We’ve officially entered the
holidays, and this week on the Simon Morris Blog I wanted to help you celebrate
your favourite time of the year by revealing five movie musicals you need to
watch over the holidays.
Simon Morris’ Favourite Time of the Year
Ever since a young Simon Morris first decorated his
first tree, I’ve been a huge fan of Christmas. There’s just something about
this time of the year – the dazzling fairy lights, finding garlands of tinsel everywhere
you look, munching on mince pies with the family round the tree – that just
gets...
26 December 2014
18 December 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, December 18, 2014 with No comments
With 2015 set to be American
actress Anna Kendrick’s year, this week on the Simon Morris blog I want to
explore the rise of the woman who I believe is the next movie musical
superstar.
A Kid with a TONY Award Nomination
Believe it or not, a young
musical theatre enthusiast by the name of Simon Morris first became
familiar with the work of an even younger Anna Kendrick way back in 1998.
That was the year she received her
first credit on Broadway performing in 90’s musical High Society. Her performance was such a hit that not only did she
bag...
16 December 2014
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 with No comments
This week, Simon Morris learned
that beloved movie musical Gigi is
destined for Broadway, with High School
Musical alum Vanessa Hudgens slated to star in the title role.
Simon Morris Should Have Lived in Another Decade
When I was a child, I was one of
those precocious kids who would have sworn down, had someone asked him, that I
belonged in another era. Specifically, the era when the classic Hollywood movie
musical reigned supreme.
Many a clock hand turned from 12
to 12, whilst a young Simon
Morris whiled away the hours entranced by the...
7 December 2014
Posted by Unknown on Sunday, December 07, 2014 with No comments
If you’re a follower of Once, Simon Morris readers, you’ll have
wondered how Ronan Keating did in his first night in the role of Guy; something
he labelled
“liberating.”
The Story of a Down-On-His-Luck Dublin Busker
As an adult, I’ve developed a
passion for carefully crafted, thought provoking musical theatre which tells a
captivating story, and accompanies it with a mind blowing score. There are few
musical theatre productions that have piqued the interest of an adult Simon Morris the way Once has.
For those of you who haven’t
heard yet,...
20 November 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, November 20, 2014 with No comments
Now the musical has officially
debuted on the West End stage, this week on the Simon Morris blog I ask what
the critics thought of Made
in Dagenham.
The Real Story of the Ford Sewing Machinists’ Strike of 1968
I’ve been waiting with baited
breath for the release of Made in
Dagenham. As I pointed out in a recent blog post,
I held high hopes for it. The story is compelling and the score looked
promising. In other words, it looked like a West End smash just waiting in the
wings.
The musical, an adaption of a
2010 film of the same name,...
13 November 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, November 13, 2014 with No comments
I celebrate the sheer spectacle
actors are capable of putting on in a production this week on the Simon Morris
blog, by sharing what I believe are the five best musical theatre dance numbers
of all time.
Dance, the Physical Expression of Emotion
For the true musical theatre
enthusiast, there is no one element that defines the love they share for the
medium. The successful show is able to combine consummate acting, thought
provoking dialogue, rousing musical tunes and jaw-dropping dance numbers to
create a masterpiece.
Dance – the physical...
6 November 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, November 06, 2014 with No comments
Fans of the cult female football
film will be amazed to hear on the Simon Morris blog this week, that a Bend it Like a
Beckham musical is finally happening!
Bend it Like Beckham, a Cult Classic
As a young Simon Morris, musical theatre
wasn’t my only interest. I was also a big film buff, and no film charmed me
quite like Bend it Like Beckham; no
wonder it’s a cult classic.
For those who haven’t seen it,
here’s the run down. It’s about a girl living in a traditional Sikh family who
yearns to play football professionally, like her idol, David...
30 October 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, October 30, 2014 with No comments
This week on the Simon Morrisblog, I discuss the question on every movie musical enthusiasts lips right now;
is Frozen coming to Broadway?
