Top 10 shows

hmm still don't have much in mind to say, which I'm sure will change come the Tony's in two weeks...so I will continue with my rankings... this time I will rank my all time favorite shows (or at least attempt to.) So anyway, as of right this moment, here are my Top 10 Favorite shows...enjoy!

Honorable Mentions- Chicago, The Pajama Game, Spring Awakening, The Producers

10. Hairspray-

The one that started it all. My first broadway show just over 3 years ago. Great music, great story. Hairspray is one of the all-around quintessential musicals that is always great no matter the time and place. It will be interesting to see how many years pass before it is revived.

9. Hair-

Hair makes the list because I really didn't know how much I would enjoy it when I recently won the lottery. I had never really gotten into the whole hippie thing, but I did enjoy much of the music, and 'Hair' the title song, was one of my favorites. So, I figured, why not, I have yet to find a broadway show I didn't like. (OK, that is a bold faced lie, I HATE CATS and Avenue Q, but we will save those rants for a rainy day) Well, needless to say, I LOVED IT. What a classic. The music was fantastic, the show was constantly entertaining, even though I didn't think it had much of a plot, I still found myself loving all the characters. I would love to go see it again now that I know what to expect.

8. Spamalot-

not much to say about Spamalot other than the songs are ridiculously catchy and the entire show is HILARIOUS. It is impossible not to have a great time at this show. simple as that.

7. 9 to 5-

omg nothing makes me sadder than the fact that this show is considered a 'flop'. My honest opinion is that it simply fell victim to a phenomenal season of broadway. Last summer, over 10 shows were grossing over $1 million, lots of them long-runners and 9to5 couldnt get enough word of mouth going to attract a wide enough audience. Its a pity. I was lucky enough to get up there soon after the closing announcement came. It had all the right things a musical should have. Great Characters, humor, emotion, and a great score. I hope Dolly isn't too discouraged because she did an excellent job writing those songs. Also, the cast was amazing. I can't wait to see the tour, but it will be hard to fill the shoes of Megan Hilty, Allison Janney, Marc Kudisch, and especially Stephanie J. Block...but we shall see! :)

6. Promises, Promises-

read my review a couple of posts ago. Just a great show featuring great people. Sean Hayes, Katie Finneran, and Kristin Chenoweth made it a special night in theatre.

5. Thoroughly Modern Millie and Legally Blonde are tied.

Thoroughly Modern Millie- my own personal fairy tale. Girl moves to the big city looking for a nice rich man to marry, finds true love instead with a poor man, and in the end he turns out to be rich! Girls always dream of finding a nice wealthy man, don't judge me. Again, the music is excellent, and the story is truly touching. I really love the dynamic between Millie and Jimmy throughout the show too, I think that is very important, which brings me to...

Legally Blonde- based off of one of my favorite movies, I was very skeptical of this show being able to do justice to the movie. Turns out, they made it even better! I love the character development of Emmett and his relationship with Elle. This was made even more prominent with the palpable chemistry between Christian Borle and Laura Bell Bundy. They were really able to sell that relationship. Its really a no brainer since they started dating in real life. Plus, my friends call me Elle Woods anyway, so its natural that I would worship this show and all its pink and glitter.

4. The Little Mermaid-

my favorite movie as a child turned into a real-life experience. who could argue? as a matter of fact, the show was larger than life. when the curtain rose to reveal the huge ship in act one, I was so moved. I LOVED the mermaid costumes, even though many would disagree. I thought they really worked. All of the songs are classic disney masterpieces, and the ones they added are just as magical as the original.

3. Next to Normal-

This show goes right for the heart. What a moving piece of the theatre. I am so glad that it won the pullitzer. Not saying I called it or anything, but when I saw that the committee was picking the award for drama the next day on playbill.com, I read the article to see if perhaps N2N had been nominated. I was disappointed to see that it wasnt. The next day, guess who won. :) People have complained, but if you don't cry at this show, you have no soul. Its that powerful. So I believe it deserves such high honor. And even though I was rooting for 9to5 at the time of the Tonys last year, now I completely agree with their best score award. The cast recording is beautiful. I dont think I have ever fallen in love with a song as fast as I fell in love with "Everything Else" or "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" or "Light"

2. A Chorus Line- another classic. It has just the right balance of humor and emotion. The dancing is amazing and iconic. I would kill to play Val. Dance 10 Looks 3 is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time. I love all the ups and downs of the show and the end, when the dancers are hired, is so tense almost as if you were up on that stage with them. Even though its not in the top spot, I do think it is the most brilliantly crafted piece of musical theatre. Brava, Michael Bennett.

and now the top spot....

