Sounds of the Mouse

The Phantom Five (Graveyard Band) - The Haunted Mansion

Performed by Caroll “Cappy” Lewis, Chet Ricord, Gordon Schoenberg, Doris Hutlz Johnson, and Art Smith.

The Phantom Five are the eerie band who appear at the base of the entrance hill into the graveyard, just after you see the terrified Caretaker and his dog. The band consists of a Trumpet, a Lyre (or harp), Bagpipes, a Flute (played backwards), and Percussion.

You may recognize the Holiday Ghost Host’s voice from a certain tram… among MANY other things. What does everyone think of the updated stretching room this year? I think it’s appropriately creepy and “whimsical.”

So after having a few days to recover, I finally decided to put together a total review/thought vomit on my feelings about the Hunchback of Notre Dame musical. I’ve had my ear to the ground on this show and its development for a long time, so seeing it performed on stage (IN ENGLISH) was the culmination of years of scouring the darkest corners of the internet for audio and video clips, wearing my copy of the film score into the ground and offering burnt sacrifices to the musical theatre gods that this show would one day make it to the stage here in the States.

Before I jump into a full blown critique, I should disclaim that I am a HUGE fan of what was done with the German production of this show, and having heard some of the changes that were made, I did go into this with a significant amount of skepticism. That said, I made the comment after the show (and still stand by it now a few days later) that this production was, by far, my favorite thing I’ve seen all year. I have a lotttttt of issues with the book, the execution and the directing choices, but in spite of that, it’s STILL the best thing I’ve seen on stage all year. That’s how much I enjoyed it.

So, without further ado, my thoughts:

A casual reminder to all of those at the Oscars… 

…..You’ll never beat Walt. 

Cartoon Brew:

Walt Disney’s 22 competitive and 4 honorary Oscar wins

Friend Like Me - Aladdin

"Comedy is acting out optimism." - Robin Williams (July 21, 1951 - August 11, 2014)

I have never been so saddened by the loss of a celebrity. I’ve had tears in my eyes since I heard the news. Mr. Williams was a source of inspiration for me and I always hoped one day I would be able to meet him and tell him that in person. 

Robin, thank you for teaching me to seize the day, to find my own voice, to never grow up, that my wildest wishes could come true, to fight for what I believe in, to accept who I am, to know that I can be so much more than what I came from, that I can survive my darkest of times, that laughter is a much better medicine, to never stop learning, and to keep moving forward.

You will always be a hero to me and I will never forget what you taught me. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.