Top 5 Shows to See This Season!

As a performing arts enthusiast I am always wondering what shows are coming to a theater or performing arts center in my area of the country.  Whether they are new shows from Broadway or classic shows that have traveled for years, it is always tough to decide which shows if any to see.  So, I decided to make a list of the must see shows for this season in the state of Iowa.  I used the two main performing arts centers that I frequent that have a good variety of shows, they are, Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) in Cedar Falls and Des Moines Performing Arts Center in Des Moines.

5. Hello, Dolly! (At Gallagher Bluedorn: January 24-25, 2014)

A classic musical based in the late 1800's in the New York City area. This show is a mix of laughter and magical musical numbers. The beautiful costumes help set the time and the music makes the show a joy to watch. With Sally Struthers staring as Dolly Gallagher Levi there is more than enough talent to make the show shine. Although this show has been around sense the 1960's it still holds its charm and magic that is Hello, Dolly!

4. Phantom of the Opera (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: September 10-21, 2014)

Out on a New North American Tour the critics say this show is, "bigger and better than ever before." The Sunday Express says its,"stunning, intense and spectacular." The Phantom of the Opera is a story about a man who lives under a Paris Opera House who is a musical genius.  He lives in the shadows ashamed of his physical appearance and is feared by all who see him. But the love for his protegee makes it hard for her to resist his disfigured form.

3. Avenue Q (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: 

June 6-22, 2014)

The winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score. Avenue Q is a "autobiographical and biographical" coming-of-age story, covering the issues and anxieties of entering adulthood. The hilarious show follows Princeton a recent college graduate who moves to a New York apartment on Avenue Q and his story of becoming an adult. What makes this show so special is that it uses puppets to tell the story which are controlled by visible human actors. This show is not like one you have ever seen before!

2. Blue Man Group (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: February 18-23, 2014)

Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology in order to create completely unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.”  

1. Wicked (At Des Moines Performing Arts Center: 

Oct 30- Nov 10, 2013)

Back by “Popular” demand.  Variety calls WICKED "a cultural phenomenon!” Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, WICKED is “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times).  The Prequel to The Wizard of Oz, this is the story of two girls and how the become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.  This is one of the top grossing musicals of all time.  If you have not seen it yet or even if you have, it is a must see!

Thanks for Reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron

The Power of Social Media

In this day and age its hard to miss the impact that social media has on pretty much everything going on in this world.  More and more people, companies, and organizations are flocking to using social media. Not having an online presence in the world now is almost taboo.  There are a few stragglers that are still coming up to speed on the possibilities that social media can bring.

One of those stragglers are theaters.  Many can and have utilized the possibilities that social media can bring but a large majority of the industry have yet to use them to their full potential.  Social media platforms like Facebook have the power to make or break a show.  It is a useful tool to not only inform people as to what your show is but to also promote it.  Many use ads as a tool for promotion but ads will not cut it alone.  Having reviews and ratings is what will help a customer decide if they would like a show or not.  

These reviews or ratings could be from professional critics in newspapers or from your average joe on different websites.  But the thing that will impact a person's decision to see a show or not is actually not the opinion of a professional or a stranger but rather a friend or family member. According to authors Tracy L. Tuten and Michael R. Solomon, "71% say recommendations from friends/family have substantial influence over purchase decisions."  Having a personalized review from someone you know, trust, and maybe share similar interests with is what can make someone want to see a show.  

In an article," What Social-Media Marketers Could Learn From Broadway," by Gian Fulgoni, there is a point he makes about the importance of the phrase, "You've got to see it."  It is true that if I see a commercial or ad for a show or anything really, and it happens to catch my attention/interest, I am likely to check it out.  But if someone I know says, "You've got to see this, it's amazing," I am far more likely to go, and go soon because I want to see what they are so amazed with.  

The power is not only in what a business/organization posts but also in what fans and their friends/family share about those things.

