Musical Review - Fiddler on the Roof

About the show: 

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia in 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters (or Tevye the Dairyman) and other tales by Sholem Aleichem. The story centers on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions as outside influences encroach upon the family's lives. He must cope both with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters, who wish to marry for love – each one's choice of a husband moves further away from the customs of their Jewish faith and heritage – and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.

The original Broadway production of the show, which opened in 1964, had the first musical theatre run in history to surpass 3,000 performances. Fiddler held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for almost 10 years until Grease surpassed its run. It remains the seventeenth longest-running show in Broadway history. The production was extraordinarily profitable and highly acclaimed. It won nine Tony Awards, including best musical, score, book, direction and choreography. It spawned five Broadway revivals and a highly successful 1971 film adaptation and has enjoyed enduring international popularity. It has also been a popular choice for school and community productions.

My opinion: 

When we were in London in February, we didn't have time to go see this show. It was playing at The Menier Chocolate Factory and because it was so popular they extended the running and moved it to the Playhouse Theatre. I grabbed the chance and booked my ticket. 

I absolutely loved this show!!! I don't even know, where to start with this review. It's the story of a Jewish family and their whole village. Tevye And Golde have five daughters and it's time for them to get married. Of course, they get matched with someone, that's tradition. However, the daughters are about to break the tradition. Tzeitel is in love with Motel, her childhood friend. They have never told her parents, so her dad promises her to someone else, someone much older. The shock is big when they finally reveal the truth, but Tevye agrees and comes up with a funny dream to explain everything to his wife. Well, the second daughter Hodel falls in love with their teacher Perchik, a poor student from Kiev. They managed to convince the dad about their love. Hodel then goes after Perchik. And they live away from the family. Chava is the third daughter and she, unfortunately, falls in love with Fyedka, a Christian. She then runs away and eventually the whole village is expelled by the Russians. And they have to leave. 

The acting was on point from the whole cast, they really transmitted the feelings and got into their roles. It was real and authentic. I really liked the three daughters played by Molly Osborne, Harriet Bunton and Nicola Brown), their voices were beautiful and their acting was brilliant. Andy Nyman, who played the dad was absolutely phenomenal, great voice, fab actor! I didn't really like Tania Newton, who played his wife, it was the understudy and her voice seemed shaky and not secure. Then we have the men, mainly Stewart Clarke and Matthew Hawksley (Perchkin and Fyedka), they were great! I might have fallen in love with them a little bit myself ;). I actually saw both Andy Nyman and Stewart Clarke in Assassins four years ago, so that was fab.
The company scenes were fantastic, very well staged and the choreography was very effective. I also liked what they did with the stage and the scenery, it's the perfect theatre for this show. 

A very special thing was also the cast being on stage and interacting before the show even started. 
I wouldn't recommend sitting in the first row, maybe start with the forth, and the seats were really tight and not a lot of space for the legs. 

Of course, this is still a must-see show in the West End, I would definitely go and see it again. 

Musical Review - Follies

About the show: 

Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The story concerns a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies", a musical revue (based on the Ziegfeld Follies), that played in that theatre between the World Wars. It focuses on two couples, Buddy and Sally Durant Plummer and Benjamin and Phyllis Rogers Stone, who are attending the reunion. Sally and Phyllis were showgirls in the Follies. Both couples are deeply unhappy with their marriages. Buddy, a traveling salesman, is having an affair with a girl on the road; Sally is still as much in love with Ben as she was years ago; and Ben is so self-absorbed that Phyllis feels emotionally abandoned. Several of the former showgirls perform their old numbers, sometimes accompanied by the ghosts of their former selves. The musical numbers in the show have been interpreted as pastiches of the styles of the leading Broadway composers of the 1920s ands '30s, and sometimes as parodies of specific songs.

The Broadway production opened on April 4, 1971, directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, and with choreography by Bennett. The musical was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven. The original production, the most costly performed on Broadway to that date, ran for over 500 performances but ultimately lost its entire investment. The musical has had a number of major revivals, and several of its songs have become standards, including "Broadway Baby", "I'm Still Here", "Too Many Mornings", "Could I Leave You?", and "Losing My Mind".

More information about the show: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follies

My opinion: 

Another Sondheim musical with wonderful songs. Sadly this production didn’t really

impress me. 

It hard to explain why, but here we go. 

We watched it at the National Theatre and I really liked the stage and the stage design. However, it didn’t really work in the performance. The orchestra played behind the stage and somehow the sound got blocked and didn’t really come through. It didn’t really match with the singing (sound wise, not timing wise). 

Most actors and actresses were always on stage, I didn’t really know where to look. I also felt like some characters weren’t very well cast. 

