Noms...yes please!!!

Okay so today was super exciting because finally the Tony nominations for the 2010/2011 season on Broadway have come out! I personally am really excited to see who wins this year in the "Best Musical" category. I am rooting for Catch Me If You Can and maybe Sister Act, though I'm sure that The Book of Mormon is going to win. By far this show has the most nominations, which is 14, this year. Scottsboro Boys is not too far behind, with 9 nominations. For the "Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical" category, I'm absolutely positive that Sutton Foster will win for her amazing performance in Anything Goes. Many critics have been raving about how Foster fits Reno Sweeney ever so perfectly. This year's "Best Revival of a Musical" will be a tough category, with Anything Goes and How to Succeed... the only shows in this category for this year. With the Tony's, you never know what might happen. To find the whole list of Tony nominations, go to: http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/index.html

Alice Heading for Broadway

Think you've seen enough of the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts? Well get ready for Wonderland: A New Alice. A New Musical! Yes, that's right, soon Broadway will make way for the Disney classic. Oh but don't worry because Disney is not producing this musical (for once). So no need to fret about more Disney on Broadway (I know I'm sick of it!) I'm actually excited about this show because it is yet another take on this story. It is supposed to be pretty close to the original but of course ON STAGE! I watched a preview of it on Broadway and the music sounds upbeat and interesting. It's opening at the Marquis Theatre on April 17. I'm really hoping this show does well on Broadway.

Spiderman Vs. Elphaba

Okay, so every Broadway geek has probably heard about the success of Spiderman: The Musical. According to weekly grosses, it is coming up very close to the insanely popular Wicked. Personally, I'm rooting for Wicked to overrule the newcomer to Broadway because most people only really like Spiderman for its special effects. I have not yet heard one person mention that it has a great score or amazing lyrics. Now take a look at Wicked. The score, lyrics, costumes, set, special effects, everything about it is amazing! Then what makes Spiderman so great? I honestly don't see it, since there have been other shows with cool special effects plus more. I'm really hoping that when people read this post, they realize that Wicked has so much more than Spiderman.

Four Fab Shows Heading to Macy's This Year!

Okay, so I don't know about any of you but the main reason I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is for the four numbers from new musicals on Broadway. They get more people to go see these shows, and this year I am pleased to announce that the four musicals being shown are Million Dollar Quartet, American Idiot, Memphis, and Elf. Alright so maybe the last one isn't a show I'm really thrilled about, but the other three are definitely going to be entertaining. I especially cannot wait for the number from Memphis because ever since the Tony awards from last year, this show has appealed to me. I mean, I really hope that this fabulous musical goes on national tour VERY soon, because when it does, I will be there for sure. I greatly encourage all my readers to tune in this Thursday to NBC at 9 AM.

Spider-Man on Broadway?

Yes, it's official. Spider-Man is heading to Broadway on January 11 of 2011. Now usually I get really excited about new musicals debuting on Broadway. But for this one, I'm still not sure what to make out of it. I mean, I think the last thing Broadway needs is a comic strip brought to life in musical form. Um, no thank you. Though, my opinion might actually change if it goes on national tour. Good news for 80's fanatics: Bono and The Edge from the band U2 wrote music and lyrics (I know that my mom is VERY thrilled)! I'm very curious to find out what the choreography is going to be like because it doesn't seem like it would be very complex, if there is any at all. And, no. I am NOT joking about this show being on Broadway!

Phantom of the Opera May Die...

As some of you may know, Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel of the classic Phantom of the Opera, titled Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies, made its London debut this past Tuesday at the Adelphi Theatre. That's crazy, because I was sure that the sequel wasn't coming out until sometime in 2011, but now? You know, I also feel fairly impartial to the plot. I mean, really? A carnival? I REALLY liked the Phantom when he was in the catacombs, when he seemed more mysterious. Not out in the real world, at a carnival freak show, of all places? Anyways, if you were listening to Sirius XM On Broadway on Tuesday night, you probably heard the cast album, which I unfortunately didn't get the chance to listen to that night. But my dad heard it, and told me that it was too Vaudeville-like for this classic love story. Really Andrew? I'm actually shocked at what he did, based on what my dad told me. Another that makes me mad about this show is that as soon as others heard the news about the sequel coming out, people stopped going to see the first Phantom on Broadway. Why? Just because it may be better, it doesn't mean that people should totally ditch the original. So, please readers, tell every Broadway geek you know (um, which probably isn't very many but...) to keep Phantom of the Opera alive!

