Patina Miller and cast Raise their Voices to Heaven!

Ladies and Gentlemen Raise your Voices to Broadways next rising star Patina Miller! This show is her Broadway debut and she is on fire! Her fierce performance as Deloris Van Cartier makes this show a smash hit. Her stage presence is a very unique. I just wanted to her to keep going and going because its a real treat to sit in a theatre and see her do her thing. The one thing in particular I love about Patina is her voice. So much spin and diction going on when she sings. Its in a nice place where she can riff and do what she wants with the music. 

During the performance what really interested me was that they did not put all the songs that were on the Sister Act cd in the show. Honestly I thought that it was a smart move. The songs How I got the Calling and Do the Sacred Mass are unessirary in my opinion. Take me to heaven, I could be that Guy, Raise your Voice, The Life I never Led, Fabulous Baby (Reprise), and Sister Act were all great story telling numbers in the show. My favorite numbers were The Life I never Led and Sister Act. They were very touching and moving numbers. The communication and the choices made by Patina Miller and Marla Mindelle (Mary Robert) were strong choices that made their performances rememberable, engaging, fabulous, and moving. I look for strong communication in theatre and I saw many strong choices being made by the cast the entire night. 

Some of my problems with the show were the light designs. I feel that the lighting designs were great, but I feel the choice of color, and the connection to the music and the story line could of had a stronger impact to the piece. Light and color are so important. It impacts how we feel in an environment. I wish that when the Nuns were doing their numbers at Mass that the design team would of used more color and lighting that they used on the stain glass. 

Overall, Sister Act is a hillarious, joyous show that I would go pay to see again. Patina Miller really makes this show and I feel that if she was not in this show that Sister Act would not be the Sister Act that we all know. The Nuns were awesome and I want to start a Sister Act in Utah! Raise your Voices! 

* If you want more information about the show, You can email me or call me. 

The Book of Mormon Is Something Incredible!

There is a reason why The Book of Mormon won 9 Tony Awards this year! Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells make this production an absolute success! Their connection, focus, singing, dancing, and acting were genius. It is not everyday you see a perfect pair on stage together. My best description of the performance is a ping pong war! I love when I see actors are playing off each other because its when actors are at there best! 

Most people in Utah and the Utah theatre community believe this musical is about making fun of the LDS Church. Lets first clear this up. The musical is not making fun of the church! It was very informative and very funny, and full of jokes only people from Utah would get! There were times during the performance I was the only person in the entire theatre laughing my head off! 

This Musical has helped the LDS Church in many ways and I will back this musical to my grave! Because of this musical LDS church was able to start I am A Mormon Campaign. This campaign has clarified who Mormons are and was allowed people to understand that Mormons are just like anyone else. 

In act one, you get very accurate details of how the LDS church runs the mission field. I would say if you are a conservative person, then this is not a show for you. I am sure you would leave by the fourth number just because of the vulgarity. I feel I should clarify that the song Hasa Diga Eebowai is not for shock value just because South Park can shock people! This scene is when the Elder Price and Elder Cunningham arrive to Uganda and are experiencing culture shock. Anyone would experience culture shock if you went into another culture that is the exact opposite of happy bubble Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Act two is full of Mormon myths. I personally had an absolute hoot seeing this! It is clever way to poke fun of what people see Mormons as. The Myths are all set up by Elder Cunningham. Elder Cunningham has never read the Book of Mormon and is asked by Nabulungi (Nikki M. James, 2011Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress) to teach her tribe the Book of Mormon. The song Making things up again sets the rest of the act up. The Tribe learns Elder Cunningham’s version of the Book of Mormon and Baptizes the tribe into the church. He also gets Elder Price to learn to be humble and gain his faith back. That moment was by far one of the most touching moments I have ever seen on the stage. It really sets the tone of what religion and faith is. When the Mission President comes to see what the Ugandan Mission has done, everything that everyone thought Elder Cunningham did comes a reality in telling of the story of Joseph Smith the American Moses. I honestly think that number is by far one the most funniest things I have ever seen. Everything that Elder Cunningham taught falls apart and you have a happy tribe thinking that their AIDS is going to be cured and a Mission President that is freaking out. It was a very colorful comedy that I wish I had money to see again. 

