Oooohahaha. Ollo. Tomorrow is day one of my Very Musical Blog Party, so today I am going to post the rules and such like. I will post them tomorrow too, but if you want a head start with your post rules before always help.
RULES!
1.) You must follow my blog to participate
2.)The Blog Party will last ten days and each day will have it's own theme.
3.) If you don't have a Blog, you can Guest Post.
4.) Have fun and don't be nasty.
Day One: Your favorite Musical. Day Two; A Musical you have a love/hate relationship with. Day Three: Choose a Theatre Character to Defend/Discuss Day Four: Favorite Theatre Females Day Five: Favorite Theatre Males Day Six: Your Theatre OTP. Day Seven: Pick a Character; Choose your Favorite Portrayal Day Eight: Favorite Antagonist or Villain. Day Nine: Favorite book-to-musical adaptation Day Ten: FREE DAY!
So here is how Guest Posting will work. I haveanother blog that I share with my friend. I can invite people to post on this said blog. I would need your email because that is how I would invite you, and how you would get the link to it. If you are uncomfortable with that, you can just email me your post and I can paste it into my other blog, but I mean, I will still get an email from you and so it's not that different. I would prefer to just invite you to Post. It's way easier and I don't have to go through and fix all the formatting, which is a big thing if I past text from an email. Let's try to go with the invite system :)
ANYWAY! This is my email.
bellawriter98 (@) gmail.com
Ask anything you want and tell me if you are interested in doing a Guest Post. I will send you an invite through your email. Then you can post all you want :-)
That's all! I will post sometime tomorrow! Remember, you can start late! Peace out y'all!
So remember when I mentioned a Blog Party? Specifically a Blog Party with a Musical Theme? Well I have decided to do it!
The Blog Party will start on Tuesday, October 13th. It will last seven days, and each day will have it's own theme or slant. I will probably have one "Free Day" at the end like I normally do, since people seem to like that. The really cool thing about this Blog Party is that if you get too busy you can start late. The Musical Theme on my blog will last until the end of October so you can participate even if you start on the wrong date. Another cool thing is this; if you want to participate in the Blog Party but you don't have a blog, you can GUEST POST!!! Mhm. You can post on my other blog Till The End of the Line.This is how it will work. You can either email me your post and I can paste it onto my sight, OR I can "invite" you to post, and you can just do it right on the blog (which might be easier.) I will go into more detail about this when the date is closer 8-D
Autumn always makes me feel like writing. I get all my best ideas during autumn and they blow in so fast I can barely keep up with them. Currently I am working on the first book of a trilogy, the plot for my Gladiator book, and I'm thinking I might do a sleeping beauty retelling. Because there is some sort of contest that's going on and I'd like to try my hand at it. My musical has been put on stand-by. That is why you never got a plot or anything. I feel really bad, but I think i need to take a few music theory classes before I can pursue this any longer. And I also need to figure out how to write a script, cause I want to keep adding and I can't do that.
As an aside, I am trying to do research for a Historical Fiction book I want to write about England during the 1600's. It is something that I've wanted to do for quite a few years actually. I read Fabiola in Ninth Grade, and I really didn't like that book but it did give me an idea for my own story. That idea has been sitting in the corner collecting dust because I was too afraid to attempt historical fiction. I'm afraid to mess up the time-frame and the facts and to ruin it. But after I read A Tale of Two Cities I decided I would at least try to start researching. And I'm gonna tell you something. that time in history is hard to research - especially because my story is about the Catholic persecution./rebellion. That makes it really hard to research. My fabulous sister Mahri lent me some books, and I tried to read them and ... I haven't quite gotten through any of them yet. Not even sort of. They're huge and they're written in a way that makes you confused about what you just read. I made a promise to focus on WRITING and RESEARCHING during October and November. And yes, all winter too. I'm afraid I'm not off to a good start but I will keep trying.
This is the time of year when you can practically hear the fandoms sitting up, shaking out their blankets, dusting off their laptops. and just getting ready for feels that are about to be thrown at them. SHIELD is back, Doctor Who is back, Grimm is almost back, (Yep, I'm gonna watch Grimm. So long as they don't do a thing I will continue to watch it.) and.... And... SUPERNATURAL. SUPERNATURAL IS COMING BACK! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.
OH OH. And guess what else?? Prison Break is going to come back. It's returning with a mini season, like ten episodes or something. This is so incredibly exciting! I can't even! Oh, and guess what else *SPOILER!*
Michael is alive! We all knew he was. HA!
*END SPOILER.*
That ends my blogging for tonight. I will be posting again soon. Peace out y'all!
