOU SEE THE CAST OF GLEE ON OPRAH???
In case you missed it Here it is:

"Hello Again"-song performed on GLEE

East 12th St.

CALLING ALL IDIOTS DO I HAVE SOME CONTEST TO SHARE WITH YOU!!!

MTV CONTEST: MTV and Green Day are partnering up to celebrate the new musical American Idiot. MTV will be taking over the St. James Theatre where the show is currently in previews, during the show's opening week of Green Day's American Idiot to give 300 of the band's biggest fans the opportunity to attend an exclusive special April 22 performance. Now through Sunday, April 11, you can enter for a chance to win tickets to this event. Click Here for more Details.

FACEBOOK AMERICAN IDIOT OPENING NIGHT CONTEST: They are looking for a pair of diehard superfans to represent the Idiots of America as an correspondent for Opening Night. If you win you will get an all-access experience that you will get to keep fans across the country and around the world up to speed with live tweets, pix and flip cam videos, as you capture everything from the red carpet to the after party. You will also get two tickets to the Opening Night Performance, afterparty, hotel accommodations and $1,500 in reimbursemnet for travel expenses. HOW TO ENTER: Send in your 30-second video by April 9th teling why you should win, Click Here to go to there American Idiot Facebook page for more info.

"East 12th St."-song from American Idiot!!!

Anyone Can Whistle

FIRST LOOK AT THE CAST OF CITY CENTER ENCORES! PRODUCTION OF ANYONE CAN WHISTLE!
The production stars Donna Murphy, Sutton Foster, Raúl Esparza, Edward Hibbert, John Ellison Conlee and Jeff Blumenkrantz. The run starts April 8th with only five performances. "Anyone Can Whistle"-song from musical by same name

Sugar Daddy

JUST IN!!!
According to the New York Post John Cameron Mitchell is set to reprise the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway this fall 2010!!!
It is said that Stephen Trask, the composer is working on new songs for the show and that they are looking for a theatre for the production. Mitchell tells the Post “The role is so hard and so challenging that it made me give up acting and concentrate on writing and directing. It’s like Hamlet. Except that Hamlet doesn’t have to sing 15 great songs. In a dress.” Mitchell also starred in the popular 2001 movie adaptation which has grown a cult following over the years. To read the full article CLICK HERE!

"Sugar Daddy"-song from Hedwig and the Angry Inch

The Lonely Goatherd

MUSIC MONDAY!!!
SONGS THAT REMIND ME OF AN ACTOR: Do you have a broadway song that when you hear it you can only picture one actor singing it, no other actor can do the song justice? Here are five songs that do just that for me.

1) Raul Esparza: Marry Me A Little from Company

2) Pattie Lupone: Somepeople from Gypsy

3) Jonathan Groff: All That's Known from Spring Awakening

4) Julie Andrews: The Lonely Goatherd from Sound of Music

5) Adam Pascal: One Song Glory from RENT

"The Lonely Goatherd"-song from The Sound Of Music

I'll Never Fall In Love Again

FIRST LOOK@ PROMISES, PROMISES (thanks to broadwayworld.com).
Promises, Promises stars Sean Hayes as Chuck Baxter, Kristin Chenoweth as Fran Kubelik, Tony Goldwyn as J.D. Sheldrake, Katie Finneran as Marge MacDougall and Dick Latessa as Dr. Dreyfuss. The production is directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford.

I will see Promises Promises when I am in NYC later this month and I will bring you back a full report on the musical making's its return to Broadway

"I'll Never Fall In Love Again"-song from Promises Promises

cryin' 'oh honey bear are you still my, my, my baby?'

Just added tour date for Idina Menzel: Nov. 7 performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, CA. WAHOOO!!!
For More Concert Dates Click Here!
"cryin' 'oh honey bear are you still my, my, my baby?"-lyrics from Take Me Or Leave Me from RENT

If life seems jolly rotten,There's something you've forgotten

Happy Easter!

"If life seems jolly rotten,There's something you've forgotten" -lyrics from Always look on the bright side of life, song from Monty Python's Spamalot

You say yes, I say no

GLEE WEEKLY UPDATE!!!
So here is your first look into what is coming up in the 2nd half of season 1!

Behind the scenes of the Rolling Stone COVER with GLEE cast!!!

"You say yes, I say no"-lyrics from Hello, goodbye song performed on GLEE

Sorry got behind again.

New posts will have to wait ONE more week :(