Tonys 2010

It’s that time of year again: the Tony Awards broadcast live this Sunday on CBS. Being the Broadway junkie that I am, I obviously love this annual celebration of live theater. But what is the most exciting about the Tonys is that it allows greater America the opportunity to get a taste of Broadway’s biggest shows for free.

We all know how expensive a ticket to a Broadway show can be. The lowest priced tickets for the biggest named shows right now are going for more than $75, according to broadway.com, which is way more than any college student or average person can afford. Even when shows go on tour, tickets can still get pretty pricy. So I offer a huge shout out to CBS and the American Theatre Wing for letting us in on the magic of the New York stage.

What is also fabulous about the Tonys is that it brings past and current Broadway stars together to celebrate. I love seeing stars at the Tonys that got their big breaks in New York theater but are now doing even bigger things, like movies or TV shows, and are still committed to remembering where they came from and supporting something that was once (and hopefully still is) so close to their hearts.

Here are the top five things I’m most excited about for this year’s Tony Awards:

1. Sean Hayes hosting. I am a huge Will & Grace fan of course, and I am so excited for him to have made his Broadway debut this year, with Kristin Chenoweth in the cast no less.
2. Matthew Morrison and Lea Michelle’s performance. If you read my previous post, you can tell what a huge “Gleek” I am, but I loved Lea and Matt before their asent television. Spring Awakening (Lea) and The Light in the Piazza (Matt) are staples on my iPod.
3. Performance of “A Little Night Music.” Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones on stage together? ‘Nuff said.
4. Liza Minelli. I have no clue if she is presenting or not (she is not on the line up according to tonyawards.com), but she will be there, and I will find her.
5. American Idiot. A mash-up of a classic artist from (gasp) my generation and my love of Broadway. What could be better? (If they do 21 Guns, I will die happy.)

So, America, take advantage of this great opportunity to get a taste of what the Great White Way has to offer, and live vicariously through the lives of your favorite Broadway stars (like I do.)

I will be live tweeting my thoughts during the event, so follow along with me (@amshowen). My good friend @ohonestly will be live tweeting as well, so check her out too!

I would love to hear your favorite moments from the awards on Sunday, so please leave comments.

"Glee" encourages diversity

“Glee” has become a sensation across the country, and does not seem to be slowing down. While those of us who were heavily involved in show choir in high school watch it to reminisce about the “old days” of rehearsing, performing and competing, broader themes make it applicable to all audiences.

In its two seasons, “Glee” has addressed such issues as body image, bullying, gender inequality and discrimination in general. Through many tear-jerking moments, most including epic power ballads, “Glee” opens America’s eyes to problems present in the school systems and broader society and offers solutions to these problems.

My favorite part of the show, other than the all-star cast of Broadway big shots and the endless supply of show tunes, is that it encourages its audience to go against the status quo. In several episodes, characters can be seen initially conforming to the things that will make them “popular” or at least “fit in,” but by the end of each episode the characters realize that being themselves is more important than what anyone else thinks.

Today it seems that students are more afraid than ever to stand up for themselves, or worse, to stand out. “Glee” reminds us that being different is a good thing and encourages its audience to keep pushing boundaries and reach for equality.

Photo from Google Images.

My top art experiences at Ohio University

As you can see from one of my most recent posts, I have been fortunate in that I’ve gotten to experience a lot of different art in a lot of different places. But some of my most memorable art experiences have happened right here on the Ohio University campus. I’ve compiled a Top 5 list to commemorate some of these experiences:

5) McCracken Art Expo: As an intern for the College of Education, I helped plan and promote the third annual McCracken Art Extravaganza Silent Auction. Students from South Elementary School had their art on display in the halls of McCracken and visitors could bid on the artwork. It was such a neat experience getting to see the excitement on the children’s faces when they saw their work displayed and sold.

Photo from http://www.coe.ohiou.edu

4) “No. 6: Portraits in an Appalachian Coal Mining Town”: Last year, a friend of mine whom I used to do theater with in Charleston, WV, choreographed a dance about the difficult life of miners and their families in Appalachia as her senior thesis for the Honors Tutorial College. I usually have a difficult time understanding modern dance, but this piece told an amazing story.


Photo by Sean Howlett

3) “Rent”: I saw the Broadway tour of “Rent” during the winter of my freshman year. The show, brought to Athens by the OHIO Performing Arts Series, showcased a lot of issues our generation faces, and was performed by an amazing cast of artists. The show, which premiered on Broadway in 1996, was made into a movie in 2005, which attracted a new generation of Rent lovers, another testament to its broad themes and brilliant artistic strengths.

Photo from www.broadwayworld.com

2) “Glee”: The first episode of this hit show choir dramedy aired in early September 2009, right after the start of fall quarter. My roommates and I started watching it together and it has proven an awesome bonding experience, not to mention we’re addicted to the music. The show pretty much explains my life in high school, as I was a four-year member of show choir and can really identify with the scenarios in “Glee.” Our viewing party numbers increased as the quarter went on, and we are anxiously awaiting the show’s return in April.

Photo from perezhilton.com

1) Spring Awakening: As a theater minor, I am required to do a certain amount of practicum work to obtain my degree. Winter quarter of my freshman year I took part in a costume practicum where I made costumes for the main stage show, “Spring Awakening.” I have traditionally been a performer only, so it was an awesome experience getting to see the behind the scenes workings of a show and getting to see garments I made on stage in action.

Photo from samantha-patterson.com

I look forward to experiencing much more art during my final year and a half at OHIO.

What arts experiences have you had on campus?