March Broadway Madness: Round 2 Nederlander Conference

(I realized that I had forgotten to include two musicals I had seen and intended to include. I only realized it when I was wondering why I hadn’t seen Legally Blonde appear in the bracket yet. I went back to my list and realized that it and Lennon did not appear anywhere. Lennon probably wouldn’t have survived any bracket but Legally Blonde stood a good chance of progressing far and I’m sorry I forgot it).

So I’ve eliminated twelve musicals so far and I now face the Sweet 16! It’s time to whittle them down more until I have my Elite Eight. Who will survive Round 2?

I’ve already discussed each musical individually so going forward, my comments will focus more on the match up.

Let’s start with the Nederlander Conference!

Rent v. Jersey Boys

This is a bit more of an even matchup, both having made their own marks on Broadway and become something of legends. Each ran for a good amount of time and Jersey Boys still lives on off-Broadway (or did and will once theater came come back). There’s been talk of reviving Rent, though, so I’m sure that will be something to look forward to. But one production still stands out a bit more and has left such an impact on Broadway that one of its songs has become an anthem of sorts.

Winner: Rent!

March Broadway Madness: Round 1 Shubert Conference Group B

This is our last group of Round 1! Once I make these final four calls, our Sweet 16 will be set and I’m sure things are going to get tougher for me to decide.

But let’s get through Group B of the Shubert Conference and then I can worry about that!

Here we go!

Moving Out v. Spamalot

Moving Out: I saw this musical twice and I definitely needed to do so. It’s really a ballet set to the music of Billy Joel, telling the story of five friends as they graduate high school and go through the tumultuous 60s and 70s through his music and dance. It was very beautiful but during my first viewing I had to keep glancing at my Playbill to follow along with the story (they had the plot printed in the Playbill). So when I went back to see it, I was able to just sit back and enjoy everything else. So it loses points for being a bit hard to follow at first but it does have Billy Joel music. And Billy Joel’s music is awesome.

Spamalot: This seems to be almost the exact opposite of Moving Out. It’s more commercial than “artistic” (only in quotes because art is so subjective, who is to say Spamalot isn’t art?) and more silly than serious. But it’s definitely easier to understand, even if you aren’t a fan of Monty Python.

Winner: I went back and forth on this. As I’ve said earlier, the only criteria is really my own opinion so I’m going to go with my gut and give it to Moving Out.

March Broadway Madness: Round 1 Nederlander Conference Group B

So far it’s been a wild ride (at least for me). I can’t wait to see what results come from Group B of the Nederlander Conference. Let’s see what I think about seven of these musicals.

Here we go!

Anything Goes v. Hello, Dolly!

Anything Goes: I got to see this revival of the show with Sutton Foster and Colin Donnell, both of whom were amazing in the show, as well as THE Kelly Bishop. I unfortunately did not get a chance to see Joel Grey but I don’t think it hurt the show. And I was a bit disappointed that I went to see the show after Laura Osnes left but Erin Mackey shone in the role of Hope Harcourt. Everyone performed Cole Porter’s music well and the show was funny as well as engaging. However, I have forgotten I’ve seen this show and I almost forgot that Kelly Bishop was in it! Yes, I saw it almost a decade ago but that’s still a strike against the show.

Hello, Dolly!: I’ve already discussed Hello, Dolly! Right now, it does have an edge because I saw it more recently so it’s fresher in my mind. So this seems to come down to Kelly Bishop and Sutton Foster vs. Donna Murphy, which is a tough battle.

Winner: Though it’s tough with as many great leading ladies are in this round, I have to give it to Hello, Dolly!

Christmas Perfection: Christmas in “Killarney”

I’m sure you can figure out why I decided to review/recap this movie this month. And I don’t care how cliché it is.

This was another movie I enjoyed late at night this past holiday season. I hope you all give it a try and get to enjoy it too.

It’s Christmas in Killarney/With all of the folks at SPOILERS!

March Broadway Madness: Round 1 Shubert Conference Group A

Well, Nederlander Group A gave me a lot to think about and consider. I can’t wait to see what Shubert Group A gives me.

So without further ado, let’s start evaluating the shows!

Spring Awakening v. The Wedding Singer

Spring Awakening: I saw the original Broadway cast – which means I did get to see Skylar Astin on Broadway too! It’s certainly one of the darker musicals I’ve seen, tackling such topics as incest and rape, abortion, suicide, etc. Like there are a lot of warnings that need to proceed recommending this musical. But it’s still very good and with some beautiful music. And it still manages to end with something of a hopeful note, so kudos to it.