It's the first of October! *flails* How have all of you been? Autumn has finally blown in here; our leaves are changing and the air smells like snow and ice and crushed leaves. We this brisk, sharp wind during the day and this glorious blue sky in the afternoon and you just feel like *doing* things. So what have I been doing?
Well, first things first. Last week I read Jane Eyre and I loved it. I thought it was really good, a lot better than I expected it to be. I cried at the end, and I probably would have cried harder if certain people hadn't kept interrupting me during the last chapters. *wiggles eyebrows at young sisters.* I will probably do a post on Mr. Rochester sometime in the near future because I quite like the man and I feel like I want to dedicate a post to him. Because he is fabulous! BOOM!
Sometimes I worry about my taste in fictional men. Mr. Thorton, Sydney Carton, Edward Rochester, Dean Winchester, The Doctor, Eugenides, Severus Snape, Dragon, Dustfinger, Tony Stark....
I like brats. There, I said it. I like character who are kind of rude and bratty and a little rough around the edges. I also like cowards, apparently. (see; Dustfinger.) and that isn't really a good thing. In my defense I will say that usually if I like said brat, they have a character ark and they get better. They don't stay horrible. I think that is what it comes down to. I like stories where the Beast is saved. I like it when you meet the Beast and grow to love him and see all the good in him, and you just know he can be better because you see the man he really is, and then at the end the man inside wins through and the curse of the Beast gets lifted. This is applicable even with Dustfinger. He doesn't stay a coward. He has a fabulous character ark and he gets better and braver and at the end of the story he is a good and noble man.
I also like it when someone has a little more attitude. I don't like jerks, but I do like people who are kind of bratty and sassy. They put me at ease and make me feel more free to be myself.
*I think this is why I like British people.
*I say that word too much, I need to create a new word that is like Anyway but different.
Anyshmackin! I had a thought. As you all know, I really like musicals. A lot. A lot a lot. I don't know how many people would be interested, but what do you think of doing a Musicals Blog Party? It would last about five days and we'd cover a bunch of fun Musical-ish things. It would be brilliant. If anyone thinks they'd enjoy a Party like this, go ahead and comment and I'll think about dates. If not, I might just do a "Musical Theme" on my blog, where I'll just post about my different musicals for a while. My blogging pattern is weird, so if I do this, the "Musical Theme" might last a month, but only be like, four posts. I'd have to see how it worked out. What do you think?
I have a few reasons for this idea actually. See, I want to start tilting my blog more toward Musical Theatre. (hence changing the name.) and if I did a Blog Party/Theme Week it would help me jump start that plan. Theatre is where my heart really lies and it is what I get the most excited about. I'll still post about other things of course, but I feel like I should have some sort of "And Theatre!" day at least once a month. That is why I want to start Web-isodes. I want to start my Channel next month. My first myth will be directed toward Halloween because that has become a pretty big holiday and I think it would be good to start with. I might also show off lyrics and scenes. I might write music for my myths, I might perform scenes from my favorite musicals. It just depends on what works and what feels right. I will have to play around with it and figure stuff out.
One last thing. I finally got around to watching The Phantom of the Opera the movie. It is a lot better in context as opposed to just watching clips on youtube. I liked it, but there was stuff that I wish hadn't been in there.
The costumes should have been more modest, especially Christine's. There was also some random crude//off color stuff that didn't need to be there. (Like the very annoying and random midget who had no point but to be a perve.) They also cut a lot of the songs short. Sometimes they cut out harmony, and I am sure that the whole musical was sung a note or two lower than it really is, which was a little odd. And they took out Raoul's epic sequence in "Wandering Child" and that made me sad cause I love that scene. He did ride in on a horse and yell "No, Christine wait!" But that isn't half so cool as, "ANGEL OF DARKNESS CEASE THIS TORMENT!" I just really love that confrontation and I wish it had been in the movie. But I think, despite it's faults, the movie was still pretty good. The actors all did a nice job with their roles. I really like Madam Giry - In fact I think she is my favorite Madam Giry. Christine was cute and sweet. Raoul was still fabulous. Gerard Butler was a good Phantom. Yes, he should have been more disfigured, but otherwise he played the part well. He was sympathetic, but still really creepy. (Especially in The Point of No Return. That part made me *really* uncomfortable.) And I appreciate that he was more gentle and mesmerizing with his voice and less powerful, scream-y and all-ruling. I'd rather have a Phantom whose voice isn't as good but who sings and acts more like the Phantom should, than a Phantom who has an amazing voice but portrays the character too vicious, angry and loud. I hate loud Phantoms.* They drive me insane.
And actually, I don't mind a powerful Phantom. (For instance, James Barbour.) I don't like the shouting and overwhelming aggression that so many actors bring to the role. It just isn't.
