I Watched Grease Live On YouTube For Free

 I enjoy watching free movies, or T.V shows on YouTube, though the main reason is to watch videos on topics of all kinds from gaming to whatever funny challenge Eddy Burback comes up with. Sometimes a movie I have always wanted to see comes on there, or how I see episodes of shows I love like "The Goes Wrong Show". When I need a break from videos, the rotation of film may shuffle fast and often but sometimes I can catch something like "La La Land" or "Mean Girls", films that I really like, or see something I have been meaning to without tracking down a DVD or changing to a streaming service. The movies may change and come and go fast, but there is some merit to the free movies on YouTube, and this platform has been no stranger to airing musical movies. 

I never watched "Grease Live" when FOX first aired it, but saw it for free and thought to myself "Why not?". I have seen plenty of musical movie adaptations come to YouTube movies from "Hairspray" to "Dreamgirls" just to name a few, and since I have never seen this taping of a live stage version of "Grease" I thought I should finally sit down and give it a viewing. I have never seen the stage version of this musical, only the classic movie starring John Travolta and the late great Oliva Newton John. The story of young love, being popular, and just enjoying high school life in 50's. NBC and FOX have aired quite a few musicals filmed live on stage from "Annie" to "The Wiz" and even "RENT" and "A Christmas Story", I have never sat through one of these broadcast cable proshots. I just never had the drive to, the curiosity, or I often forgot they were airing and happening until they were on TV or were done airing. I have seen clips here and there, the only one I tried to sit down and watch from start to finish  "RENT" but I gave up, I should really try that again and see why I did. The most television based theater based content I watch is the Tony Awards, so let's change that. Time for cars, dances, upbeat songs, and romance all in the end of the 50's and in the turn of a new decade, this is the stage version of "Grease" filmed live before an audience on stage, in a studio, aired on FOX.

The way this was filmed is very interesting, there are scenes where the audience is on stage and cheering in the crowd of some scenes. It is shot dynamically from many different angles, goes behind the scenes and changes to multiple sets. You even seen them ride carts and go behind the sets at points, seeing how they  From what I have seen the budget of this and it is impressive, such as having a ton of cinematic flair, great costumes, and even a full on carnival at the end. This is shot well, and looks good musically and just in general. Seeing the original actress who played Frenchie cameo in a couple scenes is awesome, and then there was the moment my jaw dropped. Beauty School Drop Out is performed by Boys II Men. I REPEAT, BEAUTY SCHOOL DROP OUT IS PERFORMED BY BOYS II MEN. And... it's AMAZING. I love it, it such a good rendition. One of my top three songs from this show, alongside "There Are Worse Things I Can Do" and "Hopelessly Devoted To You". The comedy and the song still work all these years later showing the bands talent, the genius choice to pick them, and how the song is still one of the best. There are plenty of surprise cameos such as Mario Lopez, Joe Jonas, and others, and they are enjoyable treats.

This was filmed live in front of an audience, and performed live, being filmed as it was performed, so this is not a movie, this is a proshot. And there are some key differences from this and the movie. All of the songs you would usually hear in the background on the radio to help set the scene or the setting are now sung such as "Freddy My Love", or "Those Magic Changes". Which I think is super cool, the reason they are put into the stage show is paper thin but I would rather have these songs then have them all cut, because many people, myself included recognize the background songs as much as the songs that are sung by the characters and have nostalgia for them. They were always included on the soundtrack and there are plenty of those songs that I enjoy and remember listening to. Though sometimes it does lead to multiple songs being thrown at the viewer in quick succession and can be a tad messy at points, trying to have a reason for a character to just up and sing this song that was not originally plot relevant. The songs sometimes feel forced and forced in, trying to make them plot relevant and having them used in ways that they weren't before, unless they are always like this in the stage version which I have never seen before now. The original song written for this, similar to the one they made for "A Christmas Story Live" which I have heard is nothing to write home about, and just takes up more time.  And after doing some doing some minor research, the stage version was originally very different in terms of where songs are and plot lines compared to the film, and this seems to follow the films order of events and songs more. 

