#grammys musical theatre album

[no-144444]

wingman paul- c.leclerc

summary: charles leclerc takes a liking to you at your brothers movie premiere... paul makes it happen!

pairing: charles leclerc x fem! mescal! reader

୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ

Did you want to go to the Gladiator 2 premiere? No, not really. Was Paul forcing you to anyways? Yes, very much so. 

Being his sister (and emotional support person), he always brought you on set, to premieres, and anywhere else. That was usually fine. The rest of his projects' premieres had either been in the Lighthouse (your favourite cinema in Dublin), or small enough that you wouldn’t get too overwhelmed. You were famous in your own right, following after your sister and writing music. You didn’t go on stage, but you’d garnered over 10 million listeners, and your album had just been nominated for a grammy, though you had no intention of going. It’s not that you were scared or shy, you were just entirely uninterested in going out in public as a ‘public figure’. It stressed you out, having people know who you are in such detail, so you just kept to yourself. You had no public social media accounts, you didn’t allow your label to post about you unless it was about the music, and you only let Paul or Nell drag you out in public for one of their events. You liked it that way, it was comfortable. 

“I’m going to go say hi to some people, you just wait here, yeah?” Paul explained as you two entered the theatre. It was huge, and every celebrity or influencer in the world must’ve been there. You nodded as he walked off and allowed yourself to fade into the background, people-watching as time passed. You noticed the beautiful architecture of the building, the way the celebrities around you mingled, the way-

“Hello.”

You whipped your head around, startled, only to be met with a face you knew quite well. “Jesus, Charles, you scared me,” you chuckled. He blushed slightly as you turned around properly to greet him. “Hi.”

“How are you?” he asked, joining you in your secluded corner. 

“I’m fine, thank you. How are you?” 

“I am very good,” he smiled, showing off his dimples. “I thought you didn’t like events.”

“I don’t, Paul just asked me to come,” you explained. “My mam would’ve killed me if I didn’t go, so here I am.” 

He nodded, understanding. “I tried to find you online, but… you are not a fan of that either?”

You chuckled. “No, not really. Sorry.” 

He shook his head. “No, it is ok. I just… wanted to talk more. You are very interesting to me,” he smiled. 

“Well, thank you for the glowing review,” you chuckled. “Are you enjoying the evening so far?”

“I am enjoying it a lot more with you here,” he smiled. “But yes, I only watched the first one a few days ago and I thought it was very good, so I am excited to see how this one compares.”

“You’re sure a charmer,” you chuckled. “I hope you enjoy the film. Where are you sitting?”

“Beside Carlos?” he shrugged, an awkward smile on his face. “Carlos knows, but I don’t know where Carlos is.”

You laughed. “Are you always this disorganised?”

“Only when I’m nervous,” he winked at you and the lights started going down, you just offered him to sit next to you, hoping that Nell wouldn’t mind. 

You two sat together, enjoying the movie as the night went on, and after you found yourselves at the bar, still chatting. He walked off to find Carlos at one point, looking back with a smile as he waved, promising to come back soon. 

“When are you going to realise he’s trying to flirt with you?” Paul laughed. Your face was bright red and your jaw dropped. 

You gently (roughly) hit his chest and scoffed. “Shut the fuck up. He is not.” 

Paul laughed. “He’s totally into you! Come on, go out with him, please! I want free tickets to Grand Prixs!” 

You rolled your eyes as he giggled, and then startled when you bumped straight back into Charles. “Fuck, sorry-” you started apologising but he just shook his head. 

“All good,” he smiled. 

Paul silently slipped away with a wink, and you were faced with Charles, once again. 

“Hi,” you breathed out. 

“Hi,” he chuckled, his dimples on full show. “He was right, you know.” 

“About what?” you questioned. 

“I am flirting with you-or, at least trying to,” he blushed slightly. 

“Oh,” you nodded, unsure what to do in a situation where someone was as brazen and blunt. “Right.”

He laughed. “Can I take you out sometime?”

You stared at him, total deer in headlights, then nodded. “Yeah, yeah, sounds grand. Thank you.”

You internally smacked yourself in the face for that. But he just laughed, unfazed by your awkward demeanour. 

“Great!” he smiled bashfully. “When are you free?”

୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ⋅୨ৎ

navigation for my blog :) (masterlist)

[cupidsbaird]

ROLES IN MY ACTRESS DR °‧🦢⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

THE VVITCH (2015) - THOMASIN

“my spirit slips away from my body and dances naked with the devil.”

- making her film debut at age 13 playing thomasin , a 13 year old girl who is slowly turned on by her family being branded a witch reeking havoc on them. giselle sanchez received critical acclaim for her performance along with a bafta rising star award and a breakthrough performer gotham award.

THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (2016) - LUX LISBON

“lux was the last to go.”

- after seeing her performance in the vvitch sofia coppola asked giselle to audition for the role of lux in her upcoming film. giselle portrays a mysterious young girl following the death of one of her sisters. following the release of the film giselle would receive a chopard award at cannes film festival.

GIRL , INTERRUPTED (2019) - LISA ROWE

“that is fucked up , daisy!”

- after taking an almost 3 year break giselle sanchez returns to acting with a stellar performance as lisa rowe , a sociopathic psych ward patient. this would earn her an oscar nomination for best supporting actress and an oscar win at 18 years old.

WEST SIDE STORY (2021) - MARIA VASQUEZ

“i feel pretty and witty and bright!”

- at age 18 giselle sanchez starred in steven spielberg’s reimagining of “west side story” as maria , a puetro rican immigrant who falls in love with the ex-leader of a rival gang.

YELLOWJACKETS (2021-2026) - LOTTIE MATTHEWS

“who the fuck is lottie matthews?!”

- filming the pilot during november 2019 and the rest of season 1 in early 2021 giselle sanchez plays a cannibalistic cult leader that spirals out of control as her soccer team is stranded in the canadian wilderness for 19 months. by the third season she is awarded with an emmy for outstanding supporting actress in drama series.

BONES AND ALL (2022) - MAREN YEARLY

“all i think is that i love you.”

- alongside timothee chalamet giselle sanchez portrays a lonely cannibalistic girl who ventures off on her own , coming across those just like her. despite her efforts all roads lead back to her past.

HADESTOWN (2023-2024) - EURYDICE

“orpheus my heart is yours , always was and will be”

- making her broadway debut giselle sanchez plays eurydice , a hungry young girl who falls in love with the lyre player orpheus. in desperate times eurydice signs her life away to hades in the underworld , promised to be fed and sheltered. orpheus must travel down into the underworld to retrieve his lost lover. this would get her a tony award for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical and a grammy for best musical theatre album.

BOTTOMS (2023) - ISABEL

“i’m gonna fuck up some football players and i’m buying a gun”

- the typical popular cheerleader who joins an after school fight club created by two of the biggest losers in school. forming a bond with one of them , dumping her stupid boyfriend and killing boys!

NOSFERATU (2024) - ELLEN HUTTER

“come to me…hear my call.”

- reuniting with director robert eggers , giselle sanchez plays a young woman haunted by a vampire who is infatuated with her. this performance would earn her her second oscar nomination and win for best actress in a leading role.

THE HUNGER GAMES : SUNRISE ON THE REAPING (2026) - LENORE DOVE BAIRD

“well you know i like my pretty with a purpose”

- while shy in public she can talk up a storm in private. a free thinking member of the covey who has a dark view on many things. the impossible does not exist to her because there is no guarantee the sun will rise tomorrow.

[jgroffdaily]

@merrilyonbway What’s to discuss, old friend? For your Grammy Awards consideration: #MerrilyOnBway Best Music Theatre Album🎶

#merrilywerollalong #grammys #musicaltheater #broadway #sondheim

[cartermagazine]

Today In History

Yvette Marie Stevens, better known as Chaka Khan was born March 23, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. Chaka Khan is a true Renaissance Woman. A singer, songwriter, producer, visual artist, author, actor, philanthropist, entrepreneur, activist and mother, Chaka is an international music icon who has influenced multiple generations of artists and continues to do so. From the moment she burst onto the music scene in the 1970s as the 18-year-old lead singer of the multiracial band Rufus, her powerful voice and show-stopping stage presence set her apart from any other singer, and during her 40-year career, she has developed a vast international fan base and performed on six continents.

