Tag: broadway shows

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A #Hamilton Reading List

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I majored in history. At my university, all history majors were required to take a class in historiography, and the sources you studied were based on the professor assigned to teach. Whatever he specialized in was what you were going to be neck-deep in for a semester. I got a professor who specialized in early American history which, at the time, I absolutely despised. I spent the entire semester stubbornly refusing to retain any information about anything at all, convinced that this was one of the most dull historical settings in the history of the world.

Enter Hamilton the Musical. Like many, many people, the musical ignited for me an interest in the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution, topics of which I previously knew little, and cared to know even less. But with the beloved musical in mind, these events took on a new sheen. Suddenly I was absolutely fascinated with the American Revolution! With the Founding Fathers, especially Hamilton and Burr! It was an exciting time! A revolutionary time!

And so here I am, a nerd with a list of books and articles to read about Alexander Hamilton. Though I am unlikely to get to these this November, I still wanted to share them out for Nonfiction November in honor of Hamilton being released for streaming (may all musicals follow suit!).

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Stage Corner: Come From Away

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On September 11th, 2001, when the planes crashed into the twin towers, U.S. airspace was completely shut down.  This meant that 38 planes with 7000 coming into the northeast needed to be diverted: they ended up in Gander, Newfoundland, a small town with a population of less than 7000 people.  As the planes touched down, everyone in Gander needed to scramble and assemble to deal with this influx of temporary refugees that has unexpectedly landed on their doorstep.

It’s a strange concept for a musical, and certainly not one you would anticipate being this hilarious, energetic, and heartwarming.  Come From Away manages to create a stunning balance between the tragedy of 9/11 and the hilarity of this wacky situation.  The sung-and-spoken soundtrack moves from energetic Irish folk inspired music that makes you want to get up and dance to quiet, contemplative pieces.  Yet it is never abrupt or jarring.

Gander welcomed the refugees with open arms, even as they scrambled to find food, clothing, blankets, and shelter.  Small, memorable details are based off interviews with the actual passengers who were stranded in the small Canadian town for four days.  These details lends the show a touching intimacy and authenticity, along with an urgency that makes this compact 1hr40min show seem even shorter.

Come From Away also doesn’t shy away from the realities of 9/11 for people of Middle Eastern origin.  One of the characters is an Egyptian man who is immediately a target of extreme suspicion.  This culminated in a humiliating strip-search when a flight attendant refused to board the plane with him.  I liked the light touch here – the show didn’t gloss over it, but neither did they bang us over the head with it.

There’s a lot packed into this short show.  People die, fall in love, and break up, a female pilot tells her story, a rare Bonobo chimpanzee gives birth and loses her baby, and there’s even time to incorporate the reunion of Gander and their passengers ten years later! It is an incredible feat: a testament to human compassion, a reminder of human prejudice, and a subtle nod to the current refugee situation.  It’s great, hilarious, heartwarming fun!

(Also, I saw this with my friend, and upon exiting, her first words were: “I loved that.  Not as much as that show that was on steroids, but still a lot!” She means Great Comet! I didn’t even hint for her to say that. I’m so proud!)

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The Great Ask Tag of 1812

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I have seen Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 four times and counting (I already have tickets to see it another two times RIP my bank account) because it is an incredible piece of theatre. After I see it the sixth time I will likely post something talking more in depth about my experience with it and its intense draw for me, but for now, here’s an ask meme I stumbled upon on Tumblr.

 

1. Which song do you want to see performed live the most?

Well, I’ve seen them all, and I think the pieces where the whole ensemble is on stage (The Duel, Preparations, Balaga, The Abduction) are freaking incredible. The cast is absolutely bursting with manic, frenzied energy and it’s infectious.

2. Were you a fan of Comet before it came to Broadway?

Not at all! In fact I had never even heard of it before it came to Broadway. I am a fan of Rachel Chavkin, having seen her Hadestown three times, but I only realized she was directing Great Comet literally the day before I saw it for the first time. I don’t even remember why I wanted to see it in the first place.

3. Act 1 or Act 2?

Ahhhhh that’s tough! The first time I saw it I thought Act 2 was better, but I think it depends on who’s playing Pierre, since he has more solos in Act 2.

