I love Musicals!
One of my nieces once quipped that she thought I was a gay guy in a straight mans body. I was pleased to disappoint her. I note for political correctness though that I am not a homophobe or in anyway prejudiced against those who may be so inclined. It is just not a life choice I make for myself, that is all. One of the reasons she said this was because I love colour and have a very deep sense of co-ordination and visual harmony, and because amongst other things I love musicals.
I have loved the songs and scenes from musicals such as the Sound of Music, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar which was the first musical I ever saw live as a young lad of 9 or 10. Phantom of the opera, Les Miserables, The Scarlet Pimpernell, Evita, Cats, Billy Elliott, Guys and Dolls, Porgy and Bess, Showboat, South Pacific, Aida, Dreamgirls, A Chorus Line, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, Chess and many, many others.
I think what I love most about the musicals is that they highlight a small section of life and create a thematic score that seems to touch on the excitement, the tragedy and pain and yet accentuate the highs and euphoric moments to weave together an incredible and inspiring story, often true but mostly entertaining.
This introduction was designed to give you some background into how special it was for me last evening to meet and photograph a person who has written the lyrics for many, many songs that are in my music collection. He is a wonderful talented genius and a man who is incredibly talented and generous, Sir Tim Rice.
Tim has written the lyrics for solo songs for various performers including Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, Sacha Distel, Placido Domingo, David Essex, Elton John, Paul Jones, Freddie Mercury, Elaine Paige, Elvis Presley, Bobby Vee and Rick Wakeman, as well as for groups 10cc and INXS.
Tim Rice's autobiography covering his life and career until just after the opening of Evita in London was first published in England in 1999. His work has won him numerous awards including 12 Ivor Novello awards, 4 Tonys, and 3 Oscars. Tim was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999. During the Broadway run of the Jesus Christ Superstar revival in 2000, he had a total of four shows playing simultaneously on the Great White Way. This record was equalled in Japan when, in December 2003 with the opening of Aida, he had four shows playing simultaneously : Beauty and the Beast, Aida, and two productions of The Lion King. In recognition of his work in film and theatre, Tim was inducted as a Disney Legend in March 2002 at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris during the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of Disneyland Paris. On 20 November 2008, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Tim was knighted by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 1994.
Yes, he has been knighted by the Queen. A title which he said he has become comfortable with but humbly said, "whilst it is an honour, you should never take the awards and accolades too seriously, I [he] would rather have them than not, BUT don't ever take them too seriously otherwise it will distort what you do and your importance" An interesting comment from the recipient of not one but three Academy awards, Tony awards, the recipient of the highest award Disney can offer the Disney Legend award. He spoke for more than an hour on aspects of his life and I sensed the wand of serendipity and chance in many of his highlights he spoke of. It has made me reflect a lot on my own life experience, and recognise that many directions people take in life, or many destinations can often swing on small hinges. It is a profound thought.
For example, After a 6 or 7 week stint doing a ceremonial role at Disney, Sir Tim was asked about doing a score for a Disney animated musical that had a working title of king of the jungle or something like that and after he accepted it and was working on that for a few months he was asked by Disney to stop working on that as Howard Ashman, lyricist for Disney's Aladdin had passed away leaving 3-4 songs that had still to be written for the musical, Sir Tim then stepped in and wrote the songs needed and in that short process won an Academy award for "A Whole New World" . He then went back to the Lion king, the only member of that team who had won an Academy award. His first of three, and may perhaps not be his last.
I shall not forget this meeting. As I write this and on the way home from meeting him I have been listening yet again to a variety of his songs. I particularly love the lyrics from the Lion King which he wrote, "From the day we arrive on the planet and blinking step into the sun, There is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done." I have adopted some of Sir Tim's lyrics from some of his musicals to become the affirming theme of my life. It was a great honour and thrill. I found him to be a very grounded, warm and generous man. I am truly blessed to rub shoulders with people like him. He also wants copies of my pictures! I think I muttered a resolute "Yes Sir!"
After meeting Sir Tim, I walked outside to more of the Vivid light festival and shot a few more pictures which I share with you here.
