Defying Inequality: The Broadway Concert, a celebrity benefit for equal rights

On Monday the 23rd, I skipped one of my afternoon classes to take a bus into NYC to attend Defying Inequality with my friend Meredith. It was rather on impulse back in January that we bought our tickets and it seemed that it took forever to get to this day.

The concert's agenda was to raise money for five organizations: Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality California, Family Equality Council, Garden State Equality, and Vermont Freedom To Marry.

Prop 8: The Musical

Walking into the Gershwin (and not seeing Wicked! haha), I was so excited to see the performances by many Broadway companies and stars. But I did not forget why this benefit was taking place - the passing of Prop 8 in California angered so many people, gay and straight - it truly was time to stand up and not allow for injustice. I was dismayed when the proposition in my home state of Arizona passed to declare the definition of marriage only being between a man and woman. I was so glad to be a part of this amazing night, donating my two cents and watching amazing performances and emotional speeches.

Some highlights: Stephanie J. Block singing a beautiful song about her wedding and her brothers wedding. Kelli O'Hara singing to her unborn child, Kerry Butler singing a song from the up coming production of Catch Me If You Can,


ensemble members dancing to Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It),

the cast of Sesame Street singing Sing A Song, Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter) singing a hot song,


discovering a new talent in Matt Alber (his song was so amazing!),


Seth Rudetsky deconstructing a hilarious clip of the Brady Bunch variety show,


Bebe Neuwirth singing Mad Libs style to her signature tune of All That Jazz


and the cast of Hair bringing down the house with The Flesh Failures (Let The Sunshine In).

The cast of Spring Awakening with Original Melchior and Moritz, Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr., finally telling the world of their love. haha


The night lasted a total of 4 hours! Yes, started at 8pm and ended at 11:59pm - but a great way to spend that time. I hope the proceeds from this benefit positively impact the organizations but most importantly, I hope this event sends a message to those who agree with oppressing one's rights in life that this cause is not going to back down.

Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark

The artwork has been revealed for the upcoming Broadway production of Spider-Man. What do you think?

Casting has been kept under raps (although Rachel Evan Wood said she will be in this production as Mary Jane), no word on who Peter Parker will be played by. Time Out magazine online has suggested that Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. play the part. Their three main points to convince the bosses that Gallagher would be perfect 1) can rock out 2) has intense acting chops 3) loads of fan(girls).Who knows? I would love to see a transfer of Farragut North to Broadway with John before Spider-Man but it would be rather fun (and hilarious) to see.

http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/upstaged/2009/02/casting-call-john-gallagher-jr-for-spider-man/

Recycling Broadway

No - the title of this blog doesn't elude to how Rent likes to "recycle" its cast for the past ten years, but rather the actual act of recycling major musicals and plays sets on Broadway to help produce future productions.

Maybe it's the nerd in me that wonders what happens to certain costume pieces or set/props after a show as closed, or even after a certain actor has left the show. Do the actors get to keep their attire they work in 8 times a week?

The Times had an article this week, "Old Sets Live on as Broadway Embraces Recycling", talking about this topic.

Thanks to the initiative the 15 tons of debris produced by “Boeing-Boeing,” “The Seagull” and “13” won’t end up in a landfill. Seven tons (steel, wood, fabric and carpet) will be recycled, and eight tons will be reused by various organizations, including the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens; ReBuilders Source, a reuse store in the Bronx; and the children’s charity World Vision. The sets from “All My Sons” and “Grease” are also largely being repurposed and recycled.

But in what may be an economic measure as much as an environmental one, most of the props and costumes from recently closed shows like “Gypsy,” “Hairspray,” “Liza’s at the Palace...,” “Slava’s Snowshow,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” and “The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein” went into storage for reuse later.

I think it's particularly exciting to see a set being used for another production across the world. For example the Las Vegas set of We Will Rock You went directly to the Australian production of the Queen musical. Also, the recently closed Dividing The Estate play on Broadway, will be coming directly to Hartford Stage with every set piece and costume in tow.

