Broadway... A Little OFF Broadway...

WOW, I can't believe its been about a year since I started this blog. Who would have guessed that a year later I would be travelling for work all over the UK? Anyway, I know its been a while since my last blog entry, but... there it is!

This entry is dedicated to my latest fun in London... going to see Broadway shows. I don't know why, and didn't plan any of them, but I've seen 3 shows in about the same number of months. Not that I'm complaining, I've enjoyed each one. So, I guess I'll just start with the first one I saw here, and move through each of them. To start off, I've seen other shows in the US, so I should mention those as well. Here goes:

The first professional production I ever saw was "Chicago" of which I actually saw in... Chicago. I have since seen it again in Las Vegas. My next show was "Phantom of the Opera." I saw this one in Los Angeles. For this one, I wont spoil it in case you ever see it, but I had REALLY good seats. I'll just say that sitting close to the stage near the center of the theatre is the BEST...

Alright, then we move to "RENT." What can I say... I've seen it... Well I've lost count I guess. It is a wonderful show with an amazing soundtrack. I've been to this one in Ohio, Los Angeles, Broadway (The best), oh yeah.. Toronto, and I'm sure some other places as well. I'm going to try to catch it here in London when it comes here next month as well.

I've seen 'Hello Dolly!" in Memphis. Who would have thought that Memphis had a cultural aspect to it? Hmmm.. anyway, the hotel I happened to be at was also the hotel that the cast was staying at. The cast gave the hotel managers some tickets, and they didn't want to go, so they gave me a ticket. It was a great show in a wonderful theatre. The lead was played by Michelle Lee of "Knott's Landing" fame. She did a really good job.

I guess that brings me to London. In the past three months I've seen "Mary Poppins", "We Will Rock You", and "Mama Mia". Each of these shows were terrific. Oh yeah... there was also "Spamalot".

"Spamalot" is the Monty Python musical that brings in bits of many of their skits they have done through the years (mostly "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"). This was HILARIOUS! I couldn't stop laughing, but then again I've always liked Monty Python.

"Mary Poppins" was great as well. Really makes you fee like a kid again when they start singing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" Forgive me if I've spelled that wrong... Everyone did a wonderful job, even the little kids in the show that played Jane and Michael Banks.

"We Will Rock You" was another bonus show. The hotel I was staying at at the time wanted to thank me for helping them (over and above my normal tasks), so they got me a ticket for this one. At first, I have to say, I wasn't really looking forward to it. I never thought of myself as a "Queen" fan, but I was WRONG! The music and the visual aspects of the show were awesome. I found that I knew EVERY song (I know.. some of you are saying "What else is new?") but anyway, I really enjoyed it.

Finally, last night (it was a bank holiday here in the UK) I decided to do something nice for myself and so I treated myself to a good seat at "Mama Mia". I've been wanting to see this one for a looooong time (really, ever since it came out) and I'm glad I finally got a chance. The music and acting were, to use a term from here, spot on! :-) So much so, I got the soundtrack. Which of course I'm listening to as I write this...

Well, I guess I'll stop for now. Sorry I didn't include any pics in this one (a little boring I know)... I promise to put some more pics up in the VERY near future. I'm also working on a video of something else I did this past weekend, but you'll have to wait for what it is. I'll just say that if there are any Beatles fans out there, you might enjoy it.

Take care everyone. I'll talk to ya soon! CHEERS!