Moonshadow - Reports and Reviews

[aurarisma]

to think we saw the same story /musical Jane .. viva la difference.. thats whats so cool about it all we all see things differently acccording to how we see things .. ...
it really drew me in ... that I had to see it more .. I kept getting more out of it ..
I hope you and gabi enjoyed Melbourne and your trip to Sydney.

... I love the way the songs were sung and the musical arrangements were amazing on some that they changed up a bit .. like "dont be shy" when the evil princess sang it and also "Home in the Sky" I loved that arrangement!..! such a cool end to the first act .
I think with a stronger characterization in some of the ensemble work and little bits.. very few it has a potential of being a amazing hit on broadway and win awards. to me the story line is beyond.. and forces us to reach a bit .. into ourselves and out of our comfort zones .. to take "the trip" as the show is a trip.. and has to be perceived in that way I believe to get the message because most of the musical is when he is entering many different places stages in his life and some when he was taking a "trip or two "
as for "father and son" part when father says "I'm old but I'm happy" I believe he is trying to justify that his life is good he is content even tho he is old .. and wants his son to look at "him" as an example... it fits in so very well to me .. because he is blind to it all.... as most fathers older generation can be .. and they can be so insistent on what they want for their children ...quite amusing sometimes as we look back on things parents say .. almost like if he says it enough, even he will believe it! .. well thats how I take that line when yusuf sings it and also stormy and stormys father .. I totally love the story line .. its yusufs life when u look at it .. and Moonshadow itself is his angel conscience or a very dear person perhaps that lead the way for him that he looked up to ...
well this is what I wrote to yusuf on his facebook mooshadow page and also in email .. so I guess I will just put it here instead of re writing a comment....
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Blessings to you Yusuf ~~~!!! I LOVE IT!!! "The musical that keeps Giving"!! xo Everytime I see it, it unravels and gives me such kaleidoscopic views into myself ... to the core and to your journey as well ..we all have travelled from home a bit .. and have made a full circle. I was absolutely captivated by your journey and how you perceived it in the musical !!!! The Music The Magic .. the Melodic story lines and projections!!! .. its all there ... thank you for sharing it .. I saw it 6 times consecutively .. Opening Night thru followig Wednesday. I just don't know where to begin .. but, first off it, seeing your eyes glistening with babyboy joy at curtain call was the best gift for me .. I'm soo happy for you ~ .. its means alot to have dreams come true, and to be witness of each others dreams ... its a vibrational thing of Rejoicing sincerely, and respecting the awesome ness of our Father, who put those dreams in us !!! Amen ~ It reeeally is a musical that just keeps on giving .. and if one enters it and in with their wondrous childs eye .. reallly delves in ..it will take them soaring to hopes and dreams eternal .. and reveal that there will be times in life that what we see is not always what we see that there are deceiving souls that do lurk on our journey too and we make it thru those obstacles .. and how when one is being protected as you have been thru your life .. u have some serious angels watching over you, and others angels adding to the mix as well!!! When Moonshadow sang "Doors" it was all revealed there (for the simple minds that might not dare leave their comfort zones to delve in to the massive messages in this story) as Stormy's journey started ... with thirst... I loved loved loved the chair that Stormy sits in when singing "Sitting" and thru the whole scene of being adored and so forth .. loved the horns or crab legs at top of chair , and the wings at sideback of chair and the lit golden halo that surrounds his chair and head when he sits back in it .. .. that was epic for me !!! Powerful!! did you know that was there did you create that chair? I really need to know that please it was a real good trip this musical!!! I couldn;t stop laughing as Pat Matthew played by the incomparable Blake sang "Rubylove" haha it was a bit West Side Story-ish with some John Travolta and Gaston in there too when he did "Crazy" .. just loved it!! One of the coolest moments was the "longerboats" scene when everyone was doing hits of acid, listening to their leader and then you started singing "Maybe there's a World" and the hippies started migrating over to you .. expanding their minds.. from oblivion, to depths of truth, and the leader didnt like that !! I can imagine that that might have been a true moment for you in your life . you might have partied with many in your life .. but you were always a bit different, annointed, then the rest and had a"search engine" inside of you that, those "partaking moments" just expanded your mind to see more and more .. truly not wasted moments I think you get that I totally get it .. .. and you were also being protected at the same time .. get it ? I could go on and on about this musical.. each scene.. each song.. (Wild World!! loved it!!) "Land of the Half Living" was moumental!!!
each moment of blocking .. each choreographed number .. and so forth .. its etched in my mind ! I loved seeing it from all different seats each night loved "Home in the Sky" musical arrangement.. and end of Act one there was an arabic message of the projection with the water ... and woman profile statue/bust .. what does that signify and I loved the accordion in "World of Darkness" that it had the painting of Shamsia on it .. Music is the Sun in the Heart .. we are all orchestrations with beautiful nuances!!!! The story line is all there yusuf ,, .. anyone that cannot get a grasp on it might want to open a Door to their own journey.. I came back to really see the continuance of the story how/why it had a hold on me, in relation to my journey, and also get all the breaths of what you intended .. usually when I do this with a musical or movie ..they get nominated for a Tony or an Oscar. This musical has that potential Yusuf please keep believing it .. you're greek .. and once you go for it like you are there is no stopping you .. I for one KNOW IT! I feel with an extension of "phrasing" and pauses. ..inflections they will make the story line even more powerful and understandable in completeness for those that dont venture to far and perhaps open the door for them thus, delving into themselves... for the story line is there yusuf!! no need to do any rewrite .. (deep eye contact will deliver more vibes, in very very few areas really minor .. mind you in maybe 5 minor areas like for one, the first 4 minutes of show of song "World of Darkness" could be choreographed with more "cry in the walking ", and more authentic eye contact or as I like to say dialogue that comes from the eyes this will ignite more of a spark in the embodiment of the character as they are singing this song .... .. that is one of the most epic songs you've ever written and with a message that cuts right to the pulsating heart of life= love and compassion for humanity . a few places of musical that is /IF I had to pick something to constructively talk about .. I really loved it the way it was .. it spoke to me so new and vintage and beyond .. I do believe forthe simpler soul viewing it .. if one goes deeper in ensemble characterizations pacing of the "heartbeat" of each actor I believe everyone will get all the messages .. there are alot of them in the musical!!! for they are simple yet soooooo deeep... your life journey parallels mine to a great extent.. I was getting jolts of Light moments! To West End and to Broadway .. yes .. it will happen ... its a beautiful baby you've created here .. Alhamdulilah!!! It was so nice to see your family too .. God bless them .. they are all most kind and brought joy to my heart .. thank you for your generosity ~~ next stop .. Broadway .. I know its a "Broadway Baby" God willing .. !!! In Joy Joy Joy, Christina (I totally see why you opened it in Melbourne.. the Aussies have a unique energy all their own, with a dash of americana .. and greek pathos!!!.. very magical city!! I love it!)

