Vanessa Hudgens as Rent's Mimi

Vanessa Hudgens of Disney's High School Musical has just been cast to play Mimi in Rent at the Hollywood Bowl August 6-8.

I'm not for or against Vanessa. I think she's pretty - I'll be interested to see where she goes in 10 years. But overall, I think it's a pretty good choice.

She's not starring on Broadway folks. It's the Hollywood Bowl...have you ever heard of that? I haven't.

Apparently the Hollywood Bowl is the United State's largest natural outdoor amphitheater (I am a huge advocate of outdoor ampitheaters).

I love the character she'll be playing. If you haven't been to the theater to see Rent, at least rent it (ha! rent it! ok...) It features incredible stage and television stars including Adam Pascal who I am convinced will be in the history books in 10 or 20 years (if he isn't already). Mimi is played by Rosario Dawson and her character portrays a great example of humanity struggling with the conflict between reality and idealism.

And anyone who has actually paid rent will appreciate the bite against The Man. I identified with this strongly in Atlanta sitting in traffic for hours and living in a little apartment just barely inside the perimeter.

But I digress.

Glee Flash Mob

Let's just get this out there now: I love flash mobs. If you don't know what a flash mob is, check it out here. The Urban Dictionary definds it as "a group of people who appear from out of nowhere, to perform predetermined actions, designed to amuse and confuse surrounding people. The group performs these actions for a short amount of time before quickly dispersing. Flash mobs are often organized through e-mail and/or newsgroup postings."

Although that definition includes far too many commas, it's about right.

I believe flash mobs will be mentioned in theater history books in the future. It demonstrates how theater is being taken to the streets - literally. There is no need for an elevated stage, lights, music or seats for an audience. The audience has no idea it's going to happen and it can be quite the spectacle.

One of my favorite flash mobs I've seen was in Seattle. A group of performers choreographed a flash mob to a montage of Glee songs. Very cool, check it out.

The Grease Generation

My outside concentration at the University of Florida was in Theater and Dance. My actual degree is in Public Relations, but that's besides the point.

The point is this: in viewing many of today's popsters and celebrities, one may lose heart in the hope of our humanity.

But my heart has hope in the Grease Generation...or at least, that's what I'm calling it.

The Grease Generation is a generation who saw the movie Grease at an impressionable age. We love music and dance and choreographed dances and inspiring ballads. Give us happy costumes, overcoming themes and more than just a romance. Give us a group of friends who fight for life, love and happiness.

I'm aware that I just spit out a bunch of mushiness, but that's ok with me.

At UF I took the History of Theater for two semesters. It was very interesting to look at how theater has progressed throughout the years.

So, this blog will look at how theater, or rather self expression, is progressing through these years. So if you care about Glee, Adam Pascal, Daniel Radcliff and Tom Hanks - this blog is for you.

If you just care about pop culture, this blog is for you too. :)