#watch rodger and hammerstein’s version!

[mariniacipher]

every time someone talks abt disney’s cinderella 2015 “working” i take psychic damage

[vampireobsessor]

Ya know, my sister's negative attitude about musicals now doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me given that she's partially responsible for my own love of musicals because growing up she was constantly showing me movies like Little Shop Of Horrors, Hairspray, and The Wiz.

[rwrbmovie]

BTS of #RWRBMovie: soundtrack

From Billboard:

Another cover that prominently features in the film is a fresh reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel classic “If I Loved You” performed by Vagabon. “I knew her voice and her sound, married to that classical music theater, was going to be the right match,” says Lopez, who describes himself as “a huge musical theater nerd.” When he approached Vagabon (Laetitia Tamko) with the idea, she wasn’t familiar with the song, which made him doubly sure of the decision. “It was great, because she had no associations,” he reasons. “It’s a new way of looking at it.” Having familiar songs with new voices was important to Lopez for this queer romcom. “This movie was always about, for me, new ways of doing old things — that was the ethos of the film, so I wanted to try and get a couple covers in there.” Another example of putting a new twist on something familiar came via Oliver Sim. The filmmakers asked the solo artist and The xx member for an original composition, but after he watched an early cut of the film, he told Lopez, “I think I’ve already written the song for the movie.” “It was his idea to take the song ‘Fruit’ from his most recent album and completely re-orchestrate it,” Lopez explains. “He said, ‘I made the acoustic version; now I want to make the cinematic version.’ He took something very delicate and blew it up to these epic proportions. It sounds so swoon-y and hopeful. That was a big win, for me, to get him to do that — I have my own bespoke version of an Oliver Sim song,” he adds with a smirk.

>> post about 'Can't Help Falling in Love'

[fairytale-poll]

PRELIMINARY ROUND! MATCH 2 OUT OF 5 - BATTLE OF THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA ADAPTATIONS!

Propaganda Under the Cut

Julie Andrews as Cinderella (1957 Movie):

((This movie is the Julie Andrew’s one.))

Lesley Ann Warrens as Cinderella (1965 Movie):

tbh I think that both other films for this version are superior to this one, but I want the full 128 bracket so I might as well submit this. Starring Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella, it's a distinct remake of the Julie Andrews version (which was incredibly popular, but hadn't been filmed in color, thus the studio's decision to make a new one). It is admittedly more similar to the 1957 version than the 1997 version was, so if you don't want to accept it as its own story that's fine; but there *are* some differences in the script, songs, and acting choices for the characters. I haven't seen this version of the film since I was VERY young, so I can't speak on the quality or anything lol, but I remember that I really really liked it when I was five, before the 1997 version came out and consumed me lol. I had briefly considered submitting it earlier because it felt unfair to have Julie Andrews and Brandy Norwood both have a slot while poor Lesley Ann Warren was left out, but ultimately decided she probably wouldn't get very far. But now I'm reconsidering lol sooooo yeah. A third version of Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella for your consideration XD

Brandy as Cinderella (1997 Movie):

Because she is so cute in this, I love her outfits before and after the transformation, and this movie is just such a good adaptation of Cinderella.

the 1997 cinderella movie is the best one ever to me like. you have whitney houston as the fairy godmother and brandy is so so so pretty and she's such an amazing cinderella. 10 minutes ago the best cinderella song of all time ever she sounded so good <3

does this movie even NEED propaganda?

Brandy Cinderella with Whitney Houston! Need I say more?

Brandy plays one of the best iterations of Cinderella actually.

I just think she's neat. Also she looked the best in the ball gown.

One of the most iconic Cinderellas of all time, Brandy brought tenderness, earnestness, and heartfelt poignancy that transformed the story and emphasized its humanity and themes of dreaming for the future. Her voice is celestial! The power of her performance is undeniable! As a lifelong Cinderella fan she was always one of my favorites.

A lot of children grew up watching this movie around the holidays.

