Top 5: Shows I've Seen

We've reached number one! Although I'm pretty sure this will come as no surprise to anyone...

Les Miserables

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This was the first musical I ever saw, it started this whole thing off! I was 13 years old, on a school trip where everyone fell asleep during the show except for my musical friend and I. We sobbed when Gavroche died, I desperately wanted to be Eponine. (I couldn't hit Cosette's notes so she seemed more realistic) and I fell head over heels in love with Enjolras and Marius, the latter being played by none other than Mr. Hadley Fraser himself! How strange that ten years later I would see him again as Javert and then in the movie! 

If I'm honest that's all I remember, along with an overwhelming happiness and the ultimate desire that I wanted to be on that stage. Now that will never happen as it's moved from the Palace to the Queen's but I could still be in the show!

I have been very lucky when it comes to this musical, I was at the 25th Anniversary at which I sobbed... a lot! When the original cast came out and I saw Michael Ball my legs actually gave way! It wasn't pretty! My view count is just into double figures now and I'm still not bored. Every single time I see One Day More I get goosebumps and cry, and by the time the Epilogue rolls around I am a sobbing mess. There is just something about this musical that has hooked me, and is yet to let go a decade later.

The good bits:

Really? Okay... everything! The simplicity of the stage, the story. Alright, pause. The story... Victor Hugo wrote and incredible novel with such compelling characters, the moment you add music to their journeys you know it's going to be a hit. And go, the music. Pause. God have you ever heard such rousing songs? Do You Hear the People Sing was actually being considered as the French National anthem at one point and who can blame them? It makes me want to run and build a barricade every time! Go. The actors that have enhabited these characters are some of the best in the world, Lea Salonga, Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Ramin Karimloo, David Thaxton, Alfie Boe, Wolverine! I mean come on!!

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Favourite song:

One Day More. So 1. I love a song that grows and ends with an incredible note that everyone belts out. 2. I adore it even more when lots of people sing different things at the same time. 3. I LOVE THIS SONG. Okay so I maybe should have put a warning at the beginning of this blog, and you've probably already clocked onto this but today will basically be me 'fangirling' about Les Miserables. Apologies.

With all the characters singing about their stories, marching in time and singing such a rousing song I am always left with goosebumps and teary eyes. Not only is it my favourite song in the musical this is my favourite song of all time.

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Favourite character:

Enjolras. (You were expecting Eponine weren't you!?) He is just fascinating, and dies so tragically. I have always fallen in love with whoever has played him and since reading the book I am falling more and more in love with the character. I think even Victor Hugo himself had a crush on Enjolras! He's so inspiring and strong and brilliant!

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Dream Cast:

Jean Valjean: Ramin Karimloo

Javert: Norm Lewis

Fantine: Ruthie Henshall

Marius: Craig Mather

Cosette: Judy Kuhn

Eponine: Lea Salonga

Enjolras: Aaron Tveit (Surprise, surprise!)

Thenardier: Alun Armstrong

Mme. Thenardier: Katy Seacombe

Someone please make that happen!

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

The Age of Aquarius

 I'm finding age to be a funny thing in this business, one that manages to both worry and comfort me at the exact same time. 

 On the one hand you have the west end casting of Les Miserables, they cast young. Sierra Boggess mentioned that she was old at 29. It panics me that starting at 23 will mean I'll never achieve my dream of playing Eponine. But then if we hop across the pond to the Broadway production of the same show we see one of the best Eponines, Celia Keenan-Bolger, playing her at 28. One year older and she would be considered almost too old to play Fantine, who is older than Eponine! 

 It's confusing, as I said on one hand I'm comforted by the fact I still have five years left before being too old on Broadway, but in England (where I'm currently stuck) I'm pretty much past my prime.

 In fact, it seems to be a running trend that actors can still get a break later on in their lives on the great white way. Norbert Leo Butz, 29 when he got his big Broadway break. 

 Then again, I could once again turn the tables and confuse matters more by bringing up people like Jennifer Damiano, she is only 21 and already has three big broadway shows under her belt! Or my favourite Aaron Tveit who landed his role in Wicked at 23.

 I'm hoping you can see where my confusion comes from. I know there's the whole 'don't compare yourself to others' thing but when it comes to casting ages I can't help it. Especially when it's concerning my ultimate dream role.

 I have managed to stop obsessing over it all, I've accepted the fact I will never be a child prodigy like Miss. Damiano but maybe, just maybe I can still play the street waif I so long to be. Hopefully when I get the opportunity I won't be considered too old!

