Song of the Week

There were a lot of big releases this week (Beach House! Josh Ritter! Majical Cloudz!) but I haven't listened to them enough to really develop an opinion yet. But uh, surprise Beach House? What could be better?

No, no, this week's song is from Hamilton. You all know Hamilton. How could you not? Four out of five stories on every theater-related website is about that musical. Now, I don't really love it as much as everyone else does. Or really, I don't love it at all. I haven't seen it yet (has anyone? or is that just an urban myth? Are people actually in the room where it happens?) and I can't find it in me to listen to the whole score in one sitting. Part of it has to do with the fact that I don't like rap at all, and another part is the simple fact that I don't listen to many showtunes these days. Especially new stuff. But I think the opening of the musical is great, really, but the real standout for me (thus far) is "The Room Where It Happens." Talk about a perfect showtune. It has fantastic lyrics (sorry, it's so simple but I'm not over the line "well I arranged the meeting, I arranged the venue, the menu, the seating"), it advances the plot, and Leslie Odom Jr. is so great on it (so is Daveed Diggs.) I am totally in love with the way he sings "hold you nose and close your eyes." But the song is also a great exercise in developing character. Listen to it and you too will be like "GRRR ALEXANDER HAMILTON!" I totally can see why Burr wanted to shoot him.

Favorite Theatre of 2012

In my other life, I go to the theatre. A lot. And I've become incredibly judgmental about it, with warrant, considering the sorry state Broadway is in. Especially the musical. Nonetheless, I did see some great shows this years. Here's my list:

1. Peter and the Starcatcher
I actually saw this play three times this year. It was that good. Look, I am a sucker for British pantomime so this was the perfect show. Creative, hilarious, magical, charming, with a great deal of heart and a wonderful cast. And I fail to see how there could be a funnier scene than that trunk scene.

2. One Man, Two Guvnors
Oh, I found a funnier scene than the trunk scene: the restaurant scene in One Man, Two Guvnors. Tom Edden gave one of the funniest performances I've ever seen, and would've stole the show if it weren't for James Corden's hilarious and charming performance. It wasn't perfect but it was a joy and one of the funniest shows I've ever seen.

3. The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Yet another joy! The cast of this show make this an absolute winner, and the ending is a load of fun.

4. Once
Now, I wasn't blown away by Once. It was a bit slow at times, a little boring, and look, I'd be really biased if I said that well, the music in this show is brilliant. But it is (although I have a tough time listening to anyone else sing Glen Hansard's songs). The reason this show is so high on my list is because Cristen Milioti's performance is fantastic, and the hill and "Gold" are wonderful scenes. This is one of the most original shows I've ever seen.

5. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
I came for Amy Morton, I left singing hosannas for Tracy Letts. After this performance and August: Osage County, I am pretty certain he is god. This was my first ever experience with Woolf and it was like a marathon and I was emotionally exhausted after the three hours but oh, was it worth it. Just so well done.

Honorable mention goes to Bring It On, which I unexpectedly loved and thought was a ton of fun. I was expecting to hate it but it was a real blast.