The Wedding Singer: I pretty much covered this in the wild card round. But this is such a stark contrast to Spring Awakening, a lighter musical with a definite happy ending. Will that be enough to move on?

Winner: It seems that this time, edgy edges out the hopeful. I’m going to have to give it to Spring Awakening.

March Broadway Madness: Round 1 Nederlander Conference Group A

Now with our “Wild Cards” settled, it’s time for the main event! We’re starting with the Nederlander Conference Group A today!

For now, these entries will be long but should get shorter once I cycle through all the shows involved. I will evaluate each show and then declare who I feel is the winner based mostly on my opinion.

Let’s begin this round!

Memphis v. Rent

Memphis: This is more a good match to go up against Rent. It tells the story of a white man in the Jim Crow south who falls in love with a black woman with a voice just as beautiful as she is. He works to help build her career but has his own issues, including not being ready for all the hate the world throws at them. If you’re looking for a musical with a happy ending, this really isn’t it. If you want a musical that will make you think and feel something, this is it. It also has some great music – I especially recommend listening to “Say a Prayer.” But I’m not sure it had the same staying power as Rent.

Rent: I covered this in the Wild Card round. But as I noted above, I feel Rent has had more staying power than Memphis. While Memphis probably has timely message for our times, there is still something about the message of Rent that still attracts new fans every year.

Winner: This is a bit more difficult but I think I still have to give it to Rent, just for the fact that it’s stayed in collective memories as well as my own a lot longer.

March Broadway Madness: Wild Card Round

Let’s start with our “Wild Card” entries. I will evaluate the two musicals and choose one to advance to Round 1.

“Wild Card” Round – Nederlander Conference A

Mary Poppins v. Rent

Well, this is a weird match up – two musicals that probably couldn’t be more different! But I did see both twice, so they do have that in common!

Mary Poppins: It was a Disney production and Disney certainly knows how to pull out the stops. And it was based on one of their most beloved movies though also heavily inspired by the books. In addition to the memorable songs from the movie, new songs were added that rounded out the story and felt like they fit right in. The choreography was truly amazing and “Step in Time” was a true showstopper even before Bert went “over the rooftops.” And of course, it was well known that Mary Poppins took flight – though that was best experienced in the mezzanine rather than the orchestra. My only two quibbles was the elimination of “I Love to Laugh” from the movie and then in between my viewings of it, the song “Temper Temper” was eliminated. I enjoyed the song though I understood it was removed because it was frightening children (in the song, Michael and Jane are shrunk down to the size of their toys, which then put them on trial for being abusive to them due to their own tempers). Overall, it didn’t hurt the production and it was still a fun musical for all ages.

Rent: What a contrast to Mary Poppins – and not just because of the plot! Whereas Disney pulled out the stops with lavish sets and spectacles, Rent was more minimal. A steel structure served as many things and there were only a few other items, the second biggest part of the set a folding table. Someone didn’t fly overhead. Instead, the plot tugs on the heartstrings. It’s a story about found family and the struggles of trying to survive in a world that seems against you. It addressed AIDS though it was one of many projects humanizing the disease. Rent, however, became a cultural phenomenon and really caught the public’s attention. But there is still the lingering doubts about if Rent would’ve blown up so much if creator Jonathan Larson hadn’t tragically died before the first off-Broadway performance. Or would it have only gotten better because he could’ve continued to fine tune it? Because there are some problems with the story and the characters and there is the troubling undercurrent of “true artists suffer and starve for their art” in the plot in addition to “No day but today”. However, Rent continues to live on and continues to inspire new generations to this day with its story and characters.

Winner: It was a tough call but after writing everything down, I think I have to give the win to Rent.

March Broadway Madness

March Madness lives! I know all you sports and betting fanatics missed it terribly last year when COVID cancelled all games. So I’m sure you’re happy it’s back.

I’m not much of a basketball person. I follow my NY Mets during baseball and NY Giants during football but I just never got into basketball (except in college during our girls’ team’s Cinderella run – go Marist Lady Foxes) . Nor am I interested in really doing a proper March Madness bracket.

But you know what I am interested in? Broadway musicals.

You know what I miss? Broadway musicals.