I think if I were in a Broadway show, and if I wasn't allowed my costume, I'd beg for my shoes. Every nick and scratch is a scar that tells a story of a performance on a Broadway stage.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/theater/15davi.html?ref=theater

Shrek on The View

This morning Shrek performed two songs on The View. I think the only reason why I would see this show would be to see Sutton and Brian. Hopefully I'll get to see it before they leave and if I can manage to get a good discount seat.

Johnny Gallagher gig

There are many reasons why I came to the Hartt school all the way in Connecticut. One was the fact that I would be learning things in school and because I was so close to NYC. So 2 and half hours isn't that close but for someone who grew up in a desert - it's close enough.

There are times when I go into the city to see musicals and plays and there are times when I see this dude Johnny Gallagher (of Spring Awakening) play his own music. He had a show on Valentine's Day at the Rockwood Music Hall and fun was had.

Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back) cover

This cover alone was worth getting up at 7am on a Saturday to head into the city for only 6 hours. Bless.

Hi!

And I'm back.
With some updates.

Since I last left, I was back home in Phoenix and now I am settled back at school. The only show I have seen so far was the final performance of Spring Awakening. I wrote a few entries back about how significant this show has been on my life and that night was absolutely amazing. It was my first time seeing the new cast and they held their own - especially when they did an encore of "Totally Fucked" during the show! I think that's when i realized, "what am i going to do without this?" And started to get teary eyed. I was quite proud of my emotions up until that point - and then "Those You've Known" and that amazing drum beat - gets me every time!

The entire (mostly) alumni came back on stage and it was so lovely to see everyone. I was sitting next to a man who had seen the show over 100 times, and I'm thought - wow and people give me flack about seeing it 8 times but that's the thing - if you love something SO much, of course you're going to see it more than once - that being said, when someone says they have a favorite album, they have most likely listened to it once - so why can't I do the same about seeing shows without getting crap? Just a thought.

So - this season has been pretty dismal for the arts. Shows are closing, performing arts centers closing around the country - will my degree be useless if there are no positions open for me when I graduate? I think that's been on my mind a lot lately - the whole resume, internship, job, life has been taking it's toll. Who knows though.

As for this spring - I hope to see many shows, Billy Elliot, Hair, Guys and Dolls....!

January 4th closings; 13 the Musical; Altar Boyz Review

It's rather poignant that I begin this entry of the new year on the day that many shows on Broadway are closing. I know a lot of this is due to the economic stress and what not and while some shows definitely deserved to close earlier (I'm looking at you Grease), some other didn't.

I'm talking about that little musical called 13.

My friend Jared and I were able to see the show December 13 in New York City. To be honest, I had no real inkling to see the show but due to losing In The Heights lotto, our next bet was the 13 student rush tickets for only $25. So despite the extremely rude box office lady at the Jacobs Theatre, we obtained our tickets for the matinee that day.

The story is simple, Evan, a boy about to turn 13, has parents going through a divorce. In turn, Evan moves away from his beloved NYC to the Midwest to begin a new life. Moving in the middle of October, just a few days away from his bar mitzvah, he has to gain new friends and learn how to 'become a man.

Through the ups and downs of the adventures in his new town, and the fantastic score by Jason Robert Brown (Last 5 years, Songs for the New World), played on stage by teenagers, and sung and acted by kids that are still in middle school, I grew to adore this show.

Walking into the theatre, I wasn't surprised that half the seats were empty....until 5 minutes until show time and it seemed every single seat in the orchestra had been filled. With people of all ages, surprising tons of young tweens, who were given booster seats to help see the stage. It was a completely odd experience for me because I'm not used to see such young people at the theatre. But that was what was great about this experience. Exposing youth to a show that is absolutely catered to their age group - with real life experiences that they can relate to. And some not so much.

I was surprised by the blatant openness that some of these characters possessed. One of the characters desperately wanted a girl named Kendra (see the song, "Hey Kendra"), when a boy swoon, "I wanna get up all in your business." Another character claims to be a sex god (Archie), who walks around stage on crutches, who also pines for Kendra. I say this with extreme ease because I saw Rent when I was just 13 and had no idea what was going on during "Contact", so if this is as risque the show got, than good for them. After all, it's not like Spring Awakening junior or anything.

Two songs that stuck out to me were "Any Minute" and "It Can't Be True". The first occured during the big movie date and was just a hilarious moment when the gang goes to see a scary R rated movie "Bloodmaster", which seems less than ideal as the movie progresses.

Eric:
Someone got his eyelids torn off
And I’m sitting here
And I should be doing something
That guy got an axe in his throat
And she’s sitting there
And I don’t know why I’m waiting

But oh, any minute
I’ll be getting closer
And I’ll be where I want to be
Any minute

Kendra:
Someone got his gall chopped in half
And he’s sitting there
And maybe he doesn’t want me

Maybe it was something I said
Or maybe my breath
Why did I eat those pork rinds?

Cause oh, any minute
He could turn and kiss me
And we’ll be where he ought to be
Any minute

Eric:
She just set his penis on fire

Kendra:
This is weird

Eric:
What do I do?

Kendra:
Am I fat?

Eric:
This is so not romantic

Kendra:
He wants to be with Lucy

Eric:
This was such a stupid idea

The next song I immediately loved was "It Can't Be True", with the girls in the show circulated a rumor about the main character Evan and Kendra. With the beat and the girls' fantastic singing (which makes me insanely jealous), it's a song that stuck out.

Molly:
Oh, hey, Lucy. What’s up?

Lucy:
Check this out. I just got the juiciest text from Charlotte who told me the nastiest thing about Kendra.

Molly:
Kendra? No! What?

Lucy:
Alright, I’ll tell you. But remember…
Everything Charlotte says is a lie
It’s a lie, it’s a lie, it’s a lie
Everything Charlotte says is a lie
You better not believe her

Cause she said she saw
Kendra and Evan at the mall
Standing face to face
Laughing, and talking, and holding hands
Slipping all the way to first base!

But everything Charlotte says is a lie
You better not believe her

Sadly, the show closes today after being on Broadway for a short time. I do feel that this show will do very well in regional productions because it does have a base of fans that will carry this show.


The previous night I saw the Off-Broadway show, Altar Boyz. I had seen this show in its tour carnication at Gammage in Arizona and loved it. We were able to get $25 tickets to this show as well, thanks to producer Ken Davonport and his social we attended that day.

The show is based on a 5 member boy band who worship good ol' Jesus Christ. Yes, it's as hilarious as it seems, truly. Especially if you're a Catholic, a lot of the references are geared to the sometimes insane-ness of the religion (And yes, I'm Catholic, and was not offended).

Hailed as "high-octane entertainment", Altar Boyz tells the holy inspiring story of 5 small-town boys - Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham - trying to save the world one screaming fan at a time. Their pious pop act, including lyrics like "Girl You Make Me Wanna Wait" and "Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone," worked wonders on the Ohio bingo-hall-and-pancake-breakfast circuit. But when fate brings them to New York, will the boyz take a bite out of the forbidden apple?

I'm really glad I saw this show again because it never fails to make me fall out of my seat laughing. I mean, who can deny lyrics like this:

Spoken: Girl, whenever we get this frisky,
I know it’s hard to put on the brakes, baby, I know.
But something’s making behave responsibly tonight.
It’s your special blend of charisma and spunk.
Crunk, I guess you’d call it.
But whatever it is, you got it all up in you girl.
You got crunk.

And I think you understand my choice,
And I know you see it’s true.
When I tell you that this hurts me more than you.

And I know that there is something about you, baby (something about you, baby)
Something I can’t even say what it is (something I can’t say)
But there’s something about you, baby (something about you, baby)
Girl, you make me want to wait (ooh, ooh, ooh)

Sadly, the venue was way less than half full. The show premiered at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and opened Off-Broadway in 2005 and has not posted a closing date - so if you're in the city and want to see something hilarious that will have you singing the tunes afterwards, go see the Boyz.