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Tuesday, 04 October 2011

"My Man's Gone Now" but Porgy and Bess is here

http://www.youtu be.com/watch?v=HT6LDh7cO1g

If You haven't already heard Porgy and Bess is coming to Broadway. The doors which open Jan 12 will probably the highlight of my year.

Why? Well with Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis leading the front of the pack, this show can do no wrong. I'm ashamed to admit that this is one of the shows that has flown under the radar for me. But I supposse that's not my fault, after all the last time Porgy and Bess hit Broadway was at the Uris Theatre (September 25, 1976) and I wasn't even born yet.

This time I don't intend to miss. I might not be in the audience for the opening but I'll certainly be in New York sometime next year, hoping to get a glimpse of the cast they've chosen.

So what is Porgy and Bess about?

While I could write my own synopsis, I think the best summary can be taken from Wiki

"Set in the early 1900s in the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston, South Carolina, which serves as home to a black fishing community, the story focuses on the titular characters, crippled beggar Porgy, who travels about in a goat-drawn cart, and the drug-addicted Bess, who lives with stevedore Crown, the local bully. While high on cocaine supplied by Sportin' Life, Crown kills Robbins during a fight prompted by a craps game, and Bess urges him to flee. Sportin' Life suggests she accompany him to New York City, an offer Bess declines. She seeks refuge with her neighbors, all of whom refuse to help her. Porgy finally agrees to let her stay with him.

Bess and Porgy settle into domestic life together and soon fall in love. Just before a church picnic on Kittiwah Island, Sportin' Life once again approaches Bess, but Porgy warns him to leave her alone. Bess wishes to stay with Porgy, since he cannot attend the picnic because of his disability, but he urges her to go. After the picnic ends, and before Bess can leave, Crown, who has been hiding in the woods on the island, confronts her. She initially struggles to resist him but Crown rapes her. The others, not knowing exactly what has happened, leave and return to the mainland.

Two days later, Bess returns to Catfish Row in a state of delirium. When she recovers, she remembers what happened. Feeling that she betrayed Porgy, she begs his forgiveness. She admits she is unable to resist Crown and asks Porgy to protect her from him. Crown eventually returns to claim his woman, and when he draws his knife, Porgy strangles him. He is detained by the police merely to identify the body, but Sportin' Life, who has fed Bess cocaine, convinces her Porgy inadvertently will reveal himself to be the murderer. In her drugged state, she finally accepts his offer to take her to New York. When Porgy returns and discovers she is gone, he sets off to find her." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porgy_and_Bess_(film)

One of the main characteristics of Porgy and Bess, is that it is always played by entirely Black Cast. With the exception of Cabin in the Sky ( A film I intend to review on a later date) This is one of the few shows with this premise.

Well that's it for now, untill next time

~Melodicrose~

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Memphis Lives in Me ( My Musical Journey)

Last July I took my first trip to New York City.

Of course I couldn't go home without seeing a broadway play

so I chose to watch Memphis.

I had watched the Tony awards in June and I knew that Memphis had managed to win

an award so I assumed it had to be good.

Turns out it was better than I imagined.

The music, acting, costumes were incredible.

For those of you who don't know Memphis takes place in Memphis

during the 1950's and follows the story of Huey Calhone, a white radio dj

who follows for a beautiful black singer named Felicia.

Through the love for each other and passion for the music,

Felicia and Huey manage to overcome huge obstacles.

After the show I went to go meet the actors in shubert alley.

They were extremely pleasent

and didn't hesitate to sign autographs.

A definate highlight.

