Our Exciting Lives

[Angel]

Lucky you, Lotte! Cats is such a great show ... I'd love to see it live again ...

And Em, yes, we can tell you're excited Hey, I would be, too! I hope you do get to go and see it, while I sit jealously at home. Wicked is a show that I'm desperate to see. It's not very well-known around here, which is a shame, but what can you do? ::shrugs::

But I am excited, because in about three weeks, I'm flying to Adelaide in South Australia to go and see The Boy from Oz with Hugh Jackman ;D What's funny though, is that some months ago, we found out about the Australian tour of the show, but it wasn't scheduled to come over west, where we live, so we decided to fly east to see it. The day after we bought the tickets, we find an article in the paper that says that 'due to popular demand', two shows have been scheduled to play in Perth. (Since then, they've scheduled two more ) So we could have stayed here. But, eh. I get to go to Adelaide! And I can't wait to see the show ;D

[LittleLotte394]

Eeeek...I just finished the first two weeks of school and I am so, so dead. On the upside, I'm student aiding and consequently have no evil gym this quarter. On the downside, algebra is making me want to pull my hair out and light a bonfire in the street.

Also, I'll almost definitely (or should I say, "There's a definish chance"? ) that I, too, will be seeing Wicked when it comes down here in the spring. So I have that to look forward to.

Angel, have fun in Adelaide...and have fun seeing Hugh Jackman ;D!

[Angel]

Oh, Lotte, trust me, I'll have heaps of fun seeing Hugh ... (Only five more sleeps!)

And I'm very jealous of you not having to do gym. I can't wait until next year when we can drop it for a study period. And I can totally sympathise with the maths problems. We just finished doing optimisation in Intro Calculus and the average score for our year on the test was a lovely 51%. I don't know my own mark yet, and, quite frankly, I don't want to. I am so dropping down to an easier maths next year ...

Anyway, last night I went to see The Merchant of Venice. That was abso-bloody-lutely hilarious. Although they kept all the Shakespearean language, they modern-ised it a bit in terms of costumes and the general way of delivering speech ... it's sort of hard to explain. Honestly, throughout the whole ring scene at the end, the audience just did not stop laughing -- the expression on Bassanio's face the entire time was classic! Although what I thought was interesting was that on the way out, most people were discussing two things:

#1: OMG when Portia dressed up as a man for the court scene 'twas revealed she really has short, brown hair! That is some amazing long, blonde wig she was wearing.
#2: Erm ... did Gratiano only have one hand?

My main point of interest was that Lorenzo was a cutie

Yeah, I'm on a slight theatre overload -- just seen Merchant, next weekend going to see Boy From Oz and the weekend after that, I'm off to see Porgy and Bess. That still means I'm very jealous of all you people going to see Wicked!

UPDATE: I just got back from Adelaide yesterday ... The Boy From Oz was absolutely amazing -- I loved it! I honestly have no words. And that is odd, coming from me, as I usually don't like the big, bold, dancing, belting, sequins, feathers, etcetera kind of musicals, but I'm willing to make an exception. We had decent seats -- on the side, but close to the front.

By the way, Hugh Jackman wins at life. Throughout the show he was talking with the audience, still in character as Peter Allen, establishing a rapport, and he was so funny ... there were several highly amusing little deviations from the script that he made, including getting a spotlight on some latecomers and confiscating some idiot's video camera before filming himself telling her off Anyway, aside from Hugh, I loved Murray Bartlett, who played Greg. His 'I Honestly Love You' was so beautiful Oh, and Colleen Hewitt (Marion) ... she was incredible and people were already getting up to give her a standing ovation before she'd finished her song -- 'Don't Cry Out Loud'. That was just amazing. There were these big screens with close ups of her face and, dang, that woman can act. And sing. Just incredible. (I want to learn that song )

So, obviously, I had a great time. Awesome show.

I UPDATE A SECOND TIME: Angel has officially gone theatre-crazy. I saw Porgy and Bess on Sunday, which I liked a lot. Although the entire time, I wanted to give Porgy a hug for being so dang adorable. (And Jake a hug because he was hot ... I think my new theatre-hobby is spotting the hotties in shows ... it's fun ) Also, Maria was great -- so funny! Anyway, while I enjoyed it, I probably wouldn't see it again. I don't know what it was about it, but it just didn't really have that 'wow' factor ::shrugs:: (I'd probably wear out the 'Summertime' and 'I've Got Plenty of Nuttin'' tracks on a cast recording, though!)

