"Starship" Musical Review

"Starship" album cover.

Another musical from the wonderful and talented bunch of Starkid Productions. For the first time in my life, I wish I lived in Chicago. This musical is called "Starship" and was written by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, Brian Holden, and Joseph Walker.

"Starship" poster.

"Starship" centers around the life of Bug, an unusual bug who lives in a hive where everybody is given a job that is decided by the Overqueen of the hive and they have to do their job for the good of the hive. Bug wishes more than anything to become a nobel Starship Ranger. The Overqueen places him in the Hatchery, where he shoves eggs in living mammals chests. Through luck (or is it?) Bug finds an unconscious Starship Ranger named February in the Hatchery and proceeds to help her find her way back to her spaceship. Bug is almost killed for his betrayal of the hive's safety for letting the ranger go, but his friend Roach, who happens to be the Overqueen's new lover, saves him.

Joey Richter (R) and
Dylan Saunders kick it up a notch.

A bug named Pincer that happens to live on the same planet as the hive hears of Bug's plight and wishes to help him find a way to bring the humans back to the planet, surely just out of the kindness of his heart and not out of the groaning of his stomach for human brains. Then Bug is given a human body which he can control psychically. Bug joins the humans on their ship and all sorts of shenanigans happen henceforth.

Brant Cox as Roach.

I'm sorry, I can't put anymore than that without ruining the story for everybody, but you get the idea. Lots of love and acceptance and overcoming the evils of an intergalactic force. Oh...did I mention there's puppets? Yeah, it's pretty awesome!

From left to right: Joe Moses, Lauren Lopez,
Joseph Walker, Dylan Saunders, and Julia Albain.

The story took up a lot of time on this musical. But it was a remarkable and very humorous production. I would've gladly shelled out money to watch this live, although the quality of the Youtube videos simply can't be beat. The bad guys were fantastically evil. I loved the rip on "That G. L. E. E.! Always making crazy adaptations of everything!"



There wasn't as much singing in this one (there was a lot of story to go through). But what was there was excellent! Particularly, "Kick It Up A Notch" sung by Dylan Saunders, Brian Holden, and Jaime-Lyn Beatty. "I Wanna Be" was a great way to open the show. "Hideous Creatures" was a funny way of showing how both species view each other. "Beauty" was wonderful and reminded me a lot of Disney's "The Lion King".

Lauren Lopez on Joseph Walker.

The actors were the usual suspects: Joey Richter as Bug, Denise Donovan as February, Dylan Saunders as Pincer and Tootsie-Noodles, Lauren Lopez as ass-kicking Taz and lovesick Bugette, Brian Holden as Junior, and Joseph Walker as Up, Brant Cox as Roach, and Megan Stephlen as Mega-Girl. The musical also starred Julia Albain, Joe Moses, Jim Povolo, and Jamie-Lyn Beatty.

I gave this show a 4.5 out of 5. I would've liked more singing, but that would've made the show way too long so understandably they put humor instead. I liked this one a lot.

Here is a link to the show: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC6A915952D67F112&feature=plcp

And you can buy the songs at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/starship/id434681556

"Me and My Dick" Musical Review

*WARNING: Strong and crude language. Not for the faint of heart. Avert your eyes.*

Brian Holden (L) and Nicholas
Joseph Strauss Matathia.

"Me and My Dick" album cover.

"Me and My Dick" was written by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, Eric Kahn Gale, and Brian Holden with music by A. J. Holmes and Darren Criss. I wasn't sure if I would actually watch this one because of its title. I can't believe someone could actually write a musical based on their dick experiences. I'm glad Freud isn't still around because he would possibly make these people certifiably insane. Although maybe he would enjoy it.... Hard to tell.

Devin Lytle as
Ms. Cooter

Anyway, I really enjoyed this musical. I cringed through the first scene because I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had expectations of people singing, but not a singing dick. That's literally the character's name: Dick. He's (it's?) played by Joseph Walker. The first scene also introduces us to a character named Joey Richter, played by Joey Richter, who owns Dick the way most men usually own their dicks, although his tends to get him in trouble. Both of these characters seek to get laid with the popular girl at school. They might also like to fall in love. Meanwhile, their next door neighbor already loves him but they don't like her because she's a bit geeky. So, the usual love story but with penises and va-ja-jas that sing.