[JaneB]

As I said, my opinion is just that and only that, as yours is just your opinion. Neither is right and neither is wrong. I'm quite aware of what he was trying to say with "Father and Son" but it will never ring true to me in the context of that story and that character; it will always seem forced.

[JaneB]

Thank you, Doris and Jo. Yes, Gabi and I had a great time and I know that will not be my last trip to Australia. Both Melbourne and Sydney are beautiful, vibrant cities with a lot to offer. “Moonshadow” was the excuse to go, but it is worth the trip to get there.

[aurarisma]

Jun 11, 2012 16:43:29 GMT -5 JaneB said:

As I said, my opinion is just that and only that, as yours is just your opinion. Neither is right and neither is wrong. I'm quite aware of what he was trying to say with "Father and Son" but it will never ring true to me in the context of that story and that character; it will always seem forced.

but it really was written about a father and son.. do you mean that you didnt think the father and son portrayl was believeable to you ?

[peacock]

I think she means it was originally written for his concept about the Russian Revolution. People who have been listening to his music for a long time come to know the stories behind the songs and that becomes part of our enjoyment of them, and it's just weird to see them "recycled" and used for something different. On the other hand, they're his to do with as he pleases, and the emotions expressed within them are universal, not restricted to one specific purpose. I get it.

I'm one of those folks who doesn't particularly like cover versions of songs unless they're done very well and drastically different - and sometimes not even then. So I can appreciate that sentiment, too.

And . . . got to admit . . . I'm not overly fond of musicals to begin with. I can appreciate them as an art form, though, and would certainly go to see Moonshadow if it were possible, and hope one day it's available on DVD.

Aura . . . are you saying you actually have Yusuf's personal email address? Yowza.

[aurarisma]

Hi peacock .. I understand how some of the fans can think that way.. and are fixed in their thinking of the song ... and i respect it ..
I most certainly dont feel the same way tho' about his songs .. .. but then .. we are uniquely our own pattern of thought and visions.. his songs give me more meaning everyday .. and gee I bet he is finally figuring out what Tuesday Dead really means.. :)each day is so new as his music is .. he's learning daily more about his music himself.. and a younger generation is getting new clues too so why shouldnt everybody ? ......
I know it was to be put in to that musical but yusuf mentioned it is about his father and his relationship and that the story will go on for a long time even after he is gone.. .. so .. it fits quite lovely in the story line .. a greek father and he not wanting his son to venture away from home ..but rather get the 9 to 5 job etc. :"look at me I may be old but look I'm happy I'm content .. why cant you see this for yourself son .. and not want more .. " look I have enough kind of thing ..justifying his life and subconsciously not going after his dreams or all of them .. or being true to himself.. there are so many way to look... for the messages they are alive .. they are not just the way they were in the 70's .. for we are not .. everything must change and evolve...Im certainly not thinking of Russian Revolution when I'm on the planet of Alaylia and taking the trip that yusuf is taking in the Now... that he wants us to see...and be open to but ..we see what we are meant to see I guess oxxoxox I wanted to take the ride with him ..you know what I mean ??
what was suppose to be and what is now is really what it is for yusuf I believe... I think one has to have a open mind to the power of Now .. and what yusuf is trying to reveal in this musical... its very deep ... yet so simple... part of his memoir is on that stage .. OMG Peace Train just came on the radio hahahhaha ok I'm stopping lol wowwwwza ....

