Patrick and Vonia, from Theater People Podcast, bring us yet another wonderful episode. This time, they have the amazing Daisy Eagan.
Daisy Eagan is the youngest female to have won a Tony Award - for her role in The Secret Garden. She made her debut in an off-Broadway production of Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol. Her streak of good luck landed her the role of young Cosette in Les Mis. She has also done some regional theatre work.
The interview begins with a look at Daisy's early life. She talks about her father, a former actor, and her mother, a writer, took her to baseball games instead of plays. She also shares that her dad worked at Coney Island and spending a lot of time there as a child.
She also shares that she used theatre as an escape and a way to express herself. She says that this is due to the fact that she was an "outcast" in school; she didn't fit in with other kids in her school - she was even scared of physical violence toward her. She says that she even begged her parents not to make her go to school.
She recalls that the first show she saw was a play that her dad had done at Coney Island. She knew that she was interested in getting on stage like her dad and asked to do some performances. She went to audition for a small role in Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol, at Brooklyn Academy of Music. She was asked to sing, but she didn't have a song prepared (she notes that this is how little she and her parents knew about being in show business). She ended up singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." She says that the director went into the other room to see if she could be heard - he came back and said, "You could probably be heard in New Jersey!" When the casting director discovered that her dad was an actor, they had Daisy and Dad read a scene between Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. They were cast in the roles.
After Christmas Carol, she auditioned for Les Mis but was not cast. So, she moved on to a production of Cinderella. Halfway through that production, she got a call that she had been booked for Les Mis. I won't give away the full story, but it's incredible to hear her talk about her audition for young Cosette. When the first run of Secret Garden fell through, the people at Les Mis let her come back to the show, even though she had given her notice.
During Secret Garden, she says that her cast mates were her family during the production. They had a lot of fun together as they worked on the show and brought it to life on Broadway. Daisy says the show "saved her life" while she dealt with her mother's battle with cancer. Little did she or her family (Broadway family included) know that her portrayal of Mary Lennox would gain her a Tony award.
The rest of the interview, which is incredible and everyone needs to hear it, discusses Daisy's life on twitter, her son, and some future projects.
To keep up with Daisy Eagan:
Twitter
Official Website
And please please please sign up for the Theater People Podcast. You guys won't be sorry - it's AMAZING!!! Check it out: Theater People
Follow on twitter and download on itunes.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Review: House of Cards Season 2 (spoiler free)
The writing was witty and clever throughout the second season.While watching it is easy to take note of exceptionally written dialogue and scenes and I found myself mesmerized by some of the amazing directing choices. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright of course brought their impeccable acting talents to the script and bring life to the characters on the page.
From the very first moments of chapter 14, the audience's attention is captured and one will likely want to watch all 13 episodes in as little time as possible. The first episode includes a bloody twist which immediately symbolizes a change in directionality as far as character and story focus is concerned. The show has the perfect recipe of corruption, violence, sex, reality, and politics to make it thrilling and engaging.
One of the most interesting aspects of the second season is its focus on a wider range of characters. Of course Frank and Claire Underwood are the main focus, but more subplots are revealed and there are new and ever-changing players in the game. That is not to say that there is a random focus on new characters, on the contrary, the subplots intertwine and enhance the telling of Underwood's story. This is a refreshing change from the end of season one when the characters and their stories had started to become extraneous.
If you enjoyed the first season, you will not be disappointed with the next thirteen episodes. Given the way the first season ended, you may think you know where the show, or at least Underwood, is headed, but you probably can't predict how he goes about getting there. And once he is there, the ending of this season leaves you wanting so much more (at least 13 episodes more). It may make you slightly regret watching all 13 episodes in a 13 hour time frame, but you can always watch them again, or start from the beginning and introduce it to a friend while you're at it.
Watch season 2 here. Follow House of Cards on twitter.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Theater People - Laura Osnes
Theater People, Patrick and Vonia, bring us another incredible podcast! They never disappoint; always asking intriguing questions and confirming that fans of the topic make the best interviewers!
Listen here!
Their fourth episode brings us an interview with the lovely and humble Laura Osnes! She is best known for her roles as Ella in Cinderella on Broadway, as well as her roles as Sandy in Grease, and Bonnie Parker in Frank Wildhorn's Bonnie and Clyde among others. Patrick and Laura take us on a journey from memory lane to what's ahead for the Broadway starlet.
