[part of it all]

Yesterday, I finally had an opportunity to see [title of show] at Los Angeles' Celebration Theatre (and it was fabulous).  I have been a fan of the show before (the real life) Hunter, Jeff, Susan and Heidi ever brought the show to Broadway and I was incredibly bummed when the show closed too soon; it was absolutely one of the Broadway shows that I was hoping I would get an opportunity to watch.  Unfortunately, when it ended, [title of show] only played 102 regular performances and 13 previews on the Broadway, but I am happy to report that it lives on in regional productions.

[title of show] really is a show for anyone who has ever had a dream to create.  Sure, its a show about "two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical" but at closer inspection, its not just about writing for musical theatre.  At its core, [title of show] has incredible heart fueled predominantly by the (characters of) Hunter and Jeff as they struggle to create a show for the NYMF (New York Musical Theatre Festival).  When you sit back and watch the show take shape, you see a show that is funny, well constructed and tells a good story with four pretty solid characters who truly bring their own personalities and contributions to the story (which is a good thing because they are based on the real-life Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff).  Its more than just a show about writing a musical, its a show about friendship, dreams coming true, the creative process of giving life to an art form and just the right amount of humor and emotional strife.  However if you aren't a musical theatre geek, some of the inside-musical-jokes may be lost on you.  Don't get me wrong, I think it will still be funny even if you aren't an insider, but will be even funnier if you are well, "in the know."

I have been listening to the cast recording of [title of show] for over two years now but first discovered it while bored one day at work and perusing the musical theatre annals of YouTube.  When I came across the first two or three episodes of the [title of show] show, I thought it was super campy and quirky and "at first I'll admit I was a little bit, WTF," but somehow it hooked me.   The chemistry between the four actors was apparent and it became hard to differentiate between the characters' personas and the real life personas in their series of vlogs.  Jeff was more of the straight-laced guy who seemed to keep everyone more (or less) grounded, Hunter was determined and focused, Susan was super quirky but hilarious and Heidi was the legit professional "Broadway actress." These vlogs were to me, brilliant on so many levels.  As I said, they were super campy and yet totally funny but SO smart!  How? Well thanks to YouTube, the [title of show] show was a totally free, grass roots marketing and publicity campaign that really did grow the brand, brought awareness to the show and it took off.  The [title of show] cast had complete autonomy on how they wanted to be portrayed, how often and when they posted their vlogs and each episode coincided with a number from the show.  BRILLIANCE, says I.  The [title of show] show could also be viewed as a companion piece to the actual [title of show] (musical show).   Either way, it will make sense if you (carefully) listen to [title of show] and then watch the [title of show] show. See what I mean? Brilliance.

As a minor PS, I have to again discuss that [title of show] also has one of my favorite ballads ever in it.  I won't be repetitive because I wrote about A Way Back to Then in a previous post (so if you are so inclined, you can read it here).  This song is (in many ways) about me and hearing it live (though I didn't love the performer's voice who sang it when I saw the show) it was still emotional because not only does it describe me, but many-a geeked out theatre fans out there too. 

I recently re-watched this (see below).  When it was closing, the folks at [title of show] reached out to their fans and 600 of us participated in this project - big time Broadway folks and regular peeps alike - all of whom loved and supported [title of show]; I think I'm in good company.  See if you can find me:







I heart [tos]!If you have an opportunity to see [tos] in your town, do it! 

THE RUMBLE

Part II of my thoughts on the 63rd Anual Tony Award Noms:

Last week, I began part I on my thoughts on the the 63rd Annual Tony Award nominations. This post is a continuation and focuses on the acting and creative arts nominees (all for musicals of course).

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

• David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Gavin Creel, Hair
  
• Brian d'Arcy James, Shrek The Musical
• Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages
  
• J. Robert Spencer, next to normal

* My pick: Wow, what a competitive category. I happen to think that Bobby Spencer totally floored me in next to normal and was so impressed with with portrayal of Dan Goodman. The depth of emotion as the husband of a grieving and emotional mentally ill wife was nothing less than stellar. Nothing would make me happier in this category than seeing Bobby Spencer win. Though I've never seen Gavin Creel in Hair, I know that he's a phenomenal actor and as a personal favorite actor of mine, I would be very happy and love if he won too!

