RODRIGO VARANDAS
  • Home
  • About
  • Resume
  • Shows
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact

                                             Blog

Break = NYC

9/14/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am finally back in NY!! There were so many shows I wanted to see. Got to eat at my favorite restaurants, go to my favorite spots in town and see some of my best friends.

Now, I feel this was the best NY theater marathon that I have done haha.
Picture
It started with Something Rotten

T'was hilarious! Hilarious indeed. I loved the role of Shakespeare. 

The number they presented at Tony is brilliant. They literally recreate the most iconic scenes on stage.

My only issue with the show is hook of it. The whole idea is to find what is going to be the next it thing and they find out it will be musicals. The joke gets a tad old after 2 hours of the same joke.

Mr Boyle is super funny!!! I loved it. 

​This show will be around for tad! 
Finding Neverland is all about Matthew Morrison.

But I didn't really like it. 

The choreography started well but then it got really weird. 

The story doesn't really makes sense. He is a struggling writer. Let me rephrase that. He is rich, has a perfect family, makes lots of money out of his art but is having a mid-life crisis. I was like: Why are you struggling? Let ME have your life.

The music didn't hit me either. It sounded like a mixture of 80's pop with an Irish flair on top of it.

​Now, for you not to think it is just bad, the ending sequence of the show made me cry! It was the most beautiful thing. I am not gonna tell you what happens but it is magical, windy and very glittery!! I loved the last 25 min of the show.
Picture
Picture
An American in Paris was beautiful.

It was the perfect marriage between dancing and storytelling. 

It brought back the old school musical theater to the stage. 

It feels like what On The Town tried to accomplish on stage.

Stunning, grandiose and simple at the same time!
YES YES YES!!!

This show hit me hard. Incredible actors on stage. I got to se Alex before he left the show and it was totally worth it. He was incredible. This is such a demanding show vocally and physically.

Now the stage is just ridiculous. The way it helped the story without getting in the way at any moment was beautiful to be seen. We had that stage transform itself every time a scene changed.

Even if you don't enjoy plays, you need to see this. This is incredible.
Picture
Picture
Awesome show. Before coming to the show, a lot of my friends said I wasn't going to like it because of its simplicity and as you all know I love a big production.

But this one hit me specifically for its simplicity. No Intermission. 1:40 straight. 

The little girl was just teaching us a lesson. A LESSON!

This show can't be missed. It talks about such a current matter which is sexuality. 

​Go there and have your heart melt with these characters.
Ok! This show had me clowning in that theatre.

I loved it but if you are extremely religious you might find this offensive. They deal with God and Satan in a very bold way.

I was uncomfortable in some of the scenes of the show. But slowly I was getting used to the language of the show until I relaxed into my seat.

It is a very strong play. Some people left the theatre, some people literally screamed in one of the scenes. 

Even though it was really religious, I enjoyed it and would advice people to come see the show with an open mind.
Picture
Picture
And Kelli does it again! She had me heart on the floor.

This production is one of the richest shows I have ever seen. They are literally throwing money at us.

The show is incredible and Kelli is the LEAD of the show. Tony deserved. 

​I hope I can see this show again. It was remarkable.
I won free tickets to see this show and I was very pleased with what I saw!

Carole King' story is so beautiful. And the production was phenomenal. I never expect a lot of story from jukebox musicals but this story was very moving. To see her story from beginning until today was really nice for a performer to get courage to do whatever I want. Stick to my instincts you know.

The music was also really good. I didn't know a lot of her songs but I got to enjoy all of them in a small amount of time. 

Very well directed! The show will be in NY for a while. It was sold out!!!!
Picture
Picture
I unfortunately missed this show when it was in Los Angeles but I got to see on Opening week.

I was moved. We all complain about life and how life is hard but for these performers life has another challenge: Life is silent. I can't imagine living my life in total silence.

