Do you ever go into something thinking you're going to hate it and then come out thinking it was pretty amazing?  I love things like that.  It just shows that there's always a little surprise around every corner.  That happened twice this weekend, and in both instances it was about the theatre.

Yesterday, I was grumpy about having to travel all the way into Washington DC to see a show based on a movie that I've never seen: Mean Girls.  It sounded like a good idea when I bought the tickets, but I kept forgetting about it and there were other things I wanted to be doing instead.  However, I realized that the show was pretty adorable.  It reminded me a lot of Legally Blonde.  It wasn't going to change the world, but it was a fun way to spend 2.5 hours.  Also, it was trying to spread a message of kindness which I'm a huge fan of.

Then there was today, a show that I had no desire to see at all.  It was a community theatre production in a church basement.  I've not had great experiences in church basements, but I needed to go.  I think I've completely changed my mind on theatre performances in church basements.  It was hilarious!  I was stunned by the caliber of actors in the cast and even the production itself.  I'm so happy I went because who doesn't need a laugh on a gray November Sunday?

I can only hope that wonderful things continue to be just around the corner.  Friends make fun of me because of my optimism, however when things like this happen it's kind of hard not to be optimistic!

Book of Mormon at the Kennedy Center

After years of avoiding The Book of Mormon, I finally saw it in all of its glory today.  You see, the show was written by the writers of South Park, which I hate.  I also don't appreciate crude humor.  So you know, this show had everything I hate.  However, after seeing it, I was pleasantly surprised by just how funny it was. 

Oh, it's crude and rude, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to hell for laughing at most of it.  But it's also super creative, and super hilarious.  And the acting and choreography were amazing!  I'm always shocked by the people that enjoy this particular show.  There were so many different people there - old and young, democrats and republicans (seeing as we were in DC, I'm making that assumption...) And every last one of them was laughing their heads off at the ridiculousness of the story.

This right here, is why I just love theatre!  Also, why I totally loved Book of Mormon - and why I'll have a terribly offensive song stuck in my head for the foreseeable future.

A Weekend of Jennifers

In August I stopped writing because I was so angry and disheartened about the state of the world.  At that time, I realized I was constantly writing about all of the bad in the world, because that was really all there was to talk about.  In the last 8 weeks or so, things haven't gotten much better however I've realized there is still good things to talk about and there's still fun to be had.  That's what I'm going to try to focus on going forward, and try not to let the current administration bog me down too much.

So without further ado, I'm celebrating my weekend of Jennifers.  In 3 days I did fun things with 3 friends named Jennifer, and I enjoyed my time immensely  On Friday, there was a Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert which was as usual for them, awesome.  That show was shared with 2 friends named Jen.

Then last night, there was an amazing concert by Leslie Odom Jr.  This show marked the first for me at the Kennedy Center - which is a gorgeous venue, and was spent with yet another Jennifer.  We ate Mexican food and fell in love with Leslie's new version of The Room Where it Happened.  Honestly, he's so darn good!

Then today, with that same Jennifer we saw an interesting performance of Sondheim's Company which was new for us since we've never seen that show.  But at the moment, we still aren't sure exactly what happened because the sound was so bad.  So I'm going to go on record as saying I still haven't technically seen Company.  

All in all a pretty perfect weekend was spent.  These are the things that make me happy, and these are what I'm going to do my best to write about!

Bring on the happy!

Laura Bush Killed a Guy...

Apparently...

I saw a play today that was literally 90 minutes of a woman doing a Laura Bush impression. This play was called Laura Bush Killed a Guy.  It was experimental to say the least.  However, as I learned over the course of the 90 minutes, she actually did kill a guy...accidentally in a car accident when she was 17.  Who knew?  Other people I suppose, because as I also learned, there was a joke in Family Guy about it, and then people who saw that episode googled the whole instance.  They googled so much, that it's the 3rd thing that pops up when you google her name - according to the fake Laura Bush in today's show anyway.

So yeah, that's how I spent my Sunday afternoon.  I have to say, it wasn't awful.  It was pretty impressive that this woman remembered everything she was supposed to say over the course of the 90 minutes, with no other actors on stage to help. There were also cookies - Laura Bush Cowboy Cookies.  Before the show we were told we could make them and bring them.  We chose not to, however others chose to make them. And as luck would have it, they were delicious!  

After about 90 minutes of fake Texas accent, and lots of sugar from the cookies, I did start to get a little antsy.  But all in all, the show was pretty great.  What was most fascinating was that the space held about 30 people.  I'm not sure how this show is supposed to make money with room enough for only 30 attendees, but I suppose in this type of show, it's just the "art" that's important.  

He's Still Got It

Just got home after a delightful evening seeing Billy Crystal with Bonnie Hunt at the MGM Casino National Harbor.  After a 2.5 hour chat, I have to say he's still at the top of his game! He touched on everything under the sun from the current white house, to Robin Williams, to his friendship with Muhammad Ali and Sammy Davis Jr.  He even chatted about his work hosting the Oscars and gave some great backstage stories from some of his movies.  I just love the guy and I'm so happy that in person, he's just as genuine and funny as he's been for the last 30 years from afar.  Such a gifted comedian!

Weird & Weirder

Part of the "Try New Things in 2016" plan is saying yes when your friend calls and says, for instance, "Do you want to go see Sense and Sensibility at the Folger Shakespeare Library - they say it's going to be like Downton Abbey on roller skates...?" Ordinarily, No would be my first instance, but Yes was the answer I gave.  I had never seen the Folger Shakespeare Library so that was definitely a plus.  I'm not a Jane Austen fan like most girls are so that was a check in the con column.  However, when presented with something that's like "Downton Abbey on roller skates" you sort of have jump in and see what the night brings.

As it turns out, even with the addition of "roller skates", I should have gone with my first instinct. 

The theatre was gorgeous and reminded me a lot of the Swan in Stratford Upon Avon, and we had fabulous seats.  I only wish my seats were that good when I saw Richard II at the actual Swan.  This time around, it was a negative - we were too close to the stage to risk dozing off.  I may not have loved the show, but no need to offend the actors.  

To put it mildly, the show was bizarre and a half.  As it turns out, there were no roller skates.  All of the tables, chairs, windows, etc. were on wheels.  I'm assuming those were the skates.  The actors were pushed, pulled, catapaulted across the stage on wheelie set decoration. What?  Then at some point, "Uptown Funk" started playing and the cast - who was dressed in full Elizabethan garb - started a dance party on the stage. What?  And if that wasn't enough, the part that confused me more than anything at all, was the mumbling.  During some scenes and in between others, the entire cast would start yelling/speaking/mumbling different things all over each other which made deciphering the point and what exactly they were saying, quite impossible.  

I suppose I could say the cast was quite good, and really sold their parts.  If the creatives that staged the show would have just let them act, it could have been quite good.  But the addition of all sorts of weirdness definitely put this show on my least favorite list.

Come From Away

What I'm about to say may be blasphemous, however it needs to be said.  I may have liked Come From Away more than I liked Hamilton.  Scandalous, I know.  But you have no idea just how much I enjoyed this show.  I literally sat in my seat with a big ol' smile the entire 2 hours.  I couldn't get the grin off my face - it was just that good.  

Come From Away is the story of the town of Gander, Newfoundland on September 11, 2001. Since they were the only airport in the North that was big enough, they took in 38 planes that day when the American airspace was closed.  Gander, a town of only a few thousand, managed to house 7000 people that week.  On such a horrible day, the people of Gander managed to make these people from all over the world feel welcome and accepted.  

The story enough is just so powerful, but to see it in musical form is even better.  The small cast of about 12, managed to slip in and our of parts flawlessly.  Sometimes they played Newfoundlanders and sometimes they played "plane people." And those "plane people" were sometimes from all over the world.  I can't imagine being an actor and keeping those characters straight in my head, but this cast did it beautifully.  The writers managed to make this sweet story so much funnier than I thought it would be.  All of the characters had their own quirks, and the jokes that were slipped in were perfect.  Whoever cast this group of actors deserves some serious credit because there were outstanding!  

Then there was the music which was all provided by a small band on stage - very celtic and very cool.  It reminded me a lot of Once, and I absolutely loved it.  The songs were sometimes sweet, sometimes funny and sometimes sad, but all the time fabulous, and somehow managed to link everyone's story together in big mash-up.  The only thing I kept thinking was "Oh my goodness, I can't wait for this album to come out, because it's going to be awesome!"  

Last but not least, as a nod to Hamilton I suppose, they used a turn-table in their set design too, which I always find super impressive.  Their use of the tiny stage was pretty remarkable. Besides the turn-table, there wasn't much more than some chairs that stood in for bus seats, plane seats, cots, bar stools and at one point, a cliff overlooking a ravene.  But the lighting made all of it work.  I'm a sucker for creative staging and this one of the best I've ever seen - not to give too many secrets and surprises away. 

