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. 

I Finally Watched Cats (2019)

  Wicked is a smash hit, and I loved it, I want to see it again in theaters and get the Blu-Ray as soon as I can when it is released, but seeing it become a smash hit over the holiday weekend reminded me of just how many musical movies get released this time of year, such as last year with "Wonka" and "The Color Purple", how musical movies are released during the holiday season all the time. My mind went back to movie musicals released during the holiday window and I remembered the one that baffled everyone from the moment a trailer was released, of course, I am talking about Cats which crash landed into a critical and box office disaster in 2019. With Wicked I went to the gravity-defying peak, so now it is time to tour the musical opposite Deep Valley which is considered one of the worst movie musicals of all time... five years after it hit the big screen this review is very timely. 

What can be said about the musical Cats that has not been said before? Some of the music is absolutely iconic, it was a smash hit and one of the works of Broadway mega-musical legend  Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, I have listened to a song or two but it is far from a musical I long to see or even listen to on its own. "Memory" is a very beautiful song but if I am listening to his work it is either "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" or what many consider his magnum opus "Phantom Of The Opera" including myself.

This movie made me never want to see the musical on stage, yet also curious. I wondered if it fared better on stage. This movie is a disaster, some of the songs are fun, and some are sung quite well, I may look up a song or two from this, but my goodness I should have heeded the warnings of my friends. The original song made for the movie is nothing and as is the plot, the songs all stumble into each other, and nothing makes sense. The film goes from song to song, and I still have no idea what it is about. Some cats trying to be reborn, plots, attempted drowning, deceitful cats, contests, magic cats,, and burglar cats, old cats, forsaken cats, theater cats, a contest, evil cat who cheats, and new cats, there are just cats running around. No more then a second will pass before another song is thrown out, and it takes a whole hour for the main character to have a solo song or even share an ounce of her story and feelings. This movie left me with one feeling over and over, which was confusion.

Then there is the visuals, yes they are as bad as you have heard. Seeing them in motion with special effects and CGI made me laugh on more occasions then one. Adding to the absurd and confusing nature of this film, making me wonder how someone could do something, why they did that, or why something looked the way it did. This film is wild for all the wrong reasons. 

"Why are they singing now?", "Who is that?", "Why are they doing that?". I found myself laughing over and over at the pure absurdity of this film. From the use of a synthesizer that made the most unpleasant of sounds, to a villain who just shows up, and poofs people away for no reason. But there is no time to hang on plot because there are more songs to get to about one note felines that sometimes will never be addressed again. I found myself laughing at this film more then I should have but I could not help it, from the evil scheme of the villain, to the lack of any coherent plot, to some of the lines and one liners, to the action sequences, to musical numbers popping up every twenty seconds with the 15 whole songs performed in this film, to the crazy visuals. There is a scene with cockroaches with human faces that I am still trying to figure out, thus I laugh, I laugh because I will never understand.

And this movie has some incredibly talented people in it, Judie Dench, Sir Ian Maclellan, and so many others, but the subject material is where it all falls down. I have no idea if the stage version is better or if it is just more of this, and part of me wishes to never find out. If this is a faithful adaptation then I am certainly stopping my journey here. A song is never earned, a dance break never needed in this mess of a film, it can all be described in one scene, where James Corden cat is smacked in the nuts, that sums up the feel of this whole movie. This movie has no ideas what a musical is or what makes them special, the importance and care of adapting a stage show. The villain of Macavity played by Idris Elba is hilarious, and he just shows up at random and does just whatever, it makes me laugh every time, but every actor is taking this so seriously I can't help but laugh. Then there's Taylor Swift, yes that's a phrase that can be said about this movie and the song she wrote for this "Beautiful Ghosts" is indeed a song. The only thing of quality is that some of the songs are well sung and well performed, and they are but even though they are well sung, I feel no connection to these songs, and the creepy, yet hilarious visuals and effects distract from them. 

But would I watch this again? Yes I would, this is so bad it's good, perfect riffing material, "The Room" for musical fans. Even the worst of musical movies sometimes have a bright spot, this one makes my least favorite movie musicals look like the symphonies of Mozart. So bad its good, and I am sure I will not be forgetting this anytime soon. A so bad it's just bad, that I can't help but laugh., well acted and sung but has so much going wrong it's a wonder.

