2024: Year in Review

This year has been pretty low-key because I made some major financial goals for myself (the biggest of which was to pay off my car more than a year early and to complete some big plumbing upgrades to my house).  I was able to achieve all of my goals in November so I splurged on a quick theatre trip to New York to end the year (which was amazing).  Even though I was trying to save money, I was still able to do a few fun things so here are the highlights.

SIX at the Eccles

Sundance Film Festival

Jazz vs. Thunder

MJ The Musical at the Eccles

Jazz vs. Celtics

Spring Camping Trip at Palisade State Park

Jazz vs. Nuggets

Come From Away at the Eccles

Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Washington Road Trip and Tashena's Wedding

James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan, and Hootie & the Blowfish at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Hamilton at the Eccles

Utah Shakespeare Festival

Mrs. Doubtfire at the Eccles

Utah Hockey Club vs. Colorado Avalanche

Funny Girl at the Eccles

Utah Hockey Club vs. Ottawa Senators

Peter Pan at the Eccles

Hold On To Me Darling in New York

Kimberly Akimbo at the Eccles

Honorable Mentions:  Frozen at Tuacahn, Stevie Nicks at the Delta Center, Harry Potter Marathon, The Eagles at the Sphere in Las Vegas, and The Great Gatsby on Broadway

Happy New Year!  I hope 2025 will be good to everyone (I am already planning a few road trips, including one to Canada to reconnect with some family members).

Favorite Movies of 2024

This year I saw 144 new releases in the theater (a new record for me) and I really liked quite a few of them so it was hard to narrow down my annual list of favorites to just ten.  As ever, my list is an eclectic one because I base it on how much I enjoyed the movie and the experience of watching it rather than the critical response or box office performance.  So, without further ado, here are the movies I loved in 2024 (click the title to read my original review).

10. The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot is incredibly powerful and emotional and I was surprised by how much I loved it!  The story may be simple but it is very compelling and I really loved the idea that it is sometimes better to abandon everything you think you know and trust what you feel in order to succeed.  I also loved the theme of acceptance and that differences should be celebrated.  In addition, the theme of motherhood is especially poignant because Roz must ultimately let Brightbill go after doing everything she can to teach him to fly.  The animation is visually stunning with an evocative score to match and all of the vocal performances are highly nuanced.  This is a beautiful movie.

9.  Flow

Flow is another movie with visually stunning animation and a poignant story but this resonated a bit more with me because of my deep emotional connection to the animals who must learn not only to coexist but to work together in order to survive a cataclysmic storm.  I was very invested in their fate and I was moved to tears on more than one occasion.  I loved the way the animals are portrayed because, while they are not anthropomorphized (they definitely move and behave as animals and there is no dialogue), they have distinct characteristics that are maintained throughout.  I also loved the naturalistic soundscape, the beautiful score, and the immersive animation that is both grounded in reality and otherworldly.  This is another incredibly beautiful movie.

8.  A Real Pain

A Real Pain was easily my favorite at Sundance this year and I loved it even more upon a second viewing.  This is a moving, but surprisingly funny, portrait of generational trauma and the guilt that two cousins feel when they compare the vicissitudes of their daily lives with the horrors experienced by their grandmother during the Holocaust.  I also really enjoyed the comparison between the very different ways the cousins express (and repress) what they are feeling.  Both Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin give brilliant performances because I laughed out loud at all Culkin's antics but Eisenberg moved me to tears with an incredible monologue.  This is a powerful exploration of how people confront pain.

7.  Sing Sing

Sing Sing is about a group of men incarcerated in Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison who participate in a real-life theatre program (the cast features many men who are alumni of the program).  The narrative alternates between the brutal realities of living behind bars and escaping from those realities for a few hours by participating in acting exercises, rehearsals, and performances that allow them to express feelings that have been repressed.  I really love that Hamlet's soliloquy is one of the pieces that allows the characters to access their emotions.  Colman Domingo's brilliant performance blew me away, especially when the camera comes in close to show the subtle changes in his expression, and the rest of the cast is also very affecting.  This is an incredibly moving depiction of the redemptive power of art.

6.  Challengers

Challengers uses tennis as a metaphor for the relationship between three people and the back and forth that happens when the power dynamic changes and it is very clever and entertaining.  Zendaya gives an absolutely riveting performance and both Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist match her in intensity (the three of them have insane chemistry with each other).  The way in which the tennis scenes were filmed is incredibly exciting and dynamic, especially the scenes from the POV of the ball.  I also loved the techno score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross because it really amps up the energy in every scene.  This movie is definitely a lot of fun.

5.  Nosferatu

Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name (which is loosely based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker) but this version is incredibly atmospheric and leans heavily into the mythology surrounding vampires.  The tension escalates very slowly (until it is almost unbearable) and, in my opinion, it is more unsettling than scary.  The visuals are amazing, particularly the way the shots are framed and the use of light and shadow, and I was really struck by the fact that Count Orlok is more terrifying for what you don't see than by what you do (the way that characters react to him is highly effective).  The sound design is menacing and the score really adds to the sense of dread.  All of the performances are outstanding but Lily-Rose Depp's commitment to the physicality of the role is impressive.  This is a brilliant retelling of a classic.