This is my favorite version of Cinderella and Brandy absolutely KILLS IT as Cinderella!! Her voice is so sweet and beautiful. And her dress!! I love her peplum. ALSO HER BRAIDS MAKE A BUN AND ITS SO ADORABLE. just look up the soundtrack for this movie PLEASE.

Various Actresses as Cinderella in the 2015 Musical:

[No Propaganda Submitted]

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Sound of Music (1965)

I was shocked to learn that The Sound of Music received mixed reviews upon its release in 1965. I can sort of understand someone criticizing the liberties it takes with the story it's based on (though of course, someone who does this should realize that real life is not particularly cinematic) but how can you not fall in love with this musical? Unabashedly sweet, it effortlessly charms you. This is exactly the kind of movie you’d love to watch on a miserable day when you’re sick. No matter how foul your mood is, it’ll lift your spirits.

In 1938 Austria, Maria (Julie Andrews, magnificent) studies to become a nun but doesn't fit in with her peers. She’s always humming a tune and constantly finds her spirit whisked away by music. To help her decide where she belongs, Maria is sent to help care for the seven children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). As the family bonds, everything seems blissful, until neighbouring Nazi Germany begins mobilizing its troops…

If you’ve never seen The Sound of Music before, you’ll feel a little foolish once it’s over. You haven't sat down with this movie, but you’ve heard several of the songs before, you’ve seen parodies of the most memorable scenes and you may have even seen clips out of context. It makes you go "Oh! That's from THIS movie!" There’s no way to forget My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen or So Long, Farewell and you won’t want to. Much credit belongs to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who wrote the stage musical but if that was all the movie had going for it, you could watch a stage version. What elevates this production is the cast. Julie Andrews, best known for her role in Mary Poppins is unsurprisingly excellent as Maria. What she does almost seems easy because - like the children she cares for - you instantly fall for her. She’s so sweet, gentle and kind it’s hard to imagine even the iciest hearts - like the one beating inside Captain von Trapp - staying cold in her presence. What’s surprising is Christopher Plummer. Turns out, he can sing. I don’t know if you’d be as excited at the idea of them becoming romantically entangled if the children weren’t there, but that’s the point. If Maria does fall in love, it won’t be with just the father, it will be with the family.

The film’s best scenes often involve dance numbers. Not the big kind of dances that suddenly has everyone in the country expertly coordinated; playful, childlike dances as the young Von Trapps perform for a crowd or tender scenes between two people who tell us how they feel through lyrics and body language. Though the children are only given limited screen time and character development, they all get enough for you to understand them as people. It helps that the young actors portraying Liesl, Louisa, Friedrich, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl are terrific.

One of my favorite things about The Sound of Music is that while it’s light, happy, romantic and carefree - maybe even corny - it has this tiny bit of tension and a smidge of fear in it too. As we approach the second act, a looming shadow in the distance keeps you wondering. When Germany annexes Austria, it’s a cold bucket of reality dumped onto this musical. Things were so sweet and light before; surely this means the family will be alright? You’re pretty sure they will be, but there’s a part of you that doubts. It’s just enough to give this movie stakes and compels you to keep watching. As nice as the film is, it might’ve been too much without that little bit of vinegar.

The Sound of Music has melted the ice around my heart and rekindled my appetite for musicals. It's the kind of picture that introduces itself to you by handing you a bouquet. You fall in love with the songs, the story and the dance numbers too. There's even a puppet show so darling it'll make your every worry and fear vanish. I can't wait to see it again. (December 13, 2023)

[bellaaldamas]

Currently on the "Cinderella" worldwide adaptations marathon and have just watched the USSR one. It is one of the best and most subversive versions of the story (along with Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella Disney's Live Action of 1997 starring Brandy, as well as Disney's original animated film of 1950). And the only one so far where I have seen Cinderella's father being alive but tragically manipulated and controlled by his abusive, scheming and power grubbing second wife, Cinderella's step mother (not sure if this twist is present in any other adaptation).

