Day Twenty-Seven: Chess

Happy New Year's Eve/ Day (depends on where in the globe you are!) I'm trying to write this post before 2013 arrives just to say I did it! I originally thought I would be done the 30 Days before this happened, but I got lazy. :P

Anyway, today's post is a musical I would love to see starring my favorite performers, which for me is Chess. I love Chess, I love the story line, and people have heard some of the songs from this show- whether  they realize it or not.

So, there's a world chess championship and that year's match would be held in a town in northern Italy. The town, Merano, is preparing for the association's arrival- meanwhile, Frederick "Freddie" Trumper of the United States arrives with Hungarian-born English-raised girlfriend and second Florence Vassy. Florence notices how Freddie is spoken in a negative light in the press because of his "bad boy" attitude. She asks Freddie to control his temper, but he ignores her and assaults a journalist who questions his and Florence's relationship. 

Freddie's Russian opponents, Anatoly Sergievsky -and his second, Alexander Molokov- watches Freddie embarrass himself on television. Anatoly laments on what he gave up to be where he was. The head of the chess association asks both contestants to a clean game, while both contestants secretly wish to defeat their opponents. The match becomes intense, resulting to Freddie destroying the chessboard and storming out of the arena. Florence apologizes for Freddie's actions and tries to set up a peace meeting between Anatoly and Freddie.

It turns out, Freddie did the outburst because of an American media company offering a higher price to him if he did it. Freddie and Florence argue about it until Freddie changes the conversation about Florence's missing father, who was captured by Soviet forces during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Florence leaves for the resort where she told Anatoly to meet Freddie and herself so they can have a diplomatic response to the chess match.

Freddie doesn't arrive with Florence, which leaves Florence and Anatoly awkwardly together, waiting. However, romance arises between Florence and Anatoly and the two embrace. Suddenly, Freddie enters, interrupting the two. Freddie was late because he was negotiating another business deal with the same media company. The chess tournament proceeds with Anatoly dominating to where he needs only to win one more match to win the tournament. Freddie acts childish to his defeats, which results to Florence leaving him. 

Freddie is left to reflect on his childhood while he sends the head of the chess association a letter of resignation, which results in Anatoly automatically becoming the world champion. Anatoly leaves Russia and seeks for refuge in England, with Florence accompanying him. The press discovers the secret relationship and swarm the two. When asked why Anatoly is deserting his country, he answers by saying his land's only border is around his heart.

A year goes by, and Anatoly returns to defend his title in Bangkok, Thailand. Freddie is already there because he's the media company's special presenter for the year's championship. Florence and Antoly are openly lovers, but both worry for Antoly's estranged wife, Svetlana, arriving from Russia. Anatoly thinks that  Molokov, planned this in order to get Anatoly to return to the Soviet Union. Molokov has been training a new guy named Leonin Viigand to challenge Antoly: Molokov plans on spying on Anatoly and plots his downfall.

Freddie is manipulated by the head of the company to humiliate Anatoly on a live interview between himself and his former opponent. Molokov blackmails Svetlana to making Anatoly lose the match. The head of the media company, Walter, discovers about the release of American agents if he can ruin Anatoly's play- he convinces Florence that if she makes Anatoly lose, then her father will be released as well. Neither of the ploys make Anatoly lose the match. Molokov and Walter team up and ask Freddie to personally persuade Anatoly and Florence. Freddie, who wants revenge from Anatoly and is interested in winning back Florence, tries to talk to the couple- however, they dismiss him.

Svetlana and Florence talk one-on-one about their romantic relationships with Anatoly. Florence confesses that it would be best if Anatoly returned to Svetlana and their children. Anatoly is told to go to a certain temple and meets Freddie there. Freddie puts aside his personal agenda and decides to help Anatoly; he tells him of Viigand's flaw in how he plays in order to help Anatoly win.

Both Anatoly and Viigand have won 5 games apiece, but Anatoly wins the final match. He feels as though this will be the only thing he can accomplish in life. Svetlana and Florence scold Anatoly for his reaction to winning the chess match; he didn't care at all. Later, Florence tells Anatoly that he should return home to the Soviet Union with Svetlana. Walter later tells Florence Anatoly returned with Svetlana back home. Walter also admits that no one knows if Florence's father is alive or not. Florence sobs that Walter uses people's lives for nothing and repeats Anatoly's statements at the end of Act 1, about having the only borders lie around her heart.

(I just realized I did the West End version of this show, so sorry! It's all too confusing for me now. Just read it for yourself; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_(musical)#Plot_2)

So, the song I'll choose is "Anthem" because I think it's a good piece to represent the show (this is sung at the end of Act 1, when Anatoly is asked why is he leaving Russia). This stars Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, and Adam Pascal!

Day Twenty-Six: Seussical

Today's post is a musical featuring a character you can relate to the most. The character would have to be Gertrude McFuzz, which means the musical of the day is Seussical.

Seussical is based off of Dr. Seuss, especially with the story of Horton Hears a Who, featuring characters such as: The Cat in the Hat, Jojo, The Grinch, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie LaBird, etc.

I'll give a quick synopsis: "A person's a person no matter how small." Horton, an elephant, finds a speck of dust containing a tiny world on it, and only he hears the tiny people. He places the speck on a four-leaf clover and endures the mocking of the citizens of the Jungle of Nool. The only person on his side is a bird named Gerdtrude McFuzz, his neighbor, who's always had a secret crush on him.

The tiny world on the speck of dust, called Who, a boy named Jojo has an overactive imagination that gets him into a lot of trouble at school and at home. Horton and Jojo bond over how different they are and become friends. Meanwhile, Gertrude (my character) is trying really hard to impress Horton; so she takes some pills to have her bird tail feathers grow longer and fuller, following the instructions of her friend Mayzie. Alas, Horton still doesn't pay much attention to her.

Jojo's parents send him to military school to teach discipline in him, lead by this crazy General Genghis Khan Schmitz (name sound similar, anyone?) Horton is ambushed by the Wickersham brothers, who are monkeys. They steal the clover and give it to an eagle named Vlad Vladikoff, who drops it into a field of identical clovers. Gertrude takes more tail pills in order to get Horton to notice her again. Mayzie, who has been abandoned by her lover and left the egg the two created, asks if Horton can watch the egg while she goes and takes an afternoon off. Horton is captured by hunters and Gertrude, unable to fly due to the size and weight of her tail feathers, isn't able to save Horton.

Horton is transported, while still sitting on the egg, to NYC and is auctioned off to the circus. Mayzie, who has been laying around, decides to visit the circus and runs into Horton. She tells Horton that he's more of a parent than she'll never be and leaves the egg with Horton forever. Horton vows to raise the egg and "sings" it to sleep, about a magical place called Solla Sollew.

Jojo confronts the crazy general about his obsession with war and accidently causes an explosion, which is thought to have destroyed him. The Cat in the Hat explain to Jojo's parents, when they hear the news, that Jojo survived the explosion and got lost while traveling back to Whoville. The Cat in the Hat finds Jojo and brings him back to his parents, where the three of them embrace.

Gertrude finds Horton at the circus and frees him. After realizing her self-worth, Gertrude had gotten the feathers plucked off and found the Whos' clover. However, the Sour Kangaroo, working with the Wickersham brothers, bring Horton back to the Jungle of Nool: he is put on trial for talking to a speck of dust and sitting on an egg. Horton and Gertrude try to plead innocent, but it is in vain: Judge Yertle the Turtle still orders the clover to be boiled in a pot of beezlenut oil. Horton begs the Whos to shout their existence, which they do by yelling: YOPP.

The sound is just high enough for the jungle citizens to hear. Horton is declared innocent and Sour Kangaroo is dedicated herself to help care for the small speck of dust. Jojo is given the title "Thinker Non-Stop" and gets appreciation from his parents. The egg hatches: out comes an "Elephant-Bird" creature. Horton realizes he can't raise an animal that flies, but Gertrude assures him she can teach the creature to fly and he can teach it on land. The two vow to raise the "child" together. The End.