Basically Come From Away is the full package - it's funny without ever being mean, their message of kindness and helping their fellow man is truly needed right now, the music was fun and fast and super sing along-able, the cast was completely perfect, and lastly the story was one of the best that's ever been written that just happens to be lucky enough to be true. I just loved every bit of it and I can't wait to see it again!!

A Weekend of Good and Bad

The Good

Saturday was most definitely the good.  We were lucky enough to get tickets to see my fave - Billy Joel - at Nationals Park.  Unfortunately it was slated to rain - just as it has for every single outdoor activity I've had scheduled this summer.  However, for once in our lives, we got lucky and our seats were actually under cover,  completely sheltered from the rain. Which it turned out was a fabulous thing seeing as the skies opened about 15 minutes before the concert - delaying the concert by about 1.5 hours.  When he finally went on, it was still pouring down rain but we were thankfully dry and enjoyed every single minute of the almost 2 hour set!

The Bad

I've never seen 1776 before so when a friend suggested we go see it , I was completely on board.  After a 2 hour first act, my verdict was that I had never been so bored in all my life. How could about 10 songs take this long?  Luckily, as she had never seen it before either, and was hating it as much as I was, we decided to leave and grab a yummy dinner somewhere.  To continue the streak of bad luck, our lovely Cracker Barrel, carb-filled consolation prize was ruined by terrible service.  Thank goodness Rita's was there to save the day with ice cream and sprinkles for all.  

While my Sunday wasn't the most fab - I'll take a terrible Sunday (not having to go to work) over a wonderful work-day Monday any day!

Next to Normal

About 6 months ago, I became obsessed with the musical Next to Normal - the story of a woman with bi-polar disorder and how the illness affects her family.  It doesn't sound like the basis of a beautiful musical, but after hearing just a song or 2 I was hooked.  And that was just seeing it on YouTube (while I wholly disagree with Broadway bootlegs in principle, in practice I will admit to watching them repeatedly...), I had completely missed the opportunity to see it live.  So being the hopeful musical theater junkie that I am, I googled it and found that it was playing at the Keegan theater this month. I purchased the tickets then, and have been waiting anxiously for tonight ever since.

And let me tell you, the show absolutely did not disappoint.  I was blown away by the talent of this cast. I didn't think the Keegan was considered a regional theater so I assumed it would be actors that were doing this for fun.  But I was very, very wrong.  The actors had some serious shows beneath their belt already, and their ability to sing the extremely complicated score was nothing short of amazing. The set decoration, consisting of upside down steps, and off-kilter doors was the perfect way to show that Diana was slowly losing her grip on reality.   Even the theater itself was fabulous.  The Keegan is tiny, only having about 50-75 seats in total.  But it was comfortable and intimate, which made you really feel like you were part of the action happening on stage.  And since most of the songs are so heartfelt, it makes you feel that much more for the characters and what their going through.

Overall, I can't find a single thing to not like about this evening.  The show always hits me pretty hard, and I will admit to tearing up (though, not as much as I would have if I didn't know what was going to happen.)  And ordinarily I don't go for shows that choke me up, but there's just something about this one.  I'm so happy that we got the chance to see this amazing cast act their hearts out and will be anxiously awaiting their next production.

So. Very. Tired.

A Supernatural Convention is exhausting - awesomely amazing - but exhausting nonetheless.  This year's DC Con was just fantastic.  I mean, I would have liked to have had DC Con in DC - it was in Tyson's Corner VA - but that's small potatoes.  All my faves were there except Briana Buckmaster and Kim Rhodes.  However I got to see them last year so that was fun.  This year we had the pleasure of seeing Ruthie Connell and Tim Omundson instead which made me very, very happy - I'm fairly certain they were my faves.  But in this instance it's next to impossible to pick a favorite because they're all fabulously quirky and adorable in their own rights. 

 MC Extraordinaire Richard Speight who kept everyone laughing ALL weekend long

 Sam Smith who was sweet as can be

 Love me some Jason Manns - can't wait for his new album to come out.  And he sang Crazy Love so he pretty much had me at hello : )

 Secretly Rob Benedict is my absolute fave - he's so talented and just seems like someone you want to have lunch with.  Always the best indication of a great person!

 For someone who plays Death, Julian Richings was a riot.  He's so bubbly and sweet and had a wicked fast sense of humor.  His panel was a complete surprise since I wasn't even looking forward to watching it, and I ended laughing harder than I had all day.

 Game of Tones costumes for the Karaoke Friday - As much as I love Rob, he's a terribly unattractive princess; way too much facial hair!

 If Rob is my favorite, Tim Omundson is my second favorite.  He was on Psych which I also love and he's a HUGE fan of Hamilton - he even sang King George's song for us.  Amazing!

