You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me
Posted: August 12, 2014 Filed under: Miscellaneous, Movie | Tags: aladdin, bangarang, carpediem, deadpoetssociety, ferngully, genie, hook, inmemoriam, jumanji, ohcaptainmycaptain, peterpan, rip, robinwilliams, thecrazyones 4 Comments
Robin Williams had one of those careers where you forget just how many momentous films he was in.
Of course, there are always the immediate ones that come to mind, a list that I’m sure varies from person to person. For me, it’s Aladdin, Hook, and Good Will Hunting. But then I scroll through his IMDB filmography, and I’m suddenly going down memory lane as I remember and realize how much my childhood was influenced and filled by his talent, humor, and presence. From watching FernGully on repeat, to Mork and Mindy, to Jumanji scaring the bejesus out of me with those enormous plastic spiders, to the iconic Mrs. Doubtfire, Robin was a constant in my young life.
And as I continue to sift through IMDB, I recall Dead Poets Society. Patch Adams. The Birdcage. Awakenings. One Hour Photo. And then there are the ones I have yet to see like What Dreams May Come, Toys, and Good Morning Vietnam (I know, I know. Maybe now I’ll finally get around to it). And that list doesn’t even touch half of the films he made – films which influenced audiences all around the world.
I don’t know how many of you watched his recent CBS show, The Crazy Ones (obviously not that many being that it didn’t get picked up for a second season). Nonetheless, I watched all of it and believe it was canceled prematurely. It was quirky and weird and maybe a little too out there, but it was hilarious and knew exactly what it wanted to be. Kind of like Robin.
I couldn’t fall asleep last night because I fell down the wormhole of watching clips and kept crying. As much as I’ve been saddened by some of the great actors we’ve lost in the last few years, this hits closer to home, as I imagine it might for many of the folks in my generation. We grew up with Mr. Williams. He shaped us. He taught us comedy, improvisation, voices, joy, and how to do an impression of a hot dog.
After I saw the news last night, I called my mom and said that I can’t believe we’re getting to a point where the generation of actors I grew up watching is dying. But we shouldn’t be there yet. Robin, you left us too soon. We will miss you and will continue to watch your films for years to come. Whenever we’re looking to be uplifted. Whenever we want to be inspired. And most importantly, whenever we’re in need of a laugh.
Bangarang, Peter.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Video Friday: Do You Remember?
Posted: August 8, 2014 Filed under: Videos | Tags: doyouremember, gavincreel, pasek, pasekandpaul, paul, peterpan, videooftheweek 1 CommentI’d like to start sharing a “Video of the Week.” Now admittedly, I’m not sure how consistent this will be, but if there’s a video that I’ve played on repeat, you can be sure to find it here for your own personal viewing. This could be anything from a Broadway performer I love to a song that I think you should hear to a moving performance of any sort.
I give you a beautiful song called “Do You Remember?” to kick things off. Although I’ve linked to it in an earlier post, I’m now going to dedicate a little more attention. It’s written by Pasek & Paul (A Christmas Story), the guys I told you about in my Dogfight post, and it’s performed by the glory that is Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair). Based on the stories of Peter Pan, this video is from a concert of Pasek & Paul songs back in 2008. The lyrics are gorgeous, the melody kills me, and Gavin’s performance is mesmerizing. It’s a lesson in vocal control, and his storytelling is beautiful. It’s like he has a secret to share the entire time.
Enjoy, and see you next week.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Posted: August 7, 2014 Filed under: Becca Doodle - Happy, Broadway, Comedy, Musical | Tags: agentlemansguidetoloveandmurder, bestmusical, broadway, bryncepinkham, comedy, gentlemansguide, jeffersonmays, mysteryofedwindrood, review, slapstick, tonyawards, tonywinner Leave a comment
What a jolly good time! What’s that you say? An entirely new musical? Original writing, choreography, a wonderful cast and director, AND a success as this year’s Tony-winning Best Musical? What a breath of fresh air. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder was the underdog of the season, despite the fantastic reviews this past fall. It simply fell in the shadow of blockbusters like Aladdin, but as the Act One Finale “The Last One You’d Expect” states, this was the musical to take home the awards this year (Best Musical, Book, Costume Design, and Direction) plus six additional Tony nominations.
Written by Robert L. Freedman (book and lyrics) and Steven Lutvak (music and lyrics – and a welcome newcomer to Broadway), Gentleman’s Guide is based on a 1907 novel by Roy Horniman. Bryce Pinkham plays the titular character, a gentleman named Monty Navarro. Monty tells his story from prison as he takes us back to how everything began – when he finds out that he is a distant relative of the royal family, the D’Ysquiths. In fact, only eight relations stand between him and the current Earl of Highhurst. Meanwhile, Jefferson Mays plays all of said relations, and after being scorned by the family, Monty begins to take them out, one by one, getting closer and closer to the Earl himself. Both men are hilarious and spot-on in their roles(sss). Monty also finds himself torn between two women, Sibella and Phoebe, played by Lisa O’Hare and Lauren Worsham respectively, who are making fantastic Broadway debuts.
To say the least, the show is a romp full of catchy, clever songs. It’s packed with mugging and “wink winks” at the audience, and it works because the jokes are solid, and the actors telling them know what they’re doing. Once your ear adjusts to the English accent, it’s pretty much non-stop laughter with comedy ranging from sly wit to full-out slapstick. To the best of my knowledge, farcical musicals are few and far between. The Mystery of Edwin Drood is the closest thing I can compare it to within the musical genre. Like Drood, this is clean and sharp. The number performed on the Tony Awards, although it seems like it’s in hyper speed taken out of context, certainly does the show justice in my book.
Another reason the show is so successful is you can tell that the cast is having a blast, too. I mean, how can you not with material like that? Murder has never been so much fun.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Book and Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak, Directed by Darko Tresnjak
Walter Kerr Theatre, Open-Ended
Photo Credit: Sara Krulwich
Pictured: Jefferson Mays and the Cast of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Becca on Broadway 