When Are You a Theater Nerd?

Hey all! So last night I was watching Les Mis with a pack of tissues as usual while being a total theater nerd. Les Mis was the show that many years ago got me hooked on theater (trust me you’ll hear more about this in a future post) and I was sobbing over “A Little Fall of Rain” I started to think when do you become a theater nerd?

Is it when your IPod becomes your own personal Broadway station, when you have more cast albums than you can count in fact you probably have multiple recordings of some from original casts to revival(s) and film versions.

Is it when all your favorite theater sites are bookmarked on your laptop and you might read them more often than actual news websites or TV stations?

Are you a theater nerd when Broadway actors become the equivalent of movie actors to most people?

You probably pride yourself-as you should for knowing who Lea Michele, Jon Groff, Aaron Tveit, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth etc. were when they were working on Broadway-you were a fan from the beginning and you own it!

Is it when you have your first obsession of a show complete with signed playbills and all the merchandise that you could your hands on? I know I had a major fan girl moment when I got the opportunity to interview one of the OBC members from one of my obsession shows!

You’ve most likely only seen a few movies in theaters this past year cause you’d much rather be at the theater-in 2013 I went to see three movies:Oz:the Great and Powerful, The Great Gatsby and Frozen.

You have major fan moments when you spot a theater actor on Law and Order or any other NYC based show.

Is it when during the film version of Les Mis you were so excited to see Colm Wilkinson when most others didn’t even know who he was? You probably are more excited than most others for the revival and proudly proclaim that you know who all the leads are.

Is when you realized that you don’t know what’s new on the billboard charts but you know all the new show tunes?

Lets be real you know you’re a theater nerd when the Tony’s is your favorite day of the year-you might or might not have a countdown on your phone.

Is it when the terms, OBC, rush, lotto, TKTS and BCEFA become part of your daily vocabulary?

Is it when your bookshelf becomes filled with theater books-right now Jen Teppers “Untold Stories of Broadway” is my favorite.

Is it when you follow more theater people than you do your friends and family and Broadway Spotted, Broadwaygirlnyc and Jen Tepper become some of your favorite tweeters (and me duh lol just kidding)?

Is it when like how Carrie Bradshaw said she sometimes bought Vogue instead of dinner cause she thought it fed more you feel the same way about the theater?

Is it when your more than willing to wake up at an ungodly hour more than once to go sit in a rush line for a show that you just NEED to see?

Is it when you’ve seen a show more times than you can count but it’s just never enough?

Is it when you have to go see the OBC and then certain replacements in a show?

Is it when you start working to remember the waiters at Ellen’s Stardust Diner so that way you’ll know who they are when they make their Broadway debut?

Is it when the curtain calls make you so happy and you spend countless hours on YouTube watching Broadway videos?

I can go on and on. I know it’s different for everyone, there is no black and white reason or explanation or a definition in the dictionary. Everyone experiences theater differently and not every theater nerd lives in NYC. There is nothing that can compare to live theater and Broadway is just magical-that’s something that we all have in common. So as I finally take a breath and shut my trap tell me when did you realize that you’re a theatre nerd?

XOXO

-Bwagirl828

2014 Bucket List

Hey all! I hope that 2014 has been treating you all well! As we kick off the new year instead of a New Years resolution I’ve written this bucket list of no surprise new shows that I want to see this year and since I’m in a very confident mood right now I’m gonna say that I want to see all of these by Tony night (before nomination day seems a bit um overzealous)! The good news is that I haven’t been procrastinating and I’ve already got tickets to two of these shows already so yay for progress!

Aladdin

Okay as a big Disney fan who grew up during the Disney Renaissance period this was one of many movies that I had on a loop as a kid. Disney never ceases to amaze me with their productions I mean hello Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and Little Mermaid-all beautiful and amazing productions! Disney is great with staying true to the film counterpart whilst adding a few new songs and details. That being said I have very high hopes for this production and since previews start a few days after my birthday hello happy belated birthday gift to me!

Violet

Jeanine Tesori and Sutton Foster- that’s it done its gonna be amazing need I say more?!

If/Then

Okay, this is probably the show that I’m most excited for-more than Les Mis, which is saying a lot for me! When this was announced last year I was so excited if you couldn’t tell from my tweets. Idina Menzel with the creative team of Michael Grief, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey with Anthony Rapp and LaChanze rounding out the cast I cannot wait!

Les Miserables

Les Mis was the show that many years ago was the gateway show for my obsession of the theater. I ‘ve been waiting for them to bring it back and the amazing cast that they have I mean, hello Ramin Karimloo, Will Swenson, Nikki M. James, Keala Settle and Caissie Levy this is bound to be extraordinary! If they could just get Colm to play the Bishop that would just be perfection! I’m gonna make a prediction and say that they race for Best Revival is going to come down between this and Cabaret.

Cabaret

Another classic coming back this spring and I absolutely love it! While no one can be Joel Grey, the original Emcee, Alan Cumming who played the role in last revival as well is perfect for this and I guarantee you he will make the show what it is!

