Hairspray at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

I saw Hairspray today at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, and it was so much fun. I love the music of Hairspray (I’ve had the soundtrack for ages, and I saw the musical in Philadelphia a few years ago), and the Chan’s production was great. The cast was really terrific — I don’t think there was a single weak point — and I loved the costuming. The effect the color schemes of costumes can have on the overall show fascinates me. 

A Collection of Thoughts Regarding the 65th Annual Tony Awards

In a lot of ways, to me, the Tonys seem cooler than the Oscars (and certainly more so than the Emmys). When I was younger, my theatre friends and I even had parties in order to watch the Tonys together. The Oscars have the best dresses, but people perform parts of musicals at the Tonys! So cool. Plus, it’s Broadway. I mean, really, need anything more be said? 

Just For Fun: Doctor Who Comics

As you probably know, I love Doctor Who. And if you do any kind of Google search, you will soon see that I am not the only one. The following are some of my favorite Doctor Who-related comics and other humorous things.

From Comixed

Hot Wall: Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones

I know I should probably say that it all started when I saw her in The Mask of Zorro, but honestly? It didn’t. I saw and loved The Mask of Zorro, but I didn’t know who the actress was. It wasn’t until Chicago that I became fascinated with Catherine Zeta-Jones (she also won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for that role, as well as the equivalent BAFTA and SAG awards). There was just something about her voice, her stage presence, her look. And then, when I watched the extras on the DVD, I discovered that she actually started out doing musical theatre, and I decided she was amazing.

Legally Blonde: The Musical

I saw Legally Blonde: The Musical last year in Philly with a big group of people from Bryn Mawr (gotta love those discount tickets). I didn’t know what to expect — I thought the idea was ridiculous the first time I hear Legally Blonde had been made into a musical, but I wasn’t about to forgo the $20 ticket (including a bus directly there and back) to a musical, so I signed up anyway.

I stumbled over a clip of “Omigod You Guys” on YouTube the other day and remembered how catchy the songs are. It’s a little like Mamma Mia, in a way — Broadway fluff, high-energy and lots of fun, even if it’s not exactly a classic like Les Miz.

Wicked: My First Trip To Broadway

Megan Hilty and Eden Espinoza as Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked

Broadway is magic: I’ve always loved Broadway musicals. When I turned eighteen, my mom took me to New York for the weekend to see Wicked. It was the best birthday present ever. I could hardly believe that I was actually there, on Broadway, where it all happens.