End of the Year Summary with Photos!

[amelialourdes]

Before I started compiling this list, I thought, "I didn't really do much this year." Then I put everything together and looking at the list... yes, I did do a lot. I didn't go to as many concerts but I went to a lot of cabaret shows and a good amount of theater. It was a great year! Let's do an events overview.

JANUARY 8 - LAURA BENANTI AT THE CATALINA BAR

My Queen.

JANUARY 19 - WROTE A SONG WITH SCOTT MOFFATT

My childhood self would've collapsed if I told my 15-year-old self that this was going to be possible one day. After a successful tipping advantage during his StageIt show, I got to write a song with a great singer/songwriter and it was a lot of fun. He's a great guy and it was great to speak to him as an adult rather than teenager to teenager as we were back in the early 2000s.

FEBRUARY 9 - LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
Not my favorite production of this show. I really fell in love with the first touring production I saw after the Broadway run had concluded. Erin Mackey was a lovely Clara and David Burnham was a perfect Fabrizio. I'm David Burnham biased ever since he sang "Out There" in front of my face. We also had a distracting audience so I'm sure this didn't help my opinion of this production. The theater's delightfully small, though, next to the Segerstrom in Orange County.

FEBRUARY 28 - BOYZ II MEN IN LAS VEGAS, NV

The woman next to me thought I looked too young to be at this show. Oh, was she wrong. Their Vegas show is a great and I managed to get a rose when I shoved myself forward, leaning on the stage. It was a great birthday treat this year!

MARCH 9 - SNOWBOARDING AT MAMMOTH

Finally went up to my cousin's condo in Mammoth to go snowboarding. I haven't been in years and I'm rusty but it was very, very fun. Hopefully, will get to go again this winter!

APRIL 18 - RUFUS WAINWRIGHT AT THE ORPHEUM

It's been so long since I've seen Rufus in concert and I was late buying the tickets this time. Thankfully, it all worked out and I had great seats for the show. He played a couple of my favorite songs and that's all I could ask for.

APRIL 20 - SHOSHANA BEAN AT THE GROVE

I'm lucky Shoshana Bean lives in Los Angeles and I get to see her as much as I do. I love going to these free concerts of hers at the Americana or at the Grove. She always puts on an electric show with her insane voice. She even liked my photos so much she used them to advertise one of her shows! I love Sho.

APRIL 24 - BOOK OF MORMON AT THE PANTAGES
Loved the Cunningham at this second touring production! This show gets funnier to me every time I see it. I was missing Gavin Creel terribly, but I pushed on. Can't wait for this to come back.

MAY 5 - JEREMY JORDAN AT THE CATALINA BAR

I was lucky enough to photograph this show for my new gig at BroadwayWorld.com. I actually got the offer to start contributing to the site after my photos were published for this show. Jeremy Jordan is one of my favorite performers and I couldn't believe he was headlining a show here in LA. I couldn't believe Kyrsta Roderiguez popped up to sing with him. Such a wonderful night for a man whose voice I could listen to forever.

MAY 6 - JEREMY JORDAN AT THE CATALINA BAR

Oh, yeah. I wasn't going to miss either show. I was definitely going to both. Got to meet him at this one. I told him I took the photos of his previous show and he loved them! Oh, Jeremy. <3

MAY 16 - LES MISERABLES AT THE IMPERIAL



Ah, what a night for me. Decided to go to New York after loving every single person who was cast in this particular production of Les Mis. I met Andrew Kober from my Hair obsession days and he was a sweetheart. Nikki M. James was so incredibly sweet. I met Andy Mientus who I've been a fan of since the first national tour of Spring Awakening. I brought a photo I took of he and his now fiance at a show they did in LA last year. He told me, "This is my favorite photo ever." I thought he was just being nice. Then, I saw the photo hanging in his apartment! So, he was not just being nice and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

MAY 17 - IF/THEN AT THE RICHARD RODGERS
Unfortunately, I went the one week that Idina Menzel happened to be out since she'd been sick all week. So, I managed to miss Idina tice in 10 years. I missed her two days after her last Wicked performance and I miss her again this year. FOREVER CURSED. Maybe I'll see her in a show on Broadway. One day. I also got to meet ghettogreta on this trip and she put up with all the crazy and I couldn't wish for a better theater partner.

