Here's some of his other vids he's made for youtube. Adorable and listen to that VOICE. (Apparently it runs in the family):
"Mississippi" - (Original Song by James Wolpert)
"Breakeven" (by The Scripts):
"I Don't Need No Doctor" (John Mayer and Ray Charles):
"Lucky" (by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat) with sister Rachel (seriously, apparently it's in the genes)
"June" - Original Song by James Wolpert
And yes, he was on ABC's reality show (to win the closing credits in HSM3) High School Musical: Get in the Picture. He lost. What a sham. With Bailey Purvis singing "Bleeding Love"
Stan Carrizosa, Tierney Chamberlain, Christina Brown, Isaiah Smith, TJ Wilkins, and James Wolpert performing popular TV Themes: One Day At A Time, Mary Tyler Moore, Greatest American Hero and Cheers:
I have no idea where or when this picture (that Lindsay sent me) was taken (found here) but HELLO!
Hunter Parrish (Weeds, It's Complicated), Sebastian Stan (Gossip Girl, Hot Tub Time Machine) and Jonathan Groff (Glee, Taking Woodstock)!??!!
One for me, one for DivaJames, and well... another one for me. Haha...
At first I thought this was the most random collection of young hotties, but then I also realized there's 2 Melchior's sitting there. The original Spring Awakening Melchior and the final Broadway Melchior.
So Jonathan Groff, now a TV star on Glee is going to do Deathtrap in London later this summer. To be closer with Gavin Creel (currently in Hair in London, or have they broken up like rumours say they have?
Hunter Parrish made such a surprisingly great Melchior that I hope to see him on the stage again.
Sebastian Stan has apparently broken up with Leighton Meester (so that he could be with DameJames?) and is gonna be in the new Captain America? Cool!
Spring Awakening - Sydney Theatre Company - Sydney, Australia - *** (out of 5 stars) Music by Duncan Sheik, Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater, Based on the original play by Frank Wedekind, Directed by Geordie Brookman, Choreographed by Kate Champion Runs until March 7th 2010
You know while I was in Sydney that I just HAD to see the latest incarnation of my favorite musical Spring Awakening, making its Australian debut in a newly conceived production by young hotstar director Geordie Brookman. I wish I didn't.
I know there's the backlash against it now, and that the book leaves thin characters dangling, but I always saw it as a musical of vignettes that are less about the characters themselves, than the emotions they represent, and to some that's a weakness, but it's exactly why I find the show can be so powerful. However, the original Broadway staging by Michael Mayer brilliant adds layers to Sater and Sheik's musical and strengthens the modern day connections to the historical tale, while bringing out the nuances and hypocrisies within the story. Kevin Adams eclectic mood lighting, Christine Jones simple set and Bill T. Jones hyper-kinetic choreography only helped Mayer's stripped down approach to the modern emo-folk-rock opera.
So I'm not even going to try to ignore the original staging because having this brand new Sydney production so soon after the original will automatically invoke comparisons, and while I tried to go in with an open mind, Brookman's staging made it hard to see it as its own entity.
While Brookman and Champion attempt to mark their own stamp onto Sater and Sheik's Spring Awakening (where the book, lyrics and music remain the same), they borrow too much from the original to mark any vast differences, yet changes too much that it loses much of the original directorial intent. The new vision is thus different for the sake of being different, yet it's not different enough to truly become its own production, and I sat there wondering why they couldn't just import the original version in?
The new orchestrations by Robert Gavin shifts the original emo-rock band and gives the score a jazzier tone that completely deflates the harsh contrasts of Sheiks music with the 1890's setting.
While Australians seeing the show for the first time will think that Anna Tregloan's set is a minimalist approach, by comparison to the original, it sketches out an old farmhouse far more literally. With a hinging set, different settings are formed to create far more literal scenes, yet loses Christine Jones' uber minimalist symmetry and can-be-anywhere approach.