Frozen, Disney’s Biggest Smash Hit in Years
For any of you who haven’t seen Frozen, where have you been?
It’s only the biggest movie musical animation smash since The Lion King. It’s grossed millions at box offices around the
world, and inspired a cult following usually only gathered by the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises.
Frozen is a Disney animated movie musical that reimagines the story
of Hans...
23 October 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, October 23, 2014 with No comments
After Lindsay Lohan’s debut in
the West End, I thought I’d take the time to look at how she did this week on
the Simon Morris blog.
Even Simon Morris Occasionally Watches a Straight Play!
Whilst I usually prefer to head
down on a sojourn to the West End for a day chock full of musical theatre, I
sometimes wander off the beaten track and take in a straight play or two. I
can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen The Mousetrap!
So of course, it was only a
matter of time until I heard about the latest news rocking the UK’s theatre
district....
16 October 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, October 16, 2014 with No comments
This week I want to take the time
here on the Simon Morris blog to persuade you to see TONY award winning musical
Once while you can, as it is due
to close on Broadway.
The Story of a Dublin Street Busker Down on His Luck
Once is a stage adaptation of the movie musical of the same name,
which was critically acclaimed and even won an Academy Award for Best Original
Song in 2007.
Once tells the story of a Dublin street busker who’s down on his
luck, and about to give up his dream. That is until he meets a beautiful young
woman, who is suddenly...
9 October 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, October 09, 2014 with No comments
With the recent announcement that
Nicole
Scherzinger will take on the role of Grizabella in Cats, I want to explain here on the Simon Morris blog why I think its
inspired casting.
Nicole Scherzinger to Make West End Debut
According to the Independent, the
former Pussycat doll has agreed to take a sojourn to the West End. She will be
playing the role of Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Cats for a limited run at the end of 2014.
Of what will be her West End
debut, Scherzinger said that “to have the opportunity to work with Andrew,
Trevor...
2 October 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, October 02, 2014 with No comments
This week, I want to salute real
musical theatre enthusiasts here on the Simon Morris blog, by listing what I
believe are five underappreciated musical theatre show tunes.
We All Have a Show Tune That Made Us Fall in Love with Musical Theatre
Perhaps the reason I first fell
in love with musical theatre, back when a mini Simon Morris was first watching
actors tread the boards, is because I fell in love with a particular show tune,
‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.’
I’d say it’s the same for many
people. For all of us, there’s a show tune that...
25 September 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, September 25, 2014 with No comments
Emma Thompson recently delighted
musical fans by talking
about her return to the genre. This week on the Simon Morris blog I ask;
what did she say?
Emma Thompson, the Legend That Is
There are few actresses as
prolific, as talented and as respected as Emma Thompson. She’s stared in some
of Hollywood’s biggest productions, including Love Actually, the Harry
Potter series, Sense and Sensibility,
and Nanny McPhee. This work has led
her to numerous award nominations and wins, including an OSCAR.
However, what is perhaps less
known about Thompson,...
18 September 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, September 18, 2014 with No comments
After hearing
that Nikki
Davis-Jones has withdrawn from Wicked, I ask this week on the Simon Morris
blog; what next for the West End hit?
Nikki Davis Jones Sparkled on Stage as
Elphaba in Wicked
Whilst I adore
the Broadway version of the production, in my personal opinion, nothing can
compare to the West End’s take on modern musical blockbuster. Opened by
original Elphaba, Idina Menzel herself, it has since gone on to enchant
audiences around the world, including one musical theatre blogger by the name of
Simon Morris.
Which is why I
cheered...
8 September 2014
Posted by Unknown on Monday, September 08, 2014 with No comments
This week I rhapsodize here on
the Simon Morris blog,
letting you know the five celebrity stories I believe need to be brought to the
movie musical medium.
Celebs Are So Much More Interesting Than Real People!
