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. 

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

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 

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."

Words of Wisdom

A wise man/woman once said.....

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

Art Reveals

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

A Phantom, A Massell and A Very Excited Me

Did that all really just happen? 
Yes.
Did I really just see the first musical I had ever heard? 
Yes.
Did meet the voice behind the magnificent Christine Daaé, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny and the Phantom of the nights performance?
Yes. 
Then the following night be under the same....Roof (excuse the pun) with a ton of Fiddler cast members only inches/feet away from me?
Yes.
Did one of my favorite performers tell me my face looks familiar when I saw her that night?
Yes, yes she did.

I need a second to take this all in.......Okay I am good....for now.

Finally after 20 something years, The Phantom of the Opera was finally seen live with these eyes of mine. It was everything I had dreamed about and more. The cast was perfect! Ali Ewoldt played (and still plays) Christine Daaé. I am convinced that she will join the group of women who are considered the great Christine's. She was amazing! And is also a very sweet and took the time to talk to me and the other girls waiting at stage door. Jordan Doncia, played Raoul, is a nice singing giant who's voice was like gold. Greg Mills, who is a swing for Phantom, was on a so talkative. All I have to say is that he was perfect. The whole cast put 1400+ people in a trance, literally. 

Give me another second....Okay I am good...for another few moments. 

I would like to add to that list of firsts that Fiddler on the Roof had given me. For the first time I had gone to a cabaret. Not just any cabaret, Samantha Massell's, who happened to play Hodel in Fiddler. It was her solo show debut at 54 Below. The room was filled with cast members, and of course there was a Dressing Room 51 reunion on stage. Samantha and Alexandra Silber sang "Cat in a Box" and " The Barry Sisters sing Fiddler on the Roof, "Far From the Home I Love" (please click and watch them!). 

please excuse the blurriness 

The whole show was beautiful and touching. Every song that Samantha chose to sing and tell her story of growing up with a single mother, hit so close to home. You could see some tears in peoples eyes as the lyrics and words flowed beautiful out of her mouth. I wish she was doing more show so I could have taken more people to see it. After the performance Samantha took the time to wait around and talk to everyone who showed up to support her. Such a sweet heart! 

I even got to talk to Alexandra Silber, who happens to be my favorite performers.....as you all know. Talking to her this time was different. Instead of gushing and feeling so omgmyfavoriteperformerisrightinfrontofme, I was composed and truly myself. She recognized me which I might have died for a second or two. However every time I meet/see Alexandra I always thank her. Because let's face it, she the most amazing interesting woman I have ever met. This time was a little different. I did not only thank her for singing the one song, but I thanked her for so much more. It was the first time that night that I was able to say everything I wanted to. It felt so good! 

But seriously, you really should see anything and everything that Ali Ewoldt,  Jordan Doncia, Greg Mills, Samantha Massell and Alexandra Sliber perform in, you will never be disappointed. 

Watch!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPjl8XwB1fJ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPnQ930gIOu/

Photo Story

Excuse the bad photo

There is a painting/photo (not really sure which one it is) that hangs in my living room. I have always thought up stories to explain what was happening in it. This is what I came up with most recently:

Billy (the boy in the bow tie) has a huge crush on the girl who lived down the street, Kara. One day Kara's parents invited Billy over for a play date, Kara's birthday. Billy got all dressed up and even got Kara what he thought was the perfect gift. He was so proud of himself. As soon as he got to the house he brought Kara to the side were he was going to give her the perfect gift. While sitting there a baseball came flying over the fence. Adam (the boy next door) came to get it. He had flowers in hand and sat right next to Kara saying, "These are for you. I know it's not anything close to what Billy got you but I always see you picking them with your mom. Happy Birthday, and I hope all your wishes came true today." 

Kara takes the flowers and says to Adam, "They already have." 

New Year, New Juice

According to Wikipedia, "Juice is a beverage made from the extraction or pressing out of the natural liquid contained in fruits and vegetables."

Being both a lover of fruits and vegetables juices are always a good way to try new mixtures. I've tried many different flavors and all are amazing. However, I have officially tried my favorite juice. Carrot Ginger Turmeric Organic by R.W. Knudsen. It is so new that it is not even up on their website. 

It is by far the best juice ever. The perfect blend of smooth and spicy, hitting every taste bud. It is absolutely amazing and is perfect in smoothies or straight up!

I highly recommend it.