Ciao

Why does the theme of loss and the process of grieving seem to resonate so much with me lately? I have no idea ...

But if you've read some of my past blogs, you know that Next to Normal — the Broadway-musical-masquerading-as-a-somewhat-controversial-electroshock-therapy-show that's really a poignant look at one family's grief and how they deal with it -- is one of my all-time favorite musicals!

And then recently I watched the film, Ciao.

You probably haven't heard of it. It's an independent movie revolving around the death of a gay man and the two strangers closest to him.

I was expecting a love story, but instead found a rather moving portrait of death and the awkwardly strange roller coaster ride of emotions those left-behind experience.

I recommend it:

Simple. Slow. Touching.

And ultimately... meaningful.

More Spider-Man, The Musical

This is just more of the same. Confirmation that Spider-Man, The Musical: Turn Off the Dark looks to open this fall/winter.

Julie Taymor, the director, acknowledges the show needs to be on par with the success of The Lion King.

But will it?

Spider-Man Still on Track

Rehearsals are set to begin August 16th for Spider-Man The Musical: Turn Off the Dark. Everything appears to be proceeding towards a Broadway premiere.

Now if we could just get some movement on Phantom 2: Love Never Dies. Or is the Phantom's second incarnation doomed to remain across the pond forever?

No Broadway Magic for the Phantom?

There's trouble in Coney Island.

Looks like Phantom 2: Love Never Dies is losing their creative team, and Hal Prince, Broadway's golden boy, turned down the offer to helm the mega-musical.

Without some direction, will the show ever arrive on Broadway? I've heard the productions' transatlantic crossing has been postponed indefinitely.

Darn. I wanted to see it.

Even if it is crap.

It's still on!!!

The latest report (from Ireland's Herald, no less) says that Spider-Man the Musical is still on schedule to open on Broadway this November.

What? It's still coming to Broadway? In 2010?

I'm holding my breath.

But now the question to ask is:

Which will be worse ... Spider-Man or Phantom 2?

I Heart Seth Rudetsky

I'm absolutely obSESSed with Seth Rudetsky. He wrote Broadway Nights and The Q Guide to Broadway which (I'm ashamed to admit) I haven't yet gotten around to reading ... but I WILL! I promise, Seth!!!

He does these funny deconstructions of singers where he breaks down certain things about how a singer forms vowels or riffs or changes their vibrato. Check them out on YouTube if you're interested in music. And more specifically ... musical theater.

His Playbill.com blogs are HI-larious. He discusses his New York experiences with auditions, benefits, interviews, and such and is very self-deprecating. I love him ... cubed.

His website is here.

But ... what ... is ... this ... ?

My bestie Patrick met Seth at an Only Make Believe benefit and asked him to say hi to me. So I had to post it for you. Enjoy:

Spider-Man The Musical. Oh, how I love you.

I didn't realize the Julie-Taymor/Bono saga is currently estimated to cost $22 million more to produce than The Lord of the Rings musical flop.

Reports now say rehearsals for Spidey will begin this summer with previews in October and an opening in November.

Will it happen? Oh, yes, my friends. Spider Man will open, and I have no doubt it'll be stunning.

But will it be a good musical? That remains to be seen.

Will people go to see it? Definitely.

Will it break even or make money? Doubtful.

Tony Nominations 2010

The Tony Nominations have been announced. Sucks to be The Addams Family. Have you seen the show?

Nominations for the 2010 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

Phantom 2

I finally got to listen to the soundtrack for Phantom 2: Love Never Dies, and the verdict is ...

Not as bad as I expected.

I actually like some of the music. There are hints of Sunset and another show ... Aspects, perhaps? I forget right now. And of course, the title song was originally heard in The Beautiful Game (though with different lyrics).

However, the whole thing sounds much more entertaining than I had thought possible. I also forgive my initial reaction to the Coney Island setting. I think it works.

Obviously, this is no critique of the show (which I haven't seen, and whose Broadway arrival has recently been postponed.)

I still think the show is probably going to be disappointing, if not completely awful. Why?

Raoul's character is a full 180 degree turn from the original. While that may happen in a real-life span of ten years (the time elapsed since we last saw him), audiences don't like to see such vastly different characters.

The Phantom, too, has lost most of his mystery ... his anger ... his devilishness ... that makes for such an intriguing character. Originally we pitied the Phantom for his situation, and yet were scared of him at the same time. But in the new production, he seems (on the soundtrack) to be just ... meh.

Overall the production appears to be lacking the pathos and horror that made the original such an entertaining phenomenon. The Phantom story is more than just a love story, it's a Gothic horror story surrounded by romanticism. I love the original set design for just such a reason: beautiful drapery could quickly create claustrophobia while the ornate Opera House was really just a facade for the dungeon below.

But perhaps the most egregious error is the plot point the entire show hinges on: Beneath a Moonless Sky is completely laughable in its total disregard for the original story. Listen to the song and then return to the cast recording of Phantom 1. No where can I find a plausible explanation for the events that transpired between Phantom 1 and 2.

