Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Last Friday Night

Last time: Mo took Zoey to visit a psychic and her powers went on the fritz. She realized all the heartsongs were mixed up and she had to figure which song belonged to which person in her life. Especially a song Max sang that was calling out for help. In the process, Zoey learned that Rose is a recovering alcoholic, Perry is a devoted dad to his son, Mo is struggling with not being the focus of Perry’s attention, her team is highly competitive and her mother struggled with being around her couple friends again. And she learned that Simon loves her but is a bit insecure about their relationship, especially after she had to blow off a meeting with his woodworking club to solve the mystery of the mixed up songs. In the end, she reassured Simon but chose not to reveal the truth of her powers and discovered the call for help came from Emily.

Sorry for the delay in my posts! May ended up being a crazier month than I thought! I was asked to cover shifts at one of our branches and that affected the amount of time I had to write. And then I went on vacation which was immediately followed by a funeral for a family member. Honestly, Memorial Day weekend feels like the first real break I’ve gotten all month.  

June, though, is looking a lot less hectic. So I think I can finish up the season before July! And hopefully, we’ll know the fate of Zoey by then.

After all my strength is gone/In you I can be SPOILERS!

Reopening Broadway (Now Slightly Earlier Than Expected!)

It seems the announcements of reopenings has slowed down as many musicals have set their return dates. I'll keep an eye out for any more announcements in the future but I think we're going to have the schedule set by the time summer officially begins at the end of June. 

But recently one Tony-award winning musical announced that it would return almost two weeks earlier than the others! So check below to see when the earliest date Broadway will return is and which musical that is! (Hint: It'll be the one in bold). 

Keep going to the bottom for news on the Tony Awards as well! 

The Knight Before Christmas: I Need a Hero

Who’s eager for summer to begin? The days are getting longer and Memorial Day is upon us. It’s time for barbecues, fireworks, shorts and for me to switch from vodka to tequila.

(I don’t know why but I associate vodka with winter and tequila with summer. Go figure).

But we’re going to put on our favorite Christmas sweater, pour some hot chocolate and munch on a candy cane – at least in our minds – as we look at this month’s Christmas movie review, The Knight Before Christmas.

Through the years, we all will be together/if the fates SPOILERS!

Reopening Broadway (The List Goes On!)

More shows have announced their reopening dates! So take a look at the list below to see if your favorite musical has set its return date and if so, when it will come back! 

As I have been doing, new additions are in bold. Please note that Diana the Musical announced new return dates so it is in bold again as well. 

 Chicago - September 14th 

Hamilton - September 14th

The Lion King - September 14th

Wicked - September 14th

Six the Musical - previews resume September 17th, opening night is October 3rd

Come From Away - September 21st

Moulin Rouge! - September 24th

Aladdin - September 28th

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical - October 8th

Ain't Too Proud - October 16th 

Mrs. Doubtfire - previews resume October 21st, opening is December 5th

Jagged Little Pill - October 21st

The Phantom of the Opera - October 22nd

Diana the Musical - previews resume November 2nd, opening night is November 17th 

Dear Evan Hansen: December 11th

Company - previews resume December 20th, opening night is January 9, 2022

The Music Man - previews begin December 20th, opening night is February 10, 2022

Reopening Broadway (Another Update)

Another day, another round of reopening announcements! So it's time to update my timeline. Once again, new shows are in bold. 

Chicago - September 14th 

Hamilton - September 14th

The Lion King - September 14th

Wicked - September 14th

Six the Musical - previews resume September 17th, opening night is October 3rd

Come From Away - September 21st

Aladdin - September 28th

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical - October 8th

Ain't Too Proud - October 16th 

Mrs. Doubtfire - previews resume October 21st, opening is December 5th

Jagged Little Pill - October 21st

The Phantom of the Opera - October 22nd

Diana the Musical - previews resume December 1st, opening night is December 16th 

Company - previews resume December 20th, opening night is January 9, 2022

The Music Man - previews begin December 20th, opening night is February 10, 2022

Everything is starting to shape up! There's still several more musicals to announce - for example, past Best Musical Winners Dear Evan Hansen and Hadestown - as well as several plays, like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. But I'm sure we'll keep getting more announcements as we head toward June and the summer. 

And hopefully we'll get a date for the Tony Awards as well! The American Theatre Wing said that they would have it as soon as theaters could reopen and I think it would be a great way to kick off the 2021-2022 Broadway season to finally honor the 2019-2020 season. 

I'll be back soon with more updates! 

Reopening Broadway (Timeline Update)

It seems Broadway producers were busy this weekend! Four more shows have announced re-opening dates today, Monday. Here's the updated list, new entries are bolded: 

 Chicago - September 14th 

Six the Musical - previews resume September 17th, opening night is October 3rd

Come From Away - September 21st

Ain't Too Proud - October 16th 

Mrs. Doubtfire - previews resume October 21st, opening is December 5th

The Phantom of the Opera - October 22nd

Diana the Musical - previews resume December 1st, opening night is December 16th 

Company - previews resume December 20th, opening night is January 9, 2022

The Music Man - previews begin December 20th, opening night is February 10, 2022

Tickets are on sale for these shows with the exception of Company and The Music Man. 

Stay tuned as I'm sure more shows will announce their returns soon! 

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: All Shook Up

Last time: It was Zoey’s birthday! Maggie threw a party for Zoey and everyone came –except Leif, who was at some sort of contest. Zoey and Max decided to turn their pause into a breakup so he could figure out what he felt for Rose and Zoey could figure out what she felt for Simon. Mo and the fire marshal got closer, though it was a shock when he mentioned he had kids with his ex-husband. David helped Aiden write a song and was then horrified to realize it was a song about how much Aiden wanted Zoey, who turned him down gently. During a heartsong, Zoey learned that McKenzie and Tobin had feelings for each other. Tatiana revealed that while she was into Simon, he was into someone else – with strong implications that “someone else” was Zoey. And on her birthday, Simon and Zoey shared a kiss.

A lot certainly happened. I’m still not sure the romances we saw last episode will be endgame (except for Emily and David) though I’ll be interesting to see those journeys.

Well, there’s nothing else to discuss just yet so let’s dive into the episode!

Anyone, please send me anyone/Lord, is there SPOILERS!

Broadway's Five Minute Call

With more Americans getting vaccinated and COVID positivity rates dropping, the thing we dreamed of all of last year is finally becoming a reality - the end of the pandemic is in sight and plans to return to what we consider "normal" are starting to get timelines. 

Including one for Broadway. 

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that Broadway theaters can reopen at full capacity on September 14th - as long as they can guarantee social distancing and their plans are approved. So it's very unlikely all of Broadway will reopen in September. In fact, at least one show has already announced it will reopen in October - The Phantom of the Opera. 

I anticipate that shows will continue to announce their re-openings over the coming weeks and I'll try to keep a running timeline of when the shows will return. 

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: They Say It’s Your Birthday…

Last time: Zoey wanted to recreate a memory from her childhood where she watched the Leodons Meteor Shower with her father. It was coming around again but she could only go with Tobin and Leif, whose love life problems caused her to miss the shower. She then tried to see it on the second day but had the opening of Max’s and Mo’s restaurant while trying to solve Leif’s problems. In the end, Max rounded up some friends and they went to see the stars after the opening with Zoey.

In addition: David joined Aiden’s band to get out of the house more, Leif’s date just wanted a job at SPRQ Point, Simon is now the hottest thing on the San Francisco tech scene, Max reconnected with an old friend from camp named Rose and Mo was making eyes with the Fire Marshall.

All in all, it felt like a good reset after the hiatus and set up the backend of the season.

No word yet on a possible season 3. Alice Lee (Emily) has been cast in another pilot but that doesn’t mean much. She could just end up being a recurring again rather than a regular if a third season is picked up. So we’ll see what happens.

A little less conversation and/a little more touch my body/cause I’m SPOILERS!

Check Inn to Christmas: How Capitalism Was the Grinch All Along

Eight months to Christmas!

I know, I know. I’m barely thinking about it myself. Especially now that the weather is turning and is getting all nice. I’m focused on spring and summer right now. But I’m still reviewing one Christmas movie a month, so here we go!

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays/for the holidays you can’t beat home sweet SPOILERS!

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Capturing Lightning in a Bottle

Last time: SPRQ Point dealt with the fallout from Simon’s statement at the press conference. Danny Michael Davis continued to be a douche until forced not to be a douche and then pretended to be a hero. Zoey learned that she has a lot to learn about seeing the world from a different perspective as did Leif. Tobin finally took a stand and told his truth, backing up Simon’s experience of racism at the company. And Max and Mo hit up a white guilt-ridden Danny Michael Davis for the capital to finally open their restaurant.

Zoey is back! Just as I thought, the second dose of the Moderna vaccine did put me out of commission. So I finally caught up and can now recap the return episode.

(For those wondering, a few people I spoke with who also got the Moderna vaccine have reported the same side effects I had: chills, headaches, hot flashes/night sweats and then an overall feeling of blah for about 24 hours).

Now onto the episode!

Let’s get loud/let’s get loud/turn the music up to hear that SPOILERS!

March Broadway Madness: The Final Matchup

We started with 36 musicals.

8 faced off in the wild rounds and 4 moved on to the main rounds.

32 musicals then faced off in 4 rounds of 8 matchups to determine the Sweet 16.

16 musicals then became the Elite Eight.

8 then became 4.

Now only 2 musicals remain from the original 36 and only 1 can be crowned the winner.

Will it be Wicked, the story of two very different who become friends but find themselves on opposite sides when one chooses to defy gravity and the other opts to follow the rules of a rather corrupt game?

Or will it be The Phantom of the Opera, the longest running show on Broadway that tells the story of a deformed genius who terrorizes the Paris Opera House and the young soprano caught between him and her childhood sweetheart?

Time to find out!

March Broadway Madness: Semifinals!

Here we are! Our Final Four – Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, The Pirate Queen and The Phantom of the Opera – will now battle it out to find out who will go head-to-head in the final round.

So without further ado, let the Semifinals begin!

Let’s start with the Nederlander Conference:

Wicked v. Beauty and the Beast

Two stories about outcasts who find friendship and love – what a pairing! Both are rich stories with beautiful music to supplement them. I love “I’m Not That Girl” as much as I love “If I Can’t Love Her.” While one does hold a very special place in my heart, the other is just stronger in how memorable it is and how much of a lasting impact it’s left one me.

And that one has one of my favorite love duets.

Winner: Wicked!

March Broadway Madness: Round 3 Shubert Conference

So Wicked and Beauty and the Beast will battle to see who will represent the Nederlander Conference in the finals. Let’s see who will fight to represent the Shubert Conference.

Here we go!

Spring Awakening v. The Pirate Queen

Oh, wow. This is an intriguing matchup. Both opened in the same season and I saw them within weeks of each other. I got to see one with my friend and that was a really special trip out while the other was with my mother, which was also a great experience. And both have different but impactful stories, so I guess this is also going to come down to my gut.

Winner: The Pirate Queen!

March Broadway Madness: Round 3 Nederlander Conference

Here we are at the Elite Eight! It’s amazing to me how I’ve narrowed down a field of 36 contenders and am now down to eight. I’m eager to see how these matches will play out. I thought I would rule one way when just eyeballing certain matches but then when I did deep dives, found myself changing my mind. I have a feeling it will happen a few more times before I crown a winner.

Like Round 2, this will focus more on comparing the two musicals rather than evaluating them individually.

Let’s get started!

Rent v. Wicked

Both of these musicals defined a generation, have songs that have lasted throughout the years, and made their marks on Broadway. And both count Idina Menzel in their original casts. But I feel one is more timeless in its appeal and story while the other is a nostalgic and maybe rose-colored look back at a slice of life during a certain time. It still has some timeless messages but I think it really appeals more to theater people than the other. And one has definitely stuck with me more than the other.

Winner: Wicked!

March Broadway Madness: Round 2 Shubert Conference

Half of my Elite Eight are now set! Time to determine which other 4 musicals will be joining the Elite Eight.

Let’s see how the eight musicals remaining in the Shubert Conference fare this time!

Spring Awakening v. Aladdin

This is an interesting match up. One is bright and extravagant, the other is dark and minimal. Each have their own messages, though one is more kid-friendly than the other. And both have some great songs, though I think one production and one album rises up a little bit higher than the other.

Winner: Spring Awakening!

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!