Bullets Over Broadway

Woody Allen and Susan Stroman creative team, Marin Mazzie, Zach Braff and Betsy Wolfe all on the same stage= a beautiful masterpiece that I cannot wait to see!

Hedwig

The hysterical Neil Patrick Harris back on Broadway that is all I have to say!

The Bridges of Madison County

Jason Robert Brown wrote the music and lyrics so you know that it’s going to be beautiful and possibly make you cry. Kelli O’Hara, Derek Klena and Hunter Foster are some of my favorite actors that I can’t believe they are all sharing the stage and I’m thrilled to see Steven Pasquale for the first time.

Of Mice and Men

One of my favorite books and arguably the starriest cast this Broadway season. I’m really interested to see the chemistry these actors and how it’s going to be translated from book pages to the stage.

The Cripple of Inishmaan

I’ve heard nothing but good things about this show from across the pond and since I didn’t get to see him in Equs I’m really interested to see Daniel Radcliffe in a role that is far different that what most of the world is used to.

Rocky

Not only do I want to see the movies iconic moment but it seems like the show is more focused on the romance between Rocky and Adrian that I’m very interested to see if anything is added, what is cut and how the fighting elements are going to be worked in.

Well that’s my list for now who knows I might add one or two more! It’s going to be an exciting spring that I can’t wait to share with all of you! Happy belated New Year everyone!

XOXO

-Bwaygirl828

Haters Back Off

Hey all! First off, I wanna apologize to you all in advance for this rambling post (with a Miranda Sings inspired title) that pertains more to Big Brother than to theater.

If you follow me on twitter or have read my 2-part “Expect the Unexpected” series you know that I am a MASSIVE BB fan-I watch the live feeds the interviews the whole nine yards. We live in a world today that is dominated by the Internet and social media. While all that has tons of positives and benefits like keeping in touch with faraway family and friends, interacting with others with the same interests and from a different standpoint-promotions and business-like ventures for companies, the arts, sports etc. While I’m a “the glass is half-full” kinda girl I have to say that there are also many downsides to this. Besides the obvious and horrible things that are featured on many a “Law and Order” episode there are some that are “haters” or “cyber bullies” out there who use social media-twitter especially to attack and make fun of others who don’t share the same opinions as them. I absolutely don’t condone this behavior. I feel that it is for one wrong, but hurtful and an absolute waste of time. If you have that much time on your hands to hate on others and/or create different accounts to do it on then I’m sorry please go find a hobby or something else with a more positive aspect or benefit towards others and yourself. I’m sorry, while I definitely like to try to keep a pretty positive attitude on here, Twitter and my other social media outlets, I feel like it’s something that I just need to say and get off my chest.

Most of you know that I am a HUGE Amanda/McCranda fan from this past season of Big Brother and as I highlighted in my Expect the Unexpected Part 2 piece, we as a community have undergone and still do so much hate every day just because we love and support Amanda and McCrae. Big Brother has been over for almost 4 months now and hate is still being spewed every single day. Newsflash: the game is over; it’s time to move on. We have our favorites, and you have yours it’s as simple as that. I can’t stand that people continuously attack Amanda on a daily basis because of stuff that happened in the house and her relationship with McCrae. Look, what happened in that house happened months ago, she had since apologized profusely for anything that she said or did that might have offended people. As for her relationship with McCrae if you’re not a fan leave them alone-they are happy and in love-what’s wrong with that don’t we want to have happy people in this world (and yes I’m very tempted to quote that line from Legally Blonde about happy wives!)?! From my interactions with Amanda on twitter and from my friend Soapnanny’s (and fellow NYmafiagirl) blog post about meeting Amanda she is absolutely sweet, kind and genuine (I seriously can’t wait to meet her one day).

Look, none of us are perfect, in fact we are all far from it as the song from Bare: the musical states we’re still “a million miles from heaven.” We all have flaws and we all are working everyday to better ourselves so we can be the best person that we can be. Lets start looking more at the good instead of the flaws in others. You’re not gonna be able to change someone’s opinion about things, not everyone is going to like you and you’re not going to like everyone it’s just a fact of life. So, surround yourself with those that you do (shout-out the McCranda/Royal Mafia family I love you ALL!) both in your personal life and on social media in regards to those you follow, friend on Facebook and interact with. If you don’t really like or care for someone don’t follow them, read their tweets, interviews or like their pages. If you don’t like Amanda and McCrae don’t tweet them or tag them and their fans and family in rude tweets-it’s uncalled for and just rude. Instead focus on sending positive energy to those you like and support. If you’re on the receiving end of hate don’t give them the satisfaction that they want-turn it into a joke, let it roll off your back-hey we can’t help it that love her or hate her Amanda is an obsession! It’s time for haters to let bygones be bygones and move on leaving them, their loved ones and fans alone. As I end this I apologize if I came across in a mean way (I promise I’m not a mean or rude person in any way)- you never know how you can sound on social media. I love you all and again sorry for the rambling. Carry on.

XOXO

-Bwaygirl828(Missy)

Miranda Marches Into March

In honor of going to see Miranda Sings in concert tomorrow I'm pulling out a piece that I wrote last year for something non-blog related about Miranda's concert last March! So enjoy and go watch a Miranda video or better yet-go see her live!

