Say "Hello!" to The Book of Mormon

I'd heard only great things about "The Book of Mormon" before I saw it at the Fox Theatre this past week. I'd been told that I would laugh from start to finish. I'd been told that if I like "South Park" that I would find "Mormon" funny. I was told "You're going to love it!"

Evidently my friends know me well. I did indeed laugh from start to finish. And it's no wonder..."The Book of Mormon" garnered 9 Tony Awards, including "Best Musical" when it opened on Broadway in 2011, and today it continues to sell out, as has its two national tours!

Those same friends, and many of the journalists whose reviews of the show I've since read, have demonstrated respect for The Book of Mormon first-timers by not sharing the jokes, by not spoiling the fun they're going to have at the show. I too will not spoil your fun by telling you what's going to happen, but I'll attempt to set the stage.

To give you an idea of the humor you'll experience all you need to know is who brought this side-splitting show to Broadway. Imagine the combined talents of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, both of South Park, with Robert Lopez, of Avenue Q, and perhaps you fathom the fun of what's been called by some as "the best musical of the century!".

As of the Atlanta 2016 run of "The Book of Mormon", Ryan Bondy is now full-time in the role of Elder Price—one of the two young Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda on a two-year recruiting mission. Ryan had been an understudy for some time, but his performance is so superb that you'd never know that he hadn't been originally cast from the beginning. 

There are so many stars in this show! I originally wanted to point out two who "stole the show", but that would be an inaccuracy. Each actor brought something unique to the performance, each in a different, but equally brilliant and hilarious way. I have my favorites, though, and you will too.

Elder McKinley, portrayed by Daxton Bloomquist, performs the often-misunderstood inner struggle with one's true self vs. the expectations of family, society and church. His antics garnered some of the more uproarious laughs from the audience. I found him talented and delightfully hilarious!

There's so much to say about Candace Quarrels, who performs the role of Nabulungi, the daughter of a Ugandan village chief. Succinctly, let me just say, "Wow!" This actress is remarkable in her talent, her range, her technical execution...she's amazing! Hers is a career to watch with great anticipation. The character is naive, hopeful and full of energy and gumption. 

Pay attention. You will learn a lot about Elder Cunningham, played brilliantly by Cody Jamison Strand, early on. But I want you to play close attention to the names he's calling certain characters in the show. This is a fast-paced show, but one that keeps your attention and keeps audiences seeing it again and again! 

Beyond its potty humor, exaggeration of stereotypes and religious jokes, The Book of Mormon is a sophisticated musical and in many ways profound. It invites theatre-goers to look at their unquestioned beliefs through a different lens. 

While the theatre was bellowing with laughter, I'm certain that Mormon may well serve as a catalyst for the opening of minds and expanding of awareness of certain social issue and prejudices. That's quite a wonderful testament if you ask me.

I'd like to offer a huge wanderlust ATLANTA "Thank you!" to BRAVE Public Relations and Broadway in Atlanta for the tickets...for this hilarious, totally awesome musical experience!

"The Book of Mormon" is onstage at the iconic Fox Theatre through Sunday, January 24, 2016. Get your tickets here. Then leave your sensibilities at the door and prepare to laugh until it hurts!

ELF The Musical is Magical!

ELF The Broadway Musical is on tour and it's onstage at the Fox Theatre right now! I'm so happy that I got to see this show, one of the many holiday shows slated for the Fox stage this holiday season. It's fun, it's peppy, it's colorful...it's truly magical!

ELF The Musical On Tour | Photo by Chris Bennion

The first full-cast number is hilarious! You can't help but don a huge smile and tap your feet...especially when you see the elves' feet. Don't tell anyone, but they're humans who are wearing elf shoes...on their knees. They're brilliant! The elves...and Santa...and Buddy...the entire cast is brilliant!

ELF The Musical On Tour | Photo by Chris Bennion

As described by Broadway in Atlanta, "Elf is an original musical that brings to life the heartwarming and hilarious tale of Buddy, an orphan who mistakenly believes he’s really one of Santa’s elves." 

The musical is based on the 2003 blockbuster movie Elf starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf and Zooey Deschanel as Jovie, his love interest.

I'd not seen the movie when I was invited to see the musical, but I made sure I did before the performance—I'd heard good things about both. 