I think I associate myself with Gertrude for a couple of reasons. One is that she was the first lead role I had ever acquired, even though it was during theatre camp. Two is that she's very shy and quiet and nerdy, which I kinda am. Three is that she has tried to change her appearance to get the guy she likes, but I mean what girl hasn't done that at one point? Four is that she can be a good friend and very reliable. Five is that I have written a song about a guy I had a crush on and about myself. Six is a combination of the previous five reasons: I can connect to her a lot because I can understand what she's going through and by using part of my qualities in her, I think I pulled off Gertrude McFuzz rather well!

Because I'm highlighting Gertrude, I'll do her signature song, "The One-Feather Tail of Miss Gertrude McFuzz" (it's immediately followed by "Amayzing Mayzie" (yes, I spelled it wrong on purpose)).

Day Twenty-Five: The Little Mermaid

Today's post is a musical that is my current favorite, which is The Little Mermaid. (I just realized that I should have put this show for my theatre obsession: I've been listening to it so much, it's scaring me.)

So, I think the majority of you know what's about, or at least know it involves a red-haired mermaid named Ariel. Ariel wants to be like humans, even though being a mermaid is frickin' cool and the majority of the world isn't as great as she hopes it is. She has three 'close' friends; Flounder (a flounder) Sebastian (a crab)., and Scuttle (a seagull).

 The mermaid, youngest of seven and a princess to her father, King Triton, disobeys him and goes to her aunt, Ursula: Ursula was kicked out of the kingdom because she was accused of doing 'black magic.' Ariel basically makes 'A Deal with the Devil'. Ariel has had her eye on a certain human prince named Eric, after she saved his life from a terrible storm, tossing him overboard. Ursula, who believes that Ariel is the key to her regaining the kingdom, has a proposal for her: Ariel will turn into a human for three days, and get the true love's kiss from Eric. If it happens, Ariel can stay human forever; if not, then Ariel is to return to a mermaid and be Ursula's slave. As payment, Ariel loses her voice, which is kept in Ursula's shell.

Eric has been searching for the maiden who saved his life, but the only clue he has to find her is her voice. Eric finds Ariel, now a human and mute, and brings her back to the castle. The two spend time together. Near the end of the second day, Eric and Ariel are on a quiet boat ride through a lagoon. The lagoon animals try to create a romantic atmosphere for Eric and Ariel to kiss. They are about to, when Ursula's electric eels and companions, Flotsam and Jetsam give the boat a shock, shocking Eric out of the romantic mood.

Sebastian and Flounder end up informing Ariel's father, Triton, about her deal with Ursula. Eric still dreams about finding the girl with the beautiful voice, but doesn't want to lose Ariel: he doesn't know Ariel is the girl he was looking for. The next day- the third day- there's a singing contest, where foreign princesses sing to the tune that Eric was sung to ("Part of Your World") in order to find his dream girl. Ariel, who still cannot speak, instead dances for him and Eric picks her. Ursula arrives and tells Ariel that her time is up, and Flotsam and Jetsam whisks her back to the sea. 

Triton arrives to confront Ursula and rescues Ariel by offering to take her place. Ursula becomes Queen of the Sea and banishes Triton with a wave of the trident she acquired. Eric has come to save Ariel via ship, but Ursula has raised the sea level higher, to stop any "interference." Ariel grabs the shell and regains her voice, causing Flotsam and Jetsam to swim away. Ariel threatens to break the shell and Ursula tries to sweet talk her niece to not break it: Ursula believes she would die without her shell. Ursula comes close to recapturing the shell- however, when she makes a comment about proving her father wrong and having him rot on the ocean floor, Ariel smashes the shell. The fracture destroys Ursula.

Triton reconciles with Ariel and realizes that he has to turn her into a human again. Ariel and Eric are reunited and Eric meets her father. Eric asks Triton for Ariel's hand in marriage. Ariel answers back with agreement, surprising Eric. Triton declares peace between merfolk and human, and Ariel and Eric get married and live happily ever after.

I guess I will put on here one of the most known songs associated with this show, and it's "Part of Your World." (Surprisingly enough, I always forgot the lyrics to the song until yesterday). But, this is sung by Sierra Boggess, who is my second favorite singer of all time, on the Today show! (after Idina Menzel, of course). Just to warn you, the actual song doesn't play until 1:50, unless you want to see her interview.

Day Twenty-Four: Avenue Q

Today's post is a musical that makes me laugh, which is Avenue Q. (Book of Mormon also belongs here, but I already used it on Day Two.)

For those of you who haven't heard of Avenue Q, it's basically a rated-R version of the popular TV show "Sesame Street" (mainly because of the puppetry.)

One puppet is trying to figure out his 'purpose' in life, while wooing the affections of another. One puppet is trying to figure out if his puppet roommate is gay (which he is). There's Gary Coleman, who's played by a female for some reason, and a regular guy who paid for a Japanese mail-order bride named Christmas Eve. Here's the rest of the synopsis: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_q)

(I'm sorry I haven't been doing my usual posts; I virtually have no time now!)

I'll play for you one of my favorites, "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" (which I feel as though it's true: the two puppets, Kate and Princeton, are the ones that fall in love.)

Day Twenty-Three: Legally Blonde

I hope everyone had a great Christmas morning! With the 25th anniversary DVD of Phantom of the Opera (which I will dedicate all of tomorrow to watching), I will be! Anyway, today's post is a musical that everyone should see live, and that show, for me, is Legally Blonde: The Musical.

I really don't feel like describing the show because it's the same synopsis as the movie version, starring Reese Witherspoon.

I think people should see Legally Blonde because it's so funny and very fast-paced. It also holds Elle's innocence and "blondeness" (not to insult any blondes whatsoever).

So, here's one of the songs, "Gay or European," sung with some of my favorites, Laura Bell Bundy as Elle and Christian Borle as Emmett! (This takes place during the trial, where it's discovered the guy is both gay and European!)

Day Twenty-Two: The Music Man

Happy holiday season everyone! Today's post is a musical I wish was (never) made into a movie, and I chose the negative aspect to the question and answered: The Music Man.

I actually don't like today's topic, but I need an excuse to bash on The Music Man. I hate it. I find the show annoying and the plot line stupid (I mean, the show advertises a librarian falling in love with a con man? Boring and stupid.)

I'll give a quick synopsis! It starts with con man "Professor" Harold Hill having his name known due to his recent scam: he convinces parents he can teach their children, whether musically talented or not, to play musical instruments. On the idea that he will create a band, Hill collects orders for uniforms and instruments from the parents, but skips town as soon as the instruments arrive. After overhearing some salesmen talk about him on a train ride, Hill gets off at River City, Iowa.

The town is very stubborn and isn't used to having new guests; only his old colleague Marcus Washburn, who was once a con man but has turned "clean." Hill starts his scheme by informing the River City parents the "trouble" that will occur from the town's new pool table. Hill follows Marian Paroo, a librarian who gives piano lessons and is the only trained musician in town, home and attempts to flirt with her: she ignores him.

At home, Marian is teaching a little girl piano lessons while arguing with her widowed mother about her not finding a husband yet. Marian's teenage lisping brother, Winthrop (whom Amaryllis has a big crush on) comes home. Amaryllis asks Marian who she says 'good night' to because she has no sweetheart. Marian tells her to say 'good night' to her 'someone.'

The next day, Independence Day, the town is having a meeting and one of the boys, Tommy, lights a firecracker. Hill takes the stage and proposes the idea that by getting rid of the town's "sin and corruption" and the town's pool table, he will create a boys' band. The mayor asks the bickering members of the school board to get Hill's credentials, but Hill teaches them how to sing a Barbershop Quartet instead and slips away. Hill sets up the mayor's eldest daughter with Tommy, while pledging to Marcus that Marian is the girl for him (after she turned him down again).

The townwomen, excited for the ladies' dance committee that Hill promises to form, lie to him about Marian and her inappropriate relationship with deceased old miser Madison, who gave the town the library, but gave her all of the books. They also warn him that she gives out "dirty books." The school board finds Hill to get the credentials, but Hill makes them sing as he slips away again.