Brookman loses the microphones at first, but then brings them in for certain scenes. At times they are replaced by industrial lamps, but it's never clear why. Dangling lights, much like the blue ones that Kevin Adams descends into "The Mirror-Blue Night", is strung throughout the show, and much of the staging is similar, without any central symmetry that off-balances the show. There are some clever ideas used here but much of it seems superfluous and thrown in because it's neat and clever in the first place.
There's a far better clarity with Tess Schofield's costume design, especially in changing up the adult characters, still played here by a single Adult Woman and a single Adult Man, though to do so, we lose a brilliant subtle moment when we see the actors change characters within a single scene just by shifting their bodies and changing their voices.
Ilse is now portrayed as Avril Lavigne in her punk rock outfit, though luckily Angela Scundi gives one of the strongest performances turning Ilse into a believable tragic figure whose strength is a pure facade.
Akos Armont (above centre) delivers a wonderfully bruised performance as Moritz, and much like Scundi's Ilse, are the two performances that differ the greatest from the Broadway cast (originally portrayed by John Galagher Jr. (who won the Tony for his performance) and Lauren Pritchard, respectively) yet become the most believable and emotionally arresting performances from the Sydney company.
I can see that Brookman tried to tone down Mayer's broader directions to make it more tragic and realistic, but instead Brookman ends up dampening the spirit and energy of the piece, while losing any sense of humour that Sater's book has. The show is very funny on Broadway, but there is little humour existing at the Sydney Theatre. It becomes one dark and damp tragic piece with little to offset and exaggerate the difference in tones, which lets most of the peripheral characters muddle into a indistinguishable group. It's too bad since there's hints of great performances from Nicholas Kong as Otto and Scott Morris as Ernst but the staging offers little to individualize their small parts.
Kate Champion's choreography is erratic and pulsing... much like Bill T. Jones' choreography, and Champions ends up feeling like a watered down version of the original.
I didn't get to see Andrew Hazzard as Melchior, who is supposed to be terrific, and instead an unsure understudy Alex Woodward led the way as the lead male that could have used a bit more charisma and confidence. Wendla is played by Clare Bowen who resembles a cross between Kristen Dunst and Jayne Wisener (London Donmar's Parade and the film Sweeney Todd) and while her voice isn't as strong or clear as Lea Michelle's (who originated the role before joining Glee) (though who is?), I grew to like Bowen in the role, as she balanced the fragility and naiveness nicely.
Still, the musical should take you on an enthralling emotional journey that excites and hurts, and instead, the Brookman version feels limp and bland, and excises the most thrilling parts of the show and mutes it for the sake of realism (despite throwing in an odd industrial lamp here and there for some cool imagery and effect). Usually I leave Spring Awakening feeling invigorated and shaken, but I left the Sydney Theatre unaffected and neutral, possible the worst reaction one can have for what should be a great musical experience.
Spring Awakening reunited: Lea Michelle & Jonathan Groff (and soon to be co-stars on Glee) sings "Word of Your Body (Spring Awakening) and "Walking in Space (Hair) at last night's True Colors Cabaret (11/29/09). Not a great recording but a peak at their performance nonetheless:
Man, I can't wait 'til Groff appears on Glee with Michelle!
Lots of Degrassi news. New characters for Season 9. Alumni's are moving on (to Spring Awakening and the US networks new pilots). Plus I've seen this summer's special TV movie Degrassi Goes Hollywood and it's FUN! With some catchy songs! And it's a musical! (Well, sort of. It partially spoofs HSM)
First off, the news I'm most excited about (even though I know no one will have any clue what I'm talking about).
Landon Liboiron is joining the cast! Who? I didn't know who he was either, but he blew me away in a guest spot on an episode of Flashpoint, who along with a terrific Tyler Hynes, played brothers on the episode "He Knows His Brother" (Ep. 107) and along with his blue eyes, had a nice innocence combined with dramatic intensity that makes him an exciting actor to watch out for.
