Curtain Call

A blog dedicated to all forms of the theater arts: from symphonies to musical theater to Shakespeare to opera and more! Submissions are happily accepted and encouraged.

[lesmistoronto]

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Earl Carpenter talks about Les Mis Toronto for 680News.

[twofoursixoones]

Matilda Broadway singing the national anthem at the Giants game. (dem harmonies)

[laurabenantitis-deactivated2013]

Patti LuPone at 54 Below.

[youregonnalovetomorrow-deactiva]

Victoria Mallory & Patricia Elliott in A Little Night Music, 1973.

"Oh, Charlotte, you always did say the most amusing things!"

[libbythacher-deactivated2015041]

Spotlight on Broadway: The Music Box Theatre (x)

[caroleking]

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Jessie Mueller sings “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” from Beautiful and makes the entire world cry.

[fairytalelagoon]

"Popular" (in English, Japanese & German) performed by Kristin Chenoweth

Just when I thought I couldn’t love her more, I find this. Kristin, why are you so perfect?

[lockedownnow]

What a phenomenal performance. Brilliant. 

[stephenfuckingsondheim]

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Ya know…in all my years as a Wicked fan, I have never been a huge fan of Idina Menzel’s performance as Elphaba.  I’ve never understood the leagues of people who act as though Idina as Elphaba is like the second coming of Christ.  Yes, she was the “original”, yes she did alright.  But whenever I watch or listen to Idina in Wicked, I can’t help but feel like the score is too big for her, and that she is in constant struggle to reach everything.  And, I’ve never felt an emotional connection to Idina’s performance.  In other words, I feel that Idina’s acting doesn’t portray Elphaba as particularly visceral, commanding, or sympathetic (as Elphie should be).  

To show some contrast and show my point, I put 3 clips (the ends of “Wizard and I,” “Defying Gravity,” and “No Good Deed”) of Idina next to 3 clips of Stephanie J. Block in the role.  Now, SJB is MY personal favorite in the role of Elphaba.  She acts the hell out the part, and belts through the score with such power like it’s nothing.  I think putting the two side by side shows how much more ecstatic/strong/angry/etc. Elphaba can be in the hands of another actress.  Another interesting thing happening here is showing how Idina fares next to the woman she replaced: Idina was chosen over Stephanie to star in Wicked after Stephanie had been involved with the show through readings almost since it’s inception.  Stephanie remained with the show in the ensemble and as Idina’s understudy in San Fransisco before leaving the show to pursue other projects,  She later opened the 1st National Tour of the show (and won a Helen Hayes Award and a Carbonell Award for Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production for the part), and also did the show for 8 months on Broadway starring as Elphaba.

Thoughts? Insights? Do you think the producers/creators made the right decision with replacing Stephanie?

[thesecretyouknow]

Hugh Panaro making totally normal faces at Broadway Salutes 2013.

[fyshowtunes]

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Seventy Six Trombones | The Music Man

[anotherhundredmusicals]

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I am the one (reprise) - Next to Normal (Broadway, January 3rd, 2010: Aaron Tveit’s last show)

[imgladtobeonyourteam]

If you want to SOB your heart out listen to this. I knew it would be emotional but jeeeeez!!

[ilikeunderstudiesandethanfreema]

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Lawrence Clayton - Bring Him Home

from Les Misérables

on March 6, 2011; Baltimore, MD

Lawrence was my first Valjean, and this was the first live performance of LM that I ever saw :)

[ilikeunderstudiesandethanfreema]

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Les Misérables - One Day More

March 6, 2011; Baltimore, MD

Lawrence Clayton as Jean Valjean

Andrew Varela as Javert

Shawna Hamic & Michael Kostroff as the Thénardiers

Jeremy Hays as Enjolras

Justin Scott Brown as Marius

Jenny Latimer as Cosette

Chasten Harmon as Eponine

My first live LM cast :)

[wanderingchild-deactivated20151]

[fuckyeahstephensondheim]

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by request - Caroline O’Connor sings “Stay With Me” from Into the Woods

[fuckyeah-musicals]

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Master of the House - Barry James as Thenardier and Claire Moore as Madame Thenardier