Legally Blonde

OMG OMG you guys!

So last week I got to see 3 shows in 4 days and it was tons of fun. Wednesday I saw Promises Promises at the State Theatre at the Arts Centre....it was okay, but not much to write home about. Especially as Ness and I saw it 3 times on Broadway with Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Hayes, Katie Finneran and Tony Goldwyn. This one did not really compare. Marina Prior was okay, but it seemed weird. The guy that played Chuck was not great. He was doing okay, then forgot the words and messed up the last song a little bit....which I noticed, but perhaps people that hadn't seen the show didnt.

Then Friday it was off to Sydney for Legally Blonde weekend. After a little delay in actually getting to Sydney, Ness, Kay, Nick, Vicky and I headed off to the Lyric Theatre in Pyrmont to finally see Lucy Durack in Legally Blonde the musical. Our seats were fantastic, I think we were about 5th row, just off centre. The show started okay, then technical issues popped up and they even had to stop the show for about 10-15 minutes...it was hilarious...our very own disaster show! Then the show started up again with all the Delta Nu girls (skipping part of the song....) and to make things worse the poor little Chihuha dog played Bruiser wasn't cooperating and started running away, Renee Burleigh who plays Margot did a great job of catching him and improvising that part where she talks 'bruiser'.
Intermission they put down the fire curtain, again for technical dificulties....
Lucy was amazing as Elle...I knew she would be. But there were so many little things she did that I loved...but were very Glinda from Wicked...which I guess might have been more Lucy than Glinda in Wicked. Rob Mills (which did not help with the Wicked connection) was great as Warner. David Harris (who I only knew a little as playing Fiyero in Wicked post Rob Mills) was a great Emmett- adorable, funny and talented. Helen Dallimore who plays Paulette was fantastic...surprise surprise ANOTHER Wicked alumn, but she was Glinda in London. Also from Wicked...Zoe who played Elphaba when I saw Wicked in Sydney the first time.

After the show Ness, Vicky and I rushed to the stage door...and had it all to ourselves for a few minutes. We had prime positioning and got to meet everyone (I missed a few people but thats okay, I met the main ones, and there is always next time.). Everyone was really nice and happy to have a quick chat and sign our programs. Lucy came out almost last (which is why I missed Renee, she came out while I was talking to Lucy and zoomed past me. But still, I was talking to Lucy so I couldn't be happier. Lucy was very nice and happy to sign my program, and her CD for me. And then after signing a few other peoples programs took a photo with me.
Ness and I were pretty hyper after that...

Me with Lucy Durack at the stage door! She's so lovely!

Saturday Vicky and I had breakfast down at Harbourside, and then walked around a bit in the drizzle...before heading back to our hotel to change for another dose of Legally Blonde. Ness and I headed back over to the Lyric theatre at the Star Casino, and perused the merchandise stand - which in my opinion was lacking a little, I was disappointed in their selection...needed less kid stuff and better t-shirts!
After settling on a mug, magnet and dog bone tag/keyring, we bought OH MY Cosmopolitan cocktails...another plastic glass to add the collection.Then we headed in. We had seats on the end of the aisle further back and to the far right of where we were sitting the night before. So we had a different perspective which was good. -it included a view of David Harris in his underwear during Take It Like A Man.
Luckily this show went off without a hitch. No more technically difficulties. There were quite a few more kids in the audience of this show, but it was matinee. Overall a great show, a second viewing allowed us to take in more, and pick up on a few extra quirky bits.

After the show, we skipped the stage door - as we had pretty much conquered it the night before!
We headed back to the hotel for a debrief and a chance to change out of my dress.

For dinner all five of us headed to the Hard Rock Cafe, we got Long Island Ice teas while we waited for our table to be ready. -they pack a wallop I tell you!
We had a good table on the window, which had a great view of the harbour. The table was a bit squishy with all our drinks, meals and side dishes, but it was fine. I ordered a pomegranate martini with dinner - a classic fave of mine. We waited for the fireworks which were supposed to start at 8:30pm, but didn't end up starting till 9pm. -Ness and I shared a dessert to allow us to wait longer.
 
