|
|
Post by Injeanious on Apr 18, 2013 7:00:20 GMT 9.5
Well it looks like nothing will work out. JB finishes in Perth probably end of June and that is going to cost me a fortune to get over to. I am saving madly. Then my nephews wedding is in late November - I already have the tickets for that. So I will probably have to forget about Grease.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fredus on Apr 18, 2013 19:00:12 GMT 9.5
Aw.  But at least you're aiming for your Jersey Boys! I know that's your all-time favourite.  |
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Oct 8, 2013 10:23:32 GMT 9.5
Life gets too hectic so I haven't been on here for ages. Just thought I'd add a few snippets about Grease and Lucy's fabulous performances. I've been to see it four times (first preview, official opening, penultimate show which I won tickets for and then the final performance which I had bought tickets for BEFORE I won the tickets!) and it was fabulous - Lucy is truly the standout - and not just my opinion, every one of my friends who've been have said the same thing. They've all said she's the one closest to the original character and does a splendid job. If you're like me you'll find your eyes continually going back to her, even when she's in the background or sidelines. At the official opening when she and Kenickie were sitting on the bleachers at the top left they were interacting continually and at one stage he pretended to put his finger up her nose and then wiped it on her shirt! When we were chatting afterwards she laughed and said he's always doing something ridiculous and she never knows what's coming! As a heads-up and something else to watch out for, in the second Act during Rock 'n Roll Party Queen (I think - Lucy is in a bright red flared skirt with rows of black stripes around the edge, as a point of reference) she and Kenickie are on the far right front of stage and their interaction is very important for the next scene. They aren't the main focus so you may miss it if you're looking at the action on the left. And to just give us all a little glimpse of something I never thought I'd ever see again - two of my favourites together once more!! (Well, sort of ) Now just to round up the rest of that fabulous cast and creative team to put it on again. (Couldn't resist such an opportunity. They were snapped in the QPAC alley after Brissie's final Grease performance and brought back special memories for both of us!) Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Oct 8, 2013 10:24:32 GMT 9.5
And another one to make us all wish it was happening all over again. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Oct 8, 2013 10:26:07 GMT 9.5
And finally one with the two of us missing our favourite characters  Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Oct 8, 2013 10:34:33 GMT 9.5
And here's one I took at the Grease Official Opening on 20 August, as John Frost was introducing her - and just after this he invited her to say a few words and she was very reticent...but did a great - although very short - job! She's such a humble soul... Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Oct 9, 2013 7:43:12 GMT 9.5
Jemma, you are becoming obsessed - next thing you will be travelling to Sydney and Melbourne to see Grease!! Was Stephen Mahy good as Kenickie? I have got a ticket for Melbourne at the beginning of December. When I saw a video clip of the show I didn't think that Rob Mills or Greta looked quite right! I guess it is because I have seen the film so many times and have got John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in my mind. Although I do think that Stephen looks right for Kenicke - he looks a bit like Jeff Conaway.
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Oct 9, 2013 16:59:08 GMT 9.5
Hahaha, Injean! Maybe I am but Lucy actually gave me a personal invitation to the first preview and the official opening on the day it was announced she had the part so I couldn't say no, could I!! And as I said, I won the other tickets after I'd bought some for the final show. And talking about that, I may be seeing it in Melbourne as I'll be down there on the weekend of "Opera in the Alps" and I've been invited by a friend to go with her - so we'll just have to see Stephen was fabulous as Kenickie. The rapport between he and Lucy is great and as I said, their characters get up to all sorts of mischief behind the main lights. For the entire show, they are interacting whether together or from afar. I saw him in Spank last year with Caitlin Berry and both roles were perfect for him - the characters are quite similar in some ways. Now how to I respond about Rob and Gretel?? I wasn't as enamoured with them as I thought I'd be - they did their roles justice but I think there was something lacking in their chemistry. They certainly didn't have the spark that Olivia and John brought to their roles even though their voices were good and they delivered their lines well. In my opinion, you wouldn't have thought they were as smitten by each other as their roles required. But again, Lucy stood out as Rizzo, spitting out her lines in the exact manner and tone as Stockard Channing. When she sang "There Are Worse Things I Could do" the emotion in her voice was so poignant along with a beautiful sense of vulnerability - so different to how she had been up to that point as she is really very sassy. She's also in Victorian Opera's "Into the Woods" next July in Melbourne - with Annette Halloran, Noni McCallum and Matt McFarlane - and she's super excited about that as it means she goes straight into it from Grease. Her dad's directing the production so it should be great. |
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Oct 10, 2013 6:52:20 GMT 9.5
Jema - sorry for spelling your name incorrectly. I meant to say yesterday how nice your photos are. I have a couple of photos from the alley of Jersey Boys posters. Stephen being in the cast is the main reason I wanted to see Grease so after what you have said I am glad I have a ticket. I am in the dress circle front row so hopefully I will be able to see everything. And - I must be going mad. I have a ticket for Sydney - not Melbourne!! Hope everything up your way will be okay in the extreme heat you are getting - I have just been reading about the fire danger in Australia. It sound really bad. Here in Wellington yesterday we had freezing cold wind, torrential rain and the temperature in Karori was about 6 degrees. Not much better today although the rain has stopped.
