I Am Back!

Hi Musicals fans and friends. Firstly, a big apology for my absence which was due to a busted computer for a while and then writers block.

I would like to tell you of some of the musicals I have been lucky enough to see in the last few months. One was a big West End production while others were Amature productions but well put together and no less enjoyable.The West End musical was predictably The Andrew Lloyd Webber production of the "Wizard Of Oz". When I saw it the role of Dorothy. normally played by Danielle Hope, the winner of the B.B.C's "Over the Rainbow",  was taken on by her understudy; the runner up of aformentioned show - Sophie Evans - who was an absolute delight, sweet and with a beautifull voice. The other major star being Michael Crawford who did not dissapoint in any way. He took on the roles of Professor Marvel, the Doorman to the Emerald City,The Tour Guide and of course the Wizard. This revamped version of the classic show had a few new musical numbers added written by Sir Andrew and his old sparing partner, the hugely talented Tim Rice ." Nobody Understands Me" is a little intro number sung by Dorothy, nothing special but nice all the same. Then its time for Michael as the Prof to take on his main number "Wonders of the World" a great semi -  patter song which suited his voice so well and was probably my favorite moment in the show. It is such a clever piece of theatre where Professor Marvel shows the mesmerized Dorothy all the places his visited on one of the first moving picture projectors a mock up of a Kinescope.It is also the moment when Toto grabs the sausage from the fork waved about by the Proff. Toto was played by a very cute Westie who performed all his tricks perfectly on the night along with a little encouragement from the treats surreptitiously fed to him by Dorothy.The next new number is deliverd by Marianne Benedict playing a deliciously Wicked Witch of the west."Red Shoe Blues" delivers what the title suggests: a great blues number with a Broadway back note. Marianne swoops around the stage surrounded by the very buff army of Winkies in a very well choreographed number. A few connecting numbers have been added to the score as well "If we only had a plan" expertly deliverd by Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow and Lion. Also the powerful voice of Mr Crawford belts out "Bring Me the Broomstick" and the average "You Went to see the Wizard". The last and probably the most recognizably Webber number"Already Home was beautifully sung by Emily Tierney playing Glinda and Sophie Evans backed by the whole Ensemble. This very slick production is a visual and vocal event that I can thoroughly endorse.

I was also pleased to see my first amature production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" This was a Little Theatre Production" production and was in my eyes equal in parts to some of the profesional casts I have seen. With a simple set of Scafolding and well placed props it let the cast be the stars of the night - though the huge wooden cross was beathtaking. Well done to the set builders and designer Peter Finley. Cast wise the accelades must go to Scott Roche as Judas a powerfull voice with great breath control and the enchanting vocal skills of Claire Wilson as Mary Magdalene. Her delivery of "I Don't Know How to Love Him"was truley haunting. I left this show both moved and eager to see there next Production, a very different choice "All Shook up" a musical backed by the hits of Elvis. No I do not own shares in the Little Theatre Company!

My final musical was an adaptation of one of my favourite childhood books "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This was put on by Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society and was another musical gem.I will leave a review of this show for my next arrticle which will follow shortly.

Thank you  your patience. Hopefully this return will not echo Norma Desmond's with a murder and the arrest of an ageing old ham.

VELMA AND ROXIE KICK BUTT ON STAGE AND SCREEN

Hi fellow musical fans, I am back after a spell of writers block. My subject this time is the musical with true razzle dazzle, CHICAGO. I was lucky to see  a very good amature production off the first Incarnation of Kanders and Ebb's CHICAGO in the 80's and was instantly a fan. Any show that contains a prison full of merry muderesses and a tap dancing lawyer should be fun and it is.The story focuses on Roxie Hart a 1930's struggling Jazz performer who is arrested for shooting her lover despite her naive husbands attempt to take the wrap for her. whilst in jail run by the deliciously corrupt Mama Morten she meets the press sensation of the time the double murderer Velma Kelly. The two then become locked in a battle of wits to get the press on there side with the help off  the lawyer Billy Flynn whose motivation is entirely financial. If you think I am going to tell you the final conclusion you are out off luck, please go see the show yourself you won't regret it.

I mentioned earlier that there was an earlier incarnation of the show, well that it is a fact.  The original production of the show was not a great success so the geniuses Kanders and Ebb changed it for the better in the late 90's and had a triumph on there hands.When this production arrived in the West End it starred the German cabaret songstress Ute Lempe and our own musical jewel Ruthie Henshall. I saw this cast and was won over for a second time. Ruthie who was more used to playing the put upon heroine roles like Fantine in LES MISERABLES transformed herself into the scheming vamp Roxie .Ute Lemper was perfect in the role off the sexy and desperate Velma. Meg Johnson, who many will remember as Eunice Gee in CORONATION STREET street, played the corrupt Mama Morten with great relish. Billy Flynn's shoes were successfully filled by the great Shakespearean actor Henry Goodman.

