Flashdance the Musical

We just got back from seeing Flashdance the Musical.  I learned a lot about the cultural phenomenon today.   For instance, the movie was made with very low budget and was not expected to bring in much money.  However, because the dance sequences were aired on MTV, it quickly made millions of dollars. 

The sad part about the story is that the girl who was the inspiration for the movie sold away her rights for only $2,300 dollars when the film was in production.  She never saw a penny after it became a cult favorite.

The choreography was wonderful and the costumes were fun.   However, I feel like the plot wasn't as strong as it could be (the show has not been to Broadway).  Particularly, I didn't feel very connected to the two characters in the B story.   It was enjoyable overall.  If you are a fan of the original movie, you will love this show.

Saigon Restaurant & Bar

We went out to Saigon Restaurant & Bar downtown the other day.  It was really quiet when we went and we got a table right away.   I was told that during lunch hour it's extremely busy.   Pictured above is the appetizer we split, Salt and Pepper Scallops.   It wasn't too spicy or overly oily.   I really liked it.

Steve had the Lemongrass and Chili Stir Fry Beef.   He enjoyed it.

I had the Clay-Pot Catfish, served with onions, scallions, and garlic.  This was really tasty.  It had just the right amount of salt and wasn't overly fishy.  

The portions of food at the restaurant were just right.  Neither of us had leftovers.   The gratuity was included in our bill, but there was still a spot of add additional  tip if you didn't look carefully enough. 

'night, Mother

We just saw 'night, Mother at Beck Center for the Arts.   Amazingly powerful.   Steve and I both cried.   A woman, Jessie, portrayed by Laura Perrotta, is about to commit suicide.  She has set all of her affairs in order, and she tells her mother, Thelma, played by the extraordinary Dorothy Silver.  

The play is one continuous act performed without an intermission in 90 minutes.  The set was extremely realistic, a living room through dining room and kitchen with running water.

The family has troubles.  Jessie is a divorcee who has epilepsy and a wayward son.  She decided at Christmas that she would end her life, seeing that all she does is keep Thelma company.  You can feel the emotional scars ripping open fresh as the two women on stage talk to one another.   It should not be missed.  It's playing until May 4th at the Beck Studio Theater.

Titus: A Grand and Gory Rock Musical

 Last night Steve, Tom, and I went to see the penultimate performance of Cleveland Public Theater's Titus: A Grand and Gory Rock Musical.  It is the classic Shakespeare revenge drama, with gory special effects and the addition of rock music.   The music added a lot to the production.  It made the story line easier to grasp.   I had never seen a staging of Titus Andronicus before.  I really enjoyed it.

The costumes were amusing.  You have the Romans, who wear soldier and toga type garb over their jeans and leggings.  You also have the conquered Goths, who are in gothy bondage wear, including lots and lots of boots and black leather.   It was a fun play on words.

The play features a lot of death.   If you click on the link above, you can see charts of exactly how many people die and in what ways.   I got to thinking about Sweeney Todd because two characters actually get baked into pies and consumed by their mother and step father.

Actually, one of the most amusing parts of the show was when one of the characters had to die, but he was also portraying one of his assailants simultaneously.   He was wearing a half costume of both Roman and Goth wear.   He switched directions based on which character's lines he was speaking.  Then he punched himself and threw the Roman garb into the pit.   It was both brutal and comedic.

Overall, the show was sort of uneven in tone.   Despite the flaws, I really did enjoy the show.

Brent's Blondie at Main Street Cupcakes

I haven't been to Main Street Cupcakes in a while.   They had this cupcake today.  I really do like blondies better than brownies, so this confection was just up my alley.  The website describes it as "Vanilla brown sugar cake baked with white chocolate chips and heath bar pieces topped with white chocolate ganache with a caramel drizzle."

It's yummy, a kind of salty sweet.   I had already started eating my cupcake when I realized I hadn't taken a photo yet!  I ended up buying the last one in the case so I could post a picture here.  I have dessert for later!

Deathtrap

We watched the final performance of Deathtrap this afternoon!  I can see why this is the longest running play on Broadway.  It's very meta.  Lots of surprising twists and turns.   I was genuinely shocked multiple times throughout the show.  It's a play about a play about writing plays.  With murder.  I thought I knew where the plot was going, but I was wrong!  I was glad to be wrong too!  

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

We just got back from seeing the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  I've actually seen this show twice recently.  The Beck Center had a production in 2010.  We also just saw our nephew in the children's choir of a production put on by my husband's high school.  I thought I would be really tired of the show by the time we got to see this production.   However, I find myself incredibly impressed by the technical aspects of the production.

This show featured extensive use of colored projectors.  Huge screens draped down from the stage and grew and shrank to indicate movement.  There were relatively few actual set pieces.  The projections made of for that.  They were so detailed!   The screens actually looked like they were stone, or gold, or whatever they needed at the time.  Also, this is the first production I've seen that doesn't feature a children's chorus.  It actually works really well without it!

Also, the most memorable part of the show was the song Canaan Days.   It's usually my least favorite musical number.   It's slow, and if it's done poorly, it can really drag down the energy of the show.   This US touring company really nailed it and made it extremely funny!    I liked the part where Joseph's brothers were dividing a rat to eat.  When the brother singing the song treats his siblings like a choir, hilarity ensues.

If you haven't seen Joseph before, definitely look into this production.   You'll have a lot of fun.