[JaneB]

It's the same as I've explained, and I really don't want to debate my opinion. If someone sings "I am old but I'm happy" I want to have seen some sign that the character was actually happy. In this case, I saw nothing that indicated Stormy's father was happy. On the contrary, the whole point was that their little town was a pretty miserable place to live. It has nothing to do with my mind - or that of anyone else - being open or closed, so let's please watch those kind of comments.

[aurarisma]

thats the whole point of parents .. Stormys' father is in major denial ... like for example they are trying to justify for not making all their dreams come true .. perhaps its a cultural thing like italian or greek I'm not sure but I get it even in todays world in every day .. people say they are doing great oh I'm happy but they have a blind spot , and they really are not but they think this is as good as it gets they have the closed mentality or they are blind till they become open to all the blind spots that one doesnt even know they have ... it takes people to reveal them open them I feel that this is the purpose of life .. ...
and lastly my comments are my comments and how I perceive my life and life in general from my journey I'm not trying to debate or try to change anyones mind . just puttig my view in ... .. we are all open and closed on many things.. wow if I had all my blind spots open I probably would be the dalai lama or something like that and I wasnt talking about anyone in particular just the world and the people in it ..-- just having a friendly conversation on the song and its meaning to yusuf really .. and what he was trying to say .. it didnt come across to you so in that area with that song and maybe a few other areas .. I'm sure there are more that it didnt come across to . a reviewer mentioned it as well.... but when I think of it
as for the little town to live in, that was pretty miserable conditions.. as you say ... there are people that are pilgrims with a back pack and thats all they have but they manage to sustain a smile and stay recognizing the light instead of the darkness.. I think in the case of the father he was making due and trying to convince his family that it was good .. and besides where were thy suppose to go that was their planet .. so .. to me it was pretty good ..they had love a guitar in the house .. and they made do ..and after the journey ..Stormy comes home to those conditions because there is still something there thats a treasure perhaps despite the poor conditions .. this musical keeps giving me alot to think about yusuf wrote it so I want to get the message ..his message just like his songs were always there for me and still are .. this musical I believe is more huge than ever with depictions and secret codes lol... thats what I love about it .. I'm deciphering alot as I think about it .. actually reminded me of my grandparents when they first came over from Greece and they then had 7 children .. sometimes they had to share the bath water and knock on doors to trade a chunk of bread for a chunk of potato from a neighbor but my grandmother was always smling .. go figure .. she was rare God bless her .. guess one can be happy regardless of circumstances .. the mind is truly supreme by examples I've observed .. I'm still working on that tho .. ...
xo peace

[Novim]

I think that the joy of humanity and the strength of it relies on the fact that we are all different. We all like different things and all see things with a different perspective. Songs particularly evoke differing sensations in individuals because many relate to periods in our lives where that song was particularly poignant. Please don't look at ourselves as arguing on this thread, I just think we are each just trying to portray what we feel. There is no right or wrong here.

All the best,

Chris

[aurarisma]

thanks Novim xoxoxox totally agree.. this is a thread to try and get as much from the scenes and messages and share what we came back with .. there is no right or wrong .. totally !!
peace


I'm trying share photos but they seem so big .. I started with this one to see if it is a decent size in viewig .. please let me know some thru private mail if too big I will take it down .. x

[ilovemycat]

Aura - looking great in that photo!! lol

Loved your review and insight into the musical. Looking forward to seeing it on B'way. Hopefully we'll see it together in NY one of these days - please God!

[JaneB]

Let's keep this particular thread to reports and reviews and post travel pictures in the "Who's going" thread. While we ask that pictures be no bigger than 1000pix across, smaller is better. Generally there is no need to have them much bigger than 500-600pix across. If someone wants to post a lot of pictures, I would ask that you upload them to a site like Photobucket or Facebook and then share the link here, as posting a lot of photos can cause the page to load very slowly.

[Qizlo]

Hello all!

I just got back from a performancce of Moonshadow. Needless to say, I was entirely entertained the whole evening. It's rare to go to a musical where you know all the songs & lyrics, though there is some new material & a few twists on some familiar favorites.

