The Friday song

**Warning: The song I'm talking about in this post really does get stuck in your head. Listen at your own risk! If you do, I hope you love it!**

So, a couple of months ago, my friends on Facebook started ranting about Rebecca Black's "Friday" song. Since it was apparently really awful and super-annoying, I avoided it like the plague. I kind of liked being able to say I'd never heard it, and not having it run through my head every Friday...

...Until I saw that Chelsey Kane and Romeo had riffed their own version during a Dancing With the Stars rehearsal. So, I watched a clip of their riff.

After that it was only sort of stuck in my head, because I hadn't heard the real version and I still didn't know any of the words.

Then someone else pointed me to a spoof that inserted Star Wars characters, so I watched it. What was the harm, right? I watched the spoof and for the first time went, "Wait, what the heck is this song about?" Still, since the original was apparently so bad, I didn't look it up to find out.

During the prom episode of Glee, it took me a few minutes to recognize the very first song they sang at the prom. It was the Friday song. And I LOVED it! Perhaps I loved it because it seemed like such a great party song ("Yeah!"), or because Puck and Sam were singing and I always wish they had more opportunities to sing (I am SO OVER Rachel and Finn). But after that, I was hooked. I bought the Glee cover on iTunes and listened to it over and over again. Last Thursday you might have been able to spot me rocking out to it at the grocery store... then again, I probably wasn't really crazy enough to end up on youtube. I felt crazy though. It's a fun song! It may even be my favorite song.

Or at least it was until this week when I finally saw Rebecca Black's original version. That has to be the worst music video I've seen in a long time. It somehow managed to make the words of the song sound even more inane than they really are. Rebecca's voice is NOT as enjoyable as the guys' voices on Glee. Nobody in the music video seemed to be having a good time, in spite of the fact that half the chorus is "Partying, partying --yeah! Fun, fun, fun, fun!" Nope. Everyone looks bored. They look like the rest of the week wore them out and they have no energy left to think about anything more important than which seat they'll choose to sit in when they get in the car. I'd never realized just how stupid the words are. The music video kind of just made me sad, probably the opposite of what they had hoped.

So, I choose to reject Rebecca's version (sorry, babe!) and stick to the Glee guys. I'm still a fan of the song, even if the words are pretty lame. Here it is for your enjoyment:





Happy Friday, folks! And happy third blogging anniversary to me! Thanks for reading :-D

On Broadway #5: I think they succeeded

And now, for the posts you've really been interested in: my recap of the Broadway shows I saw in New York. Here is the last of the five musicals, and the one you all are probably the most excited to hear about. I'm sorry it took me so long!

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

The fifth play that I saw in New York City last month was also the one I was the most excited to see. Actually, it was also the only show I'd ever seen before. I saw it in NYC in 1996 with Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, and at Rodgers Memorial Theatre (before it became Centerpoint Legacy). I even performed in this play at the Grand in 1999. I was a secretary, a cleaning woman, and a ditzy pirate girl, complete with spandex pants. And I would very much like to perform in it again sometime. I love this play!

A Secretary is NOT a Toy!

Paris Original 

Pirate Girl

So, this revival already had quite a bit to live up to in terms of my own personal expectations. 

I'm going to be honest: It was my FAVORITE play of the trip! Holy granola! I had to pay full price to sit in the 7th row, and don't regret it at all. SO GOOD!! I was very afraid someone tall would sit in front of me and block my view - fortunately Keri sat there and the view wasn't compromised at all. I had a perfect seat!

How to Succeed... is about a young man (played by Daniel Radcliffe) who reads a book called How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and works his way up the corporate ladder. Along the way, he develops a romance with the lovely Rosemary (Rose Hemingway), has to dodge the advances of bombshell Heddy (Tammy Blanchard), impress the big boss (John Larroquette),  and keep his weasely rival (Christopher J. Hanke) from beating him to the top.

John Larroquette was brilliant. I really didn't know what to expect from him, but he probably made me laugh more than anyone else. There's just something about a guy who starts out gruff and grim and ends up talking about knitting and singing the "Groundhog" fight song. I keep replaying some of his reactions over and over in my head. He totally deserves his "Best Featured Actor in a Musical" nomination, and I am going to CHEER if he wins!

Rose Hemingway was completely darling! She's my personal link to the show -- I did several plays with her husband about 10 years ago -- but even if I hadn't heard of her before opening night, I would have been impressed. That girl can SING! I must agree with Aaron's review, where he said that Rose and John stole the show during the first act. She filled the stage with her voice and sweetness. Even watching her dress while hidden behind a box during "Paris Original" was riveting. I hope to see her in more plays in the future.

