Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Tosh Wanogho-Maud. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Tosh Wanogho-Maud. Sort by date Show all posts
Monday, 23 May 2016
Hamilton Dream Cast
My Hamilton obsession has been out in full force recently and the prospect of it coming to the West End in 2017 has got me ridiculously excited and kind of nervous. I'm praying that I'll get tickets and that I won't have to sell a body part to pay for them!
So with all the Hamilton fever going around, I wanted to do my own dream cast for the show (I was inspired by this post.) Before I start I want to say that I basically want the whole of the In The Heights cast to become the Hamilton cast so there's going to be a lot of them in this....!
Alexander Hamilton (Lin Manuel Miranda) - Sam Mackay
I know there are many people who would agree with me in saying that Sam would be the perfect Hamilton. He's currently playing the role of Usnavi in In The Heights so we know he has the chops for it and what would be more perfect than stepping from Lin's first musical baby into his second?
Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom, Jr) -Paapa Essiedu
I was actually struggling with who to cast as Aaron Burr (Sir), but the lovely Hayley suggested Paapa Essiedu who is currently starring in Hamlet. Who knows if he has any musical talent but if he does then sign him up to wow the audiences, his acting abilities are insane so he would definitely perform the hell out of Burr!
King George (Jonathan Groff) -Jon Jon Briones
I know this is a super random one, but the scheming side of King George really reminds me of the Engineer from Miss Saigon. I'm probably the only one but I'd certainly love to hear Jon Jon Briones put his own spin on You'll Be Back! King George and the Engineer would be a dream team for revolution!
George Washington (Christopher Jackson) -Joe Aaron Reid
Do I even need to explain this one? Joe is the obvious choice to take the role of George Washington. Not just because he'd be following in the footsteps of Christopher Jackson going from Benny in In The Heights to this role, but because Joe's voice is insane and I know he would bring a new and fresh interpretation of Washington.
Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson (Daveed Diggs) -Ramin Karimloo
Now I know this is kind of a stupid one and will 99.9% never ever happen but I would love to see Ramin try this role. I'd just love to hear him do What'd I Miss and having him on the West End stage is pretty wonderful. Honestly though, Daveed Diggs is a hard one to replace so I'll just have let the casting directors make the decision for me!
Hercules Mulligan/James Madison (Okieriete Onaodowan) -Tosh Wanogho-Maud
Tosh is currently starring in Showboat and wowing the audiences. His voice is so special and unique and I would love to see what he'd bring to the characters originated by Okieriete. They also have an uncanny resemblance to each other?!
John Laurens/Philip Hamilton (Anthony Ramos) -Cleve September
Cleve is one of the biggest up and coming stars right now, he's currently playing Sonny in In The Heights to immense praise and I know he'll be absolutely incredible in Hamilton. He's got a stunning voice, amazing rapping skills and is really just the whole package! Cleve is just the natural choice for this role and I would certainly place money on him being a part of the West End cast.
Angelica Schuyler (Renee Elise Goldsberry) -Christine Allado
I did warn you that I was basically going to cast the whole of In The Heights and Christine is 100% a force to be reckoned with. Her voice is incredible to say the least and I would love to hear her sing Satisfied, I can imagine the sassiness already! Christine is a wonderful actress too and definitely has what it takes for this role although I can really see her in any of the female lead roles. Theatre Gods, do your work please!
Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo) -Philippa Stefani
Phillipa to Philippa, both extremely talented! Philippa S has sure got some pipes on her, we've seen her vulnerable side in Ghost and her sassy side in In The Heights so of course she'll be brilliant; I just know her rendition of Burn would bring the house down! Whether she ends up in Hamilton or not, I think I'm gonna have to start a petition to hear her sing it!
Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds (Jasmine Cephas Jones) -Emma Kingston
I recently saw a video of Emma singing in the Hamilton medley at West End Fests and she sounded incredible! I think she'd be brilliantly suited to the show and perfect for the roles of Peggy/Maria! Her voice is the definition of flawless- she could sing the phone book over and over and I would be satisfied (pun intended) so her singing Say No To This night after night would be heaven!
I'm going to be counting down every day from now until the show finally opens in the West End and I can't wait to find out the cast and I really hope some if not all of the people above end up in it but if all else fails and none of the people on the list make the show, I'll be happy to do the one woman performance!! Please though theatre Gods, just let this be the cast. Thank you.
I was actually struggling with who to cast as Aaron Burr (Sir), but the lovely Hayley suggested Paapa Essiedu who is currently starring in Hamlet. Who knows if he has any musical talent but if he does then sign him up to wow the audiences, his acting abilities are insane so he would definitely perform the hell out of Burr!
King George (Jonathan Groff) -Jon Jon Briones
I know this is a super random one, but the scheming side of King George really reminds me of the Engineer from Miss Saigon. I'm probably the only one but I'd certainly love to hear Jon Jon Briones put his own spin on You'll Be Back! King George and the Engineer would be a dream team for revolution!
George Washington (Christopher Jackson) -Joe Aaron Reid
Do I even need to explain this one? Joe is the obvious choice to take the role of George Washington. Not just because he'd be following in the footsteps of Christopher Jackson going from Benny in In The Heights to this role, but because Joe's voice is insane and I know he would bring a new and fresh interpretation of Washington.
Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson (Daveed Diggs) -Ramin Karimloo
Hercules Mulligan/James Madison (Okieriete Onaodowan) -Tosh Wanogho-Maud
John Laurens/Philip Hamilton (Anthony Ramos) -Cleve September
Angelica Schuyler (Renee Elise Goldsberry) -Christine Allado
I did warn you that I was basically going to cast the whole of In The Heights and Christine is 100% a force to be reckoned with. Her voice is incredible to say the least and I would love to hear her sing Satisfied, I can imagine the sassiness already! Christine is a wonderful actress too and definitely has what it takes for this role although I can really see her in any of the female lead roles. Theatre Gods, do your work please!
Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo) -Philippa Stefani
Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds (Jasmine Cephas Jones) -Emma Kingston
I recently saw a video of Emma singing in the Hamilton medley at West End Fests and she sounded incredible! I think she'd be brilliantly suited to the show and perfect for the roles of Peggy/Maria! Her voice is the definition of flawless- she could sing the phone book over and over and I would be satisfied (pun intended) so her singing Say No To This night after night would be heaven!
I'm going to be counting down every day from now until the show finally opens in the West End and I can't wait to find out the cast and I really hope some if not all of the people above end up in it but if all else fails and none of the people on the list make the show, I'll be happy to do the one woman performance!! Please though theatre Gods, just let this be the cast. Thank you.
Wednesday, 1 November 2023
Bat Boy the Musical at the London Palladium Review: A Campy Delight
Bat Boy the Musical in Concert
London Palladium
I had the pleasure of spending Halloween at Bat Boy the Musical in concert at the iconic London Palladium, and it was truly a wild, wacky, and wonderful show. The talented cast, which included Jordan Luke Gage, Jodie Steele, and Trevor Dion Nicholas, delivered an electrifying performance that left the audience thoroughly entertained.
The campy nature of the production was evident from the get-go, and it added to the overall charm of the show. The exaggerated characters, over-the-top antics, and quirky humour all contributed to a delightfully eccentric atmosphere that had the audience in stitches. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt in particular is a complete comedic superstar, perfectly bouncing off the crowd and having everyone in stitches from the smallest movement or expression.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. There were some noticeable sound issues throughout the performance. Missed lines and an uneven balance between the orchestra and vocals meant that, at times, it was challenging to hear the lyrics properly. While these technical hiccups did momentarily detract from the overall experience, they were overshadowed by the sheer fun of the show.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Laurence O'Keefe's Bat Boy the Musical is a quirky tale about a half-human, half-bat creature who is discovered in a cave and taken in by a family in a small town. The musical explores themes of acceptance, prejudice, and the complexities of human nature, all while delivering it with a humorous and satirical touch.
Despite the sound issues, the show's humor and the cast's stellar performances shone through. The witty one-liners and comedic timing of the actors had the audience roaring with laughter, making it easy to forgive the occasional technical glitch.
Jordan Luke Gage gave an endearing performance as the title Bat Boy, showcasing stupendous vocals as well as really well done and hilarious characterisation; continually rising to new heights, I cannot wait to see what he takes on next. Jodie Steele's portrayal of the struggling sister balanced superbly with Gage's and had some solid development and growth throughout. Completing the family pack, Trevor Dion Nicholas gave a vocal powerhouse performance and made the morally wild father a stand out performance. Tosh Wanogho-Maud was a complete powerhouse, giving some of the best vocals of the night, despite not having a hugely developed character. The entirety of the supporting cast and choir also did an excellent job of bringing the Bat Boy world to life.
One aspect that truly stood out was the effective and simple staging. The use of minimal sets and props allowed the audience to focus on the characters and the story. It was remarkable how such a straightforward approach could be so striking and immersive. This also allowed Rhys Wilkinson's well thought out and adapted movement to really shine and add a finessed element to this one night only performance.
Bat Boy the Musical was a wild, blood filled, hoot of a musical, with a fantastic cast and an abundance of humour. While the sound issues were a minor drawback, the overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable, leaving the audience with smiles on their faces. A hilarious and campy musical done so well!
★★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 31st October
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Thursday, 20 April 2023
Ain't Too Proud at the Prince Edward Theatre review: A tumultuous tale told through stellar performances
Prince Edward Theatre
A hit on Broadway, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, has finally opened in the West End and is a thoroughly entertaining, charismatic and soulful journey. The musical, with a book by Dominique Morisseau is a breathtaking celebration of the legendary Motown group, The Temptations, and their iconic music. Taking you on a journey through the highs and lows of stardom, it showcases how some of the most famous music was created and provides a really really fun night out.
★★★★
A hit on Broadway, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, has finally opened in the West End and is a thoroughly entertaining, charismatic and soulful journey. The musical, with a book by Dominique Morisseau is a breathtaking celebration of the legendary Motown group, The Temptations, and their iconic music. Taking you on a journey through the highs and lows of stardom, it showcases how some of the most famous music was created and provides a really really fun night out.
The heart and soul of this musical are the performances which are unanimously nothing short of spectacular. The cast deliver powerhouse vocals that charm and mesmerise throughout and there are so many standout moments. The whole cast are spectacularly strong but mention must go to Cameron Bernard Jones, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Ryan Carter and Michael James Stewart who really shine in their solo and ensemble moments. Each member who becomes part of The Temptations, does so with a real sense of nuance and the varying personalities and talents are showcased throughout; really capturing the essence and ethos of the original group.
Above all this is an ensemble piece, with some of the strongest moments coming when the cast unite both vocally and choreographically. Sergio Trujillo's choreography is some of the best in the West End right now, the sheer slickness and precision is a wonder to behold and the energy created on stage is supremely infectious. Featuring iconic hits like My Girl, Papa Was a Rolling Stone, and Ain't Too Proud to Beg, the show is a top-tapping fest of gusto and spirit.
The storytelling is mostly compelling, and the narrative (led by Sifiso Mazibuko) is engaging from the start. Spanning the long and tumultuous history of The Temptations, from their humble beginnings to their rise to stardom the show has a lot to fit in, and especially in the first act it feels a bit too much. Whilst every performance is engaging, it does feel a little too long and seems to keep going even when there's a natural break point. However, the story is a poignant and emotional one that delves into the personal struggles, triumphs, and dynamics of the group and includes some powerful messages. Alongside the musical elements, the show touches on themes of friendship and brotherhood, as well as shedding light on the social and political challenges faced by The Temptations and African American artists during that era. A poignant reminder of their impact on American music history and the enduring legacy they left behind, Ain't Too Proud is a strong celebration of The Temptations.
Ain't Too Proud is a wonderful addition to the West End that features dazzling production value, and timeless music. A celebration of The Temptations and their impact on Motown, it will leave you humming their hits long after the curtain falls.
Reviewed on Wednesday 19th April 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
photo credit: Johan Persson
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
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