tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74446469830103084492024-03-05T23:52:20.320-05:00Flower Crowns and Revolutionaries Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comBlogger518125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-13732614961254076322022-09-22T14:06:00.001-04:002022-09-22T14:06:42.792-04:00It's Time to Talk about Cassian Andor (Guest Post by Hannah Ackman)<p><i> My sister Hannah Ackman wrote a <a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/12/ranking-every-star-wars-movie-guest.html" target="_blank">guest post</a> last year ranking all of the Star Wars films. She's a huge fan of the franchise, and as her favorite movie is Rogue One, she was particularly excited about the new Andor series. Of course, I wanted to give her a platform to share her thoughts. </i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_AohBCvm72e10LM2pkHIz06o03BI3wk0BOQPcpV5ZZV2t4JGyy2v7FSd5DOzo5n3-LrOTzLp3ZqldhnRasV_kfF9mpYQBITS37nvT_hK9LO1-Pu1MvTm78602yp3QMiae6YqOEKRq2k131hQORyccDPJKJ68wbFsuaymBpu-nL57TrtX0B6-gcDO/s2000/andor_114a_tt_fin02_bleed_b8e89d4e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_AohBCvm72e10LM2pkHIz06o03BI3wk0BOQPcpV5ZZV2t4JGyy2v7FSd5DOzo5n3-LrOTzLp3ZqldhnRasV_kfF9mpYQBITS37nvT_hK9LO1-Pu1MvTm78602yp3QMiae6YqOEKRq2k131hQORyccDPJKJ68wbFsuaymBpu-nL57TrtX0B6-gcDO/w640-h360/andor_114a_tt_fin02_bleed_b8e89d4e.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>NOTE: This review does not contain spoilers since the show just came out. While I do discuss the show, everything mentioned specifically has been said in interviews or trailers published before the release date. Please know there are spoilers for <i>Rogue One</i>. </p><p></p><p><i></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWJV_m1ZFgxruUgQNFG12ny4VLkH_uaFr8N27wP-jtJgyc3cm05Rq2jmg9Sa8HL3lEuOjZ37iVTvOifdp9c4HvuO6NftalbiU1fq4LaoK6aI7gd0DA5pAYqF-vcbh5YJUzR5IaanUPtLBH0i9vMWt3a08vPeUMRfWjMbqs7DZZq4l3r1WZ_dUT7Lf/s2856/pgm-ff-000012_a_4b9711e4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="2856" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWJV_m1ZFgxruUgQNFG12ny4VLkH_uaFr8N27wP-jtJgyc3cm05Rq2jmg9Sa8HL3lEuOjZ37iVTvOifdp9c4HvuO6NftalbiU1fq4LaoK6aI7gd0DA5pAYqF-vcbh5YJUzR5IaanUPtLBH0i9vMWt3a08vPeUMRfWjMbqs7DZZq4l3r1WZ_dUT7Lf/w640-h360/pgm-ff-000012_a_4b9711e4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>If you didn’t already know, I am a massive <i>Rogue One</i> fan. Cassian Andor is one of my favorite Star Wars men, so much so that my Nissan Rogue car is named after him. I could not have been more excited to see Diego Luna again in the Star Wars universe, and I am already mourning that we only have 9 episodes left (there will be 12 total). </p><p></p><p>Andor takes place five years before <i>Rogue One</i> and four years after the Obi-Wan show. At the time that we are watching Cassian become a rebel, Jyn Erso is on the run, having been abandoned by Saw Gerrera a year prior. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS17lrWwU_AKX_39nLKrxaXJTYhxIcQj7WJuGBQ4Sxnw9XtOxkdXH0z66P6Boa_bTMro7pJFso1l-0Gk-HyBVrAo3CpG1KZWSiKcf2B7g_LtRTE8yG6z-qpcbUxYzi_O8TYZg4zuLmRP7GAqyuP5z9q9Qtq683qfNclpG9VNytHNDkzJEFZoSpsqF/s3840/PGM-FF-002392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1604" data-original-width="3840" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS17lrWwU_AKX_39nLKrxaXJTYhxIcQj7WJuGBQ4Sxnw9XtOxkdXH0z66P6Boa_bTMro7pJFso1l-0Gk-HyBVrAo3CpG1KZWSiKcf2B7g_LtRTE8yG6z-qpcbUxYzi_O8TYZg4zuLmRP7GAqyuP5z9q9Qtq683qfNclpG9VNytHNDkzJEFZoSpsqF/w640-h268/PGM-FF-002392.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Besides having some of the same characters as <i>Rogue One</i>, the whole show has the same utilitarian and dystopian vibe. The costuming is amazing and consistent, but it is also used to show rank or positions among the different characters. Surprisingly, the actors have very varying ages, and they don’t stick in the 20-30 year-old range like usual. It’s very feminist without pushing for it, while at the same time, it made me grasp that everyone is essentially just a soldier for their cause. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSJ1MfhGXBK_lRThMP3sJLLJaQLjsD2xKeWZ00BCn_8rv2uJG4WafWI_NTs8EVcVJpcef2FcYhAfUarl-nqQkMK6mFDWrr_MHupj4sJBocnlH9EstZSCiwcMeaUZbnNAjuWWfO8al6WqmZVqnNVkiw8dsOPfyI12Z5M49eN9illmWArlDMHYM-QI-/s3840/PGM-FF-002389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1604" data-original-width="3840" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSJ1MfhGXBK_lRThMP3sJLLJaQLjsD2xKeWZ00BCn_8rv2uJG4WafWI_NTs8EVcVJpcef2FcYhAfUarl-nqQkMK6mFDWrr_MHupj4sJBocnlH9EstZSCiwcMeaUZbnNAjuWWfO8al6WqmZVqnNVkiw8dsOPfyI12Z5M49eN9illmWArlDMHYM-QI-/w640-h268/PGM-FF-002389.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In <i>Rogue One</i>, Cassian says “We’ve all done bad things for the rebellion,” and I think we are going to see what drove him to that point where he is willing to kill, fight, and even sacrifice his own life for the greater good. Shockingly, we also are getting an insight into the Empire and their feelings as humans rather than just officers and troopers. The line “That’s what a reckoning sounds like,” in my opinion, almost characterizes the show. It’s a struggle, and it's messy, but lines of love and family are at the foreground too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2ZNmTy4bi7vC_CLuSP8XQL2vMppyB02tPvmBhj7R0BofDoJuUByKV9QWGWnBXwrkjdWvQKJrBWie7UQSC-TQi9-TpHOtGYnpLapDOH4wpNx6ZAOhsKq6uszQnRZXJqgBq6cRXncorskEz746kRvRI3atevUZ3uTKaY4Syt9ZunqaTrmalVKBNUc6/s3840/PGM-FF-002390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="3840" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2ZNmTy4bi7vC_CLuSP8XQL2vMppyB02tPvmBhj7R0BofDoJuUByKV9QWGWnBXwrkjdWvQKJrBWie7UQSC-TQi9-TpHOtGYnpLapDOH4wpNx6ZAOhsKq6uszQnRZXJqgBq6cRXncorskEz746kRvRI3atevUZ3uTKaY4Syt9ZunqaTrmalVKBNUc6/w640-h266/PGM-FF-002390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Personally, I thought <i>Andor</i> was absolutely magical, and I can’t wait to see more. </p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-65287666709108955562022-03-26T13:31:00.002-04:002022-03-26T13:31:37.399-04:00My 2021 Oscar Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDqVkhqmHzjyIITSWHMf_96UbEkqy7j7L5qXcWeNUD1RDwAZDJGcKDflFkQQwmRMrjrHPyttnkAp_GN9uuO9RqHT8T_VufkWaMVzRhcRaV4kOkrNKdhzFY74PuqZsznBs-sztVhrw6Tyf3DjQw_Ik8WuYbDanNqmxTDnxd_alz8ZdWpxQ5j7sDxLe/s2688/oscars.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="2688" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDqVkhqmHzjyIITSWHMf_96UbEkqy7j7L5qXcWeNUD1RDwAZDJGcKDflFkQQwmRMrjrHPyttnkAp_GN9uuO9RqHT8T_VufkWaMVzRhcRaV4kOkrNKdhzFY74PuqZsznBs-sztVhrw6Tyf3DjQw_Ik8WuYbDanNqmxTDnxd_alz8ZdWpxQ5j7sDxLe/w640-h256/oscars.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It sort of felt like the Oscars would never come around this year, I won't lie. While I've enjoyed so many of the films from 2021, I'm also excited to move on from these predictions and get into a new year of film. Obviously, I very much have my fingers crossed for Kenneth Branagh to win anything and everything he's nominated for. </div><div><br /><b>Best Picture</b><br />Prediction: CODA<br />Alternate: The Power of the Dog</div><div>My Winner: Belfast<br /><b><br /></b><b>Best Director</b><br />Prediction: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog<br />Alternate: Kenneth Branagh, Belfast</div><div>My Winner: Kenneth Branagh, Belfast<br /><br /><b>Best Actor</b><br />Prediction: Will Smith, King Richard<br />Alternate: Andrew Garfield, tick, tick...BOOM! </div><div>My Winner: Andrew Garfield, tick, tick...BOOM! </div><div><br /><b>Best Actress</b><br />Prediction: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye<br />Alternate: Kristen Stewart, Spencer</div><div>My Winner: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye </div><div><br /><b>Best Supporting Actor</b><br />Prediction: Troy Kotsur, CODA<br />Alternate: Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog</div><div>My Winner: Troy Kotsur, CODA<br /><br /><b>Best Supporting Actress</b><br />Prediction: Ariana DeBose, West Side Story<br />Alternate: Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog</div><div>My Winner: Ariana DeBose, West Side Story<br /><br /><b>Best Adapted Screenplay</b><br />Prediction: CODA<br />Alternate: The Power of the Dog</div><div>My Winner: Dune<br /><br /><b>Best Original Screenplay</b><br />Prediction: Belfast<br />Alternate: Licorice Pizza</div><div>My Winner: Belfast<br /><br /><b>Best Cinematography</b><br />Prediction: Dune<br />Alternate: The Power of the Dog</div><div>My Winner: Dune<br /><br /><b>Best Costume Design</b><br />Prediction: Cruella<br />Alternate: Dune</div><div>My Winner: Cyrano<br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Best Film Editing</b><br />Prediction: tick, tick...BOOM!<br />Alternate: King Richard</div><div>My Winner: tick, tick...BOOM!<br /><br /><b>Best Makeup and Hairstyling </b><br />Prediction: The Eyes of Tammy Faye<br />Alternate: Dune</div><div>My Winner: Dune<br /><br /><b>Best Production Design</b><br />Prediction: Dune<br />Alternate: Nightmare Alley</div><div>My Winner: Dune<br /><br /><b>Best Sound</b><br />Prediction: Dune<br />Alternate: No Time to Die</div><div>My Winner: Dune<br /></div><div><br /><b>Best Visual Effects</b><br />Prediction: Dune<br />Alternate: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings</div><div>My Winner: Dune<br /><br /><b>Best Score</b><br />Prediction: Dune<br />Alternate: The Power of the Dog </div><div>My Winner: Encanto<br /><br /><b>Best Original Song</b><br />Prediction: Encanto<br />Alternate: No Time to Die</div><div>My Winner: Encanto<br /><br /><b>Best Documentary Feature</b><br />Prediction: Summer of Soul<br />Alternate: Flee</div><div>My Winner: Flee<br /><br /><b>Best Animated Feature</b><br />Prediction: Encanto<br />Alternate: Flee</div><div>My Winner: Encanto<br /><br /><b>Best International Film</b><br />Prediction: Drive My Car<br />Alternate: The Worst Person in the World</div><div>My Winner: Flee<br /><br /><b>Best Animated Short</b><br />Prediction: Robin Robin<br />Alternate: The Windshield Wiper</div><div><br /><b>Best Documentary Short</b><br />Prediction: The Queen of Basketball<br />Alternate: Audible</div><div><br /><b>Best Live-Action Short</b><br />Prediction: The Long Goodbye<br />Alternate: Please Hold</div><div>My Winner: The Long Goodbye<br /><br />Let me know what you think will win the Oscars on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/nicoleackman16" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. x</div>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-80232267966911864552021-10-04T08:00:00.001-04:002021-10-04T08:00:00.181-04:00Review: Going the Distance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E9xpO7yIsHECAp7wil1t59j5a0pJVGk-_JIEFFUg1sEJu8gIn82ufuKJnuc703EEseSOkGloUvFkQ8q0IDT8XLAg_uPfUKRNDWCqQrSIiqOZHzJLYVErVYiStDydOTHzDo95rbEega4/s1920/Penny+Ryder+and+Nicole+Evans+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E9xpO7yIsHECAp7wil1t59j5a0pJVGk-_JIEFFUg1sEJu8gIn82ufuKJnuc703EEseSOkGloUvFkQ8q0IDT8XLAg_uPfUKRNDWCqQrSIiqOZHzJLYVErVYiStDydOTHzDo95rbEega4/s16000/Penny+Ryder+and+Nicole+Evans+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" /></a></div><p>After seeing theaters shut down for so long during the quarantine, it's easy to get emotional thinking about what they mean to people. "Going the Distance" taps into that emotion with a story of a community theater trying to mount a new adaptation of L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz story. This fully digital production is a collaboration between the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, The Dukes, and The Watermill Theatre. </p><p>This production follows other successful digital co-productions by Henry Filloux-Bennett including "<a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/11/review-what-carve-up.html" target="_blank">What A Carve Up!</a>" and "<a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2021/03/review-picture-of-dorian-gray.html" target="_blank">The Picture of Dorian Gray</a>." Felicity Montagu directs from a script by Filloux-Bennett and Yasmeen Khan. </p><p>The Matchborough Community Theatre knows that they don't have much money left, but they are determined to save their local venue with a fundraising production of a new play. But problems arise immediately from a demanding diva, a fighting writer and director, and a PR lady with a power complex. From their initial planning meeting over Zoom (a very nice touch) to their rehearsals in the theatre, we're taken along every step of the way. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYOmTYmlwY6x89TCWzGbN_ly1xU65QcCNtsor4n82czhm0tbEoe_UfOh7lGxuDCWnOFi5HTOZlDu3VNgl0Kf28R0ji2kCLt3iHqHK_wjV41mxHsUNl13XfbKIa_RDZ3TsgrQM3kpO8eE/s1920/Shobna+Gulati+and+Matthew+Kelly+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYOmTYmlwY6x89TCWzGbN_ly1xU65QcCNtsor4n82czhm0tbEoe_UfOh7lGxuDCWnOFi5HTOZlDu3VNgl0Kf28R0ji2kCLt3iHqHK_wjV41mxHsUNl13XfbKIa_RDZ3TsgrQM3kpO8eE/s16000/Shobna+Gulati+and+Matthew+Kelly+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" /></a></div><p>Matthew Kelly plays the gruff Frank, who has been roped into directing the production, but he's at odds with writer Vic, played by Shobna Gulati. Sarah Hadland is great as Rae, who is desperate to gain control and one of my favorite choices in the whole show is how she keeps checking her own appearance in the camera during the Zoom meeting. </p><p>Nicole Evans brings the perfect amount of obnoxious leading lady energy to Billie and Penny Ryder is endearing as Maggie, the older woman on the staff who is roped into playing a role in the production. But much of the heart of the production comes from the interactions between Emma McDonald as Gail, the young woman playing Dorothy, and Merch Husey as her friend Kem. </p><p>McDonald was one of the best parts of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and the same is definitely true here. She brings real heart to the production as a young woman who has never been involved in theatre before but has a beautiful voice. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSEHPfr_z6aBE-c-5_nFAEsYg8DXBS7PMf5F-IFl39Lm_bdZVwTQsSZAm7qOrr2uSjpVl5995fYStWKD384drRabcnlP72ryDeg93oEmI5k1RKXWKsicgrdxYgZd5EQ-busyHtWYHKz0/s1920/Sarah+Hadland+and+Shobna+Gulati+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSEHPfr_z6aBE-c-5_nFAEsYg8DXBS7PMf5F-IFl39Lm_bdZVwTQsSZAm7qOrr2uSjpVl5995fYStWKD384drRabcnlP72ryDeg93oEmI5k1RKXWKsicgrdxYgZd5EQ-busyHtWYHKz0/s16000/Sarah+Hadland+and+Shobna+Gulati+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" /></a></div><p>In between the scenes of the show, Stephen Fry provides context as the narrator with additional images and video. The format is clearly a hybrid of theatre and film, seemingly somewhere in between the two and its own new genre. </p><p>If you book a ticket, you will receive a link that allows you to view the show for 48 hours. It's very convenient, even for people like me who aren't in the same time zone as the United Kingdom because it allows for flexibility. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEdpgw2Wm5PtIE5Xvny37nL-NyjJ2oa6_MNetwXqkB6OqEPAy74zZuZd3Agj8Rx6Fu0KVj_S4pZFeYTSiO2FSckkm953EREvaIpBcUKd80UpZW7RJPZoyRvporfJ_13l-CAUOE3x6B30/s1920/Emma+McDonald+1+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEdpgw2Wm5PtIE5Xvny37nL-NyjJ2oa6_MNetwXqkB6OqEPAy74zZuZd3Agj8Rx6Fu0KVj_S4pZFeYTSiO2FSckkm953EREvaIpBcUKd80UpZW7RJPZoyRvporfJ_13l-CAUOE3x6B30/s16000/Emma+McDonald+1+-+Going+the+Distance+-+Credit+Dennis+Madden+%2526+James+Rees.jpg" /></a></div><p>The show does an excellent job of combining humor and real emotion, particularly as it touches on loss during coronavirus and the ways in which the quarantine has affected our theaters. It's also an excellent reminder of the need to support our theaters right now as those that have survived the last nineteen months are still likely struggling to stay afloat. One way to support theatre? Buy a ticket to this show. </p><div>You can find more information and buy virtual tickets <a href="http://www.goingthedistanceplay.com" target="_blank">here</a>. The show runs from October 4 to 17. </div><div><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p></div>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-79730549175088059662021-08-19T09:12:00.001-04:002021-08-19T09:12:20.187-04:00Review: (It's Been 76 Years and We're) Still Waiting for Lefty, Hollywood Fringe <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOFTIO0617_sGIBm_jKxhdhgqL3i5Jf7-hoHHBbLoSfNmp5jbX7854G1UL6h_2sWu1aDg7XVxG6jDJEYxTPw_7flkd0wmcfeQ0opZVZuZgbFcdKi-bfaa_nNwOVHWg85tjrbA1i3UCSc/s1000/IMG_3822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOFTIO0617_sGIBm_jKxhdhgqL3i5Jf7-hoHHBbLoSfNmp5jbX7854G1UL6h_2sWu1aDg7XVxG6jDJEYxTPw_7flkd0wmcfeQ0opZVZuZgbFcdKi-bfaa_nNwOVHWg85tjrbA1i3UCSc/s16000/IMG_3822.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><p>RATING: ★★★★</p><p>In 1935, Clifford Odets's "Waiting for Lefty" premiered in New York City. Odets's first play to be produced, it was a response to the New York Taxi Driver Strike of 1934 in the form of a series of vignettes highlighting issues and experiences related to the strike. The play was popular with audiences, even garnering a West End production the following year. But, as "(It's Been 76 Years and We're) Still Waiting for Lefty" questions, "Do you think this play inspired any change or are we all still waiting?" </p><p>Gregory Crafts's play is a response to "Waiting for Lefty" and an exploration of the modern issues facing American society today. Now playing at the Hollywood Fringe, it utilizes the same format of vignettes that Odets did to showcase a range of characters and problems. Written by Crafts, the show is based on a concept by Richard Piatt, who also directs. It also contains original music by Michael Teoli and poetry by Wade F. Wilson in between scenes. </p><p>"Still Waiting for Lefty" opens with someone filming a YouTube video with a ring light. As he talks about "Waiting for Lefty," other performers go through movement on the main part of the stage. It's a great introduction to the play for anyone unfamiliar with it and a clever way to make sure the audience understands what this play is inspired by. (I personally had heard of it, but have never seen it performed.) The video supposedly being made can be watched on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owexwyt7s88 " target="_blank">YouTube</a>. </p><div>The scenes address many of the major problems that we face today in America: racism, corruption, exploitation of workers, COVID-19, and political strife. The first two vignettes were my personal favorites. In the first, Jose (Joe Luis Cedillo) is an Amazon driver who is frustrated with his poor treatment at work. He tells his wife, Edna (Leesette Gloria Medina), of the way that he cannot do anything while driving without being penalized, even changing the radio station.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFU2zafAmDx8r5cBsyit9FEwi-gG5mkE947SUTjdIIblTjMMtEnvlzVjRONni9Pr_Z8AQpkRNGu98lStiU-49ooBaR52YO3pWJpZdC5SIKurmOg6BotjDPuFHm2hR15AT5fBzSoC6G50/s1000/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFU2zafAmDx8r5cBsyit9FEwi-gG5mkE947SUTjdIIblTjMMtEnvlzVjRONni9Pr_Z8AQpkRNGu98lStiU-49ooBaR52YO3pWJpZdC5SIKurmOg6BotjDPuFHm2hR15AT5fBzSoC6G50/s16000/IMG_3824.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>However, she cannot understand his problems as she has her own concerns: having been let go from her job and caring for their young daughter. She's more focused on the fear that he will lose his job and they will no longer have health insurance. When he talks about joining with his coworkers who are trying to unionize, she tells him he needs to just do better at his job. </div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, the treatment of Amazon employees has been a hot topic over the past few months, but this is also an interesting look at the issues that workers face when they are caught between the desire to try to improve their working conditions and the pressure placed on them by their family to ensure that they don't lose their work. In an economy where decent jobs with good pay and benefits is hard to find, this scene shows what a difficult situation that puts workers in. </div><div><br /></div><div>The second scene, centered around a pair of siblings who have been estranged due to their political beliefs, was a lot more familiar to me. I'm lucky not to have experienced this, but I have friends who are at odds with their family for similar issues. Ashley (Courtney Sara Bell) doesn't want to see her brother Will (Michael J. Lutheran) who is visiting, despite her fiancé Lana (Leah Verrill) encouraging her. She hasn't spoken to him since he voted for Trump a second time, so he's surprised to find out that she's met someone and gotten engaged during quarantine. </div><div><br /></div><div>When Lana invites him to their apartment, a confrontation breaks out between Ashley and Will. Despite reminiscing about their childhood together, they cannot see eye to eye. He wishes that she would understand that he voted for Trump "because of the economy," but she cannot reconcile that with her identity as a gay woman. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkNVsivBXFLGeVwBoF-uxThvNjmEn5b7JaTNoySmCLWg2-ZYl4PnJiXBpM1OHOJZM-XBfg4AC84aVe66ZSI9XbPO9xne5DEVeFUoBT46ywRw7M_wjHx8MHJ12UeWQhu7PFJ7cD-AAAyY/s1000/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkNVsivBXFLGeVwBoF-uxThvNjmEn5b7JaTNoySmCLWg2-ZYl4PnJiXBpM1OHOJZM-XBfg4AC84aVe66ZSI9XbPO9xne5DEVeFUoBT46ywRw7M_wjHx8MHJ12UeWQhu7PFJ7cD-AAAyY/s16000/IMG_3825.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lana is also very concerned about coronavirus and her discussion of variants and conspiracy theories feels very up-to-date. Both this worry about the virus and the conflict over one family member insisting that politics aren't personal, while the other person's rights are at stake are sadly major parts of our lives today. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can go see "Still Waiting for Lefty" in person at the Hollywood Fringe or you can watch it online. The virtual stream isn't perfect, or as well shot as some of the more formal livestream theatre (like the National Theatre Lives), but it's plenty decent to be able to see the show. There were a couple of moments when it was difficult to hear something, but that's understandable given the format.</div><div><br /></div><div>Craft's writing creates believable, but snappy dialogue while the performances find empathy for the characters. If the conflicts can sometimes feel like one person is very obviously in the right and the other in the wrong, that says more about the state of our country than the writing. Bell's performance as Ashley was the standout for me, as she perfectly brought to life her internal conflict. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOhvm0jUlFk3uqDSiMGRLNN8QbPFoXOCChsSWv1BgXce3b-42RMTRHN4qkYa4ILmudWGfrE3Mxez4s41WuWVumz9jh59rBDCwln-Ug1wLMCVzFNsbYSpKejABrzsHuHzqnqyxE7HxsKg/s1000/IMG_3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOhvm0jUlFk3uqDSiMGRLNN8QbPFoXOCChsSWv1BgXce3b-42RMTRHN4qkYa4ILmudWGfrE3Mxez4s41WuWVumz9jh59rBDCwln-Ug1wLMCVzFNsbYSpKejABrzsHuHzqnqyxE7HxsKg/s16000/IMG_3823.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>You can find more information and buy in-person or virtual tickets <a href="https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/7146?review_id=34194&tab=reviews" target="_blank">here</a>. The show has performances on August 20 and August 25. </div><div><p><i>Photo Credit: Matt Kamimura </i></p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p></div>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-25252838725363379752021-05-21T08:00:00.003-04:002021-05-22T10:00:05.563-04:00Interview: TRACY SALLOWS, Curious & Rare<p>Tracy Sallows is an actor who has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in television and film. This fall, she has a recurring role as Susan Duntsch in the NBC miniseries, <i>Dr. Death. </i>She is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre workshop in New York City where she wrote the book, music, and lyrics to <i>Curious & Rare</i>. This exciting new musical tells the life story of English paleontologist Mary Anning. Today is actually Mary Anning's 222nd birthday, so it's the perfect time to learn more about this show and the writer behind it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFNytlPnyZpwSqF75nkOMP1MSeyY9FSm9kj_RjKimD4fnpficznhngZmbTQO6OjQV3w2MyGVj-6_T2f1B0TKoR_EYMcXHe26s3WHIZZfsSTDoeFHf0f_BLJvzJAjYpoFIIwZfLIhYJJk/s750/Tracy2020headshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFNytlPnyZpwSqF75nkOMP1MSeyY9FSm9kj_RjKimD4fnpficznhngZmbTQO6OjQV3w2MyGVj-6_T2f1B0TKoR_EYMcXHe26s3WHIZZfsSTDoeFHf0f_BLJvzJAjYpoFIIwZfLIhYJJk/w320-h400/Tracy2020headshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p><b>When and how did you first become interested in theatre? </b></p><p>I was lucky enough to have parents who really enjoyed going to the theatre. The first musical they took me to was <i>Irene </i>with Jane Powell. I don't remember much beyond "Alice Blue Gown," but the second musical they took me to was <i>Annie </i>and I learned it by heart. I loved musicals, but came to find that I have an alto/contralto voice, and outside of "Send in the Clowns" and Ursula the Sea Witch, there isn't a lot for women in that range, certainly not for young women. I trained at the Acting Conservatory program at SUNY Purchase and sang in cabarets there and did a lot of plays and plays with music (like <i>The Hostage, Dark of the Moon, Under Milkwood</i>) after I graduated. </p><p><b>How did you get involved in writing for musical theatre? </b></p><p>I was at the Guthrie Theatre doing <i>The Glass Menagerie </i>and <i>Cymbeline </i>and the theatre was planning a comedic cabaret so I wrote some parodies for them and they went over well. Back in New York City, I started writing and performing original comedic songs and sketches for a comedy troupe that performed Monday nights when we were off from the theatre. My friend, Kerry O'Malley, who is a Broadway actor (or you might know her from TV like <i>Snowpiercer </i>and <i>Why Women Kill</i>), heard my songs, loved my writing, and suggested I audition for the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and work on writing a full length show. I got in, made it through the first two years, and got into the Advanced Class where I started writing <i>Curious & Rare</i>. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/94Qo768Ku_w" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><b>How did you first discover Mary Anning and what drew you to her? </b></p><p>Some years ago, I was at the gift shop of the Montauk Lighthouse on Long Island looking for a book for my daughter and came across a children's book about little Mary Anning finding an Ichthyosaur in 1811. I thought it must be fiction - surely I would have heard of her if she had been real! I went home and Googled her and just kind of fell down the rabbit hole researching her. </p><p>At a time when a poor girl's future would most likely entail being a servant if she was lucky, a scullery maid or worse if she wasn't, Mary Anning was fortunate enough to have been born on what would later be called the Jurassic Coast of England, to a cabinet maker father who was interested in collecting fossil "curiosities" and who was a Dissenter, one of the few religions that taught girls as well as boys to read and write. Luckily for all of us, Richard Anning's inclusion of his daughter gave her another path. </p><p>Mary's story gripped me in many ways. While our careers are markedly different, some of the occupational hazards that she was presented with because of being passionately driven in her work, resonated with me. I am very fortunate; I have a husband and a daughter and have managed to keep working, but actors very often don't get to have families. The financial instability, the moving from job to job (if you're lucky), the impermanence of your locations don't make relationships easy. </p><p>Many female actors look younger than they are and the majority of roles for women are still in the younger demographic, so there is pressure to work while you can, as long as you can, and many put off having a family even if they want one. It is easy to see how Mary would have had to give up her work and who she was if she had wanted to get married, given the societal constraints in the early 1800s. Also, it may be that after seeing her mother lose eight out of ten children in infancy, she simply didn't want to put herself through it. Being dedicated to a career comes at a cost, but giving it up comes at a cost too. </p><p>The Annings also remind me of a branch of my family that came over from Liverpool, England in 1906. They were very, very poor and very resilient. I see a bit of Mary and her mother Molly in the relationship between by my great aunt and my great-grandmother. They sustained each other. There is a song in <i>Curious & Rare, </i>"Oranges from Spain," that pertains to either pair. </p><p>Lastly, working very hard and being overlooked irregardless is something that I think a lot of people can identify with! Outside of Marie Curie and more recently Katherine Johnson, we don't hear much about women scientists and particularly female paleontologists. </p><p>Before the pandemic, I was at a baby shower for a boy and it was striking how many dinosaur themed books, pajamas, tee shirts, stuffed animals, and wrapping paper were on display. Dinosaurs were as prevalent as the color blue and it's so easy to see how that reinforces paleontology as the domain of boys right from infancy. I was drawn to the story of a woman who persevered in a field that was considered the boys' club of all boys' clubs and despite being excluded, managed to make an undeniable mark in the field of paleontology. </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WXaukb03imY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p><b>Can you tell me a bit about the story that <i>Curious & Rare</i> tells?</b></p><p><i>Curious & Rare </i>tells the story of 19th century English paleontologist Mary Anning from her first major discovery at age twelve in 1811 to her death in 1847. There are a lot of children's books that write only about her discovery of the Ichthyosaur and there are novels that focus on her twenties and end with her last major discoveries. But I wanted to follow her whole life, not just the high points, but the valleys as well, to show what it cost her to be who she was. I also wanted to explore her relationship with her mother and the various gentlemen geologists she dealt with, as well as my hunch about who her romantic interest was. </p><p>It is the story of a self-taught girl who grew into a woman who could hold her own in the male dominated field of paleontology, all despite the hardships of extreme poverty, the disapproval of the Church of England, the condescension of the scientific community, the confines of nineteenth-century society, the vicious gossip of her town, romantic heartbreak, her untimely death, and all the efforts to obscure and take credit for her contributions. I think she would be utterly amazed with the level of recognition she is receiving 222 years after her birth. </p><p><b>What was the process of writing <i>Curious & Rare</i> like? </b></p><p>Maury Yeston, who wrote the Broadway shows <i>Nine, Titanic, </i>and <i>Grand Hotel, </i>sometimes moderates at the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop in NYC. He has often said, "There are two kinds of musical theatre writers: there are composer/lyricists and there are song writers." A composer/lyricist might write a piece of music and then write lyrics for it, or write lyrics and set them to music. I am definitely a songwriter; when I hear the lyrics in my head, they come attached to the melody, sometimes with a counter melody as well. </p><p>Sometimes it happens very quickly; one day in 2011, in the very early days of writing this piece, I was in an elevator going to a voice-over audition and thinking, what is Henry trying to say at this point at the end of the show? And "Change Is Slow" came into my head, melody attached, and I got off the elevator, signed in, read the voice-over copy, turned it over and started writing the lyrics. I had the audition and continued writing the lyrics on the subway home. I came home and worked on the piano and checked some reference books about the day Mary Anning died. </p><p>Even in the driest reference book, there can be a word or phrase that inspires a lyric. Suddenly, I find myself reading, "Mary Anning died Tuesday, March 9th, 1847" and my hair stands on end because I realize I have just written the part of the show where she dies...and I am writing it on Tuesday, March 9th. </p><p><b>Do you have a favorite song from the show? </b></p><p>Ah, you know, they are all my favorites for different reasons. I have tried to work in actual quotes from each character into the songs when it felt natural. When Mary Anning was describing one of her most bizarre and unusual finds, the Squaloraja, she said it was "analogous to nothing" in a letter to Adam Sedgwick (who taught Darwin at Cambridge). "Analogous to Nothing" seems to me an apt title not only for a song about the Squaloraja, which was a prehistoric hybrid creature with traits of both sharks and rays that didn't fit neatly into any category, but a perfect way to describe Mary's life as well. There are so many hybrids in the show; reverend-doctors who preach the Bible and teach geology and Ichthyosaurs thought to be "Fish-Lizards" and, for the early 1800s, a female paleontologist was just as striking a combination. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPZPWbnh4FwXlWHc6z2PDgpSjTb13hHok4zly-VD_cHD61pbLaFyb273SNvgq1EdZfJRja63rnOguO8ntzLp6e7U6vE4dLvzIiluBa97tOxPKd-Mz21JR6JbFMvARrvl1OpBKJ-YmthQ/s1164/Henry+and+Mary.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1112" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPZPWbnh4FwXlWHc6z2PDgpSjTb13hHok4zly-VD_cHD61pbLaFyb273SNvgq1EdZfJRja63rnOguO8ntzLp6e7U6vE4dLvzIiluBa97tOxPKd-Mz21JR6JbFMvARrvl1OpBKJ-YmthQ/w383-h400/Henry+and+Mary.png" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremiah James as Henry de la Beche and Stephanie Rothenberg as Mary Anning <br />in the Manhattan Musical Theatre Lab staged reading of <i>Curious & Rare</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><br />Mary Anning has been largely forgotten by history, but she's in the conversation more right now because of the recent film <i>Ammonite</i> in which she's portrayed by Kate Winslet. Have you had a chance to see the film yet and if so, what did you think of it? </b></p><p>Yes! Mary is really in the conversation more now. The folks at Mary Anning Rocks, after two and a half years of diligently trying, have finally raised the money for a bronze statue of Mary and her dog Tray to be made and installed in Lyme Regis. This is a really wonderful and important tribute to Mary - and all women in science - and will be an inspiration to many who come to visit Mary's hometown. </p><p>Also, the Royal Mint just came out with a trio of 50p coins celebrating her discoveries of the Temnodontosaurus (Ichthyosaur), Plesiosaurus, and Dimorphodon (Pterodactyl). There are also new books and new films in the works. It is wonderful to see her being so honored. </p><p>I did see <i>Ammonite</i>. Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan are incredible actors, but I had trouble with the extreme license the story took not only with Mary Anning's life, but with Charlotte Murchison's as well. In reality, Charlotte was eleven years older than Mary, so if Mary was 40, Charlotte was 51, not 24. I would have liked to have seen a film that represented more of Mary Anning's work. As a paleontologist who spent her daily life trying to uncover the real truth about the past, I think facts would have mattered to her. </p><p><b>What's something that you wish people knew about Mary Anning? </b></p><p>That she herself is a missing link. Everyone knows about Darwin. Everyone knows about his theory of evolution. Mary's discoveries posited a theory of extinction and a question of "deep time," both of which were considered blasphemous at the time. Darwin's work was influenced by Mary's discoveries. </p><p>Mary was religious and wondered and worried about the questions that her unearthing of fossils were raising, but she had faith enough to not presume to know, or put any limits on, what God was capable of creating and she continued her work and the pursuit of knowledge. Similarly, Darwin knew his theory would be greatly upsetting to some and actually held off publishing for a while. They were not people devoid of spirituality or religion; they just didn't see Science as being in conflict with Spirituality. </p><p>I also wish people knew how hard it was to spot fossils. Mary didn't just go out daily and collect things; she searched for them (often putting herself in danger on unstable cliffs), excavated them, carried them home, chiseled them out, cleaned them, and illustrated them. Her illustrations were wonderful. Then she sold all that work for a fraction of what it was worth to men who would often take credit for finding the fossil. The work she did was physically taxing and she did it daily in all kinds of weather. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQpjhhaf5WOR3sVyJYdPx4AP-HOuzy_z6tPbV1qUwvDmaagusp9oJsSKMvhts-MV3TNCytfboQHQCXc8x7EUMm4Rrckfb6fA4vgW4MPkw7761AM_GbKvpcZdC0J7uivaQU9xLKeaGOK4/s284/w%253AStephen+Schwartz.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQpjhhaf5WOR3sVyJYdPx4AP-HOuzy_z6tPbV1qUwvDmaagusp9oJsSKMvhts-MV3TNCytfboQHQCXc8x7EUMm4Rrckfb6fA4vgW4MPkw7761AM_GbKvpcZdC0J7uivaQU9xLKeaGOK4/s0/w%253AStephen+Schwartz.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy Sallows presenting six songs from <i>Curious & Rare </i>at a <br />BMI Master Class guest-moderated by Stephen Schwartz </td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>What are your hopes for <i>Curious & Rare</i> in the future?</b></p><p>Well, now that we are emerging from the pandemic and theatre is beginning to come back, I would love to find a theatre that is interested in a staged reading, a workshop, or (better yet) a production. I have been working on this show for quite some time now and it is wonderful to see Mary Anning at long last get some attention. I am hoping a rising tide will lift all boats. </p><p><b>Do you have any advice for aspiring musical writers? </b></p><p style="font-family: Times;">Get yourself in a workshop where people can give you feedback. Not everybody's feedback is useful, but there will always be some people who give a note that raises your game or gives you an "aha!" moment. Good, challenging notes are exciting; it means somebody "gets" you and is intrigued by your project. If you are in the New York area, apply for the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. It is free - you get in on merit! </p><p style="font-family: Times;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiN5teJqIk8wkQ7P7YiAaPcKqGEBCkVpsONxHt1p3R_wsjT0Z2_y_FG4TtP_sYD2AmMmUf7LHX04WY2Ve_hEXpZPW0rtf7HHTjULFFlgLIJqOD0XeH1idkCtt-LzooocITvRGdb9NRjQ/s277/C%2526Rlogo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiN5teJqIk8wkQ7P7YiAaPcKqGEBCkVpsONxHt1p3R_wsjT0Z2_y_FG4TtP_sYD2AmMmUf7LHX04WY2Ve_hEXpZPW0rtf7HHTjULFFlgLIJqOD0XeH1idkCtt-LzooocITvRGdb9NRjQ/s16000/C%2526Rlogo.jpg" /></a></div><i><br /></i><p></p><p style="font-family: Times;"><i>You can find out more about Curious & Rare on <a href="http://www.tracysallows.com/" target="_blank">Tracy's website</a> or the <a href="http://www.maryanningmusical.com" target="_blank">musical's website</a>. You can also follow the musical on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/curiousandrare/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-30637762781466846472021-04-18T21:57:00.001-04:002021-04-18T21:57:39.910-04:00Review: Now or Never, Barn Theatre<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxOlu_Cgu-JHJ5ob8yyZOxpTJR_qiO2dLeEtsM1w-Bh81hmdv0gbUHX4eL77aAkf2tQpzgpGuD4jDr7zgdYPR-Wob2jlW3DbbTSlkdrC6mRIZyzihAgm6x6sNQ_An8JMHCpslHgx0f2o/s2048/Matthew+Harvey%252C+Photo_+Jenya+Steanson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxOlu_Cgu-JHJ5ob8yyZOxpTJR_qiO2dLeEtsM1w-Bh81hmdv0gbUHX4eL77aAkf2tQpzgpGuD4jDr7zgdYPR-Wob2jlW3DbbTSlkdrC6mRIZyzihAgm6x6sNQ_An8JMHCpslHgx0f2o/s16000/Matthew+Harvey%252C+Photo_+Jenya+Steanson.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>RATING: ★★★★</p><p>Some of the work written in response to the Covid-19 crisis feels exploitative. Like it's playing on its audience emotions and like it's come too soon, before we've had a chance to process what we've been through worldwide, what we're still going through. But Barn Theatre Associate Artist <b>Matthew Harvey</b> has found a way to create art in response to the pandemic that avoids all of that.</p><p>Harvey's new song cycle, "Now or Never," has been brought back for a longer run thanks to popular demand. Directed by Creative Director <b>Ryan Carter</b>, it was filmed live in a single take on April 1, earlier this month. The show is short, at only forty minutes long, making it perfect to watch on your lunch break. </p><p>The connective thread of the song cycle is that all seven characters are responding to impending global catastrophe, as a large solar flare is expected to hit Earth within a week. With Zoom meetings and border lockdowns, the parallels to our current situation are clear without being overdone. Watching these engaging characters face the situation with overwhelming positivity, without downplaying the gravity of the situation, as they each consider how to spend what could be their last week alive is fascinating. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9dXGh82ovz5-WJiQpyQOVq8UMFpRFf4Ysf36MmZo9e8S6_6gLXqwh0plOk6Y_AHcf9W1fK5NBaGHsZs6hoSZoahr83Q_vi7M5ofp6zUnmmFp0fT1I7BVaNFJEf0hJXPRq7W4IiJd-rI/s2048/Eloise+Davies.+Photo_+Jenya+Steanson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9dXGh82ovz5-WJiQpyQOVq8UMFpRFf4Ysf36MmZo9e8S6_6gLXqwh0plOk6Y_AHcf9W1fK5NBaGHsZs6hoSZoahr83Q_vi7M5ofp6zUnmmFp0fT1I7BVaNFJEf0hJXPRq7W4IiJd-rI/s16000/Eloise+Davies.+Photo_+Jenya+Steanson.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>The innovative filming of "Now or Never" is fantastic and adds a sense of intimacy to watching it onscreen. The show is shot in one non-stop, long shot with one camera (similar to <i>that </i>scene in last year's Oscar-nominated "Pieces of a Woman" film). It makes great use of space throughout the building. The amount of props, including a motorcycle and a television, are also impressive. </p><p>It's hard to see a song cycle without thinking of Jason Robert Brown's "Songs for a New World," but this one does actually bear some similarities musically. Harvey is clearly a talented songwriter, but he also has a fantastic voice that he lends to the opening number, "On the Road." The other songs are performed by Eloise Davies, Ahmed Hamad, Irvine Iqbal, Lucy St Louis, Katie Shearman, and Courtney Stapleton and each brings something unique to their number. Davies and Stapleton's "Let's Skip Town" was definitely my favorite number of the show. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKHwrKzbisuXTpCSiuRmkyQ2VQ62-yuRsqm5Y2xjG9kzOVbVq0cDBpSNd3Wm9936GfIJ2Zuum6NTGJ7nRn7hQKZL-MjnXS0xYkp-UkDf8OR8qvFrdhCpBeXogS0_1nnUio8ZgKQn9OPQ/s2048/Photo_+Jenya+Steanson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKHwrKzbisuXTpCSiuRmkyQ2VQ62-yuRsqm5Y2xjG9kzOVbVq0cDBpSNd3Wm9936GfIJ2Zuum6NTGJ7nRn7hQKZL-MjnXS0xYkp-UkDf8OR8qvFrdhCpBeXogS0_1nnUio8ZgKQn9OPQ/s16000/Photo_+Jenya+Steanson.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Harvey's "Now or Never" would be an impressive song cycle for its music or the way it was filmed alone. But the way that it addresses global adversity while avoiding directly talking about the pandemic marks it as a truly resonant piece of art. Furthermore, it's able to find a tone that is upbeat and cheerful, without seeming naive. Particularly considering its short length, I recommend that everyone watch and support this beautiful show. </p><p>You can find more information and buy tickets on the Barn Theatre <a href="https://barntheatre.org.uk/" target="_blank">website</a>. The show runs until May 9. </p><p><i>Photo Credit: Jenya Steanson</i></p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-18943281652219321392021-04-03T22:14:00.002-04:002021-04-03T22:14:46.694-04:00Review: An Elephant in the Garden, Poonamallee Productions and the Barn Theatre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bFDuaGnVMGnqhCxS37UC9ubI_WfCeXJeJmcivdD3mCTVt2O1M5yFsiAfFHMZR6pDDJT7Rg4GUBK92fakSNlAcnfLj9PnCU6toPGA4Oxv18lnppl9wYqYwwN115ZRaf5fAO31YoHX37A/s1800/Alison+Reid%252C+Photo+Credit_+Farrows+Creative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bFDuaGnVMGnqhCxS37UC9ubI_WfCeXJeJmcivdD3mCTVt2O1M5yFsiAfFHMZR6pDDJT7Rg4GUBK92fakSNlAcnfLj9PnCU6toPGA4Oxv18lnppl9wYqYwwN115ZRaf5fAO31YoHX37A/s16000/Alison+Reid%252C+Photo+Credit_+Farrows+Creative.jpg" /></a></div><p>RATING: ★★★★</p><p>Produced by Poonamallee Productions in collaboration with the Barn Theatre and in association with Exeter Northcott Theatre, <i>An Elephant in the Garden </i>is a unique wartime coming-of-age story now available to stream online. Based on the book by <b>Michael Morpurgo</b>, the play is adapted and directed by <b>Simon Reade</b>. It explores World War II from the perspective of a teenage girl from Dresden, Germany. This one-woman show, with all characters performed by <b>Alison Reid</b>, is the Barn Theatre's latest in a line of fantastic digital offerings. </p><p><i>An Elephant in the Garden </i>has been performed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Bristol Old Vic and Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe, and on tour in the UK. This is the show's first time being brought to the digital stage. Reid, dressed in dungarees and a floral button-down, tells the story directly to the audience. </p><p>The show opens on November 9, 1989 with Lizzie hearing on the radio that the Berlin Wall is being torn down. She reflects back on her childhood in Dresden leading up to the war. Her father worked at the Dresden Art Gallery and the family had Jewish friends. She chronicles how things started to change in the city and her father was called up to war and her mother began working at the zoo. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwqeONEi-rHYGHYIk6nso1ZDFiSs2Hc3i9P5LbBjO_v4GK-NmzVnvB53yaL-iwjxn26ZE2ES70qt88Y9eZQPCbm_bxDHIOAiSjuE8JhaJeL1FltlVYbJnZXjB1ZMLfojiZavZpGIULRk/s1800/Alison+Reid%252C+Photo+Credit_+Farrows+Creative+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwqeONEi-rHYGHYIk6nso1ZDFiSs2Hc3i9P5LbBjO_v4GK-NmzVnvB53yaL-iwjxn26ZE2ES70qt88Y9eZQPCbm_bxDHIOAiSjuE8JhaJeL1FltlVYbJnZXjB1ZMLfojiZavZpGIULRk/s16000/Alison+Reid%252C+Photo+Credit_+Farrows+Creative+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p>Most of the show focuses on the 1945 Dresden bombings and 16-year-old Lizzie, her mother, and an elephant named Marlene walking across the country to try to find safety. Reid brings to life all the people that Lizzie meets along the way from a Canadian Air Force soldier to a countess. </p><p>The show's design is excellent from the fantastic sound design by <b>Jason Barnes </b>to the lighting work by <b>Matthew Graham</b>. In particular, the red lighting as Lizzie talks about the bombing of Dresden is very effective. <b>Max Johns</b>'s set design is minimalistic, with its main piece being a bombed out section of a wall, and there are few props used. </p><p>It's Reid who fully emerges us in the story as she brings all of the characters to life. She does a fantastic job of conjuring up visuals with her high-energy body language and voice work. She makes the piece completely engaging for its one-hour runtime. </p><p>It's interesting to explore World War II from a German perspective and to see issues of wartime intertwined with the usual coming-of-age topics like first love and disagreements with parents. This story of a teenage girl and her mother traipsing across Germany with an elephant will touch your heart and make you laugh. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW02tLQbQtKtOtt28ITSBiqYRjYG_NhmlVvfapAx4ECS3PeGGofFSKYkJd_KRG8r4Xk2CJhYD3WuVjTwVr3QneY-ElxRSnbwwyRG06ZoxCMOjC_IYmaWPKzDwMQCZVfUIEt-9q9ZNCErU/s1800/Alison+Reid%252C+Photo+Credit_+Farrows+Creative+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW02tLQbQtKtOtt28ITSBiqYRjYG_NhmlVvfapAx4ECS3PeGGofFSKYkJd_KRG8r4Xk2CJhYD3WuVjTwVr3QneY-ElxRSnbwwyRG06ZoxCMOjC_IYmaWPKzDwMQCZVfUIEt-9q9ZNCErU/s16000/Alison+Reid%252C+Photo+Credit_+Farrows+Creative+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p>This is the first of two Michael Morpurgo productions to be revived for streaming by the Barn Theatre. <i><a href="https://barntheatre.org.uk/private-peaceful" target="_blank">Private Peaceful</a> </i>will air later in April. Buying a ticket for <i>An Elephant in the Garden </i>provides 24-hour access and is available internationally. </p><p>You can find more information and buy tickets on the Barn Theatre <a href="https://barntheatre.org.uk/elephant-in-the-garden" target="_blank">website</a>. The show runs until April 18. </p><p><i>Photo Credit: Farrows Creative</i></p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-81328280195488695522021-03-16T00:19:00.001-04:002021-03-16T00:19:23.502-04:00Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGO7dR4sy1e_H42I0HlFqXP0TGwjYex5YN9K4IfdG5wFlPJ6ndsE_K2lSfvoWt-RdXFkE1ygE3-pkuBVOO2MKP4yxQHh4sjohZEmsVP2rBBa57b7PvwBW4p1KFzLxZ9B6gDYUvhk7_L4/s2048/Fionn+Whitehead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGO7dR4sy1e_H42I0HlFqXP0TGwjYex5YN9K4IfdG5wFlPJ6ndsE_K2lSfvoWt-RdXFkE1ygE3-pkuBVOO2MKP4yxQHh4sjohZEmsVP2rBBa57b7PvwBW4p1KFzLxZ9B6gDYUvhk7_L4/s16000/Fionn+Whitehead.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fionn Whitehead as Dorian Gray</td></tr></tbody></table><p>RATING: ★★★★★</p><p>What would you give for the perfect social media presence? The creative team of <i><a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/11/review-what-carve-up.html" target="_blank">What a Carve Up!</a> </i>have returned with a fantastic new version of <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray </i>that reimagines <b>Oscar Wilde</b>'s only novel for the modern world. Co-produced by the Barn Theatre, the Lawrence Batley Theatre, the New Wolsey Theatre, the Oxford Playhouse, and the Theatr Clwyd, the show situates Dorian Gray as an influencer whose friend has given him a filter to ensure his perfect online appearance will never falter. </p><p>The show, perhaps more film than theatre, is staged as a documentary of sorts looking back on the events preceding Dorian's death. We see interviews being filmed with Dorian's friends who made it out of the story alive, interspersed with clips of the events as they happened. But we also are witness to the Snapchats, texts, and FaceTime calls shared between the characters. <b>Tamara Harvey</b>'s expert direction brings it all together while <b>Holly Pigott</b>'s costume and set design elevate the piece to feel like a proper production. </p><p><i>The Picture of Dorian Gray </i>is admittedly one of the few Oscar Wilde works that I haven't read, but from what I know of it, <b>Henry Filloux-Bennett</b>'s adaptation is excellent. The story opens with interviews with the Lady Narborough (<b>Joanna Lumley</b>) and social media influencer Harry Wotton (<b>Alfred Enoch</b>) looking back on Dorian's downfall. We first meet Dorian (<b>Fionn Whitehead</b>) as an English student and wannabe YouTuber. He's cute and mild-mannered, but there's the hint of something sinister underneath. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq9ej856aGnv74vnSSbASD7hbwquQ5p4LDWn_wxLGv24ROxC9D8zsRrZc3lx_99iUjIrAam9u9fWnk9yjTT1kF6u3dkoYOg2ZId0h1qNgMYjBZjw8WX9oHDKcUK_nhVKhICaRd6k23io/s2048/Alfred+Enoch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq9ej856aGnv74vnSSbASD7hbwquQ5p4LDWn_wxLGv24ROxC9D8zsRrZc3lx_99iUjIrAam9u9fWnk9yjTT1kF6u3dkoYOg2ZId0h1qNgMYjBZjw8WX9oHDKcUK_nhVKhICaRd6k23io/s16000/Alfred+Enoch.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfred Enoch as Harry </td></tr></tbody></table><p>His friend Basil (<b>Russell Tovey</b>), a software developer, is essentially obsessed with the much younger Dorian. Both Basil and Harry seem to fight for Dorian's affections; this production is able to make its gay relationships much more explicit than the novel it's based on. On his 21st birthday, Basil presents Dorian with a filter that will preserve his youth and beauty online. And for a while, things seem perfect. </p><p>Dorian falls hard and fast for Sibyl Vane (<b>Emma McDonald</b>), an aspiring actress who is building a following on TikTok doing scenes from plays and poems. But as he becomes more obsessed with social media, we begin to see a difference in his online and offline appearance. In a twist on the original story in which Dorian's portrait becomes grotesque while his actual appearance remains immaculate, Dorian's online presence remains practically glowing while his body grows uglier with impressive makeup work. And as his obsession with his online image grows, so does his cruelty. </p><p>Whitehead is excellent as Dorian, capturing both his endearing boyishness in the beginning and his absolute callousness later. McDonald shines as Sibyl, with a simple charm that contrasts well with Dorian's more calculated nature. It's fun to see <b>Stephen Fry</b> as the interviewer, asking Harry and Lady Narborough about their deceased friend. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8G2sTYzpjnOVFgq7kqHsxm968UYXSOqrAVCZTWVSdGD1sKglPOwEEVAhhgLf1_a7DpxBhHFa1tGz4OMANcEXgWtvwOp0miZ6tduR_AfHWePwJ7Xdk_ryI2NJnI8bNTvGk0IcJGbipEM/s2048/Emma+McDonald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8G2sTYzpjnOVFgq7kqHsxm968UYXSOqrAVCZTWVSdGD1sKglPOwEEVAhhgLf1_a7DpxBhHFa1tGz4OMANcEXgWtvwOp0miZ6tduR_AfHWePwJ7Xdk_ryI2NJnI8bNTvGk0IcJGbipEM/s16000/Emma+McDonald.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma McDonald as Sibyl</td></tr></tbody></table><p>But the true standout of the cast is Enoch from the moment he first appears with a mustache and floral blazer, lounging on a maroon sofa. It's unlike any character I've ever seen him play before; he's suave and debonair, though underneath it there's a true affection for Dorian that makes the events that unfold even more devastating. </p><p>The show feels remarkably up to date for 2021 from its references to Twitch and Patreon to "The Queen's Gambit" to Dorian's reminders to wear a mask. Setting the piece during quarantine cleverly explains away why the interviews are happening via a computer, allowing it to be made with less people together at a time. It's also a bit cheeky and self-aware. It mentions Oscar Wilde and "that one good" National Theatre Live show with Tom Hiddleston, an obvious reference to <i>Coriolanus, </i>which Enoch was in. </p><p>But it also takes its exploration of the dangers of social media further than the surface level ideas about vanity. Because while social media does lead some to be obsessed with their image, the very existence of this adaptation proves that <i>that </i>issue is nothing new. It delves into right-wing conspiracy theories about Covid and the government and a movement of Aesthetics over Ethics that Dorian leads. As an American who is more and more concerned with the right-wing theorizing online and how it can led into things like the Capitol riot, these themes strongly resonated with me. </p><p>This show contains mature language and themes, including drugs, sex, mental illness, and suicide. It's not an easy watch, but it's captivating in the same way that a sinking ship is. <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray </i>is an excellent reimagining of Oscar Wilde's enduring novel about obsession and image, updated for 2021, and just as chilling as its original version. </p><p>You can find more information and buy tickets on the <i>Picture of Dorian Gray</i> <a href="www.pictureofdoriangray.com " target="_blank">website</a>. The show runs until March 31. </p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-30522963143729419342021-03-08T13:04:00.000-05:002021-03-08T13:04:49.024-05:00Review: A Number, Raleigh Little Theatre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCnl2__6a7h47fIDuBQsr9PKiyFu8lUr5wzN5QT7VMIP73XL27SpSkz6lrn5TdWm84nXup5k0f3Nplbzw9zw1pgSP_pa5fXQl-VFXRwQmaTR3E08wcN6o_WwpYvW3oQmYBGyWDwA_0fA/s2048/RLT+A+Number+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCnl2__6a7h47fIDuBQsr9PKiyFu8lUr5wzN5QT7VMIP73XL27SpSkz6lrn5TdWm84nXup5k0f3Nplbzw9zw1pgSP_pa5fXQl-VFXRwQmaTR3E08wcN6o_WwpYvW3oQmYBGyWDwA_0fA/s16000/RLT+A+Number+2.jpg" /></a></div><p>RATING: ★★★★</p><p>If a child is cloned, is their father also the father of all the clones? That's one of the questions asked by <a href="https://raleighlittletheatre.org/" target="_blank">Raleigh Little Theatre</a>'s newest production. "A Number" is a psychological thriller about human cloning. Directed by Patrick Torres and written by Caryl Churchill, the play examines personhood and the ethics of cloning people. At only an hour long, it's just the right length for a show that asks such demanding questions of its audience. </p><div><p>David Henderson plays Salter, while Jesse Gephart plays Bernard and other characters. Because some people might be a bit confused by Gephart portraying different characters and the complexity of the play in general, RLT has provided a plot summary on their website. (I would recommend reading after you finish watching the play, or even pausing after every scene to read the breakdown.) </p><p>Much of the play centers around Bernard finding out that not only was he potentially the product of cloning, but that the scientists also made other clones with his DNA without his father's permission. He questions if he's the original and if that matters. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjjM62osacd_9lB6g94uHZml8cVsX5vgCmF9RqdjQ6r5RWZg7Lc4Aa-qmfxvgokC0mXAm9M8jt22y6bs_0rNfvJ2_6ULSj-VfibSlii2epud5ahCZEb2w7BgznDaESjKop4vY4DDgT9o/s2048/RLT+A+Number+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjjM62osacd_9lB6g94uHZml8cVsX5vgCmF9RqdjQ6r5RWZg7Lc4Aa-qmfxvgokC0mXAm9M8jt22y6bs_0rNfvJ2_6ULSj-VfibSlii2epud5ahCZEb2w7BgznDaESjKop4vY4DDgT9o/s16000/RLT+A+Number+9.jpg" /></a></div><p>He also begins to find out that the things he's been told about his past might not be true at all. The audience must try to figure out what the truth is along with Bernard as the play unfolds. It moves from more a philosophical conversation to a thriller as other characters get involved. Meanwhile, Salter is a man reckoning with his past mistakes catching up with him. </p><p>The show is filled with fast-paced dialogue and both actors play off of each other well. Gephart does a great job of differentiating between his characters with accent work and physicality. While one character is bolder and more aggressive, another is mild-mannered and more refined and this shows well through his movements and tone of voice. </p><p>The show was filmed on a simply dressed stage to be streamed online. It's well-filmed to show us different angles and allow us to feel a bit more intimate with the actors without ever losing the sense of it being a play on a stage. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOGmLnoyrOUw5H2hT9-3OYKrW9ous3cISO46luf2_bISsByHvsZEs88RXPcvh5KaoMVqnBmwhZAOMfEtokRsHRN0kkK7r_sU2eyFgg13lQDAyKv0IpFUo3vmlNfjYFmw17poxHqEKXG8/s2048/RLT+A+Number+10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOGmLnoyrOUw5H2hT9-3OYKrW9ous3cISO46luf2_bISsByHvsZEs88RXPcvh5KaoMVqnBmwhZAOMfEtokRsHRN0kkK7r_sU2eyFgg13lQDAyKv0IpFUo3vmlNfjYFmw17poxHqEKXG8/s16000/RLT+A+Number+10.jpg" /></a></div><p>"A Number" is something a bit different than your normal play that you might see. As the characters themselves question issues to do with cloning and individuality, the audience has to reckon with them as well. However, with its short length, it never becomes overpowering or fatiguing. Raleigh Little Theatre's latest show has great performances and an intriguing premise -- and can be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of your own home. </p></div><p>For more information or to buy tickets, visit the <a href="https://raleighlittletheatre.org/shows/a-number/" target="_blank">Raleigh Little Theatre website</a>. "A Number" runs until March 13. </p><div><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p><p><i>Photo Credit: Jeremy Diamond </i></p></div><p></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-69954486268917264492021-02-21T13:53:00.004-05:002021-03-15T20:10:55.151-04:00Review: The Secret Society of Leading Ladies, Barn Theatre <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlYEVVZ1WEjtwZx2xKahjb3Aos5QGiCETceidYLOxI-pgL5-gbt3kY5GdUuZa8gmxEsr6-BuQ7SI6aILbN2-I6JkFHdl26NgVEAq8-lxZsq0iwCq5ZGSVJm1-H-aOaVXg0Rpty-YNnIg/s1920/JocastaAlmgill.