Propstore Petersen Auction Preview!

 Day 1 of the Propstore Petersen Auction is today, but last night was the preview. Check out their awesome auction items at: https://propstore.com/. The auction house for memorabilia was founded in 1988. The auction is a four day event from August 26 to the 29th. The tickets were free and the event took place at the Petersen Automotive Museum. I had looked around the museum in 2021 for 'Bond in Motion', an impressive exhibit and museum, https://geektruth.blogspot.com/2021/10/bond-in-motion-at-petersen-automotive.html. 

This event took place at the penthouse which had a fantastic view of the surrounding hills, city, and also the Academy Museum next door. Exiting the elevator, there was the costume of Black Adam (2022). Past the sign-in table, on a shelf was the “Cast-Autographed Ibanez Artcore AS73 Guitar from Back to the Future (1985). It’s estimate was $5,000-10,000! It actually felt like the memorabilia that I saw at Celebrity Authentics at CityWalk which also had a cast signed guitar, but likely not screen used. I saw a few Planet Hollywood items. These items were not listed in the Entertainment and Memorabilia Live Auction catalog so may be part of the regular Propstore auctions.

Mighty Joe Young stop-motion puppet, Propstore Petersen Auction Preview, author’s photo. 

Against a Propstore background was a photo op with the “Life-Size Light-Up Sideshow Collectibles Iron Man Mark III Figure Replica.” A short summary about the item in on the placard. Inside was the screen used “Light-Up Iron Man Mark 46 Upper Body Armor” from Captain America: Civil War (2016). Next to it was Brandon’s Routh’s complete Superman costume from Superman Returns (2006). There are details on the placard of the item itself including, “a blue texturized one-piece milliskin jumpsuit.” 

Next to it was Christopher Reeve’s “Screen and Photo-Matched Tunic and Replica Boots” from Superman III (1983)/Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987). Another iconic character, Spock, with a season three costume from Star Trek: The Original Series. Like a few costumes, this one is missing boots so it looks like Spock is on duty barefoot! A prop of the "Midgrade" Starfleet Type-2 Phaser was also on display. Next to it must be the highlight of this collection, the stop-motion puppet from Mighty Joe Young (1949). 

It has most of the "original latex skin and fur covering", plus the armature is still there discovered by X-ray scans! it is really the expression of Mighty Joe Young's face that gives it life, almost a sadness, like stop bothering me, I saw something like this with a gorilla at the National Zoo where school kids were banging on the window. I hope this piece of cinema history ends up in a public museum like the Academy Museum. Lot 190 was the "Screen-Matched Opening Scene Mosquito in Amber Fossil" from Jurassic Park (1993). The first time this prop was at a public auction. There was also next to the prop, a Dinosaur Handler Costume from the same movie. From Saturday Night Fever (1977) was the White Dancing Suit worn by John Travolta. 

Leeloo’s Multi-Pass prop from The Fifth Element (1997), photo by the author. 

Standing at the corner was the Frank the Rabbit suit from Donnie Darko (2001). So a note about the auction items, the room could only contain so many costumes and prop item so some are featured in the catalog. The Donnie Darko costume is bizarre, but nothing like the freaky Cat in the Hat costume from Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat (2003). There were two glass cases, continuing from the far side of the room and one in the middle. So the far side cabinet had a number of items including the Batarang from The Batman (2022), a highlight must be "Screen-Matched Light-Up Multi Pass" from The Fifth Element (1997) used by Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), and really liked the headdress and the amethyst-like necklace worn by Meg Foster in Masters of the Universe (1987). 

The catalog also listed Michael Keaton's Batsuit from Batman Returns (1992) and Val Kilmer's Complete Sonar Batsuit from Batman Forever (1995). At the top shelf of the cabinet was the Sankara Stone prop from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Also a Xenomorph Warrior Head from Aliens (1986). Mid-shelf, also from the Planet Hollywood Collection was "State Prison Mugshot Slate" used by Laudnry Leonard in The Shwshank Redemption (1994). Plus the Monster Book of Monsters from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and the Golden Snith prop from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001). At the end was a Joe Johnston Death Star storyboard from "Vader's P.O.V" of an X-Wing from Star Wars (1977). On the bottom shelf, I couldn't see the plaque well, but it had "Framed Set of Six Tarot Cards" used by Solitaire (Jane Seymour) in the James Bond film, Live and Let Die (1973). 

From the far wall cabinet, there was Blade Runner (1982) poster concept artwork by John Alvin. Also, a flight suit worn by Tom Cruise in a promotional photo for Top Gun (1986). Another costume was the screen used Nostromo jacket worn by Tom Skerritt in Alien (1979), A photo of the back of the jacket with Nostromo was in the catalog. I was impressed by the prop of the bow used by Robin Hood (Cary Elwes) in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), "Tight! tights!" Behind it was the room to video the auction. I also liked seeing the vest of The Kurgan (Clancy Brown) from Highlander (1986).One of the sci fi films, pre-Star Wars was Silent Running (1972) which featured Bruce Dern's astronaut, Freeman Lowell. His jump suit was displayed for auction. Another favorite costume, the "Waistcoat and Poet Shirt with Brooch" worn by Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) in Labyrinth (1986). 

Lone Ranger Hat worn by Clayton Moore at personal appearances, author’s photo.

There were so many highlights including from the Val Kilmer Collection, Doc Holliday's Inverness Coat from Tombstone (1993). Lot 304 was the boxing shorts of Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) from Rocky II 1979). A costume from Predator (1987) had Arnold Scharzenegger's vest, shirt, and belt. Wait!, his character's name was Alan "Dutch" Schaefer? Costumes from Pulp Fiction (1994) included Uma Thurman's white shirt and black pants, and the Interrogation Suit worn by Samuel L. Jackson. 

There was a large painted cover by Drew Struzan of Indiana Jones and the Sky Pirates (1993). At another cabinet was the Lament Configuration Box from Hellraiser (1987). In a box was the "Promotional Mechanical Dragon Eggs" from Game of Thrones. On the upper shelf was teh headband worn by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) in Karate Kid (1984). I also liked on the bottom shelf the animatronic puppet of Billina the Chicken from Return to Oz (1985). 

The center cabinet had from the Dick Smith Collection, his Personal Makeup Kit, he is a makeup legend. Next to it was the "Miniature Bronze Bust" of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) from The Godfather (1972). Yet another highlight for me was the "Personal Appearance Lone Ranger Costume Hat" worn by Clayton Moore. This is from the Dawn Moore Collection and she was a special guest of the auction. 

I was able to talk to her about one of my favorite, all time heroes, the Lone Ranger. She mentioned that she has the original silver bullets from her father's holster! You can find her personal Instagram page about marketing and going around California at: mooreabout. Next to the hat was the "Distressed Wilson Volleyball" from Cast Away (2000). Then on the other side of the cabinet was the "Hero Morlock Mask" from The Time Machine (1960). The Morlock has a shaggy wig, but again the face sculpt, he has sad eyes, almost distorted wrinkles like the masks of the Twilight Zone episode with the masks, they look strange, but sad.  It was also displayed with the Stunt Axe used by Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) in The Shining (1960). 

The Inverness Coat worn by Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) in Tombstone (1993), photo by the author. 

Below it was the "SFX Bloodletting Knife" used by Wendy Torrance (Shelley Duvall) also from that film. In the display case with the Mask of Loki worn by Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) in The Mask (1994). A gruesome prop was "Early Palmer-Thing Face-Splitting Mask" from The Thing (1982). There was a damaged Terminator replica from Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) and also the "Light-Up T-800 Endoskeleton Skull" from the attraction T2-3D: Battle Across Time (1996).  

I consider the last film of the trilogy since it involved Jim Cameron, Stan Winston, and the leads from Terminator 2. Plus, a cybernetic T-888 arm from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The "Wooden SFX Hoverboard" prop used by Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) from Back to the Future Part II (1989)/Back to the Future Part III (1990). Another BttF prop was OUATIME license plate from Back to the Future (1985). In the catalog, there was the prop Bracelets of Submission worn by Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter) in the first season of Wonder Woman. The Propstore Petersen Auction has an extensive collection of costumes and props from classic cinema to favorite films and tv shows!  