 Ruthie Connell - I'd kill for her hair, her style and her gorgeous Scottish accent. 

 Matt Cohen in mid-air - so lucky!

 Always the panel I look forward to the most - Rob, Rich and Matt Cohen.  These guys are so darn funny when you get them together.

 I Love Misha Collins for everything he does to help others and spread the love.  The fact that he brought his son as a treat for him, not thinking about what exactly the son would do while Daddy was working just made me love him even more!  Cutest kid ever!

Not too many great photos of Mark Sheppard - he doesn't stay still long enough.  But he was delightfully curmudgeonly as usual.

 Best version of Rock me Mama, ever!  Although, I feel it could have used a little Jensen Ackles...

 Jake Abel - another panel I wasn' t really looking forward to, but ended really, really liking. He's a bit of a cutie too - not that I'm that shallow...

 J2!!

 Finally a bit of Jensen singing - if only for the briefest of moments. 

"It's the end of the Con as we know it, so go home..."

DC Con 2016

It's currently 12:45 in the morning, and I've just gotten home from the first day of the DC (which is actually in Tyson's Corner VA - but that's beside the point) Supernatural Con.  Other than being totally exhausted, I had a fabulous time!  Of course, I have to be up in 5 hours to turn around and do it all again tomorrow, so I'm off to snooze.  Hopefully some lovely pictures and wonderful tidbits coming on Sunday, after I've slept...

Emporiyum DC

Another year, another awesome Emporiyum.  I'm just loving the Baltimore/DC food scene these days.  There are all sorts of fun events that showcase the awesome chefs and restaurants we have here in MD.  The best event to do this is the Emporiyum - 2 days & over 30 restaurants, food trucks and foodie businesses, showing off all the amazing food they create.  

This year's was in the Union Market Space in DC, which was the best venue yet, in my opinion.  There was tons of space - full of tons of people of course.  And if you got tired of the Emporiyum, you could just mosey on next door to the actual Union Market and check out all their yumminess too. 

There were quite a few new places, but some of the old favorites were there as well. I was sad to see that no Voltaggio restaurants were there.  They are of course, always my favorite.  In fact, there weren't any real celebrity chefs there besides Erik Bruner Yang - the rock star of ramen (which I will say, that's a name he truly deserves - yum!)  My other complaint was the complete lack of anyone selling water.  The drink stalls were selling only alcohol - not even sodas were being sold.  That's a little ridiculous.  I had to beg a cup off the Living Social people and use the water fountain to fill it.  Other than that, it was a rousing success as always. 

They even seemed to realize that if you make smaller portions or give free samples, people will eat more.  Half size sandwiches were being sold as well as individual sized pies or single cookies.  That was my most favorite part.  Yay Emporiyum people, for getting a clue!

 These pieces of art were made completely out of plastic cups.

Reflective Air Stream Selfie!

And here's the important part - the food!

 Erik Bruner Yang's awesome Ramen - So delicious!

 This was the best thing I ate all day!  I have no idea how to pronounce it, but it's basically a wafer, with to die for marshmallow on top, covered in chocolate and coconut. OMG! It was life changing : )

 According to the Top Chef judges, Mike Isabella's Pepperoni sauce was life-changing.  Obviously they never had the marshmallow cookie thing I had before this.  It wasn't bad but I'm no Isabella fan, so that may have clouded my judgement. 

Dooby's was my favorite from last year, and this year it was my second favorite this year.  I have no idea what they put on that fried chicken but it's spicy and sweet and perfect.  The honey chips were also unbelievably tasty. 

End of Summer Review

Somehow, today is the unofficial end of summer.  I feel like it was just Memorial Day and yet here we are in September with our Pumpkin Spice everything and leaves already falling from the trees.

While I'm not at all happy to see summer go, I have to admit it was most definitely a good one.  One big across the pond trip.  Numerous trips to Naptown.  A day at the beach.  A Navy Football Game. A hot as heck day in DC and a presidential-ish day in NYC. The Color Run for the Second Time and my very first (and most definitely not my last) Supernatural Con. And two concerts - Darius Rucker (Awesome!) and Mumford & Sons (not so awesome.)  I aso saw Benedict Cumberbatch, Jim Parsons, President Obama and the entire cast of Supernatural live in person - oh and I saw Mickey from Doctor Who at Heathrow. I really can't complain!

So, as we all say hello to Fall tomorrow, I suppose I'd like to say, it was wonderful seeing you Summer, I can't wait see you again next year!