NOTE: I go into detail hear, so I should call these spoilers. Don't read on if you'd prefer to be surprised at the next performance.

The show starts with a burst of music provided an ensemble of six musicians, headed by the arranger Stephen Amos. Then, these shadow figures appear that are projected on the wall. The three characters (not sure what they're called) comment on the action during the show. From there, we are introduced to our hero Stormy and his star-crossed love, Lisa, with a duet of Old School Yard to set the pace for the show. Stormy later meets Moonshadow, something of a rather tall guardian angel, who leads him to find the sun, shamsia.

There are some excellent arrangements of Cat's music, all very well sung. Some of the standouts are The First Cut is the Deepest sung by Lisa (Gemma-Ashley Kaplan), Wild World by Layla (Sally Bourne), the ensemble singing This Glass World to open the second act, Stormy's (Gareth Keegan) glam rock rendition of Can't Keep It In, and all the songs covered by Moonshadow (Jolyon James). He has a strong bluesy baritone that adds a new depth to those familiar songs. I also enjoyed Patrick Matthew's (Blake Bowden) songs, trying to woo Lisa with some of Cat's love songs Rubylove and Crazy. (Note, that usually works, mate...) It was a new experience hearing Cat's songs sung in a musical theater manner.

It was interesting how some Cat songs were used in a way I wouldn't have expected. The evil princess Zeena sings Don't Be Shy as a song of seduction to Stormy. I'm so used to the association with Harold & Maude. And the song Longer Boats becomes a song of worship for some hippy guru character, the Starlord (played by Rodney Dobson). It looks like something out of Hair. There were also snippets of other songs that were pleasant surprises, such as 18th Avenue and Bitterblue. The end of Act 1 has a great transition from Home in the Sky to Maybe There's a World.

Overall, the ensemble staging & dancing were great. Since the story takes place at night, I would have liked to have seen more light on the dancers. The ensemble during the Matthew & Son number were hard to see. The dialogue was passable, nothing complicated. The story got a little confusing for me in the second act. I'm not sure how Stormy found the sun, or what happened to princess Zeena. Also, the marriage between Patrick Matthew and Lisa gets interrupted with Stormy singing Changes IV. I don't understand why Patrick would let the wedding break up. The show ends with the child versions of Stormy & Lisa singing Morning Has Broken, followed by the whole ensemble. The song actually makes sense at this point, though I would have liked to have seen a spectacular sunrise.

The special effects were certainly unique, with cartoon projects on the walls & on the stage. There were the three shadow characters that show up throughout the show, some scary skull faces in the Land of the Half Dead (or half alive?), and the Sunbird flying across the stage. The sets were very colorful & whimiscal. I liked the scary set for the Smog Mountain set (I think that's what it was called). It's like the land of the Orks from Lord of the Rings.

Overall, this is an exciting & entertaining show. For die hard Cat fans, it's a matter of leaving your old relationships behind & listening to the songs with a new set of ears.
"Guaranteed you will have a good time..."

Laters!

Mike (AKA Qizlo)

[JaneB]

Jun 13, 2012 4:42:45 GMT -5 aurarisma said:

thanks Novim xoxoxox totally agree.. this is a thread to try and get as much from the scenes and messages and share what we came back with .. there is no right or wrong .. totally !!
peace


I'm trying share photos but they seem so big .. I started with this one to see if it is a decent size in viewig .. please let me know some thru private mail if too big I will take it down .. x

I deleted the photo since it was over-sized. Please see my post above.

[aurarisma]

Jun 13, 2012 20:10:31 GMT -5 ilovemycat said:

Aura - looking great in that photo!! lol

Loved your review and insight into the musical. Looking forward to seeing it on B'way. Hopefully we'll see it together in NY one of these days - please God!

ty and you have a deal!!!! xooxxoox

cool Jane .. thanks

[Monty Python]

I'm off to see it tomorrow - well, in about fifteen hours. I wonder what effect the preceding shows (and being able to hone the musical in that time) will have. Looking forward to it.

[aurarisma]

Jun 15, 2012 16:56:02 GMT -5 Qizlo said:

Hello all!

I just got back from a performancce of Moonshadow. Needless to say, I was entirely entertained the whole evening. It's rare to go to a musical where you know all the songs & lyrics, though there is some new material & a few twists on some familiar favorites.

NOTE: I go into detail hear, so I should call these spoilers. Don't read on if you'd prefer to be surprised at the next performance.

The show starts with a burst of music provided an ensemble of six musicians, headed by the arranger Stephen Amos. Then, these shadow figures appear that are projected on the wall. The three characters (not sure what they're called) comment on the action during the show. From there, we are introduced to our hero Stormy and his star-crossed love, Lisa, with a duet of Old School Yard to set the pace for the show. Stormy later meets Moonshadow, something of a rather tall guardian angel, who leads him to find the sun, shamsia.