The Simple Yet Powerful Beauty Of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Meet Me In St Louis)

At first I intended to cover this classic 1944 musical movie, and I must say though there are some extremely outdated moments, and the plot is incredibly simple yet still has flaws and skips around too much for its own good, it is a classic for a reason, very much shows and reflects when it was made but still has elements that show why it is called a classic. Financially and critically successful in it's day and considered a classic work of one of the greats Judy Garland,  this romantic comedy about a family in St. Louis living life and finding love in some cases, that jumps throughout the year with multiple holidays, even Christmas. I do not consider this a Christmas movie because the holiday does not take the stage until the hour and twenty minute mark of this hour and fifty minute feature. The main source of conflict being romance as many classic musicals are, with a second element of conflict coming much later in. There are several iconic songs that even outlasted this film and made a name for themselves, some I will be listening to even after my viewing, the acting is superb, and the music is beautiful, and well performed. But that being said "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" originated here, the yuletide classic song that has been covered, played, and performed for decades  made its debut here and we have this musical to thank. Many know this song but few know that it all started here with this musical film, so let's look over this version and just how this song has transcended for countless Christmas seasons after. 

Esther, played by Judy Garland is looking over her home and life as her whole family will be moving from the life they knew to New York. Leaving everything behind, the boy she loves, her friends, and her life. She sings this tune to try and console her younger sister in this soft yet emotionally powerful moment. Even out of context this song is sang and played over the years, and I first discovered this version of the classic outside of the film it came from, but knew of the film. 

The song we have all heard countless times originated with one different lyric that changes the course of the whole song, made for the context of the story but one out of context I prefer over its replacement. What today in many versions of the lyric of "Hang A Shining Star Upon The Highest Bow" was at first "Until Then We'll Have To Muddle Through Somehow". Some of the other lyrics are different, namely to match the movie but they also fit out of context, namely talking about the year to come. Trying to have something to look forward to over the current problem the cast is facing, though it is mainly emotional it is still causing many of them grief. 

This song is beautiful and can easily and has been listened to out of context for decades. So much so that I would say the song is more popular then the movie itself. The song invokes a somber but simple wish, just wanting a good Christmas. Wanting to share company with loved ones that we don't see often, hoping to be together over the holiday and for years to come. Wanting to face the current struggles until those joyous days arrive. The song is festive enough yet still somber, planted in wanting to enjoy the holiday but also reality. 

This song has surpassed beyond its debut due to a simple yet sweet score, great lyrics, and good message behind it. Wishing a good season for oneself but also one's friends, wishing to be with them and nothing more. It is a sweet and simple song that has so much packed into it. There are so many versions to listen to but I find myself going back to Garland's masterful performance every Christmas. I find it so strong and I encourage you to give it a listen if you have not. The original lyrics packing an emotional and sometimes relatable punch. 

This simple and powerful yuletide ballad is more then just a wish, it is a gift worth one listen at least, and perhaps many more. 

Why Do Musicals Often Tie In With The Holiday Season?

 This time of year often means releases of musical movies both animated and live-action, new stories, sequels, and Broadway adaptations, sometimes even live shows on the big screen or broadcast on television. This time of year also brings countless Christmas specials, from the classics of the past to new ones trying to join them in the pantheon of yearly traditional rewatches. Most if not all of these, even episodes of nonmusical shows often sport one if not multiple songs, and of course many of the specials are musicals themselves such as "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer", "Satna Claus Is Coming To Town" and many others both old and new. But why is this? Why do TV stations and movies bring about musicals during the holidays from Disney's major releases even recently with "Moana 2" and "Wish", to "Wicked" and last year "Wonka" and "The Color Purple". Classics like Willy Wonka And The Wizard Of Oz are aired around this time, and musicals are synonymous with the holiday season. Now I may not be able to answer the question as a whole, but I am willing to give some theories as to why. 

Even "Elf" And "Christmas Story" have musicals that play local theaters and schools, go on tours, and now an animated version for "Elf" and live taped version that aired on FOX for "Christmas Story"

Money is the easy answer but some of these flop, but companies keep on trying because sometimes there's a smash hit that could be aired on TV or have a successful run "Wicked", "Moana 2" and "Wonka" being recent examples. It seems that the idea of a family picture taking the big screen this time of year could be a fun activity, and more often then that they happen to be musicals. Some from Disney others from other places. But it seems that adaptations that skew for older audiences also premiere to be available for an outing with friends such as "The Color Purple", "Into The Woods" and others of the past.  From "Cats" to "Annie" musicals usually use this window to either bring people together, more often then not families to show something fun to watch. A soundtrack to listen to, a story to relate to, that could make us laugh or cry. 

Musicals often at times give us something to walk away from, whether it is their message, the characters, acting, but more often then not their music. Songs meant to move or inspire. Many classic Christmas specials at least having one song to show the theme, get people into the Christmas mood, or be something to listen to again and again this time of year. Songs that display the themes and that we can connect to and enjoy. Songs like "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch", "Put One Foot In Front Of The Other", and "We're A Couple Of Misfits". Catchy songs that are fun to listen to while decorating the tree or shopping, songs to intertwine with the classics we hear on the radio, songs we remember fondly from the first time we heard them. For example how many people love the Heat Miser and Snow Miser songs from "A Year Without A Santa Claus" because of the special being not only aired so many years, but those songs being undeniably catchy. 

