Once (Upon a Musical)

There are certain shows and musicals, that I simply must see as soon as I see a trailer - Wicked, The Producers, Jesus Christ Superstar. (Currently Macbeth with Alan Cumming falls into this category but gosh darn Cumming has to insist on only one show per day so matinees are out, ugh!  I'm sure playing every character in a major Shakespearean tragedy must take a lot out of you but really?!  Doesn't he care that I'd like to see it!? : )  Anyway, then there are other shows that I must be persuaded into - RENT majorly falls into this category. 

Before seeing RENT for the first time on Broadway, I was a bit annoyed that I was spending money to see such a depressing show (it was a friend's 21st birthday present so I really had no choice).  But after seeing it,  I finally "got" it!  I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "uplifting" like this particular friend describes it but it's certainly awesome in every sense of the word.  What Jonathan Larson accomplished with the score and the music and the story is something truly amazing.  I adored the show so much that I've seen it 2 additional times on Broadway, and I never cease to get goosebumps at all the same parts and of course there are tears as well.  So with this in mind, I find myself in this camp again, feeling hopeful for another RENT-like smash hit in my book. 

 I've been hearing nothing but good things about Once since it opened last year.  Everyone who attends raves about how beautiful and new the music and the characters are.  But it really wasn't appealing to me.  In the last few weeks though, it's been in the news for some new casting changes and I've actually listened to a bit of the music.  I've most definitely changed my tune.  So much so that the tickets have been acquired and I'm quite excited about it!  It will be my first show since quite possibly Mary Poppins which was most definitely a dud in my book (this coming from the girl who adores the Mary Poppins movie!  The fact that the musical sucked was utterly heartbreaking!)  I'm hearing fabulous things about the new Brits who have taken the lead. And if nothing else, I'm sure it will be a fantastic day in the city that I love sharing some yummy Cuban food with a great friend!  Once is just the icing on the cake!

Embroidery 101

As part of my pursuit of craftiness for this year, I vowed to decipher embroidery.  Crochet is on that list too but I fear that particular skill may never be decoded.  After 6 months of attempting crochet, I've mastered exactly one stitch.  Said stitch only works to a point.  Once it's time to turn around, I've been outplayed.  However, after an hour on the computer this evening and some new embroidery floss in pretty colors, I've seemingly mastered 4 stitches.  I'm not much of a mathematician but the stats seem to show that embroidery is way more time-efficient.

There are some super cute things on Etsy embroidered and I'd like to make it to that point.  But what I really want is a super adorable granny square blanket.  Somehow I just don't think embroidery is going to get me there...But on the upside yay for learning how to sew!  I'm a little closer to being the Suzy Homemaker that I've never been : )

Sunday Sweet

Happy Sunday! 

Bring on the week!

Kinetic Sculpture Race 2013

Another fabulous day here at the Kinetic Sculpture Race for the American Visionary Arts Museum.  Last year was my first year going and I had an absolute blast seeing all the creativity and physics that went into the design of these floats.  This year thanks to a bit of traffic, and not a great viewpoint, I wasn't able to see a great deal, much less manage photos with my puny camera but it was just as fun. 

It was strange to think on the same weekend last year I was in shorts, sweating to death due to the 95 degree heat.  Today I was in jeans, long-sleeves and a jacket due to the 60 degree weather.  Nonetheless, the race is always fantastic especially when you factor in running commentary from my 4 year old niece!

Friday Five

1.  Gorgeous!  You can follow the artist here. I think I love all the quotes she's used but this one's my favorite!

2. Fabulous to see Maryland getting some good press for a change.

 

3. I've always had a thing for Wil Wheaton.  Aside from seemingly having a career completely determined by what he's in love with, he also seems to be a pretty great guy.  This video has been making the rounds this week but I think I have to echo everyone else's comments: This is awesome!

 

4. Embroidery hoops decorate almost every room in my house so I'm not sure how in the world I didn't think of this first.  I'll definitely need to be taking a trip to AC Moore this weekend.  So cute!

 

5. Absolutely Adorable!

 







Neat Net Finds

Every once in a while I realize just how cool it is to live in the future where there's internet and interactive theatre and live productions being seen by millions of people all over the world.  Today was one of those days.  Two totally awesome, fairly amazing, clever and creative ideas popped up in my newsfeed that I just had to share.

First up:  Midsummer Night's Dreaming with the RSC.  This is a thing that's actually happening and I'm entirely too excited  about it for my own good.  It's my favorite work by Shakespeare being performed for a new generation with interactive "stuff" (for lack of better term since I'm not entirely sure I have my brain wrapped around it quite yet) thrown in for good measure.  You can join the group on Google+ (yet another thing I haven't gotten my head wrapped around yet) and participate in chats leading up to the big premiere, as well as additional content and surprises.  I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to hear the casting announcements.  But it's the RSC so whoever they get, is bound to fantastic!

Then (also across the pond in where else but England!?) is Hugh Laurie live at Abbey Road.  He'll be playing a special session from his new album at Abbey Road and if you're not lucky enough to be there, you can listen to it live online!  I personally think that all concerts should be done like this but then again, I'm sure it's not so profitable.  Oh, well, it's pretty spectacular while it lasts!

Happy May Day!

 

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Spring is nature's way of saying "Let's Party!"

 

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~Robin Williams