Ramin Karimloo in search for the Olivier

I think I love this man even more!

Musicals Overall

As you know last week on Tuesday I finally got to see WICKED! And all I can tell you is, I LOVED IT! "Defying Gravity" was by far my favorite, it was so emotional, funny, and suspenseful. I wish I could go back and see it for a second time.

Now, I know about a month ago I posted this blog post thinking it was the new Love Never Dies cast and I stand to correct myself that it was the Christine and Phantom for the Australian 'Love Never Dies'. Sorry, and now to look for the curtain call with the original Love Never Dies cast that took place at the Adelphi Theater in the West End on March 5th, 2011.


And now, as you followers might know that Ramin Karimloo has become one of my favorite theater performers and I finally found footage of him as the Phantom in the London production of The Phantom of the Opera. I really wish I could meet Ramin one day in the near future if he comes to any location with any production in California.


As for now I should just suffice with the soundtracks, videos, and pictures.

Wicked Countdown - 1 day!

Last day of my "10 days to Wicked countdown". Finally tomorrow!

Character of the Day:
Elphaba Thropp

The protagonist of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba is a green-skinned girl who eventually becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West. She acquires this nickname more because of her sister's nickname (the Wicked Witch of the East, who was so named by her political opponents) than for any wicked deeds. An Animal rights activist, Elphaba is involved in an assassination attempt on Madame Morrible. She shares an illicit relationship with Fiyero, whose death causes her to abandon her revolutionary ideals. Elphaba's name is derived from sounding out the initials of Oz author L. Frank Baum's name. She is later referred to in the book as simply the Witch.

In the musical, the role of Elphaba was originally played on Broadway and in London by Idina Menzel, who won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance

Quote of the Day:

I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game

Song of the Day:

"Defying Gravity" performance at the 2004 Tony Awards

Wicked Countdown - 2 days

My Wicked countdown from today to the 22nd when I'll finally watch Wicked!

Character of the Day:
Galinda Arduenna Upland

Galinda Arduenna Upland is Elphaba's roommate at Shiz University. She hates Elphaba at first, but they later become close friends. However, the two are separated for twenty years when Elphaba goes into hiding. Glinda is part of the high society in Gillikin, Oz's northern province. The Glinda in the book is parallel to her character in the musical Wicked, sometimes behaving in a snobby and mean fashion, whereas in The Wizard of Oz, as well as in the original Oz Books, she is portrayed as kind and gentle.

In the musical, the role was originally played by Kristin Chenoweth.

Quote of the Day:

Glinda: "Can I call you Elphie?"
Elphaba: "It's a little perky."
Glina: "And you can call me...Galinda!"

Song of the Day:

Wicked ProShot with the original cast

Wicked Countdown - 3 Days

My Wicked countdown from today to the 22nd when I'll finally watch Wicked!

Character of the Day:
Fiyero Tiggular

Fiyero is the prince of the Arjiki tribe in the Vinkus. He meets Elphaba at Shiz, and later has a romance with her while she is involved in a resistance movement against the Wizard of Oz. This leads to his murder by the Gale Force, the Wizard's secret police. In the musical Elphaba saves him by changing him into the Scarecrow, a well known character from the Wizard Of Oz, instead. His last name is spelled as "Tiggular" in the musical, wheereas in the books, notable A Lion Among Men, it is "Tigelaar".

In the original Broadway production of the musical he was played by Norbert Leo Butz. Other actors to play the role include Taye Diggs, Kristoffer Cusick, Joey McIntyre,Sebastian Arcelus, Aaron Tveit, Kevin Kern, Cliffton Hall, Oliver Tompsett, Rob Mills, Tim Campbell, Richard H. Blake, Andy Karl, Lee Mead, and Kyle Dean Massey.

Quote of the Day:

"Let the green girl go!"

Song of the Day:

Wicked Countdown - 5 Days

My Wicked countdown from today to the 22nd when I'll finally watch Wicked!