The movie is a musical and in her title song Cinderella notes that "everyone can demand something of me but no one bothers to say a thank you". This immediately made me remember Freya and her character arc. And that of countless other modern female characters who, under the guise of "progressiveness/feminism", are made to forfeit all of their wants and needs for the sake of the Greater Good TM. Something I hope never happens to Angrboda and that she marries Atreus, has the princess wedding she deserves and never has to be subjected to the pseudo-"feminist" trends of today where woman's suffering and loneliness is treated as "character building".

The aforementioned Cinderella's line summarizes (though it certainly was not intended that way in the time the movie was released) how modern, "progressive" media, ever since the 90-s, has been expecting women and female characters to be "girlboss" enough to sacrifice all of their time, energy and needs for others (who more often than not don't appreciate it and take it for granted). Which is invariably framed not as the result of societal pressure and impossible expectations forced upon women but as "feminist" and "empowering".

A woman having dreams and desires of her own is, in the modern society and media, equated with shallowness and immaturity. Whereas her realizing her life is supposed to be dedicated to serving others at the expense of what she wants is framed as "growth" and a "feminist alternative" to a woman wanting love and happiness.

Cinderella and most versions of her story debunked this trend before it even became a trend in the modern culture. Her story is about how a woman being exploited by others and for the benefit of others is NEVER empowering. And how she is perfectly entitled to bond with her found family and the people who are willing to be her equals (such as the Prince and his family). This is why this fairy tale and it's many retellings and re-imaginings is still beloved by the women worldwide.

When Whedon-esque pseudo-feminism finally and deservedly ends up being forgotten (hopefully sooner rather than later), when pseudo-progressives finally stop embarrassing themselves pretending like they care about any of the serious issues such as misogyny, racism or ableism when all they actually do is target groups of women in the fandom who dare to enjoy ships they don't like - Cinderella and those timeless empowering stories will remain.

[all-seeing-ifer]

@simptasia tagged me! MWAH thank you!!

last song: version of love by will jay (watch me falling back into my will jay era)

currently watching: mostly angel, but me n my housemates are also working our way through dark

currently reading: still very slowly reading the secret history. also lately I've been reading a bunch of academic articles about tragedy and theatre for a video essay i want to write hehe

current obsession: the buffyverse shows, naturally. also the oklahoma revival and tbh rodgers and hammerstein musicals in general continue to occupy much free real estate in my brain

tagging @audelia-bly @fatherramiro @lonelyroommp3 @historicallyinaccuratejomarch and anyone else who wants to do it really!

[musicalrecs]

Today's shameless promotion is for a show you likely haven't heard of: The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!

This show is actually five shows in one, each using the same basic storyline but in the style of a different composer/lyricist. The introduction to the show spells this out:

For those of you disinclined to watch a minute-long clip or read the handy Wikipedia link above, allow me to summarize:

Young woman: I can't pay the rent! Villain dude: You must pay the rent! (Interlude in which older woman gives advice) Hero dude: I'll pay the rent!

This basic story is then played out five times, each in the style of a different composer/lyricist:

Corn! - Rodgers & Hammerstein A Little Complex - Sondheim Dear Abby - Jerry Herman Aspects of Junita - Andrew Lloyd Webber Speakeasy - Kander & Ebb

If you recognize at least a couple of those names and enjoy spotting references, you'll have a good time.

Can I watch it online? Much to my shock, yes! There was a benefit version made just a couple years ago, to raise funds for York Theater after a water-main break (plus the whole covid thing happening).

Through the "magic of green screen" it stars a truly ridiculous number of people you very likely have heard of, giving perfectly adequate performances (green screen...). The opening is one of those long, eye-rolling bits where people who aren't actors do their best to tell jokes/sing and you're like "is the real show starting soon?" but hey, it's Youtube and a benefit production, you can just quietly skip all that.

The best sequence in the above is probably the Kander & Ebb parody, which features Chita Rivera, Ethan Slater, Colleen Ballinger, Randy Rainbow, Jackie Hoffman, and personal favorite of mine Christine Pedi, but results will vary wildly by production and your personal musical tastes.