Chaka is a ten-time GRAMMY® Award winner (with 22 GRAMMY® nominations) who has the rare ability to sing in eight music genres, including R&B, jazz, pop, rock, gospel, country, classical and dance music. She has released 22 albums and racked up ten #1 Billboard magazine charted songs, eight RIAA certified gold singles and eleven RIAA certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka’s recorded music has produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements.

She was awarded a BET Honors and was the recipient of the Trumpet Award (Legend Award); honored by the Howard Theatre Restoration, Inc., at its 2nd Annual Gala and Benefit Concert; inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame at its Annual Spring Gala; inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame; honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and with the United Negro College Fund’s An Evening of Stars Tribute. She also received the Soul Train Legend Award (2009), the BET Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), the GRAMMY® Honors Award from the NARAS Chicago Chapter (2006) and the World Music Lifetime Achievement Award (2003). In 2004, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA.

A living ICON.

CARTER Magazine

[littlespringsongbird]

We rise our cups to five years of Hadestown on Broadway opened 4/17/2019

At the Walter Kerr theatre

Winner of 8 Tony awards in 2019 inculding best musical

Winner of best musical theatre album at the Grammy awards 2020

Re opened on Broadway 9/2/21 after 18 months of being shut due to COVID 19

Principal roles so far

4 Eurydice’s/ 2 Orpheus’s/ 5 Persephone’s/ 3 Hades’s/ 4 Hermes’s

Over one thousand performance’s

One real life relationship between former original cast members Eva Noblezada & Reeve Carney

And we’re going to sing it again…

[friendofbetty]

So I've been largely offline recently because I've moved house and renovated my old place, but my cousin (who is on maternity leave and has time to watch Netflix all hours of the day and night) texted me yesterday that Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor's Version) was playing over an uprising scene in an episode of the Handmaid's Tale. I've never seen any episode of this show because it's too dystopian for me but she has seen all of them so I believe her regarding the context that the song was played over. An uprising scene, really?! In a show about female oppression?? Add that to TN posting ominous reels and slides all of last week, and I can see why everyone is clowning for the AMAs next Monday. And my first thought was 'not another announcement at an award show, that's such bad taste...'.

But then I thought, has Taylor ever announced any project at an award show before Midnights? I can't recall that she has. Certainly not in the age of live streaming and social media. And would someone who has had an award show highjacked from them (with quite a bit of trauma from it as we now know) really steal the focus of one away from other artists and make it all about herself? And would nobody in her team point out that that's maybe a bad move? If so, the people she employs are a lot worse at their jobs than I thought. OR.... were these announcements perhaps deliberately placed in front of the industry because those albums are part of a bigger uprising against that very industry? And other artists are aware and therefore not offended? The last Grammy's certainly felt like the theatre kids ran the show and not some industry bosses. Meet me at midnight...? Who's afraid of little old me....You should be?!

If she does announce reputation TV at the AMAs on Monday, I certainly will have high expectations for what's to come. And I don't mean the music.

[black-arcana]

IN THIS MOMENT Announces Summer 2025 U.S. Tour With WARGASM, KAT VON D And THE PRETTY WILD

IN THIS MOMENT has announced the 2025 "Hell Hath No Fury" tour. The 22-city trek, featuring special guests WARGASM, Kat Von D and THE PRETTY WILD, will kick off on July 16 at Epic Events Center in Green Bay, making stops across the U.S. in Nashville, Memphis, Detroit and more before wrapping up in Atlantic City at Tropicana Showroom at Tropicana Atlantic City on August 16.

A special BLABBERMOUTH.NET presale will begin on Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. EDT and end on Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 p.m. local time. When prompted, type in the presale code "ITMBBM25" to access tickets before the general public. Check back here on Wednesday for ticketing links to individual shows. General on-sale will be Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m. local time.