 It's such a funny thing to talk to 'real' people about. At 23 years old you are considered young, at the beginning of your journey with your entire life ahead of you. In the acting world you're old to be starting. I don't really have anything philosophical to say about this fact. It's just something I've found interesting... and stressful!

The only thing I have learnt is to keep going, keep learning, keep growing and when an opportunity comes along grab it with both hands and don't let go. I'm hoping that someday soon someone will take a chance on an unknown and I will be one step closer to those grubby street clothes!

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

Wicked

How does Wicked come above Phantom? Two simple things divided them when I was putting them in order and the first was I've seen Wicked more, the second is Wicked has two of my dream roles. Otherwise this spot would have gone to Phantom!

Up until three years ago I was pretty much oblivious to this musical. I had heard about it's acclaim on Broadway, how Idina Mendzel won a Tony for her role, but other than that I knew nothing. For my 20th birthday I received tickets for myself and a friend to see it and oh boy was I blown away. I cried, I laughed, I got goosebumps all over and then goosebumps on top of them! There was just something so simple about the story that really hits home and yet it's so complex at the same time. It's this reason that it's become my go to show for when family and friends visit. I figure everyone will enjoy it and so far I've been right!

The good bits:

The characters. It would be very easy for them to fall into a stereotype but they don't. They're complex and relatable and so well developed. You really feel for them and are drawn into their hopes and dreams without a second thought.

The songs. Of course! I mean sure, they're almost impossible to sing, but my god are they incredible. They are what I would describe as true Broadway songs. Big and belty in the best possible way! They build at the right places and hold back when it's needed pulling you into these characters even more.

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Favourite song:

As someone who wants to be Elphaba I'm torn here between my favourite song to sing, and favourite song to listen to. So I shall put both... even if one does top the other a little.

I adore singing No Good Deed. You just get everything out in that song and it's so much fun! However my favourite song is Defying Gravity, no surprises there right. Those last notes, the whole message of the song, just everything about it is perfect. It leaves me breathless and covered in goosebumps and I'm pretty sure has made every single theatre girl want to paint herself green.

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Favourite character:

Well this is probably a bit obvious! Elphaba. Anyone who's ever been bullied for something, or dreamt of something can relate to her. She's not only relatable though, she's an inspiration. Yes, I just said the Wicked Witch of the West is an inspiration! She fights for what she believes in, she doesn't compromise and she has a strength that most of us can only dream of having. Combine all of those things with her humour and those songs and you can really see why so many people cite her as a dream role.

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Dream cast:

Elphaba: Eden Espinosa.

Glinda: Megan Hilty

Fiyero: Aaron Tveit Adam Garcia

(Okay I will stop putting Mr. Tveit as every male role, you can't deny he'd be amazing at everything though. I wish I could have seen Adam as Fiyero, unfortunately I was too late!)

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Time to Study!

 This morning I went to my first dance lesson in about three years. It wasn't as horrific as I first expected it to be and I actually ended up having fun. Turns out I quite enjoy dancing when I stop worrying about how bad I am!

 I've had a lot of free time, what with no job, no money and, well no life! So I've been researching the Broadway stars I admire and seeing what they do, how they prepare. I discovered that while on Broadway in the leading role of Frank Abagnale Jr. Aaron Tveit was still taking acting lessons and I thought why am I not doing the same? If he continues to learn after bagging the job of his dreams why on earth am I sat around not learning when I haven't even got one professional credit under my belt?

 And so begins my 'quest' to keep learning. I've enrolled in dance classes, ballet to be exact, as well as acting classes. For now I'm going to leave the singing as that's where I'm strongest and focus on the other two. Also when money's short you really can't afford to do that many classes!

So I guess now is the time to knuckle down and get to the hard work, let's face it. When I finally do get a job I'll be craving this kind of time to completely dedicate myself to acting so I'm not going to waste it while I have it.

If a little inspiration is needed though, here's the wonderful Aaron Tveit in Catch Me If You Can showing off some dance skills. (Oh and Chorus girls with legs for days, if that doesn't make you want to go to the gym I don't know what will!)

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

The Phantom of the Opera

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Fun fact: I saw Love Never Dies on stage before I saw Phantom. Of course I knew the story. I grew up listening to Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman belt out these beautiful songs thanks to my parents obsession with the musical. I watched the movie (didn't particularly like it,) and even sang songs from it in performances. It wasn't until my 21st birthday when I received a theatre token and money to fund my poor student lifestyle that I finally got around to seeing it on stage. One part of me couldn't believe it had taken me this long to see it, the other knew that it would probably be a once in a lifetime thing thanks to the ticket prices. Usually I would complain about this, but in some weird way I like that fact. It makes the whole thing so much more special. Call me weird but the whole experience of seeing the show was magical and something I will never forget.

