The Best News I've Heard In Weeks

David sent me this link today and I nearly squealed with happiness:

WICKED THE MOVIE
It's really going to happen! Obviously it is still in planning stages and they say they have to wait for the show to reach its "pinnacle" but seeing as it's closing in Chicago at the end of the year, maybe the pinnacle has been reached and they can get to work on the movie version!

No word on casting yet--could they really have anyone but Idina and Kristin?

Now or Never! HSM3

The trailer for High School Musical 3 is finally released!

Click here to watch it on Disney.com

I know I'm lame but it actually looks like a lot of fun.

And I already like the "Now or Never" song featured in the trailer.

Click here to listen to pretty Zac Efron and the whole cast

Get excited for October 24!

HOW AWESOME IS THIS?

At last night's Tony Awards, the original cast of Rent reunited and sang Seasons of Love!

Watch and ENJOY! (I might have teared up a little bit...)

No One Mourns the WICKED!

Except me, that is. I am already in mourning because it's over!

Today was WICKED at the Music Hall and it was even better than I remembered. I was afraid the old building would provide for nasty acoustics and/or sound system but thankfully it was a-MAY-zing! Glinda was actually pretty hilarious (although strangely Mary-Katherine-Gallagher-inspired) and Elphaba was outstanding.

I also found out in my exploration of the program that the guy who played Fiyero is married to the girl who played Nessa Rose and they met when playing Chris and Kim in Miss Saigon--and I totally saw them in that! Plus she is DeeDee from the New Mickey Mouse Club so even cooler.

Overall it was wonderful except I cried during "For Good" thinking of my friends... of course. Now I am just depressed it is over! I hate when something you look forward to for a really long time comes and is then over. I bought those tickets at the beginning of February! Oh well at least it was a great afternoon of amazing entertainment. I can't wait to see it again!

Here's a clip from the cast that I saw:

Andrew Lloyd Idol

Tonight's American Idol theme is a dream come true for me. Show tunes!

As much as I just love to hear bad karaoke versions of Dolly Parton and Mariah Carey every week, I am super pumped for a night of Broadway's finest with Andrew Lloyd Webber himself! This is going to be great for big voices like David and David, plus maybe Syesha and definitely Carly. I'm just hoping for a little Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!


UPDATE:
Just as I suspected, the big voices were awesome. Carly totally owned "Jesus Chris, Superstar" and David Cook was a-may-zing singing "Music of the Night." I knew he could sing but MAN can he SING! David Archuleta kinda butchered "Think of Me" with his weird arrangement but sang it beautifully nonetheless. Brooke started over! A-what?! That was crazy. And seriously? Jason Casto sucks. SUCKS! We'll see what happens tomorrow night... I'm thinking Brooke or Jason is out for sure.

No Day But Today!

I FINALLY SAW RENT TONIGHT.


I have watched the movie ten times at least, listened to the soundtrack a hundred times and know every word by heart, and watched dozens of clips on YouTube, but I had sadly never seen Rent on stage in person. Until tonight.

Tony bailed on me so I ended up going with my dad, who may have ruined it a bit with his "Who is that?" and "What did she say?" but it was still pretty darn amazing. The cast of the National Tour was very impressive--Roger was the guy who won some Australian/New Zealand Idol and he was great. Maureen was AWESOME. The seats were fantastic.

Unfortunately, the crowd was definitely lacking and the worst thing? They didn't give out Playbills! I have never been to a show without a Playbill--I keep them for every show I've ever seen. That was crap.

Despite all that, I loved every minute of it, and (as usual) wanted to see it again as soon as the final curtain went down. I can't believe it's leaving Broadway! Thank goodness for National Tours.

Across the Universe

I watched Across the Universe again tonight. I loved it in the theater and the soundtrack is a staple in my 3-hour drive home play list. The songs are so much fun, the visual stuff is awesome, and even though sometimes the plot ties between songs are a little weak, it all works somehow. I got it from Netflix, but I'm thinking I may need to purchase it soon so I can pop it in when I feel like a good dose of "Let it Be," "Hey Jude" or "Across the Universe."

Here's a little taste of the movie in case you haven't seen it, featuring one of my favorite songs, "Falling"...

Oh What A Night!

Ces Soirees-La!

Jersey Boys...
Ahhhhhhhh it was so ridiculously good!!!
I want to see it again. RIGHT. NOW.

As much as I love more serious musicals like Les Mis and Miss Saigon, there's nothing like leaving a feel-good musical like Jersey Boys, skipping and/or dancing.

Not that I would ever do that, of course. Just, you know, hypothetically. Right.

The costumes and set were amazing. The acting was fantastic--especially the super cute guy who played Bob Gaudio who, from our seats (which, admmittedly, were not in the front row), reminded me of Jim from The Office. The audience was so much fun, clapping and cheering and swaying to the beat in our seats.

And the music-- oh the music was absolutely the best! You can listen to the soundtrack on CD in your car all you want, but when you actually see them on stage performing the songs, well... there's not much better than that.

If you haven't seen Jersey Boys, find some way to do so as soon as possible. You'll be glad you did!

Muppet Christmas Carol

25 Days of Christmas Movies: Day Seventeen
Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

"Tis the season to be jolly and joyous..."

Great music, great actors (muppets + Michael Caine? Brilliant!), great story. A total classic and I sing along with the entire thing. No matter what age you are, this movie is just that good.

Soundtrack Highlights: "One More Sleep Til Christmas," "Bless Us All," "It Feels Like Christmas," and "Scrooge" -- but really every song in this music is amazing

My favorite quotes:

• Rizzo: "Light the lamp, not the rat!"
• Fozziwig: "At this time in the proceedings, it is customary for me to make a little speech." Marley: "And it is customary for us to take a little nap."
• Scrooge: "You're a little absent-minded, Spirit." Ghost of Christmas Present: "No, I'm a large absent-minded spirit!"
• Scrooge: "How would the bookkeeping staff like to be suddenly UNEMPLOYED!?" Bookkeepers: "HEAT WAVE! This is my island in the sun. OY!"

Rating: 5+ Snowflakes

There's Life Outside Your Apartment

Thank God the stagehands strike in NYC didn't extend to all stage productions across the United States, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the pure hilarity that is Avenue Q.

I saw the show for the first time on my Spring Break trip to Vegas with Michelle and Val but had forgotten so many great parts that aren't included on the soundtrack (one of many I belt out on my 3 hour drive to or from KC), namely the Bad Idea Bears and the use of the television screens... One Night Stand!

I need to start planning what shows I want to see if I go to Chicago over break. I'm thinking Jersey Boys?