The next day, Hill declares his love to Marian while she's working in the library and gets the teenagers to help him. They dance and he kisses her. Marian tries to slap Hill, but slaps Tommy instead. Hill signs all of the boys up for the band, including Winthrop. Marian's mother likes Hill and asks Marian why she doesn't. Later, Marian discovers a page from the Indiana State Educational Journal that could catch Hill as a con man, but the instruments arrive and Winthrop feels so confident playing his new cornet. Marian sees Hill in a new light and rips the page out before showing the mayor.

As Harold "teaches" the band how to play, the school board is cracking down on obtaining Hill's school credentials. Meanwhile, a traveling salesman, who has come by town, has evidence that Hill isn't who he says he is and wants to inform the mayor of River City. Marian distracts the salesman so he doesn't have time to tell the mayor and has to catch the next train out of town. Hill realizes that he's in love with Marian and she grows feelings for him as well.

The salesman ended up missing the train and heads to the ice cream social, where he calls Hill a fraud. The town angrily searches for Hill. He ends up being arrested and is taken away. Marian goes to Hill's defense; at that point, the boys march into the gym where Hill was held and the parents of the children were so moved by seeing them play instruments, Hill was released into Marian's arms.

I would do the song "Seventy-Six Trombones," but it's been so overdone. Plus, I just plain hate that song. So, I will play the next-to-most-annoying song, "Marian The Librarian" (this is when Hill proclaims his love to Marian in the library, and yes: Hill is played by Matthew Broderick and Marian is played by Kristin Chenoweth!)

Day Twenty-One: West Side Story

Today's musical is one that inspires me, which is West Side Story. I've just always liked this musical, it just makes me feel happy! (Or maybe because I'm a big fan of Shakespeare- he was quite the pick-up artist!)

So, there are two 'gangs' in the city; the Jets (the 'White' group) and the Sharks (the 'Puerto Rican' group) and both struggle for control of the neighborhood. The police warn both groups to stop fighting among each other. The Jets- Riff (the leader), Diesel, Action, A-Rab, Baby John, Snowboy, Joyboy, Big Deal, Tiger, Mouthpiece, Gee-Tar- decide they want to plan a rumble against the Sharks- Bernardo, Chino, Pepe, Indio, Loco, Juano, Luiz, Rocco, Toro, Del Campo, Chile. Riff finds his old friend and former group leader, Tony, and asks him to meet the Jets at the dance. Tony does, but he wants no further part with the gang.

Maria works in a bridal shop with Anita, her brother Bernardo's girlfriend. Maria had just arrived from Puerto Rico and her family picked Chino to be her future husband. Anita and Maria talk about going to the dance. At the dance, the teenagers begin to dance. Not long after, there's a dance battle, and Tony and Maria spot each other from across the room. Unaware of the tension in the room, the two dance and are about to kiss when Bernardo takes Maria away and sends her home.

Riff and Bernardo agree for a War Council at Doc's, the drug store Tony works at and is declared neutral grounds. An infatuated and happy Tony finds Maria's building and serenades her outside her bedroom. He climbs onto her fire escape and the two proclaim their love for one another. Meanwhile, Anita and the other Shark girls talk about the differences between Puerto Rico and the U.S.

Inside Doc's, the Jets wait for the Sharks. The two groups meet and discuss using weapons at the rumble. Tony suggests a "fair fight" (fists only) and the leaders agree to that idea. Bernardo wanted to fight Tony, but has to fight Diesel instead. The police (particularly Lt. Schrank) is trying to find the location of the rumble. Tony tells Doc, the owner of the drug store, about Maria. Doc is worried for the two, but Tony isn't; he's in love.

Maria has been in a very happy mood and cannot wait to see Tony again. Tony meets Maria at the bridal shop and dream about their wedding. She asks Tony to stop the fight, which he agrees to do. Tony, Maria, Anita, Bernardo and Riff anticipate the events to come that night. The gangs meet under the highway, and Bernardo and Diesel are about to fight. Tony tries to make peace and to stop the fight. Bernardo is provoking Tony, but Tony refuses to fight, resulting in Riff punching Bernardo in Tony's defense.

Riff and Bernardo draw out switchblades and get into a knife fight. Riff is stabbed by Bernardo and Tony, in a fit of rage, grabs Riff's blade and kills Bernardo. The two gangs get into a free-for-all. They hear the sound of sirens and everyone leaves, except for Tony, who has just realized what he has done and leaves at the last moment.

Unknowing of what Tony had done, Maria daydreams about seeing Tony with her friends. Chino brings the news that Tony killed Bernardo. Maria flees to her room, hoping that Chino is mistaken. Tony arrives to see Maria, who is originally mad with Tony. The two talk of running away together and imagine it. One of the police officers pursues the Jets, which causes a fight and the officer leaves. Anybodys, a tomboy wanting to join the Jets, overhears Chino wanting to kill Tony with a gun. She also begins a relationship with Action when she relays the news.

Anita arrives at Maria's apartment and overhears Tony telling Maria to meet him at Doc's so they can run to the country together. Anita becomes furious discovering this and belittles him. Maria responds by telling Anita how powerful love is. Anita realizes Maria loves Tony just as much as Anita herself loved Bernardo. She admits Chino has a gun and is searching for Tony.

Maria tells Anita to tell Tony, who is waiting for Maria at Doc's, to wait as Lt. Schrank arrives to question Maria about her brother's death. When Anita arrives at Doc's, the Jets were there are were throwing racial slurs at Anita and physically attack her. Doc comes and breaks up the fight. Anita spitefully tell the Jets, and Doc- who happens to overhear- that Chino shot Maria dead.

Doc relays the news to Tony, who has been dreaming of traveling to the countryside and have children with Maria. Tony, who is now feeling suicidal, leaves to find Chino so he can kill Tony. Just as Tony sees Maria, who is still alive and has never been killed, Chino shoots Tony. Both gangs flock around the lovers. Maria holds Tony in his arms and sings to him as he dies.

The Jets, furious another friend of theirs is killed, is about to attack the Sharks when Maria grabs Chino's gun and tells both groups that they all killed Tony, Riff and Bernardo, and that she can now kill, because she hates too. However, she's unable to shoot the gun and drops it to the ground, and begins sobbing. All members of both gangs crowd around Tony's body, signifying that the feud is over, and carries Tony's body off in a procession, with Maria walking behind them.

This is one of my personal favorites, the 'Tonight Quintet' (It's based off the 1961 movie version: This is before the rumble that Riff and Bernardo die at, when everyone is talking about what will happen that night.)

Day Twenty: Godspell

My, we're at Day 20 already! Well, today's post is a 'guilty pleasure' musical I have, and that would be, for me, Godspell.

I probably shouldn't like this musical as much as I do because my friends are all sick of it (sick of the junior version, that is.) The junior version been done three times in the past four years, and the original has been done once (as far as I know.) According to some of my friends, it'll become as bad as Annie (I'm so not letting that happen!)

The show starts with God's voice saying: "My name is known: God and King. I am most in majesty, in whom no beginning can be and no end." The company members (which is very small, I think it's around eight people) pretend to be different philosophers (Socrates, Thomas Aquinas, da Vinci, etc.) sing about each of their philosophies, which are focused around God.

John the Baptist (whom is played by the same person playing Judas) calls the community to order and tells everyone the Lord is coming. He begins to baptize the company when Jesus comes, asking to be baptized as well. John instead tells Jesus that he isn't worthy to baptize such a holy person, and that Jesus should baptize John. Jesus states that his purpose is to come "save the people."

The company enacts various parables while Jesus teaches them the meanings behind them. Some include the widow & the Judge, the Pharisses & the tax collector, the Servant & Master, the Good Samaritan, Lazarus, No Man Can Serve Two Masters, the Beatitudes, the Sower of the Seeds, and the Prodigal Son.