1. WICKED duh. great characters, great story, great costumes, great set, beautiful score. I could watch it everyday and never get tired of it. Thank Goodness is probably my favorite song. period. followed very closely by every other song in the show. I could go on all day...It will always be the show all others pale in comparison. pure magic. There is nothing I wouldnt do to play Galinda one day.

my top 5 performers

So I don't really have much in mind to talk about so, being inspired by @BroadwaySpotted's recent polls and list compilations on twitter, I have been compelled to list my top 5 performers on the Broadway stage...

5. Gavin Creel

What isn't there to say about Gavin. He has an absolutely gorgeous voice no matter what role he plays. He has starred in two of my favorite shows, Hair and TMMillie, and his acting is just as inspiring as his singing. I think anyone would be hard pressed NOT to fall for Gavin's sweet, sexy, and dashing portrayal of Jimmy in a show which I refer to as my own personal fairy tale. But it is Gavin's hard work off stage that really makes me admire him in addition to his talents on stage. Gavin's grassroots campaign, BroadwayImpact, is what really got my attention and got me interested in the issue of marriage equality. I really began to pay attention when he and his cast mates of Hair left New York to participate in the National Equality March. Seeing the stars of Broadway align for that one cause really got me interested in doing what I can to support LGBT issues. I think that discrimination based on sexual orientation is senseless, ignorant, and just plain hateful, and I thank you, Gavin, for helping me find a cause I am truly passionate about.

4. Kyle Dean Massey

Ok, first of all, Kyle Dean Massey is extremely good looking. He gets automatic bonus points for that. Secondly, he is hilarious on his Broadway.com Next to Normal Vlogs. More points for humor. I first discovered Kyle Dean in a performance of Wicked. He was understudying for the role of Fiyero and I thought he was (HOT and) FANTASTIC. I wish he had gotten to play the role fulltime, but he departed Wicked a couple times to play the role of Gabe in Next to Normal, and inevitably left to play the role full-time when Aaron Tveit left to focus on Catch Me if You Can. Aaron Tveit is a wonderful performer, I love watching him in whatever he does, he is the epitome of a professional. I LOVE him as Gabe in Next to Normal. So I was very intrigued to hear Kyle Dean Massey in comparison. I really didn't think that KDM would be able to surpass Tveit's excellent performance. I apologize, Kyle Dean, for ever doubting you. I can honestly say I prefer KDM to Aaron, and I know that thousands of fans would disagree, but hey its my opinion. I think Kyle Dean has one of the most gorgeous voices on broadway. Recently on his twitter, he talked about doing Disney's The Newsies reading. I hope to GOD he continues with that and is cast as Jack Kelly. I will die of joy, that is one of my favorite movies of all time.

3. Stephanie J. Block

OMGSJB. Her voice is incredible. seriously. I saw her in 9 to 5 and I am still in awe about how she can sing so powerfully and emotionally and show little to no effort. Its magical. "Get Out and Stay Out" was one of those goose bump numbers. It is definitely one of my top theatre moment experiences in life. And she knocks everything she does out of the park. Elphaba-amazing. Judy Bernly- excellent. Her own CD- beautiful. I also discovered a video on youtube of her singing Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid, which is my favorite of all time since the age of 5, pure magic is all I can say. Go find it, it really is spectacular.

2. Annaleigh Ashford

I just really love Annaleigh becuase she is hilarious in anything she does. I was so happy I finally got to see her live when I went to see Hair a couple of weeks ago. Granted, Jeanie isn't as funny of a role as say, Galinda, but it was sufficient. I would kill to see her as Galinda, I think she is by far the best Galinda in acting the role. And that isn't taking away from her vocals either (though admittedly, she isn't as talented a soprano as say, KCheno, but hey who is?) Annaleigh's performance of Thank Goodness is one of the most passionate performances I have ever seen and is one of the reasons that it is one of my all time favorite songs. She is so young, and so talented, I think she has a great career ahead of her and I can't wait to see what she does next. I am also glad that she got cut from that Cirque du Soleil crap because from what I hear it is a colossal mess, and I'm glad she was spared. She is just a joy to watch and clearly enjoys every minute of what she is doing :) more people should try and be like her.

1. Kristin Chenoweth

haha. shocking I know. I don't know what else there is to say, after my practical love letter I wrote about her in my "Promises" review in my last post. I will just say that she is one of the most talented singers I have ever had the pleasure to hear. PROOF: go youtube "Defying Gravity at the Tony's" and listen to her harmonize "I hope you're happy in the end" so gorgeous. And she really is one of the most authentic and warm and wonderful people. Her book is a great read, I highly suggest it. Meeting her at the Promises, Promises stage door is definitely one of the highlights of my theatre infused life. I couldn't get much out, because I was pretty much star-struck (something that does not happen often for me) but when I finally summoned up a "thank you SO MUCH Kristin, I absolutely adore you" after she signed the picture of her as Glinda for my Wicked themed room, she touched my hand, looked me right in the eye and said "Thank you so much" I can't tell you how much that really meant to me. It sounds stupid and pathetic, I know, I sound like just another fangirl. But I really have so much respect for her and I look up to her....or really, down to! she is SO tiny. but I hope I manage to be a warm and kind soul like her every day. ......

