Today I’m listening to…
Red & Black (Les Mis OMC) - Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit & Male Company
(Source: Spotify)
100 Musicals to See Before You Die (in no particular order)
25/100 - Evita
I’m Argentina and always will be.
I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to perform in a production of Evita. It’s one of those musicals that to have been a part of makes you a better performer. The intensity of it, even if you’re just in the ensemble, is truly what theatre is all about: You give your heart and soul to a production for months, and from it comes an unbelievable show that you will remember for the rest of your life.
From an audience standpoint, Evita is a classic musical that no thespian should go through their life without seeing. The story of the rise and fall of Argentinian first lady Eva “Evita” Peron is told through singing alone, a modern opera unlike any other. Every note, every lyric was meticulously orchestrated, and it shows. I’m not kidding when I say this musical is intense; Patti LuPone absolutely hated this show, claiming it was clearly written and composed by a man who hates women. That’s a little harsh, but I love Patti so we’ll just let that slide.
Sadly, the most recent revival of Evita starring Ricky Martin and Elena Rogers (the first ever Argentinian to play the title role) has closed instead of recasting the leads after they finished their run. It’s not exactly surprising, though. These two would be tough to follow. My only hope is that this cast has started a new wave of casting for this show, giving more actors and actresses of authentic Latin ancestry the opportunity to bring life to these larger-than-life characters.
My suggestion before you see this show is to do a little homework on what you’re about to see. By that, I don’t mean you should watch the Madonna film version. I personally don’t like it that much, and Madonna sings everything in a different key because she doesn’t have an operatic range. Also, Antonio Banderas was not meant for the role of Che. It’s such a dynamic show and the movie just doesn’t do it justice by any means of the imagination. What I mean is you should go and look up the history of Eva Peron, or at least get a synopsis of the show. It can be hard to follow at times (which is my main complaint about operas in general) but if you go into it understanding what’s going on, it can be a lot more enjoyable.
Best Song: The Art of the Possible is my favorite to watch, but Peron’s Latest Flame is definitely my favorite song to listen to and was my favorite song to perform in.
Acting Terminology
Burlesque:
Using exaggeration to ridicule a topic, either by trivializing a dignified or important topic with humor or treating an otherwise minor topic with profundity and seriousness.
-OR-
Acts involving a striptease or sexual activities.
(It really bothers me when people only use the term ‘burlesque’ to describe the latter because I really like the first definition. Let me use Cabaret as an example, because it has elements of both. If you look at a number like Don’t Tell Mama or Mein Herr, you can clearly see the elements of what is most commonly known as burlesque theatre. Then, if you look at a number like If You Could See Her, the antisemitic themes that run deep within the musical are wildly important, but barely acknowledged. They treat an important theme as satirical material in this number, and that’s what real burlesque is supposed to be. It’s so much more effective than if they were to write a straightforward song about interracial relationships, and that’s what makes the song memorable and important.)
Happy Holidays!
As a Christmas gift to you, I want to share the gift of music. For Christmas this year, I got the Mezzo-Soprano/Belter Musical Theatre Anthologies Vol. 1-5. I know how expensive sheet music can be and how frustrating it is when you have to purchase an entire songbook for one specific song you’d like.
For that reason, I’m more than happy to scan and email copies of any and all sheet music I own for you guys. Just leave an ask in the inbox and I’ll get them out to you within a month, as long as you’re following the blog and I have it in one of my books. I’ll even write you a little note, because I love you all.
I’m preparing for an audition that’s months away right now, but it’s a really good choir and I didn’t get in last time and I’m freaking out and can’t pick a song and- ugh. Yeah. I’ll probably do some recordings and see which one you guys think sounds the best, I trust your judgement.
Again, happy holidays! :D
What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a rehearsal?
So I’ve been in and out of rehearsal the past few days. It’s been awesome, it’s a really funny play. You should all definitely watch it online, there are a few live productions online and the movie version isn’t hard find.
Rehearsal the other day was hilarious. So instead of a Mr. De Pinna we have a Mrs. De Pinna, and all the jokes make her sound like a lesbian XD and there’s one joke about Paul not wearing pants while they build fireworks together, so I’m fairly certain they’re having an affair behind my back. What a slut. Then I accidentally asked Tony if he had a rich husband instead of a rich father, and he just kept going with his lines and we were dying, it was so funny.
So I have a question. What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you during show rehearsals?
"You’ve gotta be original, because if you’re like someone else, what do they need you for?"
— Bernadette Peters
"We are all gifted. That is our inheritance."
— Ethel Waters
"True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today."
— George Gershwin
anyone want to send me pdf’s of sheetmusic. any song. anything. please, i’m desperate and i have no money… please message me! love you all!
^ You should download this pdf file of a complete songbook! All you need to do is exchange a pdf for it, any iTunes audiobook will work just fine if you have one.
(Source: rotate-the-eight)
"You take a plug and put it in a socket, and that’s what the theatre is-it lights up right away. You speak, and they respond immediately."
— Chita Rivera
