Theater Review: Hair Live at the Hollywood Bowl #HAIRatthebowl

The Age of Aquarius came alive under the stars tonight as the anti-war flower children of Hair took over the Hollywood Bowl. This was the first time I'd seen a musical at the Bowl and the first time I'd seen Hair at all so I was looking forward to a good time.

The powerhouse cast alone is enough to make this a must see show but to see them actually perform it only confirms that. The entire cast turned in a wonderful performance and made a memorable first viewing of this historical play.

With names like Kristen Bell, Hunter Parish, Beverly D'Angelo, Jonah Platt, Jenna Ushkowitz, Amber Riley, Sarah Hyland, and more you know you're in for something special. For me, the big draw was Kristen Bell. It's no secret I am a huge fan of hers and the chance to see her performing live on stage was too great to pass up. She was fantastic but it was another actress who stole the show: Sarah Hyland. I was blown away by her. She was charming, funny, and I am pretty sure she was on stage the entire first act. She handled some unexpected mic trouble like a seasoned broadway veteran, and even ad-libbed a joke about it in act two. This girl is definitely more than Modern Family.

Another stand out was Amber Riley. What a voice this girl has. A true talent with a killer voice and comedy chops as well.

I don't mean to leave the gentlemen out of the review here. The guys were great but to be honest, the ladies owned it tonight.

As the show went on, another unexpected issue came up: a rare summer rainstorm. Unfortunately, the fickle LA audience wasn't having the rain and a lot of people began heading for the doors. This was just moments into act two by the way and no amount of praying for star shine or sunshine was keeping the rain at bay. The cast referenced the rain in a couple clever ways and the Bowl staff passed out ponchos. The audience that remained (it was still a lot of people) were treated to a high energy and emotional finale.

One drawback is that a show like Hair is better served in a more intimate venue where cast interactions with the audience can be more appreciated and enjoyed than with a massive Bowl audience.

With great direction and choreography along with a talented and captivating cast, Hair at the Hollywood Bowl is a wonderful way to spend an evening.

You have one more chance to catch this great show tonight (Sunday August 3) at 7:30pm.

Hair

8/10 Tie Dyes!

For more information and tickets click HERE.

RAWR(for more)

Super Mario Galaxy: I can has a Bee Suits?!

So if you are lucky enough to own a Wii, and I am *insert big grin here*, you should have picked up this little gem. Now since I am not a big reviewer type, I will leave the main review with PCB. But my mini review is as follows:

Super Mario Galaxy is the best Mario game since Super Mario World. Unless of course you include the Paper Mario Franchise. But I don't.

Nintendo has done it again: they have brought fun game play, with innovative wireless movement technology, and bright color to create a game with a character we have all grown to love. Maybe even forgotten with the big guns of Halo and Bioshock.

But Mario is a staple in pop culture, and I can consider this a revival. For too long has Mario been considered the wimp of gaming; and this time, he has brought a little sting to the competition. Pun intended.

Graphics have been a big complaint in regards to Nintendo's Wii.

Hell, even where Nintendo is concerned, they have always been considered thee lacking console for graphics. But Super Mario Galaxy brings something to the table. Nintendo has brought vibrant color and Final Fantasy style effects, that really shows what Nintendo is all about: Adventurous fun. The music heightens the gamers experience as you run upside down on a world, fly through space, and even battle the main boss. They managed to bring some long missed nostalgia, music from the original dungeons, Mario 2 enemies, and Mario 3 type costumes (the bee suit - which makes you fly!)

Nintendo has out done themselves with Super Mario Galaxy. And while they are slow with getting their games out, if the rest are as good as SMG, the wait is definitely worth it.

As a non-gamer gamer, I may just have to convert.

You can pick up your copy of Super Mario Galaxy at the Pop Culture Beast Store.

RAWR(for more)