This being said, the vocals in the movie weren't anything special. I am very picky when it comes to musicals and I know what to look for in quality and in tone and everything, and it wasn't quite there. Christine had a sweet voice, but she sounded tight a lot, like she was trying too hard or something. She didn't open up very well. Raoul was good, but he needed more support and depth. The Phantom was good but he was obviously not a professional singer and his voice wasn't really a "Phantom." voice. It was good enough, but it wasn't great. You know? And that is how all the vocals were. I might say more about this in my Musical Week. We'll see. For now I must go. (They'll wonder where I am. Wait for me Raoul!)
Well. Once again it's been over a week since I've blogged. I feel terrible. I'm not even that busy. I had a birthday gift I was working on for my sisterAmyand that took up a lot of my time - and it's still late. Which sucks. It should have been done - it would have been done if the stupid freakin colors would work out right.
(On that note you guys, I really hate coloring videos. I can never get mine to look like I want them to and it ticks me off.)
ANYHOOSEL. I was tagged byIvy Miranda. It seemed like a good tag, and I knew I'd forget if I didn't do it soon, so here it is!
FIVE MALE CHARACTERS TAG
Rules:
1.) List 5 of you favorite male characters (book or screen)
2.) Tagging other people is optional
3.) If you are tagged link back to the person that tagged you
4.) Link back toRevealed In Time(preferably using the link to this post)
I have lots of male characters I like.... this is going to be really hard. I'm going to feel guilty when I do this. I hate picking favorites.
1.) Hero.
Holy crap. There are so many heroes that I love! How can I narrow this down?? *grinds teeth.*
Okay. I think one of the most heroic characters ever is Sam Winchester. He always tries to do the right thing, even when it's hard. When he screws up he blames no one but himself and does anything and everything he can to fix the mistake. He lay down his life and surrendered himself horrible torture forever to save the world. He didn't know there was any way out. He didn't think he'd ever be saved. He did it anyway. He will sacrifice everything for his brother. He would die for his brother. He would rip the world apart for his brother. When it comes to family and friends (and almost everyone) Sam Winchester is unceasingly generous, kind, gentle and forgiving. Like he literally forgave his 'friend' for breaking open his mind, causing all sorts of hallucinations that drove him almost to insanity and practically killed him because the nightmares and visions made it so he could barely eat or sleep for weeks. He didn't just forgive him either - he stayed his friend and tried to help him! The guy is incredible!
If Sam is selfish, its when he thinks of others - his family, his friends, or even strangers. He hardly ever thinks of himself. Like, the one time he was selfish for himself that sticks out in my mind was when he went to college. But I don't think that was really selfish. He was getting out of a toxic situation and finding some freedom. He just wanted to get a job, get married and be happy. I don't think that should be considered selfish. Sure, he has his bad days. (And sometimes those are very bad days,) but at his core he is a good, strong man who is incredibly optimistic and always tries to see the best in people and in the world. He is very brave, very kind and very gentle. He protects people. He never gives up and he does what's right.
*other heroes that I love are Dean Winchester, Sydney Carton, Steve Rogers, all the Avengers, Michael Scofield, Matt Murdock, Fred and George Weasley, Rory Williams....the list goes on.
2.) Villain.
Hmmm... Villains. I don't think Loki qualifies as a Villain. He's more like an Anti-hero/Anti-Villain, Sooo... Let me think. *cracks knuckles*
I like the Master from Doctor Who. He is clever and funny and he acts a lot like the Doctor but evil. He's a really good villain and I hate what they did to him in Season Eight. I also really like Saruman from Lord of the Rings, chiefly because I like the parallel Tolkien drew between Lucifer and Saruman and Michael the Archangel and Gandalf. I think it was cool how he showed that Saruman, this incredible, powerful, beautiful wizard with all this potential, got corrupted and fell into darkness; just like the devil did. He wanted too much and he thought himself better than all the other creatures of Middle Earth. He wanted to be a god and was willing to do anything to make that happen. Another villain that I think is really good is Julian Verrers from The Masterful Monk. He is a rabid Atheist who hates God and His Church, and he is super creepy and crazy and I hates him. He has a ton of charisma and this unnerving ability to gain the trust of others. He is like one of those horrible politicians with the hidden agendas, but way, way worse. He is a very good villain. He's the kind of villain you wish you could drop kick down a cliff.
Okay. I don't think I have a favorite villain. Julian Verrers is horrible and evil so let's go with him.
3.) Anti-Hero.
I'm guessing the Anti-Hero is the hero who works for good but has serious flaws and isn't completely 'pure' in his intention.
"These darker heroes can be jerks, pathetic, hard, jaded, or mean..." - source.
