Every now and then a random video will pop up on youtube that I enjoy. One thing I generally don't go for, though, is people lip syncing to songs. That's definitely not something I like to watch... But for Rachel Shelley, I am willing to make an exception. She also plays air guitar which is very cool... Mainly because it's Rachel Shelley.
Better known to most as Helena on TLW. I used to be a fan of the show, that is, when it started I enjoyed it... But somewhere towards the end of season 2 or maybe later near the beginning of season 3 it lost me. I still watch it, cos I feel ike I should and I like to know what it going on... These days, it's not even a bad gay show, it's a bad show period. Normally, I find I need to be more accepting of movies and tv shows if they have a gay story line, because they are invariably of a lower standard than anything hetero... But these days TLW, as I said, is just bad period.
Having said that, there are a few enjoyable moments. Translation: When Helena or Alice are on screen, the show is worth watching.
Anyway. Here is the video. Rachel Shelley doing Snow Patrol. Cute.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Wicked London vs Wicked NY
I feel torn, tonight.
After listening to a recording of Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, alongside Helen Dallimore playing Glinda performing Defying Gravity from Wicked, I was prepared to come over here and proclaim that while I love Idina and Kristin (how could you not?) these two make it almost seem like they never existed, or like Helen never did the show with the Idina. Kerry's voice blows me away every time I hear it, without fail. It's powerful and moving, with a rocker edge to it. It's husky to the point of absolute sexiness (even when she's just talking) and filled with so much emotion that I almost break down every time I hear her version of Elphaba.
Now pair that with Helen, and the fact I saw them live, I am sure, and it's almost too much for me to handle.
Then, packed on top of their chemistry, how well they carry off all of the scenes together, and the timing that they have down, there is the emotion.
When they are happy, you laugh. When they portray sadness - desperation, or absolute despair where the character feels like their heart has been ripped out and destroyed forever - you not only feel for the character, or sense what they are going through, you start to feel it within yourself... Or at least I did, sitting there in the fifth row watching the tears flowing from Helen, seeing Kerry's eyes welling up, and seeing them up on stage...
So, now the reason I feel torn. As I was coming home on the train today, listening to Idina and Kristin singing, I thought to myself nothing, no other pairing, could beat these two. And I still believe that... But I also have an undying love for Helen and Kerry. So tonight, I have come to this conclusion. It is the same play, the same characters and story line, the same outcome...
But at the same time, they are two completely different entities, and the portrayals are so different (especially between Kristin and Helen) that when you compare them, you can love them almost as much as eachother, yet not say that they are similar at all, really.
So, from now on, I think there are two different musicals I am in love with. Wicked A, and Wicked B.
After listening to a recording of Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, alongside Helen Dallimore playing Glinda performing Defying Gravity from Wicked, I was prepared to come over here and proclaim that while I love Idina and Kristin (how could you not?) these two make it almost seem like they never existed, or like Helen never did the show with the Idina. Kerry's voice blows me away every time I hear it, without fail. It's powerful and moving, with a rocker edge to it. It's husky to the point of absolute sexiness (even when she's just talking) and filled with so much emotion that I almost break down every time I hear her version of Elphaba.
Now pair that with Helen, and the fact I saw them live, I am sure, and it's almost too much for me to handle.
Then, packed on top of their chemistry, how well they carry off all of the scenes together, and the timing that they have down, there is the emotion.
When they are happy, you laugh. When they portray sadness - desperation, or absolute despair where the character feels like their heart has been ripped out and destroyed forever - you not only feel for the character, or sense what they are going through, you start to feel it within yourself... Or at least I did, sitting there in the fifth row watching the tears flowing from Helen, seeing Kerry's eyes welling up, and seeing them up on stage...
So, now the reason I feel torn. As I was coming home on the train today, listening to Idina and Kristin singing, I thought to myself nothing, no other pairing, could beat these two. And I still believe that... But I also have an undying love for Helen and Kerry. So tonight, I have come to this conclusion. It is the same play, the same characters and story line, the same outcome...
