Theater Review – Wicked

The national tour of “Wicked” is in town and I was lucky enough to score tickets! My expectations were very high from the get go because the traveling cast features one of the original Broadway actors as well as Tom McGowan seen on “Frasier,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Bad Santa” and others, so the talent was sure to be incredible! “Wicked” absolutely lived up to my expectations. It is full of technological magic, creative and funny songs and the actors are energetic from start to finish! If the tour comes to your area, don’t miss this one of a kind show! You’ll laugh and smile and be taken in by the stories of Galinda and Elphaba.

Pros:
- The Sets – Next to “Les Mis,” “Wicked” has one of the most impressive sets I’ve ever seen. To start with, there’s a movable, light-up dragon at the top of the proscenium arch, there’s a re-creation of the infamous Wizard of Oz floating head, Emerald City’s flashing lights and glimmer, Glinda’s traveling bubble and much more!

- The Songs – Both catchy and memorable. It’s a good thing they sell the soundtrack in the lobby because you’ll want it as soon as the curtain call is through.

- Galinda (yes, that's correct) – Helene Yorke, ‘Galinda/Glinda’ in the version I saw, is so darn cute and full of energy! Her role was originated by Kristin Chenoweth, which can clearly be seen in the mannerisms and quirky voice requirements of the role. But Yorke also brings a great sense of comedic timing and a truly beautiful singing voice to the stage.

- The Make-Up – I really want to know what type of make-up is used to make the Wicked Witch of the West green – from head to toe! She touches people, I’m sure the actress is sweating a little, and it never smears or comes off! Amazing!



- Learning the Back Stories – Not only are the stories of the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch revealed, but “Wicked” also tells us how the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man come about.

Cons:
- The Second Act – Although everyone in the show is talented, the second act is just a bummer! The songs seem to drag, everything is gloomy, Elphaba’s intentions are all misunderstood, and it just gets to be draining.



Summary:
“Wicked” is a terrific and imaginative show that the audience and actors really seem to enjoy. The national tour was as high a quality as any Broadway show would be. The actors are extremely talented and have beautiful voices. It’s obvious that everyone involved puts forth 110%! I’d see it again without thinking twice!
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Theater Review - Excalibur Hotel's Tournament of Kings in Las Vegas

If the name of the show doesn’t sound familiar, that’s alright. Most people might remember it from the movie “The Cable Guy.” But trust me, if you saw the poster you’d know exactly what I’m talking about. The show at the Excalibur hotel in Las Vegas, “The Tournament of Kings” is a live action show and sit down dinner recreating the times of jousting and Knights. It’s a great way to spend an evening in Sin City.




When you first arrive you are seated in a specific section. Pay attention to where you sit as this will come into play later in the show. You get a full dinner that’s delicious (start out with drinks [yes they serve alcohol]), then the first course is a warm and tasty tomato soup. Personally I don’t like tomato soup, but this concoction from the kitchen of the Excalibur is just too appetizing to pass up. Next is a Cornish hen, twice-baked potatoes, broccoli, and a roll. I’ve never had a Cornish hen before but it’s mouth-watering and tastes better than chicken. The Excalibur’s chef covers the hen in his or her own mixture of spices and you soon won’t forget this yummy meal. But the final course, dessert, is a let down.

Lets talk about the show. It’s corny and cheesy, but oh so much fun. And if you’ve even been in a play you’ll appreciate the sheer amount of choreography and blocking that’s taking place. The actors (mostly men – and terrific eye candy for the ladies) enter and introduce themselves and you become familiar with the King of the section you are sitting in. There’s a lot of crowd cheering, chanting and booing that’ll keep kids and adults engaged throughout the whole show. The actual tournament is very physical and exciting. It’s a great piece of entertainment that no one should pass up while in Las Vegas.

What did you think of the show? Would you say this is a good family show? Is it a fun event to do while in Vegas?

“Basically, I'm for anything that gets you through the night - be it prayer, tranquilizers or a bottle of Jack Daniels.” – Frank Sinatra
So may the prayers, tranquilizers and JD be with you and see you next time.
http://moviesworketc.blogspot.com/

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Theater Review – “Monty Python's Spamalot”

If there is one musical you see in your lifetime make it “Monty Python's SPAMALOT.” Theater gets a bad rap in the day and age of IMAX and 3D blockbusters, but “Spam” brings to the stage something audiences haven’t seen before, the Finland fish slapping dance. Uh, well, that and more. In an adaptation from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” brings the best of the Monty Python films with the best of musical theater. So take British humor, clever songs, real talent, whimsy and a love story, smoosh it together and you make a Tony award winning show.

“Spamalot” is the tale of King Arthur, his quest to recruit knights, not days, but knights and their adventure to find the Holy Grail as given to them by God’s feet and fulfill all requirements of a Broadway show. Is it a prerequisite to see “Holy Grail” before “Spam”? Only if you want to laugh at the mere mention of the word “Ni” before the punch line, but fear not non-Grail viewers, the comedy is all inclusive and you’ll laugh just the same as the rest of them at the line “It’s just a flesh wound.”

The show is such a great break from the traditional clichéd musical theater (that I know and love having a minor in theater myself). I can’t begin to tell you how terrific it is to sit and relax in a show and not know how the ingénue will be wooed by the hansom and brave main character or other predictable plot points. “Spamalot” even pokes fun at the usual formulas that have created instant recoils at the mere mention of the word “musical.” Just prepare to laugh your bum off at the creative social commentary and hilarious British satire.

I do not consider myself well versed in many things, but musical theater is definitely one of them, so with just good ol’ lots of experience under my belt, I recommend “Spamalot” as a show that anyone, young, old, male, female, nearly dead, French, or otherwise would enjoy. Here’s the link to check its traveling schedule and hope you catch it soon otherwise some French guard might fart in your general direction. So beware and don’t runaway from Monty Python’s “Spamalot.”

“Basically, I'm for anything that gets you through the night - be it prayer, tranquilizers or a bottle of Jack Daniels.” – Frank Sinatra
So may the prayers, tranquilizers and JD be with you and see you next time.
http://moviesworketc.blogspot.com/

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