What Did You See?

[malcolm1980]

Newsies - I saw the filmed stage performance that's streaming on Netflix (that counts, right?). Thought I'd review it here. I've never seen the original movie so I'm not part of the "cult". I was watching this with fresh eyes. I overall liked it. The Alan Menken score is a bit uneven. For every memorable tune, there are a couple of forgettable, meh songs. The book is serviceable. What carries it though are the performances (especially that of Jeremy Jordan, he really sells it) and the choreography which was truly impressive. It's not something I'd pay to see on-stage live but it is entertaining and I'm glad I saw it in this venue. B.

[malcolm1980]

My review is in my Personal Review thread but Hamilton is one of the best pieces of theater I've ever seen.

[malcolm1980]

The Princess Diana musical on Netflix is terrible.

[emmygrammyoscartony]

I saw the touring company of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and it was pretty bad.

[emmygrammyoscartony]

To Kill a Mockingbird
I was very, very floored and surprised by this. I don't know if it is because Aaron Sorkin has annoyed the shit out of mr lately, but he nailed this interpretation. I find it fascinating that it is different from the book and the movie but still has a voice and brings LIFE to minor characters like Calpurnia, Dill (that last scene broke me), and Mr. Dees (everyone cried). My favorite line was the one about evil coming to dinner dressed like a Christian. The entire theater was rapturous in applause. I really loved this! I saw the touring production with Richard Thomas as Atticus. He was okay, but Atticus has always been the focus of this story, but here it was better evened out with the other characters, and I loved it. I also love that Mary Badham played Mrs. Dubose. Just super cool! I am waiting for this script to be released as a book. BRILLIANT play.

[malcolm1980]

I just watched Hamilton live on stage with the international touring company and wow, it was still amazing. Even though I have seen the filmed stage version, there’s nothing quite like seeing it live with an audience. Eliza here is played Filipina actress Rachelle Ann Go so another Filipina making her mark on musical theater!

[malcolm1980]

I try my best to see as much theater as I can. Here's a list of theatrical productions I have seen. I'm not including school productions or stuff we had to see for a class. These are things I myself paid to see. Some of them are professional Filipino productions, some of them are touring productions:

The 39 Steps
August: Osage County
Chicago
Fun Home
Hamilton
The Lion King
Miss Saigon
Noises Off
The Phantom of the Opera
The Producers
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Wicked

[emmygrammyoscartony]

I just saw the touring company of "Tina," and I was not expecting that to be as great as it was. The actress playing Tina gave the best performance I have seen on stage not on Broadway. Wow!

[emmygrammyoscartony]

Les Mis
Truly the only musical where each time I see it, it gets better. Best "Bring Him Home" I have ever heard.

I am going to Philly to see friends that live there and am going to NYC for a couple of days. Going to see a preview of "The Outsiders," which I firmly believe will be one of the greatest or worst things adapted to stage. I hope it is the former.