Next up, current cast member Nina Dobrev (Mia), will follow like Shenae Grimes (90210) and will start off the season at Degrassi and end off with vampires in The CW's new show The Vampire Diaries (what? Anna Lynne McCord isn't a vampire?). Okay, so the trailer looks a bit hokey but then so did Twilight and I actually ended up liking that a lot. Plus, The VD (hmm... that's NOT a great nickname though with the whole vampire blood thing, could actually be thematically relevant) has Lost's Ian Somerhalder!!! (Wait, isn't he supposed to return back to the island as the Losties do it all over again?) AND Steven R. McQueen from Everwood. I LOVE that kid! (And yes, grandson to Steve McQueen). Sadly it also stars Paul Wesley. Who was annoying in Everwood (in season 2, who singlehandedly almost ruined the amazing series), who was annoying in American Dreams, who was annoying in Cane... you get the point.
It'll be sad to see Nina go, but they've sort of run its course with Mamma Mia and Nina was always bound for huge things, including the upcoming Atom Egoyan film Chloe (with Liam Neeson). So now that's 2 shows on The CW headlined by a Degrassi alum. (And considering they only have about 10 shows, that's quite the coup!).
And while Laura Vandervoort wasn't exactly on Degrassi, she was on sister show Instant Star (from the same makers), Laura moved to The CW's Smallville (do I see a pattern here?), and has now landed herself on the upcoming ABC remake of cult classic V: The Series. And it looks pretty GOOD! And has favorites Scott Wolf (Party of Five), Elizabeth Mitchell (who will apparently also be Lost still, at least for a few episodes) and Morena Baccarin (Firefly).
And as fellow Instant Star alum Kyle Riabko leaves the tour of Spring Awakening (though his ABC pilot Limelight didn't seem to get picked up), a new Melchior has been cast to take over and it's none other than Degrassi fan favorite Craig! er... Jake Epstein! (Last seen in Toronto's Dog Sees God).
While I won't spoil too much of the plot, it technically continues straight after Season 8, but we focus back on the core Degrassi: TNG faves when some of the gang goes to LA in an attempt to land in Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes' new movie High School Mewesical (both who return to Degrassi world). Paige is supposedly living the lavish LA lifestyle, Marco and Ellie go visit, Craig reappears, Manny and Emma take a bus with Jay, Peter, and the Studz gang towards Hollywood and yes, there are SONGS! And they are GOOD! (Especially the finale, and Craig's song).
And yes, there's DANCING! Though don't worry, the awkward Degrassi dramatic innocence is still there, and as much flash and splash they can fit in, it still definitely feels very Degrassi (though leaning towards the funnier eps rather than a dramatic controversial one).
I'm still not sure exactly when it will air, as The N has only set an August date. CTV will probably air it around the same time.
Oh, and apparently Aubrey Graham (now under his rapper name... uh... something) is rumoured to be dating/only friends with Rihanna? WHAT the!?!
Spring Awakening - National Tour - Canon Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2 (out of 5) Music and Lyrics by Duncan Sheik, Book by Steven Sater, Directed by Michael Mayer, Choreographed by Bill T. Jones Currently in Providence, begins Boston stop next week.
So let's get down to it. Kyle Riabko came back as Melchior for the final week in Toronto.
And Kyle was... very different. Very different than any of the Melchiors I had seen before. Very different than the naive and innocent but strong Matt Doyle. Very different than the sheepishness and shyness of Perry Sherman. Not as bold and upstanding as original Jonathan Groff. And not as alluring as Hunter Parrish.
But Kyle brings a different Melchior to the stage and while it wasn't my favorite of the interpretations, it was still strong in its own way. Kyle's diction is incredibly precise, and he brought on a "British theatre acting" (a term that just sort of came to my head while watching him, even though it doesn't actually refer to anything specific) to the role. He also seems to have a slower rhythm that has less naturalism but seems to bring out a lot more of the humour and comedic beats that Broadway had that had been missing on the tour so far. Kyle's different rhythms seems to also change the rhythms of his fellow cast mates and I found Toronto laughed at very different spots during the final week compared to when Matt Doyle was on. It was interesting to see the little things change so much with the different leads.
Kyle Riabko also tends to have an air of cynicism or seems a bit like a preppy ass (he's smart and he knows it, as opposed to the others who played it as he's smart but didn't know it), it makes his final breakdown at the end far more emotionally compelling and it was probably the most heartfelt and disturbing final scene.