Green Day Comes to Broadway

So sorry everyone for not writing for a while. I've been both tied up at rehearsals and also sick! Anyways, as many of you may have heard, a new Broadway show called American Idiot, about the popular rock band, Green Day, is coming to Broadway April 20 at St. James Theatre. Okay, I personally, am not too thrilled about this. I mean, I know these people are trying to attract rock fans to Broadway, but I just don't think that's the best crowd to bring to Broadway. Sure, Green Day has come out with some classic songs, but really? A show about them?!? Anyways, the cast HAS been announced , which includes John Gallagher Jr., Stark Stands, Theo Stockman, Leslie McDonel, Van Hughes and so many others that I have never heard of. But for those of you who are really into this band's music, go crazy and buy tickets for this new show!

Fantasticks Returning?

No, no, NO!!!!!!!!!! This can't be happening! The world's longest running musical (I wish the opposite!), The Fantasticks, will be showing at the Arena Stage starting now and playing through January of 2010. Could these people be going insane?!? I mean, this, of all musicals, should never be brought to the Arena Stage! I personally think this show should go down in flames and never be heard from again. The cast, however, may be able to make the show okay. Sebastian La Cause returns to the Arena as El Gallo, joined by Helen Hayes, Addi McDaniel and several others. Although I've never heard of any of these guys, I'm sure they can pull this show off. Still, I won't rest my case on the fact that this musical is one of the worst. But if some of my readers REALLY love this show, don't let me rain on your parade!

Momma, Bring Ragtime Today!

As all Broadway geeks should know, the revival of Ragtime opened this past Saturday at the Neil Simon Theatre. I know what you're going to say, "Why would you, all people, be blogging about an old musical. Well, my friends, I'm blogging about this because personally, I'm excited for this show! I mean, I've heard some of the music on Sirius XM On Broadway (love ya, Dueling Divas!), so I do know the music and I really do like it. But I'm mostly excited for this one because if it lasts awhile on Broadway, it might go on national tour, which means I would get to see it at the Buell. And knowing me, I absolutely LOVE seeing any and all musicals! Plus, I missed the Arvada Center's production of it, so I need this chance!

Some Biggies Are a-Comin'!

Every year at the annual Macy's parade there's at least one Broadway musical dance number showing. This year, we got ourselves quite a few great musical numbers from musicals like Hair, Shrek the Musical, Billy Elliot the Musical and Bye Bye Birdie! And in addition to these fabulous(um...with the exception of Billy Elliot) musicals, there will be performances by Alan Cummings (of Cabaret fame) and Jane Krakowski (of "30 Rock"), both Tony-winners. Okay, so maybe I'm not too crazy about Billy Elliot or Cummings' appearance (I didn't particularly like his performance in the TV movie, "Annie"), the rest of the line-up for the 83rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (God, PLEASE no Miley Cyrus or Jonas Brothers!) sounds awesome...though I want KC back at the Macy's!

Finian's Opening

After 6 month's wait, Finian's Rainbow, which originated at 46th Street Theatre way back in 1948, it's back to Broadway for its 3rd revival. In fact, it's opening tonight. But from what I've heard about this musical, the music and lyrics suck, and the storyline is just overall weirdness! I mean, really, who wants to see a musical about a leprechaun? However, looking a t the cast list courtesy of IBDB, I see that two of the cast members (William Youmans and Christopher Fitzgerald) were in the original production of Wicked when it first appeared on Broadway in 2003 (Fitzgerald as Boq and Youmans as Doctor Dillamond). Maybe with two Wicked guys, Finian's Rainbow won't be too awful. But for those of you who plan on seeing it, be prepared for the odd looks audience members make after at least the first act!