#PropstorePetersenAucionPreview, #Propstore, #PetersenAutomotiveMuseum, #BlackAdam, #BackToTheFuture, #PlanetHollywood, #CaptainAmericaCivilWar, #SupermanReturns, #BrandonRouth, #SupermanIII, ##SupermanIVTheQuestForPeace, 

#BladeRunner, #JohnAlvin, #TopGun, #TomCruise, #DickSmith, #TheGodfather, #MarlonBrando, #TheLoneRanger, #ClaytonMoore, #DwanMoore, #CastAway, #TheTimeMachine, #TheShining, #JackNicholson, #ShelleyDuvall, #TheMask, #jimCarrey, #TheThing, 

#Terminator2JudgementDay, #T23DBattleAcrossTime, #TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles, #BackToTheFuturePartII, #BackToTheFuturePartIII, #WonderWoman, #LyndaCarter  

The Chinese American Museum and Academy Museum!

Today was Free Museum Day and I spent the day at two museums! Free Museum Day is on the second Tuesday of every month. Please take advantage of going to great museumes like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the first Thursday at the Huntington Library! I highly recommend the Chinese American Museum and this is the first time (and not the last) that I’ve been to the museum! It is located at 425 North Los Angeles Street which is across from Union Station. The grand opening was on December 18, 2003. It is the historic Garnier Building, the oldest Chinese building in Southern California and the former part of Chinatown before it was moved. Check out: https://camla.org/. 

“Anna May Wong” by Rachel O’Donnell at the Chinese American Museum, author's photo.

It has a red brick courtyard and just turn to the left to open the door into a local treasure. I took the recommendation of taking the elevator to the second floor. This had the current exhibition, The Icon: Anna May Wong, it runs until August 30th so there is still time! I think I first realized Anna May Wong’s groundbreaking work from the PBS documentary series, Asian Americans, recommended! She is dubbed “The first Asian American Movie Star”, posters of her films are on the walls, including her crime film, Dangerous to Know (1938). I think she transcended the stereotypical roles. In Daughter of the Dragon (1931) that had the yellow face Fu Manchu, but also starred Sessue Hayakawa, Hollywood’s first sex symbol! 

We first see her, stunning, in her Princess Ling Moy outfit, and she says in perfect English, Wong was born in Los Angeles!, “Thank you Mr. Wentworth.” Then, lapses into broken English for wealthy guests. The films of Anna May Wong play on the side wall and the facing wall has a incredible painting of her by Rachel O’Donnell. There are also a cookbook and example of her writing. Her theatrical programs, 2009 stamp, and even Barbie doll! Movie actress, she starred in the first Asian television show, theater actress, fashion icon, writer, a phenomenon like the actress we will get to later. The museum had works of poetry and an art exhibition, Seasons in Cosmos: Works by Diana Shulu Wong. I highly recommend the museum for this art exhibit alone. I could see how Wong’s work had a touch Impressionism. 

Twelve Seasons Table by Diana Shulu Wong, photo by the author. 

I would stand back and just soak into the yellows of her summer painting and just let the images wash over me, several panels like snapshots of a season. Love the Twelve Seasons Table with the twelve months and twenty-four solar terms with the yin and yang symbol. I missed some of the first floor so I will definitely return. There was a firehouse next to the museum. Impressive engines and a photo of Blackie, the last fire horse (1902-1939). The Academy Museum was busy on Free Museum Day. More info, especially with The Horror Show exhibition that fills the entire fourth floor, stars on September 26th!, here: https://www.academymuseum.org/ The museum was busy, and one of the highlights was Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo. It began on February 14th of this year and runs to March 21st of next year. Again, this is reason enough to go and don’t wait until the last day, just go and have fun! 

I attended the Hayao Miyazki exhibit at the museum and at that time, no pictures were allowed, for Ponyo, please don’t take flash pictures. I asked and a museum worker told me that the artwork is in the collection of the museum. One of the text pieces, “Bringing The Movie to Life” explained the difference between hand-drawn to computer animation. Miyazaki said, hand-drawn art “gives the audience room for imagination.” Computer animation uses “perfectly uniform images.” There are numerous Studio Ghibli artists, “each displaying subtle differences” with Miyazki as director checking consistency with character and form. Disney returns to hand drawn animation with Gatto in 2027. I highly recommend Hayao Miyazaki’s book, Starting Point, 1979-1996 (2014) which goes from where do artists get their ideas and form them into stories and into a medium, in this case film.

Ponyo’s world, art board by Noboru Yoshida, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, author’s photo. 