For act two, Judas betrays Jesus as the rest of the company begins to cling to him even more. As they assemble for the Last Supper, Jesus reveals that one of them (hinting at Judas) will betray him. After going to the Garden of Gethsemane to think, he finds his followers all asleep.

Jesus finds Judas and tells him to crucify him. The company begins to attack Judas, but Jesus tells them ,"He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword" and that it must be done. After Jesus dies on the cross, the company take him down and bring his "corpse" either offstage or through the aisles as they are praising him and "hinting" he will resurrect. The End.

I like this show. It's catchy and I think that in order to be classified as a 'theatre person,' you must have been involved in the junior versions of either Godspell or Seussical (which is coming up on a later post.)

My favorite song from the show, "By My Side," makes me cry! (but not this recording, it isn't the greatest version, but it's recent!) (Just to warn you, the guy speaking in this is Judas narrating how he betrays Jesus; the girl speaking is the singer of the song.)

Day Nineteen: Once On This Island

Today's post is a musical that disappointed me, which I thought was Once On This Island.

I saw it over the summer (the junior version) and I thought it was just terribly put together (especially the girl who played Andrea; god it was awful!)

So, there's a raging storm and a little girl in this little pack cries out, so the other members of the clan tell the girl the story of Ti Moune (pronouced "tea moon"), a peasant girl who falls in love with a Grand Homme, Daniel Beauxhomme. (I'll explain that in a second.)

Here, the four gods of the island, called the Jewel of the Antilles (which is Haiti in real life) are introduced; Asaka, mother of the Earth; Agwe, god of water; Erzulie, goddess of love; and Papa Ge; demon of death. The peasants (classified as "black as night") live on one side of the island, and the Grand Hommes ("lighter-skinned descendants" of the original French planters of the island (aka white people)) with their slaves live on the other side.

One day, Agwe unleashes a terrible storm on the island, resulting in a horrible flood that wipes out the majority of the villages. However, the gods save little Ti Moune's life by placing her on a tree, high from the storm's waves. She's later adopted by Mama Euralie and Tonton Julian. Years later, Ti Moune, all grown up, pray to the gods to find her "purpose" and to let her be like the Grand Hommes. Hearing this, the gods laugh her. However, Erzulie suggests giving her love, because it's stronger than any of the other elements. Papa Ge now begins to argue the question on which is stronger: love or death. Agwe arranges a storm to make Daniel crash his car, so that Daniel and Ti Moune can meet.

Despite opposition from the other village members, including her own parents, Ti Moune cares and tries to heal Daniel. Ti Moune falls in love with the unconscious boy and imagines he loves her too. Papa Ge comes to claim Daniel's life, but Ti Moune sacrifices her life for his so that Daniel won't die. Papa Ge is angry, but later hints that he will return.

Tonton travels to the other side of the island to locate the Beauxhomme hotel. When he comes back, he brings some of Daniel's people with him to bring Daniel back. Tonton tells Ti Moune of the story of Daniel's people. Ti Moune becomes extremely upset and tells her parents she will go after Daniel and marry him. Her parents reluctantly let her go. On the way there, Ti Moune meets Asaka, who assures her that the Earth will provide anything for Ti Moune on her long journey to find Daniel. She arrives at the hotel gates and finds Daniel's room.

Daniel, still weak and not feeling well, doesn't remember but believes her after she describes a scar on his chest. They stay together while Erzulie gives them the gift of love. Daniel ignores the townspeople gossiping about her relationship with Ti Moune. Daniel appreciates that Ti Moune isn't like the rich girls he's come to know in his village.

At a ball held at the hotel, Andrea Deveraux, a daughter of Daniel's family friends, asks Ti Moune to dance for them; her plan was to make Ti Moune look bad in front of the other Grand Hommes. However, she gains admiration instead. Ti Moune finds out Daniel is engaged to Andrea, and Daniel, forced to follow his responsibilities, must go through the marriage, but insists they can be lovers forever. Ti Moune leaves the ball, feeling crushed. Later, Papa Ge comes back, reminding her that she sacrificed her life to save Daniel's- but she can cancel it if she kills Daniel.

Ti Moune enters Daniel's room with a knife, but finds herself unable to do it, proving Erzulie right, that love is  stronger than death. Daniel begins to wake up and finds her in his room with the knife. His family throws her out of the hotel after discovering the appalling attempted murder. She waits for days for Daniel at the gates.
Daniel and Andrea marry, and they perform a tradition where they throw coins to the peasants outside of the hotel gates. Ti Moune calls to Daniel, who places a silver coin in her hand and leaves.

The storytellers now say that Erzulie took Ti Moune by the hand and brought her to the ocean, where Agwe allowed her to drown peacefully. Papa Ge received her and brought her back to shore, and Asaka turned her into a tree. It's now become a celebration of life and cracks open the hotel gates, allowing people of all social classes to come together as one. Her legacy brings together another peasant girl and a new young Grand Homme, Daniel and Andrea's son, as they play in her branches.

The storytellers explain how one peasant girl could bring the people of the island together using the power of love. "It helps us to remember, to forgive- and out of what we live and believe, our lives become the stories we weave." The little girl, whom the storytellers were speaking to, now begins to recite the story herself.

(In the junior version, Ti Moune just sits in front of the gates and Asaka turns her into a tree, right then and there.)

It really disappointed me. The show reminds me of Twilight, when Edward left Bella. Instead of Bella being strong, she almost kills herself. Same with Ti Moune! She devoted her life to Daniel and he didn't marry her, so she had nothing else to live for.  These girls made it obvious that guys are everything to them, and that if he's not with you, then no one will have you. That just sends a bad message.

Plus, Daniel didn't like the girl he was engaged to. So why the hell did he have a kid with her? That just enrages me.

So, I guess I'll post "Forever Yours" (this is when Ti Mohne sacrifices her life to save Daniel's from Papa Ge).

Day Eighteen: Rent

Today's post, as foretold in the last, is the musical with the best lyrics. And I think it's Rent.

Yes I know it's basically Aids: The Musical, but I really enjoying the lyrics, they're so moving to me! "There's only us, there's only this. Forget regret, or life is yours to miss!"

So I'll give a recap of the show. It takes place in Alphabet City in NYC in the late '80s/early '90s, and the entire first act takes place on Christmas Eve. There's these two guys; Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, and Roger, a musician who wants to have one great hit and has been dealing through withdrawl (from drugs, obviously). Their power gets cut off by their landlord and ex-friend, Benny, who is married to the daughter of the Grey corporation that is taking over the city.

Meanwhile, Roger and Mark's good friend, Collins, gets jumped while heading to the guys' apartment and is left on the streets for dead. But then Angel, a guy on the streets playing the bongos, finds Collins and brings him back to his place to care for him. Collins and Angel (who is later revealed to be a drag queen) are instantly attracted to each other. Roger is trying to write his song, but is interrupted by Mimi, who uses her blown-out candle as an excuse to flirt with Roger. Collins finally arrives at the apartment and introduces the two guys to Angel. 

Benny drops by the apartment, hassling the guys about paying the rent for the apartment. But he offers a deal; if the guys can get Maureen to cancel her protest, he'll let them live in this new studio project, rent-free. The two reject his offer and Benny leaves. Angel and Collins invite Roger and Mark to come to an HIV support group meeting.

Mark's ex-girlfriend, Maureen, who also turned lesbian and dumped Mark to date a lawyer named Johanne, is running a protest that would take place that night at midnight at this lot that was being closed down. Johanne is her stage manager and is working the technology aspect for the protest. Maureen called Mark to go help Johanne, despite Johanne demanding that Maureen doesn't call him for help. 

While fixing the sound equipment, Johanne and Mark lament about Maureen and how her sultry ways drove Mark nuts and drives Johanne crazy now. Mark warns Johanne that Maureen will get worse, to which is proven true later in the scene. Mark leaves and hurries to the support group meeting.

Mimi comes back to the apartment and attempts to seduce Roger. In response, Roger kicks her out and pushes her away. He then confesses aloud to an empty apartment about his fear of dying of AIDS. (He got it from his previous girlfriend, who committed suicide after discovering they both were positive.)

