Hey, guys! Laura Bell Bundy’s performance from the ACM Awards on Sunday is available on iTunes for $.99! Follow the link and purchase it now! http://awe.sm/54Qqv
The journey of a girl who wants to be famous on Broadway.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Giddy the fuck On UP!!!!
So. Tonight. AMCA's. LAURA BELL BUNDY PERFORMED LIVE.
SHE WAS BEYOND INCREDBILE. She shut it DOWN.
I DVR'd the awards show (because I hate country music and not even for Laura Bell Bundy will I sit through three hours of that crap) and fast forwarded until I got to her performance.
First off all, she looked BEAUTIFUL. Second of all, you could tell she was nervous as HELL and who wouldn't be?!! I think it's kinda sweet that she was nervous! It made me remember that she's still little LBB and that she's human.
Her performance was amazing. I'm not even going to state the obvious problem. If you hated her performance because of that, I have a challenge for you: Get your fat ass on treadmill, set it to the highest setting it can go, start running, and then try belting your face off to that song. Couldn't do it, couldja? Didn't think so, ass. She was classy as hell and for that, she gets a million brownie points (maybe no brownies. I would hate to ruin that perfect body. A million...country points? I don't friggin' know.).
Furthermore, Laura's performance was flawless for those of us who know how fcking difficult it is to sing and dance simultaneously. She has a very unique skill of being able to stabilize her voice and sing at the same time. I was made fully aware of this while watching her Wal-Mart soundcheck.
I'm getting extremely irritated by all of these country music fans who are saying that Laura isn't country or that she doesn't fit in or some other bullshit about why she doesn't belong. If these people knew anything about country music, they'd know that Shania Twain brought about the same kind of hustle and bustle when she busted onto the scene with "Man, I Feel Like a Woman." Everyone was calling her the same names people are calling Laura. I wish people would recognize the amount of talent that Laura has and get off of their little high horses. YOU BETTA RECO'NIZE!
I'm also sick of people saying that they didn't want to watch her dance, they wanted to hear her sing. Um, do you know who you're talking about? She's Laura Bell Bundy and if there's one thing she's never NOT, it's enter-friggin'-taining. She will never show up somewhere and not put on a God damn show.
Keep on keepin' on, Laura. I will be the first to buy tickets to your concert (if you ever have one) when they go on sale in my town. I ain't travellin', though, so you better come to Sacramento, CA. ;)
What You Should Have Learned:
1. LAURA BELL BUNDY IS AMAZING.
2. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL.
3. SHE HAS A TIGHT LITTLE BODY!
4. SHE CAN DANCE THE SHIT OUT OF ANYTHING.
5. SHE CAN SING AND DANCE AT THE SAME TIME!
SHE WAS BEYOND INCREDBILE. She shut it DOWN.
I DVR'd the awards show (because I hate country music and not even for Laura Bell Bundy will I sit through three hours of that crap) and fast forwarded until I got to her performance.
First off all, she looked BEAUTIFUL. Second of all, you could tell she was nervous as HELL and who wouldn't be?!! I think it's kinda sweet that she was nervous! It made me remember that she's still little LBB and that she's human.
Her performance was amazing. I'm not even going to state the obvious problem. If you hated her performance because of that, I have a challenge for you: Get your fat ass on treadmill, set it to the highest setting it can go, start running, and then try belting your face off to that song. Couldn't do it, couldja? Didn't think so, ass. She was classy as hell and for that, she gets a million brownie points (maybe no brownies. I would hate to ruin that perfect body. A million...country points? I don't friggin' know.).
Furthermore, Laura's performance was flawless for those of us who know how fcking difficult it is to sing and dance simultaneously. She has a very unique skill of being able to stabilize her voice and sing at the same time. I was made fully aware of this while watching her Wal-Mart soundcheck.
I'm getting extremely irritated by all of these country music fans who are saying that Laura isn't country or that she doesn't fit in or some other bullshit about why she doesn't belong. If these people knew anything about country music, they'd know that Shania Twain brought about the same kind of hustle and bustle when she busted onto the scene with "Man, I Feel Like a Woman." Everyone was calling her the same names people are calling Laura. I wish people would recognize the amount of talent that Laura has and get off of their little high horses. YOU BETTA RECO'NIZE!
