26 Questions to the Musical Lover

If there's one thing you all should know about me it's the fact that I LOVE (yes, L-O-V-E) reading about people and musicals, so when I found these questions I just had to answer them. You know, sometimes musicals can say a lot about your personality! For example I'm secretly in love with Phantom of the Opera because I myself live in the basement and Phantom sort of does as well and the reason why Wicked has such a special place in my heart is because I'm green (no, it's NOT easy being green)!

Nah, just kidding! Here's my answers and the questions!

1. Do you have a favourite theatre? Which one, and why?
I haven't been to a lot of theatres but Det Ny Teater (the New Theatre) in the middle of Copenhagen is pretty cool and definitely a place I could imagine Phantom living in. It has everything from the chandelier, the grand stairwells to the small corners and lots of doors. I also really like Østre Gasværk mainly because it's a place you wouldn't instantly think about being ideal for theatre. It got this really gritty, raw and medieval look. It's really one of the coolest theatres we have in Denmark, and the two shows I've watched there (HAIR being one of them) was absolutely fantastic. They really know how to work that stage and to take advantage of their building - I love it! Just look at this picture of the scene:

2. At the moment, would you rather watch a comedy or a tragedy?
Really depends on how it's done. I'd rather watch a really well-made tragedy than a bad comedy and vice versa. But right now I think I need a little cheering up to be honest. Something to get really lost in and something to make me laugh.

3. The funniest show or performance you’ve ever seen?
I haven't exactly seen it yet; only half of a crappy bootleg, but I have to say Book of Mormon. That is some funny sh*t - even if you only listen to the soundtrack. God, I love those songs! Hasa diega eebowai! ;)

4. The saddest show or performance you’ve ever seen?
I think it's Spring Awakening - that scene with Melchior in the graveyard (if you've seen the show, you know what I'm talking about) kills me every time. And the fate of a certain character. Beautiful and yet so incredibly tragic.

5. Who is your favorite musical actors/actresses?
Without a doubt Sierra Boggess, Laura Osnes, Idina Menzel, Ramin Karimloo and Jonathan Groff - eff yeah!

6. Your favourite stage door photo or memory?
Sadly I haven't stage-doored yet (if that's even a verb) - but wait and see. After this summer I might have a photo or two to show you! ;)

7. Do you prefer an grand or simple musical - design-wise? Why?
I love Phantom because everything about is so grand - from the set-pieces to the costumes ... even the songs are as well! On the other hand I'm extremely fascinated about how a simple show can convey so many emotions (Spring Awakening and Next To Normal are good examples of this) and tell a story without needing a lot of props. That's magical. In general I just like something that has been put a lot of thought in!

8. The most memorable performance you’ve ever been to?
The Lion King in London's West End. That show gave me some SERIOUS CHILLS throughout the whole thing and it was just beyond magical; the costumes, songs, story and the set-pieces. Wauw. If you ever go to London and don't know what to watch The Lion King is a very, very safe and good choice: You will get blown away. I guarantee you.

9. Is there a movie you’d like to see adapted to a musical?
I'd love to see Pride and Prejudice, actually. I know people has been talking about making one, but it hasn't happened yet (not that I know of, that is). But I don't really know, most of my favorite movies are actually musicals and those who aren't... well, I can't really see them becoming musicals.

10. How about a musical you’d like to see onscreen?
Can they make a remake of the Phantom of the Opera-movie? Pleeeease? I'd also REALLY like seeing Wicked as a movie (and yes, Idina Menzel has to repeat her rose af Elphaba - all your arguments are invalid! SHE IS NOT TOO OLD TO DO IT) and Spring Awakening as well. I think Spring Awakening could be a really powerful movie and something that'd be remembered and watched forever. Next to Normal could be a good choice as well!

11. What is the last stage show you saw? Review it in three sentences.
A bootleg of Cinderella. I loved how they twisted the story. Laura Osnes is the most beautiful and talented human being. Gorgeous, funny, lovely and epic musical with astounding costume changes!

12. A show you’d recommend to everybody?
Next to Normal. I think it's a show everyone will love plus it deals with some very difficult issues and make you just think about life in general.

13. A show you wouldn’t recommend to your worst enemy?
The Danish version of Shrek: The Musical. No... Just no. But! I'm quite sure it had to do with the venue - Forum doesn't do anything good for a musical - because I've seen something from the Broadway version of the show where it looked quite good and more intimate.