As a fan of the movie musical, I
can tell you that some of the best, most compelling productions tell the story
of a particular person. A famous person obviously, since they lead way more
interesting, yet tragic lives than the rest of us.
All you have to do is look at
productions such as Evita and Funny Girl to understand this. These
musicals...
1 September 2014
Posted by Unknown on Monday, September 01, 2014 with No comments
This week on the Simon Morris
blog, I ask whether proposed reforms to child labour laws could benefit West
End musicals.
Child Stars are Pivotal to West End Theatre
Many of our favourite West End
musicals either have a significant child character or a child character as the
star. Look at Billy Elliot or Matilda, for example. Without their
child stars, these shows would fall part quicker than a Soufflé that’s failed
to rise.
Yet, shows prominently featuring
child stars often opt to open on Broadway rather than the West End, meaning New
York’s...
22 August 2014
Posted by Unknown on Friday, August 22, 2014 with No comments
This week on the Simon Morris
blog, I ask; will an education in musical theatre actually get you that role on
a West End stage you’ve been dreaming about since you were a kid.
It’s Extremely Hard to Get a Role in the West End
You don’t have to be a musical
theatre expert, Simon Morris readers, to know that it is monumentally hard to
break into the West End.
It’s a simple matter of
mathematics. There are only a handful of roles for a large number of
applicants. That is why most people assume that a first class education in
musical theatre...
31 July 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, July 31, 2014 with No comments
A director has said that mobile
phones could be banned in the West End to stop patrons from filming. On the
Simon Morris blog this week, I ask, could this really happen?
Simon Morris Wishes He Could Throw Mobile Phones into the Thames!
We all know it’s really annoying
when you’re watching a musical you’ve spent money to see, and have waited for,
for ages, when someone breaks out their phone. Whether they’re answering a
text, calling a friend or filming a production with plans to post it later on
YouTube, it makes you want to grab the phone...
24 July 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, July 24, 2014 with No comments
This week I want to celebrate the
leading men, who have made the movie musical what it is. Here on the SimonMorris blog are my top four leading movie musical men ever!
Behind Every Great Diva is A Leading Man
We tend to focus on the women who
have made the movie musical what it is. Maybe, that is because the
‘stereotypical’ movie musical audience have always admires strong divas. That’s
why when we think of the genre, our minds immediately go to sirens of song such
as Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand and Liza Minnelli.
But we really shouldn’t...
17 July 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, July 17, 2014 with No comments
The actress often makes the movie
musical, and on the Simon Morris
blog this week, I’ve listed who I believe are the top five movie musical
actresses ever!
A Combination of Theatre and Silver Screen
There are many elements to the
movie musical – score, costumes, script etc., but without the star power of a
truly world class leading lady – who can bring the main female role to life –
it’s bound to fail!
But it takes a lot to be the
leading lady of a movie musical. You’re not dealing with a live audience –
therefore, you not only have to have...
20 June 2014
Posted by Unknown on Friday, June 20, 2014 with No comments
The TONY
Awards have once again come and gone, and if you missed out on the best
night in musical theatre, you’re in luck, as this week Simon Morris is here to
give you the low down.
The 68th Annual TONY Awards
The TONY Awards are to the
musical theatre world what the Grammy’s are to music and the OSCARS are to
film; the one night of the year where players in this world get the recognition
they deserve for their stellar work over the past 12 months.
This year’s TONY Awards (68th)
once again took place at the Radio City Music Hall, one of...
12 June 2014
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, June 12, 2014 with No comments
Broadway musical The Book of Mormon is a runaway success,
and this week I wanted to get to the bottom of its momentous popularity, and
ask, just why are we all reading the Book of Mormon?
Tomorrow is a Latter Day
It tells the story two young
Mormon missionaries who are sent to a remote village in Northern Uganda to
spread the good word. When they get there however, they find the locals less
than receptive, as they have far too many problems of their own to deal with
and subsequently, the young men see their own worldview challenged.
With...
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