my first Vlog. . .in which i talk about one of my favorite subjects...

Well. I accidentally deleted my original post. . .try never to do that. :-/ No fun struggling to remember what you wrote. Argh. But even so - I'll do my best to be delightful and start from scratch again. See me smile? 

Anyway - I've never made a Vlog before. Been wanting to try it out for awhile now, and recently I found the perfect opportunity. . . (I've mentioned it so many times in my last several posts, your bound to know what I'm about to say.) This past Sunday I saw (ready?? Say it with me, 1,2,3. . .) LES MISERABLES *live*! o.O 

:faint:

 Sooo I made two videos. There was a third (after I realized I'd forgotten to take a vid of the theater lobby,) but somehow the camera was zoomed in really close to my face - all you saw was my mouth and nose. ;) 

*note* that the above video is frightening. It is almost impossible to take a video (or picture for that matter,) of oneself without looking like a monster. :P Also, I have no idea why I keep reiterating the fact that my parents are so nice - almost as if they aren't usually. hehe Its just that my mom doesn't like cameras, (I forced her to say hello. . . ;) )  and my dad very sweetly drove his car-that-needs-much-work alll the way to the theater to prevent our very-professional-knack of getting lost wherever we go. ;) Love you, mom and dad! ♥



Ohhh. . . just seeing that sign I feel all gasping and fluttery again. When the first scene of the play opened I was literally sitting at the edge of my seat, heart pounding and breathless. Btw, this was NOT my first time at the Palace Theater. . . I should have seriously been born with a different hair color.

What do you think?? Dying now to know more about that heavenly afternoon? ;) It is worth boring my non-fanatical Les Miz readers with a long review?? Hm? I promise it would be my last Les Miz-related post. . . at least for a little while. 

Look what's been driving my family crazy! Er...making ME crazily-happy! ;)

My new latest obsession - ask any of my family members...I play my piano *every* day, (nothing new there!) - but lately? Its been an almost constant thing! ;) Why you ask? Take a look at these amazing books...

:GASP:

Oooh my, its almost too much! Last week my parents ordered these treasures at our local music store as a late, late, late birthday present. (Long story there. lol ) They came in three days ago, and I've been playin' my ancient upright like mad ever since. Right now I'm working at "On My Own," from Les Miz, and "All I Ask of You," from The Phantom of the Opera.

Its so refreshing to get away from my Classical books. 

Not that I don't adore classical music, because I most definitely do. However! I was classically trained, so I've played almost nothing BUT classical pieces for years... 

The more "modern-pop-ish" style of these Broadway pieces are presenting somewhat of a fun challenge...its just a bit awkward playing a very "pronounced" harmony. Classical music is almost entirely about the melody, so on the piano the right hand works hard! Now I'm playing quite a few right-handed cords, which is interesting. I'm loving it! 

Now all I need is a "new" piano. I am praying that somehow that dream becomes a reality. Though I love my "baby," she is over 100 years old and showing her age. Lord willing I will be able to sell her SOON. 

- complete side-note: the books are filled with full-color photos!! 

*disclaimer* I'm not a POTO "phan" AT ALL, yet I love the music (though not necessarily the lyrics.)  Yum. 

THEY CAME - I'm going to see Les Miz! o.O

I'm hyperventilating -

Our tickets to see Les Miserables came in the mail today. o.O

I...I...I'm going to see Les Miz, coming straight from London's West End in 2011. The real live production. The ACTUAL thing.

Its incomprehensible.

I can't stand it...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Broadway Musicals!

In honor of my friend Alexandra @ Of Trims and Frills and Furbelows (one of my all time favorite blogs EVER, might I add,) I am finally writing this post...which I started...um...awhile ago. ;) For some reason I got caught up in other things and never got to actually POSTING this post...but I'll just go into my handy-dandy settings and edit the date. ;)

These are my three all time favorite musicals (at least so far. ) ♥ Sometimes I wonder what my world like before I discovered the magic of Broadway?? o.O

No, I am not including The Phantom of the Opera

(don't be mad at me Ally!)

mostly because I feel it has "issues." Major ones. :P

However I *do* enjoy a couple of the songs, though I can't endorse the play. :'(

What? Your asking - Les Miserables has "issues!" Yes it does...and I carefully guard myself against certain scenes/songs. :D

A family classic! I was *thrilled* to be able to see one of my all-time favorite stories preformed on stage this past June when the Broadway production came to Cleveland! o.O It was spectacular, minus the fellow who played Tevye. But I won't talk about *that* here. :P hehe

My mom always jokes that our family "is" Fiddler On The Roof . Having been born in Italy she came from an extremely tradition-based background, which she rejected after excepting Jesus as her Savior. Her parents, particularly my Nonna (grandmother) are still wrapped in Tradition. Its just part of the "old way."

And on top of it all...we are a family of 5 girls. ^_^

Les Miserables. The name itself evokes SO much.

:shiver:

(no, these are not in order...

Les Miz should have come before Fiddler.)

Where to start? Is there *possibly* any way to even begin to describe this incredible masterpiece? I think not.

Salvation, forgiveness, love, tragedy, heroism.

Breathtaking music and song...Les Miz has it all, and more.

I'll stop now before I write a whole book on the topic.

But I *must* say -

I am firmly convinced that Colm Wilkinson is the ONLY Valjean in the world. Period.

Yikes I can hardly wait for the 25th anniversary concert! o.O Hopefully I'll be able to watch it online somewhere...if anyone hears anything, lemme know!

Mary Poppins. No its not as corny as it sounds. ;) I was introduced to this amazing musical through a friend. After watching the movie way too many times when I was younger (due to my sister Maria's obsession as a baby,) I never imagined I could really appreciate the music, though deep in my heart I adored it. :-/ Hm.

Anyhow...the stage soundtack is obviously different, and I really love it! Anna (my sister) found a video clip of "Step in Time" complete with dozens of tap dancers. Pretty impressive. :D

Soooo...to all my mutual Broadway fans out there - which musical/s are your favorite?

(Hope your satisfied Ally. :P :P )

Les Miserables - videos from the 1995 "Dream Cast" concert

This past Sunday I was privileged to see the Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Cleveland (Ohio) Playhouse (the nations largest preforming arts center outside of New York.)
- but that would be a blog post in itself....just describing the striking beauty of the theater lobby, the thrill of hearing the first notes of "Tradition" swell to the ceiling...it was incredible.

Now my sister, mom and I are crazily excited to be *hopefully* seeing Broadway's Les Miserables next April.

:swoon:

Plays (particularly Broadway) are my latest passion. There is something awe-inspiring about seeing a live performance, all the colors, the voices of the actors, the props, the dancing and the music - a feast for the eyes and ears.

Sometimes I wonder if a movie could ever impact me again. ;)

Here are a few of my favorite videos from the 1995 "Dream Cast" concert version of Les Mis. Breathtaking! There are some seriously talented singers in these videos, and I've watched them so many times in the past couple of days, I think the songs will be permanently stuck in my head. ^_^

*special note about above vid*

Colm Wilkinson is my newest favorite singer. Listen to the passion in his voice! Gorgeous. And the song, so sad yet pretty. What do you think?