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Moriah Mitchell

Sophisticated Ladies: A Tribute To The Duke

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If you want to be dazzled by gorgeous costumes, amazing singing, terrific dancing, and stunning sets, then head on over to Porchlight Music Theatre’s Sophisticated Ladies.

On Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity to go see an outstanding showstopper of lights, singing, dancing, and costumes. This was at Porchlight Music Theatre’s Sophisticated Ladies in downtown Chicago. As I watched it, I was completely taken back at the energy of this show. There were so many things I loved about this show that I don’t even know where to start. However, I do want to make sure that my readers understand what this show is. You see, this isn’t a play, or a concert, or a recital, or a musical. This is simply a tribute to one of the greatest musicians of all time – Duke Ellington. If you don’t know who Duke Ellington is, he is a world-renowned musician who has captivated audiences with his jazzy songs. 

What I love about this play is the true “entertainer” vibe. There are big facial expressions and energetic dancing. The dancers encourage the audience to get up and clap and dance themselves. I had never seen such a bright enthusiasm for the audience to participate before.  In fact, that was one of the best parts of the show. It was the performers’ hungry want for the audience to be immersed in a world they had never known. But I must say, they sure did their job. One thing that was very nice to see was that almost the entire cast African-American. It was nice to see some diversity.

You see, because this isn’t a “play”, there is no direct storyline. That’s right, this is just a collection of songs and dances that will make your very own heart sing. Another thing that makes this show stand out is the lack of dialogue. This show has very, very little  dialogue. A couple words here and there to keep the audience entertained, and maybe some “acting” small talk between the actors in certain scenes. Interestingly enough, there is so much acting that one would forget that there are barely any lines! Other than that, it is simply one song or musical number after another. 

“Another thing that makes this show stand out is the lack of dialogue.”

Moriah Mitchell, Sophisticated Ladies: A Tribute To The Duke

Now let me tell you about the DANCING. Specifically, the tap dancing. It is absolutely superb. Every dancer is perfectly in sync with the next. The performers wore tap shoes for a good ¾ of the show. Almost every other song was paired with rhythmic tap dancing that matched the beat. The dancing also added a soulful interpretation of the song. There was also jazz dancing, swing, and a little modern interpretive dancing.

The singing was absolutely superb. Every song made me want to get up and join the cast on stage and dance with them! There was a great amount of scatting which I was definitely new to, but nevertheless it was very entertaining. In the end, the performers even broke the fourth wall and had the audience get up and clap, dance and sing to “I Don’t Mean A Thing”.

 Porchlight Music Theatre’s Jermaine Hill portrayed the role of Duke with no acting, no dancing, and no dialogue. He just sat and played one musical melody after another. He was extremely gifted on the piano, and I definitely thought he was an extraordinary maestro. As he tickled the ivories, the live band sitting on the two-part set jammed with him. 

I absolutely loved this play. You can very easily see that I took part in it with everything in me, and I honestly, would recommend this to any theatergoer. You don’t have to be a dancer, or a singer, or an entertainer. You just have to have a love for the soul.

High School Musical The Musical The Series: The Remake or The Revolution?

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Some might think that the new Disney+ show inspired by High School Musical is another disappointing remake that will not impress. However, if you are one of those people, continue reading to find out why I, a former doubter of the show, now disagree.

To start off, let me tell you exactly what HSMTMTS (High School Musical The Musical The Series) really is. It is not a remake. It is not a reboot. It is not a Disney movie wannabe. It is simply a Disney+ tv show inspired by the magical and captivating  High School Musical movie. It stars some previous Disney channel stars, like Olivia Rodriguez as Nini, Joshua Basset as Ricky, and Sofia Wylie as Gina. Also in the series are Matt Cornett as EJ, Julia Lester as Ashlyn, Larry Saperstein as Big Red, Kate Reinders as Miss Jenn, Dara Renee as Kourtney, and Frankie A. Rodriguez as Carlos. These talented kids surely bring the series into a different light.

The series is centered around Nini and her friends who are all students at East High, the original high school where High School Musical was filmed. Of course, the new drama teacher at the school, Ms. Jenn, decides to hold auditions for their very own production of High School Musical: The Musical. Despite the already stressful theater environment, Nini (one of the main characters) is faced with other problems: boy problems.