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlYEVVZ1WEjtwZx2xKahjb3Aos5QGiCETceidYLOxI-pgL5-gbt3kY5GdUuZa8gmxEsr6-BuQ7SI6aILbN2-I6JkFHdl26NgVEAq8-lxZsq0iwCq5ZGSVJm1-H-aOaVXg0Rpty-YNnIg/s16000/JocastaAlmgill.png" /></a></div><br />RATING: ★★★★★<p></p><p>The Barn Theatre has been one of the best sources of theatre content during the pandemic as they continue to come up with inventive ways to offer shows online. In perhaps their most creative project yet, their latest show is a sort of choose-your-own-adventure concert: "The Secret Society of Leading Ladies." Conceived of and directed by Ryan Carter, it lets the audience put together their own concert line-up as they go and choose from lots of different types of leading lady characters. </p><p>So how does it work? The audience will see five different "Choose Your Player" screens as they navigate through the concert that allows you to choose a character and song. There are fourteen different performances in the concert lineup, allowing for 150 different combinations, before a finale with all fourteen performers. There are also cute interactions between the characters in between songs. The concert lasts for about a half hour and while I would happily have watched more, it makes sure you never get tired of the format. </p><p>The songs come from shows ranging from "Mean Girls" to "The Wizard of Oz" to "Fame." You can choose to hear some of your favorite songs or discover something new that you've not heard before. (I consider myself a pretty intense musical theatre fan and there were still a couple that I wasn't familiar with.) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilstOUEGSk8NsXdnOss5gXqXI7GwU7SFdS8leHiVdh4PAUy3X6TmQSIQWsfaGALqiVWpC76DZLBt8FVBrf75OtovtAY616bPhkaFEBG_4Nq2vxS1IusTOmRwMQ13DqbRjBXvLTS-ovbqk/s1920/AoifeClesham.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilstOUEGSk8NsXdnOss5gXqXI7GwU7SFdS8leHiVdh4PAUy3X6TmQSIQWsfaGALqiVWpC76DZLBt8FVBrf75OtovtAY616bPhkaFEBG_4Nq2vxS1IusTOmRwMQ13DqbRjBXvLTS-ovbqk/s16000/AoifeClesham.png" /></a></div><p>Aisha Jawando's "Last Midnight" from "Into the Woods" absolutely floored me not just with her great vocals, but also her fantastic acting choices. I love Aoife Clesham's rendition of one of my favorite songs, "The History of Wrong Guys" from "Kinky Boots." </p><p>Jarnéia Richard-Noel's "I Didn't Plan It" from "Waitress" was another highlight for me, especially as someone who has seen the show but doesn't listen to the cast album and had sort of forgotten about the song. I also love Jocasta Almgill's absolutely electric "Everybody's Girl" from "Steel Pier," a show that I had never heard of before. </p><p>All in all, there isn't a single bad performance as all the women nail their songs and their characters. The show is also very impressively put together, with each singer performing on a stage with a brick background that really does lend a concert feel. The videography by Jamie Scott-Smith is stellar, as is the editing by Ben Evans and sound engineering by Harry Smith. I also especially love that each woman wears an outfit inspired by the character she's portraying. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx84tXnPNOGRc3iy_5cmaqgE3uHQubJL1pOOt70UWhYNHfiJEiYD-uhhjZ_oXcN39i00M-fZPVAMcCf0zlsRKLjvroaF2SHFWtK0S79UYwOOo3fxE96ZVBxf6B7FRxs0Jt9B2cUsQhMc/s1920/JarneiaRichardNoel.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx84tXnPNOGRc3iy_5cmaqgE3uHQubJL1pOOt70UWhYNHfiJEiYD-uhhjZ_oXcN39i00M-fZPVAMcCf0zlsRKLjvroaF2SHFWtK0S79UYwOOo3fxE96ZVBxf6B7FRxs0Jt9B2cUsQhMc/s16000/JarneiaRichardNoel.png" /></a></div><p>You can buy a one-show ticket and watch the concert through once or you can buy a multi-show ticket that allows you to watch the concert again and choose different performances. I absolutely love how creative this idea is and I'd love to see the Barn Theatre do a "Secret Society of Leading Men" concert next. <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"> </span></p><p>For more information or to buy tickets, visit <a href="https://barntheatre.org.uk/barn-at-home" target="_blank">the Barn Theatre website</a>. "The Secret Society of Leading Ladies" runs until March 7. </p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-54424750040767312152021-02-11T23:33:00.000-05:002021-02-11T23:33:09.322-05:00Top Five Books I Read in 2020<p>My end of year posts are obviously coming a bit late this year, but I still wanted to write them -- for reference for myself next year, if nothing else. I very much failed in my reading goals in 2020, but I enjoyed the nine books that I did read. Plus, I've already read three books in 2021, so things are looking up. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI01seZFQLGOpNVyYxVITNUCB_I2MBf8XhKPgC7SI9psoTb3_71gkbYpm28hdPLTTAOZDoOQQfKwYVDNxEZSm7aLfCyrJEEkIrCb0K-ZxJoAvRGE9N9eDae6UoS7E9QPPMfaPFBHPFp0/s900/best+books+read+in+2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI01seZFQLGOpNVyYxVITNUCB_I2MBf8XhKPgC7SI9psoTb3_71gkbYpm28hdPLTTAOZDoOQQfKwYVDNxEZSm7aLfCyrJEEkIrCb0K-ZxJoAvRGE9N9eDae6UoS7E9QPPMfaPFBHPFp0/s16000/best+books+read+in+2020.png" /></a></div><p>Here are my five favorite books that I read in 2020, in no particular order. </p><p><b>Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier </b></p><p>I've been meaning to read <i>Rebecca </i>for many years, but wanting to read it before the new film adaptation came out finally pushed me to do it. This Gothic romance is incredibly gripping and very haunting. I found the characters to be so intriguing and the way that it essentially crafts a ghost story without any actual ghosts to be so fascinating. I wasn't expecting that it's a very interesting class commentary as well. I also discussed <i>Rebecca </i>on Next Best Picture's <a href="https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/next-best-adaptation-rebecca-by-daphne-du-maurier" target="_blank">Next Best Adaptation podcast</a>, which I managed this past year. </p><p><b>Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams</b></p><p>This is exactly the sort of book that I like to read in between more serious books: a cute romance that still has well-developed characters and deals with topics other than just the romance. <i>Our Stop </i>is really adorable and I found the characters easy to relate to. The only issue for me is that it's set in London and it's very English -- which meant that I cried several times while reading it because I miss London so much! </p><p><b>The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins</b></p><p>I was obsessed with <i>The Hunger Games </i>trilogy when I was in high school, but I wasn't too excited about <i>The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. </i>However, my little sister insisted that I read it and I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it. Suzanne Collins is a very smart writer and I loved how she weaved different (mostly Enlightenment) theories about the nature of humans and society into the book. I think this is my favorite villain backstory book (or movie) that I've ever read. </p><p><b>In the Time We Lost by Carrie Hope Fletcher</b></p><p>I'm a big fan of Carrie Hope Fletcher's books, especially as someone who enjoys magical realism. <i>In the Time We Lost </i>broke my heart a bit but also was very thought-provoking. I loved the setting of a small Scottish town and felt like I was whisked away despite being in quarantine. Both this and the 2020 movie <i>Palm Springs </i>have plots similar to <i>Groundhog Day, </i>which I think is also more fitting than ever during a pandemic where your days blend together because you can't do much. </p><p><b>Little Women by Louisa May Alcott</b></p><p>I started off the year by rereading one of my favorite books of all time. I've read <i>Little Women </i>so many times that my copy is practically falling apart and revisiting it felt like catching up with an old friend. It gave me an even greater appreciation for Greta Gerwig's 2019 film adaptation (my favorite movie of all time) which I went to see one last time in the movie theater after finishing my reread. So much of who I am as a person comes from me identifying with and idolizing both Jo and Meg March when I was young. </p><p>What were your favorite books you read in 2020? Let me know in the comments below or on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/nicoleackman16" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. You can also follow my book-themed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/historygirlnicole/" target="_blank">Instagram account</a>. x</p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-59987988608235923802021-02-07T22:20:00.001-05:002021-02-07T22:25:34.854-05:00Looking Back on a Year of Starry <p>There are a handful of musical theatre albums that can make me cry even though I've listened to them a hundred times. After listening to it for a year, I can confirm that "Starry" joins the likes of "Les Misèrables" and "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812" in having a finale that will suddenly make me tear up out of the blue, no matter how many times I've heard it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcdhqEIxU_tgbvGn5xpeQUZD-c-9LzAjlRvDc3qVlJxLuMzjKkibd7MIebzHHo6A6p1SYIUHB6cb4iyQXAg5Cw-LwhhL8fUdO4oMFLasE1jhhkD6OfEPjSTuJJCOdOszO0lzt7o2Ha4c/s2048/starry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcdhqEIxU_tgbvGn5xpeQUZD-c-9LzAjlRvDc3qVlJxLuMzjKkibd7MIebzHHo6A6p1SYIUHB6cb4iyQXAg5Cw-LwhhL8fUdO4oMFLasE1jhhkD6OfEPjSTuJJCOdOszO0lzt7o2Ha4c/s320/starry.jpg" /></a></div><p>The concept album for the new musical about Vincent and Theo van Gogh was released in January of 2020 and the deluxe physical CD was released just before Christmas. Last March, I wrote a <a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/03/review-starry-concept-album.html" target="_blank">review</a> of the album, but watching the recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2LqO7KsiA&list=PL3JZ-XbYYl0d07SfNSG2PkkCtvexX9COY&index=38&t=537s" target="_blank">listening party on YouTube</a> with the writers and some of the cast made me want to revisit it. </p><p>Revisit writing about it, that is. I can honestly say that a week hasn't passed since the album's release that I haven't listened to it. When my best friend Lexi told me about the album just before it was released, I couldn't have conceptualized how important it would become to me. </p><p>One of the last shows that I saw before coronavirus hit and shut down theatre was the "<a href="https://www.broadwayworld.com/raleigh/article/BWW-Review-MEAN-GIRLS-National-Tour-at-DPAC-20200212" target="_blank">Mean Girls</a>" national tour with Mariah Rose Faith as Regina. At the time, I was loving her vocals as Jo Bonger and was so excited to see her live. </p><p>In April, I asked Lexi if she'd want to watch a StarKid show together over Skype since she's a fan and I'd never seen any of them. (What was I doing in high school? I have no idea.) Over the next couple of months, I ended up watching all of their shows and it was so exciting to see actors that I was familiar with on the "Starry" album like Dylan Saunders, Jeff Blim, Mariah Rose Faith, and Lauren Lopez in other shows. (I'm even now a patron of Lauren's on Patreon.) </p><p>Matt Dahan and Kelly Lynn D'Angelo's music and lyrics have truly been the saving grace of my quarantine. The album helped pull me out of some quarantine-induced existential crises and was what I comforted myself with when I was in pain from a sudden small surgery I had in November. It's the thing that has encouraged me to continue to push myself as an artist, to dare to actually call myself "a writer," and even to foray back into creative writing after many years. </p><p>The more I listen to this album, the more I find to appreciate in it, from musical motifs to small acting choices I hadn't noticed before. The way in which Kelly managed to weave in so many references to van Gogh's and Gauguin's art is amazing. I got a biography of Vincent and Theo for Christmas and I'm very excited to read it and find out all of the actual historical things that Kelly was able to include. </p><p style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q7xcPvMdaNU" width="560"></iframe>
</p><p>In some ways, it's weird to think that there was a time before I knew "Starry." For me, the best shows are the ones that feel both fresh and exciting and somehow impossibly familiar when you discover them. I now consider "Starry" to be one of my top five favorite musicals of all time and I look forward to a day post-quarantine when I hopefully will get to see it onstage. </p><p>My friends and family are likely very tired of hearing me talk about "Starry," but it's one of those shows that I knew was special as soon as I heard it but have only realized after a year with it just how magnificent it is. As a historian and an art history lover, having a musical that recognizes both Vincent van Gogh's brilliance and Theo van Gogh's work as well is so important to me. Despite the current state of theatre, I have high hopes that the show will have a long future and introduce many to its beautiful story, music, and lyrics. As the line goes, "Even in the dark, the road is bright." </p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-75733882805462322572021-01-05T17:40:00.002-05:002021-01-05T17:40:42.790-05:00My Goals for 2021<p>Now that I've provided <a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2021/01/an-update-on-my-2020-goals.html" target="_blank">an update </a>on my 2020 goals, it's time to share my goals for this year. Instead of vague New Year's Resolutions, I like to set concrete goals that can be checked off throughout the year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXysPKkHSprcvtAoP1FAsxtr8LEls5Z76PFcU0gdOPOf6z1e2x0uOoq-uFu9tI7spM6hQQTDPi3ZSaYP4Dt7IEYl5g3tKWdDb6E86T6QUI2Cg11JHId_eaSXoQY150WUMVFTwkwNnovw/s800/2021+goals.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXysPKkHSprcvtAoP1FAsxtr8LEls5Z76PFcU0gdOPOf6z1e2x0uOoq-uFu9tI7spM6hQQTDPi3ZSaYP4Dt7IEYl5g3tKWdDb6E86T6QUI2Cg11JHId_eaSXoQY150WUMVFTwkwNnovw/s320/2021+goals.png" /></a></div><p><b>1. Watch 100 movies.</b></p><p>This is one of the handful of goals that I'm repeating from last year. For this number, I only count films that I haven't seen before though they can be new releases or older movies.</p><p><b>2. Get a tattoo. </b></p><p>I wanted to get my first tattoo in 2020, but then Covid happened and I wasn't able to. I'm hoping that things improve enough that I can in 2021! </p><p><b>3. See 50 shows.</b></p><p>Whether virtually or in person, I'd like to try to see fifty shows this year. It might be a challenge, but I especially want to push myself to watch more of BroadwayHD and National Theatre at Home's offerings. </p><p><b>4. Work out at least twice a month. </b></p><p>This is a goal that I set last year that worked for me. It's low enough to account for having weeks where I'm very busy or might not be feeling well, but still pushes me to get moving. And of course, the hope is that I'll do much more. </p><p><b>5. Watch (and rank) every Saoirse Ronan movie.</b></p><p>A couple of years ago, I watched every Lily James movie in twelve months and last year, I wanted to do the same for Saoirse Ronan. I didn't end up getting around to it, so I thought it would be a fun 2021 project! </p><p><b>6. Read 15 books. </b></p><p>This past year, I only read nine books (though I'm halfway through three going into the new year). I definitely want to up my game this year and read more. To inspire me to read more, I've started a <a href="www.instagram.com/historygirlnicole" target="_blank">book-stagram account</a>, that will also double as a place for me to post history content. </p><p><b>7. Do a salonnières blog series.</b></p><p>This is another goal that's been hanging around for a few years, but I'm determined to do it this year. Plus, I can do an Instagram series to go along with it on my new account. </p><p><b>8. Watch the BBC Pride and Prejudice.</b></p><p>I'm ashamed to say that I've never made it all the way through the BBC <i>Pride and Prejudice </i>series. It's something that's on my "30 Before 30" list of goals and I'd like to check it off this year. </p><p><b>9. Make six YouTube videos. </b></p><p>I want to get back into making YouTube content this year because I actually really miss it and I have lots of ideas for videos I can make. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself though, so I'm setting a low goal. But I also might be starting a joint YouTube channel with a friend...</p><p><b>10. Reach 700 followers on TikTok. </b></p><p>This is a little bit of a silly goal, but it's to indicate that I want to continue to make and improve my content on TikTok. I currently have 470 followers, so 700 is ambitious but not unreasonable. </p><p>What are your goals for 2021? Let me know in the comments below or on <a href="www.twitter.com/nicoleackman16" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. x</p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-70260764982825404112021-01-02T13:00:00.001-05:002021-01-02T13:00:05.150-05:00An Update on My 2020 Goals<p>Now that 2020 has come to a close, it's time to reflect on my goals from this past year and give an update on how I did. I'm actually very proud of what I managed to accomplish in 2020 despite what a strange year it turned out to be. Some of my goals I had to adapt and some of them I utterly failed at. But hey...I can always blame it being a garbage fire year for that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WPW5957fyO7NV7WCpVp-XmnlJIIuE2YieMPGGQYR0HAg-J-xb2Lg8eTpuEYhQnDh6pZWfRFfOi-vztsntVddzoYywq6Ci_UWAnMJlzcftCJDDo9hbisMxvw0-Wjkop9mFf69ZiJ7_sI/s800/2020+goals+update.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WPW5957fyO7NV7WCpVp-XmnlJIIuE2YieMPGGQYR0HAg-J-xb2Lg8eTpuEYhQnDh6pZWfRFfOi-vztsntVddzoYywq6Ci_UWAnMJlzcftCJDDo9hbisMxvw0-Wjkop9mFf69ZiJ7_sI/s320/2020+goals+update.png" /></a></div><p><b>One. Watch 100 movies.