"Hell Hath No Fury" tour dates:

Jul. 16 - Green Bay, WI - Epic Events Center Jul. 18 - Cadott, WI - Rock Fest + Jul. 19 - Peoria, IL - Prairie Home Alliance Theater Jul. 20 - Mansfield, OH - Inkcarceration Festival + Jul. 22 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works Jul. 23 - Chattanooga, TN - The Signal Jul. 24 - Chesterfield, MO - The Factory Jul. 26 - Council Bluffs, IA - Harrah's Stir Cove Jul. 27 - Denver, CO - Unhinged Fest + Jul. 29 - Springfield, MO - Gillioz Theatre Jul. 30 - Memphis, TN - Graceland Sound Stage Aug. 01 - Dubuque, IA - Q Casino - Back Waters Stage Aug. 02 - Grand Rapids, MI - GLC Live at 20 Monroe Aug. 03 - Wheeling, WV - Capitol Theatre Aug. 05 - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center Theater Aug. 06 - Schenectady, NY - Proctors Theatre Aug. 08 - Detroit, MI - Masonic Temple Theatre Aug. 09 - Hammond, IN - The Venue at Horseshoe Aug. 10 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre Aug. 12 - Richmond, VA - The National Thu Aug 14 - Worcester, MA - Palladium Aug. 15 - Hanover, MD - The Hall at Live! Aug. 16 - Atlantic City, NJ - Tropicana Showroom at Tropicana Atlantic City

+ Festival date

Since coming to life in 2005, the Grammy Award-nominated act IN THIS MOMENT has presided over a diehard fan base under the watch of "mother" figure and frontwoman Maria Brink — joined by co-founder and lead guitarist Chris Howorth, bassist Travis Johnson, guitarist Randy Weitzel and drummer Kent Diimmel. As millions convened upon the group's otherworldly and unforgettable concerts, they quietly emerged as one of the most influential and impactful bands of the 21st century.

To date, in addition to the gold-selling album "Blood" (2012),the quintet has garnered six gold and platinum singles, followed by a trifecta of Top 25 entries on the Billboard 200 with "Black Widow" (2014) and "Ritual" (2017). With a total stream tally well past 200 million as of 2020, "Ritual" elevated them to new creative and critical peaks as well. Between selling out headline tours coast to coast, the group performed in arenas everywhere alongside DISTURBED and appeared at countless festivals from Lollapalooza to Sonic Temple. Along the way, they assembled their seventh full-length, the aptly titled "Mother" (Roadrunner Records) with longtime trusted collaborator Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH). Whereas "Ritual" hinted at a bluesy sonic sorcery, "Mother" breathes the activating mantra of an unbreakable spell, commenced on first single "The In-Between".

In 2022, the band released "Blood 1983" (BMG),a reimagined EP commemorating the tenth anniversary of "Blood". Then in 2023, the longtime staples of heavy music released their eighth studio album "Godmode" (BMG),a 10-song record featuring the powerful lead single "The Purge", the band's stunning cover of Björk's "Army Of Me", the collaborative track "Damaged" which features Spencer Charnas of ICE NINE KILLS, and "I Would Die For You", which appears on the soundtrack for "John Wick: Chapter 4".

IN THIS MOMENT recently joined forces with a new label, Better Noise Music, and is working on new music.

Photo credit: Joe Cotela

[willowsycamoretree]

A rant about the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album:

The grammy award is for the album as a whole. There is no originality requirement because the specific vocalists and producers on that album are being awarded for their singing and musical arrangements. The composers and lyricists only get the award if the score is over 50% original.

Obviously valid to not like jukebox musicals, but it's grating on me to see people completely ridicule the idea that they should be eligible just because they are salty that their fave didn't win. Jukebox musical cast albums are original works and the people who pour their artistry into them deserve credit, even if the songs are not original.

The Grammy's are inherently music awards with a huge focus on singing - and we have the Tony's for celebrating score/lyrics/orchestrations.

Also if you really think that the musical theatre grammy award should only be for original content, you should support revival cast albums being ineligible too (noting that no-one is complaining about Merrily being nominated and I don't recall anywhere near as many people complaining about Into the Woods winning a couple years ago).

And yes, I'm extra defensive over Hell's Kitchen because they've already suffered through enough microaggressions this season, but it is disappointing to see so many people putting down an album that features two incredible, tony-award winning Black women with god-tier vocals, whatever the reason.

Anyway not trying to stop you from complaining about how your fave didn't win (that would be very hypocritical from me and the 2017 tonys) but it's also ok just to say that you thought the outsiders album was better, without trying to discredit or cheapen Hell's Kitchen's win.

[tmbgareok]

So much news! THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS TOUR THE MIDWEST!

John F. here. First off, we are going back on the road in the Midwest this May and June. THE BIG SHOW is landing in select cities, usually for two nights, for an “Evening with” which means it starts early with no opener. 2 very different shows from night to night. 8-piece band including 3 horns. 2 sets. Gets loud. Some shows are in big clubs, some seated.

