🎼10 Music Acts 🎤 That I Want A Broadway Musical From 🎭… Bonus Footage…

Hello Gentle Reader,

I am really pleased with the end result of my last series of posts. I have been asked about other artists that I love and why I skipped them or didn’t have so and so on the list. There were a few people that were initially on the list, but I wanted to narrow it down to just 10 because I am sure I could easily have made the list of 25 Music Acts…

So, in light of the questions, I wanted to add some answers to the people that should have been on the list but didn’t make my official list. Let’s go!

*Florence + The Machine – Once I finished focusing on the acts, I had to go through and see who would I like to see on Broadway in the 2021/22 season. This band was number 13. While I love how Florence Welch’s voice brings their songs to life, I think their songwriting style is totally suitable to musical theatre. If I were working on a project that was a modern historical fiction (60’s – 00’s), they would be the first people that I would run to.

*Lady Gaga – Like Panic!, I feel like it may only be a matter of time before this actually happens so she was number 15. What I would love to see and I think could be magical is for her to write the music for a fantastical fairy tale or tech heavy sci-fi story. But the fairy tale would be my first choice.

*Janelle Monae – She was number 11! If there is anyone I want to see a tech heavy sci-fi musical from it is her! She has such a unique sensibility and I think her use of organic and electronic music would give her an edge on this style.

*Beyonce’ – I didn’t have her on the list because with her “Black Is King” on Disney+, it is only a matter of time before Disney puts her show on Broadway. Official prediction: I am guessing 2024/25 season possibly sooner. Let’s see how that prediction holds up.

*Madonna – I love Madge. I really do even now. Were she in her Ray Of Light mindset or earlier, I would love to see her create some sort of underdog story with a strong female lead. At this time, I am not sure what she would make. I still enjoy her albums, but not in a storyteller kind of way. More like a I just want to dance or have some fun. I like the idea of the Madame X persona, but I feel like it lacks a focus because it is SO broad.

*Depeche Mode – They ended up being my number 12. I love these guys. Their sound has evolved and continues to mature. I feel like a blue collar story with some sort of big secret would best suit their sound.

*John Mellencamp – You know what I would LOVE to hear from him? I would love a growing up story about Jack and Dianne. What happened to them? Did they have a family and grow old together? Did he develop a substance abuse problem and it was up to her to keep the family together? SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!!!

*Shakira – Since her sound has a lot of world music influence, I feel like she would be the perfect person to add to a team working on a battle of the bands kind of musical. Her song stylings are quite diverse and with her experience, I think it could make for an amazing piece of art.

Well, Dear Reader, this is the group that didn’t make the list. Not for any reason other than there are just too many people to make top 10. Did I miss your favorite? Who was it? Let me know what act you would like to see.

Oh, I think it is great to mention, Lovely Reader Dana emailed me with the suggestion of The Decemberists making a musical based on their rock opera styled album Hazards of Love. I think that is a friggin’ brilliant idea and I am super bummed that I didn’t catch that! LOL. But that’s why we have a community, right? Great call, Dana!!!

Okay, Kind Reader, it is time to get back to the day’s tasks. Let me know in the comments if you agree with Fellow Reader Dana or to let me know who your favorites are.

Until next time, stay safe and alert and make sure you check in with your loved ones! Sending you love ❤️and light🕯!

And Love Is Love Is Love Is Love Is Love Is Love Is Love Is LOVE…

Hello Dear Reader!

