zeus55 wrote:I saw George Wendt - he was terrible. Of course, Ashley, whom I have seen in it twice, gets better and better in the role.
Wait until after Wendt is gone to see the show! I loved Paul Voght in the role (Edna before Wendt).
-- Edited by zeus55 at 00:17, 2007-12-17
Wendt wasn't bad. He was just different and I enjoyed his performance. I loved Paul and I enjoyed George. They bring different things to the role and I think they're both great.
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
I just had to share that I saw "Hairspray" again yesterday! Ashley Spencer was wonderful, of course! She was sick, but you could not even tell from her performance! I only found out afterwards when she came out the stage door and signed autographs and posed for pictures, despite it being freezing and her being sick! She is such a sweetheart! I am so happy that she is doing so well on Broadway! :)
zeus55 wrote:I saw George Wendt - he was terrible. Of course, Ashley, whom I have seen in it twice, gets better and better in the role.
Wait until after Wendt is gone to see the show! I loved Paul Voght in the role (Edna before Wendt).
-- Edited by zeus55 at 00:17, 2007-12-17
Wendt wasn't bad. He was just different and I enjoyed his performance. I loved Paul and I enjoyed George. They bring different things to the role and I think they're both great.
Holy crap! I thought George Wendt was PHENOMINAL!!!!!!
Chad is putting out an album! Pretty exciting! And it looks like those in the NYC area can see him at The Cutting Room on Feb. 21. Pretty exciting for Chad! Story on BWW
Featuring performances by; Aaron J. Albano (Bombay Dreams, Spelling Bee), Jenn Colella (High Fidelity, Urban Cowboy), Manoel Felciano (Sweeney Todd, Brooklyn), Adam Halpin, Kate Rockwell (Finalist on Grease! You're the One That I Want TV Show), Caesar Samayoa (Hot Feet, Carmen), & Marty Thomas (Xanadu & Wicked).
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
Saw Ashley Spencer in Hairspray and she is just wonderful. Highly recomment Hairspray to everyone. I was amazed that at the end of the show everyone in the audience in on their feet, clapping and dancing like they are part of the show. High energy, great vocals from Darlene Love, Shannon and of course Ashley and the Dynamite girls. Loved it, loved it.
Saw Ashley Spencer in Hairspray and she is just wonderful. Highly recomment Hairspray to everyone. I was amazed that at the end of the show everyone in the audience in on their feet, clapping and dancing like they are part of the show. High energy, great vocals from Darlene Love, Shannon and of course Ashley and the Dynamite girls. Loved it, loved it.
I agree! I've seen it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times! It's a great show, and Ashley is perfect as Amber! I wish I could go again!
Also, Chad has written a bulletin on myspace urging people to come see him perform on Thursday night.
Here are the details:
Thursday the 21st of Feb. at the world famous Cutting Room!
02/21/2008 10:45 PM - The Cutting Room 19 West 24th Street New York, New York US Cost:$10
Description:With a Killer hit crew comprised of some of New Yorks baddest players, Chad intends on jumping knee deep into the budding NYC Funk scene with his East Coast debut. The Cutting Room is centrally located at 19 West 24th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue on the north side of the street. You can take any of the trains listed on the map (or the 1/9 on Seventh Ave.) to the 23rd street stop and were just a quick walk away.
-- Edited by Eris at 22:06, 2008-02-16
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
Another note on Julianna, she is part of the band "Bruce in the USA", the #1 Bruce Springsteen tribute band. And it just so happens that I am a huge Bruce fan, I'll be seeing the show tonight in South Jersey!!
Just got back from the Bruce tribute concert, and it definetly is the next best thing to Bruce himself. This guy looks and sounds the same, it was AWESOME!!!! If your interested you can look him up as "Bruce in the USA". Sadly Julianna who was playing Patty has already left the band for Broadway, so I didn't get to see her.
Keeling, a finalist in NBC's reality series "Grease: You're the One That I Want," is that rarity seldom seen since the days of Cary Grant -- namely, a hunky guy who can play comedy. A terrific singer who captures Elvis' sound without parody, Keeling is well balanced by delightful Bets Malone as Natalie, a tomboy who dons men's attire to get close to the elusive Chad.
Derek Keeling has Chads swagger and sex-appeal down pat, is handsome as all get out, and can sing, dance, and act up a storm. Notice the comic chops he displays when a confused Chad waxes poetic about Ed.
-- Edited by Eris at 09:06, 2008-02-27
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
Fast-rising Derek Keeling is marvelous as Chad, a rebellious roustabout who breezes into town on his motorcycle with trusty guitar in tow. His black leather jacket, skin-tight pants, hyperactive hips, and lady-killing sex appeal raise the ire of conservative and controlling Mayor Matilda (the hilarious Cynthia Ferrer), while stirring up the libido of love-starved tomboy Natalie (the exquisite Bets Malone).
Derek Keeling plays this charismatic, hip-thrusting, lip-curling braggadocio as if he were channeling Elvis, which of course he is. Once he warms up and gets in the groove, he does it with style.
-- Edited by Eris at 05:27, 2008-02-28
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
The lead performer, Derek Keeling, is to die for handsome but incredibly talented as well. His tongue-in-cheek deliveries of his narcissistic character, roustabout musician Chad, are spot on. Hes also a very dreamy singer. No wonder he was one of the finalists on NBCs Grease: Youre the One That I Want. Derek is phenomenal in this show and I truly enjoyed his performance. Heck, the show was absolutely amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it. I'll share more when I get home later in the week.
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
I just flew in from Long Beach last night and I wasn't able to check the board while I was out there so here's my review of the show.