</b></p><p>I definitely accomplished this one! I watched a lot of movies that came out in 2020 and also caught up on a lot of movies that I hadn't seen before from previous years. I'll do a proper Top Ten list at some point (as well as my personal film awards), but my three favorite new movies this year were <i>Summerland</i>, <i>Promising Young Woman</i>, and <i>Wolfwalkers</i>. </p><p><b>Two. Visit five new historic sites. </b></p><p>This is one that I didn't get to do because of the pandemic. I had great plans to see new historic sites in North Carolina, New York City, England, and Ireland but...alas. I did get to see one new site (the <a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/04/review-burgwin-wright-house-wilmington_9.html" target="_blank">Burgwin-Wright House</a> in Wilmington, NC) and I virtually toured the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton. <br /><br /><b>Three. Read 12 books. </b></p><p>I'm ashamed to say that I only read nine books this year, though I do have three books that I'm about halfway through right now. I reread one of my favorites (<i>Little Women</i>) and read some new ones I loved (<i>Rebecca </i>and <i>The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes</i>). I read a lot of articles and reviews and did a lot of writing even if I didn't make it through that many books. <br /><br /><b>Four. Do a blog series based on my undergraduate thesis. </b></p><p>Another year, another failed intention to do this blog series. But I'm determined to make it happen in 2021! I did succeed in making more history content for this blog this year. <br /><br /><b>Five. Put money aside into my savings. </b></p><p>I'm happy that I got started on this early in the year before the world fell apart. I was lucky enough to have a job throughout the year and was able to put money in my savings that made me feel more secure and means I can do some traveling once we're able to again. <br /><br /><b>Six. See 30 shows. </b></p><p>Obviously, I didn't see thirty shows in person because of...the pandemic. I saw six shows before things shut down (my last one was the <i>Les Mis </i>tour), but then I decided to change this goal into seeing twenty-four more filmed productions of plays or musicals or live readings. I saw so many great ones from seeing a filmed production of my beloved <i>The Grinning Man </i>to watching all twelve StarKid musicals for the first time. <br /><br /><b>Seven. Work out at least twice a month. </b></p><p>I'm counting this one as a success because I worked out twice a month for eleven months of the year (and more than that most months). In November, I ended up getting a small surgery that meant that I was pretty sedentary and only got in one workout. In 2020, I rediscovered dance and had the best time doing lots of Broadway 567 and YouTube videos from James Tolbert. <br /><br /><b>Eight. Earn money from my writing. </b></p><p>I managed to achieve this in March! I now write for two paid outlets, which I'm very proud of. I wrote a <a href="https://twitter.com/nicoleackman16/status/1345153800059969544?s=20" target="_blank">Twitter thread</a> of my favorite articles that I wrote this year if you'd like to check them out. <br /><br /><b>Nine. Cook three meals in my Instant Pot. </b></p><p>I only cooked three different meals, but I did one of them several times. I made an excellent beef stew, a great Mexican chicken soup, and a very nice chicken & rice. <br /><br /><b>Ten. Read <i>War and Peace</i>. </b><br /></p><p>Here's another goal that was a complete failure. I'll achieve it one day. </p><p><br /></p><p><i>Check back soon for my ten 2021 goals! </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-60880216632090256572020-12-20T17:29:00.000-05:002020-12-20T17:29:51.527-05:00Review: The Snow Queen, New Wolsey Theatre<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEdxKsKOPdhSucbboZy2bAT-SO7Jrn4hEOtokZlDshTq65eoLRQ5jIXb3x415DjCJCFYnT5tnAdKsNPIYAkV8hn-CCBI0_aTbDbGkVtM3gVRmmnc4ieTy3P9wC3Y-w4Tov2h_k88lrVA/s1936/SnowQueen_213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1936" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEdxKsKOPdhSucbboZy2bAT-SO7Jrn4hEOtokZlDshTq65eoLRQ5jIXb3x415DjCJCFYnT5tnAdKsNPIYAkV8hn-CCBI0_aTbDbGkVtM3gVRmmnc4ieTy3P9wC3Y-w4Tov2h_k88lrVA/s16000/SnowQueen_213.jpg" /></a></div><p>One classic British Christmas tradition that we don't have here in the United States is going to see a panto. Pantos (short for pantomimes) are musical comedies aimed at families that are popular during the holiday season. I made a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm_cjFI56TY" target="_blank">video</a> a few years ago, when I lived in London and saw my first panto, talking about the tradition and what the shows are typically like. </p><p></p><p>Obviously, pantos look a little different this year if they're happening at all. The New Wolsey Theatre is having their production of <i>The Snow Queen </i>available both in person and digitally. It's a great way for those in the UK who don't live nearby or can't go out in public to see the show, but it also opens it up to international audiences. If you're an American who's curious about panto, this is a great way to experience it.</p><p><i>The Snow Queen</i> by Peter Rowe is a fairytale story using rock 'n' roll music. It includes lots of older songs that you will recognize like "I'm Gonna Be," "I Can See Clearly Now," and "Ring of Fire." Both costuming and performances are fun and over the top, as is befitting for a panto. </p><p>It's a smaller cast than you would normally expect, but they do a great job of playing multiple roles. The actors also play instruments and double as the band. The show makes the most of a minimal set and uses screens onstage to occasionally show pre-filmed video montages. It's a clever way of giving the in-person audience a full experience while also presenting something to the online audience that feels like more than a traditional livestream. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBNRWOIw4Db_RxDV3y3k5frRaKvz2JX8cWpgdEApsyUgpZkGSI1F5QwJUTVJlXWxd6Rlhpnie5I1b3WM2x1p7JPelnb__Iv-dZOKzUUWf1kup0L62opXwgLAj8JzG2K7apo0ypolVcPE/s1936/SnowQueen_053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBNRWOIw4Db_RxDV3y3k5frRaKvz2JX8cWpgdEApsyUgpZkGSI1F5QwJUTVJlXWxd6Rlhpnie5I1b3WM2x1p7JPelnb__Iv-dZOKzUUWf1kup0L62opXwgLAj8JzG2K7apo0ypolVcPE/s16000/SnowQueen_053.jpg" /></a></div><p><i>The Snow Queen </i>is a story about two young sweethearts, Gerda (Lucy Wells) and Kay (Adam Langstaff). But romance is also brewing for Gerda's father (also played by Adam Langstaff) and Kay's mother, Dame Sigrid Smorgasbord (Steve Simmonds). When the Snow Queen (Natasha Lewis) and her minion Icicle (James Haggie) kidnap Kay, Gerda must find a way to get him back.</p><p>While they all have lovely voices, Wells is particularly charming as Gerda. Lewis shines both as the Snow Queen and as Primrose. Simmonds does an excellent job at getting the audience laughing and throwing himself whole-heartedly into the role of Dame Sigrid Smorgasbord. </p><p>As intense as the story sounds, it's really more silly than scary and perfect for younger children despite the somewhat adult humor of Dame Sigrid Smorgasbord (which would likely go over their heads). A large part of the panto experience is audience interaction and the New Wolsey has done a great job of building that in, even for a digital audience. </p><p>On the digital stream, you occasionally are shown the in-person audience, who are wearing masks and distanced within the theater. There is a section towards the beginning in which the Dame talks directly to the audience, cracking jokes and doing shoutouts that have been sent in. They also let you vote online to name the hammer (you have to see it to understand) during the interval. </p><p>While it's not the same as being there in person, it's a great way to adapt it to 2020. The show opens with messages from different panto dames, counting down to the show starting. And once the show starts, they don't dance around Covid either -- addressing it in jokes head-on. </p><p>Whether you watch it by yourself, with your family, or watch it at the same time as a friend or loved one that you're physically separated from, <i>The Snow Queen </i>is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit.</p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p><p><i>Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak</i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-8598897292134544822020-12-13T09:00:00.001-05:002020-12-13T09:00:07.847-05:00Taking a Look at the Letter Library <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUGekBL4sbTwGjcc_7CAx1WomgPIXp1NOKII6ZYIiNbvgGtj5Np3THxp6Ko30Ts2SQU_LupkznxkSdvJvryZ6biOQ3JD0oaf3uFOwsqKH61aTCBp7n2nsK7R-aQHhnEfdxLlxxCDZu8E/s2516/IMG_7587_jpg.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUGekBL4sbTwGjcc_7CAx1WomgPIXp1NOKII6ZYIiNbvgGtj5Np3THxp6Ko30Ts2SQU_LupkznxkSdvJvryZ6biOQ3JD0oaf3uFOwsqKH61aTCBp7n2nsK7R-aQHhnEfdxLlxxCDZu8E/s16000/IMG_7587_jpg.JPG" /></a></div><p>It's perhaps not surprising that letters are one of my favorite things considering my love for history. I adore the letters that I send back and forth with my friends, the letters that I used in my thesis research on salonnières, and the letters that inspire musicals like <i>Starry</i>. So when I was contacted to ask if I would like to review the <a href="https://letterlibrary.co/ " target="_blank">Letter Library</a>, I was so excited. It's a fantastic historical letter subscription service and I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of it before. <br /></p><p>If you sign up for the Letter Library, you get two letters per month from interesting historical figures sent straight to your mailbox. There's a lot of variety in the letters chosen as they span different time periods, places, and cultures, but are all from recognizable names. You also receive a synopsis that shares some of the context of the letter. You can sign up for $12 a month or subscribe in packages of three, six, or twelve months. They also have a free email newsletter. </p><p>The letters come in lovely brown envelopes that make it feel like you're actually receiving a letter in the mail. There's also a postcard that accompanies your first letter, as seen above. The letters are designed to match the period that they are from with different fonts and colors of paper. If the letter is printed in a cursive font, there is also a transcript to go with it which is definitely helpful. </p><p>I received four letters for the purposes of review, which ranged from the comical to the historically significant. They were from Albert Einstein, Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Abigail Adams letter was the one containing the famous "Remember the ladies" line and it was amazing to get to read it within the context of the full letter. My favorite, however, was the Mozart one in which he discussed his deafness. </p><p>As a primary source, letters are one of the best ways to learn about history. They're able to give you small details that you might not get when reading about a topic and make historical figures seem more relatable and understandable. I've always found that reading letters helps me contextualize historical figures as actual people, rather than just symbols or concepts. </p><p>It's hard to remember to go out of your way to read a new bit of history every month. I certainly often forget to, despite my best intentions. What makes the Letter Library so great is that it delivers history straight to your mailbox in an easily digestible format. I would highly recommend this service to anyone who wants to make sure they're regularly engaging with history and it would also be a great Christmas present if you have a friend or family member who enjoys historical letters. </p><p><i>For more information or to sign up, visit the <a href="https://letterlibrary.co/" target="_blank">Letter Library website</a>.</i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-8245031193253724212020-12-11T16:36:00.000-05:002020-12-11T16:36:03.464-05:00Review: Peter Pan, Barn Theatre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kfcOWw9Wk-TKwyAzxcxTTzuO3DMVc1MIo0Gqf00Q8nRoJ-uoI_EKDn0mgbc6LxRI8l3H4UO04CNj8Dsjv_RYx-6HynjET3zH-GMhLnn_W092zh0MD4xmbzyaLwzDa9bk12h4RfQQR1Q/s1024/Waylon+Jacobs%252C+Photo+Credit_+Eve+Dunlop+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kfcOWw9Wk-TKwyAzxcxTTzuO3DMVc1MIo0Gqf00Q8nRoJ-uoI_EKDn0mgbc6LxRI8l3H4UO04CNj8Dsjv_RYx-6HynjET3zH-GMhLnn_W092zh0MD4xmbzyaLwzDa9bk12h4RfQQR1Q/s16000/Waylon+Jacobs%252C+Photo+Credit_+Eve+Dunlop+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p>RATING: ★★★★</p><p>In this time of theaters where I live being closed, watching theatre digitally has become more important to me than ever. So I was thrilled when I was offered to review the Barn Theatre's new production of <i>Peter Pan, </i>a new play based on a favorite story of mine. I recently wrote about <i><a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/11/review-what-carve-up.html" target="_blank">What a Carve Up!</a>, </i>an online production that the Barn Theatre was part of and it's clear that they are one of the best theaters in the UK right now at creating online content. </p><p>This new version of J. M. Barrie's <i>Peter Pan </i>is a one man show starring Waylon Jacobs. Adapted by Alan Pollock and directed by Kirk Jameson, the show follows a man recreating his daughter's favorite bedtime story while on a video call with her from a hotel room. It's a creative way to stage the piece and it's impressive how much of the tale they are able to fit into a runtime of an hour, including direct references to and lines from Barrie's original work. The play does make a few changes to the story, including changing the "Indians" to the more appropriate "Amazons." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLAm7SkC7ysL5DQmvD8WzW7pFPyLeVV8F_ohE9jQ3iB3DInyA-nFMcHMWfFV20TvelZzFzCPDxYnrIw3IZAF0lAbXwViOTKq7Q01tDkgCDVBXD6dR56JzSbUC1RY9iVMSHapkuVz2Re0/s1024/Waylon+Jacobs%252C+Photo+Credit_+Eve+Dunlop+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLAm7SkC7ysL5DQmvD8WzW7pFPyLeVV8F_ohE9jQ3iB3DInyA-nFMcHMWfFV20TvelZzFzCPDxYnrIw3IZAF0lAbXwViOTKq7Q01tDkgCDVBXD6dR56JzSbUC1RY9iVMSHapkuVz2Re0/s16000/Waylon+Jacobs%252C+Photo+Credit_+Eve+Dunlop+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p>Georgia Dibbs provides the adorable voice of the daughter who goads her father into a more extravagant telling of the tale, insisting, "Aren't you going to do the voices?" As the story unfolds, the staging becomes more elaborate with the hotel room set adapting itself to different places. The projections of drawings, designed by Benjamin Collins, are a very nice touch. The show is recommended for children age six and older and while it might be too intense for younger children, it's definitely perfect for school-age kids. </p><p>Harry Smith's sound design, particularly the blending of the rain sounds in the beginning, is also impressive. If watching online as I did, you'll be seeing a livestream of the show rather than something pre-recorded. While it means that there is less flashy editing than in some filmed theatre productions, there are still multiple camera angles and it better recreates the feeling of being in a theater. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrcuTW6TnQRh0P3bjLEKrbayvO_XRqhYbbnCfaPHbuosMGWC0zHi8_QTjzm3frZ5ppRxmeTQWRRodj4wr7ICinq1o_O3b2-DiJiCk8ldsDCqlYOMhy7zprmWa4HgInP4IHDpz2VbOkzs/s1024/Waylon+Jacobs%252C+Photo+Credit_+Eve+Dunlop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrcuTW6TnQRh0P3bjLEKrbayvO_XRqhYbbnCfaPHbuosMGWC0zHi8_QTjzm3frZ5ppRxmeTQWRRodj4wr7ICinq1o_O3b2-DiJiCk8ldsDCqlYOMhy7zprmWa4HgInP4IHDpz2VbOkzs/s16000/Waylon+Jacobs%252C+Photo+Credit_+Eve+Dunlop.jpg" /></a></div><p>Jacobs is very engaging and maintains a high energy throughout the show. It's admirable how he manages to carry it, without anyone else onstage. He also has a genuinely moving moment towards the end of the play that stopped me in my tracks. This is a lovely new version of <i>Peter Pan, </i>sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. </p><p><i>Peter Pan </i>runs until January 3 at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester. Those seeing the show in person will be required to wear a face mask, have their temperature checked, and sit socially distanced. For more information or to buy tickets, visit <a href="https://barntheatre.org.uk/performances/peter-pan " target="_blank">the Barn Theatre website</a>. </p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p><p><i>Photo Credit: Eve Dunlap </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-706932971122732572020-12-06T22:24:00.000-05:002020-12-06T22:24:26.926-05:00Ranking Every Star Wars Movie (A Guest Post by Hannah Ackman)<p><i>One of my greatest achievements of 2020 is that it's the year I finally managed to get my 17-year-old sister properly into Star Wars. One of her quarantine projects was watching all of the Star Wars movies (now that they're conveniently on Disney+) and she asked if she could do a ranking of the films on the blog. You might recognize Hannah from her previous guest posts on <a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/03/a-love-letter-to-amy-march-guest-post.html" target="_blank">Amy March</a> and <a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/10/why-captain-marvel-is-most-powerful.html" target="_blank">Captain Marvel</a>. </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zcJarOztOvqY5LGTKB6eBZq30vxV-xFdaPECRyNqypF10OwLWx6FMVNI2mTSNksaVKNgL1bqga2G3W2MVN4Ew1qrs-0bERVSHswCJC00wfB3YSIUIOJWSneEW1f0yyhArl4eYGKDoqg/s680/star+wars.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zcJarOztOvqY5LGTKB6eBZq30vxV-xFdaPECRyNqypF10OwLWx6FMVNI2mTSNksaVKNgL1bqga2G3W2MVN4Ew1qrs-0bERVSHswCJC00wfB3YSIUIOJWSneEW1f0yyhArl4eYGKDoqg/s16000/star+wars.jpeg" /></a></div><p>During quarantine, I decided to watch all of the Star Wars movies, most of them for the first time. As I watched, I took notes and ranked them based on what I consider to be the most important qualities in a movie. Keep in mind that I am only seventeen years old, and while I am an avid movie-watcher, I ultimately just watch them for fun. </p><p>First, you should know that I am clearly a sequels girl and Rey is my favorite character. I try to appreciate the older style and Anakin saves the prequels. The originals don’t hold a nostalgic place in my heart because I didn’t grow up watching them. Also, know that this ranking changes constantly for me, seeing as I watch about one Star Wars movie a week, so this is the most concrete I could make it. </p><p><b>1) The Force Awakens (2015)</b></p><p>Honestly, this is such a masterpiece from the self-baking bread to the droids to the parallels drawn from the originals. It is Rey’s introduction, but we also meet Finn and Poe who are the single most iconic duo in the entire series. I strongly support Poe and Finn (“Keep it, it looks better on you”) because WHO DOESN’T? The feminism is unmatched with Rey and Leia, yet it isn’t forced. BB8 is my favorite droid (I even have a custom droid I made in Batuu named after him) and he gives this film the edge it needs to be at the top of my list. </p><p>Additionally, this movie was the first Star Wars movie I ever saw, and it is what inspired me to watch all the others. It is my second most-watched Star Wars movie and I cannot imagine putting it anywhere except in first place. </p><p><b>2) Rogue One (2016)</b></p><p>This is my most-watched Star Wars film and probably second most-watched film ever. Jyn is such an icon, especially when paired with Cassian (the most feminist man in the universe). There is heat, action, droids, and friendship, creating my ideal movie. The group of men (including Cassian) who fly and work on the ship are so iconic; they are just a gang having fun. The scene at the end with Darth Vader deserves a mention because it has such beautiful effects and high tension, but it is the perfect introduction to our villain and ties into the originals. </p><p><b>3) The Last Jedi (2017)</b></p><p>What needs to be said other than I love Kylo Ren and the "force Skypes" are just so incredible to me. Don’t hate me, but I do not like Luke Skywalker. He has no loyalty, no passion, and quite frankly is rude to Rey. The scene at the end between Rey and Kylo saves the movie and is a large reason it got such a high ranking on my list. </p><p><b>4) The Empire Strikes Back (1980)</b></p><p>The best of the originals, this movie has a lot of character building and iconic scenes. I love Lando personally, but the incest between Luke and Leia really bothered me having had that spoiled when I was a child. I have to appreciate the special effects for their timelessness and the vintage feel they give the movie; it might be more impressive than those used today simply because it was harder to execute. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8pToAhtHAyGHa4EtU2Diat4Ukaj5L8inAfZHVWtHL70P4CE0_8vme65tlUCVpgvBMINKZ3GiRmsIXLg8ZrF7DnTJ23gYJUxduWJEn_3PIckDuNfrZMuQkU_W3AQxPZEN8nW70R-FpB0/s1710/star+wars+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1710" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8pToAhtHAyGHa4EtU2Diat4Ukaj5L8inAfZHVWtHL70P4CE0_8vme65tlUCVpgvBMINKZ3GiRmsIXLg8ZrF7DnTJ23gYJUxduWJEn_3PIckDuNfrZMuQkU_W3AQxPZEN8nW70R-FpB0/s16000/star+wars+2.