4. Favorite character?

Helene Bezukhova, followed closely by her brother Anatole! I just think the pair of them are fascinating characters and quite the dynamic duo.  I could write pages and pages of headcanons for both of them. They are so utterly flawed and rather terrible privileged selfish people, but they have these small moments when kinder traits shine through and it is super intriguing to me. Helene in particular I find interesting because she is a woman who so brazenly owns her sexuality and is taking charge of her own life.

5. Least favorite character? 

I just started reading War and Peace, so perhaps I’m blurring the lines a little here, but I don’t like Andrei.  So far in the book he comes off as a misogynist. If we’re talking strictly about the show, hmm, perhaps his father?

6. What would you do to stop Comet from closing?

A Lot. I literally had a dream about the Great Comet’s closure, clearly I am very distressed!

7. Off-Broadway or Broadway cast recording?

I have actually never listened to the Off-Broadway recording! That’s next on my list.

8. Has Comet made you read or want to read War and Peace?

Yup! I tend to shy away from classics, and I never ever would have picked up the gigantic tome that is War and Peace if it weren’t for this show. I started reading it yesterday and I’m about 60 pages in so far; it’s so much fun tying the show to the characters in the book! It definitely makes the reading experience more interesting.

9. Favorite cast member? 

I am obsessed with Lucas Steele and Amber Gray, particularly the pair of  them together. According to interviews they are rather good friends, as they have been performing together for so long. It really shows in their performance, too, in the way they interact; their chemistry is off the charts. When I saw the show last night Amber’s understudy was playing Helene and her interactions with Lucas, while good, just weren’t the same.

10. Favorite Natasha?

I’ve only seen Denee Benton and Shoba Narayan in action, but I loved them both! They’re both gorgeous and adorable and have beautiful voices; they play Natasha a little bit differently but both their performances are wonderful.

11. Favorite Pierre?

I’ve seen all the Pierres, so my ranking is thus: Groban, Oak, Scott, Dave. I actually really dislike Dave’s Pierre; his voice really grates.  I think Groban has the best vocals, Oak has the best stage presence, and Scott does a really great job of combining those two things.

12. Character you relate to the most? 

I just…really love Helene for some reason? We are absolutely nothing alike at all, but I sympathize with her so much. She’s married to this man she detests, whom she only married because her father arranged the marriage, and she’s just trying to eek out whatever pleasure she can from life. If that means hurting other people, so be it. It’s not a great character trait, but it just makes her so fascinating, particularly as a female villain.

13. Do you ship Anatole and Dolokhov?

100%.  I fully believe Anatole and Dolokhov and Helene have a threesome going on.

14. Do you ship Hélène and Marya?

Meh, not really?

15. Do you ship Dolokhov and Hélène?

If Anatole comes along, then sure. Otherwise, meh.

16. Do you ship Anatole and Natasha?

Kind of! I’m actually really fascinated by this whole thing. In the show, when Pierre is looking for Anatole and Anatole is singing “It is essential that I see Natasha; how can I see her?” he is clearly very distraught.  He looks disheveled and nearly on the verge of tears as he goes through her letters; it certainly doesn’t look like he’s a rake who doesn’t give a shit about anything. I do think he’s really just a privileged man who’s totally oblivious to consequences and just as rash and impulsive as Natasha herself.  I think he really did fall in love with her and decided he had to have her and consequences be damned.  Like, he just doesn’t think about other people or rules or traditions but I don’t think he’s malicious; in fact so far in War and Peace Anatole comes off as rather benevolent, someone invested in making sure everyone has a good time.

17. Have you met anyone in the cast? If so who did you meet?

Nope! I’ve been tempted to wait outside the stage door before but like…I would be an awkward mess.

18. Fuck, marry, kill; Dolokhov, Anatole, and Hélène.

Kill Dolokhov, fuck Anatole, marry Helene.

19. Have you seen Comet?

Four times and counting!

20. How long have you been a Comet fan?

Not very long! I first saw it right before Groban left which was…early this summer, I think?

21. The Duel or Letters?

The Duel. It’s a wild party from start to finish, with strobe lights and cast members dressed up like they’re at a 90s rave, nonstop dancing…it’s ridiculous.  But Letters is awesome too, especially when Lucas sings the “Nataly, Nataly, Nataly!!” bit at the end.