Brian Holden as Flopsy

It wasn't until I got to the second scene that I decided to continue watching it. The deciding factor was Ms. Cooter, played by the talented Devin Lytle. I loved her character. I especially loved Nicholas Joseph (*breathe*) Strauss Matathia's character The Old Snatch. It feels a bit unusual to say that my two favorite characters are dancing and singing pussies. I'm not sure if that makes me sexist or a lesbian or both. (I just want to state right here that I am not a lesbian. Not that there is anything wrong with that.....) And Brian Holden was fabulous as Flopsy.

About the music: The music was quite good. It's obvious that Starkid Productions hold themselves to high standards. The first song is "Me and My Dick" and it's catchy while also explaining the musical's story line. "I've Seen You Around Here Before" is a beautiful love song and has a hilarious reprise in another scene featuring Flopsy, Flopsy being the vagina of the pretty and popular girl. "Listen to Your Heart" and "Gotta Find His Dick" were funny and energizing. "Flight of the Pussies" was grand!

Joseph Walker as Dick (L) and Joey Richter as himself.

I give this musical 4 of 5 stars because of its originality, creativity, and humor. Watch it for yourself here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF0D250702C0684CD&feature=plcp

And buy their music at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/me-and-my-dick-a-new-musical/id349723312

I Can't Wait For Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby"

REVISED: The movie is now coming to theaters in May of 2013.

Here's the original trailer:

"The Great Gatsby, an upcoming 2012 romantic drama film, brings one of the world’s most famous novels to the big screen. Originally written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby became a literary classic during the roaring 20’s, a period of great wealth for the United States. A remake of the 1974 version by the same name, this year’s film will feature the acting talents of Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay) , Tobey Maguire (Nick) , Carey Mulligan (Daisy), Joel Edgerton (Tom).

"Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) graduated from Yale and served in the war, but at the end of his deployment, returns to New York in search of a better life, trying to enter the bond business. Settling into a house near a large mansion owned by the mysterious Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), he begins to develop a taste for luxury. Upon meeting the happy couple of Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and Tom (Joel Edgerton) Buchanan, he believes life might be all it’s cracked up to be here.

"But once he begins to delve deeper into the social circle of these people, he soon realizes their life is not what they show to the world. Tom, an unfaithful husband, has done nothing but alienate Daisy, while Jay Gatsby begins to show Nick his unethical methods of money-making, such as fixing the World Series. To his dismay, when Nick discovers the true nature of these people, murder, lies, and heartbreak seem to be what lie in the horizon."
(http://vintelegance.blogspot.com/2012/05/vintelegance-voice-great-gatsby.html)

I remember reading this classic by F. Scott Fitzgerald in high school for class assignment. I might read it again in preparation for this movie. I also remember being disappointed by the ending. But I'm older and wiser now, or more used to disappointment, so maybe I'll enjoy it more this time.

I love all of Mr. Luhrmann's movies (I haven't watched "Australia" yet. Hopefully it doesn't blind me.) I love the way they are done, I love the music and the visual ecstasy of it all! From what I have seen so far, the gowns, the music, the splendor, the fireworks, I just want to live in this movie! I cannot wait until Christmas!

Pictures from the movie:

The guy on the far left (Not Leo or Tobey) reminds me of "the Most Interesting Man in the World" commercials. His name is Amitaph Bachchan playing Meyer Wolfsheim, and as an Indian movie icon he might just be one of the most interesting men in the world!

"The Wolf Gift" Book Review

The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm actually having trouble writing this review. I really wanted to love this book, because I have loved most of Anne Rice's other work. Her Vampire Chronicles defined my teenage years. Lestat is still one of my all-time favorite characters ever. Her writing inspired me to be a writer.

It was an interesting take on the werewolf legend. Rice might as well go this route - she already changed vampire lore and the way witches look forever, why not do the same to the werewolf? Well....let's just say I prefer Stephanie Meyers werewolves. (I know, I can't believe I said it either.)