I'm also sick of people saying that they didn't want to watch her dance, they wanted to hear her sing. Um, do you know who you're talking about? She's Laura Bell Bundy and if there's one thing she's never NOT, it's enter-friggin'-taining. She will never show up somewhere and not put on a God damn show.
Keep on keepin' on, Laura. I will be the first to buy tickets to your concert (if you ever have one) when they go on sale in my town. I ain't travellin', though, so you better come to Sacramento, CA. ;)
What You Should Have Learned:
1. LAURA BELL BUNDY IS AMAZING.
2. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL.
3. SHE HAS A TIGHT LITTLE BODY!
4. SHE CAN DANCE THE SHIT OUT OF ANYTHING.
5. SHE CAN SING AND DANCE AT THE SAME TIME!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Hollywood is Where the Theatre Goes to Die
So, lately there's been a huge hubbub about the rumored casting of Neil Patrick Harris's version of RENT at the Hollywood bowl. So far, Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi has been confirmed. Adam Lambert was rumored as Angel on BroadwayWorld.com, but he quickly bashed those rumors on his Twitter.
I've said this before and I'll say it again: an actor getting miscast is not the actor's fault, it's the director's. We won't know if Vanessa (who can't sing a lick live, and the only time she sounds relatively normal or halfway pleasant to listen to is when she's auto-tuned) or who ever else gets cast will be good until we see them.
The bottom line that people need to remember is that the Hollywood Bowl is used for actors of film and television that can't commit to the rigorous eight-times-a-week schedule to return to or get a feel for the stage. Many film and TV actors started on the stage (like Adam Lambert, etc).
We shouldn't be bashing Vanessa and Adam (or whoever else). If they suck, then we can bash them, but in all it's Neil's fault.
Adam Pascal threw a hissy fit on Facebook as he ALWAYS does and told people to stop being so catty and to calm down. Uh, well, that's all well and good and all but I think, for once, he needs to shut up. RENT changed lives. RENT is what it is. It's a masterpiece in some people's eyes. They don't want anyone to ruin their show. As far as I'm concerned, while some people might be overreacting, I think the general reaction is an okay one. The fans want the integrity of their show preserved.
Neil, please don't fuck up RENT for the rest of us.
I've said this before and I'll say it again: an actor getting miscast is not the actor's fault, it's the director's. We won't know if Vanessa (who can't sing a lick live, and the only time she sounds relatively normal or halfway pleasant to listen to is when she's auto-tuned) or who ever else gets cast will be good until we see them.
The bottom line that people need to remember is that the Hollywood Bowl is used for actors of film and television that can't commit to the rigorous eight-times-a-week schedule to return to or get a feel for the stage. Many film and TV actors started on the stage (like Adam Lambert, etc).
We shouldn't be bashing Vanessa and Adam (or whoever else). If they suck, then we can bash them, but in all it's Neil's fault.
Adam Pascal threw a hissy fit on Facebook as he ALWAYS does and told people to stop being so catty and to calm down. Uh, well, that's all well and good and all but I think, for once, he needs to shut up. RENT changed lives. RENT is what it is. It's a masterpiece in some people's eyes. They don't want anyone to ruin their show. As far as I'm concerned, while some people might be overreacting, I think the general reaction is an okay one. The fans want the integrity of their show preserved.
Neil, please don't fuck up RENT for the rest of us.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
When It Really Does ALL Go South
You can currently listen to every track on Laura Bell Bundy's unreleased album here. The album itself drops next Tuesday, April 13th, and you can buy a ridiculously over-priced, so-called "collector's package" that features cool things including the CD on her website.
As a legitimate fan of Laura, I feel I have the right to review this CD and have my opinion count, not that it will, but still. Who else is going to tell her the truth other than her REAL fans? I'm not here to kiss her ass, I'm here to tell her (if she ever sees this) what I REALLY think.
As a legitimate fan of Laura, I feel I have the right to review this CD and have my opinion count, not that it will, but still. Who else is going to tell her the truth other than her REAL fans? I'm not here to kiss her ass, I'm here to tell her (if she ever sees this) what I REALLY think.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Okay, Now I Just Hate Her.
If you haven't already, please take a moment to read this disgusting article: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BroadwayGirlNYC_Come_on_Megan_Mullally_Defend_Yourself_20100401
Those who know me know that if I hear a rumor, I absolutely do not believe it under any circumstances unless I hear the truth or an explanation straight from the horse's mouth, Broadway-related or not.