I also went to see a performance of The Trojan Women with a friend, because we studied the play earlier this year in English Lit. Also the tickets were dirt cheap Although it probably qualified for the worst lighting design ever, it was pretty good. Hecabe and Andromache were particularly incredible. However, I think we're all scarred for life after Menelaus came out in an obscenely short skirt. Bad, bad memories ...

Coming up, I've also managed to bag tickets to see Tristan und Isolde ... C reserve seats, but I can live with that. I'll just take binoculars or something ... I'm also looking into getting tickets to see The Mikado ... I love that show. (I was in it as an ensemble member when I was seven.)

So, yeah. There's me going theatre-crazy.

[LittleLotte394]

Hey, nothing wrong with going theatre-crazy now and then, Angel.

Anyway, I love my Language Arts class. We recently finished two short projects- writing a book review of our favorite book, and condensing the same book into a children's story. So, I chose Phantom.... and got 100% on both projects. Plus, I discovered that my teacher is a Phan! The only thing is, she's E/C. But I can live with that.

At least, until I start trying to convert her...

[Angel]

Dang, I want to be in your Language Arts class, Lotte! Although I have no idea how I would have managed to condense Les Mis into a children's book ... or how to make certain parts G-rated. I can picture it now ...

"Fantine had no money to send to help Cosette, so she ... um ... sold flowers. Yeah. Flowers."

Did you have to make any significant cuts for Phantom?

And I love it when I discover my teachers love things I do. Last year, my French teacher was a huge phan (but yeah, EC ) ... this year, my French teacher loves Les Mis ::dies and goes to heaven::

(Psst, Lotte ... judging by your new avatar and a certain quote in your sig ... discovered Les Mis? )

[LittleLotte394]

angel said:

"Fantine had no money to send to help Cosette, so she ... um ... sold flowers. Yeah. Flowers."

;D

No, I didn't really have to make too significant cuts. I did take out some bits about Erik's opera terrorizing, because we had a page limit, but nothing too large.

And yeah, I recently discovered Les Mis. I only have the soundtrack and have seen the non-musical movie, but I love what I know about it. I'm searching for the book as well now- and there's my winter-break reading. (Yeah, I'm already hoping for winter. Sad, I know.)

In other news- first quarter of school is now half over for me! On my midterm, I am pleased to say, I got straight A's- even in algebra, surprisingly (94% ).

[Jaycee]

I"M BACK!!!!!!! Di you all miss me? I certainly missed coming to this site. MY internet has been broken for almost two months and it finally got fixed yesterday. I'm so jealous of all you people going to see wicked because I was supposed to go in a few day, but I can't because it conflicts with my stupid choir camp, which I think I mentioned in one of my first posts in this thread (wow I've been posting in this thread for almost a year)! But I did get to see PotO which beats Wicked for me. Twas truly amazing! It was actually a very RC version, I found. I was kind of surprised by two of the parts. In the middle of Il MUto, Christine starts screaming for Raoul right after Carlotta croaks. And In PONR she actually screams NO in the middle of the song. I almost turned to my E/C friend who was sitting right beside me and rubbed it in, but I figured that might anoy the other people in the theatre. My E/C friend and I both cried when it was over. Since then, my life has been pretty uneventful, well, except for hte whole internet crisis. Actually just getting back on her is pretty exciting to me righ now.

[Simple Rose]

Hahah, aww, well I'm glad you got to see POTO! That sounds wonderful about how they RC-ized it! (speaking of which, we really need to find another word to represent them, like JE in Pirates has Sparrabeth. Chagnaae? Rastine? Christoul? Raoulstine? Ahhh none of these seem to work lol)

In report for Wicked (which is but a month away!), I have pretty huge news. Shoshana Bean and Megan Hilty will be stopping by for three stops of the tour, and mine is one of them! Sho and Megan are absolutely my favourite Elphie and Glinda, Kristin and Idina aside. I think I *squee*ed for a solid fifteen minutes when I found out! Sooooo excited... I got the ticket in the mail the other day and I was like "whoa. I'm actually going."

