Rock of Ages, Celtic Woman, Oak Ridge Boys

As the summer sizzles in San Antonio, Texas, so does the Majestic Theatre.The last of the Broadway Across America shows came through in May. It was Rock of Ages and it was an interesting show to say the least. It was close to sold out and had an interesting mix of audience members. The lead in the show was a former American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis. He was very good in his role and sang like he owned the music. Very entertaining. I didn't like the storyline too much in Rock of Ages, but enjoyed the music. It's interesting to note that because of some strong language and suggestive topics, patrons were shocked and surprised. Some left, especially those who had younger children with them. It definitely was not appropriate for younger audiences.

Since Rock of Ages  left, some fabulous shows have been coming to the Majestic such as Lyle Lovett, Jerry Seinfeld, Celtic Woman, and the Oak Ridge Boys. There are many still to come such as Steve Martin, George Lopez, Julio Iglesias and Merle Haggard.

I worked Celtic Woman and loved, loved, loved it! Such talent; such great voices. I was very impressed. There was amazing talent and the songs were captivating. The girl who played the violin was running all over the stage as she played and didn't miss

a note. They had a bagpipe player that was unbelievable. He walked down the center aisle playing "Amazing Grace" as the girls were onstage preparing to sing it. It gave me goose bumps. It reminded me of my dad and made me think of his funeral when a bagpiper played it at the cemetery. I could have stayed all night and listened to them perform. The audience was mezmerized as well.

The last show I worked recently was the Oak Ridge Boys concert. Wow, talk about going back in time. I felt like I stepped back to the 1980's again. I was a fan of theirs before Elvira ever became popular and rode the roller coaster of their 80's fame even seeing them in concert a few times. So, it was nice to come and revisit some "old friends." I have a picture somewhere of me posing with the Oak Ridge Boys many years ago, but I thought it would give my age away if I shared it. I have to say that the music was as good as I remember it and their voices were just as strong. I wish my best friend Tamme lived here in Texas and could have gone to see it with me. We saw all of the concerts together back in the 80's and had a blast. Loved seeing them again.

Now, I am looking forward to seeing George Lopez, Chicago and the 1964 Tribute Band. Soon we will be knee deep in the new Broadway Across America season and all the other shows coming up. I love being able to help out at these shows and meet so many new people too. It is a great experience.

More great shows...more great memories...