I must admit, I completely HATED Tammy Blanchard as Heddy LaRue. Maybe it's because she's a part I would love the play someday. Maybe it's because she seemed really crass and unappealing to me. A little too self-aware. There was something about the expression on her face that kept taking me out of the play and made me want to punch her in the face. Hmmm... maybe I was supposed to feel that way. After all, I am a woman. I never did ask Aaron what he thought of her character -- maybe her version of attractiveness was a guy thing. However, I have to admit she was hilarious. There was a great visual gag with her in skin-tight, horizontally-striped pants where she kept shifting her weight and rocking her ample hips back and forth. John was so mesmerized by her ever-moving hips he was rocking right along with her. It was subtle, but effective.

I had a little crush on Christopher J. Hanke as Bud Frump. He perfectly played up the smarmy, lazy antithesis of Radcliffe's likable over-achiever. He didn't pull any punches and was perfectly snotty the whole time. It was just fun to watch him anytime he was on stage.

And then there was the star: Daniel Radcliffe. The first act, I was a little disappointed; it was pretty evident that that Daniel has been trained as a movie actor. I wished he had played the part a little broader, performing in a musical is different than an intimate movie or even just a regular play. He wasn't larger-than-life and didn't quite sing to the balcony (I will remind you that I saw Matthew Broderick in this role and if anyone can fill the stage with charisma and glee, it's Matthew). But during the second act, Daniel came into his own. He was even better in person than in the advertising numbers on t.v. He is a darn good little singer, and his dancing was spot-on at least as good as the rest of the ensemble. He was really charming, too. I loved his little "ah ha!" smiles when circumstances went his way. You could definitely tell he was having a good time and gave it all he had. I'm often jealous of movie stars who get to work on Broadway, but if they work as hard at it and do as well as Daniel, I'll get over it.

The costumes, sets and choreography were gorgeous. I am always a sucker for a man in a suit -- it's almost as good as a uniform -- and those guys were attractive. And as a fan of vintage dresses, I would have been happy to take any one of the women's costumes home with me.

Remember how I was so annoyed by the audience members who came in late for Wonderland? Yeah, I was late after intermission. This leads me to my final Broadway rant:  It's okay with me if intermission runs a bit late. The lobby in this theatre was TINY. It was so small that it took me 5 minutes just to get TO the lobby from my seat in the orchestra. Then the lobby was so packed it took another several minutes to get to the bathroom where I discovered they didn't even bother to use the dividers they'd set up in the ladies room lounge that would have gotten us in the line out of the way of everyone else in the lobby! They dimmed the lights while I was in line, but there were still so many women in line behind me I thought, "There's no way they'll start the show with so many people still away from their seats."

I was wrong.

When I finally arrived back in the theatre, I was surprised they'd started the show! I had only missed the entr'acte and maybe a minute of dialogue, but I was peeved! Really? Is punctuality more important in this case than the experience? I apologized so many times while I crawled over the rest of the people in the seventh row so I could get to my seat located exactly in the middle. The people around me were all very, very nice. At least I sat down before the first song started. I hate being that inconsiderate person, and I hate that I was forced into it. Not using the bathroom was not an option (yes, I did go before the first act started). What bugged me was when I finally made it to the lobby, the usher had chuckled at my remark that I hoped intermission was more than 10 minutes, then chuckled again when I was late getting back in. Cheerful jerk.

And yet, I wish I had his job. How does one get to be an usher on Broadway? I suppose I'd have to move there... nah.

I will say that in spite of my rants about the behavior of people at Broadway shows (lateness in general, too appreciative, etc) I didn't see a single cell phone on, or have to worry about people talking through the whole thing. Once people were in their seats they didn't distract me from the show (except that guy in Catch Me and that was just during applause). Even the lady who could have blocked me at Billy Elliot (who I never needed to say anything to) sat back and quietly enjoyed the whole time. That was pretty awesome. Home audiences could learn a thing or two from the patrons of professional theatre!

After the play, we wanted to wait for Daniel and John at the stage door. Unfortunately, so did practically every other person in the audience. The crowd was HUGE. I couldn't even see the stage door, let along anyone who might have come out of it. So, we decided not to wait around. We took photos at the posters and called it good. We had other places to go, anyway.

How to Succeed and Anything Goes are the only plays nominated for the Best Revival of a Musical this year. I enjoyed Anything Goes, but if How to Succeed doesn't win I will be very, very annoyed. It was so well put together and fun -- I want to go AGAIN!

If you want to see Keri's review and Larissa's review, click on their links.

So, there you have it: my reviews of the plays that I saw in NYC. They were so good! Thanks again, Larissa for inviting me on your trip and for choosing such magnificent plays. I had a marvelous time and I can't wait to go again!

On Broadway #4: Anything Goes

And now, for the posts you've really been interested in: my recap of the Broadway shows I saw in New York. I'll give you the low-down on the plays (all musicals) in the order in which I saw them.... except this one, which we saw last but I want to review next.

What? I'm allowed to change my mind!

