5.12.2011

Dance! No, really just dance!

Hey ya'll. Go see Billy Elliot.


Okay seriously, the first thing I noticed was the set. The set was nicely put together. When you first see it you are drawn in and just gaze upon the work as if it was a real town. And the suprises continue through the show, as the scenes shift seamlessly and with great detail. And when needed the stage is a blank slate. Angry dance anyone...?

Then the little Billy. He may be a small actor but his heart is huge and it comes through in the show. I felt what the character of Billy felt. I felt anger, I felt electricity, I felt joy and tears. The skill of that little person is not to underestimated!

And lastly the story line. Many of you may be familiar with the story as it does pull from a movie, and if you are not that is okay too. Billy Elliot is in us all. He is the embodiment of our dreams. So if you are human you will be able to relate, and they are strong actors that pull you into their emotions. You feel the pain of the strike and the pull of Billy's dream! And Tony! He made me melt, such conviction in his beliefs (and he was cute) made me wish he had more story time!

1.05.2011

Mrs. Mountains, We Are Alive

Next to Normal opened Jan. 4th and runs through the 16th down at the Ellie Caukins Opera house in the Performing Arts Complex. It stars Alice Ripley as Diana Goodman.

Note: I have mulled over what I wanted to say about Next to Normal for at least a day now. I am still at a loss for words. So this will be the shortest post ever.

Next to Normal is amazing. It reaches in to ones soul and asks 'Who are you?' The journey it takes is beyond description, leading one to find an inner light. That journey is gut wrenching and emotional and fantastic and everything you could ever feel.

So, if as Ms. Ripley says, you are "still out there in the dark". Go see the show. If you have found the light go see the show and walk along side one of us that are still looking.

P.S. Alice is amazing as Diana and in real life!

P.P.S. Heidi: You made a boy's dreams come true. I met my hero. Thanks.