This is probably the most excited I've been to write a review,
so get ready for over-uses of 'great,' 'amazing,' 'so good'
...
HEY! You go see the show and try to describe it any other way...

City of Angels was one of, if not the most anticipated show of the year in London.

Filled with a cast of some of the biggest names in West End Theatre, it completely sold out
over five months before it's opening night.

BIG. DEAL.

Thanks to Barclays Front Row, a few tickets become available every Monday at 10AM,

and just like the rest of them, these tickets sell within minutes.

Luckily I was able to snag one, and I made my way down to the Donmar Warehouse this past Saturday.

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Set in 1940s Hollywood, the story intertwines two plots within one story.
We see the struggling writer, Stine, working on perfecting his latest screenplay against the wishes of self-absorbed producer Buddy Fidler to 'fluff' up the script.
Mirroring this is Stine's screenplay coming to life - centered around Detective Stone, we watch his investigation on missing teen Mallory Kingsley and the twists and turns you'd expect from an old, sultry, suspense film.

With two differing dynamics, the staging of this show is just incredible.
The story of Stine's screenplay is strictly set in black and white, as if the film is in front of our eyes
and the real world of Stine and life are full in color.
While it provides a clear distinction for which storyline we are watching, it also creates a fun and visually fantastic sight when the two plots are incorporated together on the same stage.

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 I have never seen such a cast create a story so well.
Really. I couldn't even find a standout actor they were all so great for this show.

I had seen both Hadley Fraser and Tam Mutu in Les Miserables.
Hadley more times than I probably should have.
He is quite possibly my favorite actor to watch, but I think Tam might have jumped onto that list too.

Taking on the roles of Stine and Stone, it was almost like they were made for the men.
And their chemistry together was so great to watch.
It was also prettttty cool to watch two Javert's in a 'Confrontation' style scene with 'You're Nothing Without Me.'
Definitely the highlight of the show.

 

Rosalie Craig and Rebecca Trehearn gave the guys a run for their money, though.
I had seen Rebecca in Ghost when she went on as an understudy,
and specifically remember liking her better than the original lead.
So I was already excited to see what she'd bring to this show.
And it was, of course, amazing.
Her connection with the audience during 'You Can Always Count On Me' was one of the best I've seen.

I had never seen Rosalie, but have heard so many things about her,
one being 'the greatest stage actor of her generation.'
Needless to say, she had a lot to live up to for me.
 And they were right, they were ALL right.
With a stunning voice and an amazing stage presence, she left me lost for words.

 The rest of the cast added nothing but strength to the show.
Peter Polycarpou was excellent as self-obsessed producer Buddy Fidler,
Katherine Kelly was an absolutely hilarious trophy wife, and as a big fan of Les Miserables, it was pretty great to see Samantha Barks on the stage.

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I knew the show was going to be a good one, but I didn't realize how good it was.
It was a star cast, the staging was mesmerizing - an overall incredible production.

Which I'm using as justification for already grabbing a few more tickets to see it again....
But really, do we actually need an excuse to see more theatre?


City of Angels runs at Donmar Warehouse until February 7th 2015.
Performances are Monday - Saturday 19:30, with matinees Wednesday & Saturday 14:00.
The show is SOLD OUT, but Barclays Front Row tickets are available every Monday 10AM.
The running time is 2 hours 35 minutes with one intermission.

1. Can you believe it'll be 2015 next week?

TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN???

I swear it was 2012 yesterday...

The years have flown by faster than I can imagine,

and I can't decide if I like it or not.

I'm so excited to see what the future brings,

but I want to live this amazing life right now!

I guess it's more of a good problem to have than a bad one, right?

2. I'm starting to try and eat healthier, and Heather's got me real interested in this quinoa craze.

Have you seen all the quinoa recipes on Pinterest?

Who knew how good food can still be, even when you make a few better changes..

2. I saw Donmar Warehouse's production of City of Angels last night,

and I was absolutely blown away.

It's possibly the best show I've ever seen.
The cast was ridiculous, the set was stunning - I can't say enough good things about it.

Absolutely going back if I manage to get tickets.

3.Taylor at Due East Blog

because she is doing all the traveling.

She was just in Iceland, now in America,

and about to embark for the next two weeks throughout Europe, starting in Prague.

And she's not bringing her camera. WHAT?

No, it makes sense. Just check her out.

4. CHRISTMAS IS IN FOUR DAYS.

While Heather and I won't be back with our families in the states,

we've got the day set - 

Baking, pizza, wine, onesies, presents, more wine.

I mean.... can Christmas get better than that??