Here is the fourth of five:

Anything Goes

Anything Goes is one of those oldies-but-goodies written by Cole Porter in 1934. Consequently, the music is fantastic, but the story is really, really super cheesy. I had never seen the play before. Pretty much all I knew going in is that I will see anything where Sutton Foster dances, I kinda wanted to see what the fuss about Joel Grey was, and Centerpoint Legacy Theatre is doing the show later this year and I might want to audition. Oh, and I had heard a few of the songs: "Anything Goes", "It's De-Lovely", etc...

Did I mention that my seat was on the fourth row?

I was on the back row in the front section, on the left. This just happened to be where the actors entered to board their "cruise ship" (the stage), which meant that several brushed past my hair -- it gave me the chills! I felt like I was part of the show right from the beginning. Since it was my closest seat of all the shows I'd been to, I took a moment to look backwards and noticed that there were monitors on the balcony so that the actors could see what the conductor was doing at any time. Whoever came up with that idea is a genius. I wish I'd had access to something like that during some of my shows!

Sutton Foster is a STAR! The very definition of a triple-threat. She came onstage with a very lackluster line, and the audience still went nuts! She lights up the stage whenever she's on; I couldn't help but follow her where ever she went! I could NOT believe it when, during the first act finale "Anything Goes", she lead the entire ensemble in a 5-6 minute dance break and then CONTINUED SINGING! Not only that, she was belting. It was a brilliant, brilliant moment in my theatre-going career. I seriously started crying. It was worth the price of the ticket just for that number. She was rightfully the leader and star.

I LOVED that nearly all of the actors got to tap dance during the "Anything Goes" number. They were all wonderful! Several actors agreed with me afterward that you just can't be sad when tap-dancing. This video clip doesn't even do the song justice -- half the number is cut out. Watch it anyway!


Yes. I want to sign up for a tap class in the very, very near future.

"Broadway legend" Joel Grey a disappointment in my opinion. He's been playing the hapless, lovable loser for quite a few years now, but his understated style was a black hole in the middle of this cast of colorful characters and energetic actors. He looked old and tired. His song was by FAR my least favorite. Then again, it's not his fault that the script called for two ballads back-to-back in the second act. I'm glad he wasn't nominated for a Tony; he would not have deserved it.


After the play, Larissa and I waited at the stage door, while Keri took a "Happy Mother's Day!" call from her family. Larissa has seen Sutton in every Broadway show Sutton has starred in, but never met her, and I admit I would have loved a photo with this bona fide star! Sadly, neither Sutton nor Joel came out to greet the fans, but everyone else did!

Turns out, everyone appeared a lot taller onstage! We were shocked to learn that Jessica Stone, who played Jersey heart breaker Erma was the same size as Larissa, and ingenue (and winner of talent-competition show Grease: You're the One That I Want!) Laura Osnes is my height! And may I say that everyone we met was insanely nice? Laura and I chatted about how great her voice is, and she raved about how cute my hoodie is. It seemed perfectly natural for us to put our arms around each other in my photo:

Me and Laura Osnes

Jessica had a long conversation with a teenage girl near us about how she broke into show business. And I was brave and asked one of my two ensemble-guy crushes for a photo. He was so flattered when I told him he was one of my favorites! Men in uniform are cute! (Yes, I'm aware he's not in uniform at the moment.) I have a special place in my heart for an ensemble. Most of the time in a dance show, they work harder than the leads. If Sutton hadn't been so amazing, that would have been true in this show.

Me with one of my ensemble-guy crushes, Ward Billeisen

Even if we didn't get to meet Sutton Foster, I'm glad we waited around and got to meet so many nice theatre people. Just a reminder that they're just like you or me. They just happen to sing, dance, and look beautiful for a living!

My parents will be in NYC in the not-too-distant future, and bought tickets to see this show with Aaron, Peter, and Jordyn. I hope they enjoy it! It might not have been the show I would have picked for them (they bought tickets before I had seen it), but I think they'll appreciate it anyway. They better, or I've done a terrible job teaching my brothers theatre appreciation. I KNOW my dad will like it!

As a side note, as someone thinking about auditioning for this play in the next month or so, I'd love to play Hope or Erma or even be in the ensemble. Tap dancing? Sign me up!

In conclusion, it was a great show, and I WISH I could go again! Sometimes, there's nothing like a good old-school production. I'm so glad they revived this one.

WANT

Last Friday, I went for a little walk around the Gateway mall, and mosied on into my favorite clothing store, where I almost never buy clothes -- no matter now cute -- because it's all so stinking expensive.

And I saw this on a hanger:

*Cue the angels singing*

As with so many wonderful romances, it was love at first sight.

And then I saw the price tag: $228.00.

Just like that, the romance died.