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>5) Revenge of the Sith (2005)</b></p><p>While I adore Padme for her resourcefulness and wit, the camaraderie between Obi-Wan and Anakin really shines in this movie. I was clearly emotional during this movie; my notes say things like “where you gonna hide that baby” and “I’m SO SAD”. Chewie’s cameo was a welcome surprise because it added a nice touch to lead into the originals. The worst part of this movie is how Padme’s character is ruined by making her seem so weak and helpless. The Padme from the first two prequels is simply not the same character whatsoever, and she would be embarrassed what they do to her in this one. </p><p>Unpopular opinion: I hate Yoda. I think he ruins the impact of every moment because of the way he talks, his screeching nails SENT ME, and he looks like a kale gnocchi from Trader Joe’s. This animation of Yoda is also at the bottom (puppet Yoda is much better), but the effects overall are the worst out of all the movies (“that lava ain’t it”). </p><p>The real thing that makes this movie stand out is the amazing chemistry between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman and between Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. I do have to disagree with the ending though because there is utterly no way Obi-Wan Kenobi would have sent away the twins; he would have become their uncle and raised them as his own. It’s not up for argument. A show of its excellence is that the moment I finished it, I rewinded it and watched it again…I have since seen it four times. </p><p><b>6) Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)</b></p><p>Only a few seconds into the movie, I started disliking it over a tiny detail: the weird text. Why is it blue? Why doesn’t it scroll? Anyways, the part with Chewie was my favorite because it is just so cute. I found myself really bothered that it wasn’t Harrison Ford, although I realize that it would have been impossible to use him. My Lando obsession was satisfied, especially with the line “the grown-ups are talking." What. An. Icon. Qi’ra is very pretty and another strong female lead who, honestly, I found boring until the end. L3 takes the place of my second favorite droid because of her snarky comments about women’s rights. Not a movie I would watch every day or even once a month, but will I watch it again someday? Yes, without a doubt. </p><p><b>7) A New Hope (1977)</b></p><p>I have mixed feelings on this movie because while I realize it is a classic, I find it very boring. However, I do like some of the characters from the originals such as Han and Leia. Han is a classic cocky pilot (do I have a type?) who is too charming to be good. In the originals overall, I hate every single scene with Jabba the Hutt because not only is he a sexist slug thing, but also I have to read subtitles (way too much work). While I would watch it again just for the little moments that are cute, I would never choose this over some of the other Star Wars movies. </p><p><b>8) Attack of the Clones (2002)</b></p><p>There is so much good in this: the costuming, the iconic line about sand, Padme’s weirdly good climbing skills, but I have <i>so many </i>questions. Why does Anakin have a tiny braid? Why can R2D2 all the sudden fly? Did Padme’s shirt just disappear? Fett’s child really annoyed me, to the point I physically wanted to scream. The battle is far too long, in my opinion, but honestly I liked it. Padme is a strong female lead, she is a good political leader, and she is shown as being very capable. I finally understood everyone’s obsession with Obi-Wan, and I would watch again solely to see the scene where all three of them are tied up in the arena. </p><p><b>9) The Rise of Skywalker (2019)</b></p><p>I will not deny being a very avid Kylo Ren fan, so it is no wonder that this movie ranked so low on my list. There were so many issues, I don’t think I can even cover them all. The ending lost major points, primarily because the filmmakers revealed that they had a different cut originally. All that pain was for nothing and I blame J.J. Abrams. Pro-tip: just stop the movie with 17:31 minutes left. </p><p>Most of my problems come from bad decisions regarding diversity. Poe Dameron is previously shown as the Han-type of man who is cocky but also charming and sweet, not to mention him being the first major Star Wars Latino character. That being said, does absolutely anyone know why they decided to make him a “spice-runner”, practically the most disrespectful thing they could have done? They didn’t stop at the ruin of one POC character though, they had to also try to erase Rose’s presence and her entire plot line that was built in The Last Jedi. Without a doubt, they went for important fan moments such as the force ghosts in the temple (even including Ahsoka!) and a cameo from Lando Calrissian. Overall, I try to pretend this movie didn’t happen and I have only watched it twice (once in theaters, once for this article). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9A-TdUaPJPpoWa91610wNzuepBh_aTEN8X6duje0CaBCcPAjkNvGqHa6xlXPTtk2L4AeGCScpPR8d62-Uegn5RnU8GjNhBcU7bG0Ldj6NHQQbhh54IB8nltPQFjyv8Bo0K56XYjszMM/s881/star+wars+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="881" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9A-TdUaPJPpoWa91610wNzuepBh_aTEN8X6duje0CaBCcPAjkNvGqHa6xlXPTtk2L4AeGCScpPR8d62-Uegn5RnU8GjNhBcU7bG0Ldj6NHQQbhh54IB8nltPQFjyv8Bo0K56XYjszMM/s16000/star+wars+3.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>10) Return of the Jedi (1983)</b></p><p>I said it already, but I’ll say it again: I HATE JABBA THE HUTT. This movie only heightened my hatred as not only did I have to go through the work of reading subtitles, but he is sexually abusing Leia. Another note on that scene is that I felt very let down by the entire sequence. I had heard about the iconic gold-bikini scene on other TV shows and on social media, but I felt very uncomfortable and underwhelmed. Yes, Leia is beautiful, but she looks awkward and I’m sure Carrie Fisher hated filming it. Han continues to improve, and in this movie, he has total Mamma Mia vibes. I don’t know how to explain it, but he does. They show Luke “turning to the dark side”, but I didn’t believe it for a second because it is so out of character for him. As much as I hate older Luke, young Luke is soft and cute. Overall, I like the bears, but I do not plan on ever watching this again. </p><p><b>11) The Phantom Menace (1999)</b></p><p>Finally, we have reached the last film on my list. One I hope to never watch again, my apologies to Qui-Gon Jinn who is only featured in this one movie. The effects are terrible, Jar Jar Binks makes me want to slam my head into a wall, and it’s far too political compared to the rest of the franchise. I viewed it as more of a children’s film in the language used, yet it was very boring during their long political discussions. It wasn’t all bad though: tiny Anakin is perfect, my man Darth Maul tries to run over a random child in the desert, and they imply that Anakin is basically Jesus since he was born to a virgin mother. Overall, this film is embodied by one of my notes that I don’t remember even writing: “umm no”. </p><p>These eleven movies are so special to three generations, and it’s insane how important they have become in my life just over the past eight months. I cannot wait to visit Batuu Galaxy’s Edge again and understand everything Disney has done to make it perfectly represent the world from the films. I also plan on watching Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, and other Star Wars content that is produced in the upcoming years. Most excitingly, both Nicole and I are asking for lightsabers for Christmas this year, so expect spinning content coming after December 25th. </p><p><i>By Hannah Ackman</i></p><p></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-51531342116666128602020-11-30T18:33:00.000-05:002020-11-30T18:33:08.171-05:00Interview: TYLER TAFOLLA, Seasons: A New Musical Song-Cycle<p>Tyler Tafolla is a performer, director, and musical theatre writer with experience working in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego. He has recently released a concept album for his new song cycle musical, <i>Seasons</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73_PBAJeVV1cZb2ClO5kmoBhyaL2xaoXr2gYZZuB_zlyr4UN1rwjI1Mx7vEzlqsaL5G-uM6lVLWnKVFo8eTu-wpVHrwEXdreMjiiGZYjAO0YaFmVoFzYUQQmKORtxi_EO_uAKOgjPonM/s960/tyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73_PBAJeVV1cZb2ClO5kmoBhyaL2xaoXr2gYZZuB_zlyr4UN1rwjI1Mx7vEzlqsaL5G-uM6lVLWnKVFo8eTu-wpVHrwEXdreMjiiGZYjAO0YaFmVoFzYUQQmKORtxi_EO_uAKOgjPonM/w640-h424/tyler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>To start off, how did you first become interested in musical theatre?</b></p><p>When I was eight years old and they realized I wasn’t doing great in sports, my parents put me into the local youth theatre company. I don’t remember this, but my mom says right after the audition, I told her, “I’m gonna do this for the rest of my life.” I grew up doing theatre and watching a healthy diet of Disney and Spielberg and movie musicals. I think we rented out the VHS of Mary Martin’s <i>Peter Pan</i> from the library every week. </p><p>I was never truly trained until I went to college, but I had a huge passion for it growing up. I didn’t really take voice lessons or do the usual stuff that kids who eventually do this do. I was just a sponge and I loved the medium. In high school, I was really into Spielberg and I didn’t know if I wanted to get into movies or if I wanted to write. I knew I wanted to do something within the arts and within the medium of telling stories. I loved storytelling and characters and when you fall in love with a character more than anything. I ended up going to college for musical theatre at AMDA and got my BFA in Musical Theatre. My world kind of led me to this point where now I’m writing and doing stuff full time with musicals which is so awesome. </p><p><b>What made you start writing?</b></p><p>In high school, I was writing little skits and sketches for my friends to do and making home movies because we were bored. My senior year of high school, they were looking to do a new musical and I, being the ballsy teenager I was back then, asked if they’d do it if someone wrote something original. I had this idea in the back of my head already for a story and I was like, “Yeah I’ll just turn this into a musical.” I was totally fearless! </p><p>I finished the first draft of my first musical and it was really bad, but it was finished. They were like, “We’re going in a different direction,” and I think they did <i>Fiddler</i> or something. But I had this first draft of this musical in my back pocket. The show is called <i>Scott Robbins and the Traveling Show</i> and I’ve produced and done stuff with it since. </p><p>They have a program at AMDA, where I did my four year BFA, called The Student Vision. You can pitch original musicals to this board of faculty and staff. If they like it, they’ll let you put up your musical. It’s all student-led, student-directed, with student actors. So halfway through college, I thought, I have this crappy first draft that has really good potential, I think I should do something with it. I wanted to find a way to stand out from the crowd because a lot of the teachers and staff were working professionals. As those in college for musical theatre know, there’s a lot of us and there were a lot of boys at that time that looked exactly like me, but sang and danced a lot better than me. </p><p>At that point at AMDA, no one had done a fully finished musical; they’d done a song cycle or fifteen minutes of a show. So I thought I’d do the first fully finished totally original musical. A year after I first heard about the program, I’d finished a new draft of the script and all new songs. I pitched it to them and they liked it. I eventually workshopped it all the way to doing a two weekend run at AMDA with this show that had been in my head since high school. </p><p>I kind of fell into becoming a writer. I was originally just going to do the book and get someone else to do the music and lyrics. Then, I thought I would do the music and get someone else to do lyrics. I kept trying to get people to help me work on this and eventually it got to a point where I needed to finish it because no one else was going to do it for me. It became this sort of mission of mine, if you will, just to finish it because I believe in the story and the characters I’ve created. </p><p><b>Can you share a bit about <i>Seasons</i>? </b></p><p><i>Seasons</i> is a new musical song cycle. It’s about six friends who, within the span of six years, go within all the big milestone seasons of their life: high school, college, marriage, divorce, jobs, careers, kids. It hits all the big marks in their life. A lot of the characters go through spouts of asking, “Why do seasons have to change? Why can’t we just stay the same?” It’s about kids becoming adults, learning why having seasons of their lives is a good thing. They learn throughout the span of it that we as humans don’t always have control over our lives and where our lives go. But after the good and the bad happen, we have the choice of where we can go from there. </p><p>It’s been a fun labor of love. I had little melodies that I’ve written here and there during my time in college that I’d never really used. After pitching the other show, <i>Scott Robbins</i>, over the years to different theaters and venues, I wanted to do something smaller with a smaller cast of three girls and three guys that didn't need a lot of set pieces. </p><p>I’m really inspired by people by Jason Robert Brown and Pasek and Paul and I saw that they started off doing song cycles. So I wanted to dip my feet in that and doing something that was nonlinear was a fun little challenge. We were going to perform it earlier this summer in 2020, but because of everything...that wasn’t going to happen. Instead, around March when all this went down, I thought to myself, I have all of these songs finished and I want to do something with them. I want everyone to have a new musical to listen to this year even though Broadway closed. I thought I’d just turn it into a concept album, stream it online, and make it a fundraiser because Broadway and everyone are struggling right now.</p><p>We premiered it on October 15. I got a couple of artists that are pretty well known in the theatre community like Mariah Rose Faith, Desi Oakley, and Adante Carter. They were all totally into it and wanted to be a part of it. I just wanted to give people something to look forward to still within this weird year and something that they can jam out in the car to. </p><p><b>What were your musical influences for <i>Seasons</i>?</b></p><p>The sound of the show is very inspired by the music I was listening to in high school. You’ve got stuff that sounds like Billy Joel, The Cure, Mumford & Sons, and Green Day. It hits the greatest hits of what Tyler was listening to back then, and I still listen to it now. I think it was Lin Manuel Miranda who said that the music that will be the most important to you is what you were listening to in high school. So if you were to put in Tyler’s mix CD from high school, this is the kind of sound that would come out of it. It’s a nice mix of fun stuff you can rock out to and songs you can get really introspective and heavy with.</p><p><b>What was recording a concept album during a pandemic like? </b></p><p>It was nuts, but it was awesome though! Most of my contact with people was through either social media or email. I didn’t see anyone in person during that time, except my girlfriend Megan [Kuramoto-Monroe] who is on the album and is living with me. The only other person I saw was Mariah who came down for us to shoot the music video, socially distanced. </p><p style="text-align: center;">
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</p><p>I sent everyone the tracks and told them the feel of the song and the style and said, “Have at it! Go wild with it, be free, have fun.” I sent them the sheet music and let them get creative on their own side of things. They sent me back tracks of their audio and we just dropped it into what we were working on over here. </p><p>I’m in San Diego right now and we were getting people from New York and LA and all over to put this together. It was a fun two to three month time where I was getting tracks from people. My brother Ryan and I were doing the mix in our garage. It sounds way better than the capacity in which we were creating it. That’s a testament to all these artists’ talent and their abilities because they are so good on this. I listen to Desi Oakley and I cry. We were mixing and doing live instruments, drums and guitar. A lot of this, I was Garageband-ing and then we were able to go back and layer in all of the real live stuff. It was so cool to see it all come together. </p><p><b>How did you assemble this fantastic cast?</b></p><p>It’s a mixture of the people I know, the people who are available, and the people who I’m very inspired by and have wanted to work with over the years. Me and Mariah had wanted to work together and we finally got to work on this. </p><p>A lot of the people, I was just reaching out to. You know the <i>Starry</i> musical. That team is so awesome and I was able to reach out to them and a lot of the people who worked on this worked on <i>Starry</i>. I wanted to reach out to these people because I knew they were available because nothing is going on right now. It was the perfect time to get all these really talented people that I’ve admired from afar together to do this. </p><p>It felt like the right piece to work on for right now too. The feelings we’re singing about are very topical. I never expected the songs to ring this true during this time. I listen back to these lyrics and these songs and I see them with different eyes now. </p><p><b>Are you hoping to fully stage <i>Seasons</i> when life is back to being a bit more normal? </b></p><p>I am hopeful for any capacity this could be in. With <i>Seasons</i>, this is a show that can live without big sets and in concert style. If you make it too big, it could lose its charm. The show is meant to feel like you’re opening someone’s photo album or journal or yearbook from their life. </p><p>I’m hopeful for theatre to come back soon, so I would love for that to happen. I’m discovering all of this as I go. I’m looking up bloggers and people to write about it and to talk to because I believe in the story and the characters and the artists that are on this. I want them to be seen and be out there right now. It’s so easy to get lost in the waves of social media and the news. I’ve been doing all my own marketing for the show and my own music and <i>Scott Robbins</i>. I’ve been doing it on my own. I want so desperately to work with people. I want to work in the theatre and be doing stuff on a bigger scale than I am. </p><p><b>Getting your work out there is a challenge even in good circumstances, but especially right now, I imagine. </b></p><p>The more talk that it gets, the more people share it on social media and on the internet, that’s how these things stay alive. <i>Starry</i> is the way it is right now because people shared it. I love Starkid and I grew up watching <i>A Very Potter Musical</i> and their popularity is from word of mouth. It’s from people talking about it over blogs and the internet and all of that. Unfortunately for new content right now, that’s the only way it can stay alive. Even this last season of Broadway, there wasn’t a lot of original stuff that wasn’t coming from a movie or an album from a well-known artist. Any original stuff that you want to do now is so difficult which is why i’m so thankful for people like you who are preaching about the good news of original art right now and keeping people like me afloat. It inspires me to see that there’s still an appetite for original new stuff. </p><p><b>It’s funny that you mention Starkid, because my best friend finally got me into watching their shows during quarantine. </b></p><p>I was inspired by them too. When I was in high school, AVPM had just come out and it was the first time I saw young people writing new stuff. It was based on Harry Potter, but it was still their creation with their own inside jokes. It gave me the freedom to be like, “Oh I can do that!” You don’t need a big budget. You don’t need the Shubert Organization backing you for people to see new stuff with the help of the Internet. </p><p><b>So you’re donating part of the proceeds from the album to Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids and Feeding America. Can you tell me a bit about that decision? </b></p><p>To put it bluntly, the world is on fire. I knew at the beginning of this in March that everyone needs help right now. Then I realized Broadway was slowly dying and the theatre world in general is not surviving. So I thought: how can I, being the little person with my megaphone on my soapbox, do my part during all of this? There’s plenty to be angry about or talking about right now. One time, I heard someone say, “I’m only one but I’m still one.” If I can only do this little amount, I’m going to do it to the best of my abilities. Even though I cannot save the theatre community as a whole, I can still do everything I can try to make a difference. </p><p><b>This is a heavy question, I know, but what do you think the importance of art is in the middle of the crisis -- both health crisis but also political crisis -- that we’re currently in? </b></p><p>I’ve learned this through the two musicals that I’ve put out. I think of it like how the 1970s happened and the Vietnam War was happening and all these terrible things were going on and Star Wars came out and it sort of ignited people’s ideas of fantasy and escapism. On the one hand, theatre is a great place for escapism and escaping your troubles. </p><p>On the other side, you have something like <i>Seasons</i> which is still nostalgic in the sense of music, but is talking about stuff that we are currently going through. But it doesn’t feel heavy handed. It says, let’s sit down and talk about what we’re feeling and what’s going on and that this sucks right now. I think theatre is both sides of that coin: it can be escapism, but also a safe place to feel people with the hope to keep going. It’s not someone yelling at you like on the news, but a place that we can talk about it and heal. Theatre for me has always been a healing place. If I can be that, if I can provide that for somebody, that would be great. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadkjBpAIjdcWnduMN3x1phtQWUP-oSvu2SLzrShgZAXp4_TbXGmbcSte7pLwBXcq-ceVQ3gvOXj5fHf6DAMBPV-vguYC-PaXthFaKBjliY7XUidhX0AMcOtr8ZaMogLP2APn0nC4lwFo/s1200/seasons+album.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadkjBpAIjdcWnduMN3x1phtQWUP-oSvu2SLzrShgZAXp4_TbXGmbcSte7pLwBXcq-ceVQ3gvOXj5fHf6DAMBPV-vguYC-PaXthFaKBjliY7XUidhX0AMcOtr8ZaMogLP2APn0nC4lwFo/w400-h400/seasons+album.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><i>To find out more about Tyler, you can check out his <a href="https://www.tylertafolla.com/" target="_blank">website</a> or follow him on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tatafolla/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. To listen to Seasons, you can stream it on all music platforms or purchase it <a href="https://seasonsmusical.bandcamp.com/releases" target="_blank">online</a>. Proceeds will help raise money for Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids and Feeding America.</i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-90426148138372585772020-11-02T23:07:00.004-05:002020-12-11T14:17:21.040-05:00Review: What a Carve Up! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUQWTMEw4G4u9tMGz3G7NfI7-cDPsLj3I9DpvN_QKsOaDSLGKPZCAo6BsqgjOO4wZFaEDZqgFSECkQNY7eOrQaVvPlVR0c81CikSeiP8dNDVAuvPK7MuocHTA2SJsCuqsEXhSYnCCi1o/s2048/Alfred+Enoch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUQWTMEw4G4u9tMGz3G7NfI7-cDPsLj3I9DpvN_QKsOaDSLGKPZCAo6BsqgjOO4wZFaEDZqgFSECkQNY7eOrQaVvPlVR0c81CikSeiP8dNDVAuvPK7MuocHTA2SJsCuqsEXhSYnCCi1o/s16000/Alfred+Enoch.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alfred Enoch as Raymond Owen<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>RATING: ★★★★</p><p>With every year, it feels like the lines become more blurred between movies and television and theatre. This year, it's more true than ever with the release of the filmed <i>Hamilton</i> on Disney+ and Covid shutting down almost all live theatre. The <a href="barntheatre.org.uk" target="_blank">Barn Theatre</a>, the <a href="www.thelbt.org " target="_blank">Lawrence Batley Theatre</a>, and the <a href=" https://www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wolsey Theatre</a> have teamed up to bring audiences a new production: <i><a href="https://www.whatacarveup.com/" target="_blank">What a Carve Up!</a> </i><b>Henry Filloux-Bennet</b>'s adaptation of <b>Jonathan Coe</b>'s 1994 novel certainly couldn't be staged as a traditional live play, but was made by a series of theatres in the United Kingdom to be consumed digitally. One bright spot to a show like this being digital is that people all over the world can buy a ticket to see it. </p><p>This production radically reimagines the novel it's based on, with a new character looking back on the events and trying to piece together the truth. Raymond Owen (<b>Alfred Enoch</b>) is making an amateur documentary about the murders supposedly committed by the father he never knew in 1991 when he was only an infant. The victims are six members of the Winshaw family, a corrupt group involved in everything from embezzlement to arms dealing to sexual assault. This murder mystery touches on many topics relevant to today, including Covid, the Me Too movement, and the ineptitude of the police. The show is suitable for those age 16 and older as it does contain strong language and descriptions of sensitive topics. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx33qjnI_7JQpUQH25g1PIdf6mG60Z4G8-09R_2sUxOLF9Zti-8tM2RQ8jZ_Ajhuci6xJL73G-yRaozf2KZOZnnLkE6c6G-yt-aU15YJFsZYeuPv_UWakOCj1e0rnIYaLbguc2OUjN6Fs/s2048/Tamzin+Outhwaite+%2526+Fiona+Button.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx33qjnI_7JQpUQH25g1PIdf6mG60Z4G8-09R_2sUxOLF9Zti-8tM2RQ8jZ_Ajhuci6xJL73G-yRaozf2KZOZnnLkE6c6G-yt-aU15YJFsZYeuPv_UWakOCj1e0rnIYaLbguc2OUjN6Fs/s16000/Tamzin+Outhwaite+%2526+Fiona+Button.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamzin Outhwaite and Fiona Button as the Interviewer and Josephine Winshaw-EavesAdd caption<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The show is well-edited together in a sort of documentary style. It mixes clips of Enoch talking to the camera with lots of photos and stock video footage, with voiceovers of "interviews" with people involved with the murder case. Additionally, there are clips from an interview with Josephine Winshaw-Eaves (<b>Fiona Button</b>), the last remaining member of the Winshaw family. Josephine is an entitled woman who complains about having to go to Charterhouse instead of Eton and is, unsurprisingly, a Trump supporter. Under <b>Tamara Harvey</b>'s direction, it comes together seamlessly, feeling somewhere between an actual video essay on YouTube and a Netflix documentary. </p><p>Enoch is the heart of the piece, giving a very engaging performance and managing to make a strong emotional impact even given the non-traditional format. Button manages to make Josephine an easily recognizable rich and cocky celebrity-type, but also makes her agitation anytime a sensitive topic comes up very believable. <b>Tamzin Outhwaite</b> is great as the interviewer and the voice cast for the audio interviews is impressive, including <b>Celia Imrie</b>, <b>Stephen Fry</b>, and <b>Sir Derek Jacobi</b>. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawXHL6vGZgACb-TSWhpfWfnSeuZAdEXuwd5sK9JsErYhWwuQ8-f4pja4eFfUm-vYrnjAlFfGdaBD7nYAwqD2K_kPloxKhPd-y8zWFdf9_aHF9O7Xe-G4YH55AUdCwrYqo4rjmN-cILs8/s2048/Fiona+Button.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawXHL6vGZgACb-TSWhpfWfnSeuZAdEXuwd5sK9JsErYhWwuQ8-f4pja4eFfUm-vYrnjAlFfGdaBD7nYAwqD2K_kPloxKhPd-y8zWFdf9_aHF9O7Xe-G4YH55AUdCwrYqo4rjmN-cILs8/s16000/Fiona+Button.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiona Button as Josephine Winshaw-EavesAdd caption<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While <i>What a Carve Up! </i>does struggle with pacing at times, it's very gripping towards the end. Fans of last year's <i>Knives Out </i>or classics like <i>Clue </i>are sure to enjoy the show. With a run time of less than two hours, it's easy to stick with the innovative format. It's certainly unlike anything I've ever watched before and it's exciting to see theatres finding ways to safely create content and keep theatre alive. </p><p>At one point, Raymond remarks, "I'm just so tired." It's a 2020 mood and especially apt for this week in America as we face a very stressful election, but this is the perfect break from real life. </p><p>The play has performances nightly until November 29, 2020. Tickets can be purchased <a href="https://www.whatacarveup.com/" target="_blank">online</a> and links are active for a 48-hour period. People within the UK can purchase a premium ticket which includes a physical programme and dinner recipe card curated by chef Asma Khan. </p><p><i>I was given a press ticket to this show for the purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. </i></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-25728736298268217042020-10-10T12:42:00.000-04:002020-10-10T12:42:02.096-04:00Why Captain Marvel is the Most Powerful Avenger (Guest Post by Hannah Ackman)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My teenage sister Hannah previously wrote a <a href="http://www.flowercrownsandrevolutionaries.com/2020/03/a-love-letter-to-amy-march-guest-post.html" target="_blank">piece</a> on my blog about Amy March and Greta Gerwig's <i>Little Women</i>. She's back today with a piece on her favorite Marvel superhero and keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming piece all about her newfound love for <i>Star Wars</i>...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6Cbyc36I5HCnikvkLfLC_RP3sz8eoDS9rKotqHRD925Y1DNIU9vWicizy-0QzJsn4I_LNC0F2pLCRQD3XGp1DistSc-j6Ze8p8mM1clU7VcnN-gFf-9Jam1PpLWUcdd9ehAFnnsI-cI/s1800/captain-marvel-ss-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6Cbyc36I5HCnikvkLfLC_RP3sz8eoDS9rKotqHRD925Y1DNIU9vWicizy-0QzJsn4I_LNC0F2pLCRQD3XGp1DistSc-j6Ze8p8mM1clU7VcnN-gFf-9Jam1PpLWUcdd9ehAFnnsI-cI/s16000/captain-marvel-ss-main.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In 2019, Marvel released their first solo film of a female character starring Brie Larson. It was the fifth-highest grossing film of 2019 and the 23rd of all time. Brie Larson trained hard for nine-months to do her own stunts in the movie, essentially becoming Carol Danvers as much as possible in her physique and strength. That dedication transferred into her embodiment of the character in filming, filling the spot of an iconic feminist character for Marvel fans all over the world. There are so many female characters highlighted in the films, but there is something about Captain Marvel that makes her different. Maybe I am biased, as she is my favorite character, but I think it comes down to three main things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e0Im3Pvds4r31DhQ2IrI8jiDnSntPVkf1v3fvBL5eE_540Wzhz9iSTqDo3lw6BUXThB19jRtVeOF1g4s2j2a3Gdzb2Ben_WstTnZsMKjkAHjd_87ep7SJVV6c69LqT_8JFdMhMc_lN4/s1439/captainmarvel_carolandmaria_pilots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e0Im3Pvds4r31DhQ2IrI8jiDnSntPVkf1v3fvBL5eE_540Wzhz9iSTqDo3lw6BUXThB19jRtVeOF1g4s2j2a3Gdzb2Ben_WstTnZsMKjkAHjd_87ep7SJVV6c69LqT_8JFdMhMc_lN4/s16000/captainmarvel_carolandmaria_pilots.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>One: </b>She has her own movie! She is the first (and only) female avenger to have a solo movie thus far. Marvel originally wanted to release the first female solo superhero movie but was beat by Sony with their <i>Wonder Woman</i> movie. However, I think that the intensity, art, and power shown in <i>Captain Marvel</i> far outranks <i>Wonder Woman</i> (sorry!). Additionally, there is no love interest shown. She has friends, Nick Fury and Maria Rambeau, but there is no canon romance. Better yet, it was directed by Anna Boden, a female! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Two: </b>She isn’t sexy! She is <i>not</i> used for her beauty, sex appeal, or being a girl. A man could do everything she does, she is incredible because of her powers and personality not because of her gender. Her costume is very covering; it features pants and long sleeves, which is ideal for fighting. Most of the other female superheroes, in both Marvel and DC, have low-cut revealing tops, short skirts, and outfits that are impractical for the dangerous situation they experience. Captain Marvel even is sometimes seen with her hair tucked up into a helmet, another practical feature usually reserved for the male heroes. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaba_ns40_Nh2QXUAqy5qu3icF5k9F4O3nQeimYd3DdD3I54-KmMPHDZ3TYUSezRkie0kEK-Gki-k75boVceSSMA7_W-o191yLLL5PfR-QasGqpn7N2UDtPhyphenhyphen24RGojwz0p-URZ4zEANc/s2048/captain-marvel-brie-larson-pilot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaba_ns40_Nh2QXUAqy5qu3icF5k9F4O3nQeimYd3DdD3I54-KmMPHDZ3TYUSezRkie0kEK-Gki-k75boVceSSMA7_W-o191yLLL5PfR-QasGqpn7N2UDtPhyphenhyphen24RGojwz0p-URZ4zEANc/s16000/captain-marvel-brie-larson-pilot.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Three: </b>She is amazing before she gets her powers when she is an air force pilot. Let me repeat that, she is in the air force! As a girl! Since Carol was a child, she wanted to fly planes but that was seen as unachievable for a female. She was belittled, teased, and talked down to, but eventually she still made it alongside her friend Maria Rambeau. Discovering her powers only made her strength more accessible, she already had powers before that she had worked for herself. </div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These reasons and more are why I will always idolize Captain Marvel and vote for her as the best Avenger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>By Hannah Ackman</i></div><p></p>Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-25412597763429732882020-07-13T11:19:00.001-04:002020-07-13T12:57:12.414-04:00Review: Molly Brown House Museum (Denver, Colorado)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAsFMjD8EX3-c4HUPmv0AJovvrWosW5EJCKDpUw2gTY6F9k_WyE-r1TM0D38DsA1vvRWHZ8rDq2xss54PKUaOjD4fGFwBD-xa-V4gBk35bH-QIurGy7PTaR0LQusrynIGYtJU2g_qAhQ/s1600/IMG_6078.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAsFMjD8EX3-c4HUPmv0AJovvrWosW5EJCKDpUw2gTY6F9k_WyE-r1TM0D38DsA1vvRWHZ8rDq2xss54PKUaOjD4fGFwBD-xa-V4gBk35bH-QIurGy7PTaR0LQusrynIGYtJU2g_qAhQ/w625-h469/IMG_6078.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last year (back when we could still go out and do things), I went on a work trip to Denver, Colorado. I took an earlier flight out so that I could fit in a few historic sites and the one I was most excited to see was the Molly Brown House Museum. I've had these photos and notes sitting for over a year, so I thought it was finally time to share them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Margaret Brown might be known as "the Unsinkable Molly Brown," but she was never actually called Molly. It's a nickname given to her by the musical and film about her that has persisted so strongly that most people likely don't know her real name was Margaret. She was a philanthropist, activist, and socialite who had a home in the once fashionable Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver for many years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8acH8TK5yguA9UFKXhowlyb0E0GO_b_wzapLXgCWu_UtTT0EgyR30GzqsjbRG1bpEfZYXMIHlBWsmsf6zRwcj8YHVXxWOfx9gLkFg6HngStvYP1HqSig2bfSki3nmmUtsIAh47E8wW78/s1600/IMG_6079.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8acH8TK5yguA9UFKXhowlyb0E0GO_b_wzapLXgCWu_UtTT0EgyR30GzqsjbRG1bpEfZYXMIHlBWsmsf6zRwcj8YHVXxWOfx9gLkFg6HngStvYP1HqSig2bfSki3nmmUtsIAh47E8wW78/w625-h469/IMG_6079.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Margaret Tobin was born in Missouri to Irish Catholic immigrant parents. At the age of nineteen, she married 31-year-old J.J. Brown who was equally poor but with whom she was very much in love. They had two children, Lawrence and Catherine, born soon after their marriage. Fortunately, J.J. struck gold in Colorado in the 1890s and the family were instant millionaires. They moved to Denver and bought the home that is now the Molly Brown Museum. In 1909, J.J. and Margaret legally separated but they remained on good terms for the rest of their lives. </div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluMQWMcPcxmZbTjTxHRGCBG5awrb2G5o2nQbfRNovAB6xEUuxsz8Y5VHsKTWeO0LAdyMoGBx11eKgX9-Vg1cmm8Zgb7RNLaLpUp2HmMG4gOpMDSL0xJA9SBTJxSGQb0tEqdbKAAPrPAk/s1600/IMG_6084.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluMQWMcPcxmZbTjTxHRGCBG5awrb2G5o2nQbfRNovAB6xEUuxsz8Y5VHsKTWeO0LAdyMoGBx11eKgX9-Vg1cmm8Zgb7RNLaLpUp2HmMG4gOpMDSL0xJA9SBTJxSGQb0tEqdbKAAPrPAk/w625-h469/IMG_6084.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Margaret was passionate about education and employed tutors for herself, learning five or six languages. Both of her children were sent to French boarding schools. Margaret became involved in many causes from women's suffrage to miners rights to maritime law. She helped create the juvenile court system and even ran for Senate. However, she dropped out of the Senate race to volunteer in France when World War I broke out. When her son Larry was temporarily blinded in the war, she learned Braille. She was eventually awarded the French Legion of Honor. </div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmdsPBZchFVBvE71OFEJmN2pOnWxDgLo4PmJAUUyvWoO1blM41kg2EwY_RbOqaAihkZmq2NdL2VOOeZEN0fC_mbnoJjCQ1p6DcH3SMEQt0iDt71BQqOtKiyqu-r_gtpQIrMEcDz99d_U/s1600/IMG_6098.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmdsPBZchFVBvE71OFEJmN2pOnWxDgLo4PmJAUUyvWoO1blM41kg2EwY_RbOqaAihkZmq2NdL2VOOeZEN0fC_mbnoJjCQ1p6DcH3SMEQt0iDt71BQqOtKiyqu-r_gtpQIrMEcDz99d_U/w625-h469/IMG_6098.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Margaret was famously a passenger on the Titanic and survived the crossing. While she is most known for trying to convince the lifeboat she was in to return to try to save people in the icy water, she also raised $10,000 for Titanic passengers while they were aboard the ship that rescued them, the Carpathia. When the wealthy survivors didn't donate their money quickly enough, she publicly shamed those who hadn't given until they did. This money was used to help second- and third-class passengers upon docking in New York. </div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dX6xmB_fn3gPESd3wJH_Q-NpmpYjSnXCsCVFZEA0wvTTc2LcHFJmVHOzGuJpJGTiyrN874DPDPz9jKVKDPvaA7BphV8RHBlXDTgQlCjBl0sapuaU6RNl-SH7QyHG21gKuafnTOpihAg/s1600/IMG_6099.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dX6xmB_fn3gPESd3wJH_Q-NpmpYjSnXCsCVFZEA0wvTTc2LcHFJmVHOzGuJpJGTiyrN874DPDPz9jKVKDPvaA7BphV8RHBlXDTgQlCjBl0sapuaU6RNl-SH7QyHG21gKuafnTOpihAg/w625-h469/IMG_6099.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Margaret took acting classes and was even in a few plays towards the end of her life. She died in 1932 at the age of 65 due to a stroke. While "the Unsinkable Molly Brown" has become a mythic figure in American history, the truth of her life is arguably even more fascinating. </div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd-DhSsr3ygSUIjY8GRXonoORHp38UJ1onXQnXLqte8xm2MtCARGINZwae0RAHH7W9XYyLiMMNDDRQO8K6Uncenixl816JOBHboMILFgOVFGkX7RzVYfPAdXcSbqVdI-mlu6GG-mbpQI/s1600/IMG_6105.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd-DhSsr3ygSUIjY8GRXonoORHp38UJ1onXQnXLqte8xm2MtCARGINZwae0RAHH7W9XYyLiMMNDDRQO8K6Uncenixl816JOBHboMILFgOVFGkX7RzVYfPAdXcSbqVdI-mlu6GG-mbpQI/w625-h469/IMG_6105.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The house itself is a lovely Victorian home designed by architect William A. Lang. It was built in 1889, with all of the best modern features of the time: electricity, central heating, indoor plumbing, and a telephone. The Browns purchased the house from Isaac and Mary Large in 1894 for $30,000. Four years later, they changed over the house to be in Margaret's name. The Browns added on the porch, grand staircase, and back porch. The house, which is decorated in a lavish style, is close to Capitol Hill and other museums. In addition to the Browns' two children, Margaret's parents lived with them for many years and it's easy to imagine it as a bustling and busy home. </div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkM-W-vDBAqjMeN_j4Lx7Rhmp8YyRhppfdhjxiuO-fAT9N13y6qTteg7IUxGAc_EyXiW14Dv62oTiBaCOTiki1GAYXo-PWsy9ZjYBJQwekojhecMMYkbvl70IRsUgzSSQgpiDC8zEX1nU/s1600/IMG_6112.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkM-W-vDBAqjMeN_j4Lx7Rhmp8YyRhppfdhjxiuO-fAT9N13y6qTteg7IUxGAc_EyXiW14Dv62oTiBaCOTiki1GAYXo-PWsy9ZjYBJQwekojhecMMYkbvl70IRsUgzSSQgpiDC8zEX1nU/w625-h469/IMG_6112.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In 1970, the house was almost torn down and replaced with a parking lot. Luckily, it was acquired by Historic Denver. It has now been restored to its 1910 appearance based on historic photographs, written descriptions of the home, and paint-chip analysis. It's filled with furniture, linens, books, and other pieces to make you feel like you've stepped back in time. It's set up as the house would have been right before the Garden Party held that year, to which 800 guests were invited. They also have small exhibits about the other people who have lived in the house. </div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vzX8fDbNr-54b04EGgP69xAab7xZuiRydvah2BMNMJTm4Y-HkHPAoiYWyfFgyljIzLvBiqe2N0uMy-qN89sYn3ImZ__znanFZxa54P8DTb6NFYi1gDr5sy4cvaTzKo4MYSYZ4n2h4q8/s1600/IMG_6117.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vzX8fDbNr-54b04EGgP69xAab7xZuiRydvah2BMNMJTm4Y-HkHPAoiYWyfFgyljIzLvBiqe2N0uMy-qN89sYn3ImZ__znanFZxa54P8DTb6NFYi1gDr5sy4cvaTzKo4MYSYZ4n2h4q8/w625-h469/IMG_6117.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I went, I had a great guided tour by a nice and very knowledgable tour guide. I would definitely recommend getting their early to secure your spot on the tour because they do fill up (at least they do...when we're not dealing with a pandemic). They have a neat little gift shop that you can browse through while waiting for your tour time (I bought some gifts to bring back to my family). There is a small fee for the tour, which lasts forty-five minutes, but it's worth it to help keep this amazing museum running. </div></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wShxJAMVYGX7V33CjDvQnwXQWuDkgdIuQCx54MhhhEu1LSYa8xttvqMeejKLoj8gO18Iv0BZAFkJRzWNS4SGjeQMJ5UFOkhf01otCqubKEc0tBwS78MJHazY7_m8M0_cFVyep3ER8T8/s1600/IMG_6129.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wShxJAMVYGX7V33CjDvQnwXQWuDkgdIuQCx54MhhhEu1LSYa8xttvqMeejKLoj8gO18Iv0BZAFkJRzWNS4SGjeQMJ5UFOkhf01otCqubKEc0tBwS78MJHazY7_m8M0_cFVyep3ER8T8/w625-h469/IMG_6129.HEIC" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're ever in Denver, a tour of the Molly Brown Museum is the number one thing that I recommend you do. You can visit their <a href="https://mollybrown.org/">website</a> to learn more about Margaret Brown and the museum. You can also find information about their measures for ensuring safety while visiting during the pandemic. </div></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-83830826335054968302020-05-03T09:30:00.000-04:002020-05-03T09:32:15.004-04:00April FavoritesSo if March lasted 500 days, then April lasted about 5 days, right? Time moves differently in quarantine, I guess. I honestly feel like I'm as busy as before between still working full time and doing lots of writing, but I'm hoping to start reteaching myself an instrument in May.<br />