Collins talks about his dream to leave New York City to go open up a restaurant in Santa Fe. Soon after, Collins and Angel confess their love to each other and commit into a relationship. Johanne is still nervous as she finishes preparing for Maureen's show. Roger finds Mimi and apologizes for his behavior. He tries to make it up to her by inviting her to the protest and to have dinner at the Life Cafe afterwards with the gang, to which she agrees. The people on the streets are protesting.

Maureen arrives and gives her performance. At the cafe after the show, Benny makes rude comments about the performance and the group's Bohemian lifestyle. Mark and everyone else in the cafe rejoice to them living in the Bohemian lifestyle. Meanwhile, Mimi confronts Roger for ignoring her during dinner. The two talk and discover the other is HIV-positive, which brings them closer. Johanne returns, explaining that Mark and Roger's building has been padlocked. A riot breaks out on the streets as Mimi and Roger share their first kiss.

Act two takes place over the course of one year. Long story short (I don't feel like recapping the rest of the show) all the couples go through a point where they don't speak to each other, except for Angel and Collins. Angel dies from AIDS. And while Roger and Mimi broke up, Mimi was dating Benny (even though Benny's married.)

After Angel's funeral, Roger leaves for Santa Fe, and Mark works at this new reporting company called Buzzline. Roger comes back and Mark realizes that this isn't what he wanted at all. Mimi disappeared but was found in the park, shivering and dying after being kicked out of her apartment when Benny's wife found out he cheated. Mimi dies, but Roger's song (which he finally wrote!) brings her back to him, and the entire gang celebrate.

My favorite song out of the show (it really moves me, especially the ending of it) is "Goodbye Love," which is showing the group falling apart as Roger leaves for Santa Fe. (The actual song doesn't start until a little after 1 minute.)

Day Seventeen: Phantom Of The Opera

Today's post is a musical with the best music, which I think is Phantom of the Opera. (This post is strictly for the score; the post with the best lyrics will be for the next post.)

So I will give the basics. It takes place to 1899 (modern day), then transports back in time a good 50 years or so in Paris. There's this creepy guy who has only half a mask (the Phantom) and he's lived in some secret part of the opera house and always prefers to have Box #5 empty ("Box" is a small section of seats that weren't up on the balcony but aren't as low to the floor level.)

Meanwhile, there's this girl in the Ensemble, Christine Daae, who has been taught how to sing by the "Angel of Music" (who was really the Phantom through the ducts in the opera house). The Phantom has been demanding that the house will be run his way or things go bad, which have. Some acts include Carlotta being given this elixir that causes her to not sing well, the chandelier falls onto the stage, one of the stagehands is murdered, etc.

Christine and her old childhood friend, Raoul, have been sprouting up this romance, to which the Phantom becomes extremely jealous of. The Phantom tries to claim Christine as his "girlfriend," and she does so, in fear he will cause more damage to the opera house. The owners of the house reluctantly agree to perform a show that the Phantom wrote, called Don Juan Triumphant, with Christine as the female lead. They agree under Raoul's idea that they will capture the Phantom on opening night.

Problem is, the Phantom ends up onstage with Christine and Raoul can't just stop the show and take him offstage, especially because he had Christine hostage. He kidnaps her (yet again) and brings her to his lair, where she would stay. Raoul goes after her, while following the advice of Madame Giry, the ballet instructor,  to "keep [his] hand at the level of [his] eyes." (This is because the Phantom is an expert in killing people with the Punjab lasso, and the only way to stop it is to keep an arm there when it's tightened.)

Raoul finds the lair and falls into the Phantom's trap and is held captive. Christine begs Phantom to let him go and says she'll stay with the Phantom if Raoul is to be let free. The Phantom is so moved by this, he lets both Christine and Raoul go. Meanwhile, an angry mob has been finding their way to Phantom's lair, and when they get there, he's no where to be found.

At the end of the show, Christine is dead and every year there is a black rose on her grave (the Phantom's calling card to Christine was a black rose.) The End.

(Yes I know there are a LOT more characters, but this show is so well known, either people know it or they will look it up on WikiPedia.)

My personal favorite song of the show is "Phantom of the Opera," I think it's just very powerful and intense, you can't help but like it! (Plus, I think it really highlights just how good Christine is supposed to be, because of the Phantom.)  I absolutely love listening to Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman!

(Fun fact: For anyone that has seen Wall-E, during the movie there's an old musical video that Wall-E plays a lot (the show is Hello Dolly!) and in the duet part that is shown, the guy singing is Michael Crawford!)

Day Sixteen: Oklahoma!

Today's post is a musical from my least favorite composer(s). For me, I have serious issues with the classic duo Rogers and Hammerstein. I'm not a big fan of them for some reason. (There are a couple of musicals I can tolerate, however.) And the musical I chose to represent that is one of least favorite out of their works.

So I'll try to give a synopsis of the show. In Oklahoma during 1906, cowboy Curly McLain is in a good mood today and wanders into farm girl Laurey Williams' yard. He and Laurey tease each other, while Laurey's Aunt Eller looks away. There's a dance that night, and during it is an auction of lunch baskets made by the local girls to raise money for the schoolhouse. Whoever wins a lunch basket gets to eat the lunch with the girl who made it. Curly asks Laurey to go with him, but she tells him he waited too long. He persuades her by telling her he'll bring her in the finest carriage money can buy, but she thinks he's kidding, much to her dismay that he really did rent a carriage.

The lonely and disturbed farm hand Jud Fry has become obsessed with Laurey and asks her to the dance. She accepts to spite Curly, even though she is afraid of Jud. Meanwhile, cowboy Will Parker has just come back from his visit to modern Kansas City. He won $50 at a fair, which is how much his girlfriend's father, Andrew Carnes, is demanding if he wants to marry Ado Annie, his girlfriend. Unfortunately, he spent the money on buying gifts for her. Will also purchased a "Little Wonder" (a metal tube used for looking at pictures but with a hidden blade) for Ado Annie's father, unaware with its deadly secret.

Later, Ado Annie confesses to Laurey that she has been spending a lot of time with Ali Hakim, a Persian peddler. Laurey tells her she'll have to choose between the two, but Annie insists she loves them both. Laurey and her friends prepare for the dance, while Gertie Cummings flirts with Curly (she has an obnoxious laugh that Laurey instantly becomes annoyed by). Laurey tells her friends she doesn't really care about Curly.

Andrew Carnes, Annie's father, finds Annie with Ali Hakim. After questioning her about their relationship, Carnes forces Hakim to agree to marry Annie at gunpoint. Hakim thinks about the unfairness of the situation with the other guys. Curly discovers that Laurey is going to the dance with Jud and tries to convince her to with him instead. Scared to tell Jud she won't go with him, she tries to convince Curly (and herself) that she doesn't love him.

Hurt by her refusal, Curly goes to the smokehouse, where Jud lives, to go talk to him. Curly tries to convince Jud that since he isn't appreciated, he could hang himself, and the townsfolk would realize how much they really did care about him. Their chat ends up turning into a confrontation about Laurey. After Curly leaves, Jud vows to woo Laurey and to even make her his bride.

Confused between her fear of Jud and her feelings for Curly, she buys a "magic potion" (it's really a bottle of smelling salts) from Hakim, which he guarantees it will reveal her true love. She muses on leaving her dreams of love behind and joining the man she loves, then falls asleep under the influence of the laudanum (which was in the mixture). Laurey first dreams of what her marriage to Curly would be like, but then her dream takes a nightmarish turn when Jud appears and kills Curly. She cannot escape him, confused by her desires. The dream makes her realize that Curly is the right man for her, but it's too late for her to change her mind about going to the dance with Jud; he's already arrived and they leave for the dance.

At the dance, while the partygoers dance to an upbeat square dance, the rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys over fences and water rights has led to fighting, until Aunt Eller ends by firing a gun to quiet everyone. Laurey becomes upset seeing Curly arriving at the dance with Gertie. Attempting to get out of the Annie mess, Ali Hakim buys Will's souvenirs from Kansas City for $50. Jud buys the "Little Wonder," knowing of the secret blade inside.

