Tuesday, November 19, 2013

If/Then


This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at the theatre with my husband.  We hit the city for a matinee showing of the new musical If/Then, now playing at The National Theatre in DC.    They are currently doing a pre-Broadway run of the musical written by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (the creators of Next to Normal). The show features Idina Menzel in her much-anticipated return to the stage, along side her RENT co-star Anthony Rapp, and the smashing talents of LaChanze as well as James Snyder and an entire ensemble of incredible talent.



I had been looking forward to this date for weeks, for the sheer fact that I would see Idina Menzel perform live and in person!  The woman is amazing!  And I still have "sing with Idina Menzel," on my Bucket List; at least I've been in the same room with her now!

The story follows Elizabeth (Menzel) upon her return to NYC after divorcing her husband who moved her from the city she loved, across the country to Phoenix, AZ when they first married.  Seeking independence and fresh start, Elizabeth has hit her mid-life crisis.  Elizabeth is a force to be reckoned with in the professional world; she's obsessive about data and details, she weighs her decisions carefully through painstaking considerations of all possible outcomes and statistics.  Unfortunately, when these traits impact her ability to make personal life decisions they present painful obstacles to her chance at a life lived fully and without fear.  If/Then drags you through the roller coaster of her internal thought process by exploring to each end the different paths her life could take based on one tiny decision.

Starting in Madison Square Park, New York City sets the backdrop for all the play's action. New Yorkers will appreciate that the play brings their home to life.  Set designer, Mark Wendland, and lighting designer, Kenneth Posner, were brilliant in their design, and the underlit floor featuring what appeared to be subway rail maps along with the mimicking of an actual ride on the train really brought the modern NYC to life.

By intermission my head was spinning, and I felt just as lost as Elizabeth.  Throughout the musical the action switches between the different story lines of each decision she could make.  It's quite confusing and difficult to get your bearings, because the story line keeps switching and it all changes so naturally I found I didn't always realize we were in a different decision's storyline until something major happened. My husband and I were finally able to figure out that the lighting indicated which storyline we were in. Once we nailed that down during intermission it made MUCH more sense.

The second act was what FINALLY got me.  As the roads come to a head in each storyline, Elizabeth's reactions to life's twists and turns cut to the heart and her emotionally charged numbers were powerhouse pieces that shattered me.

Ultimately the viewer is left with the sense of urgency to take life by the horns, and to consider their choices in a different light.  Instead of weighing what will fail or lead to a worse end, to ask oneself what will bring the most depth, joy, and meaning to your life.  Even if something were to end in tragedy, would you regret taking that path, or would you revel in the joy you had while it lasted?  A beautiful anecdote about what we make of the time we're given and the life we've got.

The talent on the stage is astounding!  Idina Menzel is brilliant as ever!  She is the total package of raw and genuine emotion, bold acting choices, and incomparable vocals.  LaChanze is refreshing and delightful.  She is full of energy, hysterical, and has a soulful confidence in her voice that soars.  Anthony Rapp plays the same character he always plays…the awkward, nerdy, hipster, activist who was once in love with Menzel's character. (RENT…anybody?)  He fits the bill for this character, but I've not seen him do anything else.  James Snyder is another breath of fresh air whose voice and expression tug at the heart especially when he experiences the birth of his firstborn.

If/Then will tug at your heart, inspire you to reevaluate what's really important, and encourage you to trust your heart.

Have a quick listen and see for yourself!  http://www.ifthenthemusical.com/gallery


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Rye Whiskey and The Punch Brothers

Last weekend I had the pleasure of surprising the love of my life with probably the best Valentine's gift EVER!  My boyfriend and I are both musicians and he is a huge fan of Mandolin artist, Chris Thile.  Chris Thile is probably best known for his stint with Nickle Creek, but has since launched his own musical endeavors with a self titled band that later evolved into what is now known as The Punch Brothers.  I discovered the band was performing in Roanoke on the 19th, and snagged a pair of tickets for the evening.  I was going crazy trying to keep it a secret, but I was so excited I almost couldn't contain myself. 

The Punch Brothers is a five man string band.  Featuring Chris Thile on the mandolin and lead vocals, Noam Pickelny on the banjo, Gabe Witcher on the violin, Paul Kowert on bass, and Chris Eldrige on guitar.  Together they play the most incredible blue grass influence by love, life, and some good ol' rye whiskey (and probably other assorted beverages). 

I was concerned the whole surprise would be ruined by the weather as Roanoke got hit with a snow storm...but the tickets were non-refundable, and the show wasn't canceled. As they say in show-biz...the show must go on...and so it did!  So glad we did too. 

The show was probably one of the best I've ever been to.  These guys know how to bring down the house, and fill the room with the spirit of their sound.  Opening with "New York City," appropriately the first line sings, "Snow falls on the Hudson, souls are lost by the lonely dozen. She was here and then she wasn't."  Appropriate due to the number of empty seats thanks to the weather, even though the show was actually sold out!  Oh well...their loss.  Every second of this show was captivating.  From the first note to the last, and all the comical banter in between.  At one point guitarist Eldridge missed his intro to a song, Thile stopped the show and said "We're gonna try that again, because I LOVE this song...when the guitar comes in on time."  Additionally Pickelny added, "The guitar will be delayed due to snow."  The guys had a fantastic chemistry on stage, and wrapped up with an encore of their ever loved "Rye Whiskey".  


My favorites for the evening had to be "Hundred Dollars," "This Girl," and the show stopping finale, "Rye Whiskey".  Check them out RIGHT NOW! 

The evening did not end with the encore though folks, OUR encore was actually meeting this incredible band afterward, getting autographs, and even snapping a photo with Chris Thile (who also high-fived me on a job well done with the best Valentine's surprise EVER).  If he remembers us at all, it will be for being "The Valentine's Couple."  Valentine's surprise 2012 = Smashing Success!!! Now what will I do next year?