Ukulele

My latest thing I'd like to learn but probably never will is the ukulele.

I've been interested in the ukulele since age 12 or 13, when I saw a movie or interview or something with Steve Martin playing one. But I've had a renewed interest after deciding that I want to learn something musical, and too many people I know play the guitar so I'd like to learn something different.

My desire to learn was heightened after I bought the new Panic at the Disco album, Pretty. Odd., and heard the song I Have Friends in Holy Places. With this heightened interest I took to the interwebs to find some more ukulele songs. Here are a couple that really stood out:

Jake Shimabukuro - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

via videosift.com


James Hill plays Super Mario

The Phaaantom of the Op-er-a is here, in Sacramento!

I just want you to know that I really amuse myself with these titles. I wonder how much of a bother it would be to have it play music when you mouse over them. . .

Anyway, as the title so clearly states, The Phantom of the Opera is now showing in Sacramento. It will be in town from May 21 to June 14, 2008. Apparently this is VERY exciting news. -= For tickets and information, click here. =-

My wife and I were invited to go see it with a pretty large group of friends back in November and our show date was this last Saturday. Of course we saw it, and I must say I was very. . .

Bored. Darci really enjoyed it, but it just wasn't my thing. I like the music for the most part, but I was forced to listen to it so much growing up that it's just not very impressive anymore. The costumes and "special effects" were good, but nothing more than I expected. The scenery was very nice though. But I just really don't like the story. I would be a lot more interested in seeing it with the Phantom, instead of Christine, as the focus. I think the play makes him seem too much like a creepy, voyeuristic, old man and it makes it hard to for me to feel for him. I know there is a lot more to his character. Let's get a bit more of his history in there.

Anyway, here's how I would place all of the stage plays I've ever seen, starting with my favorite:
1. Disney On Broadway's 'The Lion King'
2. Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular
3. The Phantom of the Opera