Sorry if it seems like I'm rubbing it in, Jaycee But I'm just so goshdarn excited. I would probably be just as much if I got to see John Owen-Jones in POTO

[Angel]

... You lucky bums!

Jaycee, that sounds like such a cool interpretation of POTO -- I would have loved to have seen it ::waits impatiently for Australian production::

And trust me, I am incredibly jealous of you, Em! I mean, just ... wow. I'd be doing some serious squeeing if I was in your place

My upcoming theatre experiences probably won't be that exciting ... I'm seeing a local productions of Guys and Dolls and The Mikado soon. Should be good

(wow I've been posting in this thread for almost a year)!

My sentiments exactly. I can't believe that it's been over a year since SYLM was born! (Kudos, Em! )

[LittleLotte394]

angel said:

(wow I've been posting in this thread for almost a year)!

My sentiments exactly. I can't believe that it's been over a year since SYLM was born! (Kudos, Em! )

Same here. I love it here, and I'm pleased SYLM is still going strong!

Jaycee, that POTO production sounds awesome. I wish a few more RC-ish bits had found their way into my viewing...

Looks like everyone is going rather theatre-crazy here. I may soon be seeing a local production of Into the Woods, which should be fun. Plus, I'm trying to talk my mom into getting tickets for Hairspray or Jesus Christ Superstar, since I wasn't allowed to see RENT when it came through- "too mature." Yet, my mom still let me see the movie version of RENT, as well as half of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I really don't get parents sometimes.

[Angel]

Lucky you, Lotte -- I love Into the Woods And good luck with convincing your mum!

As for me, I've got some exciting news ... I got Drama Captain at school! ;D ;D ;D

Can you tell that I'm totally stoked? Honestly, I'm just so excited Yayness!

[Simple Rose]

To be fair, Lotte, the movie version did take out a few numbers, some of which are very, very inappropriate ("Contact", for example, is all about good ol' sex. That's it. Nothing else, just sex.). I can understand it to a degree. And from what I've heard, Rocky Horror Picture Show is fairly twisted. But perhaps I'm being too maternal

In my life? Hmm. Not much going on... getting more and more excited for Wicked (October 20th, baby!)... oh, and for those interested, I've finally come to a conclusive "sketch" of what my next novel will be. I'm still deciding on a title (I know it was gonna be Lacrelia, but then Science of Sleep came out and I was forced to change the concept behind it completely...), but the plot is getting there. So far, this is what I have:

Somewhere in time, neither past, present, nor future, the Earth is completely swept away by an unknown force. It is a desolate wasteland, so to speak... enter Arden, a girl who wanders this desert we once called home. She believes she is the only survivor, until she stumbles upon an old man, who appears to be more than a little off his rocker, in an endearing way. In jest, he declares her the Queen of the world, and it's exactly that- in jest- that she is so... until more and more survivors begin to appear, searching for a leader. The old man refuses to take on that responsibility, claiming that "I'm just too old", and immediately thrusts Arden into something a little more real than their previous game.

It will be a very philosophical novel, full of symbolism; centering around the concept of the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man. The thesis is that mankind is essentially good, but was corrupted by outside forces. It's full of drama, politics, adventure, romance, and will even have a bit of a mystical flair. Something for everyone, really.

What do y'all think?

[Angel]

That sounds great, Em! I hope you can start writing soon ... because I want to read it It sounds like you're planning out an excellent novel, so all I can say is: keep at it! I'm intrigued already.

While we're talking about novel-writing, I have some news regarding mine. I have officially finished the first draft of Part I! It's driving me crazy, because I'd love to get some unbiased feedback. So far all the critique I get is from my step-dad and friends ... it's not always exactly constructive. Try 'OMG it's great!' Which is flattering and all, but even in my own proof-reading I catch little bits that obviously need improvement. Bleh. Anyway, I'd put it up on FictionPress, but I'm anal about finishing things before posting them. Which is probably why I've only got short stories up there now. But still, I'm pretty proud of myself. Only three more parts to write! (Gah!)