I was in California this past weekend for my birthday and I was able to attend Musical Theatre West's production of All Shook Up. For anyone who doesn't know MTW is the first regional theatre to get the rights to this show. And what a great job they do with it too.
I never had the opportunity to see the show on Broadway but I have heard the OBCR and I knew the basic plot from the liner notes. I can't compare MTW's production with the Broadway production.
The original production and the OBCR open with "Love Me Tender" but when a tour was being put together "Jailhouse Rock was moved from the second act to the opening number and "Love Me Tender" was moved to later in the first act as a "duet" for Natalie and Chad...Chad to Miss Sandra and Natalie to Chad. And MTW follows this format and it works. IMO a show of this nature needs to open with a "bang" as opposed to a "whisper".
The score is one nearly everyone knows. It's all Elvis! The songs fit the Shakespearian plot very well are always a joy to hear. Crossing dressing, mix-up's, and mayhem. Natalie loves Chad, Chad loves Miss Sandra, Dennis loves Natalie, Jim loves Miss Sandra, Miss Sandra loves Ed (Natalie in disguise), Sylvia loves Jim, Lorraine and Dean love each other but he's white and she's black, and Chad loves Ed. Got that?
The cast is exceptionally cast. Every actor plays their role to pure perfection. Bets Malone is an absolute joy as the tomboyish Natalie who falls for the "roustabout". I think we'll be seeing more of her someday. She's a great talent. And Derek as Chad the roustabout of her dreams. Well, as many of you know, I'm incredibly biased but I truly enjoyed his performance here. I think the only word I can say is "wow". I especially enjoyed his flamboyance at the end of "I Don't Want To". Absolutely hysterical.
Danny Calvert tackles the charming role of Dennis - Natalie's best friend who has a secret crush on her. He is so incredible sweet in the role and you just want to hug him.
Grease's Barry Pearl plays Jim Haller - Natalie's father. A great comic role for him - especially in the "Don't Be Cruel" number where Chad's trying to teach him to be "cool".
Gwen Stewart is especially endearing as Sylvia. Her "There's Always Me" brings a tear to the eye and rips the roof off the theatre.
American Idol grad Sabrina N. Sloan plays Sylvia's daughter with a beautiful innocence and sweetness. Tristan Rumery plays her beau Dean and I think I liked his vocals better than Curtis Holbrook's on the album (and it's hard to not love Curtis).
Cynthia Ferrer, who was most recently seen as Marion Cunningham in Papermill's production of "Happy Days", takes on the role of Mayor Hyde who doesn't like a whole lot of shakin' in her town. She's exquisite and hysterical.
Rounding out the main cast is Tracy Lore as Miss Sandra - the town's museum director with a heart for Shakespeare. Tracy can "vamp" with the best of them and her timing is excellent.
All in all the show was well-crafted and I wish I could have seen it again before I left for home. After the show we went to the stage door. I knew Derek, Mike and Nicole knew Danny, and Lily knew everyone else. I kept that fact that I was coming out to California a secret from Derek and boy was he surprised! His eyes got so huge! We had a lot of fun at the stage door and at Disneyland the next day. I had another great birthday!
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
Derek Keeling plays Chad, a roving minstrel who is part Elvis, part James Dean, and part Marlon Brando in The Wild One. He sings the hell out of the songs and gyrates his pelvis with the best of them.
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
Kate Rockwell has been plenty busy since she was a finalist last year on Grease-y TV reality show Youre the One That I Want. Shes about to make her Broadway debut, starting rehearsals in April for Legally Blonde. She plays Elle Woods gal pal Margo.
From http://www.cinstages.com/Buzz/2008/03/where-in-world-is-kate-rockwell.html
she's going to be an excellent margo! i saw annaleigh ashford play her and she was awesome...she's now glinda in wicked and is amazing at that part too!!
i'm so happy kate will make it to broadway...she really deserves it!
Yah for Kate! I'm excited for her. She has been a busy girl with lots of things going on since the Grease show. I haven't seen Legally Blond yet. Need to put that on my to-do list! Congratulations to Kate!
Just saw this today on BroadwayWorld about "A Tale of Two Cities". They are listing Derek and Kevin in the cast for Broadway. But the ToTC web site doesn't show the cast at all yet. The cast looks like the one for the Florida tryout, so I don't know if this is set or if BWW is speculating.
It just lazy journalism in my opinion. Kevin is in the Las Vegas production of Mamma Mia. The only announcement is that Aaron Lazar has joined the cast but no word on what part he is playing.
-- Edited by Eris at 19:00, 2008-06-11
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
It just lazy journalism in my opinion. Kevin is in the Las Vegas production of Mamma Mia. The only announcement is that Aaron Lazar has joined the cast but no word on what part he is playing.
-- Edited by Eris at 19:00, 2008-06-11
Thanks for the link, Eris. When I followed it, I discovered that one of Kate Rockwell's fellow Class of 2006 Baldwin-Wallace College MT grads -- Alana Simone -- is also in the Mamma Mia cast as Ali. Very six degrees of separation...or maybe just the way of life in MT?
See http://video.aol.com/video-detail/bw-senior-showcase-06-what-i-did-for-love/3855870212
Saw Hairspray tonight. Ashley was great - as usual. After the show I went to the stage door and met most of the cast. George Wendt, Ashley Parker Angel, and Ashley didn't come out. I'd heard a whispered conversation that someone wasn't coming out because of someone in the crowd. I don't know which of the three it was though.
There was a funny moment during the show I wanted to share. During Timeless to Me the little girl behind me whispered to her mother "What does timeless mean?" Her mother then replied "It means never gets old." The little girl waits a beat and then says "Mommy, you're not timeless."
It was very hard to hold in that laughter but I somehow managed.
-- Edited by Eris at 07:19, 2008-06-21
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."