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<b>TV SHOWS</b><br />
<i>the crown season 3</i><br />
I loved Seasons 1 and 2 of "The Crown," so I was super excited to finally get around to watching Season 3. I was so blown away by Helena Bonham Carter and Josh O'Connor's performances as Princess Margaret and Princes Charles. The entire cast is amazing and I can't wait to see where Season 4 will take us.<br />
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<i>new girl </i><br />
I had watched the first two-ish seasons of "New Girl" during college but then got distracted. I wanted an easy half-hour episode TV show to watch during quarantine, so I decided to restart this from the beginning. Maybe it's that I'm a bit older now, but I'm enjoying it so much more this time. My friend Julie is also watching it and it's so fun to talk about together. I can admit that I'm a total Jess Day...and maybe a little bit Schmidt too.<br />
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<b>FILMS</b><br />
<i>selma</i><br />
We've started our 2014 Retrospective over on Next Best Picture and the first film I watched for it was Ava DuVernay's "Selma." I'd never seen it before and I was absolutely blown away by it and what a great portrait it is of Martin Luther King Jr. You can listen to our <a href="https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-next-best-picture-podcast-selma" target="_blank">podcast review</a> and read my <a href="https://www.nextbestpicture.com/selma.html" target="_blank">review</a>.<br />
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<i>loving</i><br />
Maggie and I did a special episode of "Petticoats & Poppies" in which we brought on my friend Alexis, who recently graduated from law school, as a guest. We discussed the film "Loving" and Alexis provided her legal expertise about the court case it's centered around. I was so impressed by this quiet and intimate film with fantastic performances from Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga. You can listen to the episode <a href="https://eargluemedia.com/poppies/poppies003/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<i>the bling ring</i><br />
I rewatched "The Bling Ring" for the first time in years as part of a <a href="http://ff2media.com/blog/2020/04/14/happy-birthday-emma-watson/" target="_blank">piece</a> I wrote in honor of Emma Watson's birthday. I truly think that it's some of Sofia Coppola's best work and I don't think anyone can argue it's not one of Watson's best performances.<br />
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<b>ALBUMS </b><br />
<i>the hunchback of notre dame studio cast recording </i><br />
My neighbors probably hate this album by now. I started listening to this because "Out There" is my favorite Disney song of all time, but then fell in love with the whole album. (Partially because I just really love Patrick Page.) I would love to see this show make it to Broadway one day.<br />
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<b>MUSICALS</b><br />
<i>the trail to oregon </i><br />
So...I'll have a more extensive post on this coming soon, but in the past month I've watched five StarKid Productions musicals. I had never seen any of them before despite being vaguely aware of the group since high school, but I finally decided to watch some alongside my friend Alexis (also mentioned above) who is a fan. "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxKCX-UvPrI" target="_blank">The Trail to Oregon</a>" is easily one of my favorites thus far, maybe because I was such a nerd about pioneers growing up.<br />
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<i>the guy who didn't like musicals</i><br />
My favorite of the StarKid shows is definitely "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrxKX44qBJ0" target="_blank">The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals</a>," one of their most recent ones. It's actually easily my favorite musical I've seen for the first time in 2020. The score is fantastic, the cast is great, and the humor is top-notch.<br />
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<b>OTHER</b><br />
<i>oregon trail </i><br />
In preparation to watch "The Trail to Oregon," Alexis recommended that I play a few rounds of the game Oregon Trail because I somehow never played it growing up. I found a version online and now I'm absolutely addicted to it. Maybe it's because I was obsessed with the actual Oregon Trail in elementary school or maybe I just enjoy being able to focus on something small for a little while, but it's brought me so much joy.<br />
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<i>tik tok </i><br />
Yes, I finally did it. I downloaded Tik Tok. Not only that, but I started making videos; this is what happens when you have a Gen Z sibling, I guess. But actually I'm kind of addicted to watching Star Wars, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and theatre themed videos. My username on there is nicoleackman16 if you want to follow me.<br />
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<i>567 broadway </i><br />
(#567BroadwayPartner)<br />
I made a YouTube video last year about Joseph Corella's 567 Broadway program. You can buy the DVD or digital copy of the <a href="https://www.567broadway.fitness/a/144..." target="_blank">full program</a> or check out his videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5c9Z3QsloqOsb5HS_R5RrA" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. Joseph teaches you choreography to songs from Broadway shows; it's a way to exercise without feeling like you're working out. I am an ambassador for the program, but I've honestly been doing them so often since quarantine began because they're a great way to get moving without the pressure of working out. They always lift my mood, but my personal favorite is the Mamma Mia themed video on YouTube.<br />
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What did you enjoy in the month of April? Let me know on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/nicoleackman16" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or in the comments below xNicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-13056273024244469722020-04-09T08:00:00.001-04:002020-04-09T08:00:00.732-04:00Review: Burgwin-Wright House (Wilmington, North Carolina)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7pwyuLxhQMatgwN-kqsOAoHiwpsT6yI5y6Un6BqTIxkLmqN6fw3b4o8HIFjq4AYTAFnwxwKSK3izBhkdmam4O5P4vJFdyc7fPKoXojF2koVBedde6V8v2ajiyypGepYEptwx4QG4ycc/s1600/IMG_1511.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7pwyuLxhQMatgwN-kqsOAoHiwpsT6yI5y6Un6BqTIxkLmqN6fw3b4o8HIFjq4AYTAFnwxwKSK3izBhkdmam4O5P4vJFdyc7fPKoXojF2koVBedde6V8v2ajiyypGepYEptwx4QG4ycc/s1600/IMG_1511.HEIC" /></a></div>
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My family has a condo at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and I've grown up going there my entire life. However, other than going to the Battleship, I recently realized that I had never been to any of the historic sites in Wilmington. So the last time we were down at the coast a few weeks ago (before all of this Covid-19 panic happened), we decided to choose a house and go to it. We sort of picked one at random, but I think we set the bar high for future historic site adventuring.<br />
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The Burgwin-Wright House is the oldest property in Wilmington and the only house remaining from the colonial era that is open to the public. It's a beautiful example of Georgian architecture and a great way to learn about what life was like in Wilmington before the Revolutionary War. When the house is open to the public, you can take a guided tour with one of their docents. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgable and did a great job at answering questions and keeping everyone engaged.<br />
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The Burgwin-Wright House sits on the property that once housed the original Wilmington jail, which was built in 1744. After failed attempts by the local wealthy men to get the city to move the jail away from the city center, it mysteriously burned down in 1768. John Burgwin bought the land and by 1771 was living on a house built on the site. The outdoor and basement jail cells still exist and can be seen on the tour.<br />
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John Burgwin was the second son of an English merchant who immigrated to America in hopes of making his fortune. He started out in Charleston, but later moved to Wilmington. He was known to be tall and charming made his fortune as a merchant before also becoming a plantation owner and government official. His political career included everything from being Justice of the Peace to the personal secretary to the royal governor. When he married Margaret Haynes, her family eventually gave the couple over 1,000 acres of land including Castle Haynes and Hermitage Plantation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSKYCEgq5ocgaN0ansVPVaWoGWq2DmPUbRi7BPBN-AzZne-OmbTEkWykFxNB3zNKe_jylmTmHd4RmzOAUQ1s4LrY8ml_7PYZAdhIQ9CuEiHvaW_jA42Y1LzImb0YvnuPxRXkB9QEiE2A/s1600/IMG_4835.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSKYCEgq5ocgaN0ansVPVaWoGWq2DmPUbRi7BPBN-AzZne-OmbTEkWykFxNB3zNKe_jylmTmHd4RmzOAUQ1s4LrY8ml_7PYZAdhIQ9CuEiHvaW_jA42Y1LzImb0YvnuPxRXkB9QEiE2A/s1600/IMG_4835.HEIC" /></a></div>
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In 1799, Burgwin sold his town house to Joshua Grainger Wright, a member of the family for whom Wrightsville Beach is named. by 1846, there were eight children living in the house so the Wright family made an addition that doubled the square footage of the house. The last member of the Wright family to live in the house died in 1930 and the house almost was torn down for a gas station. However, the Colonial Dames of America in North Carolina saved it and turned it into a historic site.<br />
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The house is now presented as it was in 1770. (The addition is used as office space and storage.) Even the paint has recently been restored to its 1770 appearance. The house boasts a handful of pieces original to the Burgwin and Wright families and is otherwise filled with mostly European period pieces. One of the most lovely pieces is the 1810 Boston pianoforte. The house was built with long leaf pine, which is still oozing sap. Not many buildings made of this wood remain because it is so flammable. Because the house is still shifting, the floors are slightly sloped which can be vertigo inducing for some and at least a bit strange for others.<br />
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The guided tour I was on did a great job of balancing discussing the house itself, the Burgwin family, and the enslaved workers who lived in the house. While they don't know that much about the specific people who worked in the house because of a lack of records, they do know that the Burgwins had at least ten enslaved workers in the house at any given time, with many more on their plantations. It's refreshing to see a site that embraces its complicated history rather than ignoring it.<br />
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The house is now presented as it was in 1770. (The addition is used as office space and storage.) Even the paint has recently been restored to its 1770 appearance. The house boasts a handful of pieces original to the Burgwin and Wright families and is otherwise filled with mostly European period pieces. One of the most lovely pieces is the 1810 Boston pianoforte. The house was built with long leaf pine, which is still oozing sap. Not many buildings made of this wood remain because it is so flammable. Because the house is still shifting, the floors are slightly sloped which can be vertigo inducing for some and at least a bit strange for others.<br />
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When I visited, the house was in the midst of renovations (hence the scaffolding on the outside in my photo). You can also visit the free-standing kitchen behind the house which would originally have been the jailor's quarters. There are also colonial gardens, including a kitchen garden and fig trees, that you can explore. The next time you're in Wilmington, I highly recommend checking out this beautiful and history-filled home. If you would like more information about the Burgwin Wright House, you can visit their <a href="https://www.burgwinwrighthouse.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444646983010308449.post-72606214668030533282020-04-02T09:05:00.000-04:002020-04-02T09:05:43.246-04:00March Favorites March feels like it was a year long. It's strange to think about how March started and how we've progressed to this point of quarantine. I hope you're all staying healthy, washing your hands, and hanging in there.<br />
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<b>BOOKS</b><br />
<i>in the time we lost by carrie hope fletcher </i><br />
I finally got around to Carrie Hope Fletcher's latest novel, "In The Time We Lost," and I read the whole thing in just a few days! I love her style of magical realism and while the book absolutely broke my heart, I loved it.<br />
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<b>TV SHOWS</b><br />
<i>the mandalorian</i><br />
I finally got around to watching "The Mandalorian" and I really enjoyed it. It took me a couple of episodes to properly get into it, but the last few episodes are truly great. And of course...Baby Yoda is super adorable.<br />
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<i>jane eyre (2006) </i><br />
I watched the 2006 BBC mini-series of "Jane Eyre" for a podcast (more on that later) and was shocked at how much I enjoyed it. Charlotte Bronte is normally not my cup of tea, but this adaptation with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson is really wonderful.<br />
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<b>FILMS</b><br />
<i>emma</i><br />
I was nervous about seeing Autumn de Wilde's new adaptation of "Emma" because it's my favorite Jane Austen novel and I'm very fond of the 1996 film with Gwyneth Paltrow. But I was absolutely delighted with this new version. I highly recommend you rent it if you're looking for something to watch!<br />
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<i>onward</i><br />
I'm not a huge Pixar fan, but I do love Tom Holland so I was excited to see "Onward." I got to take my sister to a press night and was so charmed by this film and its lovely message about sibling love. You can read my full review <a href="https://intheirownleague.com/2020/03/06/review-onward/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<i>gifted</i><br />
I can't believe I hadn't seen "Gifted" before, but I finally fixed that. What a heartwarming story! McKenna Grace is the most talented young actress, more than many women three times her age. And of course, Chris Evans as a father figure is exactly what I would like from a film.<br />
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<b>ALBUMS</b><br />
<i>most of us are strangers by seafret</i><br />
I recently discovered Seafret's first album so of course I was thrilled when they released their second album this month. I absolutely love the sound of this British duo. My favorite songs from the album are definitely "Be My Queen" and "Girl I Wish I Didn't Know."<br />
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<b>OTHER</b><br />
<i>petticoats & poppies: histo</i><i>ry girls at the movies podcast</i><br />
My dear friend Maggie and I launched our own podcast during the month of March! On it, we review period dramas from the perspective of two women who are trained as historians but work in the film industry in some way. This month we did episodes on "Emma." and the BBC miniseries of "Jane Eyre." You can find us on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5CpyXXfeydO0R1I8YdG0R9?si=9NIvZb9WSJazh0FtR7gIqw" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-002-jayne-eyre-the-ghost-of-charlotte-bronte/id1502813312?i=1000469874795" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HGATMPodcast" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/HGATMPodcast/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.<br />
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<i>skype/facetime/zoom</i><br />
I think I've actually been socializing more than I normally do since quarantine started. I only have a handful of friends in North Carolina; my friends are pretty spread out across the United States and even the world, so I'm kind of used to keeping up with people over the Internet. I've been having a lot of Skype, Facetime, and Zoom chats with people, much more than normal. I think that it's so important to see people digitally face to face while we're isolated; it makes it all a lot easier to handle.<br />
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What did you all enjoy during the month of March? Let me know in the comments below or on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/nicoleackman16" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. x<br />
<br />Nicole Ackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15022723302006475795noreply@blogger.com