“Maybe we should just, like, chill for a minute.” Ricky says to a devastated Nini.

High School Musical The Musical The Series, Disney+.

One of the reasons I decided not to neglect the show, is because the drama keeps me coming for more. At the end of the freshman school year, Nini, confesses her love to her boyfriend, Ricky. But knowing that Nini will go to theater camp that summer, Ricky also confesses something. “Maybe we should just, like, chill for a minute,” Ricky says to a devastated Nini. As is it wasn’t already obvious, Ricky feels that their relationship is in question. That summer, Nini meets EJ, a junior in high school that sometimes puts on a facade to get his way. In the fall, as the first semester begins, Nini reiterates to Ricky that their relationship is now over, as EJ is her new boyfriend now. Ricky, surprisingly, is heartbroken. Later that day, Ms. Jenn and Carlos announce the auditions for High School Musical: The Musical. Nini and EJ plan to get the two main roles of Troy and Gabriella, but come to find out, Ricky gets the role of Troy and Nini gets the role of Gabriella. All this drama ensues in just the very first episode, and there are 9 more that help continue the journeys of these friends. You see, this is not just a show, and not just another Disney series. This is a rollercoaster of friendship, love, and hope for these East High students. This series contains brand new ideas, but is also heavily inspired by the original High School Musical movies. You will get to see some old HSM classic songs, and also new hits (some of them were even written by the cast). Oh, and did I mention there’s at least 1 or 2 songs in every episode? There is a lot of HSM inspiration in this series, and I think that is what makes it unique. From friends, to songs, to costumes, to the atmosphere of East High, this Disney+ series has everything you could ever want in a tween series. I hope you will stay tuned and press play on this captivating series. This isn’t a remake. This isn’t a wannabe. HSMTMTS is a revolution for this new generation of High School Musical lovers. 

Inside the World of The Nutcracker

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The Nutcracker is a classic performance displayed every winter by multiple dance companies and schools. But what really goes on behind-the-scenes of the Land of Sweets?

For the third year, I have been given the opportunity to dance in a production of the Nutcracker. It is a magical experience, dabbled with amazing memories that will last for years to come. However, there are blood, sweat, and tears that go into making this production a success. 

            The first step is casting and auditions, which start around July or August. After Summer break, the  roles of the production are organized, and the ballet masters and directors hold an audition. There are a massive amount of roles for all dancers.Auditions can be fun, but they can be stressful at the same time. Some dancers have preferred parts, but they might get a different part than what they hoped for. The auditions test your knowledge and ability of the steps for a chosen role. By late August, we were told what parts we had gotten. This year, I had been given the parts of Party Girl and Russian Dancer. This was my second time in a row playing Party Girl. After we were assigned roles, rehearsals started. 

  The party scene is the very first scene that occurs at the beginning of the ballet. It is long, and contains many intricate details and parts that have to be sorted out.  Because I was a Party Girl, I had to start rehearsals very early. The party scene depicts a Christmas party that Clara and her brother Fritz are hosting with their parents. Their friends and family all come over to  dance and exchange gifts. Suddenly, Clara’s mysterious grandfather appears and begins using magic to everyone’s awe. As a gift, he gives her a beautiful Nutcracker doll that she falls in love with. After the party, Clara falls asleep. In her dreams, she experiences a battle between her beloved Nutcracker, and the King of Mice. After the Nutcracker wins the battle, he transforms into the nephew of Clara’s godfather, and they go on a magical journey to the Land of Snow and the land of Sweets in her dreams. 

Just the acting part of this Party scene alone takes months of perfecting. Then the dances are refined. In my school’s production of the Nutcracker, we have decided to add lines and narration to what would be a completely word-less ballet. So instead of a completely classical ballet with only music and dancing, we’ve added narration to the first act of the play. This also makes for more rehearsal time as the actors need time to memorize their lines. About a month into rehearsals, costume fittings are made. The dresses for the Party Girls are made to look like a dress a girl would wear in the mid 1800s because  that is when the play is set. Then the tough rehearsals begin. The ballet masters demand nothing short of perfection from their dancers, even if it means that they have to give them harsh feedback: They will tell you if the dance looks horrible. This might cause tension between the dancers, but ultimately, the ballet is perfected. By November, we start to do big cast Tech Rehearsals. This allows the ballet masters to get a look at what the production would look like in full. It also gives the costumers a chance to see the costumes on the dancers. Then the sound and lights team can get a chance to see if the music and lights work smoothly. 