Kyle's voice wasn't as strong as Matt's and he couldn't always hit the high notes on "Mirror Blue Night", yet he did one of the better "Left Behind"'s, which is usually the hardest one to hit.
On some side notes, I noticed that Ben Moss (Ersnt) REALLY stays in character, as twice, during "I Believe", the swinging platform would smash into his face but he refused to move to stay in character along with everyone else. Now THAT'S commitment. Yet slightly horrifying since his gorgeous face CANNOT get damaged.
And "Touch Me" still might be my favorite number. It wasn't the first time but it kept slowly rising up in the ranks. Still love "Mirror Blue Night" and the choreography that goes with it, and "My Junk" is performed with such zest by the touring cast that it started drawing huge applause by the end of the Toronto run (finally!) and brought back the sparkle that song always had for me.
And don't forget, he's only in Spring Awakening until this Sunday, April 12th. No word if Kyle Riabko returns for the last week of the show in Toronto (UPDATE: He'll be back April 14th), but I'm definitely going again to see Matt Doyle's Melchior.
I'm also in love with these boys (as almost illegal as it may be), with Andy Mientus (Hanschen) and Ben Moss (Ersnt) doing a slightly gay version of "The Dark I Know Well" (and excising any of the actual disturbing darkness of the original intention of the song (or at least I hope that was the point)):
Spring Awakening - National Tour - Canon Theatre - Toronto, ON - ****1/2 (out of 5) Music and Lyrics by Duncan Sheik, Book by Steven Sater, Directed by Michael Mayer, Choreographed by Bill T. Jones
... and second, third, fourth... and... fifth time in Toronto (and now 14th overall, my reviews from Broadway here, here, here, here, here, here, and here). Obsessed? A tad. So you get the gist that I REALLY REALLY REALLY like this musical and at this point, I can't really say anything more about the actual musical itself. It's just great, from the lighting to the choreography to the music, it's a great melding of a modern score and current musical songs with an artistic vision shown on a populist musical stage all to tell a tragic story of youth and society.
So really, at this point, while I hate to compare, it comes down to the casts and the differences in performances, interpretations, comedic timing, and strength of voices and overall energy. And while the original cast is basically the gold standard, the current National Touring Cast, with a temporary replacement for the Melchior lead for the Toronto stop (ironically losing the Canadian Kyle Riabko who left the show for a few weeks to film a pilot for ABC), is pretty terrific.
Luckily, while Kyle is away, we have Matt Doyle (looking adorable as Eric's mancandy on Gossip Girl, Bare Album) coming up from Broadway to take over as Melchior and Matt's Melchior is strong and confident much like his voice. Simply AMAZING. Both in performance and voice (and he ain't shabby looking either, eh!?).
Since Matt was still filming Gossip Girl during Spring Awakening's first week in Toronto, ensemble member Perry Sherman took over as Melchior twice. 1st of all, as much as I love original Melchior Jonathan Groff, and then the Hunter Parrish, and now Matt Doyle, the beautiful Perry Sherman does a fine job as an understudy and while their seems to be some nervous trepidation at times, he uses that energy and presents a very different, even more naive, more understanding and tender Melchior than I've ever seen. It's a nice and interesting take and I was again, in love with a new Melchior.
Blake Bashoff (above, Carl on Lost) is terrific as Moritz and has a vibrantly clean pop-punk-band voice.
Former Canadian Idol contestant Steffi D (above) is shockingly good as Ilse. Shockingly I say because since I watched her on Canadian Idol, famed from the little cute bowties in her hair, I could NOT see her in this show, let alone as wildchild Ilse when I heard she was first cast in the role. Steffi D is such a talent though that she excised any cuteness and presents a raw yet tender Ilse yet sings Duncan Sheik's beautiful songs with such a powerful voice that I'm re-evaluating her whole run on Idol).
Ben Moss (above left with Bashoff), the youngest cast member on the tour, definitely has a future with his beautiful voice. Sadly, as Ernst, he doesn't have that many solos. He plays the role tenderly but due to his boy-next-door handsomeness and solid frame, his Ernst seems slightly more in control of his own seduction (by Hanschen) than original Gideon Glick (or replacement Blake Daniel). He does play up his first kiss a little too broadly with an overly acted reaction, but I realized it's the only way to register it to the back of the gigantic Canon Theatre (when I finally sat at the back cheap seats versus the stage seats I saw during the first few viewings).
And herein lies the main problem with the show on tour. At least in Toronto. It's playing at the ginormous Canon Theatre, which really should only house large spectacle spfx shows, and not these intimate more emotionally based musicals that get drowned out by the enormous size of the theatre. While I luckily sat on the stage seats the first few times, I did check out the show at the back of the Mezzanine. On stage, the cast had the same energy as the Broadway cast, though I did find they played up a lot of SOME comedic elements in the show, while others got lost, or unemphasized. Out in the cheap seats, that same high energy gets dampened by the distance, while the overtly comedic parts seemed just right. It's tough for the cast to sell it all to the back of the theatre while keeping the same emotional core to the show, and I still think it was a huge mistake for Mirvish to house Spring Awakening in such a large theatre.
Christy Altomare's Wendla (above, 2nd from right) was lovely and beguiling up close, but all of that seems lost when viewed from high above. Her voice, while not as strong as original Lea Michelle, is still better than Broadway's follow-up replacements, but again, by the time it hit's the back Mezzanine, the simplicity of her voice simply registers as thin. If there is one true disappointment, it's Sarah Hunt's Martha, who doesn't do justice to her song "The Dark I Know Well". In her defense, I have yet find anybody who could kill that song like original Lilli Cooper could. That girl made it truly tragic, but Hunt's is merely evoke's a bit of sadness.
Matt Shingledecker (above, left), who I saw on Broadway, plays Georg on tour. I don't know if he was sick or not but he seemed inconsistent night by night. Some nights his voice was strong as ever, other times, his solo in "Touch Me" seemed frail and tired.
Andy Mientus (above, centre) plays it up as Hanschen and manages to characterize and simplify the role, yet also making everything more clear. In the end, I did like Andy's performance in which he puts an extra little swagger into the cocky Hanschen.
Anthony Lee Medina plays Otto, one of the smaller roles, but he certainly looks like he's having fun, always rocking out at the upmost energy, looking like he's always going to run and fall into the audience (on all 3 sides).
Kimiko Glenn's Thea never manages to illicit a laugh from saying "He's such a RADICAL" just before "My Junk" but her followup hand-covered gasp is a nice touch.
I also have to make a special mention to Jared Stein, the music director who sits at the rear of the stage with the rest of the young band. Never have I seen a more energetic music director (or one so young and so hot!), who looked like he was choreographed into the show as much as every other cast member. Stein was constantly bouncing around, SOOOO into the music, that it was as much fun watching him sometimes as it was to watch the actors.
There's also been some changes in the tour to accommodate the technical requirements, but while it's too bad there had to be some changes made to the graveyard scene, they manage to make it work and still bring in the fog effect. I also noticed a couple of changes in the lighting cues but that's now me getting obsessive again...
So until next time...
(So yes, if I get nitpicky, the production has some flaws and challenges to be met in the large theatre, but overall, none are reasons enough to deny oneself the pleasures of this great musical)
Here's some clips from the cast's performance at The Eaton Centre from last Friday:
So according to the NYTimes, Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) will direct the show for the Berkeley Repertory Theater in California this fall (Sept. 4 through Oct. 11 2009) after rehearsals this summer. (Apparently tickets and show details will be announced on Monday)
Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) is doing the orchestrations, but even more exciting, choreography for the last workshop was by Steven Hoggett who did the mesmerizing Black Watch!!! Seriously, the non-traditional choreography in Black Watch was breathtaking and literally brought tears to my eyes.
No word if American Idiot (which is in fact the name it will actually go by now) The Musical, based on Green Day's album, will ever hit Broadway but I'm sure that's producer Tom Hulce's (who also produced Spring Awakening) hope and long term plan.
