Restless Nights and Vivid Dreams

The Three Emilias - Clare Perkins, Saffron Coomber, Adelle Leonce - pic:   http://www.stagereview.co.uk   I remember stepping into the Vaudeville Theatre without really knowing what to expect. Before booking the show, I’ve heard really good things about it. People saying how inspired, how affected they were coming out of it. Even reviews raved about it. If so many talked about it that way, it must be good right? So, learning it would close soon, I decided to buy a ticket. Before going, I only knew one thing. I knew that it was the story of one of the first published women in England during Shakespeare’s time. As a writer and a woman, it was enough to convince me. History-based shows always fascinated me but knowing that I would learn about a woman whose work and story had been ignored for centuries, I was even more curious about it. I just hoped it would live up to its praise.  Shakespeare's Globe’s production Emilia tells the story of Emilia Bass...

When I’m feeling anxious or stressed, there aren’t a lot of things that help me feel better. Except for music. I’ve always loved listening to music. I listen to music all the time. Whether,  to escape my reality, to help go to sleep or just to relax. But I’ve discovered recently that listening to music also helps me calm down, especially when I’m not feeling great mentally.  So I’ve decided to put together a playlist of songs to listen to from musicals that I love. The Broadway community has always been an advocate for mental health but furthermore, musicals often have included songs that try to bring up a more positive and love-centred message. These songs are going from upbeat melodies to beautiful and serene ballads, depending on your mood.  I hope it’ll help you feel better too.  You Will Be Found - Dear Even Hansen You are never alone, even when you think you've reached your darkest point. Out of the Darkness - Everybody's Talking About Jamie ...

How very! On Tuesday 16 th October, I was incredibly lucky to catch the leading ladies of the West End show Heathers: The Musical in a memorable one-night performance at Studio 88!   Jodie Steele and Carrie Hope Fletcher at Studio 88 (photo: Mia Alicia)

Yes, this is really happening, Waitress: The Musical is finally opening its dinner in the West End starting February 8 th ! The beloved show has been long awaited by musical theatre fans in the United Kingdom. Although not much information has been revealed on the future production, we can only be delighted by this wonderful news. The musical, based on the 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly and starring Keri Russell, became a total smash hit since it opened on Broadway in 2016, even getting nominated for four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and a Grammy Award! Jessie Mueller and the Original Cast of Waitress (Photo: Joan Marcus) For those who may not know, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a talented pie-maker, who longs to escape her unhappy life and loveless marriage. The perfect opportunity presents itself when a baking competition comes to town; however, Jenna unexpectedly discovers that she’s pregnant, shattering her dreams of a fresh start and a new life. ...

While many students all across the world barely make their way back to school, the fearlessly talented Erika Henningsen has already begun her journey in the terrifying halls of North Shore High School almost seven months ago. Starring in the new, Tony-nominated musical Mean Girls as the bright-eyed and keen Cady Heron , the 26-year old Broadway star shines ‘as bright as day’ on the stage of the August Wilson Theatre every night. Erika Henningsen (photo: Joan Marcus)

Everybody, I have a new inspiration and you’re all going to love her!! It’s the one and only Jessica Vosk! You may know her from Wicked , in which she plays the famous green girl Elphaba on the national tour, but don’t forget she also played in Finding Neverland (Mrs. Bassett/mermaid) and even Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah). Okay, why do I love her? Here we go! Well, first, she has a phenomenal voice. Really! Have you ever heard her sing? She’s amazing! Go check her rendition of “ Chandelier” or “What Baking Can Do ” on YouTube; you’ll be blown away. She puts so much power and passion in her singing; you’re not going to believe it! No wonder she’s Elphaba! But, still, why do I love her, in particular? There’s a plenty of singers and actresses as talented as she is. Well, I’ll tell you why! Jessica is not only a great singer; she is also SO funny! Really, she makes me laugh so much, just go on her Instagram, she’s hilarious. Everytime, I have a bad day, I ju...

During my short trip to London for the New Year, I saw Wicked for the second time and it was really magical!   I am a die-hard fan of musical theatre, and Wicked has always been my number one, ever since I first listened to the soundtrack. This show touches me like any other and the story is truly incredible. Wicked explores the life of the Wicked Witch of the West before Dorothy arrives in Oz. The Wished Witch is introduced as Elphaba, a very smart girl but unfortunately, who suffers from prejudice because of her green skin, and is thus, considered “ugly” and “an outcast.” Glinda, the Good Witch, is this bubbly popular girl whose priorities are having as much fun as she can and dating the most handsome boy in the school, Fiyero Tiggular. So, since the beginning, Elphaba is said to be “wicked” and Glinda, “good.” However, as the show evolves, as well as the characters, we understand that things are not what they seem to be and that there is more to a person that just bein...

I wrote this to share the amazingness of Broadway actress Eden Espinosa, whom everyone should know about! Like a lot of people, I first knew Eden Espinosa through Wicked . Indeed, she played the green witch Elphaba on and off Broadway for several years. I actually noticed her really quickly because of a video that I saw of her and Megan Hilty (who played Glinda, the Good Witch) performing “Popular” and I immediately loved her. Eden has been involved with Wicked for several years. She was in the original production of Wicked as the Elphaba standby (played at that time by Idina Menzel who originated the role) in 2003. Then she reprised the lead in 2006. She also performed as the Wicked Witch of The West in San Francisco in 2005 and again in 2010 for the Wicked’s First National Tour. She was also asked to play the part for the opening production of Wicked in Los Angeles in 2007 and she stayed until the company closed in January 2009. Even if I really lo...

I don’t really know how to start this biography. Idina Menzel is for me, the top of the top , in everything she does: singing, performing, dancing (a bit? Not really, Idina’s not very good at dancing), laughing (the cutest laugh) and generally, being a wonderful person. First of all, you absolutely need to know that she originated two iconic roles on Broadway: Maureen from Rent in 1996 and Elphaba from Wicked in 2003 . My two favourite shows of all time. She is very popular for her performance as Elphaba, the green witch for which she won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical in 2004 . No wonder, her voice is amazing and she plays Elphaba as if it’s her second nature. I think that no one should have been better than her to originate the role (and to think that she thought she was going to be fired before the show opened!!). Fun (or not) fact: for her second to last performance as the Wicked Witch of the West, Idina was forced to end her run earlier th...

While listening to the beautiful soundtrack of Finding Neverland , I realized a few things about how people live without magic in their life. When we were children, our parents, the society encourage us to believe in magic, to develop our imagination: they make up stories, they read us fairy tales about fairies, princesses and princes, witches and wizards. But when we’re getting older and we become an adult, they tell us to forget about everything our imagination created. We are told to stop believing in magic, in fairies because it’s not REAL because it’s a waste of time. Because we have to face the REAL world and be able to live in and survive in it. Because this world is cruel and cold.