Couldn't Be Happier

After appearing only once on the musical TV show, Glee, she apparently is returning for the last nine episodes as April Rhodes, the former classmate of Will's (Matthew Morrison of Hairspray). Personally, I totally can't wait (yes, I'm a Cheno-freak!), even though I've barely seen one episode of this TV show...and it wasn't even the one with Kristin! But people are also saying that Adam Lambert, last season's American Idol runner-up, will possibly be making a future appearance on Glee. I'm excited about this appearance too, as I am a religious American Idol viewer. The one thing, though, that I would love to happen on Glee is to have Idina Menzel appear and sing "Defying Gravity"!

Love Should Never Die on Broadway

The well-loved quasi-operatic Broadway musical is finally going to have a long-awaited sequel. Yes, you guessed it; the story of The Phantom of the Opera, which has played at the Majestic Theatre for over 20 years, will continue its classic storyline in the sequel, The Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies. Says Andrew Lloyd Webber, "The Phantom has been so extraordinary in my life-the biggest musical I've been involved in so far." Being a Phantom fan myself, this is very exciting for me and certainly for many others. I wonder, though, how Lloyd Webber is going to be able to pull of yet another amazing, if not better, musical. I mean, when I saw Phantom, it was just SO incredible! All the music is very beautiful and memorable, unlike his other hit musical, Cats. Anyway, I can't wait to see Lloyd Webber's latest creation.

Let the Birthday Shine In

This musical is well-loved by many baby boomers and now more popular with teens. Hair, the American tribal love rock musical, is celebrating its 32nd anniversary of its very first opening night in 1977. On its fourth revival, Hair is still a huge musical today. Personally, I can't wait to see this incredible musical! Whoever despises this show shouldn't even be a Broadway geek because seriously, I LOVE the music. Anyways, I hope Hair continues on Broadway for quite some time and audience members LOVE it!

Updates From Broadway

It is said that the popular musical, White Christmas, which debuted at the Marriott Marquis Theatre in the winter of 2008, will most likely appear on Broadway again this Christmas. Now personally, I think this classic Irving Berlin piece is a very good musical and from what I've heard, the Broadway show has excellent choreography and some really great songs too. And supposedly, if White Christmas comes back, it will start its second consecutive season on Broadway on November 13. My opinion, however, is that White Christmas should have won at least one Tony this year because this amazing show really deserves it because it only comes around for the Christmas season alone, which isn't very long. And the performers who are in White Christmas probably have to rehearse even when it's not very white outside (so pretty much all year). Well, if it does come back, I sure hope grosses go up from last year.

Updates From Broadway

For the very first time, the musical, Bye Bye Birdie, is reviving on Broadway. The original production, which appeared on Broadway 48 years ago, was popular but didn't succeed (only lasting a little over a year) on Broadway. Now, I wonder if the revival will appear dated and very 60's (Having seen the original movie, I know how dated the musical is...at least in the movie). The cast will include John Stamos starring as Albert Peterson and Allie Trimm as Kim MacAfee and, although I've never heard of them, I really hope they can carry a great show and perform it well. Hopefully the rest of the cast, of which I've also never heard of any one of them, can give a stellar performance. But then again, I'm really not the one to ask about any Broadway actors from the history of it all. Well, you never know; maybe a year from now, we will have found out that Bye Bye Birdie won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.

Updates From Broadway

I am told that at the 2009 Tony Awards coming to you this Sunday, Wall-E, a popular animated character (by the way, Wall-E is one of my favorite movies of all time!) will be participating in a telecast tribute to composer Jerry Herman. The rumor is that Wall-E will be introducing the "Hello, Dolly!" part of the tribute. The tribute for Herman will be followed by a special lifetime achievement award. Now if you ask me, I think this is a rather experimental idea as I have never heard of an animated character be a part of the Tony's, let alone a life tribute. But I think that it's worth a shot and like I said, Wall-E is an amazing movie, so I think the fact that this sweet little robot will be part of the Tony's might actually attract viewers other than the usual New Yorkers and Broadway fans.