11. Mamma Mia – March 4, 2012
Want to look for a show that makes you have a fun time
and you want to get up and dance? Don’t
look farther than the Winter Garden Theatre for the ABBA loving hit Mamma Mia!
The musical has been thrilling audiences since opening in New York
since 2001 and coming on their 11th year. Since debuting in London in 1999, Mamma Mia has been seen around the world
and translated into many languages from Italy to China. It has become an audience favorite in theatre
and in film.
Mamma Mia takes 22 of
Swedish group ABBA’s greatest hits to mold into a stage worthy story. Twenty year old Sophie Sheridan (Liana Hunt) lives
on a taverna on an island in Greece where she lives with her mother, Donna (Lisa
Brescia) who runs it. Sophie is about to marry her fiancé Sky (Blake Whyte) but
she is missing one thing: her father to walk her down the aisle and give her
away. After reading through her mom’s
diary, she sends invitations to the men who could be her father (Sam Carmichael
(John Hemphill), Bill Austin (Patrick Boll) and Harry Bright (David Beach). On the day before her wedding, they arrive
and Sophie has to know who her father is without her mom noticing that they are
here because she needs to know who is her father and conflicts and mayhem
happen.
I really had a fun time at the show. The song are very familiar to me having seen
the Broadway production once before and the National Tour in Florida. Plus I enjoyed the movie version. I enjoy the dancing and singing. Everything from the beginning of the overture
to the mega mix where they come out in spandex costumes was so good. Rude behavior: having two girls behind my mom
and me talking during “Slipping through my Fingers”. I want to add something from the stage door,
I had a company program from Florida for two of the cast members to sign. I also wanted to meet Catherine Ricafort (who
was playing Alli in the show) because I read about her and two people from the
show in a Filipino newspaper. She is so
sweet and very down to earth like every one of the cast (She mentioned about a
youtube musical that just premiered at the NYMTF called Prison Dancer which I
advise you check out).
I
was looking forward to seeing these casts since some cast members are from the
tour and some are new to the Broadway Company.
I was excited for Lisa Brescia’s performance as Donna because my dad
heard her in Birdland Jazz and everyone says she was great in Wicked. I love her acting and her voice is so
gorgeous it rings in the theater. It was
my second time seeing Judy McLane as Donna’s friend three time divorcee Tanya
and she is comic genius as well as being a great singer (McLane is now playing
Donna in Mamma Mia). Jennifer Perry is comic genius as Rosie who
along with Tanya comes by for the wedding and to reunite their girl group
“Donna and the Dynamos”. All three
ladies have voices that work so well together.
I saw Liana Hunt and John Hemphill in the National Tour in Florida as
Sophie and Sam and I really enjoy their performances. Blake Whyte is wonderful singing eye candy as
Sky. In fact the young men are eye candy
for the young girls in the audience since they are wearing nothing but
speedos. All three dads John Hemphill,
Patrick Boll, David Beach all work well together especially with the
Dynamos.
Mamma Mia currently plays at the Winter
Garden Theatre (located on 1634 Broadway).
There is a $31.50 student rush which may be available on day of
performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability.
Limit 2 tickets per valid student ID. Mamma Mia is a trip down the aisle you
will never forget.
12. Rogers & Hammerstein’s Carousel – March 31, 2012
Every
year at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, once the spring comes around; it’s
time for the spring musical theatre done by the musical theatre class. This year under the direction of Mr. Robert
Frisch, this year’s musical is Rogers & Hammerstein’s Carousel.
Carousel is about the romance between
carousel barker Billy Bigelow and mill worker Julie Jordan. It all revolves around Billy’s internal
struggle to prove his love to Julie. I
really enjoyed the show so much I was really on the edge of my seat. The musical is one thing I look forward to during
the school year and I vow to come back year after year. The whole cast was incredible. The staging and the songs were beautiful and
outstanding
*If you are interested in seeing
shows at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts call up Ms. Cathy Marcheta to reserve
tickets. Call at 718 392 5025 or email Cmarchetta@schools.nyc.gov.
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