14. A show you’re ashamed to admit you like?
Oh God... I don't know. Phantom of the Opera maybe? Not that it's a secret, but I think my love for it is kind of intense and only a few people know how much I actually LOVELOVELOVE it. Also, I enjoy the music of the show A LOT even though it's quite operatic, and sometimes I feel a bit ashamed when blasting it as loud as possible I find myself hoping no one hears that I'm listening to Carlotta screaming her head off in Poor Fool He Makes Me Laugh.

15. How important are visuals for you? Can you enjoy a show with good acting but ugly visuals? Or can good visuals save an otherwise bad show in your eyes?
Neither. A good show is always one where everything is thought through. Everything has to go up into a higher unity in order to succeed.

One of my favorite stage designs - from Matilda: The Musical

16. What is the prettiest show you’ve ever seen?
Without a doubt The Lion King and Love Never Dies. Wow. Lion King just embraces that African savannah, whilst everything about Love Never Dies just is so glittery and lavishly. Aaaah!

17. A costume or a prop that you love?
I'm all in for Christine's Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again-dress. If I had to own one of her dresses it would definitely be that one!

18. You can only watch productions of one show for the rest of your life. Which show you choose and why?
Phantom of the Opera because I love the musical and it has so many layers. Everytime I watch it I notice something new (today for example I realized that Raoul actually is proposing to Christine when he sings All I Ask of You - the more you know....)!

19. Do you research the shows you consider seeing, or do you just pick a show to see and hope it’s good?
I listen to the cast recordings and watch some clips - a little research is always good so you don't waste your money. Usually I discover new, good shows because of an actor I'm a fan of is in it. :)

20. Your favourite act 1 ending?
A tie between Wicked's Defying Gravity and Phantoms chandelier crash.

Idina Menzel as the wicked, green witch Elphaba defying gravity

21. The most times you’ve ever seen the same show or production?
Does it have to be live? Because then I'd have to say twice (We Will Rock You and Love Never Dies). I've watched the DVD of Phantom's 25th anniversary more than twice though. FAVORITE THING.

22. A performance by an actor or an actress that has impressed you the most?
I feel like Phantom of the Opera is taking over this post, but I have to say Ramin Karimloo's take on the Phantom. Quite phenomenal! I am in love with his acting choices. I also really enjoy Louise Fribo's Christine in Love Never Dies - she owns the part! And sings like an angel - just watch this video and you'll know what I mean:

If that's not beautiful I don't know what is!

23. Have you ever walked out of a performance? If not, could you consider doing so?
Then it had to be really bad... but no, I don't think I'd do it. I'm one of those people who hates wasting money and hey, it can always surprise you in the end!

24. Do you collect theatre memorabilia? If so, feel free to show off your collection!
Unfortunately not! I always forget to buy the programmes :( Maybe I should start doing that.

25. You have to swap lives for a week with a character from one of your favourite shows. Who do you choose and why?
Though one! Hmm, I think Phantom actually? I think it'd be interesting to see how he sees the world. Maybe Elphaba from Wicked as well, since I'd like to know how it is being green - oh, and Angel from RENT because she knows how to own the life you've been giving! I could use a little of that.

26. A headcanon about your favourite show?
Raoul and Christine gets married and she discovers she is pregnant and when their son is 10 years old they move to New York to sing at Hammerstein's Operahouse only to discover that it's actually the Phantom that has lured them away from France so he can he reunited with his lost lover and write beautiful music again... wait, is that Love Never Dies? Sorry.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my answers and feel free to answer the questions as well! I also really hope you've had a wonderful weekend, will have some fantastic next 6 days and I'll see you next week! :)

Yours fondly,
Rebecca

Songs that'll cheer you up instantly

I think we all can use a little light at the moment - especially now that it's soon time for some seriously studying and some scary, scary exams.

Where do I want to go with this? I simply want to show you a few of my favorite musical songs I always listen to when I'm having a bad day. Or when I feel like I need a little epicness in my life. Also, they'll be in random order since there's so many good ones out there! Yeephe!

Matilda: The Musical is one of my recent favorite soundtracks, and this song, When I Grow Up, is simply brilliant. I love how talented these kids are and how innocent the song is!

I think I've mentioned before but Dancing Through Life from Wicked is definitely one of the songs I always put on whenever I'm feeling a little sad. Just listen to the wise words of Fiyero and school won't matter anymore.

Sierra Boggess is one of my all time favorite actresses when it comes to musical theatre and her rendition of Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from Phantom of the Opera is nothing but absolutely breathtaking - it brings it to a whole new level! I aspire to be her one day.

Feeling a little down? Listen to Totally Fucked from Spring Awakening! The energy, the beat, the lyrics - I am in love! 