Some others were perfect for their roles and did a wonderful job. I also liked how they did some of the songs.

The spark just didn’t fly for this show. Maybe I expected too much, but something was definitely missing for me.

Musical Review - Waitress

About the show:

Waitress is a musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson. The musical is based on the 2007 film of the same name, written by Adrienne Shelly. It tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband Earl. When Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her gynecologist, Dr. Jim Pomatter. Looking for ways out, she sees a pie contest and its grand prize as her chance.

Stage rights to the film were purchased in 2007, while the musical's creative team was assembled by 2013. The original production of Waitress premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge in August 2015, with direction by Diane Paulus and choreography by Chase Brock, and starring Jessie Mueller, Drew Gehling, and Joe Tippett as Jenna, Jim, and Earl, respectively. It made its Broadway debut at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in April 2016. A U.S. national tour began on October 20, 2017. In 2019, Waitress will be opening at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End.

My own opinion: 

When we heard that Waitress is coming to the West End with Katherine McPhee, we booked tickets immediately. 

Katherine McPhee is one of my faves. I discovered her in the TV show Smash, where she played on of the main roles. 

In Waitress she playes the main characters Jenna and she was absolutely brilliant in the show!!! Her voice is just amazing and her acting was on point as well. 

The show has so much more to offer though. All the other characzers were very well cast as well, especially Dr. Promatter (David Hunter) and Jenna’s two best friends Dawn and Becky. The acting is great, the choreography is on point and they just created this fab atmosphere. You feel part of it in the audience.

The band is playing on stage and kind of part of the cast. It worked really well. 

The music of this show is fantastic, I loved all the songs and can’t stop listening to the songs.

Musical Review - Company

About the show: 

Company is a 1970 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The original production was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards and won six.

Originally titled Threes, its plot revolves around Robert (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. Unlike most book musicals, which follow a clearly delineated plot, Company is a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, linked by a celebration for Robert's 35th birthday.

Company was among the first musicals to deal with adult themes and relationships. As Sondheim puts it, "Broadway theater has been for many years supported by upper-middle-class people with upper-middle-class problems. These people really want to escape that world when they go to the theatre, and then here we are with Company talking about how we're going to bring it right back in their faces.

My own opinion: 

I saw Company once before, 20 years ago (I was about nine years old), when my theatre group performed it. My mum was in it and since I was still quite young, I only allowed to watch the dress rehearsal. It’s not really a show you would take your children to, because of what it is about. 

Anyway, here we are in 2019 and I finally got to see a West End production of this fab show. Stephen Sondheim is one of my fave musical composers and I just love the songs from Company. I also think the story is fun and entertaining. The lyrics are absolutely brilliant!

The special thing about this production was the transgender aspect of it. The main role Bobbie is originally played by a man, but they did it with a woman this time. They also turned some other things around. It worked really well and made it special and unique. 

The production and the staging were brilliant!!! It’s a very lively show, there are so many things going on, but they did an awesome job with all the scenes, as well as the choreography for the songs. The show is so much fun to watch, I would go again immediately!

Musical Review - Miss Saigon

About the show: 

Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover. The setting of the plot is relocated to 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War, and Madame Butterfly's story of marriage between an American lieutenant and a geisha is replaced by a romance between a United States Marine and a South Vietnamese bargirl.

The musical was premièred at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, on 20 September 1989, closing after 4,092 performances on 30 October 1999. It opened on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre on April 11, 1991, and subsequently played in many other cities and embarked on tours. Prior to the opening of the 2014 London revival, it was claimed that Miss Saigon had set a world record for opening day ticket sales, with sales in excess of £4m reported. 

The musical represented Schönberg and Boublil's second major success, following Les Misérables in 1985. As of April 2017, Miss Saigon remains Broadway's thirteenth longest-running show.  

My opinion: 

I was finally able to see this show!!! I wanted to for a really long time and when they announced that the UK touring company is coming to Zurich, the decision was made. 

I listened to the soundtrack several times before going and I already fell in love with the music then. No surprise it’s by the same composers, who wrote Les Misérables. 

The story was very easy to follow, but let me tell you one thing, it’s really intense, but so well done. The scenery was great, the helicopter scene was done in a fantastic way and I always felt like being right there with the characters. This is true for so many other scenes as well. 

The music is amazing, very emotional and gives me goosebumps every single time. The actors added a lot of charm and charisma with their acting, wow! Certain scenes very powerful and strong, just how it needed to be. There are so many wonderful songs in this show. My faves are I Still Believe, Bui Doi, This ist he Hour, The Movie in My Mind and Last Night oft he World. 

The actors were brilliant especially Ashley Gilmour, who played Chris and  Sooha Kim, who played Kim. He has an amazing voice and she was perfect fort he part. She was tiny, but wow can she sing!