Opening Night: an evening of warmup classes, last-minute costume fittings and pre-show jitters. But when that curtain goes up and the music starts, it’s like you’re lost in another world. You are no longer in a theater acting as a dancer. You are Clara’s friend who just trudged through a winter snowstorm in Germany to be at this party. You are a Russian dancer gracing the Sugar Plum Fairy’s palace to dance for her guests. All of a sudden you are in this fairytale world, and to be honest, there is nothing on this earth like the adrenaline rush you get as the Nutcracker Overture starts. You say good-luck, Merde, and break a leg, and then you run into the stage to be greeted by your fellow dancers and praises by the ever-captivated audience.

Disney+: The New Netflix?

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“To infinity and beyond…” The Disney company is surely doing its best to live up to Buzz Lightyear’s adventurous words by adding a new feather to their hat: An all-new, never-before-seen television subscription that lets you have access to all of Disney’s movies, tv shows, and more.

Disney + is Disney’s brand new subscription program that lets you watch all sorts of shows and movies you can name – all within the Disney brand. This program appeals to kids and adults alike, and it has already taken the media by storm. It launches on November 12, 2019, the day that many people have been waiting for. Let me tell you what Disney+ includes. With Disney+, you will have the accessibility to Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic and even all 30 seasons of The Simpsons. Of course, users will also be able to watch Disney media, including its shows and movies. Disney will also be releasing new originals that will only be available on Disney+. These include the live-action remake of The Lady and the Tramp, as well as High School Musical: The Musical The Series. You can also enjoy beautiful documentaries and Disney’s old classics brought to life. All of this can now be brought to your home screen – without paying anything extra. Yup, you heard right: without paying anything extra.

“Coming from a person that was sincerely considering getting Netflix, I see which subscription stands out from the crowd, and that is definitely Disney+.”

Moriah Mitchell, (Disney+: The New Netflix?

This brings me to the reason why Disney+ stands out from all the other tv and movie subscriptions out there. First of all, you pay one price. With Netflix, you have to choose which price out of three you would like to pay depending on how many devices you want to stream at once and the quality of your content. However, with Disney+, you needn’t choose, for there is only one price you can pay. That price is 6.99 a month, or 69.99 a year. When you pay this price, you are allowed to download content on up to ten devices at one time, and you can stream four different shows on four different devices at one time as well. On Netflix, the lowest price you can pay is 8.99 a month, and you can only stream on one device at a time when you pay that price. On top of that, you do not get HD quality or Ultra HD quality with your content with that 8.99 price. What’s more, you do not get the option to pay once a year. You may only pay once a month. Then considering all the other tv subscriptions like Hulu and Starz, which one is especially geared towards all kid-friendly content? This is what makes Disney+ special. Coming from a person that was sincerely considering getting Netflix, I see which subscription stands out from the crowd, and that is definitely Disney+. I have already decided that Netflix is not for me, and I can’t wait for my family to try out all the new trimmings that come with Disney+.

New Flicks Coming Up This Season

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Have you ever wanted to go to the movies, but didn’t know what to watch? Well, I have found several new and exciting movies coming out this fall just for you. This media article will give you movies that will leave you sitting in front of the big screen for hours on end. 

If you are yearning to grab your candy, your popcorn, and your seat to sit down to watch a good flick without having to wait 2 more months, then keep your eyes and ears open for Gemini Man and Maleficent.

Gemini Man is an action packed movie that stars Will Smith playing a double as his character that fights a clone who is also played by Will Smith. The clone has proved himself to be smarter, younger, and tougher than Will’s character. This flick leaves Will Smith to really bring out two sides of himself to captivate the audience. Will Smith is known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the 90s and the live-action remake of Aladdin earlier this year. This first movie will debut in early October. 

