Wicked

Hello Lovely Readers,

I just saw Wicked: For Good. There are very few films that I will go to on opening day/ weekend, anymore. I can wait a bit. However, I made an exception for the second Wicked. 

And I saw both of them in 3D. This time we received souvenir glasses, in pink or green

I was always a fan of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and watched the yearly showing with my mom, growing up.

I have yet to see the musical version of Wicked, because the first time it came to California, I was still mourning my mom...

I actually didn't attend a Broadway production for close to 20 years before seeing Hamilton, for the 1st time, in 2022.

Anyways, I loved the movie. I really didn't read spoilers for either before watching, but knew a couple of things beforehand.

Are you a fan? 

What movie brings you back to your childhood?

Until next time

 

Broadway in SWFL

I was able to catch five Boadway shows thus year. The closest theatre, The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, about 46 minutes away on a college campus. 

The first one of the 2024-2025 season that I went to was "Jersy Boys" with my boy. This one is close to my heart since they are the ones that wrote & sang my 1st dance song, " Can't Take My Eyes Of of You"

It was even more special because I got to go with my favorite date to his first Broadway Musical 

Next up, " Funny Girl"

I went a bit early and scored Rush tickets. A reduced price ticket, available a couple of hours before the show.

Then, the "Book of Morman" a very raunchy show, by the creators of "SouthPark"

"MJ" was a great show! 

The season finished with "Les Mis" on Easter. It was my first time seeing it. I didnt realize it was show without dialog. They sang everything. But wow, I understand why it's still touring.

Since I'm somewhat frugal, and sit in the nose bleed section, I invested in a pair of opera glasses so I can see some of the details from way up high.

Cant wait to see what's coming to town for 2025 2026.

Epcot Festival of the Arts

 

Hello Lovely Readers,

This year, the festival is from January 17th to February 24th

It's pretty cool, lots of photo ops, where you become part of the painting, festival booths with colorful food, and Disney on Broadway concert series

"Teatime with Penguins" 

"Washington Crossing the Delaware"

by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze

"Mona Lisa"

by Leonardo da Vinci

"The Scream"

by Edvard Munch

Each festival has a passport, and this one is interactive with puzzle pages, a Figment flipbook

They also had a display of props from Disney on Broadway shows. I've personally only seen Beauty & the Beast and The Lion King, both in Los Angeles 

 

Unfortunately, the day I went it poured on and of while I was there, and on my drive to and from the parks. Plus, during the concert 

The colorful food

Pop Eats!

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese

The Craftsman's Courtyatd

Beef Wellington-inspired Croissant Supreme

with creamed spinach croissant pinwheel, mushroom-gorgonzola rag out, mustard-grilled flank steak, red wine sauce and pickled mustard seeds

L'Arte di Mangiare

Italy

Tricolor

cheese-filled ravioloni, pomodoro, cream, and pesto sauces

The Artist's Table

The American Adventure

Hummingbird Cake

banana and pecan cake dipped in cream cheese icing with caramel sauce and warm pineapple compote

Opening Bites

Enchanted Rose

milk chocolate rose with raspberry and rose center

Some festival only magic shots 

Because of the rain, I wasn't able to participate in the mural painting, nor see the chalk paintings...there's always next year

Until next time

To Kill a Mocking Bird

Hello Lovely Readers,

I missed this when it came through Orange County, CA, but I'm glad I was able to catch it in Florida.

I haven't been here that long, but I was curious if any Broadway touring companies stopped around here.

The closest venue, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, about 45 minutes away is located on a college campus. Bonus, the parking is FREE!

Normally, only musicals tour, although I did see the Vagina Monologues in San Diego, over 20 years ago

Anyways, Richard Thomas was still portraying Atticus Finch. Wow! What a powerful performance! Really the whole cast was fantastic

It was a nice introduction to the theatre in SWFL

Hamilton

Hi lovely readers,

For my birthday this year, I took myself to the theater to see Hamilton at the Segerstrom in Orange County, CA. My first time seeing a Broadway production there.

It's been a several years since I've been to the theatre. It's something I did with my mom from the time I was 14, starting with "A Chorus Line". We went to numerous ones over the years all over Los Angeles & Hollywood.

When I lived in San Diego I would go to whatever tours came through. Javier actually came to a couple of shows with me.

I knew this birthday would be a hard one with Connor at college, and only Dio to entertain me. I am trying to remember the woman that I was before I was a wife and mom.

It's a whole new world being a solo empty nester!

Do you like Broadway shows? What are your favorites?