Still, I went back today and tried it on. Wouldn't you know it? I looked completely adorable in the thing! I knew I would. I had a huge frown on my face the whole time I had it on, because I was trying to convince myself to stay strong and not buy it. Sure, I'd love to wear it at the wedding I'm going to on Saturday... and pretty much every Sunday for the rest of my life... and I could use the self-esteem boost of feeling pretty... but it's $228.00!

I am proud to announce that I stayed strong and did not impulsively snatch the dress up, even though I really did look great in it. I did put it on layaway, though. I had to!

Imagine my consternation, though, when I finally got around to last night's episode of Glee, and saw this:

Gah! The dress is taunting me on this annoying character who pairs it with white tights and ugly booties!

Larissa says if I can stay strong for 4 months it will go on sale for cheap... that is, if it doesn't sell out in my size first.

Sigh. 

I have other clothes. I'll wear those, and shop at discount stores in the meantime.

It is a cute, cute dress though.

It is

When contracting "it is", I'm thinking of adopting "'tis" to supplement "it's." I use "it's" a lot. Maybe I should mix it up a little.

Just go with me on this:
1. It's a shame they wanted to hate a show they paid so much to see.
vs

'Tis a shame they wanted to hate a show they paid so much to see.

2. I don't know if I can handle what it is now... it's too overwhelming.

vs 

I don't know if I can handle what it is now... 'tis too overwhelming.

3. It's nice when these things work out!

vs

'Tis nice when these things work out!

(I don't like "'tis" in that one.)

4. I don't care if it's an old-fashioned idea -- it's the dream.

vs
I don't care if it's an old-fashioned idea -- 'tis the dream. 

(See what I did there? Using "'tis" to replace the first "it's" would have been a bit much. Also, I don't think that's the way "'tis" is supposed to be used... I'm not much of a grammar nazi unless in formal situations -- punctuation, yes, but not grammar -- but I think that would be wrong.)

What do you think? Does it sound pretentious? Should I give it a shot in the next few posts and see how it goes?

If "'tis" is well-received (now that I've mentioned it I can't expect it'll be unnoticed), I might try using it in my verbal communication.

Nah. That would be pretentious!

Blonde vs. Redheaded

When I dyed my hair back in November, I told myself that I had to keep it red for at least three dye cycles (so, about 4-5 months). Red dye is notoriously prone to fading, and wreaks havoc on blonde hair when you try to get it out. So, I was determined to stay redheaded for awhile, but the plan was always to go blonde again for the summer. In fact, I was not particularly excited to have it re-dyed red the last time I went. I missed my old hair.

Now that the summer is practically upon us, and I have a good half-inch of blonde roots peeking from under the red "ends" (which are about two feet long), I'm not sure I'm ready to give up on the red.

I'm a little attached to it.

Don't get me wrong. I love being a blonde. My curly, blonde hair has always been my most recognizable feature. It was fun being the only blonde woman when I did A Christmas Carol, and I'm pretty proud of the fact that up until last summer I hadn't had it highlighted in about 15 years -- I'm a REAL blonde.

But, I feel like the red goes better with my usually whiter-than-white skin tone, and I love that there are so few curly-haired redheads (or redheads in general) and I could pretend to be one of them. You wouldn't believe how many compliments I get from people who believe I'm a natural ginger. I'm cute as a redhead, too.

On the other hand, if I went back to blonde, I wouldn't have to worry about my roots growing out, the color fading, or damaging my hair with additional dye jobs, and I could use the extra cash for something else. Plus I kind of miss the blonde.

Sometimes I feel like being a blonde isn't as special as being a redhead.

And there's the hope that I'll get to spend a crazy amount of time in the pool this summer. Chlorine and red dye don't play well together, and spending that much time in the pool would be hard enough on my hair.

Yes, I am aware that this post is more-than-usually vain. It doesn't matter what color my hair is. It's pretty either way. I guess the real question is whether I'm ready for a change, and if I decide to go blonde again, am I ready to face the fact I might have to have a significant cut to shed the potentially severe damage?

I've decided to wait at least two weeks. After that time, I will have the results back on all of the plays I auditioned for last week. If I do one, I'll present the idea of staying red or going blonde and let the director decide (that's what I did during The 1940s Radio Hour, which lead to the perfect excuse to going red in the first place). I want to get this question resolved sooner rather than later, because I am starting to loathe my blonde roots. My natural color is such that, peeking out from the red the way it is, I'm paranoid that it looks like I'm trying to cover up some gray. It's possible I do have gray hair on top of my head (I know I do in my eyebrows), but this is a bit worse than I can handle.

If I don't do one of these shows... I think I'll go back to blonde. As much as I love the red, it might be time to go blonde again. I wonder if I'll get the same surprise every time I look in the mirror for the three months after that I did after going red. It took awhile to get used to, but I have loved it!

After all, in another 18 months I'll probably feel impatient for another color-change and go red again... that's about as long as it takes to need another change!