Character of the Day:
The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a human who came to Oz from Earth in a hot air balloon. He was originally seeking the Grimmerie, but became sidetracked when he discovered he could orchestrate a coup d'état and overthrow the Ozma Regent. It is heavily implied that he fathered Elphaba while her mother was under the influence of the Miracle Elixir, which may explain Elphaba's green skin, her aquaphobia, and occasional ability to read parts of the Grimmerie, which originated in the Wizard's world. When he sees the bottle of Miricale Elixir left by Elphaba when she "dies" Galinda brings it to him. She throws him out of Oz and puts Madame Morrible in jail. He is also referred to by the name Oscar Zoroaster Diggs.

In the original Broadway production of the show he was played by Joel Grey. Other actors to play the role include George Hearn, Ben Vereen, David Garrison, Lenny Wolpe, P.J. Benjamin, Lee Wilkof, Nigel Planer, Desmond Barrit, Bert Newton, Tom McGowan, Richard Kline, Don Amendolia, Gene Weygandt, and the late Rob Guest.

Quote of the Day:

"Believe me it's hard to resist cause it feels Wonderful!"

Song of the Day:

Wicked ProShot with the original Wizard, Joel Grey

Wicked Countdown - 7 days

My Wicked countdown from today to the 22nd when I'll finally watch Wicked!

Character of the Day:
Boq

In the musical, Boq is the love interest of Elphaba's younger sister, Nessarose (who would later become The Wicked Witch of the East). However, the feeling is not mutual; Boq only became involved with Nessarose in hopes of impressing Galinda, on whom he truly has his heart set. Unfortunately, Galinda has so little regard for him that she cannot remember his name (calling him Biq). When Nessarose eventually becomes the governor of Munchkinland, she uses her power to enslave Boq as her personal servant. When Boq confesses his love for Glinda, Nessarose becomes extremely angry with him. At that point, she casts a spell on him from Elphaba's spell book, the Grimmrie, but mispronounces it. This causes Boq's heart to shrink until it is completely gone. In a desperate attempt to save Boq's life, Elphaba turns Boq into the Tin Woodman. Unlike in the novel, Boq plays a considerably condensed role in the stage production.

In the original Broadway production, he was played by Christopher Fitzgerald

Quote of the Day:

"Yes dear, just follow that one road the whole time.. oh I hope she doesn't get lost I'm just terrible at giving to directions!"

Song of the Day:

Wicked Countdown - 8 Days

My Wicked countdown from today to the 22nd when I'll finally watch Wicked!

Character of the Day:
Nessarose

Like many other characters in the Broadway adaptation of Wicked, Nessarose is portrayed very differently from the novel. She was originally played by Michelle Federer. In the musical, Nessarose is not chosen as a sorceress by Madame Morrible, and while the character of the musical does have arms, she is instead a wheelchair user. As in the novel, she is seen as beautiful, but the adaptation presents her as a more tragic character, attending Shiz University with Elphaba, who often embarrasses her. In an effort to shoo away a persistent love-struck Munchkin named Boq so that her own relationship with Fiyero can develop, Glinda arranges a date between him and Nessarose. Thereafter, Boq unhappily dates and becomes a point of love obsession for Nessarose. Because her father was governor of Munchkinland, Nessarose takes control of the province following his death. She enslaves Boq to keep her with him, and in an attempt to use Elphaba's spells to make him love her, accidentally causes his heart to shrink. As Elphaba begins to save Boq by turning him into the Tin Woodsman, Nessarose declares herself 'The Wicked Witch of the East' calamitously.

As in the novel, Nessarose receives the magical slippers as a gift from her father, but they are enchanted by Elphaba, rather than Glinda, to give her the ability to walk. The musical does not refer to Turtle Heart or Shell, and thus it is implied that Nessarose was the legitimate child of Frex and Melena. The musical also shows that it was Madame Morrible who created the fateful cyclone, as a trap to draw Elphaba out of hiding.

In the original Broadway production, the role was played by Michelle Federer.

Quote of the Day:

"It's just life, so keep dancing through."