So while everyone follows along on their brackets, I’m going to make one of my own featuring all the Broadway shows I remember seeing – I’m pretty sure I forgot a couple. (And I know it’s a privilege that I could have seen so many that not only did I forget some but I still had enough for a 34 team match up).

Here’s how it will work: I used a bracket generator to randomly assign shows against each other. I will write several posts (hopefully every day) where I go through the different rounds, picking from the brackets until I get to the best show that I’ve seen – in my opinion. I’ve decided that all the shows on the “left” side of the bracket I’ve created will be the “Nederlander Conference” and those on the “right” side of the bracket will be the “Shubert Conference.” The shows have not been divided up by whether they played in a Nederlander or Shubert theatre, it just seems easier to keep track.

Here’s the line up:

“Wild Card” Round – Nederlander Conference

Mary Poppins v. Rent

Hello, Dolly! v. Frozen

“Wild Card” Round – Shubert Conference

The Addams Family v. The Wedding Singer

Gigi v. Spamalot

Round 1 – Nederlander Conference Group A

Memphis v. (Winner of Mary Poppins v. Rent)

Jersey Boys v. White Christmas

Little Shop of Horrors v. Hairspray

Wicked v. Pippin

Round 1 – Nederlander Conference Group B

Anything Goes v. (Winner of Hello, Dolly! v. Frozen)

The Music Man v. The Sound of Music

Beauty and the Beast v. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Les Miserables v. On Your Feet!

Round 1 – Shubert Conference Group A

Spring Awakening v. (Winner of The Addams Family v. The Wedding Singer)

Aladdin v. Cinderella

The Pirate Queen v. Little Women

Newsies v. Avenue Q

Round 1 – Shubert Conference Group B

Moving Out v. (Winner of Gigi v. Spamalot)

The Phantom of the Opera v. Tarzan

Godspell v. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Anastasia v. Jesus Christ Superstar

Make your picks and find out which comes out on top in my opinion. Feel free to play along in the comments below!

WandaVision: Something Wicked This Way Comes…

Last time: Wanda and Vision navigated parenthood as Westview entered the 80s. The twins grew to 5 years old and then aged themselves to 10 in order to keep a dog they found. Vision continued to notice strange happenings in Westview and tried to discuss it with Wanda, falling out of step with her. He then spoke to the real “Norm” and grew more concerned. The twins dealt with their dog dying before Wanda and Vision argued about what was really happening in Westview, with hints that it wasn’t all Wanda.

Outside Westview, or what Darcy dubbed “the hex,” Monica teamed up with Jimmy and Darcy to try to get more answers. She clashed with Hayward, who saw Wanda as a threat to be neutralized while Monica believed they needed to work with Wanda to end whatever was happening in Westview. Hayward tried to kill Wanda and she left the hex to issue a warning before reinforcing her barrier.

And then in a twist, Wanda and Vision get a visitor – it’s Pietro, though this time he’s played by Peter Evans, and he’s there to visit!

I forgot to discuss this last time – I wonder how SWORD ended up with Vision’s body? Even with everyone at Stark Industries no doubt in mourning, I’m sure Bruce would’ve claimed Vision for them. It’s just suspicious why they took Vision into their possession.

So COVID pushed the release of WandaVision back. Apparently it was supposed to come out in September and that’s why this episode has a Halloween theme. It still works but the timing would’ve been better had there been no pandemic.

This is Halloween, everybody make a SPOILER!

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Fallout

Last time: Zoey decided to have a “live free” day and did drugs with Aiden and Danny Michael Davis. They wandered the neighborhood and then had popsicles at the Clarke House. Zoey then decided to not care so much anymore but then she abandoned it the next day after Max called her out and Danny Michael Davis said he was going to sell the company.

Meanwhile, Max just wanted to get his dad’s approval (and money) but fell short (though he gave the money back), Jenna pulled a prank to punish the contractor who now turned cold toward Maggie after she rejected him and caused Maggie to fire her, and there was a bug with the Chirp that meant it didn’t recognize anyone who wasn’t white. So Danny Michael Davis wanted Simon to smooth things over, leading to an internal battle and a consult with Tatiana and Mo – did he do what his boss asked or did he take a stand?

At the press conference, he kinda did both – he gave the company line and then took a stand.

So this is the last episode until the end of March. Let’s see what they left us on…

Cause baby whether you’re high or low/Whether you’re high or low/You gotta tip on the SPOILERS!

WandaVision: Family Matters

Last time: We got a glimpse of life outside Westview and got some answers. A grown-up Monica Rambeau returned from being snapped (or “blipped”) and went back to work for her (now deceased) mother’s organization SWORD. She met up with Agent Jimmy Woo over a missing person case that turned into a missing town when no one had ever heard of Westview, NJ. When she got sucked into Westview, SWORD called in for reinforcements – including Darcy Lewis, who found the signal to watch the sitcoms Wanda and Vision had been living. They tried to get in touch with Wanda but nothing worked. Monica then got tossed out of Westview and told everyone that it is all Wanda.

But is it? I mean, this is Marvel and they are masters of the twist at this point.

I have feeling this iconic line for All About Eve will be applicable until the show ends:

Everywhere you look/Everywhere/There’s a SPOILER!

(Sorry. Couldn’t resist)

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: I Want to be Sedated

Last time: Zoey struggled to pull herself out of her funk and decided to follow Mo’s example by focusing on being happy. However, she then had to layoff 10% of her staff, including sweet George – who was already having a bad day as it was the anniversary of his abuela’s death. She then decides to just get wasted at the cleanse Mo had for his and Max’s new restaurant, something that caused some turmoil when Max felt Mo wasn’t taking the business as seriously as him. They eventually talked it out and realized they just had different ways of approaching the business, both of which were valid. Zoey accidentally rehired George while drunk and so had to fire him again. She then had a heart-to-heart with Simon, who told her that she needed to lean into her feelings and not try to fight them in order for her to grow and heal.

Also, Simon nailed his first interview as SPRQ Point’s spokesman and befriended the interviewer, Tatiana Morris. And David decided to quit his job to be a stay-at-home dad to Miles. Emily first freaked out but then supported him. And Roger hit on Maggie and she turned him down, saying she wasn’t ready to move on. She and Jenna then bonded more, which made Emily feel a bit put out.

Oh, and Zoey reconnected with her old neighbor, Aiden, who is now an adult and hot.

So we’ve entered the mid-season hiatus. But I’m sure it will be here before we know it. After all, this March isn’t going to last a full year like last March.

Right?

Today is where your book begins/The rest is still SPOILERS!

A Cinderella Christmas: A Modern Fairy Tale

So my holiday movie tradition continues with a Christmas twist on a favorite fairy tale – Cinderella. It also caught my eye because I recognized one of the actors from Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and couldn’t help myself. And it quickly became my favorite holiday movie and I watched it multiple times in one week.

Let’s recap and discuss why I loved it so much!

Bibbity-boppity-SPOILERS!

WandaVision: We Take You Behind the Scenes…

Last time: WandaVision entered the 70s as Wanda’s pregnancy progressed at hyperspeed. Wacky hijinks ensued as she first tried to hide her pregnancy from neighbor Geraldine as well as the fact labor was causing her magic to go haywire. Eventually, Geraldine helped her give birth to her first son Tommy while Vision arrived with the doctor in time to witness the birth of Tommy’s twin brother Billy. Agnes and Herb then tried to warn Vision about the truth of Westview while Geraldine mentioned Ultron when Wanda noted she had a twin brother. That made Wanda suspicious and when Vision returned into the house, Geraldine was gone. As he and Wanda settled down with their twin sons, “Geraldine” was found lying on a grass field as the military closed in around her.

It seems we’ll get some answers this time though knowing Marvel, those will likely be accompanied by more questions. And given that both Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen have been teasing a surprise cameo in future episodes, maybe today will set the stage for that cameo?

Let’s find out!

Flying away on a wing and a prayer/Who could it be?/Believe it or not/It’s just SPOILERS!

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Put on a Happy Face

(Sorry for the delay. I had a harc deadline for something else and needed to devote more time to that).

Last time: Zoey was plagued by a recurring nightmare in which she sang a heartsong while trying to escape her family home and then her apartment. She tried to reduce her stress by delegating tasks but that blew up in her face, leading to her blowing up at her team. Max kept trying to help put she kept pushing him away until realizing that she was not in a good space to be in a relationship with him. They agreed to a pause and to resume their relationship when she felt ready.

Meanwhile, Maggie struggled with her first job since Mitch’s death but found the spark again when she teamed up with Jenna while Max and Mo rented a place for their restaurant.

Congratulations to Jane Levy on her Golden Globe nomination for this show! It’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’s only nomination but at least our show is getting recognized! (I believe Alex Newell was also nominated for a Critics Choice Award as well – so yay, Alex!)