In addition, more than one local production has been filmed and put online, so you've absolutely got viewing options that were unimaginable to me a couple decades ago. (I'm old.) (On Tumblr, anyway.) In fact, I actually prefer the local productions, as this is the kind of show that really benefits from the unpretentiousness of a small auditorium, a bake sale at intermission, and names you recognize in the program because you went to high school together. (See also: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown)

So, if you're the kind of person who thought "A Musical!" from Something Rotten was peak theater, give The Musical of Musicals: The Musical! a try. And then, consider joining your local tenants' union and work to prevent unreasonable rent increases.

[sinceileftyoublog]

John Coltrane Reissue Review: Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy

(Impulse!/UMe)

BY JORDAN MAINZER

Not even two years after A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle saw the light from Joe Brazil's private collection, a new John Coltrane treasure has been given to us, unearthed this time by accident. A Bob Dylan archivist, scouring through the archives of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, found an August 1961 recording of John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy at Greenwich Village's long-shuttered Village Gate. While Coltrane's November performances from the same year at the Village Vanguard have long been available, either as part of his 1962 live album or a 1997 box set, this collection shows some familiar players a bit rougher around the edges. Future Nina Simone and Dylan engineer Richard Alderson, who wanted to test a newly found single ribbon microphone, decided to record the set, and everything from McCoy Tyner's restrained piano to, well, the overall sound quality, has the vibe of a group of geniuses still figuring things out, a fascinating snapshot in an ever-changing time in jazz.

In an era where our most revered artists take seemingly forever to release new albums, it's hard to fathom just what luminaries like Coltrane did back then, and the rapid pace of change they faced in a burgeoning music industry. In March, he released My Favorite Things on Atlantic, which yielded surprising hits in adaptations of George Gershwin's "Summertime" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things", the latter of which received significant radio airplay. Two months later, his Atlantic contract was bought by Impulse! While he kept Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones in his band, he replaced bassist Steve Davis with a young Reggie Workman and brought on multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy, forming the basis of a live quintet. His studio ensemble grew even larger on the first album he recorded for Impulse!, Africa/Brass, also one of his first to employ two bass players. Eventually, though, he'd settle into the Classic Quartet, Jimmy Garrison replacing Workman for the next several years, the four producing stone cold classics like, yes, A Love Supreme. It's impossible to separate this context when listening to Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy in all of its rawness.

Really, Evenings at the Village Gate is a true moment in time and one of arguable significance, though listening to it is a fascinating exercise. You constantly find yourself wishing you were there to witness it, watching an audience in real time react to where you know jazz would end up. As Jones' pattering drums and Workman and Tyner's steady bass and piano introduce "My Favorite Things", Dolphy subtly flutters his clarinet. Six minutes in, Coltrane announces himself with a brawny saxophone line before blasting streaks of notes above the band. When he very occasionally returns to the song's main refrain, it's like a sigh of relief before he embarks on another freeform journey. Sometimes, you can hear an audience member clapping, thinking his solo has finished, but he keeps going. Dolphy offers a similarly tattered solo on Benny Carter's "When Lights Are Low", while the rest of the band lurches. Tyner's solo, for example, is sprinkled but so low in the mix you can almost clearly hear background chatter in the club, and you can definitely decipher Workman's plucks. The band is risky and adventurous, unafraid to fail.

The final three tracks performed would eventually be recorded, including "Impressions", a Coltrane composition first set to tape in 1962. The version on Evenings at the Village Gate is an early run-through the way a lot of jazz instrumentalists do today. On one hand, hearing him breathlessly and immediately whittle away at schemas of jazz must have been thrilling. On the other, compared to the live versions of the song from months later, on this one, Coltrane embraces true chaos rather than controlled chaos. Only Jones and Tyner are truly honed in here, the former shining with his dexterousness throughout and underrated dynamism in his be-bop duet with the latter. If you've always thought Coltrane's recording of "Greensleeves", meanwhile, sounds a little bit like "My Favorite Things", Tyner somewhat interpolates the latter song as Jones' drum fills pervade the performance. Tyner's two-handed solo mid-way through simultaneously showcases the song's theme and his own phrasing, while Coltrane and Dolphy enter much later, as if they've been stockpiling on reserves before gradually taking the tune to dizzying new heights.

If there's a true highlight on Evenings at the Village Gate, it's of course the only known recorded version of Africa/Brass' "Africa". Art Davis fills in on additional bass drones, with Coltrane on tenor saxophone, and the song feels like the most the band had been in sync all night. Perhaps that's because there's nothing else to compare it to, but the performance is still thrilling taken on its own, from Jones' raindrop pitter patters to Tyner's unshakeable refrain. Coltrane and Dolphy give way to the rest of the band for a while, and the tune slowly ascends as they tease a return, first giving Jones his due with a rolling solo and then actually returning to rapturous applause, skronking and squeaking away. You have to think that some members of the audience had no conception for what they just saw. You also have to think the set made them want to dive in further.

[intothewickedwood]

Tagged by @priscilla9993 via my blog @wicked-storybrooke. Thank you so much!

Three favorite ships: My top 3 pretty much stay the same, so I'll say some newer/more obscure ones.

Holy Ghost from Starkid's Nerdy Prudes Must Die - Grace wants to get rid of Max because she's attracted to him and unmarried, and he called her bath water dirty girl soup in her fantasies. He dies due to her actions (debatable if that was her intention) and becomes a vengeful ghost who wants to kill nerdy prudes- which should include Grace but doesn't because he likes her. A match in only the buck wild things starkid could come up with a.k.a. heaven <3

Claire x William from Stay (2017) - I know, I know. There relationship is messed up. I kinda ship them, I kinda want her to kick his ass. But this is what happens when you watch Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas on repeat as a kid and think it's the main film. I like twisted dynamics in fiction. It's interesting to explore.

Cairo x Riley from We Are the Tigers Musical - I may have mentioned them before in one of these tag games. I am still obsessed with We Are the Tigers and can't stop watching and listening to it. I still wanna do an in-depth analysis of all the characters but omg "Wallflower" is so interesting, especially now I know it's canon that Cairo had a crush on Riley at some point. She took Riley under her wing from a young age. They've been best friends since, but they're totally co-dependent. Cairo feels like she has to protect Riley and her image because she can't mentally handle stress and it's pretty obvious she can't. But she thinks Riley owes everything to her and that Riley would be nothing without her. But Riley equally knows she needs Cairo and kinda hates that, trying to elevate her status so she'll feel less dependent on Cairo. If Riley's plan was to kill everyone disrupting the team then Cairo maybe should have been the first person on her list because she antagonised the most people, but Riley never even entertained that idea until she had completely broken down because she needs Cairo and knows she would do anything for her. She's even seems to be jealous of any partner Cairo has. It's so unhealthy. I love it! *heart eyes* xD. I will never be over the utter heartbreak shown on Cairo's face when she finds out what Riley did.

First ship: I can't remember for sure but I think it was Cinderella x Prince Christopher from Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella 1997. I used to watch that movie a lot as a kid. It was one of my favourite movies growing up and still is. I'm so excited that they'll be returning in Descendents 4. I still can't believe it. Cried happy tears when I found out. And they had a kid!

Last movie: Stay (2017). I just found it 2 weeks ago and I am a little (okay, a lot) obsessed. Highly recommend if you like psychological stuff like me. It's a feature-length indie film about a man holding a woman captive in hopes that in time she will fall in love with him. It has some clear Beauty and the Beast symbolism and is kinda a twisted version. Dude gave me a lot of Jefferson vibes. Things didn't get...umm... explicitly sexual between the characters, which I found refreshing in a movie like this. But yeah, I'm very obsessed and I wish there was a fandom for it.

Currently reading: I pretty much exclusively listen to audiobooks due to reading difficulties, but Charlie Bone and the Hall of Mirrors, Keeper of the Lost Cities: Exile and I just finished Fraternity by Andy Mientus. I've been a fan of his from his musical theatre career and I was pleasantly surprised he was such a fantastic writer. The book is wonderfully queer and supernatural and set in the 90s with an engaging storyline and characters. I couldn't recommend enough. One of the best books I've ever listened too.

Currently watching: Rewatching Let's Play Witches by Hatsy on youtube for the first time in years. It's probably the most engaging sims 4 let's plays I've seen. It has really creative world-building. Agatha is the loml and her speaking voice is indescribably unique and beautiful.

Rewatching That's So Raven with my Mum. We need a laugh right now and this show never fails to get us cackling.

Once Upon a Time season 5 with a rewatch group! Has been very fun watching the show with them. Makes season 5 not as bad as I usually find it.

I've been wanting to watch other things but I've been so fussy lately. Everything that peaks my interest ends up going down the road of horror and/or graphic violence, which is not fun for me at all. So if anyone has any recs lmk! I like psychological, musical, supernatural or superhero (not too keen on Marvel stuff, unless it's X-Men related).

Currently eating: Nothing right now but the last thing I had was a nacho bean veggie burger for breakfast. It was calling to me.

Currently craving: Sleep, lol. Puppy parenting is rewarding but, oh gee, Sarai is a little rebel. Love her, but by golly do miss sleep. RIP to every sock in the house also lol

And freedom from these huge-ass, thick spiders that keep breaking and entering. Please grant this wish, oh tag game gods.

This got long but it was fun to ramble!

Tagging: @darkpoisonouslove @emmaswcns @lizardthelizard @lacebird @emilyrox @believingispowerfulmagic and anyone else who wants to. But no pressure to do it!

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

Movie Meme 🎬

Post 7 comfort movies and tag 7 people. I was tagged by @lunaraindrop and as soon as i was, i immediately forgot every movie i've ever seen.

i think these all count as comfort movies, but they're really just all movies that have significant meaning to me in one way or another OR that i can watch/re-watch no matter what (is that what a comfort movie is? idk)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): if you know me at all, you would've seen this one coming lmao This is my no. 1 fave movie of all time, and it has been since I was..9? I remember exactly where I was when i first saw it and i remember just standing there fully enraptured. literally standing, like i was standing directly in front of the TV

Rocketman (1997) the disney one, where they go to mars! i would put this tape on every night to fall asleep to the point i had the previews (which became all static-y and worn out from constant re-watching) and the first like, 15 min memorized. also, for some reason my family would constantly quote things from this movie without fully realizing it ("hey, what kind of laptop do you have?", "...using what we like to call 'the right way'.", and "now THAT was julie.".)

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997) the Whitney Houston version with Brandy :) THE BEST adaptation of this version of cinderella. no i will not be taking arguments at this time. sidenote: i FLIPPED SHIT when i went on the Universal lot tour in California last year because this was filmed there on their little 'european town' backdrop. The tour guide said that and i gasped so loud-an actual aloud reaction to that news-and started ranting to my husband about it.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999) i loved this movie sm as a kid that i was one of the ensemble kids at a church (that i didn't go to)'s production of the play. me. on a stage. in front of people. singing and dancing and shit. wild stuff, friends.

The Princess Diaries (2001) and Princess Diaries 2 (2004); my little sis and i LOVED watching these movies when we were young. also, while i was writing my steddie PD2 au, i found out that my husband did NOT like these movies and i still don't know what to do with that information.

The Last Holiday (2006) somehow i always forget about this movie. like, everytime i'm reminded of it, it feels like i hadn't watched it in YEARS (though i end up watching it every year around new years!). it's literally so good and makes me want to book a trip to Karlovy Vary/Grandhotel Pupp (and maybe also visit Aneta while i'm there 👀)

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) is there anyone who doesn't love this movie?? it is my family's comfort christmas movie and we watch it every christmas eve! (P.S., this movie was my first into to the christmas carol story, and it really threw me off later when i watched a different version and there was only one Marley and not two Marley brothers 😅)

tagging my loverly moots: @henderdads, @strawberryspence, @thefreakandthehair, @undreaming-fanfiction, @potentialheartofdarkness, @yournowheregirl, @appledaggerst and anyone else who sees this and wants to do it!!

