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I recently purchased a cheap ticket caught a matinee of Brokeback Mountain, towards the end of its run.

At the end of the performance there was quite a large crowd at the stage door.

Lucas Hedges came out and very politely took the time to speak with people, sign various programmes, etc and take selfies.

When he go to me he was quite taken aback at the fact that I did not have a programme to sign or want a selfie to be taken I simply shook his hand, complimented him on a sensitive and nuanced performance and wished him a safe flight home.

Whilst I appreciate that he was here to work, I also recommended that he enjoy what he can of the city whilst here.

As I say, not only was he taken aback, he actually seemed quite moved.

Sometimes, it's the little things that have the greatest impact!

Another bloody concert!

In a previous post I made reference to Magic Radio channel- Magic at the Musicals and the interview with Mandy Pantinkin.

However before this, they were speaking with Jenna Russell, about Flowers for Mrs. Harris, her favoutite musical theatre songs, songs from shows that she's been in (Overture for Merrily we Roll Along, The Revolutionary Costume For Today from Grey Gardens), songs that she could listen to forever, etc.

They did play the finale from Flowers for Mrs. Harris.

Although I know who this Luke person is, forgive my ignorance however, as he is Welsh, is it fair to say he's much more well known in Wales, than the rest of the UK?

To be cast as Gaston in the Beauty and the Beast remake, he's obviously well known in Hollywood. He was also had a small part as The Coachman in the recent Pinocchio re-make and released a solo CD.

With his upcoming concerts the Magic Radio channel- Magic at the Musicals interviewed Mandy Pantinkin. Despite his talent, personally I find him a bit hit-and-miss however this it was quite an interesting listen. For anyone interested this was last night from 7-8pm.

He talked about how he got started. He was singing in the choir at his local synagogue in Chicago. He also spoke a little Yiddish when recalling his time there.

The three shows they really focused on and played songs from were Evita- his Broadway debut, Sunday in the Park with George and The Secret Garden. They also played Anyone Can Whistle.

Amongst other things, he mentioned how when he went to Steve’s (Sondheim’s) house there would always be scraps of paper or notepads open on the piano just trying to find the right word to not only rhyme, but to convey the right meaning of the lyric.

They also asked out of his films, television work (Homeland) and stage work/concerts, which did he prefer and he said, now, it’s concerts. He’s a grandfather now and stated that the dialogue between songs is him, and this can change from show to show, picked upped and dropped again. He gave an example how after once show his son said to him, you don’t need to tell that story again.

He also spoke about acting styles/methods but frequently- whether deliberately or co-incidentally- he kept making reference to themes from Sunday in the Park with George; things like moving on and making a connection and how important that is. He discussed the song Beautiful and how George almost makes the connection with his mother, but this fails.

Surprisingly, he actually said this concert would not be a Sondheim concert; that a whole other concert. However I think, given his association with Sondheim and his involvement with his shows, it seems pretty difficult to not sing one or two.

I concur wholeheartedly!

Very sad indeed!

Some initial thoughts.

Costumes, hair and make-up- Score 10! I thought all four judges and the celebrities and the professionals all looked sensational!

For me the best line of the evening- Vito "What is goosebump?"

Given that they were down a contestant without Amanda, anyone else notice how the VT's were just that little bit longer, as were the discussions with Claudia?

(Again) for me the best graphic was the swan at the beginning of Angela's swan lake routine with Carlos. BTW loved the routine!

Kai is such a gentleman with Angela.

You can tell when the judges love a routine by how much they gush in their comments.

If I were a gambling man, I'd be putting Zara and Annabelle in the dance off.

I not really a fan but have seen him twice at the O2.

(There's really no nice way of saying this but) he's so old that he really doesn't move too much. He's like a mannequin stick man.Yet, despite his age his voice is still good and on both occasions, that arena was full!

It was pretty much the same show and he always ends on Copacabana.

I walked past it today. I was just part of the route that I was taking.

It looks very sad and forlorn.

I saw that production.  And the poster was of Electra, but had a very futuristic feel about it.