There are long art boards by Noboru Yoshida on display in what looks like submarine portals. Across from it is a big photo op and activity where you can slide Ponyo across the waves. In the next room was a video of voice actors and following that long revised key animation drawings, it’s great to see sketches, detailed characters, character action and the flow of the film in these drawings. In the middle is a Studio Ghibli animation drawing desk, this was the one thing that I wanted to take a pic of with the Hayao Miyazaki exhibit. Though that exhibit had some tiny goat statues around the desk. There was a photo of Miyazaki with a exploding word balloon, “Get rid of straight lines. Use gently warped lines that allow the possiblity of magic to exist, liberating us from the curse of perspective drawing. A world where even the horizon swells, dips, and sways.” At that room there are Japanese theatrical release posters for the movies. 

Plus, a green pipe photo op! Another section had several galleries including the Bong Joon Ho exhibit. In the Identiy section are make-up and costumes. Here’s the trick with the central display, The costumes are set on a short black platform. It set off alarms, beep beep beep, almost constantly! Guests have to stand about a foot away from the platform or set off the alarms. There is not rope cordoning off that area. The museum worker had to keep reminding visitors about being careful. The end of the platform was the costumes of Elphaba with her broom and the sparkly costume of Glinda from Wicked (2024). You have to see Glinda’s dress in person to see the sparkly. Against the wall was a glass display of costumes including the costume of Jean Hagen as Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), a favorite musical. 

Marilyn Monroe’s White Subway Dress, Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon exhibit, photo by the author. 

On the third floor was another highlight, Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon. The exhibit started on May 31st and runs to February 28th next year. This exhibit is extensive with a hallway and five rooms. The hallway is filled with her movie posters. Many visitors point out things like experts, but there are close-up tours with museum experts. A hallway has displays of Marilyn’s dresses, on the right, her dress from her brief cameo in the Marx Brothers comedy, Love Happy (1949). On the other side, is Marilyn’s gold dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). There were two side galleries, one for the white subway dress from The Seven Year Itch (1955) with the marketing of that image. 

There is also  Marilyn Monroe’s pink dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) which had design sketches and an unused costume after the release of her nude photos. The back wall has a hallway with her pin-up, personal, movie photos. Also, the calendars with her nude photos and Playboy magazine. The costume hallway also turns to a make-up display and then personal items like her 1942 University High School yearbook as Norma Jean Baker. The opposite wall has displays of her coats, hats, and dresses that she wore for appearances sometimes using the same outfit several times. Two Hollywood icons with Anna May Wong and Marilyn Monroe in one day! Free Museum Day allows visitors to experience many local museums. The Chinese American Museum had many artworks and history of L.A. and the Academy Museum's displays the best of movies with costumes and props! 

#FreeMuseumDay, #LosAngelesCountyMuseumOfArt, #HuntingtonLibrary, #ChineseAmericanMuseum, #GarnierBuilding. #TheIconAnnaMayWong, #DangerousToKnow, 3DaughterOfTheDragon, #RachelODonnell,#SeasonsInCosmosWorksByDianaShuluWong

#TwelveSeasonsTable, #AcademyMuseumOfMotionPictures, #StudioGhiblisPonyo, #HayaoMiyazaki, #NoboruYoshida, #BongJoonHo, #Wicked, #SinginInTheRain, #MarilynMonroeHollywoodIcon, #LoveHappy, #GentlemenPreferBlondes, #TheSevenYearItch

Six: The Musical Live! Review!

Six The Musical, the pop rock musical, ends in theaters tomorrow. The audience was not as big as Hadestown, but still about six moviegoers, six, ha! Anyway, it is about the SIX wives of Henry VIII, stepping out of history books and onto a pop stage. The story of Henry VIII has been seen in the historical series, The Tudors (2007-2010). A number of great actresses played the SIX with Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII. There is also The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) adapting the Phillipa Gregory book. Natalie Portman played Anne Boleyn and her sister, Mary, was portrayed by Scarlett Johansson. Eric Bana played the king. 

There is a featurette before the film, it focuses on the creators, music, book, and lyrics by Toby Marlow, they/them actress for tv and some film, she filled in for a sick castmember in the role of Catherine Parr, and Lucy Moss who directed a London production of Legally Blonde The Musical. The SIX actresses are filmed talking about production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 and also Hampton Court Palace, the home of Henry VIII. It premiered on the West End at the Arts Theatre in 2019. 

