#1st national tour

[cometomecosette]

Once again, the three classic production photos of Enjolras comforting a crying Marius after Éponine's death.

Because every now and then, they need to be shared.

*John Herrera and Hugh Panaro (US 1st National Tour, 1987)

*Greg Blanchard and Reece Holland (US 2nd National Tour, 1988)

*Jason McCann and Niklas Andersson (London, 2000)

[iavender-haze]

taylor swift at country music awards, 2007.

one thousand followers special

[personinthepalace]

Lost Footage: Laura Bell Bundy as Elle Woods in the 1st US National Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical

This is the last 22 mins of the show and the only known video footage of LBB playing Elle in the US tour!

What is of particular interest to me is that this includes LBB's performance of the ballad without the door. I personally believe that there should be a door (a physical barrier) between Elle and Emmett when this song is performed so that Elle can't hear Emmett confess his love for her (the way it was played on Broadway). In the US tour version, Emmett confesses directly to Elle in the room, and she hears him.

However, I think that LBB's performance of this doorless version is quite beautiful. There are two distinct pauses she make during this piece (the music even stops with her). The first time is to touch D.B. Bonds' face (Emmett) with one hand (similar to how she touches Christian Borle's face before escaping into her room in the Broadway version). The second pause is to cradle his face with both of her hands before pulling him into a hug.

Even though I will always be a proponent of having the door during the ballad, I really love LBB's take in this performance. It is truly the only version of it that I like so far, and I actually kinda wish we could see her do this specific performance with Christian Borle.

[ipoke-idraw]

my brain stopped reading the video title after this. like i got stunlocked

i won't be blamed for that, it was only a small image on my phone

[dreamings-free]

Live Nation Norge (Norway) instagram story 28/7/23

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[phagodyke]

my 2 most recent lastfm weekly summaries (for 1st/2nd weeks of july)..... i think i have a Problem

[finleyforevermore]

Im so glad I could do that for you! <333

And i love you too, thank you 💖💖💖💚💚💙 /plat

this genuinely made my day ilysm 😞🫶

[elphabaoftheopera]

Heya! Just wanted to ask you as a big Wicked fan - do you know of any Black actors who have played Fiyero? :)

Hello!!!! Thank you for asking, talking about Wicked actors is one of my favorite things to do!

Yes! There are some AMAZING Black actors who have played Fiyero!

Taye Diggs played Fiyero for a time early in the Broadway run (late 2003-early 2004). Fun fact he got to play opposite Idina Menzel (his then wife!)

Derrick Williams was the original Fiyero for the 1st National Tour Cast in North America! He also went on to play the role on Broadway. (Side note: I met him when he was on tour with Book of Mormon and he was so nice!)

Christian Thompson recently played Fiyero on the 2nd National Tour (North America) in 2023-early 2024. He also did a short stint on Broadway covering the role when Jordan Litz was out for a few weeks.

I got to see him on tour in his first week of performances and he was AMAZING!

Ryan Reid is currently playing Fiyero in the West End London cast. Fun fact: He plays opposite Alexia Khadime (Elphaba) and Lucy St. Louis (Glinda) who are both Black as well. Their contracts will all be up fairly soon, but they've been playing the leads in London for about a year now.

Last (but not least) Xavier McKinnon is currently playing Fiyero in the North American 2nd National Tour! I hope to get to see him perform this spring.

Those are all of the Black actors who have played Fiyero that came to my mind, but there may be more. If my followers know of any others, please add them!

In recent years I believe we've been seeing an uptick in casting diverse actors for the major roles in Wicked. I certainly hope that continues!

[neil-gaiman]

Dear Mr. Gaiman,

I’ve been meaning to write to you for a bit and today -  May 1st - is a prefect bit of timing.

I’d like to address 2 1/2 things if I may: You recently posted a conversation you had about losing a cat and how much the death of a pet hits you. My spouse and I have and have had a number of pets - best friends really - pass away. One of the ways we have come to deal with their moving on is to make up a story.

(To be honest, yet another story. Our friends live very full lives, indeed.) Our Tuxedo cat, Tybalt, is now playing bass in a Journey cover band that tours. I travel a lot for work and that allows “Tybalt” to send us postcards telling of his latest adventures. Since today is May Day and the expiration of the Writer’s contract I wanted to say bravo to you for posting about it and the subtles of the issues at hand. Most people looking at Hollywood will not give carful consideration to what is at hand.

Since you have the currency of a celebrity that is thoughtful and nuanced your voice carries over much of the rhetoric. I thank you for that. I should say at this point that I also work in film and television and have for most of the last 30 years. I am a grip and enjoy the craft of my job.

