This is a longgg overdue post but I just got back from watching the Addams Family musical which reminded me that I loved Morticia Addams when I was a kid and watched it! Maybe that started my long love affair with black =P
Anyway, after spending those long hours with Sam watching movies like crazy, I realized that there's something to be learned from every show! (let's see if I can actually remember the shows we watched...)
In alphabetical order... of the shows I can remember. ^_^"
Capitalism: A Love Story - Sensationalism never fails. Especially when it involves poor people and rich people.
In Bruges - You should check on the facts before following up on following your principles.
Mona Lisa Smile - No matter how much good you do for people, universities will never appreciate it!
Monsters Inc. - Laughter is more powerful than fear.
Sideways - California is awesome for road tripping and alcohol doesn't always make you braver (more like a jackass at times).
The Bourne Identity - $30 million dollars goes a long way in survival skill training.
The Bourne Supremacy - Car chases can get better in sequels.
The Bourne Ultimatum - Trilogy endings can be a bit of a let-down.
The Butterfly Effect - Kill yourself before you do bad things to other people.
The Cat Returns - Avoid drunken old cat kings and go for hot, smooth ones instead.
The Class - Er. I didn't really get this so... Don't be an asshole of a teacher?
ETA Thanks to Sam! The Producers - Don't worry if you're some boring old accountant in a firm that doesn't appreciate you, spot the next broadway producer on your way to getting their accounts done, and live the high life!
The Proposal - It doesn't matter how useless the guy is in New York, he's an Alaskan Prince! (And you should really visit his castle on an island.)
Totoro - Totoro being cute is enough to excuse the whingey little girls in the show.
Whip It - Pursue your dreams and break your parents' hearts in the process! It'll all somehow work out in the end.
Maybe the next list will be musicals! =P Addams Family: being miserable doesn't make you unhappy, it just makes you appreciate life (and death) more! Plus, black is an awesome color.=D
The musical itself wasn't the best I've seen but it was extremely enjoyable and even cute at times.=) There were several draggy bits which I wasn't too keen on, however, it was a fun ride and I loved the 2 leads! ^_^
On Sunday we had an Audi convoy headed toward East Lansing for the final night of Spring Awakening's run at MSU! ^_^
Overall, I really really enjoyed the entire musical: the music was great, I thought the stage set up was really good, and of course the actors were good as well [and goodlooking! xD]. I loved how they mixed rock with pop and folk for the soundtrack, while utilizing the singers' voices without compromising their talent. The stage layout was really nice too, and there were even members of the audience sitting up there.=P
Plot The story is based on a German play written in the 1890s and it is set in a provincial German town of the same period. It's basically about the sexual awakening - or rather, discovery of sex and its implications - of a bunch of German teenagers and how it affects them. It's a controversial story and includes a "sex" scene which I guess, would make it unsuitable for young audiences.=P Trust me, when it erm. Suddenly occurred, I was rather surprised.. Haha..
Music Great soundtrack!!! I love the music they used in the musical. I was expecting a more traditional soundtrack like that of Wicked or The Phantom of the Opera but was pleasantly surprised to hear them use contemporary music like rock and pop. It worked very well with the angst(!) that those teenagers were wont to express. Also, it injected a vibrancy to the musical which worked very well I think, since it's all about discovery and teenage woes.=P
Stage The stage set-up was really nice, and well thought out if you ask me. I really liked the little details they inserted into the background of the stage. They also utilized the stage to its fullest potential, having a moving platform in the middle for example, and leaping around the stage using the stage prop's heights to introduce more movement in the musical. =D
I guess with this, another Tony-award winning musical has been added to the notches on my post. I'm looking forward to watching MORE musicals as they come along!! ^_^ Perhaps Sweeney Todd will be next, or something else that captures my attention and comes along at the right time [ie: when there are no exams].=D
It's strange though, to be watching a musical called Spring Awakening just as spring itself is [hopefully] approaching! Still, thanks to Groundhog Day [I don't get the point of it but o well], there's still at least 6 weeks of winter to go.=P
In the meantime, it's back to school and cold but sunny Ann Arbor days.^_^ cheers *[-witchstone-]*
I love this song.=D It comes at a really touching moment in the musical and is the highlight in the 2nd half.=D
Note: Green Girl is Elphaba and Blonde Girl is Glinda.=)
(Elphaba): I'm limited Just look at me - I'm limited And just look at you You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda So now it's up to you For both of us - now it's up to you...
(Glinda): I've heard it said That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led To those who help us most to grow If we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you...
Like a comet pulled from orbit As it passes a sun Like a stream that meets a boulder Halfway through the wood Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good
(Elphaba): It well may be That we will never meet again In this lifetime So let me say before we part So much of me Is made of what I learned from you You'll be with me Like a handprint on my heart And now whatever way our stories end I know you have re-written mine By being my friend...