4.  A Complete Unknown

A Complete Unknown chronicles Bob Dylan's arrival in New York City in 1961, his rise to prominence within the folk music community, and his controversial decision to go electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.  As a huge fan of Bob Dylan who admires his uncompromising dedication to his vision regardless of what anyone else thinks, I really enjoyed how this movie explores his journey to artistic freedom without trying to demystify the man.  I loved Timothee Chalamet's performance because he brilliantly captures the essence of Dylan during this period of his life and the fact that he performs more than 40 songs live (singing as well as playing the guitar and harmonica) is really impressive.  He sounds remarkably like Dylan and I found him riveting, especially in the songs "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," "The Times They Are a-Changin'," and "It Ain't Me, Babe."  I was also really impressed by Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.  This biopic absolutely blew me away!

3.  Furiosa

I really love the Mad Max franchise and, while Furiosa doesn't quite reach the same non-stop adrenaline levels of Fury Road, the worldbuilding in the Wasteland is much more complete, the characters (even secondary ones) are developed more fully, and the storytelling is richer with higher stakes.  There are some amazing action set pieces (my favorites are when Furiosa's mother chases after the Biker Horde in a sandstorm, when the War Rig is first attacked during a supply run, and when Furiosa and Jack escape from the Bullet Farm) but I especially loved the quieter moments, particularly when Furiosa's mother makes her promise to return home, when she confides in Jack and they decide to go to the Green Space together, and when Dementus tells her that he has had just as much sorrow in his life, because they add so much pathos to the narrative.  Chris Hemsworth is a great villain and Anya Taylor-Joy conveys so much of what Furiosa is feeling with just her eyes.  Seeing this in IMAX was one of the most exhilarating experiences I have had watching a movie this year (second only to Dune: Part Two).

2.  Wicked

I am a huge fan of the musical Wicked and this movie is a very faithful adaptation with a few fun surprises.  The production design is absolutely dazzling and I love how the worldbuilding has been expanded for the movie, particularly all of the elaborate classrooms and dorms at Shiz University and the Wizard's palace in the Emerald City.  The choreography is incredibly dynamic and lively and I especially loved "No One Mourns the Wicked," "What Is This Feeling," "Dancing Through Life," and "One Short Day."  I was nervous when I heard that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo had been cast as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, but they are both outstanding.  Grande nails both the vocals and the humor (I loved her version of "Popular") but I was blown away by Erivo's passionate renditions of "The Wizard and I" (I love how she builds to the powerful conclusion) and "Defying Gravity" as well as her nuanced performance of "I'm Not That Girl" (my favorite song in the show).  I also really enjoyed Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero (for *ahem* reasons).  This is an effervescent love letter to musical theatre!

1.  Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two was my most anticipated movie of 2024 and it definitely lived up to all of my ridiculously high expectations!  I was able to see it in IMAX at a sold out fan first screening and it is not an exaggeration to say that it might be the greatest experience I have ever had watching a movie because the excitement in the crowd was palpable and the movie is absolutely epic!  Everything from the first movie is expanded upon and I particularly enjoyed how the themes of absolute power and religious fanaticism are explored.  Chalamet is amazing as Paul Atreides because he portrays his confusion over the true nature of his destiny with nuance but then fully embraces his descent into the darkness with a chilling performance in the third act that left me reeling.  Zendaya and Austin Butler are also standouts for me.  The visuals are stunning and the action sequences had me on the edge of me seat, especially when Paul rides the sandworm for the first time (it is so immersive I felt like I was riding the worm myself).  The score is incredibly atmospheric and I had goosebumps when Paul appears to the fundamentalists in the south because it is so ominous!  This is an exhilarating sequel that surpassed the original (I cannot wait for Dune: Messiah).

Honorable Mentions: Conclave, Ghostlight, Inside Out 2, Memoir of a Snail (it was a good year for animation), and All of Us Strangers (this technically came out is 2023 but it was released in my area this year).

Babygirl

I was really intrigued by the movie Babygirl because Nicole Kidman won the Volpi Cup at this year's Venice Film Festival for her performance so I went back to the Broadway (for the third night in a row) to see it last night with my nephew.  I didn't like it as much as I thought I would but Sean did.  Romy Mathis (Kidman) is a high-power CEO of her own company in a male-dominated industry and, while she loves her husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas), she is sexually frustrated.  A young intern at her company named Samuel (Harris Dickinson) behaves inappropriately with her but she finds it titillating so she eventually begins a passionate affair with him.  She initially feels conflicted because she is so much older than he is and she is in a position of power over him but he turns the tables and forces her into a submissive role which brings her satisfaction.  However, it is only when she is on the brink of losing everything, both personally and professionally, that she is able to assert control over her life.  Kidman gives a brilliant and absolutely fearless performance full of vulnerability but I was especially impressed with Dickinson because he subverts the stereotype of a dominant sexual partner, particularly a scene in a car where Samuel has a meltdown and has to be comforted by Romy.  My biggest issue with this movie is that it never really feels dangerous and the resolution is a bit too easy.  Also, for a movie that is billed as an erotic thriller it is pretty tame (the steamiest scene involves drinking milk).  I did love the INXS and George Michael needle drops but this was just okay for me.