This is the blurb the promoters are using: "They Might Be Giants are in top form and back on the road with their ever-evolving show. Featuring songs from the earliest days of their Dial-A-Song service, through their platinum album Flood, all the way to their Grammy-nominated album BOOK; each night is its own distinct celebration of the band's singular songbook. Backed by their notorious live band now including a three-piece horn section, expect a spontaneous, sprawling, enthralling musical event unlike any other."

TWO-NIGHT TICKET BUNDLES: A limited number of multi-night ticket packages are available –– that means reduced ticketing fees.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS?: This time around, in some places, our local promoters are supplying our audiences preferred rates for nearby hotels for TMBG fans. In the past these have proven to be very good values, so check it out. Any applicable hotel deals will be listed on the show's event page.

5/9 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/10 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/11 PITTSBURGH at MR. SMALL’S THEATRE 5/14 CINCINNATI at MADISON THEATER 5/15 CINCINNATI at MADISON THEATER 5/17 DETROIT at THE MAJESTIC 5/18 DETROIT at THE MAJESTIC

6/14 MINNEAPOLIS at FIRST AVENUE 6/15 MINNEAPOLIS at FIRST AVENUE 6/16 ST PAUL at THE FITZGERALD THEATER 6/18 CHICAGO at THE VIC THEATRE 6/19 CHICAGO at THE VIC THEATRE 6/21 MILWAUKEE at THE PABST THEATRE 6/22 MILWAUKEE at THE PABST THEATRE 6/23 MADISON at THE BARRYMORE THEATRE

MORE SHOWS!

It is comical how many of the shows that have yet to sell out have just 50 or 100 tickets left, as some folks had to return tickets due to rescheduling. We know it’s far away, but now is not the worst time to make a move.

ON SALE NOW! AUSTRALIA www.theymightbegiants.com/shows for direct links to regular tickets SOLD OUT 2 Oct Adelaide 4 Oct Sydney 5 Oct Sydney 7 Oct Brisbane 8 Oct Brisbane 10 Oct Melbourne 11 Oct Melbourne 13 Oct Perth

ON SALE NOW! THE BRITISH ISLES www.theymightbegiants.com/shows for direct links to regular tickets

1 Nov Southampton SOLD OUT 2 Nov Cambridge 3 Nov London SOLD OUT 5 Nov Glasgow 6 Nov Newcastle 8 Nov Belfast SOLD OUT 9 Nov Dublin SOLD OUT 12 Nov Manchester SOLD OUT 13 Nov Leeds 15 Nov Nottingham SOLD OUT 16 Nov Bristol SOLD OUT 17 Nov London

[madisoncounty]

i don’t understand why the grammy for best musical theatre album includes revivals and jukeboxes

[okdamage423]

what a freaking sham. smh

we got robbedddddd. of all musical theatre albums why tf would they pick hells kitchen??? Like at least pick The Wiz or Suffs. Not a hater but im pretty sure a big reason why Hell's Kitchen won is because Alicia Keys is such a big singer songwriter and has a lot of involvement with the recording academy. Like can the academy at least put into consideration that we have 4 wins and 12 Tony nominations including best musical?? What's that? Hells kitchen is sitting at 2 wins and 13 nominations?! Pfft. What. the. Hell. Grammys.

oh well, at least Sky and Brody looked good on that red carpet.

[cupidsbaird]

ACTRESS DR INTRODUCTION 🎀 ୭ ˚.⁺⊹ .ᐟֶָ

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ january 22 2002 , born in puetro rico giselle s. moved to new york at the age of 5. it was only natural a love for preforming flourished , growing up watching classics like west side story & singing in the rain , while living in the city of broadway. taking a bow for the first time on a small middle school stage in the theatre departments production of “the wizard of oz” as dorothy. from uploading musical theatre covers to youtube to being scouted in a mall at 13 by an up and coming director while practicing a monologue for a school play , it made no sense to not accept a role in his film.

with that came a film debut “introducing giselle […]” played in the credits of The VVitch (2015) - dir. robert eggers. giving a performance earning a bafta ee rising star award and breakthrough performer award

with that came another role , lux lisbon in the virgin suicides (2016) - dir. sofia coppola. taking a break from professional acting until junior year when the role of lisa rowe in girl , interrupted 2019 comes across , earning a best supporting actress nomination and win at age 18 for her portrayal of lisa rowe.