Severus Snape. Snape is one of the biggest fictional 'heroes' ever. Almost everyone knows about him. Whether you are a Potterhead or not, you will hear about Snape.
I'm going to be frank here. I didn't care much for Snape in the books. I liked him in the movies. I watched them before I read the books and I thought he was a good character. He was a jerk, but that wasn't all he was. When I read the books though, I didn't connect with him the same way. I felt bad for him but I didn't really like him. Yes, his death was sad. Yes, he had a hard back story. No, I didn't hate him - how could I? But I do think J.K. Rowling wrote him way too dark. Alan Rickman did a good job with the character because he brought out a very sympathetic, human side to him. He's the reason I like Snape.
Snape is a very complex character. He isn't the type of person you could get close to easily, if at all. He is cold and distant, spiteful and sharp. He isn't very nice to the students at Hogwarts and he picked on most of them, especially the popular ones, like Harry. But Snape was dealt a bad hand in his life. He grew up in an abusive home. He didn't have friends because he was so quiet and odd. Even at Hogwarts he didn't find the safety that it brought most children. He was a Slytherin, so he was instantly hated and bullied. James Potter and his friends made his life miserable. He had one real friend, Lily. She was a girl at school that he eventually fell in love with, but he lost her after an especially bad day when he called her a dirty name. Lily never forgave him and terminated their friendship. Then she married James, the very man who had tormented him his whole childhood.
Snape was with Voldemort for a short time, but turned on him and joined Dumbledore. He tried to protect Lily and her family from the Dark Lord and even asked Dumbledore for help, but he lost her all the same. He then dedicated the rest of his life to protecting Harry (who, by the way, looked just like his dad.) And he didn't stop there either. He played spy for Dumbledore and took the fall for Hogwarts over and over again. He allowed himself to be framed as a traitor to protect the school, the students and Harry. He gave up his reputation, his home, and the few teachers whom he counted as friends, all in the name of love and loyalty. He never defended himself against the lies or the hate. He stayed on the outskirts, watching over the students and teachers from afar, and he defended them against all the attacks he could. And he took care of the children, even when it seemed like he hated them. (I actually think some of the reason he acted like a jerk was because he had to play the role of the traitor, and kids like Draco reported back to Voldemort.) Severus Snape was an angry, bitter man, but he loved and sacrificed himself for love, and ultimately lay down his life to protect others. And that is pretty heroic.
One of the best book-to-screen adaptations I've ever seen is Aragorn, from Lord of the Rings. I think Peter Jackson did a really good job writing his character for the movie. No one else could have been Strider. No one could have done Strider better. He was Strider. He wasn't quite as ridiculous as he was in the book, but who could be? Tolkien was ridiculous, and sometimes that kind of ridiculous can only be read, not acted. (Could we really have Aragorn pulling out his sword every two seconds to say "this is the blade that was broken! Rawr!!") He made him a little more serious, but otherwise he was shockingly accurate to the book. I absolutely LOVE Aragorn in the movies. He was so perfect. From the minute he appeared in the Prancing Pony, he was perfect. He was noble and strong, but hesitant to take his rightful place on the throne. He was brave and kind, with a wry sense of humor and a cranky sort of attitude, but a soft, kind gentle side. And Peter Jackson didn't do anything in the movies to blemish his character.
I'm not sure... I'm guessing this means a character who has the best (or most accurate) idea of himself? Like, a character who doesn't really change but is simply revealed as who he really is.
Alright. Sydney Carton. (you knew that was coming didn't you?)
Sydney Carton is one of the best characters that has ever been written. When he is first introduced, (especially if you don't know the story) he comes off as a very careless and rude character. He has a lazy sort of attitude and he seems like the type of man who doesn't bother about anything. He seems to have no respect for anyone, including himself, and he appears to take way too much liberty with pleasure. You wouldn't think Sydney was a good man at first. You might think he was kind of a lowlife. Pathetic, yes, but still a lowlife. This is, in fact, how Carton views himself. He thinks he's pathetic, rude and a failure at everything he does. He's a filthy drunk with no worth and no friends. This attitude and rough idea that he has of himself projects very loudly and it is what the audience sees; A lost man who really needs to sober up and get his act together. But as the story goes on, the audience starts to see more of who Sydney actually is. They see how he is treated. They see how he is abused by his boss and his 'friends.' They see how much he wants to be better but that he thinks change is impossible for a man like him. As the story continues, the audience realizes that their first idea of Carton was wrong, and slowly their view of him starts to change. They see a kind man, a gentle man. They see a man full of courage and love who has so much to give, so much to share. They see a man who cares deeply and viciously and who wishes to be better if only he wasn't a failure, if only he was 'stronger.' They realize he is flawed, but behind his flaws there is a man who would sacrifice anything in the name of love and friendship, a man who is strong and brave, a man who will fight on when everyone else gives up.