The interview begins with a recap of Laura's hobbies, which so far don't include biking , but may in the future. If you didn't realize how down to earth and all around amazing she is, her list of hobbies immediately inspires a feeling of genuineness which with she lives her life. Her hobbies include: scrapbooking, journaling, dancing, baking and board games.
Her soft-spoken and innocent demeanor leads Patrick to ask how she feels about the city as a whole. She recounts her first trip with her high school theater group which led to her parents bringing her for long weekends here and there, and which helped to solidify her love of the city. When she moved to New York after winning the NBC reality show Grease: You're The One That I Want she came to the city with a support system of her husband, Nate, and her cast members. She stipulates that had she not come with such support it may have been a much harder transition.
A look back at her 'early days' before she was a staple of the Broadway scene, takes us on a trip from her favorite cast albums to her Broadway debut and beyond. As a child she loved listening to cast albums, particularly Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Miss Saigon, and The Secret Garden. In middle school and high school she began working in theatrical roles in Minneapolis and was even able to receive high school credit for her work. She spoke about her time with the Children's Theater in Minneapolis and how taking a job there was more right for her than continuing in college. That is not to say that she doesn't value education, quite the opposite is true, and musical theater programs have come along way in the ten years since she left college to pursue her passion.
She recounts how she auditioned for Grease: You're The One That I Want and how she made it all the way to the winning pair! She was actually playing Sandy at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre when her aunt heard about auditions and she was able to leave (for what she thought would be a short time) the dinner theatre show early and go to California to audition. She explains her experience on the show as: "I had this strange sense of peace whole time that I was where I was supposed to be, like I was supposed to be there." We're certainly glad she won! A talent like hers deserves to be recognized!
Her work in the theater in Minnesota prepared her for the work in the larger theater league that is Broadway. She says "the work is the same, just at a higher level and with more money involved." The reality show also acted as a cushion for her. She knew the part of Sandy quite well after having sang it to keep her on the show and she knew Max Crumm very well from doing the the show with him. But the press part of the role was new to her.
Laura talked about her time working with Kathleen Marshall. She discussed her motherly nature towards the cast while they were doing Grease after the reality show ended. Then, getting to work with her again to do Anything Goes. She went on to discussed working with Sutton Foster and her amazing nature and sparkling smile.
What was one of her career changing moments? She says it was when she was cast in South Pacific and the whole audition process. Also replacing someone she had seen just a few years before on the stage was incredibly gratifying for her, and she credits "23" as one of her best years.
Laura talks about her journey through Bonnie and Clyde from the audition for Wonderland, to the out of town gigs, then finally landing on Broadway, and her eventual Tony nomination for the role!
Of course, the interview wouldn't be complete without talking about Cinderella! She had this is say about the show "Every day I love going to work, walking into the building and knowing that we're about to inspire all these young kids that are coming, and surprise the adults who think the show is for kids..." Hearing Laura talk about Cinderella is almost as magical as experiencing the show itself! She is so passionate and true to the characteristics of Ella herself. She talked about her exit from the show which is of course so sad, but since she's doing The Threepenny Opera it makes it not quite as side.
I don't want to spoil any of the fan answered questions because they're pretty great, so you'll have to listen to hear them and what comes after (hint: she sings).
Follow Theater People Podcast on twitter and subscribe on iTunes!
Listen here!
Their fourth episode brings us an interview with the lovely and humble Laura Osnes! She is best known for her roles as Ella in Cinderella on Broadway, as well as her roles as Sandy in Grease, and Bonnie Parker in Frank Wildhorn's Bonnie and Clyde among others. Patrick and Laura take us on a journey from memory lane to what's ahead for the Broadway starlet.
The interview begins with a recap of Laura's hobbies, which so far don't include biking , but may in the future. If you didn't realize how down to earth and all around amazing she is, her list of hobbies immediately inspires a feeling of genuineness which with she lives her life. Her hobbies include: scrapbooking, journaling, dancing, baking and board games.
Her soft-spoken and innocent demeanor leads Patrick to ask how she feels about the city as a whole. She recounts her first trip with her high school theater group which led to her parents bringing her for long weekends here and there, and which helped to solidify her love of the city. When she moved to New York after winning the NBC reality show Grease: You're The One That I Want she came to the city with a support system of her husband, Nate, and her cast members. She stipulates that had she not come with such support it may have been a much harder transition.