The 2019 Broadway production won two Tonys; one for Best Score for Moss and Marlow and Best Costume which went to Gabriella Slade. They are dressed in flashy outfits, part Vegas, part Spice Girls, and a hint of the English Renaissance. Oh, Kirsten Maldonado from Pentatonix just finished her Broadway run as Anne Boleyn. The West End cast are filmed for the movie. It is directed by Liz Clare who also directed Six: The Fully Animated Musical (2020). It basically a single stage, ringed tiers with the all female band, the Ladies in Waiting, at the top.

 There is rows of lights in the back like a pop stage, but no change of scenary. This is just the actresses singing for the entire show. The queens are introduced in the opening number, "Ex-Wives." with their signature phrases. There is Catherine of Aragon (Jarneia Richard-Noel), Divorced!, she probably has the most period-like outfit, black and gold, with a spiked crown. Anne Boleyn (Millie O'Connell), Beheaded!, a flashy, green dress made of patches with tiny buns held by spikes and a B necklace. Jane Seymour (Natalie Paris), Died!, she wears a dress that has black sleeves and skirt with a white mid-section. These are the wives I know about in history. 

Next, also Divorced!, Anna of Cleves (Alexia McIntosh), wearing a dress made of red and black bands and also black shorts. Her crown looks like a spiked headband. She is rejected because of her looks! Katherine Howard (Aimie Atkinson) is also Beheaded!, she has a black and pink outfit with a spiked band for her pink ponytail and a K necklace. Lastly, Survived!, is Catherine Parr (Maiya Quansah-Breed), half of her hair is parted by a spiked clip, she has a blue outfit with poofy sleeves and dark blue and black leggins. The color and style is good to separate the different queens. 

Catherine of Aragon starts off with her annulment to the king, living with another woman, puts up with his son from another woman, so she sings, "No Way." Anne Boleyn is sent from France and living with his wife, she's "Sorry, but not sorry' in the song, "Don't Lose Ur Head"! There are different song styles; a ballad by Jane Seymour about her love for Henry VIII and it switches to EDM with puffs and sunglasses in Germany with "House of Holbein" for Anna of Cloves. This is empowering for women and girls, great!, but really not for anyone else. 

The musical doesn't offer much insight into why Henry VIII moves to wife to wife except that he wants a royal heir and just isn't interested in one relationship. Also very little history, funny asides to the queens, but all of the history has to come in with the audience. Probably not for the musical, but I think a shadowy portrait of Henry VIII should hang in the back until the queens find their independence and take it down. There is a reprise of each queens' songs at the end. A pop concert, dancing and singing, it must be an exhausting show. I don't think of any song, but the intro will stay with me. Six The Musical Live! brings the power of the stage and singers to the big screen! 

Four Crowns out of Five! 

#SixTheMusicalLive, #LizClare, #TobyMarlow, #LucyMoss, #GabriellaSlade, #JarneiaRichardNoel, #MillieOConnell, #NatalieParis, #AlexiaMcIntosh, #AimieAtkinson, #MaiyaQuansahBreed, #LadiesInWaiting 

Marvel Snap Review!

The latest mobile game, Marvel Snap, is the latest, addictive card battle game! It debuted in October 18, 2022, developed by Second Dinner, and published by Skystone Games. You can download the game on your cellphone. There is a how to play start and then it gets into the twelve card deck. Each card has an Energy value, so it runs from 1 to 6 (it may be higher!). Your Energy is in a blue circle on the bottom of your screen. Energy goes up by 1 every turn. The other part of the card is Power. I haven’t seen many cards destroyed so just tough them out. There are three hexagon Locations that affect your cards. They are revealed one turn at a time. So you play the cards at the Locations depending on your Energy. 

There is up to four cards that can be played at a Location. You have a Cosmic Cube in ranked battles which is at the top of the screen. You can tap Snap to double the rankings. If the battle goes against you, there is Retreat which minimizes your cube loss. I’ve seen Players fight to the bitter end. Play goes until the Final Round, 6, with a possible Victory, winning at least 2 Locations, or Defeat. You can of course buy Season Passes which has exclusive cards, Boosters and Credits. Cards can be upgraded; Common, Uncommon, Rare (I think this is Animated), and Legendary (probably more). I think this is just a look to your cards and has no game effect. After the battle, there is the Collection Level, which gives you Credits, Boosters, and cards. 

