Seeing SPANDEX: My Body Is a Temple

Last year, writer Daniel F. Levin was kind enough to write a guest post for Emerging Musical Theatre about his new show, Spandex, a fun, energetic send-up to fitness and aerobics centering around the 1987 Crystal Light National Aerobic Competition, hosted by Alan Thicke. Since he was kind enough to share the behind-the-scenes journey the show had taken after a major industry reading, I'm happy to report that Spandex (with book and lyrics by Daniel, book also by Annie Grunow, and music by Julian Blackmore) is currently enjoying its first production Off-Broadway at the 777 Theater here in the city.

Telling the story of a housewife and an ex-gymnast who both find redemption in the uplifting exercise of aerobics, Spandex is both campy fun and a genuinely intriguing piece about community and personal growth/fitness. I had the pleasure of seeing the show on Sunday night, and what I found most fascinating about the show was realizing what a game changer aerobics was for women in America. While we now tend to dismiss aerobics as Richard Simmons-esque stuff, we forget how revolutionary the idea was that women could find an outlet to workout in the comfort of their own homes through tapes, or within a small social group at the gym. This definitely made the show more than just an opportunity to break out the moves-- it gave those moves purpose and said a lot about the female characters who are struggling to find strength within themselves.

I also have to note that the score is pretty awesome, and there are a few songs that I've had running in my head since seeing the show (big props to composer Julian Blackmore). 80s pop/rock tends to produce a lot of earworms, and this show is no exception. There are some wonderful ballads throughout, and I have to admit I got a lot of guilty pleasure out of a particularly lavish, testosterone-filled number complete with rifles that is referenced in the title of this post.

It's really exciting to see new writers hustling and bringing their work to the stage. If you're in the mood for a high-energy romantic comedy infused with aerobic dance (because... why not), Spandex is lots of fun. Congrats to Daniel and the team! (Get your tickets here)

A Banner Year: Three Cheers for Pasek and Paul

I remember I used to watch clips of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's song cycle, Edges, from my dorm room in Georgia my Freshman year of college, a turbulent time in my life when I found myself stuck in a college town but in desperate need of new life experiences and challenges. "Monticello" was a lifeline for me, and it's been a real joy over the years to see the show continue to change, get a professional production, and help Pasek and Paul carve out spaces for themselves in the theatre world.

This past year (even these past couple of months) have been especially exciting for Pasek and Paul, as their work has not only had some major productions in 2012, but is now getting recognized in awards season. Next week, the duo will be celebrating the release of the cast recording of Second Stage's production of Dogfight at Joe's Pub-- though the album is already available for digital download and is well worth the early grab. I, sadly (and brokely), missed the Second Stage production (which just recently won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical), but man, is Sh-K-Boom preserving some good stuff with the recording of this album. All the performers are top notch-- with Lindsay Mendez's voice a clearly ringing standout throughout, and the songs are ebullient and smart. If this is the future of musical theatre, the kids are alright. I dare you to watch the preview video below with a sample of "First Date/Last Night" and not get hooked.

Pasek and Paul are also up for a Tony for their score for A Christmas Story, which is thrilling. Also, their nomination made this wonderful little Q&A possible.

And last, but hardly least, Pasek and Paul song have been tearing it up on the notorious Smash.

So big congrats go out to Pasek and Paul-- and if you haven't had a chance to check out their music, you gotta get on it! There's no excuse anymore. They're out there killing it, and I couldn't be happier for their success.

My April Youtube Playlist

Hey, everyone! Long time no blog-- I know, I know. This has been the longest I've gone without writing on here since starting Emerging Musical Theatre. Sorry for the delay; life has been a bit cray cray. It's been about a month since I've last posted on here, so to help catch up, I thought I would share some of my favorite musical theatre-related videos/songs I've had on repeat in April:

Heather Headley singing "Memory" in an Andrew Lloyd Weber TV special

Holy cow, guys! You think you've heard this song, but the clarity of this version definitely breathes new life into an old favorite.

Megan Hilty singing "They Just Keep Moving The Line" in Smash

Any Smash politics aside-- this is just a damn good song and Hilty is flawless.

Jeremy Jordan singing "Drift" by Kooman and Dimond

Speaking of Smash...

Farah Alvin singing "Misery Loves My Company" by Daniel Mate

Daniel was the recipient of the 2013 Kleban Award, which was announced in April. Congrats!!

The original London cast of Matilda singing "Miracle"

I revisited Matilda this month and while I still maintain that the pacing is a bit off, I also find so much of this show delightful, especially the musical numbers. This opening is particularly thrilling (and a dreamy doctor doesn't hurt).

PigPen Theatre Company's TED Talk with a performance of "Just Like the Sea"

Yes, this includes a whole TED Talk (and it's good-- I promise!). But towards the end, when they perform a song from The Old Man in the Old Moon, you are watching them recreate one of my favorite things I've ever seen in a theater space.

Sierra Boggess and Julian Ovenden singing "If I Loved You" from Carousel in a BBC Proms recording

Can't. Stop. Watching. May need an intervention.

The Winner of Tickets for THE MEMORY SHOW Is...

Thanks to everyone who entered to win tickets to see The Memory Show! The winner of the contest is... FranklinShepard! DM me on Twitter with your email, so I can get you your voucher.