Those who know me also know that I don't mess around when it comes to people being disgustingly disrespectful.
Those who know me know that if I hear a rumor, I absolutely do not believe it under any circumstances unless I hear the truth or an explanation straight from the horse's mouth, Broadway-related or not.
Those who know me also know that I don't mess around when it comes to people being disgustingly disrespectful.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Broadway Dictionary
This blog will contain commonly used words, phrases, lingo, vernacular, and other Broadway related terms that every Broadway fan should know. It will be continuously updated and I'll refer to it constantly, in case I say something you might not understand. If you think I've missed something, please feel to leave a comment and I'll gladly add it!
And now, without further ado, here is the Broadway Dictionary:
And now, without further ado, here is the Broadway Dictionary:
Friday, March 26, 2010
When It Comes to Wicked, Riffing is Selfish
Hello again, non-existent audience. I've been having an internal debate with myself lately about Wicked. Yes, Wicked. The Musical. With lyrics, and I quote, like, "Look at her! She's wicked! GET HER!" I chortle every time. It's so basic, yet so powerful.
Anyway, why do you care? Because I think Elphaba's that over-riff the score are selfish. I totally understand the argument that the performer needs to put on an entertaining show, but personally, when it comes to Wicked, I hate it. I'm not naming names, but I can think of at least five previous (and maybe one present) Elphabas that over-riff Mr. Schwartz's brilliant score.
For those of you who don't know what riffing is, here's a video on Youtube that pretty much explains everything:
Thank you, Shoshana Bean, for those riffs. Do you get it now? Also try searching for Eden Espinosa or any other Shoshana Bean videos on Youtube. Back to the topic at hand.
An actor's job, first and foremost, is to believably bring a character to life, no matter what the show is or what part they have. There are no small parts. Acting is acting, and whether or not your Ozian #4 or Galinda herself, you have to act the shit out of it or people get antsy. Well, experienced theatergoers that are categorized as "knowing what they're talking about" get antsy. When you throw singing into the mix, that ups the anty. There's nothing like watching a brilliant actor bring a beautiful song to life through not only their voice, but their emotions.
I bring this up because I was listening to and/or watching some illegal things on Youtube (mostly the aforementioned Wicked) and I happened to notice something: whenever an actress, mostly Elphaba, does a jaw-dropping riff, I get angry. Firstly, my thoughts go to: "WOW, that was incredible!" Then my thoughts are, "Wait, what was she singing about?" Riffing during "No Good Deed" is for the need of the actor only and I think that's selfish.
When I'm listening to and watching that scene, hopefully the actress has done a brilliant job of getting me to feel exactly what she's feeling: hate, anguish, defeat, regret, anger, sadness. I'm an actor as well, so I feel along with the actors I'm watching. When I hear a riff, I'm instantly taken away from that place that I was in and now all I'm thinking about is how many different notes this girl can squeeze into the word "again." The song "No Good Deed" is Elphaba's nervous breakdown! The second you go all Whitney Houston on us, I'm taken out of the show. I don't want to be taken out of the show! That's the reason I WENT to the show in the first place!
Please, for the love of Liza, STOP RIFFING.
-Cathryn
What You Should Have Learned:
1. Wicked is a musical.
2. Shoshana Bean has hair.
3. I hate riffing.
Anyway, why do you care? Because I think Elphaba's that over-riff the score are selfish. I totally understand the argument that the performer needs to put on an entertaining show, but personally, when it comes to Wicked, I hate it. I'm not naming names, but I can think of at least five previous (and maybe one present) Elphabas that over-riff Mr. Schwartz's brilliant score.
For those of you who don't know what riffing is, here's a video on Youtube that pretty much explains everything:
Thank you, Shoshana Bean, for those riffs. Do you get it now? Also try searching for Eden Espinosa or any other Shoshana Bean videos on Youtube. Back to the topic at hand.
An actor's job, first and foremost, is to believably bring a character to life, no matter what the show is or what part they have. There are no small parts. Acting is acting, and whether or not your Ozian #4 or Galinda herself, you have to act the shit out of it or people get antsy. Well, experienced theatergoers that are categorized as "knowing what they're talking about" get antsy. When you throw singing into the mix, that ups the anty. There's nothing like watching a brilliant actor bring a beautiful song to life through not only their voice, but their emotions.
