Wicked on Friday! (I know you hate it, Ricardo. ) I loved it but overall I don’t think the singing voices of this touring cast (save for David Nathan Perlow as Fiyero) are as strong as the LA cast I saw a few years back at the Pantages. That’s ok, though. I totally have the original Broadway soundtrack on repeat right now anyway.

Rob got really sick on Saturday morning so he pretty much slept the entire day. I hung out with Diesel and watched The Romantics (it wasn’t very good – Katie Holmes was miscast; her role needed a more subtle and nuanced actress — she and Anna Paquin probably should have switched).

I recently downloaded the Instagram app for my iPhone and LOVE playing around with it. Diesel is my favorite subject. Of course.

Another Diesel pic from last week for good measure. He can be such a lazy bum sometimes.

Rob felt much better today so we ran some errands (Target, I love you!) and picked up frozen treats at Pinkberry.

To close out the weekend, we made a really yummy gumbo for dinner. My friend Jason used to cook this on cold, rainy nights in the Bay Area and while it was neither cold nor rainy here in SoCal today, this gumbo really brought me back to those days. Love that food can evoke good memories.

And that was my low-key weekend. How was yours?

In my excitement about food in my last entry, I forgot to mention that I also went to see Wicked while I was in LA. Finally! I found out about a 50% discount for all Tuesday through Thursday shows in January and February so when I realized we’d be in town during the week, I jumped at the chance to go. And just as I expected, I LOVED it. Glinda was my absolute favorite — Megan Hilty played her to perfection. Caissie Levy as Elphaba was also solid. But sadly, I thought Kristoffer Cusick as Fiyero was a *tad* disappointing. His voice just wasn’t quite as powerful as the 2 leading ladies and he also wasn’t a very good dancer. Maybe he had an “off” night because he seems to be a really popular Fiyero (I was doing a search on reviews of the musical a few days ago). But whatever, it was an excellent show — definitely one that I could watch many, many times (if I could afford it ).

I thought I would share a few of my favorite songs from Wicked…

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Defying Gravity
For Good

I’m also reading the book at the moment… I do not love it nearly as much as the musical. It started off sloooow, and then picked up when Elphaba and Glinda went to college, and now it’s slowing down a bit again. I’m about halfway through so I’ll be sure to write some thoughts when I’m done.

Now I’m off to watch America’s Best Dance Crew. YAY. I love dance-related reality shows.

I was happily surprised by Rosario Dawson’s performance. Her voice sounded great… I have to admit that I had my doubts about her but she proved me wrong. I’ve never cared for Maureen but Idina Menzel is seriously amazing (she looked so cute in the catsuit on New Year’s Eve). I could listen to her sing all day. Tracie Thoms also blew me away… just WOW. Her voice is so powerful. I loved her version of Joanne. And who could forget Jesse Martin? I have a soft spot for him. But was it just me or did he play Collins as a bit of a drunk? I don’t remember the character being like that in the stage show… but then it’s been about 5 years since I’ve seen it so maybe I forgot? Whatever, Collins and Angel are still the best, and most meaningful, couple. *sob*

My favorite number was La Vie Boheme. Such a great group song. They’re all smiling, having fun, dancing on tables… such an awesome scene. My other favorite songs include Another Day, Without You, Finale B… and they definitely didn’t disappoint. All the songs were spectacular. I think the movie soundtrack has a much MUCH edgier/harsher sound to it than the Original Broadway Cast soundtrack… it sounds fantastic. I wasn’t planning on purchasing the movie soundtrack since I have the OBC but now I’m so tempted.

The one thing I was upset about was Benny’s diminished role. Again, maybe my memory is failing me but I remember seeing him more often in the stage show. Regardless, it was a GREAT movie (I’m so proud of Christopher Columbus). I highly recommend it. GO SEE IT!

I also bought my Christmas tree today. Whee! It’s so tall and fluffy and smells SO GOOD. Ahhh, the holidays rock.

Regardless, Les Mis was so great — if the national tour hits your city, you should definitely try to see it. The next musical that hits San Francisco is Wicked. Anyone seen it (I think Sarah has, if I remember correctly)? Like it?

Oooohhh, Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers have been cast in Mission Impossible 3. Great cast… I hope this movie will be better than the second one. What a disappointment it was.

I so want to see Batman Begins. Possible weekend activity.