There are some excellent arrangements of Cat's music, all very well sung. Some of the standouts are The First Cut is the Deepest sung by Lisa (Gemma-Ashley Kaplan), Wild World by Layla (Sally Bourne), the ensemble singing This Glass World to open the second act, Stormy's (Gareth Keegan) glam rock rendition of Can't Keep It In, and all the songs covered by Moonshadow (Jolyon James). He has a strong bluesy baritone that adds a new depth to those familiar songs. I also enjoyed Patrick Matthew's (Blake Bowden) songs, trying to woo Lisa with some of Cat's love songs Rubylove and Crazy. (Note, that usually works, mate...) It was a new experience hearing Cat's songs sung in a musical theater manner.

It was interesting how some Cat songs were used in a way I wouldn't have expected. The evil princess Zeena sings Don't Be Shy as a song of seduction to Stormy. I'm so used to the association with Harold & Maude. And the song Longer Boats becomes a song of worship for some hippy guru character, the Starlord (played by Rodney Dobson). It looks like something out of Hair. There were also snippets of other songs that were pleasant surprises, such as 18th Avenue and Bitterblue. The end of Act 1 has a great transition from Home in the Sky to Maybe There's a World.

Overall, the ensemble staging & dancing were great. Since the story takes place at night, I would have liked to have seen more light on the dancers. The ensemble during the Matthew & Son number were hard to see. The dialogue was passable, nothing complicated. The story got a little confusing for me in the second act. I'm not sure how Stormy found the sun, or what happened to princess Zeena. Also, the marriage between Patrick Matthew and Lisa gets interrupted with Stormy singing Changes IV. I don't understand why Patrick would let the wedding break up. The show ends with the child versions of Stormy & Lisa singing Morning Has Broken, followed by the whole ensemble. The song actually makes sense at this point, though I would have liked to have seen a spectacular sunrise.

The special effects were certainly unique, with cartoon projects on the walls & on the stage. There were the three shadow characters that show up throughout the show, some scary skull faces in the Land of the Half Dead (or half alive?), and the Sunbird flying across the stage. The sets were very colorful & whimiscal. I liked the scary set for the Smog Mountain set (I think that's what it was called). It's like the land of the Orks from Lord of the Rings.

Overall, this is an exciting & entertaining show. For die hard Cat fans, it's a matter of leaving your old relationships behind & listening to the songs with a new set of ears.
"Guaranteed you will have a good time..."

Laters!

Mike (AKA Qizlo)

Hi Qizlo!!
its been so nice chatting with you and I'm glad we stayed at same place when we both took trips into Melbourne. It was so close to everything ..I'm missing Melbourne and Moonshadow already ...
I really enjoyed your review and you have some keen insight!!

