BROADWAY

watch three musicals and write 150 words about each

Well I don't watch many musicals, but I have seen a few. Three musicals that I have seen include, ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Beetlejuice’, and ‘The Lion King’- all three based on their movie predecessors. Out of the three though I would have to say that ‘Legally Blonde’ is probably my favorite because I’ve seen it the most times.

In the show Laura Bell Bundy is the star- Elle Woods- after a botched proposal she sets off on the journey to Harvard to be with the love of her life… or so she thought.

Upon her arrival, Warner is not as thrilled as she thought he would be to see her and is already in a committed relationship with someone who he considers to be more on his intellectual level. Throughout the rest of the show Elle proves herself worthy of being at Harvard and eventually ends up top in her class… and still finds true love. The use of music in this particular show really sets the mood for the entirety of it. Elle’s friends from back in Beverly Hills are part of the main chorus group that Elle sees/hears in her head. They act as the narrators and other comedic relief. Laura Bell Bundy steals the spotlight though with her powerful voice and charming attitude.

Beetlejuice would be my second pick, seeing as I have also watched it numerous times. Based on the 1988 ‘horror’ comedy, it has always been a favorite of mine. The use of lighting in this particular show was really immaculate because it was used to set the tone of things happening. They also were able to use specific colors to emphasize the entirety of the set. Overall the music that they sang really portrayed the characters well and told the story through a new lens. The actors used for Lydia and Beetlejuice really stepped into their character as soon as the makeup and costumes were on.

Finally, the Lion King. Considered a Disney classic it was instantly a hit on Broadway. The audience was swept away with the show thanks to their hand-crafted costumes and over the top makeup. All the cast members were essentially animals, and all needed specifically made costumes to operate like their animal. Some of the costumes for bigger animals like the giraffe were 18ft tall. All of the animal costumes were essentially life size puppets and it allowed their actors to portray the animals correctly.

MUSIC - PART 2

how has the evolution of music changed the way i listen to music?

Throughout history music has changed and evolved in so many ways. In the early history of music, it was made through the use of physical objects and sounds. Sticks colliding with one another or a hard surface, strings being plucked or rubbed against something. But nowadays anyone can music with just the touch of a button. Programs have been created to help people make music easier and more creatively- although some of the best songs in history were made the old fashion way.

Personally I think that the way I listen to music hasn't been all that affected because of modern technology- allowing us to be connected to music all the time through the radio, smart phones, and televisions. But one thing that I can still appreciate is going to concerts and seeing your favorite band or artist play. You know that everyone else is there to experience the same thing that you are and allows you to connect with one another and even the artist performing. 

MUSIC - PART 1

favorite artists-

My favorite artists throughout music span over a wide variety.

But some of the most notable are the following: Lana Del Rey, Drake, Midland, Frank Sinatra, and Frank Ocean.

They're all very different in their own unique way.

To start Lana Del Rey is the reigning queen of alternative music. She led the top charts of music heavily in 2012-2014.

She's one of the few artists who I can listen to an album all the way through and like 90% of the songs.

These are two of my favorite songs by her. I was lucky enough to have seen her in concert two times now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRWox-i6aAk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE6wxDqdOV0

Moving along to Drake. He's definitely more well known than some of the other artists on my list. He's been in the game for a long time now. He is a very talented singer and is very obvious by his multiple hit albums and even in his features.

In 2016 he released his album "If you're reading this it's too late" which permanently changed the game. The album was my favorite for the whole year and I even created art inspired by the album art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmZsYYI1Vnc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUPhYrlcTa4

Switching gears now, Midland. Besides the lead singer being cute they're an up and coming country group with multiple hit songs. It's on my bucket list to see them in concert so hopefully in the near future that will be happening. They're songs are very fun spirited and have happy vibes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBCrkFB8nvc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWDMLtXBmXE

Frank Sinatra, a throwback. He was probably one of the most influential artists in the 20th century. He's well known for his song 'Fly me to the moon', I'm sure everyone has heard it- unless they live under a rock- and although it's still a bop he has many others. My personal favorites of him can be found on his Christmas album. It reminds me of happy times and overall the Christmas spirit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvA7-EjaSPI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnlPtaPxXfc

And finally- the other Frank- Frank Ocean.

A mix between alternative, pop, and rap, he is loved by many although he very scarcely releases music. But when he does it's magical. He's only released two full albums and they're both well known throughout the world. Arguably the more popular one is 'Channel Orange' and can still be heard in the top charts on special occasions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qROh8zDmL5E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnbsIl2BnWw

4/20/2020

FEBRUARY 17, 2020

Today we talked about Opera. We learned about the castration of young boys that took place in Italy. This was due to preserving their young voices for Opera later on.

Opera began in Italy 400 years ago in Florence. Opera was considered the ultimate art piece, combining music and drama all in one. Monteverdi was a very famous Opera composer. He had created a secret room where he performed his pieces all into the night and it wasn't even discovered until four hundred years later. 
Monteverdi also had an all male Opera and used Renaissance instruments that don't even exist anymore.


VIDEO GAME IDEA
A video game idea based on the Opera- Madame Butterfly.
It would begin by choosing the characters on the home screen, one of which is Madame Butterfly. Players would go through the game playing out the scenes of the Opera and making real life choices that Madame Butterfly faced.
The antagonist of the game would be Madame Butterfly's ex, the one who left her and only returned to tell her about his new lover. At the end of the game players would have the option to either kill Madame Butterfly, like in real life, or face her ex and duel him. Resulting in the death of him and forever changing Madame Butterfly's life.