A Chorus Line - Orpheum Theater - Minneapolis, MN

Sarah and I made a spontaneous week day excursion to see A Chorus Line at the Orpheum last night. Neither of us had ever seen this classic, nor did we know much about it going in. Basically, we were just hoping this "classic" piece of American musical theater would not let us down like Phantom of the Opera did earlier this month!!

I am going to be honest and say that - for me - this was one of the best touring productions I have seen all year! Besides Spring Awakening and maybe the final tour of Rent with the original Mark and Roger, we have seen some rough touring productions this year. Many of come across cheap and weak. Not A Chorus Line! I enjoyed this simple production immensely!

I wish I could say the same for Sarah. She struggles with musicals that don't have elaborate set pieces or lots of action. That is definitely not A Chorus Line!

This show is simple with very little set. The lighting was really solid and the sound was better than many of the touring shows we have seen too. Overall, the acting and dancing were so strong that I was sucked up in this production from the opening moments all the way until the showy curtain call. I guess this is one show that Sarah and I are going to have to disagree about!

Next weekend...it is all about Singin in the Rain at the Ordway! I hope it is better than I think it will be! :)

Phantom...missing the big deal!

Last weekend, Sarah and I took in the touring production of Phantom of the Opera at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. We were kind of excited to take it in because neither of us had ever seen it and it is kind of a well known show!

I want to preface this all by saying that I am sure somewhere (a long time ago) Phantom was probably really good! I but it was quite the thing to see. However, something about this tour was missing and it felt so watered down that it was lacking almost any REAL human emotion. Not that I have to be moved every time I see a play, but I expect theater to make me feel SOMETHING!!!

It is hard to pin point the real problems with the show. The sets were delightful (albeit some of them looked a little cheap) and the costumes were incredibly beautiful! The actors all held their own, but something was still missing? Needless to say, I walked out feeling like I couldn't figure out what all of the fuss was about! 

up UP and awesome!!

It is incredibly perfect that my first review on this blog is about an incredible movie. From the moment Sarah and I saw the first preview of this movie about 6 months ago, we knew we were going to love it. Pixar has yet to let us down and UP doesn't disappoint either! 

If you haven't heard about it yet, the opening montage takes your breath away! With very few words, the animators bring you through the the ups and downs of a lifelong relationship between Carl and Ellie. Sarah shed a tear or two and I was on the verge! 

From there, the movie literally takes off...pun intended. We saw it in 3D and the animation is beautiful. It isn't crazy 3D, where everything flies at you at lightning speed (hmmm...Bolt), but instead the 3D acts to create texture. The fabrics and feathers in the movie have astonishing beauty. 

Russell, often the movie's comic relief, is a talkative and pudgy bundle of curiosity. A junior wilderness explorer, Russell infuses the movie with a joy that I haven't felt while watching a movie in a VERY long time! 

Pixar has been following a schedule of one major release per year and I cannot wait for next year. I laughed a lot and by the end of the movie there were some tears shed! Honestly, the best movie I have seen this year, UP is a must see! Follow the advice of one review that I read this morning, take someone you love to this wonderful movie and let UP make you fall in love with LOVE all over again!

PS...Toy Story 3 comes out June 18th, 2010!!

New Focus!

For those folks who have been following my blog as it focused on technology in my classroom, you are going to notice a big shift in focus on my blog. Ever since I started in metronet 2 years ago, I have always wanted to start a blog where I could talk about all of the cool stuff that Sarah and I do. Now, since metronet is over, it is time to make it a reality! So thanks to all those who have read my blog in the past! I hope you continue to read as I begin posting about ALL THINGS POP CULTURE! 

Kindle

Not sure how this fully relates to metronet, but it is technology related! I got a KINDLE2 for my Birthday! I absolutely love it! I am a big reader and have enjoyed how easy it is to buy books and read them. I like that you can make the words bigger...this is helpful when I am working out on the elliptical!!! I was in a terrible habit of buying all of my books...rather than checking them out from the library....so the affordable price of buying books on the kindle ($9.99) has saved me a lot of money already!

Twitter Video

Okay...so twitter is kind of fun so far. I already have 200 friends who I have never met before!! Whooohooooooo!! LOL! One of my random friends tweeted about this video...I think it is pretty funny!!

Why stop at one? Media Center Collaboration

Connie has been sharing with my students today a presentation about evaluating sources! It has been nice to see my kids responding to her in the classroom. At times, I almost feel like they might be starting to get some of this stuff. In the past, it has been so difficult, but I think the hard work of the middle schools and my fellow ninth grade teachers who are teaching research outside of the Language Art's classroom, is finally starting to pay off!! Thanks!!