Song of the Day:

Here is the WickedProShot with the original cast

Wicked Countdown - 10 Days

My Wicked countdown from today to the 22nd when I'll finally watch Wicked!

In each post I'll include:

Song of the Day
Quote of the Day
Character of the Day

Character of the Day:
Madame Morrible

Madame Morrible is the headmistress of Shiz University's Crage Hall, which Elphaba and Galinda attend. Elphaba and her friends suspect Morrible to be responsible for the murder of Doctor Dillamond. At one point, she proposes that Elphaba, Galinda, and Nessarose become future behind-the-scenes rulers in Oz, a proposal that they never willingly accept. Elphaba suspects that Madame Morrible has at least some magical powers, and may have indeed controlled the fates of the three women. It is possible that she spies on Elphaba and sends messages to Liir through the Carp in the well at Elphaba's home in the Vinkus, because the Carp dies at about the same time as Morrible. It remains unknown whether Elphaba murdered her or if she died of natural causes minutes before Elphaba's attempt.

Quote of the Day:

Glinda: You're still riding that old thing?
Elphaba: Yea, well, we can't all come and go by bubble!

Song of the Day:

Weekly Song

It's a beautiful song




I'm getting ready for Wicked on the 22nd of this month. I liked the music, all the songs are beautiful. But lately I've been replaying "As Long As You're Mine" constantly. So with any further ado, I'm having a countdown to the 22nd! Yeah, yeah, you guys must have realized by now that I would. So I'll be starting the 10 day countdown on Saturday the 12th. So come back and see what goodies I'll have and songs, picture countdown I'll be having!
I'll leave you guys with the Wicked Proshots

And here is an actual clip with the original Idina Menzel(Elphaba) and Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero)


See you in Emerald City!

'Wicked' in March!

I don't know if you guys recall but back on May 24, 2010 I post this about WICKED coming near my town and I was going to try and watch it. Then on October 25, 2010 I post this that it was coming to the OCPAC, now called Segerstrom Center of the Arts. But anyways, I finally got my tickets today! Today is one of the happiest days in many, many years.

After so many years of waiting and waiting I can officially say on Tuesday March 22th, 2011 at 7:30pm one of my many wishes will finally come true! Finally getting to watch WICKED!




To hold on for the next month, I will be listening to the soundtrack.
Have you seen WICKED? If so, did you like it? Love it? Tell me in the comments!

'Love Never Dies' New Cast

If you read my blog then you know how much I'm in love with Love Never Dies even if I haven't seen the show yet. But the music, to me, is fantastic! I love it<3
But with the show running for almost two years now, the main roles of Christine (Sierra Boggess) and The Phantom (Ramin Karimloo) have been replaced for upcoming shows.
I knew it was bound to happen, but I really, really wanted to watch Sierra and Ramin play the characters if I ever got the chance to see the play.

They released a video with the newest cast members. I have no complaint about the actress for Christine, but the one for the Phantom is well, how to put it, not as good as Ramin. I know I sound biased, but listening to Ramin on the soundtrack is just . . . mind blowing. His voice is too good and flows perfect, and the new one is more smother and less seductive like Ramin's.

Now this doesn't mean that both Sierra and Ramin could play Christine and Erik on the broadway production. So all the NYC people anxiously waiting for Spring for the opening of Love Never Dies on Broadway, you guys might be the lucky people who get to see, at least, Sierra as Christine in the Broadway production before it reaches me in Los Angeles.

See the newest cast members:


Now, one of my dreams would come true if Ramin plays the Phantom in the Love Never Dies movie, if there ever is going to be one. Ramin played Christine's father, Gustave, in The Phantom of the Opera movie.

What do you think about the new cast members? Would you like to see Ramin in the LND movie? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

'Till I Hear You Sing

Remember back September 28, 2010 when I posted my love for Ramin Karmiloo and how I wished I could see him perform as the Phantom in either The Phantom of the Opera or Love Never Dies? Well, I was just getting into my Phantom phase again and I just wanted to remind you guys how awsome Ramin is at singing, seriously.