Monday, 04 January 2010

Wicked... Battle of the Elphaba's

If you are wondering who the young women in the picture is, you're not alone. If this is indeed the case, then allow me to introduce her :) Her name is Alexia Khadime and while she is virtually unknown, she has begun to make some major strides in the world of musical theatre. Today Alexia can be seen performing on the stage of London's West End, at the Appollo Theatre. Her most recent role is none other than Elphaba, in the broadway play "Wicked". "Wicked" is a sort of introspective look at the wizard of oz. It tells the story of Elphaba, a young woman who was born with green skin. Longing to find acceptance in the world around her, Elphaba is rejected and treated as an outsider. The story follows her life from childhood until she becomes the Notorious Wicked Witch of the West. Along the way we find out about her relationship with Glinda The Good, How the Cowardly lion became the "Cowardly Lion." and her heart breaking love story.
It has been stated that Wicked will be turned into a Movie Musical for the big screen. I am quite excited about this news. I had the pleasure of seeing Alexia perform the role of Elphaba, two years ago and I thought she was quite amazing. There are many debates as to who should play the main character. Many people have said that the best pairing would be "Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth." I would have to disagree. Although I do like Idina Menzels work. I do find her to be abit overrated. She has a nice voice and is a pretty decent actress. However I have seen many of her roles and I don't find myself as captivated by her performance. I supposse if I had seen her play the role first, I would be adament about giving her the role of Elphaba for the movie. I just found that Alexia has much better grasp of the role altogether and it certainly helps that she has an amazing singing voice. I think the movie could do well putting a unknown actress in the lead role. After all Idina has had TONS of exposure. Alexia could do with a little help from Hollywood.
As for the role of her Galinda, it has to be Kristen Chenoweth. There isn't a women alive who could surpass her when it comes to stage prescence. The role of Galinda was made for her. She has the sparkly, spunky personality which really shines through when she's playing Galinda. Some would call her "Annoyingly Infectious" by nature. However you choose to regard to her, there is no denying she's incredibly talented.
~Melodicrose~

Tuesday, 03 November 2009

Artist Spotlight : Yiruma

Born 15 Feb 1978 Yiruma is well known throughout the world, and his albums are sold all over the United States and Europe, as well as Asia. His most famous pieces include "Kiss the Rain", "May Be" and "River Flows in You" (First Love).
Although he formerly held dual citizenship as a citizen of the United Kingdom and South Korea, in July 2006 he gave up his British citizenship and entered the Republic of Korea Navy to begin his military service, which is mandatory for all male South Koreans
Yiruma started to learn the piano at home in Korea at the age of 5. In 1988 he moved to England, and in Dec 1996 he participated in the album The Musicians of Purcell (Decca). He graduated from The Purcell Of Specialist Music School (London) in July 1997, then from Kings College in June 2000.
Several months ago I had the pleasure of discovering this particular artist called Yiruma. The music that this man creates can be described as sheer Genious. Not only does he play the piano extrodinairly well but Yiruma knows how to take the listener on a journey. I have often wondered what it is about this man that can evoke such intense emotions and I believe it comes from the sensitivity in which he demonstrates his craft. Such a light touch in his fingers and yet from those first few notes, one cannot help but to be compelled by his artistry. I believe that Yiruma is one of the most phenominal composers in our life time. He possesses a rare quality and that in itself makes him truly deserving of the title maestro.
~Melodicrose~

Wednesday, 19 August 2009

Ragtime The musical: Back to Before ( song Analysis) Part 2



BACK TO BEFORE
   The song "Back to Before" plays a significant role in "Ragtime." Not only because of the storyline but because of it's historical context. Ragtime in itself tells of times past as America is on the verge of another turn in it's history. This song not only tells the story of one woman coming into realization of how narrow her perspective on life has been but it also reflects the dawning of a new era in history. Ragtime which is often times seen as a story that advocates for the civil rights movement also takes a keen in depth look at the world of woman in the 1930's and the woman’s suffrage movement. In Ragtime Mother is a white woman belonging to a Affluent wealthy white family. She is an individual whose whole life has been taught to centre all of her desires, ambitions and goals in pleasing her husband.
   "There was a time our happiness seemed never ending. I was so sure that where we were heading was right." These lines are saying that in the past everything was wonderful. The people kept all of the old traditions and opinions. They were so accustomed to the old ways that they refused to believe that their perceptions of life could be wrong or misguided.
   "life was a road, so certain and straight and unbending. our little road with never a crossroad in sight." "The road" is an illustration of the lives that the people have been living. Mother is saying that everything felt so familiar and safe. People would remain within the confines of their communities. They never had to face the unknown. The historical context of this, is that during the 1930's, which is the time period in which Mother lives and even previous to it, America had gained a reputation for being culturally intolerant.
Many times people of minority backgrounds were despised because of the fact that they were not of a white heritage.