Overall, this musical is a very creative. The music and acting were fabulous! The Choreography could be taken to new levels, but works very well as it is set now. I also think what the media has displayed about this musical has gotten people way to worked up. This musical is not the must vulgar musical ever produced. If you can handle any PTC or SLAC shows, you should be able to handle this show. I am a Book of Mormon fan for life! This is God’s Favorite Musical! 

*If you want a more detailed description of the show. You can email me or call me and I would be gladly to answer your questions. 

The Beauty is....

Before I even start I am going to warn you that I am going into deep thought. And no, I am not going to talk about Light in the Piazza. Not a musical theatre post today I am entering the waters of art. So I'm currently taking an art class at the U of U called Language of Color. Its quite interesting how color is used and how one may perceive colors and the application. The class talks about how color is applied in art and how we perceive, interpret, and analysis a piece of art according to culture, media etc... Within this class we read a book by David Batchelor called Chromophobia. This book is by far one of the most interesting books of I have ever read. It really has forced me to ponder a lot about color and its impact to our world. Its alive and organic.

In the first few pages of the book he talks about this house out in Great Britain. The outside was a red brick victorian look to it but when you went into the house he describes it like entering another universe. The inside was completely white. The white was describe as so pure that no other colors besides grey and black would even look good within the house. What also fascinates me about this house as well is that he describes overall the idea of the house as an inside of an egg. How cool! I highly recommend people reading this book but I am warning you that you need to have an open mind.

This next part I feel is quite important. Thinking of how something as simple as a rainbow can have more inner meaning than we can imagine has always fascinated me. Look beyond what we already know.

Mark Twain states “We have not the reverent feeling for the rainbow that a savage has, because we know how it is made. We have lost as much as we gained by prying into that matter.” His statement I feel is in this sense "prying into that matter" refers to youth verses adults. Youth describe color in marvelous ways. When I talk to kids about color they make it sound like color is alive and moving in an organic and linear matter. We loose that as we grow older sadly. The rainbow is a seven colors of wonder. Youth strikingly find the inner meaning to color. They find life in it. Some kids even live color. As an artist I wish I could have more of that in me. 

The rainbow is a source of many meanings. Though ones interpretation may be different we all come to verbal understanding of what we think through communication, science and art. Verbally, Mark Twain statement. "We have lost as much as we gained by prying into that matter." shows a very important matter to how we communicate what color and the rainbow is. Prying into organic, natural, pure, inconsistent matter sometimes looses the depth of energy. Color is independent. A universal phenomenon. I feel that cannot fully be explained in words because its has life of an unknown semiotic form. There are somethings in this world that cannot always be explained and answered. The rainbow being one of them. We know the basics of Newtons discoveries with the prism and how systems have been made for colors but what if we could look into it even deeper. Understand the feeling, energy, life of color. Even imagining living color. How cool would that be?! If I could understand the rainbow that way I feel I would be living color.

We all will have a different idea to what the rainbow means to us but look at the Beauty of the rainbow. A natural phenomenon that engages the world in so many ways. Appreciate color and live your life with color. 

Recreating the 65th Annual Tony Awards part 2

I apologize for the slow return of part 2. Elder Horton thought my recreation of the Tony Awards was pretty awesome. That made my day! But before I get back to talking about part three and four, I must apologize that are no photos of this creation.... Kinda came down to the last minute wire so I didnt have time to get pictures.... 


Part 3: Me creating the awards show was actually quite easy surprisingly. Time was my issue. When the actual Awards show was going on. I was on a computer putting the results on a document. Then working with envelopes for the results and then the Best Musical giant envelope. The envelope for Best Musical was pretty epic. It had a big marque of Best Musical Goes To? (In Gold) It also contained many music notes, stars, etc... The one thing I am still sad about is not having a musical number pop out of the box. If only I were a wizard and could actually make that into a reality. O well. 