They learned the show differently from all of us because they had to learn the dances and how to follow the music through visual cues.

Please, go see the touching piece of art. You will not regret.

Also, the speaking actors were ridiculously talented. Beautiful voices. 

It is a limited engaged so run to the theatre and buy your ticket.
Picture
Picture
Get ready for this! Because Hamilton is THE SHOW!!!

I got to New York knowing this was the hottest ticket in town. I have decided to go to the show but I had to get through the lottery which was the only way to get tickets.

I went there every day and there were around 800 people there. YES, EIGHT HUNDRED!!! In every lottery.

I tried and tried and tried. No luck -.-

Then on the last day, I walked there and said it is now or never. Guess who is the second name they pull out? MINE!!! I screamed like I have won the lottery, like the real one haha.

Well, I spent s few hours at Times Square showing off my TEN-DOLLAR tickets and the Hamilton bracelet. 

I sat front row center. 

The show was unbelievably amazing. I was waiting for a show to hit me like this. The music is genius and of course he reinvented Musical Theatre with this show.

The staging, the music, the actors and the lights were conducted so well that I was jumping on my seat. 

If you can save some money and buy your ticket, do it! If not, try the lottery. It is worth it. 

UPDATE: They just released the music of the show! Please listen to it. My favorites are: "Satisfied", "You'll Be Back", "Say no To This" and pretty much the rest of the show!!!
0 Comments

I have an addiction

2/18/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
I just got back from NY! Of course I didn't want to come back to LA. I love NY so much, I never want to leave. EVEEEN though it was really cold. I was SPRINTING from a place to another to not die in the street haha. 

​Check out this trip's marathon
Picture
Picture
Honeymoon in Vegas was so funny!!!! I thought I was gonna like it but I LOVED IT!!! Some scenes had such clever staging that it made love the show even more. The music got my attention because of the Bossa Nova feel of some of them! 

​The show literally brings you to Vegas! Great job.
Picture
STOP! KRISTIN! STOP!

This show is her! The cast is strong and all but if she is not on stage there is something missing! She shines! I have never seen her live and now I understand why everybody loves her. I was in complete awe. She is singing, dancing and taking charge of that show like a queen.

The 4 tappers were incredible. Made me want to do a tap show haha!

It is a limited engagement so RUN!!! Don't miss it.
Picture
I had to sit closer! I came back to this and loved every bit of it. 

I want to listen to I Can Cook Too all the time. That song is my new Musical Theatre jam. I loved it.

The dance is still incredible! Dancing is so beautiful. And what I love the most about them is that it looks sooooooo effortless that it hurts haha. Stunning.

​As you can see it is still in Town, so what are you waiting for?? 
Picture
If you checked out my last post you will see that I have had an experience with this show already.
But now I can say:

I AM IN LOVE WITH LES MISERABLES!!!

I was moved! The show, the cast, the sets, the outfits, the lights, the music..... EVERYTHING!!

Stunning.

The amount of standing ovations given during the show was ridiculous!!! But all very well deserved!!! On My Own killed me! She had those acting beats on point haha.

Bring Him Home had a standing ovation. On My Own got me to stand. Empty Chairs had a standing ovation! 

To the cast of Les Mis on Brodway,, THANK YOU!! You guys made this trip worth it.
Picture
I have seen the show before in LA and I was impacted by it. Nick DeGruccio and Wendy Rosoff did an amazing job with it.

So, I was expecting kinda the same thing. WRONNNG!! This killed me. It was different from the one in LA so I am not even going to compare. 

The show was incredible, Alan and Emma were sensational! Everything about this show was great! The way the show got darker and darker got my attention. I couldn't blink by the time she sang the last song.

​Brilliant! I was in complete awe!
0 Comments

Back in Vegas

10/15/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I had a few days off so I decided to go to Vegas! 

