When I was a little girl (or more little), I watched Grease and became entranced with the idea of music and a storyline. Magical, I thought. I linked the wonderful soundtrack directly to Sandy and Danny's love and found myself wanting to watch every musical ever invented; wanting to witness every true love story portrayed through song and dance. I quickly discovered the world of musicals.
I was soon happily drowning myself in the melodies of Defying Gravity, Footloose and Time of my Life, buying every soundtrack with my pocket money and re-watching Grease every week. It wasn't just the music and dance that made me happy. It was the morals that were brought with them. In Grease, Danny and Sandy may be an unlikely couple but they worked. In Wicked, it shows that a best friend will always be there for you and in Hairspray, Tracy Turnblad isn't a girl that you could pin down no matter how hard you tried: She has a dream!
The tragedy of this is something I like to imagine to be a lie (it's not)... *Builds tension and whispers*: I can't sing.
I can't dance or act either but it's the singing that makes everything about musicals so alive in my eyes. However, there is a moral (prepare yourself) to this story that I discovered not too long ago.
My mum and I have a number one hobby of putting on the Hairspray soundtrack and dancing and singing to our hearts' content as we bake. I see the image you're seeing, and, well, sadly, the image you are seeing is exactly it. A while ago now, as we sung Without Love whilst baking butterfly cakes, grabbing the air with our hands and cracking eggs in time to the beat, I felt a pinch of jealousy at those who can sing as I ruined a Hairspray classic and said so to my mum.
"As long as you're enjoying yourself, what does it matter?" my mother replied.
While I paused to respond, I smiled. She was right, of course. If you're doing something you love; why does it matter if you're not too great at it? Like in Harispray: Tracy Turnblad liked to dance, so she did! Elphaba, in Wicked, wanted to change the world... so she tried. Yes, okay, they were all talented too, but they overcame obstacles willing them to stop - but they didn't!
As I put the cakes in the oven, my mum took a breath. "But, you... You shouldn't ever sing."
Melodies & Jazz Hands,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I originally wrote this post for Simona's blog HERE but I started writing a post about musicals the other day, and realised I had already written what I wanted to say, and Simona said it was perfectly okay for me to post it on my blog too so here we are!
Showing posts with label Musicals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Musicals. Show all posts
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Monday, 7 April 2014
A Musical Chat With Simona
Not too long ago, Simona (from Sky's Book Corner) and I wrote posts about books we suggested the other should read (HERE and HERE) and as we also have a common interest in musicals we thought we would send each other questions about them to answer in a post! You can read my response to her questions HERE!
1. In THIS post you name Les Miserables as your favourite musical. Is there a particular scene in it that you love?
There are so many scenes I love in this musical. One of them is when Eponine sings On My Own, the song is beautiful and this scene is so touching. Another I scene I’d like to mention here is the last one, when all the dead characters come back and they all sing Do You Hear The People Sing, god that’s so emotional, I have to cry every single time, it’s the Grand finale.
2. What are your top three songs from Les Mis?
This question is mean, I can’t answer that!! I’ll just do it for you lovely ;)
One My Own, Do You Hear The People Sing and At The End of the Day is at a tie with I Dreamed A Dream. (Sorry, but I had to cheat a little bit.)
1. In THIS post you name Les Miserables as your favourite musical. Is there a particular scene in it that you love?
There are so many scenes I love in this musical. One of them is when Eponine sings On My Own, the song is beautiful and this scene is so touching. Another I scene I’d like to mention here is the last one, when all the dead characters come back and they all sing Do You Hear The People Sing, god that’s so emotional, I have to cry every single time, it’s the Grand finale.
2. What are your top three songs from Les Mis?
This question is mean, I can’t answer that!! I’ll just do it for you lovely ;)
One My Own, Do You Hear The People Sing and At The End of the Day is at a tie with I Dreamed A Dream. (Sorry, but I had to cheat a little bit.)
3. What are your top five musical songs?
On My Own – Les Miserables
Defying Gravity – Wicked
As Long As You’re Mine – Wicked
Do You Hear The People Sing – Les Miserables
Who Will Buy – Oliver!
There are many more...
On My Own – Les Miserables
Defying Gravity – Wicked
As Long As You’re Mine – Wicked
Do You Hear The People Sing – Les Miserables
Who Will Buy – Oliver!
There are many more...