The show keeps the classic moments from the film such as romance, teen drama, changing for love, changing your self, and a bunch of stuff that seems like huge problems to the characters because they are young and in love. Friendship, love, love triangles, flirting, bullying, chasing your dreams, all of that stuff means more because the plot and characters are still in high school, the problems they face can come off as comedic to older viewers, or relatable to younger viewers. Their idea of a gang is a far cry from the knife fights in "West Side Story" and is more about looking cool and car races. Danny is a flirt who needs to learn to treat people better, Sandy learns to cut loose a little bit, and they all end saying that no matter what they will all be friends. Rizzo learns to be less of a bully, from dropping out to go to beauty school, to sleepovers, and school dances, "Grease" shows the day to day moments and the conflicts that follow. As mentioned the show ends on this happy note of friendship forever which in the case of most high school friendships can sometimes ring true, and other times fizzle out as we grow older and grow apart. But in those moments it seems that everything is going to work out, that in the moment love is in the air, people are happy, and they get to enjoy their youth, and the memories will always last. 

There are some dialogue changes in the stage version, aside from adding the songs in through one way or another that would usually be playing on the radio, which means lines that are a tad more adult, as well as some lyric and line changes to songs the viewer may recognize from the film or album of the film. There are scenes of events that used to be mentioned and happened off screen, and as I mentioned more adult jokes, some were in the original but this version adds more. I would say the scene of Rizzo and her boyfriend hooking up really didn't add much, or some of the scenes at school, but some work, and some don't. Some of the extended time with these characters in school and doing activities with friends or school based ones does add to the day to day aspects of the show, as the characters deal with their lives. There are also a couple moments that are just plain awkward, sometimes trying to be funny, or different and they just do not work, this is longer then then movie and this version has scenes that definitely overstay their welcome. Leaving this a version with good and bad, overall leaving it fun but also flawed. That being said the car race is so bad it's funny and the way it is shot shows how the cars are not moving and I should not have laughed as hard as I did but it was hilarious.

The singing is well done and is performed live, the choreography is well done and the set design is good. This does run a bit long in the tooth and has a few too many songs, but I have seen worse pro shots and of the live shows done for Broadcast television, this might be one of the better ones. Some of the ways the songs are changed to add harmonies and duets, or different instrumentation worked well in some cases. I still like the Newsies, Hamilton, PBS Sondheim, and even SpongeBob SquarePants proshots more, and probably some others, but this wasn't terrible. The singing is very well done, I prefer the originals more but these in many cases stand alongside the movie and work in their own ways. Aaron Trivet, Julianne Hough, and the other cast members act well, and play the characters well, bringing their own spin to these well characters, and some of the way the songs break up add parts of a scene or dialogue work so well and makes it feel like a stage adaptation This works as a way to watch the stage version that feels like a mix of the stage show and film and is fun to see the similarities and differences between it and the film. Julianne blew the roof off with "Hopelessly Devoted To You", also Vanessa Hudgens with "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" and as I mentioned a lot of the singing and dancing is great. ( I MEAN BOYS II MEN BEAUTY SCHOOL DROP OUT). I enjoyed it, sometimes laughed at it, sometimes laughed with it, sometimes was super surprised with but it doesn't try to erase the movie, so I can enjoy them both. The original song made for the show is not the best, and just adds more which I would say is the biggest problem I have with this, it feels bloated at points and the pacing is off. Those are a only a couple qualms, aside from using the background songs and trying to make them plot relevant, but some gripes none the less. 

'Grease" was never my favorite movie musical, maybe like top 20, but it's fun. I love the music more then the movie itself, and it is just a fun silly movie, where the conflicts are ones that are about growing up and problems we view as problems when we are in high school. All while calling back to a decade that I have no ties or nostalgia for. That has some dated aspects to it that do not hold up. Some parts of this have ages beyond well and show that some of the things we go through in high school are in fact timeless, but some parts of this reflect the where it takes place. It encapsulates the time in a good way through music and such, and in other ways that we have all since grown and moved on from in society and in social norms, while showing that there are more things we have in common with those who came before us in ways that we think. I enjoy this musical and it's a fun watch every now and then, and now I have a different way to watch it aside from the movie. 

This could be a fun watch with friends, I would probably play the movie first because the movie is still great, but I would watch this again. The performances are good, the production values are great, and .. Boys II Men, just Boys To Men, do I have to say anything else. This as a pro shot is an enjoyable watch and can be a fun watch with friends, I will probably watch this again at some point, and it could be a fun watch, just has some pacing issues and some odd changes, but is still a fun pro shot. This was an enjoyable time, and I had fun with it, not as fun as the movie, as I mentioned earlier, fun but flawed. A different way to watch "Grease" that had me laughing at some of the moments such as the car chase or how they tried to fit the entire soundtrack of what was background songs into the stage

Guns And Ships: As Awesome As It Is Fast

 This song is only two minutes and eight seconds long, yet the hype it fills me with after every listen lasts much much longer. In my once a month Hamilton post journey as we head towards the musicals 10th anniversary, I decided today to touch on the song "Guns And Ships" the moment where Layfette gets to shine, and is a great prelude to "History Has Its Eyes On You", so much like the two instances in this song of amazing speed rapping lets waste now time and jump right in, or in the case of the show jumping on and off the table which just adds even more to the hype.