I bring this up because I was listening to and/or watching some illegal things on Youtube (mostly the aforementioned Wicked) and I happened to notice something: whenever an actress, mostly Elphaba, does a jaw-dropping riff, I get angry. Firstly, my thoughts go to: "WOW, that was incredible!" Then my thoughts are, "Wait, what was she singing about?" Riffing during "No Good Deed" is for the need of the actor only and I think that's selfish.
When I'm listening to and watching that scene, hopefully the actress has done a brilliant job of getting me to feel exactly what she's feeling: hate, anguish, defeat, regret, anger, sadness. I'm an actor as well, so I feel along with the actors I'm watching. When I hear a riff, I'm instantly taken away from that place that I was in and now all I'm thinking about is how many different notes this girl can squeeze into the word "again." The song "No Good Deed" is Elphaba's nervous breakdown! The second you go all Whitney Houston on us, I'm taken out of the show. I don't want to be taken out of the show! That's the reason I WENT to the show in the first place!
Please, for the love of Liza, STOP RIFFING.
-Cathryn
What You Should Have Learned:
1. Wicked is a musical.
2. Shoshana Bean has hair.
3. I hate riffing.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Why I Don't Appreciate @BroadwayGirlNYC
If you love Broadway, if you have a Twitter, if you're basically ALIVE, then you've probably heard of @BroadwayGirlNYC. She has an anonymous twitter account, and all she does is tweet about Broadway. Sounds like a good idea, right? So WHY don't I like her?
First of all, she's about a half-step below @BroadwaySpotted, stalking Broadway stars and tweeting at the same people over and over, practically begging them for a response. Second of all, she's generally biased. Now she has her own blog on www.Broadwayworld.com. I am wtfing.
First of all, she's about a half-step below @BroadwaySpotted, stalking Broadway stars and tweeting at the same people over and over, practically begging them for a response. Second of all, she's generally biased. Now she has her own blog on www.Broadwayworld.com. I am wtfing.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Cowards Only Have Concequences
Nowadays, I'm being told that anonymity is in! Well, forget that. My name is Cathryn. There, now you know. Pesky introductions aside, this is a blog and I'm going to blog in it. It's going to be about theatre things. I'll say what you all are thinking, like, who gives a shit if you say "cast album" or "soundtrack?" I don't, but I am smart enough to know that it's incorrect to refer to the recording of a musical's songs as a soundtrack, but I won't jump down your throat about it. I don't give a shit.
I also spell theatre the RIGHT way. With an re. Like it's supposed to be spelled.
More about me and why I believe I'm qualified to have a theatre blog:
I live in a suburb of the capital of California. The theatres I frequent most often are the Community Center Theatre and the California Music Circus. Last year (2009) at those theatres, I saw Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening (got to sit onstage for that!), Altar Boyz, and the final three shows of RENT. I also took a vacation to La Jolla and saw Christian Borle in a shiny new play with music called Peter and the Starcatchers. The year before that at those theatres, I saw Evita (with La Murney), Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Jeckyll and Hyde, and some other shows that I can't remember but I'm sure I saw more than that.
My first live show was either Beauty and the Beast or Into the Woods. I can't really remember which one because, at the time, theatre had no affect on me. I didn't really get into Broadway musicals and plays until I was 16 and I saw RENT for the first time. Yes, it was the movie and fuck you if you think that I'm not a real RENThead because I saw the movie first. Do NOT even get me started with that Stan bullshit. The next musical I got into was Wicked and yes, since then I've recognized the "error" of my ways. It's not Shakespeare and it's not trying to be, but it's fuh-REAKING entertaining and I enjoy a good Murney rendition of "No Good Deed."
The "Murney" I'm referring to is Julia Murney. She is my almighty; my supreme; my omega. She is so beautiful, and she can sing, and she's the most versatile actress I've ever seen. She is perfect, and I adore her. Some of my favorite performers are Julia, the previously mentioned Christian Borle, Susan Blackwell, Andy Karl, Megan Hilty, Laura Bell Bundy, Karen Olivo, Robin De Jesus and a few others. I'm very picky when it comes to my favorites.
Typically, my favorite musicals ARE my favorite musicals because they make me HAPPY. I don't give a shit that you think they suck. I happen to adore Legally Blonde with all my heart. It's fun and it's witty and I love the fact that people judge that musical like people judge Elle in the actual show. It's complete bullshit, and it's hilarious. Technically speaking, Legally Blonde is a perfect musical. If you want to learn how to turn a movie into a musical, refer to Legally Blonde. It's perfect. And I don't care what anyone says, Laura deserved that Tony award for the work she did on that show. She was literally onstage 90% of the time dancing and singing and acting, mostly at the same time. That had "Tony Award-winning performance" written all over it.