* My prediction: I think the trio of Billy Elliots' are going to win. I admit they are kids who dance like noboody's business who also have to be darn good actors and for that, they should certainly win.

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

• Stockard Channing, Pal Joey
• Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical
  
• Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical
• Alice Ripley, next to normal
• Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

* My pick: Another very competitive category but its crystal clear (to me) who deserves this win. If anyone has ever heard or seen Alice Ripley in next to normal they will be floored. I have to quote [title of show] and say that Ripley is fierce, because she truly is. Any other actress I've heard in a workshop version of n2n -- while good -- doesn't convey the pure raw emotion that is so heartfelt Ripley does so well. The other ladies in this category are all incredible acresses and I'm a fan of all, but really, I don't think anyone deserves this award like Alice Ripley does.

* My prediction: I hope the voters will go with Alice Ripley and I think they will.

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

• David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical
• Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical
  
• Will Swenson, Hair

* My pick: Though I think it takes a special actor (Chris Sieber) to perform -- and by perform I mean dancing too -- 8 shows a week on his knees, I don't know if that necessarily warrants an award. I have a feeling about Will Swenson. I feel like this is going to be a good year for him. He's electryfing in Hair and I hope he takes home an award this year.

* My prediction: I think the two Billy Elliot nominees might cancel themselves out but I still have this feeling that Will Swenson will be taking this one home.

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Jennifer Damiano, next to normal

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Karen Olivo, West Side Story

Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey

Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical

* My pick: I was particularly sad to see that neither Susan Blackwell or Heidi Blickenstaff of [title of show] were not nominated in this category. I would have loved to have seen that. In this category though, I'm caught. I have mad love for n2n and believe so strongly in the entire cast that I would LOVE to see Jennifer Damiano win. To be able to play Natalie as she does with so many layers, so hurt, so determined and to be only 16 or 17 herself. All I can say is, "wow!" I also though think that Karen Olivo is such a stand-out actress. In clips I've seen from West Side Story, it is Olivo who really stands out.
* My prediction: I think people are expecting Karen Olivo to win. This is the probable outcome, but I think that it also wouldn't be a surprise to see Jennifer Damiano walk away with the award either.

Best Direction of a Musical

• Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Michael Greif, next to normal
  
• Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
• Diane Paulus, Hair

* My pick: Why was Arthur Laurents not nominated for West Side Story? I find it hard to believe he was shut out. Another tough category here for which I am rooting for next to normal. When I hear what the show sounded like before and what it sounds like now...its amazing. I've also read that the current incarnation of the show is due in large part to the directing of Michael Greif. next to normal is a tight show now with a definite sense of direction that was once lacking. I think he SO deserves this award and I would be so happy to see it awarded to him.
* My prediction: Everyone is talking about how great Billy Elliot, The Musical is. It might be. The pace & direction of the show might be spot on. In another time and place, I might even like the show.

Best Orchestrations

• Larry Blank, Irving Berlin's White Christmas
• Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, next to normal
• Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical

* My pick: I was so sure that JRB was going to be nominated for 13 (in this category as well as best score). Though I wasn't a huge fan when it was in LA, I definitely enjoyed the Broadway cast and found it much more cohesive. The show had a great youthful rock feel and thought the orchestrations were great. So the first time I heard the final version of next to normal, one of the first things I said was that I loved the orchestrations (and this was before I ever got really into (or obsessed with) the show.
* My predictions: I'm going with next to normal because I don't think the other shows orchestrations even compare in this category.

Having not actually seen any of these shows yet, I don't think I can share an opinion for the categories below. For the remaining categories, I'm only listing my predicitons based on buzz and hunch.

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

• Robert Brill, Guys and Dolls
• Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Scott Pask, Pal Joey
• Mark Wendland, next to normal

* My prediction: Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

• Kevin Adams, Hair
• Kevin Adams, next to normal
  
• Howell Binkley, West Side Story
• Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical

* My prediction: Howell Binkley, West Side Story

Best Sound Design of a Musical

• Acme Sound Partners, Hair
• Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages
• Brian Ronan, next to normal

*My prediction: Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages

Best Choreography

• Karole Armitage, Hair
• Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
  
• Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical
• Randy Skinner,Irving Berlin's White Christmas

* My prediction: Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical

2009 Special Awards

• Isabelle Stevenson Award: Phyllis Newman
• Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre: Jerry Herman
• Regional Theatre Tony Award: Signature Theatre, Arlington, Virginia
• Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre: Shirley Herz

Tony Nominations by Production:

Billy Elliot, The Musical—15
next to normal—11
Hair—8
Shrek The Musical—8
Rock of Ages—5
9 to 5: The Musical—4
Pal Joey—4
West Side Story—4
Guys and Dolls—2
Irving Berlin's White Christmas—2
[title of show]—1

MAKE UP YOUR MIND, PART 1

This morning, the 63rd Annual Tony Award nominations were announced and what a season the NY theatre community has had! There are some amazing people nominated for some great work this year, some surprise noms and of course there was disappointment due to those who were snubbed. Yet, I was thrilled to see the recognition next to normal received and though I was disappointed that [title of show] didn't receive more noms, I was glad they got at least one.

Per the last 3 or so posts, all I can talk about is next to normal because I love it and think it is the best new original musical this season and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will take home the top prize.

I'm including a complete list of nominees below...but for musicals only (naturally) and including my picks & predictions for the June 7th broadcast live from Radio City on CBS. Without further ado...

---

Nominations for the 2009 American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

Best Musical

• Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• next to normal
  
• Rock of Ages
  
• Shrek The Musical

* My pick: next to normal

I LOVE next to normal and yet I've not even seen it yet! First and foremost, this is an original musical that is GOOD! How many quality, original musicals open on Broadway each season? The pickins are slim. The brilliance of next to normal is not just in the subject matter, but the way its presented and how much emotion I get just from listening to the OCR over and over and over and over again. Overall, its got a great book, great music, great actors, great lighting (from what video I have seen)...its a solid, solid show that has come a LONG way.

* My prediction: Billy Elliot, The Musical

There is so much buzz for this show because of the 3 Billys. From what I hear, its a hot ticket...but its not original. There's nothing SO compelling overall about this is there? There are certainly elements that make this show shine like the actors, the choreography...but is the music so first rate? Me-thinks not so much. But then again, I've not seen it, so what do I know? I can see it winning though.

Best Book of a Musical

• Lee Hall, Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Brian Yorkey, next to normal
  
• David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical
  
• Hunter Bell, [title of show]

* My pick: next to normal well...maybe...maybe...[title of show]

I'm sorry, adapted material, thank you for playing, please leave. To write a musical about mental illness, dysfunction, death, love & raw emotions and then to portray it SO well that you can't help but to understand and empathize and not villainize any one character through it all, you have to have a damn good book. But...to write a musical about two guys writing a musical with such sweetness & humor. I can't help but to want to root for the underdog here, but will Tony voters?

* My prediction: see above.

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

• Elton John (music) and Lee Hall (lyrics), Billy Elliot, The Musical
  
• Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (lyrics), next to normal
  
• Dolly Parton, 9 to 5: The Musical
  
• Jeanine Tesori (music) and David Lindsay-Abaire (lyrics), Shrek The Musical

* My pick: next to normal

Ok. I admit, I don't know the music & lyrics well enough of any of these shows except for the obvious (and obvious only if you've read this post from the beginning). I'm gonna go ahead and keep rooting for for my favorite: next to normal

* My predictions: again, I don't know...I mean, Jeanine Tesori is a pretty great composer, Dolly Parton too...and Elton John can write, but did he do enough for Billy Elliot, The Musical to make it award worthy?

Best Revival of a Musical

• Guys and Dolls
  
• Hair
  
• Pal Joey
  
• West Side Story

* My pick: West Side Story HAIR
I have never cared for Hair...really, ever. In the past, I've seen it, it was fine, but not mind-blowing amazing. In the past few weeks, I've paid more attention, watched more online clips, caught the cast making its talk show rounds and I've been blown away. I am really digging Hair and it surprises me. Nothing though is as good as West Side Story - I love it and I think that the updating of the show makes it even better, more realistic. How can you deny such a classic score, lyrics and the choreography? Wow.

Are you kidding me? I love nothing more (in the revival of a musical category) than HAIR! You want to know what I think? See my posts. That says it all, I love the revival of HAIR and desperately hope it wins!

* My prediction: West Side Story HAIR

It has to win. The fellow nominees for a revival are worthy of an award and equally great in their own way. Didn't West Side Story pave the way for the kind of theater we're getting now? There's relevant and timeless topics like diversity, love, good vs. evil, survival...and its just so compelling.

See above in red about HAIR and how much I desperately hope it wins!

Ok, I'm exhausted, I just completely procrastinated in getting work done for you know, my real job, so I'm gonna cut it of here and continue in the next day or so. Part II - Acting picks & predictions coming soon! In the meantime, enjoy a little YouTube action of the nominated shows below:

Tony Nominations by Production

Billy Elliot, The Musical—15

next to normal—11

Hair—8

Shrek The Musical—8

Rock of Ages—5

9 to 5: The Musical—4

Pal Joey—4

West Side Story—4

Guys and Dolls—2

Irving Berlin's White Christmas—2

[title of show]—1

A LIGHT IN THE DARK

Welcome to a finally new and updated look here. This is what you get thanks to a few hours of procrastination.

*     *     * 

Not so long ago, I was concerned about the future of Broadway due to what seemed like a mass exodus as shows were closing right and left. Between September 28, 2008 - January 18, 2009, Broadway saw thirteen shows close. Though I knew some great new revivals were scheduled to open, I was concerned by the lack of a quality original piece. Would the Great White Way be deluged by yet another jukebox musical or another based on a movie, tv show?  Though I loved seeing some of my favorite shows revived, I was still interested in seeing stories that new writers could create.  Was it that tough to mount something original again and was our struggling economy to blame?  

Thanks to next to normal, I am no longer questioning the future of the American musical.  As excited as I was about my beloved [title of show] last season, I have to say I am even more thrilled about the spectacular musical, next to normal.  [title of show] was a quirky, fun and in some ways a nostalgic show that reminded us of who we are and what it takes to achieve our dreams, but next to normal which is an entirely different kind of show and yet is one that just excites me!

next to normal shows the lengths to which two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact. With a provocative contemporary score of more than 30 original songs, this groundbreaking new musical explores how one suburban household copes with crisis.

From the producer of WICKED and the director of RENT, and starring Tony Award® nominee Alice Ripley, next to normal arrives on Broadway straight from its sold-out engagements at both NY’s Second Stage Theatre and DC’s Arena Stage.

The above blurb from the show's website doesn't give away anything plot-wise, nor does it come close to accurately describing what next to normal is about.  What next to normal is, is an incredible small, story-driven show with electrifying talent and beautifully written music and lyrics.  In an era when both Hollywood and Broadway are keen on big, over-the-top money making films and shows, it is always refreshing when success finds a film/show because it is a quality piece of work from all angles.  Broadway (and Hollywood) are obviously businesses that need to make money in order to survive, but sometimes I am bothered when I think choices are made purely in terms of money instead of choosing something in which I wonder if artistic value was ever considered.  

I first discovered next to normal in its workshopped form, when it was called "Feeling Electric" (2002) which later moved to the NY Musical Theater Festival in 2005.  It was the 2002 workshop version that I fell in love with next to normal.  Back then, the story was so different and the dynamics between the family members weren't as flushed out or solid but the concept and storyline were apparent and the music was still beautiful.  A song I particularly appreciated -- Funny Love -- has since been cut from the Broadway version, but it was so beautiful and described the relationship between the couple, Dan & Diana (this was during a version of the show when I don't think the characters actually had names yet).  As much as I appreciated the song & miss it from the final version of the show, it just doesn't fit into this incarnation of the show.

On April 15,  next to normal  opened to great reviews with (mostly) the same cast as the Arena Theatre production.  Notably missing is Brian d'Arcy James (replaced by J. Robert Spencer) who had a previous engagement as the title role in Shrek the Musical.  Personally, I think the characters in  next to normal are so complex and meaty that it would be a shame to have to give up.  Though I love Brian d'Arcy James and was so sad to see him leave the role of Dan, I just  love the casting of  J. Robert Spencer and am more than pleased with his take on the role.  The casting of the other roles I think were well chosen and I can only say so much about it having not actually seen the show yet.  Having said that, I think it should be known that Alice Ripley undeniably deserves a Tony Award.

Alice Ripley is truly a force to be reckoned with.  She plays such a challenging character with such complex emotions between two opposite ends of the spectrum every night.  My god, just hearing her in the cast recording of this show not only moves me, but allows anyone to hear how powerful an actress she is.  In every single song on the cast recording, her pain, struggle, joys, fears, sorrows, quirkiness are all more than apparent and well performed. If I can get this from the audio, imagine how powerful she is in person?!  I've been a fan of her for years and to quote Hunter in [title of show] she really is "fierce!"

Need I say more?  If you need more proof, see the video preview courtesy of BroadwayWorld.com and then get tickets.

IF THAT'S WHAT IT IS...

I am officially just a little worried...

*updated 12/14/08: Gypsy (moves up its opening date from 3/1/09 to 1/11/09) is the next casualty on the unfortunate Broadway chopping block.

In the last few weeks, closing notices were announced for the following Broadway shows and Spring Awakening is the latest casualty announced today:

• Xanadu -- closing date initially announced for 10/12 then moved up and CLOSED 9/28/08
• [title of show] -- CLOSED 10/12/08 (The Lyceum Theater now sits vacant)
  
• Legally Blonde -- CLOSED 10/19/08 (After Liza's 11 day run, West Side Story is set to occupy the Palace Theater).
  
• A Tale of Two Cities -- CLOSED 11/9/08 from the initial announcement of 11/16/08
  
• American Buffalo -- CLOSED 11/23/08 after only 20 previews and 8 performances (even with a relatively well known cast).
  
• Hairspray -- closing date initially announced for 1/19 then moved up to 1/4/09
• 13 -- another one bites the dust: CLOSED 1/04/09
• Young Frankenstein* -- CLOSED 1/04/09
• Boeing-Boeing -- CLOSED 1/04/09
• Grease -- CLOSED 1/04/09
• Gypsy -- moves up its closing date from 3/1/09 to 1/11/09
• Spamalot -- CLOSED 1/18/09
• Spring Awakening -- CLOSED 1/18/09

That's a lot of closing notices in a few weeks span and it sort of worries me. What's going on people? So this either means that there are a lot of shows waiting in the wings to come to Broadway (doubtful...unless [title of show] is planning on their return to the Rialto in which case I'd be delighted) or there will be several empty theatres in the coming season. Is this due to our nation's struggling economy? But isn't this the time of year when ticket sales typically go up because of advanced sales and the holiday season? I don't even know what to say right now...I was just looking at Broadway grosses for the week ending 10/5 and its not good for some shows who are reporting under 50% capacity. Everyday, it seems like another show posts its closing...maybe its just a coincidence, but it still concerns me since a slew of long-running shows recently closed this season. Ok people, just...go see a Broadway show...soon!

my written [tos]timonial

As I thought about all the musicals I've seen and enjoyed (and even those I didn't care for) I began thinking about why. What is it about musical theater that I relate to and appreciate more than any other genre or art form? The word that keeps coming back to me over the course of the last several years (and in this blog) is inspiration. Musicals are the reason that I once aspired to be an actress, its truly what motivates and inspires me on some level everyday, it keeps me sane in a sometimes insane world, it says things more beautifully and eloquently than I can ever with more emotion than I can ever convey and...I love it more than any other genre in the world.

I have certainly been inspired by [title of show]. Initially, one might not think of it as being a show that screams inspiration. It is mostly funny and appropriately campy about everything from friendship to life and dreams coming true. [title of show] reminds me to think about and acknolwedge my own dreams...and somehow, in its 90 minutes of laughter and tears, finds a way to take me back to the root of who I was as a little girl: "hearing Andrea McArdle sing/From the hi-fi in the den/I've been waiting my whole life/To find a way back to then"...and I think it takes a pretty darned talented writer and cast to do that. Really, what show can make you feel the way you did when you were five? What show can make you laugh and cry and inspire you all at the same time? Very few. I know, it sounds dramatic and corny, but really anyone who has ever dreamed can understand (and particularly so if you thought the starry lights of the Great White Way were ever in your future).