4. Are there any musicals that you haven't seen (either on film or live) and want to?
The Book of Mormon, Spring Awakening, Newsies...
The Phantom Of the Opera, Sweeney Todd and Hairspray. I’ve seen the movies, love the songs and the stories, so it’s definitely time to see them live.
5. What makes musicals awesome to you?
An awesome Musical needs a catching story, amazing music with meaningful lyrics, brilliant actors, vivid scenes and dances, plus a an adorable setting and costumes (so great in Mathilda or Wicked). The whole constellation has to fit and for me the combination of dancing, singing and acting is essential and this makes an awesome musical.
The Book of Mormon, Spring Awakening, Newsies...
The Phantom Of the Opera, Sweeney Todd and Hairspray. I’ve seen the movies, love the songs and the stories, so it’s definitely time to see them live.
5. What makes musicals awesome to you?
An awesome Musical needs a catching story, amazing music with meaningful lyrics, brilliant actors, vivid scenes and dances, plus a an adorable setting and costumes (so great in Mathilda or Wicked). The whole constellation has to fit and for me the combination of dancing, singing and acting is essential and this makes an awesome musical.
6. Out of Marius, Fiyero and Link, who would you like to go on a date with (with songs sung to you and everything!)?
Do I have to decide?
Well ok, I’d say Link. Don’t ask me why though ;)
7. What musical soundtrack would you put on to make you feel motivated?
Hairspray, no question about that!!! The songs are so vivid, sparkly and bubbly.
8. What are your top three musical songs that make you sad/emotional/cry?
Do You Hear The People Sing – Les Miserables
As Long As He Needs Me – Oliver!
Close Every Door – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
9. What musical are you most likely to cry because of?
Les Miserables, there are so many emotional scenes in this Musical.
Blood Brothers, the ending is sad, touching and moving.
10. Who's your favourite female character in a musical?
Maria in The Sound of Music. A great role, wonderful with children and she has some awesome songs to sing!
And Elphaba in Wicked! <3
11. Who's your favourite male character in a musical?
Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, such a powerful and strong role.
12. Do you have a favourite musical couple?
Oh, you're really challenging me with this questions!!! I have to say Elphaba and Fiyero <3 I love when they sing As Long As You’re Mine.
Oh and he's gorgeous ;)
14. If you met someone who hadn't seen a musical before, what musical would you recommend?
Les Miserables or Wicked, because they’re brilliant!
For Kids I’d say Oliver! or Mathilda, both really great Musicals with adorable kids involved.
15. If you were in your own musical, would your main song be slow and sad or happy and upbeat?
Probably slow, sad and melancholic with lots of feelings involved. I’m a really emotional person and love expressing them in a song. There could be other happy songs in the Musical, cause I like them too.
16. If you were in your own musical, what would the perfect setting be?
A musical playing in a great city like London or New York, with a love story developing, some romantic scenes and songs, but still enough drama and rock songs, that would be perfect.
17. Who would be your dream actor to play opposite you in a musical?
That’s the hardest questions ever, let’s see I have about 5 men in mind.
The first two are my celebrity crushes Henry Cavill and Chris Hemsworth, they’re sexy and talented actors, but not sure whether they can sing and dance, so… Henry would be it otherwise, in a normal movie for sure <3
Then there is Hugh Jackman, he’s brilliant, but I guess he’s a little to old for me ;)
Then there are Oliver Tompsett, Aaron Tveit and Eddie Redmayne. I love them all <3 I guess it would be Oliver Tompsett, his voice is amazing and he is such a great actor, oh my… That was so difficult, can Aaron be the understudy please?
18. What book do you think would make a great musical?
Oh, wow…
A lot of them actually, books I love books and Musicals so much. I was just thinking about the books I’ve read recently and The Dead Wife’s Handbook by Hannah Beckerman would be interesting or I Love the 80s by Megan Crane.
Thank you to the lovely Simona again for answering my questions and for having me on her blog too! If anyone is interested in doing something like this with either of us, feel free to comment below, on Simona's post or tweet us: Simona: HERE; me: HERE.
Books & Musicals,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I've also written about musicals before on Simona's blog HERE.
Do I have to decide?
Well ok, I’d say Link. Don’t ask me why though ;)
7. What musical soundtrack would you put on to make you feel motivated?
Hairspray, no question about that!!! The songs are so vivid, sparkly and bubbly.