Hmm... might be time to make a trip to the Bay area this fall. I've been meaning to visit my friend and her new kids anyways... this might sweeten the deal!
UPDATE: According to playbill, Tony winner John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening) is attached in the cast of 20. No surprise considering Michael Mayer's involvement.
Apparently Mary Faber, Patina Miller, Theo Stockman, Alysha Umphress, Brian Charles Johnson, Gerard Canonico, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and Miguel Cervantes were in the last workshop (though Theo is now in Hair and Patina Miller moves to London for Sister Act so I doubt they will be involved, or at least Miller)
Alright people, I know the economy sucks and you're all trying to save some money, but that doesn't mean you need to hibernate (not that there is anything wrong with that, as you can see my Tapeworthy sidebar, there's plenty of free tv to keep you entertained). Go entertain yourself AND stimulate the economy! (Or go BE an entertainer, more details at the bottom).
In Toronto, cause I know you're all Canadian and cheap... er... fiscally responsible people, and you all tend to be reserved about EVERYTHING and wait until it's a sure thing before you see it, both Dog Sees God and Spring Awakening are offering Student Rush tickets for $25.
For Dog Sees God, $25 student rush starts 30 min. before the show (most shows are 7:30pm and NOT 8pm shows so make note). Cash only but there's pretty much no problem getting them at the door at Six Degrees (which is sort of a large metal indescript door where Yuk Yuk's used to be at Eglinton and Yonge). (And if you're not a student, regular tickets are only $41.50 on weeknights anyways! AND ALL tickets include a drink from the bar!) UPDATE: This Tuesday's show will be PWYC (Pay What You Can)!!!
For Spring Awakening in Toronto, $25 Student rush seats are available 2 hours prior to each performance (12 PM for matinees, 6 PM for evenings) with valid student ID, cash only, in-person the Canon Box office (at the Victoria Street Main Entrance). Limit 1 ticket per person. Wristband policy in effect.
For those who AREN'T students, they just made the Canon Boxes (both Orchestra and Mezzanine) to be $20 side partial view seats but since the show is mostly front loaded in the centre, I doubt you'll miss much. These box seat prices are available to everyone and can be ordered ahead of time. Yes. $20 seats. For EVERYONE and ANYBODY. (They had $25 stage seats but those are now completely sold out for the entire run, save for the 2 they hold back for house seats/rush/who knows). If you want to purchase regular seats, the code "SPRING" still works for 20% off Tuesday thru Thursday performances.
Jersey Boys in Toronto now has eased up on their rush policy. $20.00 Rush Seats are available for purchase at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Box Office beginning two hours prior to the following performances (Cash only, limit 8 rush tickets per person): Tuesday 8:00 pm/Wednesday 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm/Thursday 8:00 pm/Friday 8:00pm/Saturday 2:00pm/Sunday 2:00pm (Basically, all shows except Saturday night). For Saturday 8pm show, there are $20 Partial view seats are available for purchase at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Box Office two hours prior to the following performances:
Anyways, those of you in the US, Sign up with Goldstar for emailed discounts (to many cities around the US). There's always tons of deals that include tours and sporting events in addition to theatre.
In NY, there's always BroadwayBox for promotional discount codes/ coupons (which also has deals for Las Vegas and London to a lesser extent). Or check here for Rush/ Student/ Lottery/ Standing Room deals on Broadway. And Rooms: A Rock Romance Off-Broadway also has deals and student rush apparently. And don't forget the Roundabout Theatre's Hip Tix Program always has $21.50 tickets (2 per person per show, $20 + $1.50 theatre fee, can be prepurchased) for those 35 and under. And the Manhattan Theatre Club has a similar deal (but $30) for those under 30.
In LA, the Center Theatre Group (for shows at the Ahmanson, Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theater) offers $20 Hot Tix, available 3 weeks before the first performance of a show. 2 per person (any age), can be ordered ahead at (213) 628-2772 and use a credit card (with free shipping and no surcharges too!) or on the day of at the box office (cash only). Tickets can be anywhere but generally I've gotten side orchestra seats around the 5th row for the Ahmanson and 2nd last row in the centre section for the small Mark Taper Forum (so they were totally great seats still). But they also started a $20 pricing for almost all shows (except weekends I think) so entire sections of regular seats are only $20 now.