Sydney does go through a character ark, but it's more like character fulfillment. We see him make friends with Lucy and her family. We see him drink less and less - and he never drinks when he is at Lucie's home. We see his flaws start to pull away and the man inside become more and more clear. At the end of the story, when he gives his life to save Charles Darnay, it isn't really a shock or a change for his character. You realize that this is who Sydney was all along. He always had the potential to be stronger and better than he was.He always had the goodness in his heart, he always had the courage in his character, it was just hidden behind his anger and self-hate. His sacrifice for Charles, Lucy and their child was just a fulfillment of who he was. You guessed what he was going to do before it even happened; Oh. Sydney Carton is going to die for Charles. Of course he is. He's Sydney. Ack!!!
Yes, Carton does change, but I think all characters do. He tried to be better for Lucy, he tried not to drink so often, he tried to see the world as it could be, not as it was. He never saw the goodness in himself, but the audience saw it very well. He was always a bit of a brat, but when he was sober and himself he was also very kind (and he had an obvious soft spot for children.) And he took care of others. When he went to Paris to help Charles, he spent the last days of his life comforting everyone else, all of Lucie's friends and family that had somehow become his too. He never asked for any comfort himself. He never told anyone about his plans. He never boasted or showed himself as the heroic martyr. He was quiet about his sacrifice. And up until his death, he still thought he was rather worthless and ridiculous, and he actually believed that no one would miss him when he was gone. It wasn't until he was walking up to the Guillotine that he finally saw the good he was doing, and the man he had finally become; the man the audience had seen all along.
You are under no obligation to do the tag, of course. I know you are all busy. But if you do, I bet it would be lots and lots of fun. And of course, if anyone else wants to do this tag, feel free! You won't regret it. Now I have cookies to make, so I bid you all a very fond farewell. PEACE OUT Y'ALL!
Before I began this post, I have an announcement to make! I have done a thing! A GREAT BIG THING!!! I have started a petition to get A Tale of Two Cities released on DVD.
I really, really need help promoting this. If there is anyone you know who enjoys musicals, or if YOU enjoy musicals, please take a few moments of your time and sign the petition, and send the message to others. It would mean so much to me. I don't know if it will work - it might not. But I have to try. I can't express how grateful I would be for your support.
Now it's time for my epic IDEA reveal. As you all know, I really, REALLY love musical theater. It is my big dream to be apart of that world. It may be a few months before I can actually get on a stage, so I had a brilliant idea. I have this extra youtube channel that just sits around collecting dust, being of no use, and I thought, what if I used that to help promote my acting?
A lot of people do this thing on Youtube where they will start a channel and do "Web-isodes." It's kind of like your own mini TV show. For a few months I've played with the idea of starting my own Web-isodes, but I didn't know how much time I could put into it, and I didn't just want to jump headlong into a project if I would have to give it up in a few weeks. Another big thing is space. I don't have anywhere to set up a 'stage.' My house is small and my room is smaller, and anyway, little children have a bad habit of barging into rooms uninvited. I also was concerned about costumes/cast. Cause let's face it; I am like, the only actress in my family. (My sisters can act, but they don't like acting. Not like I do :D )
These were all very valid excuses, but that was what they were. Excuses.A couple months ago I went to a fair in my town, and there was this really cool Bard telling stories. He fascinated me, and I thought to myself, "I want to do that." After I watched him tell his Jack Frost story I got to thinking, and I realized that I could begin my channel like that. I could do Webisdoes as a sort of Bard.
This idea really appeals to me and I think it would be a ton of fun to pursue. I am a story teller. I have been my whole life. I remember being really little and making up these stories to tel my younger sisters. Whenever I had a free moment, whenever I was alone or bored, I would wander away and creates entire worlds and characters in my head. I would sit with my legs crossed in the backyard, staring at nothing, building worlds. People used to think I was talking to myself, but really I was playing my characters and acting out the different scenes. Telling stories is my absolute favorite thing to do, it makes me so incredibly happy. That's why I write, that's why I create lyrics, that is especially why I act. My favorite type of story telling has always been the stage. There is nothing else like it in the whole world. Where else can you take on a new name, take on an identity, have a whole different life, and literally LIVE a story for your audience to enjoy?? There is nowhere else in the world!
Okay, I'm getting a little off track here. Ummmmmmm. Right. The channel. SO!! What it comes down to is this. I am going to spend the next couple of weeks preparing for my Channel Opening. It will happen sometime in October, though I'm not sure when. I'm not sure how it will work yet exactly, but I think I am going to do a mix of old folk tales, fairy tales and myths of my own making. It should be fun and terrifying and a little tiny bit stressful and I will probably freak out a lot, but I think once I get a foot under me, I will really enjoy it.