Sunday there was no time for sleeping in as we had to be up and out of the hotel by 10am. Vicky, Ness and I had breaky down at a cafe at harborside. Nick met up with us (he and Kay were staying till Monday) for a bit and then we had to head off to the airport. -for stupid international check in.

Once we checked in, we sat around a while in the food court....I was exhausted and not feeling great. After a bit of nibble on some food, we headed through customs and sat around in the shopping area, before finally boarding to go home. The plane was fine, and soon enough we were home again.
Melbourne was freezing, which was mean after a lovely morning in Sydney.

It was a great weekend, and I can't wait to see the show again...it better keep going and come to Melbourne so I can see it a million times more!

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Carlie

Twisted Broadway - Reupload

This post was originally written around the 24th or 25th of July, but due to a  technically error was never uploaded to the blog....so now I am reposting.

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Monday night after work Ness and I went to see a charity concert at Fed Square in the city called Twisted Broadway. It was all stage people singing songs that were gender swapped, girls singing guys songs and vice versa. 
It was general admission, but we were 3rd row -most people sat at the back. 
 
It was a lot of fun, and there was talent galore! Some of my Rock of Ages peeps were there, Amy Lehpalmer,  Samantha Hagen, Brent Hill, and Rachel durham as well. Amy sang AND played violin, that was fantastic!!! 
 
Boys in tutus, hairspray, and many other moments had me laughing my ass off. Well worth the $55!!!!
 
I love being able to see my fave theatre people perform, and a chance to find some new ones! 
 
 
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Carlie

The Producers

Saturday night I went to see the production company's production of The Producers with Kay, Nick, Ness and her friend Evie.
It was fan-freaking-tastic! While they don't do much by way of sets, the costumes were great...and the acting was awesome! Wayne Scott Kermond from singing in the rain and anything goes was a great Max! Christie Whelan was also great as Ulla! But Brent Hill of Rock of Ages blew me away in a performance as Leo - the total opposite of Lonny from RoA! He even sounded just like Matthew Broderick!!!

Our row X seats were great, almost any seat has a good view in that place!


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Carlie 

New Job and Carrie Underwood - St Kilda

So last week I got offered a job working for the city of Port Phillip doing city permits. I started Monday, and am slowly starting to do more things and learn what's going on.

The drive to St Kilda is not quick, but at least I don't have to leave before 8am really. Traffic varies because of all the schools around there. The shops are okay. I've got Safeway and Coles for groceries if I need them. Priceline and Chemist warehouse for makeup and other stuff. No clothing stores, but that's ok - I can sit on amazon if the prices are right. 

I'm exhausted and have had a long hard week. Mostly cause I'm not used to getting up early and I am not getting to bed early. Monday night cause I was waiting for The Newsroom - the new Aaron Sorkin show to finish downloading, and tuesday night cause I was out at the Carrie Underwood concert at the Palais. Since the concert was so close to work, I decided not to go home and come back, and instead hang out for 2 and a half hours. I got food, changed, got petrol and found The Palais -which I had never been to. It's next to Luna Park - which looks even scarier when closed! I lined up for ages in the freezing cold to get my parking ticket, with tons of people - I never realized that there were so many Aussie fans of Carrie out there! I was genuinely surprised by the number of couples, kids, and young straight guys. I had decent seats. The support act Damien Leith was really good. Carrie was really good, sang plenty of my fave songs, and when you have four albums of great songs, you are bound to miss out on a few faves, but that was okay. I had a great view, even though it was further back than I would have liked...except for when the three people infront of me - a husband, wife and their adult daughter kept putting up their phones or cameras to take video and pictures...which they did a lot! I kept having to not only look around the guys big tall head, but around his arms and phone. It started getting ridiculous and I probably should have said something, but I didn't want to lose my focus on Carrie by wasting time telling off people who probably would have ignored me anyways.

My only real complaint with the Palais was the whole no water thing...I understand the no alcohol thing, but I can take water into plenty of shows elsewhere, is it really necessary to throw out bottles of water? I think if they are going to do that they should at least offer you a free bottle of water (even if it was small), because having to buy water is annoying and I don't like to spend.