MAY 18 - HERE LIES LOVE AT THE PUBLIC
It took less than five seconds to make this one of my favorite shows ever. I've never been to such an interactive show before. You move with the sets, you're part of the action, and the music and story are so incredibly compelling. It's a story of my culture, my people, my cultural background. As soon as the music started and I saw the woman playing Imelda Marcos dressed in clothing that reminded me of my mother, I started to cry. I saw a barong and a woman dressed in the flag of the Philippines and I couldn't believe it. It's a show about my culture's history and I lost it. I didn't stop sobbing until after Child of the Philippines which is about three songs in. Conrad Ricamora from How to Get Away With Murder plays Ninoy Aquino and he held my hand during that song. CUE MORE UGLY SOBBING. It's such a beautiful show and I encourage everyone to go see it.

MAY 18 - HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH AT THE BELASCO

Got to see this great production with Neil Patrick Harris featuring a pre-show dinner with susanderavish and juteux. A great show with great company. Only wish I could see JCM in it this year. *cries* I was so sad to leave New York this last time. I felt like I left my heart behind.

MAY 29 - BACKSTREET BOYS AT THE FORUM

I got really lucky here when I was buying and managed to score front row center seats to the show. Unfortunately, that is the night my camera decided to die. I spent all of Avril Lavigne trying to fix it. The lens came out and it never went back into the camera properly. It was a lens error and that was the end of my Nikon CoolPix. I ended up using my phone for the entire show and it actually worked out better than I thought it would. The photos came out great!

JUNE 1 - JOAN RYAN FEAT. ERIC MCCORMACK AT THE CATALINA BAR

Another event for BroadwayWorld featuring one of my favorite actors.

JUNE 17 - JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT AT THE PANTAGES
Not the best production of the show. Ace Young is an incredible weak singer and performer. It was not impressive to have him in the title role. His wife didn't fare much better. But there were definitely a couple of stand outs with the brothers. There were a couple in there that were spectacular.

JUNE 29 - CHRISTINA BIANCO AT ROCKWELL

Such a fun performer! Her impersonations are so on point, but better than that, she's a great singer on her own. It was also the first review I got to write by myself for BroadwayWorld.

JULY 3 - QUEEN WITH ADAM LAMBERT AT THE FORUM

One of the best concerts I've ever been to. Not only was it fun and emotional, it was dynamic and entertaining thanks to Adam Lambert and Brian May. My heart was so full that night. It was topped off by a retweet from Brian May and my photo being one of five photos featured from the show on Adam Lambert's FB page!

JULY 4 - 8 - NORCAL TRIP WITH bigboobedcanuck AND fenwic

We spent a lovely 4th of July with fenwic's friends and then the following day we roamed around Napa. Loved having bigboobedcanuck in our state and we had so much fun in Napa riding segways and having an '80s movie marathon!

JULY 8 - SUCH GOOD PEOPLE PREMIERE

Had a great time at the Such Good People premiere. I contributed to the Kickstarter campaign and I had a great time that night with my friend Sarah. We met plenty of people we wanted to meet including the wonderful men above. I was not a fan of the film itself. I found the story a bit convoluted and not in the entertaining way. But the amount of cameos from people I like was worth it.

JULY 11 - CLOCKWORK FOLLIES AT ROCKWELL

Jai Rodriguez hosted cabaret show.

JULY 12 - JAGGED LITTLE PILL AT ROCKWELL

This was for sure one of the best things I saw this year. Jagged Little Pill was one of the first alternative albums I bought, but more than that, every single performer here is incredible. They brought this album to life in such a beautiful way.

JULY 13 - SING ME HOME PREVIEW AT ROCKWELL


JULY 18 - LIFEHOUSE AT THE CALIFORNIA MID-STATE FAIR IN PASO ROBLES

One of the best shows of the year. Front row, drove up three hours to get there, and loved every minute of it.