A look back at her 'early days' before she was a staple of the Broadway scene, takes us on a trip from her favorite cast albums to her Broadway debut and beyond. As a child she loved listening to cast albums, particularly Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Miss Saigon, and The Secret Garden. In middle school and high school she began working in theatrical roles in Minneapolis and was even able to receive high school credit for her work. She spoke about her time with the Children's Theater in Minneapolis and how taking a job there was more right for her than continuing in college. That is not to say that she doesn't value education, quite the opposite is true, and musical theater programs have come along way in the ten years since she left college to pursue her passion.
She recounts how she auditioned for Grease: You're The One That I Want and how she made it all the way to the winning pair! She was actually playing Sandy at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre when her aunt heard about auditions and she was able to leave (for what she thought would be a short time) the dinner theatre show early and go to California to audition. She explains her experience on the show as: "I had this strange sense of peace whole time that I was where I was supposed to be, like I was supposed to be there." We're certainly glad she won! A talent like hers deserves to be recognized!
Her work in the theater in Minnesota prepared her for the work in the larger theater league that is Broadway. She says "the work is the same, just at a higher level and with more money involved." The reality show also acted as a cushion for her. She knew the part of Sandy quite well after having sang it to keep her on the show and she knew Max Crumm very well from doing the the show with him. But the press part of the role was new to her.
Laura talked about her time working with Kathleen Marshall. She discussed her motherly nature towards the cast while they were doing Grease after the reality show ended. Then, getting to work with her again to do Anything Goes. She went on to discussed working with Sutton Foster and her amazing nature and sparkling smile.
What was one of her career changing moments? She says it was when she was cast in South Pacific and the whole audition process. Also replacing someone she had seen just a few years before on the stage was incredibly gratifying for her, and she credits "23" as one of her best years.
Laura talks about her journey through Bonnie and Clyde from the audition for Wonderland, to the out of town gigs, then finally landing on Broadway, and her eventual Tony nomination for the role!
Of course, the interview wouldn't be complete without talking about Cinderella! She had this is say about the show "Every day I love going to work, walking into the building and knowing that we're about to inspire all these young kids that are coming, and surprise the adults who think the show is for kids..." Hearing Laura talk about Cinderella is almost as magical as experiencing the show itself! She is so passionate and true to the characteristics of Ella herself. She talked about her exit from the show which is of course so sad, but since she's doing The Threepenny Opera it makes it not quite as side.
I don't want to spoil any of the fan answered questions because they're pretty great, so you'll have to listen to hear them and what comes after (hint: she sings).
Follow Theater People Podcast on twitter and subscribe on iTunes!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
The Incomparable Norm Lewis
Norm Lewis is probably best known from the Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, Side Show, The Who's Tommy, Les Miserables and ABC's Scandal. He has many other feathers under his cap, particularly a regional production of Dreamgirls with Jennifer Holliday.
Last night, Martha and I had the pleasure of seeing Norm perform at the Garner Performing Arts Center for the fourth season of the Broadway Voices Concert Series.
Norm took the audience on a wonderful, musical journey through his life. Beginning with a medley of his life in the church: Jesus Loves Me, ABC, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Rock with Me, and This Little Light. Clearly, he let his mind wander during church, although he claims that he listened to the sermon every Sunday.
He told us about his journey from Florida to NYC, particularly about the music that helped him along the way. When he was in high school, "Be A Lion" from The Wiz was the song that helped him through and gave him confidence. His performance of the song, last night, was awe-inspiring. He sang "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin, explaining that the song was his anthem during college as he tried to figure out what he wanted to do with his life.
While he was sentimental about his musical adventures, he made many jokes. He never understood why his mom was so infatuated with one particular musician. He now understands, as he gave a sensual rendition of "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones. During the song, he came into the audience and serenaded many women in the audience. He also wanted to pay tribute to Jennifer Holliday and faked a performance of "And I Am Telling You" (everyone laughed, but I was a bit disappointed when he said, "And I am telling you...I'm not singing that song"). He told us he wasn't going to sing "Pinball Wizard" because he didn't have his big sunglasses.
As we all know, Lewis played Javert in Les Miserables and participated in the 25th Anniversary Concert version as Javert. Expectedly, he gave a beautiful rendition of "Stars" but surprised us all when he immediately went into "Bring Him Home."