Two nights before seeing the musical I watched the movie (Gotta love modern technology!)...I smiled and laughed and even shed a happy tear. The musical elicits the same emotions, but it brings an additional dimension of humor—the kind of over-the-heads-of-children humor that you see and hear in today's blockbuster animated films.

ELF The Musical On Tour | Photo by Chris Bennion

Buddy is perfectly performed by the 6'4" too-tall-to-be-an-elf Daniel Patrick Smith, who has a voice that would make the Sirens jealous and a natural acting ability that, well, landed him the lead role in a touring Broadway holiday show...everyone loves him! Aside from brilliantly performing a contagiously happy elf—Daniel has quite the impressive actor resume. 

ELF The Musical On Tour | Photo by Chris Bennion

Buddy's love interest—and it was love at first sight—is Jovie, a co-worker at Macy's. 

Don't worry, you'll learn quickly how Buddy gets from an orphanage...to the North Pole...to Macy's in New York City in hardly any time at all. Actually for him it's 30 years, but for you the trek will be mere minutes.

Maggie Anderson, who performs Jovie, is absolutely and incredibly brilliant! And what a beautiful voice! THIS is the reason I enjoy musicals.

ELF The Musical On Tour | Photo by Chris Bennion

The script is written, much to my delight, such that the characters—narrator Santa in particular—can interject local events, locales and sports teams. The first mention—think college football—got a huge laugh from the audience!

And having visited New York City many, many times, I was delighted to reminisce experiences of places where Buddy and others appear in the story, including Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Tavern on the Green and the Empire State Building, to name just a few. It's been too long since I've been to NYC...I really must visit again soon. 

ELF The Musical On Tour | Photo by Chris Bennion

Santa, who was...I hesitate to use the word...a secondary character, was for me one of the significant characters in the show...he brought it to a whole other level. In the movie, the story was narrated by Pappa Elf, but in the Broadway play, the story is narrated by Santa. And this Santa, performed magnificently by Ken Clement, takes stand-up comedy (that was unexpected, but endeared) to a whole other level.

A huge, biggest-present-under-the-tree "Thank you!" to BRAVE Public Relations and Broadway in Atlanta for the tickets, but mostly for the experience! I've said many, many times that I write my own thoughts, feelings and opinions...they're not influenced at all, ever, by complimentary tickets, and I'm not compensated for what I write. I love being on media lists, but will never compromise my integrity. I love being a tourist, and a blogger! I'm grateful others enjoy what I share.

Now then, some of you may have heard about a technical difficulty that occurred shortly after the show began. At first, I thought the "technical difficulty" announcement was part of the show...then I became concerned for the safety for the cast and crew behind the curtain that the packed house couldn't see. 

I don't know what happened, and will not venture a guess, but I know what I saw when they returned to the stage. The cast and crew performed...true to their art they demonstrated, in true professional spirit, that "the show must go on". 

We may never know what happened, but I sincerely hope that the people who made it possible that they could continue are honored and revered for what they contributed that night. From this member of the audience, "Kudos to you, to you and your colleagues and anyone else who made the evening happen! YOU are appreciated!"


Go see ELF The Musical while you still can. There are only four more performances between now and Sunday, December 6...and what a magical reason to experience the Fox Theatre! 

Oh, it's time to start livin'...

Broadway in Atlanta's 2014-2015 season is going out with a bang! And some fire and some somersaults and some romance and a colossal amount of performing arts talent!

Pippin, a 2013 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival, is on stage at The Fox Theatre through Sunday, May 10, 2015. 

Pippin (Photo: Martha Rial)

This was my first time seeing Pippin, and before I knew it was coming to the Fox, I really didn't know anything about it. My bad.

Pippin has a pedigree quite unique from other shows I've seen. And I'm still learning about its history, and still blown away by its current touring cast. We had the pleasure of seeing Lisa Karlin perform the role of Leading Player and  Kyle Dean Massey perform the role of Pippin. Another of my favorites was Kristine Reese who performed the role of Catherine--WOW! What an incredible voice!

In 2013, NPR shared this about Pippin:

When Pippin opened in 1972, it was a sensation. Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, who was coming off his Academy Award-winning film version of Cabaret, it was a showbiz triumph of jazz hands, sexy dancing and theatrical magic.