The good bits:
Where do I even start? Everything! Andrew Lloyd Webber is a genius composer so the score is perfection, the actors were just incredible. I saw John Owen Jones and after seeing Ramin I was worried this Phantom wouldn't live up... oh boy did he! My goodness what an actor. The set, the costumes, the everything. It may only be at number three but I would say this is as close to a perfect musical as you can come.

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Favourite song:
On every musical I question myself for adding this because it's so hard to pick! Especially in a musical where every song is as beautiful as the last. The Phantom of the Opera blows you away with that last note, The Point of no Return is just tension in a song and I love it but in the end I think Wishing you were somehow here again wins. Not only does it have one of my all time favourite transitions ever, with the single violin at the beginning swelling into a full orchestra. I get goosebumps every time. It also has so much emotion in it and if you get the right Christine it can literally stop the show.

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Favourite character:
Phantom. I love Christine as much as the next 'phan' but I love a misunderstood genius. He's so flawed, and so interesting. There are so many different ways to play him too which just adds to the character because every time you see it there could be something new you discover about him. Oh and it helps that he has the most beautiful voice.

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Dream Cast:
25th Anniversary. Done. They were perfection for me. God I'm so boring! I will repeat last week and just throw out people I want to see in the show.

Phantom: Aaron Tveit.
(When he's older, can you imagine? He'd be perfect.)
Christine: Laura Osnes.
(She has the innocence and the beauty.)
Raoul: Jonathan Groff.
(I feel like I don't need to explain much here, he's wonderful at everything!)

Wish me luck, the same to you.
Annabelle
xoxo

The Filmmaker can not See.

 This week has been slow, what with spending no money and not having a job coupled with the dismal weather here nothing much has happened that's worth blogging about! 

 I did, however, take my own advice (makes a change) and make a video for youtube. I've been thinking about rejoining for years and over the past few weeks have had a flood of ideas and finally on Wednesday I filmed and uploaded my first one.

 I'm still figuring out the editing process, as well as camera settings which right now are pretty darn awful! But that will be part of the fun of making videos, how do I make the quality better without spending a ton of money?

 So here it is! I hope you enjoy my little introduction and until next week.

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

Ghost

Originally Ghost was not on my list of things to see, in fact I had no interest in it. For my dissertation I was looking at how technology affected the actors and seeing as Ghost was the most technological show on the west end it made sense that I firstly see the show and secondly interview the actors. So in April 2012 I took myself along and wasn't all too impressed, I mean the sets were amazing but I didn't even cry! I had been very focused on the technology though and after listening to the soundtrack realised what I'd been missing, so I dragged my friend along for a second viewing and sobbed. I let myself get caught up with the story and boy did it take me for a ride!

The good bits:

The technology- Come on you must have known that was coming! It was stunning, they made a man completely disappear in front of your eyes! I mean that's incredible. 

The score- I am obsessed with the music from this show, it seems to fit the story perfectly feeling modern enough for the setting of today's New York City, but with enough classic musical theatre thrown in for good measure.

The actors- They were wonderful, I saw Mark Evans and Siobhan's understudy on both visits and she was amazing. It must be an extremely taxing musical to do both emotionally and physically and they looked as though they were giving it their all.

Favourite song:

Suspend my disbelief/ I had a Life- There's something about the coming together of melodies that I adore, plus Sam's part of I had a life gives me goosebumps, some of the notes he hits are just insane and it manages to wrap up so much in one song. Okay so it's a nine minute song, but there's a lot in it!

Favourite character:

Molly- In all honestly it was going to be between Sam and Molly here and Molly won out because I can relate more to someone who's lost a loved one more than I can to a ghost. Her character is just so complex and goes through so much and still manages to stay positive. She really is a wonderful character and has some equally wonderful songs, With You really is her stand out song. It's stunningly beautiful.

Dream cast:

Last week was boring, and seeing as only two people have played each role I'm going to cast other people I think would be amazing.

Sam: Aaron Tveit. 

(Can you imagine those high notes, plus his acting in this role would be show stopping.)

Molly: Megan Hilty. 

(Again, the high notes, the acting! Perfect.)

Carl: Hadley Faser. 

(Would be interesting to see his take on this slime ball.)

Oda May Brown: Raven Symone. 