While the concerns of your Guild are valid and should be addressed i would like to point out that your voice and those of your colleagues are heard. All the national pages and news outlets are carrying the story. As they should. In 2021, IATSE (the union the covers all the below the line craft people in the United Staes and Canada with approximately a 150,000 members) was set to renew our contact that August. Our asks for that contract were minimal and most of us assumed the contract would be updated with little haggling. The producers balked. They, in fact, wanted to get rid of a number of long held points in our contract. This went on for four months. Something that never happed in my 30 years of work. I won’t go into all the details. I assume that you have a passing familiarity with the issues.

My point to all of this is that our voice was never heard. All the news outlets merely interviewed the producers and only gave their side of the story. And this happens every time the is a contract or safety issue (Think “Rust”. Reporters never interviewed other armors. The closest that came to a below the line voice was an essay written by a Prop Master - who happens to be Martin Scorsese’s daughter.)

Most producers have little idea of what it takes to make a show. But they are the only ones who are quoted. Overlapping during these 4 months was the John Deere strike (with just over 10,000 members).  And good for them. 

It should be noted that their coverage was far greater than ours.

There are 7 stories about the John Deere strike in the New York Times morgue. There are none for the IATSE contract negotiations. I can go on but I feel I should wrap this up. If you’ve read this far, I thank you.

I have an ask for you. The half of my 2 1/2 things to say. When the IATSE contract comes up for re-negotiation next year, would you please put a posting on your social media sites about it? 

The same as you have done for your Guild? It would give us a voice we have not had before. Thank You, Spider Goat P.S. Also thank you for all the wonderful stories you've written. I do so love visiting the worlds you've created.

I was pushing IATSE on Social Media last time -- for example

and pushing things like the @ia_stories Instagram link -

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IATSE Stories (@ia_stories)

I will do it again. And I was disappointed by the outcome of the negotiations last time, too.

[professorspork]

Punctum Project, Installment 8

(what the heck is the Punctum Project? read me!)

May 23, 2006 - 1st National Tour Julia Murney, Kendra Kassebaum, Kyle McDaniel (u/s)

What:

[Elphie goes in for a second kiss before leaving Fiyero]

How come:

I've never seen anyone but Julia do this and it RULES. GET IT GIRL.

Like on the one shallow hand it is just thirsty as hell and you know I respect that, but also -- on a deeper level -- it just shows that she truly believes everything is For The Last Time. she's desperate and frightened and she's got to grab every last bit of happiness while she can because it's limited

AND

THE THING IS

SHE'S RIGHT

[theroyalsandi]

STATE VISIT BY THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF JAPAN Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th June 2024

Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of His Majesty The King from Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th June 2024.

Their Majesties The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Buckingham Palace.

STATE VISIT PROGRAMME:

SATURDAY 22nd JUNE • The Emperor and Empress of Japan will arrive privately in the United Kingdom on the afternoon of Saturday 22nd June at Stansted Airport. • Their Majesties will be greeted by His Excellency Mr Hajime Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan. The Viscount Brookeborough KG, Lord-in-Waiting, will greet Their Majesties on behalf of The King.

SUNDAY 23rd JUNE AND MONDAY 24TH JUNE • Before the State Visit formally commences, the Emperor will conduct a private programme of engagements, including a visit to Japan House and the Thames Barrier.

TUESDAY 25th JUNE • His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will greet the Emperor and Empress of Japan, at their hotel, on behalf of The King on Tuesday morning. • His Royal Highness will travel with the Emperor and Empress to Horse Guards Parade, where Their Majesties will receive a Ceremonial Welcome. • The King and Queen will formally welcome the Emperor and Empress at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Japanese National Anthem will be played. • The King and Queen will formally welcome the Emperor and Empress at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Japanese National Anthem will be played. • The Emperor, accompanied by The King, will then inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards. Afterwards, the Emperor and Empress will join The King and Queen, and The Prince of Wales, in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will be met by a second Guard of Honour formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. • Following a lunch at Buckingham Palace, given by The King, His Majesty will invite the Emperor and Empress to view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to Japan. • In the afternoon, the Emperor and Empress will visit Westminster Abbey, where the Emperor will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Their Majesties will take a tour of the Abbey, accompanied by the Dean of Westminster. • In the evening, The King, accompanied by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family, will give a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for The Emperor and Empress of Japan. Speeches will be made by The King and the Emperor at the beginning of the banquet.

