Monday, April 17, 2017

Sunset Boulevard

Two words......SUNSET BOULEVARD!

It was so good no, it was beautiful! A true master piece! Glenn Close and Andrew Llyod Webber are the perfect pair. The cast and crew and orchestra were over the top fantastic. The only way I can descirpbe to you the aw i'm still stuck in is to get yourself some tickets and see the show for yourself. 

Everything the reviews have said about the show is an understatement. It currently has the largest orchestra on Broadway, and do not forget the woman who stands infant of that orchestra every night, Musical Director Kristen Blodgette. Most of the leads are from the UK, and their first time on Broadway. Which some how seeing the at stage door makes it even cooler. 





As for Glenn Close, every time she sang she put you into this trance, just like the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Her voice moves you to tears at some points. (Not going to lie, I was a huge fan of the live action version of 101 Dalmatians, and seeing her sing in a white and black outfit, my childhood had yet another checkmark of being completed. Previously from seeing Judy Kuhn, in Fiddler on the Roof as Golde, who was the singing voice of Pocahontas.) Glenn Close brought back to life her original role of Norma Desmond. She originated the role in the 90's, and she's still got it!

Ah the set.......just have a look for yourself. 







Sunset Boulevard is by far the show of the year to go see before it closes in June. You really will not be disappointed with it. 

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Murder on the Orient Express

A familiar voice comes through the speakers, telling everyone to get ready to board the Orient Express.

From the moment the curtain rose the audience was in aw and we all knew that we would be in for a ride of a life time. The train left the station (I mean it really left as in it moved across the stage the whole performance!). The lines were perfect and funny. A murder happened and my favorite line was delivered over the dead body....."Why is his face red' 'Because I slapped him.'"(image below)  Act One went by so fast, but yet everything happened. Act Two everything was tied together perfectly.


Now I can not give away and spoilers, I took an oath in the theater, but what I can tell you is this. Read the book and watch the movie. Your mind will be amazed with how Agatha Christie wrote the perfect murder that went wrong.

I can tell you that the cast of this limited engagement at the McCarter Theater in Princeton New Jersey is that the cast was full of some fabulous people. Ken Ludwig, adopted the story for the stage, particularly this stage. He's won a little over a hand full of awards for his plays and musicals both on Broadway and in London. The Cast was filled with Broadway and West End actors. Allen Corduner, Veanne Cox, Maboud Ebrahimzadeh, Julie Halston, Susannah Hoffman, Alexandra Silber, Juha Sorola, Samantha Steinmetz, Max Con Essen, and Evan Zes. Those you don't see but who are just as important as the actors and adaptor, Emily Mann (director), Beowulf Boritt (Set Design), William Ivey Long (Costume), Ken Billington (Lighting), Darron L West (Sound), Thom Jones (Dialet Coach), and Paul Huntley (Wigs).


For my first regional show, I defiantly picked the right one.

**For more about the show and theater check out the mccarter.org or murderontheorientexpress

Friday, March 17, 2017

Les Miserables Quote


"...Let us never fear robbers nor murderers. Those are dangers from without, pretty dangers. Let us fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers; vices are the real murderers. The great dangers lie within ourselves. What matters is what threatens our head or our purse! Let us think only of that which threatens our soul." 


-Victor Hugo, Les Miserables Volume I-Fantine Chapter VII-Cravatte 

Friday, March 3, 2017

Design Tip of the Week

Once a week I receive an email fun of design tips for the week. This week the tip about Typography caught my eye.

"Typography is one of the main components of design and it's not easy to get it right. We all know the rule about only using 1 or 2 typefaces in a design but here are a few more guidelines. 

1. Never add a stroke to type, it actually decreases legibility. If anything, add it below using this trick.

2. Words set in all caps are also difficult to read. Use sparingly for titles or single words.

3. If you do use all caps at least choose a sans serif. Serif fonts are great for paragraphs of copy by sans serifs work best with capital letterforms and on the web.

4. Don't be afraid of a subtle background. Adding a slight glow or low opacity box behind text makes it easier to read on top of a photograph or other distraction. Here are some tips about that."

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Superbowl 2017

"...with brotherhood and sisterhood..." Superbowl 2017, America the Beautiful sung by Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry and Jasmine Cephas. AKA Humiliation's Original Schuyler Sisters.

The Schulyer Sisters-America The Beautiful

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Art Reveals

"Art Reveals Who We Are and Who We Long To Be." -Erwin McManus