Well, I wanted to add a few of my thoughts or ideas to some of the questions you had in Act 2 ..
I so loved the "Dont be shy" when Princess Zeena comes in on fabulous buggy .. being carried by her harem of girls.. with chandelier on top of it .. I do believe Zeena is quite alot of things .. the music industry, drugs, women .. many roads .. to find out .
when Moonshadow says he smells trouble.. for it was one of his Gifts to be able to do that ..(conscience-intuition) Stormy says where and he points .. therrre... and that is Zeena's entrance ...
and then she sings it .. I liked the rendition and she did a beautiful job with her cunning ways.. very much like music industry is luring .. with all types ecoutrements.. drugs .. stroking the ego .. which is what she was meant to be .. many roads on the Road to Find Out.
I can see what you mean about more light on the actors .. altho I liked it as is.. ...maybe if they used a texture in the fabrics to give off more light from the red lights that were up already or more reflective light it would work too... I thought the choreography was very welll done too and especially in "Matthew and Son" it was astounding ... absolutely astounding .. ahahahah ..didnt you just love "Rubylove" to me it was very West Side Story ... I love the in and out of time traveling with musical numbers.. it really sent me on a "good trip" and "Crazy" was hysterical....I live for that musical number .. !!.. "crazy... crazy.. " loved the background singers singing that !! Blake the actor who played Pat Matthew was genius and has won several awards .. His hair was so Gaston(Beauty and The Beast), John Travolta-esque at times too with the hip action .. Amazing.. I was seeing so many glimpses of musicals .. perhaps some of yusufs favorites or ones that could fuse in and out of story and choreography..
as for how Stormy found the sun?..
I believe .. well at "Matthew and Son" they had this chest that had alot of "Gifts" in it .. for Matthew only wanted his employees to take a 5 second break and thats all you take for a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake.. so they weren't aloud to enjoy or reap the benefits of life so to speak .. and that is where the magical painting Shamsia was as well..loved the instrumental musical that played everytime we saw it or talked of it .. as for the land of the half living (if you see it positive) and the land of the half dead (if yousee it negative lol) he was in a hospital bed having hallucinations.. withthose dark faces coming out of the walls bwhahahahahah scary ..!! maybe something like when he was in hospital for TB and cleaning up a bit .. well thru the story line Princess Zeena showers him with gifts and girls around him are brushing his hair spraying him with fragrance .. giving him trippy drinks/acid.. feeding him grapes ..catering to him ..(and the "Mirror" always there for him to look in )... etc.. all to get what they wanted out of him (music industry aka princess zeena) He ends up in this room filled with adoration for him ..and chair that had horns on top and wings on side and a half halo all on back of chair .. letting me know that there were alot of thoughts going on and choices available to him .. and they were always there but Princess Zeena was talking so loud and so many smoke shows that he was gettting sidetracked thru this journey .... finally when he tells Moonshadow this isnt for me .. Zeena hearing this as she is eavesdropping .. comes back blows some "drug dust" in his face.. he starts tripping and then looks in mirror and tells Moonshadow to leave and that he doesn:t need him anymore ..
well when Princess Zeena finally does this to get Stormy to not hear his "moonshadow" his angel -conscience ... She has won.. very much like, in the music industry, when one sells his soul .. so this is when Princess Zeena takes him to BlackSmog Mountain .. and he is caged literally and has been figuratively .. and moonshadow is near death laying next to Zeena but yet still being able to be revived .. just a bit foggy....moving slightly like E.T. lethargically and she is saying the whole world is hers and she controls everything and she also has that magical pendant necklace on .. now she is about to cast a spell with the pendant but when she tries to it opens the cage for Stormy to be free from it all and it also creates bursts of light ..Stormy is seen running on this bridge with fire all around him thus the song "silly little ego running, silly ego running " .. and a projection of a warrior demon with a javelin ... perhaps chasing him or coming out of him .. when he gets to end of bridge he gets on his knees holding his head screaming where am I who am I .. then it starts raining (cleansing) all over ..then .. the planet becomes light-filled, with the Sunbird and Shamsia and the music starts playing like this beautiful paradise arrangement that happens everytime we saw that shamsia painting .. and voila .. Shamsia..... and Stormy as he is looking up,dazed at how he has been lifted from that darknesss and mental turmoils.. he sees a little boy who looks like him ... and the little boy walks over the same"bridge" Stormy ran on when he was running from his Ego.. up to him and says "I listen to the wind to the wind of my soul..." Stormy goes who are you .. ?? are you me when i was little .. and he says no .. what do you care anyway "I'm your son" ... meaning a future a solid future of family a vision of a futuristic prophecy .. this vision gives life back to Moonshadow because Stormy's conscience comes alive again!! yay!! and he runs back home hugs his parents they are about to lose everything and the parents explain that Lisa is being forced to marry Pat so he runs with whole family (remember Lisas family and Stormys are now friends .. all this strife of not having money to get embers has drawn them close to help each other in this dark world.. they found each other and care about eah other now as neighbors .. very "Golden Rule-ish" well they arrive Stormy opens door and says.. something like I'm back .. he stops the marriage because he is singing Changes "dont you feel the change a comin" explaining to them it is light outside .. and plants are growing ...crops .. etc... next thing you know .. Pat Matthews sees the light mostly when Stormy takes his hand and puts it on Pats face and looks him deep in the eyes .. that Pat comes to his senses to love and care about people and sees that Lisa is not for him .. and sings a bit of the song then too as a revelation.. then theyopen the chest and bring out all the "Gifts of Life " and Put Princess Zeena in that dark chest .. away from motivating people to do whatshe wants them to do and not consider anyone else ... then father mentions about opening a a bakery ..with Lisa's father and they very cutely argue about whose name will get top billing .. scene changes and Morning has Broken is being sung with children very simply one is seeing plants are grown , vines are green .. light is so golden .. and you almost can feel the temperature change .. with the introduction of "Morning has Broken" being played ..and then soooo beautifully done with the ensemble in joy .. and very symphonic .. it was an amazing ending .. and musical arrangement .. Stormy asks Lisa to marry him with everyone watching and she says Yes. the line thats mentioned after has something to do with .. Life tolerance and such .. well its all on "His Time..when the time is right " or something to that effect.. meaning sometimes we must really get out of the way become Still, and let Him show us .. ("where I'll end up well I think only God really knows.. "
I believe then curtain call starts with peace train instrumental playing...when everyone gets out then they sing it together and get the audience to join. theres some "if you want to sing out going on in the end .. I believe in some of curtain call..