Also, I did end up going to see The Mikado, mostly because one of the cast members of the Sweet Charity production I'm in now was in the ensemble. The show was a total crack-up. They added in all these little snide political and social remarks. I think my favourite was 'And dear old Ljilijanna/Feeding OBE to every child/I've got her on the list!' Classic. Although, unless you have an odd interest in Western Australian state education policies, it's probably meaningless. (Basically, it's about our Education Minister who's trying to implement Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) into schools, and she's the only one who doesn't realise that it's a completely crap idea.) Anyway, Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum had the most beautiful voices! And Koko deserves a medal for being adorable.

My next project is convincing my parents to get tickets for The Scarlet Pimpernel, Assassins, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Winter's Tale. Wish me luck!

[LittleLotte394]

admin said:

To be fair, Lotte, the movie version did take out a few numbers, some of which are very, very inappropriate ("Contact", for example, is all about good ol' sex. That's it. Nothing else, just sex.). I can understand it to a degree. And from what I've heard, Rocky Horror Picture Show is fairly twisted.

True. Mainly, I was just upset that I couldn't see it A.)Because it's one of my favorites, and B.) I could make my RENThead, E/C friend jealous. (Yes, I'm that evil IRL.)

Anyway, in other news, I've made the National Honor Society! This is a very big deal at my school, and in my academically-minded family. I'm so pleased with myself for getting inducted!

Also, I may not be here for a bit, as I'm going to Disney for the weekend. Ah, the perks of living mere hours away from Disney. And it's for a Halloween thing, too, so my family's going in costumes...I'm going as Cleopatra.

[Angel]

Congrats on the induction, Lotte! And have fun at Disney

Well, so far in my theatre viewing, I bagged tickets to A Midsummer Night's Dream, which I've just come back from. Couldn't get The Winter's Tale, though, and, sadly, it seems Assassins is pretty much booked out, too

A Midsummer Night's Dream was really good, though. Along with Romeo and Juliet, it's a show I've seen I-don't-know-how-many times, but I love seeing it every time. This one was really good -- I liked the staging (they had the fairies running around the theatre at times) and the cast was pretty good. Bottom, Quince and Puck were especially brilliant, although I wasn't crazy about Lysander. Of course, it was completely worth going to see if only for the Super Soaker fight between Lysander and Demetrius. Come on. They were duelling with water pistols. Whoever came up with that idea deserves a medal. And because the entire production was really surreal and zany, it actually worked.

However, I must admit that I spent a good deal of the show following the worthy pastime of Staring At Puck's Ass. And lo, it was good I did also ponder a fair bit on whether Puck or Demetrius was cuter. I still can't decide.

ANOTHER MINI-REVIEW: Well, I went to see Guys and Dolls. I had quite high expectations, because this company put on a really good Les Mis last year. I was kind of disappointed, though. On a visual level, the show was great. Awesome sets. But the performances were kind of ho-hum, and there wasn't a great deal of energy. I actually got really bored during 'Luck Be A Lady' and spent most of it watching the cute usher standing at the end of our row. Shameful, I know.

It wasn't all bad, though. Adelaide was really great, and Nathan did good as well. But Sky ... well, he was great during the first act. I have no idea what happened at intermission, but it must have been bad. And Sarah really annoyed me -- I found her voice very shrill and difficult to listen to. For the most part, the supporting cast was good (loved Arvide), but the ensemble looked bored.

Ah, well. If I went back in time, I'd probably still have gone to see it. Although that's probably because I didn't pay for the ticket

[LittleLotte394]

Hmm, nothing too exciting has been going on lately with everyone, has there?

Well, I guess I shouldn't be talking. I have been doing nothing of excitement lately, other than working on a comic with my friend, making fun of all the political ads, and stressing about Oliver! auditions (less than month away!!). Oh, and at some point today I should probably finish my report on Mary Wollstonecraft.

What a life, huh? Oh, well. On Friday, I'm going to see Thoroughly Modern Millie at a local school, so I can look forward to that, at least.

[Angel]

Well, Metamorphoses over and done with ( ), I am up to my ears in study that got put on hold during our hectic tech week. Not looking forward to doing that.

