March 20, 2015

Screens & Scenes: A Caper, A Folly, A Revolution

New feature alert! As someone who does enjoy indulging in a Broadway show, film or television series on occasion, I wanted to create a feature where I could share some quick thoughts on the latest ones I've seen. So today, I'm launching Screens & Scenes, where I'll be doing just that!

Aladdin Broadway musical poster
WHAT: Aladdin (trailer)
WHO: Adam Jacobs, James Monroe Iglehart, Courtney Reed
WHY: Aladdin is one of my favorite Disney films. (Translation: I might have been a wee bit obsessed with that movie as a child.)
LOVE: Genie was hilarious / colorful sets + costumes / Aladdin's friends / dance breaks / Iago was a hoot (See what I did there?)
LIKE: modern references (funny, but also off-putting) / Jasmine's quest to be free of obligations / Jasmine
LOATHE: special effect during A Whole New World (totally threw me off)
RECOMMENDED FOR: Disney (particularly Aladdin) fans or families
WOULD I SEE IT AGAIN? Sure!

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder musical poster
WHAT: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder(trailer)
WHO: Jefferson Mays, Jeff Kready
WHY: After seeing this performance at the Tony Awards, I thought the show sounded like fun!
LOVE: the hilarious hijinks as murders occur / the fun lines that get tossed in / Jefferson Mays totally rocking multiple roles
LIKE: Monty Navarro (not the actor, just the character)
LOATHE: Sibella (not the actress, mind you, just the damn character)
RECOMMENDED FOR: those fond of British follies
WOULD I SEE IT AGAIN? Probably not.


Les Miserables Broadway musical poster
WHAT: Les Miserables (trailer)
WHO: Ramin Karimloo, Will Swenson, Gavin Lee, Samantha Hill, Chris McCarrell, Wallace Smith, Brennyn Lark, Erika Henningsen, Rachel Izen
WHY: I've been familiar with the music of Les Miserables for years, and I really liked the movie too!
LOVE: Eponine (and all the feels) / Javert (and his powerful presence) / the Thenadiers (so funny) / how it made me want to read the book afterwards / the dynamic between Javert and Jean Valjean
LIKE: Gavroche (what a cutie!) / set design + stage representation of interactions and scenes
LOATHE: the modern effects inserted here and there / pacing felt off at some moments
RECOMMENDED FOR: fans of the book/show, or those who like stories with tragic circumstances
WOULD I SEE IT AGAIN? Maybe.

9 Comments:

  1. I like this new feature, Alexa! I've seen Aladdin, and I liked it, but there are other Disney shows I like better. But I thought it was totally worth it to see James Monroe Iglehart. He was AMAZING!

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    1. YES! James Monroe Iglehart was FANTASTIC. He totally stole the show! And as for Disney shows, my all-time favorite is still The Lion King. It is so, so brilliant.

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  2. I would absolutely see Aladdin again too! That genie was HILARIOUS and he totally stole the show! I love that we're local and can see Broadway shows at any time. The next one on my list is Finding Neverland.

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    1. Yes! Finding Neverland is also on my list of shows to watch. I can't wait to catch it when it finally starts showing. (And yes, I love being local and having those shows so accessible to me!)

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  3. What a fun feature! I love Broadway but haven't been in a while due to small kids and the crazy ticket prices! I'm psyched to live vicariously through you.

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  4. Oh fun!!! I'd LOVE to see Aladdin!

    I've seen Les Mis twice - once freshman year of college I saw an off Broadway production when it was on tour and then last year a local theatre group performed it. Both performances were amazing!

    I'd love to go see a show actually ON Broadway though! Maybe soon! :)

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    1. You should go when you're in town for BEA! And it was my first time seeing Les Miserables on stage, and I was in awe. I love seeing classic productions brought to life in front of my eyes.

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  5. I love this feature! I always wish I could live in New York and see musicals but...that's not possible. :( Ooh, I've been wanting ot see Aladdin though, it would be interesting to see it on stage. LES MIS IS MY FAVORITE. I love it. I've watched the two anniversary dvds, the movie (seven times in theaters) and I have a lot of the recordings....So I love it. <3 Eponine's my favorite. I love all of the different arcs in it.

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    1. Daaaang, that's a serious devotion to Les Miserables! I think it's an incredibly woven story with so many plot threads, and that makes me curious about the book too.

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