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Tag Archives: Musicals

Mary Poppins gets a spoonful of Google Translate!

22 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Humor, Movies, Music

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

A Spoonful of Sugar, Brian Hull, Chim Chim Cheree, Elizabeth Fais, Feed the Birds, Google Translate, Humor, Jolly Holiday, Malinda Kathleen Reese, Mary Poppins, Musicals, Step in Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Walt Disney, Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Studios

The Walt Disney classic film, Mary Poppins, has been translated into 20 languages. Now Google Translate makes for 21. Don’t get me wrong. Google Translate is an amazing tool! But the translation algorithms have somehow managed to develop a language all their own, that no one else quite understands.

Most everyone can recognize at least one of the Mary Poppins songs in the following medley. Many know the words by heart. But even if you’re not an MP aficionado, you’ll pick up on the oh-so unique (!) Google Translate interpretation of the lyrics.

Mary Poppins and Bert in Jolly Holiday

Compare the original lyrics to the songs (in the banner above the window) with the Google Translate version (in subtitles below), and have a jolly good time watching the brilliant video clip. In the words of Google Translate, “Oh, good night is blowing up!”

Sing it again Google Translate … or maybe not


Historic Hollywood Bowl: Hosts The Beatles to Beethoven

14 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Architecture, Historic, Music

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Architecture, Beethoven, Classical Music, dining, Elizabeth Fais, Historic, Hollywood Bowl, Joshua Bell, Music, Musicals, picnics, The Beatles

I was excited about attending a recent concert at the Hollywood Bowl (Joshua Bell and Friends), in Los Angeles, and couldn’t help sharing the news with whoever would listen. I was shocked when two different people asked, “What’s the Hollywood Bowl?” It was all I could do not to say, “Are you kidding?” I grew up on Southern California. But still. The Hollywood Bowl is an American icon, and has been used as a setting in films and television for years.

I would have dismissed one person not knowing about The Bowl. But two was a cry from the universe to write this post. Attending a performance at the Hollywood Bowl is a bucket list kind of thing.

Everything is better at the Bowl. It just is…

Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA

[image: Wikipedia, by Mathew Field]

From Rustic to Iconic

The Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural amphitheatre in the United States, located in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California. When the Bowl opened to the public in 1921, it was used in its natural state with only makeshift wooden benches for the audience to sit on, and a simple awning strung up over the stage.

The popularity of the venue grew with the boom of the film industry, and by 1926 designs for a permanent stage were underway. For the 1927 season, Frank Lloyd Wright‘s son Lloyd Wright built the first of the iconic shell structures. By 1929, the Allied Architects built a shell that stood on the site until 2003. A larger and acoustically improved shell debuted in the 2004 summer season, incorporating design elements from the 1929 shell and the first shells designed by Lloyd Wright.

 

First known musical event at the current site of the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

[image: public domain, USC digital Library]

The two women in the photograph above are performing on the barn door (1920) to test the acoustics of the site, the first known musical event at the Hollywood Bowl. The barn door was placed approximately where the band shell was built.

Classical to Rock and Roll

A common misconception about the Hollywood Bowl is that it caters solely to the classical music crowd. The LA Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra both make their home there, but each season hosts productions from a wide variety of musical styles. For a complete list of upcoming performances, visit the Hollywood Bowl website.

The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl album cover artRock and Roll has a long history at the Bowl. In fact, The Beatles appeared at the Hollywood Bowl on April 23, 1964, just months after their US debut. Tickets for the show sold out in 3 1/2 hours, with the only sales being through select ticket offices, no online sales. Over 18,000 people packed the Bowl that night. To keep The Beatles safe from the overzealous fans, a smooth getaway scheme was devised. A decoy limo was used to attract the fans, while the band members slipped away in a nondescript Plymouth Valiant. In later appearances at the Bowl, a Brinks armored truck was used to escort The Beatles to and from their hotel to avoid a panic situation.

The screaming crowd at The Beatles first concert was so loud that no one could hear the music. However, it was recorded (as were their two Bowl concerts in August of 1965) and later released as an album under Capitol Records (US) and Parlophone (UK). [image: Wikipedia]

The Beatles 1964 concert became the bench mark for rock and roll concerts at the Bowl, but many famous rockers have played there before and since. To watch The Beatles performing at the Hollywood Bowl on April 23, 1964 go here.

Pre-Concert Picnic Tradition

One of the most engaging customs at the Bowl is the tradition of pre-concert picnicking. Some of the surrounding picnic areas open as early as 4 hours before each concert. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those in the private boxes nearest the stage, can choose to enjoy a luxurious dinner served to them by professional wait staff. Whether it’s a casual picnic or box dining, you can’t beat the delightful al fresco dining under the stars. For more information, see the Hollywood Bowl website.

Dining at the Hollywood Bowl


 

What’s Your favorite outdoor concert venue?

 


“Better Nate Than Ever” by Tim Federle ~ Hilarious and Heartwarming

30 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Book Reviews, Fiction, MMGM

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Tags

Auditions, Better Nate Than Ever, dance, E.T., Elizabeth Fais, Fiction, Manhattan, Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday, Middle Grade, Musicals, New York City, show tunes, Theater, Tim Federle

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

Better Nate Than Ever coverNate Foster has big dreams. His whole life, he’s wanted to star in a Broadway show. (Heck, he’d settle for *seeing* a Broadway show.)

But how is Nate supposed to make his dreams come true when he’s stuck in Jankburg, Pennsylvania, where no one (except his best pal Libby) appreciates a good show tune? With Libby’s help, Nate plans a daring overnight escape to New York. There’s an open casting call for E.T.: The Musical, and Nate knows this could be the difference between small-town blues and big-time stardom.

Now’s his chance to explore the city, wow the casting director, out-sing the competition, and hop the last bus home before anyone notices he’s gone. No big deal, right? But exciting as it is, the Big Apple can be big trouble. And if Nate isn’t careful, he’ll be lucky if he makes it through Times Square, much less the audition.  [Synopsis]

Over-The-Top Audacity … in the Best Possible Way!

Let me just say, I love Nate! Oh, and his best friend Libby too. Because without Libby, Nate never would have known about the  ET: The Musical casting call, much less attempted a daring escape to New York City for the audition. I know I’m biased, but here’s some relatively impartial insights…

What’s so great about Nate: A voice that’s fresh, funny, with a spot on middle grade. Nate has all the anxieties and self-doubts of any misfit. But what makes him so adorkable is his how he embraces his quirks, and motors right through his fears with improv that’s nothing short of genius. And then there’s Nate and Libby’s swear words, which are as unique as they are endearing. They curse with the titles of (real!) legendary Broadway musical flops, such as Dance of the Vampires. Who knew?

Reality with a dash of wacky: The Plan Libby and Nate concoct to get him into the audition in New York City is realistic and level-headed. The amusing flaws in their scheme spring from a ten-year-old’s naive view of the world. Still, things manage to work out for Nate. Like how he talks his way into purchasing a bus ticket—when he’s obviously under age—using his older brother’s ID. His brother Anthony is 16, at least ten inches taller, and has the face of an international model, which Nate so is not. Admittedly, the coverage of a local stabbing on the television monitor in the ticket booth was a saving distraction for the ticket salesperson, what with the gory graphics, eyewitnesses, and a crying woman holding a baseball bat. Still, Nate’s anxiety driven improv is ultimately what does the trick. From there on out, the wackiness spins into high gear… But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Laugh-out-loud hilarity: The entire book is the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time. But I have to admit that I was literally reduced to laughing so hard I was sobbing, my head in my hands, by Nate’s audition performance. Nate claims his *special talent* is walking on his knees. So when the casting director asks him to perform his trick, Nate flips into manic mode … and then some…

…I’m circling their table, channeling my Fiddler on the Roof bottle dancing, flying by like we’re at the racetrack, the team’s little greyhound…

I’d share more, but I don’t want to ruin it for you. Just be sure to have a box of tissues handy. You’ll need them. I sure did!

Home is where the heart is: They say that comedy has to have an element of pathos to make it funny. In Nate’s story, the pathos comes from his disfunctional family. His parents are on the verge of divorce, his all-star brother hides beer in his closet, and then there’s his mother’s estranged sister. The very aunt who comes to Nate’s rescue (thanks to Libby) as a legal guardian, a requirement to get into the audition. The broken dynamics of Nate’s family, and how his wacky adventure helps put them on the mend, makes you care—and root—for Nate all the more.

I highly  recommend Better Nate Than Ever for most all middle grade boys and girls. Though I’d warn them to keep an eye on their parents. Because they’ll be sneaking this book away to read too.

About the Author

Tim Federle is the author of over seven hundred emails. Born in beautiful San Francisco and raised in character building Pittsburgh, Tim discovered show tunes in elementary school, prompting bullies to discover Tim. Armed with only grit (and his father’s credit card), Tim fled to New York City as a teenager. He has since worn a Tina Turner wig at the Super Bowl, a polar bear suit at Radio City, and a big fat grin in five Broadway shows. Better Nate Than Ever is Tim’s first novel. Soon to be followed by the sequel, Five, Six, Seven NATE! You can find Tim on Twitter @TimFederle. [Jacketflap bio]


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