Some of my other favorite shows happen to be Passing Strange, Spring Awakening, tick, tick...BOOM!, RENT, [title of show], Bare: A Pop Opera, Wicked, In the Heights, Next to Normal, Hair, Altar Boyz, Bright Lights, Big City; Dreamgirls, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Spamalot, Prodigal, Elegies: A Song Cycle, Rooms: A Rock Romance, and Lippa's The Wild Party.
The bottom line is that this blog is an escape for me. I've never felt more myself than when I'm pretending to be someone else. I'm going through some shit and theatre is my escape. If you're willing to read along and go on this journey with me, then thank you.
I let my pain fuck my ego and I call the bastard art!
What You Should Have Learned:
1. I don't fuck around.
2. I live in California.
3. I LOVE BROADWAY MUSICALS.
4. I adore Julia Murney.
5. I REALLY don't fuck around when it comes to RENT or Legally Blonde.
I also spell theatre the RIGHT way. With an re. Like it's supposed to be spelled.
More about me and why I believe I'm qualified to have a theatre blog:
I live in a suburb of the capital of California. The theatres I frequent most often are the Community Center Theatre and the California Music Circus. Last year (2009) at those theatres, I saw Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening (got to sit onstage for that!), Altar Boyz, and the final three shows of RENT. I also took a vacation to La Jolla and saw Christian Borle in a shiny new play with music called Peter and the Starcatchers. The year before that at those theatres, I saw Evita (with La Murney), Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Jeckyll and Hyde, and some other shows that I can't remember but I'm sure I saw more than that.
My first live show was either Beauty and the Beast or Into the Woods. I can't really remember which one because, at the time, theatre had no affect on me. I didn't really get into Broadway musicals and plays until I was 16 and I saw RENT for the first time. Yes, it was the movie and fuck you if you think that I'm not a real RENThead because I saw the movie first. Do NOT even get me started with that Stan bullshit. The next musical I got into was Wicked and yes, since then I've recognized the "error" of my ways. It's not Shakespeare and it's not trying to be, but it's fuh-REAKING entertaining and I enjoy a good Murney rendition of "No Good Deed."
The "Murney" I'm referring to is Julia Murney. She is my almighty; my supreme; my omega. She is so beautiful, and she can sing, and she's the most versatile actress I've ever seen. She is perfect, and I adore her. Some of my favorite performers are Julia, the previously mentioned Christian Borle, Susan Blackwell, Andy Karl, Megan Hilty, Laura Bell Bundy, Karen Olivo, Robin De Jesus and a few others. I'm very picky when it comes to my favorites.
Typically, my favorite musicals ARE my favorite musicals because they make me HAPPY. I don't give a shit that you think they suck. I happen to adore Legally Blonde with all my heart. It's fun and it's witty and I love the fact that people judge that musical like people judge Elle in the actual show. It's complete bullshit, and it's hilarious. Technically speaking, Legally Blonde is a perfect musical. If you want to learn how to turn a movie into a musical, refer to Legally Blonde. It's perfect. And I don't care what anyone says, Laura deserved that Tony award for the work she did on that show. She was literally onstage 90% of the time dancing and singing and acting, mostly at the same time. That had "Tony Award-winning performance" written all over it.
Some of my other favorite shows happen to be Passing Strange, Spring Awakening, tick, tick...BOOM!, RENT, [title of show], Bare: A Pop Opera, Wicked, In the Heights, Next to Normal, Hair, Altar Boyz, Bright Lights, Big City; Dreamgirls, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Spamalot, Prodigal, Elegies: A Song Cycle, Rooms: A Rock Romance, and Lippa's The Wild Party.
The bottom line is that this blog is an escape for me. I've never felt more myself than when I'm pretending to be someone else. I'm going through some shit and theatre is my escape. If you're willing to read along and go on this journey with me, then thank you.
I let my pain fuck my ego and I call the bastard art!
What You Should Have Learned:
1. I don't fuck around.
2. I live in California.
3. I LOVE BROADWAY MUSICALS.
4. I adore Julia Murney.
5. I REALLY don't fuck around when it comes to RENT or Legally Blonde.
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