The Best of Broadway, Part I: 1977-1987

A friend recently posted a Vulture article that I immediately clicked on. Rachel Shukert chose the best Broadway songs of the past 40 years. I had thought she was going to choose one for each season, but she basically chose 30 of her favourite songs, no matter the season. She says herself that it's "a list that is deeply personal, probably idiosyncratic, and certainly may not please everyone."  Truer words were never spoken. ;)

So I decided I'd create a list of the best musical/s from each season over the past 40 years, as well as the best song/s from that show. And because I'm terrible with decisions, there will be runners-up. Oh, and revivals count! 

Why 40 years? Well, for all the reasons Rachel mentioned and for another, more personal reason. I'll tell you later. 

Considering how long it's taking me (and how long the blog post will be), I'm going to break it up into parts and publish over several days.

I've created a Spotify playlist* to accompany these posts. Feel free to listen as you go, or after you've finished. Or not at all, if you want to be a numpty about it. :p

Are you ready to nod your head in agreement as you do jazz hands? Or perhaps yell at your computer screen and furiously write a comment on just how wrong I am? (I'm so not wrong.) Nevertheless, Rachel's caveat applies here, as well. This is "a list that is deeply personal, probably idiosyncratic, and certainly may not please everyone."

*If that version wasn't available, I went with other Broadway versions or the soundtrack, and in some cases, both.

Curtains Up! 

The Reader's Lament: Post-Grammatic Stress Disorder.

...because you probably did. Don't worry; we all do it. Our brains are pretty amazing--they process and correct errors without us even knowing what's going on. Unfortunately, our brains can't change the errors on paper...that's all on us. 

...and in my NEXT life...

Hallo, all!

2nd April, 2014.

 Yes, another incarnation of my blog. For reasons that would take me too long to explain (and you don't want to read about, anyway), I've had to start up an entirely new blog. I wasn't able to export any of my old posts, so I had to copy-paste into new posts here, instead. The original date will be at the top of the post...the formatting might be off (including pictures, videos, links), but I haven't had a chance to go into all 50-something posts to correct everything just yet.

I was able to glance through them all and noticed just how much I've changed in the past few years. Everyone does, but it still came as a bit of a shock.

One change that affects the blog: I've stopped making this about just my career. I don't get too terribly personal, mind you. Names are rarely mentioned...certain events or moments might be vaguely spoken about...but it's no longer just about the Business of Show these days.

I wear lots of different hats. I'm a multifaceted person, and the blog will reflect that. There's more to me than just being an actor or singer...so much more.

I am still learning.

~Michelangelo, 1562.

Accountabili-buddies!

15 February, 2014

My last post of 2013 was a list of my resolutions--dares, challenges, and promises that I have difficulties with, but knew I could still accomplish.

Every month or so, I'll come back here and re-examine that list. You will hold me accountable to the promises I've made. You are my accountabili-buddy, whether you like it or not.

It's Bagel Day! Yes, it's Bagel Day! B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b Bagel Day!

06 February, 2014

 

(From the BBC series Maid Marian and Her Merry Men.)

Here at work (Deluxe Media, to refresh your memory), Thursdays are Bagel Day. (Also fresh fruit. But I devour the bagel days before my fruit is even touched.)

And every Thursday morning, as soon as I step off the elevator and smell the fresh baked carb-loaded goodness, I start singing that song--substituting "bagel" for "pancake," of course.

Every. Single. Thursday.

My co-workers love me. ;)

I choose the jalapeno cheddar and add garden veggie shmear, in case you're wondering.

For my American friends: in the  British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, Shrove Tuesday is also known as "Pancake Day," due to the tradition of eating pancakes on that day.

I could care less about shriving on a Tuesday. But I can get down with some Pancake Days.

P-p-p-p-p-p-p-p- Pancake Day!

A Many-Splendoured Thing?

20 January, 2014

One of my resolutions this year was to "dare to love."

What does that even mean?

Yes, I meant it as a general form of love...to open my heart to friends and family and even strangers; to accept love as much as give it. But, of course, I also meant love in its romantic form.

Which is even more terrifying, to me.

It's been a while. And I've often felt through the years that not only was it not meant for me, but that I wasn't really capable of it.

Do I still think that's true?

New Beginnings and Dares.

31 December, 2013

 

This year seems to have flown by. But every year seems that way, doesn't it? At least, every year as an adult. I remember thinking the years just dragged when I was younger... is it just me?

At any rate, twenty-thirteen is leaving us and twenty-fourteen can't wait to come in. There've been some good, some bad, some downright ugly and painful things that happened this past year. But some beautiful memories and hard-learned lessons, as well.