As I figured, I was very sad to see Wicked leave the Majestic. It was so entertaining and so riveting, I was sad to see it go. I only got back one more time to see it before it left so I saw it a total of 6 times. Not too bad. Each time, I noticed different things that I had missed and each time, I was faced with a unique and diverse audience to help seat. I was able to work in the orchestra for all 6 shows so I didn't miss any of the performance. The audiences kept us on on our toes, and we had to stand for the entire show since they were all sold out, but it was well worth it. I had thought about buying tickets for at least one performance, but decided I was too cheap to do that.
After Wicked left, Lynyrd Skynyrd came. I went with Dawna and we were excited for this different experience. Wow, talk about a DIFFERENT experience! It was a CRAZY audience! The crowd ranged from "older" rocker type people to businessmen trying to reclaim some of their youth. There we younger people there too. And I would have to say that a lot of the people were "feeling no pain" as they watched the concert. I was in the orchestra section again and this was quite interesting. Seating people was a real challenge since many thought that they could sit wherever they wanted to sit since it was a concert. There were a few people that I had to send back up to the balcony or mezzanine. One couple thought they could stand in the front row and pretend they had those seats until I asked to see their tickets. They never showed them to me. They just picked up their stuff and returned to their balcony seats.
The show was interesting and LOUD! But  then again, what do you expect from Lynyrd Skynyrd? They were OK, but could tell they had aged and struggled with some of the songs. We actually got to sit near the back after we were done to enjoy the music. Watching the audience was just as entertaining to me. We also could smell something"funny" there but could never locate the person or persons using the "funny stuff." Almost got a contact "buzz" from it!!
A week after Lynyrd Skynyrd came to the Majestic, Jon Anderson, the lead singer of Yes came and performed with the San Antonio Youth Orchestra. I was thrilled to be able to attend that show as Jon Anderson's voice has always intrigued me. I went alone to that show, and was excited to hear him sing some of the songs of Yes as well as his solo songs. Each one showcased the talents of the Youth Orchestra as well as Jon Anderson's amazing talent.
Later, it was West Side Story that came to the Majestic and wowed audiences. Again, this show was completely sold-out and entertained all who came to enjoy it. West Side Story has long been one of my all-time favorite movies and I had never seen it performed on stage. The actors and dancers were spectacular and they kept the audience (and me) riveted from beginning to end. Sadly, the ending was the same although I have always secretly wished that Tony would have lived and that he and Maria would have walked off to a better life away from the city and life of gangs. I thought of how long ago that play was written (concept by Jerome Robbins and written by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim) and how things have not changed much over the years. Cities and towns still have problems with gangs and they still fight over territory. Innocent people are still being killed and young lives are destroyed for such insignificant things. It's sad; just like West Side Story's ending. Many who live like this will see a tragic end to many lives and may find out too late what a waste it was to be involved.
Recently, I have begun to really take it all in and think about what I had done at the Majestic for the past year and a half. I also thought about all the concerts I have been to over the years and why I am so interested in attending them. I pondered (and this is where it gets deep, so you better put on your wading boots, HA, HA) what music means to me and how much of a role it has played in my life over the years. Every memory, every aspect, every experience in my life has been marked by songs, performers and music. These songs conjure up fond memories for me and how my life has evolved over the years. In my youth and teen years, it was all about the Osmonds (no surprise to all of you people who have known me for so long). I lived for their music and how the lyrics spoke to me. I also enjoyed many other performers (surprise for those of you who have know me for so long. You thought I only listened to the Osmonds). I loved the music of Elton John, Genesis, The Who, Yes, Queen, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Chicago, Kansas, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and The Bee Gees to name a few.
Each of these bands had lyrics that expressed how I was feeling and what I wanted to say. I was afraid to speak my mind too much but the songs helped me to understand my feelings and relate to the rest of the world. Suddenly my life was not about living on Bonsall Avenue in Aldan Pennsylvania. I saw a bigger picture. I saw others who felt like me, who thought like me and who wanted to be heard like me. They had the talent to share it with many and to help us all see that we really are the same no matter where we come from, what we do or how much money we make. I began to look beyond the four walls of my home and look outward more beyond Bonsall Avenue, Aldan and Pennsylvania. The music spoke to me and made me want to make a difference in the world.
I continue to look for music today that will do that for me. Today, my preferences seem to be more in the country genre but, I still find solice and peace as I listen to music by people like Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley or Garth Brooks. I still go back to "my music roots" and pull from all the songs that shaped me and continue to influence me in my life. I think of a quote at the end of Jersey Boys that says, "...when everything dropped away and all there was was the music." That is what music means to me. Everything else can drop away for me and I can still have my music to make me have good feelings and memories.
I will continue to enjoy my music, my plays and my entertainment that makes me a better person because someone somewhere took the time to create and use their talents to inspire others. I will go back to the Majestic time and time again and enjoy and get lost in all of the music and entertainment they have to offer me and its thousands and thousands of patrons who enter their doors year after year.

Wow...time flies...

I know I said I would update with details about Bryan Adams and Beauty and the Beast, but so many other things have happened in between so I want to tell you everything. After my euphoric feeling from Jersey Boys, I thought nothing could compare to it, but I was wrong. Wicked is every bit as good as Jersey Boys for its own reasons. But, I digress. I will tell you about Bryan Adams, Beauty and the Beast and other shows I have seen in the past few months.

Bryan Adams
He came to the Empire which is a sister theater to the Majestic and more intimate. He was alone with a piano player and his guitar. It was an amazing show and an amazing experience. It felt like we were sitting in his living room listening to him play acoustic versions of his hits. He played such songs as "Everything I Do," "Heaven," and "Summer of '69" in ways I never heard before. I had never seen him in concert before, but I know that he was great here doing this acoustic show. He was making a DVD of the show too and had camera people all over the place. We had to make sure people didn't stand in front of the cameras or run in the aisles while he sang. Dawna cracked me up as she kept people from going down the aisles. She looked like a security guard and crossed her arms in front of her. I wouldn't want to be the one to try to get past her...HA. That was fun. The entire show kept everyone entertained from beginning to end and it would be great to see him again.
9 to 5
I loved this movie when it came out. I couldn't help but see Dolly Parton in the role as Doralee. But, the actress who played her at the Majestic did a great job too. The music was really well-written and did include the original song 9 to 5 written by Dolly Parton. In fact, the entire score was written by her. The audience really got into this one and I loved watching them laugh.
Beauty and the Beast

Another Broadway play tour show that did not disappoint me was Beauty and the Beast. I loved all the music from it when it was released as a Disney movie in 1991 (I was pregnant with Deborah when I saw it in the movie theater). Songs like "Be Our Guest," "Belle," and "Gaston" were amazing live. And the actors did not disappoint. They did a great job in their roles. I especially enjoyed the actor that played Gaston. He did a great job. The little boy who played Chip was excellent too. I worked opening night for this show and it was great. There is something about an opening night of any show that has a certain electricity around it. Even though this Broadway touring  group had been to other cities, it seems to me that they have a certain "new" feeling as they open in a new city. It was evident on opening night at the Majestic. I worked in the orchestra level and enjoyed helping people to their seats.  Lots of little girls came to this show dressed in their Belle gowns and "high heels." It was so cute to see them and it made me think of Deborah's little girl days when she loved to watch many Disney movies.

Legally Blonde
What can I say about Legally Blonde? It was a funny show with a great cast. I wasn't sure how this movie could translate to a musical but they did a good job. Deborah surprised her best friend by buying her tickets to see the show. So, Deborah worked it one night and got to see it another night. I worked in the orchestra level again for this so I got a good view of the show the two times I went to see it.
WICKED

Now, onto the other BIG Show!! Wicked is an amazing, wonderful, stupendous, entertaining and mesmerizing show. I can't say anything bad about it. The music, the costumes, the actors, the sets, the orchestra, the EVERYTHING!!!! I have seen it 5 times now and plan to see it 2 more times before it leaves the end of this week. Having heard a lot about it over the years, I was expecting to be disappointed because I thought the hype was too much. Well, the hype was NOT too much. It is everything everyone said it would be.  Again, I worked opening night and again I could feel that electricity. The actors were amazing and the audience was entertained from start to finish. I worked in the orchestra area for all the shows (it's my favorite place to work) and all the shows have been sold out. There are seating holds at the beginning of the show and right after intermission so it's been a challenge to get everyone seated in time. Most make it, but I few have to wait. Some are great about it, but a few complain. Because the show has been sold out, it's important for us to make sure everyone is in the right seats. And everyone is so excited to see the show, they can't wait to get to their seats. I love being down in the front and seeing the orchestra in the pit warming up. They are great musicians who seem to really enjoy playing the score for Wicked. I know I will be sad to see this one leave at the end of the week. It has been a good run.

Coming up are some other fun shows that I look forward to seeing too. I will keep you up-to-date with all the latest as I get around to it (and you know I am not that great at it sometimes, HA). West Side Story, Rock of Ages and Lynyrd Skynyrd are coming up in March, April and May. The new season will bring Mary Poppins, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables and Billy Elliot. Can't wait for all of them.

You know, doing these shows as a volunteer are so much fun and a great way for me to be entertained. It's nice to be with my friend Dawna and also Deborah. She enjoys doing it with me now and we have some funny experiences together. I'm so glad for these experiences.