The auction starts and Will bets $50, forgetting he will lose the money Annie's father demands if Will wants Annie's hand in marriage. Desperate, Hakim bets $51 so Will can keep the money and "buy" Annie's marriage. The auction becomes much more serious when Laurey's basket is offered. Several of the men in town bid in order to save Laurey from Jud, but he save every penny he owned and continued. Curly and Jud go into an auction war, which Curly wins by selling his saddle, his horse and even his gun. Jud stealthily tries to kill Curly with the "Little Wonder" but Aunt Eller (who knows what's happening) intervenes by asking Curly for a dance, foiling the plan. Later that night, Will and Annie work out their relationship, as long as she promises not to flirt with other guys.

Jud confronts Laurey and confesses his feelings for her. When she admits she doesn't feel the same way, Jud threatens her. She then fires him as her farm hand and tells him to get off of her property. He furiously threatens Laurey before departing; Laurey fears for her life and calls for Curly. Curly, after finding out what Laurey did, realizes that she came to him for protection and guidance, reassures her and proposes marriage, which she accepts. Curly then realizes he must be a farmer. Hakim decides to leave the territory and tells Annie that Will is the guy she wants to marry.

Three weeks later, Laurey and Curly marry and the entire town is in celebration. During the celebration, Hakim returns to town with his new wife, Gertie, whom he unwillingly married after her father threatened him with a shotgun. A drunk Jud reappears in town and attacks Curly with a knife. As Curly dodges a stabbing attempt, Jud falls on his own knife and dies. The town has a makeshift trial for Curly, who has to leave on his honeymoon. The judge, Andrew Carnes, declares him "Not Guilty!" and Curly and Laurey leave for their honeymoon.

Here's a song, from the movie version, "People Will Say We're In Love," sung by Shirley Jones (Laurey) and Gordon McRae (Curly)(this is when she tries to convince him and herself that she doesn't love him).

Day Fifteen: Sweeney Todd

Today's post is a musical written by your favorite composer. For those of you who know musicals, Sweeney Todd (the full name of the show is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, but for the blog, I'll refer it to the first two words.) 

So Sweeney Todd takes place in London, and the year is 1846. A young sailor named Anthony Hope, who's glad on coming home, arrives via boat with Sweeney Todd, whom Anthony recalls finding during a storm. Todd isn't in a great mood, and it becomes worse when a half-mad Beggar woman sexually solicits both men and thinks she recognizes Todd. Todd tells a cheery Anthony a dark tale about a barber, who had a very beautiful wife and she was pursued by this lustful judge who had the barber exiled just so he can "get her."

Todd enters a meat pie shop on Fleet Street, where the owner, Mrs Lovett, who complains about the economic times in London. Todd asks her about the unoccupied apartment upstairs, she recalls that the previous tenant was a barber named Benjamin Barker. Barker was sent away on false charges by Judge Turpin because he lusted after the barber's wife, Lucy. After Barker had been transported to a prison in Australia, the Judge and his cohort, Beadle Bamford, lured Lucy to the Judge's house and raped her. 

Todd's explosive reaction to the tale confirms Lovett's suspicions about Todd being Benjamin Barker. She tells Todd that his wife poisoned herself and her then-infant daughter, Johanna, became a ward of the judge. Todd swears revenge on both the Judge and Beadle, then Mrs. Lovett brings out Todd's old collection of sterling silver straight razors, and tells him he can live above her shop and be a barber again.

Meanwhile, Anthony, walking down the street, sees an exquisite blonde girl singing through the window. The Beggar Woman passes by and tells Anthony that the girl is Johanna, Judge Turpin's ward. Unaware that Johanna is Todd's daughter, he is immediately smitten with her and pledges to woo her. However, the Judge and Beadle threaten Anthony away by violently killing a bird he buys for Johanna. 

In the crowded marketplace, a renowned "Italian" barber, Adolfo Pirelli, and his little simple-minded assistant, Tobias Ragg, try to convince the crowd to buy their elixir that can cure hair loss. After Todd exposes the elixir as a fraud, challenges Pirelli to a shaving competition. Pirelli tries to be flashy while shaving his customer's face, but it is Todd who wins easily. Todd invited the impressed Beadle to his parlor some time for a complimentary shave.

Days go by as Todd awaits the Beadle's arrival, resulting in Todd becoming patient. Mrs. Lovett tells him to calm down, that the Beadle will be there soon. Anthony enters the shop and tells Todd of his sudden romance with Johanna and asks to use Todd's barbershop as a safe house for the girl. Right after Anthony leaves, Pirelli and Tobias (who likes to be called Toby) visit the shop. Mrs. Lovett distracts Toby downstairs , while Pirelli and Todd talk. It's discovered that Pirelli isn't Italian; he's Irish. He reveals he's Danny O'Higgins and recounts having worked as an assistant for Todd fifteen years ago. O'Higgins tries to blackmail his former employer, who responds by strangling O'Higgins and stuffing his body into the trunk. Toby pops his head in, looking for "Pirelli," then leaves when Todd tells him he left already. After Toby leaves, Todd finishes the job by slitting O'Higgins' throat.

Judge Turpin is tormented for his lust for his ward Johanna and announces his intention to marry her. Disgusted by this announcement, Anthony and Johanna plan to elope. At the same time, the Beadle recommends Todd's services to the Judge, in order to improve his appearance to attract Johanna. Mrs. Lovett still distracts Toby when the Judge enters. Todd, caught off guard but eager for blood, exacts his revenge by calming the Judge. Before Todd strikes, Anthony barges in and tells Todd about his and Johanna's plans, and informs the Judge, who vows never to return to the shop. 

Todd drives Anthony away before entering into furious madness. He begins to target all of humanity, by punishing the rich and corrupt, while relieving the poor of their misery, through death. While discussing what to do with O'Higgins' body, Mrs. Lovett suggests, through wordplay, that they use the flesh of Todd's victims in her meat pies, an idea that Todd enthusiastically agrees to.

Mrs. Lovett's pie shop becomes a big success and even Toby helps waiting on the shop's many customers. The only downside is the Beggar Woman, who keeps hanging around the pie shop, defaming Mrs. Lovett. Todd rigged his barber chair so that after Todd kills his victims, there's a chute from the shop (under the chair) that leads directly to the basement, where Mrs. Lovett would bake the flesh into pies. 

Todd gets used to the idea that he'll never see his daughter, Johanna, again, spending that time slashing throats. Anthony longs to be with her romantically. Mrs. Lovett dreams a life of retirement with Todd, who appears to be uninterested.

Meanwhile, Anthony finds out that the Judge has sent Johanna to Fogg's Lunatic Asylum and, with Todd's help, plans tor rescue her by posing as a wigmaker and wants to "purchase" the inmates' hair. Todd sends a secret letter to the Judge about Anthony's plot, hoping to lure the Judge to his shop, which is where Anthony plans on bringing Johanna to.

In the shop, Toby expresses his suspicions about Todd and his desire to protect Mrs. Lovett, whom he now sees as a mother figure. When he recognizes Pirelli's coin purse in Lovett's possessions, she refocus his attention to working on the meat grinder, secretly locking him in the basement where the machine is located. Beadle Bamford arrives at the shop due to complaints from the neighbors about a strange smell ad smoke coming from the pie shop's chimney.

Lovett stalls Deadle until Todd comes, offering him a free "shave." Mrs. Lovett loudly plays music to cover the screams of Beadle's death. Immediately after, Toby discovers a hair and fingernail in a pie he eats when suddenly, Beadle's fresh corpse tumbles from the chute into the basement. Mrs. Lovett informs Todd that Toby has found out about their plan and must dispose of him.

Anthony arrives at the asylum to rescue Johanna but Fogg, the deranged owner of the asylum, attempts to stop them. Anthony pulls out a pistol but is unable to shoot Fogg. Johanna grabs it and shoots the owner. The two flee to Todd's parlor (with Johanna disguised as a sailor.) The asylum's inmates escape with the couple, proclaiming the end of the world.