Part 4: The Box. This part was interesting. I thought maybe this would fit in a small box but.... My creativity required a bigger box. I put all the stuff in the bigger box and Mr. Rubber Ducky was safely put in surprisingly. I would of cried if he would of died in the process. But he is safe. Then I ran into another problem. Shipping.... I wanted Elder Horton to have the package on the day he received his mail but I knew that wasn't possible so what do I do? I willingly payed $30 dollars to get it expressed mail so he could get it. I am such a nice friend aren't I? The Tony's are important! And overall I feel it was worth it because I made Elder Horton happy and gave him something interesting to do at the MTC. 


Overall: A Complete Success. 


Now to the part that I kinda have been pondering over the last few weeks. Creative Summer Adventures you and your friends can enjoy.
I think it is kinda sad to hear people say I would rather be in school than be having a summer. Really?! As much as I love school, I still need a break. I am in summer school now and I really miss my summer. There are a lot of things I wanted to do but are now on back hold because of school. So I have decided to give some interesting/creative Ideas for you to do maybe over the summer. 

1) Reading a book. Your thinking this may not. But it really is. If you really invest into a book, I can say you will be part of the adventure. Perfect way to get the imagination rolling. 

2) Spin Art. If you dont know what this is then you are in for a treat. Wikipedia does a better explanation of this so here is what they say. "To create spin art, an artist initially decorates or drips paint onto a canvas. The canvas can be anything; however, the most common form of canvas is a small rectangular piece of cardboard. Before the paint on the canvas dries, the artist secures the canvas to a platform that can be rotated at high speed. Once the canvas is secure, the artist can then begin spinning the canvas. Most spinning platforms are electrical or battery operated, with more elaborate platforms enabling the artist to vary the rotational speed. 

3)  Creating a floral arrangement or planting a flower pot. These are both very fun projects and long lasting (if you take care of them.) If you do a floral arrangement I will tell you that if you want your arrangement to survive for a while two really good things to do are 1. change the water out everyday or every other day. 2. If you add sprite instead of water your arrangement is getting some really good nutrients. Sugars. Sugars help the arrangement last a little bit longer. 

4) Have a group of friends create some tie dye shirts.  

5) Go to a Museum or Arts Festival. 

6) Volunteer your time at the hospital or any local community center. Giving back your gifts to others are some of the biggest rewards in life.

 7) Road Trip!!! Get a group a friends and plan to one day road trip somewhere and go have some fun! 

8) Create your own game and have your friends try it out. (This is a great way for babysitters to have a second to sit down.)  

Thou things may be expensive and we are facing some economic troubles in our country, there are many ways to entertain yourself during your summer vacation! "No Day But Today"!

 

Recreating the 65th Annual Tony Awards!

One may ask by this Title.... How can you recreate the Tony Awards before they even happen? I will tell you how! Missionary Training Center (MTC) Style. I have a friend that is on his mission and he will be missing the Tony's this year. So I thought to myself "What if I send the Tony's to him?" (Light Bulb Moment of Creativity)!!!!
So I decided to make something that is really exciting to some people funny.
Here is part one of my re creation of the Tony's: A letter of Formal Invitation.


Dear Elder Horton,

You have been formally invited to attend the 65th Annual Tony Awards by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their sidekick Mr. Rubber Ducky. President Thomas S. Monson and Mr. Rubber Ducky will be hosting the show. Since you are on your mission and we know you will not be able to attend the Tony’s on June, 12 2011, the First Presidency has decided to bring the show to you! Please expect a box sometime after June 12, 2011, with the results inside. Along with Mr. Rubber Ducky. Mr. Rubber Ducky has never been to France. He asked the First Presidency if he could join your journey. They told him that it was a wonderful idea. Take care of Mr. Rubber Ducky. He is kinda hard to handle at times like most Rubber Ducks are. The First Presidency expects Mr. Rubber Ducky to have a safe trip to and from Paris, France.

