GLEE! - Not Just For Your Average Choir Nerd.

Glee, FOX's new one-hour musical comedy-drama, is in its fourth episode and already has a strong following. The series is downright witty, scandalous, crafty, and funny. While the direction of Glee uses opportune dramatic zoom-ins to add tension and comedic relief, the light-heartedness leaves me coming back for more.

The premise: An Arrested Development-like comedy set in a high school environment, filled with clichéd characters, soap-opera drama (which could be overbearing but is handled with humor), hidden innuendos, and quick dialogue.

The triple-threat cast: So when Ryan Murphy, creator of Glee, needed to find a cast, he needed to get it right. And in an interview with FOX, according to Murphy, "In Hollywood, it's rare to find a cast-full of actors that can do all three-- sing, dance, and act". Luckily, he struck gold. And as much as I'd love to brief you on the 12-member cast, I'll stick the four that in my opinion are noteworthy.

The compassionate Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison), the high school Spanish teacher who becomes the Glee Club director. An evil cheerleading Coach Sue Sylvester (the talented Jane Lynch), who is tyrannical and manipulative. Then there's the egotistical, talented student, Rachel (Lea Michele)--who is endlessly bullied while believing that being part of something special (like Glee Club) makes her special. And we can't forget about the all-around, misunderstood jock that joins the Glee Club, Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), who you can't help but root for.

The dialogue: My favorite part of this new series! The witty and quick dialogue is shared among the entire cast. From a one-minute cameo to a leading role, the cast gets to bravely state things like: "The staircase was made by Ecuadoran children." "This, this is the room where our girl or gay son will sleep." I have to admit, I'm impressed with FOX. The content seems a little risky at times.

One of the things the writers pride themselves in, according to their FOX interview, is that the series doesn't break out into a song randomly like it would in a movie. They claim that the musical scenes happen in organic rehearsal or performance settings. While this is mostly true, there are still a few musical numbers that sneak up randomly. (Not that I have a problem with that.) Nevertheless, the numbers are always fitting to the scenario. 

FOX's new musical comedy-drama series, Glee, is a hit! Notice, I say this proudly... So this is far from a guilty pleasure. (Even though I will admit, I too, belonged to a vocal jazz ensemble throughout high school. Uh, forget I mentioned that last part...) And who cares if the L in glee stands for loser? It's a comedy-drama that's bound to get you hooked.

Watch Glee, Wednesdays at 8/7 central on FOX.

And the Emmy goes to....

... Dr. Horrible's Musical Sing-Along Blog!!!

If you recall, I briefly mentioned this web video during my first week of blogging.

To make a ridiculously long description short, the Dr. Horrible premise is about Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris), the worst, not to mention, most likable supervillian ever. Supervillian loves girl, Penny (Felicia Day). [Spoiler Alert:] Supervillian accidentally kills girl, while attempting to destroy his nemesis, "superhero" Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion).



Like it? Watch it! You will enjoy the short, 45-minutes. At least Emmy did...

Giving a whole new meaning to "Craig's List"

The Conspirare Symphonic Choir Season 2009-2010 has officially begun.

Today at 8:45 a.m., a little under 100 voices of the Conspirare Symphonic Choir gathered at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church to begin rehearsals for the 2009-2010 season, led by renowned conductor, Craig Hella Johnson. This season promises to be an eclectic mixture: from rich Spanish lyrics of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, to an organ and chorale duet favorite, Duruflé's Requiem. The excitement of this coming season already permeated. I am convinced the music is not solely responsible for the excitement. In fact, I am certain Craig is an inspiring man all on his own.

I met Craig a year and a half ago, during my audition. In the middle of the audition room was a grand piano. And at the piano, on a black, shiny seat was Craig, playing chords. His slim body was hunched, his chin was dipped, and the blond hair tips hung slightly over his forehead. He looked my way, took his hands off the piano, clasped them between his knees and smiled a wholesome, comforting white smile. Oddly enough, his smile had an embarrassing-quality to it, sheepish even. He was so much smaller close up which struck me as odd, primarily because I had been to several Conspirare concerts, where he always had an ostentatious, revered aura about him. At that moment, he looked like a humble, blue-eyed boy.

That humility is one that I embrace in getting to sing in one of his ensembles. A feeling, I'm certain, that is shared among all the musicians that work with him. It's a magical experience to be on the Conspirare roster, or as I call it, Craig's List.

If you have yet to make it out to a Conspirare concert, I strongly suggest you make the time this coming season to experience one. It promises to be a spectacular season.

Just A Little Bit: Gimme some mo' Tancharoen!

As I develop this blog, I plan to weave in a series called Just A little Bit that dedicates a bit of time to different writers, musicians, and artists. Thomas Edison once wrote: "What man's mind can create, man's character can control." With that said, creativity deserves recognition.

Today, I begin with the Tancharoen Tag Team, composed of Maurissa Tancharoen and younger brother Kevin Tancharoen. In the last couple years, the siblings have been garnering lots of positive attention.

Maurissa Tancharoen is a television writer, actor, singer, and lyricist, who most recently co-wrote Dr. Horrible's Musical Sing-Along Blog with the Whedon brothers, director and writers of tv series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dollhouse. Last year, Dr. Horrible's Musical Sing-Along Blog, a hybrid of a three-act online webisode, received several awards along with an Emmy nomination. Needless to say, the musical was great. However, the prize jewel I fell in love with was not one of the main cast members, even though they were all great (I love you Felicia Day and Neil Patrick Harris!), rather Groupie #1--Maurissa Tancharoen, or Mo, as I like to call her. I also like to think we're good friends.

But why Mo? Here's what I've figured out so far, and I'll limit it to three. 1) Mo is talented and does not take herself serious. How many people can say that? 2) Adds to #1, Mo makes fun of herself. On The Commentary! The Musical, commentary for Dr. Horrible's, Mo wittingly sings about the scarcity of non-stereotyped roles in television mostly addressing her own, Asian. 3) Mo checks herself. On Twitter, Mo's bio states that she's a "thesp in things you've never seen."

Kevin Tancharoen, Mo's baby brother, is already receiving a lot of attention for directing and reincarnating the musical, Fame. In 2004, he choreographed the film You Got Served, a movie I never saw, yet where the previews exhibited innovative, body breaking dance moves. In an interview with Variety, baby brother Kevin stated something that was reminescent of the Tancharoen spirit: "You can't make a movie about teenagers who want to be famous and cast superstars. With a movie like this, why not make stars?" I like this mindset, a lot.

Who wouldn't want to work with a director like Tancharoen? Universal Pictures, that's who. Universal has invited Tancharoen to direct a sci-fi action film, Arcana.

From the large screen to the iPhone, the Tancharoen blood is helping bring originality, creativity, and enterntainment to every glowing portal. Many audiences are still not be familiar with the Tancharoen name, but they will be. I dream of a time in the near future where audiences will be asking for, "Some mo' Tancharoen. Make that two."

For more links to Mo's shenanigans click here.