8. What are your top three musical songs that make you sad/emotional/cry?
Do You Hear The People Sing – Les Miserables
As Long As He Needs Me – Oliver!
Close Every Door – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
9. What musical are you most likely to cry because of?
Les Miserables, there are so many emotional scenes in this Musical.
Blood Brothers, the ending is sad, touching and moving.
10. Who's your favourite female character in a musical?
Maria in The Sound of Music. A great role, wonderful with children and she has some awesome songs to sing!
And Elphaba in Wicked! <3
11. Who's your favourite male character in a musical?
Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, such a powerful and strong role.
12. Do you have a favourite musical couple?
Oh, you're really challenging me with this questions!!! I have to say Elphaba and Fiyero <3 I love when they sing As Long As You’re Mine.
13. Who is your favourite musical actor and actress?
My favourite musical actor is Oliver Tompsett. I saw him in Wicked and I instantly fell in love with him, and his voice too. He's an amazing singer and such a talented actor. I had to buy his cd and it was definitely worth it, a lot of great songs on there.
Oh and he's gorgeous ;)
My favourite musical actress is Katharine McPhee. She has an awesome voice, is a great dancer and talented actress. I loved her in Smash and I'd love to see her in more musicals.
14. If you met someone who hadn't seen a musical before, what musical would you recommend?
Les Miserables or Wicked, because they’re brilliant!
For Kids I’d say Oliver! or Mathilda, both really great Musicals with adorable kids involved.
15. If you were in your own musical, would your main song be slow and sad or happy and upbeat?
Probably slow, sad and melancholic with lots of feelings involved. I’m a really emotional person and love expressing them in a song. There could be other happy songs in the Musical, cause I like them too.
16. If you were in your own musical, what would the perfect setting be?
A musical playing in a great city like London or New York, with a love story developing, some romantic scenes and songs, but still enough drama and rock songs, that would be perfect.
17. Who would be your dream actor to play opposite you in a musical?
That’s the hardest questions ever, let’s see I have about 5 men in mind.
The first two are my celebrity crushes Henry Cavill and Chris Hemsworth, they’re sexy and talented actors, but not sure whether they can sing and dance, so… Henry would be it otherwise, in a normal movie for sure <3
Then there is Hugh Jackman, he’s brilliant, but I guess he’s a little to old for me ;)
Then there are Oliver Tompsett, Aaron Tveit and Eddie Redmayne. I love them all <3 I guess it would be Oliver Tompsett, his voice is amazing and he is such a great actor, oh my… That was so difficult, can Aaron be the understudy please?
18. What book do you think would make a great musical?
Oh, wow…
A lot of them actually, books I love books and Musicals so much. I was just thinking about the books I’ve read recently and The Dead Wife’s Handbook by Hannah Beckerman would be interesting or I Love the 80s by Megan Crane.
Thank you to the lovely Simona again for answering my questions and for having me on her blog too! If anyone is interested in doing something like this with either of us, feel free to comment below, on Simona's post or tweet us: Simona: HERE; me: HERE.
Books & Musicals,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
P.S. I've also written about musicals before on Simona's blog HERE.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
My 5 Favourite Musicals
Musicals and the theatre have always excited me. Maybe it's a desire to become that stereotypical middle class Englishperson who eats tea and scones (which I am definitely partial to) and the reminder that I am not makes me love the theatre all the more*. Today, I want to write a post about my favourite musicals but I refuse to put them in order of preferance. Therefore, the musicals I will discuss are more or less joint first!
First of all I want to talk about Wicked. This musical had hold of my heart as soon as I heard the soundtrack a years ago. I listened to it over and over again, belting Defying Gravity (badly) every day, longing to finally see the musical. Then I did. It's essentially the ultimate story of people refusing to look past the cover of a book without judging. As a result of years of segregation, Elphaba becomes isolated and became used to it until she and Glinda become friends. During the beauty of the moral and melodies, Elphaba is on a journey to fulfil righteousness in Oz. It's full of sweet, up-lifting and heart-breaking moments that caused me to cry in a few places throughout.
Les Miserables is definitely a favourite of mine. I spoke about it HERE and I could speak about it for five more blogposts. Based on The French Revolution and a love triangle that breaks my heart, Les Mis is dramatic and sweet and exciting. My whole family sat, captivated by the storyline and music when we saw it. It's truly magical.