Here enclosed is the ballot. Please vote accordingly. When the results come you will have gold stars enclosed in the box. For each one you get right you will be able to put a gold star on your ballot. There will be six gold stars marked on your ballot automatically. The First Presidency experts Donny Osmond, Gladys Knight, Dylan Adams and of course the guest star Jimmer Ferdette believe you need these six stars if you are going up against Broadway Expert Dylan Adams! Jimmer suggests you don’t get JIMMERED. You will be competing for an amazing prize! If you have more stars than Dylan then you will an awesome Missionary Prize!  Good Luck Missionary. And remember don’t get JIMMERED.

Sincerely yours,

The First Presidency, and Mr. Rubber Ducky

P.S. If you get in trouble for this little game. Then You have all rights to blame me!

This is Mr. Rubber Ducky. He is the First Presidency Side Kick! And hopefully going to Paris France.

Part 2 of the Tony's Re-Creation: Creating the Ballot.
Since I didn't want him to get crushed I gave Elder Horton six stars! Well and partially because the name of the play: Mother F**cker with the Hat. I don't think the MTC or he would appreciate having to vote on that so I gave the point to him for all the nominations that play got so he wouldn't have to deal with that. So Instead of just printing off a ballot and just sending it to him, I actually printed off a ballot and cut out all the nominations and the categories he automatically won and made another ballot. I didn't think it was going to be that hard. But as much as a perfectionist I am, it can take sometime to have everything to my approval before sending or presenting something. But more importantly I am still loosing!!!! There is a lot on the line here! Currently I am at 0 stars! And the Elder is at 6 stars! I am very far behind! I really hope I don't get Jimmered!

Part 3: The Awards Show
Well since I cant send a Musical number to him...... (If I could I so would!) I decided to actually to make it simple and kinda to the point. An introduction with the Hosts President Monson and his Sidekick Mr. Rubber Ducky. Then I decided to go straight to the Awards and announce who won the Tony's! As most people know when I do creative things like this, I usually have to go out with a Big Bang. In this case Announcing Best Musical! By Far the Most important in my book! So I am going to get a big envelope and Print of a picture of the best musical poster. (This might not be as big and as exiting but I will make the Envelope exciting before the Elder opens it. Since I don't have this phase done I can't really post much more about this part.

Part 4: Sending the Tony's to the MTC
Well Since part three isn't done I cant go to much into detail but say there will be pictures of this process. But I am debating if I want to get a big box to make him think I did this big elaborate thing. But that is still in the debating stage. And I have to find a way for Mr. Rubber Ducky to have a safe trip.

There will be a part 2 Recreating the 65th Annual Tony Awards with the rest of the details. Also there will be a section on how you can be creative this summer!

Pure Imagination

When Glee sang Pure Imagination, I really was taken back to my to so many childhood memories. I also thought of how amazing the Movie is. So here is Gene Wilder singing Pure Imagination:

Willy Wonka:
[Spoken]
Hold your breath
Make a wish
Count to three

[Sung]
Come with me
And you'll be
In a world of
Pure imagination
Take a look
And you'll see
Into your imagination

We'll begin
With a spin
Traveling in
The world of my creation
What we'll see
Will defy
Explanation

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanta change the world?
There's nothing
To it

There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You'll be free
If you truly wish to be

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanta change the world?
There's nothing
To it

There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You'll be free
If you truly
Wish to be



What I feel Willy Wonka truly points out is a pure imagination is the best imagination you could possibly have. Imagination leads to all possibilities. Imagination brings us the new and the future. Imagination should be encourage at all ages. Children I think are the purest of all imaginations. There imagination is so big that nothing stops them. But the question is, why do we loose that imagination as we grow up? With many theories in mind, I think the main two reasons we loose our imagination is because we are afraid what others will think and us saying no. No closes our minds and closes opportunities. Whats the fun in that. Have you ever spent an entire day just saying "Yes and"? I think I have had the most interesting days when I actually say "Yes and". You should try it. You might think that idea is absolutely scary... but its really not. "Yes and" really in my opinion is my best friend. It makes life interesting. Make your life have a pure imagination and say "Yes And"! 