So here we go, like Magic: The Gathering and other card games, build a strong deck. Don’t rely on powerful characters like The Thing 4 Energy, 7 Power, my favorite, or Hulk, the weakest since he costs so much 6 with 14 Power, and Odin is 6 Energy! I haven’t seen anyone win with Hulk, Odin has abilities that change up the battle, but too expensive. Instead, you need to take the Locations as fast as possible and then build up Power with cards. So instead you need to start small and here’s my favorite, Squirrel Girl! She has a 1 cost so first turn and a Power of 2, but her Reveal (the first time you play it) ability is to put a 1 Power Squirrel on every Location! The Central Park Location has the ability, “Add a Squirrel to each location.” Squirrel Power! 

Still, the Squirrels are weak at 1 Power, this is where another handy card comes into play. Ka-Zar is 4 Energy, 6 Power and his ability is give any 1-Cost cards +1 Power! Buff Squirrels! This is a great combo if the cards come out right. It was used against me and I lost! The other mainstay card in my deck is Punisher, 3 Energy, 3 Power, he gets +1 Power for every enemy in the Locaion. It looks like he sends out a rocket. I also like Nightcrawler,  1, 3, another first turn favorite, he can move to another Location once, Bamf! The last low cost card that I like is Misty Knight, 1/3 she’s good to have around since there are Locations that block high Power or cards with abilities. This means if a Location would destroy him, Kurt can Bamf! Away or reinforce another Location. 

Next a medium cost card, Medusa 2/2, if she is placed in a middle Location, she gets +3 Power, sometimes, I have to drop here elsewhere to reinforce a Location. A power card that I like is Iron Man, 5/0 with the ability of doubling total Power. So it is either Thing or Iron Man as my power hitters. The x-factor card that I really like, Morph, 3/0, he has the Reveal ability of becoming a copy of an opponent’s card, I had him copy Thing or even the Hulk. A medium cost, but could become a power card! I tried other cards and they just haven’t worked out. You don’t play your favorite heroes, you play the most strategic cards. Locations are tricky, some destroy cards after a certain turn, others give Power, and there are Locations that reduce Power. 

So you need to play cards in those tough Locations to hold it, the Squirrels are perfect there, I’ve also seen Rocks to lump in your deck, but again Ka-Zar powers up them into boulders! The trick is not to go all in on the first Location, drop a Squirrel Girl or other low cost hero, move your 1 Energy card to the other Locations if one is too risky. Nightcrawler is the best to Bamf! out of there. I've seen Players fight for one Location and miss out on the others. Castle Zemo is the worst, if you play a second card, it moves to the opponent’s side! I had a Star Lord, 2/2 there and he switched sides, but my opponent played a Punisher there so I took that Location! The variant covers for Marvel titles has the Marvel Snap Swimsuit variants. They are by inHyuk Lee. 

For action figures, there is a Marvel Legends 3-Pack, of Rogue, Sauron, and Shanna the She-Devil, $89.99. Expensive and I think sold-out. I like games you can pick up, the tutorial moves fast directing you to play cards. It is fun, addictive really, with most of the games Victories for me, one Retreat, and several Defeats. I noticed late night playing is not good, too many Players with cards that don't exist so they must have been bought or from Players since the beginning. I'm not a fan of Pay for Play, but haven't run into that roadblock yet, Players spending endless amounts to win games. I hope the game makes it to collective card games and/or as an arcade game like Marvel Contest of Champions. Marvel Snap offers some strategic, fun, and addictive game play on your cellphone!  

#MarvelSnap, #SecondDinner, #SkystoneGames, #CosmicCube, #SeasonPasses, #Boosters, #CollectionLevel, #TheThing, #Hulk, #Odin, #SquirrelGirl, #KaZar, #Punisher, #Nightcrawler

#MistyKnight, #Medusa, #IronMan, #Morph, #StarLord, #Punisher, #CastleZemo, #MarvelSnapSwimsuit, #MarvelLegends, #Rogue, #Sauron, #ShannaTheSheDevil 

Hadestown: The Musical Review!

Hadestown is a masterwork of myth and Jazz music, a love story redressed as an American tragedy set in the Depression. The film had a limited release on July 24th for five nights, but it has been extended, due to its popularity. The musical has music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell. She played Eurdyice in a tour in 2006-2007. The singer/songwriter released her concept album, Hadestown, in 2010. It debuted on Broadway in 2019 and won eight Tonys. This including Best Musical and Original Score.  

Also, Best Performance by an Actor in a Feature Role in a Musical, André De Shields, and Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography. Hadestown is of course based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. One of the early renditions of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth was in the Georgics by Virgil in 29 B.C. Hadestown brilliantly combines the myth and explores it through song and a 1930’s Depression-era setting, though it is said, “don’t ask where or when.” 

The movie is directed by Brett Sullivan who also directed Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical (2025). This was filmed at the Lyric Theatre in London with the original Broadway cast in 2025. The camera moves to the theater and then has a behind-the-scenes of the actors preparing to go on stage. De Shields says to himself, “Slow and steady, calm and ready.” The stage itself has musicians at the upstage, left and right, with some chairs and tables for the ensemble. 

In the center is the place for the Fates as chorus. Several chairs are in a semi-circle at center stage. The camera follows the actors on stage as the audience applauds. Great camera work that brings viewers from the actors to the stage. De Shields enters the stage and he kisses the heads of the seated leads. Above the stage is a balcony with two actors who look down at the stage. De Shields is stage left, dressed in a silver suit, and he unbuttons his jacket. It is like there is silence in the theater waiting for him to start the show. 

There is a trumpet playing and Mister Hermes (De Shields) starts humming joined by the ensemble. De Shields starred as a Legend in the "Sunday" segement of the musical film, tick...tick...BOOM! (2021). Mister Hermes sings about the railroad line which is the “Road to Hell.” He sings that it was “hard times." Mister Miracle introduces “three old women”, The Fates; Bella Brown, Madeline Charlemagne, and Allie Daniel, all enter to audience clapping. The names of the Fates in Greek myth are Atropos, Clotho, and Lachesis.  

They are dressed in grey like flappers, Jazz Age dancers, and also Greek robes. Mister Mercury sings, “And they was always singin’ in the back of your mind”, intriguing, not as Muses, inspiring people, but pushing towards destiny. He continues with his introductions next singing about a woman “With a suitcase full of summertime”, Persephone!, played wonderfully by Amber Gray. Gray played Gloria Valentine in the mini-series,The Underground Railroad (2021). Her performance reminds me of Eartha Kitt. She wears a green dress with ruffles and a white fur coat, a contrast to her husband. 

Next, Mister Mercury introduces the “king of the mine” found at the end of the railroad line, Mister Hades, powerfully played by Patrick Page. Pike Phillips, was a part played by Page for the movie musical, In The Heights (2021). He has white hair and beard, a dark, fancy suit, a black boot that makes me think of the Faun from Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), and a silver shoe on the right foot. Hades was also known as the god of wealth as well as the underworld. It is interesting to see the gods formerly addressed as “mister”, a title for gentlemen. 

Then, Mister Hermes introduces himself, "a man with feathers on his feet", a clever way to bring in the herald of the gods with his talaria, winged sandals, but especially here, I think it refers to his dancing! Mister Hermes weaves into and out of the narrative, as a guide and also observer to his tale. He sings, “It’s a sad song” which is picked up by the chorus. This is repeated over and over to make certain that the audience will know that the story will end in tragedy. 

Still, the audience returns again and again to the story. Mister Hermes introduces the “hardest working” Chorus, men and women in brown and tan jackets and pants, colors that reflect the earth. Next, he introduces the band, they burst out in lively jazz. Mister Hermes calms everything down to introduce “a poor boy workin’ on a song”, Orpheus (Reeve Carney). In the supernatural series, Penny Dreadful, Carney portrayed Dorian Gray. 

Orpheus wears a white shirt, brown suspenders and pants, he also has a red scarf. Only parts of his clothing aligns him with the chorus of regular folk. He is working as a busboy cleaning the tables. Mister Hermes explains that Orpheus' mother was his friend, in the myth, the Muse Callipe. He says the boy was "touched by the gods themselves." The phrase may mean mentally unbalanced, but here I think it is obsession, like the horror film, obsession to his music.

The boy sings, "La la la la la la..." This is the melody, parts of his song that he needs to complete, like Roger in the musical who is also writing one last song. The next person Mister Hermes brings into the narrative is a "young girl looking for something to eat", Eurydice, played by Eva Noblezada. The filmed musical, Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary (2016) featured Noblezada as Kim. One of the themes is poverty and it is also an obsession. 

