Me & Orson Welles & Zac Efron

Last week, we screened Rick Linklater's new film, Me and Orson Welles, in my producing class. It won't be widely released until Thanksgiving, so it was a nice treat to get a sneak preview.
The film stars Zac Efron as Richard, a regular old 1930s high schooler who happens to win the bit part of Lucius in Orson Welles' stage production of 'Julius Caesar'. It follows the characters through the week leading up to the show's Broadway debut, as Welles takes Richard under his wing... for the time being.
Though having big names like Efron, Claire Danes, as well as Richard Linklater, the film had a rough time finding distribution. I'm interested to see who actually goes out to see this film - Linklater fans? Efron devotees? People who know/care about Orson Welles? Period piece theater-goers?
It's very well-made, with beautiful visuals, a fitting, jazzy 1930s score and a hilarious portrayal of the bullying Orson Welles by Christian McKay. I wouldn't classify myself a huge Efron fan, but he gives a noteworthy performance in this film - one unlike any of his previous tweeny bopper roles. Only con: I found the ending a tad cheesy, but I'll let you decide for yourself.
Here's the trailer:

The Show So Nice I Saw it Twice

My latest out-of-hand obsession is the Broadway show 'Spring Awakening.' The tour was in Austin the week before last, and when a friend told me she had an extra ticket, I jumped at the chance to get in on the action! I didn't know much about the show except that Rachel from Glee (Lea Michelle) originated the female lead.

Needless to say, the show blew me out of the water. First of all, I had a nice high-school throwback with Craig from Degrassi* (Jake Epstein) as Melchior, the male lead. The music, lyrics, songs, acting, costumes, set: EVERYTHING was amazing. The musical tells the story of a group of teenagers living in a culturally-repressive 19th c. Germany, as they discover sex, life, love and death. All of the cast-members were about my age, which made me feel like a WORTHLESS turd, but was also TOTALLY AWESOME... and that Hanschen, what a babe!

After I saw it on Friday, I couldn't help but pick up some last minute tickets for the final Austin show on Sunday night. Hallie and I sat THIRD ROW CENTER (and for only $65!). Loved it even more the second time around, and can't stop listening to the soundtrack.

The tour ends in May 2010 and the show left Broadway last year, so if you haven't seen it yet, I would try to catch it: Spring Awakening Tour.

* The best Canadian teen soap opera of ALL TIME (Kanye said so)

I am naïve, gullible and easily conned.

I was persuaded into signing up for GREENPEACE last week on campus. Two goodish-looking (in a dirty, bike-riding, used-clothes-wearing, vegan way) hippies cornered me on the Drag, and clearly targeted me because I was wearing an Allman Brothers t-shirt. DAMN IT! Why did I have to wear that shirt?! Anyways, at least I may have a chance with GABE… I mean, he did write “LOVE, GABE”.

The Truest Story Ever Told

Thought I’d share this digital mockumentary I did for a class last year starring my youngest sister in an Oscar-worthy turn as the lovable Tracy Winters.

All Hallow's Eve

I'm back! After a 5-ish month long hiatus, I've revived my ol' blogger!