Four years ago at the Tony Awards, Lin Manuel Miranda uttered these words that brought me to tears. It was in response to the tragic massacre at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. A tragedy that probably could have been avoided if gun laws were stricter. Just so we don’t forget those victims:

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One of the things I learned while watching the Oprah led discussion “Where Do We Go Now?” is that every thing is so intricately intertwined. My own ignorance refused to learn just how much the game is rigged because I wanted to believe that someone could come and fix it. I wish. There is no easy solution. However, one of the big things you can do, Gentle Reader, is to vote. But you knew that already, right? Cast a vote for EVERYTHING, not just who our new president is going to be. Vote on the local and state stuff too. Those things are so important! They influence who the court judges are, who the district attorney will be, state and city laws that get passed where you live. Make sure you are registered to vote NOW!! And if you aren’t, REGISTER!!! Vote to ensure equality abounds in what can truly be a great country and not just a nation founded on murder and racism. You might feel like your vote doesn’t count, but you still MUST do it! Do it for those who are victims of voter suppression. Do it for those whose lives were cut short and can’t do it themselves. Now is the time to add your voice to the others that demand change and equality for all.

I am also doing my best to learn about the history they DON’T teach in school, or that they conveniently leave out because “history is written by the winners.” It is never truly objective and I used to think “this is too depressing to learn about.” I would hide from it. No more hiding. I can’t promise I will remember everything, but I am going to try anyway. Of course, this video of Kimberly Jones that I saw on Madonna’s IG page is what really helped me to push away that idea of hiding. Yeah, I said Madonna. Don’t judge. LOL!

With the current worldwide situation with violence against people of color and other minorities, I find this sonnet of Miranda’s even more hopeful. I always try to be optimistic and am drawn to positivity and the inspirational. I allow my raw emotions to guide me and I seem to find something that can help me in my saddest moments. I hope you are lifted by his beautiful words and know that even though times look bleak now, if we can stand together, the future should be brighter. But we have to stand together.

My wife’s the reason anything gets done.
She nudges me towards promise by degrees.
She is a perfect symphony of one,
our son is her most beautiful reprise.
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
until they’re finished songs and start to play.
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
that nothing here is promised, not one day.
This show is proof that history remembers.
We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger.
We rise and fall and light from dying embers.
Remembrances that hope and love last longer.
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
cannot be killed or swept aside.
I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story
Now fill the world with music love and pride.
-Lin-Manuel Miranda

Until next time, Kind Reader, stay safe, alert and willing to listen and learn.

Let’s Create A Hashtag…

Dear Gentle Reader,

When Madonna released her first single for the Rebel Heart album, she made a claim. At her Grammy performance, she said she wanted to start a revolution of love. I was super stoked to hear that. The only problem was that when I got the album, there wasn’t enough of that “love revolution” theme on it.

I use twitter, instagram, and the good ol’ Facebook in different ways because, well, they are different mediums. I try my darnedest to post different things on each. I have a hard time sharing the same thing because (as I have mentioned on several occasions) I don’t like repetition. I don’t know why it bothers me so much, but it does.

But I like idea of a revolution of love. 2017 is going to be a challenge. It is a government transition and there will be shake ups and melt downs. So, I want to set us all on a positive road by dropping a bomb on you. LOL! Well, I am calling it a love bomb.

The word bomb is a horrible name, but I want this to work just like a bomb.

When I think of bombs, I imagine the thing landing and as it bursts, it sends out a wave of destruction. The idea of this particular bomb is to share something I love about you via a social media timeline. Hopefully, you will feel like joining me and post something on someone else’s timeline using the tag. Basically, the feeling is like the shrapnel, the effect, and I hope it makes you want to send a bomb of your own.

It’s a little silly I’ll admit, but why not do it? We could use a little heartfelt silly in the world. The only bad part about it is that for a true hashtag, one must only use words. I think is important to use the icon ❤️ though. Not just because I worry someone may confuse this with the actual spelled out tag of “love bomb” They are essentially the same, but I love the idea of the image of the heart because of the point at the bottom of it. Like it is going to dig in and the rounded ends are getting ready to explode and spread the feeling.

So my dear reader, expect to see a lot of #❤️bomb and #BEDLaM from me in the coming weeks. BEDLaM will show as a tag so if you wanna see all the #❤️bombs I am doing, you can find it with the BEDLaM tag.

To you Gentle Reader, I love you because you choose to share a little bit of your time with me. I thank you from the deepest parts of my ❤️ #❤️bomb #BEDLaM