Why Wait In The Wings Is One Of My Favorite Youtube Channels

 When it comes to musical theater, I am always looking for Youtube channels that talk about shows, behind the scenes, vlog about, review, or dive into any musical theater topic. In my time, my searches, I have found many essays, vlogs and such, but one I want to hone in on, has been not only teaching me, but given me videos I rewatch often, find inspiration from, and listen to while I write. Many times I have listened to some of their works while working on this very blog, that channel, is Wait In The Wings. 

Wait In The Wings specializes on video essays on topics, lists, and of course essays. No corner of the world of theater, no topic, seems forced in their work. Always presenting with a genuine authenticity, whether it is on a massive flop and how it came to be, to a King Kong puppet for the musical bearing the same name. Their topics are interesting, the shows they cover, are sometimes ones I never knew existed until I found the video, for example "Rocky The Musical", who would of guessed. There are also deep dive into characters, themes, even props get a time to shine in this channel, and I love that about it, when they make something new, I know I am always in for a surprise.

The videos are easy to follow along and never talk down to the audience, taking the approach of a friend who learned something that just needs to be heard. A friend who happened to do a ton of research, yes this team does the research in spades and each essay shows. Interviews, footage, quotes, as well as creative visuals when needed to fill in any blanks or to transition, the editing is also superb. Knowing when to add humor to a moment, or help drive important facts in. I find myself rewatching these essays often, whether over dinner, watching on my phone to learn something new, or as mentioned when I am working on my creative pursuits. The humor even shines through in  their ad reads, I find myself chuckling as they find a creative way to show off the videos sponsor. 

The topics as mentioned are varied, there is so much to pick from based on mood, and the videos are paced well in addition. Not lingering too long on a topic but rather giving it the time in the spotlight deemed fit. I love the reviews, and deep dives into a tale of a show that flopped, and in some cases how it found a new life outside of the New York theater scene. There are also long video compilations where if you, like myself sometimes just like to put something on and leave it on without having to switch to videos and shuffle around once one comes to an end. 

 Sometimes on a second viewing I find myself picking up facts that I did not before, that I love bringing up. I recommend scrolling through their videos and finding a topic that clicks with you, whether it is on a  Broadway bookstore, SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical, defining flops, or a documentary on Team Starkid even, there is no wrong answer. I found myself even trying to find out on topics I would turn away at first glance because I just like how Wait In The Wings presents their topics. Whether as inspiration for my next brainstorming session, or wanting to learn something new, this is a channel I highly recommend. 

Wait In The Wings is perfect to relax after a long day, or drive someone to want to chase their dreams creativity. Whether sitting down with just enough time for one video, or a night of about five or six when I was writing this blog post, this channel is one of my all time favorites, and I am so thankful for the inspiration it continues to bring, through its work. 

SIX Is Going To Be In Movie Theaters?! The Hype Is Real

The hype... is so real. The filmed live on stage version of SIX is happening! Yes at this current time it is only slated for international cinemas, but I feel like it will make its way to American shores before we know it. Probably in theaters and then on streaming and Blu-Ray. Without the information at hand it is very easy to feel antsy, but I am sure once it has had its initial run, much like a show that begins on the West End, (The U.Ks massive theater venue akin to New York's Broadway), it will come here before we know it. Plenty of stage musicals still begin on the West End before coming to Broadway, "Back To The Future" ran on the West End for a long time before coming to Broadway, and Disney is debuting the stage version of "Hercules" in the West End before it comes stateside. 

I am hoping this much like the run of "Waitress" in 2022 which is now hitting streaming services but was also available for purchase both in digital and physical formats is the story we are about to see play out. I hope to see purchase releases and hopefully extended theatrical runs if it performs well. I love this musical, and am so glad to see musicals filmed live on stage getting theatrical releases with teaser trailers and such, I am all for proshots and movie adaptations coexisting. I honestly would like more of both, such as movie version and version filmed live on stage like "Les Misérables" or if we were able to get a "Hamilton" movie to stand alongside the version on Disney Plus. I absolutely am in favor of that.

This would also be a great time to rerelease some of the filmed proshots that have aired in theaters with Fathom Events that are on streaming sites, plenty of them air all year round, I even saw the filmed live on stage version of "Newsies" back when it debuted, but did not catch it for the rerelease of it. But I would love to see "Hamilton", "Waitress" even the classic PBS Sondheim taped shows take the big screen. There are tons of events where movies tied together by director or theme are rereleased, especially for anniversaries and such, I just think that putting filmed live on stage productions in movie theaters would be awesome.

That being said, I know the wait will be worth it for this, I loved the teaser, and am waiting with baited breath for the next batch of news. I will definitely review it for this blog, and probably much like proshots I love, will watch it many times over. I hope some other current shows get some filmed live on stage adaptations as well... but while I wait for a filmed version of one of my top five favorite stage shows to come stateside, there was another show about a queen from England, that was a musical live on stage, filmed and put on Netflix.. I think it's time.

Source:

https://playbill.com/article/universal-will-release-six-the-musical-live-featuring-original-west-end-queens 

Putting It Together Sondheim's Many Wonderful Songs About The Art Of Making Art

 Continuing on the topic of music by Stephen Sondheim, for some time now I have wanted to dive into the music in which he discussed as he called it "the art of making art". Songs such as "Putting It Together", "Finishing The Hat", "Opening Doors" and plenty of others. Sondheim when rooting his plays in a less fantastical element, could sometimes sneak in clever songs that share truths about creativity. He has plenty of songs, especially in shows about writers or creating art, that revolve around the real feeling of creativity. Showing his own process in small moments, capturing the emotion, inspiring through relating to the listener, having a sweeping score, and of course lyrics that hit the nail right on the head. The songs that capture the beauty, and at many times the hectic storm of being creative, from advancing art, to capturing an audience, to getting a piece that one has truly put their heart into, to getting your foot in the door. 