Hairspray is always the soundtrack to my mum and I's baking sessions. Hairspray is exactly what I picture when someone talks about the sixties and it makes me want to style my hair "big" and dance along to a TV show. With a teen called Tracy Turnblad ready to take on the world of stardom during a battle of harsh segregation, she shows America how the world should be. Seeing Hairspray at the theatre was a magical experience. It's so uplifting and motivational. It's an absolute favourite to watch when I'm sat at home ill or when I have an urge to sing along.
Grease was the first musical that I became obsessed with, watching it every single day when I was ten years old. Watching it now, I realise how inappropriate it was for me to watch but Sandy and Danny were the couple of my childhood along with all of my friends as they seem to be perfect for each other and yet so different too. With high school not living up to their perfect summer romance, Grease is the perfect "break out in dance" musical that makes me wish it was acceptable to sing at the picnic benches at lunch time.
A few summers ago I saw Legally Blonde The Musical. It really was awesome. It made me laugh and bop along to the music in it. It's a fabulous adaptation of the film and is perfectly charming. In the hope to win Warner back, Elle throws herself into the world of law and turns out to be pretty good at it. The film is a classic and I really do believe the musical is genius.
I used to do posts like this every now and then and as I enjoyed them so much, I thought I'd talk about musicals! I feel like I should mention that Dirty Dancing would be on this list but I wasn't sure whether it was a musical or not. What are your favourite musicals? I will actually be posting another "My 5 Favourite..." in a week and a bit and I'm excited about that one too! I have been posting every day in December and you can read about that HERE.
Singing & Dancing,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
*I think I'm satirising the class divide of England. Or maybe I just want to wear ball gowns and have handmade fans for the British summer in my well-kept garden. I don't know.
First of all I want to talk about Wicked. This musical had hold of my heart as soon as I heard the soundtrack a years ago. I listened to it over and over again, belting Defying Gravity (badly) every day, longing to finally see the musical. Then I did. It's essentially the ultimate story of people refusing to look past the cover of a book without judging. As a result of years of segregation, Elphaba becomes isolated and became used to it until she and Glinda become friends. During the beauty of the moral and melodies, Elphaba is on a journey to fulfil righteousness in Oz. It's full of sweet, up-lifting and heart-breaking moments that caused me to cry in a few places throughout.
Les Miserables is definitely a favourite of mine. I spoke about it HERE and I could speak about it for five more blogposts. Based on The French Revolution and a love triangle that breaks my heart, Les Mis is dramatic and sweet and exciting. My whole family sat, captivated by the storyline and music when we saw it. It's truly magical.
Hairspray is always the soundtrack to my mum and I's baking sessions. Hairspray is exactly what I picture when someone talks about the sixties and it makes me want to style my hair "big" and dance along to a TV show. With a teen called Tracy Turnblad ready to take on the world of stardom during a battle of harsh segregation, she shows America how the world should be. Seeing Hairspray at the theatre was a magical experience. It's so uplifting and motivational. It's an absolute favourite to watch when I'm sat at home ill or when I have an urge to sing along.
Grease was the first musical that I became obsessed with, watching it every single day when I was ten years old. Watching it now, I realise how inappropriate it was for me to watch but Sandy and Danny were the couple of my childhood along with all of my friends as they seem to be perfect for each other and yet so different too. With high school not living up to their perfect summer romance, Grease is the perfect "break out in dance" musical that makes me wish it was acceptable to sing at the picnic benches at lunch time.
A few summers ago I saw Legally Blonde The Musical. It really was awesome. It made me laugh and bop along to the music in it. It's a fabulous adaptation of the film and is perfectly charming. In the hope to win Warner back, Elle throws herself into the world of law and turns out to be pretty good at it. The film is a classic and I really do believe the musical is genius.
I used to do posts like this every now and then and as I enjoyed them so much, I thought I'd talk about musicals! I feel like I should mention that Dirty Dancing would be on this list but I wasn't sure whether it was a musical or not. What are your favourite musicals? I will actually be posting another "My 5 Favourite..." in a week and a bit and I'm excited about that one too! I have been posting every day in December and you can read about that HERE.
Singing & Dancing,
The Girl in the Moonlight.
*I think I'm satirising the class divide of England. Or maybe I just want to wear ball gowns and have handmade fans for the British summer in my well-kept garden. I don't know.
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