Hysterical YouTube sensation Miranda Sings returned to the acclaimed Birdland jazz club this past week. The crooked smiled beauty performed her new club act. Miranda Marches into March to three sold out audiences, which included special guests Frankie Grande, Colleen Ballinger and Kory DeSoto. The event, which was filmed live for later viewing on a site to be announced featured a night of all genres of music, stories and in true Miranda fashion, a free voice lesson.

            Miranda Sings is the alter ego of singer Colleen Ballinger who began the character Miranda as a joke to mirror the hoards of YouTube videos that feature young girls singing acapella poorly in their rooms with cocky attitudes. What began as a joke skyrocketed to a YouTube phenomenon when Miranda’s free voice lesson video, which boasts over 770,000 views, was posted four years ago. “She’s a gem” says Colleen Ballinger of her alter-ego just before her onstage transformation into the well-known internet personality which includes a baggy collared shirt tucked into a pair of navy blue lounge pants that are pulled up high and her signature red lipstick smeared all around her lips.

            Miranda’s performances which are always filled with comedic stories, songs, skits and vocal lessons always bring her fans known affectionately as “Mirfandas” to their feet and this new club act does not disappoint following the others with just as much comedy and music packed into a eighty minute performance. She told the story of Easter with some revisions, challenged an audience member to a chubby bunny challenge face-off, and debuted her new skill as a writer with an original comedic scene about her first heartbreak. “I was crying the entire time!” says concertgoer Anthony  “I can’t even verbalize it. I had a smile plastered on my face the entire time.”

Miranda seems to have that affect on the audience as as of Wednesday night according to Colleen Ballinger, Miranda has performed 17 times at Birdland over the past four years. “She is funny and people can relate to her.” says Dale Anderson, manager at Birdland. “We have a series here called Broadway at Birdland and she just fit in well.”

Casting agent Jim Caruso agrees. He was the first one to ever book Miranda after seeing her free voice lesson video. “I saw the video and I emailed her asking her to come to my open mic show here at Birdland called ‘Cast Party With Jim Caruso’. I didn’t know if she was real or not but she emailed me back telling me that Miranda was a character and when she came to open mic night and performed with Daniel Reichard from Jersey Boys people who didn’t even know her went wild.” After seeing Miranda perform Jim reached out to Colleen again telling her that if she ever wanted to come and do a show at Birdland to let him know. “She emailed me back and told me that she would love to do it. She said she didn’t know what her show was but that she would figure it out.”

Once she started performing, the younger demographic started coming, wanting to translate the entertainment of Miranda, from the computer screen to a live performance experience lasting longer than just those few minute videos. “People asked me before I came tonight, ‘Why did you pay money to see her sing badly?’ It’s just so beautifully entertaining.” Said longtime Miranda fan Alexandra who along with Anthony mentioned above have both been following Miranda since the beginning, about four years. It is very clear that the younger, technology driven generation make up the majority of Miranda and for that mater, Colleen’s fanbase. Birdland, on a Wednesday night in early March where school is session the next day is packed with eager and excitable school-aged girls and their parents who throughout the course of the event scream like they are at a rock concert and yell famous Miranda lines. One young girl was so excited that during the show she began to cry into her hands after Miranda said she loved her!

Miranda’s audience tonight as stated earlier is made up primarily of young people. Miranda brings in money, press and attention from a younger demographic into a classy and typically more adult-oriented venue. “She’s a shot in the arm for jazz clubs.” Says Caruso. It’s an intimate venue that works well for the event as everyone gets a good view and the chance to interact with Miranda throughout the performance. At tonight’s performance she pulled an eager fan up onstage to do a Chubby Bunny Challenge face off with her where the fan gets the large marshmallows and Miranda gets the smaller ones guaranteeing her an instant win but to the fans it is pure comedy gold. They eat it up and most of the crowd is doubled-over in laughter as she takes the fans marshmallows fresh out her mouth and takes a bite, something that only Miranda can get away with. She dances awkwardly and with a stiffness (and on this night barefoot), something that would normally be a point of mockery gets Miranda cheers and applause.

 But why for Miranda, what do people like about her that keep them coming back to these shows at Birdland (I overheard someone say that they had come earlier in the week as well) and watching her videos over and over again? “Everyone knows someone that is like Miranda and everyone has a little bit of Miranda in them.” Says Ballinger outside after the show. Miranda is clearly a mockery of people and in a day and age where you can post anything online and be discovered in a Justin Bieber-esque way many have taken to what Miranda does except they take it seriously and truly believe that they are next big thing to hit the entertainment industry. They find Miranda and her act tonight funny as they all have seen those bad YouTube’s and American Idol audition clips as well as people in their everyday lives that mirror Miranda and posses the Miranda qualities that make her laughable. Maybe she’ll come back in the summer to another sold out crowd with her questionable methods (she says that scatting is what you do when you forget the words) and tell the crowd when they applaud “Obviously I’m really good, I deserve it!”

-XOXO

Bwaygirl828