Like a ship blown from its mooring By a wind off the sea Like a seed dropped by a skybird In a distant wood Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you
(Glinda): Because I knew you
(Both): I have been changed for good
(Elphaba): And just to clear the air I ask forgiveness For the things I've done you blame me for
(Glinda): But then, I guess we know There's blame to share
(Both): And none of it seems to matter anymore
(Glinda): Like a comet pulled from orbit As it passes a sun Like a stream that meets a boulder Halfway through the wood
(Elphaba): Like a ship blown from its mooring By a wind off the sea Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood
(Both): Who can say if I've been Changed for the better? I do believe I have been Changed for the better
(Glinda): And because I knew you...
(Elphaba): Because I knew you...
(Both): Because I knew you... I have been changed for good...
And the Japanese version of Wicked:
It features a medley of For Good and Defying Gravity, my other favourite song.=D And parts of it are in Japanese which is rather amusing..^_^ Hee. I think they fit the translated lyrics well into the music as well.=)
And the rehearsal for the musical by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth including some introductions and stuff.
They sing so well. *_*! The sound quality is a little dodgy though..
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : For Good Wicked OST] [mood : ^_^] [food : sweet and sour pork!]
Superstars: Asia is One + The Phantom of the Opera
Hello!
Today I went to see The Phantom of the Opera and then I went to the National Museum to see the Leslie Kee photography exhibition.=)
I LOVE The Phantom of the Opera's music!!! =D I think Andrew Lloyd Webber did a fabulous job in creating music that can transcend time. I must say that I definitely love The Phantom of the Opera for the musical score rather than the story. I find the story annoying but must grudgingly admit that it is rather engaging. The music though, is the main draw.=)
The set was rather extravagant and very well done. Theatre is pretty high-tech these days, long gone are the sparse sets of the Elizabethan era. Today, there were pyrotechnics, fire/sparks and elaborate sets. They had resplendent costumes as well that really added a level of grandeur to the whole production.^_^
The acting wasn't too bad as well and the live orchestra really added a punch to the musical.^_^ As for their singing, I must say that they weren't half-bad! ^_^ Although Christine had a rather warbly, operatic singing style [I much prefer Sarah Brightman's clear and strong voice], she delivered quite well, except for a few wobbly notes here and there. The Phantom and Raoul also gave strong performances though Michael Crawford as the Phantom will haunt me forever with his wonderfully hypnotic voice.=)
I did actually wonder if Gackt could make it as the Phantom then hastily decided that his funny pronounciation wouldn't enhance the experience much.=P
Thus, it was all in all a dramatic and fun performance.=) I loved the music and since they didn't screw up much, it was pretty enjoyable.^_^
After parting with my watching-companions [we lunched at Space @ My Humble House which currently runs on a super pared-down menu, leaving you with little choice and merely acceptable food.], I headed for the National Museum. It is highly inaccessible from it's nearest bus stop.-_-"
I love the Colonial architecture that is represented in the facade of the building and I like the newly renovated interiors as well.=) The soaringly high ceilings leave the area with a great feeling of loads of space but sadly, because it's so empty, it can feel quite cold.
The entrance.
The newly renovated interior.
The beautiful stained glass roof.
And what I went to see!
^_^v
Leslie Kee is a Singaporean photographer based in Japan. This exhibition features works from his latest photobook called "Superstars" [or something like that] and has celebrity portraits inside.=)
I went there with the hope of seeing the Gackt image featured in the book and came away glad to have gone because I really like his works/style. ^_^ He not only manages to capture unique and beautiful moments/angles of the celebrities, but he also manages to bring out the "眼神" in each photograph.
That really mesmerized me and made me really stand there, looking at each picture.=) The photos featured different angles of each celebrity [not all them had multiple pictures though, most had just one picture featured] and really showed off his skill at capturing their present at that time. Many celebrities were featured, from Edison Chen [very cute] to Mika Nakashima, from Takeshi Kaneshiro to Faye Wong, from Zoe Tay to Anna Tsuchiya, there was a great mix of celebrities from all over Asia.
When I went, I was like 'sigh.. I should have brought someone with me' but resolutely went ahead to go alone anyway. On hindsight though, I'm glad I went alone because I could then really study each image on my own, in my own little bubble.^_^ It's like at art museums, it's nicer going around alone to admire each piece of art because that experience can be suggested to another person but can really only be experienced by yourself.
I was really happy to have gone.=)
Not least because... GACKT WAS FEATURED!!! *squeals madly* I was beaming to myself and tried to ignore this... bunch of teenage girls poking his picture.-_-" I decided to study the rest of the exhibition first to avoid being associated with erm. Them. Many people were attracted by Gackt's portrait actually because they were all wondering if the tattoos were real! Hahaha. Yes. I was totally eavesdropping.=P I really wanted to know if people even recognised him.
I stood in front of his portrait for the longest time, just staring at it. I could barely conceal my smile.=P My mother finally admitted that Gackt's eyes "很迷人" [are very mesmerising]. xD I couldn't agree more. He has this tender yet determined look in the photograph and you can feel the charisma that oozes from him. ^_^ I love that portrait. I was so sad that they didn't sell prints of these photographs.
Photography is not allowed at the exhibition but thanks to some sneaky camera skills, I managed to get a tons of photos of Gackt where I tried to position my camera sneakily but as steadily as possible.xD Beams.
