memoryfloodsin

I really couldn't work out how to do my year end picspam/list, I've already done a 'my year in review' post but that's just writing really and it's very personal. I'm hopeless at top 10s, I cannot narrow things down enough and I'm horribly indecisive also as far as I'm concerned 2008 has been a pretty shit year both on a personal and on a fandom level. I've left a lot of fandoms, I've not been creative, movies did not deliver, shows didn't thrill me and I've done little reading. How exactly does one catalogue a year of absolute mediocrity. Then someone on

picspammy did a picspam entitled 'what I loved about 2008' and it's so bloody obvious I don't know why it didn't come to me immediately but that is what this picspam is: What I Loved About 2008. This doesn't include everyone or everything it's not even a 'things I loved the most', I might have forgotten some things or included people I've never mentioned. These are just things I loved this year.

[Title of Show], the little show that could. It may have only lasted 15 weeks on Broadway but it inspired such love and passion. It was a show about having a dream and following that dream. Hunter, Jeff, Heidi, Susan and Larry are an amazing group of people, so nice and kind and freakishly talented. I hope so much that when Tony time roles around they're remembered in some way.

In The Heights. This show means so much to me. I can't believe that it was the first show I saw on Broadway, I'm so thrilled that it was a show I wanted to see more than anything rather than just something I saw because I was in New York. It's incredible to think that Lin started writing it when he was 19, doodling on the back of his astronomy notebook and now it's a Tony Award Winning Musical, capitalisation totally necessary!

Dominic Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris, Lee Pace, Ben Barnes
All incredibly pretty men, who are awesome actors and pretty nifty singers.

New York 4th Sept 2008 - 7th Sept 2008. This was one of the best trips I've ever been on. I can't believe I've finally been to New York. It was amazing. It was also completely depressing, because now I know what I've been missing for 22 years of my life and I ache to go back, so so so much.

His campaign was incredible, 2 years ago no-one had heard of him. Now he's the first black President of America. He's an inspiration. He's articulate and he's got an amazingly classy first lady - I am excited for January 11th.

Spring Awakening, The Light in the Piazza, Next to Normal, Jersey Boys
Spring Awakening: I go through phases with this musical, sometimes I think it's the most ridiculous musical ever but then other times I'm blown away by it's genius. I'm very excited for Jan 31st, trains had better bloody be running.
The Light in the Piazza: Adam Guettel is a genius. This musical is just the most exquisite thing ever. I love how sweet and funny it is and how full of heart it is. I love Fabrizio and Clara.
Next to Normal: I feel kinda bad grouping this in with the others because I am obsessed with this show but otherwise this picspam would own the universe. I love how relatable this story is, I mean it's not exactly light subject matter but it deals with it with heart and truth and humour.
Jersey Boys: I grew up listening to the Four Seasons, in fact the first song I ever remember listening to was 'Who Loves You' on my Grand's record player. I was so excited for this musical to come to London, and having seen it with Scott Monello on for Frankie I'm just blown away by how slick and intense it is.

Legally Brown: Search for the new Piragua Guy. This was possibly the best episodic thing I saw this year. OMG so much love! It's hilarious.

Alice Ripley, Aaron Tveit, Krysta Rodriguez, Matt Doyle
All freakishly talented people, whom I could listen to for hours!

Janet Dacal, Andrea Burns
Insanely talented, ridiculously beautiful, complete sweethearts. I got totally flaily over Andrea at the stage door, I did the gushing 'I've loved you since Songs for a New World' thing and then Janet I was all 'umm... you were amazing' because I was so completely shocked by how utterly gorgeous she was in person.

Stephen Schwartz
Enchanted: So Close
Wicked: For Good
The Prince of Egypt: When You Believe
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Out There
Pocahontas: Just Around the Riverbend
Children of Eden: In Whatever Time We Have
Rags: If We Never Meet Again
Working: Fathers and Sons
The Baker's Wife: Meadowlark
Pippin: With You
Godspell: Alas For You

Stratford-Upon-Avon [July and October 2008]

July: It was a gorgeous weekend, sunshine (I got burned), lovely food and my Mum and Auntie Gill. We did a bus tour, and went to all the various houses in and around Stratford. Hamlet was wonderful, although I didn't think Tennant or Stewart were up to the hype, they were still wonderful and the staging of the first scene alone made me so thrilled.

October: I drove down! It was a great weekend, Tennant was far better in Love's Labour's Lost than Hamlet and everyone was totally on their game, except Mariah Gale but she was bad in Hamlet so we weren't expecting anything from her. Mum, Gill and I had a gorgeous meal, bought nice clothes and had a fantastic time.

Fiyero/Elphaba (Wicked), Peter/Jason (Bare), Felicity Huffman/William H. Macy.
Two fictional pairings, and one real life. I adore Fiyero/Elphaba just because they're so intense and adorable. I love Peter/Jason they're so epic and devastating. Felicity and William are just adorable and I love them and really don't gush about them enough.

Michael Arden Sings Blue @ Joe's Pub

One of my favourite male vocalists singing songs of one of my favourite female singers' songs.

Such a wonderful concert. Hearing Josh and Adam sing live was incredible. Kerry wiped the floor with Idina. Jon Robyns rocked in the ensemble and the whole evening reinforced my love of Chess.

Catherine Tate, Richard Armitage, Michael Arden, Lin-Manuel MirandaPeople who are supremely awesome. Catherine and Richard for their seriously awesome acting and for rejuvenating shows, Doctor Who and Spooks. Michael and Lin for their awesome musical skills and for being totally incredibly amazing.

Wonderfalls, Britannia High, Spooks, Sports Night
All thoroughly entertaining shows that I either discovered or rediscovered this year.

Curtis Holbrook
His dancing is incredible, plus he's hot!

My Top 10 Films are here but Mamma Mia gets a mention here because it was just so much fun, and really showed Rob Marshall how to translate a musical to screen.

Donna Noble: She was such an awesome character. She was a strong women who was still feminine. She more than matched the Doctor and she didn't try to be a hero and she didn't back down from a fight. I freaking love Donna Noble.

Matthew Gray Gubler is so funny and dorky. I love Spencer Reid, he's such an adorable geek.

Merlin, Colin Morgan, Bradley James
I love this show, I love how much fun it is. I adore the relationships between the characters, I love Merlin/Arthur. I freaking love Gwen.
Colin is such a good actor and he's terribly pretty and his accent is lush. He's such a dork as well. Bradley is very attractive and he's an awesome actor, I love his expressions and another dork as well.