well thats kind of what my take on how the sun came up and who Princess Zeena was.. there is even more to this musical that I havent even mentioned!
I really hope yusuf takes this further and sets up a good home for it and like he says theres only up from here .. and to tweak it as he sees fit .. usually all musicals do that before their next run /and home . It would do soooo well in America .. they'd love it!!!Its definitely a Broadway Baby! xoxoxo I hope they finish the cd soundtrack.. theyhad half of it done from I was told. I found myself singing the arrangements.. Home in the Sky was astounding!! what a climactic 2nd act ending with "Home in the Sky and then maybe theres a Worrrrrld" that one line of that song at end (high up on a ship like very high maybe 40 ft..) .. curtain down!! I really loved all the song deliveries and arrangements.. I loved when 18th Avenue and a bit of Bitterblue came in .. oh it was good ..!! Have a lovely weekend.. xo

[peacock]

Matthews = Ebenezer Scrooge?

That's the way I've always visualized the song anyway.

The whole musical kind of sounds Dickensian, actually - if I put forth some effort I could probably find connections to a lot of Dickens novels. Which makes sense, since Yusuf grew up in London.

Just musing a little bit.

[richina]

Jun 15, 2012 16:56:02 GMT -5 Qizlo said:

Hello all!

I just got back from a performancce of Moonshadow. Needless to say, I was entirely entertained the whole evening. It's rare to go to a musical where you know all the songs & lyrics, though there is some new material & a few twists on some familiar favorites.

NOTE: I go into detail hear, so I should call these spoilers. Don't read on if you'd prefer to be surprised at the next performance.

The show starts with a burst of music provided an ensemble of six musicians, headed by the arranger Stephen Amos. Then, these shadow figures appear that are projected on the wall. The three characters (not sure what they're called) comment on the action during the show. From there, we are introduced to our hero Stormy and his star-crossed love, Lisa, with a duet of Old School Yard to set the pace for the show. Stormy later meets Moonshadow, something of a rather tall guardian angel, who leads him to find the sun, shamsia.

There are some excellent arrangements of Cat's music, all very well sung. Some of the standouts are The First Cut is the Deepest sung by Lisa (Gemma-Ashley Kaplan), Wild World by Layla (Sally Bourne), the ensemble singing This Glass World to open the second act, Stormy's (Gareth Keegan) glam rock rendition of Can't Keep It In, and all the songs covered by Moonshadow (Jolyon James). He has a strong bluesy baritone that adds a new depth to those familiar songs. I also enjoyed Patrick Matthew's (Blake Bowden) songs, trying to woo Lisa with some of Cat's love songs Rubylove and Crazy. (Note, that usually works, mate...) It was a new experience hearing Cat's songs sung in a musical theater manner.

It was interesting how some Cat songs were used in a way I wouldn't have expected. The evil princess Zeena sings Don't Be Shy as a song of seduction to Stormy. I'm so used to the association with Harold & Maude. And the song Longer Boats becomes a song of worship for some hippy guru character, the Starlord (played by Rodney Dobson). It looks like something out of Hair. There were also snippets of other songs that were pleasant surprises, such as 18th Avenue and Bitterblue. The end of Act 1 has a great transition from Home in the Sky to Maybe There's a World.

Overall, the ensemble staging & dancing were great. Since the story takes place at night, I would have liked to have seen more light on the dancers. The ensemble during the Matthew & Son number were hard to see. The dialogue was passable, nothing complicated. The story got a little confusing for me in the second act. I'm not sure how Stormy found the sun, or what happened to princess Zeena. Also, the marriage between Patrick Matthew and Lisa gets interrupted with Stormy singing Changes IV. I don't understand why Patrick would let the wedding break up. The show ends with the child versions of Stormy & Lisa singing Morning Has Broken, followed by the whole ensemble. The song actually makes sense at this point, though I would have liked to have seen a spectacular sunrise.

The special effects were certainly unique, with cartoon projects on the walls & on the stage. There were the three shadow characters that show up throughout the show, some scary skull faces in the Land of the Half Dead (or half alive?), and the Sunbird flying across the stage. The sets were very colorful & whimiscal. I liked the scary set for the Smog Mountain set (I think that's what it was called). It's like the land of the Orks from Lord of the Rings.

Overall, this is an exciting & entertaining show. For die hard Cat fans, it's a matter of leaving your old relationships behind & listening to the songs with a new set of ears.
"Guaranteed you will have a good time..."

Laters!

Mike (AKA Qizlo)

Great review Mike and I appreciate your attention to detail. ;D Thanks for taking the time to check in with those of us who are....*sigh* "land locked"

[hyacinth]

Yes! Thanks so much, Qizlo! This really helped me to visualize more of the plot and setting. I think the use of some of his songs is a different way is very appealing - maybe they reflect his feelings about them now?

And Aurarisma, you know that I have wanted to know more about Princess Zeena - so thank you, too. I can see what you mean about the use of symbolism. "Moonshadow" sounds so rich - like a really good book or movie that you must examine repeatedly to get everything out of it.