And perhaps, ultimately for me, that will be the downfall of the show.

Rumor has it, the show will be undergoing major revisions before the Broadway transfer. Many have especially criticized the musical's lyrics.

Yes, okay. But I'd rather see some major retooling of the characters and their story.

We shall see what happens.

Until then ... I'll continue to enjoy the cast recording, for I actually rather enjoy the music.

More Spider-Man News

I think Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark just has to come to Broadway now. There's too much invested: emotionally, financially, publicly.

But with the loss of Rachel Evan Woods, Alan Cumming and the increase in budget ... I don't know ... is it headed for colossal failure or ultimate triumph?

I think a lot of people in the Broadway community are secretly hoping for a flop, but personally, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I want it to succeed and be a boon to the NY community.

But, the other side of me worries this show could put another nail in the coffin of traditional musical theater, instead paving the way for more Cirque-like spectacles.

Of course, who knows what the show will look like until it premieres, but by all accounts, it sounds to be a Vegas-style show: heavy on style and lean on substance.

Regardless, one has to admire the chutzpah of the investors and creative minds putting this thing together.

Now if it would just get here!

Whew!

So much time passes so quickly ... Christmas ... New Year's ...

Before you know it, we're already into the second month of 2010!!!

I've been hard at work rehearsing for a new contract with Royal Caribbean: the Serenade of the Seas. We still have another month to go before we join the ship, but that day will come sooner than later, I'm sure.

But last weekend, I finally decided to see what all the hoop and holler was about Avatar.

What the heck?? Did James Cameron actually strike gold twice??

Indeed, he did.

I have to say, I give the movie an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up! I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. A wonderful blend of science fiction, CGI, and emotional impact. Excellent movie.

Definitely go see it if you haven't. And make sure to see it in 3-D.

In other news ... anyone think Spiderman the Musical will ever open??? I'm dying to find out.

My new favorite obsession

The Broadway show Next to Normal is phenomenal. Not a spectacle, not really even a BROADWAY show as most people would expect, it's nevertheless a show that packs a punch in large part because of the tour-de-force delivered by Alice Ripley, this year's Best Actress Tony Award Winner.

She absolutely acts the heck out of her role as Diana. I saw her twice in New York, and both times she was completely and effortlessly in each and every moment.

In fact, the entire cast is rock-solid with strong performances and even stronger voices complimented by a pop rock score that keeps better with each listen (although there are some lyrics that border on insipid).

Known as being the "mental health musical", Next to Normal is more accurately about a family dealing with loss, grief, depression, and the struggle to connect to each other in some way, any way, even if it's not "normal".

The show sounds hard to swallow, but it makes you ponder life and relationships.

And really ... what better reason to go to the theater than that?

Ship Life

Okay kiddos ...

I'm going back out on on the open seas. Royal Caribbean asked if I could come and do a replacement contract on the Jewel of the Seas, so off I go. I leave September 14th.

I just moved to New York and already I'm leaving. Lots to do. Lots to do.

Pack, move stuff into storage, see as much theater as I possibly can ... you know, the important stuff!

Wish me luck!

My Return to the Blogosphere

Hello dear devoted readers! (Are there any of you out there anymore?)

Sorry for my brief hiatus -- I seem to apologize every few months for my blogging absence, haha! Oh well. Such is life.

I've had a lot of personal transition lately and that's taken precedence over my writing, obviously.

Currently, I'm living in New York trying to make it big in the Big Apple. After getting off my Royal Caribbean cruise, I decided to leave Orlando and move up north. It was time for a change.

To pay the bills, I'm working for my good friend, Sarah, showing apartments. It's a tougher job than I expected. Not challenging mentally, but there is a lot of physical stamina involved: running all over the city. It's also commission-based so I'm always at the mercy of the clients.

But hey! It's a survival job.

I have gone to a few auditions here and there, but all the transition in my life: big move, new job, etc. etc. has slowed my grandiose plans for fame and fortune.

On the flip side, I've been able to read quite a few good books on the subway.

So far:

• Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (fantasy)
• Blind Fall by Christopher Rice (action/adventure/thriller)
• A Bette Midler Bio by ?
• The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss (action/adventure Sherlock Holmes meets James Bond)
• The Devil in Amber by Mark Gatiss (Book 2 in the series)
• The Island of Mending Hearts by Tim Ashley (romance)

All of them have been good. My least favorite was actually the Bette Midler book. Too much information and not enough heart. The author liked to detail each and every song on every one of her albums, which got old. I wanted to hear more about her personality and relationships with people. Not just her accomplishments.


But the rest of my subway reads were extremely good for different reasons. I especially enjoyed Mark Gatiss's books. He's an English writer who's worked on Dr. Who and Little Britain among others. His novels are very witty and well-constructed.

Anyway ... it's good to be back. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :)