Scandalous the Musical
I recently saw Scandalous the Musical. It was about two weeks into previews, so some changes were definitely happening, according to my top secret source (My friend and I got to chat with Kathie Lee Gifford for a few moments before the show).
Scandalous was almost three hours long. And it felt long. The very beginning is slow, but once Aimee Semple McPherson has her conversion experience, things pick up fast. The whole middle chunk of the show is exciting and invigorating. There are some amazing songs in there, and some wild action. There’s tragedy and sadness. There’s joy and exaultation.
And then it stops. Suddenly.
Like slamming on the breaks, and everything feels tired and exhausted. It trudges on to an ending that left me feeling…mystified. Wait, what? It’s over? What was that ending about?
Unfortunately for Scandalous, it brought back memories of Leap of Faith from last year. A couple of the sets looked like they bought them straight from Leap of Faith and just touched them up a bit. The costumes were completely different, but the revival tent was still there (although, I liked this tent MUCH better!).
Fortunately, Aimee Semple McPherson was a little more genuine than Jonas, and that gives this show a lot of potential. There’s a good story there, but t’s nowhere near as shiny as the apple that in the logo. Two weeks into previews, and the show still needed a bit of work. At the same time, there were another two weeks until opening night, so hopefully it gets cleaned-up quickly! I’d hate to watch this become the next Bonnie and Clyde.
The Mark of Athena
I caved and bought it. I was going to wait and read it from the NYPL, but I couldn’t wait. I just finished re-reading ALL of the Percy Jackson books, and the first two Heroes of Olympus books, and I just couldn’t wait anymore. So I went on amazon.com and bought The Mark of Athena for my kindle. I couldn’t even wait to have the book delivered to me, or to get to the bookstore.
That’s my problem. I was so excited and so eager for this book, that I’m already done with it. I’ve finished reading it. I got to the end (which was far from what I was expecting, well done, Mr. Riordan, well done). And now I have to wait. Probably at least a year. Because the next book isn’t due out until Fall 2013.
But I’m sort of in shock. I definitely got a different vibe from the book. It’s not like the first two in the series, and its not like the previous series. It’s almost like the Heroes are all grown up now. But they aren’t the oldest is only 16 or 17. They’re still high school kids. But they’ve gone through so much, and have been on their own so often that their personalities are older. It’s different from what I was expecting, but it almost made me feel more connected to the characters, which is surprising because I already felt like I got them.
I do have a problem with this book, though. THAT ending. I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s driving me absolutely crazy, to the point where I’m having Percy Jackson Demigod status dreams. And I’m distracted.
I don’t want to spoil it for you, but the book leaves you hanging. And knowing that I’ve got a whole year before I’ll find out what happens is driving me insane. I think I might be more involved with these stories than I was with the Harry Potter books. I mean, when I finished one of those, I never felt concerned, or worried. I just accepted it. But with the Heroes of Olympus, I am eager to find out what happens to the demigods…will they complete their quests, will they save the world, are they actually the Seven?
Related articles
- Rick Riordan on ‘The Mark of Athena’ and encouraging reluctant readers – EXCLUSIVE TRAILER (family-room.ew.com)
- Teen Review – The Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan (hcplteenscene.org)
- Rick Riordan Talks About Mark of Athena and His New Norse Demigod Series (commanderben.com)
- The Mark of Athena (richlandnetwork.wordpress.com)
- The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (waicol.wordpress.com)
- Book Review: The Mark of Athena (donthesitateandgo.wordpress.com)
- Google Books Previews ‘Mark of Athena’ by ‘Percy Jackson’ Author Rick Riordan (Trailer) (booksnreview.com)
Children’s Books Book Club
You know what I’ve always wanted to do? A Book Club where adults read children’s books AND snack on food inspired by the books. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Think about it…You could read all of those books you grew up loving, or ones that have come out more recently that you haven’t gotten the chance to read, or that have come out recently that you’ve read and really love. You’d have the chance to really talk about the books and enjoy the company of adults with bright minds (I mean, don’t get me wrong, but I only get to talk to younger children about these books. But think about it…after living a little more, you can get so much more out of these books!).
Also, think about some of the children’s books you’ve read. Who doesn’t want to snack on Turkish Delight while discussing the psychological effect that the White Witch had on Edmund in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? And you know you want to sip some butterbeer and eat some pumpkin pasties while talking about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Voldemort’s transformation from life-sucking parasite to full-bodies snake man in the Harry Potter books.
And those are just the easy ones. What about trying some celery soda while reading Half Magic? Or butterscotch krimpets like in Maniac Magee? Or BLTs or Liverwurst while discussing the growth of Meg in A Wrinkle In Time?
I’ve always wanted to try some of the more interesting foods I read about in books, and I’m sure there are some people out there who also feel that way.
See this is a really great idea…I just need some folks to share it with (and kids are welcome)! Who’s in?!?
100th Post, 100 Facts
Food?
Tacos and Guacamole
Restaurant?
Schnippers (Their chicken tacos…YUM!)
Non-alcoholic beverage?
Water or milk
Alcoholic beverage?
Tequila
Song?
Watch What Happens or Newsies Got Swag
Band?
Dream Street
Concert that you’ve been to?
Brad Paisley’s H2O Tour
Season?
Fall
Holiday?
Christmas (religious) and Halloween (secular)
Day of the week?
Saturday
Time of day?
afternoon/evening
Color?
Aqua and Teal with Lime Green
President?
Abraham Lincoln
Sport?
Basketball (not professional)
Hobby?
knitting
Animal?
pandas and hamsters
Number?
20
Board game?
Clue
Computer game?
Solitaire
Drinking game?
Below the Line
Book?
Saving Francesca, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harry Potter, or Percy Jackson
Poem?
Anything my little sister writes, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Musical?
NEWSIES
Tv show?
New Girl
Ice cream flavor?
Cookies and Cream
Genre of music?
Broadway and Disney, and a little country
Female singer?
Kara Lindsay
Male singer?
Corey Cott or Garett Hawe
Instrument?
Piano or Guitar
Future career?
Wanderer
Pastime?
Baseball
Accessory?
My paisley print scarf
Pet?
Golden Mickey, one of my fish
Language?
English or Math
Historic monument?
The Golden Gate Bridge
Country you’ve been to?
Australia or Laos…or Soppong, Thailand
State you’ve visited?
Philadelphia (I’ve lived in both NY&CA or they’d be my answer).
Vacation spot?
Narragansett, RI
Amusement park?
Disneyland
Actor?
Corey Cott or Garett Hawe
Actress?
Kara Lindsay or Laurie Veldheer or Caitlyn Caughell
Comedian?
I don’t do comedy, but Schmidt on New Girl…Max Greenfield?
Joke?
Wanna hear a dirty joke? The white horse fell in the mud.
Magazine?
Glamour
Store?
Target
Designer?
Christian Louboutin
Jeans brand?
GAP Long and Lean in a dark wash
Perfume/cologne?
Versace Bright Crystal
Jewelry that you own?
Necklace with dove, lotus, turquoise, and faith charms from Australia
Pair of shoes?
TOMs
Teacher in elementary school?
Mrs. G.
Subject in school?
Mathematics
College?
I went to SMC…Go Gaels!
Fast food restaurant?
Um…Pomme Frites? Does that count?
Junk food?
Salt and Vinegar potato chips OR Doritos OR double stuff oreos
Cookie?
Schmackary’s Cookies and Cream
Web site?
newsiesthemusical.com
Search engine?
Google. I did the Bing Challenge. Google scored 100% from me. Sorry Bing.
Instant messenger?
iChat or Gchat
Cell phone company?
Verizon
Baby boy name?
Teddy (my little sister’s first born son will be named this)
Baby girl name?
Sophia (my littlest cousin)
Book when you were a child?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Movie when you were a child?
Anything Disney
Activity as a child?
Reading
Candy?
Three Musketeers
Hairstyle?
ponytail or messy bun. I’m lazy 
Brand of shampoo?
Aussie
Flower?
Carnations.
Tree?
Douglas Fir
Outdoor activity?
Strolling
Planet?
Pluto…oh, wait…
Constellation?
Orion’s Belt
Zodiac sign?
Cancer
Place to have a date?
Central Park
Best date?
When someone takes me to a Broadway show…or live theatre in general.
Sex position?
Friend?
Peanut. He’s my teddy bear. Sorry everyone.
Place to hang out?
Bryant Park area
Way to pass time when bored?
knitting, reading
Job that you’ve had?
Tutoring
Family member?
my mommy and my papa
Gift you got from someone?
Free tickets to a Broadway show.
Inspirational quote?
Never take life too seriously. No one gets out alive anyway.
Song lyrics?
Go and look it up, the poor GUY’S head is spinning.
Song title?
Watch What Happens
Music video?
Newsies Got Swag
Word?
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Drink at starbucks?
chai tea latte, no water, OR sweetened passion ice tea
Prank?
baby jesus in the soap bottle
Vehicle?
Old Truck
Vehicle color?
Baby Blue
Pen color?
purple or green or blue
Artist?
Disney
Photographer?
Dawn Carlsen
Gum?
Orbit Sweet Mint
Hat that you own?
my white newsboy cap signed by the Newsies
Place that you’ve lived?
NYC
Photo of yourself?
My LV photo from this year
Quote to end it?
Each generation must, at the height or its power, step aside and invite the young to share the day.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
DROOOOOOOOOD!!!!
It finally happened, and it just might be one of my favorite shows I have EVER seen! The Mystery of Edwin Drood is Charles Dickens’ final (and unfinished) novel. It tells of an unsolved mystery with many suspects, and few clues to who might have done it…whatever it is.
Who, in their right mind, would ever turn an unfinished novel into a Broadway show? Well, no one. So it’s a darn good thing that there have been a couple of crazy people to bring this absolutely hysterical musical right to our doorstep.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (the musical) is about a company of actors putting on a play about Charles Dicken’s last novel, and it is unlike many shows you’ll see on the stages of Broadway. Why? Because each night the audience has the extreme fortune of choosing the ending.
Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of the Mystery of Edwin Drood has an amazing cast. I mean, Chita Rivera, Stephanie J. Block, Will Chase…the list goes on and on. Their ensemble consists of some of the most excited people I have ever seen on stage, and they are each fun and overflowing with energy. Their expressions are huge, their voices big, and their personalities boisterous. The company works together like a well-oiled machine, and I was seeing their very first preview performance.
A couple of bullet points to express my favorite things:
- There’s a tad bit of dancing that’s fun and mixes it up just enough.
- Chita Rivera plays her character wonderfully…she’s an absolute riot on stage.
- The humor is very British (as Bree and I decided). It’s not raunchy and it isn’t really slapstick…It’s very intelligent humor.
- There’s references to some other shows.
- There’s two men in a bull costume. We thought one of them might be Kyle Coffman.
- Kyle’s costume is better than the bull. Like, WAAAAY better.
- Stephanie J Block plays three characters, and she gets to throw a Diva-Fit. It was perfection.
- Will Chase has this really awesome brothel bedroom scene that’s pretty priceless.
- The actors quite literally come to YOU during the show. It’s amazing.
- Each section has an actor that introduces the show and then polls the section for the decision.
- Everything I voted for happened…see the END OF THIS POST for the spoiler…
I really loved this show, and I cannot wait to go back. My mom and I are going to try to see the show next week when she’s visiting…Let’s hope I make it that long!
SPOILER ALERT:
Highlight to read! Start highlighting here! First, the cast votes to decided whether or not Edwin Drood died. Then, the audience votes for three pieces of the ending (four votes total). -Who is…DICK DATCHERY? The first preview voted Bazzard (Peter Benson). -Who killed Edwin Drood? The first preview voted Rosa Bud (Betsy Wolfe). -Who fell in love? -The man: The first preview voted the Deputy (14-year-old Nicholas Barasch) -The woman: The first preview voted Princess Puffer (Chita Rivera) End highlighting here!Related articles
- STAGE TUBE: Meet the Cast of Roundabout’s THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD! (broadwayworld.com)
- STAGE TUBE: Commercial Released for THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD! (broadwayworld.com)
- STAGE TUBE: A Backstage Glimpse at THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD – Stephanie J. Block and More! (broadwayworld.com)
- Roundabout Theatre Company’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood(stephanieisms.wordpress.com)
- Roundabout’s THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD begins previews tonight (boneaubryanbrown.com)
- New Projects: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (fansiesalliance.wordpress.com)