So tonight, after only 13 previews and 102 performances, [title of show] will dims its lights at the Lyceum Theatre for the last time during its current run. I will think of Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell and the quirky, smart, funny, catchy, heart-warming show they so lovingly brought to me and the lucky others who have been affected by [title of show].

"This is the last line of the show" might be particularly poignant as the final line of [title of show] tonight, but all is not lost or gone for good...stay tuned...I still see a future for this show and this cast...and if nothing else:

Season 2 of the [title of show] show...coming soon!

A WAY BACK TO THEN

This is my new favorite song from [title of show] (a great musical whose grassroots marketing/PR plan I think was  brilliantly hi-larious and genius)! The song is so me (except for the fact that I'm not currently starring in a Broadway show about wanting to star in a Broadway show)...I think a lot of little girls who were obsessed with Annie (in a crazy way like I was) can identify with these lyrics.  I have definitely found my own version of a way back to then...thanks to Jeff for a great song!

A Way Back to Then

Music and Lyrics by: Jeff Bowen

Dancing in the backyard

Kool-aid moustache and butterfly wings

Hearing Andrea McArdle sing

From the hi-fi in the den

I've been waiting my whole life

To find a way back to then

I aimed for the sky

A nine-year-old can see so far

I'll conquer the world and be a star

I'll do it all by the time I'm ten

I would know that confidence

If I knew a way back to then

So I bailed on my hometown

And became a college theatre dork

I was eastbound and down

Moving to New York

So I crammed my life in a U-Haul

To find my part of it all

But the mundane sets in

We play by the rules

And plough through the days

The years take us miles away

From the time we wondered when

We'd find a way back to then

And when you least expect

Opportunity walks through the door

You suddenly connect

With the thing that you forgot

That you were looking for

And there you are

Right in the middle of what you love

With the craziest of company

You're having a kick-ass time

And being who you wanted to be in this world

You're that little girl

With her wings unfurled

Flying again

Back in your backyard dancing

I found a way back to then.

PART OF IT ALL

Happy 2008 everyone! So I'm quite terrible at posting on my blog (not a huge shocker) and am not going to claim a resolution to post more (because we know that won't happen...and I don't believe in those). And no, I'm not going to write some horrible cliche recap of 2007 -- the good, bad or ugly. Instead, I will share the two blogs/vlogs that have kept me entertained during those last two weeks of yucky 2007 while bored and busy at the place that pays me to "work." Be forewarned though that said blogs are extremely musical theatre heavy, so proceed at your own risk.

Let me preface my introduction by saying I'm almost embarrassed (ok, not really) that I am linking and mentioning the following blog, and I don't follow it religiously, but it made me laugh as I poked around it. I don't say this because its bad, but because its so silly! I obviously enjoy it because I keep coming back for more. So without further ado... Andrew's Blog is a compilation of "vlogs" (as he calls it) by musical theatre performer, Andrew Keenan-Bolger (currently on tour with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Yes, his sister is Celia who was nominated for a Tony in the role of Olive Ostrovsky in the same show on Broadway) chronicles his life with his friends in NYC and on the road via entertaining YouTube videos. There really aren't any other words...just, don't blame me if you get the title song from his blog/vlog stuck in your head.  Seriously, I did for days...

[title of show] is an off-Broadway musical that I had heard little of (sorry guys) until recently. When I first heard of it, I was intrigued (by the title actually) and found out that it was "a new musical that documents its own journey from inception to opening night." I must have gotten side-tracked because that's where I left it. Time passed and somehow I happened upon a link to their blog and their video blogs on YouTube. Though (extremely) silly, I think the folks at [title of show] are kind of genius. In an effort to get their show to Broadway, they have created these "vlog" installments entitled the [title of show] show as a campaign to get [title of show] to the Great White Way. I think they post when they can, but these are really fun and include cameos by almost every Broadway performer you can think of. Compared to "Hollywood", the Broadway community is small and their fans represent a small population (comparatively speaking) so I think these the [title of show] shows are a great grass-roots marketing ploy. Heck, their blog and the [title of show] shows alone have intrigued me enough to want to go buy the CD (this weekend)!

Ok, those are my endorsements for now. Enjoy, laugh, roll-your-eyes, be grateful for what you have, embrace the unknown...and then support the Broadway community! :)