𐙚₊˚⊹ᡣ𐭩 following that she landed a role in steven spielberg’s west side story as the part of maria after an audition process that lasted over a year. though having have been in other films before west side story was a career defining moment , with a golden globe at 20 following an oscar win at 18.

following the success of west side story she went onto do more film roles such as maren yearly ; bones and all (2022) and lottie matthews ; yellowjackets. finally making her way to the broadway stage she made her broadway debut in may 2023 originating the role of eurydice in hadestown. this would earn her a Tony award for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical and a grammy for best musical theatre album.

the following year she had another stacked year with two major film performances. giselle starred as the titular character in anora (2024) and ellen hutter in nosferatu (2024) with her second collaboration with director robert eggers. sweeping award season for her performance in anora but winning the oscar for her performance as ellen.

ᯓᡣ𐭩.ᐟ ⊹ during production of west side story mike & giselle first met during rehearsal. initially started as workplace crush on her side. (call it workplace but the crush was there since newsies was off broadway)

he started showing interest near the end of production and especially during the press tour , fans were able to clock tension immediately. it wasn’t shocking when he brought her to the baftas as his date , but claiming they were there “as friends”. the friend label didn’t stop the very obvious chemistry. their relationship wasn’t publicly revealed until 2022.

[eddieisashifter]

PJO FAME DR - ABOUT ME

NAME: Caspian Hale

AGE: 20

GENDER: Non-binary (he/they)

BEST FRIENDS: The Nine (Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Jason Grace (<3), Piper Mclean, Leo Valdez, Frank Zhang, Hazel Levesque & Nico di Angelo) Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray, Chappell Roan, and Billie Eilish

"I'm gonna be your bubblegum bitch!"

Son of luxury designer, Makani Hale of Hale Designs, Caspian Hale has made his mark on the entertainment industry quickly and strongly. He won "Best New Artist" at the 2019 Grammys and his debut album "Afterglow" won Album of the Year.

He and his friendgroup, nicknamed "The Nine", are a constant source of gossip in the entertainment industry. Notable members include model and actress Piper Mclean, senator's son Jason Grace, and heiress of Olympia INC. Annabeth Chase, amongst others.

Caspian's music has pushed him into the forefront of people's minds, outside of association with his mother. The young star has also branched out into acting through a love of theatre, and has started trends with his signature style of fashion. With hit after hit, nothing seems to be able to bring Caspian Hale down.

Appearance Moodboard

PLAYLIST:

BUBBLEGUM BITCH — MARINA 7 RINGS — CASPIAN HALE VENUS FLY TRAP — CASPIAN HALE BREAKFAST — DOVE CAMERON LOOKING AT ME — SABRINA CARPENTER ARE YOU SATISFIED? — CASPIAN HALE OCEAN EYES — BILLIE EILISH BACKSTABBER — KESHA COPYCAT — BILLIE EILISH YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL — CASPIAN HALE MY KINK IS KARMA — CHAPPELL ROAN GET HIM BACK! — OLIVIA RODRIGO

"Bitch, I said what I said. I'd rather be famous instead."

[thenerdsofcolor]

A Los Angeles Theatre Review: 'American Idiot'

The Green Day album American Idiot was one of the most influential rock albums that influenced our lives in ways too numerous to count. Considering the album structure, it also wasn’t a surprise that it easily converted into a musical that has been a riveting Tony and GRAMMY award-winning success since 2009. Now, thanks to a wildly imaginative collaboration between Deaf West Theatre and Center…

[eurovision-revisited]

Eurovision 2009 - Number 63 - Jade Ewen - "It's My Time"

The UK had once again chosen to be different when it came to selecting its song for Eurovision. Nothing appeared to be working. Last year it worked so poorly that Terry Wogan quit as commentator. What the hell were they going to do now?

The answer was an artist selection show modelled along the lines of a series of talent shows on the BBC that saw singers compete for roles in musicals. One of those had provided two of the singers who'd entered the 2008 UK national final. Now singing at Eurovision itself would be the prize.