I know I have gone over the basics of yes studios wish to make money, some of these specials are timeless and part of the holiday, and why new musicals try to make their mark in cinemas this time of year but I have one more idea. I think musicals give us a gift. They give us feelings we can relate to most of the time if done well, unforgettable visuals and experiences again if done right, that stay with us. Whether to move or inspire, to encourage the dreamers to keep on dreaming. To inspire us to keep chasing our goals, no matter how outrageous they may be called. Songs that move and we listen to all through the next year at moments we need a lift, songs to entertain and inspire. Even bad musicals can have good music that are fun to listen to after the fact, and be so bad it's good watches with friends. Bringing us together to laugh at something while trying to find the quality in it. Going back to the good, when done well they last with us,, and stay with us long after they viewed. The benefit of movies or pro shots such as the one of "Waitress" that made the rounds this time last year and others that seem to do the same is that we can watch them over and over. Whether a rental, a streaming service, or my preferred way purchasing especially on DVD, we can pick up those moments over and over and remember why we fell in love with them. Or why they are so bad that they give us a good laugh we needed. 

Musicals can bring the family together to enjoy things, sometimes the plot can be as simple as a character with a dream and the musical can lift us to heights unrivaled. The music sometimes does the heavy lifting as long as the frame, though labeled as basic can be strong enough to support them. These songs whether to invoke the Christmas mood or to be watched any time of year because the musical doesn't have a yule tide setting stick with us. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "We Need A Little Christmas" are songs played and covered by countless artists during the holiday season and they began in musicals. "Meet Me In St. Louis" and "Mame" are owed all the credit for these classic yule tide ballads, and you could say this holiday songs even more recognized in the public eye then the musicals they came from.

Musicals are a valid form of media, and musical movies are a part of cinema themselves, and much like any other genre like action or comedy, there are duds. But the best of the best stay with us from their memorable lines, relatable narratives and characters, and especially their music. So seeing "Mufasa" and "Moana 2", and of course the Broadway adaptations, let them keep on coming as holiday traditions, to sit down in the seats at the movies and remember why we love musicals to begin with. Combine the wonders of the stage with the amazing things only movies can do, to tell stories that inspire and entertain. And when they are filmed they can be the gift that keeps being shared over and over on screens big and small for years to come 

The Animated Christmas Song That Was All Over My Social Media And Is Actually Amazing :Later Never Comes (Scrooge)

 The holiday season is upon us and that means movies, episodes of shows, and specials to celebrate the occasion. Watching old classics and trying to find new ones is a tradition of mine and fun to do while decorating, wrapping presents or just relaxing. In 2022 I discovered the animated movie musical that is exclusive to Netflix "Scrooge", a solid animated musical trip through the classic tale with some very enjoyable songs I listen to this time of year, but one song stood out. "Later Never Comes". This was all over social media for a while, which had me asking "Why is this animated Netflix Christmas Carol movie going so hard?". Let's dive into this deep, sad song, and see why it had me and so many others talking about it. 

This ballad is a tragic song about lost love and moving on, sung by Scrooge's fiance as she leaves him, knowing she can never compete with his love of money, Scrooge joins into the song as he watches with the ghost of Christmas past, unable to change anything, only sing his regrets as she leaves, making it a duet that his love is unaware of. Due to the movie being animated all of the time stops, freezing all but Scrooge and his love, leaving the beautiful and quiet moment to play out. 

The lyrics of the song are simple yet powerful, knowing the movie is aimed at families means the words are understandable for younger viewers but still capture a powerful emotion older viewers can resonate with. Whether as the one leaving because the love is no longer there, or the one who was too blind to see what was there until it was gone. 

This song is beautiful in score, and performance, the lyrics pack a punch and capture a real feeling in a genuine way. Starting off soft and quiet then builds into an emotion-packed song of someone letting go and someone who wishes they did not. The ballad soars in a grand scope that brings everything around it both physically and metaphorically to a halt, letting the listener sit at that moment. 

This moment has been done and shown too many times to count, with how often "A Christmas Carol" has seen adaptations, not even the first time it has been done in song. This version still stands on its own with its beautiful and soft melody that grows and soars, hitting the emotion needed to land right on the bullseye and make the impact it is aiming for. 

Even out of the context of the movie this song stands on its own and without the visuals, goes places. A song as stated earlier about letting go from both sides, showing that in some cases later never comes around when things could have easily been so different. Even if you don't watch the movie, which I do recommend as a good adaptation with plenty of good songs on top of this one, this song is worth a listen. It was all over social media because an animated Netflix musical went way harder than it ever needed too, and this song is the prime example. A great song that is worth listening to now, instead of later.