Last night I finally got some decent relaxation and was in bed at a reasonable time. Today and work I started doing stuff on my own, so its starting to all sink in. They are nice people, but I don't know, they are a bit weird. But time will tell. I'm still new and quiet.
I seem to get home around 6:45pm...ish. Its not that bad, at least I don't have to spend hours on a train.

Looking forward to some quiet time over the weekend, and sleep ins!

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Carlie

Bye Bye Monash

So my 10 month run working for Monash Council ended yesterday. In some ways it was a good thing, and it some a bad. I'll miss the money, the fact that I had an easy drive against traffic, and late starts. I will miss the people, especially those I was working with before I changed departments because worked so closely together, and for so long.

But I'm looking forward to a change, with new challenges. I need a chance to grow and develop my skills, which I haven't been able to do lately. So that will be good.
It does suck to have to start looking again, and to have to interview again. I hate interviewing. Guess I better get a kick ass interview outfit.

As for my last day, I thought it would be really hard to leave, but I was okay in the end. I think I was more upset when I finished up in my original job, because I really liked it there and wasn't ready to leave. But I think I got all I could out of this 2nd job, which was longer than it was going to be originally...so I guess that's a plus.
The girls put on a party for me (and the other girl that was leaving as well) and even gave me a box of chocolates.

I thought it would be hard to say goodbye to the girls at my old department, but it wasn't too bad. I had a nice to chat to the girls I used to work with, and said goodbye to the others.

We'll see how I feel at the end of next week, when I haven't had any early mornings. I know I'll miss working after a little while, but for now I'm going to enjoy having a break.



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Carlie

Musical Weekends

Been so busy lately, there has been no time for blogging!

Thursday night I went to see the new production of Annie with Mum and Vanessa. I saw it years ago when they did it with Anthony Warlow and Amanda Muggleton. This time Anthony was back as Daddy Warbucks, with Nancye Hayes as Miss Hannigan.

It was a good show. The little girls were cute. The girl that played Annie was good, but you could tell she was nervous and not a pro, but that might change with time.

The funniest thing of the night was that Bert and Patty Newton sat down right in front of us....I couldn't stop laughing at the irony...Wicked's theatre, with the guy we hate in it...but the people lining up for pics and stuff was cute - lots of little girls.


Sunday I was back in the city -after a long detour due to traffic and road blocks- to see Moonshadow the Cat Stevens musical with Ness. It was very pretty, the music was pretty good and the cast was great! Marnie from Hairspray, Rodney from Wicked, and Blake who won the rob guest endowment last year were all fantastic! But I'm still not sure if I actually liked it or not...the story was lacking something. But I definitely didn't hate it.
It was still previews, so maybe they will make some changes for the good.
Not sure if I'll see it again...time will tell.

Looking forward to the many musicals coming up in the months ahead!

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Carlie

A Girl Without an Obsession

So it dawned on me recently, that for the first time in a good while I am without an obsession, which is very strange for me since I've almost always had one. Even as a small child the obsessions were there.
I'm feeling very lost. Without an obsession to drive my life, what is there?

As a young child there was The Carebears, Barbies, Cabbage Patch Dolls etc, and of course the big one - The Baby Sitters Club books. That one took over most of primary school for me. I read the books over and over, had merchandise and even planned a special exhibition, which naturally never amounted to anything other than a few papers filled with crazy ideas.

Then there were a few small ones when I started high school, then came along Charmed. A show I really liked became my new obsession after hanging out with my cousins Jade & Caitlin. We started taping it, and would watch it and eat Oreos and drink Sprite...it was a thing for us. I remember talking to Jade on the phone for an hour when we found put Andy died in an upcoming ep!
I had posters, trading cards, bears and even a few spell books!
Then as a result of losing all my videos and pics, plus the fact they killed of Prue, I moved on to Buffy & Angel. That lasted the rest of high school. I had trading cards, books and whatever I could get my hands on. It also lead to meeting some of my best friends, through a few online forums related to the Whedonverse. I went to my 1st & only convention, met Joss, and saw Serenity at the movies 7 times before it even opened officially!

Can't really remember when I let go if Buffy & Angel...I think when Angel ended and I decided to pick back up with Alias, Gilmore Girls, and then Grey's Anatomy. I did the multi obsession thing for a while, as along came Private Practice.
Then in 2008 along came Pushing Daisies and Wicked...and the rest is kind of history!

I got into Pushing Daisies the week before I saw Wicked for the first time. I got the soundtrack and listened to selected songs for that week before. I had always known Wicked was coming and knew I would love it. I had been waiting years for it to finally get to Australia. But that week of Kristin greatness was too much, I spent the next year seeing Wicked over and over, and watching the 1st season of Pushing Daisies over and over.... and watching any Kristin interview/material I could get my hands on. I must also put in my Idina obsession in there too...but I was actually more into Idina before Wicked, because of RENT.

So Wicked started off a whole Broadway obsession, seeing almost everything that came to Melbourne. But at the same time I was devoting myself to all things Wicked/Kristin Chenoweth/Idina Menzel....Vanessa and I discovered (finally) The West Wing. And that took over my life at the same time. I have lost count of how many times I have watched a select few GOLDEN episodes. I made my very first proper fan vid, played drinking games, learned about American government...and got to see more stuff with Kristin Chenoweth!
When I wasn't thinking about all things West Wing, it was all Wicked, or Pushing Daisies, or Kristin...I am surprised I actually found time to finish my university degree with all that in my head!

Then Wicked left Melbourne, and we finished the West Wing, I finished Uni, and I had a little more time to devote myself to new things. That's when I found Glee....a little show I was only watching for Kristin, and a love of musical things....turned out to be fantastic! I was hooked and those first few eps blew me away. It was smart, funny and made my heart sing every week....then they brought in Idina and that rocked my world all over again.....bought the music and watched the performances over and over....till it lost it after the 1st season....but I guess nothing can stay great forever.

In 2010 I also had my big US trip to obsess over. I got to actually MEET Kristin, in New York, and see her on Broadway! It really doesn't get any better than that! Oh yeah it does...I got to go to Idina's concert in Long Island as well! I loved almost every minute of that trip.  But it was over before I knew it!

Last year I was obsessed with Private Practice. Season 4 was SOOOO good! I finally had time to obsess over it. Finally getting all the dvds helped too! But sadly this season started out promising, but has failed to live up to the standard of the 1st 4 years. Its in the 5 year slump that Grey's Anatomy fell into. I haven't lost hope yet, but I don't look forward to it and don't don't enjoy it quite as much as I did last year.

And that leads me here, to a place with no obsession. Nothing to take up all my thoughts and free time. Maybe its because I've been working full time since the start of August without any holidays. Maybe its because I don't really have a lot of free time spare, I spend it all watching things just to fit them in. Even the new shows this season haven't really captured my heart. I mean I really enjoy Pan Am, but I won't die if it doesn't come back next season. The same for Once Upon a Time, Up All Night and Unforgettable. I like them, but I'm not watching interviews or rewatching the eps.
Smash is perhaps the closest to an obsession. But I don't feel obsessed! I LOVE it, and have bought a few songs, and watched some eps over again....but wonder if I haven't let myself get attached, after the whole Glee situation. I don't let my hopes get high anymore. Maybe if I had more time, I'd have the energy to live and breath SMASH, but I just don't feel it. I love it, but I don't love it to death!

Maybe something will spark that feeling again soon, and I hope that it does. But right now I'm feeling very lost. I do not have a focus, something to get worked up over. Its been quite hard for me to feel really excited about anything lately. When did I become downer?
Either way, it is very strange after all these years to not be so focused on one thing. Maybe its part of growing up - I sincerely hope not, because if it is, I don't want it!
Maybe when I finally get that holiday/break that I want, it will refresh my brain and let my go crazy for something again. Until then, I will continue to sorta really really like stuff.


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Carlie