It was also the Broadway debut of 24-year-old songwriter Stephen Schwartz, who's better known these days for the global megahit Wicked. He had written a version of Pippin — about the son of medieval emperor Charlemagne — as a college musical. And Schwartz says that behind the Fosse razzmatazz, the show had a real 1960s vibe.

Pippin (Photo: Terry Shapiro)

The first few minutes of the show I thought were quite silly. I sat there in terror that I might have become jaded having seen so many magnificent Broadway shows.

Then...Adrienne Barbeau!

Ms. Barbeau, who has more than 450 screen performances to her credit, set the tone for the remainder of the show when her character, Berthe, Pippin's grandmother, sang No Time at All to her grandson, Pippin. The chorus of the plot-revealing song, part of which she sang upside-down on a trapeze!—was:

Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....

At the conclusion of the number, the very young soon-to-be 70 actress received a much-deserved roaring ovation.

Pippin (Photo: Terry Shapiro)

Another magnificent treat was John Rubinstein, who plays Pippin's father, originated the title role in Pippin in 1972 sporting a massive lion's mane 1970s hairdo. He too has had, and continues to have, an illustrious career! He treated the audience not only to a splendid performance, but also an abundance of laughter.

The acrobatics and physical stamina of this show are exciting! It's one thing to sing and dance for a two-hour show, and it's quite another to perform breathtaking acrobatics for two hours. But to do both, with precision and finesse, is impressive! That's what the cast of Pippin did...impress me, kept me in awe, and kept me laughing for two hours.   

Pippin (Photo: Terry Shapiro)

I am a longtime fan of Bob Fosse choreography, so when I read and then saw Fosse-style dance in Pippin, I was thrilled. It was actually later, when researching, that I realized that he had directed the film decades ago. I'll always enjoy Fosse!

Pippin (Photo: Terry Shapiro)

If you've never seen Pippin, I recommend adding it to your Broadway show must-see list. And you can see it right here in Atlanta through Sunday, May 10! As Berthe reminds us, "Oh, it's time to start livin'!"

There's one more show in the 2014-2015 Broadway in Atlanta series at The Fox Theatre, but you have to wait until August. And then not very much longer for a magnificent 2015-2016 season!

("Thank you" to Broadway in Atlanta and BRAVE PR for the tickets! As a reminder to my readers, my opinions and writings are fully my own.)

Spectacular, Clever, Mesmerizing...and Blue

There is absolutely nothing about Blue Man Group that is going to make you blue. Unless of course they pull you from the audience, escort you up on stage, paint you BLUE, lift you by your feet and smash you into a canvas. But then you'll have a magnificent story to tell your grandkids and a keepsake painting!

I went to Opening Night last night and I could write a book about this show, there's so much going on—including someone being smashed into a canvas—every bit of it fun! And that it's at The Fox Theatre makes it even more special. There are several more performances through Sunday, April 12, 2015, but get your tickets fast...I would not be the least bit surprised if this show sells out on any given day!

Blue Man Group | National Tour (Photo: Paul Kolnik)

The grand finale, which wasn't the final number, was the most spectacular concert experience I've ever experienced! The immediately preceding ongoing countdown was a lesson in concert moves, which culminated in every single person in the audience, from nine years old to 90 years old, standing and shaking their...

Well, let's just say that Blue Man Group offered more descriptions than any of us have ever fathomed of...well, never mind, "butt" everyone was out of their seats shaking and moving and dancing and clapping and gazing in awe and wonderment at the sensory overload before them AND enthusiastically bouncing around the theatre illuminated spheres—I think there are 10—each bigger than a human, that double as a scintillating rainbow light show!

Blue Man Group | National Tour (Photo: Paul Kolnik)

No, no, no...that's not the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was actually, first and foremost, one of the most awesome science lessons I've ever seen on how the human eye works! Blue Man Group explained that the human eye sees everything upside down, but the brain turns it upside right, and then went into describing the role of rods and cones. 

The best part, aside from the phenomenal drumming and accompanying video and lights, were the two Blue Men in the "retina capsules"—functioning percussion pods—which contributed to the musical score and the dynamic light show!

Of note, there is no intermission during this show, but I don't think you're going to mind that one bit. You're so engaged and attentive and laughing so hard, you'll barely notice any passage of time, but you will notice a lot of nuance, as well as intent. In fact, and this is easy to do for this show, you'll want to pay close attention, truly immerse yourself, to ensure you don't miss the more subtle humor.   

Blue Man Group | National Tour (Photo: Blue Man Group)

Back to the beginning...the show launched with a magnificent display of what can be done with ketchup, an infinite stream of mustard, a couple of drums and welding helmets. 

Okay, that's not exactly what happened, but this performance takes the imagination on an odyssey that will want you seeing Blue Men all the time. And lots and lots of mustard.

One of the brilliant aspects of this show is that it's equally fun for kids and adults. It's comparable to any well done animated film...a film that's wonderfully entertaining for kids, but written such that grownups discern adult humor that flies right over the heads of ages it wasn't intended to resonate with.

To further enhance your theatre-going experience, I encourage you to read the Julie Bookman article in your Encore Atlanta program. She interviews a 700-Blue Man Group performance veteran who saw his first Blue Man Group live performance at 12 years old. If you've misplaced your program, you can read the current online issue here.

Blue Man Group | National Tour (Photo: Blue Man Group)

There were two times during the performance that members of Blue Man Group brought a randomly selected member of the audience to the stage to become part of the show. It was during the Twinkie sequence that I laughed so hard I was crying! I haven't laughed that hard in I don't know how long! And I can't imagine anyone not laughing hysterically when they see what happens to the lady in the Andrew Wyeth painting Christina's World. It's not mean, I promise.

The Cap'n Crunch sequence is hilarious, too! I don't know what it is about blue men and food, but what a priceless recipe! And the first time you see Cap'n Crunch isn't the last time...keep your eyes open!

Student Rush Ticket Deal: Are you in college or know someone who is and is in Atlanta right now? Here’s the deal...

• Only $25 per ticket!
• Must present valid student ID
• Limit two tickets per ID
• Cash only
• Available at the Box Office only
• Available only two hours prior to performances
• Subject to availability

That’s a pretty sweet deal, don't you think! I'd check the Fox's Facebook page for any updates or announcements concerning this deal, but if you can swing it, you're in for an awesome experience!

Blue Man Group | National Tour (Photo: Paul Kolnik)

I would never encourage a child, kid, teenager, let alone an adult, to roll a neighbors yard...or any property for that matter. Toilet paper bolting from the stage was one of the many elements of the grand finale I mentioned earlier. The energy during this part of the show was off the charts, as was the amount of tissue flying into the auditorium! Don't do this at home, kids!

There's so much more to say about how incredibly amazing this show is, but I'll leave it to you to go experience it for yourselves. In the meantime...

I'd like to offer a huge wanderlust ATLANTA "Thank you" to Broadway in Atlanta and BRAVE Public Relations for the tickets and for the photos in this post. Anyone who has followed me even for a short while knows that I'm an avid shutterbug, so on the rare occasion that I get to enjoy a performance or tourist outing without the duty  to capture it in images (which I would trade for nothing) is a wonderful treat. I totally enjoyed spending the evening mesmerized! 

Looking ahead, I am so excited about the shows in the 2015-2016 Broadway in Atlanta season. Just to name a few: Jersey Boys, The Wizard of Oz, The Book of Mormon, The Sound of Music and Kinky Boots! 

But for now, Blue Man Group is at The Fox Theatre through Sunday, April 12, 2015, so get your tickets and be prepared for awe, wonderment and lots of laughter!

Wicked is Wonderful

It's rare, in my experience, that a movie, book or stage performance suggests a behind-the-scenes story that offers an alternate reality to an already wholly loved tale in such a magnificent way as does Wicked.

That Wicked has been seen by 42 million people around the world in only 11 years and that the actors, costumes and set design have been bestowed Tony Awards tells volumes of just how wonderful Wicked truly is...and I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment!

Wicked is on stage at The Fox Theatre now through Sunday, March 8, but get your tickets now. Some performances have already sold out!

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

The creativity of a story of a two girls' unlikely friendship and the intricacies interwoven into a solidly established story of a third girl, who is unseen in this performance although referenced, showcases brilliance of a kind not often experienced. 

The struggles of coping with being different, a not-so-supportive family, of wanting to do the right thing are all front and center throughout Wicked. But we're shown that "right" doesn't always triumph, but that "good" wins in the end.  

