Halloween Wars

Some of the great things about October and Halloween are when television shows embrace this time of year. One of the best examples of this is Halloween Wars on Food Network. This is a competition that pits the best of the best teams in sugar, cake and pumpkin carving against each other while they transform those elements into horrific creations.

Every week teams compete in two challenges: the small scare and the spinetingler. The winner of the small scare gains an extra assistant when they move onto to the larger spinetingler, which is the elimination round. Not only do they have to make a scene based on the parameters of the specific challenge, they also have to make a tasty treat the judges can eat, that will still fit into the scene. One team leaves the competition each week until only two remain for the final battle!

Here are some creations from past seasons:

As a creative person, who loves to bake, make treats...and of course, carve pumpkins, this show is right up my alley. I love to see what each artist can do, how they make a cohesive scene and the creepy factor overall.

I know what I'm doing for the next 4 weeks...

No One Mourns The Wicked

Those are the first words you hear when you watch WICKED. The story of The Wizard of Oz is global. Everyone knows about Dorothy and her journey through Oz with her friends the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. They all know that Glinda the Good Witch helps her on her way and that in the end she defeats the Wicked Witch of the West with a bucket of water.

But unless you've read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West or watched the musical, Wicked, you don't know the half of it! Gregory Maguire took L. Frank Baum's classic story and turned it on it's head to give life to a prequel explaining why the green witch, Elphaba, was the way she was.

Not only does WICKED tell about how Glinda and Elphaba get their start, but also Dorothy's trusted friends: the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion. About the Wizard and his past with Elphaba's family. About Elphaba's sister, Nessarose. This history is detailed and weaves the old and new together is a great way.

Which leads us to the musical.

I had the pleasure of being able to see WICKED today in Albuquerque. I've known the story for over ten years, since the musical began running on Broadway in 2003. The music, written by Stephen Schwartz, is distinctive and melodic. You'll be humming the songs as you leave the theater.

But I digress. Some of the most amazing things about this show aren't just the singing or the story, but the effects. Everything from making monkeys fly, the giant wizard head floating about the throne, a dragon coming to life or the unmistakable green skin of the Wicked Witch of the West, WICKED's special effects are incredible. They seamlessly help to create the world of Oz, along with the sets and costumes, and make this show very unique.

Fun facts:

• It takes about 30 minutes to fully apply Elphaba's makeup before each show
• Elphaba's 2nd act dress weights 30 pounds
• Glinda's bubble dress is EXPENSIVE, worth around $20,000
• The tour travels in 15 trucks (which hold the set and deck, costumes, lighting and sound equipment, etc)
• There are 263 costumes worn in the production
• Elphaba's name comes from the Wizard of Oz author's initials (L. Frank Baum)

It also didn't hurt that I knew someone in the cast who was a delight to see on stage. Etai (seen below) is currently playing Boq in the first national tour (aka Emerald City Tour). I couldn't help but smile when he was onstage. He lights up the theater.

If you haven't seen WICKED, you should see it. The music is great. The homages to the original Wizard of Oz are extremely evident. And while the ending isn't exactly like the book, it's a great twist.

The Dragon-clock is ticking. While I don't anticipate the production to go away anytime soon...you certainly don't want to miss it!

And what kind of Halloween doesn't have witches?!?!?!?!

Halloween Costumes

So today's blog post is about Halloween. Yes, most of these have aspects of Halloween but this one is specifically about Halloween, this year's Halloween to be more specific.

I've already been informed that I will be a scarecrow for Halloween this year. This is per the request of Mel for her birthday (she's an October baby and she's combining the events). She suggested that we all go as scarecrows and have a laid back evening in our 'cute' costumes.

I'm ok with that.

But, I would also like to go Trick-or-Treating with my goddaughter, so I will be walking around as a scarecrow before I go out with the girls. Oddly enough, this will work out as my goddaughter's mother is planning on being a witch.

Our plan is derived from these two things. We are now turning this into a family affair and making it a Wizard of Oz evening. We will have the scarecrow and the witch, of course, along with the cowardly lion (Bailey), tinman (my goddaughter) and  a flying monkey (her father). 

We spent a good amount of time this evening talking over the game-plan and costume designs. I will be working on the makeup for all of us and even taking care of some of the costume pieces. Overall it should be a fun time before I hang out with the girls. 

Here are some of the sketches I did this evening (not a lot of detail and my scarecrow sketch is missing at the moment). 

Don't you just love the Bailey sketch? I do!!!

More pictures and more detailed sketches to come. Stay tuned!