"I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'" was his salute to his character Porgy from the 2012 revival of Porgy and Bess. He then called upon a woman in the audience, to sing with him, as she had played Bess in a regional production of the show. While we were used to Norm singing "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" with Audra McDonald, Rosalind was stunning in her performance with Norm.
Norm's night in Garner came to an end all too quickly and he gave a beautiful rendition of "Being Alive" from Company. As that is one of my favorite songs ever, it is no surprise that tears came to my eyes. Singing several more songs, Norm left the stage for the traditional ("self-indulgent" as he called it) encore. His finale piece was "We Live on Borrowed Time" by Barry Manilow.
Norm was able to visit with us briefly, but was so overwhelmed by the number of people that we did not get to ask any questions. I did think it was great that he shook hands with everyone, asking their name and saying, "I'm Norm. It's so nice to meet you!" However, he did sign a program for us and we will be giving it away on our twitter!
For more information on Norm:
Sunday, February 2, 2014
2014 Super Bowl Commercials
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest television events of the year and it is a chance for companies to have their ads seen by over 100 million people. Due to this exposure, companies are willing to pay millions of dollars for a thirty second television spot. Super Bowl commercials don't show strong relationship to an immediate increase in sales, but they are a chance for companies to show off their best advertising power.
Here are a few of our favorite commercials from this year's Super Bowl:
Budweiser always makes the best commercials and tugs at the audience's heartstrings as they root for the familiar Budweiser Clydesdales. This year the company took this idea to a new extreme and added puppies as well! Any animal lover (or person with a heart) was probably in tears by the end of the ad.
The Oikos Greek Yogurt commercial was one of the more highly anticipated ads of the Super Bowl due to the reunion of the guys from Fullhouse. I have to say it was pretty funny and it brought back their Fullhouse character personalities, as well as the actors themselves.
Doritos once again challenged its loyal legion of fans to come up with their best commercial and be featured as a part of the Super Bowl broadcast. They did not disappoint with their submissions! This was our favorite submission and one of the best commercials of the Super Bowl.
I also really loved the Stephen Colbert Wonderful Pistachios commercials during the Super Bowl. His humor worked well with the concepts they were going for and Eagle was a nice touch. The commercial itself is funny, but what might be even funnier is the behind the scenes video.
The Jaguar commercial consisted of British villains rendezvousing and of course driving off in a Jaguar. It was a very well made commercial and who doesn't love a good commercial with Tom Hiddelston?
The Toyota ad, which featured The Muppets, was a nice change from the company's ads of the past year. It started off a little slow for me, but the end really brought it all together.
The Kia ad was another great commercial of the night! The Matrix theme made it immediately enjoyable and the longer you watch the better it gets!
A more complete list of ads from the Super Bowl broadcast can be found here and here.
Here are a few of our favorite commercials from this year's Super Bowl:
Budweiser always makes the best commercials and tugs at the audience's heartstrings as they root for the familiar Budweiser Clydesdales. This year the company took this idea to a new extreme and added puppies as well! Any animal lover (or person with a heart) was probably in tears by the end of the ad.
The Oikos Greek Yogurt commercial was one of the more highly anticipated ads of the Super Bowl due to the reunion of the guys from Fullhouse. I have to say it was pretty funny and it brought back their Fullhouse character personalities, as well as the actors themselves.
Doritos once again challenged its loyal legion of fans to come up with their best commercial and be featured as a part of the Super Bowl broadcast. They did not disappoint with their submissions! This was our favorite submission and one of the best commercials of the Super Bowl.
I also really loved the Stephen Colbert Wonderful Pistachios commercials during the Super Bowl. His humor worked well with the concepts they were going for and Eagle was a nice touch. The commercial itself is funny, but what might be even funnier is the behind the scenes video.
The Jaguar commercial consisted of British villains rendezvousing and of course driving off in a Jaguar. It was a very well made commercial and who doesn't love a good commercial with Tom Hiddelston?
The Toyota ad, which featured The Muppets, was a nice change from the company's ads of the past year. It started off a little slow for me, but the end really brought it all together.
The Kia ad was another great commercial of the night! The Matrix theme made it immediately enjoyable and the longer you watch the better it gets!
A more complete list of ads from the Super Bowl broadcast can be found here and here.
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