Sondheim even putting in pieces of his own journey into song. I feel that one of his most autobiographical songs has to be "Opening Doors" from "Merrily We Roll Along". At this point we are back when the cast was trying to cut their teeth on the page and on the stage, showcasing their work to anyone willing to listen. Going through ups and downs, seeing shows, going through relationships, and living life as the work grows and blossoms. This song also showcases rejections from Broadway producers asking just for a simple "hummable melody". In the amazing documentary "Six By Sondheim" which showcases his life and work, there are several moments of song performances, this song being one of them, with Sondheim ironically shooting down the pair for the lack of hummable melody. How he must have heard that in his long journey as a writer more times then most can count. 

The song shows playwrights going on journeys, and just trying to get their work performed. From doing a one act, to stopping rehearsals due to running out of funding, trying each and every angel. The song ending with the group using all their resources to get their play performed even in its unfinished state, the song showing a resilience in times both good and bad. Showing the joy of writing, seeing a dream and pursuing it, not giving up as life throws a million things at you. A real feeling not just for the listener, not just in and out of context, but as shown for the writer himself. A feeling that bleeds into "Sunday In The Park With George".

There are so many songs to unpack here about creativity, and I will in the future, "Finishing The Hat", "Sunday", "Color and Light", the show emanates the creative journey and how it can crossover into your real life. Showing opinions spanning decades from onlookers and critics, two artists who are decades apart but hold that similar vision deep within them, and learning the importance of holding your artistic principles close to your heart. The song that embodies the creative hustle that I often listen to alongside "Opening Doors" is "Putting It Together". 

The second George (yes there are two), scrambles around dealing with opinions, critical comments, competitive fellow artists,, hiccups in the art, everyone's comments on his work, and the stress of these and so much more. The song keeping with the theme of what it takes and means "Putting Things Together". Even if that means socializing and marketing oneself, or hearing out critics with strong opinions on your work. The frantic nature still captures the feeling, even though it is about a different art form, the theme of the creative journey shines through. Keeping Sondheim's real lyrics packed with emotions shows a feeling the listen can relate to whether creating a collage or a symphony, these also shine through in the balance of creative pursuit, dreams and personal life in "Finishing The Hat".

These two songs are on constant repeat in my phone, as are so many other songs written by this musical legend. Every time I feel stuck, it's easy to give these songs a listen and go to well, conveying that even great artists hit road bumps and struggles, deal with critics and openings, and the feelings feel as real now as they did when they first take the stage. The art of making art, though never easy is still satisfying , whether for a big stage, or just to share with friends, or even for yourself. 

How Stephen Sondheim's Music Still Moves Me And So Many More Today

 For the first post of the year, I was circling around ideas, and as I was trying to find what to start 2025 off with for this blog, I know there are movie musicals to watch, or albums to listen to, and so many directions to go, and as I paced the floor, I watched a video and it mentioned Stephen Sondheim, suddenly the wheels began to turn. There are so many songs, shows, and more to talk about with one of my biggest inspirations to be a creative. The late great man known for going against the grain, inspiring others, conveying emotions through powerful music in memorable stories. Inspiring many others and myself to embrace their own creative sparks, even if it does not follow the norm, he may have not written as he referred to as "hummable melodies" but he wrote music that stuck with people by using powerful lyrics, touching scores, and feelings that were as real to the audience as they were to the ones singing them on stage. 

To me, it is hard to find a mood not to listen to at least one of Sondheim's shows. From "West Side Story" and "Company" to even "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" and "Into The Woods". My personal favorite is a tied between "Merrily We Roll Along" and "Sunday In The Park With George". There are so many songs and shows to love. 

One song that resonates with me is simply entailed "Sunday". This powerful song, starting quiet and growing into a moving song about art itself, being a moment of creative triumph right before the curtains fall and intermission begins. This song has moved me to tears on many occasions because of how simply beautiful it is. I always feel myself getting lost in the perfect balance of melody and the lyrics. The song itself is a work of art to be admired as the actors form a known and famous piece of art on stage as the song plays out. A beautiful blend of music and visuals, but even on it's own the song moves me. 

This is just one example. ONE. The work this man put out can take a whole year to cover in detail, and then need to be added on to for years and years after. The amount of famous writers and creators from Jonathan Larson to Lin Manuel Miranda and countless others. He is as important to theater as Rodgers and Hammerstein, with movies, filmed live on stage productions (which he began the concept of), and revival upon revival of his work. Josh Groban, Barbara Streisand and many other singers have not only cited by performed his songs. 

His songs never cease to inspire, and I don't think they will anytime soon. Works that were not always commercial successes but have stood the test of time in countless ways. Whether it was about a group of fairy tale characters seeking their dreams in a dark wood, or an artist trying to capture a perfect Sunday in a park on an island in the river of France. Sondheim's words didn't need an extravagant setting to resonate with audiences across decades, just the perfect words matched with unforgettable and powerful scores. 

Never an ordinary Sunday or moment can be found.