I really enjoyed this "Econ Duel" between the professors at Marginal Revolution University.
It is certainly worth 9 minutes of your time ...
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Monday, January 2, 2017
My 2016 in review: Musicals and plays
In 2016 I was fortunate to see many great musicals and plays. I love seeing shows, and now that I'm running BroadwayEconomics.com, I also am looking for new songs that help teach about economics.
Shows in New York (6 Broadway, 1 off-Broadway)
1. Hamilton
The whole show is great, but I don't think I've ever been more astonished by a song/scene for how they handled the Dinner Table Compromise - where Jefferson and Hamilton agreed to let Hamilton open the Central Bank in exchange for the capital being moved from New York to its current location on the Potomac. I've always been fascinated by this moment in history and the way the show portrayed it was fascinating.
With Hamilton the music is so good, many who get the soundtrack listen to the whole thing prior to seeing the show ... I listened to the first act prior to going, and think it was a bit of a mistake. I enjoyed the 2nd act so much more. I don't think it was because the 2nd act is better, I think it was the surprise. I would recommend that those who have tickets perhaps listen to part of it first, but not the whole thing.
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
I usually prefer musicals to plays, but this was one of the best plays that I have ever seen. The story does a fantastic job of getting you in the head of the (likely) autistic lead character.
3. Waitress
Great music and entertaining. The song "When He Sees Me" was one of the top songs I saw on the stage in 2016.
4. She Loves Me
Just a fun show - incredibly fun. It also has two songs that I have now posted on Broadway Economics.
5. Bright Star.
We actually had front row seats for this one! A fantastic bluegrass score and a great story.
6. Fiddler on the Roof
I had seen this show almost 20 years ago. That was with a touring group and the seats weren't great. I did not enjoy it back then.
This was a completely different experience. Seeing a fantastic cast perform Fiddler on the Roof is an absolute treat.
7. Avenue Q
I had heard much of this score over the years and had looked forward to seeing this show since 2004. I don't know if my expectations were too high, but I was disappointed. I think I might have known the material too well - I suspect if I didn't know any of the songs or jokes I would have been more entertained.
London
I got to see three shows in the West End in London.
1. Funny Girl
I saw this in London when co-leading an international trip. I saw the understudy, Natasha Barnes, as the lead role and she was absolutely fantastic. I know it was the west end and not Broadway, but if it were on Broadway this is the type of performance that would have garnered a Tony nomination. The show ... not bad, although I certainly don't need to see it again.
2. Sunny Afternoon (The Musical of the Kinks)
Of the three London shows, this was my favorite. Outside of Mamma Mia, this was my favorite jukebox musical (ever). Just great music and the story was also fantastic. I didn't know the music of The Kinks too well before this (maybe 3-4 songs) and wow, The Kinks had some fantastic songs!
3. The Threepenny Opera
I had never seen this before. What a weird story. It was pretty cool to see this show with a world-class cast, but it was weird. (And I have no desire to see it again.)
Touring Casts, Colleges, and Community Theatre
1. Cinderella (Hershey Theatre)
A great show - better than I expected. Very good music and an interesting story. (It doesn't exactly follow the Disney movie version ... which is good.) Also, one song from this show is on Broadway Economics.
2. Ragtime (Hershey Theatre)
The score of this show is simply fantastic. Click here for Henry Ford!
3. The Addams Family (Susquehanna University)
4. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Gammage Theatre - Tempe, AZ)
5. Carousel (Bucknell University)
This show was fantastic, and even better, my older two children got roles in this college production. (They needed some younger actors to fill out the cast.)
6. Of Thee I Sing
The first musical to ever win a Pulitzer Prize. This was one of my favorites, largely because my three favorite actors each had a role.
Shows in New York (6 Broadway, 1 off-Broadway)
1. Hamilton
The whole show is great, but I don't think I've ever been more astonished by a song/scene for how they handled the Dinner Table Compromise - where Jefferson and Hamilton agreed to let Hamilton open the Central Bank in exchange for the capital being moved from New York to its current location on the Potomac. I've always been fascinated by this moment in history and the way the show portrayed it was fascinating.
With Hamilton the music is so good, many who get the soundtrack listen to the whole thing prior to seeing the show ... I listened to the first act prior to going, and think it was a bit of a mistake. I enjoyed the 2nd act so much more. I don't think it was because the 2nd act is better, I think it was the surprise. I would recommend that those who have tickets perhaps listen to part of it first, but not the whole thing.
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
I usually prefer musicals to plays, but this was one of the best plays that I have ever seen. The story does a fantastic job of getting you in the head of the (likely) autistic lead character.
3. Waitress
Great music and entertaining. The song "When He Sees Me" was one of the top songs I saw on the stage in 2016.
4. She Loves Me
Just a fun show - incredibly fun. It also has two songs that I have now posted on Broadway Economics.
5. Bright Star.
We actually had front row seats for this one! A fantastic bluegrass score and a great story.
6. Fiddler on the Roof
I had seen this show almost 20 years ago. That was with a touring group and the seats weren't great. I did not enjoy it back then.
This was a completely different experience. Seeing a fantastic cast perform Fiddler on the Roof is an absolute treat.
7. Avenue Q
I had heard much of this score over the years and had looked forward to seeing this show since 2004. I don't know if my expectations were too high, but I was disappointed. I think I might have known the material too well - I suspect if I didn't know any of the songs or jokes I would have been more entertained.
London
I got to see three shows in the West End in London.
1. Funny Girl
I saw this in London when co-leading an international trip. I saw the understudy, Natasha Barnes, as the lead role and she was absolutely fantastic. I know it was the west end and not Broadway, but if it were on Broadway this is the type of performance that would have garnered a Tony nomination. The show ... not bad, although I certainly don't need to see it again.
2. Sunny Afternoon (The Musical of the Kinks)
Of the three London shows, this was my favorite. Outside of Mamma Mia, this was my favorite jukebox musical (ever). Just great music and the story was also fantastic. I didn't know the music of The Kinks too well before this (maybe 3-4 songs) and wow, The Kinks had some fantastic songs!
3. The Threepenny Opera
I had never seen this before. What a weird story. It was pretty cool to see this show with a world-class cast, but it was weird. (And I have no desire to see it again.)
Touring Casts, Colleges, and Community Theatre
1. Cinderella (Hershey Theatre)
A great show - better than I expected. Very good music and an interesting story. (It doesn't exactly follow the Disney movie version ... which is good.) Also, one song from this show is on Broadway Economics.
2. Ragtime (Hershey Theatre)
The score of this show is simply fantastic. Click here for Henry Ford!
3. The Addams Family (Susquehanna University)
4. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Gammage Theatre - Tempe, AZ)
5. Carousel (Bucknell University)
This show was fantastic, and even better, my older two children got roles in this college production. (They needed some younger actors to fill out the cast.)
6. Of Thee I Sing
The first musical to ever win a Pulitzer Prize. This was one of my favorites, largely because my three favorite actors each had a role.
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