But at the same time, they are two completely different entities, and the portrayals are so different (especially between Kristin and Helen) that when you compare them, you can love them almost as much as eachother, yet not say that they are similar at all, really.
So, from now on, I think there are two different musicals I am in love with. Wicked A, and Wicked B.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Helen Dallimore and Wicked in Australia
Today at uni I was perusing the internet and comments people had left me on various sites (I told you, I have no will power...) and I came across something that made me happier than I recall being since... Well at least since uni started. And I got giddy. Anyway, what I discovered...
Helen Dallimore has been offered the role of Glinda in the Australian production of Wicked, set to be staged late 2008. This makes me happy because I saw her in the London production of Wicked and I was blown away by her voice, (the tone of her voice... along with Kerry Ellis, it was almost too much brilliance for me to handle at the same time...) her acting, her comedic timing, and just her in genereal. She's so adorable and cute, her comedic scenes leave you laughing hysterically, and her emotional scenes leave you feeling absolutely devestated. She truly is brilliant.
Not only that, there are so many things that she brings to the part of Glinda that the others do not. Little things, scattered all over the place, and when you add them all up it turns out to be quite extensive.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am by no means saying the other Glindas are bad, or that I do not like the other ones. It is quite the opposite, in fact. I enjoy all of the Glinda performances I have seen and heard (some I had to warm to, and Helen was no exception to that rule) but there's just something about Helen's interpretation that sends tingles down my spine (quite literally, sometimes).
I am a huge Cheno fan, and I think she is God's gift to the world, but that doesn't mean that I can't say I love Helen as well.
I was going to post a link to a site with the tiny bit of information I initially read, but now, 9 hours later, there are quite a few places that mention it, so if you are interested, you can go google it.
To end, here is Helen Dallimore doing a Yellow Pages ad. I recommend watching it. It's only 30 seconds long, and it will make you laugh.
Helen Dallimore has been offered the role of Glinda in the Australian production of Wicked, set to be staged late 2008. This makes me happy because I saw her in the London production of Wicked and I was blown away by her voice, (the tone of her voice... along with Kerry Ellis, it was almost too much brilliance for me to handle at the same time...) her acting, her comedic timing, and just her in genereal. She's so adorable and cute, her comedic scenes leave you laughing hysterically, and her emotional scenes leave you feeling absolutely devestated. She truly is brilliant.
Not only that, there are so many things that she brings to the part of Glinda that the others do not. Little things, scattered all over the place, and when you add them all up it turns out to be quite extensive.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am by no means saying the other Glindas are bad, or that I do not like the other ones. It is quite the opposite, in fact. I enjoy all of the Glinda performances I have seen and heard (some I had to warm to, and Helen was no exception to that rule) but there's just something about Helen's interpretation that sends tingles down my spine (quite literally, sometimes).
I am a huge Cheno fan, and I think she is God's gift to the world, but that doesn't mean that I can't say I love Helen as well.
I was going to post a link to a site with the tiny bit of information I initially read, but now, 9 hours later, there are quite a few places that mention it, so if you are interested, you can go google it.
To end, here is Helen Dallimore doing a Yellow Pages ad. I recommend watching it. It's only 30 seconds long, and it will make you laugh.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
The perils of the internet, and the will power I do not have
I've never been one for doing homework, and when I have done it in the past, it is usually done a few days after it was due in. Now, for the first time I am trying to get started sooner, and turn into an H1 variety of student, but I must admit I am finding it rather difficult.
There are so many distractions one must face. The internet being the largest one of all. So I try to counter the bad influence it has over me, by removing the temptation. Instead of sitting at my desk, I sit on my bed. But the cordless keyboard and mouse, along with my large TV screen connected to said computer means that I am just in a more relaxing position, surfing the web and watching tv at the same time.
