The Sound of Music LIVE! (2013)

As you may have known, last night was The Sound of Music LIVE! on NBC. Even though I can count on one hand how many times I've seen the 1965 film, I definitely enjoy it, even if it's not one of my top favorites. It's not hard to see why it's such a classics, though, and so I was excited when I heard the were doing to be broadcasting the stage version live on NBC.

Knowing that this was going to be the stage version adapted for television, I wasn't worried about story and songs being different or anything like that. Being a Broadway fan, just being able to see something like this is exciting and fun!

A Whole New World Coming to Broadway

You all know how I love Disney, but what you probably don't know is that Aladdin is my favorite Disney animated film. Even though it wasn't one of the movies I watched over and over and over again (Toy Story 2 wins for most watched movie in our house), it's always been a favorite of mine. I thing it's mostly to do with the songs. They're really catchy. 

Because of that, I'm super duper excited that they're turning it into a Broadway musical.

Adventures of Cinderella Stars Laura and Santino

In my final post for Celebrate Musicals Week I'm talking about the leading couple in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella: Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana. Basically there are lots of photos of Laura and Santino, with some thoughts of my own and some interview questions I found online thrown in. So without further ado, let the awesome-ness begin!

'Ten Minutes Ago' Comparison

Ten Minutes Ago is probably the most well known song from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, and is one of my personal favorites. I decided to do a comparison of the four different versions and see which one I liked best. 

The 1957 version with Julie Andrews:

(Starts at :53)

Although I like this version, it's not my favorite. Dancing scenes are my favorite, so I'm kinda sad that most of the song was them standing, but I'm happy they at least have them dancing near the end. At least they put more emotion into their characters while the were singing, unlike the 1965 version.

The Cinderella Costume Comparison

Instead of focusing on all the outfits in one version, I decided I would compare the same costumes from four different versions. There will be a photo of each dress and I'll share below what I think of each one. There are three different comparisons and I would had done a few more, but it's really hard to find photos of the older versions so there are only three comparisons below. 

All of the images will be in chronological order:
-1957 TV version with Julie Andrews
-1956 TV version with Lesley Ann Warren
-1997 TV version with Brandy Norwood
-2013 Broadway version with Laura Osnes

The Ballgown

Between the four, there really is quite the variety of styles. Julie's ballgown is very elegant and the flow-y back looks really pretty on film as it floats behind her coming down the staircase. The neckline also really pretty, but the skirt part is a little too straight and simple for me, considering this is Cinderella and all. The long gloves add to the elegance as well.

Cinderella on Broadway

This post could also be titled "The Post in Which I Share Bazillions of My Favorite Cinderella Photos". But ya know, that was a bit to long.

Although I was very vaguely familiar with the 1957 version of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (basically, I knew it existed and Julie Andrews was in it, and that was all), it wasn't 'till the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last year when cast performed Impossible and Ten Minutes Ago that I really discovered it. I was really excited that Cinderella was coming to Broadway and from the numbers they did it already looked great! Then I forgot about it until late March, the month it debuted. Since then I've been keeping up with it, watching videos clips and behind the scenes videos, looking up photos on Pinterest, and eagerly waited for the official album to come out, which is AMAZING! The show will be touring in 2014 (Whaaaa! So excited!) which I plan on seeing as long as they come to Seattle.

The Beginners Guide to R+H's Cinderella

This week I'll be joining in on Celebrate Musical Week at Another Period Drama Blog. The idea is to pick one musical and write about it several times this week. Being such a big musical fan I though it would be fun to join in, so for this week be prepared for all sorts of awesomeness from Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella.

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We're all familiar with the story of Cinderella: a young woman forced to be a servant by her cruel and selfish stepmother and stepsisters, yet dreams of a better life. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is transformed into a princess and finds her prince.The R+H version is the story that classic fairy tale that they put their own spin on and filled with spectacular songs.

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein were genius' when it came to writing musicals and Cinderella was no exception. Their shows were originally written for the stage and later on most of them were made into films as well. And although The Sound of Music, The King and I, and South Pacific may be some of the most popular and well known shows they wrote, in my opinion this is one of, if not the best musical they wrote.

To start off the week I though go over the history of the show, which spans over 50 years!

And now I present: