Musical Mania!

The Sound of Music. There's only one word to describe it. Classic. Julie Andrews is an amazing actress for the part of Maria. I couldn't think of anyone who can fill that part. The Sound of Music is about a soon-to-be nun, Maria (played by Andrews) who gets sent to be a governess for seven children whose father is part of the military. She runs into all sorts of troubles with the kids who just don't want her there until she wins over their hearts with song and compassion. "Do Re Mi" is probably one of the only songs that almost everyone in America knows. The Sound of Music is one of those movies that you haven't truly lived until you've seen.

Hairspray, the one re-done with John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Queen Latifa, Amanda Bynes, and a ton of other amazing actors and actresses is one of my favorite musicals. The songs like 'Without Love' and 'Welcome to the 60's' are so catchy and make you want to sing them for days after. John Travolta plays Edna Turnblad, the mother of Tracey Turnblad who gets a spot on the best TV show in Baltimore. Travolta is so funny and really shows that he can play any part...even a woman. Queen Latifa and Amanda Bynes surprised me with their voices that I never knew they had! One of my favorite lines is in 'Without Love' when Amanda Bynes (who plays Tracey's best friend Penny) sings "Without love my life was just a hostess snack, but now I've tasted chocolate and I'm never going back!" With that line alone it clearly enters the category of 'quotes I will be saying all the time'. The thing that I like about Hairspray is that even though its funny and catchy, it actually addresses an issue. During the movie there is segregation between whites and blacks, and the characters do all that they can to help make everyone equal. Bottom line- this is an amazing movie and you NEED to watch it.

Zac Efron. What do you think of when you see his name? Musicals. He was in High School Musicals one two and three. He was also in Hairspray. Zac got his career starter in High School Musical which is about a basketball star named Troy Bolton, who also is trying to be in the musical for his school. The problem is that jocks and drama class kids don't mix. Enter Gabriella, (aka Vanessa Hudgens) , who is Troy's love interest, and wants him to do the show. All of Troy's (Efron) friends don't know about it, but when they find out they burst out into song saying to "Stick To The Status Quo" which pretty much tells him that he can't do both basketball and the play. Quite a dilemma if you ask me. The other two High School Musical movies that have catchy tunes and prove to be a hit with middle school girls. What never occurred to me is why the movie isn't called MIDDLE SCHOOL Musical... they could just change the age of the characters from seventeen to fourteen. It's madness.


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