Scrappy Travels

  Last year on World Theatre Day , I went on (and on and on...) about what theatre meant to me. It was a lot of emotions all in one very long (some might say too long) post. All of those emotions are still so very true. Over the last few years, I've realized exactly what theatre has provided in my life. It's an outlet. It's a happy space that never fails to make me smile. Some friends adore concerts, while others love going to the movies. I on the other hand, can never turn down a day at the theatre.  And all of these days and nights at the theatre have taught me so many lessons over the years. We all know the saying - Everything I know in life I learned in Kindergarten. Well in my life, I feel some of the most important lessons have been taught seeing shows that are meaningful to me in some way. So instead of rehashing and gushing on my love for the theatre, I thought I'd share some of these lessons and hopefully hear some of your lessons too. Musical th...

It's hard for me to talk about just how lovely BroadwayCon is without thoroughly gushing about everyone and everything. It's just one of those things that you need to experience to really understand what makes it so wonderfully unique. However, I am going to try to give you a sense of its awesomeness by writing small samplings (vignettes if you will...) of each day of the Con, which will hopefully send you head over heels and push you to buy a ticket for next year's event! Here goes Day 1... ~ Shopping the Vendor Hall: So. Many. Cool. Things. The vendor hall is a Broadway lover's dream. Everything you can think of - tees, prints, jewelry, decals, etc. - are all there for purchasing. Last year I went hog wild, but this year I tried to keep my head. I managed to purchase a super cute Come From Away necklace (that matches my Come From Away Playbill flower headband from last year perfectly), and some decals that will need to wait until I get a new car to reveal th...

Closing Night Bows I've been pretty open about my affection for Falsettos and its cast.  It is undoubtedly one of the best shows I've ever seen and will always have a special place in my heart.  From its cast to its set to its message of love, acceptance and family, it is perfect from beginning to end. Since it closed back in January, I've been mourning it pretty hard, by listening to its cast album endlessly.  But last night, I finally had the chance to see it again.  This time, at the movie theater, thanks to Lincoln Center Live's phenomenal choice to record it. I'll go on record as saying that nothing will ever beat live theatre, however I really, really enjoyed seeing this particular show in this context.  To start off, this cast is still incredible.  I can't say I've ever seen a cast gel so well on stage before, and this melding of minds and talent definitely translates flawlessly to the screen.  They looked and sounded great on a big scree...

Tony day is tomorrow, and I'm a little too excited.  This past month has been fabulous as just a bystander watching it all happen.  I can't even imagine how fun it's all been for the nominees.  The theater community is a truly special one, and having the chance to see a little of what goes into making these shows has been awesome to see.  I know that with the Tony awards concluding tomorrow, a brand new season will begin.  But this particular season has been chock-full of the biggest and best talent I've seen in years, so it will be sad to see these lovely people go on to other things.  But until then, we've been treated to tons of great videos and photos that have me super-excited in seeing tomorrow's show.  The most amazing thing has been seeing just how close the different nominees have gotten and just how much they all support each other.  Can you even imagine the best actor or actress Oscar nominees going out for a meal together and taking ...

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of seeing Brandon Uranowitz - who played Mendel in the Falsettos revival - at 54 Below.  At the time, I believe I said I'd never left a concert happier.  He is a phenomenal performer, who absolutely nailed his first solo performance. He was excited to be there, and was surrounded by friends who were there to cheer him on, which I'm sure made the night a bit easier. He was unbelievably funny and I'm not sure I've ever laughed so hard in a show.  Not to blather on, but I loved it. So when it was announced that he would be reviving his show for one performance only, this month, I was first in line to buy tickets.  This time I would bring my Broadway buddy with me, who has had to listen to me gush about it for the last few weeks.  The addition of Carmen Cusack, Zachary Prince and Andrew Rannells, at the last minute was just icing on the cake of an already much-anticipated evening. Well, after seeing him again, I need to rei...

For about the last month or so, I've been ever so slightly miffed at Bette Midler.  She and her production of Hello, Dolly! have been taking the spotlight away from my Falsettos team in the Tony race.  I had no doubt that Bette in all her glory, and the unbelievably talented ensemble that make up the cast of Hello, Dolly! were just as fabulous as everyone was saying that they were.  How could they not be?  I just didn't want them to be more fabulous than the Falsettos crew in the eyes of Tony voters, because if it were up to me, that cast and production would receive all of the awards! However, after finally having the pleasure of seeing Hello, Dolly!, I have to admit that the critics are so very right in their praise of this show.  There must be a better way to describe such a classic production, but the best I've been able to come up with is sparkly.  Each part of the show, from the costumes to the set pieces to the actors, just seem to come a...

Finally saw Hamilton - 9 months after buying tickets... My first experience with the theatre was watching "Jesus Christ Superstar" in Seventh grade. I remember sitting in class completely mesmerized by what was on the screen.  It was unlike anything I had ever seen before.  I was hooked from the very first chords of the overture. Within the same lesson, we were taught about the various pieces that made up a show as well as all about the mysterious thing known as Broadway.  At that point, Broadway was just a word to me. For a good period of time, I assumed every live show that was performed - even the ones occurring at the community theatres in my home state of Maryland - were "On Broadway."  There was so much to learn and I was just starting out! In Eighth grade, our music teacher's production of choice for us to see was "West Side Story."  "West Side Story" remains a good show, but it will never hold the same place in my heart that ...