A Complete Unknown

Last night I returned to the Broadway to see A Complete Unknown and I loved it so much.  A young Bob Dylan (Timothee Chalamet) hitchhikes to New York City in 1961 in order to meet his hero Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy) in the hospital.  While there he also meets Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and impresses him with an original song.  Seeger takes him in and introduces him to the folk community in New York and, as Dylan begins performing, he meets artist and social activist Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning) and begins a relationship with her, musician Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) and begins performing and collaborating with her, and manager Albert Grossman (Dan Fogler) and begins recording his first album with him.  At first Dylan is so eager to be a musician he consents to record covers of well-known folk songs but he soon pushes to record his own compositions.  He becomes extremely popular and this brings a lot of attention to folk music.  However, he eventually grows weary of performing the same songs the crowd wants to hear over and over again and of being boxed in by the record company so he forms a band with musicians he admires and experiments with his sound.  This causes consternation with the planning committee for the Newport Folk Festival, where he is scheduled to headline in 1965, so Seeger entreats him to stay true to his roots for the sake of the folk community but Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook) convinces him to stay true to himself.  I have seen Bob Dylan perform live twice and he does not care what anyone thinks because he performs the songs he wants to perform (which are often not the songs the crowd wants to hear) in the way he wants to perform them (which is often very different from the recorded versions) and he refuses to interact with the crowd.  I actually admire the fact that he is unapologetically himself so I really loved that this movie explores his journey to artistic freedom and I especially enjoyed the scenes where he refuses to play "Blowin' in the Wind" on stage with Baez and when the crowd turns on him when he plays "Like a Rolling Stone" for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival (the crowd occasionally booed him both times I saw him live).  Chalamet is absolutely brilliant in the role because he perfectly captures Dylan's restlessness as he becomes trapped by expectations and, even more impressive, he performs every song live himself (singing and playing the guitar and harmonica) and sounds remarkably similar to Dylan.  I found him riveting and I particularly loved his versions of "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," "The Times They Are a-Changin'," and "It Ain't Me, Babe" with Barbaro (who also performs all of her own songs as Baez, as does Norton as Seeger, and Holbrook as Cash).  I was blown away by this movie and I am sure it will be one of my favorites this year!

Nosferatu

I am a huge fan of Robert Eggers (I absolutely love The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman) so I have been eagerly anticipating Nosferatu ever since I heard about it!  I finally had a chance to see it at the Broadway with my nephew last night and, as predicted, I think it is a masterpiece!  Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) is a lonely and melancholy young girl who yearns for someone to love her when her thoughts are invaded by an evil creature.  Several years later she is now married to Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), a solicitor in Wisborg, Germany.  He is sent by his employer Herr Knock (Simon McBurney) to visit the eccentric Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) in his remote castle in the Carpathian Mountains in order to finalize the purchase of an estate in Wisborg while she remains with their friends Anna and Friedrich Harding (Emma Corrin and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, respectively).  Count Orlok is revealed to be the creature from Ellen's dreams and, when he sees a locket that she gave to Hutter, he plans to claim her once again.  Hutter escapes but Orlok follows him so he must enlist the help of Abin Eberhart Van Franz (Willem Dafoe), a disgraced professor with an interest in the occult who recognizes the mythology of a demonic force known as Nosferatu, in order to save Ellen.  This is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name and is loosely based on Dracula by Bram Stoker.  I sometimes taught this novel so I really enjoyed finding both the similarities and the differences between the two narratives (the biggest difference is the use of the mythology surrounding vampires).  This version is incredibly atmospheric with tension that escalates very slowly so it is unsettling rather than scary (which disappointed some people in our audience).  The visuals are amazing (Eggers is known for his aesthetic and I love it), particularly the way that shots are framed and the use of light and shadow, and the sound design is so menacing (especially Orlok's voice).  I also loved the score because it really adds to the sense of dread.  The design for Count Orlok is very effective because it is unnerving more for what you don't see than for what you do (I was surprised by how little screen time Skarsgard actually has).  The tone is very bleak and some may be put off by that (particularly the ending) but I think it really works and matches the material very well.  Finally, I enjoyed all of the performances but I was especially impressed by Depp.  I was nervous when she was announced as a replacement for Anya Taylor-Joy but her physicality is brilliant and her portrayal of mental illness, particularly as she loses control, feels very authentic.  I had very high expectations and they were definitely met because, while it won't be for everyone, I found it spellbinding!