Eurydice wears a dark brown coat, brown vest like the Chorus, with a gold and black scarf, and black shirt and pants, aligning her with Hades? Mister Hermes sings, “Thus begins the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice.” The music comes to a crescendo. The Fates sing a haunting “Ooooh…”, the beginning of “Anywhere the Wind Blows”, a melacholy beginning. Mister Hermes says, Eurydice was a “hungry young girl”, the hunger seems more than physical need for food, but an emptiness past her runaway life. 

She places a candle down surrounded by the Fates. I get another image of the last candle for Mimi when she meets Roger in Rent (2005). Noblezada’s vocals are so strong. The candle is blown out by the wind of the Fates. Mister Hermes sings of Orpheus who unlike Eurydice is naive to the world so he took the boy under his wing. He tells Orpheus in "Come Home with Me" to talk to Eurydice and not come on strong. The music is just a gentle guitar. Orpheus sings and instantly tells her the title of the song, just awkward, but he is too taken with her! He sings along with the Chorus, not Orpheus alone, but in harmony. 

Orpheus continues that he is “the man who is gonna marry you.” It’s almost a slap in the head moment at his headstrong comment! Eurydice tells him her name and he sings, “Your name is like a melody.” I see the same dynamic of worldly and naive romantic leads as Satine and Christian in Moulin Rouge! (2001). She says he is a singer. He adds that he also plays the lyre. In the myth, the lyre is given to Orpheus by Apollo. Eurydice remarks, "Oh, a liar and a player too." She says she's known too many men like him, but Mister Hermes says, "He's not like any men you've met." 

Orpheus is encouraged by Mister Hermes to tell Eurydice what is working on. He tells Eurydice that he is working on a song and when sings it "Spring will come again."  The promise of his song could fill her emptiness, but she is suspicious. This moves to the upbeat "Wedding Song", Eurydice sings calling Orpheus "lover." She sings about how he will get wedding rings with how life is difficult. He sings that when he sings his song, rivers will sing and "break their banks" to bring gold that they will turn to rings. Again, Eurydice sings about who is going to set their wedding table. 

Orpheus sings that the trees will sing along laying their fruit on the table. The end of her hunger? Love the hint to the mythological Orpheus whose singing could make trees dance and move rivers. Eurydice wants him to sing his song and he sings the melody, "La-la-la-la-la-la."  Still, it is unfinished. This impresses Eurydice and she tells him to finish the song. The missing part I see like Roger trying to sing "One Song Glory" in Rent. It is something that obsesses Orpheus completely that he loses sight, like Roger, of the most important part, Eurydice. He brings her a red carnation, the symbol of their love. Orpheus' scarf is the same color. The great costume designs are by Abhinav Singh. 

Orpheus knows about the story of Hades and Persephone and Mister Hermes tells him to sing it in "Epic I." Persephone arrives to bring the party and summertime in "Livin' It Up on Top." She drinks heavily, not only to celebrate, but almost to wash away the sorrow of the underworld and Hades, an almost loveless relationship. Hades takes her away and Mister Hermes sings about Orpheus, "He could make you see how the world could be." Eurydice still is drawn back by her old life and temptations. The Fates tempt her in "A Gathering Storm" where Eurydice goes out for firewood. Mister Hermes blows a train whistle and we get the lively, "Way Down Hadestown."  The Chorus sing about "Give me morphine in a tin." I think this is the addiction that is fatal to Eurydice. 

Hades appears to sing, "Hey Little Songbird", tempting Eurydice and making her doubt Orpheus' song. He brings up the hardship fo the world, "See how the vipers and vultures surround you." The mythical Eurydice died by a viper bite. He offers the way out from the harsh world, an eternity in the underworld! He gives her coins which she places on her eyes, this is Charon's obol, the fee the ferryman takes to take souls across the River Styx. She descends on the turntable stage which also provides movement and dances. Orpheus has to brave the journey there and change Hades. This is a sad song, a tragedy, but we always return to it. Hadestown cuts into the heart of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth with song that makes the audience part of the narrative and experience this incredible show! 

Five+ Carnations out of Five! 

#Hadestown, #BrettSullivan, #AnaisMitchell, #EvaNoblezada, #ReeveCarney, #AndreDeShields, #AmberGray, #PatrickPage, #BellaBrown, #MadelineCharlemagne, #AllieDaniel