WEDNESDAY 26th JUNE • The Emperor will visit The Francis Crick Institute, the UK's flagship biomedical research centre. The Institute supports an innovative UK-Japan research partnership which covers a range of public health issues, including cancer, vaccines, and the role of genetics in infectious diseases. • That evening, The Emperor of Japan, joined by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, will attend a Banquet at the Guildhall given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor and The Emperor will both make speeches at the end of the banquet.

THURSDAY 27th JUNE • The Emperor and Empress of Japan will formally bid farewell to The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace on the morning of the final day of the official State Visit programme. • The Emperor and Empress will travel to Young V&A, part of the V&A family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity around the world, where the museum's Japan: Myths to Manga exhibition is currently on display. • The Emperor will privately visit St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, in the King George VI Chapel. The Garter Banners of the current members of the Order of the Garter, including the banner belonging to • His Majesty's father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, are displayed in the Quire of St. George's Chapel. • Later that afternoon, His Majesty the Emperor will tour the historic Temperate House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The Millennium Seed Bank, coordinated by Kew is the world's largest collection of over 2.4 billion wild plant seeds spanning 97 countries, preserving Japanese and international biodiversity. Bronze Bonsai sculptures by artist Marc Quinn are currently displayed in the Temperate House, surrounded by a display of Bonsai trees from Kew's collection.

FRIDAY 28th JUNE • On their final day in the UK, The Emperor and Empress of Japan will visit Oxford for a private programme of engagements including a visit to the colleges where Their Majesties studied. • At the conclusion of the visit, The Lord Chamberlain will bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress on behalf of The King, before they depart from RAF Brize Norton.

[cometomecosette]

The filmed 1991 performance from the US 1st National Tour uses the same martyrdom pose for Fantine, Gavroche, and Enjolras.

(Sorry about the bad image quality.)

In Brick Club and Les Mis Letters posts, various people have written about the parallels Hugo creates between Fantine and Enjolras. Both are beautiful blue-eyed blondes. Both are likened to Greek deities and mythical figures in their looks and demeanor. Both are described at first as epitomes of chasteness and purity (though Enjolras is obviously the more virginal of the two). Both are likened to marble at certain points (Fantine in her hardness and coldness after she becomes a prostitute, Enjolras in general). Despite their delicate appearance, both have fierce courage. Both die in their mid-to-late 20s. Both sacrifice everything for love (Fantine for love of her daughter, Enjolras for love of his country and his ideals). And both are crushed by society and the law.

I don't know if anyone involved in the earlier productions of the musical thought of these parallels. But I've noticed a certain minor detail in videos of productions from the '90s and early 2000s:

In several of these performances – especially from the US tours – at the end of "Fantine's Arrest," Fantine faints as the constables are picking her up to carry her to the hospital. As they carry her upstage to exit, her limp head and arms hang over their shoulders in almost the exact same position that Enjolras's lifeless body will later hang from the barricade in Act II.

It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, but I still wonder if that could have been an intentional parallel between the two martyrs.

@quarryquest

[cirquedusoleilfan12]

Since my last Gelphie post was so well liked... here's another one :D

Bootleg:

Wicked | 1st US National Tour (Emerald City) | January 18, 2009 (M) | Unknown | Partial

[medium-observation]

February Release!

Schmigadoon! - Broadway Center Stage

February 6, 2025 - Medium Observation

Video

Cast:

Alex Brightman (Josh Skinner), Sara Chase (Melissa Gimble), Isabelle McCalla (Emma Tate), Javier Muñoz (Doc Lopez), McKenzie Kurtz (Betsy McDonough), Ryan Vasquez (Danny Bailey), Brad Oscar (Mayor Aloysius Menlove), Ann Harada (Florence Menlove), Kevin Del Aguila (Reverend Layton/Leprechaun), Emily Skinner (Mildred Layton), Ayaan Diop (Carson Tate), Angel Reda (Countess Gabrielle Von Blerkom/Ensemble), Richard Riaz Yoder (Harvey the Innkeeper/Ensemble), Nathan Lucrezio (Farmer McDonough/Ensemble), Jess LeProtto (Pete/Ensemble), Phillip Attmore (Freddy/Ensemble), Brandon Block (Buford Riggs/Ensemble), Holly Ann Butler (Helen Pritt/Ensemble), Max Clayton (Larry the Fireman/Ensemble), Kimberly Immanuel (Zaneeta/Ensemble), Eloise Kropp (Nancy/Ensemble), Lauralyn McClelland (Ruth O’Reilly/Ensemble), Shina Ann Morris (Norma Nelson/Ensemble)

Master Notes:

Near perfect video of this AMAZING show. There is some washout in wideshots but that's really the only issue with this video aside from some shakiness and readjusting throughout.