Todd and Mrs. Lovett search for Toby in vain, but when the Judge arrives, abandons their search. Anthony brings Johanna to the shop, telling her to wait for him as he finds a coach. He leaves and Johanna hides just as the Beggar Woman, who's in an extreme frenzy, enters the parlor. Todd enters the shop and sees the Beggar Woman. Anticipating the Judge's arrival, he frantically slits her throat and send her down the chute right before the Judge enters.

Todd assures the Judge that Johanna did not come to the shop, as Todd's note did say. The Judge asks for one quick shave before reuniting with her. Once Todd has the Judge in his chair, he suddenly begins to mock him, alerting the Judge to his true  identity. Both Todd and the Judge scream, "Benjamin Barker!" before Todd passionately slits his enemy's throat and sends him down the chute. Johanna, who heard everything, emerges from her hiding place and is almost slain by Todd; but at that moment, Mrs. Lovett shrieks from the bakehouse below, allowing Johanna to escape.

Down at the bakehouse, Mrs. Lovett panics when the wounded Judge is clawing her dress before finally dying. Storming into the room, he sees the Beggar Woman's face in the oven light and realizes that she was in fact Todd's wife, Lucy. Mrs. Lovett had used wordplay and said that she told him Lucy poisoned herself, but Todd interpreted this as his wife being dead. Todd accuses Mrs. Lovett from deceiving him, but Mrs. Lovett maintains her innocence, claiming she took poison, but didn't die, but instead became insane. She withheld the whole truth from him because she loves him. Todd pretends to act calm and forgiving, waltzing Mrs. Lovett to the huge oven, throws her into the fire, and slams the doors shut.

Todd then sinks to the floor and cradles his dead wife in his arms. Toby, now completely insane (proven in his now white hair), picks up Todd's fallen razor and slits Todd's throat. As Anthony, Johanna, and some officers break into the bakehouse, Todd falls dead as Toby drops the razor, and absentmindedly parodies the motions of the meat grinder.

In the epilogue, the ghosts of Todd and Mrs. Lovett arrise from the grave, both claim that revenge is capable of all of us, then leaves for one last time.

For some reason, I love the song "Johanna." Maybe because the movie Anthony (Jamie Campbell Bower) has such a great voice for this!

Day Fourteen: Miss Saigon

Today's post is a musical I haven't listened to or seen in a while, and my musical is Miss Saigon!

So Miss Saigon takes place during the Vietnam War in Vietnam. Kim, a seventeen year old Vietnamese orphan, is at her first day at her new job, the sleazy Vietnamese night club called Dreamland. She is greeted by the Engineer, a French-Vietnamese sleazeball who owns the club. The U.S. Marines, knowing they're departing Vietnam soon, decide to go to the club to party with the Vietnamese prostitutes. 

Chris Scott, a Marine who wan't into the club scene and partying at all, is dragged along with his friend John Thomas. The girls are competing for who wins the title "Miss Saigon" and the winner is raffled to a marine. Kim's innocence strikes Chris. The winner of Miss Saigon, Gigi Van Trahn, begs the marine that won the raffle to take her to America, but he refuses.

John pays The Engineer for a room for Chris and Kim. Kim is reluctant and shy but eventually dances with Chris. Chris tries to pay her to leave the nightclub. The Engineer interferes, thinking Chris doesn't like Kim, but he is eventually led to the room John rented for him and Kim.

Chris, while watching Kim sleep, asks God why he had met Kim just as he was about to leave Vietnam. When Kim wakes up, Chris tries to give her money, but she refuses, saying that it was her first time she slept with a man. Chris tells Kim she doesn't need to sell herself at the club, because he wants her to stay with him.  The two pledge their love for each other. Chris tells John he's taking leave to spend time with Kim, but John warns him that the Viet Cong (North Vietnamese army) will soon take over Saigon, but eventually covers for Chris. Chris meets with The Engineer to trade for Kim, but The Engineer is trying to include an American visa into the deal. Chris holds The Engineer at gunpoint to honor the original arrangement for Kim.

The club holds a "wedding ceremony" for Chris and Kim, and Gigi toasts Kim as the "real" Miss Saigon. Thuy, Kim's cousin that she was betrothed to at age thirteen, comes to the club to take her home. He's a North Vietnamese officer and is mad that she's with Chris. The two men draw guns at each other. Kim tells Thy the arranged marriage is off because her parents are dead and she has no feelings for him. Thuy leaves angrily. Chris promises to take Kim when he leaves Vietnam. The couple dance to the same song they did on their first night.

Three years pass, and in Saigon (now named Ho Chi Minh City), a street parade is beginning to celebrate the third anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam and the fall of the Americans. Thuy, a commissar in the new government, has ordered soldiers to find the still-sleazy Engineer. Thuy orders the Engineer to find Kim and bring her to him. Kim is still in love with Chris and has been hiding ever since, in hope that he will come back to Vietnam for her. Meanwhile, Chris is asleep in his bed with his new American wife, Ellen, when he awakes from a dream, shouting Kim's name. The two women still swear that they both love Chris.

The Engineer finds Kim and brings her to Thuy. Kim refuses Thuy's marriage proposal again, then introduces him to Tam, Kim's three-year old son fathered by Chris. Thuy calls Kim a traitor and moves to kill Tam with a knife when Kim kills Thuy with Chris' gun. Kim flees with Tam and seeks help from the Engineer to escape to America. He doesn't agree at first, but when she reveals Chris is the father, the Engineer shows compassion as he see this as a ticket to America. The three head to Bangkok and set out on a ship of refugees.

In Atlanta, GA, John now works for an organization who connects Bui-Doi (children conceived during the war) to their American fathers. John tells Chris that Kim is still alive, and that she had Tam and urges him to return to Vietnam. Chris finally comes clean to his wife about Kim and Tam. In Bangkok, the Engineer works a sleazy club where Kim is a dancer. Chris, Ellen, and John arrive, searching for Kim. John finds Kim at the club and tells her that Chris is also in Bangkok. Kim is thrilled that Tam's father has come to take them to America, or so she thinks. John doesn't have the heart to tell her he remarried.

The Engineer tells Kim to find Chris herself because he doubted that Chris would come looking for her. Kim is haunted by the ghost of Thuy, who says that Chris will betray her as he did three years ago. Kim suffers a horrible flashback to that night. 

In the flashback, Kim sees the Viet Cong approaching Saigon. The city becomes chaotic and hectic, and Chris is called to the embassy, so he leaves his gun with Kim and tells her to go pack. When Chris enters the embassy, the gates close, and orders from Washington advise the place to evacuate any of the remaining Americans. The Ambassador orders that no Vietnamese are allowed in. Kim reaches the gates of the Embassy only to find a crowd of terrified Vietnamese trying to get in. 

Chris tries to leave the Embassy to get her, but his friend John had to punch him to get him to stay inside.Chris is put into the last helicopter, leaving Saigon and Kim, who still pledges her love to him.

Back to the current age, Kim dresses in her wedding clothes and leaves the Engineer to watch Tam while she's gone. Kim goes to Chris' hotel room and finds Ellen. She thinks she's John's wife, but Ellen reveals she's Chris' wife. Kim refuses to believe Ellen and Ellen asks if Chris is the father of Tam, which she confirms. Kim says she doesn't want Tam to live on the streets like a rat, but Ellen assures Kim they will send whatever money to support him. Kim begs Ellen to take Tam to America, but Ellen refuses, saying Tam should be with his mother and that her and Chris will have children of their own.

Kim runs out of the room. Ellen feels bad for Kim, but is still determined to keep Chris. Chris and John return with no luck finding Kim. Ellen tells them that Kim came by the room and Ellen had to be the one to tell her everything. Chris and John blame themselves for being gone from Vietnam too long. Ellen also tells Chris Kim wants him to go to her place, and that she tried to give Tam to them. John realizes Kim wants Tam to be "an American boy." 