The song is introduced by Burr, rapped by Layfette as we are caught up to what he has been doing, and then he convinces Washington to bring Hamilton back on to the front lines. This is a moment that is in-between pivotal emotional moments, which was "That Will Be Enough" and "History Has Its Eyes On You", the song even ends on the piano that leads into the latter. The song is meant just to transition back to the war, and yet it is so exciting and so much fun. The lyrics are great as is the instrumentation, and the mid song tone shift to Washington happens so naturally and also works super well. The use of the opening song also shows is a great use of theming at the beginning and the second half of the song.

Seeing three actors play Hamilton's friends, in Act One and then play his son and Enemies in Act Two shows the range of the actors but also the scope of the story. Using the opening song to show the line "We fought with him" and "Me, I died for him", in two different lights and meanings yet being the same words is still mind blowing to me. In this case the fought with him happens to be on the same side. The song is just super fun and the energy in this song is absolutely amazing.

The song is so fast paced that I dare not sing along with the lyrics lest I make a fool of myself, but I still love listening to this song. The lyrics are great and and I just have so much fun with it. The speed of the raps really making this song stand out, as I said where in other shows this would be a short song to get us from point A to B or even not a song at all. The fact that every song in Hamilton is the entire framework of the show with little to no speaking at all, means every song has to push the plot along while also being entertaining, driving the plot along, and even connecting to the one listening to it. The lyrics to this song pack quite a punch, being super memorable and working as a musical song that has to convey emotions and not halt the story. 

This is a great song to listen to as you go through the show, or even on its own, as it does not take up a bunch of time, which is another level of why this works so well. The song does not overstay its welcome and moves the plot of the show along without throwing off the pacing of the narrative. The song has to work as a song while still keeping the plot going, and this works with super entertaining speed rapping. 

After the first batch of lyrics which are great, the listen is treated to a second round that hits just as hard as the first set. The moment it slows down, the song begins to work its way into the next, and even though the tone and mood change, it happens so quickly and naturally that the song ends on a slower note. It ends on the note of preparing for something big, asking Alexander to come and be a part of what he has dreamed of, as history is about to be made. "The world will never be the same.." close out the song, changing from fun and upbeat to having a piano score to add the weight of the moment.

This song may be over in the blink of an eye but it is worth a couple listen, picking up the great lyrics, the balance of comedy, drama, and moving the plot along, all while not overstaying the welcome, makes this song great. Either as you listen to the whole show, or just on its own with other music, this song is just great, and pure fun from start to finish, all while keeping the momentum going. They may finally got the guns and ships they needed, but they also got them in the most entertaining way possible with great lyrics that pack a punch. 

Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory: The Classic That Is Still Packed With Pure Imagination

 With Easter almost here at the time of this post, one thing comes to mind for many, and that is candy, and there is one candy themed musical movie that is still sweet no matter how many times I watch it. The original "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder, this classic musical about dreams, hope, golden tickets, and lots of candy of so many different types. This is one of my all time favorite movie musicals still, after plenty of rewatches throughout so many stages of my life.

The way the movie looks is so amazing, the feel of the movie makes the chocolate factory feel so special, the world is so drab and melancholy before hand. Even the songs like "The Candy Man" and "Cher Up Charlie" are more soft, and somber, as we are introduced to our lead and the world he lives in. Charlie feels like a regular kid, he loves his family but he also gets upset, and has dreams, that can ger dashed. The setting of the film is so whimsical, having childlike wonder in it, while still having and edge and trying to teach a lesson or two to the audience. The pacing of the story and the events that atmosphere matches each mood trying to be conveyed perfectly. 

