Church Basement Ladies was an extra show that Merry-Go-Round put on this year. The Mothership and I decided to go, despite never having heard of it, because in general, MGR does a great job with things, and we figured we'd enjoy it.
We were so right! It was a super cute story set in a Lutheran chuch in Minnesota in the 1960's. There were only five actors, and they did a great job. The entire play took place in the church basement, where what I call "church biddies" hang out to prepare food for church dinners, fund raisers, funerals, and whatever else the church might require.
I think the real reason that I found it so enjoyable was that I could identify all the characters with women that I've gone to church with, both past and present. There was the older woman, very judgmental and set in the old ways, the kooky middle aged woman who loves everyone, the mother who might have been a bit wild in the past, but is now dedicated to the church, and her daughter, who was off to college, but still coming home to help out because she enjoyed the church community.
Definitely worth seeing. The songs were cute, and the actors seemed to really enjoy this performance, which always makes it so much better. I'm kind of sad that it's our last play of the year, although this performance has been extended, so I guess I could see it again if I start feeling too lonely!
I have to say, I was kind of disappointed by Little Shop of Horrors. The performers were great singers and dancers, and the props were spectacular, but I guess I was a little unprepared for such a strange show.
The music and lyrics were written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, so I thought this would be the best show of the summer, since they are also responsible for the Disney version of The Little Mermaid, which is my favorite Disney musical of all time! And the music of Little Shop didremind me a bit of The Little Mermaid. But not enough, so I have to say in the end, I didn't really enjoy this theatrical outing. I was glad to be going home at the end of the night. Fortunately, we still have one show left, and on my birthday, no less! I have no expectations regarding Church Basement Ladies, since I'd never heard of it before buying the tickets. So I guess the Mothership and I will just have to see how it goes!
Little Shop of Horrors is still playing for a few more days, so go see it, especially if you're a fan of the old movie...my friend Courtney apparently is, and couldn't believe that I didn't enjoy the musical!
I've been so busy with work and puppies and camp that I completely forgot that the Mothership and I attended a show at Merry-Go-Round last week. We saw The Producers, and enjoyed it thoroughly. The actors were great, especially the two who played Leo Bloom and Ulla. (And the girl who played Ulla looked exactly like Katherine Heigl - Izzy from Grey's Anatomy...it was freaky.) The entire performance was incredible, and the Mothership and I had the good fortune of having the two rows ahead of us completely empty, so we could see everthing on stage. It also made it possible for us to catch the carnation that the producer throws out at the beginning of each show - I've been waiting all season! Sadly, as it's turning into fall, it's also getting towards the end of the season. Only two shows left: Little Shop of Horrors, which we see September 3rd, and Church Basement Ladies, on September 16th (my birthday!!!) Can't wait!
Until tonight, I had never seen Les Mis before, despite every other Geneva High graduate in my decade having seen it. This is mainly because my languages of choice in school were Latin and Spanish, and it was the French classes that had the privilege of seeing it. I was never really all that broken up about it though, considering the show is described as a story of "the power, the passion, and the triumph of the human spirit." I've never really been interested in the triumph of the human spirit. As previously mentioned on this blog, I'm more interested in cute boys and a happy ending. So I wasn't too excited about seeing Les Mis, and tried to convince my mother that we should give our tickets away, because I've also never loved musicals that have no spoken lines, just singing.I am an idiot. Les Mis was great, and lived up to all the hype that has been spewing forth from the local media, about it being the biggest production Merry-Go-Round has ever done, and how the theater had to be expanded so that they could host the production. The actors were great, and the singing was wonderful. The sets were amazing, and so were the costumes. Overall, a great performance...I'm so glad I didn't give away my seats! Only two days left in it's run, definitely go and see it if you can!
Tonight was the Mothership's and my first Merry-Go-Round Playhouse show of the season, and I have to say, it is off to an amazing start...All Shook Up is one of the best shows I have ever seen...let me think about that...it is the best show I've ever seen. I'm really sorry that we saw it so late in it's run, because I would really like to go see All Shook Up again!I have to say, I was hesitant about this show, as I've never been a huge Elvis fan, or at least I thought. The show was hilarious, a take on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and I enjoyed that in itself thoroughly. Every song was an Elvis song, and I have to say, some of them surprised me, as I had no idea they were his. The performers were all great singers and dancers, and played up their characters to the hilt. Definitely worth going to if you can get a ticket. Sadly, there are only a few days left of this show's run, and I have to work or go to Puppy Kindergarten for all of them. 
I just hope the rest of the season can at least equal this show!
Church Basement Ladies was an extra show that Merry-Go-Round put on this year. The Mothership and I decided to go, despite never having heard of it, because in general, MGR does a great job with things, and we figured we'd enjoy it.