I still liked her writing, but it felt stale sometimes and there were some boring parts to the book when there was an information overload over certain things I couldn't help but feel like they were stolen headlines of the past few previous years. I didn't like the use of the 'word' 'man-wolf' - it just doesn't sound or feel like a real word. I would never in a million years say it. The beginnings of the werewolf could be interesting, but let's face it: it'll never stand up to the way she had the vampires begin! That was awesome!

It felt like I was reading the Vampire Chronicles all over again, but with less inspiring characters and cast members. I think Margon is overly emo in here, for instance, and he was supposed to be the new leader of the pack. I just felt like pushing him over and tell him to stop crying. I just felt like saying, shut the hell up and kill people. None of the characters rocked my world like Lestat did or was kindly and wise like Marius or super cool badass like Akasha. I didn't bother remembering their names for this review.

I swear there were moments towards the end of the book, after the climax, which was very short-lived, I forgot who the main character was because his 'voice' was so weak throughout the book. I couldn't like his ex-girlfriend or his mother because they seemed so mentally abusive. It was just weird. His new girlfriend is extra weird because she kept having sex with him as a werewolf and it became awkward after a while. I know there's people out there who like being furries, but I think this took it too far. I also can't help thinking that maybe that the author was putting herself in the book as that character, which freaked me out more.

The main character was also unrealistic: he was 23 and had a porsche in this economy. And I also couldn't tell if he had graduated or if he quit because it sounded like both sometimes. I almost wish she would writing books about rich people that have interesting things happen to them. Couldn't she write one damn story where the main character is an out of work, just graduated out of college with thousands of dollars in debt and they have this beautiful, interesting thing happen to them and they develop with it and then the story is relative and interesting....

I did like him becoming a superhero though and cleaning up Gotham a bit. But I couldn't understand if he actually liked being a werewolf or not, because he seemed just to go with it without thinking. But the science stuff was very interesting, although written in such a way as to demean my level of intelligence.

There was also a lot of religion in this book. And that's a huge pet peeve for me. I don't like theology or other types of bullshit getting into my fun happy reading time goddamnit!

This was obviously meant to be the start of a series of books, but I don't know if I could continue reading this series. Maybe if the next book was incredibly and miraculously better than this one, but it's unlikely. Sadly, I cannot but give this book 3 stars.


View all my reviews

"Holy Musical B@man" Musical Review

This is a little known musical production by Starkid Productions (the people responsible for 'AVery Potter Musical') that can be watched on Youtube at a URL I will put at the bottom of this blog entry so you will have to read the whole thing to get to it! Muahahahaahahaahaha!

Or you just skip the reading bit and just scroll down to the bottom. I'll try not to hate you forever.

But anyway, it is indeed called 'Holy Musical B@man' (which is also the title of the wonderful first number in the show). Anyway, I freaking loved the show! The music was catchy and awesome! The actors were hot and fantastic! The costumes and lighting and scenery was incredible!





The story is about.... BATMAN!!! What else do you need to know?! Batman, played by the delectable Joseph Walker, has a new archnemesis named Sweet Tooth, played by Jeff Blim, who has the best stage presence EVAR! (Yes, I spelled that wrong, which means it's even more epic than usual!) I also read the best comment, except now I can't find it, so I can't credit the person who wrote it. Oh well, here it is anyway, I'm sure they'll let me know: "If someone had told me before watching this video that I was about to fall in love with a man with blue hair and a pink suit, I would've punched them in the face!" lol Best comment evar!

His 'oh' face, I'm sure.

Also, Superman, played by Brian Holden, shows up and all of the jokes that can be made about Batman vs. Superman's superpowers are mentioned. There is also a song and dance between Batman and Robin, played by Nick Lang, and it is indeed as gay as it sounds. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Hold me tight!

I think this is the only way Batman should be seen ever again! Not just dark and lonely and emo, but singing and wearing tights (screw that Christian Bale version!)

This is almost right up there with the George Clooney version, except it isn't horrible and not likely to blind you after a second viewing.

By the by, I think Joseph Walker shouldn't wear clothes as often as possible! Is that possible?