The writing in this movie is great, it's comedic, heartful, and inspires the creative mind. The song "Pure Imagination" has been performed alongside so many other songs from this film as timeless classics. Each one being households names for either being fun, or even sweet and somber. Each song much like the way the movie is filmed, acted, and written also fits the mood of each scene so well. This at the end of the day is a story of how doing the right thing, and living a life of integrity, not being greedy, or spoiled, will lead to something good someday. A moral seen countless times in media but still is conveyed well, watching someone achieve a dream from a position where even dreaming itself seems like a waste of time. 

The world of the factory having surprise after surprise around the corner for the audience and the ones walking through it in the story, all while Willy Wonka himself has the air of someone who has actual good advice for those willing to listen. The lessons are simple yet effective each accompanied by Oompa Loompa ballads that are way to catchy while still having lessons on moderation, living life, and even raising children. 

The acting from the entire cast is great, from comedic moments to even the more quiet ones. There are tons of jokes that just fly by, or a line from Willy Wonka that blurs the line between comedy and inspirational, which is great for the character. The moment you meet him, you wonder how much of him is real and how much is a show, there is always a mysterious layer of him which leads to great payoffs as the movie draws to a close, perfectly acted by Gene Wilder. Willy Wonka has a whimsy to him but also a cynical edge as well, being jaded as someone who has grown older yet still wishes to have those hints of imagination and wants to pass it on to someone who still has that pure imagination.

The songs are great in the context of the movie and even outside of it, I can listen to "Cheer Up Charlie", "I Got A Golden Ticket" and "Pure Imagination" any day, and they set the mood of either hanging on to your dreams, fulfilling your dreams, or in the case of "Pure Imagination" creativity itself. The melodies and instrumentation classic, recognizable and timeless. The lyrics are catchy and fit each song, being memorable and fitting both withing and outside the movie on their own. Each song is varied, stands on its own, and just has such range. From the children, to the adults, each song is memorable, and not one is weak or doesn't feel out of place in this movie. 

This movie is just great, I saw it plenty of times as a kid, as an adult, and I will plenty of times more. This is just a great movie that still hits the same feeling as the first time I saw it when I was young, and is a great film for all ages. A movie that inspires me through its setting, music, and themes. I could listen to the original soundtrack or covers of these timeless songs, they are great to fit the mood, but also just as songs. A film that still inspires me to imagine and create, a classic now, and will always be. 

Why Do They Keep Making Willy Wonka?

 One book spawned three movies, a stage musical, and a social media diester last year, and I don't think those will be the last of the adaptations either. The world of Willy Wonka has brought a world of pure imagination to generation, after generation, unless we are talking about the experience that conned many people out of their money, or certain opinions on the multiple film adaptations, my favorite still being for the original. I have an indifference towards the Tim Burton outing and the recent prequel film starring the man who's name I love hearing being pronounced by Adam Sandler ,and have never listened to or seen the stage adaptation, aside from listening to song or two, and never read the book, I have seen all the movies and have asked myself, "Why does Willy Wonka keep being adapted?". 

This world of golden tickets and chocolate rivers has been given an origin story and even retellings and from looking at a plot synopsis and the track list, the musical is surprisingly not a straight adaptation of  the classic film starring Gene Wilder, it carries a couple songs but even those have different spins on them, making it stand out while paying homage.

Wonka even kept that song and "Oompa Loompa" but hosted a cavalcade of new songs in a different styles as it tries to tell its story. Fans today are still split on the Tim Burton adaptation but that too, tried a variety of styles of music. It ended with "Pure Imagination" but before you get to the classic lyrics you have to listen to original ones that tie to the plot and setting of this film that do not hit as hard, only when the song goes back into the territory that we all know did it fit and stick the landing 

I think it is because of the impact of the original film, which did not do well in theaters but rather did through television and over time, and has become a household name. The music and songs are timeless and recognized in being played, covered, or even parodied. "The Candy Man", "I Got A Golden Ticket", "Pure Imagination" and of course "Oompa Loompa", all of these have great lyrics and can be hummed so easily. But it isn't just the songs, the atmosphere of the chocolate factory, and the bright colors it holds, the varying locations such as the chocolate river or the nightmare tunnel stay with the viewer and are easy to recognize elsewhere. 

Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory is timeless for so many reasons and I will dive into that, sooner then later. I can see why movies have been made since, and I am sure more will come.

Wonka in 2023 was so successful and was enjoyed by critics and audiences, I am even okay with it, not fond of just okay, and I could see that getting a sequel and then even lead up to yet another remake of the classic film that so many of us have grown up with. With the massive success of this film, as well as Wicked I am sure the chances of a  sequel will happen is more likely then not.