As for London, I have yet to find a great site that compiles the deals (if there are even any). Usually I find each play or musical will only have it listed on their individual site but either they don't list it anymore or there are very few deals to be had right now (surprisingly) because I cannot find ANYTHING. Annoying. At this point, I can only find Concession seats (rush seats in British it seems) for Three Days of Rain (Best available for £21 for students, seniors and the unwaged on the day of). The National Theatre always has £10 deals or rush or standing room or student prices (seriously, there are way too many details). The Wyndham Theatre offers £10 seats in the upper balcony and standing room rush on the day of for the Donmar In the West End productions.
If anybody knows of better sites that compile the deals in London (I can't even find any on the message boards, so maybe there are few?), let me know. So far I've only found this site that seems good at describing each theatre's seating (that compiles info on all the good and bad seats in each of London's theatres).
The So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 2 cross-country auditions are open to all Canadians who, as of April 1, 2009, are of the age of majority in the province/territory in which they reside, and are no older than 30 years of age.
Competitors must be either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. All competitors must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Competitors must be of the age of majority in the province/territory in which they reside and no older than 30 years of age as of April 1, 2009. The age of majority is as follows: 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan; and 19 years of age in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Yukon. All competitors must provide two pieces of identification, including a government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver's license or passport), at the audition. Competitors may bring a non-competing dance partner for purposes of the audition. All competitors must bring with them, along with the proper ID, the signed personal release, the completed preliminary questionnaire, and the music sheet. All will be available at the audition site and for download soon at dance.ctv.ca. All competitors are asked to bring with them the completed music sheet indicating the music they will use in their audition, along with the CD containing the indicated music. All songs must be "original" songs that are commercially available. A song must not be a re-mix of a song, a song downloaded from the Internet, or a competitor-created mix. Competitors will not be permitted to audition in any article of clothing with a visible designer, sports or other logo; artwork; name; photo; or other mark which may be subject to protection by copyright or trademark laws.
I'll rapt lovely (again) soon on the show (UPDATE: Review is up) (but here's my reviews from Broadway here, here, here, here, here, here, oh, and here), but the National Touring cast of Spring Awakening is TERRIFIC! Seriously, I'm in love with a whole new batch of young actors now! But more on how awesome they are later, first off, here's some pics from Toronto's Opening Night's after party! Drink up Matt Doyle (Gossip Girl, Bare Album)! Who joins the cast until April 12th in Toronto! WOO! (And he is simply AMAZING).
Matt Doyle (Melchior), Gabrielle Garza (Anna) and Lucas A. Wells (Ensemble) doing shots (Oh yeah, the drinking age here is 19 so I think a lot of the cast was very excited about this, since they could drink legally now): Perry Sherman (Ensemble and our Melchior on the first night preview (and was GREAT!)) (and yes, that's my sister who I've cut out of the picture! Her request, not mine. I'm not mean): Matt Doyle (our Melchior on the official opening night): Krystina Alabado (Ensemble) and Matt Shingledecker (Georg) Kimiko Glenn (Thea): Gabrielle Garza (Anna): Christy Altomare (Wendla): Blake Bashoff (Moritz): Anthony Lee Medina (Otto) and Andy Mientus (Hanschen): I wish I got photos of Steffi D (Ilse) and Ben Moss (Ernst) but I missed my chance. I have a few more photos but since I'm staying anonymous here, you can see it on facebook if you've friended me (feel free to add me if you can figure out who I am! Or email me especially if you're a longtime reader/commenter and I'll clue you in).
ACK. Just as the tour of Spring Awakening is about to open in Toronto next week (starting on Tuesday March 17th thru April 19th), Canadian lead Kyle Riabko (Instant Star) is apparently leaving the show right away to go film Limelight, the new ABC pilot from McG (The OC) and Pharrell Williams, and written by Gossip Girl's K.J. Steinberg in a SECOND show this year that is a musical drama, this one set in a New York City performing arts high school (like Fame, which incidentally is being re-made for the movies to open later this fall).
