Barely on Broadway: July 2018

Welcome to Barely on Broadway, a segment where a Broadway show obsessed girl who is nowhere near being a theater critic can act like on via blogging. In this segment, I will be listening to a new show every single month (at least new to me!) and giving you, the reader, a review on it. Keep in mind, these are my opinions, and all of the shows I will mention here are worth giving a try, regardless of my own opinion! Also in these posts I will be giving you my favorite showbiz song of the month, and a show (one that I know and love) recommendation. I may even enlist the help of my Broadway loving friends, and get different opinions on one singular show. Sound interesting? Keep on reading! 

The chosen challenge for this month's musical is.... TUCK EVERLASTING! You may be looking at this and thinking "I had no idea that was a musical". Low and behold, this beloved book and movie is now a show! In 2016, this show hit the Broadway stage, and was sadly closed after 39 performances. (Also, warning! Some spoilers may be ahead). Following the well-known story of Jesse Tuck and Winnie Foster, I am more than excited to dive into this musical and see what it's all about!

​ash's favorite things

Ugh, this musical. I was seriously kicking myself while listening to it and questioning why I ever put listening to this musical off. Not only is the plot and storyline incredibly similar to the book and movie, but it's just a really really awesome musical. If you're not familiar with the storyline, the audience follows the stories of the two main characters: Jesse Tuck (and the Tuck Family), and Winnie Foster. Winnie Foster, the 11-year old adventurer, is notorious for being a goody-two shoes, and wants nothing more but to explore the world. Jesse Tuck and his family are "cursed" (or blessed, depending on how you look at it!) after the drink from the seemingly normal stream. Little do they know, the stream is actually enhanced with "magic", in a sort, and the Tuck family are living forever. Jesse himself has been stuck at age 17 since the 1800's. Winnie Foster eventually breaks her good-girl spirit and runs away for a day, and eventually runs into the Tuck family in the woods. She grows close to them, and eventually feels more like she ever has as herself. She especially grows close to Jesse, and they eventually fall in love. He pleads her to wait for him until she turns 17, and then drink from the stream. This way, they can get married and live forever. However, Winnie is conflicted with what she should do after an incredibly meaningful conversation. Should she drink from the stream (that is struggling under how much is left after a gold-digger discovers it's magical powers), or should she be with the man she loves, and experience a life of growing and age? Though I won't spoil what our homelike Winnie does, it was definitely the best decision. 

//favorite characters//

Although this is a tough one, I'd have to say my favorite characters (though I can't just decide one) would be Winnie Foster and Miles Tuck. Of course, Winnie Foster is the 11-year-old goody two-shoes we've mentioned before. I like her so much because I relate to her want for adventure, but her need to also obey her parents and be good. I also have a strange like for Miles Tuck, the eldest brother of the Tuck family. Though he has a tough demeanor, he shows such an emotional and vulnerable side to him that was incredibly moving to listen to! He, as the older brother, had gotten married, fallen in love, and had a son. Though this seems like a happy occasion, he was still only 22, even though his wiseness-age would've put him well past 40. His wife decided that he had sold his soul to the Devil, and her and their son left him. He is like his father and assumed that immorality was a curse, and didn't want to burden his family with it.

//favorite songs//

"Good Girl winnie foster"

I think my overall FAVORITE song from "Tuck Everlasting" has to be "Good Girl Winnie Foster". This song serves as an introductory for Winnie Foster herself, and she explains how she has a really bad case of being so good. One reason I love this song so much is because I relate to it! I hate getting trouble, and neither does Winnie Foster.

​"TIme"

As much as I love "Good Girl Winnie Foster", this song is a really tough competition for it! In "Time", Miles Tuck tells Winnie what happened to his family that he once had and what he wishes he could've given them more of; time. He regrets not having them drink from the magic spring, but he also regrets the fact that he and his son, Thomas, are no longer together and will continue to grow further apart. Winnie tells Miles she no longer has a father, but she will always love him, and assures him that Thomas feels the same way about him. WHO IS CUTTING ONIONS?!

​//Least Favorite song//

"Everything's Golden"

I know, it's hard to even fathom that I would have a least favorite song from this album after I have done nothing but ranted and raved about it! However, it's not the song itself I don't like. It's just the background story of the song that makes me like it the least. Terrance Man, better known as "Man in the Yellow Suit" in the musical, sings this number about how everything is golden (after he finds out how much money he can make after the stream is discovered as magic). Especially the fact that this was right after the beautiful number of Jesse asking Winnie if she would drink from the stream in 7 years so they can be together forever. BE STILL MY HEART. 

Overall rating

I seriously have not stopped listening to this musical all month, and it will surely be something I revisit every time I turn on my Broadway playlist! My overall rating of this musical is...
​

9/10
Highly recommend!