I know everybody goes to Vegas to turn up but I am a little different hehe. I go to Vegas to watch the shows :-P

The last time I came to Vegas I saw "O" and "BeLIEve". This time I got to experience five different Cirque Du Soleil shows. AND Britney Spears!!!! 

The Piece of Me Show is UNBELIEVABLE!!! That is the biggest theatre I have ever seen (Not gonna compare to an actual concert because she is not touring or anything because the Circus Tour was also an amazing show.). That theater was transformed to house this concert and in each section of the show it looks like a different show. Brilliant. 

The dancers are on point. All of them are amazing, fierce and hot!! I fell in love with them. 

The setlist is phenomenal. She has a setlist of hit after hit. It is literally a piece of her this show. We go through all of her main moments of her career. I was amazed with the versions of songs and the amount of hit songs she has.

Now, Britney, I know she is not the Britney of our 90's and 00's but she is starting to kill the game again. I was like: Look at you throwing some fierce dance moves there haha! She was even doing double pirouettes. 

She will renew with Planet Hollywood for a long time because the show was sold out and everybody was having a blast.
Picture
After this trip I am only missing the show Love to complete my Cirque Du Soleil in Vegas journey.

Let me start with my least favorites which were Kà and Mystére. 

Kà had the moving stage which was a very cool and all but that was it. I did't get any chills or was scared for the performers at any moment. I saw some promos before and was expecting a lot more from it. But if you look at the show from a technical point, it is shocking. The stage literally flips around throughout the whole show. Great to see but not for that price.

Mystére was my least favorite of all. I did not understand what was going on. The theater/stage was the usual Cirque du Soleil so that was unimpressive. I remember almost falling asleep during the show. I never felt that before in a Cirque show but I was bored.

NOW, let's talk about the best shows!!!

Zarkana was great! I got to see the show in New York at the Radio City Music Hall and they sure changed A LOT of things. The name lost a little bit of sense because they lost the character of Zarkana in the remake of the show but it is still impressive. It looks like a theater but then suddenly you are brought into the world of Cirque ! I was loving the numbers presented and the flying over the audience had my mouth open haha. MUST SEE!!

My favorite two shows in town are One and Zumanity.

Zumanity is the most sensual Cirque show. I have never seen so much sex on a stage. I was having all the feels in that audience. They sure kept me engaged and the whole theater. I came back and saw the show a second time. It was a mixture of Cirque with Cabaret and Burlesque. It was a great experience.

One was the show I waited until the last day to see. I almost missed it because they were almost sold out. But luckily I bought the last two seats of the house. THE SHOW WAS EVERYTHING. Just the music of Michael Jackson by itself is ridiculously amazing. 

The theater was completely redesigned for the show. All the seats have their own sound system. It was an immersive experience. They had the most simple circus act all the way to a Michael Jackson projection that made it look like he was alive. I was almost standing up and jamming with the songs. The audience cried, laughed and ended up leaving the theater wanting more.

Let the MJ legend live forever!!

​
Picture
See you soon, Vegas!!
0 Comments

BRASIL

6/16/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I HAVE A VACATION!!!!

It has been such a crazy journey so far that I needed to go to Brasil and see my family and friends.

I missed them so much! The picture above you can see my best friends. I LOVE THEM!! I would do anything to have them in LA with me.

I will be staying here for 12 days. I get to relax, enjoy everybody and get some extra energy for the next months of college. 

​I DON'T WANNA LEAVE!!! AAAH! 
0 Comments

Happy New Year

1/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
This year's Holiday celebrations I got to spend in Europe! I had such a blast even though it was super cold and you know me, BRAZILIAN, I sure do not know how to handle cold temperatures. 

My sister lives in Germany and me and my mom traveled from LA and Brasil to celebrate.

Christmas we spent with my sister's husband family. It was really nice. We had a nice dinner and exchanged some gifts.

New Year's we went on a boat ride and saw the New Year fireworks at the Rhein River. That sure was beautiful and magical.

​Here we go 2014!! Let's do this.
Picture
0 Comments

New York City, make some noise!!

2/19/2013

0 Comments

 

Updates!!!

Picture
10 days after Vegas, where do I land? In New York!!! So good to be here! Even though it is freezing. 

Rita is again with me :-) I am excited to show her NY!! This is her first time in the city!
Newsies is the first show. Disney knows how to put on a show!!

Those boys make me depressed!!! How on earth am I supposed to have a job if they exist?!

I don't reaaaaaally love the story but the music and the DANCING is amazing. 

I will be a Newsie, in my next life!!!
Picture
Picture
Annie is such a cute show. You all know what the show is about. 

But let me talk to you about this little girl who played Annie (Lilla Crawford), she can SANG!!

She said: TOMooooooOOOOOROOOOOW, I love ya, TOMOOOOOoooRRRrrrow!!! And I was like: TONY! She is a star!

​The production was amazing!! 
All I have to say about Cinderella: Laura Osnes.

She is the cutest thing. Amazing actress!!! What a voice!! She dances... Good night!!!

Those quick changes though. Out of control! Out of control!! It happened in a snap. And I was like: Imma see this show again just to see how this quick change works haha

Stunning show. Well done :)
Picture
Picture
Ok! I know this might hurt some people's feelings but I didn't like this show. I thought the staging of it was really smart but the Indie sound wasn't speaking to me. 

I checked out lots of times during the show. But, trust me, not from lack of talent or bad direction. I just couldn't relate to the show. And I know everybody loves it but I really was unable to connect. Well, off to the next one.
Amazing! Amazing and amazing!!!

Wicked is just that kind of show that you can't stop yourself from loving it.

Amazingly crafted and if you know me, you KNOW I love me a big production. When Glinda appeared in that bubble I said, LET'S GO!!!

Great cast! Amazing music!!! And that theater!!!! AAAH!!! Such an epic place to be at. HUGE theater!!!
Picture
Picture
Kelli + Matthew = Me dying in the audience.

This show was great. What about this score?? I could listen to that music everyday. Beautiful show.

But can we start the "Give Kelli a Tony" campaign now?? She is a chameleon and her voice just hugs you!!! 

Please go see this show!!! Before it leaves!!!
One of my favorites! I had to come back to this show. Got to do a Backstage Tour after the show and be in complete awe with how they have everything so organized backstage. 

This show is so well-crafted. The first time I saw it, I had chills through the whole thing. Now I got to explore a bit more and really enjoy the show since that awe/shock moment wasn't so strong. Well, during Circle of Life I still can't get enough of it an of course I behave like I have never seen theater before haha.

​Never seen it?! Get up from that chair and go!!! This is an unique experience.
Picture
Well, I loved being here for a couple of days. Rita hated the cold weather but she will come back, in the Summer haha.

I will see you soon NY! I leave but heart stays.
​
Picture
0 Comments

It's Vegas Baby

2/9/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Just landed in Vegas!! Got to the Bellagio and this is the view of my room. Lining up: O and BeLIEve.
Picture
UPDATED***: "O" was incredible. The was they played with water and the floor hiding the water was just great (Once you see it, you will understand what I mean. Breathtaking lots of times. YOU CAN'T MISS THIS SHOW.

BeLIEve was good. I didn't looooove it though. Lots of the tricks are mainly stage tricks and for a theater kid like me, I was able to figure out the majority of them. But it was great to see a very different show from the usual Cirque Du Soleil shows. It is definitely a show that you have never seen at any other Cirque shows.
0 Comments

    Author

    From Brasil to the world. Actor, Singer, Dancer, Entrepreneur. Storytelling drives me.

    Insta: rodrigo.varandas

    Archives

    August 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All
    Concerts
    Disney Love
    Great Experiences
    Shows And All
    The LA Adventure
    Trips Around The World

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Resume
  • Shows
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact