Go, go, go see Joseph at Barter Theatre...

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has always been a favorite musical of mine. I adore the version PBS produced with Donny Osmond starring as Joseph. Donny played Joseph in the Toronto production of the show, and has a beautiful voice and I love what he does with the character.

Today, I went to Barter Theatre and was really looking forward to seeing the show. As I walked in, I was immediately impressed with the set and awaited the show's start with anticipation. That's when the mimes (dressed in various colors) came out and started interacting with audience members (i.e. juggling, getting audience members to do the wave, etc.). I found it quite bizarre and wondered what in the world was going on. Then, the mimes approached the stage and became Joseph's brothers! I looked at my mom with a disappointed face, and was honestly not looking forward to the rest of the show. I couldn't believe it.

THEN...Joseph in Godspell-esque makeup (not in mime costume) began singing "Any Dream Will Do" and everything changed. His mime-like, ballet movements were beautiful and conveyed his message perfectly. I actually truly admired the way they used a small ensemble to play all of the roles. The brothers changed into various roles (some of the brothers were played by women, so they could easily change into the various dance costumes and sequences). I left the show wanting to return again. Richard Rose (artistic director of Barter Theatre) has outdone himself with this creative interpretation of a beloved musical. It just goes to show you that sometimes quirky non-traditional approaches to shows we love seeing a certain way can end up being our new favorite.

Joseph... runs through April 18th at Barter Theatre in Abindgon, Virginia. I encourage you to see this amazing show. You will not regret it! (And odds are you'll leave in a peppy, perky mood singing every song for days and days...)

Snow cream...

It snowed last night, and the roads were covered today. No school. No meetings. My day was basically canceled. The great thing? Mom made snow cream! I haven't had it in years, and it was delicious. So I encourage you to go out and find your own fresh snow and follow this comforting recipe and transport yourself back to yesteryear. Happy Snow Day!

Kick off your Sunday shoes...

Last night I watched Footloose, a movie I have not seen in several years. I love that movie! What a fun movie with lots of great music. I recommend it for a winter movie night! Take a trip back to the 80s. I was actually one year old when this movie came out. :) This is my favorite scene. I love youtube. You can literally find anything on there.

Gosh! It's a monsoon...

Today I uttered those words many times. I looked out the window today to see a harsh rain. I did not notice the wind at the time. Yes, I had heard on the weather report the previous evening that there was a wind advisory. Indeed, Mr. Weatherman. Indeed. I got out of my car on the graduate school campus and immediately squealed. My umbrella was wrenched from my hands. I held on to it tightly and attempted to grab my quilted bag from Africa and hold the umbrella at the same time. The umbrella shook violently. I was holding on for dear life. At the same time, rain was pounding down. Not straight down. Slanted. A jolly looking lad was walking by and laughed at me. I returned the laugh and said "This is a nightmare!"

I continued on my trek to the faraway hall of my first class meeting. I say "trek" because I had to park somewhere in Siberia. The rain alternated between patterns of harsh, really harsh, and Whoa, Nelly! I gripped my umbrella for dear life. I commented to passersby. Apparently, rain unites us. Everyone is Chatty Cathy all of a sudden. One girl had given up all together and suctioned her hood to her head much like one of those contraptions that shrinks your winter clothing down to the size of a pancake for easy storage. ("Only 3 payments of $29.95!") She simply stated, "This," as she pointed to her umbrella, "wasn't a lot of help." I simply clutched my umbrella for dear life and persevered.

By the time, I reached my destination, I couldn't stop laughing. The day was simply hilarious. As I walked into the door, I saw an unsuspecting woman heading outside. I said "Be careful out there. It's Wuthering Heights."

One more time...

I found another video of Pride and Prejudice clips that I truly love. Enjoy one more video from my favorite movie in the entire world. I also really love this song by Lifehouse. Enjoy.

My. Favorite. Movie. Ever.

I found this video on youtube today, and absolutely adore it. It truly captures the spirit of my favorite movie, the BBC's Pride and Prejudice (which is the only Pride and Prejudice worth watching, in my opinion...). If you haven't seen this film, please, watch it. It's about six hours long, and you will adore every minute of it. I assure you. Now, sit back and enjoy clips from the film accompanied by a most appropriate song. In case you were wondering, the song is "Let Love In" by the Goo Goo Dolls, and what a sensational choice for the love story between Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Bummer! There was a youtube video posted here, but the video has been removed from youtube due to copyright infringement. Boo. I hope that you can enjoy the video on the above post for a while...

Lyrics to "Let Love In" by the Goo Goo Dolls

You wait, wanting this world
To let you in
And you stand there
A frozen light
In dark and empty streets
You smile hiding behind
A God-given face
But I know you're so much more
Everything they ignore
Is all that I need to see

Chorus:
You're the only one I ever believed in
The answer that could never be found
The moment you decided to let love in
Now I'm banging on the door of an angel
The end of fear is where we begin
The moment we decided to let love in

I wish
Wishing for you to find your way
And I'll hold on for all you need
That's all we need to say
I'll take my chances while
You take your time with
This game you play
But I can't control your soul
You need to let me know
You leaving or you gonna stay

Repeat Chorus

There's nothing we can do about
The things we have to do without
The only way to feel again
Is let love in

There's nothing we can do about
The things we have to live without
The only way to see again
Is let love in

Repeat Chorus

Virtual Cup of Cocoa...

I realize that this is NOT my Beatles blog. However, I did promise that this blog would be "your virtual cup of cocoa all winter long." I can think of no better way to cheer up a gloomy winter's day than this. Snuggle up with your laptop by a crackling fire, and enjoy Sir Paul's cheerful song.

Silver white winter...

...is not one of my favorite things. Unlike Maria, I do not add winter to "a few of my favorite things" when I dance around in my dress made entirely from the curtains that once hung in my bedroom. However, it is fun to blog about. So, I'm including some photos for your enjoyment, wherever you may be. This morning, according to the trusty local hometown paper, the temperature at 6:45 AM was around 5 degrees downtown. I know for a fact that yesterday when I went to my first class of the spring semester, I nearly froze myself into oblivion, never to return. Enjoy my photos, and please stay warm, wherever you may dwell.

I took this photo last year out on our porch because I found it so hilarious. A crocodile covered in snow. Very hilarious to me. (No, that is not a real crocodile.)

Rain song.

Why is it that Gene Kelly can dance around in puddles of water and not twist his ankle or even hint at an injury? Yet, if I attempted this type of dance, I would break my ankles (yes, that was plural), legs, arms, and/or tailbone beyond repair and more than likely spend months wondering why I decided to burst into an impromptu dance on the way to a job interview.

Once while at college, I decided it would be fun to pretend I had forgotten my umbrella and walk through a downpour to my car, which was parked about 2 miles west of my location (I'm lying about the "west" thing...I really don't know which direction is west, east, north, or south from my location most of the time...it just sounded good.) I ended up getting drenched and ruining my favorite shirt. I'm guessing the acid rain stained it. It never lost the tye-dye look, even after several washings. I could launch into a speech about the perils of polution, but I will kindly refrain, as this is not a political blog, but a light, marshmallow pie/marmalade sky blog.

Despite my lack of grace in puddles and on rain-soaked sidewalks, I adore watching Gene Kelly dance flawlessly in the rain with his classic pearly whites sparkling. Gene Kelly is the cure for common sadness, and should be celebrated. I am including this "rain song" on my blog as an opportunity for you to travel away from your troubles for one fleeting moment on to the rain-soaked sidewalks and to splash in the puddles of the Hollywood that once was.

Change has come.