I remember getting home from the cinema where I've watched Hairspray and not being able to get Without Love out of my head. This is still one of my favorites and I feel so lucky I've actually seen it being performed live! 

I actually always put on some Newsies whenever I need a little motivation or just something to smile over. These songs are the best and Carrying the banner is one of my favorites from the soundtrack! One day - one fine day - I'll watch it live and cry because I'm so happy!

If there's something that's fun it's definitely The Book of Mormon and this song might be the best shower-song you could ever choose. Listen to it, watch Andrew Ranells cuteness and fall in love with I Believe.

Next to Normal is perfect and so is I've Been! It's impossible for me to count all the times I've been standing in front of my mirror rocking out to this one.

And last but not least, 

Seasons of Love from RENT. I don't know how much I need to say about it, other than it is freaking perfect and beautiful and so, so uplifting. It makes me want to embrace everything life can offer me!

Do you have any favorite songs? 

Magical Musicals

There are tons of tons of stuff I want to share with you on this blog, but since it is my first “real” entry on here I think I should limit myself to only one subject for today.
I’ve been thinking about what would be a good thing to start with all week and I’ve come to the conclusion that favorite musicals and why I love them might be a good one to pick. Let’s get to the basics! (and you’ll be prepared for future references…)

I’ve loved everything musical-ish ever since I saw my first Disney-movie (including High School Musical – I don’t think I have to elaborate on that one. What’s not to like about a singing school?), but it was when I went to London’s West End with my mom and sister to watch The Lion King and Hairspray my love for watching them live began to grow. There is just something hauntingly beautiful about a live-production and seeing people on that stage never missing a beat and just having a burning passion for what they’re doing.


Later I started in high school and I signed up for the choir of the annual school musical (even though I’m not the best singer – very close to being the worst, actually, if not the worst), which turned out to be none other than Spring Awakening – an absolutely stunning, fantastic and extremely clever musical about a bunch of kids in the 19th century trying to figure out life and what it involves.
The musical quickly turned out to be one of my all-time favorite musicals. I love the message, the passion and the simplicity every production seems to contain. The songs are so, so dear to my heart and even though they’re not your usual Broadway-showstoppers they are just so incredibly catchy! Also, fun fact: Laura and I was in the choir together and I think it was the stepping stone for our friendship. :)


A few months later when the production was over, I couldn’t bear listening to the songs because, well... it reminded me of an extremely good time and, frankly, it was a bit depressing knowing it was already over, so I started listening to the soundtrack of Wicked. The musical is based on the story of Wizard of Oz, only it’s a prequel to the well-known tale and centers around the wicked, green witch Elphaba and the glittery, good Witch from West: Galinda (or Glinda) instead of Dorothy.

I have never watched Wicked live but it’s one of my biggest wishes to do so one day. The score is such good one and never fails to cheer me up when I have a bad day – especially Dancing Through Life is the perfect song to give a listen when you are a little down and do not want to go to school.
I love the way the score is so bright and dance-y without topping over, but also the fact that the story is about friendship, how unexpected it can turn up and the fact that evil persons aren’t necessarily all evil and vice versa.


The theme of evil is also covered in my most recent favorite musical Phantom of the Opera. I went to watch the Danish production of the sequel to it, Love Never Dies, back in October last year and got totally blown away. The only thing though was that I couldn’t remember Phantom that well, so I went home and stumbled upon the 25th anniversary performance of the musical in the Royal Albert Hall and thus my obsession was born.

The music is extremely captivating, beautiful and haunting and as I listen to the score I can’t help but feel the magic rush over me. The fascinating story about the choirgirl, Christine Daaé, and the Phantom of the Pariser Opera is told entirely through songs but it doesn’t matter. The songs are so varied and the music so rich; you will always discover new things when you listen to the score for the billionth time (trust me, I know) and that is why I love it so much. With passion, suspense, love, danger, desire and sorrow it’s basically the most perfect cocktail you could ever stumble upon and I so hope I one day will be able to watch live. It is kind of a contradiction to the other shows I love, but that is why it’s so special to me.

So yes, these are my three absolute favorite musicals. I have a lot of other favorites as well, but 1.) Phantom, Wicked and Spring Awakening are those which mean the most to me and 2.) I think this post is already too long for its own good so maybe I’ll tell you about them later! As you can read from all of this, it is probably a good thing I have this blog to pour out my heart or else people would start ignoring me full-time. ;)

Let me know if you have any favorites and we'll see each other next Monday, where I've, hopefully, been visiting a green troll in his swamp.

Courage and everything,
Becca

Picture source: Unknown