..... That's all I've got. I had to write something tonight because I am a truly terrible blogger and I shouldn't wait so long between posts. And this idea was very exciting and I just had to share it. Now I'm done. Have a good night everyone, and God Bless!
Do you give up? Alright, I suppose I will tell you then. This week I undertook the great, bold and slightly daunting quest of reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickons.
*CAUTION! There will be much fangirling and ranting in this post! There will be spoilers!
*It is also pretty long.
Why did I choose to undertake this task? Well there were lots of reasons. First of all, I have wanted to read ATOTC for quite a few years, but every time I picked it up the first chapter was so hard I couldn't get through it. This drove me nuts because I pride myself on being able to read anything I open, regardless of writing style or feel. But Charles Dickons stumped me and I could NOT get through that first chapter. It was exhausting and boring and it did not grip me in any sort of way. What was the point in reading something that wasn't gripping?
There was no reason. I proceeded to hunt down a different, more enjoyable story to read.
So what was different this time?
My older sister owns the soundtrack for A Tale of Two Cities; The Musical. It is the Original Cast Recording (because we have a thing for *original recordings*) and every now and again she listens to it. I heard it for the first time a few years ago and I fell in love with the music, the story and - you guessed it - Sydney Carton. He was such a sad pitiful person and he quickly rose to the rank of fabulous. He was right next to Raoul as my favorite male character in Musical Theater. We listened to it a couple times over the next three years or so, but since Kat was the only one who owned it (and it wasn't on youtube at the time) I didn't hear it half as much as I wanted to.
Then my sisters hit their musical high, and we listened to all the musicals again - including, for the first time in ages, A Tale of Two Cities. And I found the soundtrack on youtube (the Original Soundtrack!!) and listened to it four times in the same week. I got teeny bit obsessed, and that obsession has not ENDED. It's still going! It's been over a month - As I am sure most of you know :) I can't help it. I love Sydney, and his story hit me even harder this time. He is such a sad mashed potato :( He breaks my heart. When I am not listening to Phantom I listen to ATOTC.* I am starting to memorize a lot of the songs and can now sing along with most of the musical. (I can sing along with ALL the songs that have Sydney in them 8-D )
*Let me just say, musical theater is the bomb-diggety. It is so fabulous. It makes everything better.
Basically, the more I listened to it, the more I wanted more Sydney. I was on such a high that I decided now would be the perfect time to try ATOTC - The book - one more time.
And I did. I actually picked it up, started the first line and just kept reading.
I read the whole book in two days (give or take a few hours) and when I finished, at I wasn't sure if I had actually enjoyed it or not. I gave it some thought and finally come to a conclusion:
I liked the book. But I LOVED Sydney Carton, and I really read it for him. I would tell myself, "It's okay. Three Chapters and we get some Carton." So much of that book is just descriptive world building and excessive use of adjective and adverbs of every kind, repeated four or five times in a paragraph. That made the story hard to read - you really have to be in the mood and be committed. There were sentences nearly a page LONG in that book. I'm not even kidding! A Page. LONG. I have never seen so many semicolons and commas! It was kind of exhausting to read so much. There were so many words and just so much everything that it got overwhelming. The characters all tended to be too dramatic (especially Lucie) and the whole story was just a bit too emotional. And in this instance, I don't mean like a FEEEEEEEEEEEELZ! emotional. (though there was that kind too) More like "OH EVERYONE IS SO OVERWHELMED, WHATEVER SHALL WE DO???"
Whenever the story revolved around Sydney Carton, it was Brilliant. I loved all of Sydney's scenes. He is the saddest Mashed Potato. Reading his story made his character even more painful because you learn all this other stuff that you don't really see in the musical - at least not as much. Like, he and his boss had gone to school together, and his boss was obviously a huge bully and really used Sydney and made him feel useless and pathetic. Stryver (the boss) was a Slime-Bag and he treated Sydney like dirt. He had no self-esteem and no one in all the world cared about him. He made me so sad!!!!!!
SO! Back to the reason I started this post. LOL. I didn't stop at just listening to the musical. I bought a copy of it in CONCERT on DVD.* They were on a stage. And acting. And it was fabulous! Sydney was the saddest of mashed potatoes!!
*I wanted the stage production but there wasn't one. So I settled for the Concert edition. It was an abridged production, and it wasn't as good as it could have been on a real stage, but it was still good.
When I finished that (And then listened to the whole musical again,) I decided that I still like the musical better than the book. But there were elements in the book I liked better.
The musical is more from Sydney's point of view, and I LOVE that. There is more Sydney in the musical. In the book it is usually other people meeting Sydney and/or mentioning him in passing. You rarely get a chapter from his point of view, and when you do it seems too short. I think the whole story would have been ten times better if it had been Sydney's story and not Lucie's and Charles'.
In the book I really liked Charles. I liked him in the musical too, but I liked him more in the book. He had a lot of really sweet moments in the book that I don't believe were in the musical. (But then I haven't seen the full thing yet either.) I don't know why so many people think he is flat and silly .... Well okay. When he was in love he was kind of a dope. But he was a sweet dope. And and he was nice to Sydney. Even when Sydney was drunk (and insulting!) he was nice to Sydney. He welcomed him into his home after his wedding to Lucy. He let Sydney act as a godfather toward his children. He called him his friend and never judged him too harshly, even though he had seen him at his worst. I really liked Charles for that.
In the musical, I really liked Lucie. She was sweet and cute and she was really good to Sydney. But in the book she drove me In.sane. I know she was nice to Sydney and that was all fine and good, but seriously that women was all over the place. She was constantly Over-flowing With Joy, or Completely Distraught about something or other. and usually it was just sooo overwhelming.
I think the Lucie in the musical was more what Charles Dickons was going for in the book, he just never quite made it. They did a good job of highlighting her kindness without making her too good and they filled her out with all these cute little quirks that made her likable. Unfortunately the book didn't do this.
She was annoying okay? Really annoying.
I liked that in the musical they built more with Sydney and Little Lucie's relationship.* I like that they drew that element out and actually showed Sydney with the little girl - and how gentle and different he was around her then with anyone else. Because that was adorable.
This being said, I loved the scene in the book where Sydney talked to Lucie about his feelings for her, and how much she inspired him to do good and that for her, and for any dear to her, he would sacrifice anything; including his life. I love this moment, and sadly I don't know if it was in the stage production (Since I can't freakin' see it.) I think something similar must happen because at the end of the musical Sydney writes a letter to Lucie and it's exactly the same as the one he writes in the book, and it was in regard to that conversation.
I really love the scene in the musical where Carton comes over for Christmas (on Lucie's invitation) and receives a present from Lucie. And he is really touched and because he was not expecting a gift, especially not one from her, and he says thank you with this shy little kiss ... and it's so. freakin. sad. BECAUSE SHE IS IN LOVE WITH CHARLES AND HE WILL NEVER EVER BE HAPPY.
So... There were a few elements from the book that I wish they could have kept in the musical. Like the bit near the end where Sydney is walking and praying.... "I am the Life and the Resurrection,.." That whole sequence was heartbreaking and I think it would have been cool to do something with it in the musical.
On the other hand though, I loved the song "Let Her Be A Child," which took the place of that. It was essentially the same thing. Sydney is all alone and he is faced with a frightening decision and he is scared and unsure ... and then it's like he hears Little Lucie saying her night prayers and he remembers why he has to follow through with his plans. And he prays with her for courage to do what he has to in order to keep the ones he loves safe. It is SAD. IT HURTS.
Overall, I enjoy listening to the musical rather than reading the book. It is a lot more fun to witness the story on stage then it is on paper - and I think this is the way with a lot of classics. They work better as a play or a movie. I was lucky because I heard the musical (many times) before reading the book and I was already familiar with the story, so it was easier for me to follow along. But there were still moments where I got confused and had to re-read a few paragraphs. And there was one scene where this character suddenly appeared in the room and I had no idea when he had shown up or why he was there - but at this point I was getting close to the sad Sydney parts so I decided it didn't matter and kept reading.
SO! What it all comes down to is this; I really liked the the book, I liked it a lot. It was a fantastic story and I would definitely read it again. But it helped that I had heard the musical and already loved the story. Otherwise I don't know if I would have enjoyed it so much. (Because the musical is the greatest thing ever. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!)
I think it is a shame that not many people have read A Tale of Two Cities. And I think it is even a bigger shame that is closed on Broadway so fast. I firmly believe it deserves a second chance. It would be fabulous to see it return to Broadway and I would go see it in a heartbeat. ( But could we also please get James Barbour back as Sydney? Thank you.) .... Maybe I'll start a petition for the release of the Stage Version on DVD.
Oh. That is a good Idea!
What are your thoughts on A Tale of Two Cities? Have you ever listened to it or read it? Do you know the story? What do you think of it?
With that I leave you with this FABULOUS trailer over which you can drool.....
And then you can watch this trailer (Which is the copy I have) and you will understand why I want to start a petition and get another DVD.
You know those people who have a five-year plan? They're the type of people who know exactly what they're going to do and they have all the details planned out.