Maleficent frightened us when we first laid eyes on her in 1959, then again in Maleficent (2014). Now, Maleficent is back and better than ever, as she threatens the main character, Princess Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty) , her beloved family, and the future of Aurora. This live-action movie explores the connections between the well known characters of the legendary film, and continues to display the awe-inspiring magic that is so beautifully created by Disney. Angelina Jolie, who plays Maleficent won a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award for her role in Maleficent. She has also won multiple Golden Globe Awards. This movie will also be released in October.

If you want to catch one of the amazing flicks coming up in November, be on the lookout for Harriet, Frozen ll, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. 

You might have heard of the legendary heroine Harriet Tubman. She is a fearless woman that became an abolitionist when she helped to free slaves that were cowering under their master’s control. In this biopic of Harriet’s life, you are drawn into the world of slavery as you embark on all the suspense filled adventures that Harriet did. This courageous abolitionist did not stop until she did all she could to free her fellow slaves, even if she had to endanger her own life first. Singer, songwriter, and actor Cynthia Erivo, who starred in the Broadway play The Color Purple, plays Harriet. She is joined by former Hamilton star and singer/songwriter/actor Leslie Odom Jr., and famous pop singer Janelle Monae. 

Frozen ll is the sequel to Frozen and continues the story of Elsa and Anna’s relationship as sisters and their friends alike.  A hint at a new chapter for Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and some new friends will be introduced in this movie. We hope to see all of the lovable characters return again to find new journeys that will explore the fantasy of Arendelle. Idina Menzel(Elsa) who has won a Radio Disney Music Award for “Let it Go” in Frozen. Kristen Bell(Anna) who won a Behind the Voice Actor Award for her role in Frozen as well. Josh Gad(Olaf) has won a Grammy for Best Theater Album of “The Book of Mormon”. Jonathan Groff(Kristoff) is known for his outstanding role of King George in “Hamilton” and he has even won a Grammy for that musical as well. I can’t wait to see wait these characters have in store for the audience in Frozen II. 

Get your tissues ready, because A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood just might be the tear-jerker for you. It is a darling movie that will bring you back to your childhood as we learn more about Mr. Rogers and his life that was devoted to making others smile. After his tragic death on February 27, 2003, the world has been longing to know more about him. Now, with the amazing portrayal of Fred Rogers by Tom Hanks himself, we can learn more about Mr. Rogers, and especially his special friendship with a magazine writer named Tom Junod. Mr. Rogers is played by Tom Hanks himself who has been known for multiple Hollywood roles and his Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards. 

Lastly, for some exciting movies to watch in December as the chestnuts go pop, pop, pop, check out Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and Little Women. 

This upcoming Star Wars movie is a suspense packed flick for any Star Wars lover. Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, and John Boyega join the rest of the galaxy clan in this epic conclusion of this trilogy. With the death of Carrie Fisher, no one knew how her story would come to a conclusion in this last movie, just like all the other characters. Thankfully, LucasFilm has come up with a way to use some old footage of Carrie as Princess Leia that will be used in this film. An old enemy will make a comeback, and there will be new adventures for all of the Star Wars characters. We don’t know much of what happens in this film, but just like any other Star Wars movie, we can expect action, lightsabers, and of course, the force. 

Little Women is a famous classic that will now be showing itself on the big screens come December, as we relive Louisa May Alcott’s tale. It is a cozy story of love and friendship that will warm your heart. Little Women is a film that embodies the troubles they endure as the Civil War comes to a close. Now, we can watch the March sisters as they take on whatever life throws at them. They are young, brave women that will take you on a beautiful journey. This promising movie features award-winning actress Meryl Streep from Mamma Mia!. Greta Gerwig, who won a Chicago Film Critic Association Award from Lady Bird, will also be featured in this movie. Emma Stone from Beauty and the Beast won a People’s Choice award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress, and she will be featured in this movie as well. Little Women hits the screens on Christmas this year, and we can’t wait to see what it holds in store for us. 

These are just a few of the exciting movies that will debut starting in just a few days, and I hope that this article has helped to shed some light on what movies you should see that will be playing on a screen near you.