Ramin Karimloo will melt your heart with 'Till I Hear You Sing' from Love Never Dies.

And sometimes at night time
I dream that you are there
But wake holding nothing but the empty air

And years come, and years go
Time runs dry
Still I ache down to the core
My broken soul
Can’t be alive and whole
Till I hear you sing once more

I found this performance live and even then he is amazing!


If you have any Broadway/theater actors you enjoy feel free to share! :)

Weekly Song

My favorite song from the musical.


Do you like Sweeney Todd: The Demon Baber of Fleet Street?
This movie has everything: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and directed by Tim Burton.

WICKED Coming to OCPAC!

Wicked the Musical is coming really, really close to my hometown. It's playing at the Orange County Perfoming Arts Center. Ever since I heard the soundtrack back I don't even remember how many years ago I've been dying to watch the musical on stage and I completely fell in love with the music. So when I found out that OCPAC is bringing WICKED this Spring back in June, I died of excitment. Now, all I do is countdown the days to March 2011 for WICKED to come and finally make one of my dreams to come true.
As much as I would have wished to watch the show with Idina Menzel(Elphaba) and Kristen Chenoweth (Glinda) I'm gonna finally get to watch the one musical I've been wanting to watch, other than The Phantom of the Opera, and EW's "Musical of the Decade" In the meantime, while I wait for March 2011, I listen to the songs frequently and keep my excitment on the top for when the day comes. And what I like about watching a stage show at the OCPAC is that after the show you're able to meet and take pictures with the cast. Isn't it exciting! Oh, and to get my hopes up even more, Idina Menzel is having a concert there too this November, which is next month. November 7! Hopefully, my friends and I go and cheer for Idina in her concert!


Find out more about Wicked here and if it's coming to a city near you!

This is one of my favorite songs from the soundtrack

Ramin Karimloo/ The Phantom of the Opera

Can I just say that he might be my favorite musical whise voice, I like hearing at the moment. I found this video on Youtube where he played Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera! He's real good, but I prefer him as The Phantom.
I can't believe he does so many good roles.


Which do you prefer?
Raoul (left) or The Phantom (right)

 

Love his voice! I decided to put Love Never Dies as my background :)

Glee Rocky Horror Song List!

FINALLY the list from Glee's Rocky Horror Picture Show episode has a song list we can look forward in hearing on the show!

1. Science Fiction Double Feature

2. Damn It, Janet

3. Whatever Happened To Saturday Night?

4. Sweet Transvestite

5. Touch-A Touch-A Touch-A Touch Me

6. There's A Light (Over At The Frankenstein Place)

7. Time Warp

I can see Emma do Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch Me :)

Glee goes Rocky Horror Picture Show!

I don't think I've mentioned this before but Glee is doing a tribute to The Rocky Horror Picture Show! This is the episode I'm looking forward in watching during the second season. This is 'suppose' to be the Halloween episode. Maybe around October we'll get to see the episode :)
So I was checking my Facebook and they posted a picture link of Lea (Rachel), Cory (Finn), and the episode director.
I know it's not something big like a picture still from the actual episode but at least it's something!




It comes with an article you can read here.

Beneath a Moonless Sky

It's been a while since I've posted things related to Phantom or Love Never Dies. So I think is about time to explore this awsomeness all over again.

Disney's Aladdin Musical Spectacular

If you guys live in California or don't, doesn't matter. And if you've gone to Disney's California Adventure next to the 'most magical place on Earth' then you probably have seen the Aladdin Musical Spectacular. If you haven't and are planning on going soon I really, really recommend watching it before the show closes down to be replaced by Toy Story The Musical, which I'm not real happy about. Oh, well. That's Disney.

Anyways, watch it, I've seen it about seven (7) times and it's totally amazing. I actually just got home from watching the show and World of Color for the third time :)

It's truly magical and one of the greatest shows at Disney's California Adventure. I will forever miss it, especially the Genie.
This is my favorite part of the whole show.



Really, check it out.
'Till tomorrow!