Christmas 2024

Yesterday was a lovely day!  I celebrated Christmas with my family at my sister Kristine's house and everything was planned by my nephew.  We exchanged stockings (I had Sean and Trent had me) and then we opened presents while it snowed outside (it was quite magical).  I got a quilt, sheets, and pillows for my new bed, an air fryer (which I am really excited to start using), some new shoes, and the movie Dune Part Two (which I am really excited to watch).  We were all very spoiled this year!  After opening presents we continued the tradition started by my mom of having cinnamon rolls and orange juice (this year Kristine made the cinnamon rolls and they were delicious).  In the afternoon we had a wonderful dinner of chicken cordon bleu, twice baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, and rolls.  In the evening we ate lots of treats and played Shanghai rummy, which always gets crazy (I won), then had pie.  It was such a great Christmas and I hope all of you also had a nice day with family and friends.

Nathan Pacheco Christmas Concert 2024

I tagged along with my sister Marilyn and her friend Kelli to Nathan Pachecho's Christmas concert at Abravanel Hall last year and I loved it so much I got a ticket for this year's concert and tagged along again (although this year I was one of the cool kids and was invited to dinner at Little America before the show). The concert was last night and, once again, Pacheco put on an amazing show. He began with "God Bless Us Everyone" from the movie Scrooge and "Hark! The Herald Angel Sings" and then told the crowd that it would be an eclectic evening with both Christmas songs and other songs he likes to perform. Then he proceeded to sing "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's opera Turandot, "Questa O Quello" from Verdi's opera Rigoletto, and "Time to Say Goodbye" just because he can (he is a classically trained tenor with an incredible voice). He called the next section the musical theatre portion of the concert and sang "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables (this gave me goosebumps) and "Who We Become" from his own musical Beloved. Next came emotional renditions of "Come As You Are" and "Forever" from his album Higher. He returned to Christmas songs with a beautiful performance of "Mary, Did You Know?' and then continued with "Angels We Have Heard on High," "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (this was a dramatic arrangement featuring the cello and I loved it), "White Christmas," and "Silent Night." He sang a powerful version of "I Believe in Christ" which brought everyone at Abravanel Hall to their feet. I first learned about Nathan Pacheco when he was a guest vocalist at one of Kurt Bestor's Christmas concerts and he sang one of the best versions of "O Holy Night" that I have ever heard. I was really hoping that he would sing it last night and I was thrilled when he ended the concert with it. I have been so lucky to hear this performed live four times this season (this was my final Christmas concert this year) and I think I saved the best for last because I had goosebumps through the whole thing. For the encore, he performed "The Prayer" which is one of his best known songs. I thoroughly enjoyed this concert because every song he sang was beautiful and he was so charming with the crowd! I hope that I will be able to see him again next year.

Note:  During dinner we talked about the song we each hoped that he would sing.  I, of course, wanted to hear "O Holy Night," Marilyn wanted to hear "Nessun Dorma," Kelli wanted to hear "I Believe in Christ," and Teri (Kelli's daughter-in-law) wanted to hear "The Prayer."  All four of us got to hear our favorites so the night was a complete success!

Gingerbread Houses 2024

Last night we had our annual gingerbread house party and we had a lot of fun!  We always buy kits and this year we got ones that were pre-built (although we had to fix a bit of damage) which saved us a lot of time.  We also always buy more candy to supplement what comes with each kit.

Our gingerbread village

Sean's house

My house

Marilyn's house

Kristine's house

We have had a lot of fun doing lots of Christmas activities with Sean this season!

Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir 2024

Whenever I am not selected in the lottery for tickets to the Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir concerts (which is often), I do the next best thing and attend the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast on the following Sunday because the guest artists usually perform a shortened version of the same program.  This year the guests artists were Ruthie Ann Miles (known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Lady Thiang from The King and I on Broadway) and Dennis Haysbert (known for playing David Palmer on the TV show 24) and they joined the choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square, the Bells at Temple Square, and the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble yesterday morning at the Conference Center.  The choir began with a beautiful arrangement of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" while standing in the aisles holding lights and then they marched to the stage (it was perfectly coordinated and I was quite impressed) singing "'Twas Midnight in the Stable."  Miles joined the choir for a stirring rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" which was followed by performances of "Welcome Christmas Morning!" by the orchestra and "Good King Wenceslas" by Brian Mathias on the organ.  The choir continued with "What Shall We Give?" which I had never heard before but found very moving.  Next, Haysbert read the Christmas story from Luke 2 (he has such a distinctive voice so this was very dramatic).  The broadcast concluded with "Angels From the Realms of Glory" with Miles and this was spectacular (I had goosebumps).  The Christmas concert usually features an uplifting true story and this year's was called "A Season for Shepherds."  After the broadcast ended the audience was able to hear this story, recounting the experiences of Dr. Charles Mulli and his family in helping generations of disadvantaged children in Kenya, narrated by Haysbert who was quite emotional.  I found Mulli's story incredibly inspiring, especially when he came to the stage and challenged the audience to care for the poor.  This was another wonderful Christmas concert and I particularly loved the overall message about service this year.  I'm glad I made the effort to attend.