This property keeps getting installments, because it is profitable, recognizable, and each one does its best to be different. Those are the obvious answers but in terms of being recognizable, I feel like there is a bit more. I feel like that the original is timeless, and is so beloved that we like going to this world, we like hearing "Pure Imagination", and we want to see how the new adaptation will divert the path of the plot. Some retelling in different ways, and now we have a prequel.

As long as there even a hint of that charm, a hint of that wonder that has brought so many to just sit back and enjoy, the audience and even myself will be curious. The classic story of an outcast with a pure heart being brought from the ordinary to the extraordinary, into that world we never knew, and how even the most bitter of hearts can be changed. That is why I think we have gotten so many, and will get many trips, either as prequels, remakes, or retellings, into the chocolate factory. 

Just An Ordinary Sunday: Sunday In The Park With George And How It Became My One Of My Favorite Musicals

Spring is here, the weather is getting warmer and the sun is out longer. One musical I associate with this season, summer, and many other aspects of life outside of weather and one I listen to all year round is Sunday In The Park With George. My favorite Sondheim musical, one about love, art, ambition, and where we find our artistic drive and inspiration. The music simply beautiful, a work of art itself come to life as we follow two artistic Georges, who must navigate life as artists, and deal with criticism from the world around them while they just try to bring their passions to life. I have been listening to songs from this show since 2017, and even discussed it on this blog, and I am certain much like some of my favorites, I will again, but today I wanted to talk about it once again. This show is just that good.

I wish to see this show someday, I want to, but until then I have the cast albums from the original and the 2017 revival which I listen to regularly and the proshot from PBS all those years ago.  From the moment I first heard this album, I never stopped listening to it, either the whole album or even just one song that I am in the mood for. 

From the moment things begin we are thrust into a world of art, beginning not with introductions to the cast, but rather the art. The art is the not only the main subject but I would even say it is the star of the show. The art created in the past in the first act, and the present of the second act is the subject of most of the songs in the show. The themes are love and art, dealing with others opinions both positive and negative, and how we find creative inspiration. 

Songs such as "Finishing The Hat", "The Dog Song" and "Putting It Together", tackle the art making process and trying to bring fourth creative inspiration. The song "Finishing The Hat" talking about making art, but wanting to be in love, leaving the first George to decide to just focus on the art for now. He balances back and fourth between his piece and the heartbreak he is currently battling, feeling unsupported as we watch him pick his art time and time again over the woman he loves. Bemoaning the fact that the woman he loved is not there to see the art piece, as he makes a hat where there never was a hat. 

You see the second George having what is seemed as success but not without the cost of great stress and tons of criticism You see him navigating the social side and politics of creating art, until he has a moment similar to the first George, and finds inspiration at the right moment.

In both renditions of "Sunday" , the lightbulb goes off, the world fades away, and the artist is left with the inspiration they were seeking. They are left with just themselves, the fundamentals that are echoed throughout the show, and the art they are about to create. A beautiful sweeping song, at first listen that seems to just be describing a painting, but then the instrumentation, the descriptions, and the way the ensemble comes together makes it so much more. It makes the song a work of art itself, it sweeps and soars into a soft and powerful piece. One that sits with me, and has with many, when Stephen Sondheim passed away, many gathered in Time Square to sing this song. Even if you do not watch the proshot or listen to the album, listen to this song. Ending on one of the most beautiful harmonies I have ever heard, that still gives me chills. 

In or out of context of the show, the music is amazing. The album itself helps tell the story and shows the narrative moving along even without knowing the general plot. The first time I heard the album, I got the main gist of the story and how the plot was progressing, even the change to the second George because everything is explained through the music. The lyrics and instrumentation work together to make each song have its own unique feel as if they were all paintings hanging in a gallery, some somber, some are comedic and light, and some are deep. 

The music connects this narrative and works well to establish feelings that connect and resonate with the ones listening, while still telling its story well. I am crushed when the love falls apart, I feel inspired to create when I hear the talk about art, and I feel moved, even sometimes to tears at the beauty of "Sunday"

This Sunday may have been ordinary for the ones being painted, but the work left behind which is still seen and discussed and has been for ages, and will be for ages, but this show is far from. My favorite work of Sondheim's and one that in so many ways can connect to the listener. This is still one of my top 5 musicals and will always be, one that can inspire and move me, containing a wide range of emotions. "What An Ordinary.. Sunday"