It is well known by my friends that I do like a flashy set design however John Lee Beatty designed a very simple set almost a black box with occasional additions like the prison bars. Yet this works so well as it concentrates your eyes on Bob Fosse's fantastic original choreography. The costumes are suitably sexy - lots off black lace and see through lycra. The male dancers were very buff which the costumes certainly drew my attention too.

The music and Lyrics are some of the wittiest and catchy I have ever heard. I have to draw your attention to the brilliant Cell Block Tango which contains lines like "He ran into the knife, seven times he ran into the knife." Another favourite number of mine has to be When You're Good To Mama sung by Mama Morten to her girls, as she calls the prisoners, which is a plea for financial and other favours in return for things like extra blankets. The Lyricist and Composers Kander and Ebb are most well known for CABARET off course, but I would also like to recommend their lesser known shows such as THE RINK and 70 GIRLS 70. Very sadly we lost Fred Ebb a few years ago but Chicago is one hell of a legacy to leave behind.

Obviously I cant finish this article without the mention off the very fine film made off CHICAGO which starred Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Roxy and Velma. Now I can't say that I have ever been a fan of Catherine Zeta-Jones but she is very impressive as Velma.  I know that she started her career in musical theatre and has recently returned to it on Broadway in the award winning production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.  I say stick to where your talent lies miss Zeta-Jones and we can all be pleased. Rene gives a delicious performance as the fame hungry Roxy - totally without morals.  My favourite performance in the film  is delivered with both barrels by Queen Latifah as Mama Morten. Richard Gere plays Billy very well and his tap routine is certainly worth a watch. I  recommend this film highly but I suggest if you can see the stage show first as live theatre for me always holds that extra thrill.

Ten of My most loved stage musicals

This is not a definitive list as it is always changing with any new shows I get to see.It is also not in any order of prefrence
1. Wicked. 2. Into the Woods. 3. Chicago. 4. Les Miserables 5. Priscilla Queen of the Desert. 6. End of the Rainbow. 7. Jesus Christ Superstar. 8. High Society. 9. Hairspray. 10. Mamma Mia



Here is a taster off a couple of these.

WICKED

You will not be surprised to learn that my next entry is about another musical. I have model myself on the main character from this musical -  yes, those that know me are shouting  "Wicked!" -  although my complexion is slightly less green. I had the great thrill of being taken to see this dream of a show in January by some very special friends who don't resemble flying monkeys...well not much! For those who don't know WICKED is the prequel to "The Wizard of Oz." It is the story of how the wicked witch became wicked and is based on the book by Gregory Maguire. The production I saw stared Rachel Tucker as Elphaba the wicked witch. For those that watched the BBC's I'D DO ANYTHING, Rachel was a runner up for the role of Nancy (another role I was born to play as I've been a Nancy all my life). Rachel shines in the part and her rendition of "Defying Gravity" made my whole body quiver with excitement - the first time a woman has ever done that for me.The Beautiful Louise Dearman as Glinda, her friend and sweetheart of the university, has great comic timing and a truly melodic voice. Lee Mead, my fellow Essexer,  plays the romantic lead in tight jodhpurs which he filled very nicely. His vocal and acting abilities lived up to his looks. The Sets by Eugene Lee are spellbinding. The Emerald City set is a feast off opulence and Glinda makes her Entrance in a mechanical bubble - what more could you want? The costumes designed by Susan Hilferty are both a feast of colour and originality. Glinda's shoe collection would make Imelda Marcos weep with envy. I suggest you put on your ruby slippers (I know you all own a pair) click the heals together and say "theres no place like the Apollo Victoria".

Click on THIS LINK to see the trailer.

WILLKOMMEN

Hi, this blog will be an introduction to the likes and loves of an old musical loving queen. This is the first time I've dipped my glittery toes into the blogpool, so bear with me if it is a bit clunky at first. I recently had the luck to be taken to see End of the Rainbow at the Trafalgar Studios with the amazing Tracie Bennett as our Judy. What a delight! .It's a roller coaster trip into the last few months of her extraordinary life, including the last concert she gave. With a cast off three main actors and one support it is gripping .Tracie is so close to the real Judy it sent shivers through my entire body and that's a lot of body. Hilton McRae plays Anthony her devoted friend and pianist. As delivered his camp one liners with superb timing there wasn't a dry seat in the house. Stephen Hagen plays her last husband, Mickey Deans; who tries to fight the losing battle of keeping Ms Garland off the booze and drugs.This is not relevant to the play but he is also a delicious piece off eye candy and I got a real sugar rush. His acting is excellent, bringing both strength and tenderness to the role. I urge you to try and get tickets before this dream of a play leaves us. I have forgotten one off the main highlights -the singing is faultless by the sublime Tracie Bennett. Her final rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" is so moving you will need a lay down in a dark room afterwards - perhaps with Stephen .I will leave you with that thought for now.