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

I'd been following Alyssa Fox on Twitter for a couple of days before the show, so I knew that she'd been dealing with allergies. I was so hoping she would feel well enough to perform the evening I attended the show, but went in expecting to see her standby.

Evidently Alyssa takes "the show must go on" to heart. She performed Elphaba brilliantly. Alyssa's attention to detail in her performance is outstanding. Even the gestures she makes with her hands are telling of the forthcoming transition into the Wicked Witch of the West. 

By the final number in Act I, Defying Gravity—one of my two favorite songs in the show, and one I've heard approximately a bazillion times—you could tell that her allergies were affecting her voice. 

When we returned from intermission and it was announced that Emily Koch would perform the role of Elphaba in Act II, the audience gave up a fantastic ovation for Alyssa...she had given a remarkable performance. Emily was also awesome!

Check it out...you can "Elphaba Yourself! 

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

"Definitely by bubble. It's too cold to take a broom," was the text I sent my best friend Barry, answering my own earlier question on how we would be traveling that evening in the below-freezing temperatures to see Wicked at The Fox Theatre. It may have been cold outside, but it was wickedly hot on stage! The performances, that is...the theatre itself was quite comfortable.

Glinda's "Bubble" is one of my favorite elements in the overall magnificent set design. Between bubbles and brooms and houses and winged monkeys, there's an awful lot of flying in this story!

Carrie St. Louis as Glinda is the doll of the show and delightfully, perfectly funny. And she's rather inventive with regards to vocabulary. Watching other Glinda performances on YouTube, I like Carrie's the best. 

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

In a Julie Bookman interview with John Davidson (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), she said he shared, "the story introduces nuggets of things we know from the iconic 1939 film and makes sense of loose ends. It also has a message of equal rights, acceptance and how we treat—or mistreat—others." 

And the Wicked story line is just that. Well, that and a friendship that we previously knew nothing of. But I feel the obvious points being made in the otherwise hilarious, dramatic, and romantic story is indeed that of acceptance and equal rights. A green girl and a talking goat help bring to light those profound issues, still quite alive in today's "civilized" society.

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

I was so very much looking forward to seeing "Popular" performed again. One of my favorite songs from the show, it's performed exquisitely, with fervent humor...I honestly don't know which I enjoyed more, the song or the humor of it. 

By the way, did you know that Wicked author Gregory Maguire got the name Elphaba by combining the initials of L. Frank Baum, the author of the book that started it all? Read the playbill the ushers give you...there are all kinds of gems like that within its pages!

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

Drama! Why write across the sky when you can take up the entire stage! I love the unexpected—and quite creative—elements used to demonstrate the dramatic ebb and flow of emotional variations felt by the characters, as well as a fantastic amount of grandeur. Wait until you see the flying monkeys!

In a 1995 book review, The New York Times blasted the book Wicked as "deadly dull". While that paper's reviewers are far superior writers than I may be, everyone I know who read the book back then, and even now, rave about how wonderful it is. And I'm sorry, but how could such a dull story sell 42 million tickets? 

My point is, don't believe everything you read. Enjoy what you like. Period.

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

The love interest of Glinda and Elphaba was the ever so handsome, even if not-so-bright, Fiyero, played by Ashley Parker Angel. Again, kudos to the writers...respectful of the film we grew up with and loved first—The Wizard of Oz—the stage performance of Wicked honors that movie, while telling another story, even more dramatic, proposing other possibilities. I found myself quite pleased with the "person" Fiyero turned out to be in the end.

Perhaps Fiyero's best line: "It's not lying, it's looking at things another way."

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

I'd seen the billboard for Wicked in Times Square in New York City many years ago, and have the typical tourist photos of said billboard. But, it wasn't until later when on a business trip in Chicago that I saw Wicked on stage, at the The Oriental Theatre. It was magical! And I've wanted to see it again since.

With that said, I think I was more excited this time around about Barry seeing it for the first time. All of our other close friends have seen it, but somehow Wicked had not made Barry's extensive list of "seen-it" Broadway shows. You can imagine how hopeful I was that he'd enjoy it. And that he did. 

