Saturday, November 08, 2008

The sound of... musicals


A few years ago if you wanted to see a musical in Europe you had to go to London, period. Things have changed! Now you can see a lot of interesting productions in one of our many theaters. That's precisely what I did last night when I went to Mogador to see Le Roi Lion (The Lion King). I must say, I'm not a big fan of these shows, but this one really made me change my opinion. The costumes are stunning - I'm talking stunning! - the scenery is breathtaking and the French adaptation is really well made. Nice way to start my weekend ;) Here is a little clip.

38 comments:

  1. The Lion King rules! I'm so glad you got to see it. This photo is really cool, Eric. Neon is hard to capture.

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  2. I agree on both counts. Not a big fan of musicals, show tunes and stuff in general, but this spectacle rocks.

    Remind us to take you to Beach Blanket Babylon next time you are in SF ... it's so much fun ! :)

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  3. Not surprised it made you paws to think: Lion King is one of the mane shows, telling quite a tail.

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  4. Oh Tomate - I want in on that Beach Blanket Babylon night! It has to be the best long-standing show in SF. Loads and loads of fun.

    This is pretty stupid, but Obama is no stranger to Le Roi Lion.

    I hope that fancy link worked, but if not:
    http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5706091

    Eiffel Tower kisses to Eric!

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  5. The Lion King looks like a good one. I used to see it advertised alot in Atlanta.
    Funny, I would never have thought that these would be new to your city!

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  6. OK, Suzy but you're gonna have to leave your Eiffel Tower hat at the door, otherwise they might think you're part of the show ;) (Enuf said) ;)

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  7. I didn't see this when it was playing in Hollywood. Now I wish I had! Maybe I could see it in Paris.

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  8. I'm a big fan of musicals. Never saw The Lion King. If ever it becomes a movie maybe then I will get to see it...but that could never be as exciting as seeing a stage play, but I will have to settle for second best!

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  9. HA! I see your point, Tomate. I'll be sure to leave my ET hat at home.

    Everyone - have a wonderful weekend!

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  10. It's an animated feature, Gramma Ann. I loved it.

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  11. I love to go to the theatre and used to go to the West End at least once a month. The Lion King looks fab and I'm so glad you have it there. The film is one of my favourites. Although the costumes are indeed stunning, I'd still prefer cute little cuddly animal costumes lol!

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  12. I'm glad you had fun, Eric. I like musicals and show tunes, and mid-20th century song standards, etc. but it's nice to see the updated varieties like this. They are part of our childhood cultural education the same way the golden era of French cafe chanson is learned in France. I was in the high school musical choruses of Brigadoon, Bye Bye Birdie, and The Sound of Music.

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  13. Oooh, la Mogador -- right in your neighborhood, n'est-ce pas? How convenient. Although I love musicals, I know how you feel, Eric. But you're right— this one is truly special. Or so I hear—naturally, I haven't seen it. Used to go to the theater all the time, when the Actors Fund had blood drives and gave tickets in exchange for a pint of blood. Now that I have to pay actual money . . . well, there's always the half-price TKTS booth.

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  14. Great photo Eric - I love it, and I never connected that there were no theaters doing musicals in Paris before. I'm not a huge fan of them either, but the clip looked really cool and I must say, I got some tickets to see Wicked, and that was a ton of fun too.

    31 hours............!

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  15. Julie Tamor is a genius. This is one of the most unusual and beautifully designed stage productions of many years. I especially like the moving pampas grass! Even if you don't like musicals, the sets and costumes will just blow you away. I can imagine the French will love this production, as it does remind me of many unusual and fully designed French events I've seen on TV.

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  16. Le Roi sees Le Roi Lion ! What could be more perfect.
    Amen!

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  17. Coincidentally enough I just ordered tickets for next weekend's showing of Sweeney Todd at the Fox here in St. Louis. I'm giving my...whatever, guy without a label a really awesome weekend next week!

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  18. when my oldest daughter & I were in London this summer we saw "Wicked" and it was incredible! my youngest turned 9 in October and coincidentally Wicked was showing at the Fox Theater in Atlanta her birthday weekend. We had such a wonderful time and I think it's so important to introduce our children to the theater. Growing up in NY I went often and have such wonderful memories of Phantom of the Opera and I even got to see Richard Chamberlian in My Fair Lady. It was magical!

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  19. I've only ever seen two musicals, and both were in London. I saw "The Phantom of the Opera" (yes, this IS a musical; no, it is NOT an opera), and "Anything Goes." I loved them both VERY much. But I have NEVER had a desire to see the Lion King. Glad you enjoyed it, though.