The big money item though was that it was being overseen by Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Not only a knight, but a life peer with voting rights in the UK Parliament in the House of Lords. He eventually became one of only twenty-one EGOT status award-winners in history (he's won an Emmy, five Grammys, an Oscar and seven Tonys). Best known for the composition of some of the best known stage musicals in the world (Cats, Evita, the Phantom of the Opera etc.). Undoubtedly getting him not only on board as a song-writer but also on stage in Moscow was a major coup. Possibly even a diplomatic master stroke too.

Less well-known but still a big name in her own right was lyricist Diane Warren who herself has completed three legs of the EGOT quarter (she just needs to win a Tony). She has written so many hit songs it's pointless to start writing a list. To sum it up, there is a jukebox musical in development featuring only her songs. It's not only Lloyd-Webber who gets that privilege.

Five paragraphs in and I haven't even mentioned Jade Ewen who actually won the selection competition and who sang for the UK. She was a singer who had a bitty career following on from stage school. She'd been in music videos for other bands, appeared on several UK TV shows in small roles and had also been a member of Trinity Stone, a short-lived major label girl group. As a child she'd appeared on stage in the Lion King as young Nala.

Effectively she was unknown coming into 2009 - but her voice wowed the public and Lloyd-Webber alike. The song was It's My Time and she'd had to sing it during the selection show. It was a grand ballad, very much in the tradition of a Lloyd-Webber musical. There was even a staircase for Jade to descend slowly as she entered an imaginary ball in a spectacular dress. She ended the song in front of the piano played by Lloyd Webber and basically sang her lungs out to the huge audience. She was one of the only acts that night who appeared to be capable of filling that vast arena with her voice alone.

For that performance, she managed to pull the UKs dismal recent record out of the basement and up to fifth place on the scoreboard. The country's best showing since 2002 and Jessica Garlick. Finally the BBC had managed to do something right, although the star power of the song-writing team behind It's My Time possibly had as much to do with it as Jade's vocal ability.

After Eurovision, Jade tried to make it as a solo singer with an album deal already signed. She wasn't successful alone, but she did join one of the bigger girl bands of the time. She was part of the Sugababes in their fourth incarnation. They disbanded in 2011 and subsequently Jade found what is perhaps her natural home, musical theatre. She's performed main roles in several critically acclaimed productions on the West End including the UK transfer of In the Heights.

[broadwaydivastournament]

Broadway Divas Tournament: Round 1D

Broadway's leading soprano, Tony winner, and critic darling, Kelli O'Hara (1976) is the sole reason I didn't make this poll a 50+ affair. With seven Tony nominations, Kelli has received acclaim for every role she's ever had since 2005, including South Pacific (2008), The King and I (2015), and Kiss Me, Kate (2019). She is one of the few musical theatre actresses to successfully cross over into opera. Her divine performance in The Hours (2022) will play an encore run this coming season. Kelli will take her final bow in Days of Wine and Roses (2024) this Sunday.

Heather Headley (1974) is a Tony-winning actress and successful recording artist. She began her career in 1996 understudying for Audra McDonald in Ragtime. She went on to play star turns in Aida (2000), The Lion King (1997), and The Color Purple (2016). She played The Witch in the NYCC Encores! production of Into the Woods, but did not move to Broadway with the transfer. In 2010, she won a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.

PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

"Kelli O'Hara's high notes are a sexual experience. Listening to her crystal clear lyrical soprano fill a Broadway theatre is the closest thing you will ever get to divinity on earth. It's extremely difficult to sing up the scale as she does and still retain a clear and precise diction in the lyrics, but Kelli doesn't sacrifice an ounce of the lyrics' integrity. As she's gotten older, she's been able to develop the rich lower register of her range, and it is sublime. I am deeply in love with this woman. She is, in all ways, the legacy and successor of Marin Mazzie and Rebecca Luker. Who else could possibly take over Marin's Mother in the Ragtime reunion concert? Also, have you *seen* her arms? She could run a marathon with me on her back without breaking a sweat."

"Heather Headley doesn't do much Broadway, all things considered, but when she does, it's wonderful. Listening to her sing "Too Beautiful for Words" stole my breath away. I was less blown-away with her Witch for Into the Woods, if I'm being honest, but it was still wonderful to see her back on stage."