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Oct 12, 2013 18:23:30 GMT 9.5
Hey Injean, that's fine - not offended at all Glad you liked the photos. She really played up to the sign for DZ and it was great to be a part of it with her - and nice to see it's still around two years after the fact! Lucy looked gorgeous for the official opening photos - it was a tartan corset-style dress, very fitting and looked great on her fabulous figure. I'm sure you'll enjoy Stephen's casting and they really do play well off each other. You should be fine in the Dress Circle - there's a lot of action on stage so you'll get a good view - and Sydney will be fabulous. It's our favourite city for beauty, although Melbourne is great for the quaint streets, restaurants etc and Brisbane for the climate and lifestyle. You're right, it's been really hot up here lately - and again today and the fire danger has been extreme which is a worry, but thank goodness we haven't had any to speak of. I remember those freezing cold winds and rain from when I lived there back in the 70s - I think I prefer the heat!! Had a great time today doing a backstage tour of QPAC (Qld Performing Arts Centre), checking out the backstage area of the four theatres, the green room, the "dungeon" and dressing rooms etc. Very informative and the fellow who was our guide used to the Events Manager (I think) of Opera Australia and knows Lucy's dad so we had a bit of chat about how talented the whole family is. Stay safe, rug up and enjoy Grease - and let me know what you think |
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Oct 24, 2013 10:28:03 GMT 9.5
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Nov 22, 2013 17:12:00 GMT 9.5
Hey, Injean, Sorry I've been busy again and only just got back here - plus having internet problems hasn't helped I hadn't seen that one, but boy it's a toughy. Nice what she said about Lucy but she's obviously not very impressed over all. |
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Dec 8, 2013 17:47:22 GMT 9.5
Jema, I have just got back from Sydney and Grease. What can I say? I was so disappointed, I would have left at interval if Stephen Mahy hadn't been there. Lucy was wonderful - and at the end several people were commenting that her Rizzo was the best part of the show. Stephen did interact wonderfully with her and there was a definite "chemistry" between them. But - as for the rest - well I don't know. Perhaps it was because Bert Newton was Vince Fontaine and to be honest I have never been able to stand Bert. Sorry to say this as I know he is an Australian icon. But the show started badly for me when he kept coming on in that radio shack thing. And then Gretel and Rob just seemed to be totally uninterested in each other. I did like the dancing and I was impressed with Stephen, as I saw an interview where he said he was worried about the dancing because he couldn't dance, but I think he did so well.
Lucy did look like Stockard Channing and Stephen reminded me so much of Jeff Conaway. But Rob certainly wasn't like John Travolta and Gretel not at all like Olivia Newton-John.
The audience didn't get very enthusiastic at all - hardly any applause at the songs and at the end when the actors took their bows, hardly any clapping. I clapped as hard as I could for Lucy and Stephen!