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  20. The Mogador is a great place to see not only a musical but also concerts and other productions. Small and intimate with still an old classic feel to it. Capturing the sign on camera is another issue. I always have problems photographing neon.

    The other big musical that was a hit in France, but not necessarily around the world, was Notre Dame de Paris. Leading to many now famous singers coming out of their strong work in NDdP. I'm off to Shanghai today so I'll keep an eye out to see if they do musicals in China. Somehow I don't think it's a common pastime.

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  21. That was great Jeff.
    Oh, how I didn't want to see the Lion King, but I bought Tkts for my nieces 10 yrs(?) ago and was stuck.
    I left saying, this is what theater is all about, It was entertaining on ALL levels,to be enjoyed by adults as well as kids. It was one of the best things I have seen, and I have been going to the theater before Guille was a gleam in her parent's eye.
    I wanted to see West Side Story when it was in CDG earlier this year, but it cost a fortune. It will be in NYC, soon, I heard.
    Sweeney Todd, my absolute fav. !!I see something new in every production I have seen. The movie stunk. Sorry.
    Alexa, you have some FANTASTIC B'way stories.

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  22. two things I found amusing. I love how Eric described "these shows". The Lion King was big in the US. Probably still is, but not sure what city(ies) it's in now. I saw it in LA and loved it. And I thought it was funny that Granma Ann might see if it's "movie". Maybe she didn't care for the Disney cartoon. Either way it's an amazing production. I'm going to see BBB in December so that should be fun.

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  23. Alexa, I'd never see theatre if I had to pay New York prices! From what PHX says it sounds like Paris is just as expensive. Is that true?

    Theatre is magical. You won't get an argument from me.

    Michael, enjoy your trip!

    Soosha, I remember those "whatever, guys without a label." My heart goes out to you.

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  24. 21 hours!!!

    Michael - have a safe and enjoyable journey (I never realized the root of that last word before!) and here's hoping you come back before I leave Paris!

    Now its off to a very long flignt. Depart 9:50 am, arrive 9:40 am. I'm bringing a good book and melatonin! See you all soon.

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  25. petrea- Thanks! It's good, label or not. Besides, I can tell my track record wont be broken anytime soon, he's still got some time to fit the pattern!

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  26. Thanks, Eric. Another show to add to my to-do list while I'm in Paris. A friend from London has been raving about Grease so I'm planning to see it, too.
    Ahh, now I'm wondering if 20 days will be enough to see it all..

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  27. Did somebody say "West Side Story"? Only my favorite musical of all time. I know musicals from the musician's perspective and I must say that had I not gone into teaching, I would have pursued a career in musical touring companies/session work (probably lived in NYC...hear that Alexa?;-) Seeing a show develop from pre-production(auditions/set design)start to finish is incredible. Love reading those old Broadway charts,too. Something magical about reading original score.

    As to this photo, I think these lights at night are not always easy to capture with this clarity and mood. You've caught it...glad you enjoyed the show.

    Michael...safe travels on your road to China.
    Jeff...you are
    H
    I
    L
    A
    R
    I
    O
    U
    S
    !

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  28. Well, I'm quite jealous because my neon lights pictures are not so good, Eric! I have some troubles to catch them...Not really interested in musicals but actually this one seems to be spactacular. What's more, I love the Disney cartoon and know all the songs (so what?).

    Shoosha "... Sweeney Todd at the Fox here in St. Louis. I'm giving my...whatever, guy without a label a really awesome weekend next week!
    "
    First, how lucky you are! I'm a huge fan of Tim Burton, and Sweeney Todd was a terrific movie.
    Secondly, may I steal this "guy without a label" expression from you??! It's so handy. And it's so true sometimes...LOL

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  29. I love this show. The first time I saw it, I had tears in my eyes with the opening scene. I was simply amazed at the grand costumes. I'm so glad you liked it.

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  30. Michael: bon voyage.

    Guille and Soosha: GIVE HIM A LABEL! Go on, don't be afraid. Make up your own! W\I wish I had somebody to not label!

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  31. Wonderful shot of the MOGADOR...a truly great Parisian venue with lot's of history! Merci!

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  32. Guille, yes you may. I use it because people keep calling him my boyfriend and he's not...yet. So he gets one of my special non-labels!

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  33. So how I said earlier that he's still got time to fit the pattern. I was spot on, he just told me a bit ago he wants something a bit more serious with me. I. am. good.

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  34. So, is that good or bad, Soosh? Sounds kinda romantic.

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