Category Archives: Musicals

COMING UP – WEEK 33 PREVIEW

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Proud * – Heather Small … Who can forget those decadent parties at Babylon? Or the sleaziness of Liberty Baths?

Getting to Know You – Julie Andrews, Children’s Chorus, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye * – Michael Feinstein … I can see him waking up in the middle of the night in his lover’s arms, dressing up, stealing one last kiss, and hurrying up back home to his wife. 

Kim’s Charleston – Tammy Amerson, Elaine Stritch

The Best Thing That Ever Happened – Alexander Gemignani, Claybourne Elder

Brotherhood of Man – Nick Jonas, Rob Bartlett, Ellen Harvey … I had the chance to see the show in early 2012, and being from the school of “If-you’re-under-35-I-may-not-know-who-you-are”, I wasn’t entirely sure I knew who Nick Jonas was.

Star! – Julie Andrews

* Top 10 Contender

WEEK 32 / 30 JANUARY – 5 FEBRUARY 2015

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218 FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 2015

There’s No Place Like Home – Orchestra

Lost - Season 4 (Original Television Soundtrack)

Nothing says “Lost” as this flawless evocative composition by Michael Giacchino. It was first used as the ‘Oceanic Six’, the only survivors who are able to make it out of the island, return to civilisation. From then on, the theme became an intrinsic part of the rest of the show’s run. It was repeatedly used with different variations.

Just as last week’s “King’s Fate – Prince’s Future – Kralahome’s Demise – Anna’s Surprise” was in the background while I wrote a passage of my novel, “The Return Of The Army Of Light”; There’s No Place Like Home also played a role while I wrote another extract of the story.

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COMING UP – WEEK 32 PREVIEW

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There’s No Place Like Home – Orchestra

Steal Your Rock ‘N’ Roll – Montego Glover, Chad Kimball

I’m Always Chasing Rainbows – Sumi Jo … Life often plays like that, it throws at you what you think is a consolation prize, but in reality it is giving you a good one, so enjoy it.

Volver – Luis Miguel

I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face – Rex Harrison … This is the part when us, regular folks, would call our friends and bitch about our ex-lover. 

Piazza – Orchestra … Gay groups in Argentina did not want tolerance, but respect, period. Tolerance left room for judgement; respect was unconditional. 

Mas Que Nada – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66

WEEK 31 / 23 – 29 JANUARY 2015

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211 FRIDAY 23 JANUARY 2015

More I Cannot Wish You – John Carpenter

Guys and Dolls

Summer of 1992 has a special place in my memories. I had finished my masters in the spring, and the organisation I had been working for a few months had extended my contract for another six months. I had moved to a new place near DuPont Circle in DC. This was the early 1990s and it would take another four or five years for the area to become chic.

So, there I was in a small efficiency apartment at the Chastleton, at 16th and R, where as legend has it The Duke and Duchess of Windsor stayed for a while.

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COMING UP – WEEK 31 PREVIEW

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More I Cannot Wish You – John Carpenter

After Car – Orchestra … If you live in Washington, DC, sooner or later you will find yourself on the verge of breaking a political scandal or at the very least, you’ll fantasise about it.

Battle Hymn of the Republic – Judy Garland … Judy Garland was probably the only real friend Kennedy had among all the Hollywood glitterati that surrounded him.

King’s Fate – Prince’s Future – Kralahome’s Demise – Anna’s Surprise – Philharmonia Orchestra & William Kidd

Sheik of Araby – Café Accordion Orchestra

Easy Money – Bellamy Young, Sam Harris, Kevin Ramsey … It is a look back to Times Squares in the 1970s, way before Disney invaded the 42nd St. area, a place populated with pimps, hookers, and dealers.

Mambembe – Soledad Bravo

WEEK 30 / 16 – 22 JANUARY 2015

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204 FRIDAY 16 JANUARY 2015

Tara’s Theme from Gone With the Wind – John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra

Encore!_ Best of the Boston Pops

The Roxy was probably the largest movie house in Maracaibo when I was growing up; it even had a balcony, although it was never used. I remember seeing many movies at The Roxy, like “Dumbo”, “E.T.”, and “Back To The Future”. However, the most vivid memory I have of The Roxy is the Sunday afternoon my father dropped off my sister, brother and me, to watch “Gone With The Wind”.

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COMING UP – WEEK 30 PREVIEW

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Week 30

Tara’s Theme from Gone With the Wind – John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra … I’ve talked about the moments in my life when I decided or was inspired to go into filmmaking. However, it was my mother who taught me to love films.

For Her, for Him – Global Stage Orchestra

Up On The Roof – Sutton Foster

La Bikina – Celia Cruz … listening to it [La Bikina] this time around, I can see traces of sexism in its lyrics. The song tells the story of a lonely woman, La Bikina, who walks around town without interacting with anyone, and according to the song’s author, that is a problem.

Cornet Man – Barbra Streisand

Comedy Tonight – Nathan Lane and Company

At The Grand Hotel; Table With A View – Michael Jeter, Brent Barrett … This is one of the roles I’d love to play if in my elder years I give acting another chance. The other role would be Herr Schultz in “Cabaret”.

WEEK 29 – 9 – 15 JANUARY 2015

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197 FRIDAY 9 JANUARY 2015

The Glory Of Love – Bette Midler

Beaches

This is the second time The Glory Of Love appears on the list. The first time was during week two, on that occasion, it was Jimmy Durante’s version that made it to the list. (See Week 2, Number 11)

Durante’s version came in as a sort of sound and reliable advice from a wise man, telling novice lovers what to expect from love. However, Bette Middler’s The Glory Of Love presents consolation, its words offer solace after love has done a number on you. There’s sadness, melancholy, and regret, but there’s also acceptance of your fate.

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COMING UP – WEEK 29 PREVIEW

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Week 29

These are the songs I picked between 9 January and 15 January 2015. I’ll talk about them next time.

The Glory Of Love – Bette Midler

Tea For Two* – Roger Raithburn, Susan Watson  

Fruit Shop Dance – Orchestra

Got To Be Real – Cheryl Lynn

Tales From The Vienna Woods – Orchestra

Show People – David Hyde Pierce, Debra Monk

Whatever Lola Wants – Gwen Verdon

* Top 10 Contender

COMING UP – WEEK 28 PREVIEW

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Week 28

These are the songs I picked between 2 January and 8 January 2015. I’ll talk about them next time.

Usted Abusó – Celia Cruz & Willie Colón

If You Want the Rainbow (You Must Have the Rain)* – Norah Jones  

Rhapsody in Blue – Leonard Bernstein & Columbia Symphony Orchestra

You’re The One That I Want – Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta

Sing – The Carpenters

Motivos – La Rondalla Venezolana

La Gata Bajo La Lluvía – Rocío Dúrcal

* Top 10 Contender