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.)