[elvisabutler]

papyrus!!

random get to know me ask game!

ana my darling my love!

papyrus: impossible from the 1997 version of rodgers + hammerstein's cinderella. i like it first off because i can pretend i'm brandy or whitney houston. but more than that it always just has delighted me since i was a little girl and watching the movie for the first time. it just warms me from the inside out tbh.

[brvja]

Now Playing: Ever After (1998)

This is one of my favorite retellings of the Cinderella story. Drew Barrymore is the perfect, ethereal fairy tale princess that we didn't know we needed, but are glad to have. My other favorite is the 1965 Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella musical. I have very fond memories of my now departed brother in law playing the video tape for my niece and me to watch as young girls. I often find myself singing Lesley Ann Warren's version of "In My Own Little Corner" whenever I am stimming.

The whole of the 1965 version is on YouTube for free :

Ever After definitely does the story justice in my opinion. Angelica Huston's sinister step mother rendition is spot on. Kudos to the casting. Also to the wardrobe. I love the clothes so much. Especially a fairy princess Drew at the ball. I wanted to be her so bad.

[greaterstokesawareness]

Stokes Song Spotlight: “This Nearly Was Mine”

this third song spotlight is brought to you by a teenage Lindsey Buckingham obsession and a lifelong curiosity about the everything of it all (✦ ‿ ✦)

I spend a ton of time just coming across a song I really like and finding every single version of it and just like studying for however long I feel like it. This is how I carried the song "This Nearly Was Mine" in my soul for years and this is how I discovered Brian Stokes Mitchell. I first heard "This Nearly Was Mine" in the year of our lord Fleetwood Mac reunion 1997, I was 13 years old and I thought Lindsey Buckingham was just the coolest, weirdest guitar player and performer ever. He was out there on MTV just shaking his entire upper body to get the right vibration of the song. It was the kind of performance that gets you to devote your entire remaining existence to an artist, and that's what I started to do and how I found the masterpiece that is his 1992 Out of the Cradle album. The whole thing is no skips for me and it ends with an instrumental version of "This Nearly Was Mine" that runs into the last track "Say We'll Meet Again" which is really dreamlike and these two tracks are inseparable in my mind; when I think of one I think of the other to this day.

A few years later when I got around to studying movie musicals (just in a nerdy way and not like officially, wait can you do that officially I should really look into that) and I finally watched South Pacific, I heard "This Nearly Was Mine" again and just lost it, I knew this song. It's a really funny feeling that I chase constantly, to find references to things I love in other things I love. Anyway, that's the first time I ever heard the words to it and I fell in love some more. And I don't even know how to explain why I love it, it's not like it's some autobiographical story or that I particularly identify with lost love or anything like that, it just hits me in the center of my chest every time I hear it.

“This Nearly Was Mine” is the 11 o’clock number from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific. There’s also a grand-scale 1958 movie musical version. Don’t get me started on movie musicals and their weird tendency to cast dramatic actors and then dub their singing voices. I have thoughts. The song is performed by the male lead Emile de Becque in a climactic moment of sadness and desperation. He eventually signs up for a suicide mission because his love has rejected him (Emile, sir, you still have two children, respectfully wtf).

My nerdy journey that led me to discover Stokes’s version one dark February in the middle of Covid lockdown times goes like this: Christopher Plummer died so I rewatched The Sound of Music for like a week straight, then because I was enjoying Bill Lee’s voice (dubbed for Plummer) I rewatched South Pacific (he dubs John Kerr’s voice), [also Rossano Brazzi you are very pretty, but lip-syncing is not your strong suit] then the nerd journey took me to a YouTube search of all the performances of “This Nearly Was Mine” Philip Quast you are a star ⭐️ And that’s how I found Brian Stokes Mitchell singing the song and the rest is nerd history.

