Beauty and the Beast
August 31, 2017 • theatre
Who: My high school bestie & I
What: Beauty and the Beast, Disney's Broadway musical on tour
When: May 2016
Where: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD
Why: Because Disney. I was making up for my theatre-less childhood.
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| Whoops! We bought our tickets too late and had to sit separately. |
Thoughts: I love Disney and had never seen the BATB musical, so I was thrilled that the tour was visiting Baltimore. This is the first and only time I splurged on a prime center orchestra seat instead of my usual frugal limited view (which serves me quite well). I should have saved my money.
Here's the thing: the talent is there, the new songs just for the show are there (arguably some of my favorite Disney broadway tunes), the Disney pizzazz...it's all there. But man, this show is dated. From the poor effects that were well below Disney magic standards to Belle's hideous dress that needs freshening up...just no. Theatre resources likely weren't as good when BATB first came to Broadway as they are now, but now is the time to revaluate what is available to make a stronger show. Can we make the stuffed animals in the beginning less obvious? Do something for action effects beside blackouts? Find a better way to let beast transform without poor Belle having to catch his mask and hide it (yes, I could totally see it)?
Close your eyes and it's a great show. Open them, and it's just not Broadway quality let alone Disney quality IMO.
I know BATB is crazy popular and to some, this may be heresy, but let me know in the comments: if you've seen the Broadway musical live, do you agree or disagree? If you haven't, definitely enjoy the amazing cast recording.
Read about other shows I've seen here.
Baltimore, MD, USA
ICYMI: re•solve is now Bekah Loves Blog!
August 23, 2017
It's been a few months since I decided it was time for a change around here. Little did I know the change would cause some technical difficulties that kept my posts from travelling to where people can see them: Bloglovin' and your inbox.
I finally gave up on the DIY and brought some big guns in to take care of things. Hopefully you're seeing this now, so....welcome! I've been here all along but took on a new name and a new look (be sure to bookmark bekahlovesblog.com and delete my old url). There's plenty of posts to catch up on. Enjoy!
Baltimore, MD, USA
On Your Feet
August 22, 2017 • theatre
Who: My high school bestie & I | My boss & I | My neigbor & I
When: December 2015 | June 2018
Where: Marquis Theatre, New York | Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore
Why: Because Gloria Estefan!
Thoughts: I knew I wanted to see the show the very first time I heard about it (the Macy's parade performance only solidified that fact). My friend and I headed up just before Christmas (win-win!) and WOW! I was ready to watch it again and again. I was born in 85 so I knew most of the songs (even if I didn't realize until the show that they were her songs), but I had no idea about her life story prior to seeing the show. There was so much energy and talent on the stage. This quickly became one of my favorite Broadway shows, so I was bummed when they announced it was closing after two years (their last performance was 8/20/17).
The national tour has proven to be a hit (I'm so not surprised)! I bought tickets right away and then WON a pair in a local contest. I happily attended two nights in a row when it came to Baltimore June 2018. A few things changed, but overall the cast is just as talented and energetic. I'd watch this again and again!
The national tour has proven to be a hit (I'm so not surprised)! I bought tickets right away and then WON a pair in a local contest. I happily attended two nights in a row when it came to Baltimore June 2018. A few things changed, but overall the cast is just as talented and energetic. I'd watch this again and again!
Who else has seen On Your Feet? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Press play on the original cast recording, and take a look at other shows I've seen here!
New York, NY, USA
The King & I
August 17, 2017 • theatre
Who: Me | My Mom & I | My Neighbor & I
What: The King & I, the classic story about Anna and the king of Siam
When: October 2015 | August 2017 | February 2019
Where: Vivian Beaumont theater, New York | The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC | The Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD
Why: Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals run in my blood
Thoughts:
The fact that I've now seen this production three times should make it clear that I absolutely love it! The Broadway company put on a flawless production while each touring company since has made it their own "something wonderful" (of the two, I'm partial to the most recent company as of February 2019).
I'd grown up on the movie and enjoyed it, but as it should be, it didn't hold a candle to this gorgeous stage production.The play includes many songs and details not featured in the movie, and as an adult, I love and understand the story even more! Occasionally, I come across something referring to older musicals like this one as "problematic", but I assure you this is a progressive story, especially for its time! If the tour comes near you, don't miss it!
The fact that I've now seen this production three times should make it clear that I absolutely love it! The Broadway company put on a flawless production while each touring company since has made it their own "something wonderful" (of the two, I'm partial to the most recent company as of February 2019).
I'd grown up on the movie and enjoyed it, but as it should be, it didn't hold a candle to this gorgeous stage production.The play includes many songs and details not featured in the movie, and as an adult, I love and understand the story even more! Occasionally, I come across something referring to older musicals like this one as "problematic", but I assure you this is a progressive story, especially for its time! If the tour comes near you, don't miss it!
Have you seen The King & I on stage or screen? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Listen to the latest cast recording, then check out other shows I've seen here.
New York, NY, USA
Finding Neverland
August 8, 2017 • theatre
Who: My high school bestie, my neighbor, and I
What: Finding Neverland, the musical adaptation of the 2004 film
When: June 2017
Where: The Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD
Why: because it looks so darn whimsical and pretty
Thoughts: When the film came out, I liked it but I also felt it was slow-moving and ultimately I never watched it again. I have similar feelings about the play, but musical numbers made the slowness a little more bearable and an excellent Act I finale (possibly the best I've seen) ensured that the audience would return for Act II. The cast is talented, the visuals are stunning (who can beat a glitter wind tunnel!?), but ultimately my feelings are pretty similar to the film: it's well worth watching, but just too slow to enjoy over and over IMO.
Have you seen Finding Neverland on stage or screen? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Baltimore, MD, USA
Once
August 2, 2017 • theatre
Who: My mom & I
When: November 2016
Where: The National Theatre, Washington, DC
Why: How can I say no to anything set in Ireland? The fact that I won the tickets was an added bonus!
Thoughts: This is going to sound strange, but I liked everything about Once except for the story line. The music was gorgeous, the fact that the cast doubled as the orchestra was amazing, and they had lots of cool visual elements. Even though the story told wasn't my favorite, the way they told it makes Once a show worth watching at least...once.
Have you seen Once on stage or screen? What did you think?
Washington, DC, USA
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