"back in the days, when we spoke in civilized voices- women in white and sturdy young men at the oar. We can never go back to Before" "Civilized voices" refers to the fact woman in those days had a particular type of conduct that was expected of them. The women lived in a society that was predominantly male oriented. Often times the majority of the decision making would be done by the men in their lives.
    "There was a time my feet were so solidly planted. you'd sail away while I turned my back to the sea."When Mother says "My feet were so solidly planted", Mother is saying that she has spent her whole life adhering and following the old traditions of the past.
The other line says "You'd sail away, while I turned my back to the sea." During "Ragtime", Father travels to the artic on a expedition for two months and leaves Mother alone. This particular line which expresses the fact that Mother is wondering why her husband has the freedom to do whatever he likes, could also imply the injustice that woman endured. During this time, men were often allowed to indulge in infidelity.
If a woman were caught in affair they would receive the reputation of being "fast" or a "tease" and could be shunned by the communities they lived in. However if a man were to be found in an affair or if they had a mistress many times the woman would be expected to turn a blind eye to it.
     "I was content, a princess asleep and enchanted. if I had dreams, then I let you dream them for me." Mother's use of the word "princess" may insinuate the prospect that woman were taught the only value they could possess was in their outer beauty.
     back in the days when everything seemed so much clearer. women in white
who knew what their lives held in store. where are they now those women who stared from the mirror? we can never go back to before.The next line which says "women in white" refers to the Mother's societal class. The majority of the time if the woman married into a wealthy family She would not be expected to work. Her only duty and task would be to look after her household. As a result A woman of Mother's status would be wear white because it was a means of showing class and that they were above the average working class individual.
    "there are people out there, unafraid of revealing, that they might have a feeling, or they might have been wrong.
There are people out there, unafraid to feel sorrow, unafraid of tomorrow, unafraid to be weak, unafraid to be strong.."The next verse in this song is saying that the times are changing. Women are becoming empowered individuals. Minority groups, such as the blacks, are not allowing themselves to be treated as less then human. They desire to have equals rights and are beginning to fight for what the respect they deserve. Mother is saying that she is changing with the times. In the past she would have never dared to even consider leaving her husband, because he was her security and comfort. However this verse shows the realization that Mother has had. She has learned to trust life and those around her.
This change can be best seen when Mother finally makes the choice to divorce her husband. Which was something that a woman would never do and secondly when she marries "Tatah", a Jewish man. This can also be seen as revolutionary because marriage between Jews and Christians had not gained acceptance.

     "There was a time when you were the person in motion. I was your wife. it never occurred to want more.You were my sky, my moon and my stars and my ocean."In this section Mother is reminiscing on her past. The line "There was a time when you were the person in motion" talks about the fact that at one point in time it was only her husband who had the freedom to explore the world. The next line "I was your wife. It never occurred to want more." illustrates the fact the Mother is discovering that she never truly loved her husband. She only thought she did, when in actual fact she merely regarded him with fondness not as a lover. Mother is realizing that what she really desired was romantic love not just affection.
     "we can never go back to before. we can never go back to before!"The last line of this song can be the most integral part of the song. The line "We can never go back to before" sums up the meaning of the song. This line not only says that Mother can not go back to her previous life. The one where she was content to sit idly by and not truly experience life or make choices for her self but this line is also speaking of America's past and how we can never return to a time where racial and religious intolerance was an acceptable attitude to possess but rather we must move forward and learn from our mistakes.
~Melodicrose~