The other wonderful thing about Stokes singing this particular song is that when he sings it in concert he turns off his microphone and creeps to the edge of the stage to sing it out to the last row like they used to do before the technology for personal microphones became a thing in theater. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Stokes sing this song three times and all three of those times I was in the front row. And I swear to you with all the might of my nerdy heart and soul it is one of the most special experiences of all time every time ♥️

Links:

Stokes performance of the song at the Carnegie Hall South Pacific concert, 2006 (x)

My video of Stokes singing the song at 54 Below, 2022 (x)

Song facts, playlists, and lyrics from the Rodgers and Hammerstein official site (x)

Lindsey Buckingham’s instrumental version from Out of the Cradle, 1992 (x) (x) and a live version of “TNWM” paired with the mournful “Street of Dreams” from the same album (x)

[snowlessknitter]

The Masked Singer: S11 E1 (Season 11 Premiere, Rita Ora Joins the Judging Panel)

It’s time for a brand new season of The Masked Singer, and this season a new judge will be joining the panel. Rita Ora, who has judged on the British version of the show, will be taking over for Nicole Scherzinger this season as Nicole is doing a run in the revival of Sunset Boulevard in London’s West End.

It looks like this season will have the same format as the last few seasons. As always, I post before I see any unmaskings, so what you see here are my guesses, not spoilers.

Goldfish 🐠: Was an overnight sensation. Felt like she was living in a fishbowl. A jar of hearts. Two kisses 💋 and a glass slipper. Well, the “Jar of Hearts” could be a reference to the Christina Perri song of the same name. But she doesn’t sound like Christina Perri. The glass slipper could suggest she was in a movie adaptation of “Cinderella”, of which there’s been many. So it could be any of Lily James, Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, Anna Kendrick, Drew Barrymore, and so on. The bonus clue is a gold record. But there has also been several theatrical productions based off of Cinderella, and one of the judges also brought up Carly Rae Jepsen, who was in a Broadway revival of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella and played the title character. “Overnight sensation” could refer to both her run on Canadian Idol (in which she finished in 3rd place in the show’s fifth season) and her hit single “Call Me Maybe” taking off seemingly overnight. And the kisses? She released an album called Kiss. I’m going with Carly Rae Jepsen for the moment.

Starfish ⭐️: Met Steve Martin and Whitney Houston. Four leaf clover, a Cabbage Patch-like doll. Might be a comedian. The voice is making me think of Jennifer Coolidge from Legally Blonde. Bonus clue: streamed over 50 billion minutes in a single year. Molly Shannon is also a good guess.

Ugly Sweater 🧶: Was wheeled in and may seemingly be an older man. A rabbit in a hat, and he had some hard times. A blue record. The bonus clue: a sweater reading “Featuring”. I’m a little bit stumped, but I think Verdine White from Earth, Wind & Fire may be the best guess here for now. The Flo Rida record Robin Thicke was referring to was “I Don’t Like It, I Love It”, which featured Verdine White on bass. While he’s not particularly as known for his vocals as his bandmates Maurice White (Verdine’s half-brother) and Philip Bailey were, he has performed vocals with the group.

Lovebird 🦜: Says he’s a hopeless romantic. A pink and yellow heart. A wedding cake topper with no bride. A watch with #1 on the face, a pair of dice that add up to 5. My guess is that he’s appeared on The Bachelor or one of its related shows. The bonus clue: a TV screen reading “Leading Man”. He sounds kind of young-ish, and I initially thought he was “Diver” last season (who turned out to be Tom Sandoval from Vanderpump Rules), but I’m going to go with this guess again: Nick Viall from The Bachelor.

Book 📖: He has stories for days and a really good vocabulary. A detective badge and a sign for an open mic night. His mom had a huge influence on him. A ghost, and he is covering a song by last season’s winner Ne-Yo and he wants to prank a friend. Just from the sound of his voice, this has to be Kevin Hart. And his friend? He was in The Real Husbands of Hollywood with both Robin Thicke and Nick Cannon. He’ll likely be the first one eliminated, and if he somehow survives elimination, he’ll unmask himself anyway. And the height of his costume from the soles of his feet to the top of his hat, he’s barely as tall as Nick Cannon! Great prank, sir!