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journey to the past by kathy xenos

oh hot damn, this is my jam | journey to the past → anastasia (liz callaway)

Honestly just felt like a bit of a sing this morning because it has been ages! Surprised I hadn’t done this one yet because it’s been one of my favourites since I was itty bitty, but have been listening to it again a lot lately thanks to the musical opening. Hope it sends you on a journey to your past as you listen and remember how great this movie is!

May 25 58 notes

#anastasia #journey to the past #liz callaway #kathscovers #bit shabby thanks to lack of mic but meh what's a poor girl to do? #also if you haven't listen to laura osnes sing this bc it is surreal #as is alison luff's version #:)))) #ok to reblog and whatnot

francescajohnsons:

KELLI O’HARA: MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY [download] 60 songs, 4hrs approx.
A window into the brilliant, luminous, sparkling career of Kelli O’Hara through some of my personal favourite performances, moments and recordings. List is chronological (for the most part) according to the dates of performance/recording.

to build a home - a cappella tonys in performance || 2002 sweet smell of sucess || what if | i cannot hear the city (reprise) | that’s how i say goodbye || 2003 my life with albertine || is it too late? | if it is true || 2005 the light in the piazza || the beauty is | the light in the piazza | octet | clara’s interlude || 2006 the pajama game || i’m not at all in love | there once was a man || 2007 sunday in the park with george || we do not belong together | move on || 2007 my fair lady || wouldn’t it be loverly? | just you wait | i could have danced all night || 2008 south pacific || a cockeyed optimist | i’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair | wonderful guy | honey bun || 2008 wonder in the world || the sun went out | here now | fable | make someone happy || 2010 bells are ringing || it’s a perfect relationship || not a love story - our first mistake || 2010 always || what more do i need? | how glory goes | finishing the hat | they don’t let you in the opera (if you’re a country star) || 2011 she loves me || will he like me? | vanilla ice cream || 2012 nice work if you can get it || someone to watch over me | but not for me || 2013 carousel || if i loved you | what’s the use of wond’rin || breathe - here for you || 2013 far from heaven || autumn in connecticut | the only one | tuesdays, thursdays | heaven knows || 2014 the bridges of madison county || to build a home | almost real | before and after you | one second and a million miles | always better || 2014 peter pan live! || tender shepherd | only pretend (reprise) / tender shepherd (reprise) || o holy night - home for the holidays || 2014 the merry widow || a highly respectable wife | forever in our neverland || 2015 the king and i || hello young lovers | getting to know you | shall i tell you what i think of you? | shall we dance? || back to before - the lilly awards || auld lang syne / river - carols for a cure || one second and a million miles - 54 below || 2015 tony awards acceptance speech ||

March 14 302 notes© francescajohnson

#i'm so psyched people are appreciating this!!! #i love you #and i'm so happy to share (part) of the playlist that gets me through every day! #:))))

goldenagemt:

April 2015’s Musical of the Month: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I
synopsis:
It is the early 1860s when newly widowed Anna Leonowens and her son, Louis, set sail from their native England for Bangkok, Siam (now Thailand.) Anna, still grieving, has set her sights on a new adventure and taken a position as the schoolteacher for the royal offspring of the King of Siam. The King is determined to usher Siam into the modern world and he thinks Western education can be a part of that – yet, Anna is horrified at first by many of the traditions that he holds dear. Anna and the King struggle to find common ground. The King is largely considered to be a barbarian by rulers of the West, and he takes Anna on as an advisor, asking her to help change his image – if not his actual practice. With both keeping a firm grip on their respective traditions and values, Anna and the King teach each other about understanding, respect, and love that can transcend the greatest of differences. Beneath the fraught, fiercely opinionated, conflict-ridden surface of Anna and the King’s relationship lies one of the most unique love stories in the musical theatre canon. (via StageAgent)
a brief history and fun facts:
Opened on March 29, 1951 at the St. James Theater
Including Lincoln Center’s current production, The King and I has been revived on Broadway 4 times.
Yul Brynner, who originated the role of the King, starred in both the 1977 and 1985 revivals as well as the 1956 film, for which he received an Oscar.
The role of Anna Leonowens is one of three roles (Mama Rose and Desiree Armfeldt) to have a record for repeated Tony Award wins. Actresses playing the role of Anna have not only been nominated but have won the award twice.
The original billing of the show had Gertrude Lawrence above the title, with Yul Brynner below. By the time Brynner returned to the role in the 1977 revival, the order was reversed. “King” was billed above and “I” below. Brynner was paired with Constance Towers int he revival and when they took a vacation, the producers brought in Angela Lansbury and Michael Kermoyan, thus returning the star balance (and billing_ to its original hierarchy.
Gertrude Lawrence had the idea of Anna singing with the children. “Getting to Know You” was a reworking of a cut song from South Pacific called “Suddenly Lucky”.
Jerome Robbins, one of the greatest director/choreographers to ever live, worked on The King and I. His stunning ballet “The Small House of Uncle Thomas” is still reproduced in productions today (including Lincoln Center’s current revival).
Lawrence and Brynner were not trained singers, so Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote them character-driven pieces and gave the soaring melodies to the “young lovers”, Tuptim and Lun Tha. Anna’s songs are gentle and filled with character, while The King’s are staccato, introspective numbers.
“While Carousel is considred to be the team’s masterpiece, The King and I is the most deeply emotional of their works, and even thouhg the show ill forever be identifed with Brynner, it is much, much more than a star vehicle. The true strength of The King and Iis in the exquisite writing, the dramatic fight of wills between the two lead characters, the beautiful songs, and the way the piece continues to speak to succeeding generations. The King and I is a classic musical and like great operas, is timeless.” - Broadway Musicals: The 101 Greatest Shows of All Time
watch and listen:
1951 Original Broadway Cast Recording (download)
1956 Motion Picture (purchase on Amazon)
1996 Broadway Revival (download)
2015 Broadway Revival (buy tickets!) [if you are 21-36, check out LincTix to see The King and I for $32!!)

#the king and i #:))))

fan-tastig:

~~Musical theatre~~ Operetta songs appreciation:
Glitter And Be Gay (Candide) performed by Kristin Chenoweth (video)

(Wiki: This aria poses some difficulties. Technically, it is among the most fiendishly challenging coloratura soprano arias. If sung as written throughout, there are three high E-flats, two staccato and one sustained; there are also numerous uses of high C and D-flat. Some of the florid passages are very intricate, calling for marksmanship of the highest order. Theatrically, it demands an elaborate comic staging, in which Cunegonde adorns herself with jewellery while singing and dancing around the stage (much as does Marguerite in the “Jewel Song” of Gounod’s Faust), and has a satirical quality that is a challenge to perform.)
Observe how bravely I conceal
The dreadful, dreadful shame I feel
Ha ha ha ha!

#glitter and be gay #kristin chenoweth #:))))