In The Heights

A show about family and home, what else could I ask for when Im with my family and Im home? Nothing. This show has some of the funniest, heart warming, touching, loving, real characters that I have ever seen in a show. Watching as Usnavi continually tries to get the courage to ask out Vanessa, and Vanessa denying her feelings toward him, or watching as Benny tries to get Nina to understand where she belongs while her parents, more father, try to make her think otherwise is something that really ties you to your seat. And Abuela Claudia being the kindest person really shows you love. This show is of love.

When the show opened up I was blown away by Graffiti Pete's dancing. The radio blasted, " Its the day before the Fourth of July, but we're starting the party tonight" I realized, it was the day before the Fourth of July, this is taking place NOW. I love going to see shows that take place now. It feels more real. And the fact that an original cast member, a Mr. Lin Manuel Miranda, was going to be reprising his role in only this production was even more real. I couldnt imagine anyone but Lin playing Usnavi, though Im sure the others have been quite good, no one beats Lin.

The one thing I did not expect when seeing this was that it would make me cry. I'm sure Im not the only one who cried, this story is so touching. You really grow to love these characters, and when one leaves, you cant help but cry. This show, words cannot describe the emotion that just bounces off of the stage. You really do feel the love, the pain, the longing, the friendliness, the hurt, and every emotion in between. I feel as though I dont do this show justice as I write this. I must say that it truly is my new favorite musical. I cannot wait for the movie to be made, I am indeed dragging each and everyone of my friends to this movie 72 times.

Love and thanks to LIN MANUEL-MIRANDA, thank you for everything you brought to us last night.

Mary Poppins

Hey everyone, Ok so for Christmas my parents got me an amazing gift: Mary Poppins the Musical tickets. I have been wanting these tickets for about 3 years when I found out that it was a musical from Disney 365 or 411 or whatever it was called then. On January 23rd I saw the musical with two members of the Original Broadway Cast: Gavin Lee(Bert) and Ashley Brown(Mary).

The musical takes the classic Disney movie, the book by P.L. Travers and adds the music by the Sherman brothers and turns it into a wonderful show for all ages. Jane and Michael Banks are two misbehaved kids who cannot keep a nanny for very long. Mary Poppins comes along to help the family. She learns of the bad relationship between the kids and their father and she helps change it. The kids, like most kids are, are stubborn. They do not want to learn from Mary. Once Mary leaves they realize how much she helps them and that they want her back. She comes back and helps the family once again.

Mary Poppins is one of my favorite classic Disney movies. Its great for all ages and all genders. When i went to see it, there were possibly three or more generations. Grandparents taking their grandchildren, parents taking their children, and even parents taking their parents and children. I believe that it is almost impossible to not like Mary Poppins. Its a classic movie, the music is wonderful, the choreography is out of this world, and the acting was quite good. All together this was one supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical for the whole family.

The Grinch

On December 19, 2009 I went with my family to see Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Going into the theatre I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from this musical. I knew the story, I had seen the cartoon numerous times on T.V. but I didnt know how they would take that and put it on stage. Unlike millions of people, I am not a huge fan of the cartoon but I will watch it.

So the things that differed from the cartoon were that the story is told from Old Max's point of view. It tells the whole story, not leaving a thing out. I realized afterwards that the musical is kind of like the movie, starring Jim Carrey, rather than the cartoon.

What I loved in the musical was that at a point they had the whole audience join in to sing the famous song "Your'e a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". I also loved how they constantly were breaking the fourth wall.

Overall I did really enjoy this musical, the actors were funny, everyone had amazing voices, and it was basically bringing a classic story to life on stage.

Legally Blonde The Musical

Yes, yes, that is right I got to see Legally Blonde the Musical this past weekend. After waiting, like, two years to see it I finally got to see it as my graduation present. After seeing it on MTV, I was obsessed with the songs and the story. Everyone knows the story of Elle Woods and how she goes to Harvard Law to fallow after her boyfriend who dumps her. She ends up totally proving everyone wrong about how they think she is a dumb blonde. Obviously she isn't

The touring cast was amazing and i couldn't have imagined it anymore wonderful. And a plus was that after I saw it I went to the stage door and got every single person's autograph, except for the person who played Pillar.

I don't know about you but I watched the MTV show Legally Blonde:the search for the next Elle Woods. And I was so happy when I found out that the person who got third, Rihannon Hansen, and the person who got fourth, Lauren Ashley Zakrin, were touring with the production. I must say that those two were amazing. I was so happy that I got to see them.

Spamalot

Spamalot, a hilarious musical that was, well, hilarious. The Monty Python movie, The Quest for the Holy Grail, is the basis of this musical. We fallow King Arthur as he makes his quest for the holy grail. Along the way he picks up some side kicks to help him on his quest.

With hilarious songs, off the wall jokes, and constantly going into that hilarious British Comedy, this musical is a must see. I loved it and totally want to see it again. And the plus thing is that I saw John O'Hurley as King Arthur. Thats right, J.Peterman from Seinfeld, himself. It was just the thing to do when you had no plans and randomly ask how much tickets for Spamalot are, 4 hours before the next show. It was spur of the moment and I loved every minute of it

RENT

RENT, RENT, RENT, RENT, RENT. Oh the joys of RENT. I saw them on the 2008 Tony Awards and new that I had to see the musical. And it just so happened to be with the original Mark and Roger, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, from the original Broadway cast. And being a teenage girl, I fell in love with Adam and Anthony before I even saw the movie (they are just so cute). I did see the movie before I saw the musical and I believe that it helped me because where I sat at the Pantages, well, you couldn't really hear what they were saying.

I love the story of RENT even though all of my friends and family don't understand why. Its the story of 8 people living through tough times and its just wonderful, but, it does get a little sad when Angel dies. I think I actually cried at the movie and the musical.

I love RENT and was just simply amazed at the production that I saw.

Wicked

Ok so since basically 2006 I had wanted to see Wicked, and when I found out it was coming to the Pantages I knew that I basically had to see it. Well since 2007 I have seen it 3 times and not once been disappointed. I love the true story of friendship and love. Also the costumes are amazing along with the sets. The music is beautiful and amazing and written by my favorite composer, Stephen Schwartz, who has a star right in front of the Pantages.

Unfortunately Wicked played their last show at the Pantages on January 11,2oo9. Even though I was sad to see it go I knew that it had ran its course there. Maybe some day in the future Wicked could come back to where it made thousands, if not millions, of people happy