22. Pierre or Dust and Ashes?

Dust and Ashes!

23. Moscow or Sunday Morning?

Moscow, although there’s something to be said for the way Grace McLean belts out “Time for church!” in Sunday Morning.

24. Character you want to play?

Helene, hands down.

25. Have you written Comet fan fiction?

Haven’t quite reached that level of obsession yet, but I’m getting there.

26. Have you read Comet fan fiction?

See above.

27. Anatole’s and Dolokhov’s kiss or Marya’s and Hélène’s kiss?

Anatole and Dolokhov kiss??? How have I seen this show four times and never noticed this?

28. Favorite song?

This is nearly impossible to answer! I’m very, very fond of the Prologue, especially on stage when the spotlight jumps so quickly from  character to character! The Opera is fantastic for the way it introduces Dolokhov, Helene, and Anatole.  The Ball and Letters are fantastic because Lucas gets to belt out some incredible lines.  The Duel, Preparations, Balaga, and The Aduction are an insane nonstop party with the entire cast dancing like it’s their last day on Earth and a million ridiculous things happening all over the stage.  I’m also fond of Sonya & Natasha, In My House, The Private and Intimate Life of the House (“And tiiiiiiiiime moooooooves ooooooooon!”), Moscow, and Charming (AMBER!), A Call to Pierre, and Pierre & Anatole.

…I think it would have just been easier to name my least favorite songs.

29. Least favorite song?

Definitely Pierre & Natasha and The Great Comet of 1812.  They’re such a snooze fest compared to the rest of the musical! Whenever I listen to the album I always skip these.

30. Favorite lyric?

A single one? Hmm…I’m fond of “the queen of society: beautiful, barely clothed!” and “We lived, laughed, and loved!” and “Smash your glasses on the floor!” and “Here’s to happiness, freedom, and life!”

31. Own any merch?

Not yet! Yesterday I lingered around the merch station thinking I might buy a t-shirt, but I left and ended up buying tickets for another show instead.  I might still buy the t-shirt, though! If the merch is available online I’ll browse and think on it.

32. Have you listed to or are a fan of any of the cast members’ solo music?

I like Lulu Fall’s work! She was only an ensemble cast member, though. I’ve tried out Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet but didn’t like it much, nor do I like Grace McLean’s music. I haven’t listened to anything of anyone else’s yet, though I would love to try it if someone pointed me towards it!

33. Can you play any Comet songs on an instrument?

I can’t do anything music related to save my life. I’m not exactly tone-deaf, but rather close. I wish more than anything that I could sing, but alas.  Perhaps that’s why I’m such a fan of this show; everyone in it is clearly so multi-talented.  Singing, dancing, acting, instruments…they do it all splendidly!

34. Do you follow all of the cast on social media?

Not all, but a few! Lucas and Denee are the first who come to mind. I think I follow Shoba as well? Not sure.

35. Do you have a dream cast? If so who is in it?

After I finish reading War and Peace you can bet your ass I’m doing a gigantic fancast.

36. Character you would be best friends with irl?

I’m just…in love with Helene, you guys.  I also think Anatole would be a really fun friend to have.

37. First song you heard from Comet?

The Prologue!

38. Describe Comet using 5 words.

Mesmerizing, Carnivalesque, Enthralling, Enchanting, Eclectic

39. Can you pronounce all the Russian and French in the show correctly?

I don’t speak either language but I tend to be rather decent at accents, so yes!

40. How did you become a Comet fan?

I mentioned this briefly before, but I sort of went to see the show on a whim? Like, a theater friend had said it was a really good show and that the soundtrack was kind of electropop/chamber pop/opera-ish and I was immediately fascinated because I really love that type of music. The fact that a black woman is the leading lady was also a huge draw.  I didn’t even know it was about War and Peace until like the day before when I read summaries online. I had no idea what I was getting into! The first time I saw it I liked it a lot, but it was really only after the second time that I truly fell in love. There’s so much going on that you really appreciate it more the second time when you’re not trying to keep track of everything and you already know everyone’s names and what happens.
I want to tag people, but I don’t know who’s seen this except Rachel @ pace, amore, libri and Chelsie @ Spotlight on Stories! If you’re a Great Comet fan, please let me know in the comments!