Oo La La

I am sure you are wondering why I decided to go to New York for Spring Break while my family was in Cabo.    Well, I participated in the OCUNYC program.  The classes were amazing, I learned so much.  Master Classes were so incredible- I did a horrible job in all of them, including the mock audition we had Friday morning; HOWEVER!  I learned so much about myself as a performer and what I need to work on before I graduate. 

I also discovered a fabulous clothing store called Beacons Closet I believe… a friend clued me in on some great places.  It’s in the middle of Brooklyn, and it’s like a vintage/used clothing/ awesome.  I recommend it if you like a good find.

The shows we saw were

• Next to Normal (which I have already RAVED about) 
• Hair
• In The Heights
• Memphis

Hair- I thought the plot was a little ridiculous.  I didn’t understand the political digs, they were not very clear to me at all.  I knew going into the show that there was full on nudity- but I had heard it was barely anything- a GLIMPSE if you will.

…That was no glimpse.

Memphis- I adored Memphis- although it was interesting to hear the feedback of my fellow MT’s.  Not everyone enjoyed it.  Some people thought that it was “overacted” and the “plot was hard to follow”..etc.

I personally disagree, I was sitting in the very front row and I did not think that anything was overacted, however; I am a huge fan of BIG BIG BIG.  I think that Broadway is meant to be dramatic and BIG, so that no matter where you are sitting in the audience you can feel what the actors are feeling. I also get bored in shows very easily.  Ironic right?  I don’t really enjoy going to see shows because most of the time I think they are too long- they drag- and I get antsy.  Memphis did not drag for me, I was enthralled the entire time, never once was I bored.  The ensemble was incredible, so much energy on stage I was completely blown away by everyone’s chemistry and characters.  The relationships were real.  I thought the acting was superb; Montego was astonishing and stunning on stage.  Huey Calhoun was also a fantastic actor, he committed to that character; I was so close I saw their eyes- they were not faking it they were COMMITTING!   

In The Heights- was Ooookkay.  I thought Corbin Bleu was great- he is fun to watch on stage, he has a great personality and is physically sharp.   Personally, I thought the show dragged a little bit in the middle; there were songs I thought should have been cut because they didn’t move the plot along.

And for all of you READERS out there.  

I am not ashamed that i am a HUGE FAN of ALICE RIPLEY (Next to Normal).  I think she is brilliant.  And I think we could all learn from her. Life is an adventure, explore it, go beyond the bounds of accepted behavior in society.  Normal is boring, and conventional is dull.  Be wild!! But do it with a purpose that is true to you- be unconventional not because its cool but because your soul DESIRES it, because your heart yearns for it, and because you have a gift- you are alive.  The greatest gift of all.  Do something productive with your life.

I dare you ;).