#keeptheartsaliveduringcovid

[orphancookie69]

Musical Theatre: Les Miserables

The musical based on one of the many novels by Victor Hugo. Les Misérables centres on the character Jean Valjean, an ex-convict in 19th-century France. The story spans many years as it tells of Valjean's release from prison and reformation as an industrialist while being constantly pursued by the morally strict inspector Javert. Whether it is on stage or in movie format, this is a must watch-at least once in your lifetime. 

[orphancookie69]

Musical Theatre: Repo The Genetic Opera

Another cult classic, the story of me finding this is actually a funny one. I was told to look for Repo men, a good movie in itself. In looking for that, I found this and thought this was what he meant. I watched it and was like oh my yes my soul needed that. The next week I was at school and told my friend I found it and told him about the songs and he was like, its not a musical. But this is about future society where they repossess organs and events set into motion by one woman that binds all the characters. Warning-this is bloody. 

[orphancookie69]

Musical Theatre: Rocky Horror Picture Show

This cult classic from the 70′s is truly timeless. A science fiction musical version of Frankenstein, this rocked not only the stage world but in recent years also the film world. Tim Curry was amazing in this, I would do awful things to that man because of this movie. This is an adult movie done in a tasteful way that if you look past the shock of transvestites, makes you think about things a little differently. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: Richard III

This is a work of William Shakespeare, but not one that is as mainstream as Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet. This was my first time reading or seeing it, and as a fan of Shakespeare, it was quite a delight. Even in his time, political or royal drama still served as a huge source of content for him to create plays. Plays that would help the normal people understand what was happening so far above them, that affected their day to day lives. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: Being Shakespeare

This was an amazing insight into the mind of William Shakespeare, the man who made his place in history and defined many of the common words we say today. More than that, this was a great job done by a one man team. One man who acted as narrator and Shakespeare, as the stage would slowly change around him. One moment he is narrator, and the next he is a school boy questioning Latin. I do believe this is one of the best ways to honor the man, besides movies like Shakespeare in Love being classics, as the style in which this is written and told is Shakespearian in itself. I have always loved looking into the minds and stories of the men and women that define history.  

[orphancookie69]

Musical Theatre: Hairspray

Hairspray is a musical that most have probably seen in movie format by this time, but is a hit no matter what medium you see it in. In 1960s Baltimore, dance-loving teen Tracy Turnblad auditions for a spot on "The Corny Collins Show" and wins. She becomes an overnight celebrity, a trendsetter in dance, fun and fashion. Perhaps her new status as a teen sensation is enough to topple Corny's reigning dance queen and bring racial integration to the show. Fun for the whole family, and an interesting view of the world not that many generations ago. For me, the movie has a nice place in my heart between Zac Efron and John Travolta. 

[orphancookie69]

Musical Theatre: Annie

So, now that I am caught up on The Shows Must Go On, until new weekly musicals appear-I am going to pair the previous blogs with blogs about other musicals I have seen. This one is slightly different as this is a musical I know inside and out, as I have participated in it! It is about the popular comic strip Little Orphan Annie. This is a great one for all ages. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: Cats

There are cats on the screen, no this is not YouTube cat videos, this YouTube the show must go on displaying cats the musical. The story is fantastical at its base, as it answers the question most people have asked-what do cats think and do when we are not looking? They follow strange rituals and have unique personalities of course! I have actually seen this on stage and in movie format, and I think its happiest home is the stage. The singing is amazing, and if you don’t apply logic to a magical world and go along with it, it is a very enjoyable experience. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: Christmas By Candlelight

This was a Christmas special, which given COVID closed most things down especially during a holiday, was a nice at home experience. The singers were amazing, and reminded me of what it was like to be a kid and go to church, sitting with my great grandma, and listen to the sounds of the season. The location of the concert set the tone beautifully and the songs were actually different than I had ever heard before. Next Christmas I would highly suggest having the family join you and celebrate the sounds of the season. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: From Here To Eternity

If this image does not give you the biggest hint to this musical, it is about Pearl Harbor. An otherwise normal base in an exotic part of the world that would define its sad place in history on Dec 7, 1941. The show starts with two women going to the base, both destined to lose men they would come to love to the battle in different ways, as the world turned upside down. It shows a unique display of normal life and evolving relationships on the base before the surprise attack and how it changed everyone's life there and afar. History buffs will get a nice kick out of this one. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: Kinky Boots

Ready for some Kinky? Its nothing like you are thinking of, they have to warn  you before putting that kind of thing into a musical. This is one that took me by surprise, as it is about a son who inherits a business he did not think he wanted and in keeping it alive he has to pair up with a fabulous group of Drag Queens to  save the day. After watching this, I officially decree we need way more drag queens in Broadway, and every day life for that matter. Cute story, great music, and an overall good time had by all. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: Love Never Dies

If you are like me, before you looked up the title, you did not know the Phantom Of The Opera had a sequel. Well it does and I am so glad it does! I actually had the opportunity to see this in person but my husband did not think I would like it. So when it came on The Shows Must Go On, I decided to make my own decision. This is one of my musical regrets, not going to see it in person. I thought this was a perfect sequel, ending in the way I always thought the first one should of ended. This is is another very highly recommended. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: Ruthless

Now, I know the opening scene does not give any indication the genius this musical is, but this surprisingly became one of my favorite musicals after watching it. What is it about? It is an all female musical  that spoofs Broadway musicals, like Gypsy and Mame, and movies such as The Bad Seed and All About Eve, that appeared in 1992. Before I watched it, I know I was intrigued by: All Female Cast and Spoof. So I watched it, and found the story to have twists and turns all the way to the last minute. Highly recommended.  

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: The Wiz

The Wiz sounds like what you think it sounds like, the Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz is a classic story, retold many times in books, movies, and musicals. What is different and unique about this? This is the story retold from the context of contemporary African American culture. I thought that it kept to the base story well, but celebrated its point of view in its stylistic differences. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: West End Unplugged Vol 2

Volume 2 following Volume 1 of West End Unplugged. Same set up, new people. I had to say I loved this one due to the man being pictured being in multiple musicals I love, and a funny up to date version of an old English song sung by a different guest. There was not a volume 3, sadly, but if there is I know I am highly looking forward to it. 

[orphancookie69]

The Shows Must Go On: West End Unplugged Vol 1

On the West End Unplugged Vol 1, you have a small band and a host-accompanied by 2 to 3 guests coming on to sing songs they love or starred in the plays of. This is of course social distanced, and the Q and A with the guests show how important it is to consider not only diversifying your income, but also how the musical community has been impacted by COVID.