So I need a new solution. A shed of sorts, perhaps, in the backyard where I can go and be by myself, away from the rest of the world. Somewhere I can go and be shut off from the world, an empty, secluded room with no distractions, which would also be perfect for my cold, cold heart.
But then I am faced with the next challenge. The Uni puts so much information up online and all of the resources can only be reached via the web. Do they not know the perils we face? The will power one must have to go straight to the designated site, without first stopping off at lj or myspace or youtube to enjoy the view?!?
Anyway. I'm going to go and attempt my homework now. But first, a pointless thought that probably doesn't even qualify as a thought:
The last song from Avenue Q is called For Now. And the last song from Wicked (or rather, the second last song) is called For Good.
Now, both shows were up for the Tony for best musical in 2004... Coincidence? I think not!
(Told you it was pointless.)
EDIT:
Cheno ends her run in The Apple Tree tonight (NY time, of course) and an lj buddy uploaded some footage she took of the third last performance where Kristin got the whip she uses caught in her head piece or something exciting like that. Anyway, I just want to share it cos it's always nice when people stuff up in performances. I find it endearing, at least when they are famous. It makes them seem more real, and I like that.
There are so many distractions one must face. The internet being the largest one of all. So I try to counter the bad influence it has over me, by removing the temptation. Instead of sitting at my desk, I sit on my bed. But the cordless keyboard and mouse, along with my large TV screen connected to said computer means that I am just in a more relaxing position, surfing the web and watching tv at the same time.
So I need a new solution. A shed of sorts, perhaps, in the backyard where I can go and be by myself, away from the rest of the world. Somewhere I can go and be shut off from the world, an empty, secluded room with no distractions, which would also be perfect for my cold, cold heart.
But then I am faced with the next challenge. The Uni puts so much information up online and all of the resources can only be reached via the web. Do they not know the perils we face? The will power one must have to go straight to the designated site, without first stopping off at lj or myspace or youtube to enjoy the view?!?
Anyway. I'm going to go and attempt my homework now. But first, a pointless thought that probably doesn't even qualify as a thought:
The last song from Avenue Q is called For Now. And the last song from Wicked (or rather, the second last song) is called For Good.
Now, both shows were up for the Tony for best musical in 2004... Coincidence? I think not!
(Told you it was pointless.)
EDIT:
Cheno ends her run in The Apple Tree tonight (NY time, of course) and an lj buddy uploaded some footage she took of the third last performance where Kristin got the whip she uses caught in her head piece or something exciting like that. Anyway, I just want to share it cos it's always nice when people stuff up in performances. I find it endearing, at least when they are famous. It makes them seem more real, and I like that.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
My Changing Musical Taste
Hi, I am The Rhythm Thief, and this will be my blog. No introductions, just straight in to it.
For the past couple of months, my music taste has been changing considerably. Well, I wouldn't say it's been changing, exactly, but the type of music I have been seeking has increased dramatically. Gone are the days where I refused to listen to anything but folk-rock, pop-rock, operatic-symphonic-goth-metal and girls or boys playing acoustic guitars or pianos, perhaps accompanied by a small string section.
No, those days are long gone. Today I can be found basking in the glory that is musical theatre. (A large and disturbing leap, I know...)
I used to listen to some showtunes and show recordings back in the day, but I have to admit that what I heard back then was very limited. I do not come from a family where people listened to a great variety of music (my brother stuck to blink-182, Jon Bon Jovi and Pearly Jam, while my mother and father played Crowded House, Cyndi Lauper and other 80s music that was prevelant on the radio). So coming from a family where people are not inclined to delve into music other than what they already know, the broadway type music available to me was Andrew Lloyd Webber, and basically nothing but. (Plenty of Phantom Of The Opera, let me tell you...)
