West End Girl

It’s been a very busy early summer in the entertainment department! In what I think is chronological order:
1) Company at Union Theatre. An evening of perfect serendipity was brought about by a simple text from my friend Neil: “Do you know the musical ‘Company’? Do you want to try and get tickets to see it tonight?” Um, yes and yes! It’s one of my favourite Sondheim shows and this production, in a great little black-box theatre near the South Bank, gave the recent Raul Esparza version a run for its money. ‘Joanne’ was one of the youngest I’ve seen, but her Ladies who Lunch may be one of the best versions ever!
2) Chicago w/Jerry Springer. Another one of my favourite musicals and this time with an actual lawyer playing Billy Flynn! While Jerry! Jerry! is not going to get a Tony for his singing anytime soon, Mr. Springer brought great panache and enthusiasm to the role and he and the rest of the cast just seemed to be having such a great rough and tumble, rambunctious time, it was infectious. Mr. Springer should win an award though as one of the most gracious celebs at the stage door. Took his time chatting w/us, posing for pics, etc. Final thought? Go see him in Chicago!
3) Avenue Q – Wow, I was on a roll of seeing some faves, wasn’t I? This was my third trip down the avenue and I continue to Love this hilarious and heartwarming musical. Had a great time seeing it w/Sarah, Stuart and Neil (both of the boys were first-timers to the show). My only quibble? In the final number, “For Now,” they haven’t changed the George Bush lyric, they just say he “Was” only for now. A bit of a cheat, n’est-ce pas?
4) Pet Shop Boys – Going out on a limb and putting this up there as one of the best concerts ever! Many thanks to Sarah for the ticket and to my colleague George for getting us in the groovy VIP lounge of the venue before and after the show. How much do I love their music! Go West, Suburbia and of course West End Girls to name a few. We were up dancing and stomping so much, I thought the O2 Arena would fall into the Thames. If you have a chance to see their Pandemonium tour, go! So theatrical, such great visuals, such great performers.
5) Speaking of great performers, I seem to have saved the best for last…we’re talkin’ Waiting for Godot w/Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart! Oh My God! My inner-geek was just about dying at seeing Gandalf/Magneto square off against Capt. Picard/Professor Xavier and they sure delivered! McKellen in particular gave me goosebumps and had me in tears. Such a moving performance. He and co-star Simon (Four Weddings and a Funeral) Callow also gets props for coming to the stage door (albeit a bit late – we were Waiting for Gandalf..ha!). Alas, my boss had to run for her train and was unable to stay to play photographer w/me. I then had to ask a stranger (a fellow American) at that, to take a pic of me w/Ian. Umm..yeah, it’s more like me and Eye-an. Who takes a picture this close-up? Never trust your camera to strangers kids! See the pics here

Let’s all go to the movies

Gretch in the City gives two big thumbs-up to Star Trek (seen twice!) and Harry Potter (just saw last night). Also had two great evenings at the British Film Institute recently. The first was a double-feature of concert documentaries featuring Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson. The first was from the mid -1960s and the second was from mid-1980s and they both sounded flawless on each. Music heaven!

From music to Mexican, it was then off to see the premiere of “Rudo y Cursi” starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, the two stars of “Y Tu Mama Tambien.” In Rudo they play battling brothers both trying to make it big in the world of football (aka soccer). The two stars have terrific chemistry and the film is very funny and heartwarming. Our hearts were warmed even more when the two stars and director Carlos Cuaron and his brother/producer Alfonso Cuaron took the stage for a very funny Q&A live and in person! after the film. OMG, Gale and Diego in person are muy caliente!

On the steps of the palace

Another recent road trip was to volunteer at BHF’s Blenheim Palace Jog. Blenheim is the gorgeous and palatial family home of Winston Churchill and is in a beautiful little town Woodstock on the outskirts of Oxford! Woot! Back to one of my favourite places of all for me! Went up on Saturday and walked around my old summer stomping grounds of Christ Church and the other Oxford colleges and then winded my way to Woodstock where I stayed at a fantastic B&B, The Townhouse. Best breakfast perhaps Ever! Run by the friendliest couple Ever! If you’re in the area, you must stay here!

At the jog, my role was Sweeper – i.e. the last person to go along the route and tell the marshals and water stations to stand down. Along the way I was very fortunate to meet the Youngblood family. They comprise 3 generations of heart patients (Grandmother Mo, Son Lee and Grandson Rhys) and were struggling a bit along the route. I offered to get them some assistance or give them a lift, but they were adamant about finishing the whole route themselves and they did! Such an inspiration!

Also inspiring? The absolutely amazing gardens of Lambeth Palace in London. They are only open a few times a year, and I went on a gorgeous Saturday in June. If you have a green thumb, you will be in nirvana when you see them! Who knew such an oasis was right in the heart of London. Gorgeous weather also prevailed when my friend Sarah and I went to the Canalside Cavalcade in the ‘Little Venice’ area of London. Parades of long boats, puppet theatres on barges and the human fruit machine were just some of the highlights of the day! Pics of all of the above are here!

Have fun stormin’ the castle!

Coming to England anytime soon? Then we’re goin’ to Windsor and Eton! I took advantage of yet another Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May to go explore the Queen's home and surrounding towns. So quick and easy to get to from London and so beautiful. Took a great open-top bus tour, boat tour, walking tour and wrapped it up at a lovely café along the river, named, appropriately enough, The Chocolate Theatre Café (my two favourite things!).

The castle is amazing and has a fantastic audio guide (and I’m not just saying that because it’s Stu’s company that does them). They also have a great deal in that you pay your 20 pound entry fee, but then anytime you go back w/in that calendar year, you get in free – unlimited. So let’s go storm that castle! The pics are here!