I had to cry several times during this musical. It’s actually a really sad story, with a sad ending, but it’s a must see!!! It's touching, I loved it! I would definitely go and see it again. 

My Top 17 Musical Songs

By now you probably all know about my obsession with musicals, so I thought I'd share my fave Musical songs. Be prepared, there might be a lot of Les Misérables. 
DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING - Les Miserables

Les Misérables is one of my fave musicals and there are so many great songs in it. This own builds up in this fab crescendo and the reprise in the end is the finale at the same time. All dead people sing with every one, I have to cry every single time. 

ON MY OWN - Les Miserables

What an emotional song!!! So powerful and strong, and of course beautiful!

ONE DAY MORE - Les Miserables

All the characters come together and sing about their feelings. I LOVE THIS SONG!
HELLO - The Book of Mormon

This one is just funny and fab to see on stage. The melody is very catchy and shows the vibe of the musical!
DEFYING GRAVITY - Wicked

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME - Oliver!

Powerful song sung by a great woman! The melody is fab!
AS LONG AS YOU'RE MINE - Wicked

Awwwww! The perfect love song. 
SEASONS OF LOVE - Rent

This one always makes me think of Glee first, but the song is just beautiful anyway. 
NO ONE IS ALONE - Into the Woods

Stephen Sondheim is a brilliant musical theatre composer. Into The Woods is one of his bist musicals and this is one of many great songs from it. 
WHO WILL BUY - Oliver!

Just gorgeous and beautiful. 
DO RE MI - The Sound of Music

Just cute, adorable and always puts a smile on your face :)
TELL ME IT'S NOT TRUE - Blood Brothers

Emotional, touching and so much more!
WHEN I GROW UP - Matilda

Matilda is such a fabulous musical, so much fun and the kids are brilliant! This song is everything!
CLOSE EVERY DOOR - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat

Great song, especially when you see Gareth gates singing it ;)
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM - Jesus Christ Superstar

Beautiful!
LILY'S EYES - The Secret Garden

We are doing The Secret Garden this November and the music is just so wonderful. This song is one of my faves!
I KNOW HIM SO WELL - Chess

We did Chess two years ago and this song is fab! Also the perfect addition song to sing with someone else ;) 

I didn't take songs from bands like Abba or Queen into consideration. It was hard enough like this ;). 

Movie Review – The Greatest Showman

About the movie:

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 American period musical drama film directed by Michael Gracey, and written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. The film is inspired by the story of P. T. Barnum's creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the lives of its star attractions.

Principal photography on the film began in New York City in November 2016, and it premiered on December 8, 2017 aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2. It was theatrically released in the United States on December 20, 2017 by 20th Century Fox, seven months after the circus stopped operating, and has grossed $102 million worldwide.

The Greatest Showman received mixed reviews with praise for the cast (particularly Jackman), music, and production values, but criticism for the artistic license taken, with some reviewers calling it "faux-inspiring and shallow".^[4][5] At the 75th Golden Globe Awards, the film received three nominations: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Jackman), and Best Original Song ("This Is Me").

More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Showman

My opinion:

When we walked out of the movie theatre in the end, I heard people say that they didn’t know it was a musical. For me this fact was one oft he main reasons to actually go see the movie. Of course Hugh Jackman sold it to me ;). Being a huge musical theatre fan, I knew a Barnum musical exists, but it’s not related to this movie. The songs are totally different and some characters were just added for the movie. The storyline seems to be similar though.

The story follows PT Barnum (Hugh Jackman) and his dream to be successful with his “circus”. He tries to find unique artists to perform in his show and he finds them. The journey to success is not easy though and he suddenly wants more, forgetting what is all about. The storyline is very simple, but I think the message behind it is very important and it really comes through.

I loved seeing Barnum with his family. Michelle Williams is a great actress (wife) and the two daughters were absolutely adorable. They added a lot of cuteness and sparks to the story. Obviously Hugh Jackman was brilliant! He is a wonderful actor, a very talented singer and just perfect for the role. Rebecca Ferguson played Jenny Lind, I was really impressed with her singing, but she is actually not singing herself, it’s Loren Allred. Zac Efron and Zendaya had great chemistry and I really loved their song. The girl playing young Charity Barnum was also very cute and talented. It0s a fantastic cast, I really have to say and they work really well as a group.

My absolute highlight was the music! The songs are just magnificent and I listen to them all the time now. They help to portray the message and they really add a lot to the story. The choreography is on point as well and I just love all the colours, animals and the shows they put on.

It might not be historically accurate and Barnum was actually a bit different, but I don’t care. IT’S A FABUOUS MUSICAL FILM!