NFT Date: August 1st, 2025

Screenshots:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC1KET

Video is $20

Les Misérables - Sixth US National Tour

January 18, 2025 (Matinee) - Medium Observation

Video 

Cast:

Nick Cartell (Jean Valjean), Nick Rehberger (Javert), Lindsay Heather Pearce (Fantine), Delaney Guyer (Cosette), Jake David Smith (Marius), Mya Rena Hunter (Éponine), Matt Crowle (Thénardier), Christian Mark Gibbs (Enjolras), Victoria Huston-Elem (Madame Thénardier), Jack Jewkes (Gavroche), Kyle Adams (Grantaire), Daniel Gerard Bittner (Feuilly), Danny Martin (Courfeyrac), Andrew Marks Maughan (Combeferre), J.T. Wood (Joly), Steve Czarnecki (Factory Foreman/Brujon), David Andino (Bamatabois/Babet), Jonathan Young (Jean Prouvaire), Jeremiah Alsop (Montparnasse), David T. Walker (Claquesous), David T. Walker (The Bishop of Digne), Colin Anderson (Lesgles), Paige McNamara (Factory Girl), Ashley Alexandra (Old Woman), Emily Fink (Wigmaker), Emerson Mae Chan (Young Eponine), Greta Schaefer (Little Cosette) 

Master Notes:

Excellent Video from the orchestra. Shot between heads but very beautfiul zooms. Wideshots can have a head or two but they usually never take away. Some washout, shakiness and readjusting throughout.

NFT Date: August 1st, 2025

Screenshots:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBYUhZ

Video is $20

The Great Gatsby - Broadway

February 7, 2025 - Medium Observation

Video

Cast:

Ryan McCartan (Jay Gatsby), Traci Elaine Lee (u/s Daisy Buchanan), Noah J. Ricketts (Nick Carraway), Samantha Pauly (Jordan Baker), Tess Soltau (u/s Myrtle Wilson), Terrence Mann (Meyer Wolfsheim), John Zdrojeski (Tom Buchanan), Charlie Pollock (George Wilson), Dan Rosales (Mr. McKee/Bystander #2), Dariana Mullen (Gilda Gray), Kayla Pecchioni (Mrs. McKee), Carissa Gaughran (Catherine), Samantha Pollino (u/s Bystander #1), Justin Keats (Cop)

Master Notes:

Decent capture of this show. Whenever Terry Mann is on stage it's a fancam. The first 20 minutes are completely blindly filmed so i defaulted to wideshotting most of it. Due to usher activity a lot of the show is shot this way, whenever he left i could zoom and such, second big issue with this video is the obstruction. The people in front of me never stopped moving and they kept getting into my shot constantly so there is a lot of obstruction that i try my absolute best to avoid.Some washout, shakiness and readjusting throughout.

NFT Date: August 1st, 2025

Screenshots:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC1PXh

Video is $15

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - First US National Tour

January 28, 2025 - Medium Observation

Video

Cast:

John Skelley (Harry Potter), Emmet Smith (Albus Severus Potter), Aidan Close (Scorpius Malfoy), David Ables (e/c Ron Weasley), Ebony Blake (Hermione Granger), Trish Lindström (Ginny Potter), Benjamin Thys (Draco Malfoy), Naiya Vanessa McCalla (Rose Granger-Weasley), Julia Nightingale (Delphi Diggory), Timmy Thompson (Craig Bowker Jr.), Mackenzie Lesser-Roy (Moaning Myrtle/Lily Potter Sr.), Ayla Stackhouse (u/s Polly Chapman), Larry Yando (Severus Snape/Amos Diggory/Albus Dumbledore), Evan Maltby (s/w Lord Voldemort), Chadd Alexander (u/s Sorting Hat), David Fine (Yann Fredericks), Alexis Gordon (Madam Hooch), Katherine Leask (Dolores Umbridge/Professor McGonagall), Maren Searle (Trolley Witch), Caleb Hafen (Cedric Diggory/James Potter Sr.), Zach Norton (Karl Jenkins/Viktor Krum), Rene Thornton Jr. (Station Master), Torsten Johnson (Professor Mazoni), Paul Thornley (Voice of Ludo Bagman), Chris Jarman (Voice of Phone Box)

Master Notes:

Excellent Video of this tour! Due to how far i was alongside the darkness of the show it can become grainy at points. Some washout, shakiness and readjusting throughout. All sales from this video will be donated to Mermaids UK.