I have loved the songs and scenes from musicals such as the Sound of Music, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar which was the first musical I ever saw live as a young lad of 9 or 10. Phantom of the opera, Les Miserables, The Scarlet Pimpernell, Evita, Cats, Billy Elliott, Guys and Dolls, Porgy and Bess, Showboat, South Pacific, Aida, Dreamgirls, A Chorus Line, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, Chess and many, many others.
I think what I love most about the musicals is that they highlight a small section of life and create a thematic score that seems to touch on the excitement, the tragedy and pain and yet accentuate the highs and euphoric moments to weave together an incredible and inspiring story, often true but mostly entertaining.
This introduction was designed to give you some background into how special it was for me last evening to meet and photograph a person who has written the lyrics for many, many songs that are in my music collection. He is a wonderful talented genius and a man who is incredibly talented and generous, Sir Tim Rice.
Tim has written the lyrics for solo songs for various performers including Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, Sacha Distel, Placido Domingo, David Essex, Elton John, Paul Jones, Freddie Mercury, Elaine Paige, Elvis Presley, Bobby Vee and Rick Wakeman, as well as for groups 10cc and INXS.
Tim Rice's autobiography covering his life and career until just after the opening of Evita in London was first published in England in 1999. His work has won him numerous awards including 12 Ivor Novello awards, 4 Tonys, and 3 Oscars. Tim was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999. During the Broadway run of the Jesus Christ Superstar revival in 2000, he had a total of four shows playing simultaneously on the Great White Way. This record was equalled in Japan when, in December 2003 with the opening of Aida, he had four shows playing simultaneously : Beauty and the Beast, Aida, and two productions of The Lion King. In recognition of his work in film and theatre, Tim was inducted as a Disney Legend in March 2002 at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris during the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of Disneyland Paris. On 20 November 2008, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Tim was knighted by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 1994.
Yes, he has been knighted by the Queen. A title which he said he has become comfortable with but humbly said, "whilst it is an honour, you should never take the awards and accolades too seriously, I [he] would rather have them than not, BUT don't ever take them too seriously otherwise it will distort what you do and your importance" An interesting comment from the recipient of not one but three Academy awards, Tony awards, the recipient of the highest award Disney can offer the Disney Legend award. He spoke for more than an hour on aspects of his life and I sensed the wand of serendipity and chance in many of his highlights he spoke of. It has made me reflect a lot on my own life experience, and recognise that many directions people take in life, or many destinations can often swing on small hinges. It is a profound thought.
For example, After a 6 or 7 week stint doing a ceremonial role at Disney, Sir Tim was asked about doing a score for a Disney animated musical that had a working title of king of the jungle or something like that and after he accepted it and was working on that for a few months he was asked by Disney to stop working on that as Howard Ashman, lyricist for Disney's Aladdin had passed away leaving 3-4 songs that had still to be written for the musical, Sir Tim then stepped in and wrote the songs needed and in that short process won an Academy award for "A Whole New World" . He then went back to the Lion king, the only member of that team who had won an Academy award. His first of three, and may perhaps not be his last.
I shall not forget this meeting. As I write this and on the way home from meeting him I have been listening yet again to a variety of his songs. I particularly love the lyrics from the Lion King which he wrote, "From the day we arrive on the planet and blinking step into the sun, There is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done." I have adopted some of Sir Tim's lyrics from some of his musicals to become the affirming theme of my life. It was a great honour and thrill. I found him to be a very grounded, warm and generous man. I am truly blessed to rub shoulders with people like him. He also wants copies of my pictures! I think I muttered a resolute "Yes Sir!"
After meeting Sir Tim, I walked outside to more of the Vivid light festival and shot a few more pictures which I share with you here.
Comments
As far as musicals go, they are hands down what the girls and I like to watch more than anything else. Along with the ones you listed, we also love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and The Music Man.
Fun post to read...
What a fabulous night you had! Your pictures are beautiful too, love the opera house! Australia is calling me for a visit. ;)
Thanks so much for your comments and thoughts. It was a great night and there is more posts coming of a similar nature. Glad you like the images.