I've never thought of myself as that person. I know that I want to try a bit of acting, and that is about as far as I've planned. Thinking about the future freaks me out so I think about it as little as possible. But I do have a few things that I definitely want to do now that I've graduated. And since I will probably face a lot of change over the next few months I figured I'd share my PLAN with you.
1.) I want to audition for the Community Theatre that is just off the hill from where they live. Theatre is my big dream, it's something that I want to do so badly. I want to at least get my foot in with bigger acting experiences. If I could actually go on Broadway that would be beyond brilliant - even if it is Highly Unlikely. But however hard it is, I have to try, otherwise I will never forgive myself.
2.) One day I want to play Christine Daae. She is one of my favorite females on Broadway and her character holds a very special place in my heart. If I could play her I would be so very happy.
*I'd use the original lyrics though, if they would let me.
3.) I want to see a professional production of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Like, in New York or London.
4.) I want to write a fantasy trilogy and (If at all possible) publish it.
5.) I want to write a musical. This is something I am working on but I am a tad stuck because of RESEARCH. *sigh* WWII.
6.) I want to explore Scotland.
7.) I want to go to Rome and visit all the Churches and the landmarks of Catholic History.
8.) I want to write a whole story in poetry.
It's not a huge list, but these are just some things I want to do over the next few years. It's hard to have plans because life could get in the way, but I don't think God wants me to live my life thinking "But what if?..." I think He wants me to plunge in and just take what it dishes out to me. I need to think of life like a baseball game and fight, no matter what the score. I have to be like, "Hey life! Try me! Just TRY ME!"
Haha! Easier said than done.
As for other news, I am still on a musical high. We watched The Phantom of the Opera again this week - I've actually lost count of how many times we've watched it since January. Don't judge me too harshly. It isn't all my fault. My sister is also on a musical kick and her obsession rubs off on me. We're both on a ridiculous Phantom high. I don't remember the last time I was this OBSESSED with Phantom of the Opera for so long! I've always loved it, it's always been my favorite, but I'm not usually listen-to-it-every-day-non-stop obsessive. I think I know why I am so nutty though. When I really love something and I hear lots of annoying hate about it, it just fuels my love for it even more and I get super defensive. And okay, tons of fans hate Raoul and it makes me mad. He is so brilliant! I honestly wonder how weird people are that they can read his character so wrong! It's annoying and I hate it. Then I get mad and listen to all I ask of you and Little Lotte, and Wandering Child, and the next thing I know I'm reciting the first lines of the Opera for the 100th Freakin' time.
SOLD! You're number sir? Thank you. *distant clapping*
Yeah, I have a problem. And my sister is just like. "Guess what I'm doing."
And I'm like "OOoooh, gee let me think. ANGEL OF MUSIC GUIDE AND GUARDIAN GRANT TO ME YOUR GLORY!"
.... and Treskie is like, "Yep, that's the one. Only more like "ANGEL OF MUSIC WHO DESERVES THIS???" And then we sing the whole final song over the phone.
The one upside to this is that I finally know all of Raoul's parts, and not just the lyrics. (I've known those for ages.) I know his notes and where he comes in and everything. It's great. The only song I still can't sing everyone's part in is Prima Donna. Mostly it's Carlotta. She is speaking so much Italian! I get confused okay?
When I am NOT obsessing over Raoul and Raoul/Christine, I am listening to A Tale of Two Cities, Secret Garden, Jekyll and Hyde or Jane Eyre, depending on the day. It's actually really nice. I get to sprawl outside with my notebook and scribble lyrics and plot devices for my different books, while I aggressively sing along with the different parts.
Prima donna, your song shall live again! Think of your public! - You took a snub, but there's a public who needs you. - Is this her angel of music...? - We get our opera - She gets her limelight!- Is this ghost-angel or a madman?!
I have lots of fun singing all five parts. I end up slurring the words though.
I have a list of NEW musicals but I can't listen to any of them until I can find DVD and the pamphlet so I can read along with the story. West Side Story is the first one I need to tackle. Wish me luck with that!
In case you don't remember I have teamed up with my good friend Jim and the two of us have decided to write a book!!! *screams* This book is called "The Incredibly Unlikely and Practically Impossible Adventures Concerning Two Girls, A Ship of Pirates, A King and Jester, A traveling Musical Company and Butterflies." And with that title you should be able to tell a LOT about are book. First of all, it's a comedy. Jim and I called it a mix between Oscar and Gilbert and Sullivan. It's kind of ridiculous and pretty much impossible but it's fun and I'm going to post a chapter over on Till the end of the Line every time we get one written out. You can read our first draft AS IT'S BEING WRITTEN!!