Even if you didn't win tickets, I've still got a deal for you. Below are some codes so you can save on tickets:

THE MEMORY SHOW – SPECIAL OFFERS

EARLY BIRD OFFER (April 16 - 28 performances): $35 tickets –
use code TMSRR1

OFFER #2 (May 1-18 performances): $45.50 tickets – use code TMSRR3

TO REDEEM:

ONLINE: CLICK HERE and use code from above
PHONE: Call 646.223.3010 and mention code from above

OFFER RESTRICTIONS: (Regularly $65) Subject to availability. Not valid on prior purchase. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts of promotions; blackout dates and restrictions may apply. No refunds or exchanges. Offer may be revoked at any time. Standard service fees apply to all phone and internet orders.

Win Tickets to See THE MEMORY SHOW

Hey, guys! We're back with another contest to win free tickets-- this time, it's to see The Memory Show, a musical by Sara Cooper and Zach Redler that will be playing at The Duke on 42nd from April 16-May 18. I had the pleasure of getting to see a preview of this show at NAMT a few years ago, and it is a really beautiful, complex story of a daughter who moves back home to care for her aging mother. One of my favorite songs from the show is below, titled "Me and My Mother":

This new production stars powerhouses Catherine Cox and Leslie Krtizer and promises to be a powerful night of theatre. Want to see it for free? Here's all you need to do to enter:

• To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post mentioning your favorite theatre memory by midnight on Saturday 4/6.

• For a bonus entry, follow me on Twitter (@emergingmt) and tweet (or retweet) the following: "Win tickets to THE MEMORY SHOW Off-Broadway from @emergingmt. Enter here: http://emergingmt.blogspot.com/2013/04/win-tickets-to-see-memory-show.html"

• I will randomly draw one winner to receive a voucher for 2 tickets to a performance of his/her choice. Remember to check back here on this blog on Sunday night (4/7) to see if you've won.

CONTEST RESTRICTIONS: Winner receives a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a performance of their choice.  Voucher expires May 18, 2013.  Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Here are more deets from the show:

Showing up is half the battle...and then there's the other half. When a daughter comes home to care for her aging mother, memory is only one land mine in this contemporary new musical. Conflicting versions of the past collide in this honest and darkly funny portrait of a mother, a daughter, and their inescapable relationship.

Drama Desk & OBIE Award winning Transport Group Theatre Company brings you the New York premiere of The Memory Show, with book & lyrics by Sara Cooper and music by Zach Redler. Directed by Lucille Lortel Award winner Joe Calarco (Shakespeare's R & J), The Memory Show stars Tony Award nominee Catherine Cox (Baby, Footloose) and Drama Desk Award nominee Leslie Kritzer (A Catered Affair, Rooms).

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT! APRIL 16 – MAY 18

The Duke on 42nd Street- 229 West 42^nd Street

www.DukeOn42.org │www.transportgroup.org

Listening to People You May Know

Many of the cabaret concerts covered on this blog are initiated by the songwriters themselves or by theatre companies specifically interested in showcasing new writing talent. People You May Know cabaret series is a collection of three actors-- Julia Burrows, Michael Deleget, and Leslie Henstock-- who choose three songwriters/songwriting teams to feature in each iteration of their concerts (their last was version 4.0).

People You May Know is an interesting glimpse into what it is about new work that inspires and interests actors, as the performers takes turns tackling some of the writers' songs and other songs that have influenced the writers' work. When it comes to the latter, sometimes this leads to a rousing cover of classics like "I Can't Make You Love Me," but other times it can lead to interesting new arrangements (usually by musical director Andrew Byrne) like a mashup of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "One and Only." Overall, the shows are great for any musical theatre enthusiast because they welcome new interpretations of newer work, with a fresh stamp by the performers themselves.

I had the pleasure of attending People You May Know 4.0, which featured personal favorite writers of mine: Michael Mahler, Will Van Dyke, and Joe Iconis. Below are some highlights, but feel free to watch all the videos from the show on People You May Know's Youtube channel or on their website (there's videos from past shows too!)

Michael and Julia singing Michael Mahler's "Couldn't You Stay":

Michael singing Will Van Dyke's "Settle":

Leslie singing Joe Iconis' "The Actress":

And because it's too manic and delicious not to share, Julia singing Joe Iconis' "Ammonia":

Discount to F#%KING UP EVERYTHING

Didn't win the pair of tickets to F#%king Up Everything? Didn't even know there was a contest going on? Want to see it anyway?

If you still want a deal on tickets, all preview tickets before the show begins March 15th are only $30 (no code required). But if you're not free this week, we do have a special promo code giving a discount to all performances beginning March 27th. Here's the offer:

SPECIAL OFFER: 

$39 tickets (beginning March 27^th)

TO REDEEM:

ONLINE: CLICK HERE and use code RRM39

PHONE: Call 212-352-3101 and mention code RRM39

RESTRICTIONS:  Regularly $49. Offer may be revoked at anytime and is subject to availability.  Not valid on prior purchase. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions; blackout dates and restrictions may apply.  Maximum of 8 tickets total with offer.  

***CLICK HERE should hyperlink to:  https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/920840/prm/RRM39

Thanks to everyone who entered! Be sure to check back in the future for other contests and coverage of new musicals!