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

Having seen Wicked once before, I didn't research the show in depth before enjoying it at The Fox Theatre. When Barry picked up that the performer who portrayed The Wonderful Wizard of Oz sounded like someone he'd seen perform before—as a game show host, he was thinking Hollywood Squares and that the actor had had his own television show for a time—and Barry was absolutely correct!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is performed by John Davidson, who at 73 has had a remarkable and varied career...quite by design, actually. The feature story in the playbill, authored by the awesome writer Julie Bookman, is titled "The Man Behind the Curtain". Do read this story. 

Even though Davidson is only on stage for a total of 17 minutes, his role is vital to the story. That he acts and sings brilliantly during those 17 minutes is quite wonderful.

Wicked - Photo: Joan Marcus

I was very much looking forward to seeing the sets again! For the Chicago performance I saw I was seated fifth row center, which practically put me on stage with the sets, costumes and actors...all of which are magnificent! 

The costuming for this show is outstanding, and that's an understatement. I do believe that my favorite costumes are those of the denizens of Oz. The range of greens and angles and curves, the hats and hair and accessories...magnificent, every bit of it!

"Thank you, thank you, thank you" to Brave Public Relations, Broadway in Atlanta and The Fox Theatre for inviting and ticketing me for the Atlanta Press Night performance of Wicked. For my readers, know that my reviews, recaps, and stories are completely my own and are influenced only by the experience I've personally had.

Wicked is playing at The Fox Theatre through Sunday, March 8, 2015. Whether by broom, bubble, train, car or your own two feet, get yourself to The Land of Oz and see this remarkable, heartwarming show.

Read All About It...Newsies Makes Headlines!

NEWSIES delivers the best synchronized dancing I've seen since A Chorus Line. Worthy of its 2012 Tony Award for best choreography, NEWSIES is a high-energy, well-performed story of young paperboys' defiance of exploitation by big business...This is based on a true story! 

Now at The Fox Theatre through Sunday, January 25, NEWSIES On Tour garnered the grandest, most heartfelt standing ovation I've seen on an opening night in ages!

Newsies on Tour (Photo: Deen Van Meer)

A 1992 movie of the same title didn't do so well, but Disnesy's NEWSIES stage performance has taken command of audiences, bringing adults to their feet and smiles to children's faces...and putting Newsboy Caps on their heads. 

Is NEWSIES responsible for the resurgence of this 1900s fashion? I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised. Even Nordstrom sells them! And there were quite a few in the audience opening night. I love seeing that kind of support for such a magnificent show.

Newsies on Tour (Photo: Deen Van Meer)

Looking back through modern history, there have been many newsboys strikes, but this show is the story of one strike in particular. A newsboys strike that took place in New York City in 1899. And it has a few familiar names...Pulitzer, Hearst and Roosevelt, to name a few.

This musical changed the name of the lead character--the leader of an emerging newsboy union--to Jack Kelly, brilliantly performed by Dan DeLuca. This young man has not only mastered dancing and acting, he puts on a rather convincing turn-of-the-century New York City accent.

The entire cast is brilliant. It truly has been a while since I've seen a cast work so incredibly well together. Either their each and every one 1,000 percent dedicated to their art or they're all best of friends offstage. Perhaps they're both. The performance is flawless!

Newsies on Tour (Photo: Deen Van Meer)

The cast truly is brilliant...they're ALL amazing! The "is-it-for-real?" developing love story between Jack Kelly (Dan DeLuca) and Kathrine (Stephanie Styles) was delightful in humor, as well as romance. You can't help but root for shy Davey (Jacob Kemp)--I was a very shy kid, so I identified with this character--and Crutchie (Zachary Sayle) is a personal favorite--his resolve and determination are heroic...my kind of character.

The dancing and acting are joined by superb singing. It's as if their voices were made for each other. Their voices harmonized perfectly, just as their dance steps. I think the only thing I didn't like about this show is that it was over in two hours...I'd have stayed as long as they'd have kept dancing! 

The first thing that caught my attention--and kept it throughout--was the set(s). Tony-nominee (for Newsies) Tobin Ost did a magnificent job. 

Check out this Broadway.com video interview with Ost, when he discusses how the sets were inspired by the printing press used in the show.