Anyway, tomorrow night, I'm going to see Tristan und Isolde! When I first booked tickets, they only had some dodgy C reserve ones available, which I took anyway, but since then, my mum managed to get us some decent seats in the stalls through her cousin who knew some people who cancelled. Yayness! Can't wait!

Of course, my student-mind is telling me that it's a very, very, very bad idea to go, given the amount of work I have to do. I mean, normally a night at the theatre wouldn't put me off in the slightest. But this particular opera begins at five in the afternoon and ends at about quarter to midnight. Ya-huh. It's a long one ... but I so desperately want to go! So I am ignoring my student-mind and getting my a** over there

[LittleLotte394]

Well, I saw Thoroughly Modern Millie last night...and was most pleasantly surprised. Millie was...a little iffy during the first few numbers, but I think it might just have been nerves, because later on, she was amazing- especially during "Jimmy." But I'd have to say that my favorite was Miss Dorothy, along with Jimmy(who, along with having a great voice, happened to be gorgeous).

And concerning school...Seven days before I go on Thanksgiving break! *joy*

[Angel]

Gah ... only seven days? Lucky! I've got three weeks left before summer holidays, and in that three weeks I have five assignments and six exams. Ew. I really should get back to studying ...

UPDATE: Well, school is finally out for summer, so I'm celebrating by sleeping a lot And doing heaps of Christmas shopping. Only three more presents left to buy! I know that Mum has got me a bunch of tickets to various shows as my present ... because she had to check with me that none of the times would clash with anything else that I was doing

I went to see The Magic Flute today, though, which was really fun. I didn't realise until the show started that it was being sung in English and had been slightly freaking out at the lack of subtitle projector screens which are usually set up for operas at that particular venue. We got an understudy for Prince Tamino, but I wasn't disappointed at all, because he was really good. (However, the friend I went with and I are in agreement that Pamina should still have gone with Monostatos instead, as he was infinitely hotter ) The Queen of the Night was amazingly-super-duper-awesome, though -- that is some incredible coloratura. I mean, she made that music sound like a walk in the park. Everyone was just ... wow. But it was Papageno that really stole the show -- he was just so funny!

On an offhand note, I'm a little peeved, because I missed an audition for Cats the other day. Basically, I found out about it on really short notice, had no time to prepare anything and rehearsals would most likely have clashed with next year's school play ... but still. It was Cats!

I UPDATE A SECOND TIME: Well, I have fairly substantial news. First of all, we're off to Rottnest Island again on Sunday, so I'm a very Happy Little Vegemite. Even though I don't like Vegemite. Oh well. I digress. But still -- I'm excited!

Secondly, we've moved house, and I'm living in Boxland. I swear, I did not know that there was so much cardboard in the world. (We sort of haven't finished unpacking yet.) The main thing that I'm peeved about though is that my dad's work computer is the only one with Internet access, so no more late night surfing on my laptop for a while So now I just have to snatch a few minutes when I can when Dad's not using his computer. Grrr.

[LittleLotte394]

I'm bouncing off the walls right now. I am surprised I can actually sit to type this up. Why? Because there is a very high chance that I will be going back to New York City this summer! (Due mainly to the fact that my grandmother is seriously the most awesome woman on Earth.) I'm surprised that I haven't been taken to see the men in white suits for a fitting of that pretty jacket that lets me hug myself yet......

I also have been insanely theatre-busy lately....I saw local productions of Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd (play, not musical), and Golf, may be going to see Singin' in the Rain, am definitely seeing Cats (March 17 is too far!), and will be auditioning for Anne of Green Gables in late March. All while balancing obscenely large school projects.

[Angel]

::is insanely jealous of Lotte:: I hope that that very high chance does mean that you are going, though -- hope you have a great time And oh, those are such great shows! I'm trying to convince my mum to get us tickets to see Cats at the moment -- wish me luck! And break a leg in your audition (Psst -- am totally sympathising with the obscenely large school projects )

We've had the Perth International Arts Festival here over February, so I'm still in theatre-busy mode. I've seen Yukio Mishima's The Lady Aoi (and spent that night wide awake watching the crack under my door in case black blood started seeping through it ...), Circus Oz's Laughing at Gravity (yay for goofy circuses!), a performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem (so gorgeous ...) and -- the highlight for me -- productions of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew by a British all-male company. I literally laughed until I cried -- more so during Twelfth Night, though. Best. Malvolio. Ever.