Speaking of Christmas...and alcohol...

Heather and I have been delving into some Christmas cocktail to spice up the holiday,

and lucky for us, 

we found some extra spicey holiday drinks at Bar Soho in Covent Garden or Core in Bank.

They feature the limited edition Jagermeister Spice which is obviously delicious,

and a bunch of other goodies.

If you're trying to spice up your Christmas week without going out to the bars, though,

why not make these treats at home?

A few of my favorites (which, of course, include wine and chocolate):

P.S. I Love J (Jagermeister, duh)

- 25 ML Jagermeister Spice

- 25ML Baileys

- 12.5ML Amaretto

- 12.5ML Kahlua

- 50ML half milk/half cream

Shake this baby over ice, and you're set.

Spicey Stag Punch

- 50ML Jagermeister Spice

- 12.5ML Amaretto

- 12.5ML Chambord

-  25ML Red Wine

- 12.5ML Lemon Juice

- A dash of Grenadine

Top it off with Lemonade, and start drinking.

And if these are a bit complex for you, why not just make some boozey hot chocolate?

Literally, just add Jagermeister Spice and Bailey's to hot chocolate.

It's THAT EASY.

These will definitely make us feel a littttttle more mature,
if that's possible while wearing a onesie...

Enjoy!

I saw this show on Monday, and I'm still thinking about how hilarious it was.

That should be enough convincing, if you ask me.

Urinetown is a satirical musical, that makes a bit of a mockery out of ... well, everything.
The government, legal systems, corporate business,
even musical theatre.
 And it's all absolutely hilarious.

The show takes place in the town of Urinetown,
You think the title is the strangest thing about this show?
The plot focuses around a city law that forces everyone to take care of their 'private business' in public bathrooms.
Told you.

An uprising from the people, though, creates a war between the corporate toilet controllers, Urine Good Company, and the public.

It's ultimately an anti-musical with an un-happy ending.

You're interested, I know.



The show is directed by Jamie Lloyd, who after this and the recently seen production of Assassins,
I am officially convinced this man does no wrong.
Matthew Seadon-Young who takes on the handsome young attendant to Public Amenity #9, Bobby Strong, proved his range with plenty of great (and hilarious) riffs and high notes throughout the show.  He even leads the cast in a gospel-style number with the longest applause you'll ever be apart of.
Rosanna Hyland (who I'm overly surprised has never played Glinda in Wicked. She would kick that role's ass) nailed the part of the bubbly pretty-girl Hope Cladwell as well.
And Jonathan Slinger was the highlight of the show, breaking the fourth wall as the narrator to talk to us throughout the show, reminding us that we should not expect anything that we thought we'd see on a night out at the theatre.

I'll be honest, I wasn't overly excited to see this show at first, but knew it was one of those 'have to see's' before it closes this January.
But what I can tell you after seeing it - is that I will definitely be going back.
Like next week.
I may just be a huge fan of sarcasm, but it really was THAT good.

December already?

I'm HALFWAY FINISHED with a Master's degree!
For how much of a school person I'm not, I should be proud enough to have gotten this far..

Anyways,
I've spent the last weekend wandering around London,
trying to make sense that I actually live here.
I was in Trafalgar Square yesterday texting Heather pictures with
"Just in case you forgot, we live here. Like I can look at this every day because we live here.
How cool is that?"

If you've read this blog before, you pretty much know the story.

Blah blah, study abroad, blah blah, life changed,

blah blah, work work work, blah blah moved back to London.

Moving back here though, I did it knowing that it was for and unforeseeable future.

And as much as I absolutely hate not knowing the outcome - with a passion.
A serious hate, I'll tell ya.
There is also something so thrilling about it too.

I'm making all of my dreams come true, but have no idea what's to come next.

Isn't that the beauty of it all though?
Four years ago, I didn't even know what London would mean to me,
Four years before that I didn't know how theatre would change me.
Who knows what the next four are going to show me...

I was actually asked this other week in an interview,

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

To which I gave the absolute worst answer for - 

not only was I completely taken back with the realization that I had NO idea where I would be in 5 years,

I then had to mumble up some type of an answer that would sound like I had a plan.
 Which I do - but the plan I had 5 years ago is no where near where I am now.

So I couldn't be anything but honest.

Never could I have predicted where I have been in these past years,

how do you expect me to know where I'll be in the next?

Life has taken so many twists and turns,

and I've learned more about myself and what I'm capable of - 

which is more than I could ever imagine.

So while I am completely and utterly terrified of the future,

I couldn't be more excited.

Because so far, life has been everything I've ever wanted.