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Dec 23, 2013 15:58:17 GMT 9.5
Injean, sorry it wasn't as good as you expected. I must admit, and what you probably gathered from my original post about Grease, Lucy is the only one I was really focussing on - along with Stephen Mahy whenever they were interacting. I was disappointed with the chemistry between Gretel and Rob, but again I wasn't really watching them very much. My whole purpose for being there was to support Lucy so that's where my attention went for most of it. They certainly didn't seem to be enamoured by each other the way they were portrayed in the movie while Lucy was in character from the moment she stepped on stage until the end - pure professional.
The audience in Brisbane was always very enthusiastic - but they usually are for most shows unless they're a real dud. I agree totally about the Bert thing - totally superfluous and over the top to have him as one of the top leads in the TV ads while Lucy didn't get a mention when he was hardly in it - along with Anthony Callea.
Anyway, I'm glad I went along for Lucy's sake - I'm heading to it again in Melbourne in January seeing I'm heading down for Opera in the Alps and then staying in Melbourne for a few days to catch up with my daughter and grandson, but again only to see Lucy and support her.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that 2014 is filled with great things for you and your family.
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Dec 23, 2013 16:34:10 GMT 9.5
Thought I'd add this here since Lucy was the inspiration for me putting my fingers to the keyboard in the first place. Even though my main character's name is familiar to all of us, I've always loved Lara as a name and knew that if ever I'd had another daughter she would have been given it. After all, my one and only is Sascha - from loving the movie so long ago. (Just as well it was a name for either gender!) So as a way to honour my favourite musical of all time, 28 months ago I sat down and started writing a novel which had been in my heart for many years - all because of the exquisite music that filled my mind and soul as I left the theatre that first time. Today it finally hit the web shelves if you're looking for a last minute Christmas stocking filler for the women in your life or to grab a romantic read for yourself over the holidays. 'Silken Images' is the first volume of a two-part series inspired by the poignant musical Doctor Zhivago - A New Musical. It's certainly been a labour of love - along with many late nights and lots of jottings in the middle of the night when it kept me company in my dreams. A printed copy is currently available from CreateSpace and will be added to Amazon.com within the next week, joining the eBook version which has just been made available for downloading on the Amazon website. And if you're wondering, Larmar (pronounced La'Mar) is my maiden name - a way to honour my dad as well as give me a little anonymity. And thanks to a lot of you, and most especially Jayko. It has been your encouragement that has kept me going. My Italian glass pen is in readiness, Jess - thanks for great memories of a lovely weekend and seeing a certain someone strut his stuff from the first row on three separate occasions!  |
|
|
|
Post by Injeanious on Dec 24, 2013 17:23:16 GMT 9.5
Jema - congratulations on your book, you must be so excited. If it comes out in a paperback I will buy one - I don't have an e-reader. I did look at Create Space but couldn't find anything there. I wonder if that is where my brother gets his books published. He has written about 5 so far and gets some printed each time but has never been able to sell them to a publisher. Although I love crime books, his are not my cup of tea - he writes about the FBI etc.
About Lucy - I see you said she was going to be in Into the Woods next July - I wonder if she still will be, as I see Grease to going to Adelaide and Perth next year. Or perhaps there will be a new Rizzo.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fredus on Jan 1, 2014 21:26:33 GMT 9.5
That's awesome about your book! Marie-Cris and I ... kind of made a solemn promise to each other that will won't spend a single unnecessary cent until the bank accounts have recovered from Christmas/Opera in the Alps... but the second we have, I'm off to grab your book! (Conveniently, a Kindle was one of the Christmas presents we got, so we've got something to read it on!  ) |
|
|
|
Post by Marie-Cris on Jan 2, 2014 19:11:31 GMT 9.5
Awesome news, Jema! I really should fire up the kindle and see how it all works so we can grab a copy. Maybe I could put up an advertisement link somewhere on the home page to help promote it.
|
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Jan 14, 2014 15:11:48 GMT 9.5
Hi Everyone So sorry for the late replies to your wonderful encouragement for my new novel. It's been a busy few weeks with Christmas and organising everything, plus making my website to promote my writing. Not to mention editing the second volume in the sequel so it can be published shortly. Hi Injean - Thrilled to bits that you want to purchase a copy. I've just checked out createspace.com and to access it you must go into the search area on the top right and ensure that store is showing rather than site on the down arrow to the left of the search box. Then just type in my pen name Jennifer Larmar or the title Silken Images and it comes up. Amazon does carry it too in both eBook and paperback form - and if anyone purchases the paperback they're entitled to download the eBook for free (just in case you ever buy a Kindle or have an app on your iPhone etc.). All the best for your brother's books. Yes, I was wondering about Into the Woods myself. The website still has her in it and her dad is directing it but things could change. I'm seeing her next week so will ask her then. She hasn't said anything other than to say she was super excited about it... It's only for a week so maybe her understudy will be playing Rizzo for that period. Again, thanks so much for your support too. Hey Fredus! - Yay about the Kindle present! I love mine for travelling, although I'm still a hard form fan when it comes to lying in bed at home! At the moment it's $4.47 on Amazon. I hope you like it when you do get around to buying it. There's a tiny little reference to Anthony in this one and there will be more in the follow-up volume - along with heaps from the DZ cast who've given their blessing for me to include them. Hi Marie-Cris - You're a sweetheart offering to put a link up for novels. That would be great if you could. My website which has links for purchasing all my books (when the others in the pipeline are available) is here: www.sbandta.wix.com/jenniferlarmar It has blurbs about all my novels, along with chapter samples and reviews etc. If you'd rather just put up the Amazon and/or CreateSpace links that's fine too. I really appreciate your help - at this stage, all assistance is wonderful! Thanks to each of you for your enthusiasm for my baby - it's certainly been a journey but a joy along the way. And it was so surreal holding a copy in my hand the other day - two years of long days and very late nights! I hope you like it - and as a warning, it's very romantic and with no erotica but there are some sensual scenes! Here's the link to the book on CreateSpace: www.createspace.com/4615183It's a new edition - when I got the hard copy in my hands the blurb on the back cover wasn't as big as I'd like it which made it hard to read. Consequently I decided to do a second edition and format the entire cover myself instead of using their pro forma for the back cover and I'm much happier with it. Here's the link to the book on Amazon: www.amazon.com.au/SILKEN-IMAGES-TIL-THE-TIME-ebook/dp/B00HG164G0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1389676989&sr=1-1Just so you're aware, the new edition is only available on CreateSpace at the moment but Amazon will be downloading it within the next day or so. Hopefully I'll get see some of our US community on Saturday |
|
|
|
Post by jemasjottings on Feb 7, 2014 13:32:42 GMT 9.5
About Lucy - I see you said she was going to be in Into the Woods next July - I wonder if she still will be, as I see Grease to going to Adelaide and Perth next year. Or perhaps there will be a new Rizzo. Hey Injean, I managed to catch up with Lucy after Grease in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago - yes, I went again but purely to support her! I asked her about 'Into the Woods' and she's definitely going to be in it - "can't wait" were her words. She'd been so sick, the poor thing, and had to take the previous four shows off - her first missed performances out of 160. She had a shocking cold and lost her voice so this was her first day back. I'd heard from her only a few days before, apologising in advance in case she wasn't up to scratch - typical Lucy, such a trouper! As usual, her performance was flawless as she put every skerrick of effort, energy and determination into it and I had tears in my eyes with "There are Worse Things" just from her gutsy effort. When we were chatting afterwards she said she'd been like jelly the whole time and was still shaking. I heard from her mum the next day and she said she'd been really worried about her as she'd been terribly ill but she was feeling a bit better, thank goodness. It was good the next day was Monday so she could have time to recuperate. No wonder I admire her so much Oh, and for those interested, she won a GLUG award for "Best Actor in Musical Theatre" for her role as Gertie in 'Noel and Gertie' as well as being nominated in the same category for Rizzo. Thrilled to bits for her and she's feeling "very happy and honoured"... She certainly deserves it as she was brilliant as Gertie. I saw it twice and would see it again in a heartbeat. Very stirring and quite tragic. |
|
Please feel free to introduce yourself in the Introducing thread in the General board, also to contact myself or anyone here if you have any questions. We hope you enjoy your time with US!