NFT Date: August 1st, 2025

Screenshots:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBZSdU

Video is $20

The Bedwetter - Arena Stage

February 5, 2025 - Medium Observation

Video

Cast:

Aria Kane (Sarah), Shoshana Bean (Beth Ann), Darren Goldstein (Donald), Liz Larsen(Nana), Ashley Blanchet (Miss New Hampshire), Alina Santos (Ally), Alysha Umprhess (Mrs. Dembo), Avery Harris (Laura), Rick Crom (Dr. Riley), Emerson Holt Lacayo (Abby), Elin Joy Seiler (Amy)

Master Notes: Excellent video of this shows first preview! There are 2 show stops but i’ve cut them down to about 10-15 seconds each. Some washout, shakiness and readjusting throughout. 

NFT Date: August 1st, 2025

Screenshots:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC1KE2

Video is $20

Six - Second US National Tour (Boleyn)

January 8, 2025 - Medium Observation

Video

Cast:

Chani Maisonet (Catherine of Aragon), Gaby Albo (Anne Boleyn), Kelly Denice Taylor (Jane Seymour), Danielle Mendoza (Anna of Cleves), Alize Cruz (Katherine Howard), Tasia Jungbauer (Catherine Parr)

Master Notes:

Fantastic Video of the new tour cast! Due to my seat sometimes it can be a tad grainy but other than that great video. Some washout, shakiness and readjusting throughout.

NFT Date: February 6th, 2026

Screenshots:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBXFgm

Video is $20

Hadestown - First US National Tour

March 14, 2024 - Medium Observation

Video

Cast:

John Krause (t/r Orpheus), Amaya Braganza (Eurydice), Matthew Patrick Quinn (Hades), Lana Gordon (Persephone), Will Mann (Hermes), KC Dela Cruz (u/s Fate), Hannah Schreer (Fate), Marla Louissaint (Fate), Sevon Askew (Worker), Jamal Lee Harris (Worker), Cate Hayman (Worker), Quiana Onrae'l Holmes (Worker), Daniel Tracht (Worker)

Notes:

Excellent Video of John Krause’s first performance back on the tour! There is a show stop during way down hadestown which causes them to restart the song when they come back on stage.Some washout, shakiness and readjusting throughout.

NFT Date: August 1st, 2025

Screenshots:https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBiyw4

Video is $20

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[sapphirerogers]

my theory for why Steve's character was handled so poorly once the later Infinity arc kicked in is because most of his humanizing is done via his relationship to Bucky- Bucky being a de facto model for Steve about the kind of hero he wants to become, a guy who saves the weak from being beat up by a bigot in an alleyway -which grounded Steve's heroism in something tangible and real: his respect and reverence for Bucky, his personal hero. it makes the larger-than-life aspects of Steve relatable. even their superhero titles (Captain America & Winter Soldier) are both linked together in that their geopolitical names coercively imposed upon them. with Bucky the imposition is obvious, but Steve never wanted to play a character in the USO propaganda tours (which is where the CA persona comes from) so there was always this separation of his public facing identity & who actual ideals.

but ofc once the MCU started gaining steam- and despite the movie essentially titled 'Bucky & Steve' being immensely popular -TPTB didn't care for Buys story at all (not gonna rehash, we all know how dirty they did Bucky after Cap2) but in doing away with Bucky it also does away with all the nuances & interiority of Steve's character that he had.

Steve's character gets truncated & made short. And not just with the obvious things like Iron Man having most screentime in Cap3 or Steve's roles in IW being cameo-length & ofc EG (not gonna rehash, we all know), but Steve gets ironically reduced to just being CapAm. Steve's humanization & interiority, the fact that his heroism is modeled after Bucky in their youth & the fact that the Cap 🇺🇸 title was imposed on him, all that nuance is gone & instead we get new projects that act like Steve just "Cap" and an out of touch white 🇺🇸 guy who didn't care for anyone & was too busy being a national symbol.

alongside the obvious of Bucky's character being sidelined & nearly erased by marvel, Steve's screentime got drastically reduced & likewise the humanity & nuance of Steve's character disappeared & new projects freely mischaracterize Steve as nearly everything the earlier projects took time to distance him from. Now Steve's treated as unironically the dancing monkey from the USO tours that the 1st movie showed he hated. All bc Marvel didn't care for the fact that his reverent relationship with Bucky humanized the character.

yes. Bucky being constantly mistreated and Steve's character arc turning into what it did in the end are very closely linked.

[dreamings-free]

Live Nation Norge (Norway) instagram stories 28/8/23

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