Newsies Review: Movie vs. Broadway

  I saw the Newsies for the first time this week and I LOVED it! A few weeks ago I also saw the Broadway version on YouTube so I decided to review both of them at the same time. I'll start with the movie.

  Plot: A musical based on the New York City newsboys strike of 1899. When young newspaper sellers are exploited beyond reason by their bosses, they set out to enact change and are met by the ruthlessness of big business. -IMDb

 The movie stars Christian Bale as Jack Kelly. This was helpful in getting my brothers to watch this movie with me since they love Batman. 

  Who knew Batman sang and danced? I think that's also how we got Harrison to watch Little Women... Batman is a powerful tool. ;D

  The music is very energetic and fun, and the songs will quickly get stuck in your head. It's a lot different than the musicals I'm used to watching. This one was about 98% guys. I think I enjoyed the singing so much mainly because I never get to hear a bunch of guys singing in harmony.

  As for bad stuff, I think there was one bad word, but it was said with a New York accent in the middle of a bunch of people talking, so I could be mistaken. There's also a theater singer named Medda Larson who isn't my favorite character, but at least she isn't too immodest.

  One song I like better in the Movie than the Broadway is Santa Fe. I like it better in the movie because they had to change some of the lyrics in the Broadway version to go along with the way they changed the story and I prefer the original lyrics.

  I enjoyed this movie way more than I was expecting to. If you like musicals and haven't seen this one, I recommend  watching it. It is now one of my favorites. :D

Now for the Broadway....

  First of all, I was greatly disappointed to find that there was language added to most of the songs. Also, Medda Larkson was not *ahem* quite as modest as is the movie. However, there are a lot more songs in the Broadway version, and the singing and music is better quality. 

  One of my favorite songs that they added (that didn't have any language) was "Brooklyn's Here". 

  Though they did add language, it's  a pretty clean show for Broadway, though it still doesn't make me happy that they added it....

"Seize the Day"

  One change in the Broadway version was Jack's love interest. In the movie Jack liked David and Les Jacob's sister, Sarah. I  thought that was sweet since the Jacobs were kind of like brothers to Jack. However Sarah had a really small part.  In the Broadway version, Katherine Plumber (who isn't related to the Jacobs) is the leading lady, and has a much bigger role in the show.  I like that Katherine has a more substantial part, but I was sad she wasn't the Jacobs' sister.

"King of New York"

  Something I really admired in the Broadway production was the set. They had these great three story structures that could be rolled around the stage to make all the different buildings in the musical.

   I love, love, love the music and I wish I could make you all listen to to the whole album or watch you watch the movie, but I suppose that won't do... So instead of posting every song, I found a medley. Even better, it's an a capella medley! (I'm a such a sucker for anything a capella) ;D It doesn't have the same powerful punch as the actual songs, but it's still really fun! :D

A Bit of Writing

  Lately I've been doing a little writing. I've been working on a play based on"The Princess on the Pea" which (I hope) is a comedy. I'm also writing a Christian retelling of King Thrusbeard/Grislybeard. Hayden wants to write half of that one, but she's been really busy lately editing Hidden Pearls and learning lines for the play she's going to be a part of. So for now, I'm the only one working on it. I don't usually write a whole lot (as far as stories go). That's been more of Hayden's thing. But since I started, I've been really surprised at how fun it can be. It may even become a regular activity of mine. ;)

Hidden Pearls Cover Reveal!

As some of you probably know my sister, Hayden, is a writer. And so I am very proud to announce that her first novel, Hidden Pearls, will very soon be published and to show ya'll her book cover!

Here is the book synopsis:

For the wealthy and privileged in Regency England, life is filled with balls, beaux, and tea- and that's no exception for Constance Steele and her large, unusual family, But when an unexpected letter sends her on a voyage across the Atlantic, her experiences affect more people than she ever could have realized. From the love lives of her sister Margaret, and cousin Jack, to the family dynamics of the prestigious Breckenridge clan to a band of notorious pirates, no one could have guessed how her adventure would change them all...

And the author bio:

Hayden Wand is a Christian and homeschool graduate whose love of both Jane Austen and adventure stories inspired her to write Hidden Pearls. When she's not writing, reading, or bribing her siblings to read the classics, you can find her baking, crafting, or watching her favorite shows on the BBC. She lives in South Carolina with her parents and four energetic younger siblings. 

As soon as it's published I'll let you all know. I've already read it and highly recommend it! :D

"Just smell the grass, the dirt..."

Yay! It's finally spring! It happened so suddenly it seemed like everything turned green just over night. 

My family has been moving around, staying with friends and family, while looking for a new house. For now, we're staying at a cabin on some property a couple at church is letting us use, and the property is gorgeous.  

There's so many wild flowers that the breezes carry a floral scent. 

The wisteria is everywhere, and the vines are so thick and tightly wound around the trees that you can use them like rope to climb the trees. My brothers and I have been having a lot of fun with that. :)

We even found one vine that was looped into a natural swing.

At night there are thousands of lightning bugs. Which, of course, has us all singing "Fireflies"  by Owl City every night before bed. ;)

He covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills

~ Psalm 147:8

       

Beautiful Blog Award

I was tagged by Sadie Anne from Birdie's Perch.  

What is your middle name?

My middle name is Scot, after my dad (though mine's only spelled with one "T")

What is the last thing you baked? 

I don't remember... My family is currently moving/house hunting so I haven't had much of a chance to bake anything lately.

Who are your five favorite period drama men?

hmmm... I think Mr. Knightley from Emma is probably my favorite. He tells Emma what she needs to hear even if he knows she doesn't want to hear it, and just has one of the best characters out of the period drama men.  

I also really like Mr. Tilney from North Hanger Abbey. Again he has a great character, but he also has a wonderful sense of humor.

Actually, Mr. Tilney might be my favorite.... :)

Let's see.. Do Indiana Jones or Captain America count as period drama? I guess they're more like period action....  I definitely like Prince Albert from the Young Victoria, again just a really good guy.

Then, of course, there's Sherlock Holmes, because his mind is so amazing. :)

And Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables, but I think I mainly like him because he and Anne are so perfect for each other.  

What is your favorite color, and why?

Picking a favorite color is so hard! But I probably like blue best, then green, purple, and pink. Why? Because I think they're pretty?

What are your three favorite period drama soundtracks?

Emma (2009)

Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

I really like the music from Little Dorrit (2008) but it doesn't actually have an official soundtrack.   

How many siblings do you have and what are their names and ages?

I have four siblings: Hayden, 19; Harrison, 15; Samuel, 12; and Joseph, 9

What was the last place you went?

Church

Do you play any instruments? 

I play the tin whistle and a little piano

Do you enjoy sewing?

Yes, I love sewing! However pinning patterns is another matter....

What are your five favorite period drama hairstyles?

Elizabeth Bennet Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Jane Austen Becoming Jane (2007)

Emma Woodhouse Emma (2009)

And I like both of these

Elinor and Marianne Dashwood  Sense and Sensibility (2008)

Thank you, Sadie! 

2014 Lowcountry Heritage Ball

This year at the heritage ball, a man from our church, Mr. Yanzer, set up a photo area and took pictures for everyone at the ball. So... here are some of my family and friends. :)

Hurray! We  finally got a decent family photo. ;)

Hayden, me, and some friends

Avery and Me

 My siblings and I

Harry and two of his friends

So, there they are. We had so much fun!