Thanks for Reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron

  

Top Ten Stage to Screen Musical Movies

Whether it was on stage first and then went to film or was a movie and then was brought to the stage these are my top ten movie musicals!

1. Sound of Music

This musical is by far a classic and definitely deserves the number one spot.  Directed by Robert Wise he helped bring Rodgers and Hammerstein's wonderfully cheerful musical that explored some very dark times to screen.  A story about Sister Maria and the Von Trap Family during the times of World War Two.

2. Hello Dolly

Although reviews for this movie are less than stellar I think Barbara Streisand is wonderful in it.  There have been many stars that play Dolly throughout the years and Barbara sings the heck out of the songs and I will always picture her as the true Dolly, that is why it's my number two she brings my true Dolly to life.  

3. Les Miserables

This musical has earned unbelievable amounts of success from all of the world sense it opened.  From the tours of the show, to the anniversary concerts, and then the mega success of the movie just proves that the story and songs of this musical is loved and will continue to be loved for a long time.   

4. Mary Poppins

A childhood favorite, this is the story of a magical English nanny to the Banks family.  With songs like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Chim Chim Cher-ee there isn't much you can't love about this musical.  

5. Grease

With great performances from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John it is no wonder this musical has stood the test of time.  A story set in the 1950's about high school romance.

6. My Fair Lady

Another classic musical with a wonderful story and songs.  A beautiful performance by Audrey Hepburn, she is completely enchanting, the only drawback is that she didn't sing her own songs in the show.

   

7. Phantom of the Opera

A dark and enchanting story of a girl named Christine Daae who is a beautiful French opera singer and the tale of the man with a deformed face who falls in love with her.  

8. Chicago 

A story of two women on death row, the story of their time in jail and their want of fame as celebrity killers based in Chicago.  With catchy songs like Cell Block Tango and Mr. Cellophane it is no surprise why this musical did so well.    

9. Rocky Horror Picture Show

A story about a couple whose car breaks down and their odd encounter with Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

10. Annie

The last musical on my list, there are plenty more that I love and probably some that I forgot but off the top of my head these are my top ten.  Annie is a story of a little orphan girl's adventures and her story of finding a new family.  

Thanks for Reading!

-PerformingArtsPatron

Don't Let the Big Tent Fool You...

This week I had the opportunity to see The Cirque Du Soleil performance of Amaluna in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Most people think that the Cirque Du Soleil shows are just another circus act.  Don't let the circus tent fool you, although it may look like it from the outside this is far from your average circus act.  

Once inside this tent it feels like you are transported to a wondrous place filled with beautiful scenery and costumes.  The show will not only amaze you with what these performers can do but fill you with joy at getting to experience it.  Every show has a different story that it tells and each one explores different themes like power, femininity, identity, and coming of age.  The story is told through actors, dancers, singers, performers, and most importantly the acrobats.  Believe me when I say that the acrobatic performances in these shows is nothing like I have ever seen before.  I went to see the circus many times when I was a child and loved every minute of it.  When saw my first Cirque Du Soleil show, Kooza, I didn't know what to think, I just knew that what I saw was spectacular, like nothing I had ever seen before, and I wanted to see it again. 

Here is a video to show you some of the splender that happens at a Cirque show, but remember it is nothing like the real life experience.  

After I saw the show I was completely entranced by it so I did what a lot of people would do and went to google and youtube to see if I could watch or find out more.  I came across a documentary on youtube that explores the audition process to be involved in Cirque Du Soleil.  It was a fantastic way to spend forty five minutes and I learned so much.  I had a general idea of what people probably had to go through and what they were expected to do but to see the grueling process and learn that people have to be able to do it all and be the best of the best it was entertaining and inspiring. 

 

I wanted to share my thoughts about these shows because although a lot of people wouldn't categorize it as Performing Arts, it is Performing Arts, and its at its best.  

-PerformingArtsPatron