I would love to post the pictures I took but it's not very legal so I'll just post a photo that I got online!:
The whole photo features his face, neck and part of his shoulder.=)
Actually, after leaving I began to think about what it is that keeps me interested in Gackt. Of course, his voice is a big draw here and the main reason I began liking him in the first place. But his charismatic [I can feel Jiamin snorting here] self and *coughs* fabulous good looks [his eyes!!! *_*!] serve to further give a face to match the voice thus making me like him more. And finally, his dramatic performances always keep me interested. His brains and dedication to his fans and learning more [his iPod is filled with language study tracks.O.o] though... Are really something that I admire.^_^
Perhaps if the museums would bring in interesting exhibitions like this one, I'd go more often.^_^
For dinner, we went to this seafood place near the Saddle Club. It's located in a very nice corner and churns out pretty good food.=)
Whew. What a wordy post.O.o I duely apologise but I was really happy after seeing Gackt.^_^ cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : Shima Uta Gackt + FANTASY alice nine. + All I Ask of You + Music of the Night The Phantom of the Opera OST] [mood : ^_^] [food : prawns.=)]
Wendaye: What is Taiyou no Uta? [reminds me of Tsuki no uta.xD The Gackt song if you need a jolt. Haha.] O.o And I don't actually have the disc for this movie. I saw it on TV.^_^" Gomen.=X
Today my grandfather and aunt treated me [again! xD] to a musical, My Fair Lady.
As we know [or as you will soon realise], My Fair Lady is an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and a movie of the same name starring Audrey Hepburn was also made. It involves a bet between Professor Higgins [professor of phonetics] and Colonel Pickering that Higgins can transform a Cockney flowergirl, Eliza Dolittle, into a lady by transforming her speech, deportment and manners.
The process in which this happens was pretty funny but I found the ending so angsty and annoying.-_-"
I loved the actor playing Higgins and hated the actress playing Eliza. [Maybe not hated. But certainly "strongly disliked".] Higgins professed the right amount of agitation, pompousness and idiocy to become a rather likable character despite the audience being well-aware of his flaws, namely of his self-possessed nature. Pickering was another likable character and provided comic relief in the scenes. [Being large and round helped.xD] Even Higgins' mother was rather amusing.
Eliza on the other hand.-_-" Firstly, I HATED how she drawled every.single.word. that came out of her mouth. I mean. Alright. I understand that they wished to portray at the start the vast difference in spoken language and even with her training how she still wasn't really used to this new way of speaking. HOWEVER. Towards the end, her way of speaking was grating on my nerves. And I didn't like how this actress portrayed Eliza. She made her seem like this brat who expected everyone to pander to her. I don't think she was the main actress too, especially based on her voice. She did have that kind of operatic voice that most of these actresses have but it wasn't strong and occasionally she was a little off.-_-" Her expressions also grated on my nerves.
If I have to pick a positive point though, at least she had good rapport with her fellow cast members.
Now I want to watch My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn to see how she portrays Eliza Dolittle. Today's performance was a turn-off and made me completely sympathetic towards Higgins who is such a hilariously endearing character.xD The songs aren't totally memorable though, something I felt could have been improved upon but! I did enjoy the music.^_^" It was overall a good performance that I felt was marred by the actress playing Eliza. A pity really.
And thanks to Jiamin and the newspapers, I now feel like watching Moonchild. Which is translated as 月光游侠 in Chinese!! xD Ahahaha. And to think we all thought it was 月亮孩子. *coughs* Shows our mastery of the language.xD But omygosh. HYDE. And GACKT.xD xD xD
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : Hitoiro NANA Starring Mika Nakashima] [mood : normal] [food : apple tart? Cherries! xD]
Wendaye: Yea. A REALLY long time ago. Haha.=P And ahh! TAKESHI!!! xD xD xD *drools* He doesn't look like he has plastic surgery done.. How come he looks good even when he's so old?? xD xD xD Beams! [And don't tell me I'm living in denial! (T_T)] [He was born in 1973, supposedly the same age as Gackt.O.o Urm. HMM..]
Brenda: Oh the part with her running SCREAMING and then getting killed? I thought it was really stupid and very very very very very random. Ahaha.=P I was like URHHH.O.o And *nods vigorously* Takeshi is just. You know. Too Hot.xD xD xD *BEAMS*
My Emotible!
starry-eyed: filled with such youthful hope and optimism that one's eyes twinkle even when it's dark
Wish List
ie: motivation to save money!
- clothes
- shoes [heels! boots!]
- the perfect tote
- coats/outerwear! [Soïa & Kyo, Burberry...]
- Gackt - nine*nine
- Gackt Photobooks:
1 The Gift The Sixth Day & Seventh Night Tour Document (2004)
2 Crescent Photobook (out of print)
- Cookbooks!
1 Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook
2 The Nobu Cookbook
3 Emily Luchetti A Passion for Desserts
4 Alice Medrich Pure Dessert
- Anime/Manga
1 Rurouni Kenshin
2 xxxHOLiC
3 Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-
- Proficiency at Japanese!
- Learn French for Food!