JULY 19 - CHRIS COLFER BOOK SIGNING
Made it to this event on three hours of sleep. I don't know what I said to him, but I'm sure I sounded drunk.

JULY 20 - WE WILL ROCK YOU AT THE AHMANSON

If you went to the Queen show, they discounted your ticket to see this. Got me and my mom front row seats and I rocked out wearing my Queen shirt. I liked the Vegas version just a little bit better but the two leads we had here were incredible.

JULY 30 - LIFEHOUSE AT THE PACIFIC AMPHITHEATER IN COSTA MESA

Great show by them but the crowd here made me :| :| :| Still a fun show, overall.

JULY 31 - JAY BRANNAN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO

Took a spontaneous drive to San Francisco to see my favorite guy perform. Love that he starts each show with my favorite song of his "Elusive Knight." I wanted to take a picture with him looking sick of me. Win.

AUGUST 1 - JAY BRANNAN AT THE TROUBADOUR

Then I drove back home to see him at the Troubadour. Got to photograph this show and afterward, we took my favorite photo of all time together. Yay us!

AUGUST 3 - HAIR AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

They did the show with the new arrangements from the revival and my revival heart soared.

AUGUST 9 - DISNEY FANNIVERSARY

Such a fun event at the Disney Studios with my friend Rachel! They told us some Disney facts and even had a Disney Afternoon feature which is my childhood and I freaked out and it was beautiful. Love going to events like this at the Disney Studios.

AUGUST 10 - ONCE AT THE PANTAGES
I loved this show. I loved it. I loved the movie, too, so it was no surprise I loved the show. I'd love to see it again. Come back, Once!

AUGUST 28 - JASON MRAZ AT THE PANTAGES

I haven't seen Jason in so damn long. I thought it was time again. I am not in control of myself when "A Song For A Friend" plays. Sara Bareilles also popped out out of nowhere and my video of the performance went all over the net. It was featured on Just Jared and BroadwayWorld and a lot of other media outlets. If only one could be compensated for this. Alas.

AUGUST 29 - JASON MRAZ AT THE PANTAGES

Second show of the night. A bit of a change in the setlist and no special guest stars but just as amazing.

SEPTEMBER 2 - I MET DARKWING DUCK AT DISNEYLAND

Went to the AP event at Disneyland and met one of my favorite characters from childhood.

SEPTEMBER 11 - BOYZ II MEN AND BABYFACE AT THE LA COUNTY FAIR

Man, Babyface brought the '90s all back and Boyz II Men always puts on an amazing show.

SEPTEMBER 12 - ONE DIRECTION AT THE ROSE BOWL

Decked out in gear so I could fit in with the crowd!

SEPTEMBER 13 - ROAR AT ROCKWELL

Another great show featuring another amazing set of singers.

SEPTEMBER 28 - JAGGED LITTLE PILL (ACOUSTIC) AT ROCKWELL

I wouldn't miss seeing them again. All incredible.

OCTOBER 9 - NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK WALK OF FAME CEREMONY

Bestie came down, we fell in line at 4 A.M., and out of there around noon. A good time was had by all.

OCTOBER 13 - JOHN LLOYD YOUNG AT THE FEDERAL

He won me right over with those smooth vocals and a nice guy to boot.

OCTOBER 15 - DEAF AWAKENING AT INNER-CITY ARTS
Not my favorite production of this show but it was definitely created in an innovative and interesting way. I also learned a few words in sign language.

OCTOBER 18 - AMADEUS AT THE NEW VIC IN SANTA BARBARA

Got to see Randy Harrison portray Mozart. Didn't see him the first time around in Stockbridge but I imagine his performance was just as magnetic.

OCTOBER 21 - PIPPIN AT THE PANTAGES

Absolutely could not get enough of this show. One was not enough. I saw a Deaf Awakening production of this a few years ago but I remember almost nothing about it. I remember Michael Arden was incredible and that was it. But I really enjoyed this recent revival touring production and Matthew James Thomas in the lead role. We also got Andrea Martin and John Rubenstein in this production and Andrea Martin got a five minute standing ovation during her number this first show. That's the beauty of live theater.