(You know she would kill it, even if she is a little young right now.)

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

The Starving Artist

It is 8pm on a Friday night and once again I am sat inside watching bad movies and eating my body weight in chocolate. While I have always admittedly been a bit of a loner this constant house arrest isn't due to lack of friends, more a lack of money.

 There's this romantic notion that surrounds the starving artist. They suffer for their art but ultimately grow from the experience.

 All I'm growing is the desire for a money tree.

 Not only am I not acting, I'm just not working, what job can you get with a drama degree? None apparently! The acting jobs want people from drama schools and the 'real' jobs want people with 'real' degrees leaving little old me back at my parents and finding free ways to entertain myself.

 So I thought I'd share a few things I've come up with for my fellow starving artists!

- Watch through your DVD library: Seeing as this is only a part of my collection I think this will keep me occupied for a while! 

-Spring Clean: 'Tis the season and all that. I'm actually really proud with the way my room has turned out and I have boxes full of things to sell, which in turn will make me money.

- Go for a walk somewhere new: It's free and you get to explore and learn something. If you take your camera along you can get some awsome shots too!

-Improve yourself: Get out the old singing books, go on youtube and teach yourself dancing, pull out the Stanislavski! You won't have this much down time for long so use it to better yourself and in turn your career.

-Get online!: Blog, make videos, find a way to be creative so the artist side of you isn't starving too. Even if no one reads it, you get it out and get to think!

In the meantime I've started a couple of savings projects to help with the lack of money issue. 

- The Spending Fast: This is where you only spend on needs, such as rent, bills, food, and nothing else. Everything else you make goes into savings. These hardcore girls have done it for a whole year, I'm attempting three months and then I'll go from there. Who knows, maybe I'll manage a year too?

- The 52 Week Challenge: This is something I'm going to be lenient with, unlike the spending fast, the idea is you put £1 in week one, £2 for week two, £3 for week three and so on. By the end of the year you'll have around £1,700 saved and it won't have been too much trouble.

If you have any ideas please let me know and I hope these inspire you in some way!

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo

Top 5: Shows I've Seen

This is going to be a two part series of top fives that I may carry on with if I think of other categories! For now it will be the top five musicals that I have seen, starting today, and after that the top five musicals that I want to see.

 So without further ado, counting down to my favourite at number five is:

 Love Never Dies

It got a lot of bad reviews while it was running but I disagree! After seeing Ramin Karimloo in the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables I was blown away and wanted to know what else he was in. When I found out he was The Phantom in a sequel to Phantom I wondered how it had taken me so long to see it.

So in December 2010 I hopped on over to the Adelphi Theatre, got cheap day tickets and sat right up at the back of the balcony where I proceeded to sob hysterically. I was a state! The friend that I had dragged along was actually worried I was in such a mess, so of course I proceeded to see it another three times.

The good bits:

The score, Lloyd- Webber does not disappoint, it's so romantic and gave me goosebumps every time I listened to it. I remember hearing Ramin sing ''Til I Hear You Sing' the first time and being so involved I was holding my breath in awe. The same happened when Sierra sang 'Love Never Dies', it was stunning, she was stunning. Even the annoying song 'Bathing Beauty' wins you over when it becomes sinister at the end, a part of the score I am completely obsessed with!

 As for the plot, I love it. It's romantic, tragic and sweeping. Everything a story revolving around Phantom should be. I know people have picked it apart but who cares!? I certainly don't, and the way all the characters had developed kept me more than interested throughout. In fact that was one of my favourite things, the way the characters had grown and changed, it was so interesting.

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Favourite song:

This is a hard category, why did I include it? 'Beneath a Moonless Sky' leaves me speechless, as does 'Love Never Dies' but I think I'm going to have to go with ''Til I Hear You Sing' because it's perfect, it gives me goosebumps every single time and the way Ramin sings it is just incredible.

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Favourite character:

Meg. I love Christine, I love the Phantom but I love what where they took Meg in this show. She goes from just a chorus girl, that is slightly annoying, to a complicated woman with so much depth and I really feel for her, more than I did for Christine at some points. She just wants to be noticed, to be loved and works so hard to achieve it. I think everyone can relate to that in some way.

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Dream Cast:

Christine: Sierra Boggess

Phantom: Ramin Karimloo

Raoul: Joseph Millson

Meg: Summer Strallen

I literally wouldn't change a thing. They were perfect, how boring! The only person I might switch up is Raoul because I adored Hadley Fraser in the 25th Anniversary.

Wish me luck, the same to you.

Annabelle

xoxo