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL96B8289ADF77A8C4&feature=plcp

UPDATE: I knew there was a reason I felt as if I had heard the "Rise Up, Rise Up" bad guys musical number, because it sounds very similiar to: "The Heart of Rock and Roll" by Huey Lewis and The News. They play this song at my work all of the time. I cry myself to sleep every night.

"Jersey Boys" Musical Review

Almost there....

I had a super-sweet time in New York City on May 12th! My friends and I had lunch at Applebee's and there was even a fair we had no idea was going to be there and I got some really awesome stuff!

'Jersey Boys' played in the
beautiful August Wilson Theatre.

We usually go to New York City once a year to see a show and this year it was 'Jersey Boys'. I didn't know too much before hand about this show, only that it was about a popular group from the 1960's. I didn't know much about them, or so I thought, until I borrowed a friend's cd. It turns out I already knew most of the music and what I didn't know I liked anyway!

The musical follows the story of the members of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons:

Frankie Valli, played by Jarrod Spector, the lead vocalist of the pop group,

Bob Gaudio, played by Quinn VanAntwerp, the keyboardist and main songwriter of the group,

Tommy DeVito, played by Andy Karl, the troublesome lead guitarist,

and Nick Massi, played by Matt Bogart, the bass guitarist.

I thought it was very well done. It had great music already, so that was good. The actors were very handsome as well as extremely talented. The story was compelling and funny and sad. It was a very good show. Tommy DeVito was the most funny and most 'Jersey' of all the characters. And I found Nick Massi's awkward stoicalness hilarious. It even has an actor in it that plays a young Joe Pesci, (yeah, that Joe Pesci - the actor), that was spot-on. I tried finding out who it was, but stupid Playbill doesn't update their website only but once a year. But he was adorable and I would take him home in a heartbeat!

So much praise!

I had a grand time, but I don't think it was the best musical I have seen. I still can't decide which one that would be though - toss-up between 'WICKED' and 'Les Mis' probably. 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' (starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette) was also pretty awesome. And I can't forget my first love and the first show I saw on Broadway, 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

The only problem I had with the production, doesn't involve the musical at all. The audience..... was from New Jersey. That should say everything.

I must say, I was very happy overall though! It was a great time!

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Womelsdorf Town Kum Wunnerfitz Fair!

Come one, come all! Kum Wunnerfitz! 

On Saturday May 19th this year, in honor of the 250th anniversary of Womelsdorf, the whole town is rolling out a red carpet! Here is a list of the businesses and companies attending:

Fire Company 8am-8pm (Trolley Stop 10-6) Womelsdorf Fireman and Ladies Auxilary..

OPEN HOUSE - Fire Prevention, Refreshments, Face painting, etc..

Trinity Fellowship Church 8am-till 4pm (Trolley Stop 10-4) 

OPEN HOUSE and Yard Sale

Lutheran Church 8am-till 4pm

OPEN HOUSE and cafe outside at Fellowship Square

Womelsdorf Borough Hall 10am-4pm (Trolley Stop 10-6)

OPEN HOUSE, Refreshments, and great opportunity to meet Womelsdorf Council Members

Womelsdorf Police Department 10am-4pm

OPEN HOUSE

Womelsdorf Swimming Pool 10am-4pm

OPEN HOUSE. Great time to sign up for 2012 membership(cash/check)

Stonecroft Village 10am-4pm (Trolley Stop 10-4)

Art and Craft Show 10am-4pm - Beautiful Arts and Crafts

Stouch's Tavern 10am-1pm

OPEN HOUSE with special treats for sale on the front porch - baked goods, fresh fruit, & Iced Tea

United Church of Christ 11am-3pm

OPEN HOUSE

Conrad Weiser Homestead 12pm-4pm (Trolley Stop 12-4)

OPEN HOUSE

Williamson Lodge 2pm-6pm (Trolley Stop 2-6)

OPEN HOUSE, selling soup and BBQ

There will a town-wide yard sale sponsored by the Womelsdorf Fire Company. They will also be sponsoring a craft show (which I will be at with all of my wares) in the town park.

The Womelsdorf Community Library will be having a book sale from 10 am - 4 pm. $5 a bag (exception: DVDs are $1, and rare books priced as marked).

It is going to happen, rain or shine, so be sure to attend!