I mean, this is great for Kyle Riabko, but sucks for me. I have tickets for next week. BAH! I was so looking forward to seeing Kyle as Melchior. I was hearing such great things. Plus, I guess it makes his long awaited documentary Kyle Riabko: The Lead irrelevant now, as it finally airs on Sunday, March 15th at 8pm on BravoCanada. "The Prairies meet Broadway when a young Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist from Saskatchewan takes Broadway by storm" "Airing just days before Kyle takes the stage in the Canadian theatre debut of Spring Awakening in Toronto". Oops. Not anymore.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE: Thanks to Keira for the news, she caught this from Matt Doyle's blog (and one of the few actors blogs that I enjoy following, though Keira caught the news first). As in, my ADORABLE MATT DOYLE who I have LOVED since I saw him in the original Broadway cast of Spring Awakening, and since has become Eric's boyfriend on Gossip Girl. He's COMING TO TORONTO to replace Kyle! Love you Kyle but THIS IS THE BEST FREAKING NEWS EVER!. And it seems Kyle will only be gone until April 12th, which means he will be back for the final week? Maybe!? Then I'll get to see him too!?? (I have tickets that week too. In fact, I'll be there a LOT so if you see me, feel free to say hi!)
I'm actually really pissed off.UPDATE I WAS really pissed off but now all is good again!
Though I guess Matt Shingledecker is taking over as Melchior now? He was great when I saw him on Broadway (though not as Melchior). UPDATE I guess not.
At this point, I thought I was going to see the three main Melchiors (original Jonathan Groff, replacement and tour Riabko, eventual replacement and closing night Melchior Hunter Parrish) but alas, I won't get that chance because fame has taken Riabko away.
Still, it's a nice big step up from Instant Star.
He leaves his girlfriend and fellow Canadian (and uh, ironically from Canadian Idol, the show that Instant Star mocked) Steffi D. (Ilse) in the show.
Plus there's always the National Tour around America (currently heading to Des Moines, IA and then Minneapolis, MN and on) and will make one stop in Canada in Toronto in March and April later this spring. (Tickets go on sale for the Toronto run starting Saturday, January 31st! and join the Toronto Guilty Ones on Facebook! (Run by my friend Tamara! Though I would shamelessly promote it anyways because I'm a little obsessed with the show as you may have noticed)).
In it's 859 performances and 29 previews on Broadway over the 2 years and 2 month run, I managed to see it 9 times while Spring Awakening ran on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. While it hasn't beaten my record of seeing Rent 11 times, that was over an 11 year period (though mostly over 3 years and then once more in 2007), so I will probably surpass my Rent record during the Toronto run (or at least tie it since I already have my subscription tickets plus I will have to do stage seats at LEAST once).
The Good Wife (Season 2) CBS/Global 10pm ****1/2 (Low: 4)
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Tapeworthy Shows On Hiatus
Grade system
***** - 5 Stars TAPEWORTHY AND WILL watch it LIVE for fear the recording will mess up. Do not attempt to call or try to make plans during this time.
**** - 4 Stars Tapeworthy and I will TRY to watch it LIVE
*** - 3 Stars Tapeworthy, will watch it live if I'm around but if not, will catch it later in the week.
** - 2 Stars Might tape it to watch later as long as I have space and no conflicting shows that have higher priority.
* - 1 Star Won't tape it but if I need something to watch while I fold my laundry (and I'm done all my tapes), I will watch it (ie. Reba).
0 - 0 Stars Will NOT turn on the TV for fear of coming across this show. (ie. According to Jim).
Grades only reflect current new airings. Does not necessarily apply to previous seasons. Grades are subject to change at any moment. Apologies to TV Gal for half borrowing her system.
So we love Jonathan Groff on Glee don't we? Yah, who wouldn't. 
Here's his audition video singing "Rehab".