Summertime and "Promises" Review!

Ok, now that it is summer, I am finding myself with an abundance of time so maybe I can update this thing more regularly...who knows.

But anyway, I saw Promises, Promises last week and I thought it would be nice if I did my own review...

Um two words...HI-LARIOUS. seriously. Sean Hayes had a wonderful comedic presence and was absolutely adorable. The NYTimes critic (critic should be read as: d-bag) said something along the lines of him not being able to pull off a strong romantic masculine lead blah blah blah he seemed more like a loving brother. Well first off, that review was obviously written by A MAN. Romantic leads don't always have to be Mr. Macho thank you very much. The "brotherly" quality Sean Hayes projected made you root for him. He was the sweet meek and mild guy you root for as the big guys push him around!

On to Kristin Chenoweth...*DISCLAIMER* I am IN LOVE with this woman, so it is hard for me to be objective, but I shall try. I will start by admitting that I would have preferred to see her in the fun comedic roles she is so genius at playing, especially since it was the first time I was seeing her live. I think this is where the phrase "miscast" is being thrown around. But let me say that I don't think it is possible for Kristin to be miscast. She knocks any role out of the park, this show being no exception. I think the word people are looking for is "disappointing" maybe? Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed her performance and thought she did a fantastic job. She maintained a very healthy balance of being depressed without coming off as whiny. I ached for her and sympathized with her character deeply. I think everyone knows how it feels to be blindly optimistic about a relationship, but at the same time you know in the back of your head it is never going to work out. Kristin portrays that inner conflict wonderfully. Vocally, she is a goddess. While waiting for her at the stage door, this wonderfully kind man summed it up perfectly. "Those songs didn't have much to them, but man, did she make them her own!" It is true, her songs were not the surging numbers like we are used to from her (i.e. Popular, Glitter and Be Gay) but she proved, she is the master at taking any song and mastering it's orchestrations to make it as melodious as humanly possible. It was also interesting to hear her sing predominantly in her lower register. (Although, I, unlike many, would have been DELIGHTED to hear her pull out a signature Cheno note, but alas there is a time and a place.) All in all, I thought she was wonderful, and her chemistry with both Sean Hayes and Tony Goldwyn was perfect. I also thought Tony Goldwyn's performance was great. He was just enough of an ass without being over the top.

But the absolute best part of the show was Katie Finneran. Oh my goodness. I don't even know how to put into words the comedic genius that this woman possesses. Her performance lasts for only two scenes, but I promise, you will be laughing hysterically through both scenes, and you will be talking about her walking out of the theatre. Her drunken witty banter with Sean Hayes never ceases hilarity, and their dance break had me in tears. I wish she wasn't up against Angela Lansbury for the Tony, or she would be a lock for sure. I'm sure Angela is superb per usual in ALNM, but I will be pulling hard for Katie.

As for the rest of the show, I have no complaints. Rob Ashford's choreography was excellent per usual. I was initially disappointed as many were when I heard that "Turkey Lurkey Time" wasn't the original choreography. I am a huge Michael Bennett fan. But in hindsight after watching an old youtube clip and seeing the new version live, I am glad they made the change. The original choreography, to me, was obviously crafted to suit the strengths and style of Donna McKechnie. Her dance style is so unique that I don't think it would suit other types of dancers well. The new choreography is just as exhilarating. Being in college and having seen many a drunken party, I thought the dance number portrayed the escapades of a drunken group spot on haha! Overall it was quite fun, and I absolutely LOVED the transition to that scene! Also LOVED the barrel rolls in the basketball number, very impressive.

Overall I give the show a B+. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to go back and see it again and again! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys musical comedy. It is a fluffy piece, but who ever said fluff was a bad thing! :) Brought it down from an A because in a few numbers the dancers didn't quite seem perfect at all times during a couple numbers. But they did just open about a week and a half prior, so I'm sure they will improve with time! Also, I have high standards when it comes to the dancing. However, Sean Hayes should be enough to get you to want to see this show. He is a master at his craft! If he isn't enough, then Katie Finneran added in should seal the deal! Plus, watching the incredible KCheno do her thing was absolutely inspiring and entertaining in itself. She is the epitome of a seasoned pro.

and now this is back to sounding like a love letter. But that is all. Yay! My first review is complete. It is very rambly, and for that I apologize.