Passionate Life

Since my Freshman year is over, I decided to stay in school for the summer... (I am guessing your thinking at this point: "Why would someone torture themselves from the summer".) If you think about it,  Utah is cold as the Tundra in Russia right now... And to tell you the truth I really do not know how I even convinced myself into doing a 15 credit hour semester! But I will almost be done with my general edu. requirements.
Reason 1 for staying for the summer semester) If I get a job opportunity in the future I wont have to worry about my Gen. Ed's. They are such a pain! LIKE WORLD OF DINOSAURS!!! That class was T-O-R-T-U-R-E! If you take that class at the U of U, Take it From Hagrid not Irmis!
Reason 2) Gets me that much closer to never having to take a math class ever again
Reason 3) I wont have to take classes that I don't have the attention span for.
Reason 4) They are out of the way and I can move on to Bigger and Better things like Broadway!

Education is important. It is a privilege to have it. I a grateful for the education I have because I know many people in my life that wish they could of had the opportunity to receive it. If you ever get the chance to get an education you should take it seriously! What annoys me is how many people in the US don't take their education seriously. There are millions of people that would die for the education we have. We have just about unlimited resources to us with having an education.  If you didn't know this random fact: McDonald's wont even hire anyone without a Diploma or GED (Unless you are working towards it.). Its a privilege to have it! We live in a country where we have so many opportunities! Our education opens doors to the world and allows others to have the chance to fulfill their dreams. Take your education seriously!
I am currently taking a linguistics class and I really like it. It forces me to step out of my comfort zone in some sense because I have to talk to other people that I don't know that are not from the USA. Its kinda cool because I get to experience hands on what language barriers can bring towards a basic conversation.  I also like this class because its perfect way to understand effective communication. And I also get to read plays in the class so it makes it even better. But what really I think my point to this is today in class we were talking about how there are no wrong or right answers in defining culture. Can you define culture? Its a very broad definition I must say. But what really interested me was that there were a few international students in the class that stated that they had never been in class where the teacher said it was ok to give an answer without it being right or wrong. I thought it was cool because of the cultural differences. I believe their are about 15 different cultural backgrounds in that class. That is a lot and to think that is just small. Culture is everywhere! Take pride in your Culture! Its our superstructure!  

Well within my freshman year, I have learned a few things about myself. I could make this extremely long list of things but here are some highlights:

- Take It Personal! (Rance Wright)
- I am an extreme over achiever! (Yes this is bad at times.... I expect a lot out of myself.)
- I judge myself to Harshly!!! ( I am still working on it! Its a life process.)
- I AM GOOD ENOUGH!
- I really gotta work on my dancing....
- I just cant leave my past behind...( Ya we all make mistakes... But that one was a biggie! Once I accepted what had happened to me in my past I really took off I feel in my career. I wasn't afraid anymore.)
- I am not a bad person for not going on a Mission. There is another mission awaiting me in the future.
-I feel like a kid when I am working.  I can play and explore the out of the ordinary.
- I grew up
- I wish I could have more of a social life.
- I have people in my life that love me.
- I think I would be an absolute mess without have my MTP Family! They are absolutely amazing! They inspire me to strive for my goals. I think this is first theatre company I have been with that has actually gotten to know each other so well. This family really is important to me. I love everyone in MTP!!!!!!
- My life is Unique! My journey is Unique! I am Unique!  
- I miss clogging sometimes ( A lot more than usual.) Yes NRG Family I admit it! I miss you guys! You guys are awesome! If I had the time to compete I would come back. But I maybe in the future.
-Music Theory is like math. Maybe one day I will have that Light Bulb moment and it will all make sense.
- I Love My Family! They are the best support system!  

I am passionate about my life! You should be too! Everyone should! Whatever your passion is in life.
Be passionate!