But not anymore. These days, I can be found couped up in my room cruising with Wicked, The Apple Tree, A New Brain, Spring Awakening, Steep Pier, Rent, See What I Wanna See, The Wild Party, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Candide, Aida, Epic Proportions, Avenue Q and Spamalot, to name just a few.
Now, if you have picked up the trend the (the trend being that every one of those shows starred either Idina Menzel or Kristin Chenoweth - with the exception of Spamalot) then you are my new BFF. (And I'm not a person who actually uses that turn of phrase in real life, never fear.)
My love of Idina and Cheno (not to mention my favourite musical of all time, WICKED) lead me to my London adventure, where I spent more time sitting in a seat at the Apollo Victoria Theatre watching a green girl and a pink girl sing and dance their way around the stage than I would have thought humanly possible. (17 and a half hours, to be precise). Not to mention queuing time, the amount of money spent on tickets (only the best seats for this musical snob!) and the merchandise I just had to have.
Furthermore, unlike my Phantom Of The Opera obsession of 2005, my Wicked love has encouraged me to seek out all musicals in general, my Andrew Lloyd Webber crazes have never inspired me to that extent.
Anyway, the point of my rambling is that Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel have opened up a whole new world to me that I always knew existed, but was too scared to venture to even briefly, perhaps knowing that it would turn out as it has, and my vacation would become a relocation of the permanent variety. So I am stuck, in the land of musical theatre, helpless, lost, overwhelmed (not to mention overjoyed) and loving every minute of it.
For the past couple of months, my music taste has been changing considerably. Well, I wouldn't say it's been changing, exactly, but the type of music I have been seeking has increased dramatically. Gone are the days where I refused to listen to anything but folk-rock, pop-rock, operatic-symphonic-goth-metal and girls or boys playing acoustic guitars or pianos, perhaps accompanied by a small string section.
No, those days are long gone. Today I can be found basking in the glory that is musical theatre. (A large and disturbing leap, I know...)
I used to listen to some showtunes and show recordings back in the day, but I have to admit that what I heard back then was very limited. I do not come from a family where people listened to a great variety of music (my brother stuck to blink-182, Jon Bon Jovi and Pearly Jam, while my mother and father played Crowded House, Cyndi Lauper and other 80s music that was prevelant on the radio). So coming from a family where people are not inclined to delve into music other than what they already know, the broadway type music available to me was Andrew Lloyd Webber, and basically nothing but. (Plenty of Phantom Of The Opera, let me tell you...)
But not anymore. These days, I can be found couped up in my room cruising with Wicked, The Apple Tree, A New Brain, Spring Awakening, Steep Pier, Rent, See What I Wanna See, The Wild Party, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Candide, Aida, Epic Proportions, Avenue Q and Spamalot, to name just a few.
Now, if you have picked up the trend the (the trend being that every one of those shows starred either Idina Menzel or Kristin Chenoweth - with the exception of Spamalot) then you are my new BFF. (And I'm not a person who actually uses that turn of phrase in real life, never fear.)
My love of Idina and Cheno (not to mention my favourite musical of all time, WICKED) lead me to my London adventure, where I spent more time sitting in a seat at the Apollo Victoria Theatre watching a green girl and a pink girl sing and dance their way around the stage than I would have thought humanly possible. (17 and a half hours, to be precise). Not to mention queuing time, the amount of money spent on tickets (only the best seats for this musical snob!) and the merchandise I just had to have.
Furthermore, unlike my Phantom Of The Opera obsession of 2005, my Wicked love has encouraged me to seek out all musicals in general, my Andrew Lloyd Webber crazes have never inspired me to that extent.
Anyway, the point of my rambling is that Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel have opened up a whole new world to me that I always knew existed, but was too scared to venture to even briefly, perhaps knowing that it would turn out as it has, and my vacation would become a relocation of the permanent variety. So I am stuck, in the land of musical theatre, helpless, lost, overwhelmed (not to mention overjoyed) and loving every minute of it.