Also we know now that Zoey will be going on a six week hiatus and returning March 28th, meaning it is going back to Sunday and will be on at 9 PM. So mark your calendars!

Now I’m stronger than yesterday/Now it’s nothing but SPOILERS!

WandaVision: Growing By Leaps and Bounds

Last time: Wanda and Vision participated in a fundraiser performing magic tricks. But when Vision’s gears literally got gummed up, he acted weird and Wanda had to use her powers to keep up the illusion that it was all, well, an illusion. They won over their neighbors and returned home happy. But throughout the day, someone kept trying to reach out to Wanda and it culminates in someone in a beekeeper outfit appearing on their street. She rewound the scene back to when she and Vision discover she’s pregnant. Color started to seep into their lives and they were brought to the sitcoms of the 1970s.

Everyone is intrigued by the show so far. There are so many questions and theories going around the internet as people try to figure out what is going on. And then there are those who no doubt enjoy the callbacks to classic sitcoms.

Or like me, intrigued by both.

Come and knock on our door/We’ve been waiting for SPOILERS!

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Welcome to My Nightmare

Last time: Zoey took a “grief vacation” with her budding relationship with Max but struggled to have some sexytimes with him. Max and Mo hit a snag in their budding business when he asked Mo to sign a contract. Zoey had her first crisis as director and Leif struggled to manage his team. In the end, Zoey and Leif decided to shake up the team to end the frat-like culture that had developed, Mo and Max had a heart to heart where he decided to trust Max, and Zoey and Max finally had some sexytimes. Also, Emily’s sister Jenna showed up to help with the baby but was more of a nuisance than a help until Maggie took Jenna under her wing.

So far I’ve really been enjoying the second season and it sounds like audiences are responding. I am nervous though as it seems Zoey will go on hiatus after episode six and NBC debuts a new Tuesday lineup. It’s unknown when it will return and where it will be on the schedule. Those aren’t moves that help shows and usually hurt them.

Hopefully, though, Zoey comes out stronger.

Nowhere to run, baby, nowhere to SPOILERS!

WandaVision: Magic to Do

Last time: Wanda and Vision settled into their new house and lives in the quiet town of Westview. They start putting down roots – Vision gets a job and Wanda befriends neighbor Agnes. Hijinks then ensue when Wanda and Vision have to throw together a last minute dinner for his boss and his boss’s wife. But they manage and pass with flying colors. As they bask in marital bliss, someone watches them and takes notes.

The questions continue as our MCU couple heads into another sitcom and further into the 1960s.

Wiggle your nose for SPOILERS!

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: I Wanna Sex You Up!

Last time on Zoey: Zoey re-emerged from her self-imposed exile after losing her father to find that the world had gone on without her. She tried to reintegrate into that world but everything kept changing. Leif had taken over and made a lot of changes, including a new hire named George. Max, Simon and Mo were best friends who hung out without her. Joan wanted to promote Zoey to run the Fourth Floor and ultimately revealed she was leaving for Singapore. And Maggie struggled to enjoy her new grandson while mourning her husband. In the end, a video from Mitch gave them the push they need to move on. Zoey accepted the promotion and gave Leif her old job, Max and Mo decided to start a business together and Zoey chose Max.

Apparently I wasn’t alone in questioning if the show had really wrapped up its love triangle in the first episode. People are worried about Max and Zoey’s relationship and Austin Winsberg says that they have reason to worry. Once again, it seems my feeling that Zoey may (inadvertently) be taking advantage of Max may be correct.

So let’s see how that starts to unfold.

Some people wait a lifetime/for a moment like SPOILERS!

Jingle Jangle: A Fun Christmas Adventure

(Note: Okay, I meant for this to come out before Christmas but that clearly didn’t happen. However, I thought I would then post a review of a Christmas movie on the 25th of each month – you know, to keep the spirit going. I hope you enjoy!)

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas movie? Clearly I do, given how many Hallmark movies I’ve seen over the years.

And let’s be real – 2020 has been awful for many reasons. We’ve tried to cram too much into twelve months and found out what will break when you do that. Right now, we all need the magic of the Christmas season.

Enter David E. Talbert and Netflix.

Talbert wrote and directed the Christmas movie he wanted to see, the movie he wanted his children to see. And he got some amazing musicians – Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan, Michael Diskint and John Legend – to craft a beautiful soundtrack that invigorates this entire movie.

And it was just what I needed.

So let’s take a look at this fantastical world of whimsy and SPOILERS!