Ballet West's The Nutcracker 2024

Ballet West's wonderful production of The Nutcracker is one of my favorite traditions (it just wouldn't be Christmas without it) and I was really excited to see it last night.  I love everything about this ballet and I eagerly anticipate every scene and every note from Tchaikovsky's magnificent score (it seemed to go by so quickly last night).  My favorite scenes include the party revealing the Christmas tree to Clara, Fritz, and the rest of the children because it is enchanting, the nutcracker leading a group of toy soldiers in battle against the mice because it is thrilling, and the dance of the Snow Queen and Snow King with their snowflakes because it is dazzling.  When Clara and her Nutcracker Prince reach the Land of Sweets, the Sugar Plum Fairy presents a series of divertissements for their entertainment and I always really love the Arabian dance because it is so exotic and the Russian dance because it is so athletic (it received the loudest applause last night).  However, the scene I anticipate the most is the Grand Pas de Deux between the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier because both Tchaikovsky's music and William Christensen's choreography are almost unbearably romantic (I love when she jumps into his arms and then leans all the way forward almost touching the stage).  I have to admit that I was disappointed because I specifically selected this performance in order to see Katlyn Addison and Adrian Fry in these roles and I was really looking forward to it but there was a casting change.  To be fair, Kristina Pool and Hadriel Diniz danced the roles beautifully and had great chemistry with each other but I was hoping to see my favorites and, unfortunately, I let that influence my enjoyment a bit.  I was, however, still completely caught up in the magic of the stunning sets, the opulent costumes, and the impressive special effects (the people sitting behind me gasped out loud when the nutcracker was transformed and when Clara's sled flew across the stage) and I felt like a child as I always do when watching this ballet.  It is a lovely tradition and I recommend getting a ticket for one of the performances through December 28 (go here).

Souvenir at PTC

My final theatre production of 2024 was Souvenir at PTC last night and I certainly picked a good one to end with because it is absolutely charming! In 1964, pianist Cosme McMoon (Bob Walton) reminisces about his twelve-year musical partnership with Florence Foster Jenkins (Linda Mugleston), a wealthy socialite with a hilariously poor singing voice, on the anniversary of her death. Cosme narrates the show beginning with his first meeting with Foster Jenkins in 1932 when she hires him to accompany her for a recital that she is giving to benefit her favorite charities. He is horrified when he hears her sing for the first time but he takes the job because he desperately needs the money. When her recital becomes the talk of New York City, it becomes an annual event and, even though Cosme faces derision from his colleagues, he remains with her. They come to blows when she makes a recording of the "Queen of the Night" aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute and Cosme finally tells her the truth about her singing but he eventually comes to respect her unapologetic commitment to her art. Their collaboration culminates in a performance at Carnegie Hall in which they share a poignant moment after Foster Jenkins doubts her talent for the first time and Cosme reassures her because the music she hears in her head is beautiful. This show is so funny because the singing by Foster Jenkins is so incredibly bad (the recorded applause used in the Carnegie Hall performance was not necessary because the applause in the Meldrum Theatre was definitely loud enough) and Cosme's reaction to it is also highly amusing. As funny as it is, I also really enjoyed the touching portrait of a friendship and I found the ending to be incredibly moving. Mugleston is brilliant in the role because I would imagine that it takes a really good singer to sound so bad and Walton is perfect as the straight man to all of her antics (he has great comedic timing). The Meldrum Theatre (a venue I really like) is perfect for this play because it is so intimate and the simple set allows the audience to feel like they are observing the rehearsals conducted in the music room of the Ritz-Carlton. The period costumes are lovely and they became more outlandish with each aria during the Carnegie Hall performance. This hilarious and heartwarming production was a welcome relief from all of the Christmas shows I've been seeing lately and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets) but act quickly because there are only a few performances left.

