Les Miserables at the Eccles

When I was in high school I wanted to see the musical Les Miserables more than anything I have ever wanted.  I finally had the chance on a study abroad trip to London in college and hearing those opening notes played live for the first time was an experience I will never forget!  I have now seen it at least 30 times (a conservative estimate) and I still get goosebumps when I hear those opening notes.  I had the opportunity to see it again last night since the Broadway touring production is currently at the Eccles Theatre and I loved it as much as I did the first time I saw it.  The story of Jean Valjean's redemption is so inspiring and the music is glorious (I really have to stop myself from singing every single word).  I always anticipate my favorite moments and this cast definitely did not disappoint me!  Haley Dortch (the best Fantine I have ever seen) was so beautiful and heartbreaking in "I Dreamed a Dream" that I had tears running down my face, Preston Truman Boyd (Javert) was incredibly powerful in "Stars," Devin Archer (Enjolras) made me want to stand up and cheer in "Do You Hear the People Sing," Nick Cartell (Valjean) gave a highly emotional performance of "Bring Him Home" which elicited the biggest response from the crowd all night, and Gregory Lee Rodriguez (Marius) reduced me to tears once again in "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."  My favorite moment in the show is when Eponine sings "On My Own" and I always sit impatiently through the intermission waiting for it!  Christine Heesun Hwang gave a highly nuanced performance full of so many different emotions and I was very moved by it.  I also really enjoyed Christina Rose Hall (Madame Thenardier) because her characterization was a little different than what I have seen before.  This production features the new staging without the turntable and I actually prefer it because the sets and are much more elaborate and true to the events in the novel by Victor Hugo, especially the Prologue and "At the End of the Day."  I only miss the turntable in the scene where the barricade slowly turns after the battle to reveal Enjolras upside down holding the flag because that was so dramatic.  The projections in this newer production are also very effective and I particularly liked the different perspectives when Valjean carries Marius through the sewers and the visual effects used in Javert's "Soliloquy."  Even after seeing this show so many times I had an incredible experience last night (I will be on a high for days) and highly recommend getting one of the very few tickets available for the remaining shows (go here).  I would see it again if I could!

Oliver at HCTO

Last night I saw an absolutely wonderful production of Oliver, the musical adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novel, now playing at HCTO.  It follows the exploits Oliver Twist (Oliver Bingham), an orphan raised in a workhouse run by Mr. Bumble (Michael Young) and the Widow Corney (Katherine Trent).  He is sold to an undertaker named Mr. Sowerberry (Aron Cain) and his wife (Sarah Maxwell Neipp), escapes to London where he meets the Artful Dodger (Bingham Ker) and other members of a gang of pickpockets run by an elderly criminal named Fagin (Jeff Thompson), runs afoul of a vicious burglar named Bill Sikes but is rescued by his lover Nancy (Emma Wadsworth), and is finally reunited with his long lost grandfather Mr. Brownlow (Charles Eads).  All of the big production numbers are fantastic with dynamic and energetic choreography and I especially loved "Food, Glorious Food" with the orphans, "Consider Yourself" with the Artful Dodger, You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two" with Fagin and the pickpockets, "It's a Fine Life," "Oom-Pah-Pah," and "I'd Do Anything" with Nancy, and "Who Will Buy? with the vendors.  This is the biggest cast I've seen at HCTO and the staging is very innovative with so many people on the small and intimate stage.  Speaking of which, the stage is one of the most elaborate ones I've seen at HCTO and is configured with lots of different levels depicting alleys, bridges, streets, pubs, shops, and a proper Victorian mansion.  The period costumes are beautiful and I especially loved Nancy's dress and Fagin's top coat.  Finally, I loved all of the performances!  Bingham melts you heart as Oliver and I actually had a tear in my eye during his sweet rendition of "Where Is Love?" and Wadsworth shows a lot of vulnerability in "As Long As He Needs Me" while blowing the roof off the theatre.  However, Ker steals the show as the Dodger and I was unbelievably impressed with the orphans (Tate McBeth, Travis Hanson, Nat Paxman, Tyson Russell, Leo Smith, and Clara Norris) because they are insanely talented singers and dancers.  I loved everything about this production (the kids sitting near me loved it, too) and I can't say enough about it except that you should definitely get a ticket (go here).  It runs through August 5.

