American Idiot

When I was in high school, Green Day was pretty big. I have always had a love of all kinds of different music, but at that time, they were one of my favorite bands. When I met my now husband, I was the weird girl who listed to weird music. He wasn't a fan. He has since changed his tune (pun intended) and I catch him playing some Green Day every now and again on Pandora. So, when I heard American Idiot was coming to town, I insisted that we get tickets.

My husband wasn't totally on board with going to the show, but in the end, I got my way.

If you are planning on seeing American Idiot, just be forewarned there is a lot of profanity, drug use, and sex scenes. I had thought about taking my 14 year old daughter, but almost immediately felt relieved that she didn't come. While I am sure these are subjects she can handle just fine, I think witnessing their portrayal with her parents would have been a bit awkward for her.

The energy was high and the performers did a great job on the musical numbers. However, I wasn't sure they executed their storyline as well as they could have. It was almost halfway through the show before I realized there were 3 different stories unfolding in the performance. However, the show was still great- not Rock of Ages great, but worthwhile to see once. 

Are you a Green Day fan? What musical band would you like to see featured in a theatrical performance?

STOMP!

A couple times a year we like to go to our theater house if something interesting is coming to town. I admit, I've turned into a seat snob, so if we can't get seats that meet my approval (within the first few rows) I won't go. Our theater is in definite need of a renovation, and the seats aren't staggered, so you are constantly straining your neck to see around the head in front of you. I don't like paying $60 or more a ticket for a show that I can't see, you know?

I have been wanting to see STOMP for years, and when I found out they were going to be in our area, I made sure to get our tickets the second they went on sale- almost 6 months ago. But I did get front row (minus those who were sitting in the pit section) so our seats were amazing!

On the other hand, the show was not. Don't get me wrong, the performers hit all their marks, there was a good bit of humor added in, but I actually found my mind wondering when the show was going to be over several times. I think I was expecting BOOM, BOOM, BOOM the entire time, with a lot of energy from the performers. There were only about 3 numbers where the energy level was up, which was disappointing. To be fair, the skits were impressive, they just went on far longer than necessary. I am glad that we went though, as it is a show I have wanted to see for a long time, but if they come back to town, I don't think I'll catch it again.

Have you seen STOMP?

Menopause the Musical

In the 17 years I have been with my husband, I can probably count on one hand how many times he's said no to me. Living with 3 girls, he tolerates a lot, but has also learned how to adapt to all the girly surroundings. I have taught him to cut and highlight my hair, he can name all make up items and tell you the correct way to apply them, and he buys me fabulous hand bags without me even having to hint on which ones I like. But when I won 2 tickets from a local radio station for Menopause the Musical, his response? A big, fat, whopping, Hell No! " Please don't make me go! Call your mom. Call your best friend. Call my mom! If they all say no, then I will, but I REALLY don't want to go!" Thankfully my mom stepped up to the plate and was more than happy to take his place. I suspect he will be buying her a fabulous Christmas gift this year too.

We went to yesterday's show. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it much by what I caught of the YouTube clips, but it was actually really funny! If you have experienced "The Change", you'll relate very well to what they are saying. For those of you who haven't, it's a humorous glimpse into the future. If you can stand sitting in a theater filled with old lady perfume, I'd recommend this one to all women. And, apparently I wasn't the only wife who couldn't get her husband to go, because there were about 5 men in attendance.

Have you seen Menopause the Musical? What was the last live performance you went to?

Rock of Ages

After we saw the live Shrek the Musical a few weeks back, my husband asked me if I was interested in going to Rock of Ages that was coming to the theater soon. I told him no, it was probably stupid. I have never researched the show, but I do know that Tom Cruise was in the movie, and I really dislike Tom Cruise, so maybe that's where my reservations stemmed from.

Tuesday my husband came home and said "Guess what we are doing Friday? Going to Rock of Ages!"

It turns out the owner of his company has season tickets to all of the shows our theater puts on. He was going to be out of town for that show, so he passed the tickets on to us. A free show is a free show after all, so we ended up going anyway. I am so happy we did. We go to a lot of live shows. Some of them are just ok, some of them are wonderful. Rock of Ages was FABULOUS! Hands down, the best show I have ever been to. It was crude, vulgar and laced with profanity, but if you can look past that, then you are really going to enjoy the show! Especially if you love 80's music! The only complaint I had was it was a show based on the music of the 80's, but there was no Gun's 'N Roses, Def Leppard or Aerosmith. That's the only thing that could have made the show any better.

The best part though? Jason was actually able to see the whole stage this time LOL!

Do you love the music from the 80's? What are some of your favorite artists or songs from then?