AND...there's tap dancing! Exceptional tap dancing. It thrills me to no end to see so many young people who obviously have an amazing grasp on this delightful style of dancing. It's been a favorite of mine since I was a kid--although I never learned myself--I so love to see a spectacular tap performance. 

Newsies on Tour (Photo: Deen Van Meer)

One of the more profound lines in the show is delivered by then Governor of New York Teddy Roosevelt, "Each generation must, at the height of its power, step aside and invite the young to share the day." The youngsters in Disney's NEWSIES on Tour...not only share the day, they've seize the day, to the enjoyment of Atlanta and I'm certain every city on its national tour.

Get you tickets to NEWSIES right away...it'll be in the headlines for quite some time, but only on stage in Atlanta through Sunday.

A huge wanderlust ATLANTA "Thank you" to Broadway in Atlanta and BRAVE PR for inviting me to the show. I hope you will make the time to see it as well.

Mamma mia, here I go again...

How many times have you gotten an ABBA song stuck in your head? Approximately a bazillion times, right? Fortunately, it's fun music and the Mamma Mia! Musical is delightfully entertaining.

Given the number of people who exchange vows at The Fox Theatre—where Momma Mia! is now on stage—it's pretty awesome to see a musical about a wedding. Mamma Mia! will also bring a tear to your eye—because it's a touching human story—and have you on your feet clapping and dancing for the finale of the performance!

And a brilliant performance it is! I'd seen Mamma Mia! in Washington, DC many, many years ago, and at last night's show, every person I talked with—friends and new friends—had also seen it before...one of them four times! That alone tells you what a fun show this is.

Mamma Mia! (Photo: Kevin Thomas Garcia)

I've attempted in vain to identify a specific number as my "favorite" of the show and it's proving an impossibility. If I absolutely had to, it could possibly be "Emotion", "Voulez-vous", or "Money"...and of course "Dancing Queen" is total fun. See...I can't even get it down to two!

The entire cast is brilliant. I particularly loved the mother, Donna—performed by Georgia Kate Haege, and her friends, Tanya—performed by Gabrielle Mirabella, and Rosie—performed by Sarah Smith. Those three were amazing together...you really thought they were reunited best friends. I particularly enjoyed Georgia's singing voice...wonderful!

Of course Chelsea Williams (Sophie) and Eric Presnall (Sky) are amazing. 

I went to the show with my friend Scott, another one who has seen Mamma Mia! before, and we had a blast. After the show we went to Livingston Restaurant + Bar (a Fox Theatre partner restaurant) for a night cap and made some new friends—Sharon and Beth, sisters who had also just seen Mamma Mia! We talked and laughed and laughed some more, until nearly midnight.

That's one of the things that I love about Atlanta. You never know when you're going to make a new friend or where you're going to share your next laugh.

Mamma Mia! (Photo: Kevin Thomas Garcia)

I have a confession. I'm an ABBA fan. And that's not something I tell everyone...well, except for the fact that I just did. 

You know how you'll be listening to music on your phone and then you get a call, which mutes the music when you answer it? More than once I've done that and walked into a store where shortly after going in I finished up the call and hang up, only to have ABBA blaring into the store as I frantically look for the off button! They've always been a fun and entertaining group.

Mamma Mia! (Photo: Kevin Thomas Garcia)

Some of you may recall my mentioning having lived in Greece for more than two years. You can imagine, being set on a Greek isle, how nostalgic Mamma Mia! is for me. I'd love a vacation to Greece right now! In the meantime, Mamma Mia! was a delightful distraction.

There’s some wonderful Broadway shows coming to Atlanta. The 2014-2015 season includes, among others, The Phantom of the Opera (October 22 – November 2, 2014); Dirty Dancing (November 25 - 30, 2014); and Wicked (February 18 – March 8, 2015).

I saw Phantom at The Fox on Halloween night in 1994...what an evening that was! And I saw Wicked at Oriental Theatre in Chicago...I LOVE that show! I'm anxiously looking forward to seeing it again here in Atlanta.

Consider a season package, which ranges in level—number of shows and perks—from mini to traditional to "Patron Club"!

Mamma Mia! is showing at The Fox Theatre through Sunday, September 28. If you’re seeing it for the first time or the 15th time, you’re in for a toe-tapping-turned-full-on-dancing good time!

@BroadwayAtlanta @MammaMiaMusical @BRAVEprATL