Happy Halloween!

Look What I Made (2):

Max Payne

Hey peoples, last Sunday Michael, Mr. Adam & I went to see the new Max Payne movie. I have the xbox game, so I knew what the movie would be like. And I do like me some Mark Wahlberg, but I have to say...this movie was mediocre...at best. Sure the action shots were entertaining. Sure there was some sort of sci-fi Nordic demon/angels of war. And sure there was drugs. But honestly, it was a big budget TV show.

Wait till it's on HBO, don't even get the DVD.

Look What I Made:

One Year

...and Angus was watching

This past Friday, there was an alignment of stars, so to speak. A convergence of talent, sweat and dedication sweetened with support and love. "What are you talking about ryan charisma?" Hold on, I'm milking the moment...

OK, great - I made my 'phili-something' point. Anyway, a group of friends from my undergrad years in the university theater company (SMUTCo) gathered here in NYC. We were all here to support our friends Gail & Ernie with the musical they've been writing, re-writing & writing again called Monsters. They had a staged reading with Ms. Andrea McCartle (original Annie) singing the lead character. This reading was to wrangle up some financial backing and producers for their musical. I'm not going to review the show as I only review full productions. I don't think reviewing a work in progress is fair. So I'll say this, the cast was one of the strongest casts I've seen out of all the incarnations I've seen of this show. And I believe I've seen them all over the years.

It was so great to see my friends that I never see. "Why ryan charisma?" Well, because life takes people and tosses them across states and oceans. It gives us families and basic life to deal with. It takes it's toll on people. So now, although our friendships still seem to be as strong as ever, we've all moved along the paths that make staying close difficult if not impossible. My biggest wish, was that they stayed longer. One night in NYC is not long enough.

So in turn, our mentor Angus Baily, who was the director of our theater company, was alive again watching his people pull it together once more. His spirit lived on in the script, in the support, in the arguing and most of all in the performance of Monsters.

Here's to you Angus, and the wonderful people you brought together and taught.

GYPSY

Saw it! Now listen childruns, I know I swore I'd never see this show again. I know the rumors that Patti plays Momma Rose crazed. But my friend Michael got tickets for Gail, Patti, Sam & myself to see this show last Wednesday night. The show fucking rocked! Oooops! I cusseded.

"Here she is boys!" Patti LuPone was stellar in this performance. Was she crazed? Yes, she was slightly, but I think it gave a whole new level her character. Boyd Gains brought a whole level to the thankless role of Herbie. I truly thought this show would drag on for 12 hours. It did not. It was done wonderfully. I see why this show won so many Tony Awards. I'm glad I saw it.

"ryan charisma, what was your favorite part of the show?" Well, I'm going to have to say .... the cow. And there you have it. This show was great, see it before Patti is out and it closes. Now I can go back to never needing to see this show ever again. It's so long.

Sticky & Sweet Tour - MADONNA

I LOVE MADONNA! Last Tuesday I took Mr. Adam to see Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour. We joined Evan & Jeffrey before the show for drinkies as Mr. Adam & I were on our stay-cation. We arrived for the 8pm show at 8:30pm and Madonna started promptly at 9:20pm. I've learned she doesn't begin at the ticket time.

First off I have to say, Madonna's multi-media effects were incredible. They always are. Her theme of sticky & sweet lasted for the first two songs then the show became a free flow of her new and old tunes. I have to say this, and it pains me to to even write it "This was not one of her best tours." There I said it. Her last two tours were superior to this one. First, Madonna rocked out a few too many songs. She's been known to reinterpret her 80's hits before and in this case her new version of Borderline was awesome. But then again, instead of only rocking out 2-3 songs, she did more like 6-7. Her costumes were black. That's all. If she had on any color is was a necklace or a vest/jacket type of thing. Bad costumes.

Madonna, during a sing along to "I love New York" ripped into Sara Palin singing "Palin get off of my street, get off of my street! If Palin makes it to Washington, I'll kick her ass!" God I love Madonna.

Good show, if you've never seen Madonna, you should go you won't be disappointed. If you have seen Madonna, don't go with expectations of her last two tours. It won't compare.

I'm still glad I went, I would have never forgiven myself if I missed the show.

Eagle Eye IMAX

Good day my petite cupcakes! Last week (Monday) I took Mr. Adam to go see Eagle Eye on the Imax here in NYC. What an exciting movie to watch. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say the story is old hat. We've seen the whole 'computers taking over the world' thing many times. This is just a newer version of that theme. But the special effects are awesome. The action sequences are thrilling, and breath taking. Should I see this ryan charisma? Well, I would say both yes & no. If you have an Imax theater - yes go. If not, wait for the DVD. As I said - the story has been done many times.

STAY-CATION

Hey all! I'm back. Mr. Adam & I took last week off. We decided not to go anywhere and to do what I've longed to do for quite some time. Stay home and actually rest. God I loved it. Usually with vacations, I need another just to rest. I didn't want to spend my days out of work traveling and burning the candle at both ends. I just couldn't do it. We had so many obligations last week, both personally and socially that we decided that it would be best to take the whole week off and get in some personal/couple time too. Did financed have anything to do with it ryan charisma? No, although I will admit that when Mr. Adam and I discuss where we would like to go - we both are at a loss. I've traveled allot as has Mr. Adam. Leaving the country is pretty much out until the dollar is stronger and the United States isn't so hated. Beyond that, I don't really know where I would want to go. Nothing excites me right now. Am I jaded? Probably. My next want/wish is to cancel Christmas for just one year. Really, just pretend it's not happening. No gifts, no decorations & no stress. I know, I'm a dreamer. Anyway, I'm back and now playing catch up!

[title of show]

Last night, Michael took Sam, Mr. Adam & I to see [title of show]. From the very first song, I loved this show. It's a show about writing a show about writing a show. Follow? Of course, I'm SO grateful I was lucky enough to see the original cast as I'm sure once the rights are open to the public there will be plenty of knock off productions.

The show stars the two writers (Jeff Bowen & Hunter Bell) of the musical and two of their friends (Heidi Blickenstaff & Susan Blackwell); oh and a piano player. Yes, low budget musical! Call Samuel French now! [title of show] follows the new 90 minute/ no intermission format that Broadway seems to have embraced in the past few years. The set is basically 4 chairs in a faux NYC apt. with the piano player upstage left in the apartment. Costumes were simple everyday clothes. I LOVED IT. How much do you love it ryan charisma? Well, so much that I have it on my iPod already. You heard me, within 12 hours, I've loaded it in. Have you?

ryan charisma, should I see it? YES! YES! YES! Especially if you like shows that have Broadway jokes and references, but sadly, you must see it before October 12, 2008. That's when the show is scheduled to close due to this economy. Sad really. Real art just doesn't sell tickets. I'm so glad I saw it. You will be too!