Anyway, tomorrow night I'm going to see Fiddler on the Roof with none other than Topol himself in the role of Tevye! ::hyperventilates:: Must ... breathe ... so ... close ... so ... excited!

[Simple Rose]

Guess what? Emily's inner Musical Theatre nerd is very, very happy. Do you know why?


... no, you didn't have to answer that. lol Wellll... she is going to see four broadway touring musicals this year, all in her top "musicals to see" list. Row FF, Orchestra seats, five rows from the front. For flipping $275 in total.

The musicals I will be seeing are:

-Phantom of the Opera (agaaainnn *SQUEE*. Here's to hoping John Cudia renews his contract!)
-CATS (Guh. Life goal right here. It'll be an experience.)
-Mamma Mia! (A good mother-daughter musical, I've heard awesome stuff about it)
-Evita (Part of an emerging new favourite genre of musicals... those with a very, very strong female lead. I am SO excited for this one!)

How, you ask? Bit of a long story.

I was in musical theatre class (favourite of the day!), and my teacher left to go to the office to do something. I guess he checked his mailbox, because when he came back, he dropped a card on my lap, saying "Something for you, Em". I looked at it and saw the mask, and squeed right then and there.. and then i turned it around, to realize that Phantom was coming to my hometown!! And I actually jumped up and did a happy dance that involved much screaming for joy. Interrupted the class severely, but it was uncontainable

Anyways, so I get home after much gleeing, and call my mom and tell her that I WANT TO GO. So she checks around online... and figures out that you can get a subscription to my local theatre! FOR FLIPPING 275 DOLLARS. That's about 60 bucks a show... for 150 - 200 dollar seats. So duh, I took the offer, and now, if you happen to be in the Ottawa area to go see any of the above, look for me on a Friday night in row FF... I'll be there

[LittleLotte394]

You lucky thing, Em! I love all of those, and wanted to see Mamma Mia! when it came through my town, but I heard about it too late. And I've been dying to see Evita onstage, but as of yet have only seen the movie. Rawr.

Anyway, I can't complain too much. I've only got about two months left of school until summer break- thank God! I'm also going to see a local production of Nunsense next weekend, and have a very good chance of seeing The Producers in June.

Plus, my drama class has begun a very fun play recently, written by my own teacher. It's a big parody of children's TV shows, set at a circus. You know how in those shows there's often a horribly sweet, nice, overly darling character? That'd be my character . She is an acrobat named Frankie, and she is adored by all (except, of course, the evil ringmistress and her assistant, since I foil their plot .)

[Angel]

Wow, Em! That's awesome -- you must be sooo excited!

I saw Mamma Mia! a few years ago when it was showing in Perth -- it's such a fun show. You'll have a great time, and, trust me, you will be singing nothing but ABBA for about a week afterwards!

(Actually, what I'm also jealous of is that you have a musical theatre class! My drama teacher right now doesn't really like musicals because she thinks they're all no-brainer, fluffy dance spectacles *evil eyes*)

And ooh, that does sound like fun, Lotte! Let us know how it goes, okay?

[LittleLotte394]

Eeeek. I haven't been to SYLM in absolute ages, and I feel so bad.

Let me just say-- I am so glad I have only three days left of school. I think I would be dead otherwise. This year could not have been more slow. Good news, however, is that my frighteningly perky math teacher will be no more- for me, at least. My apologies to whoever has him next year. Also, no more of my history teacher, who I think must use the word "fun" in every sentence on penalty of death.

Additional good news is I have very few plans this summer, so I am free to stay up till 3 a.m. and sleep until one in the afternoon. I may actually even have time to *gasp* do things I actually want to do, other than stuff people tell me do . What a change!

(P.S: THe play I was in was absolutely perfect. Second biggest surprise of the afternoon? No one messed up their lines. Biggest surprise? A large group of my friends surprised me by showing up with big bunches of flowers, and I didn't even know they'd be there. My friends rock out loud, and that goes for both online ones and off!