Mufasa: The Lion King

Yesterday I went to a matinee of Mufasa: The Lion King and, while it has flaws, I enjoyed it more than most of the critics did.  When Nala (Beyonce Knowles-Carter) is about to give birth during a storm, Simba (Donald Glover) enlists Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) to babysit their daughter Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter).  Rafiki (John Kani) steps in to tell Kiara the story of how her grandfather Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) went from an orphan to the king of the Pride Lands.  When the cub Mufasa is separated from his parents Afia (Anika Noni Rose) and Masego (Keith David) during a flood, he is saved by Taka (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) and taken in by his mother Eshe (Thandiwe Newton) and eventually by his father Obasi (Lennie James), the leader the pride.  Mufasa becomes a surrogate brother to Taka but they are both sent away by Obasi when the pride is attacked by a white lion named Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen) and his group of "Outsiders."  While on the run from Kiros, Mufasa and Taka encounter a lioness named Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), a hornbill named Zazu (Preston Nyman), and a young mandrill named Rafiki (Kagiso Ledigo) who are traveling to the mythological land of Milele and decide to join them.  Taka develops feelings for Sarabi but, when she falls in love with Mufasa, he becomes jealous and leaves marks so Kiros can follow them.  When they reach Milele, Mufasa must unite all of the animals for battle, face Kiros, and deal with Taka's betrayal.  The biggest flaws are the story, which is convoluted and uses a plot device that is very cliched, and the pacing, which becomes tedious whenever it returns to the present with Timon and Pumbaa (who are not funny).  However, I did really enjoy the relationship between Mufasa and Taka as brothers and I think Pierre and Harrison, Jr. do a great job voicing the characters.  The visuals, which showcase many diverse areas, are absolutely stunning, especially the scenes underwater, and the animals have expression and personality which is a vast improvement over the 2019 live action remake.  I really loved the original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, particularly "I Always Wanted a Brother," "We Go Together," and "Tell Me It's You," but I do think the tone of "Bye Bye" is a bit too campy for such a menacing villain.  I liked this (more than Moana 2, the other Disney cash-grab this year) enough to recommend seeing it over the holidays.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at the Eccles 2024

I have seen the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert many times but I just can't resist getting a ticket whenever they come to town.  Even though I originally decided not to go this year I ended up getting a ticket to the matinee yesterday and I really loved the show!  Musicians Mark Agnor on violin, Tali Rubenstein on percussion and recorder, Tom Sharpe on drums, Christopher Forte on guitar and bass, Anna Lackaff on keyboard, and Zachary Adamson on harpsichord and keyboard, along with the Mannheim Steamroller Orchestra, performed music originally arranged by Chip Davis featuring a unique fusion of classical, medieval, and contemporary sounds.  This concert mostly featured music from the group's many Christmas albums but there were also a few selections from the Fresh Aire albums including "Pass The Keg (Lia)," "Toccata," and "Come Home to the Sea" (which is a favorite of mine).  Since I really love Christmas music, I enjoyed hearing "Hallelujah," Renaissance and rock versions of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Traditions of Christmas," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Christmas Lullaby," "Catching Snowflakes On Your Tongue" (snow fell in the Eccles Theatre during this number), "Fairies" (which is a fun arrangement of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" from the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky), "Little Drummer Boy," and "Winter Wonderland."  They ended the first set with "Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)" which made me so happy because it is my favorite Christmas song (I bet you didn't know that!) and this particular arrangement is especially beautiful.  After the intermission they continued with "Feliz Navidad" (which I had never heard before), "Do You Hear What I Hear," "Joy to the World," "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," and "Good King Wenceslas" which is one of their most popular songs.  The concert concluded with a festive rendition of "Carol of the Bells."  It was so much fun to watch the musicians play because they are very theatrical.  I loved it when Tom Sharpe would twirl and toss his drumsticks in the air and I don't think I've ever seen anyone play the triangle more dramatically than Anna Lackaff!  I also liked the different lighting effects and the laser shows (which replaced many of the usual videos shown year after year).  My only complaint is that they didn't play "Pat-A-Pan" which is my very favorite Mannheim Steamroller song but I thoroughly enjoyed this concert and, as always, I am glad that I changed my mind and got a ticket!

White Christmas

The movie White Christmas will always be a sentimental favorite of mine because my mom loved it so much.  Every time I watch it I think of her so I was thrilled to be able to see it on the big screen last night in honor of its 70th Anniversary (I bought a ticket as soon as the Fathom's Big Screen Classics series lineup was announced last December!).  After collaborating on a Christmas show while fighting in World War II, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) continue performing together after the war and become big stars.  They meet the Haynes Sisters, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen), after they are tricked into seeing their act.  Wallace and Davis eventually follow the sisters to Vermont where they are booked for the holidays at the Columbia Inn and discover that their former General, Tom Waverly (Dean Jagger), owns the inn and is in financial trouble due to the lack of snow.  Bob has the idea of staging their show on Christmas Eve to bring people to the inn and Phil has the idea of getting Bob and Betty together.  I have seen this movie so many times and I eagerly anticipate all of my favorite scenes, including the iconic number "Sisters" performed by the Haynes Sisters (my sisters and I can recreate this for you for a small fee) and, more hilariously, by Wallace and Davis (Danny Kaye is having way too much fun in this scene), the big song and dance numbers as Wallace and Davis rehearse the show (my favorite is "Mandy" as Vera-Ellen is flipped over and over as she descends a set of stairs), the scenes where Emma (Mary Wickes), General Waverly's housekeeper, eavesdrops on every phone conversation in her role as President of the New England chapter of Busybodies Anonymous (I laugh at everything she says), the emotional reunion of the 151st regiment to honor General Waverly (this always brings tears to my eyes), and, of course, the title song at the end of the show complete with snow falling in the background.  I don't think I will ever get tired of watching this Christmas classic and it was so much fun to see it with a big crowd (I don't think there was an empty seat) who clapped and cheered after every musical number.  You have one more chance to see this on the big screen tonight (go here) and I highly recommend getting a ticket.

Note:  The full lineup for the 2025 Fathom's Big Screen Classics series hasn't been announced yet but the January selection is The Goonies.

Beauty and the Beast at HCT

My sister Kristine loves the musical Beauty and the Beast so I exchanged my original ticket to HCT's current production for one to a show that both of us could attend together. The only performance with tickets available was a matinee that was added to the initial run (they keep adding matinees because it is so popular). We saw it yesterday and to say that it is spectacular would be an understatement. The set is absolutely amazing! I loved the attention to detail with the cobblestone streets and houses in Belle's village and the antlers in Gaston's tavern but that was nothing compared to the Beast's castle which is multi-level with a curved staircase around the perimeter upon which the characters walk as it rotates! Various rooms within the castle come up from the pit and down from the rafters and I especially loved Belle's room, the terrace, the West wing (the stairs going up to the rose are very dramatic), and the tower (I was, however, underwhelmed by the library). I also loved all of the Gothic arches, particularly the ones in front of the LED screens around the theater (the projections on these screens are fantastic and I did love the ones used in the library). It is certainly a technical achievement to coordinate everything so seamlessly because the set is always moving and the actors need to know where they are and what they are doing at all times (there was a small mishap right in front of us and, even though it was handled very well, it made me think of the potential for accidents!). The costumes are stunning because they are instantly recognizable from the 1991 animated movie but they also feature some fun embellishments to make them interesting. Belle's iconic yellow ball gown is so beautiful (I loved all of the yellow and pink roses attached to the skirts) and the enchanted objects are a lot of fun. The character design for the Beast is very well done, especially during the transformation, but I was also impressed with the wolves, who come to the stage from the aisles, because their glowing yellow eyes gave me a bit of a fright (there were lots of children in the audience and one started to cry when the wolves appeared). The choreography is lively and dynamic and I definitely loved "Belle," "Gaston" (especially when Gaston and Le Fou climb onto the antler chandelier), "Human Again," and "The Mob Song." However, "Be Our Guest" is just unbelievable and features a pas de deux between the salt and pepper shakers, a tango between Lumiere and Babette, a can-can with the napkins, an aerial act with the china, and a finale with a giant layer cake complete with fizzing (literally) champagne bottles and confetti (although the confetti guns held by the ensemble look like pipes and felt a little out of place). My sister's favorite song in the show is "If I Can't Love Her" by the Beast and at intermission she told me that Darick Pead's rendition more than exceeded her high expectations (I liked it, too!). I also really enjoyed Shae Robins, who has a beautiful voice, as Belle, Angel Martinez, who delivers a hilarious physical performance, as Le Fou, and Scott Hendrickson, whose facial expressions are so much fun to watch, as Lumiere. I had been told by a friend that Gaston was the highlight of the show (I laughed out loud at all of his antics in "Me" and "Gaston") but I was surprised to learn at intermission that the understudy Zack Wilson was performing the role because he was also the highlight for me (my sister didn't believe he was the understudy until I showed her in the program because he was so good). This is an absolutely magical production and all of the children in the audience were spellbound so this is the perfect show to see over the Christmas holiday. Tickets are hard to come by (go here) but, as I mentioned, a few matinees have been added and they have the best availability.

Note:  My sister and I were sitting on the first row and there were a few times when it was difficult to see some of the actors on the top level of the stage so, if you have the option, it would be better to sit higher up (although being able to see facial expressions close up was definitely compensation).

Kimberly Akimbo at the Eccles

Last night I went to see the Broadway touring production of Kimberly Akimbo.  This was one of my most anticipated shows this season because it won so many Tony Awards and, even though it is very dark, I liked its quirkiness and message about living life to the fullest.  Kimberly Levaco (Carolee Carmello) is a teenager with an unnamed disease that causes her body to age four times faster than normal and will soon prove fatal.  She also has a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father named Buddy (Brandon Springman) and a narcissistic mother named Pattie (Dana Steingold), who are having another baby to replace her, as well as an aunt named Debra (Emily Koch) who is a criminal and may or may not have necessitated a hasty move by the family to New Jersey.  Kimberly is now trying to navigate the normal travails of adolescence in a new school with these added issues but, when she meets the nerdy Seth (Miguel Gil), who speaks Elvish, plays the tuba, and loves anagrams, and four members of the show choir, Delia (Grace Capeless), Martin (Darron Hayes), Teresa (Skye Alyssa Friedman), and Aaron (Pierce Wheeler), who act as a Greek Chorus, she decides to experience everything the world has to offer while she can.  All of the shifts in tone really work in this show.  Kimberly's fate is tragic and her family members are despicable but humor (I laughed out loud multiple times, especially at a running joke about the unrequited feelings the members of the show choir have for each other) is one of the ways she deals with her situation and she is ultimately able to thrive (the morality of what she does may be up for debate but I loved the feel-good ending).  I definitely don't think the music in this show is strong enough to warrant the Best Musical Tony but I did love "Father Time," which Pattie sings as a lullaby to her unborn child but is really a plea for more time with Kimberly, "Good Kid" in which Seth laments that he has always done the right thing but it hasn't made much of a difference, and "Our Disease" in which Kimberly realizes that getting older is her disease but it is the cure for everything that plagues her friends.  Carmello does an outstanding job portraying a 16 year old trapped in the body of a 70 year old but I didn't always love her vocal performance (it was sometimes very strident).  Gil is amazing as the irrepressible Seth (it was his performance that really drew me in) and I also really loved the young ensemble.  The set design is simple but really creative (I loved the ice skating rink because it appears as if the characters are actually ice skating) and I was especially impressed by the seamless transitions between scenes.  The costumes are perfect for the 90s setting.  I enjoyed this and recommend getting a ticket to one of the five remaining performances at the Eccles Theatre (go here) with the proviso that there is quite a bit of profanity.

The Return

Yesterday I went to a matinee of The Return and, as a fan of Homer's The Odyssey and of both Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, I was really looking forward to it.  Unfortunately, I found this retelling of the classic story to be really bland and lifeless.  It has been twenty years since Odysseus (Fiennes) left Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War and his wife Penelope (Binoche) has been besieged by suitors who wish to wed her and take his place.  The suitors have also despoiled the island and bullied the inhabitants causing Penelope to keep her son Telemachus (Charlie Plummer) close to her and, therefore, weak.  Odysseus washes up on shore naked, battered, and completely unrecognizable with no explanation for where he has been other than he has been traumatized by war.  He takes refuge with the swineherd Eumaeus (Claudio Santamaria) but he is forced to reveal his identity when the suitors attack Telemachus and when the suitor Antinous (Marwan Kenzari) forces Penelope to choose a husband.  Odysseus is the only one able to complete the challenge for Penelope's hand which provokes a battle during which Telemachus is finally able to prove himself and Odysseus is able to reunite with his wife.  Both Fiennes and Binoche give compelling performances but I still found this very tedious to watch.  In order to ground this retelling in reality, filmmakers have removed everything fanciful from the source material and replaced it with it with so many interminable close-up shots of silent contemplation.  Even with a long runtime there is not much backstory and those without a familiarity with the mythology might not understand anything that is going on because not much actually happens.  I even found the final battle, while incredibly bloody, to be very anticlimactic.  Aside from Fiennes, Binoche, and possibly Plummer, the rest of the acting is quite stilted and most of the characters do not make any sort of impression.  I really wanted this to be better than it was and recommend giving it a miss (unless you are big fans of the lead actors).

Leslie Odom, Jr. at the Eccles

Last night I was able to combine my love of Christmas music with my love of the original cast of Hamilton.  I went with my friend Wendy to see Leslie Odom, Jr. in a Christmas concert at the Eccles Theatre and it was absolutely amazing!  I am still on a high from it!  He took the stage dressed all in black with his insanely talented band, including Chris Cadenhead on piano, Steven Walker on guitar, Eric England on bass, and David Chiverton on drums (all of whom had extended solos all night which thrilled the audience), and played selections from his two Christmas albums, Simply Christmas and The Christmas Album.  I really love his jazz interpretations of Christmas classics and I enjoyed hearing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "My Favorite Things," "The Christmas Waltz," "The Christmas Song," "First Noel," "Please Come Home for Christmas," "Last Christmas," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and "O Tannenbaum" (sung in German).  He also sang a beautiful rendition of "Christmas" by Pete Townshend as well as his own original songs "Snow," "Winter Song" and "Cold" (which was one of my favorites).  He was joined by his band members all around him for some stirring a capella versions of the Sam Cooke songs "Jesus Gave Me Water" and "He's So Wonderful" and these got the audience cheering as if we were at an old-fashioned gospel revival!  He then recited "Twas The Night Before Christmas" which was absolutely mesmerizing and I was reminded that he is not only a beautiful singer with a velvety smooth voice but he is also a talented actor!  He continued with an exquisite performance of "Ave Maria" and then ended his set with "Heaven & Earth" (which was another of my favorites).  For the encore he sang acoustic versions of "Merry Christmas Darling" and the Sam Cooke song "I Wish You Love" which was a lovely way to end the concert.  In between those songs he performed an acoustic version of "Wait For It" from Hamilton (he apologized that it wasn't a Christmas song but I can assure you that no one in the audience minded) and it was incredible!  It was so thrilling to be able to see Leslie Odom, Jr. again and I loved every minute of this concert!