All of you are so fortunate to have been able to see "Moonshadow"!

[blossom]

thank you Mike and Aurarisma....wonderful detail and some personal insights..thanks for sharing!!!xxxxxxx

[Qizlo]

Hello all,

Thanks for your replies & insights. One thing I forgot to mention that the musical plot is vaguely similar to Mozart's The Magic Flute. Princess Zeena is an appropriate Queen of the Night, and Stormy is something like Tamino on a spiritual quest. In the end, the power of light conquers the darkness. The Magic Flute is based on masonic philosophical principals, which is not the case with Moonshadow. I guess the whole good vs. evil them is universal.

I'm leaving for home in a about an hour. I totally enjoyed my time here & will miss Melbourne. Hopefully Moonshadow will make it to a town near you soon.

Laters!

Mike

[aurarisma]

Jun 16, 2012 13:21:35 GMT -5 hyacinth said:

Yes! Thanks so much, Qizlo! This really helped me to visualize more of the plot and setting. I think the use of some of his songs is a different way is very appealing - maybe they reflect his feelings about them now?

And Aurarisma, you know that I have wanted to know more about Princess Zeena - so thank you, too. I can see what you mean about the use of symbolism. "Moonshadow" sounds so rich - like a really good book or movie that you must examine repeatedly to get everything out of it.

All of you are so fortunate to have been able to see "Moonshadow"!

your welcome hyacinth yesss its like a rich movie musical and book!! maybe like a good rich piece of chocolate cake toohehehehee, very yummy!
and blossom and peacock and everyone.. next time I'm not taking no for an answer .. you are all getting an airline ticket and the rest is on me! Seize the Moment.. epic music playing DADADA... DAHHHHHHHH!!

[Monty Python]

I have come down with gastro today, I had to leave the show at intermission Will report a bit more when I feel a bit less bluuuurrgh..

[aurarisma]

aww I'm sorry to hear that you arent feeling well .. Feel better and maybe you can if you live there can go back and see the show on one of the discounted tickets they are offering xo

[aurarisma]

Qislo xoxo hope you made it home safely xo I forgot to answer one of the questions you had..
what I believe are the symbols of those 3 Narrators that come in and out especially when they are looking for someone to lead the way for Stormy's Journey on The Road To Find Out.. I believe as I did hear Yusuf say the middle character is Siddharrtha Gautama Buddha, and the other two perhaps are other Realms he believed in..or wizards .. and found answers in, but when they chose Moonshadow for the job or subliminally Stormy did .. that is the ultimate voice God put in us .. our Conscience ... or perhaps ....."Moonshadow was his dearest closest friend ."
xoxo have a blessed sunday eveyone xoxo

[Qizlo]

Hello all,

I'm back home once again.

You know, Christina, when I first saw the three shadow narrators, the middle one to me looked like one of the three lucky gods of Chinese Taoist tradition. His name is Shao Xing, and he represents longevity. He looks like an old man with a large head and a long white beard. I wonder if this is where the image came from.

Best of luck to all!

Mike

[aurarisma]

Here is "Father and Son" from Moonshadow!!
Enjoy xooxox

[aurarisma]

sure looks like it to me Qizlo!! .. altho I heard an interview saying it was Buddha but you know I think they probably meant him !!! x they spell Yusufs name incorectly and a few other things as well so probably they did that too... It does look like him tho . I agree. xoxo
thanks for sharing xoxo

[G-One]

After returning from OZ I went on a second holiday with my hubby to recover from the first trip So I'm a little late with my report.
It doesn't have to be long because Qizlo already gave a good summary of the show.

I'm no artist and usually don't go to see musicals. So I can't state if it's good or not good and discuss about characters and so on.
I had been curious and a bit sceptical if and how Cat Stevens songs and musical would fit together - they do!
I really enjoyed seing it twice from different perspectives and it was just amazing - the stage designs, the projections, the different scenarios, the choreography and to my surprise the performance of the songs. I normally don't like the covers of Cat's songs, with some few exceptions. I still have this Father and Son version in my mind and ears and when I hear Rubylove I see this dance performance on stage.
And getting the chance to chat with Yusuf and tell him that his MAJICATTERS are there and earning a big smile for that

We do love it, because it's Yusuf's baby and dream come true!
The written comments/reviews of the audience range from absolute enthusiasm to great disapointment. It's always a personal point of view.

We really had a great time, Melbourne and Sydney are beautiful cities and seing free living Koalas, Wallabies, Kangaroos and all these colorful birds on this marvelous Great Ocean Road Tour and to caress the Koalas in Wild Life Sydney later was really amazing. I surely will go downunder a second time! We have just seen a very small part of this amazing continent...

Photo-links will follow after lunch