Rent Off-Broadway

I was practically shaking during the bittersweet moments as the lights dimmed and Rent was about to start. Rent was my first Broadway show and obsession, and I didn't know what to expect from this new version of a show I used to love so much. Within minutes my anxiety was gone; this production of Rent is fantastic.

The show itself is extremely similar to the Broadway production, and the important things such as the messages come across as perfectly as before, so there is nothing for an old fan to worry about. New fans also get to experience an amazing production of Rent; they're not missing anything. Rent is truly a masterpiece, and the staging at New World Stages is amazing and help the emotion of the show. It's easy to care for the characters and relate to them. The musical also has some extremely meaningful messages, and a few years of maturity and a wonderful production really made them sink into me this summer.

Although some say Rent is dated and not as poignant as it was over 15 years ago, many of the messages are universal and important, and most people my age are in the perfect time in their lives to appreciate them. There are many "turning points" during adolescence, and during these times loves are lost and found, time is wasted and made the best of, and romance is being experienced and explored for the first time. The message to "measure your life in love," both between friends, family, and lovers, really hit hard when I saw this production. There isn't anything greater. The "no day but today" outlook doesn't only apply to those who could die any day of AIDS or other diseases; our generation has grown up with 9/11 and the aftermath taking over the news for nearly 10 years. We've always had the knowledge that with the powerful weapons out there, anything can happen. So, we should live each day to the fullest, since we don't know what could come tomorrow. Part of living is loving, and so is falling. The "give in to love or live in fear" message is easy for nearly anyone my age to relate to. Being afraid to fall in love, for whatever reason, is common. However, once Roger gives in, he becomes extremely passionate. The way he looks at his girlfriend is enough to make nearly any girl fall in love and wish for something similar. So, although the things such as AIDS, cross-dressers, gays, and others aren't as taboo as when Rent first premiered, it is far from dated, especially for teenagers.

The first time I saw it this summer, I saw it with a group. It was made of mostly females, but the one male there loved it. Granted, he was excited to be there, but his excitement wasn't let down. My friends and I all cried at various parts in the show; it was a wonderful catharsis. As I watched how confident one of the girls was I couldn't help but think how much I wished I was her, and nearly everyone agreed, even though we were admitting to looking up to a stripper. I saw it with another group, with more guys, and one of them said it was his new favorite show and he wants to see it many more times. I met only one person who thought it was just okay, but he lived a more sheltered life, so I don't know if some things didn't hit him as hard because of a lack of life experience, or if it just wasn't his type. Most, however, absolutely loved it.

I'd recommend Rent to nearly everyone my age. Most girls will easily fall in love with Matt Shingledecker's Roger; he's a great blend between troubled rockstar and caring guy. Guys, on the other hand, are harder to gauge for. The rock score is usually more appealing to them, and the excitement on stage can keep them interested without a spectacle. It's definitely one of the top choices I'd suggest for a teenage guy who may not be too into theatre. The lessons can be appreciated by both guys and girls, and they're what really make the show for me.

Basically, just go. This production of Rent is wonderful. The lottery is a cheap way to go and the front row is awesome, but they don't have too many seats which is unfortunate. The lotto loser seats are also very affordable and offer a good view, so I'd suggest doing that. The nice thing about it being off-Broadway is that even if you by far in advance it's affordable and there's not really a bad seat in the house. So, go!

If you have any comments or questions e-mail me or comment :)

The Addams Family

Going into The Addams Family, I couldn't wait for it to be over. The only reason I was interested in seeing it was to see Krysta Rodriguez in a starring role. My friend invited me, so I went.

Walking out, I was pleasantly surprised and wanted to go back again. The show had the right amount of fun and heart mixed together. Nathan Lane was hilarious as well as many other cast members. Songs like "Happy/Sad" also gave the show a redeeming quality beyond the humor. The sets, costumes, acting, and choreography were wonderful! The score also had great songs; I walked out with "Crazier Than You" in my head. I smiled, laughed, and nearly cried. I had a wonderful time.

Inside of every teenage girl there's a part of Wednesday Addams that doesn't want to fall in love with a certain guy. Immediately audience members want them together. Their relationship is adorable, quirky, and complicated, and it's a ton of fun to watch.

I think this show is great for basically any person of any age. My teenage friend I saw it with loved it, and all of my other friends told me I would have a great time. Now whenever people ask me about it I encourage them to go, especially my friends. Rush is a good way to get in for a good price, but if you can't discounts are pretty good. If you're looking to have fun with a serious side and laugh a lot, definitely go.

If you have any questions or anything e-mail or comment :)

Jersey Boys

One of the first shows I wanted to see when my Broadway obsession began was Jersey Boys. After years I finally got to see it!

When I sat down I was so excited. I was sitting fourth row, and I was the youngest person around me which always excites me. I also knew many of the songs in the show so I was excited to see them performed. When the show finally started I was so happy.

As the show went on, my excitement went away. I felt like I was watching an E! True Hollywood Story with some karaoke mixed in. The performers were amazing. Tony blew me away and I fell in love with him. There just seemed to be a lack of heart to the show, and it was so simple I never got that feeling that I loved it and I'd want to go back. Some parts made me smile, though, and I'm glad I saw it.

I have a few teenage friends who love the show and got me pumped up to see it, so it's not just an adult show. I have some friends who agree with me and wouldn't pay to go back. For most people my age, paying $140 or a little under for a show is nearly out of the question, and I wouldn't recommend paying that much for the show. For a teenager rush or standing room may be a good option. If a teenager is looking for a show to relate to or feel something for, I wouldn't advise seeing Jersey Boys. If a teenager is looking for possibly a good time watching some karaoke, go. There's no spectacle to the show, no big costumes or sets. So if you're into that, Jersey Boys isn't a good choice.

If you have any questions e-mail me or comment :)

Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark

I saw the first preview of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark last night. I know most reviews aren't made until opening night, but a lot of people are trashing it already.

I started in the minority, since I've been excited for this musical since it was announced. Again I'm in the minority, because I loved it.

It's not flawless. It's far from it. The finale needs to be changed. Some of the lyrics are terrible. The score is, for the most part, quite forgettable. There are songs about "Bouncing Off The Walls" and "High Heels," which are kind of ridiculous, but then there are special moments I have never felt from any other piece of Theatre. I left the Theatre with so many questions, but I loved that. I was able to relate to wanting to "rising above myself" and growing up. I loved how Spider-Man was almost controlled by his nightmare, since I'm still young enough for my dreams to have such an impact on me. There were times in the show I was so drawn in and connected, and I was especially so during the longest stop they took. There were times I actually feared for my life, not because I thought the actors would land on me, but because I felt like I was in the city under attack. I'm not big on spectacles, but the flying blew me away.

I think Spider-Man is perfect for kids and teenagers. Nothing extremely inappropriate stands out in my mind. I was captivated and blown away, even though I tend to shy away from "spectacle" musicals. Spider-Man isn't only good for younger audiences. I'm pretty sure anyone can enjoy it if they go in with an open mind, especially in previews. There are some really great, interesting, new things going on in the musical. The choreography is very well thought out and spectacular. The story gets a few messages across; I have a feeling I could get a completely different experience next time I go. The actors are marvelous. Jennifer Damiano and Patrick Page absolutely blew me away.

I say, absolutely go see Spider-Man. No matter what, it will not be like any other piece of theatre you've ever experienced. Go with an open mind, I bet you'll find something to enjoy. I cannot wait until I can go back again and hopefully see the finished product.

Next To Normal

Before Next To Normal even made it to Broadway I had fallen in love with it, and I had to see it almost immediately when it came back to New York. After seeing it once I couldn't wait to get back and listened to the recording many times, and after not seeing it for months, I have revisited it twice. This musical means more to me now than it ever did.

When I first saw Next To Normal I was absolutely blown away. I got rush seats in the boxes, so they weren't that great, but no matter where I saw it from I knew I would love it. There were plenty of college kids there to rush, and some that I talked to after the show were floored by it. When I went back recently I met a few girls around my age that had been dying to see it, and I couldn't have been happier they chose Next To Normal over the other show they were thinking about. I didn't know then, but they weren't the only ones about to fall in love with Next To Normal; I did again.

After obsessing over Next To Normal for months, I moved on to listening to other things, mostly rock music. Still, I don't listen to the recording much; it's not exactly a happy soundtrack. After not listening to it for long, I had just kinda felt disconnected from Next To Normal. When I saw it again in August all of my love for the show came back and more. It opened my eyes to issues going on in my life and feelings I hadn't given myself time to deal with, and I connected extremely deeply with many characters, and at times it felt like the words they were speaking were just what I needed to hear. Before that day, I always told people Next To Normal is great, go see it... blah blah blah. Now I tell people, even if they don't mention it, that they have to see it.

Even though I tell almost everyone I encounter in the city to see Next To Normal, I don't think everyone will enjoy it. The soundtrack is awesome, and if you've heard it and want to see the show, go for it. I can't say who would or wouldn't appreciate the show, because even the people who look the happiest and most perfect have problems. I relate to the show because of the characters dealing with a family member with a mental illness, and I also relate to other parts. I always hear many people crying in the theater, so many people either relate or are just that touched by the story. If you're looking for a happy musical, don't go. If you're looking for a musical with an outstanding book that may make you think, feel, and bring your emotions on a roller coaster ride, Next To Normal is where you should go. Many teenagers can easily relate to Natalie; almost every teenager has anger toward their parents and situation. Quite a few of my friends and classmates have seen the show and they have all gone back to see it again or want to. Not everyone gets so emotional in the show; some people just really love it. Girls seem to like it more than guys, but none of my guy friends that are into theatre dislike Next To Normal.

In my opinion, Next To Normal has one of the best books currently on Broadway. Many people in their teenage years and beyond can relate to the story, and it's also very touching. Even though I've stressed how it's not a happy story, it does have a happy, optimistic ending, which is one of my favorite things about it. I suggest you go if you even think you might want to before it's too late. If you want more information about the show or have questions or comments, comment below or e-mail me!

Billy Elliot

When I was watching the 2008 Tony Awards I saw an ad for an awesome looking new musical, Billy Elliot. For months before it came to Broadway I tried to find a way to see it, and I got to see it a little before the Tony Awards in 2009.

I went into Billy Elliot really excited since I had been waiting almost a year to see it. I was not nearly as in love with it as I thought I would be, but I don't think it's really a bad musical. I was confused during the first 10 minutes, but I don't think I would have been if I read the playbill before the show. Everything cleared up and turned into the show I was expecting to see, the one about a young boy who wants to be a dancer, and I got my hopes up again. The musical never met my expectations, which may have been a little high, but I can't say I was ever bored or dreaded being there.

My biggest problem with the show, other than my confusion with the beginning and some of the English terms, was that I couldn't empathize at all with the musical, which is what I look for when I go see a Broadway show. I danced when I was younger, but I couldn't wait to quit, so there was nothing in the dancing area for me to relate to. I am also just not impressed by sticking kids on stage to make a cutesy musical that probably wouldn't be cared about if it was all done by adults. Many people sympathize for Billy because of his mom and because of his situation, and many people are impressed and fall in love with the little kids on stage. It's not a bad thing, just a different taste.

All of my dancer friends who have seen Billy Elliot love it and have seen it multiple times. I also know people who aren't dancers who love it for the score, story, acting, dancing, or anything else. Whenever I'm asked if someone should bring their family members to Billy Elliot I ask if they're dancers and what types of musicals they like. I usually say that dancers, people who like larger scale musicals, and people that go occasionally or because it's nice, but not because it's a hobby, will like it. People who go to Broadway every week also love it, so it really just depends on the person. If a teenager wants to see a show like American Idiot or Next To Normal, I wouldn't say pick Billy Elliot as an alternative. If the choice is between Billy Elliot or something like Wicked, I'd say it's a tougher choice, and it comes down to personal choice.

If you can't decide whether or not to go, it will be around for a long time, so it's also a show that can wait for a trip in a few months or longer. If you have any questions or comments just comment or e-mail me!

The Lion King

I saw The Lion King around two years ago- just after I turned 14. I was just starting to love Broadway, and it was, I believe, the 4th Broadway musical I saw. I didn't go in with high or low expectations, but I left completely unsatisfied.
I don't know what about The Lion King didn't work with me. It was one of my earlier experiences being in the mezzanine, which I don't like in general, but I was sitting in third row center, so I wasn't too far away. Sure, the sets and costumes were spectacular, but that didn't keep me entertained for over two and a half hours. I did realize that I and the person I was with were just about the only people there without a child. The musical seems geared toward children, but their parents seemed to enjoy themselves. The person I was with walked away underwhelmed, and she was very excited to see it because she loves the movie. When we left, she said the movie was much better, and basically said that experience was just a waste of our money. She said she might bring her daughter, now 7, back to see the show.
At 14, I almost fell asleep at a matinee performance of The Lion King. I'm sure I would if I was put through it now, so I would feel like a hypocrite if I recommended to for any teenagers. I know older people (over 60) who really enjoy it, and my friends who saw it when they were younger loved it. I think anyone under 12 would be amazed by it, and probably love it just for that. Teenagers, however, will probably be bored, and it won't be worth it. It would be near the bottom of my list of shows to bring anyone between 13 and 40 to. If you have any questions or comments just e-mail me or comment!