OCTOBER 24 - PLACEBO AT CLUB NOKIA

I've waited for years to see this band. I held a little bit of a grudge against them ever since they canceled their show at Harlow's in Sacramento. Hearing those songs again after all these years brought me right back to enjoying them again.

OCTOBER 26 - AMADEUS AT THE NEW VIC IN SANTA BARBARA
Went to see Randy again! Just as great.

NOVEMBER 2 - HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME AT THE LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE IN LA JOLLA

I was very, very, very excited to see this show. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz are its composers and it's based off of the Disney movie. There were some choices I don't agree with and some character choices I don't agree with but the cast is so stellar. The La Jolla Playhouse is known for taking shows all the way to Broadway so I'm interested to see where Hunchback goes from here.

NOVEMBER 4 - PIPPIN AT THE PANTAGES
Went again with my mom! Loved it the second time around with Kyle Dean Massey as Pippin. As much as I wanted to see Matthew again, I do adore me some Kyle Dean.

NOVEMBER 5 - 30 YEARS OF DISNEY ANIMATION
This is the last event I went to before I got sick for a month. Boo. It was a great conversation series at the Disney Studios again. I wish they would've talked about the early Disney cartoon series more like Ducktales, Gummi Bears, etc., but it was interesting.

NOVEMBER 15 - NICK CARTER/JORDAN KNIGHT AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES, ANAHEIM IN ANAHEIM

I managed to make it outside for one night. I promptly got sick as soon as I got home and lost my voice for the next two weeks. But it was a really, really fun show with my friend. We were right next to the stage, got to sit down on bench seats, and didn't have to be in the GA crowd. Win.

DECEMBER 7 - HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME AT THE LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE IN LA JOLLA
Round two with my mom! Really enjoyed this second viewing. Everyone in this cast is ridiculously talented. I will send it to Broadway just for a cast recording.

DECEMBER 11 - DISNEY ON ICE

I love going to these. Got to see the show with my cousins!

DECEMBER 18 - WICKED

Got to see one of my favorite shows for the... this has to be number 17 or 18 by now. I've seen a ton of productions of this show and Nick Adams is the only Fiyero I've seen who performs his character at the end as (SPOILER) -- the guy he's supposed to be! A scarecrow! I mean, has anyone else done this before? It was fucking brilliant. My friend won lottery for us that night. I had lost all hope until we were the last two called. Second row center seats were incredible for this and we had an INCREDIBLE standby for Elphaba. Hope we can catch her again!

That's it! Thanks for reading! Wishing you a very happy 2015.

Comments

[mmmorpheusq.livejournal.com]

Nice pics, but please do LJ cut. Thanks

[friday82.livejournal.com]

Wow! You did have an eventful year! I think I'd have loved to see Randy as Amadeus; I've always wanted to see the play performed.

[such-a-steph.livejournal.com]

WOW!!! What an amazing year! I'm jealous of the accessability you have to great bands and awesome people, but then again, I'm luckier than most and got to experience some of the same things as you in the past year. I hope 2015 is equally as brilliant for you :)

[ghettogreta.livejournal.com]

Eh, there wasn't that much crazy. Just a little. ;) Also, you missed the #louuuuuis. For shame.

[severina2001.livejournal.com]

An amazing eventful year to look back on. So many lovely pics. Hope your 2015 is as stimulating and exciting!

[on-the-ground.livejournal.com]

I love watching these posts you make about everywhere you go and all these great people you get to meet. You really saw a lot of amazing stuff this year. Great post! Very glad you had a great 2014 :)

[fansee.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing your 2014! It was quite a year. I'm impressed.

I hope 2015 is already to a good start. Don't feel that you have to wait until 2016 to tell us what you're seeing, what you love, and what disappoints you. FanSee

[http://users.livejournal.com/_alicesprings/]

You did SO MUCH! Great pics, bb! Hope this year is just as fun!

[reeface.livejournal.com]

I wanna be you when I grow up. Damn girl, you're amazing. :D Here's to 2015!