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster

I had never heard of The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster before I happened to catch the trailer.  It looked really interesting so I saw it last night at the Broadway and this contemporary retelling of Frankenstein with a bit of social commentary mixed in is really good.  Vicaria (Laya DeLeon Hayes) is a brilliant teenager with an affinity for science but she has been traumatized by the deaths caused by the gang violence and drug use that has become prevalent in the Black community where she lives.  After her brother Chris (Edem Atsu-Swanzy) is shot and killed while working for Kango (Denzel Whitaker), the local drug dealer, and her father Donald (Chad L. Coleman) begins abusing drugs as a way to deal with the tragedy, she hypothesizes that death is a disease that she can cure.  She builds a laboratory in an abandoned shed once used by the power company, collects bodies from the victims of violence around her, and eventually brings her brother back from the dead.  However, the creature that emerges from her experiment is not her brother but a monster that goes on a killing spree to exact revenge for his death.  This is a provocative take on Shelley's classic story because using the creature as a metaphor for systemic disenfranchisement is extremely effective but I wish that the narrative had explored the notion that the mad scientist is really the true monster a bit deeper than it does (the ending doesn't feel earned in my opinion).  Hayes give a riveting and multi-faceted performance as a young woman who will do anything to save her family but actually causes more harm and I also liked all of the supporting performances.  The visual effects look great, especially when the creature is brought to life, and the creature design as a shadowy hooded figure is menacing more for what we don't see than for what we do.  There are moments that are really scary with some intense body horror elements that are quite disturbing and the score, as well as the absence of sound, adds to the tension.  This is one of the better horror movies I've seen this year but, unfortunately, there has been very little promotion for it (I was the only person in the audience last night).  I definitely recommend seeking it out!

Singin' in the Rain at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I left the property early in the afternoon yesterday because I had a ticket to see Singin' in the Rain at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse last night. I thought I would have plenty of time but I heard that Parley's Canyon was at a standstill so I detoured to Provo Canyon which was a bit out of my way but was probably faster than sitting in traffic. I had Sean tuck and roll out of my car as I drove past his house (not really), I dropped all of my camping gear in the middle of my living room, and I took the world's fastest shower but I actually made it to the show with a few minutes to spare! I'm glad I made the effort because I loved this production! Don Lockwood (Jeff Erickson) and Lina Lamont (Whitney Cahoon) are silent film stars in the 1920s working on their latest collaboration. However, when the studio decides to transition to "talkies," Lina's obnoxious voice and terrible acting threatens to ruin the picture. Don decides to dub Lina's voice with that of Kathy Seldon (Stephanie Bruckman), an aspiring actress with whom he has fallen in love, and chaos ensues when Lina finds out! I really love all of the big song and dance numbers in this show and the choreography in "Fit as a Fiddle," "Make 'Em Laugh," "Moses Supposes," "Good Morning," and "Broadway Melody" is fantastic with lots of high energy tap dancing! The highlight is definitely the iconic number "Singin' in the Rain" because it actually rains on stage as Don dances around the lamp post. I was really impressed because this is a community theater that sometimes struggles with complicated technical effects. I also really liked "You Were Meant for Me" because it is incredibly romantic (I loved the stars) with tremendous chemistry between Erickson and Bruckman. The set is simple but effective with the logo for Monumental Pictures above a red velvet curtain and an Art Deco proscenium. This becomes a sound stage where the movies are filmed and a theater where they are screened with the addition of a few set pieces. Even though there were a few technical difficulties to begin with (which were handled in a highly amusing way), I loved seeing the movie footage projected on a large screen and I laughed and laughed when Lina struggles to use a microphone.  The 1920s costumes are a lot of fun and I especially liked all of the flapper dresses and headdresses. Erickson and Bruckman are wonderful singers and dancers and, as previously mentioned, have a lot of chemistry and Cahoon is a hoot but Nick Morris, as Don's sidekick Cosmo Brown, steals the show with his comedic timing and physicality. This is definitely among my favorites from the Terrace Plaza Playhouse and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs through July 22.

Note:  When my nephew found out what play I was trying to get home to see, he started singing "Good Morning."

Quick Camping Trip

Sunday morning Kristine, Sean, and I joined Trent at the property for a quick camping trip.  It was only two days but it was so much fun!

Once we got there Sean and I took turns driving the side-by-side up several mountain trails.  It was beautiful because everything was so green from all of the recent rain and there were wildflowers everywhere.

In the evening Trent made burgers on the grill.  Everything tastes so much better outside!

We spent the rest of the evening sitting around the fire talking and laughing.  This is one of my favorite parts of camping.

After Trent made us one of his famous breakfasts yesterday morning, I found a great spot on the property to read and it was so relaxing.  The weather was absolutely perfect because it wasn't too hot and it got cool but not cold in the evening.  I am so glad I spontaneously decided to go on this little trip and I was a little sad to leave and come back home.