Ellen then gives Chris an ultimatum to Chris: stay with Ellen or go with Kim. Chris assures Ellen he loves her. 

Chris plans to leave Tam in Bangkok but will offer monetary support from America. John warns him that Kim won't like having Tam stay in Thailand. Back at the club, Kim lies to the Engineer that they are going to America.The Engineer imagines the fancy live he'll have there. Chris, John and Ellen find the Engineer, who takes them to Kim and Tam.

In her room, Kim tells Tam he should be happy because he has a father. She tells him she can't go with him but she'll watch over him. Chris, Ellen, John and the Engineer arrive outside of her room. The Engineer comes into the room to take Tam to see his American father. While this happens, Kim steps behind a curtain and shoots herself. 

She falls to the floor as everyone runs into the room after hearing the gunshot. Kim is found mortally wounded. Chris holds Kim in his arms as she's dying, and asks why she did this, and she explains that the gods have guided him to his son. Chris begs her not to die as she asks Chris to hold her one last time. After one final kiss, Kim speaks her last words to Chris ("How in one night have we come so far?") and dies in his arms.

The ending of the show always depresses me every time I read it, but it has a good story line, I must say! We're doing this show next year and I really want to be Ellen! (Just hoping)

This song, "Sun And Moon," is one of my favorites of the whole show. And I love Lea Salonga! She has a perfect voice!

Day Thirteen: Grease

So I said I would post two yesterday. I lied, and I can't post two tonight, I barely type this one! I was honestly planning on blowing tonight's post off but I like you guys too much so I won't do it!

Today's post is a musical I loved from hearing the first note, and that is the classic Grease.

Do I really need to give a synopsis for this show? I mean, don't people know it by now?

Quick description: Boy and girl dated, boy and girl depart, boy and girl meet again, but boy ignores girl. Boy and girl constantly tease the other's affections, boy and girl end up together again. The end.

I would normally do the song "Mooning" (yes it is about the act of Mooning and it's how two of the characters bond together), but I just have always liked the song "Those Magic Changes" and this guy sounds really good in my opinion, so I'll do this song! (The actual song doesn't start until 1 minute into the video)

Day Twelve: Hairspray

(Sorry I'm a day late! I fell asleep yesterday so there will be two today!)

Yesterday's post was a musical that I could spend all day listening to, which is Hairspray. I love it, I find it so catchy, and Nikki Blonsky is the perfect Tracy for me.

So the show also takes place in the '60s. Tracy Turnblad, who is overweight and is sometimes made fun for it, and her best friend, Penny, watch this dance TV show called the Corny Collins Show and Tracy really wants to be on it. Her mother, Edna (who is always played by a guy, for some weird reason) diminishes her dreams while her dad, Wilbur, says go for it.

Tracy tries out for the show after an opening is discovered but isn't given the role. One of the executives of the TV show, Velma, and her daughter Amber, make fat jokes at her during the auditions. Tracy develops a crush on the show heartthrob, Link Larkin. After Tracy is sent to detention (for the first time), she meets Seaweed, whose mother is the host of Negro Day, a segment that happens on the Corny Collins Show once every month. 

Tracy dances in a Corny Collins Show dance contest and does Seaweed's signature dance, which impressed Corny enough to pick her to fill in the spot on his show. From there, she becomes a huge success, much to Amber and Velma's racist dismays. 

Tracy receives lots of calls from fans, including one named Mr. Pinky, owner of Mr. Pinky's Hefty Hideaway (which is a clothing store made for overweight people) and asked if Tracy was their spokemodel, to which she agrees. Tracy's popularity results to Amber knocking Tracy out during dodgeball out of jealousy. Link rushes to her side, as well as Seaweed and Penny, who now like each other. 

After school, Seaweed invites the three of them to his mother's record shop for a party. At the shop, Tracy rallies up people to perform a march against the station the next day, as black people aren't allowed on the set besides Negro Day. When they arrived at the set, Velma calls the police and almost everyone gets arrested.

After the march, most of the women are in the women's penitentiary. Velma manages to get the governor to pardon both her and Amber. Wilbur bails everyone else out, except for Tracy, who is still in jail due to Velma's dirty tricks. Wilbur and Edna lament about how Tracy's in jail, then the two of them realize how much they love the other and how they could never part.

Link breaks into the jail and busts out Tracy. Penny is grounded by her mother for "going to jail without [her] permission," which Seaweed bails her out of her room. Both couples declare their love for one another. The couples seek refuge at the record shop. Despite Tracy's efforts, the Corny Collins Show is still segregated. They plan a way for the show to be integrated.

It's the day of Miss Teenage Hairspray Competition. Amber shows off her dance moves in an effort to win votes. Just as the results are about to be announced, Tracy (whose hair is straightened to represent her not following the man) takes over the stage with Penny, Seaweed, Edna, Wilbur, Inez (Seaweed's sister who wasn't allowed to be on the show) and Motormouth Maybelle (Seaweed and Inez's mother). Tracy is declared the winner of the competition, and Corny Collins announces that the show is officially integrated. 

Mr. Spritzer, the head executive of the station, announces the governor has pardoned Tracy and Link is offered a recording contract. Motormouth Maybelle is declared the vice president of Ultra Glow--- beauty products for women of color. Penny's mother accepts Penny for who is she is. The entire cast rejoice and Tracy and Link share a kiss. 

One of my personal favorites, "I Can Hear The Bells" (I'll use Nikki Blonksy for this!)

Day Eleven: Hair

I love writing about this show! Today's post is a show that has made the most impact on you, which, for me, is Hair.

I think what impacted me the most about the show is when I first saw a video of the Tonys' performance of the title song, I instantly fell in love with the whole freedom theme and '60s rebellion. Plus, some of the songs I've heard are absolutely hysterical (every time I hear "Air", I just find it so sarcastic!) 

So Hair takes place during the Vietnam War, in the '60s. The show likes to mix in with its audience members a lot and often breaks the fourth wall. The tribe, led by Claude, celebrate "the age of Aquarius." Berger (who we think is on drugs because he's a psychedelic teddy bear) is looking for his "Donna."

The tribe sing about drugs, both legal and illegal. Then other characters are introduced, such as Woof, Hud, Sheila, and Jeanie. They do random skits, such as pretending to be Claude's parents. The true dilemmas of the main characters are shown; Sheila is with Berger, who is always trying to entertain the crowd, and Jeanie is in love with Claude, who is trying to decide what he wants to do in life. He ends up deciding to join the military and "be invisible."

This song, "Walking In Space," is what Claude sees (and how the tribe reacts) after Berger gives him and the others a joint mixed with hallucinogens. It's pretty cool. 

Day Ten: Cats

(Fair warning, if you like the musical Cats, then do not read this, because today's post is my least favorite musical.)

I have never enjoyed the musical Cats. And I don't know why. I've just never enjoyed it. I tried watching the  London Opera House recording of it (a good 15 minutes I watched it) and I thought they were singing the same song and I wasn't paying attention to what they were singing at all!

Don't get me wrong; the actors are very good dancers (this is show is extremely heavy on dancing) as well as singing, and there is virtually no dialogue. I don't think I like the story line very well. I mean there are some cats mentioned (cough cough Mr. Mistofelees) who I thought deserved to go. What about Old Deuteronomy   ? He's rather wise, and old. Didn't he deserve to go also? He's bound to die!

Grizabella is just very confusing to me. She left the tribe, and then decides to come back? She should earn her place among the cats, not just fit in, and ironically she gets picked to go be reborn. Don't get me wrong, she's very powerful and moving, and she had a bad life,  but the fact that she's moping of how bad her life was, instead of trying to show she belongs in the tribe and making the most of what life and dignity she had left, bothers me.

I won't go into detail, I'll give a quick description; it's a group of cats from the Jellicle Tribe and the show introduces certain cats who have the chance to go to Heaviside Layer and have a chance to be reborn. In the end, the cat that mopes around a lot (Grizabella) gets to be reborn.

Here's a song that people should be familiar with when hearing this show, "Memory," which is sung by Grizabella right before she gets picked to be reborn.